#or bootleg Iris

[sinrevi]

I had some free prompts for the AI generator on deviantart and entered a description of my ocs to see what it comes up with, but it gave me a Maxim instead?

[bimboamyrose]

visiting Istanbul and I've seen TWO of these creepy eyeless coin-operated sonic rides at different arcades. why

[melonthesprigatito]

Had a pretty strange thing happen to me yesterday. I was googling "Espurr Plush Pattern" because I was thinking of maybe making a Shiny Espurr plushie to celebrate the announcement of Legends Z-A (went out and bought fabric and everything too. The pink fabric was hanging on the top shelf and I spent ten minutes jumping and yanking on it to try to pull it down because I couldn't reach it but that's a different story)

As I was scrolling through Google Images I stumbled across this site that was selling an Espurr plushie using this exact photo

Reverse image search yielded the information that a few other sites with gibberish URLs are also using this image so there's no way this is legit. (I saw it once but for some reason I couldn't get reverse image search to work properly again, it just shows random Espurr images, not every site thats using this image so I couldn't get a screenshot and I'm mad about it)

Wanna know why else this is 100% not legit and the seller isn't selling the Espurr in this photo?

BECAUSE ITS THE PHOTO I TOOK OF MY OWN ESPURR PLUSH

In case you need further proof that photo is mine.

She is called Iris, named after my Meowstic from Pokémon Sword and boy was she a fixer upper. Here's the rest of the images from that r/sewing post, she came with a lot of flaws

I have since patched her up with emergency plush surgery to fix her holes and rearrange her arm and tail to their correct positions.

This is her now and she is doing ok. :)

It was a little disappointing that I got scammed with a damaged bootleg plushie, but Espurr is already one of the scrunkliest Pokémon so those flaws make her more scrunkly and more endearing.

Back to my main point, I'm 100% that scam sellers are using this photo as a reference image to trick people into buying. But the fact that they're using a photo of an Espurr that is A) extremely bootlegged and B) DOESN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE THAT ANYMORE, certainly is a Choice™.

(also $25.99??? What a ripoff, I got mine for £10 from eBay)

[guthrie-odonto]

I've done yet another kaju revamp for Monster Genesis, the newer monsters being displayed below

Wanryu: For this one, I went back to what I did for the kaiju when he was Godzilla, making his ancestry within thyreophorans such as Jakapil and Sceliedosaurus.

Elsie Iris Kinokami: Nothing much from my last post with her, just a change for her hair actually being more like hair as well as new art of her human (but still photosynthetic and with plant genes) form. (also she's transfem and half-persian, the first trait being thought of by me and the second trait being thought of by @owoiwonderwhatsthis; this also would be a nod to the fictional country of Saradia in Godzilla vs Biollante)

Fokuma: this would be the new Rodan expy and it's also a sneaky full-circle reference to a DND history. The owlbear, among some other monsters, was inspired by a figure found in those cheap plastic "made in china" dinosaur sets that were in fact bootleg Ultraman kaiju toys. As such, the figure that would become the owlbear (a fukuro-kuma, to put it in Japanese) has been adapted into a derived avalian, the three fingers on the wing being thumbs that underwent duplication in an instance of radial polydactyly, something that helped his ancestors provide better grip when climbing surfaces much like the wing claws of a hoatzin.

Tentora: This one's relatively more simple, being Mothra but a ladybug instead of a lepidopteran, with the colors invoking a sunrise/set based on the fact that the japanese word for ladybug, tentomushi, literally means "sun-bug"

[raccooncityriots]

Tagged by @chocobothis

Last song I listened to: Wish You the Worst - Ryan Mack

Last book I read: Do the bootleg Freedom novel snips count, haha I think it was Tides of War, but it has been a while since I've finished a real book. It's hard to find a consistent time these days.

Last “film” I watched: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire 

Last TV series: Gundam SEED (Ariel and I are still chipping away at our pre-FREEDOM rewatch every night), but honorable mention to Yuru Camp that I finally started thanks to @finger-puppetmafia 

Last thing I googled: “XZ Utils exploits”

Last thing I ate: White Chicken Chili

Sweet, savory, or spicy: I love all three, but I have such a weakness for sweet things. 

