#pearl and sandy were also incredible

[biscoitocraft]

Brazillian production of The Spongebob Musical in Rio de Janeiro, Bob Esponja o Musical!

Just got to see it and we weren't allowed to film the numbers themselves of course, but I had to share the AMAZING cast. (Pardon the yelling and the shaky camera, i was very excited)

Everything was perfect, the sets, the costumes, the lighting and sound effects, and most of all the amazing actors. Not only did they incorporate the characters perfectly, keeping to the original broadway version but also adapting to local audiences where it was needed, their voices also matched perfectly with the brazillian dub of the cartoon.

It's going on to its last weekend in Rio but it'll soon be in São Paulo, definetly recommend to anyone who's able to watch it!!

[babyyhoneyyyyy]

⋆.˚✮ 𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 ✮˚.⋆ - One Shot [h.s]

Storyline: After concluding a public relationship on unfavorable terms, singer Madison Moore decides to sever all ties with her boyfriend. However, a year after their separation, she crosses paths with him again at an awards ceremony, where he makes his entrance accompanied by his new girlfriend – the same one Madison once suspected of cheating on her. Nevertheless, she no longer possesses the same docile and soft personality she used to have and when she realizes her ex is attempting to approach her, she chooses to immerse herself in a casual conversation, coincidentally encountering her primary rival in the music industry, Harry Styles. Word count: +9k Smut: 🔞

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|•

Diamonds sparkle around my neck, while pearls delicately rest on my ears. A charming set of jewelry has been carefully chosen for the evening, creating a perfect combination with the black dress I selected for the red carpet.

The fabric hugs my figure precisely, displaying a dark yet radiant shade that reflects tiny glints under the light. The standout features are its pronounced V-neck and the leg slit, adding a revealing touch to the ensemble. My hair complements the look with a lace-up that falls down my back, leaving my forehead exposed.

I glance once again at the small clock showing the time through the mirror's reflection. It's nine fifteen, and there are just a few minutes left until the rest of the team arrives, and we all head to tonight's location in the van.

I close my eyes for a brief moment, letting them open again as my reflection appears before me. In another moment, the red lips might have seemed excessive, but tonight they were more than appropriate if I aimed to make an impact. A long-awaited display of recognition, only possible with suggestive clothing and a mischievous look.

I knew these tricks well; I had been using them for a few months and had become almost an expert. However, I couldn't really complain; they provided me with confidence and a sense of control, as only I knew how far to go and how much to reveal.

I hear my nickname being called by my manager, beckoning me from the other side of the door, signaling that the moment has arrived.

I let out a final sigh, giving one last glance at my reflection in the mirror, and with a small affirmative gesture, I make my way to the door. I unlock the latch and move down the hallway.

"How do I look?" I ask once I see my entire team getting ready to leave my apartment. Their gazes immediately shift to my face and gradually descend to my outfit, creating a subtle interplay between my face and figure in a silence that was beginning to feel almost unsettling.

Then, Allyson, my best friend and the person who would also accompany me to the gala, more at my request, approached me, dropping her hands onto my shoulders and holding me lightly while allowing a cheeky gaze to traverse my body once again.

"Incredibly hot," she replied with a side smile. If I didn't know her better, I would even say she was flirting with me.

"You look like a freaking superstar," Sandy, my agent, joined by my side, commented with a radiant smile that I didn't hesitate to reciprocate.

"A very sexy one," added Allyson.

"Seems like she got the memo," I responded to Sandy, throwing a glance at my friend while I simply watched their interaction with amusement.

"Time's running out. People are already asking if you'll show up, Maddy". I hear the voice of one of the technicians, prompting my manager, my best friend, and me to hurry and exit immediately.

I feel a slight tug on my arm, causing me to turn my head back. I observe Sandy, who looks at me with her typical observant and serene expression before any event, always trying to convey the same message to me.

"You're going to fuck everyone tonight". A smile escapes me due to her choice of words, as I playfully nod, and she takes my arm, finally allowing us to exit the apartment.

The noise of the city intensified as we navigated its streets. The neon signs became more prominent, and some cars honked their horns. Although I would have enjoyed observing the characteristic brightness of Hollywood, the driver's announcement that we had arrived only made my heart beat faster. The once bustling atmosphere provided by the streets was now fueled by fans waiting outside the venue.

The van's polarized windows prevented them from seeing me from the inside, but somehow, magically, some people had already started chanting my name. A smile spread across my face, feeling more confident as we headed towards the location predetermined by the team. I observed the various faces approaching the van, trying unsuccessfully to see beyond, but still shouting random names until they landed on the right one.

I checked my small bag, pulled out my mirror, and refreshed my lips with the lipstick I had specifically chosen for tonight. I took a deep breath a couple of times, practicing a breathing technique I had been taught since my early days in the industry, trying to focus on all the positive things that had happened up to that point. I was about to participate in one of the highlights of my career, not just as a guest but practically as the potential winner and the main star of the night. I was at the top, and no one could stop me.

My nod was enough for the back door to open, allowing my heel to finally touch the red carpet. The noise intensified, ringing loudly in my ears as the choruses of my name created a buzz around me. Camera flashes accompanied my descent as I tilted my head slightly to mark my steps on the pavement.

I stood in the center of the carpet, striking various poses for the photographers, keeping my face with a serene expression, and, on some occasions, with a smile. I began to move away as the pleading shouts for me to stay faded away. Allyson gently took my arm, occasionally smiling at the paparazzi still trying to get our attention as we entered the venue, followed by my team.

As we made our way through the backstage hallways, I could hear the voices of the presenters. I watched different technicians move around us, greeting me as they recognized me. Some even asked me to take a photo, a request to which I gladly agreed.

My heels lost prominence as we approached, overshadowed by the buzz of the show taking place in the main hall.

"Maddy," I hear Sandy's voice behind me, taking a moment to address me while she seems to be immersed in a phone conversation. "You should start getting ready," she informs me.

"Of course" I reply, making her nod before she returns to her phone call. I glance at my best friend, who has let go of my arm and looks at me with a pout. We both knew that her seat was reserved at the assigned table inside the hall, and I had to head to the dressing rooms to change.

"At least you'll wait for me next to Shawn Mendes" I mention, giving her a playful nudge as she regains a smile.

"You're absolutely right," she replies. A smile lights up her face, and before I can leave, she takes my hand, drawing my attention again. Ally is not known for being an especially emotional person; in fact, I used to surpass her in that aspect. However, lately, her emotions have started to emerge, which is saying a lot considering I've known her for more than half of my life. The expression she wears right now is more than enough to make my heart swell. A tenderness that adds sweetness to our friendship and makes me feel grateful for it every day.

"You're going to do wonderfully, although you already know it," she says, gently squeezing my hand. I feel the excitement rise through my body, finally manifesting in the growing moisture in my eyes. I blink a bit as I look up, preventing the tears from actually coming out. "I love you, Maddy. Good luck".

Oh, dear, I hate getting so emotional to the point of crying in these situations.

Unable to contain myself, I move closer to her, releasing our hand grip and enveloping her in an affectionate hug. Finally, I pull away and nod.

"I love you too, thank you". I reply, finally letting her go to continue her way into the hall, where the noise returns once the door leading directly to the entrance opens.

Again, the sound of my heels echoed on the floor, this time as I headed towards the path that led to the dressing rooms. As I advanced, some technicians greeted me until I reached the door with a star bearing my name. Under my hand on the lock, turning the knob as the dressing room materialized in front of me.

Immediately, I was enveloped by the scent of vanilla. Warm lights illuminated the room, matching the furniture in beige tones, including a sofa, a dressing table, and a small table with dried fruits, fresh ones, and bottles of water.

However, my attention focused on the rack beside the furniture. I approached and took off the cover that was suspended on a hook. I placed it on the chair, spreading it out as I unzipped the garment bag, finally revealing the outfit I would wear that night.

My performance would be marked by a yellow ensemble that had been tailored for me some time ago. It consisted of a ruffled top and a matching skirt, providing additional volume to my figure. Although it exposed my abdomen, allowing me the flexibility to dance and move freely on stage thanks to the small shorts I wore under the skirt.

It was a beautiful and practical outfit. It had been in my closet for a long time, and this was the perfect occasion to wear it.

I placed my belongings on the dressing table and secured the dressing room door for more privacy. Dressing was straightforward; however, removing the dress presented some difficulty. Nevertheless, I finally managed to replace it on the dress stand and hang it on the rack.

I turned towards the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, allowing my image to be seen from head to toe, highlighting the combination of yellow that enhances my skin tone and subtly adds volume.

I heard a tapping on the door, and I approached to open it, allowing Sandy's figure to enter the dressing room. I didn't stand up to show her my outfit, as she had witnessed the tailoring process from the beginning. Instead, I sit at the vanity and pull out the makeup I had brought for touch-ups, quickly changing the shade of my lipstick so I can blend in with my outfit and also to mattify my face with powder.

I felt calm until that moment, mentally reviewing the choreographies I would perform. However, when my nickname came out of my manager's lips, I immediately looked at her. I knew Sandy long enough, from my beginnings in this industry, and I could already discern precisely when something was not right.

"What happened?" I immediately ask, although silence persists from Sandy's side. She has chosen to sit on the couch, watching me through the mirror. "Sandy, tell me now, you're making me nervous". I say.

I see a sigh escape her lips as she nods towards me and says, "It's about your performance".

My breathing starts to become uneven as infinite possibilities take shape before me. I remain calmly silent for a moment until I decide to respond.

"Okay..." I affirm, maintaining composure regarding the situation, and wait to get more details. "What happened with that?"

"They said we have to cut it down," she replies at the same time my confusion arises. This time, Sandy doesn't wait for me to ask additional questions and proceeds to explain, "Now, you'll only have time for one song, then you'll have to leave the stage to make way for the next artist".

My eyes narrow in her direction, I turn my back to her, and lean on the back of my seat at the dressing table.

What exactly did she mean by that?

"Next artist?" I ask still confused. "I thought I was the main performance".

"That's right," she replies. "But, apparently, there was a sudden change of plans because they need to add someone else in that slot".

I continue to watch her attentively, examining each of her gestures. She clearly seems nervous, but I feel like she's hiding something more.

"Who?" I venture to ask. The question is enough for Sandy to shake her head repeatedly and get up from her seat on the couch. I watch as she starts pacing around the dressing room, holding her phone and typing at the same time. I call her again, but her response is limited to giving me a look and remaining silent. "Sandy, I was promised a full performance. I've practiced for months to occupy an entire slot, not to be limited to just a few minutes. At the very least, I deserve to know who it is".

Sandy's eyebrows furrow, showing an internal struggle to reveal the truth. Finally, after a sigh that reflects her unease, she utters the name of the responsible party: "It's Harry Styles".

Of all people in this damn industry.

I sigh with frustration and look at myself again in the dressing room mirror. The light illuminates the space, covering my entire face and clearly reflecting my furrowed brow and a pout beginning to form on my lips.

What was originally going to be a complete performance of about ten minutes will now be reduced to only four, with just enough time to present my latest single.

I was upset, or rather, furious. I had dedicated months of effort and rehearsals to this, preparing to occupy an entire slot where I would not only present one but two songs, each with its own set design and choreography. And now, all that work was going to be wasted by having to involuntarily share the spotlight with someone else.

And worst of all, that someone else turned out to be him.

Harry embodied all the negative aspects of my career, being my number one rival since my position began to rise rapidly. There was a time when I considered that his growing popularity along with mine could be seen as a positive boost for my career, but it turned out to be the opposite when I realized he saw it as competition.

At one point, he snatched a venue where I was supposed to give a show. I tried to communicate with his team at that time and eventually with him, thinking it was a mistake. However, when I received a small note on my phone with a headline showing him laughing at the situation and even making sarcastic references to my loss in the middle of his own show, I decided that things needed to change in that regard. 

I could tolerate many things, but I wouldn't allow him and his actions to leave my fans and me hanging.

"I'm really sorry, Maddy. I did my best, but they insisted on sharing the space". I hear Sandy's words, feeling her closer and visualizing her behind me, leaning on the chair that still supports my body.

I nod finally, aware that the issue was not in her hands to resolve, as it transcended our team.

I hear three knocks on the door, announcing that it was time to go. I check myself once again, making sure my makeup is still intact, and rise from my seat, also adjusting my skirt.

"Fuck them all. Let's go".

I hear Sandy's laughter beside me, leading the way as the dressing room door opens, allowing me to re-enter the bright light of the hallways. Most of my team is waiting for me. I greet the dancers who will accompany me with a smile and join them as applause fills the space. My team makes the moment more lively, allowing us to perform a small ritual that has become a tradition for us before each performance. We join our hands and raise them with cheers of excitement.

This is how I finally position myself behind the stage, gaining confidence as I turn my back to the audience. With my right hand, I hold the microphone and squeeze it tightly at least three times, inhaling air as I adjust my breathing.

Until I see the stage light up with blue lights, I close my eyes and let the music fill my ears, a chorus of screams chanting my name initiating my performance.

The performance unfolds exceptionally. The dancers beside me don't hesitate to execute strength in their steps, and I, in turn, accompany them beyond necessity. I put into practice all the breathing exercises, holding the high notes perfectly. All the effort is reflected in the applause and screams around me when the music stops and the lights intensify the drama.

I stayed on stage for an additional time, under everyone's gaze, waiting for the team's signal to descend from the platform. I raise my hand and give a small wave to everyone, receiving warm smiles, many of them from faces familiar to me in the industry.

The cue comes through my in-ear monitors, and with the dim lighting present, I descend from the stage at the back.

My team welcomes me with hugs and some applause as we return to the backstage. However, I sense the music resurfacing once again with a sound of trumpets that extends throughout the environment, triggering my inevitable curiosity.

I turn slightly backward, watching the bright light flooding the stage again in a warm tone, this time accompanied by a tall man who exhibits a unique presence that I have had the chance to witness on a few occasions, and he wears a suit that fits perfectly to his body, made of a fabric that seems to be leather.

I make a small grimace as I see him confidently traverse the stage, as if I had never appeared in this one, looking at the people as his own and quickly winning them over with his movements. The audience erupts in cheers when he drops what appears to be a green feather boa, revealing his bare torso, covered only by his leather jacket.

Not wanting to see any more, I turn around and head back to my dressing room, ready to change my clothes and head this time to the new place where the after party would take place.

I opted for a dress in a celestial shade and also fitted to my body, although the fabrics of this one had a subtle dewy effect that I loved.

As I enter the new lounge, I am greeted by upbeat music from a DJ and the dark lights in shades of red and blue become familiar with my dress. I sense greetings from a few industry acquaintances before finally finding my best friend in the crowd. Near a table at the bar, Ally was actively engaged in a conversation with the guy we once talked about, and then I began to doubt whether I should interrupt.

My lips concealed to prevent my smile from being too evident as I approached, but my gaze shifted, and immediately, I regretted it when I felt my steps instinctively stop.

A few feet away, I spotted Joe with his distinctive brown hair, recognizable to me. However, that wasn't all; next to him, a young blonde placed her hand on his shoulder, carelessly approaching his face while smiling at him.

At that moment, I couldn't pinpoint exactly the feeling I was experiencing, except for the paralysis of my heart that prompted me to continue watching their interaction. I mean, it wasn't common to meet my worst ex again, let alone witness his audacity in introducing the woman I discovered was his lover for much of our relationship.

I felt like I could vomit at any moment, and everything seemed to get worse when I sensed that Joe's gaze shifted from the girl beside him to me.

I felt the world crumbling around me, forcing me to blink and look away, although it was already too late when, from the corner of my eye, I saw his figure starting to approach.

Although Ally was still immersed in her conversation with Shawn, I no longer cared about interrupting them. But they were both far enough away that trying to get there in a hurry would be a hopeless endeavor.

So my only option was to turn around and head back to the dressing rooms, which ended only in colliding with another body in the attempt.

"Have you gotten lost all the way to your table now?" I hear Harry's characteristic husky voice, revealing his presence in front of me with a completely revamped outfit, still in dark tones, wearing a suit that seemed to be crafted from a wool-like fabric, though I couldn't pinpoint it due to the dim lighting. What was completely visible was his torso, now covered by a bividi.

A sigh escapes me. This was the last thing I needed.

"I forgot something in my dressing room," I reply.

"Still your dressing room?" he asks mockingly, causing a furrow in my eyebrows. "I thought once your performance was over, your name simply vanished from that door".

"I don't know, what do you think?" I respond sarcastically, hearing his laughter, knowing he expected me to reply with the same tone. "Did your name already vanish?"

"What do you think?" he replies. I roll my eyes, confident that no one would really see my expression due to the lively atmosphere around us. However, I decide to remain subtly cautious and maintain a falsely enthusiastic expression before smiling at him.

"I don't have time for this, Harry. Excuse me". I mutter under my breath, looking down, instantly erasing my smile, and waiting for his body to give me the pass.

Instead, Harry chooses to inquire, "Are you sure?" leaving me again with an inevitable furrowed brow as I realize he's not moving. "Because I see your ex-boyfriend over there with an attractive blonde a few meters from us," he states. Once again, I feel my heart freeze, and a dry cough resonates in my throat. Uncomfortable, I avert my gaze carefully, avoiding meeting anyone's eyes, until the husky voice manifests once again, but this time a bit closer. "And, in case you've forgotten, the dressing rooms are in the opposite direction".

Damn.

"Of course, I remember," I immediately respond, turning my head to address him directly, allowing him to step back a bit as he notices our proximity due to my movement, though I, for my part, don't even react. "I was going to the bathroom first, and then to my dressing room, that's what I meant".

"Sure". he murmurs with another smile. He doesn't hesitate to express his intention to tease me in front of me. His audacity has persisted since I've known him, and the incendiary reaction every time we cross paths only intensifies over time, becoming increasingly unbearable.

I felt a sense of suffocation every time I encountered him. I often watched him from a distance, displaying evident kindness to the public, being friendly, joking, and laughing, letting his dimples adorn his face. Despite all the charming image he projected around him, my perspective on him remained unchanged.

Every close encounter with Harry carried the accumulated tension throughout our career. The thirst for competition lingered silently as we exchanged glances at various events, and at times, even shared cheeky smiles that revealed our triumph when one of us won in our confrontations.

And, on this occasion, that's precisely what he was taking care of.

"Why don't you let me buy you a drink?" he suddenly asks, causing surprise and confusion on my face. I wait a few seconds before he continues, "As a way to congratulate you on your performance".

And there it was. It wasn't a friendly invitation but a celebration of his own triumph.

I feel discomfort rise on my cheeks, turning them reddish and experiencing the spreading warmth in me.

"Do you mean the performance you were about to steal from me?" I respond inquisitively.

"Did I?" he asks, feigning confusion in his words as his eyebrows tilt in sarcasm and his green eyes narrow.

I take the opportunity to get a bit closer to him, leaving us almost at the same distance as he once chose to move away. However, this time, he chooses to remain motionless in his place, making our height difference more evident, though my response is equally close.

"I know perfectly well that all of that was your fault," I murmur, making sure my words stay between us two. His eyebrows slightly arch as he continues to look at me, and I interpret it as a sign to continue, "It was a solo performance, and obviously, you couldn't stand not being the center of attention tonight".

Harry chooses to remain silent, studying my face carefully. I interpret his silence as confirmation, perhaps even something he was ashamed to admit aloud, and rightfully so, because that was what I really expected.

"You seem pretty sure," he finally responds, dropping his head to one side. "Let me discuss it with liquor on me".

"No way". I immediately deny.

"Your ex is still chasing you," he murmurs once again close to me.

I lower my gaze and inhale deeply.

There was no alternative. Either I faced Harry's words, or I faced Joe. One seemed to be worse than the other, although I couldn't decide which was which; but my instinct only urged me to go along with his proposition, and that's exactly what I did.

"Just one," I reply, reaching a conclusion. "No more".

Immediately, a dimple forms on his face, and an almost malicious look accompanies it. Whether I regretted it or not, I had already accepted, and he wouldn't allow me to truly retract.

Finally, this seemed to be my destiny for the night.

"Of course".

Harry turns, indicating for me to follow as the music around us increases as we approach the bar table. Lights flash in a variety of colors, now immersed in a dark violet tone. I grip my small purse firmly as bumps affect my body due to the dancing crowd, possibly drunk, without realizing or anticipating the space they occupy.

I don't pay much attention as I return my gaze forward, realizing that the bar atmosphere is left behind as we move forward.

I furrow my brow and try to match my pace with Harry's, striving to find an explanation. However, he keeps moving with determination and doesn't even turn around, knowing I'm still following him.

I identify the nearest exit door and decide to stop him at that moment. I pull his arm and hold it close to me, causing his pace to halt, and he finally turns to look at me.

"Where are we heading?" I inquire.

"I'll buy you a drink," he simply responds with a shrug, implying that the answer should be obvious.

"But I thought—" my words are interrupted by a sidelong gesture from him as he answers: "Those there aren't good".

My eyes narrow in suspicion. "Did you even try them?" I ask.

"I heard some comments," he says, shrugging his shoulders again.

Harry doesn't wait for me to say more and takes advantage of the grip I still have on his arm to grab my wrist, pulling my body slightly to keep walking.

The door of the lounge is opened by the security personnel guarding it, and the night breeze intensifies around me, leaving the noise of the music behind.

Once the doors close, I can appreciate the difference between the white lights coming from one of the main parking lots of the venue and the various luxury cars parked all over the place. Harry leads us to one of them, specifically a Range Rover that is slightly separated from the other cars. His hand releases my wrist and goes in the opposite direction of the car, letting me pass alone to the other side. I stay there for a few seconds, watching his interaction with the driver until he returns to my side, opens the back door, and lets me go first. I express a "thank you" in response and get into the car.

The journey turned uncomfortably silent, allowing me to settle at one end of the fine leather seat as I watched the city streets materialize around us through the polarized windows. My grip on my bag occasionally intensified, fidgeting with my fingers in an attempt to calm my nervousness.

The moment inside the lounge replayed in my mind, with Joe's brown eyes fixed on me, probably witnessing my exit with Harry. However, all the concern faded, carried away by the same tide to which I was willingly submitting. It's at that moment I hear my companion's voice, alerting me that we have arrived.

Harry steps out of the car first, unexpectedly assuming the role of a chauffeur as he opens the door and takes my hand while helping me descend. I feel his warm touch, contrasting with the multiple rings adorning his fingers. A chill runs down my spine, accentuated by the surrounding breeze.

The environment seems colder than usual, permeated by the salty aroma, and the presence of several yachts parked around the area makes it even more apparent. I furrow my brow, directing my gaze to the man beside me, who seems immune to my gesture and keeps his eyes straight ahead.

What the hell am I doing here?

"Where are we?" I inquire. More out of the need to know, I do it with the desire to get a genuine explanation from him.

It's only then that Harry turns his gaze back to me, revealing a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"I thought it was obvious by the yachts around us," he replies. At that moment, his figure starts to move, and I realize the car has withdrawn. The cool breeze surrounds us as I shift my attention to the majestic yachts practically next to me. One more luxurious than the other, with a shiny appearance, but this only serves to increase my confusion.

"I mean," I begin to say as I follow him down the wooden path, causing my heels to resonate more loudly. "I know where we are, but why are we here?"

Harry instinctively turns, throwing me a brief look before responding, "Because I owe you a drink". My gaze intensely connects with his, and I notice one of his dimples forming again due to his smirk. "What?"

"This is not a bar," I reply, pointing out the obvious at that moment. Our steps are the only response I continue to receive until, after what seems like a few minutes of walking, we stop in front of a particular yacht.

It was almost as extensive as the others, presenting itself with at least three sections from this perspective, equally white and gleaming, illuminated from the outside and showing only a glimpse of its interior. However, this one stood out even more among all, displaying the initials "HS" on the front, which leads me to connect the dots and take a closer look at the owner that I now recognize.

"What better than having a drink in the middle of the ocean, don't you think?"

For some reason, I choose silence as a response and wait for Harry, once again, to help me climb the stairs leading inside the yacht.

Inside, the opulence becomes even more evident. The bow presents itself as an illuminated catwalk, even equipped with spacious sofas for comfort. The interior looks almost like a small apartment, also furnished, with a table and chairs for any meal one might want to enjoy. A carpet covers the entire floor, softening the sound of my heels, while some ornaments decorate the space, highlighting the golden details around.

"Make yourself at home," I suddenly hear Harry say from behind, taking me by surprise. I turn my head instantly, slightly bumping into his face, as I see him enter the space. Finally, I notice that in the background, behind a partition, there is a wide stool that seems to be part of the kitchen and, in turn, the bar with a variety of drinks on display welcomes my presence. Harry's body is disappearing into that area, blending in and leaving me alone at the entrance.

A sigh escapes my lips as I sink into the spacious sofa. I check my bag, opening it to take out my phone and heading straight to Ally's contact. The call doesn't ring until the third tone, by which time I already hear the music hitting my speakers, forcing me to move the phone slightly away from my ear.

"Maddy?" I finally hear my friend say. "Where the hell are you?"

