#pin the knife on the Caesar

[several-breathing-eyes]

Does Camp Jupiter celebrate the Ides of March? Or do they hold it as a solemn day? Like Camp Jupiter sees it as a day where drastic measures had to be taken to protect democracy.

But then you have Camp Half Blood who absolutely celebrates the Ides of March.

Camp Jupiter: This is a solemn day we remember that drastic measures were taken in the name of Rome and that we will not allow dictatorship.

Camp Half Blood: Haha stab Caesar day. Check out this pinata we made of him.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Cool for the Summer 2

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, age gap, power dynamics, cheating, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After finishing your degree, you return home only to find things aren’t as you left them.

Characters: Bucky Barnes

Note: Humping it up on hump day.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

You taste the cocktail and make a face. As sweet as it is, the alcohol is stringent in your throat. You set the glass down as Bucky’s fingers tap on his pint. You glance up, surprised to find him watching you. 

"Don't like it?" He asks. 

"Mm, no, I mean yes. No." You stutter out. "It's good, I just... don't drink much." 

"She's a good girl." Your mom teases. "I always had to push her out the door. Oh, don't even ask about prom." She grabs his forearm and cackles. "You would think buying a dress would be fun. Nope. I think she'd have rather gone to the dentist." 

Your cheeks turn hot. Four years past and you still cringe at the fitting room torture. You look down and fiddle with the cutlery wrapped in a red napkin. You really wish she wouldn't treat you like a child. You suppose at times you might act like one. 

"Those things can be tough. I barely remember mine. Only went so my buddy didn't feel like such a loser," Bucky shrugs. "But look at how far you've come. I'm sure high school is like a blip on the radar. Now the real fun begins, huh?" 

You know he's trying to help and you appreciate. But it only makes your chest tighten. The dread throbs in your temples. Life, it's all ahead of you but you have no idea where to start. 

"Yeah, I... I barely remember." You talk to the table. 

"She's a smart one," your mom praises. "I really lucked out. No teenage angst, no rebellion." 

You chew your lip and pick at the trim of the table. You sound lame. You are and you never minded the safety of that trait. Still, you'd like to be known as more than a boring little bookworm. 

"Okay, here we are." The server rescues you from further humiliation. "Chicken caesar." 

She puts your salad in front of you, "cheese steak sammy and macaroni salad." She lays a plate in front of Bucky, "and the sizzling fajitas." 

Another server appears with a wooden plank, set with a cast iron pan atop it and fixings; tortillas, salsa, guac. It smells delicious but you know it's too early for all that. You'd be even sleepier and you still have to get unpacked.  

"Enjoy," the waitress smiles and struts away. 

You unwrap your cutlery and use the knife and fork to shred the lettuce. You should've known better than to order salad. It's always so awkward to eat with others around to see. 

"Mm, pretty good," Bucky says. "Lauren, how's that extravaganza? Really went all out." 

"Wasn't expecting all this." Your mother scoops grilled peppers into a tortilla, daintily with her fork as her nails shine in the light. You remember when you asked to get a manicure and she said they were impractical... 

She's changed but you don’t feel all that different than when you left for college. Maybe you should have tried harder. Well, it's not like your life is over. Far from. 

"How about you?" Bucky prompts and once more you meet his gaze with a startled blink. You nod and swallow. 

"Good. Just boring old salad." You say. 

"Always chicken caesar," your mother chirps. "Creature of habit. Don't worry. You'll hardly be surprised. By tonight, she'll have one of her books and you won't hear another peep." 

You bite down on your tongue. You're not sure anymore if she's bragging or she's chiding you. Her life is so exciting now. Her hair is highlighted, her nails are filled, and her makeup... she's actually wearing makeup. 

"Didn't think you could work with those." You say as she catches her nail on her napkin. 

"Oh, yeah, I'm not in the ward anymore. Sweetie, didn't I tell you? I do clinicals now. I just show the new ones what to do. Not much hands-on stuff." 

"Uh, I remember. Sorry." 

"Too sharp," Bucky chuckles. "Can't even hold her hand without getting clawed." 

She jabs him with her shaped tip and he grunts. They laugh together and you look around. You're the sore thumb sticking out. Ever the third wheel. Even when you had 'friends', you sat on the sidelines, confused by their inside jokes. 

"It's very good. Thank you." You sit forward and focus on the salad. The sooner this is over, the sooner you can do exactly what your mom expects. Hide with a book. Alone. 

🩵

Home is always a comforting sight but not as much as you expect. A flicker of guilt sparks in your chest. Bucky just bought you lunch, you shouldn’t be so negative. Still, you just want to unwind after a long day of traveling. 

As much as you want him to just go, you would never say as much. Your mom seems happy with him. She even seems healthier. It’s nice to see her taking care of herself, she’s done enough of that for others for too long. 

You get out of the car but Bucky’s too fast. He has you bag in his hand before you can react to the trunk opening. He smiles and insists, “I got it. You lead the way.” 

“Mm, I could nap about now,” your mother calls over the car roof. 

You agree internally. The whole train ride, you looked forward to burying yourself in blankets and leaving the world behind. It would be rude to do so with company around, even if they aren’t yours.  

You follow your mom to the front door and she unlocks it with a yawn. You enter and slip your shoes off on the mat. Things are different. Not too different, you can’t quite place everything. Yet you notice that the coat rack has been replaced with mounted hooks across the wall and the rug at the bottom of the stairs is new. 

“Oh!” Your mom spins, surprising you before you can sneak past her. “I forgot about your surprise!” 

You look at her then over your shoulder at Bucky as he plunks down your bag. You wait for him to respond. He just offers a small curve of his lips. You turn back. 

“You,” your mom taps your nose. “Come on. Ah,” she waves around you at Bucky, “bring her bag with you.” 

Your mom grabs your arm and ushers you upstairs. You can’t resist, too swept up in fatigue and confusion. He follows behind you. What’s happening? 

“Okay. I hope you like it,” she goes to your door and your stomach flips. Oh no, what did they do? She swings the door open and backs up, waving inside, “tada!” 

You hesitate but make yourself step into the doorway. You glance around and your mouth slowly falls open. You blink at the room. Wow. 

It’s not awful, just another change you’re not ready for. Instead of your old rectangle bookcases, new circle ones have been built into the walls; white instead of brown. Your bed is the same but the wood is newly re-stained and the bedding is shade of pink you wouldn’t necessarily choose. A heart shaped rug is spread across the floor and your previous desk has been replaced with one that folds into the wall. 

There is an entirely new piece that stands out. A vanity in the corner. The mirror is the same shape as the carpet and the stool has a fluffy seat. 

“Oh, wow...” you utter as you step further inside. 

“Bucky is so handy! I always wanted to do this but I didn’t know where to start. Oh, just wait until you see his place,” she rambles as she trails you. “He built the whole thing himself.” 