Amount of sleep: Last night? About 4-5 hours 

Currently reading: The Green Knight by Iris Murdoch

Tagging: I'm gonna say my tagging others privileges are revoked until I do at least half of the ones I've currently left for dead in my draft lmao

[theacedragon0w0]

Spa Squad Day

A big love letter to the guard squad @puffymucher(Hazel and Willow) @helluvadyke (Iris) @imapuppy5000 (Orion, Vlk, and Athena) @mirconreadzztuff22 (Rosalina and Xana) @tamberwoof (Sydney)

Am I insane? Maybe

Is that going to stop me? Hell no!

It was rare for the hellhound guards to have the same day off but they all wanted to make the most of it. The straw method of picking the group activity was cliché but it was agreed to be the least bias method as whoever received the marked got the say on what the squad can do. The winner this time was Sage, much to her and everyone's surprise.

Both Orion and Iris placed each other in a headlock as they were yelling on what Sage should pick, with Willow and Athena trying to pry the two off each other, "We are NOT going to that stupid bootleg Broadway show!"

"And WE are not going to waste the day by binge watching the same trilogy for the umpteenth time!"

Sage was honestly intimidated by the responsibility but Hazel's gentle touch on their shoulder helped calmed their nerves, "Bluebell you know whatever you decide we will all enjoy it, right guys?"

That managed to calm everyone down, as by the rules of the straw game, everyone will agree to the winners decision. After much consideration Sage suggested,

"How about a spa day?"

After a couple of minutes of silence the group nodded in agreement, given the workload of protecting their overloads and to assist them with whatever they want, the squad all collectively agreed that they deserve to relax a bit.

----------

The group found a large resort that offered different types of treatments that everyone was interested in.

Grabbing an arms full of brochures, Sage passed each member one, "You guys all can choose how you want to spend your day, since Rosalina and our bosses managed to book the place for us."

With everyone agreeing on the time and place to meet back for dinner, everyone split up, Orion and Athena, Willow and Iris, Sydney and Vlk, and Xana by herself, leaving Hazel and Sage the last two alone.

Hazel nudged Sage, "Well, Bluebell, what would you like to start with? We can do the pool, get our claws done, or would like to do the couple's massage?~"

Sage giggled at Hazel's teasing, "Actually Hazel, if you don't mind, there is one thing that I want to do by myself, but it'll only be for half an hour, I promise."

Hazel whined, but didn't press her, "hmmph, I guess ill just join Vlk and Sydney then, but you definitely owe me that massage."

"I promise Hazelnut," kissing Hazel's nose before seeing her run off.

[junosbugs]

0.1

fireside

0.1

kyle “gaz” garrick x fem reader 

warnings: alcohol ?? maybe idk

0.1

0.1

Iris always believed that whatever she put her mind towards, she should be able to succeed in it. Her mother thought of her to be dramatic but her father thought the world for her. Maybe her father did feed into her delusions, but he truly felt that she was able to conquer the world if he pushed her enough. He saw the hunger in her. 

Now that same hunger was being used to see who could make more espresso martinis the quickest. Not that the diner and bar targeted the demographic of those in their early 20’s. Within just her first week of training, Iris was able to teach herself the in’s and out’s of the place, feeling she had to prove herself to the resident employees. 

The first day was awful to say the least. Iris hadn’t done anything in particular to make it awful, but the passive comments made in her direction were enough to set her off. No one should have to prove themselves in an almost beaten down establishment, yet here she was. From riches to rags, Iris was never able to get rid of her competitive behavior. She wondered if her father would have laughed at her or with her. She was fine with the mystery of it. 

“Done.” Iris spoke up. She looked over at Dan, who lingered behind her, almost done with his espresso martini. Trying to hide her knowing smile, she patiently waited for him to finish. 

It was only 8:30 PM on a Thursday. Not many people were in town, but then again not many people came to this bar. With only a few customers lingering and the slow build up of what they called rush hour nearing, Dan and Iris found that a not so healthy competition was in place. 

“Okay, I’m done too.” Dan spoke, pushing his glass next to Iris’s. 

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Dan, that doesn’t look right-”

“Shut the fuck up and let Sherry taste test. Sherry!” Dan yelled into the kitchen window behind the bar. Out came Sherry wearing her typical maroon button up and bootleg pants, her auburn hair laying flat on her shoulders. Iris and Dan both stepped back allowing her to walk up to the two drinks.

