#polish people are our buddies

[enkidusbi]

are you polish? is that why you use xd?

huh? do polish people have a monopoly on xd i didn't know about??

[gigantomachylesbian]

men love to act like they're god's gift to prose fiction, like their workshop advice is the sole thing needed to Fix Your Story, and then not even be good writers.

[flowerbetweenfangs]

Marked By the Moon: Part One

CW: Dubcon due to heat/breeding. Originally posted on A03.

An oldie, but one of my favorites.

Buzzing shook the nightstand. Bluelight pierced through the blackness, making it impossible to ignore. 

Reaching forward, Carmen groped across the polished wood, then seized her phone. Sitting up on her bed, she pressed the glowing screen to her ear. Sleep clogged her throat and eyes as she grunted out a greeting. 

It was just after four in the morning. She knew better than to say “Someone better be dying”, because a call this early meant somebody probably was. 

“‘Lo?” She gurgled, blearily staring in the darkness. Sweat clung to her face and clothes in the summer heat. Her window was open, the breeze doing little to cool her off. 

“Carmen!” The voice on the other end was frantic. “You’re not going to believe this!” Several dogs barked and howled in the background. “I’m sorry for waking you up, but we’ve got an emergency surgery.” There were several grunts as her coworker pulled something. “I think some poachers got to him. It looks like he was torn open by a bear trap.” 

The words floated in the air, before bringing horrific images to mind. Carmen’s phone beeped, indicating there were messages sent, images attached to them. 

“I’ll be there soon,” Carmen was out of bed and throwing on her clothes. “Start prepping.” She pulled her dirty blonde hair back without brushing it, making sure it was secured in a knot at the back of her head. Squeezing into her jeans and a presentable shirt, she quickly grabbed her phone and quickly looked at the incoming messages. 

What followed were images of a male ginger wolf, with a large wound on his leg and shoulder. His fur was damp, having been cleaned up. There was a muzzle around his snout, but his eyes were open and alert. He looked directly at the camera with what could only be described as a lupine scowl. 

No matter how many injured animals she saw.  Carmen always sniffed and felt a pang of pity for them. From little Spot and Mittens getting into a spat to the various wildlife people brought in, every creature needed a caring touch. 

“He really tried to fight me when I put on the muzzle.”   Anna’s words read. “ But a good jab of sedatives has him going night night. He’ll be completely under when you get here.” 

“Sorry buddy,” Carmen said aloud to no one. “But your jaw could tear off our arms.” Shoving her phone back into her pocket, she started to psych herself up for the upcoming meeting with this new patient. There were several wolves in the area, but they tended to stay in the mountains and parks, away from the city. A local wildlife reserve rehabilitated them and worked closely with the clinic, taking on all sorts of feral creatures that didn’t belong in the city. 

The poor thing was probably all sorts of confused. 

Going to the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face and sputtered, slapping her cheeks to wake herself up. Quickly, she brushed her teeth and let the rush of mint further energize her. This was going to be one for the books. 

Seizing a canned coffee from the fridge, Carmen grabbed her keys and stumbled out the door. Guzzling it down, she drove through the dark streets, slowing strategically at speed traps. The one good thing about her random late night trips, the normal people of the world were still asleep. Although it was nearing a full moon, so the crazies of the world would be out. 

Something dug into her hip. At first, she tried to ignore it, but it dug into the sensitive skin at every movement. It felt sharp. Adjusting how she sat, Carmen tried to keep her eyes on the road. She was waking up, but the risk wouldn’t be worth it. 

Once she pulled up to a stoplight, she looked down to see a flash of silver wrapped in a leather string. 

Reaching down, she fished it out and saw the trinket she’d bought a month ago, a piece of rose quartz with wire wrapped around it, a small crescent moon, tree, and wolf charm tied to the gemstone. It had been a weird impulse buy. She couldn’t help but think of how thematically appropriate it was. 

Ducking her head, Carmen slipped the leather over her head and tucked it under her shirt. The light turned green, and she floored it once she got on the highway. The night whipped by. Rolling down the windows, Carmen let out a scream to further wake herself up. It was going to be a long day. 

It was barely four thirty when she pulled into the animal hospital. 

Anna let her in before she reached for her badge. She looked frazzled, her eyes wide and bloodshot. There were small scratches covering her arms, but it was a side effect of the job they were more than used to. Passing off the coffee, Carmen took the clipboard and quickly skimmed the contents. They didn’t have a lot of time. 

“He’s completely out,” Anna said as they rushed to the surgery room. “I think he’s a juvenile. But it’s hard to tell.” 