"I'm fine, calm down," I reply. "I came with a— Um," at that moment, I didn't know what to say. I had called to assure her that I was okay, but I hadn't considered the most obvious: what would I tell her if she asked what I was doing? I couldn't just spill the situation, as that would prolong the conversation, and the last thing I wanted was for Harry to hear all the details as if it were a gossip show. I quickly think of a response before Ally starts to suspect. "With a friend I met backstage, and we came for a drink at a... small nearby bar so no one can make assumptions," I conclude. I bite my lower lip as I hear Ally's response materialize on the other side of the line.

"Do I know that friend?"

"Uh," I hesitate for a moment before responding, genuinely trying to stop lying altogether. So I say, "Yes, probably". But before she can ask more questions, I interrupt her. "I'll tell you later".

"That's fine," she replies. I hear the music around her slightly fading, suggesting that she's stepping aside to get more privacy. "But is he at least hot?" she asks. And I have no idea what to answer.

I swallow as I look back into the yacht, watching Harry's broad back and curls from a distance. Even meters away, he appears unperturbed, and curiosity fills my instincts again. I hide my lips and look straight ahead.

"A bit," I reply.

"Alright," she responds. "Let me know if you need me to pick you up or something, I'm here for you".

"I know, there's no need to worry," I reply. "Are you going back with Robert?" I ask, knowing that now only my driver remains to ensure she gets to her own apartment safely.

"Well..." I hear a small laugh from her, and my eyebrows raise as I wait for her response. "I think I'm heading somewhere else too".

"Oh..." A shared laughter joins the conversation. "Okay... I understand," I nod through the call. "I'll wait for the details".

"I'll be waiting for yours too. Goodbye," I hear her slightly dragging the words, so I simply respond with a goodbye and hang up.

It seems I wasn't the only one who had an unexpected encounter.

A few minutes passed as I dedicated myself to look around, putting my phone back in my bag. At that moment, I hear the partition opening, with a subtle but attention-catching sound making my head turn in its direction.

Then, I see Harry holding two glasses in his hands, bringing one towards me and keeping the other.

The  liquor has a hue similar to pink, sharpening my curiosity as I bring it to my lips. The sip results in a bittersweet taste, immediately recognizing the mix of vodka and strawberry.

"It's really good, thank you," I comment as I continue to feel the subtle sweetness on my lips. I sense the sofa slightly sinking under the weight of someone else a few meters away, as if they were trying to maintain a distance. Harry leaves his drink on the table in front of us, watching me as I continue to drink.

It truly was delicious, but I no longer knew what else to say besides continuing to sip. So, I decided that the moment might be more bearable if I introduced some alcohol into my system. That would be the only way to stop thinking about the look Harry was giving me at that moment.

"Now we can address what you mentioned in that room," I hear his rough voice through my ears, awakening any instinct as I pay attention. "You seemed very confident in stating that I tried to steal your presentation".

"Wasn't that the case?" I inquire in response, finally placing my glass with the drink less than halfway on the table, right next to his. "It doesn't make sense for you to deny it. And neither do I have any point in remembering it". I tell him. A silence hangs between us, leaving his response in the void as an idea forms in my mind. At this point, the liquor has started to take effect, and although I'm not seeing blurry nor unconscious by any means, my filter disappears. And I really have no objections to that, as it is exactly what I wanted.

"I propose something," I start, capturing his attention with a steady gaze into his green eyes, which seem filled with curiosity, not really anticipating what I'm about to say. "For tonight, I'll leave all that behind, and you won't mention it with the intention of annoying me."

"Do I do it to annoying you?" he asks, laughing, one that highlights his dimples again as he shakes his head expressively and approaches the table to reach for his glass.

"You really have difficulty recognizing what you do, don't you?" I inquire, tilting my head to the right.

"That's all you assume," he responds.

"All you don't admit," I retort.

"Now you're calling me a liar," he comments after taking another sip of his drink. His words are laced with more sarcasm than usual, and his cheeky smile becomes more evident. "After you've had a drink, that's a bit disrespectful".

"Tell me a truth," I suddenly say, catching him completely off guard for a moment. His eyes meet mine directly, squinting slightly and raising his chin a bit. I watch as his tongue passes over his lips, moistening them and giving them a natural shine, before he answers: "I watched your performance".

"Now, a lie,"

A smirk begins to form on him, and then he replies, "I watched your performance".

Unexpectedly, a smile of my own appears on my face.

"I think it's your turn now," he tells me. I nod my head and inhale a bit of air before settling into my seat, allowing my dress to rise slightly and reveal more of my thigh. I don't bother to fix it, noticing Harry's gaze descending before realizing that I'm watching him.

And then another idea crosses my mind.

"Let's make this more interesting," I propose. "The loser will take off an item of clothing".

Harry's eyebrows raise in surprise, but quickly lower, leaving his expression showing only curiosity.

"Are you sure?" he questions.

"Of course," I reply without hesitation, reaffirming my confidence.

Harry responds with a small sigh, settling into the sofa, letting his body sink a bit more into it. He adopts a pose by resting his arm on the backrest and slightly opening his legs for comfort. In the whole process, I can't help but observe him.

"I didn't know that bold side of you, Maddy," he suddenly mentions my nickname, leaving me with a slight frown, wondering how he knew. "Who would've thought".

"On the contrary, I feel like I know a lot about you," I reply in a lower tone.

"Oh, really?" he asks, matching my tone. A playful smile forms on my face as I nod.

"Yes," I start, leaning slightly closer to him. My knees press into the sofa, and my hands sink into it as I slowly approach his body in a crawling position. I focus solely on following Harry's eyes, which darken, taking on the same tone as the night that envelops us, abandoning the green they briefly exhibited. I stop at the level of his knees, not directly colliding with them, and then I also rest my arm on the back of the sofa.

"You're narcissistic," I murmur, allowing silence to settle between us as my words hang in the air. "You enjoy being the center of attention, and when someone doesn't give it to you, you seek it at all costs," I continue. "That's why you brought me here. You can't stand that I won't surrender to you for real".

Silence settles between us again, but this time I feel the atmosphere becoming denser. Despite the breeze, I experience how heat floods my body, reddening my cheeks and forcing the opening of my lips to facilitate the circulation of oxygen. As for Harry, watching each of my movements with his eyes, which still retain their dark color, observing me with precision.

His lips receive another moistening from his tongue before he responds: "Aren't you already doing it?" he asks, his voice deeper than usual.

"You lost," I retort. A look of fake disappointment forms on my face, followed by a smile that I can't hide. "You know what that means".

Harry doesn't say anything for a few more seconds, until I finally notice one of his dimples returning on his cheek as he lowers his gaze. And with a final nod, he replies, "If you insist".

The minutes keep ticking away, and the atmosphere becomes hotter as Harry's clothes disappear. I always trusted my statements, no matter the question, and thanks to my certainty in words, Harry accepted his defeat in most of the rounds.

However, things took a turn; my glass was already empty, and my embarrassment vanished with it. This time, I was more than obvious, allowing the only garment that played against me, my dress, to disappear from my body when I admitted defeat, leaving me in lingerie. Harry simply watches the moment as I stand up from the sofa to make it easier to remove my dress. My lace set is black, with small flowers adorning the edges.

I leave the dress on the sofa and approach to return to my place, but Harry's hand lands on my wrist, stopping me as I look at him.

My breathing starts to become irregular, accentuated by his touch that intensifies it. I watch as Harry rises from his seat, standing in front of me, highlighting once again our height difference, but closing the gap nonetheless. His cool chest impacts against mine, brushing against me in a contact I eagerly await. I feel anxious to experience more, and Harry seems to sense it, patiently waiting to take my neck with his palm, sliding his right thumb over my lips. In an instant, I part them slightly, allowing the gentle touch of his fingertip to meet my mouth and eventually take its place inside.

My lips wrap around his finger, caressing it with my tongue as a circular motion saturates it with saliva, all of this under Harry's watchful gaze from above.

And at that moment, when I feel I can no longer bear the pressure and try to move away to take the next step, Harry tightens his grip on my neck, placing his entire palm around it, leaving me immobile for a moment and allowing my breath to come out with slight difficulty through my mouth. I can feel my heart beating harder, and at this point, I have no doubts that he can hear it too. His palm raises my neck, placing his face inches from mine. My gaze lowers and rises in an expectant rhythm, watching his lips and returning to his eyes, a rhythm that keeps me restless, asking for more, craving more, and only calming when his face takes on the expression I desire. His gaze, changing in the darkness of the night, follows me, and my agony comes to an end when his lips meet mine.

A passionate, desperate, thirsty kiss fills me, complementing my body and intensifying my sensations. My hands become explorers, and he satisfies them as I touch his body, tracing his face, reaching his hair, pressing him more against me, if only it were possible.

Harry, for his part, releases his hold on my neck and descends down my body just as unrestrained, exploring every corner of my body with his touch. He moves across my back with intensity, brushing with delicacy and eliciting a moan from me during our kiss. His rings are still cold, becoming more evident as he descends, exerting pressure on my skin and possibly leaving marks due to their firmness. Although I wouldn't admit it out loud, I wished it to be so, especially on my buttocks, where his pinkie and ring fingers, adorned with his significant initial rings, exerted pressure.

The kiss becomes careless, causing us to separate slightly in search of air. Harry takes advantage of this to grab my hips, and in an unexpected move for me, he turns me, allowing my body to fall and press me forcefully against the table in front of us.

My face and palms are pressed against the glass, adjusting to the space, although I have no complaints about it. My senses intensify, perceiving Harry's body behind me with strength, and even more noticeably, his erection protruding from his boxers, pressing firmly against me.

My eyes begin to close, surrendering to the sensation even when my underwear remains a barrier between us. However, as seconds pass, desperation takes over me again; the dripping of my fluids only increases, and my hips begin to move as a signal. But Harry takes care of putting an end to it, pressing my hips once again and, this time, letting his palm strike forcefully on my buttock.

I can't contain a scream that escapes from me, while my hands desperately search for something to hold onto. I realize that the smoothness of the glass plays against me, and I can only try to hold on firmly to the table.

I feel the tingling on my skin, probably already reddened, but it is soothed by Harry's palm, which moves gently around, in a dangerous massage that approaches and moves away from the area that needs it the most. His fingers intertwine with my underwear, slightly raising the fabric and allowing the breeze from the surroundings to reach that part. Another moan escapes from my lips, and I close my eyes, surrendering to the sensation.

"It looks so good on you," I hear his voice near my ear as he continues exploring the fabric, causing a shiver to run down my spine. "It's a shame that it's getting in the way right now".

It's at that moment when I hear the fabric's crunch, and my eyes open immediately. Harry doesn't give me time to react as I feel his erection finally pressing against me. Touching me, but this time without restrictions, he maintains an ascending and descending rhythm while moistening it with my own fluids. The sensation is pleasurable, so much so that my lips part more, and sounds of satisfaction resonate throughout the bow.

My mind focuses exclusively on the sensation, paying attention to every movement, and I join in with my hips. Harry keeps his firm grip on them until, at one point, I feel him distant. I don't perceive his touch with mine, and a pout forms instantly on my lips. I turn slightly towards him and see that he has a condom package in his hands, already starting to open it.

My pout becomes more evident, emitting a sound that draws his attention back to my face. I know it's the right thing to do, and yet surprisingly I find myself feeling disappointed by this when I should be grateful; but considering that I am free from any disease, perhaps I expect the same from him.

Harry watches me for a few seconds before lowering the condom, half-open, and looking at me attentively.

"I have no doubt that you're safe, but are you taking care of yourself?" he asks. My heart starts to beat rapidly as I nod immediately.

"Should I doubt that you're safe too?" I inquire in response, just to be reasonably sure.

"I can show you my certificate another day if you wish," he says, showing a serious expression that indicates his proposition is genuine. A smile escapes from me.

"Do you come with a pedigree?" I jokingly ask. Then his gaze changes once again, observing me with darkened eyes.

And I feel Harry's response materialize in a smack that elicits a moan of pain and pleasure from me.

"Damn," I mutter through gritted teeth.

"Very funny," he replies in turn.

The moment is brief, with his anger disappearing or maybe intensifying when the first penetration takes place.

A moan escapes from me, intensifying as the thrusts become more frequent. Harry shows no mercy, much less moderates his strokes. He grips my hip with one hand while the other presses into my lower back, pushing me harder against the table with each thrust and leaving me adrift with each impact.

"Fuck, Maddy," his simple voice, mentioning my nickname again, provokes a sigh that escapes my lips, being carried away by his movement. "You feel so good".

My eyes struggle to stay open, wishing to truly absorb the moment in all my senses but becoming increasingly difficult as the intensity builds.

The upper part of my underwear still rested on me, but now the fabric becomes uncomfortable as my body craves the slightest freshness to contrast with the moment. Apparently, I wasn't the only one seeking it, as Harry, as if reading my thoughts, shifts the hand that was on my back to my bra, and in a swift motion, unclasps it, freeing my body.

I feel his torso press against my now exposed back, lifting me slightly and allowing his hand to fit perfectly on my bare chest. I bite my lower lip once again with such force that it anticipates the possibility of blood in my taste.

Harry's caress feels soft on my skin, creating an absolute contrast with his movements inside me. Occasionally, his roughness manifests fully when he lightly squeezes my nipples, making the sounds coming out of my mouth more pronounced as he advances.

"Do you want to tease me again?" his voice emerges as I drop the question and focus on the sensation. "Come on, pretty girl, talk to me," he insists once more, trying to provoke a response. I bite my lip, holding back a smile, aware that I am getting into a small dangerous game at that moment.

Harry's grip intensifies, pressing against my skin, probably realizing the dynamic that was unfolding.

"Or do you prefer me to call you a slut?" the simple suggestion makes my back arch, revealing my immediate response, and I hear a husky laugh from his part. "Is that what you are? A little slut who enjoys my cock filling you?" another moan from me manifests in the space, representing my own thoughts.

"Does it feel good, huh?" Too good, I wanted to respond, but once again, I chose to hide my lips between my teeth. Then, I feel my hair being pulled sharply, lifting my body from the table and leaving me in an arched position. My buttocks rise, and the sound of the collision of our skins becomes more evident.

"I bet that idiot you had as an ex didn't even get close to this," I hear him say, and actually, far from worrying about the mention of my ex, the unspoken response to his statement is more than evident in my body.

Harry personified desire in its purest form, and the longing for more became evident in each of our encounters. I hadn't realized this until this moment when I felt him hitting inside me, holding me firmly, talking dirty to me. This was all I needed.

I hear Harry's breath in my ear, intense enough to reverberate in my senses and take me to experience a deeper level than I thought I could reach in my whole body. The adrenaline keeps rising in me, reflected by the thin layer of sweat on my skin, completely undoing the smoothing I once had.

My hands, full of desperation, try to move backward in an attempt for contact. However, Harry's firm grip on me makes this almost impossible; daring to move on my own would mean losing balance completely.

I have no sense of how much time has passed, with the only sound being the echo of my moans mixed with his in the space, when I feel everything come to a complete stop. I turn my head towards him, seeking his gaze and finding it with an amused expression that he doesn't even try to hide.

"Keep going," I demand in a whimper, but Harry ignores my words, still watching me and still inside me. "Damn it, Harry, continue," I express this time with annoyance. For his part, Harry tilts his head to the side, looking at me expectantly.

"Not even a please?" he asks.

A sigh escapes from me. I don't hesitate to do it. Honestly, at this moment, anything was valid for me; I just wanted to feel him again.

"Please, please," I murmur to him. The plea makes his eyes darken once again more than usual, and his gaze reflects the quickness of the change in his expression. "Continue, please".

I don't even finish speaking when Harry pushes his cock once again into me, with a speed that equals or surpasses the previous one. My grip tightens on the table, holding on with strength and trying to endure as much as I could.

"Tell me a truth, Maddy," I hear him say in my ear. "Tell me how you feel. Tell me you need this as much as I do". His words express an assertion, being confident as always, and if I had been fully conscious, I would have laughed just to tease him. However, now I felt like I was levitating and was willing to follow every order he gave me just to keep feeling him.

It was surprising to admit that his effect really caused this, the nullification of my own reason, yielding to his, and letting myself be carried away by the waves of the same ocean we were in. That was Harry, the whirlpool I willingly submitted to, just to experience another taste.

At least, for this night.

"Tell me, or I'll stop". I hear his threatening voice, and before I can articulate a response, I feel the firm pressure of his hands on my hips, urging me once again.

"Holy shit," I manage to say, gripping the table tightly. My head tilts back, feeling his own chest behind me as he advances in his movements. I can't form a coherent sentence without being interrupted by the pleasant sensation. As his movement continues, I pray for him not to stop; therefore, his name escapes my lips, expressing a single plea that I hope satisfies him, although with Harry, we both know it will never be enough.

"Come on, pretty girl," he repeats that nickname that sends a shiver down my spine once again. "Tell me a truth or you'll lose again".

"It feels so good," I finally utter, albeit still with difficulty. "Don't you dare stop," I warn, hearing a low chuckle in response. "I'm so close".

"Come," he responds immediately, accelerating his pace inside me, causing my eyes to close. "Let me feel how you tighten around me".

"Come with me," I manage to say only.

"You don't have to ask me twice," I hear his response in my ear.

The intensification of his thrusts makes them more rhythmic, marking a strong beat that increases the collision between our naked bodies. My head continues arched backward, but this time it remains immobilized by his arm around my neck, holding firmly in the precise place. The pressure is strong enough to be felt, but still allows me to breathe without too much difficulty. However, this complicates as I feel my movement synchronizing with his, my hips coming to life on their own as I approach the peak of pleasure in my life.

Tears run down my cheeks, leaving a salty taste on my lips, inevitably absorbed while my mouth emits moans or seeks air. The walls of my pussy begin to contract, and I can feel the pulsations inside me from Harry's cock, indicating that he is as close as I am.

I couldn't help but wish that he would come before me, longing to experience his reactions firsthand. However, the inevitable happened.

I felt a sensation of warmth rising through my body, wrapped in an electricity that made me move more restlessly and carelessly. My moans became louder, and finally, I experienced the tension bursting around me. I was unable to feel anything other than my own release and the overwhelming sense of satisfaction that invaded me.

Harry's grip relaxes on my neck, releasing it and allowing my body to fall back onto the table. It is at that moment, when I finally find myself able to regain awareness of my surroundings, that I can feel Harry's body leaning against mine, embracing me gently with his posture and holding me with delicate gestures.

The synchronization of our own breaths takes at least a few minutes, during which we both maintain our positions and experience an immediate sense of relaxation that extends throughout our bodies.

The minutes seem to prolong, and fatigue envelops me, allowing me to perceive only the freshness of the night breeze as Harry pulls away. I feel his touch on my legs, wiping me with what seems to be paper and holding me to prevent me from falling. Finally, I let myself fall on the couch, backed by him, and let myself be carried away by exhaustion, while Harry's green eyes are the last thing I see before everything plunges into darkness.

The whisper of the sea and the movement of the waves wake me up, and I realize that the night has given way to the blue morning sky around the yacht.

My drowsy eyes struggle to accurately perceive the environment until I focus on the table in front of me, which seems to be located farther from its usual position, several meters away from the scattered chairs in the place.

Memories of the previous night assault me at once with this landscape, leading me to look up and meet the serene face of a sleeping Harry beneath me.

I contemplate some of his curls falling onto his forehead, while I realize that his face has small marks from my dark lipstick. A faint smile forms on my lips as I try to move in my position without waking him.

In my attempt, I look around again, noticing that my bag is also scattered on the floor and has started buzzing similar to my notifications, which doesn't cease.

My brow slightly furrows, trying to distance myself carefully from Harry once again until I finally manage to and take my bag in my hands, pulling out my phone.

The time is revealed to me, noticing that it might be due to the various notifications that were coming in. On the screen, I see messages from some friends, numerous missed calls from Ally and Sandy, and a last message from an unknown number.

I access the last message from Ally, finding her response that she is already home and noting a drastic change this morning, or more precisely, since dawn. Her messages started with capital letters and filled the chat with about twenty monosyllables, culminating in a final message begging me to explain what was happening.

I didn't fully understand until I decided to open the link she attached to the message. Then, a note from People magazine opens in my browser, with my profile face and the image of a smiling Harry next to me.

I close my eyes for a moment. I should have anticipated that this would happen.

Inevitably, I continue scrolling down the page, and a big headline appears, accompanied by more photos of me getting into his black car and disappearing with Harry, leaving no trace of us throughout the night.

«CAUGHT IN A SPECIAL NIGHT Has Madison Moore decided to leave behind the melancholic romance and opt for vibrant pop? Discover the latest details about the encounter between the star girl and none other than Harry Styles.»

Shit.

[lily-alphonse]

hihi!! i read ur sandy fic literally today and i couldn't get it out of my head im so obsessed😭it hurts SO good i just finished rereading it again, and I was wondering, since Steve refuses to talk about his previous experience at the End, what actually happened there? :0 (sorry if this is smth that's easy to piece together I'm not very bright sometimes T-T) Also, did you have any ideas on stuff that happened in other cycles that you didn't end up including? Hehe, personally my headcanon is that for their first hug in a future reunion, Steve would try to hug Sandy for as long as he can before Sandy learns that it hurts him, so that he can get his proper hug dosage in. Sandy give that lonely man a hug damnit :') He's been waiting for like 3 lifetimes!!

EEEEEEEEE

Ok first, if you are reading this and haven't read Sandy: An Enderman Tale, here is the AO3 link, this is going to be a spoiler-filled discussion

And second I want everyone to know that fic writers DIE for this level of engagement, I'm deceased, melted into the ground and incredibly flattered, thank you 😭🪦

Now to answer

Oh gosh the End. Oh man. Well consider this, right. How many Enderman does the average player have to kill to even open the End portal?

😬

Lmao yeah... that's... not something Steve is proud of.

I hadn't put much thought into it before but here is how I imagine things would have gone before the events of the fic, which will also explain Steve's hangups surrounding the End.

Steve wakes up in the world of Minecraft with no memory. He only knows his name, and that he is not of this world. He begins as an even more reckless adventurer than he is now, and just wants to experience everything the world has to offer

He kills a ton of Enderman and uses their pearls to find and open the portal. He knows somehow this portal is his escape out of this world

He makes it to the End and dies in his first attempt to kill the dragon. It was a rash decision to even try, he isn't even all that certain he wants to leave this world yet. He intends to go back some day, maybe once he is tired of being immortal.

It is at this point that he meets Sandy. Sandy saves Steve, playing out much like chapter 1 except for more hesitance on Steve's part. They have a tenuous ally-ship, mostly held up by the fact that Sandy won't quit following Steve.

Steve is hesitant to accept that Sandy could be good because of all of the Endermen he's slain assuming they were mindless monsters. What if one of them was Sandy? What if they are all like Sandy?

While he is in denial and trying to process, Sandy just keeps following him. Like I'm imagining he even builds a base under a lake only for Sandy to pop in as soon as he builds a ceiling tall enough lol

Steve lashes out at Sandy in misdirected anger at himself. Ok wait Ive just decided something very dramatic, he strikes Sandy when they won't stop following him. He's almost surprised when Sandy subsequently goes insane and hits him back, and he actually ends up killing them.

Instant regret. The Enderpearl left behind fucking haunts him. He goes to the End again out of desperation. Maybe there is some kind of answer to be found there, maybe Sandy will respawn there somewhere.

He finds nothing. It's exactly like the last time. Just endstone and faceless Endermen and a dragon that wants to kill him. But in a way everything has changed since the last time he was here. HE isn't the same.

As a last ditch effort, or maybe feeling sorry for himself, he makes eye contact with an Enderman. Sandy doesn't come to save him this time, and he is ripped apart. It feels fitting, in any case, that they should have a tiny taste of retribution for what he's done to them.

A long time passes before he encounters Sandy again. He's decided he's not leaving this world. Clearly there is so much more to experience that he can't even fathom, if his friendship with Sandy was even possible.

When Sandy finds him again he is beside himself, and actually scares Sandy away with his intense reaction. So he learns to be more casual about it in the future lol. He also learns that explaining what happened at the End is a no-no, because when he mentioned attacking the Enderdragon, Sandy got angry and went away for a long time.

There is a lot of trial and error in this go around. Sandy would either die because of rain or getting in the way of a monster again. Or maybe they attempt the Nether and Steve learns, no more Nether, lmao.

I did want to expand on the concept of the End with that in mind. It becomes sort of a symbol of his past failures and who he used to be. Even the fact that he nearly killed the Enderdragon and escaped this place haunts him.

He still has a lot of growing to do, he still displays selfishness and recklessness, but his relationship with Sandy is steadily making him a better person.

I love that you have a headcanon that's so fun for me. I would also like them to have a very long hug BUT it wouldn't be in the beginning since Sandy is easily spooked at first. At the end of the last chapter, Sandy is more accepting of the physical affection. So it just takes a while for them to warm up to the idea. It would prbly also help if Steve didn't make them kill him at any point lol. I see them making hugs a regular thing in a future lifetime, as long as Star is sitting somewhere out of sight!

Thank you for your ask and your incredible support my heart is warm ♥️

[dollsorwhatever]

2023 Ariel Restyles

These girls took me nearly three months to finish lol What started as a very simple attempt to redress my 2023 Ariel dolls in nicer outfits turned into an annoyingly expensive 3-month project in which I purchased multiple Ariel dolls, outfits, accessories and tons of sequins and pearls and repainting supplies in order to construct what I imagine a set of 2023 Ariel dolls would look like if they had the same budget, design team and quality of early-mid 2000's Mattel Disney dolls lol Literally so much fucking text below the cut because I couldn't help but explain every minute aspect of my decision making for these dolls like anyone cares!!!!