You have to guess who made what.” Dan said. 

Picking up the drink on the right, Sherry brought the glass to her lips and took a small sip. She couldn’t bring herself to swallow, and Iris could tell from the slight bulge of her eyes that she had won. Sherry grabbed the trash can under the counter and quickly spit out the drink. 

“Iris won.” The older woman croaked. 

“But you don’t know which one is whose.” Dan spoke. 

“Iris won.” Sherry said again, still hovering over the trash can, which was followed by a giggle from the younger girl.

“You didn’t even try hers.” Dan pleaded. 

“Iris won.” She firmly repeated.  

“Oh come on, you are being dramatic.” Dan huffed as he picked his drink up and took a sip from it. He instantly realized his mistake and snatched the can from Sherry’s hand, spitting out any of the contents into the trash. 

“Oh god it’s so grainy.” Dan croaked. At this point, Iris’s giggles died down as she cleaned up her area. Dan followed while chugging down a bottle of water to erase the aftertaste of a grainy espresso martini. 

“You didn’t want to try it? Dan asked as he started clearing his station, preparing for the incoming customers that may or may not come. 

“I like living in comfort Danny.” Iris said. 

“No one has actually tried Iris’s espresso martini yet though. Who knows, maybe it doesn’t live up to the winning standard?” A voice came from the side of the bar. Both bartenders' ears perked at the mention of Iris’s name, not realizing they had an audience interested enough to view their juvenile actions. A man sat with a green baseball cap resting on his head. A thick hoodie embraced his silhouette, showing proof of the autumn gust that danced outside this late at night. 

The girl simply smiled at the customer, huffing a small laugh to show courtesy. “I never lose.” Iris said, locking eyes with the man in front of her. 

“She’s right, started last week and she's already becoming a customer favorite.” Dan faced the man, leaning back against the counter as he dried his now empty martini glass.

Iris put down the rag she used to clear off the counter and walked to the other end of the bar to grab her still untouched espresso martini, “Would you like to try it?” Iris asked, placing the glass in front of the man. 

Staring down at it, his arms crossed on top of the counter. Looking up at the girl in front of him, he hesitated. Iris could see the pause in his motions and the gears turning in his head, not sure what he could be thinking about until Dan's voice came from behind. “Don’t worry she didn’t poison it.” 

He looked back at Iris with a ludic smile gracing on his lips. “Promise?” 

“Promise.” 

The man let out a quiet chuckle and reached for the glass, not looking back at Iris again. But her eyes locked on the man in front of her. 

The two waited patiently for the man's reaction, not sure why his reaction meant so much to them. Who knew a competition between two bartenders could become so tense; however, Iris knew. It was all she ever knew. 

Her father would always remind her, always push her. She knew he loved her for it, and he could’ve been twisted because of it. Another mystery she was fine with being unsolved. 

“Iris wins.” He spoke. 

Her smile brightened and she wasn’t sure if it was because she won again or because his voice was gentle as it held her name. She wanted to hear it again. 

She turned her head back to Dan with a gummy bear smile and a middle finger held out to him. Dan chuckled painfully and his head fell back as he walked away. “You stay on that side of the bar, I don't want to see your face till tomorrow.” 

Iris laughed at his childish antics and looked back at the customer in front of her. He had almost finished most of the drink by now.

“Oh wow, you really liked it.” Iris was shocked to see the half empty glass. 

“You’re a winner for a reason.” He said, tilting the drink a bit. Silence loomed over them as Iris continued cleaning her side of the counter while the man nursed the drink in his hands. It was odd seeing a man of his size and nature, holding a drink you would find on the rooftops of Manhattan. 

The man pulled out his wallet from his pocket and said, “Here.” He slid over his card to Iris’s side of the counter but she gently placed her fingers on the plastic and slid it back over to him, slightly shaking her head. 

“It’s on the house.” She said, moving over to the damp dishes that needed drying. 

He pushed back the card. “Really, I insist. Think of it as a prize. For winning.” He spoke earnestly. 

Iris simply shook her head again. “Maybe next time I’ll let you pay,” she said with a chuckle. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t want him to pay. Maybe it was out of the kindness of her heart. Or the fact that she was still riding on the high of winning over three different people in this stupid competition she summoned. 