“Then let’s make good use of the time,” Carmen stopped to wash her hands. Once she was certain they were sufficiently clean, she went through the door. 

On the metal table was the body of the wolf. His hind legs were being propped up by a stool. His paws and ears twitched in his sleep. Instead of chasing rabbits, he was probably thinking of chasing sheep. Or perhaps deer. Hell, he probably could take down a bear if he wanted to. 

“I knew wolves were massive, but this guy is just…” Carmen fanned herself with the clipboard, trying to wrap her head around the sight. 

“Huge?” Anna asked, arching a brow. “Even when I worked at the park as a teen, I don’t think the wolves there got this big.” She took a long drink from the coffee. “He’s bulky too. Nothing but muscle in there.” 

“Yeah.” Carmen rubbed her eyes. The sight of the patient had completely sobered her up and released sleep’s hold on her. “Alright. Let’s patch this guy up.” Approaching the table, she placed a hand on the wolf’s haunch. 

There was almost an audible snap as his jaw clenched, lips curling back to show his fangs. His whole body went rigid under her touch. Slowly, his upward eye opened and tracked, staring at her. 

Carmen’s stomach dropped and she sucked in a breath. His paw twitched, brushing against her thigh. His claws could easily tear open her clothing and skin if he so chose. Silvery drool dribbled from his mouth, hitting the floor with a wet smack. 

Blinking rapidly, Carmed put a hand to her chest and kept her breathing under control. The gemstone firm in her grip, she willed the wolf to go back under. Something tugged at her, and she smelled something… Musty. 

The wolf’s eye rolled back and slowly closed again, his body relaxing. The drooling stopped. When Carmed rubbed her eyes, the puddle of drool was gone.

She was more tired than she thought. But she needed to give this patient the best care. 

At least the sedatives were doing their work. Anna hadn’t seemed to notice the incident, having rushed to the front desk when the bell chimed, indicating they had another patient. No doubt this one would be making the rounds on social media, if not the local news. 

She washed off the wounds again, then made quick work of them. His skin and fur were so thick that her tools were warped and bent when she started. Putting away the tools, she went and found the newest set she’d managed to scrounge up the money for. 

 Sutures were simple. Once she’d pieced most of him together, she bandaged him up. It was almost comical to see an entire roll wrapped around his leg, tufts of fur peeking out between the cloth. His paw twitched when she touched it. 

Now she had to convince a wild animal to ignore his base instincts. With man’s best weapon. Painkillers and more sedatives. 

His eyes moved under the lid, his nostrils flaring and lips twitching. 

They didn’t have an Elizabethan collar big enough to put around his head. Carmen doubted it would stay on even if there was one. He would probably find some way to tear it off. 

Hurt, thrown into the hospital parking lot, muzzled, sedated, then probably going to wake up drugged out of his mind. 

“Don’t worry,” She said, patting the side of his head. “I’m sure the assholes who did this to you are going to get what’s coming to them.” His heartbeat thrummed under her fingers. Hands sinking into his fur, Carmen found it somewhat comforting. Warm. She found herself leaning down to rest her head on his side. Stopping herself, she pulled back. 

How tired was she? Maybe she should have drank the coffee instead of passing it off to Anna. 

Sighing, she rubbed her eyes. 

Then, there was a growl. 

Eyes opening, she saw the wolf staring at her again.

No, not staring. The light was gone from his eyes. His paws twitched, like he was running in place, but in his sleep. She debated on tying his paws, but knew the poor thing would only wake up more confused and scared. The sedatives would work on him for another couple hours. Moving the patient to another large kennel, she locked him inside. 

Exiting the room, Carmen went to the back room and sat down, curling up in a chair and closing her eyes. 

It felt like she’d only blinked when she opened them again. Her whole body was stiff and sore. Tilting her head back and forth, she heard her joints popping and cracking. Taking in a deep breath, she got up and went to check on the patient. 

He had been moved to the kennels, a private section to keep him away from the domestic pets. His head laid on a pillow, his whole body limp. The exhaustion came through the glass, his expression pitiful. 

“I called the Wildlife Reserve.” Anna said, coming in with a steaming mug. “They’ll be here to pick him up in half an hour. They had some… Colorful words for me when I told them we had already gone ahead and done surgery on him.” 

Carmen crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “I still want to know who the hell did this to him? Who sees an animal and thinks “You know what, I should hurt him?””

“I dunno. Crazy.” A buzzing rang through the room. Sighing, Anna turned on her heel and went to greet the customer who had just walked in. 