Mermaid Ariel is wearing a lot of different pieces combined together; my desire for this set was for them to look and feel like they had been manufactured and released by Mattel, so I pulled a lot of elements shared between various mermaid Ariel dolls that they've made over the years and combined them to look like a natural continuation of what they had been doing prior to 2016! Her tail comes from the 2008 Ariel and Friends gift set but has been given a few extra details that were heavily inspired by Forever Hair Ariel from 2004, the bra is from a hasbro Ariel but was altered to fit the Mattel body (and once again has details added to match the tail), and the starfish clip is from the 1997 Ariel and baby Sandy set with the addition of some extra shell sequins in a slight homage to the 2003 Charming Princess Ariel doll's hairpiece. The purse is from the 2023 Getting Ready Ariel doll but has been painted purple to match the rest of her outfit; this piece took the longest because I had to spray it with a base (Mr Hobby Base in White) in order for the acrylic paint to adhere which is something I have NEVER done before and felt incredibly daunting to even attempt (thank you for the help John!!!) but I finally got the courage to try and it worked out perfectly! I was originally dead-set on using real sculpted accessory parts from actual Mattel dolls to construct the embellishments on her outfit because Mattel will rarely use pre-made sequins and buttons for their dolls, but eventually I came to the conclusion that it's not too far out of the realm of possibility and I would be better off creating something that is evocative of factory-made dolls and has the right balance of colors and fabric than it would be to make a less cohesive outfit with a bunch of mismatched sculpted parts that don't look like they were made by the same person. If she were an actual release by Mattel, I think she'd either just be called Deluxe Mermaid Ariel or maybe Magic Pearls Ariel if she were a gimmick doll (perhaps with a color change gimmick on the pearls, hairclip and purse?) lol Some photos of the Ariel dolls that inspired me (Forever Hair obviously being the biggest inspo):

Pink Dress Ariel is a lot simpler but actually took the most work and took me the furthest out of my comfort zone when it comes to skill; her dress comes from the 2006 Glitter Princess Ariel doll but has been heavily embellished to look more 'deluxe playline', the peplum was gathered for a little more volume at the waist, pearls added to the waist, hem and collar and the darts on the front of her bodice were tightened to fit the bust on 2023 body more. Pink Dress went through the most trial and error because I couldn't figure out what to use for her tiara or the embellishments on her dress, but I eventually settled on sequins and pearls to match the Mermaid doll because I felt it would give the impression that they were designed as part of the same collection (and it also just looked the best out of everything else lol) Her tiara is from the 2023 Color Splash Ariel doll but was sprayed white and painted over with pearlescent white acrylic paint; I only painted it with one color because Mattel doll tiaras are rarely painted and the original Glitter Princess tiara is also one solid color. Originally I tried using a few Barbie tiaras that already came in the color I needed, but eventually came to the conclusion that she would only look right with an actual 2023 Ariel tiara lol Finally I gave her a choker (a very common design element with Mattel Ariel dolls that I really love) as well as the dinglehopper and shoes from the 2023 Getting Ready Ariel doll! Some photos of the Mattel Ariels that inspired me the most for her design (Glitter Princess is ofc the most obvious inspo):

As well as a bonus photo of her standing with my original 2006 Glitter Princess Ariel to show how the dress looked before all of my alterations:

(Glitter Princess didn't originally come with that choker but I had to give her one too lol)

For how deliberately playline-esque and simple these dolls are, it was honestly such a big project to put them together; I learned so many new skills through this project and it was a lot of fun to explore the elements that made the old Mattel Ariel dolls so special in order to combine them in a way that feels authentic, even if it results in a set of dolls that are purposefully lower-impact than a more elaborate custom would be lol

[lmk-aus-galore]

Cinema Sins/Wins Rip off of Lego Monkie Kid

‘A hero is born’ part 1

I wrote this in my old account after I no-clipped it into the back rooms so it’s now just ‘lilacartsmadison-deactivated’

So I’m going to redo this.

Inspired by @satansaidmyturnintheh3llscape

Rules:

-I won’t be counting Animation Mistakes, because Idk how to do that, and I myself am a beginner animator (more like incredibly amateur, to the point I’m asking my sister for help) Unless of course the Animation is obviously and clearly having a mistake for me to watch. The other reason is because I don’t want to keep repeating a scene just to check for an animation mistake.

-I also won’t be counting flashbacks as ‘mistakes’ because most of them are based on bias.

-I’ll be formatting it like this

-Neutral

-Sin

-Win

-Most of this is Commentary, so there won’t be a last sentence nor win or sin counter.

-This is mostly for fun, no need to get offended.

With all that said, let’s get into the episode

———————————————————————————

-Intro

-._.

-Narration, great way to introduce the audience to those who are a big fans on Journey to the West

-Stunning Animation! Props to Flying Bark Studios!

-There were villagers around here that ran in the direction of the axe, so nah they dead.

-I love how the animation makes it look, especially since this perspective makes it look so incredibly biased.

-Again this whole flashback just speaks on how the narrative is being told by someone in the sidelines, as Monkey King seems to be depicted as a mighty hero throughout the whole fight scene not making witty banter compared to reality

-Not a fan to when they close up to his face though-

-Is it just me or does the ending scene just make him look buffer?

-The transition in Tang’s narrative voice makes me giggle, you can just tell his personality just by his voice

-MK for the win

-Tang saying MK’s name introducing us to our main character further

-‘Pearls of Wisdom dripping from my lips’ Tang sounds like his nose was stuffed here

-PIGSY DON’T SMACK A SPOON AT YOUR STAFF

-Tang and Pigsy’s names being revealed, introducing us to the side characters

-‘Well wisdom don’t pay the rent you freeloader!’ So…does this imply that the shop is rented? I mean it’s confirmed in ‘Noodles or Death’ that Pigsy bought the place, and since Mk is the only one that lives there (Since Pigsy has to open the shop as seen in ‘The Skeleton Key’) shouldn’t Mk be the one paying rent? Or is this implying that Tang and Pigsy live together? FreeNoodles shippers, if you will

-This scene kinda gave me an explanation as to why he was friends with Sandy

-Idk where the game sound is from

-Tang does the oven ding

-PIGSY DON’T BEAT UP YOUR CUSTOMERS

-‘No Pigsy!’ Tang I’m sorry, but you sound like that one bottom boy in a yaoi anime

-MK’s phone is cracked, relate

-Nice tunes

-Stunning Backdrops

-Ok but the Impossible Delivery Episode makes sense considering this was Wukong’s impression of MK since he did tune out everything and end up under a construction site.

-Love the little detail that Wukong can’t hide his tail no matter what form he is XD

-MK’s so cute-

-You know, after watching Season 4 the scene where he climbs kinda…makes sense???

-This was pointed out in the wiki, so I thought to add it, I didn’t see the Horn change direction, but his hands did briefly turn purple here

-‘It’s going to take a few robots to lift the Monkey King’s staff, only those deemed worthy can wield it’ What is this Mjolnir?

-I mean technically yes, but you also have to be really, really strong. Since Y’know…IT’S A DAMN PILLAR

-Season 1 artsyle is so goofy ngl

-The scene where Red Son tries to lift it reminds me of that one scene in avengers where they try to lift Mjolnir and Hulk just struggles.

-‘Mother are you sure this is the right mountain?’ ‘No! Maybe it was that other mountain with a magical staff sealing away my husband!’ The sass here! I would never talk to my mother that way! XD

-Why did they react before the place started shaking?

-Frankenstein reference

-Reminds me of Kai from Kung Fu Panda ngl

-I almost forgot what DBK looked like before they gave him armor, it looks so weird, did the mountain cut off all his fur? He was so furry in the flashback

-‘Flesh, Bone, I have returned to the Realm of the Living!’ This implies that DBK died while being sealed in that mountain, but was brought back since he was supposed to be sealed. I actually look at the scene and how he was sealed, he could’ve actually died ngl, I mean look! The way the mountain was sealed on top of him, made it look like he was crushed or suffocated, since he only has immortal youth. That or DBK was exaggerating and actually thought he died because there was nothing he could see.

-Wukong man don’t be a jerk I know you wanna know, but you could’ve Y’know shown him a little earlier?

-I still can’t believe Red Son is Wizard Cookie, sounds more like Licorice with Father Issues.

-And this is where all the simps started saying ‘Demon Daddy’

-I heard the sound of stone breaking, either MK broke a stone as he fell on top of Red Son or one of them broke a bone

-Demon Bull King’s dramatization makes sense when you look at Red Son

-‘Waste not your energy on this…peasant’ Red Son sounds like Peridot XD

-‘Monkey King’s staff’ Who the frock is whispering that? Destiny?

-Epic Main Character Moment

-‘That staff doesn’t belong to you little boy, hand it over’ Moments like this makes me believe MK has the face of a teenager, when he’s an adult.

-Fun fact, Red Son has the Samadhi Fire symbol on his back, not sure how long ago Season 3 was planned out, but If it was still in the works during Season 1, then consider this the inspiration for the plotline

-‘Dang it!’ Proceeds to wipe off Noodles XD

-Sooo…does the staff have a mind of its own?

-‘would you get down here so I can kill you!’ Not many cartoons say this out loud, tbh, they normally just say another iteration of it.

-The whole chase scene is fabulously animated

-I just realized when MK stole a Hoverboard, the guy who was taking a photo, was able to take Red Son’s face.

-Ok I’m just assuming that it’s really easy for MK not to pay attention to his surroundings. Which is why Wukong wanted him to focus.

-Blueprints are Lego blueprints, which reminds me that this in fact is a Lego show

-Mei’s theme song for the win

-._.

-Poor MK getting dragged as Mei lands her bike

-Mei for the win

-Mei has the same braincell with MK

-‘Uhh, I actually I almost died back there’ ‘But you didn’t!’ Manifesting

-How did Pigsy afford a private arcade machine beside his shop? Or did Mei buy that?

-Seeing MK try to beat Mei’s high score man…

-‘Well in that case- where does he live?’ this part feels like it was cut off mid way, like those edits in a compilation that just randomly cut off a character’s line to make it sound funny.

-Why does she have a kill button? How does she have a kill button? Why does she need to know where he lives in order for it to work? Is it a death ray?

-But damn she really do be me when my sister speaks about that one boy in her class that I don’t like.

-‘Woah, zero stars? Congrats! Better than nothing right!’ There goes her braincell

-That door cannot muffle him out, I guarantee you.

-How long has it been for Red Son to return home, get scolded by DBK and build an entire armor for him?AND IT WORKS?!

-Family issues right now

-So…quick question…how does Iron Fan’s hair work? Like judging by the color of the horns, that’s her hair…right?

-‘The more rare the item, the more powerful father will become!’ No wonder he lost, the moment he lost the staff to MK he weakened, which is why his power was somewhat equally matched to Wukong

-I wanna know what era this takes place or if China actually has this advanced technology.

-Again! How long has time passed? And why does he tell Tang now?

-Who placed the book under the bowls?!

-This again was pointed out in the wiki, but they forgot to animate the layer.

-Poor Tang.

-I really do have a feeling Tang does indeed have combat experience.

-Like how logical this is, since if I told them that an ancient stone monkey and a Bull demon were real and used a staff just to prove it I would call falsehood too

-Welp, Pigsy, there goes the bills

-Also Staff has a mind of his own.

-When Tang fanboys about that staff, I kinda think his voice was…Idk changed a little? I guess they’re still solidifying the characters

-‘He’s at the shoe store…’ ‘This better not be one of your puppy videos Mei’ this confirms that Mei has used a different topic just to show off a puppy video before

-The fact that there’s a hashtag and people telling that Demon Bull King is real, (obvi not believing it) means that the legend was really passed down from generations and is so popular to the city’s origins, I kinda like how this is portrayed and seen, but it could also be because SWK is so popular throughout China that some people actually know the legend word by word

-If that Shoe store worker doesn’t have dedication I don’t know who does. Bro really needs that pay.

-I wanna name him, suggestion: ‘Qing Chen’ probably not the best name so I’m open to suggestions.

-DBK and Red Son got that drip

And that’s the end of part 1! See ya in Part 2! Bye!

[dancethroughthethunder]

A Little Gryffindor Courage

Word Count: A little under 4.6k

Pairing: Young!Remus Lupin x Ravenclaw!Reader

Request: “Hi! Can you please do a young Remus Lupin x Ravenclaw! reader where she smells amortentia for slughorns class and she smells chocolate and panics bc woah, Remus likes chocolate! And he smells her scent (whatever you decide) in his own and gets the marauders go help set them both up? Tysm!!”

Authors Note: Am I using the “Marlene, Dorcas, Lily and Reader as girl group parallel to the Marauders just because four people get sat at a table in my brain”? You bet I am. Also, fem!reader as the request specified pronouns! This is my first request and I’m super excited to write it. I made the reader smell like lilacs because that’s what I smell like and it’s the first scent that came to mind lol. Reader smells more than just chocolate in the Amortentia bc I firmly believe it’s about more than romantic love. So I’ll say it now, only the third and final smell for Reader is meant to be romantic. I’m a sucker for an amortentia fic and a young!Remus so this is the perfect first request- it’s like you picked my brain to come up with it. I hope you like it! Xoxo (tagging @ragnarachael bc I promised her I would)

Summary: Sixth year students Remus Lupin and Y/N L/N have been good friends and potions partners for a while. One day, Professor Slughorn decides to switch up the pairs and you find yourself partnered with your dear friend Lily Evans while you study and make Amortentia. What happens when you find yourself smelling chocolate? Some teasing from Lily, and a push in the right direction from your friends help you and Remus figure out that there might be more than just friendly feelings between the two of you. 

Warnings: If you count some terrible puns as a warning, then there’s that.

“Hey pretty lady, can I walk you to your class?” 

“Oh my, a suitor of my own. I can’t wait to tell mother.” Your best friend Lily Evans giggled as she turned around to see you standing behind her, hand extended to her.

“Oi L/N, you make a better James than James.” Sirius yelled out from down the table as you watched Peter duck so James could have the perfect line or sight to toss a piece of cereal at his best friend. 

“Good morning boys.” You waved, laughing as Lily took your hand and began to walk with you away from the Gryffindor table and out of the Great Hall to go to your first lesson, Potions. 

You loved having Potions first thing in the day, and certainly not because of your professor. Sure Slughorn meant well but there was only so much fawning he could do over you and your best friends before you were practically begging for Professor McGonagall’s tough no nonsense attitude. No, you liked Potions because it meant you got to start your day with your best friends, as Ravenclaw and Gryffindor shared the class together. 

The second you left the Great Hall, you were joined by Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon, the other half of your friend group. You supposed people thought it was strange that your closest friends were in a different house, but hey houses are about the qualities you espouse and hold dear, not a binding group of exclusive friends that you can’t stray beyond. The four of you made your way down to the dungeons while the three Gryffindors caught you up on the nighttime shenanigans the Marauders had been up to since you saw them last. 

Walking into the classroom, you saw a note on the front board telling you that Professor Slughorn would be late and to divide into the pairs up on the board. Huh, that’s weird, you thought, Slughorn usually keeps the same partners. Well, I hope my new one is as good as my current one. You scanned the board to find your name and breathed a sigh of relief when you saw that luckily you were paired with Lily. Okay, so maybe there were some benefits to being the teacher’s favorites. 

“Aww poor Y/N/N, she won’t get to stare at her boy all class.” Marlene teased as her and Dorcas took their seats on the opposite sides of the table from you and Lily. Huh, me and Lil and Dorcas and Marls? Slughorn must be in a really good mood.

“Oh hush, Remus and I are friends okay, nothing more. You’re just projecting your love for Sirius onto me, Marlene McKinnon.” Marlene shrugged, smirking, but dropped the subject as the boys in question walked into the room. 

“Sluggy, Lily, ladies, other members of the class.” James Potter came strolling into the classroom first, with a smirking Sirius Black, an amused looking Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin, lovingly rolling his eyes at his friend. James stopped to acknowledge Lily, then the rest of your table before turning to realize that your professor was nowhere to be seen. 

“We’re supposed to be getting into the pairs listed on the board, and starting to brew Amortentia. But then again, those of us who can read already know that, Potter.” If it was anybody else you were sure the harsh comment would be enough for a jinx thrown behind their backs later, but with Lily and James it was just par for the course. 

You went to the storage cupboard to get the ingredients you needed, while Lily was setting up your cauldron with the proper equipment you would need to make the potion. 

“Good morning, Y/N.” You heard the familiar voice of your typical potions partner and turned around to find Remus Lupin standing behind you, waiting to grab his own ingredients. 

“Morning, Remus. I have to say, as glad as I am that it’s Lil, I’m going to miss my favorite potions partner”. You teasingly bumped his hip with your own as you said this, your arms full of potions ingredients. 

“Don’t let Lily hear you say that I’m your favorite, not her, she’ll kick both of our arses.”

“Oh Remus, who said I was talking about you?” You giggled as you ducked under his arm to head back to your table.

“I’m wounded, truly.” Remus smirked at you as you tried to hide the blush that was undoubtedly creeping up your face. 

“Somehow I think you’ll survive, Rem.” You quickly walked away before Marlene or the girls could notice the interaction and tease you even further about it. 

You walked back over to your table, trying not to look back at the tall boy that had captured your attention. As much as you liked Remus, you weren’t going to say anything. Sometimes you thought he was flirting with you, but you were sure that you were reading into it. Besides, with best friends like James, Sirius and Peter, there was no way he could possibly like you without the three of them turning it into a spectacle a la Lily and James. 

Sometime later, Professor Slughorn had appeared, apologizing for his absence and mumbling something about a group of first and second years that had needed a big enough disciplinary meeting that included him as their Head of House, and the Headmaster. You barely paused to register what he was saying as you continued focusing your attention on brewing your, fairly complicated potion. Soon enough, the liquid in your cauldron was taking on a mother-of-pearl shine as steam came piling out of it. You wiped your hand over the back of your forehead, to hopefully reduce the bit of sweat that was appearing as everyone’s potions were giving off hot steam.

“Hey, Marlene?” 

“Yes, Dorcas?”

“I wonder what exactly a tall, sandy haired Gryffindor prefect smells like?” You looked up from your potion and groaned as your two best friends on the other side of the table exchanged wicked grins, that you knew meant trouble.

“Well you know Dor, I bet there’s one way to find out.” 

“Just ask Y/N/N what her Amortentia smells like.” Dorcas and Marlene finished together as Lily laughed and you groaned. 

Unbeknownst to you, there was a similar discussion occurring over at the Marauders table.

“Hey James, how many galleons do you want to put on a bet that whatever Y/N smells like, our Moony here smells in his potion?”

“It’s lilacs!” Peter excitedly claimed.

“What?” His three best friends turned, faces screwed up in confusion, to stare at him. 

“What Y/N smells like? She smells like lilacs.” Peter smiled as he offered this information.

“Now how in Merlin’s name do you know that Pete?” Sirius turned to look from Peter to you, back to Peter with one eyebrow raised.

“That Hogsmeade weekend when she was sick and couldn’t go, she asked me to pick up some more of her soap for her, don’t you remember?”

“No Pete literally nobody remembers that, and loverboy, do you feel like you’ve got competition now?”

“Don’t be a hippogriff’s left nut James, you two probably just had detention that day. And regardless, anyone could tell you that she smells like lilacs.”

“Again, no, nobody just knows that off the top of their head. Unless they’re Peter or they’re in love.”

Before either you or Remus could give some sort of (honestly well deserved) snarky remark to your respective friend groups, Professor Slughorn called the class to attention and began to wax poetic about Amortentia.

“Ahh Amortentia. The strongest love potion in the world, but I’m sure you all know that from the chapter. It smells different to each person, depending on that which attracts them. Some people smell purely based on the romantic love in their life, but for many of us, Amortentia’s smell reminds us of love both familial and romantic, platonic and intimate. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, maybe love is in the nose of the potion maker.” Slughorn paused here to chuckle, with one hand on his stomach and the other rested on his desk, clearly incredibly amused by himself. 

As badly as you wanted to keep a straight face and not encourage the man from any further attempts at humor, you couldn’t stop the laugh escaping from your mouth. Before you had a chance to cover your mouth with your hand, Remus turned around and the two of you shared eye contact and a smile that Lily (who was of course, observing) would swear had nothing to do with the joke you were both unsuccessfully trying not to laugh at. That was one thing you liked about having Remus as a potions partner, you had similar senses of humor and he wasn’t afraid to laugh at a professor’s bad jokes with you. Unfortunately, Professor Slughorn caught the eye contact between you two and decided that you were the perfect person to pick on as the next, and final, part of the lesson.

“Now, class, as we can see Miss Evans and Miss L/N’s potion is absolutely marvellous, see the mother of pearl sheen? The spirals of steam? I can see that not all of you had as much luck, so after we have Miss L/N demonstrate for us how to properly smell the potion and describe for us what she smells, I want you all to come over here and smell their potion. Then you may pack up for the day. Remember, I want a foot of parchment on Amortentia and you will not receive complete marks unless I see you smell this potion and you make mention of your specific type of scent in your essay. Have a good day, I’ll be at my desk to observe if you have any questions. But first, Miss L/N?”

You were hoping he’d forget. But, he didn’t. What a man, forgets when you need him to remember and remembers when you need him to forget. Oh well, at least he means well. You tucked your hair behind your ears so as to not get any of it in the potion and leaned forward to inhale just a little bit of the steam to be able to smell your potion. 

“Well, go on girl, tell us what you smell.”

As you breathed in, the first thing you noticed was the indescribable scent that you knew without hesitation, “It smells like my grandmother’s kitchen. If I could describe happiness and childhood in a scent it would be this.” You sighed contentedly as you continued describing the scent of your potion, “and something.. Comforting, clean, but I can’t totally tell. Oh, Lil can you move away for a moment?”

As Lily moved to the other side of the table, you realize that you can still smell what is just so fundamentally Lily. “Well that makes sense, the next scent is my best friend. It’s you, Lil.” You smiled at her as you tried to hone in on the third and final discernible scent in your potion. 

“Anything else Miss L/N?” You sensed that Slughorn could tell you weren’t quite done with your potion.

“It’s… hmm I mean it’s sweet but not like a pudding. I think it’s, yes it’s chocolate.” You were so focused on your potion that you didn’t see the way that Remus froze in his chair, eyes on you while Sirius was (not subtly at all) tapping Remus on the knee under the table, as if to say “Hey Remus that’s you in case you didn’t know, that friend of ours that you’ve fancied for years smelled you and you’re chocolate”. You know, the way an excited puppy might hit you with its wagging tail. 

But you didn’t notice, you were too busy trying to think through who you associated with the smell of chocolate because smelling Remus? Certainly not, how fanciful and romantic- you didn’t have time to be a hopeless romantic. No, there had to be some other explanation than the boy who you knew always had chocolate for a friend in need and who threatened to die Sirius’ beloved hair if he stole his last bar of chocolate one more time. It couldn’t be Remus, who always let Lily raid his chocolate stash for you when he knew it was your time of the month, Remus for whom you made sure to return the favor (what? You were a Ravenclaw for Rowena’s sake, it wasn’t like you hadn’t put two and two together, I mean really it didn’t take a potions master to figure out why his friends called him Moony). Nope, there was another explanation and that was that. 

While you were typically to dispose of your own potion and clean up your workstation, Professor Slughorn allowed you and Lily to be the first to leave class and have someone else (likely him) clean up your area, that way everyone else could use your perfect potion to find their own smell. You and Lily grabbed your bags and books, told Marlene and Dorcas you’d meet them in the courtyard and headed out of the classroom. 

As you made your way to the courtyard, Remus was taking his time clearing his own cauldron, hoping that if he went slowly enough his friends would give up and go smell the Amortentia without him. He could have smelled his own except Peter accidentally bumped his arm while he was pouring one of his ingredients into his cauldron. While Peter apologized profusely, Remus didn’t mind; it was one of the most advanced potions they had attempted so far and it was likely that a mistake would be made somewhere along the way. Regardless, Remus wasn’t necessarily afraid of what he might smell, he was afraid of admitting it to his friends. 

“Cmon Moons, time to go find out what gives you a nose boner…. A noner”

“Sirius, do you hear the things that come out of your mouth?” Being best friends with James and Sirius, one might think that they would cease finding things surprising. They would be wrong.

“Nope, it’s a surprise to me as well, more fun that way. Let’s go!” Before Remus could protest or find something else to occupy his time and attention, Sirius had grabbed his one arm, James the other and Peter was standing behind him making sure that he had no choice but to move forward towards the cauldron. 

The three boys shoved Remus so hard he nearly went head first into the cauldron, a little too excited to see what the potion would reveal. When the tall blonde boy softened, and the corners of his mouth turned up instinctively at the first smell of the potion, the boys knew that look meant one thing and one thing alone: lilacs.