“Is this your way of asking me out on a date?” He questioned, tilting his head a bit. Iris wanted to laugh at him. “I guess I could ask you to buy me a drink first but you already are.”

“You’re a funny guy…” Iris trailed on at the end.

“Kyle,” he said. 

“Kyle,” Iris finished. “But I’m not looking for anything right now. Maybe another time.” 

Kyle nodded his head in understanding, looking down at his drink with a lost smile. He finished up the last sip of the drink, placing it back onto the counter.

“Oi! Gaz!” A loud voice came from the door. There stood a man with a thick Scottish accent wearing a jacket waving over the man in front of Iris. Behind him were two more men in similar attire, one wearing a bucket hat and another with a black ski mask.

Kyle, or Gaz, held a hand up, waving slightly at them then turning back to Iris. She grabbed the now empty martini glass in front of her and started clearing his area, assuming he was going to join his group. 

“Maybe another time.” He smiled at her as he slowly got up from his seat. Just then, the Scottish man came up to Kyle and swung an arm around his shoulders, “Got a drink without us? Whatcha get?” This man's voice was loud, causing Iris to close her eyes from the noise. 

Kyle looked at the Scottish man, who must have leaned his entire body weight onto him, as he fumbled out a few words. “Just a drink, you know.” 

Iris stepped away from his area and looked at Kyle, whose eyes shifted back from the Scottish man, to the two men sitting at the booth, back to the girl standing in front of him.

“Have a good rest of your night,” Iris said and brought her attention to a customer a couple of seats over. But Kyle's eyes never left Iris’s, wishing his friend had just stayed put in the booth and waited. 

“So whit did ye git, actually,” Iris heard the Scottish man's faint voice as he led the two back to the booth. His voice was loud enough to hear from across the room, even with the faint music and the lingering chatter amongst the room. 

“Whit? I thoat ye hated coffee?”

[thepilgrimbetweenworlds]

Antiverse Revised Character Profile: Bootleg

Bootleg

Donor “Name”: ED-H8 (sometimes called Ed by Kevin)

Age: [Data Expunged]

Species: Mechamorph

Birthplace: [Data Expunged]

Hair: None

Eye: Blood Red with Black Iris

Height: 5ft 11in

Weight: 200 lbs. (Fluctuates depending on current configuration)

Powers/Abilities:

-Weapon Generation: True to his name, Bootleg only imitates, never innovates. By absorbing metal or high metal content objects, Bootleg can create a vast armament of weapons, each with a unique purpose. But he can't merge with technology like Upgrade, and the weapons he creates eventually break down after repeated use.

-Liquid Metal Body: Comprised of a bio-organic/nanotech compound, Bootleg’s body can shapeshift into a variety of configurations, as well as regenerate from dismemberment. This nanotech, while impervious to most forms of damage, can be rendered malfunctional by extreme cold or heat.

-Stealth Capabilities: If you feel the cold steel through your back, it’s too late. Bootleg has a multitude of abilities that allow him to remain undetected by his enemies, including a motion based cloaking system, voice mimicker, and infrared/night vision mode.

-Ocular Laser: Beware the flashing red glare, coming from the darkness. Bootleg’s eye can emit a small but very precise laser. Designed for sabotaging mechanical infrastructure or computer databanks, it can also be used as an improvised weapon, although it is not very powerful.

Physical Description: At a first glance, ED-H8 is not that much different from his prime universe counterpart, but the devil’s in the details. Firstly, his head is more human looking: a subtly defined oval shape with a thin neck. His main body is similar in shape to Upgrade, but his arms are somewhat ganglier and disproportionate. His fingers end in small, circular touchpads which are designed to scan metal content for use in potential weapons. Along ED-H8’s arms, legs, and head are a series of ports from which his makeshift weapons are produced. Dark blue circuitry flow from these ports and course about his body, stopping at the neck line. From the back of his neck, several of these circuits form the base for his singular, blood red eye. Attached to ED-H8’s shoulders are armor plates designed to house and protect his cloaking equipment. His main body is colored jet black. The Antitrix symbol is located on his chest.