“I had help,” he tuts and sets your bag down. “Tried not to do too much but just added a fresh coat to everything.” 

You’re silent.  

“Sweetie?” Your mom touches your arm. 

“I’m... surprised. That’s all.” 

“She’s speechless, Bucky!” She squeals and claps her hands. “I knew she’d love it.” 

“Heh, yeah. Well, I hope it isn’t too much.” He rubs his neck as he looks around. “You can let me know. I can change whatever you need.” 

“No, no, it’s really nice. Like really. I...” you wring a finger in your other hand. “Thank you.” 

“Lauren,” he sidles past you and nudges your mother gently. “Why don’t we let her get settled in? I’m sure she’s beat from the road.” 

“Right, right,” she beams around the room before she faces him. “Of course.” She glances over at you, “sweetie, let us know if you need anything, okay?” 

“Mom, I’m fine.” You show your teeth sheepishly and hover around the wall. 

Bucky leaves first, your mom following as she cranes to stare at the room. She leaves you with an excited wiggle and you go to close the door behind her. Once it’s shut, you sigh. You weren’t ready for any of this. Somehow coming home has proven even more disjointing than going away to college. 

You plod to the bed and flop onto it. You roll onto your back and let your eyes rove. It is so cute. You would have killed for a room like this in high school, even on campus. Yet it does seem a lot. You’re sure once you get a job, your mom doesn’t expect you to stay too long. 

Maybe this is a good thing. A little less pressure on you to get out but not exactly. With Bucky hanging around, you can’t help but be in the way. You’re not the only one who needs to adjust to your return. 

You can worry about it all later. For now, you need to close your eyes and stop thinking. 

🩵

The afternoon wears on as you dawdle away on your phone. You can barely keep your eyes open as the screen glares back at you. It’s almost six when you make yourself stop the addictive word game.  

You lay listless, trying to urge yourself to get up and do something. You lose the battles as your eyes close and you drift off without realising it. In your subconscious, you’re just as you are in reality. Just lying there, motionless and mindless. 

You wake slowly as pressure squeezes in your pelvis. Your bladder forces you to action. Even with the painful weight throbbing inside, you move without urgency. You sit up slowly, dizzy from the unexpected doze. You stand and shuffle to the door. 

You leave it open as you go into the hall and let your feet guide you. Habit takes down to the bathroom door and you reach for the handle. It turns from the other side and you recoil in surprise. Bucky stops short as he emerges and apologises. 

You stammer as you gape back at him. Somehow after the whirlwind morning, you forgot all that change. In your grogginess, you didn’t see the new walls or the white bookcases or think. 

“S...Sorry...” you murmur.  

You’re consumed in radiating heat as you stare at the stubble along his neck. Any lower and he might be embarrassed. He is shirtless after all. You’ve never been the best at looking people in the face but you have no choice. You examine his silver-streaked hair, slightly tussled, and his grizzly beard with its dusting of white along his chin. 

You step back as he raises a palm and dips his head. “No problem. Gotta get used to each other, I guess. Bad timing, is all.” 

“Right,” you agree dully. 

He looks back at you and his forehead creases. “You okay?” 

You wince. “Yeah, why?” 

“Nothing, nothing. Just... you look... a little out of it.” 

“I fell asleep,” you run your fingers along your throat nervously. The motion catches his eyes. Their startling blue hue gleam in the light. 

“Right. I figured you needed it. Long ride...home.” His gaze flicks up to meet yours. “Sorry you’re stuck here with us boring old people. You probably miss it already.” 

You shrug, “not really.” 

“Not really? What about your friends?” He rests his hand on the door frame and leans. 

“Didn’t... just study buddies. Classmates.” You look away and shift as your bladder aches. 

He clears his throat and stands straight. He steps out of the frame and you jump at his sudden movement. He touches your hip to keep from colliding with you and sidles by. 

“I’ll just get out of your way, baby girl,” He squeezes, his hand lingering for a moment. “Welcome home.” 

He lets go and turns, strutting down the hall as you stand frozen. You hurry forward and shut yourself in the bathroom as you scramble with the sudden agonizing pang. You don’t have time to think, you have to go! 

[dreamingdormouse]

I told my kids (tween daughter and high-single-digits son) about the ✨🗡️Ides of March🗡️✨ back in February, because I was showing their dad a particularly funny meme and they wanted to know what was so funny. So I gave them the age-appropriate version (which means low gore and no sex, but lots of background, motivations, and politics, because they aren't 4 either), then showed them the meme and they laughed.

I thought that was the end of that.

I occasionally mentioned to my husband in the last few days that there were a lot of Ides posts on here, but didn't say anything to the kids. I forgot that my daughter has a memory like a steel trap.

Went out to pick stuff up (prescriptions, toner for the printer, hair conditioner, a new tape measure, etc.) yesterday afternoon (3/15) and was gone a while because those are four different stores. My husband was in charge of the kids so I wasn't worried. Came home at almost bedtime and daughter was washing up, son already had.

I stop by the bathroom and daughter is in the tub, and while she's letting her hair absorb the conditioner, she's comparing rubber duckies. The kids have about twenty ducks collected over the years, and she's got three of them on the edge of the tub and is staring at them.

"Hi, kiddo, what's up?"

"Hi, Mom! I was trying to decide which duck should be Caesar and which one should be Brutus."

I was mildly flabbergasted.

She went on to explain that she wanted to recreate the assassination scene with her rubber ducks. Do you know what day it is, Mom? Which duck looks more like a Roman emperor, Mom?

What the crud, kid (Internally)

So I helped her decide which one seemed the most like a dictator, asked her what they were using for weapons (a gray gear on a suction cup), reminded her that Brutus was not alone in this and she could get more ducks to be senators, and then told her to call me back in when she was ready to play out the scene.

It was fantastically hilarious. The "knife"-on-a-suction cup wouldn't come off the tub wall, so she had to get one of the senators to distract Caesar and keep him on the steps while Brutus was standing 20 feet away unsuccessfully and unsubtly yanking his dagger out of the wall. It was a duck with a black cowboy hat, so he was talking to Caesar about horses. After she managed to get the gear(knife) off the wall, Brutus was the first to attack Caesar and then they all sort of dive bombed him, complete with cartoon sound effects.

I congratulated her on her historical accuracy through my giggles, and let her finish up her bath. After she was done and had drained the tub, she came back and arranged the ducks and added pin-daggers (which I made sure were counted for retrieval).

[Image description: a group of 12-14 toy ducks surround a central duck. Each surrounding duck has a straight pin beside it, pointing at the central duck, which is the only one unarmed. End ID]

The black duck with hot-rod flames is Caesar and the plain yellow one he's facing is Brutus. The senators have a variety of interesting hobbies and fashion choices.