Remus would deny it (“Denial is a hell of a drug, my wolfy little friend”) but he had a Y/N face. James could put a bell around your neck and it still wouldn’t be as reliable as Remus’ face to notify others that you had entered a room. Then again, as he’d remind his friends, unless you’re carrying a mirror around everywhere, one can never really know what the nuances of their different facial expressions can look like. Regardless, the Y/N face never lies, and without having to ask, the Marauders knew that the potion had confirmed what everyone with a pair of eyes knew, that you and Remus both fancied each other deeply enough to impact the smell of your Amortentia. As Remus began to straighten up, the three boys exchanged looks and knew that they needed to do something to help the two of you figure out how to express your feelings before someone in your respective friend groups just put it in a Howler for the entire Great Hall to hear. 

As you went on with the rest of your day, completely unaware of what (or perhaps more accurately, who) Remus smelled in his Amortentia, your friends realized that the Marauders were up to something. After Potions, you didn’t have another class with Gryffindors for the rest of that particular day so until dinnertime (you liked to spend lunch with your fellow Ravenclaws) you wouldn’t have a really good chance to catch up with any of them. That left the Marauders free to scheme and your friends free to try and find out what their favorite trouble makers were up to. 

“Alright Pettigrew, tell us what’s going on.” Lily Evans walked up to Peter Pettigrew who, instead of using his break to go into the courtyard or even the library, was standing outside the very same potions classroom they were in that morning.

“What? Erm, nothing really… what’s… going on with you?” Peter looked around nervously wondering why now of all times, it was his turn to be the lookout. They should have known better than to come up with a plan regarding Y/N without bringing Marlene, Lily, and Dorcas in on it. 

“Come on Peter, you can’t think we’re that stupid. Now where are the other three? And what trouble are you getting into?”

“My sweet Lilyflower.” The three girls jumped as Sirius appeared behind them, having snuck up behind them silently.

“Ugh, Sirius. Come on, we know you’re up to something and I don’t have time for another one of Potter’s proposals.” Lily rolled her eyes, while Marlene and Dorcas laughed. 

“Now now Lilypad, you’re not the flower we’re concerned with today. We’re on more of a… lilac kick today.” Sirius smirked, feeling so clever as he said this.

“So it has to do with Y/N?” Marlene’s eyes lit up as she started to put the pieces together.

“What? Erm, what?” 

“Everyone knows she smells like lilacs, she’s always getting more lilac soap and perfume when we go into Hogsmeade.” Dorcas rolled her eyes as Sirius looked around, clearly not expecting that answer.

“Huh, Remus was right, everyone knows that.” Before Sirius could answer, the door behind Peter opened and James came out of the classroom. 

“Okay, we take it back Pete, maybe that is something everyone knows.” Peter smiled triumphantly as Sirius shrugged. “Anyways, follow us ladies.” The six students walked up towards the Gryffindor common room together, as the boys filled the girls in on their plan for dinner. 

Dinnertime arrived and you walked into the Great Hall, surprised to find that none of your friends were at the Gryffindor table. You quickly scanned the other three tables, taking extra time when looking at the Ravenclaw table, in case they decided to switch things up and were waiting for you at a different table tonight. You even glanced over at the Slytherin table, knowing that the chance of them being there was greater than the chance of you suddenly owning all the gold in Gringotts. 

Suddenly there was an arm around your shoulder, and Sirius was by your side. “M’lady, would you care to join me for dinner?”

“Oh well of course good sir”. You laughed as you allowed Sirius to steer you towards the Gryffindor table. You sat down next to him and saw James, Marlene, Peter, and Dorcas all walking in together, talking as they made their way over to you and Sirius at the table. You started to pour yourself a glass of pumpkin juice when you realized that your friends were definitely up to something. The girls acting this cozy with the boys? All while wearing mischievous smiles on their faces and staring at you? Yep, something was definitely going on. You wondered if it had anything to do with Lily and Remus’ absences and wondered for a moment if that meant James was planning another elaborate show of love for Lily with Remus acting as the distraction.

“Alright, you lot are up to no good, what is it this time?” You did your best impression of Professor McGonagall, making Dorcas, Marlene, and Peter burst out in laughter and earning impressed smirks from Sirius and James. 

“My dear, wonderful, talented potion maker Y/N/N, could you kindly identify this potion for us?” James pulled a vial out of his pocket, took off the lid and handed it to you. Even if you hadn’t noticed the distinct coloring, the immediate smell of chocolate and Lily’s fresh linens hit you and you knew that somehow your friends had gotten ahold of their own bit of Amortentia.

“Guys, you can’t be serious? You can’t give someone Amortentia, that’s incredibly unethical and not to mention-”

“Don’t worry my wise little friend, we aren’t dosing anyone. But, you can confirm this is Amortentia?” Sirius smirked at you while taking the vial out of your hands, all the while leaving the cap off.

“Yes of course, how did you get it? What are you doing with it?”

“Never mind that, and just wait and see.” Sirius said as Marlene leaned into your ear to whisper (“nicked it from Sluggy’s office earlier”).

At that exact moment, Lily and Remus came up to the table, deep in discussion. “Hey everyone.” Remus smiled at you as he greeted everyone.

“Here, mate. You can take my seat and I’ll move over- woah, sorry Moons.” In his attempt to stand up and allow Remus to swap spots with him, Sirius slipped and managed to pour the entire vial of Amortentia down Remus’ robes. Before anyone could offer him a napkin to wipe it off the Muggle way, or could get their wand out for a quick Scourgify, Remus started laughing.

“Merlin, Sirius, it really wasn’t that important for you to prove. We get it, you don’t know that Y/N usually smells like lilacs, you didn’t need to go out and nick her perfume to prove that the rest of us recognize it.” Remus continued laughing as your jaw dropped. 

All of a sudden, it made sense. As the pieces fell together, you realized why Sirius had stolen the Amortentia from Slughorn’s office and why ¾ of the Marauders were conspiring with your friends. You quickly realized that the reason no one was quick to help clean up the mess was because unlike you, they knew it was coming and wanted to make sure that Remus would identify your scent before it was gone. You also figured that the reason Lily came late was to distract and slow down Remus so everyone else could have time to have you identify the potion, and that Sirius’ spill was as purposeful as him initially taking the seat next to you. Not for the first time that day, you knew that Remus unknowingly caused you to both smile, and blush while trying to hide both. 

“I suddenly remembered that I need to ask my girl Minnie McG about Quidditch and that I need Sirius, Peter, Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas with me for moral support.” James jumped up from the table, and after a nod from Sirius, the rest of your friends stood up and quickly headed towards the front of the room.

“All of them? That’s so odd. Y/N, your perfume is rather lovely as always, but would you mind passing me a napkin?” Remus awkwardly brought his hand up to scratch behind his ear as he sat down across from you, waiting for an explanation and a napkin.  You instead got your wand out and muttered a quick scourgify, handing Remus a glass of pumpkin juice instead.

“Erm, Remus.”

Before you could say anything else, Remus (finally noticing the hesitation in your voice and amusement on your face) panicked that he had made you uncomfortable by recognizing your perfume, “Oh so earlier the boys and I were talking about our friends and Peter mentioned that he knew that you smelled like lilacs because of that one Hogsmeade trip and then-”

“Remus!” You reached across the table and placed your hand on his, hoping that you were guessing correctly in that your scent was romantically in his Amortentia, and that it wasn’t there just as a good friend.

“Yes?” This time, it was Remus’ turn to flush, and though his hand twitched nervously under yours, he didn’t dare move a muscle.

“That wasn’t my perfume Sirius spilled on you. It was, well, it was some leftover Amortentia from this morning. Wait, hey, wait, let me finish okay?” You smiled sweetly at him, knowing that his nerves had to be extreme right now. “Do you remember the third thing I smelled this morning? The chocolate? It’s you, of course it’s you Remus. I mean honestly, do you think I fancy the cashier at Honeydukes?” You winked at him, then took a deep breath.

“Listen, Rem, if I’ve got this all wrong and you smelled my perfume platonically like I smelled Lily, just say the world and we’ll never mention this again but, I fancy you, a lot. I figure that I know us both well enough to know that neither of us are really keen on being the one to make the first move. So I was wondering if I could borrow a little of your Gryffindor courage?”

Remus (who was displaying the strongest case of Y/N face in recorded history) nodded, happy but also curious to see where you were going with this. You smiled and took a breath to steady yourself as you lifted the hand that wasn’t currently on his and placed it lightly on the side of his face. If hearts could melt, yours would have been absolute liquid at the sight and sensation of Remus smiling and leaning into your hand. You slowly started to lean in, wanting to give him the opportunity to change his mind. 

Finally, for the first time since he realized he fancied you all those years ago, Remus Lupin decided to do something about it and leaned in to meet you halfway. Remus turned the hand on the table upwards, so as to hold your hand properly while kissing you and you smiled into the kiss thinking that if Gryffindor courage meant getting to kiss Remus like this, you might talk to Dumbledore about a house transfer.

As you pulled away, you heard a noise behind you and turned around to find Professor McGonagall staring at the two of you, as you both blushed but remained holding hands.

“Miss L/N, Mr. Lupin, I assume I don’t have to remind you that public displays of affection need not occur in the Great Hall?” McGonagall tilted her head and spoke sternly, and before you could apologize, Sirius and James came quite literally running up to the three of you.

“Minnie, it’s young love!! You can’t deny them that!” Sirius yelled as James dramatically pretended to cry, hand clutched to his chest. 

“Oh pull yourselves together boys, and get on with dinner.” As soon as Minerva McGonagall turned away from you, she could no longer keep a smile from creeping onto her face. She was ready to collect her galleons from Pomona Sprout about which of the two of you would make a move first (she counted your declaration as a move as the kiss was mutual), and could later be heard laughing over pudding “Well of course, I wasn’t going to deny them that, I mean did they see me revoking house points? No, but I can’t let them know we approve, Albus, it takes away half the fun”). 

[geronimomo-spd]

 THE MUSICAL NIGHTCORE VERSION

SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY THINGS BRINGING ME SERATONIN RECENTLY

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS

highlghits include:

- Spongebob’s laugh in Bikkini Bottom day, (he works perfectly well in nightcore of course because this just makes him more baby, like, my brian just goes yes this is just Spongebob’s normal voice-) but his laugh is so funny here lol

- “no control!!” in No Control, they sound like little demons this is hilerios ddfssdf

- on the same note in No Control, Spongebob’s scream!!! is hilerios!!! its so high pitched 1000/10 recomand

- still in Bikkini Bottom day, SANDY SOUNDS SO CUTE I AM WOW, HOW CAN SHE BE EVEN MORE CUTE THEN USUAL I LOVE THIS

- also side note, i haven’t listend to the og album in a while, mostly because i do not like the actor for Mr Krabs, but here its high pitched so no problem here!

-in BFF, the gitur track is hilighted so well!!! and the piano is so much fun to listen to in the end

- in The Going gets Tuff, OH MY GOODNESS THE LITTLE RAPS, ITS ADORABLE AND SO FUN TO LISTEN TO, every “oh let go, and be gone!” just raised my seratonin levels

- OK THE HIGH NOTES IN (NOT) A SIMPLE SPONGE ARE SO GOOD IN THIS, I JUST KEEP ON LISTENING TO THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, ALSO THE GITUR RIFF?? AMAZING

- while were talking about riffs, Pearl’s vocals??? incredible on their own. in this???? ITS LIKE HONEY TO MY EARS, daddy knows best is amazing here i love it, always makes me start stimming so hard i almost drop my phone lol

- HERO IS MY MIDDLE NAME I LOVE IT SO MUCH, JUST THE SONG IN GENERAL I LOVE IT, but here they are so cute!!!! just, the up beat tune here sounds like a little jingle from Dora the exploer or something, its so fitting for the characters dfgdf

- so anyway, in Hero is our middle name here, the ending notes!! are amazing!!! recomand!!

- in Super Sea Star Savior, Poor Pirates, they all sound like very excited kiddos having a good time in the play grund and its so wholesome

- SQUIDWARD SOUNDS SO CUTE IN NOT A LOSER, THE BABY GETTING WHAT HE DESERVES I AM SO HAPPY HE IS SO CUTE

- HIS LITTLE CLARINET SOLO SO CUTE

- DO I EVEN NEED TO TALK ABOUT BEST DAY EVER????? ITS JUST, SO MUCH MORE EMOTINAL HERE SOMEHOW, I AM UWU WHEN I LISEN TO IT I LOVE IT

- “on a beutiful Bikkini Bottom, [meuw] day!!!!!!!!!!!!!” THEY SOUND LIKE LITTLE KIDS HERE I LOVE THEM

-also the Spongebob Squarepants theme song sounds really funky here too, its fun!

[goldeneyedgirl]

JALICEWEEK20 DAY 6

The Way of Things

JaliceWeek20 Day 6: Reincarnation

Notes: I... don’t know. It just sort of happened? This wrote itself. There were a few more lifetimes I thought about including (there was a Jessamine and Alice ‘life’ that I really wanted to include but it’ll be a standalone fic once I’ve done a bunch of research) but I think I’m happy with it? 

This was absolutely inspired by a gorgeous Thor fic I read a few years ago based in Norse mythology and the creation of Yggdrasil; if I can find it, I will absolutely link it because it was an incredible piece of writing. 

Also go me! I’m kind of getting a hang of writing sex adjacent scenes! I remember not being able to look directly at my cursor when I implied a blow job in Shadow to Light, I’m oddly proud!

Now, just the second part to Against a Wall. 

Word Count: 4,322

NSFW - not graphic but yeah. 

--

Soulmates are funny things. They do not start out existence together; they must find each other - it might take one life time, it might take ten. It is important they undergo this struggle; some souls are not meant for regeneration - they shine and burn out within a lifetime or two. But others get stronger, more powerful, during those early searching years.

And one they find one another, they are forever more entangled. The oldest and strongest eventually fuse, unable to be separated in life or death.

Of course, eventually they burn out. But not in a tragic way; more like in a way that is last page of a very good book; the wilting of a final flower in autumn; the way snow melts in early spring, with sense of peace and satisfaction, and utter tranquility. And as they dissolve into starlight and dust, they begin the cycle anew. It is neither good nor bad or anything in between.

It is simply the way of things.

—

When they meet the first time they are vampires in Dacia - the land that will become Romania. It is an era of indulgence for vampires in that region, and if any records had been kept, it would have declared nearly dangerous levels of changes.

She is Alis, a peasant girl changed by a careless vampire who fed and left her in a ditch. She’s a gentle beauty, with long dark hair, sharp and cunning eyes, and even after the change, her skin maintains a slightly golden tint of someone who spent their life in the sun.

He is Jesper, who mentions nothing of where he came from or what he was before he arrived to hover at the fringes of the Romanian court. He has a reputation in the court, with the ladies and the men both, and Alis is entirely aware and slightly amused by that. She catches his eye more than once, but is illusive like a quicksilver, unbent and unbowed.

Until she isn’t.

It’s been a good hunt, blood soaked through their clothes to their skin that they lick off each other in their frenzy, and she learns exactly how he developed such a reputation. He learns exactly what he was looking for as he finds himself skin to skin with the spirited girl that has always seen him coming before he could catch her. But he has her now, and he’s not letting go.

She doesn’t seem to mind. They become a common sight, as a pair, their hands constantly entangled. They are not at court to curry favour or power or anything more than their next meal, but their relationship is magnetic, and more than one jealous or yearning gaze falls upon them as he presses hot kisses to her neck as he ties a choker of sapphires or diamonds around her pale throat.

The Volturi attack a century or so later, and they stand with the Romanians, their leaders and their friends. He remembers thinking they cannot possibly fail; they are the side of the kings, of the angels. He remembers admiring her as they lined up; the way she had pinned her hair with the silver clasp he’d given her, the way her dress fit her and the smirk on her lips that promised something to look forward to in their personal victory celebrations.

They don’t survive. In the chaos of the battle, it is hard to say how they each fell - the Volturi take no prisoners anyway, so a quick death in battle is preferable to an execution. But they fall and they are burnt, and their ashes mingle in the purple-grey smoke that fills the field.

When Lord Aro finds a silver hair clasp discarded on the battlefield, still clinging to a clump of dark hair, he pockets it and later presents it to Sulpicia, polished to shine and on a bed of velvet. It is a curious and beautiful piece, the shape of a raven’s wing, and it quickly joins the Volturi’s treasury without a single thought given to its origins.

—

In whatever counts as the afterlife for souls and spirits, they reunite. It will take more than one life to work out their powers, the boundaries, of this resting place - how to shape it to their preferences, how to give themselves form. For now, it is just a long horizon of contrasting light, and they are little more than sentient energy, mingling and expressing regret and pain at the demise of the other, of relief of being reunited, of contentedness being once again with the other.

Time is not something that exists on this plane, and soon they learn how to change what is around them; a swathe of sandy beach that meets perfectly clear water, expansive grassy plains that fit between quiet, looming forests that are quiet and cool. They are no more fixed than any other aspect of this space, but it remains unexpectedly consistent.

Sometimes, there is a house. It’s immediate form never changes, but the outside facade does, as the lifetimes pass them by. Somethings a log cabin, other times an English cottage, or a farmhouse, or a bamboo hut. It is their every-changing, ever-evolving desires, a nod to their shared past and their hopes for the future. It is their reward, their sanctuary.  

They learn how to shape themselves as well. She fluctuates a little more than him, but she is always small, always naturally dark-haired, always cunning but sweet. He is always tall and always blonde and too charming for his own good, and sometimes not he is she, blonde and tall and could charm birds from the trees. It doesn’t matter either way; the small one greets them just the same, with enthusiasm and passion and sweet sadness at their demise but always joy at their return.

And that is where they are together until the next life.

—

The next life is simpler; a part of a nomadic tribe. She is married, in their customs, to him when she is little more than a child and he just barely a man. And despite how they were raised, he is kind and gentle to her and has no interest in her as a wife before she becomes a woman.

It is a hard year, a bad year, as they travel the mountains and ridges, the snow sharp against their faces. Few of the tribe have born children that year, and less still have lived through the winter; when food is so scarce, the dying are calmly let go so that the rest might survive. There is an undercurrent of resentment when he hoists his child-bride onto his back so that she might make the climb; that he, young and strong and likely to live long and hardy, gives his share of food and water to the bony waif he is bound to.

But she lives through that year, and the next. She lives enough years that they are both ready for her to become a wife, and everyone who scorned her frailness, her smallness, the waste of a strong husband on such a girl, is shocked when she conceives and carries his child so easily. First a son, then two daughters, all born close enough together that the old women of the tribe mutter.

The tribe becomes stronger, settles in one place for longer and longer periods of time - where food and water are plentiful and they are safe from predators and other threats.

She dies during her fourth pregnancy, slipping away in an ocean of blood no one could have prevented. Her eyes are wild and frightened, and he promises that he’ll watch over their children and see them safe, and weeps openly over her body and that of his second son.

He dies after his second daughter is married to a neighbouring tribe, to a boy who looks at her like she is a miracle, and he knows his job is done. The death is quiet, in the still of the night, in the shelter that he once shared with her. As he passes from the world, he remembers the nights when it was him and her amongst the furs, and then their children pressed between them, and then the  firm bulge of the child who would ultimately kill her. He holds no resentment for the cause of her death, just a faint and worn sadness, and as he drifts away, he is certain he can hear her laughing.

—

He is a soldier, to protect his family, for a cause he finds entirely repulsive. But he mouths the words and holds the gun, and does not recognise her when he is ordered to shoot. Why would he? They’ve never met. She dies in the mud, and it doesn’t matter anyway, because they end up naming him a traitor and he dies in prison heavy with regrets.

In their sanctuary, they reunite in silence, with sad eyes and gentle embraces. Whatever powers above govern creation, they still send the souls and soulmates to earth, to be swallowed up and spat back out by human machinations, human fears and flaws and greed.

It is simply the way of things.

—

She is a barefoot thief in the streets of Paris, dangerously fast, and subtle of hand. She tells no one her story, or at least, no one her truth. Ragged and smirking, people mistake her for a child, and so there is little trouble to be had - if she’s caught at all.

She runs into him, lounging in an alleyway, tricking lords and ladies out of coins wiht sleight of hand, and is delighted with their potential. She’s old enough to be charmed by sharp green eyes and a lazy grin, and young enough to contemplate the sheer levels of chaos they can cause.

They live like kings those next few years, pinching pearls and purses, watches and rubies, and living in an icy dormer room wearing stolen rings to convince others of things they’ll get around to eventually. It’s really not much - a narrow bed with wafer thin blankets and a shared pillow; water that runs cold and brown into a bucket; pigeons that nest in the rafters and shit all over their clothing.

Doesn’t seem to matter, though, when she welcomes his kiss and sleepily encourages him when he rolls on top of her during the late night hours, frost forming on the weave and weft of their clothes. When their work is good, he brings her flowers from the seller on the corner, and she tucks her pockets full of cakes for them to share, and really, neither could imagine a finer life than together in their little tower.

But time marches on, and soon they recognise that the tricks that have gotten them this far in life aren’t going to be overlooked forever. There are less nobles on the street, less coin and jewellery to be fleeced, and so they decide to leave for the country - he’s not afraid of dirty work, and she’s not afraid of anything.

The journey will be long, and she steals a book for him on their way - he’s determined to teach her to read. It’s a neat little Bible with a smart green cover with the name ‘C-a-r-l-i-s-l-e C-u-l-l-e-n’ written in neat script on the front page.

They settle in a village, where she becomes a laundress, then a seamstress, and he finds work with horses. They marry in the village parish, where the kind priest is happy to absolve them of the sin of living as man and wife before their vows, and keep their secret. They exchange stolen rings for ones of brass, from a jar the priest keeps for that purpose.

There’s a tiny two-room cottage they occupy; those early years of hunger and neglect have left their mark on them both, and so there are no children in this life. But there is an endless parade of animals that he brings home tucked under his jacket; wounded or lost or discarded, and she finds that she doesn’t so much mind waking up to a blind duck on their bed or a sickly fox on the pillow next to her, when he is always so pleased with their progress, with their improving health. He saves more than he loses, and he takes pride in that. Some are set free and returned to the wild, but others linger until they are something of a spectacle in town - the house with all the animals.

They live a long life, a good one, and it ends peacefully. They are buried side by side in the village cemetery, with wooden crosses that bare their names, and prayers muttered in their honour.

But one Carlisle Cullen never gets his Bible back.

—

The good lives give them less time together in the in-between, if such a thing could be accurately measured. They wade, knee-deep into that perfect ocean that stretches out to their infinite horizon, hand-in-hand, and then they both feel it; that fizzing, tingling feeling as whatever oversees them pulls them back; back into bodies and minds, back into lives and places, and they once again have to go through the push and pull of finding the other and crossing their fingers it’ll happen sooner rather than later.

As he becomes nothing again, he holds her smile tight in his mind with a prayer that this will be the time, this will be the life, that he’ll recognise her for who she is to him as soon as he sees her.

She hopes its a long life, a good one, with his hand in hers always.

—

He’s reborn in Texas in 1863 and dies nineteen years later, only to rise again.

She’s born in Mississippi in 1901 and dies nineteen years later, only to rise again.

They meet in 1948, and if he knew any better, he’d tease her about keeping him waiting for thirty-seven years, six months, and three weeks. But it will be a while more before they both remember things like that, so he can’t. Instead, he falls completely and utterly in love with her, in a way that echoes right back through to that very first meeting in Dacia.

He wonders if its possible to miss someone he’d never met before, when he takes her hand. She wonders if he’s going to disappear, to startle and panic about the future that lies before them and leave her behind.

He kisses her like a starving man, and she almost immediately drags him - a willing supplicant - into her bed because it doesn’t matter what life they’re living, she’s never been particularly subtle. He knows exactly what to do to make her scream indecently, and she puts her mouth to every single one of his scars, and he wishes he could weep - with relief and guilt and a million other things that are knotted up inside his head.

And she will untangle each and every single one with enough time.

They unknowingly draw from each of the lives that have come before - they are nomadic for more than two years, criss-crossing across the country. He is no less fixated on animals - as a human, it was the training of them; as a vampire, they are his salvation. Their hands are always entangled, their gazes always on the other.

This time, they find a family, and some quiet, subconscious little corner of her mind decides she likes that they aren’t alone this time. There’s a small joy in the memory of a ‘family’, and a warm feeling - one that she doesn’t know originated from a long-ago life where they were the ones welcoming new children into their heart and home, one she doesn’t quite recognise. But families are shaped so many different ways, and the Cullens are just another way to fit together, and so they stay.

It’s a good life, an untroubled life - at least until Edward gets tangled up with a human girl and the cursed Volturi. Somewhere, the great puppet master jerks the strings and decides that if history is so desperate to repeat itself, well, it might as well put on a show.

They escape the Volturi once (a flight to Italy to save an idiot brother), and twice (Renesmee shall live, Joham shall die, and Aro leaves without any new amusements and deeply, infinitely disappointed in his beloved Carlisle).

Third time’s a charm.

—

Aro’s great error shall go down in history as underestimating the damage he has done assembling his collection, the rage and resentment that boils like an undercurrent in the vampire world. He is not a beloved leader, but a feared one.

In truth, which will be lost to both time and the fact that the powers above don’t keep written or oral histories as humans comprehend them, his undoing is two things: the fact that in all things there must be balance.

And an ancient silver hair clasp shaped like a raven’s wing, that his Sulpicia wears in her hair as they arrive at the battlefield, cloaked and over-confident.

The battle is ugly and fatal and messy and all those things wars usually are, and there is no certainty in their victory, not with the wolves involved, with the shifters and the cryptids that have crawled out of every shadow and space to be done with Aro and Caius forever.