Backstory: Have you ever been trapped in a stranger’s body? Woken up in some robotic shell, with no control over your actions? This is the hell that awaits the species used in the creation of the Mechamorphs. In fact, without the “assistance” of this hapless race of bio-organic shapeshifters, the robotic assassins would not even be possible. Hailing from an unknown planet in the Antiverse, ED-H8’s host was plucked from a peaceful existence and taken to a remote R&D outpost. It’s here that the eventual host is cruelly experimented upon. Nanotechnology is injected into the subjects gelatinous body, radically altering its DNA. This nanotechnology converts the subjects body into liquid metal, an agonizing process that leaves them mentally broken… and ready for stage two. The now converted host is subjected to psychological brainwashing; force fed data on weapon’s manufacturing, guerrilla warfare, and terror tactics. They are forced to endure countless simulations until murder and terrorism become second nature to them. In one final indignity, the host’s original identity is buried, forever adrift in the subconscious…

Designation ED-H8 is the result of this horrible process. Now nothing more than a soulless android, the host will spend the rest of its days as a passenger, forced to watch as the Mechamorph carries out acts of unimaginable violence. Every life... every kill made by ED-H8 would only drive the host further into madness, until it resigned itself to the murky void it now calls home. Word soon spread of this Mechamorph’s robotic cunning and stealth and he became highly sought after for his skills in inflicting terror. He became so famous, that he eventually caught the eye of one particular customer who wished to acquire his services…

Personality: ED-H8 is an uncomfortable enigma. Every action he takes is done with mechanical efficiency: No movement is wasted, no word misspoken or tactic misused. To ED-H8, there is nothing but the mission, and the mission will be completed, no matter the cost. If you stand in his way, he will end you… and make it hurt

Influence on Kevin: Kevin becomes unnaturally emotionless and sinister as Bootleg, his normal attitude replaced with a casual disregard for his enemy’s wellbeing.

Trivia:

-ED-H8’s eye is always staring at something of interest, no matter what it is.

[omoricandyrestart]

Omori – My Candy Restart Headcanons:

(For my My Candy Love X Omori AU crossover)

1- In the OG game, Lynn needed to use specific outfits for the Love Interest she wanted to conquer. However, in MCR, she only uses one. That’s because Sunny doesn’t care which outfit she uses.

2- Armin already played Pet Rocks, but, he thinks the game is one of those cheap bootlegs.

3- Iris drinks Orange Joe regularly.

4- Lysander and Sunny like to exchange some poems from time to time. Lys doesn’t want to invade the personal space of his friend, but he is trying to get a better grip on Sunny’s reasons.

5- Kentin doesn’t like Sunny. He just used to hide it before. He envies how much time he got to spend with Lynn.

6- After making up, Aubrey and Lynn would probably be good friends.

7- I like to imagine Lynn ends up with different guys on other Omori AUs. But she always feels like something is missing.

8- Although Castiel really doesn’t like Sunny, he still hates Nath more (which, can change).

9- Rosalya is unsure about Sunny, but, if her friend likes him, she supports it.

10- If all highschool LI were trapped in a closet, Cas, Nath and Kentin would fight, Lys would try to break up the fight, Armin would watch with popcorn, Alexy would be disappointed on his brother, and Sunny would zone out until he is out.

11- Sunny isn’t really that jealous towards the other boys. He still hasn’t noticed they like her, but, even if he did, he wouldn’t hate them. Just feel a bit insecure.

12- Lynn, on the other hand, would probably jump to attack Basil, Kel and Aubrey if she felt jealous.

13- I like to think that Mari and Lynn would probably have a hard start. Mari would be scared of Lynn cheating on Sunny, and feel like she is only using him for something. They would eventually get along.

14- If Lynn met Sunny during his childhood, the whole incident on the stairs would have probably not happened, and the two would already be dating from the start of their high school life.

15- Since Jade, Dajan and Dake don’t appear (look, we already have enough drama here, everybody), I like to imagine they probably went somewhere else.

16- If Sunny was in My Candy Restart, his loveometer would either be a mystery the player couldn’t see, or just get higher no matter the answer.

17- Meanwhile, if Lynn was in Omori, her main emotion would be “in love”. No idea of her attacks, though.

18- Sunny and Armin’s game competitions can last days with no breaks.

19- Basil and Violette have similar vibes and cry a lot together. Alexy usually consoles them after.

20- I imagine the canon My Candy Restart is set on one of the ends where Sunny dies.