[simply-whump]

Strange Tales of Jiang Cheng (江城诡事) - Whump List

Whumpee : Qin Huo Le played by Xia Zhi Guang and Song He played by Caesar Wu

Synopsis : In the early years of the Republic of China, the situation in Jiangzhou in the southwest region was chaotic, which led to frequent spies. Qin Huo Le, who returned from studying abroad, met detective captain Song He and with the help of the quirky female forensic doctor Fan Xiao Fan, the three of them worked together to solve 8 bizarre murder cases and bring justice to the world. (MDL)

Genres : Thriller, Mystery, Investigation, Bromance

Warning! Possible spoilers below!

Qin Huo Le

Ep 1 : None

Ep 2 : (01:35) Arm twisted — (11:35) Throwing up

Ep 3-4 : None

Ep 5 : (12:5) Choked

Ep 6 : (08:55) Crying

Ep 7 : (11:30) Am twisted — (11:55) In handcuffs 

Ep 8 : (06:10) Knife at his neck, captured, hands and feet tied, gagged (Gif Set)

Ep 9 : (0:50) Still tied up —(04:45) Knife at his throat — (06:23) Found, untied, taken hostage

Ep 10-23 : None

Ep 24 : (03:05) Arm twisted

Ep 25 : None

Ep 26 : (05:05) Thrown to the ground, attacked, knife at his throat

Ep 27-35 : None

Ep 36 : Missing, suspect in a case

Ep 37 : None

Ep 38 : (00:45) Tied up with rope the whole episode 

Ep 39 : (09:30) Still tied up, black hood on his head, gagged, saved — (13:40) Restrained

Ep 40 : (05:25) Wakes up from a nightmare

Ep 41 : None

Ep 42 : (06:45) Fighting, hit — (09:10) Shot at, more fighting, gun pointed at his head — (12:50) Hit several times, choked, punched, Song He comes to the rescue

Ep 43 : (08:25) Handcuffed (wants to infiltrate a prison)

Ep 44 : (03:00) Handcuffed, about to infiltrate a prison (very dangerous), hugged by his friends — (10:25) Manhandled, restrained, force fed something disgusting, coughing

Ep 45 : (01:00) Glass cup smashed on his head, knocked out — (07:10) Wakes up in a cell, holding his stomach, in pain — (12:35) Stomach hurting, sweating

Ep 46 : None

Ep 47 : (02:50) Fighting, hit

Ep 48 : (04:05) Walking unsteadily, holding his stomach, passes out, wakes up in bed, concern for him — (09:10) Crying, vision blurry passes out — (11:30) Wakes up tied up

Ep 49-50 : None

Ep 51 : (01:00) Teary-eyed, fighting — (10:20) Teary-eyed 

Ep 52 : (00:50) Teary-eyed, crying — (10:20) Crying

Song He

Ep 1-2 : None

Ep 3 : (10:35) Fighting, choked, in an explosion, found collapsed on the floor, concern for him, helped up, stumbling — (11:30) Wound treated, in pain, alcohol dumped on his wound, screaming in pain (semi-comedic)

Ep 4-12 : None

Ep 13 : (07:30) Feeling unwell, collapses unconscious, concern for him, surrounded by some poison miasma — (09:15) Wakes up, slightly disoriented 

Ep 14-27 : None

Ep 30 : (08:55) Surrounded by smoke, coughing, collapses, passes out, concern for him, woken up

Ep 31-38 : None

Ep 39 : (01:50) Fighting, hit

Ep 40 : (02:00) Surrounded by enemies — (03:45) Just had a tough fight, injured, tired, bleeding, saved — (09:20) Grabbed on his injury, wincing in pain

Ep 41-46 : None

Ep 47 : (11:30) Drugged, stumbling, vision blurry, cut with a knife multiple times, hit, fighting, pinned to the ground, stabbed in the chest, jumps through a window, shot, still manages to escape (Gif Set)

Ep 48 : (03:35) Bleeding, barely conscious, concern for him — (09:45) Carried unconscious, concern for him — (12:00) Unconscious in bed, wakes up, pale and feverish, in pain, concern for him

Ep 49 : (00:50) In bed, weak

Ep 50 : None

Ep 51 : (01:25) Slight concern for him, fighting — (06:25) Shot, collapses, bleeding, concern for him 

Ep 52 : None

>> More Whump Lists

[losing-it-lately]

are we still friends?

hunger games inspired angst between ellie and reader...

Ugly and unprovoked, that's what this ambush was. You were meant to be hidden, along with a fee of the other kids from the lower districts, but something had given you guys up. Looking at the children that stood across from you, it became even clearer that someone had given you up.

He was the only part of the arena that was familiar, and he would also be one of the last faces you'd ever see. When you looked into his eyes, you used to see trust and home, but now all you saw was hollow. It was a ruthless and emptying feeling that began to flood you; the knowledge of your impending death. And as you looked at the faces of the careers that had sprung themselves on you, your eyes caught onto hazel eyes filled with an unsaid apology. You should have known that she would reach out to you.

First, there was a mix of sounds blurring together: screaming, groaning and cracking. The horror of brutality blending together into an auditory nightmare. The noise felt like a harsh sting, and then there was an actual sting. You whipped your head back in front of you, and then you saw it glint in the daylight. A small dagger tucked into her palm. You wonder if she even remembers your name, because god knows that you remember hers.

The past few days had been a whirlwind. Being sentenced to your own death often erases all sense of time and perception, but still, meeting Ellie made every fear you had fade away.

Public speaking was always your biggest fear. Growing up cold and hungry and in a district usually meant that dying would be your worst fear, but for some reason, it was stages. Even when your name got called out, all you could think about was how everyone could see you freeze, how everyone could see you fumble, how everyone would see you fail. Before seeing Caesar, it was again, all you could think about.

These interviews are viewed by everyone, this is your first impression, and you don't just rely on this interview for the social aspect. If you mess this up, there's no sponsors, there's no allies, there's no hope.

"Are you okay," you heard from a voice above you. She was mid repeating the question when you finally looked up with a glare that immediately silenced her.

Being sat slumped on a wall is usually code for 'don't talk to me', but apparently to the careers, it didn't matter. Ignoring that you were having the worst few days of your life, now, you also had to be confronted with the most perfect tribute ever to grace the games. She had toned biceps with scattered star-like freckles over. She was dressed in a pair of sleek and dark trousers, and her top was forest green leather with long sleeves and fashioned on gold pins and fireflies. If you hadn't been sobbing for the past few minutes, you would have noticed her and immediately averted your eyes; you don't lock eyes with an enemy, especially not one as hot as she was.

"There is hope for you. And if no one will be your ally, I will," she whispered if she sat down next to you.

"What?"

"You were muttering something about hope and allies and sponsors," It seems like you wouldn't need to wait for the hunger games to kill you as embarrassment was about to burn you into ashes here.