Walking up the glass, Carmen put her hand on it. The wolf tilted his head to look up at her, eyes looking sorrowful. His sides heaved, the barrier muffling the whines. 

Then, his head snapped to the area behind her. Looking back, Carmen saw uniformed men with a large cage. They towered over Carmen, their bodies thick with muscle. Their uniforms had the logo of the local wildlife reserve. 

“Oh. I thought you wouldn’t be here for a while.” Carmen straightened. 

“When we heard about the wolf, we had to make quick time.” One said, offering his hand. “Especially knowing he was injured.” The gloves were thick, ready to take on any bite. He was maybe mid thirties, with salt and pepper hair and dark eyes. 

Carmen took the hand, shaking it. She wasn’t even sure if  his fingers could move within the fabric. 

“Well, he seems to be responding well to the medication. Here’s what we dosed him with.” She found the chart and passed it over to the agent as the other moved to the wolf’s room. He was younger, maybe in his early twenties with dark hair pulled back into a tail. 

“Good. Thanks for taking care of him. We’ll try to see if he belongs to a pack not too far from here. If he doesn’t, then we’ll make sure to release him somewhere safe.” The man handed her a card. “If you want to visit him.” 

“Of course,” Carmen heard the sounds of a struggle. Whirling around, she saw the wolf snarling and growling, lunging at the Agent despite the muzzle. They had him in a hold with a catch pole. He went to try and paw it off, before collapsing with a yelp when he put weight on his injured legs. 

“Stand back, ma’am. I have to go help him.” The agent rushed into the room as the wolf continued to pull and twist, trying to get himself free. 

When he opened the door, the wolf suddenly shot forward, knocking him aside and heading straight for Carmen. 

“Shit!” Carmen didn’t have time to move as the wolf barreled into her. When she hit the ground, the Agents managed to get hold of him again. 

Then, he lifted up a massive paw and raked it across her arm. Two long crimson lines formed across the skin. Blood welled up, dripping onto the floor. 

“Carmen!” Anna shrieked, rushing over. “Oh my god, are you okay?” 

“It’s fine.” Carmen insisted, getting to her feet. Drops of crimson fell on the floor. The skin was already red and puffy. “Jesus.” She struggled to draw in breath, her heart leaping into her throat. 

The wolf continued to pull and tug at the Agents, but the second wind seemed to have gone out of him. Once they got him into the cage, the fight completely went out of him. With a metallic WHUMP, he collapsed, staring at Carmen through the bars. 

“You need to go to the hospital.” Anna insisted. “That looks bad.” 

“ER visit is not in the cards.” Carmen argued. “Can’t afford that.” She winced and cradled her arm. “How far away is the closest urgent care?” 

Walking to the desk, she pulled out a first aid kit, popping it open with one hand. At least they had plenty to handle small incidents. No way was she going to walk through the front lobby while bleeding like a stuck pig. Pulling out disinfectant, she went to the bathroom and applied it. 

The burning sensation nearly made her black out from the pain. Her head hit the wall, and she barely registered what Anna was saying. The other Agents were apologizing, or at least Carmen hoped so. 

“- about ten minutes?” Anna frowned. “I’ll fill out the incident report.” She looked Carmen up and down. “You don’t look so good, you should take the rest of the day off to rest. I’ll call someone from the other clinic and see if they can cover the surgeries. Thank God those guys knew the nearest Clinic offhand.” 

“Probably go there all the time themselves." Carmen shrugged. Anna reached over and helped hold her arm still. 

"Thanks, Doll.” Carmed winced again, seizing a roll of bandages and binding her arm the best she could. The Agents were gone, with the cage loaded in a trailer. “I’m not even mad. Poor boy was probably scared out of his mind.” 

***

The Urgent Care had just opened when she pulled up. Once admitted, she sat in the room, still cradling her arm. She didn’t dare unwrap the wound to get a better look at it. 

When the door opened, Carmen jerked her head up to look. 

The man who came through was older, maybe mid to late 40s. His hair was completely white, small bits of stubble on his face. Tired brown eyes looked her over, dark circles under them. A fatigue they both seemed to recognize and share a sympathetic half smile over. 

“Alright, tell me what happened.” His voice rumbled, still raspy from sleep. He held up a clipboard, clicking a pen to take notes. Old fashioned, then. She caught the name on his nametag, Esau Remington . 

“So, I’m a vet,” Carmen began, unwrapping her arm as she recounted what she thought was needed. He paid attention, unblinking and nodding. 