(Stefan and Vladimir are naive if they think they will fill the vacuum left behind in Aro’s wake; Jasper takes them both out quietly on the battlefield, when neither of them can call out the betrayal or identify their killer. Sometimes ugly things need to be done, and he’s not above getting his hands dirty.)

The battleground is smokey and even her supernatural eyes struggle to see through the gloam; her dead heart heavy as she looks for him. Voices call for help; for missing limbs, for injuries, for protection and she ignores each and every one.

She doesn’t know why she stops at the sight of a silver hair clasp, ancient and lost in the mud. Or why she reaches for her own hair, cut short.

Or why she picks it up and unlocks something inside her own mind. It is not an explosion of information, a supernova of memory. It is simply an intense awareness of who she is and who she was and who she will be. It is a confidence in her stride as she moves through the battlefield with a sense of self she has not known since before her home was known as ‘Romania’.

Jasper is bent and twisted, Rosalie limp on the ground, and those vicious, hideous twins hold them captive, like fish twitching on the line. Their deaths are not imminent, because who could take down the little vipers and stop their little game?

Jane’s head is off her body, and Alec’s too, before Jasper has shaken off the pain, expecting Peter or Maria or Emmett to have gotten a lucky shot and dismembered Aro’s little favourites.

Instead, it is his mud-streaked wife with a strange look in her eyes and emotions skittering over her skin like static. A battlefield is no place for a lover’s reunion, but she still bestows a kiss on his kneeling form (so ready for his own execution) that is so positively lascivious that it takes him a minute to remember himself.

And then he remembers himself.

The scales have been rebalanced, and the fight is won by a toss of a coin that finds Aro, Caius, and Marcus on their knees in the mud, waiting for their own trial. The oldest of the gathered line up - Carlisle, Amun, Maria, the Chinese coven - to pass their judgement, but the memories that press on both of them demand their pound of flesh, and Edward eyes them both uneasily.

Instead of violence, of sliding down a slope that turns them back into the monsters of old, into the truest of nightmares, Alice crouches in front of Aro with her wide dark gold eyes, and pulls the hair clasp from her pocket.

Aro’s rage is cold, at the few strands of Sulpicia’s hair that are still trapped in the metal, and if he could, he’d shred her to pieces in that moment, gift be damn. But she smiles sweetly, and strokes the etched feathers.

“Did you know?” she asks quietly, only loud enough for the fallen Volturi kings to hear, and Edward who hovers in case this spirals into a cataclysm, “When he gave me this, I mean?”

Aro stares at her, straining to touch her and understand, but his guard holds him tight and all he can do is sneer at her.

“The night before you brought your army,” Alice plucks the strawberry-blonde hairs from the fixture and tosses them into the mud. “He pinned this in my hair and we danced; we thought we’d win. And I suppose we did.”

Aro gapes at her, Caius is spitting curses, and Marcus is just pleading for his peaceful death - and how many lifetimes has he lived without Didyme, has he wanted to return to that in-between space?

She sees the scar on Esme’s face and finds it hard to care.

Edward is backing away in horror from whatever he sees in her mind, and Jasper is helping her stand, returning to their place amongst the very confused witnesses - what could the diminutive vampire say to the Lords of Volterra that would inspire such a response. The three are summarily executed without ceremony, and they are scattered over the fire without reverence.

Alice tosses the hair clasp in, too. It is better to be burnt to nothing, to be forgotten and buried by dirt and ash. It is too close to becoming a cursed object, one that will follow them, if they place too much belief and trust and hope into it. It has witnessed two downfalls, and it will never witness another.

He holds her tight in the aftermath, as they count their dead and make their plans. Edward is already whispering warnings into Carlisle’s ear, of the shape their thoughts and memories take. But they are family, and that comes before everything else.

(It’s not exactly their fault that Edward is a shiny new soul, and it’s going to take him a few lifetimes to understand what he’s seeing and hearing. Harder especially for him, with his gift so strong so early in the cycle. But everything happens for a reason.)

Despite the curiosity wafting off everyone, they say nothing and they go… well, not home, but to the closest residence, the headquarters of this war. A sprawling property with enough beds for the wounded, the wolves, and the lovers.

That’s where she makes good on her unspoken promises from eons again, of their private victory celebration. She sits astride him, her hips rolling hard against his, drawing out his groans and growls as he grips her thighs almost tight enough to crack. Their gazes are locked the entire time, her tongue skimming over her lips, as she lets her emotions tell him everything that she wants and everything she plans to take.

He remembers fucking her in the dirt in Dacia; his mouth between her legs as she hollered obscenities in a Paris attic; and the urgent, passionate loving-making of a marriage finally consummated.

She remembers bloody emeralds looped around her throat and resting between her breasts as she gets down on her knees and takes him into her mouth, his fingers tangled in her hair; the delicious weight of him on top of her, their sweat mingling and cooling in the frozen night as their flimsy bed creaked against the wall; and his soft encouragement in her ear as he grasps her around the waist, their hands resting together on the gentle swell of her stomach.

It is times like this that their talents are burdens and gifts both because it is so much, so very much, and in all that passion and true love, there is also loss and regret.

But they have each other, and they will weather this new storm together.

—

They are hardly the only couple to spend the night tumbling together, but they must be the loudest, because when they reappear the next morning with darkened eyes and clean clothes, Jacob and Emmett are looking at Jasper with a new and very specific kind of respect, and if she flips both of them off behind Esme’s back, no one has any proof.

They don’t talk about what they’ve learnt, because it probably wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else. It doesn’t make sense, doesn’t matter, until the mantle of it settles upon you. And then it is everything.

Instead, they hunt. They have won the battle, won the war, and whilst rebuilding will take time, they can take this small moment to feast with their family and relish freedom from fear.

She truly doesn’t know what comes next. He truly doesn’t know if it will be good or bad. They will live this life for as long as it lasts, long may it last, surrounded by the people they love and trust.

And then they will die.

And then they will live again. Maybe they will live another ten lives, maybe another one hundred. Maybe one day they will cross paths with their family again, or they will choose to have children again. Maybe they will be long lives full of joy and laughter, maybe they will burn out fast and hard, but full of feeling.

But the thing they are now both and utterly certain of, above all else, is that they will walk each step hand-in-hand.

It is simply the way of things.

[yourdeepestfathoms]

Beside The Dying Fire (part nine)

[DnD AU with the tour!verse]

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Word count: 2313

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

Queen Jane Seymour’s kingdom wasn’t always called “the Unbreakable City.” Before the land was ravaged by battles, it was called Babylon, the capital of Cyprus and the safest place to live on the entire continent. It got its name from the gorgeous hanging gardens decorating the palace and mountains the city was situated on.

But after five years of nonstop battles and attacks on the capital, its name was changed to the Unbreakable City to symbolize how much it had withstood against Henry’s army. 

The Unbreakable City was set up on the side of a mountain, boxed in by a deep chasm called The Great Crystal Cliffs, which glittered in streams of petrified rainbows in the sunlight. But there wasn’t much sun left in the capital, as Henry had cast an eternal storm over the city, buffeting it in rain and snow and sleet and wind as long as the queen continued to not surrender. 

A large ebony wall towered around the perimeter of The Great Crystal Cliffs, protecting the people that lived within. Five impenetrable bridges conjured by the strongest magic lay over the chasm, allowing people to come and go from the city as they pleased. A pitch-black gate wrapped in vines and clusters of violets creaked open when Katherine and her companions arrived, and they followed Cleves and Bessie into the queen’s kingdom with their heads held high.

The senses of the city overwhelm Katherine from every direction. First, there was the noise, the cacophony of hundreds of people: merchants hawking their wares; dozens of different conversations; the cries of animals and children; the rattle of carts; and a million other noises. It was all the bubbling babble of a village meeting magnified a thousandfold.

Then there were the smells: the sweat and stink of thousands of bodies; the stench of rotting food, smoke, and cooking grease; the mixed odor of grilling meat and sizzling vegetables; the pungent musk of farm animals on the outskirts of the city; the constant aroma of rain. Smells were everywhere, all slamming into her in powerful waves of stink.

Finally, her ears got used to the cacophony and her nose began to filter the overpowering stench, and she could see the glory that was the Unbreakable City: houses piled three or four stories high, stretching into the distance like a jumbled mass; the high, raised pillars of spires and turrets and crenelated bulwarks in ebony stone; the caves carved into the towering stretches of cliffs all around; and the plants. There were so many plants all over the place, roses and violets and bluebells and sunflowers bursting in barrages of color from building to building. 

And then, there was the palace.

Queen Jane Seymour’s palace had to be the most beautiful building Katherine had ever seen before. It was carved out of polished black marble, half-built deep into the mountain where dozens of rooms were chipped away from mossy stone for all the workers and nobles to live. A wide curtain of willow and lichen hung down from the cliff overhead, gently draping over the black beauty. Moss and blankets of tightly-woven flowers were cascading from several grand balconies, glowing with vibrant life, and vines crawling with roses were coiled delicately around intricately-carved spiral pillars. Waterfalls were pouring out from crevices in the mountain wall, falling into the chasm below like streams of crushed diamonds.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Katherine turned her head to see Cleves smiling at her. The Minotaur gazed up at the palace, and her golden-brown eyes glittered in the light drizzle. On her shoulder, Bessie’s black tail feathers were wagging like a happy dog’s.

  “It is,” Katherine said. “It’s amazing.”

Cleves smiled even wider before walking up the steps to the palace pavilion, Katherine and her companions following. A marble courtyard of lush greenery was built around a statue of an elegant quartz dragon sitting regally on a glittering throne. The entrance to the palace was a high arch with a curtain of vines that tickled Katherine’s shoulders when she passed through them.

  “Woah,” Joan murmured at her side.

The inside of the castle was just as incredible as the outside.

A huge foyer yawned out before them, with a visible catwalk stretched around the upper sections of the high-vaulted walls where maids and other workers bustled about. Several hallways were carved deep into the mountain, most likely leading to even more magnificent rooms. 

Cleves ended up taking them down the corridor at the very front of the foyer, which led into a giant throne room that was dressed in flowers and plants, fed by spring water streaming from the smooth stone walls and collecting into troughs edging the floors. The ceiling was completely covered in dark phosphorescent moss that was freckled in glowing bright blue speckles, mimicking the night sky. One of the two thrones was a beautiful marble creation, studded with opals and pearls and fluffed with silver velvet cushions. The other, however, was completely wrapped in prickly vines and painfully sharp thorns; it was clear that sitting in it was not allowed, though a freshly-polished silver circlet hung from one of the back points.

Cleves looked around the throne room, while Bessie jumped down from her shoulders. Her talons clicked against the shiny floor as she paced around.

  “Shiny?” She called out in a youthful voice. “Queenie?”

  “Hm,” Cleves said. “I’m disappointed but not surprised.”

  “What?” Katherine looked at her.

Cleves chuckled. “Nothing. It’s just very like Jane to not be on her throne. Come on, follow me.”

They took a hallway to the left and walked further into the castle. Instead of feeling claustrophobic from being inside a mountain, Katherine felt quite secure and protected within the stone walls of the palace.

They stepped into another huge room, and Katherine couldn’t help but gasp at its beauty.

It was a library, but also a forest. Giant thick trees towered out of the mossy stone floor, their twisted branches hanging with lanterns and writing materials. Holes were carved in the trunks, where scrolls were neatly slotted info and marked with letters in the bark. Several more cubbyholes were dug out into the walls, filled with ancient texts and grand stories, while high, shined mahogany bookshelves actually held all the books. Wooden tables dotted the space, along with several places to sit, like hollows in the trees and nests made of fluffy lichen. A spring burbled softly in the center of the library, giving off a natural bioluminescent glow, which bathed the two figures by the water in soft blue light.

The figure standing up was a Leonin woman, dressed in shiny glass armor and wielding two curved swords. Her fur was a dark sandy yellow color, speckled with light brown on her back and shoulders, and her eyes were bright amber, sharp and alert.

The figure sitting on the ground reading a book, however, was a beautiful dark-skinned human woman. Her skin was unblemished and shiny from the golden oils she bathed with, contrasting brightly with the silk silver dress she was wearing. Teardrop-shaped crystals were draped along her shoulders, cascading down her gown in a bright glittering stream. A metal circlet sat on her head, studded with diamonds and opals. When she looked up, her eyes were a warm golden-amber color.

Cleves and Bessie bowed, then Katherine and her companions copied. The queen smiled.

  “Anna, Bessie,” Queen Jane Seymour said, and her voice was smooth and husky. “It’s good to see you both again. I’m glad you’re home safe.”

  “Queenie!!” Bessie chirped. She launched herself forward and threw her arms around the queen, nuzzling her with happy bird coos. The queen chuckled and stroked the feathers on her head.

  “Hello, Bessie,” Jane said. She glanced at Katherine and her companions. “Hello there. Who are you three?”

  “Katherine Howard of Ghent,” Katherine dipped her head, despite already bowing. “These are Catalina and Joan. We request your assistance in something.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. She closed her book and stood up, suddenly looking very alert. “Oh? Is that so?”

  “They had a run-in with Mannox, My Lady,” Cleves informed.

Joan flinched slightly when the name was said, flicking her ears back. Katherine gently touched her shoulder for support.

  “Do tell,” Jane said. 

  “My village was destroyed by Henry’s forces,” Katherine said. “Ghent. It was in the Needle Forest.”

Jane frowned. “I heard about that. I’m terribly sorry.”

Katherine nodded slightly. “I’m here to urge you to get more involved in the war. Henry is tearing apart the continent. You need to start fighting back more than you are. Please.”

Jane stared at her and, without hesitation, said, “No.”

Katherine’s jaw actually fell open. She watched as Jane briskly turned around and began walking out of the library. The Leonin followed her, and Cleves and Bessie copied after glancing at Katherine to gauge her reaction. Katherine hurried after them, Catalina and Joan on her tail.

  “Wait!” Katherine shouted. “Your Majesty!”

Jane turned to her. “I can’t risk losing any more of my soldiers. By pushing out more, I anger Henry, and that is not what I want.”

  “But people are dying!” Katherine cried. “Innocent people! What about them?”

Jane sighed. “I feel bad, I do, but my people come first.”

  “You’re a fucking coward,” Catalina hissed.

The Leonin growled lowly, bristling her fur. “Watch what you say, Aasimar.”

  “What do you mean? Watch what I say about the truth?” Catalina scoffed. She narrowed her eyes at Jane. “What kind of queen are you, hiding inside your castle? Do you enjoy being blissfully ignorant towards the things going on outside your walls? Katherine is right, innocent people are DYING because of YOUR husband! Control him!”

Jane went quiet for a moment, rubbing her fingers over a sapphire pendant around her neck. “My husband,” She murmured. She shook her head. “Henry had been changing long before the war started. I couldn’t stop him then. I’m not sure what you expect me to do now.”

Catalina barked a cruel laugh. “You are unbelievable! So many people are dying, women and children, because of YOUR petty marriage issues, and for what? What is even the point of this stupid war?”

Jane stared at them, silent, then said, “Follow me.”

The queen led them all through a mossy hallway with sewing rooms and music rooms and learning rooms in them, then up a flight of smooth stone steps. She was quiet as she approached and opened a wooden door.

Inside was a room with walls that were decorated with bright, colorful flowers and sparkling crystals. A large light purple rug was stretched out across the stone floor, and several large pillows, blankets, books, and toys filled the rest of the space. A small castle was carved out of stone in one corner, fit with a slick flint slide and a woven rope swing. Long dark green curtains billowed in the wind streaming inside, and the doorway they blocked led out onto a balcony thriving with plant life. Stars whittled out of luminescent blue stones dangled from the ceiling, swaying slightly in the breeze.

It took Katherine only a moment to realize this was a playroom.

  “Mama!”

A little boy burst out of the stone castle and ran to Jane, hugging her leg tightly. He was small, with ivory skin, dark brown hair, and bright blue eyes. A purple blanket was tied around his neck like a cape, and he clutched a pegasus toy tightly in one of his little hands.

  “Mama! Mama, guess what!!!” The boy exclaimed. “Today when I was learning with Mister Hugo, I read ALL BY MYSELF!!!!”

Jane smiled, rubbing the child’s head. “My smart boy,” She said lovingly. “I’m so proud of you!”

The boy beamed, then noticed Katherine and her companions standing there. He perked up.

  “Woah!!!” He cried. “Mama, look!! New friends! And a TIEFLING!!! Look at her, Mama! She’s SO PRETTY! LIKE A DIAMOND!!!”

Joan blushed, folding her ears back bashfully. She clearly wasn’t used to be complimented for her strange coloration.

  “I see them, sweetheart,” Jane said, then looked at Katherine and her companions. “This is Edward. My son.”

/Her son/, Katherine repeated in her head. She remembered hearing rumors about the queen of the Unbreakable City giving birth to a prince, but never knew if they were true, as not much information came out about him. She had just assumed the prince had died somehow until that moment.

  “Eddie, why don’t you go show the pretty Tiefling your swing?” Jane said. 

  “Okay!!!” Edward chirped. He bounded over to Joan, but held out his free hand to her instead of just grabbing her own. Joan hesitated shyly, then took his head and was taken over to the rope swing on the castle.

  “Five years ago I gave birth to Edward,” Jane said to Catalina and Katherine quietly. “I barely survived. Henry wanted to take him to learn to be a ‘proper prince’, but I refused. I hadn’t almost died just to not be with my son. Henry didn’t like that. He had already been hanging by a few threads, but this did it. He left Cyprus and then declared war two months later.” She shook her head, looking up at Katherine. “Now do you see why I can’t risk fighting him further? I can’t lose my son.”

Katherine looked at Edward chatting excitedly with Joan as they swayed on his swing, taking in how happy he looked, despite the tragedy raging outside the city’s walls, then said, “Is there anything we can do to change your mind?”

Jane considered her. “There are these beasts in each of the other territories. Henry created them to scare the people out of the war. If you can kill them and get the other kingdoms on my side, then I’ll join the fight.”

Katherine chuckled. “Alright.”

After all, she had wanted to be a hero.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

West African Hybrids

“Hey… Hey! Wake up, we’re almost there.”

Ru’Yi felt a slight nudge at her side and opened her eyes. Her uniform was slightly rumpled. She managed to tie up her hair so it wouldn’t be too frizzy on landing. “Really?” She whimpered in a sleepy disappointment. “That was so fast…”

“Well, the executive department doesn’t like to waste time. So the gear department modifies planes for maximum speed.” Rodney gave her a shy smile, revealing a single dimple on his right cheek. “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”

She shook her head. “I’m alright.”

It was still too dark to see much but, as people began to turn on their overhead lights, she noticed that his eyes were hazel, brown with flecks of green and gold mixed in, hidden behind his dark brown bangs. Everything from his hair cut, to his quiet voice, and hesitant demeanor spoke to his shyness, but now that she got a good look at him, she could tell that he was at least as strong as Brian. He had those same broad shoulders and muscles along his arms. He was also relatively tall, stretching his legs under the seat in front of him.

Around her all the students were always wide awake, shifting and speaking to their seatmates.

Ru’Yi only remembered flying once before. Back when she was fourteen when they were on the island, she had been so excited to take her first flight and she packed all her things early. She even watched videos of 757, 747 and 777 airliners to see how things would be. These massive jets with smiling Flight attendants, a friendly captain speaking over an intercom, and movies built into the seats.

But instead of a large bustling airport, her father and mother took a boat to another island where a sandy flat ribbon of land served as a runway. There were no customs, no shopping, nothing like that. Just a long silver luxury private jet in the middle of nowhere.  

“Why can’t we just be normal?” She had lamented.

Her father answered her question in his usual succinct manner. The nearest airport was nearly a day’s travel away and she would never be able to use it anyway because she didn’t have a passport. He looked at her with a head slightly tilted, like a curious bird wondering what was wrong. The juxtaposition of his serious-eyed stare, his questioning gesture and his shirt with the bright yellow hibiscus flowers would have been funny but she wasn’t laughing.

This was better anyway, her mother had chimed in. They had the whole plane to themselves. There was an onboard chef ready to fix anything they possibly would want to eat, music, movies, games, and a good pilot that her father knew. She also was dressed in a yellow sundress to match her husband’s and together, they looked like the happy globetrotting couple.

 Ru’Yi had relented, but didn’t smile. Deep down, he knew all the kids at school would envy her. They would question how some tour guide could afford a private flight to the United States.

She should be grateful.

Now sitting in the Beluga Aircraft, she realized that this was as close to normal as she could get. At least now, she was surrounded by other people who also didn’t seem to use passports, use airports or pass through customs. They were flying a jet with a jet tucked inside it like a Russian nesting doll and still managed to go faster than the planes she’d looked at as a child. She started to wonder if normalcy was as much as a fantasy to her as dragons were to ordinary people.

Aircraft Carrier, Aido-Hwedo, West Africa Branch.

The calm Atlantic waters broke beneath the unstoppable gun-metal bow of the moving wall of metal that towered a thousand feet high. It was topped with what appeared to be a flat road surface, as though a piece of highway had broken off a steel cliffside and set sail. On the side of this cliff was a name in large white block text a dozen feet high: Aido-Hwedo.

The original name of the vessel was the USS-Enterprise. This aircraft carrier was the one near enough to Pearl Harbor to participate in the famous World War II battle. It had scrambled several of its jets to help, but in the confusion of the sudden attack, many of them were shot down by their own countrymen. Later it saw intense battles of the South Pacific and then other missions during peacetime. But, for all its storied history, it still ended up at the shipyard to be turned into scrap at the end of its life.

According to history, it was scrap. Supposedly, all that was left of the ship was its bell, an anchor and the name plaque. Indeed, the name plaque was removed, but the ship itself moved about on the seas like a ghost of decades past, fighting battles under its new name.

The Aido-Hwedo was the great rainbow serpent that both created the world and sustained Earth’s form from falling to chaos -- A great beast that ate iron and, lacking iron, would instead eat its own tail.

Ordinarily, this floating runway would have been decorated with fighter jets, but for this occasion the landing surface was cleared to accommodate its incoming oversized cargo.

Within the control tower a tall man with skin the color of black coffee watched through his binoculars while a woman sat watching the radar screen. He was dressed in a black naval uniform, decorated with gold tassels. He was still, silent, and tense as he prepared to watch the plane land.

Landing on a flight deck is one of the most difficult things a pilot will ever do. The flight deck only had about 500 feet of runway space for landing planes, which wasn’t nearly enough for the heavy, high-speed jets like the modified Beluga coming in. To land on the flight deck, it would need a tailhook, which was exactly what it sounded like — an extended hook attached to the plane’s tail. The pilot’s goal would be to snag the tailhook on one of four arresting wires, sturdy cables woven from high-tensile steel wire. It would be precision flying at low speed and a high angle of attack. It was the definitive skill that tested Navy carrier pilots. The principle on landing would be to fly the plane aboard the ship at the slowest speed at which it can be done safely, to deliberately stall and drop into the landing.

Despite his confidence in the pilot, Foli Abalo looked through his binoculars with anticipation of a close call. The wire system was checked, rechecked and placed under guard. A back up emergency wire system was installed in case it failed anyway.

“Approach speed 450. Tail hook lowered.” The woman murmured. 

The lights of the plane were suddenly visible as it made its approaching turn. It moved incredibly slowly, stalking the ship like a massive fat shark.

“Speed reduced 350…”

It was the moment of truth. By now, the plane was so low and flying so slow, it had two options, land perfectly on the aircraft carrier or land on the ocean. There would be no recovering from this descent.

“On final approach. Flaps full. Speed 300.”

The roar of the engines was now audible in the tower. It rattled the glass. This plane would take up every inch of the runway and its wings would span the full width of the ship. Compared to the plane, this aircraft carrier seemed more like a sheet of notebook paper.

“Landing in five… four, three, two…”

The plane suddenly dwarfed the runway. The weight of it rocked the carrier. A pair of reverse thrusters built into the engines ignited in front of it. The brake lines caught the tailhooks and screamed under the strain. The plane passed the tower, rumbled further and further to the edge and then stopped completely, its nose peeking over the water.

A smattering of applause echoed throughout the tower. “We did it! We did it! That was the hard part wasn’t it? Get the crew down, have medics on board just in case the force of the stop caused any injuries.”

While the crew scattered, Foli smiled, his teeth a brilliant white, his black eyes twinkling. “Grant… it’s been far too long. How have you been doing my friend? Will you still recognize me? I wonder.” He chuckled.

Foli was one of a set of quadruplets. His mother had two eggs fertilized that day and by luck, both of them divided into two sets of twins. They were all born on the same day and seemed to have the same spirit in them so it was impossible to tell them apart as babies even for the most experienced spiritualist. Normally, the children would be named after the day of the week until they were given their permanent names. As it turned out, they were given the names of their birth order and that was that.

The name Foli meant first son, Atsu meant the younger of twins, Do was the first child after twins, and Dofi the second child after twins. His three brothers were also on this ship, scattered throughout the crew. Those onboard had no trouble telling them apart thanks to the uniform system of the West Africa branch. The gold crown on his hat meant he was the First Officer. But without his hat, it was very difficult to tell for those who didn’t know them well, and it wasn’t uncommon for his brothers to disguise themselves as pranks. He wouldn’t meet his friend today. His youngest brother, Dofi, would meet him instead.