"Oh my god. I said that aloud?" Your hands hid your face, and you burrowed into yourself more. However, the feeling of impending doom began to dissipate as the dulcet tones of her laugh filled your ears, and the roughness of her hands pulled yours away from your face.

"You will be okay, you will have sponsors and allies and hope, because you will have me," her hazel eyes peered into yours and cemented a new reassurance in you. You nodded along with her as she began to clean the tears off your face. "I'm Ellie."

You uttered your name out and then placed your hand in hers so she could help you up.

Ellie. With her beautiful auburn locks and colourful, hopeful eyes and gentle hands was now holding the knife that would stab you in the back. It's somewhat consoling to pretend that Ellie has forgotten you, that maybe she's killing someone she has no relation to than to know that she's killing someone she promised she would look out for. It feels safer almost to think that the promise she made to you is just forgone due to her memory instead of her ruthlessness. But when you look in her eyes, you know the truth, you know that she can't forget you; that even if she wins and gets to live out the rest of her days, your memory will live with her and haunt her.

Her knife cuts through you again. You can feel the precision. You're not even putting up a fight. Tears begin to blot your vision and Ellie slows down. Something hard messes with your footing, and you fall back into a tree. Once again, Ellie looks down at you, and you look up at her. She looks different in the arena's artificial sunlight, she looks younger. Or maybe it's the blood loss beginning to mess with your head that is imagining an Ellie with innocence and care in her eyes instead of sorrow.

She kneels next to you, or falls; you're too far gone to register anything other than the way she looks at you. Her eyes are wet, just like yours. Her face feels impossibly close, and your eyes flicker to her lips. Sore and bitten, she must have known how this would end for the two of you. Maybe in another life the both of you could be friends, or even something more.

As your eyes begin to grow tired, you ask her for a departing wish, "kiss me," and Ellie knows that the capitol will punish her for this, or that her friends and family will ignore this moment, but she lowers her lips to yours anyways. Her lips against yours gave you warmth. You could taste salt and spit and blood, and for a while, you could pretend that things were different.

You did not get the sponsors or the allies that you had so desperately wanted, but at least, for a little while, Ellie could give you hope.

[i-wear-the-cheese]

Ides of March party idea where you play pin the tail on the donkey except you're attempting to stick a knife on Caesar and not hit the other senators

[konohokelly]

Are You Not Entertained? (Toxic! Marvel Sanford x Toxic! Reader HCs) (2/3)

Summary: As a career you only have one goal, volunteer for the hunger games and bring pride to your district, but you happen to be an emotionally unstable individual and your district partner is your ex…

OR

You and Marvel are the anti-EverLark.

Warnings: Dead Dove Do Not Eat, trash fire relationships, emotional abuse, referenced smut, smut, public sex, SO MUCH MESSINESS, both reader and Marvel are toxic, reader has anger issues, reader fights other women over a man, emotionally manipulative Marvel, physical abuse, reader puts hands on Marvel, insecure reader, reader isn’t nice, reader has no shame, reader often goes from 0 to 100, trashy behaviour on TV.

No use of Y/N

IMPORTANT: This font represents Caesar and Claudius’ commentary during the games.

THE GAMES BEGIN:

— You participated in the bloodbath with absolute glee. Slashing and swiping at other tributes with your sword.

— Your first kill was the boy from 6, you stabbed him with a knife like he was a pin cushion.

— Your second was the girl from 8, whom you chased down and sliced her throat as she attempted to escape into the tree-line.

— Your third wasn't really your kill, he was Marvel's.

— You trapped the boy from District 9 with a net, holding him down, while Marvel skewered him with a spear.

— When the dust had settled and the cannons had begun firing, Marvel pulled you into his arms, and you kissed like there's no tomorrow, as the thrill of killing ran through both of your blood.

"Would you look at that, Claudius. It seems the District 1 tributes are back in each other's good graces". Caesar commented, looking at a monitor. "That looks like a bit more than good graces to me" Claudius replied. "You know what they say, a couple that kills together, stays together"

— When Peeta joined the group, you wanted to kill him as soon as possible. His little stunt of professing his love for Katniss pulled some focus off you and Marvel.

"C'mon, guys. Let's just kill him now" you said.

"Unless you know how to find Katniss, we need him” The others careers would reply.

— You and Marvel are all over each other in the arena. It's very rare that you're not walking together, and when you stop, it's very rare that you're not making out.

— Days later, you all trudged along the forest floor hunting for tributes to kill.

— Walking ahead of the group, you looked back when you heard laughter. It was Marvel and Clove.

— You instantly lost it.

"What the fuck is so funny?" you asked them

Clove raised an eyebrow, "It's-"

"I wasn't talking to you, short stack. I was talking to MY boyfriend" you got in her face, trying to start something.

Clove's hand instantly went for a knife as you gripped your hilt of your sword.

"Babe, enough. We were just laughing, it's no big deal" Marvel said, pushing you and Clove apart.

"Well, can I get in on the joke since it's so hilarious? You know what? I'm so sick of your shit. You're such an asshole, Marvel! I can't even turn my back to you for 5 seconds without you diving into another girl's skirt!"

"Can you be any more of an attention-seeking lunatic? You're so fucking insecure!"

"Of course I'm insecure, I can't fucking trust you!"

"You're such a bitch"

"Fuck you!"

"Well, fuck you too!"

You stalked off into the darkness.

"Your girlfriend is crazy, man" Cato laughed

"Don't call her crazy" Marvel said glumly, guilt about yelling at you already setting in.

Cato raised his hands in mock surrender, he and Clove stifling their amusement at the whole situation as Marvel stalks off after you.

— It doesn't take Marvel long to find you and make it all better with gentle affection.

THE MIDDLE:

— The group camped out under a tree waiting for Katniss to come down.

— All of you, except Peeta, had a similar upbringing, so you all reminisced about the camping challenges you had back home.

— You and Marvel didn't hesitate to get a little frisky in the sleeping bag you were sharing, hoping no one, especially the cameras, would pick up on your hands down each other's pants.

— When you both finished, it became evident that the cameras had picked up on it, seeing as a parachute came down with a makeshift water purifier you didn't need yet and a note reading:

"You two definitely aren't shy. They're loving it" -G

— When Katniss dropped a tracker jacker nest, you had nearly tripped while running, but Marvel picked you up and held you all the way to the river.

— By the time you got there, you were stung, had dropped your bow and arrows and Peeta had got away. You needed someone to be angry at, so you picked Cato.

"I told you we should have killed lover boy days ago!"

— Picking a fight with the most jacked member of the group wasn't your smartest move.

— You were honestly shocked when Marvel stood by you, going for his weapon when Cato began coming at you.

— This wasn't what you were taught to do.

— Your anger issues were putting him in unnecessary danger, and you had been taught to detach yourselves from wild cards during your career training.

— The falling out of the career pack was only averted when Clove calmed everyone down.