[ljaesch]

AeschTunes Revisited: April 24, 2007

This is the playlist for the April 24, 2007 broadcast of AeschTunes Revisited: Pet Shop Boys – “Miserablism [Electro Mix]” Alpha Team – “Speed [Hardcore]” The Cure – “Bananafishbones [Live Bootleg]” Erasure – “Don’t Say Your Love Is Killing Me [Jon Pleased Wimmin Flashback Vox]” The Smashing Pumpkins – “The End Is the Beginning Is the End [Stuck in the Middle With Fluke Alternative Mix]” Iris –…

[boydykedevo]

I hate being into media without any canon pictures of the characters. What, am I supposed to draw them? What do I look like, someone who doesn’t have chronic art block? Unbelievable

[irisbaggins]

«Teaching yourself is nigh impossible, it’s why we have lecture classes!»

Also my teacher;

«Oh yeah you need to study 20 hours a week to have a chance at understanding everything :) No I will not help unless it’s absolutely necessary :) No I will not offer you any aid; just form groups and study in them :)»

[purpleparrot]

this has been a weird year as a whole but i think the weirdest part of it is cody simpson’s return to relevancy

[bonniella]

Who would be interested if I put Cirque Du Soleil shows on my bootleg list?

I just acquired a few Cirque Du Soleil shows, and am trying to gauge interest in trading for these shows. 

The shows I have are:

Alegria Amaluna Corteo Delirium Dralion Iris La Nouba Mystere O Ovo Quidam Saltimbanco Totem Varekai Zarkana ZED

Also if anyone has Luzia i would love to trade for it! 

[the-bjd-community-confess]

I’m getting kind of tired of people labeling any doll that isn’t made of resin (or isn’t a DD,MDD, etc) but is in the style of bjds (aka hjds) as “recasts” or “recast adjacent” when there’s no evidence to prove that the item is stolen in anyway. Allow me to say it for y’all in the back *you can’t own a general idea and/or size category* something being similar or in the same market as another thing doesn’t make it a bootleg. At most it’s a “knockoff” but only in the sense if the item is more affordable than its name brand counterpart and is of some lesser quality.

I understand that the 1/3 Dream F@iry and UC@naan dolls are rumored to be partial recasts with varying amounts of proof to support the allegations. Personally I don’t see it because all of the “proof” I’ve been shown is weak at best, but I’ll agree to disagree on that point.

However, there are lots and lots of different “off brand” abs and vinyl jointed dolls in various sizes that have no evidence of being recasts and don’t necessarily have an attachment to a company accused of using recasted sculpts, but still people brand these as “recasts” or close to them or “bootlegs” with the justification that they just haven’t *yet* found the sculpts they stole or that you *can’t prove they’re not recasts* or even they’re *so similar* that clearly the person who made them are trying to rip off the “original”. All I can imagine that it’s some kind of weird brand loyalty anti recast pro artist thing.

Like there are several ob11 style bodies available on the market right now, some are more affordable some aren’t and most of them are a lot better functionally and aesthetically than the original ob11 bodies. Despite most of these options visibly are clearly not recasts and do not have ties to recast companies everyone seems to seem these “bootlegs” because they’re similar and serve the same purpose as the ob11 body, but that’s not a bootleg. They didn’t steal anything or name them the same as the ob11 ( they’re not called “obootsue” or something dumb like that) so what they are are just products vying for the top spot in a specific market (think iPhone vs Samsung).

Not to mention that these ideas about them being bootlegs never applies to the @rchetype bodies from Goòdsmile despite the fact that that product was literally produced to compete with ob11’s in order to capitalize on the fact that people were buying nendroids in order to hybrid them with the ob11 body, meaning they could sell them both parts and make a profit. Of course those bodies are inferior and usually more expensive, but as the others are “bootlegs” and “knockoffs” the @rchetype would also be as well, but no one considers it so because it has a brand name.

I’m tired of people getting demonized for owning things that aren’t recasts, but I suppose can’t be proven to be “legit” without a doubt. It’s the weird (as much as I hate this word now) elitist mentality that you must condemn someone for having something despite not having a reason in order to make yourself look better. Saying you have a name brand, highly sought after item isn’t enough anymore, everything but the best *must* be a recast even if it’s not in which case you’ll settle for “recast adjacent”. Look I’m anti recast, but this shit is getting ridiculous. Let people enjoy their dolls.