He walked out of the tower where his brother was waiting and passed his his hat. Looking at them was like looking at a reflection. The same curled hair, cut short in the same buzzed syle, the same smile, and broad nose.

It was Dofi’s idea to play the prank. He was always the jokester and the one who initiated play on the ship. Atsu, the Chief Engineer was up to his ears after making the modifications to the ship for this mission. And Do had to stay on watch, keeping a careful eye on the stirring atmosphere just a few hundred miles distant. Although they were all the same age, Foli was expected to be the responsible representative and more was required of him as the oldest brother, even if he was only the oldest by a few minutes. So he wasn’t allowed to be seen playing, drinking or smoking.

Dofi screwed the hat on his head. “I’ll say I stole it.” He said, turning on his heel with a wink and then, pulling his face into a stoic frown, marched straight towards the bridge. When the other crew saw him they quickly pulled up in a sharp salute, thinking he was the captain.

The West Africa Branch had managed to remain under the radar for much of history. Africa had few mountains to guarantee a sufficient amount of steady rains. So great buildings and permanent settlements were mostly confined to the coasts and river valleys. The rest of Africa was forced to follow the shifting weather. The most valuable items one had had to be portable. So the hybrids of Africa were always mobile and moving. They kept their secrets with them in oral traditions, and carried their alchemical knowledge in the form of clothing, necklaces and even scars and tattoos. When the tidal wave of destructive colonization smashed to ruins the cultures of millions and the cutting knife of modern country borders separated allies and grouped them with enemies, and the explosion of civil war blew countries into eternal cycles of poverty, the hybrid life of West Africa was like a serpent, sliding under it all, with a secret network of transportation, communication and trade.

Anjou landed on the shores searching for such treasures. They were aware of him immediately and shied away. After all, those Europeans were nothing but looters and could not be trusted. They offered him fakes in hopes of luring him off their land. He saw through their counterfeits, but showed a surprising amount of restraint and tolerance for their hesitance. After a few years of negotiations, they finally trusted him enough to grant him a single piece of exquisite art that contained the alchemical formula for a special kind of dragonslaying metal. In return, he agreed to keep them secret for seven years. 

Those seven years passed and the promise was kept and the relationship grew a bit more open. They began to send their young men and women to the college. Foli attended along with Grant. Sadly, the death of Anjou was an uncertain time for the College. They didn’t know this “Lu Mingfei” or this “Von Frings”. But Foli knew Grant Baldwin and he couldn’t refuse a request for help from a friend. Grant said he needed people who could keep secrets and no one kept secrets like the West African Hybrids.

The crew that would welcome them rolled the tall stairway up to the plane’s door and arranged themselves in a long row spanning its length, hands folded behind their backs, looking like a row of sharply dressed dominoes.

The door finally opened and Grant exited first. He looked out over them and stepped easily down towards the ‘Captain’ who gazed at him with a serious air. For a moment, the two stared at each other not saying anything.

From his perch in the tower, Foli could hear what was being said through the wire Dofi wore. He grinned as he heard his brother say, “Welcome to my ship, Director.”

Grant’s voice, at its most deadpan and dry tone said, “Since when did Foli grow a mole on his cheek? Where is he? Which brother are you?”

Within the tower, Foli tilted his head back and howled with laughter, his joy at his brother’s prank failing was intensified by the fact that his friend still remembered him after all his time. “Which brother are you? Hahaha…” He leaned forward and clicked the PA system and his voice boomed over the speakers attached to the tower. “Good morning, Mr. Baldwin! Long time no see! Hahaha!”

“Was this a test?”

“Yes! And you half passed. For the second half, you will have to find out for yourself which brother is he!”

The rest of the line of crew also grinned but kept their laughter in check as Dofi gave a bow with an elegant leg. “We’ll show your students a good time. They need rest while we prepare the mission.”

The students piled off the plane in a rush, eagerly waving and looking around. Foli watched carefully, making a checklist in his mind of each face. He’d gotten the roster from Baldwin of those approved for the mission, so when he saw a woman get off he straightened with surprise.

He didn’t remember any women being on the roster. She seemed young, her skin was only the color of a latte, but her hair was long, coiled and beautiful. She carefully stepped down to the ground and took her place in line to wait for her luggage.

He turned off the PA. It seemed that Grant had his own surprises. “Ensign… who is the girl?”

The woman at the radar shook her head. She’s not on the roster. There’s no female name on the manifest.

He rubbed his chin. He knew he should trust Mr. Baldwin, but he also knew that he only had so much authority. The School Board would easily overrule him. 

“Find out what you can about her.” He turned. “I will make my way down to the deck.”

[monstersandmaw]

Male octomer x reader (nsfw) - Mermay story #3

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

This has been up on my patreon now for a little while, and folks seemed to like him a lot over there, and the preview I posted got some excitement too, so I hope you’re ready for Caspian!

___

As first days went, this one wasn’t necessarily a complete disaster.

However, walking into the specially-designed meeting room at the aquatic and oceanography research station in Starfall Springs with a very suspicious looking (and entirely innocent) wet crotch, you did feel your cheeks heat up. The room itself reminded you strongly of a beach hut or the like, with scrubbed and white-washed wooden floors, and white-painted, ship-lap walls, and a wide window at one end, overlooking one of the sandy beaches of the wider curve of coastline that was Starfall Bay itself.

The research station was built right at the end of a rocky cob; a curving, protective wall which jutted out into the sea. A section of the floor of this room at the furthest end of the station had been cut away to allow a kind of trap door to be opened into the water itself, allowing for merfolk of all kinds to be present at meetings and consultations, without running the risk of drying out on land.

The merman who was currently resting with his huge, bulky, tanned arms on the lip of the opening took one look at your soaked jeans and hitched a lopsided, cheeky smirk. Your feet faltered at the sight of him; not only was he incredibly handsome, but he was also massive. He had dark hair that was cropped very close to his skull in a side-shave that revealed tapering ears which were attractively tinged with an inky purple tone at the tips, while the rest of his hair was longer on the top. Sections of it flopped into his warm, cocoa brown eyes, and your heart definitely lurched in its regular rhythms.

Below him, visible through the rippling water, you could see glimpses his lower body. He was not like the other merfolk you’d met so far since starting work at the station. Eight muscular tentacles billowed gently in the washing currents, the skin a rich, mulberry purple with paler, lilac undersides. You tried not to stare or flush any hotter.

The only other person in the room besides the two of you was Garreth. When the leader of the Starfall Bay Conservation Society saw the slightly soggy state of you, the werewolf tipped his head back and laughed. “I see Naomi forgot to warn you about the tap in the kitchen…” he chortled.

The octomer in the water chuckled softly to himself, a low, amused rumbling, and you rolled your eyes, shaking your head.

“Yeah,” you sighed. “Not my finest moment. Is everyone here?”

Garreth shook his head. “We’re still waiting on Elliott. He was supposed to have brought me the report on the plastic survey for this quarter, but he didn’t show up yesterday.”

The octomer snorted. “Probably forgot… or got distracted by pearl diving or something…” he said dismissively.

“Let’s hope he brings it with him today,” Garreth said. “Now,” he added, turning to you, “Let me introduce you properly to Caspian. He’s the newest of our three representatives and mediators between the merfolk and the land-folk. He’s also working on a joint project at the research laboratory which is measuring ocean temperatures and the effects on the coral reefs just offshore.”

“Awesome,” you said, stepping over hand holding out your hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Caspian’s upper body was tanned a deep, nutmeg brown, and as you bent down, you saw a smattering of darker freckles across his cheekbones and down the length of his straight nose. His eyes were dark and kind, and they sparkled when he smiled. He really was huge though, you realised as you got close; had he been a human, he might have been pushing seven feet tall, with the broad shoulders and muscles to match.

His hand engulfed yours as he shook it, and his palms were rough and hard as a life-long sailor’s might be. “Looking forward to working with you on this project,” he said. “If our fourth member ever turns up…” He cocked his head slightly and you watched his tentacles tuck in so that he didn’t occupy quite so much space in the hatchway. “Ah… speak of the devil-fish…”

The final arrival shot into view with a stream of bubbles, a splash of water, and a burst of bright orange colour. He stuck his head above the surface, grabbed onto the side, slipped off, waved his long, floaty tail to bring him back to the edge and tried again. “Sorry I’m late!” he gasped. “I didn’t realise the time…”

Garreth laughed. “It’s alright, Elliott. We were kind of expecting you to be late.”

Elliott’s pale cheeks flushed almost as scarlet as his fiery tail, and he looked away. “I did bring the report this time though,” he said, shyly bringing out a clipboard with the report filled in with special pencil on waterproof paper.

The mer looked to be barely into his twenties, with long, flame-orange hair that was currently tied back with a length of seaweed at the nape of his slender neck. Sections of it had come loose, however, and they had plastered themselves to his alabaster face, half covering bright green eyes. Beside Caspian, he looked like an ornamental koi or betta fish, more suited to the safety of a secluded pond than the rough moods of the open sea.

Caspian, however, looked like he could weather anything the sea threw at him.

Your first assignment on the new project - monitoring the health of the reef, including pollution levels in the water - took you out into the field with him as your partner. You, of course, took the small RIB that the organisation owned, and Caspian had promised to meet you out there. True enough, as you slowed the small boat, he popped his head up above the water and grinned at you.

“You made it!” he called, waving.

“There was doubt?” you chuckled, cutting the engine and dropping the boat’s small anchor.

He only laughed. “You want me to check the anchor’s set ok?”

With a smile, you said, “Sure, if you wouldn’t mind.”

When he’d re-emerged, you passed him the various bits of equipment for data and sample collection and he dove down repeatedly, breaking the surface with minimal splash each time before handing you back whatever it was he’d collected for the project.

After the last sample had been stowed safely, he clicked his tongue at you and you looked round, puzzled. “Did I forget something?”

Caspian flashed you a broad grin. “Not exactly. Here…” and he handed you a shell.

At first, it looked like an ordinary scallop shell; pretty enough, but nothing special. Frowning with mingled confusion and curiosity, you turned it over and saw that the shell had a strange, dark colouring to it. The natural discolouration, however, resembled a little smiley face, with two eyes and a little curving, slightly wonky mouth that very much reminded you of someone… You held it up next to his face, laughing, and snapped a picture on your phone. “Looks just like you!” you said. “I didn’t know scallops painted portraits…”

Indignantly, Caspian cupped his hand and slapped it into the water, sending a large wave spraying straight at you. With a shriek, you lurched away from it, caught your calves on the side of the RIB, and fell backwards into the water.

Panic flared instantly and you flailed and sucked in a mouthful of water before you could stop yourself. In a rush of dark tentacles, Caspian grabbed you and practically threw you back into the RIB. Coughing violently, you rolled over onto your hands and knees, and he cursed.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean… I didn’t… Are you alright?”

You couldn't answer immediately, and when he got no response, he started to haul himself up onto the boat to get to you. The flimsy thing rocked alarmingly and then began to tip under his enormous weight, and you flapped your arm at him to try and get him to back off. It wasn’t going to sink, but he could still roll it enough that the contents - including you - might very well all roll out. You hadn’t the breath spare to tell him you just needed a moment.

He seemed to get the message and flopped disconsolately back into the water, still clinging to the side of the boat and staring at you with wide eyes.

With a tentative croak, you said, “I was not ready for that…!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think that… Well… I guess that’s it: I just didn’t think.”

You turned to look at him, your eyes stinging from the salt water, and still streaming from coughing so hard, and you saw the worry in his big brown eyes. You pushed yourself upright, sitting back onto your knees to catch your breath, and ran your hand through your dripping hair. “Good thing I dropped my phone into the boat when I fell,” you said wryly. “If I’d have lost that, you’d really be in trouble.”

His lopsided smile flickered back into life across his face as the worry receded, and you shook your head. “Are you alright?” he asked.

You nodded. “If you were a landfolk guy, I’d at least make you buy me a drink for that,” you grumbled. “Jeez, now everyone’s going to think I’m completely incompetent. Can’t work a simple tap on my first day; can’t stay in a simple boat on my second… ugh.”

“You can tell them I did it,” he said.

“Yeah?” you snorted, raising your eyebrows. “And who do you think they’ll believe? The handsome genius researcher, or the clumsy new kid?”

Caspian blinked at that. “What?”

“Yeah. Just what I thought. Look, I’m going to get these samples back to the station before they all get cross-contaminated or something, and get me into some warm, dry clothes. It might be summer, but the wind is freezing out here. I’ll… see you back at the station when the results are back, I guess.”

“Wait,” he called as you started towards the outboard. “Wait… are you angry with me?”

You’d started to shiver with the windchill on your soaked body. “No,” you sighed. “No, I’m not angry. I’m just… cold. And embarrassed, I guess. I’m not a very good swimmer and I panicked. Look, forget it, ok? I’ll see you soon.”

And with that, you just left him and turned the RIB back to the station.

Garreth was standing on the jetty, watching you come in, and when he saw the state of you, his eyes widened. “What the hell happened?”

“Caspian.”

The head of the team scowled. “What? Are you ok?”

“Fine,” you snapped. “Just cold.” You tossed him the line and he secured the RIB for you.

“I’ll sort all this,” he said, gesturing at the samples. “You go inside and get dried out.”

With a watery smile of thanks, you brushed past him and headed inside.

But of course, you had no spare clothes with you because you’d left the bag - which you’d deliberately put out that very morning for just such an emergency - in the hallway of your apartment. “Fuck!” you cursed as you realised where it was. “Fucking perfect.”

It was only then that you noticed that you were not alone. A very sheepish and unusual-looking creature was standing at the research station’s main entrance, staring straight at you. “Hello?” he said in a quavering tenor.

He was one of the strangest mer you’d yet encountered, with a large, orange shell behind him, and crab legs sticking out the bottom of it, while a humanoid torso rose out of the opening so that he looked a little like the mer equivalent of a drider or arachnid.

You turned to him and said, “Can I help you?”

“I… I’m here to talk to Garreth about some activities for the children’s summer camp… but if this is a bad time?”

“It’s a bad time for me, but not for him. He’s just tying up the RIB out back. He’ll be here in a moment, I’m sure.”

A second or two later, Garreth’s heavy boots on the wood announced his return. “Leo!” he grinned when he saw the hermit-crab mer standing there awkwardly, blushing and trying not to stare at your chest where your t-shirt was now plastered to your skin. Garreth turned to you and said, “Did you have some spare clothes?”

Miserably, you shook your head.

“Hang on. I’ve got a t-shirt you can borrow at least. You can hang anything else over the chains on the jetty. With this breeze and sun, they’ll be dry in no time. Just… tie them down well, ok? No need to lose them and have you going skinny dipping…”

You all snorted a laugh at that, and in no time you’d put on one of Garreth’s huge t-shirts and had hung your shorts over the little safety chain along the jetty. It felt a bit indecent to be sitting there in the sun wearing only your underwear and a colleague’s t-shirt, but there was no one there to gawp.

At least, you had thought you were alone until you glimpsed the smooth, billowing movements of a now-familiar octomer swimming through the waters of the harbour towards the station.

You’d been trailing your toes in the water, leaning back on your hands, but as he changed course and swam directly over to you, you sat forwards, hunching a bit and tugging the t-shirt down as far as you could. It still only grazed the top of your thighs. You felt the heat flushing from your face all the way down to your collarbones, even before he surfaced.

Caspian, for all his rugged size and good looks, appeared even more flustered and awkward than you as he stared at you. He couldn’t take his eyes off your bare legs for a very long time, and when he did, he swallowed thickly and took a couple of goes at speaking before anything actually came out. “So… uh… I… I hoped you’d still be here,” he finally said.

You just raised your eyebrows. He really didn’t deserve to be given such a hard time over this, but you were embarrassed.

The octomer smiled sweetly and said, “I… I had hoped our first job would go better… You see… I’ve never worked with a human before.”

“I thought you were doing a joint project with the research lab in town?” you asked, surprised.

He nodded. “I am. The team is composed of non-humans.”

“Oh.”

“You said… You said if I were landfolk you’d make me buy you a drink…”

“Huh, I did, didn’t I?” you smiled.

Caspian’s chocolate coloured eyes drifted downwards again and you watched the thick tentacles writhe below the water.

“Look, it’s fine,” you chirped before he could speak. “I fell overboard, I got wet, no harm done. Let’s put it behind us. But next time I’m definitely not standing up at all in that thing.”

He hitched a lopsided grin, conjuring a dimple in one tanned cheek. “Listen, if we’re starting over, I want to ask you a question. Do you know about the Moonlight Festival?”

You frowned and shook your head. “No.”

Caspian swallowed and licked his lips nervously. “Ok, well… it’s… it’s a long-held festival in the bay. On certain summer nights, the sea glows. Way back when, we used to think it was magic, but now we know it’s actually just bioluminescence caused by a species of dinoflagellate called Noctiluca scintillans…” he broke off at the slight smirk of amusement growing on your face. “Fuck. Way to take the ‘magic’ out of it. Look, it’s a big festival, and the sea glows, and the landfolk like it, and the merfolk come and piss around in the water, and it’s pretty. I thought maybe you’d like to come. With me. But…”

“Caspian,” you said, laughing softly. “You’re not at all what I expected, you know that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, a touch defensively.

You took a deep, slow breath and shrugged. “I went to college with a lot of guys who looked like you.”

“There were octomer at your college?” he blurted.

“No!” you laughed, tipping your head back and cackling at the thought of a bunch of eight-limbed octomer flip-flopping down the corridor of a very human-orientated, landlocked college. “Oh man, I wish there had been. No, I just meant there were lots of big, handsome, sporty-looking guys who relied a lot on their looks and ‘charisma’ to get what they wanted. I honestly thought you were one of them… Clearly, I was very wrong.”

His face was a mask of confusion. On the one hand, he looked pleased, and on the other, somewhat deflated. “So I’m just a huge nerd?”

“You want to know something?”

“Go on then.”

“I’d rather go to a festival about bioluminescent plankton with a nerd than with one of those guys…”

Caspian bowed his head and rumbled a laugh. “Alight then. And I promise to behave this time…”

You stood, self-consciously holding the hem of the over-sized shirt close to your thighs, and looked down at him. His jaw was ever so slightly slack, and his eyes shone. You bit your lip, unwilling to entertain the idea that the huge octomer could be attracted to you, despite the evidence to the contrary. Deciding to be a little braver, you let go of the fabric of the shirt and let it blow about a little in the breeze.

Caspian’s throat bobbed and he ducked a little lower in the water. “I’ll… yeah I’ll see you then,” he mumbled, and then he vanished.

With a boost of confidence like that, you felt a little bolder about your choice of outfit for the festival. When the evening came round, it found you wandering down through Starfall Springs towards the beach wearing loose summer clothing and simple sandals. Little lanterns had been lit all along the beach, and you were astonished to see the sheer number of merfolk in the water. You’d not known there were so many who were willing to interact with the landfolk.

Like a pod of beached dolphins, some had even hauled themselves up onto the sand and were laughing and chatting with the landfolk, while others played about in the water. You could see a faint blue glow as they breached and splashed, but the sun was still up, and the full effect of the bioluminescence was not really visible yet.

You hadn’t been in Starfall Springs all that long, so you didn’t really know very many people. In fact, you didn’t know anyone outside of work at the research station yet, and that job was only a part time one that you’d secured until you could find another that was full time. Following your instincts, you headed away from the crowds and towards the research station at the far end of the bay.

You’d not arranged a place to meet Caspian for the festival, and since your fateful first trip, your schedules had not actually aligned. You figured that without having organised anything, the station was the logical place to go. Plus it stopped you looking like a lemon, standing on the beach on your own.

All was dark and quiet inside the station, and you didn’t even bother going inside. Instead, you made your way round the outside, following the boardwalk until it became the jetty, and sat down to watch the sunset with the curving wall of the cob behind you.

Time passed, accompanied by the rush and hiss of the sea, and of the laughter and music of the festival in the bay beyond the station. There was a lonely kind of peace to it, and you took your sandals off and trailed your toes in the water again. A silvery blue shimmer rippled through the water as you moved, and you smiled at the sight of it. You’d seen videos of the phenomenon before, but had never experienced it in person.

A shadow moved in the water and you instinctively recoiled, drawing your feet up. Sliding his head out of the water, Caspian looked up at you, his handsome face highlighted with blue and white lights as the bioluminescence ran off him. “Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

You lowered your legs back in and laughed. “It’s fine. I was a bit lost in thought anyway. You found me then…”

He smiled and swam closer, the water flashing in mesmeric pulses around his body. “I figured you’d come here,” was all he said in answer. He raised his hand and the plankton flashed across his fingers. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

“Mmhmm,” you nodded, swinging your feet back and forth and watching the lights dance.

Caspian watched your movements as though captivated.

“Can I ask you something?” you said after few moments.

“Sure.”

“When you said you’d never worked with a human before, does that also mean you’ve not really been around many humans at all?”

He flushed and looked away. “Is it that obvious?”

“You’re staring at my feet as though they’re something… alien.”

“I can’t imagine what they’re like, that’s all. What it’s like to have only two limbs… to walk… to… yeah. I’m sorry.” He broke off, scratching the back of his head.

“You can touch if you want,” you said, perhaps a little coyly.

He turned in the water and looked up at you with eyes wide and alive. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. Just don’t tickle me. I don’t want to kick you in the face.”

“You’re not that angry with me then, or you wouldn’t have warned me,” he grinned as he swam even closer and raised his hands in the water.

He slid his cool fingertips over your ankle and the top of your foot, and the moan you let out was not a sound you’d expected or intended to make.

“Is that ok?” he asked, touch faltering.

“Mmhmm,” you said. His fingers were surprisingly gentle, if tough, and as he closed his fingers and thumbs around both ankles and gripped experimentally, you inhaled sharply. If he’d wanted to, he could have dragged you off the jetty and into the water in a flash, but instead, he simply explored you with a stunning degree of reverence and delicacy.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, pulling himself slightly closer to you through the water. His limbs trailed behind him in the water, but you could see they were all flared wide, like an open parachute.

“So are you, Caspian,” you replied. “And you’re the most beautiful colour… you know that?”

He smiled and ran his palm up your calves.

You’d parted your legs before you knew what you were doing.

Caspian’s touch faltered and he looked away. “I…. probably shouldn’t…” he whispered.

“Caspian?”

“Yeah?” he said, his rich baritone hoarse and rasping all of a sudden.

“Can you… I mean… Can octomer leave the water at all? I know octopuses can, but… I actually don’t know all that much about your kind…”

He nodded. “Sure we can. Not indefinitely, but for a good amount of time. Why? You want me to come up there and join you?”

“I think it’d be easier than me trying to tread water…” you smiled.

“I’d hold you up,” he said, but he made his way towards one of the sturdy pilings which supported the jetty and latched his limbs around it. They were as muscular and powerful as the top half of his anatomy suggested, and with relatively little effort, he hauled himself up with a rush of glittering water.

Once he was on the wood of the jetty, with phosphorescent lights running down the lines of his bulky yet sinuous body, you felt your own mouth go very dry. He loomed over you while you remained seated, and he used his tentacle-like legs to pull himself towards you.

“Not too freaked out?” he said.

“Not at all.”

You turned to face him and he settled himself down beside you. You raised your hand and tentatively traced the lines of his collarbones and down his pecs, almost testing to see if he were really there, and not some salt-water hallucination. Caspian sucked in a breath at your touch, goosebumps prickling all across his torso.

“Ticklish?”

He shook his head, drops of sparkling water scattering around you.

“You like that?”

Mutely he nodded, and, feeling emboldened by his reaction, you continued to touch him, working lower and lower until you came to his hips. The skin at the transition between his human upper half and his octomer lower half was a bruised, inky purple, and the texture of it changed too, from smoothly human to a thick, tough sensation, almost like wet leather. His breathing hitched as you passed on down and shyly ran a fingertip along the top of one of his massive tentacles.

It coiled tightly and then went slack on the wood of the jetty. He started to keel over to one side, as if he were melting under your touch, and he barely caught himself on one arm. “Fuck…” he gasped. “Fuck, that feels so good.”

His head lolled backwards slightly and his lips parted to let loose ragged breaths.

You glanced down at his body and saw between his limbs that something else was becoming visible. When he saw you looking, he huffed an embarrassed laugh. “Look at the state you’ve got me into,” he snorted, and he started to pull back, pull away from you.

“Caspian, don’t…” you said. “You don’t have to… I… I want this… if you do…”

He fixed you with an unreadable look. “You mean it?”

You nodded. “You’re gorgeous, and funny, and intelligent… and… I trust you.”

He let out a shaky laugh and bit his lower lip hard. He put the flat of his hand gently onto your leg and began to slide it upwards, pushing the material of your clothes up with it, never breaking eye contact with you. He shifted closer on that writhing mass of limbs until he was rearing up above you. He let one tentacle slide around your ankle, and another began to creep up your inner thigh.

You tipped your head back and closed your eyes at the strange sensation of it. When he discovered a moment later how aroused you were, he moaned and rumbled something that might have been a half-swallowed curse. “You’re so warm,” he said, letting the tip of that tentacle play over your skin.