"Right now isn't the time for this. Let's just drop it"

— You were mad at Cato for a few hours after that.

— The next few days were relatively quiet. Marvel and you fought and made up a few times. The ups and downs of your relationship entertaining the Capitol enough that they didn't send more obstacles your way.

— Your screaming matches usually consisted of you throwing an accusation his way and him sending all manner of insults towards you.

— When you apologized, you would typically mumble sorry, then cuddle up to him.

— When he apologized, he would end up deciding to carry your bags and weapons as self-inflicted penance.

— Being on night watch duty together just meant more time to have your hands on each other.

— You would sit in his lap, a blanket over your shoulders for privacy, and ride him to kingdom come.

— you tried not to come at the same time, so one of you could always be alert when the other was caught up in bliss.

— Marvel would get you to finish first with his fingers on your clit, and you could barely hold back your moans.

— Then you would make him come so hard his vision would go white, as you scanned the surroundings for danger.

"These lethal lovers just can't keep from tearing each other's clothes off, can they, Claudius" Caesar laughed. "That's youth for you, Caesar. I on one hand can't wait to see them start tearing each other apart" Claudius said.

— Marvel, with his electric personality, often entertained the group with his stories and jokes,

— But knowing you, he would give you a kiss every once in a while, making sure you knew you always had his attention.

— You started hanging around the boy from District 3 more.

— In reality, you were watching him so he didn't pull a fast one when setting up the mines.

— Marvel didn't like it regardless.

"Why don't we just kill the twerp already?" Marvel asked absent-mindedly, watching you ask the boy more questions about his district, "he's getting too comfortable".

"You jealous or something" Clove teased

Marvel turned to glare at her, but instantly turned right back when he heard you laughing with the boy

— During your next fight, it was Marvel doing the accusing, making you refute just as angrily.

"You're loving this, aren't you. The whole of Panem getting to see what a slut you really are" he challenged.

THE MINES:

— When the fires started, you all jumped to your feet. Finally, something exciting.

— You were close by when the explosion at the cornucopia happened, running back to get more weapons, and the shockwave knocked you off your feet and made your ears ring.

— With the supplies gone and feeling extremely disoriented, you were upset and needed to direct it at someone, but the kid from 3 was already dead.

— Marvel trekked ahead of you through the woods, both of you looking for whoever set the fires.

— You screamed at his back.

"I bet you're happy now! 3's dead, so you got what you wanted!"

— You didn't really care that he was dead even though you were just starting to become fond of him, you just wanted Marvel to yell back at you.

"Say something! Are you scared, huh? You're such a coward, Marvel. Fucking say something!"

— When he wouldn't shout back, you tackled him.

— Marvel, not being one to back down from a fight, tackled you back.

— Full of rage and with the forest spinning in your vision, you attempted to slash at him with your knife, but he twisted it out of your hand, leaving you to kick and punch him as he tried to get a grip on you.

— You used your nails to create a bloody trail down his cheek.

— The both of you grappled at each other, rolling over again and again.

"Uh oh, is this it?" Caesar exclaimed, "Will this killer couple finally put an axe in their turbulent romance".

— Marvel ended up on top, pressing you face down into the dirt as you thrashed and screamed.

— When you calmed down and stopped struggling, he stood up and took a few steps back.

You stood breathing heavily, arms wrapped around yourself with vulnerability.

"You good?" He asked, panting with exertion.

You nodded, glaring at the ground.

"Come here, baby" Marvel said as he opened his arms.

"Not today, Caesar" Claudius says, "It seems these two will live to bicker another day"

— That night you and Marvel took watch, you were seated between his legs on the ground, back against his chest.

— He whispered a sweet "I love you" into your ear.

— Too scared that he may be lying, you don't say anything back, but lean further into him, taking his arms to wrap them around yourself.

— The next day, when you saw Katniss take aim at Marvel with her bow, you didn't think twice about running to his rescue.

— The arrow narrowly missed his throat and instead lodges itself into his shoulder.

— You drag him to safety in an obscured portion of underbrush, and tend to his wounds, allowing tears to run down your face the whole time.

"It's okay, baby. I'm going to be okay" he keeps telling you.

"I love you" you finally say back, voice shaking with terror that he may die.

— when you're done with your crude stitching, you get up swearing you're going to find and kill Katniss.

— Still too injured to move without pain, Marvel asks you just to lay with him for a while.

THE PAIRS:

— When the announcement comes of district pairs being able to win together, you and Marvel don't say a word. There's nothing to say.

— For once actually in tune with one another, you just pick up your things and move further into the forest, ending the alliance with Cato and Clove.

— With Marvel hurt, you'd both be too vulnerable with them anyway;

— And with a pair counting as one now, you'd basically reached the natural end of your alliance-- The point in the games where there was a single tribute from each career district left, and the fight to the death began.

— It didn't take long for hunger to set in, seeing as you and Marvel only had a bag of dried fruits and a few sticks of jerky between you. It seemed having a pile of supplies at the cornucopia made you both too confident.

— You catch a few small rabbits but with Marvel's better spear throwing arm out of commission and him being the better hunter, having grown up doing it, you didn't have much to eat.

— You internally thank your mentors for sending you a water purifier.

— But Marvel needs medicine and you both need food.

— When the feast is announced, you go together.

— Marvel, unwilling to not be part of the action when his legs still work, bites his tongue through the pain and makes it down to the cornucopia with you.

— You're the one to run out and grab the pack with a big "1" printed across it. Marvel watches your back from the tree-line.

— Unfortunately for you, Cato had spotted you.

— Instead of trying to save Clove, whose head was currently being bashed in by Thresh, Cato decided to get some revenge against his former allies.

— Cato was strong, but you and Marvel had been trained to kill people like him all your lives.

— You and your boyfriend were starving, and he was injured, but there's still two of you and one of Cato.

— The fight goes on for a while before a single canon goes off, you and Marvel still standing.

— With the medicine in the District 1 pack, Marvel is better in no time, still sore but able to hunt.

— Being the only careers left in the games, and being in relatively good health again, you go out hunting for tributes. Thresh, Katniss and Peeta at the top of your lists.

— But the games have reached the point where everyone still living is alive because they're good at staying out of sight.

— When the dogs came, you both booked it to the Cornucopia.

— He made sure you were safely on top before boosting himself up with your help, the rabid dogs nipping at his heels.

— You didn't expect to find Katniss and Peeta coming up on the other side.

— With the girl from 5 dead mysteriously and Thresh torn apart by the animals, it only left the District 1 and 12 tributes.

"Here we are, down to the last tributes. The lethal lovers from District 1 versus the star crossed lovers of District 12. The stakes are as high as it gets" Caesar spoke into the camera.

— The fight is longer than anticipated, but ultimately ends with two cannons and Katniss and Peeta lying dead.