~Anonymous

[blackannabethchase]

here we go again

disclaimer: the last time i wrote anything was in eighth grade and it was an odesta fic on instagram. but @andygarfy gave me a prompt and here we are xo

It’s a hot day in Manhattan when Percy waves his hand over a glass of water and wills mist to reflect a rainbow in the bright hot sun coming in through his window. He says a silent thank you to his father who probably hoped his gift of golden drachmas would be used to stay in touch with each other. But the Lord of the Sea is a busy guy, and Percy has been letting the coins dwindle away to speak to his best friend all school year.

He says a prayer to the goddess and sees his best friend materialize in front of him. Her eyes are bright and her smile is big and there’s a hand wrapping around Percy’s heart. It's just because he misses camp, he rationalizes internally. Annabeth arrived at the beginning of the week and is sitting at the base of a willow tree. The sun bounces off her golden curls and she really does get prettier everyday. He pushes those thoughts aside and they fall into their normal pattern of conversation. Laughing and teasing and enjoying each other’s company.

"So when are you coming to camp?"

"Not till Sunday. I have this stupid orientation at Paul's school and Mom's making me go before I can leave for camp."

"So you'll still be in the city Saturday?"

"That's what I just said, genius."

She rolls her eyes. "Well maybe if you're in the city still... Maybe I could be in the city too.” She looks at her hands. "Maybe we could see a movie, or something. If you're free I mean.” Her cheeks are red hot.

Percy looks up at her eyes wide. "Yeah!" Then a little calmer, "Yeah, I'll be here and if you're here then we would both be here, and we could go to the movies. Did you hear about this new one Kung Fu Panda? It looks so funny. And remember I showed you School of Rock? It's got the main guy from there and..." He trails off as he notices her face twist, his spirits drop, "or not if you didn't like that one."

Now it's Annabeth's turn to go wide eyed. "No, I did! It was so funny. It's just..." She purses her lips and exhales through her nose. She looks away, blushing more than she knew was humanly possible. "I kinda already saw it with Connor yesterday."

Percy's jaw clenches as his mutters to himself what sounds like Idiot Stoll followed by a few more expletives. He bites his cheek and composes himself a little more. "Oh... I just thought you hadn't been to the movies yet this summer," he says with a pinched smile.

Annabeth rushes to diffuse the situation. "No, I haven't! I went straight from school to camp and I've been busy with counselor stuff but yesterday during campfire a bunch of us snuck into the rec room and Silena popped popcorn and I think it was an excuse for her to hang out with Beckendorf but Travis and Connor snuck their DVD player to camp and Connor had swiped a bootleg of Kung Fu Panda but it was really funny, Perce. And you would like it, and I can watch it again if you want."

She's blushing and tripping over her words as they tumble out of her mouth. She looks up expecting Percy to have steam coming out of his ears. To his credit, he looks calm. To his best friend however, she knows she's struck a nerve. For a moment she indulges herself. Good for her. If Percy is going to be an idiot and spend his first few days of summer with mortals instead of with her, she shouldn't have to feel bad about spending her time with other boys. Even if those other boys maybe don’t make her laugh like he does, or know how to talk her down after a bad day of dealing with her stepmom like he does, and especially don’t make her heart skip like he does. 

She lets her thoughts spiral for what feels like forever but couldn’t be longer than a few seconds in reality. Frustrated, she has half a mind to wipe her hand across the Iris Message and end the call altogether.

Percy lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. “No! I mean… No, you don't have to see it again.” He scratches the back of his neck. His shirt raises a little bit. Annabeth definitely does not notice. “Yes to the movies. No to Kung Fu Panda. We can find something else to watch. I’ll ask Mom to call the theater and check the showings.” Percy looks at her with a cheeky smile. “And I’ll try to forgive you for this utter betrayal.”

Annabeth can’t help but smile back. He just always knows she thinks to herself. After so many years of friendship and protection, they read each other like open books. It’s hard to stay mad when fighting so easily turns to laughing.

She replies plainly, “Wow, thank you so much for your mercy.”

Percy laughs and so does Annabeth and everything is okay again. They laugh until their ribs get tough, and Percy agrees to meet Annabeth at the train station at 2:45 for the 3:15 showing of Mama Mia.