Fire shot up your spine the moment he began to circle and nudge you, and you arched your back. He caught your face tenderly in his hands and kissed you. His lips tasted of salt, but as his tongue found yours, you suddenly didn't mind. He continued to play with you while he kissed you, teasing you with the smooth, cool tip of his tentacle. When he sought out the heat of you more deeply, you felt yourself clench around him as he pushed gently inside you.

“More,” you gasped, loving the stretch of his tentacle inside you. “Please…”

He nodded and eased you down onto the jetty behind you so that you were lying flat on your back. He used two of his tentacles to undress you and then spread your legs, and once you were open for him, he began to squeeze around you, coiling and covering you with four of his limbs around each of your legs.

“Gods, you look so beautiful,” he said, face alight with wonder as he gazed at you. “You’re so beautiful…”

In the soft light you could see his cock now, flushed purple and fully hard, and weeping a pearly pre-come profusely down its length. It was shaped like a smaller tentacle, thick and ridged towards the base, with a more pointed head, and it coiled lazily in the summer air, drooling drops of his pre-come down onto your thighs. “Are you sure you want me to do this?” he asked.

You nodded.

With the highlights of bioluminescence in his hair and on his body, he looked incredible, and it was hard to believe he wasn’t some sea god or something, come ashore for the night as if out of a fairytale. As it was, you didn’t have time for any more lust-filled musings. He slipped the tip of his cock inside you and you gasped as he stretched you. The stretch grew until he filled you utterly, and as he seated himself fully inside you, he bowed his head over you, his whole body tense and taut.

“Gods, you’re so hot…” he hissed. “I mean… the heat of you is… it’s…” he shuddered and then began to move with an embarrassed chuckle as you grabbed his hips.

He started slowly, but soon his rhythm picked up pace. The tentacles that were wrapped around your bare legs began to grip you more and more tightly, each of the suction cups forming a delicious counterpoint to the intense pleasure that the ridges of his cock gave you as he pistoned in and out. His breathing deepened, quickening to match his pace as he lost himself in the feel of you, of being inside your heat. He used his hold on your legs for leverage, and tilted his own hips a little until he caught that spot inside you that made you see stars, and you yelled with pleasure.

“Yes! There… don’t stop… please don’t stop…” you whimpered, and he obliged. He fucked into you hard, the tip of his cock catching you over and over as you felt your orgasm building.

The white hot heat of it rushed up for you and as he squeezed your body just a little tighter with his muscular limbs, he grunted and tipped over the edge first. As the heat of his release filled you, you followed him a second later. Clinging to him, you felt yourself clenching around his cock, drawing his release from him. Caspian’s eyes rolled closed and he bellowed as he emptied himself into you in a series of powerful thrusts.

When he finally finished, he suddenly went limp, his tentacles losing all their strength and sliding off you, unfurling and falling to lie weakly on the jetty. Occasionally one would spasm and then lie quiet again. He just caught himself from crushing you completely, and propped himself up on shaking arms.

“Caspian?” you whispered, still dazed and still clenching around his cock whenever he shifted.

“Mm?”

“You ok?”

“Mm.” He swallowed. “You need me to move?”

“Not just yet.”

“Good, because I’m not sure I can… That was… That was incredible. You’re… You’re incredible.”

You smiled and kissed his forehead since it was all you could reach. He responded by nuzzling gently at your neck and kissing you there.

When he’d recovered, he rolled off you and lay on his back. You turned and watched him for a moment or two, enjoying the sight of his spent, glistening cock still lying openly amongst his limbs.

As you glanced down at your own body, you laughed and groaned at what you saw.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, cracking one eye open and looking at you.

You pointed at your legs. “Either I’m going to have to wear jeans tomorrow, or I’m going to have to say I’ve got chicken pox or something…”

He squinted, and when he saw the spiralling patterns of circles that the suckers of his tentacles had left on your skin, he laughed. Some of them, the ones where the tops of his limbs had been, were almost as big as the palm of your hand. “Sorry.”

You shrugged and lay back down beside him. “I might feel differently about them tomorrow, but right now, I couldn’t care less. You know, for your first time with a human, I’d say that was pretty good.”

“Being a scientist though, I can’t just rely on one experiment.”

You elbowed him hard in the ribs and he grunted. “I’m not a curiosity fuck, you know?”

“I know,” he replied, turning more serious. “But would you like me to do it again anyway?”

Turning your head to face him, you saw the way his eyes glittered playfully in the dark. “Yes,” you said very quietly, and you were met with a broad, happy smile. “Would you?”

One hand moved down his body to take his hardening cock in his fist. It writhed gently in his relaxed fingers, still covered in his come and once again leaking everywhere in anticipation of more. “Very much,” he said, and this time, it was you who straddled him.

************************************

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[slash-em-up]

With Apologies to Necroscia Sparaxes pt. 2: Collector X Reader Smut

Here’s part 2!! The smut starts now. 😈

Read part 1 here:

https://slash-em-up.tumblr.com/post/189337211228/with-apologies-to-necroscia-sparaxes-pt-1

Once again, the biggest of OOFs to @dashinslashin for their bangin Asa sketch which inspired this mess...

———————————————

The sound of the clicking lock of his office door was like music to Asa’s ears.

He took a moment, staring at the wooden frame in contemplation, wondering just how hard it would be to murder the new intern without getting caught.

Not even collect her.

She had been here less than a week and he was already exhausted by her constant questions and invasion of his personal space.

He’d tried so many times to foist her off on one of the other doctors; but somehow she had managed to attach herself to him like a leech.

That blonde annoyance had not only caused him to miss lunch, but now dinner as well.

Asa was a man of his word, and missing dinner with you while also spending the few minutes you’d spent visiting trying to field questions from a nosy intern was impossibly vexing.

He shrugged out of his lab coat and carefully hung it on the rack next to his door. The tie and button down he wore feeling incredibly restrictive after such a long tense day.

The utility foam and fabric that composed his desk chair were more relaxing than he thought they’d ever been before; and even the tall stack of papers waiting for his review didn’t look quite as daunting as they had before the door had locked.

A knock sounded at the door and Asa had to hold himself back from slamming his fist on the desk in annoyance.

“What?” Asa barked out brusquely.

“Dr. Emory, I’m about to head out for the night…”

God damn Sarah.

“…was there anything else I could do for you? Anything at all?”

Asa sighed – something he found himself doing more and more frequently since the intern had started – and stood to open the door.

The blonde student stood, hip cocked and eyes lidded in the entrance to his office. Looking at him with something he couldn’t quite identify; but suspected wasn’t an emotion he should - or would- return in kind.

He stared down at the girl, imagining ripping her intestines from her body and watching her writhe on the floor.

Or perhaps he’d filet her – soft skin parting smoothly to the sharp blade of his knife until she was nothing but blood and muscle…

He came back to himself as a pair of sticky gloss-covered lips pressed against his own.

Reacting without thinking, Asa shoved the girl away from him, internally smirking at the loud thump that sounded throughout his office as the young woman’s back hit the doorframe hard.

“What the fuck?!”

Asa didn’t respond, moving quickly to throw the door open and usher the student back out into the hall.

His only indication of surprise at finding you waiting directly outside was a slight pause before turning on his heel and pointing out towards the exit with a look he usually reserved for naughty dogs. Canine or not.

You stood to the side, casually crossing your arms and trying to keep the smile from your lips as Sarah slunk past the both of you; looking deeply embarrassed.

Once the office door was closed behind you, you let the smile seep onto your lips, giving a small chuckle at Asa’s frazzled expression.

“So… no extra credit, huh?”

Asa ran a hand through his hair, mussing the sandy mop out if it’s normal side-part.

“… don’t be surprised if she goes missing very soon.”

You laughed again, setting your purse to the side and removing your own coat.

Moving to lean over the back of the desk chair you began to loosen Asa’s tie and unbutton his collar.

“I can’t really blame her, even if it did make me jealous… I’d have a crush on you too if you were my professor.”

Asa twitched as your hand ran under his shirt and down his chest.

“I’m not a professor.”

“Well she’d probably have been just as happy to play ‘doctor’.”

Black eyes narrowed and turned towards you over his broad shoulder.

Your free hand rose and ran across Asa’s plush lower lip, taking the leftover lipgloss with it.

You frowned.

“Not really your color, baby.”

Before you could say another word you felt your feet leave the ground as Asa sprang like a panther, lifting you up and holding you between the wall and his body.

You wrapped your legs around his hips and attacked his lips in an aggressive kiss. Pouring every ounce of possessive anger and jealousy into your movements.

If Asa was surprised by your ferocity he didn’t let it show, meeting your tongue and teeth with bites and groans of pleasure.

You lowered your legs and used your momentum and Asa’s distraction to push against his chest with as much force as you could muster.

Asa stumbled back a few steps, coming to rest against his desk – looking ready to launch himself back at you.

Raising one leg, you pressed a foot to his midsection, shocking him enough to stay in place as you caught your breath.

“Not so fast. You owe me an apology.”

Pearl eyes narrowed.

“For?”

You smirked – now you had him.

“You blew me off at lunch, you didn’t come home for dinner, and now I find you covered in some hussy’s lip gloss?”

Asa growled.

“You did say you’d make it up to me…”

Obsidian eyes flashed at you in the low lamplight of the office.

“How should I apologize?”

You walked slowly over to your purse, keeping an eye on Asa just in case he decided not to play along with your little game.

You reached in and withdrew the small leather case you both knew held your strap-on harness.

Asa snarled, baring his teeth as you drew close once more.

Though you’d begun to incorporate pegging into your sexual repertoire with more regularity, it was still a battle (both internal and external) to get Asa to submit.

You maintained eye contact as you slowly reached out to unbuckle his belt and unzip his fly.

“Turn around and put your hands on the desk.”

He didn’t move.

Now it was your turn to snarl.

Leaning in, you hissed into Asa’s ear.

“Do it, or I’ll make sure you’re really sorry.”

Asa stepped closer to you, his towering frame dwarfing yours as he pulled your hips to grind against his own.

He leaned in.

“Don’t you dare go easy on me.”

You bit his earlobe harshly and whispered “You know I won’t.”

Nodding, Asa turned and spread his fingers across his wood desk, tilting his head to watch you out of the corner of his eye.

Pulling his slacks down to his thighs, you gave him a rough slap, grinning at the deep grunt pulled from his mouth at the sudden impact.

Quickly tearing open a condom from your purse, you slid it over your fingers and squirted a bit of lube over the latex.

At the first press of your fingers against his opening Asa inhaled sharply, hips jolting away from the pressure.

You made quick work of stretching his ass and stripped out of your own clothes to slide the strap-on up your thighs.

Broad shoulders rose and fell harshly as Asa tried to collect himself after your rapid fingering, but fell still as you pressed yourself against him.

Barely daring to breath, you slid your slicked length between his muscular ass, periodically catching at his pucker, making the man in front of you twitch as if he didn’t know whether he wanted to press back or jerk away.

“You want me to fuck you, Asa?”

“Mmmm…”

“I can’t hear you.”

You wrapped a hand around and slid a hand down his own hard cock, making him toss his head back and gasp.

“Ask me to fuck you.”

“… Fuck… fuck… please.”

“Please what?”

“… please fuck me hard.”

Your smile was predatory as you grasped him by his hipbones and pressed forward.

“With pleasure, baby.”

Asa exhaled like he’d been punched as you bottomed out against his ass - thick length filling him to capacity and hitting every sensitive inch of his insides.

You gave no quarter and no time to recover as your hips began a quick and hard thrusting rhythm.

It was easy to tell when you hit Asa’s prostate.

He had yet to master keeping his solemn demeanor intact when you were fucking into his ass, and the sensitive gland in particular drove him to moan and cry out in pleasure with each thrust.

You began scratching your nails across his outer thighs and this additional stimulation ran like electricity through Asa’s body – his spine straightened and you took the opportunity to wrap your hand through his loosened tie and use it like a leash to arch his spine further towards your body.

Satisfied with his stance you reached around and grasped at his chest, using the leverage to drive even harder into his hole.

You could tell Asa was getting close to his finish as his cries grew louder and louder, hands scrabbling at his desk and spreading paperwork across the surface and onto the floor.

“You gonna cum for me baby?”

Asa turned his head to look at you – eyes glazed in pleasure as he nodded rapidly.

Humming your approval, your hand slid down to once again grasp at his twitching cock, hand twisting up and down in tempo with your continued thrusts.

A gasp and rough shiver was all the warning you were given before you felt Asa’s warm seed spurt into your palm.

His body collapsed forward onto his desk, forehead resting against the cool wood as your motions against him slowed.

You leaned down and pressed a kiss to his sweat-covered shirt.

Asa exhaled as you slowly withdrew from his body, turning to face you fully. His shirt was a wrinkled, ruined mess, and his tie was still twisted around to lay over his shoulder.

His slacks rested open on his shaking thighs, cock bright red and slick as his body recovered from your intimate attacks.

You stepped into his space and threaded your arms around his body, smiling softly as not a moment later you were surrounded by Asa’s strong embrace, feeling his nose bury itself into your hair.

He was getting more and more comfortable accepting affection, and to have him barely hesitate to return it gave you a warm feeling in your chest.

His hands began to run over your exposed skin, making you aware of your own dripping sex – fully and painfully turned on after having observed his pleasure.

Asa pulled you back to sit across his lap as he sunk down into his desk chair.

Kissing his lips softly, you moaned into his mouth as his fingers slid down in between your thighs, feeling your slick cunt against his skin.

All thoughts of jealousy or anger fleeing your mind entirely as Asa spread your thighs across his own, sliding two thick fingers into you and bringing his other hand up to massage your breast.

In-between soft, passionate kisses Asa gave you his signature close-lipped smile.

“Thank you.”

You were breathless as a low rolling orgasm ran through your body - brought to your finish by talented fingers and soft eyes.

Your head fell to rest against his shoulder. Kissing his exposed neck, you giggled softly, happier in that moment than you could recall being in a very long time.

“Anytime.”

[ellocentipede]

Arcana Wildcraft’s Coast of Cascadia Collection

Arcana Wildcraft’s Coast of Cascadia collection is an ode to the beautiful, atmospheric, temperate, misty coast of the Pacific Northwest. It’s one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been, and holds a special place in my heart, so I was thrilled when it was released. Julia’s atmospheric seaside scents are unparalleled, and this collection is a showcase of her talent, much like the Cocos Nucifera collection. 

Black Sand

Scent description:  The scent of a warm night on a dark, sandy beach.  Atmospheric sweetness with a hint of salt air and a subtle undercurrent of danger. ⁣⁣The richest amber resin, black coconut, coconut husks, and smoky vetiver.⁣⁣

I’m not sure how Julia does it, but she always perfectly captures the scent of warm sand. Here the hot sand is shrouded in darkness--black musk and vetiver, lending a brooding, moody air. 

Cascadian Mermaid

Scent description: The scent of a dank mermaid in the Pacific Northwest. Cannabis concentrate accord, uplifting grapefruit, cotton candy, Moroccan blue chamomile, vanilla-laced sugar cane, warm rain, wild-harvested spruce tips, and shimmery mermaid musk.

Cascadian Mermaid is one of my very favorite perfumes. It’s so beautiful and cheerful and complex. I get a lot of sugared grapefruit and cotton candy backed by a gorgeous musk that is shimmery turquoise in feel (and it’s worth noting that the color of the oil itself is a gorgeous turquoise!). There are interesting hints of earthy, fragrant spruce and soft, warm rain. A truly beautiful scent that must be experienced to be believed!

Echolocation

Scent description: How whales find one another. Ambergris and amber resin with ruby grapefruit, sweet guava, saltwater, vanilla pods, and the merest hints of patchouli and vetiver.

Sweet, tart grapefruit--like a fresh, pink grapefruit half sprinkled with sugar. It’s sweet, refreshing, and cheerful. A lovely scent for happy times and warm days. With time, a lovely gentle musk develops, with a hint of briny sea (from the ambergris). 

Goofy Foot

Scent description:  An ode to surf culture.⁣ Fresh coconut and cardamom with green notes of spearmint, fresh basil, and one drop of vetiver grass.⁣

Huh! I wasn’t too sure of this one in the bottle, but on skin it’s really nice! I get a lot of basil and spearmint--the spearmint sweetens and freshens up the basil, and the basil maintains a sense of fresh greenery without allowing the mintyness of the spearmint to take over the blend. Together they complement the soothing fresh coconut. This is an incredibly unique and offbeat blend that would make for a wonderful chilled beverage. With wear the greenery disappears on my skin, and I’m left with a beautiful fresh coconut scent.

Nacre

Scent description:  The pearlescent sheen found inside certain shells.⁣ ⁣A mix of the prettiest vanilla with a plenitude of tropical white blossoms, pearl musk, a tiny hint of pineapple, and a quick squeeze of lime.⁣

This is so, so beautiful--and somehow smells so familiar! For me it matches the description description perfectly. I get a gentle, pillow-y vanilla, a cluster of smooth tropical blossoms (perhaps tiare and ylang ylang), a beautiful cloud of light musk, and the barest hint of tropical fruit. With time, this blend begins to smell like a true gardenia to me--newly bloomed, pillowy soft, naturally sweet, creamy, and mildly heady. I’m a happy girl! I think Arcana makes some of the very best tropical floral blends, and for me this one ranks up there among the most beautiful. My nose stays glued to my wrist when I wear this, and it makes me feel so happy! This is a fragrance that would be appropriate for any occasion, and I think that it could win over those who typically do not love floral blends.

Pink Saltwater Taffy

Scent description:  A candy pink blend of cherry, sugarberry, black and gold raspberry, vanilla fondant, white sugar, and a grounding touch of patchouli.

This absolutely smells like pink saltwater taffy! I haven’t had saltwater taffy in years, and now I’m craving it! This is a dark pink smell--it’s equal parts cherry and tart, juicy raspberry sweetened with a touch of sugar. Sometimes I have trouble with cherry notes smelling artificial like cough medicine, but the cherry here is a glorious candy. This is a fun and nostalgic scent for summer.

Sand in Your Tail

Scent description:  Summer nights are fun while they last.⁣ ⁣Musky black vanilla beans and sultry orange blossoms with smoky tree resin, ambergris, pink pepper, tabac, and rich incense.⁣

Musky, creamy, fresh orange blossom and gently smoking incense. If this were an actual incense I would use it all of the time! This is a gorgeous scent--it’s interesting and beachy, but also elegant and a touch feral. It’s the scent of a gorgeous and slightly dangerous fairy that lives in a forest by the beach. 

Sea Glass

Scent description:  Gifts from the sea.⁣ ⁣A delicate blend of violet petals, bee balm, translucent honey, neroli, tuberose, narcissus, and skin musk.⁣

Oh my. Julia crafts some beautiful floral blends, and this is another winner. I’m not sure why I waited so long to try this one, but I’m so glad that I decided to take the plunge. This is a new favorite blend. I get a lot of beautiful, mildly heady, pinkish white, tropical tuberose. A gentle pop of fragrant neroli peps the blend up, and the light sheen of honey and haze of soft skin musk warm everything up. This is a glorious floral blend that’s perfect for all seasons but will be especially nice in warm weather. It’s one of the prettiest “my skin but better” blends that I’ve come across. Love!

Sea Wolves

Scent description: These fascinating aquatic mammals inhabit the isolated Great Bear Rainforest, swimming between the wild islands of British Columbia's lush coast. Smoky bergamot, algid rain, blood cedar, wolf fur accord, marine eelgrass, and a drop of Palo Santo.

This is an unusual and interesting atmospheric blend! To my nose it smells like smoky rain, with a hint of dark, cirtus tang from the bergamot. 

Surfers on Acid

Scent description:  Based on the deliciously beachy (and rather wicked) cocktail, with sweet coconut milk, pineapple, and absinthe.⁣

I did not purchase this scent because I was worried about the absinthe, but luckily Julia anticipated that I would love it and included it for free with my large order. Honestly, this smells just like the description. At first I get a blast of pineapple, but this pineapple is unlike others that I’ve tried from Julia. It may be the mixing with the other notes, but this pineapple is less realistic fruit and more syrupy sweet, like a tropical cocktail. The coconut milk is very sweet and creamy, supporting the pineapple. With time I get a lot more of the absinthe, which smells true-to-life but is muted a bit by the other notes so that it’s not just a blast of anise. 

Yurt

Scent description: The scent of sleeping in a rustic yurt surrounded by old growth forests. Glowing dragonsblood resin and cedarwood with hemlock, fir needle, juniper, and bonfire smoke.

Lots of bonfire smoke and an herbal punch of hemlock! The smoke calms a bit with wear for me, and I get a hint of the sweet dragonsblood resin. Fortunately for me (since smoke is not my favorite scent), the dragonsblood becomes most prominent. It’s a rich, sumptuous, and realistic dragonsblood, smoking gently. Really lovely!

Arcana Wildcraft’s beautiful fragrances may be perused and purchased at https://arcanawildcraft.com/

[junietuesday]

I JUST SAW THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL AND AAAAAAAA

(October 19, 2019 show, 2:00 PM)

IT WAS LITERALLY THE MOST AWESOME THING!!!! THE CAST WAS SO SO SO INCREDIBLE, THERE WAS LITERALLY NO WEAK VOICE. I WAS GONNA START LISTING MY FAVORITES BUT IT TURNED INTO ME JUST NAMING ALL THE CHARACTERS BC THEY WERE ALL SO GOOD, I WAS SLIGHTLY WORRIED WHEN GOING IN IF THEY WERE GONNA BE AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINALS BUT HONESTLY I LOVED THIS CAST MORE. SERIOUSLY IT WAS SO AMAZING EVEN MY PARENTS, HARSH CRITICS ABOUT THEATER, HAD SO MUCH PRAISE

Act 1

When introducing Plankton they put a magnifying glass in front of the tiny puppet and had a circle in the middle of the projections to show his expressions

The story is a lot deeper than I thought it’d be, the fish blamed Sandy for the volcano bc she was a “land mammal” and kept telling her to “go back to her home” and that kind of thing, people marched around chanting “blame the squirrel! blame the squirrel!” and the actor was wearing a thing with silhouettes of people with pitchforks and torches (at the end of “Hero Is My Middle Name” she kicked a sign with those words in half, good for her)

During “Super Sea Star Savior”, Spongebob and Sandy kept waving frantically at Patrick and gesturing to him to leave but he just kept on singing, then Spongebob and Patrick had a fight afterward like

Spongebob, insultingly: you’re pink!

Patrick: you’re square! square! SQUARE! *storms off*

OH and for their team name they were like “SpongeRick or PatBob?” and I DIED bc it was like ship names i’m sure

At the beginning Karen told Plankton irritatedly “twenty years of marriage kinda takes out the passion”, then they fell more and more in love during the act until at the end when Plankton was talking about his scheme and cackling she said “I forgot how much I love it when you scheme”, and her screen had fire playing on it as she said “the end of the world adds SPICE to a relationship” and they ran offstage together

They changed a lot of the lyrics, especially at the beginnings of the songs, I was so devastated when they removed Karen’s beatboxing (so basically Plankton needed a way to convince all the fish to go in his escape pod, he said “give me some music, Karen” and she did a bunch of weird melodies and he said “no, we need something people will LISTEN to. give me a BEAT, Karen, we’ll do hip-hop” and she said “you couldn’t rap to save your life”, and Plankton went all serious and said “try me” and the song started, he had a dance break and a super fast rap in the middle I couldn’t catch the words of), then again maybe the changes were just so the story would flow on its own in the soundtrack and they’ve always been like that? idk i haven’t really been in the spongebob musical fandom

The mayor was fucking hilarious, she was like “don’t trust the media!! the government has EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL” and kept saying things like “stay calm, we’re taking steps to assemble a committee to put together a counterproposal to action” (yeah)

Pearl didn’t have her high belting in “Daddy Knows Best”, she had CRAZY AWESOME riffing instead she was so cool i love her, also before the song she was holding up two dresses (one long and one short both pink and frilly) and said “which should I wear to the Electric Skates?” and Mr. Krabs handed them both off to Spongebob, who put the short one on over his outfit by the hanger, later he pulled the skirt up to cover his eyes the whole song after Mr. Krabs told him before starting to sing “close your eyes, this isn’t for you Spongebob”

PATRICK STOOD RIGHT NEXT TO US IN THE AISLE DURING BIKINI BOTTOM DAY, I SAW ACTORS WALKING DOWN THE AISLES SO I TURNED TO SEE WHO WAS NEAR US AND I NEARLY SHRIEKED WHEN I SAW IT WAS PATRICK

During “Hero Is My Middle Name” Spongebob had to keep prompting Patrick to join in at the beginning, and then when they finally convinced Sandy, first Sandy cartwheeled to the middle, then Spongebob, then Patrick jumped with his hands in the air toward the center like he wanted to join in but didn’t know how to cartwheel

I FINALLY KNOW WHAT THE CHORUS OF “When the Going Gets Tough” MEANS IT’S “SO LET’S GO AND BEGONE” LMAOOO I CAN’T BELIEVE IT TOOK ME SO LONG

a bit after “No Control”, this old lady fish grabbed a canned drink off a cart and said “I’m gonna do all the living I didn’t do before! Carpe diem!” and gulped the drink down, and the girl running the stand stormed forward and demanded “who are you calling a carp??”

so before “When the Going Gets Tough” the mayor was asking for ideas and Patrick raised his hand and said “ooh ooh ooh!!! i have one!!! maybe if we close our eyes, nothing will happen!!!”, which was immediately shut down, later at Patrick’s rock, where he was scratching his belly button with a stick, sardines showed up and bowed and said that they heard Patrick’s plan and asked for more wisdom, he stood up and said “um. uh, my belly button itches? and then it doesn’t”, the sardines lit up and said “yes, yes, all suffering passes! more wisdom more wisdom!” and Patrick made a sweeping gesture near his face with the stick and said “life...smells...life smells...” he took a deep breath while the stick was near his nose, and made a face, and said “life smells weird”, the sardines thanked him and ran off chanting “life smells weird! life smells weird! life smells weird!”