— You and Marvel are both bleeding profusely by the end of it but make it down the cornucopia.

— You kiss and hug one another.

"We did it, baby" he breathed, resting his forehead against yours.

— But then another announcement comes, the rule of pairs has been revoked.

— You both beg the other to deliver the killing blow, eventually falling from blood loss and passing out from light-headedness.

— The last thing you hear in the arena is, "ladies and gentlemen, the winners of the 74th annual hunger games"

AFTER THE GAMES:

— You and Marvel were put back together in no time.

— From what you heard, you were both bleeding out at the same rate and if the game makers left you in the arena any longer they wouldn't have had a winner.

— Your mentors weren't as joyous as you expected, apparently there were complications that arose from your team win.

— You had shown the Capitol up by not dying, but you had also killed Katniss, whose actions in the arena were stirring up rebellion among the districts.

— For your help in quelling the revolts, the Capitol was willing to be merciful if you both played along.

— during your interview with Caesar, you both made sure to copiously thank the Capitol and the hunger games for bringing you two together and strengthening your relationship.

"This girl right here is my soulmate, and without the games we may not have found that out" Marvel said, looking deeply into your eyes, only love in his gaze.

Even though you were directed to do this, his words were completely true. Without the games, you and your lover might have gone the rest of your lives thinking you were enemies.

You tear your eyes from his, staring directly at the cameras and saying, "We send our eternal gratitude to President Snow and the people of the Capitol for granting us this chance to be together"

— When President Snow crowned you it was the greatest moment of your life up until that point; standing before the entire country, crowned by President Snow himself as a victor.

The old man, gave you both a curious smile, speaking words that only you three could hear,

"Your love story has been a source of distraction to many, make sure it stays that way"

Please let me know how you’re feeling about everything.

[james-t-kirks-fat-ass-tiddies]

I present to you: pin the knife on the Caesar.

I made this for my ides of march party I threw tonight

[will-theclockwork]

Are you bored? Celebrate the Ides of March by playing Pin The Knife On The Julius Caesar!

[the-hunger-games-source]

Everything We Know about the 50th Hunger Games: A Look at the 2nd Quarter Quell ⚔️

Suzanne Collins is returning to Panem with a new Hunger Games prequel book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which will be released on March 18, 2025. A film adaptation, with a November 20, 2026 release date, is already in the works.

The new book revolves around the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story begins on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games reaping. Here's everything we know about the Second Quarter Quell:

✨The Second Quarter Quell

A Quarter Quell is a special edition of the Hunger Games held every twenty-five years to mark the anniversary of the end of the First Rebellion. All known Quarter Quells were characterized by a twist in the reaping process, altering the selection of tributes in some way.

In the 50th Games, or Second Quarter Quell, as a reminder that two rebels died for every Capitol citizen, twice the number of regular tributes were to be sent into the Games: two girls and two boys per district, for a total of 48.

✨The Reaping in District 12

What we know about the Second Quarter Quell reaping from the books is that in District 12, an unnamed girl from the Seam was reaped first, followed by Maysilee Donner, whose twin sister and a close friend, a young Mrs. Everdeen, were seen clinging to her in the crowd. An unnamed male followed, leaving Haymitch Abernathy as the last tribute called.

Maysilee's twin grew up and became District 12 Mayor Undersee's wife and Madge Undersee's mother in Katniss' era. Madge wasn't in the films but, in the books, is Katniss' only friend and the one who gives her the Mockingjay pin before the 74th Hunger Games.

✨Pre Games

By this point, Caesar Flickerman was the Hunger Games host, and he was wearing his famous twinkling midnight blue suit.

Haymitch came across as snarky, arrogant, and indifferent in his interview.

Caesar: "So, Haymitch, what do you think of the Games having one hundred percent more competitors than usual?"

Haymitch: "I don't see that it makes much difference. They'll still be one hundred percent as stupid as usual, so I figure my odds will be roughly the same."

✨Arena

The arena for the 50th Hunger Games was a breathtaking place with a golden cornucopia in the middle of a meadow, surrounded by woods and a snowcapped mountain - later revealed to be a deadly volcano. Everything in the arena, including plants, water, and even the scent of the flowers, was lethally poisonous, except for rainwater and the food from the Cornucopia. Some known muttations in the arena included golden carnivorous squirrels, poisonous butterflies, and candy pink birds with long, thin beaks.

✨The Games

Most tributes were distracted by the beauty of the arena when the gong sounded, so Haymitch nabbed a backpack and weapons from the Cornucopia and headed into the woods. Maysilee Donner came away from the Cornucopia with a small bag, which included a blowgun with twenty-four darts.

18 of the 48 tributes died in the bloodbath, and a Career pack of 10 Tributes claimed the Cornucopia's remaining supplies, including the only safe food and drink in the arena.

Haymitch encountered stinging butterflies and carnivorous squirrel mutts in the woods. Meanwhile, the Careers scoured the mountain area for potential victims, and during this time, many of the tributes fell victim to the arena's poisonous substances. Maysilee was able to use these poisons to turn her darts into weapons.

A volcanic eruption took out another twelve tributes, including five Careers. The lava flows made half the arena inaccessible, driving the thirteen remaining tributes into the woods.

Haymitch faced three of the surviving Careers in the woods. Despite his size disadvantage, Haymitch made up for it with speed; he dispatched two with his knife before he was disarmed by the third. When the Career went for Haymitch's throat, Maysilee shot him with a poison dart, and she and Haymitch became allies.

As allies, Haymitch and Maysilee could get more rest, devise a rainwater harvesting system, and share food from the fallen tributes' packs, all while continuing on a course Haymitch was determined to follow - trying to get to the arena's edge.

Haymitch and Maysilee finally reached a cliff edge, marking the end of the arena. With only five tributes remaining, Maysilee broke the alliance when Haymitch refused to leave the area.

After Maysilee left, Haymitch kicked a pebble off the cliff into the force field. Surprised to see the pebble bounce back, he threw a larger rock, which flew back into his hand. He laughed but was cut off by the sound of Maysilee screaming. By the time he reached her, the pink birds had skewered her with their beaks, so all he could do was hold her hand until she was gone.

By the end of the day, Haymitch and the District 1 female were the final two tributes. In their bloody showdown, both sustained nearly fatal wounds.

She chased him to the cliff and threw her axe, but Haymitch collapsed on the ground, dodging the attack. The force field flung the axe back. It lodged itself in her head, leaving Haymitch as the victor.

✨Aftermath

Haymitch's stunt with the force field made the Capitol look foolish. In retaliation, they eradicated Haymitch's mother, brother, and girlfriend in the weeks after the Games. Depressed by the loss of his loved ones and forced to mentor years of doomed tributes, Haymitch developed an alcohol dependency, and his life fell into disrepair. Or so we thought...

If you made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS 🏆🏆🏆 That was a LONG post.

I'm so curious about the upcoming book and movie! I'd love to know when Haymitch joined the rebellion and learn more about Maysilee Donner, the original owner of the Mockingjay pin.

There are some incredible opportunities to see younger versions of returning characters in Sunrise on The Reaping. I can't wait to see how the casting process for the movie evolves.

Do you have any favorite fan casts yet? Do you have any theories about the book? Let me know in the comments!

📚The link to preorder the book is in the comments!

[skykittywhatchamahcallit]

Lionesse had spent the evening exploring through the forests along the outskirts of Jacobstown. She followed Bighorner paths torn through the woods, smaller paths of Mantises and Hares and foxes. She felt safe surrounded by the trees but at the same time, use to the open air of the desert, it felt suffocating. She could check behind a tree to find an animal, maybe nothing. Sounds being made with no sense of the direction it could be coming from. It was getting dark, and she was heading back towards Jacobstown to rest. As she did, she could have sworn she could hear steps along side hers, breathing, sticks snapping. She would stop, the air still, to turn around and check and backpeddle. There was nothing she could find, no sign of anything or anyone. But she could feel it.

She was less than half a mile away from Jacobstown when she stopped suddenly again, this time the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping made her turn around. She pulled her pistol, switching off the safety. It was loaded, cocked, ready for whatever sat just outside of her vision. It was darker now, she could barely see two or three trees beyond where she stood. She slowly scanned the forests edge.

“Come out here. Face me.” Lionesse said firmly, not expecting an answer. Her hand went for her belt, for her flashlight, when she was hit blindly from the side. Her finger squeezed the trigger on instinct, once, then twice. She was knocked to the ground, her hand holding her pistol smacked against the ground once, twice, three times, throwing her pistol from her hand and out of reach. Her free hand was twisted behind her, then her second hand, pinned face down in the leaf litter. She lifted her head just enough to scream.

It rang out for a second or two before a sour, salty leather glove stuffed it’s palm into her mouth. She bit down viciously, the person holding her down sucking in a breath of pain. But no matter how hard she bit down, she wasn’t going to be able to break through the leather. The person shuffled around on top of her, kneeling against her back, his free hand holding Lionesses two hands behind her back. She bit down, her yelling muffled against the leather.

“Silence. Silence!” A familiar voice hissed, “I am not here to cause you harm. I will pull my hand out of your mouth if you swear not to scream again. I do not need your doctor friend coming up here.”

Lionesse gently released the man’s hand from her mouth. She could feel him shake it after her release.

“Good. Now I cannot trust you not to run, so I’ll speak clearly, the eyes of the mighty Caesar are upon you once again. Your actions around the Strip have rightfully brought his attention to you once again, to assure your goals align with him.”

“How the hell did you find me?” Lionesse twisted under his weight, tilting her head to meet his eyes. Blue eyes, still visible in the low light. Vulpes.

“I have been watching you for some time since your return from Zion. Alone. I know of your doings, as does Caesar. Listen to me carefully, do as Caesar asks or he will make your life miserable. Your Recon buddy, the doctor, the brotherhood woman, all of them will suffer if you do not follow my directions.”

Lionesse twisted again, Vulpes dug his knee farther, a ‘pop’ coming from one of the vertebrae he held down. Vulpes droned on.

“You remember the way by Cottonwood cove, you should make haste, before Caesar declares you an enemy of the Legion, and we both know that is not something you want.” Vulpes free hand then traced down Lionesse’s side, to the knife on her hip, “Under no circumstances am I to harm you, nor you to harm me. Caesar wants no harm to come to you, for now, but I will not hesitate to defend myself. You have been warned. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” Lionesse let her head fall back into the leaf litter, her pistol within view and just out of reach. It had gotten terrifyingly dark during their short conversation.

“Good. Do not forget your pistol, and I bid you ‘Vale’.” Vulpes stood up and let go of Lionesse’s hand in one fast motion, standing and taking a few steps back. Lionesse scrambled to her feet, turning to face him, and the only thing she caught was the faintest outline of him disappearing into the woods. She stared after him for a moment, before ducking down and grabbing her pistol, making a dash in the direction of Jacobstown. The woods could have been full of Legion, for all she knew. Surrounded. Helpless. Watched. The trees broke suddenly as she ran, a steep embankment she stumbled down and onto the road, only a few hundred yards from the fence of Jacobstown.

Her boots connected with the concrete and she ran for the fence. Marcus and Arcade stood there, weapons trained on her for a moment, before Arcade dropped his stance and pushed Marcus’ rifle sights off of her. He holstered his pistol and ran towards her, and they collided into a hug. Lionesse was breathing hard, Arcade was breathing fast.

“Oh my god, oh my god I heard the gunshots, I didn’t think I was going to see you again, we thought the night stalkers got you or something.” Arcade rambled, one hand on Lionesses head the other wrapped around her shoulders. He was leaning down awkwardly as Lionesse took fistfuls of his lab coat into her hands and buried her face against his chest.

“Are you hurt?” Arcade pulled her away from him, checking her over. Besides the dirt and leaves sticking to her hair and face, she as unharmed, “Thank goodness, come on, let’s get you back into town, what the hell happened?”

Together, they walked back into town, Lionesse throwing a backwards glance again to the long, dark stretch of road she could see. And, she could have sworn she saw a familiar figure standing along the tree line.

[ectoplasm024]

Im in the latin club at my school and every year we have a red velvet cake with him on it and we all get to stab it. Also this year we are talking about playing pin the knife in Caesar.

Tumblr holidays not being used for the rest of the world is weird. What do you mean I have to go to school/work? Don't you people know Julius Caesar was stabbed multiple times?

[anon-after-dusk]

From first draft, to evil twink with stolen teeth. Marley my beloved. Might have to make a side character more in line with the first draft but as it stands, this is the boy (man).

Nothing explicit straight out the gate, but in concept this is definitely more adult than my main posts so (^-^; ) he's getting exiled. Mostly because those are not his teeth. Lore below (check tags):

Despite the public treatment of exelyms as pests, certain circles deemed it possible to keep them as pets. Bred for a playful nature, beauty, and loyalty, Marley was a perfect example. Like many "kept" exelyms, he'd even had his tongue cut at a young age, limiting bouts of human mimicry.

As a child, he was content. When he was first bought- a pet to a young heir- he could easily convince himself that he was happy being a silent companion. Still, as the heir grew older, and lost the need for a friend, Marley found himself forced into... other means of companionship, and his delusion began to splinter.

Avoiding his owner, Marley began to hide- in libraries and kitchens, developing respective interest in the sciences, and in food preparation. These interests would come in handy when- after a night being left, uncleaned and bare on the bed- he decided to exact revenge on his owner. His only failure was missing the pin prick sensation; before regaining consciousness in a sterile cage.