Oh and also before “When the Going Gets Tough” Sandy tried to explain the science of the volcano, Plankton scoffed and said “you’re gonna believe this squirrel’s ‘science’? Next she’ll be telling us that tidal warming is real”

During a scene in the Krusty Crab when Spongebob was trying to have a soliloquy about how Mr. Krabs wouldn’t trust him as manager, he started to belt a note but only got like one beat in before the sea started shaking and the lights went red, he looked confused for a moment after it died down and the lights went back blue and he tried to belt again, then more tremors and the lights went red again, eventually after like 3 times of this happening he gave up and Squidward said “is this something we should be concerned about?” and Spongebob said “nahh”, then the news reporter came on and announced “THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT”

Act 2

Mt. Humongous was a bunch of cardboard boxes stacked on three frames on wheels, people moved them around onstage while Spongebob and Sandy climbed on them, it was really cool

At the top of the mountain, which was made of a ton of ladders, Spongebob was twisting himself through the rungs and hanging upside AS HE SUNG and holy shit it was so awesome

The Electric Skates told Squidward he could perform at the concert to raise funds for the escape pod if he gave them certain items—they handed over the list and it scrolled so long it rolled offstage—and when he finally got them (dropping the rolled-up list and causing the red bag to “meow”), they told him what basically amounted to “lol you’re a loser” and Squidward indignantly went “nononono no no NO i am NOT a loser”, queue the song when the Electric Skates leave

At the end Karen and Plankton walked in arguing furiously like your typical married couple, then Plankton yelled “EVIL SCHEME!!” and everyone on stage turned to him and they froze and Plankton said “did I say that too loud?” and Mr. Krabs marched up to Plankton and said super angrily “I KNEW IT!! I KNEW IT WAS AN EVIL SCHEME YOU [*dolphin noises*]”, everyone gasped and first Sandy covered Spongebob’s ears then Spongebob covered his own ears when Plankton yelled back “I’M NOT A [*dolphin noises*], YOU’RE A [*dolphin noises*]” and people were looking scandalized and Patrick was covering his eyes lol

During the finale, confetti cannons went off multiple times when all the characters were jamming out on their instruments onstage, and then people tossed these big blowup bubbles out into the audience for people to bump around (i was too far back to touch one and i saw people leaving the theater with some SO JEALOUS), and then after the bows and the Spongebob Squarepants theme song, fish went around popping confetti blowers as they walked around the aisles, i grabbed some bits

“I’m Not a Loser” was perfection live, the crowd went nuts when the sea anemone chorus line formed a kickline. but wait at the end of the song when the chorus line disappeared and his big sparkly jacket and hat were gone he went “i’m not—” and just stopped and looked around and went quietly “alone” :(

after Spongebob, Patrick, and Sandy returned to Bikini Bottom where everyone was arguing with each other, Spongebob screamed “STOP!!” to get everyone to shut up and Plankton said “you’re alive??” (bc he’d shot an avalanche machine at Mt. Humongous to kill Spongebob and Sandy), Spongebob said “yes! thank you for your concern!! Plankton is the only one here who still has decency!!”

OH and Karen came up with the plan to kill Sandy and Spongebob, she brought out the Avalanche Maker 3000, Plankton asked her where she found it and Karen said “in the cleaning supplies closet under the Tidal Wave Maker 2000, the Tornado Maker 5000, and the mop”, Plankton took a deep breath and said something like “this smells like victory...and lemon spray”

Spongebob fell down the mountain and Sandy tried to grab his hand and said “hold on! I got you!” but his arm just kept on stretching

Before “Chop to the Top”, Sandy was trying to raise Spongebob’s spirit and said “remember karate rule number one” and Spongebob said “never let the sands of time into your shorts, or they will chafe” and wiggled his hips, then Sandy said “oh right, karate rule number two then” and then started singing

At the beginning of the act, Spongebob told Gary when he woke up, “oh I had a nightmare the world was ending today at sundown and that Patrick abandoned me. which obviously could never happen” and then the news announcer went “BREAKING STORY! THE WORLD ENDS TODAY AT SUNDOWN. AND FRIENDS ARE ABANDONING FRIENDS” and Spongebob just started screaming at the top of his lungs and then the narrator went “Ten minutes later” and they projected one of the timeskip screens and then Spongebob was still screaming, then “one hour later” he was lying down on his side still screaming, then “50 years later”, and if that isn’t the biggest mood

[nemexia-graveyard]

Welcome to Homeworld: Prologue

“Steven? It’s time t-”

    “Pearl, what have we talked about?” The pink heir groaned as he sat up in his bed, staring at his pearl with a flat expression, his pink eyes inherited from his mother glaring into his Pearl’s pale blue ones. “I’m your Diamond, not your friend. To you, it’s Pink Diamond.”

    The Pearl standing at the foot of his bed bowed in apology, setting down the plate of food in her arms in order to cross her arms, forming the Diamond salute. “My apologies, Pink Diamond.” She stood back up, looking at him as she grabbed the plate once more. “But it’s time to get ready for the day. Here’s your breakfast,” she continued, handing the plate to her Diamond. “I’ll leave so you may get ready for the day. Once your ready, please leave your room so I may give you today’s schedule.” She headed towards the door, opening it before glancing back at him. “I’ll outside by the door when you’re ready, my Diamond.”

    And with that, the door was closed, leaving Steven alone to get ready for the day. Sighing, he slid off the side of the bed, standing up as he walked around his room, getting ready for his day. As he walked around, changing into his custom-made suit. He quickly ate the breakfast sitting on the silver platter before looking into his mirror, he combed his pale hair, making sure it was tidy before he exited the room, looking at the peach-haired Pearl standing by the door. She looked at him, dipping her head to him before beginning to descend down the staircase with him by her side.

“Today, you have a meeting with Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG about limb enhancer advancement beginning at noon,”  she began; “followed by the opening of a new forge by a Bismuth that belonged to your mother a few thousand years ago. Then you arranged to have dinner with the Diamonds to plan out next week’s upcoming ball, which is in approximately eleven days.”

    Steven nodded as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Steven heading towards the front door of the palace with his Pearl.  “So until then, do I go sit on my throne or am I free to roam the town?” He asked, looking down at the servant. “You are free to do whatever you please until then, my Diamond,” she responded. “I still have to come along to ensure you stay on schedule, however.”

    Sighing, he opened the large front door, beginning to walk into his town. “Very well, then. Come on, Pearl.” Steven stepped outside the palace he lived in as he entered his soon-to-be Empire, Homeworld, with his Pearl remaining by his side.

He looked around the busy town, seeing gems of all kinds move about as they did their jobs. Bismuths were constructing new buildings and Sapphires were on their way to the palace to report their newest visions. Rubies accompanied their Sapphires as Aquamarines were seen up above in the sky, watching over Homeworld to ensure it’s safety. And during all of this, there were Amethysts, Jaspers, Carnelians, Nephrites, and all sorts of other gems patrolling the town as soldiers. Everything was in place.

Looking up at the sun in the cloudy sky, Steven could assume it was about ten in the morning, meaning he’d have two hours to spend his time as he pleased. Looking down at the beach shore, he searched for an empty patch of sand before realizing how empty the beaches sandy shores were. That is, until he remembered the clouds gathering overhead, meaning the water would be colder than the gems would like. Perfect beach day in my mind, he thought, making his way down to the beach without a word to his Pearl.

Once they reached the beach, Steven sat down on the soft, cold sand as he crossed his legs. As he sat there, he closed his eyes, breathing calmly as he listened to the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. After a few moments of peace, he heard the voice of his Pearl, who stood behind him. “Don’t get too used to this, my Diamond.” Steven didn’t move, just simply replied back with a flat tone. “Why not?”

Hearing the Pearl sigh from behind him, Steven changed the subject of his hearing from the waves to his servant. “As a Diamond, you’ll become a ruler of Homeworld, where you’ll claim your mother’s throne once the Diamonds believe you are fit to lead,” she explained to him calmly. “While we do understand that you aren’t your mother, that doesn’t change the fact that you possess her gem. And once you become an official ruler, you won’t have nearly as much free time as you do now. So, my Diamond, I believe you should enjoy these opportunities of peace while you can.”

The young Diamond sighed. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right, Pearl,” he said calmly. “I’m still going to come down here everyday, though. Even if it means disobeying the other Diamonds. I enjoy listening to the waves of the beach, and I don’t like the beach in Beach Empire, ironically.”

“Whatever you desire, my Diamond,” the Pearl responded, standing in silence as Steven went back to listening to the waves, breathing in and out. It’s so peaceful out here… He thought to himself in the midst of the ambience. Too bad I can’t stay here all day.

He opened his eyes as he lay back on the sand, looking up at the gray clouds rolling across the blue sky overhead. He watched as the clouds washed across the sky like the waves on a vast ocean, feeling at peace with himself. Before he knew it, he had dozed off, his tired eyes closing as he felt himself fall into a slumber.

After what felt like a few moments, he felt a hand nudging his shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked up to see his Pearl looking at him with her pale blue eyes. “Excuse me, but it’s best if we leave to meet with Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG soon. You’ll give the Great Diamond Authority a better reputation by showing up to the meeting early. And as a Diamond, it is your job to ensure that you maintain a high reputation.” Sighing, the half-human Diamond sat up before bringing himself up onto his feet. He brushed the sand off of his suit before turning to the servant by his side. “Very well. It’s best we go now, then.”

Nodding, the Pearl began to walk back into the heart of Homeworld, Steven close behind as she led him to the location of the meeting. Weaving their way amongst the crowds gathering, they eventually reached a tall, towering building with a beam shooting from the top. “Why is the meeting at the communication hub?” Steven asked curiously. “It’s only about limb enhancement technology, right?”

Without looking back at him, the Pearl responded calmly. “Yes, it is only about limb enhancement technology,” she started; “but the Peridot who scheduled this meeting with you figured it’d be best to do so at the communication hub since it’s some of the oldest gem tech in Homeworld and felt it would help convey her point of how much our technology our has advanced since the Diamonds first formed Homeworld all those years ago.”

He heard and nodded, despite the fact that he knew he wouldn’t be seen. Once by the towering communication hub, Steven spotted a Peridot near the center pillar of the hub. “Pearl, stay here,” he said sternly. “If I need you, I’ll signal for you to come over, got it?”

The Pearl simply nodded, saluting him as she responded. “Of course, my Diamond.” Steven then approached the Peridot waiting for him. Once he got closer, he noticed she was in limb enhancers herself, and had her screen pulled up. Must be a faulty Peridot if she herself has limb enhancements.

He stopped behind the Peridot calmly, waiting patiently for her to notice him. After a few moments of her using the screen to navigate what appeared to be blueprints, he sighed, tapping her shoulder gently. She turned around carefully, jumping a bit once he came into her field of view. “P-Pink Diamond!” She exclaimed, shocked. “You’re early!”

“Well,” Steven began calmly. “That shouldn’t present to be a problem, should it? I mean, you’re early as well, so we should just get on with it already.”

The Peridot nodded, dropping the screen in order to form the diamond salute. “Of course, my Diamond. I’m sure you’re very busy, so I’ll begin and try my best to be thorough so we won’t have to go through another meeting anytime in the near future.”

Oh thank God it’s over, Steven thought to himself as he walked away from the communication hub. Man, that Peridot is really passionate about gem tech. Hopefully this Bismuth we’re seeing now isn’t as passionate with her blacksmithing or I won’t get back to the Diamonds until midnight. He looked at his Pearl, nodding his head to show the meeting was done. As he walked away, he rolled his eyes at the thought of what had happened with the Peridot. God, that wasn’t supposed to take so long. This Bismuth’s speech better be worth my time.

“Ugh, that took all day,” Steven muttered, slamming the door behind him with his back. His Pearl stood quietly at his side, possibly waiting for him to give her a sign that he was ready to go on with the dinner he had left with the Diamonds. Knowing there was no way out of it, he dejectedly lifted himself off the wall before walking forward, towards the dining room that had been built once his birth was announced. “Let’s get this over with,” he grunted tiredly.

Entering the dining room, he looked up at the Diamonds before taking a seat at his chair, seated in front of a covered silver platter. “White, Yellow, Blue. Good day.”

“And to you as well, Pink,” White Diamond replied, sitting cross-legged on the other side of the large room. “If you’re ready to proceed, you may take the cloche off from your plate and eat as we discuss next week’s ball.” Nodding to show he understood, Steven lifted the cloche from the silver platter and setting it aside before eating the clam chowder that sat inside a gratin bowl on his plate.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, the ball will be gem exclusive in order to allow for you to mingle with your future subjects,” Yellow Diamond stated calmly. “It is imperative that you get along with your guests well. This will also prove to be an incredible chance to learn about any future meetings you may be having, and a decent time to address any issues the guests have with the way we are running Homeworld. We’ve been running Homeworld the same way until your birth, since we had to accommodate to your half-human needs.”

“Gee, thanks, Yellow,” Steven mumbled under his breath before glaring up at the Diamonds, taking a break from eating his meal. “It’s just fantastic to know that my birth was such an inconvenience to you all.” He continued, making sure they heard his sarcasm loud and clear.

Blue Diamond shook her head gently at this, showing her disapproval of the way he spoke to them. “Pink, you know that’s not what we meant,” she explained in her soft, gentle voice. “It’s just that it was an unusual change in the empire. One no one expected.”

Steven heard and nodded as he continued eating, wanting to wrap up the meeting as soon as he could. He was exhausted from the day, specifically due to the long meetings he had endured earlier. While it isn’t terrible that the gems of Homeworld were so passionate — quite the opposite, in fact — it still did bother him due to the exhaustion it had caused. The Diamonds must have noticed, as White Diamond spoke softly; “Are you okay, Pink? You appear… tired. That’s the correct word, right?”

Nodding, Steven yawned silently before responding. “Yes, you’re right. It’s just been a long day is all,” he replied, finishing the meal that once sat on his plate. Immediately afterwards, White Diamond stood and clasped her hands together, looking down at Steven.

“In that case, we may as well get out of your hair,” she remarked. “You can head off to your room, now. Don’t forget that Connie Maheswaran will be visiting tomorrow. We aren’t aware of the exact time, just that she’ll be here early in the morning. Get a good night of rest, Pink Diamond.”

And with that, the Diamonds were out of the room, followed by Steven as he escalated up the staircase alongside Pearl. He reached his room eventually, laying down in his bed once he had changed out into his sleepwear, pulling the bed sheet over himself as he closed his eyes calmly, drifting off to sleep slowly yet surely. Just another day in the empire of Homeworld.

[ladyluck678]

Steven Universe: The Malevolent Shard

Deep in a remote canyon, a dark and spiteful weapon was forgotten over 5,500 years ago during the Gem Rebellion. Can the Crystal Gems with the help of Blue Diamond stop the darkness before it consumes them? Join Steven as he tries to stop this menace while strengthening the his friendship with the "merciful" Blue Diamond. Set a few months after CYM in the (mostly) canon universe.

Once again, just posting some of my writing that I said I’d share but then never do. Don’t know if I’ll post the entire story but, here’s the AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20398669/chapters/48383983

(Maybe if enough folks ask I’ll post the entire work.)

Chapter 1: Arrival

Homeworld, in its broken glory, was a stunning spectacle when its sun rose. All of its crystal spires, quartz guards, and polished pathways reflecting a brilliant mirror shine as if yearning to be just as bright as the star it orbited around.

Blue Diamond barely gave the sight more than a glance; however, there was work to be done.

She had to consult with Yellow Diamond on a rather urgent request, and Yellow wouldn't be overly pleased with what Blue had agreed to.

She stepped past some burly Topaz guards into Yellow's golden palace grounds and quickly walked over to her private chambers. Anyone requesting to see Yellow Diamond needed an appointment, and appointments were rarely made voluntarily... But Blue always had free range to come and go as she pleased, and when she walked up to the large amber doors to Yellow's chamber, they opened without hesitation.

“Ah! Blue Diamond! Please follow me.” Blue couldn't help but smile a little, her expression expertly hidden in the shade of her veil. Yellow's pearl, she was a high strung creature but very diligent in her duties.

“My Diamond, Blue Diamond, is here for an audience.”

The little yellow pearl saluted as she spoke, “That will be all pearl.” The small gem bowed once more to Blue as she made her way back to the entrance.

The room was dim, a majority of the light coming from the consoles and screens that Yellow had up around her. Blue sauntered over to the chair that Yellow occupied, “You've been here since the middle of the day yesterday, haven't you?”

She let the veil that covered her head slip down on to her shoulders as she sat on the arm of the chair.

“I'm reorganizing the armies in sector 3874. I called off the invasion on the system there.” The gold general took a deep breath after she stated what she was doing and sat back. A long pause drew out after the revelation.

Blue wrapped her arm around the latter's shoulder and kissed her gently on the temple. “Things are changing, for better or worse, I suppose.” Yellow said reflectively, “However, I'm sure you're not here to listen to me muse.”

The golden diamond clasped the blue hand that was delicately touching the gem on her chest. “I am, as always, at your service, my darling.”

A mischievous smile drew across Blue Diamond's face. “You won't say that once I tell you what I'm up to. I need to discuss with you my plans to visit Earth. Steven spoke with me at length last night; there's a particularly nasty weapon giving the Crystal Gems some problems.”

“So, you're going to drop everything and go to Earth?” Yellow Diamond's brow knit together; she was trying to digest what was said.

“Blue, while I'll agree that our relations with Steven are much better, I don't feel comfortable with you going there on your own. We're not exactly friends with the Crystal Gems...”

Yellow gave the elegant blue gem sitting next to her a piercing look. “Why don't you order an Aquamarine and some Topaz soldiers to go again?”

Blue shook her head and got up abruptly. “No, that didn't go well at all last time, and we need to build some trust with the gems residing there. Besides, wouldn't you feel bad if something happened to Steven? We put a lot of dangerous weapons and relics in place during the rebellion.”

White had also placed some nasty artifacts on the Earth in an attempt to quell the rebellion. The relic in question was admittedly from White’s arsenal of weapons. Blue had to dig particularly deep in her archives to find the specifics. After researching for a couple of cycles, she knew Steven and his unorthodox court of gems, and humans would need assistance.

“We are ultimately responsible my love.” Yellow looked at the resolved Blue Diamond and sighed.

Blue had a look of pure determination in her eyes that Yellow hadn't seen in thousands of years (about 5000). She got up and walked over to her cerulean queen and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Blue reciprocated by placing her arms around Yellow's neck, “For the record, I don’t approve.”

Blue arched a thin eyebrow, “Noted.”

“I'd also like a full report of whatever this weapon is.” Blue's brow narrowed in annoyance; it was a millennia's old argument between them about who would handle what situation when intelligence and military oversight crossed into each other.

“You know that artifacts, intelligence, and policy are well under my purview.”

“Yes, but this a weapon as well, putting it in the peripheral of my responsibilities.”

“Why do I get the distinct feeling that this is more about me traveling solo to Earth than it is about your responsibilities?”

The pair didn't break the embrace; it was clear; however, that Yellow was incredibly agitated at Blue questioning the general's judgment.

“Because the last time I let someone important to me travel to that dammed planet by themselves to face possible danger, I lost them forever!”

There it was, it actually shocked the both of them. Ever since the Diamonds had found Pink Diamond (or her son rather), Yellow had been more forthcoming with her feelings.

Blue didn't expect such a significant admission, and neither did Yellow, judging by the contorted look on her face and the tears in the corners of her eyes.

Blue drew herself a little closer, their noses almost touching. She cupped Yellow's cheek with soft fingers, thumb caressing a strong chin.

“Let me handle this, I won't belong. I'll even send you the data on the object I'm dealing with.” Voice soft as crushed velvet. Blue tenderly kissed the corner of Yellow's mouth, letting it linger for a moment before parting and resting her forehead against Yellow's.

Against her better judgment, the golden matriarch relented with a heavy sigh; “You're going to have to be more discreet than last time you visited...” ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Steven sat on the sandy beach in front of his home with a large rose-colored lion napping behind him. Lion was his name as well, and Steven thought that maybe a more original name would be appropriate. But then again, the overly large pink cat behind him was unique enough.

“So, she said three days, right?” Connie Maheswaran was sitting next to Steven, leaning back on Lion. Her warm brown eyes questioning as she looked at the sky. It was dusk, and the first stars of the evening were poking through some pastel-colored clouds.

“She said three Earth Sol cycles, I hope that means three days, it's hard to tell with gems sometimes.”

Connie smiled, the concept of time for a gem compared to a human were very different things; a gem could live for tens of thousands of years. What was three days or even 30 years to beings that were almost immortal? “I'm pretty sure that's what she meant.” Connie smiled at Steven, and he smiled back, best friends forever.

Just as soon as the two children got back to their comfortable silence, a booming sound came from the sky far above them. The unmistakable sight of a fiery entrance into Earth's atmosphere. However, instead of landing in front of the beach, the foreign object made its way to the far side of Beach City. Only tall cliffs and large seaweed-covered rocks occupied this part of the coast.

“That has to be her!” Steven said wide-eyed. “Come on, Lion, warp us to the cliffs!” Lion only grumped a bit and turned over. “Aw, come on, Lion! It'll take forever to get to that side on foot!” Steven huffed in frustration as Connie laughed.

“Fine, I'll get you two Lion Lickers if you get us over there, one for bringing me and one for Connie. What do you think, buddy?” Lion stood up and stretched as both Connie and Steven got on the large cat's back, seemingly pleased with the bargain. (Who knew you could haggle with a lion?)

With a mighty roar, the trio was instantly warped to where the ship landed. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

The ship was a much smaller version of the arm ships that the Diamond Authority used. In fact, it was the same model ship that Peridot was using when the Crystal Gems first had a physical altercation with her and Jasper. This ship, however, was colored blue and in typical fashion, landed palm up.

An encapsulated sphere soon appeared in the palm and collapsed almost as soon as it appeared, revealing a shrouded Blue Diamond.

Near 50ft in height, she still managed to gracefully jump to the rocky beach (careful to not make too much of a ruckus).

“Steven, I'm so happy to see you!” She said with her soft lilting accent, smiling.

“Blue! You made it, I'm so glad you're here!” Steven and Connie got off Lion and began walking towards the large blue woman. She held out her left hand, palm out to stop them from proceeding further.

“Just a moment, Steven, I want my visit to be... less disruptive than last time.” The shrouded figure then turned and lifted her right hand, the ship levitated unnaturally and following Blue's movements flipped palm down and then into a fist. Finally, it was submerged under the salty waves of the ocean.

Satisfied with how the ship was stowed, Blue let her shroud slip off her shoulders. Her projection shimmered around her gem into a bright light, then contorted and curled into a much smaller version of herself. Deep breath in, then out as she stretched. Gems didn't need to breath, but it had its uses.

Blue looked over to the children, and her smile grew wider. Steven had nothing but stars in his eyes as he stared with his jaw dropped open. Even his human friend Connie had an astonished expression (the sizeable pink animal only regarded her with a snort).

“Blue, you can do that!?” Steven ran up. He jumped in the cerulean matriarch's arms, she caught him effortlessly. She planted a few wet kisses on his cheek in rapid succession. “Of course, I can! You're so silly, Steven, all gems can do this.”

Connie walked up as Blue set Steven back on the ground, she crouched in front of them so she could speak to the pair at eye level.

“So, you are well?” She looked at both children intensely, questioningly.

The diamond reached out to the young human girl, and Connie hesitantly gave her hand to Blue. She gently wrapped her elegant fingers around the small dark hand, almost completely engulfing it.

Connie is important to Steven. She wasn't just a “pet,” as was first thought. The young gem hybrid had a very high opinion of the little human girl, so that was something worth noting.

The boy was distraught, Blue picked up on his anxiety almost instantly when they had conversed nearly three days ago.

Connie had injured herself while defending Steven, and now held the appendage that was damaged during the Crystal Gem's attempt to try and neutralize the artifact in question.

Steven cared so much for this girl... If she were important to him, then Blue would endeavor to care for her, too; she had to at least try. She needed to listen, to understand, the past could not be repeated...

Blue snapped out of her musing, an urgent question spilling off her tongue, “No permanent harm was done to either of you?”

Steven paused and scuffed the sand with his feet. “I healed Connie's broken arm, and Amethyst was almost poofed, but she's okay.”

"Poofed," a slang term that the Crystal Gems used instead of dissipation, were a gem's form was damaged and brought down to its base component.

“Hey, uh, let's go to my house and talk about this. Garnet and the others are gonna want to hear what you have to say about this thing. Honestly, we don't even have a name for it... we didn't even get a look. Just a horrible feeling.”

The gem matriarch nodded and stood, Steven gently tugging her robes in the direction home.