The first thing he noticed, when he went to grab at the bars, was that the top knuckle of every finger had been removed, numb and smarting. When he went to growl, the air pulled through his teeth as usual, except this time, it cooled the swollen gums where his canines should have been. Unable to speak, and now, unable to defend himself, Marley tried to devise an escape.

As he'd begun to construct a lock pick, he found the building he was in raided; by- he would later find out- a local gang, hired by an eccentric with an interest in exelyms. Rescued, but not free, Marley quickly became a favourite with the eccentric's guests, for his tragic treatments, and those wide, sad eyes. Still, he was dissatisfied.

Until one day, he was wandering the house, and found a guarded section, with a pitiable sight. Some scarred ex-fighter, tense and uncooperative. Of course, Marley offered him a treat.

Of course, the man refused.

So Marley left the treat, and wandered away; returning the next day to find the treat gone. So their bond developed, Marley learning that the man's name was Caesar; that he'd been rescued from a river after failure to compete. Though Marley couldn't talk back, Caesar taught him a sort of sign language, and they grew close enough that it looked as though Caesar might finally be allowed to roam on good behaviour.

In a good mood, Marley decided to toy with Caesar the next time he brought treats. In retrospect, sticking his arm through the bars of Caesar's cage, might not have left him free to pull back. So when Caesar flinched back, Marley could only watch, as his wrist was bitten into.

By the time he was free from treatment, Marley's only thought was getting back to his friend. Alas, a hopeless case is only to be disposed of. This, Marley could not let happen.

For perhaps the first time, he'd felt known; understood as something more complex than a bipedal lapdog. He would not let that slip away. So what, if it was an adjustment to wield a knife without fingertips? He would have learnt to bend iron if it would set Caesar free.

His plan successful, the pair went into hiding. Alarmed by the change in Marley, Caesar apologised profusely for his reflex: his strength was an insecurity to him; his jagged edges, a source of shame. As he watched sympathetically those sharp canines, Marley was struck with an idea that stood to benefit them both.

Lo, the transfer was successful, and with study, Marley found he could regain his deftness with tools- thanks in no small part to Caesar's inventions of little metal claws. Soon, word spread, and he made a name for himself as an underground (and exelym) surgeon. A gentle man at heart, Caesar stuck safe by his side, tending to home and hearth- and business.

It was not perfect- certainly there was little luxury to be had. But there was companionship; and there was safety. There, in the belly of that rancid nation, they'd managed to carve a place for themselves, where both could be free together.

[chronicbeans]

Wally Darling and a Restoration Project Reader (part 9)

YIPPEE

TW: Cults, Religious Imagery, Mentions of Possible Murder, Death

🗞️ You immediately text your friends, Amy and Finn, telling them to come over. You also tell them to introduce themselves as your friends, in the hopes that they make it through the gates without much trouble.

🗞️ They say they will arrive within an hour, allowing you to start your part of the investigation early. Looking around the room, you focus on the posters of Barnaby. The eyes are scratched out on every one, almost like someone took a knife or pin and scraped the pointed end against the poster. You can even see the scratch marks in the wood. Your wonder increases, causing you to search a few of the drawers.

🗞️ You find old clothing, such as suits, ties, pants and the likes. On a desk by the bedside, you see a small jewelery box. You open it, finding a collection of sun shaped pins, cufflinks, and even a few sets of sun and moon earrings in small plastic bags. You pick a set of earrings up, looking at them closely. They seem to be made with real gems. There are notes on each bag, every one saying "To the One". If you had to guess, this man might've been a hopeless romantic! How cute!

🗞️ You hear the door open, seeing both Amy and Finn run in, out of breath. Finn seems to be holding a paper, showing it to you "I... I found the guy that wrote the messy writing! Apparently, he is related to Caesar Jones, the voice actor and creator of Wally! I-" he cuts himself off, looking around "Holy... what is this place?" You grin "This is the room of William Dorelaine! He is the brother of the original creator, Ronald Dorelaine!"

🗞️ Amy looks around, her eyes settling on something by the door. She walks over, before there is a heavy clunking, then a small huff comes out of her mouth. She turns, holding a hatchet in her arms. "This man must be very obsessed with suns and moons. Even his hatchets match that theme. Kind of like Wally with apples..." "What's that? ... Why would he have this?"

🗞️ Both you and Amy look over to Finn, seeing him holding a newspaper. "I found this under his mattress. Here, let me read it out..."

"CULT LEADER FOUND DEAD IN POLICE STATION! The leader of the mysterious cult tormenting town has been found dead in the local police station this afternoon, after being arrested at the parking lot of Playfellow Workshop. It is currently suspected that the sheriff, Sheriff Dekker, killed him after being provoked by the leader, Father Simon "Luna" Johnson. There was a note found in his cell, mentioning how he has been "crucified by the public" and how he shall be a "martyr for the truth". He also wrote down how he shall be resurrected, returning to earth in a body that his followers will recognize instantly by their actions."

🗞️ You all look around at each other. Finn pauses, before saying "There are a few scribbles on the page. Little notes. It is in the same handwriting as William. "Look for the values" and "I must find it", with the last one saying "Sunshine, Sunshine, I love Sunshine", almost like a name instead of just the word." You look over to the jewelry box, remembering the earrings. "I... I feel like we should go..."

🗞️"Come on, (Y/N), a little creepy newspaper article doesn't mean anything. I mean, from what we heard from Mr. Jones' relative, he was really into investigating cults. Maybe William was the same?" Finn nods, explaining "Yeah. He just liked looking into them. How about this? I'll take this book I found. The lock on it should be easy to crack open with my pliers, at home, and we can all look into it, tomorrow. If we find nothing of concern, we will come back to investigate more." Amy then takes the jewelry box, adding on a quick "I just think these are pretty neat!"

🗞️ You look at the book, the unnerving symbol giving you a sense of dread. The symbol seems to be a sun and moon crammed together, with a hourglass in the center. There are a few stains of red on the edges of the hardcover, with a few more on the pages. You swallow, nodding. "Sure. I'm going to go outside, now. Let the Dorelaines know what you took, okay?"

🗞️ As you begin your walk home, you get a call from your mother. Answering, you hear her speak in the harsh tone she uses when upset or annoyed "(Y/N), what have you done know?" "What do you mean, mom? I did nothing! I just went around town, and-!" "There's a man here! He says he is a Dorelaine! Says he wants to talk to you! You better be here quickly, or else I'll lose my temper with him! Keeps talking about Sunshine, like a madman!"

[several-breathing-eyes]

Last year I made these paper dolls! This year I made...

Pin The Knife On The Caesar!

In celebration of the Ides of March, I made stab-able paper Caesars.

[margridarnauds]

“Team Brutus” this, “Team Caesar” that, let’s hear it for Team Vercingetorix, who are cheering from the sidelines during Pin the Knife on the Asshole Day