By the end, his brow was furrowed, the pen’s clicker tapping against his lips. 

“Are you sure it was a wolf and not a really big dog like a shepherd or a husky?” 

Fishing her phone out, Carmen showed him the pictures that Anna had sent her. His frown deepened, his brows rising to meet his hairline, the pen twirling back and forth between his fingers. The corner of his lip twitched, and he sucked in a sharp breath. 

“Well, I’ll be damned,” His cheeks flushed and he gave a nervous chuckle. 

“Sorry about the language. It’s not every day you see a wolf.” Clenching his jaw, he looked at the wound on her arm. “Just the scratch? He didn’t bite you anywhere?” 

Carmen shook her head. “No. They had a muzzle on him.” She winced as he rolled her arm between his fingers to look the gash over, making sure there was nothing inside it. The skin was more swollen, the congealing scabs weeping with clear fluid. “I’m up to date on my rabies shots and the like, unless you think I should take a booster?” 

Shaking his head, Dr. Remington sighed. “No, I think you do need sutures though. He did a number on you.” 

The pen scribbled as he took down a few notes. “I’m going to write you a prescription for some antibiotics and steroids. Take them all , even if you feel better.” The tone did not offer an argument. “And I’m going to recommend you take the next few days off. If you have a wily patient, you’re going to rip the sutures back open.” 

Carmen let a groan slip past her lips. The Doctor seemed taken aback, pen pausing mid scribble. Brow cocked, he looked her over. 

“I’ve got a lot of patients I need to look after.” She complained. “The wolf was a wild card, normally I just handle check ups.” 

“I’m sure your patients would appreciate you in a healthy state.” Remington argued back gently. “Take some time off, don’t strain yourself.”

  He looked over his shoulder, then back to her. “I know when I have some days cleared in my schedule, I like to go camping with some of my friends. We go hiking, swimming, and get to see nature.” Looking pointedly at her wound, he shrugged. “Although it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re a little sick of nature right now.” 

With a sigh, he began to prep her arm. Another round of disinfectant, making her hiss with pain. 

“I don’t mind nature.” Carmen shrugged, wincing as he began to apply the first suture. “Just don’t know if it’s a good idea to make a spontaneous trip into the woods with a messed up arm.” She tried to force a smile, but hissed when he pinched her wound closed. 

Dr. Remington tilted his head to the side with a grunt of agreement. “True. But it was just a suggestion.” His Adam’s Apple bobbed and he swallowed hard, his lips moist. “Not to mention the meds you’re on… Probably will make you too woozy to do anything strenuous.” He chuckled. “I got a little ahead of myself, sorry.” 

Carmen shrugged. “I get it. A little early, trying to wake yourself up.” 

"I find it hard to sleep some nights. Especially around this time of the  month. Always finding people doing stupid things. Must be the full moon." 

Once he’d finished stitching her up, he presented her with a prescription and doctor’s note. After calling the clinic back, Carmen assured Anna that she would be back as soon as possible. 

At home, she popped the first round of pills and collapsed onto her bed. 

When Carmen woke up next, sweat soaked her sheets. Panting, she pulled herself from her blanket cocoon. The cool air of the night was like ice. Shivering, she popped another round of meds, then  got into the shower, letting the water pour over her. 

The sweat and grime from sleep rolling down into the tub made her feel a little more like a human. Her phone was blowing up with texts from Anna and other coworkers. Pushing her phone aside, Carmen collapsed onto her bed again, shivering and trying to cover herself up enough to combat the shivers, but not feel overheated. 

Shaking, she tried to claim sleep, but it refused to come. Getting up, she began to pace back and forth across the floor, feet slapping loudly across the hardwood. The walls around her seemed to close tighter. 

Opening her window, she popped out the screen and leaned out. A spell of dizziness hit her. Head swimming, she nearly fell forward. Holding tightly to the sill, she yanked herself back in, rear slamming hard against the floor. Leaning against her bed, she took a few shaky breaths. 

Closing her eyes, she drug the sweat soaked blanket down from her bed and wrapped it around herself, falling into a fitful sleep. 

When the first rays of sun pierced the open window, chilly winds of dawn rolled over Carmen and made her hair stand on end. The necklace pressed into her hip, leaving red indents over her skin. Fishing it out, she simply tossed it aside, watching it skitter across the floor and come to a rest against her dresser. 

Crawling to the window, she pulled it closed and then collapsed under it. Curling into the fetal position, Carmen fell into another fitful sleep. 

She found herself standing next to a woman made of stone. A crescent moon covered her eyes like a mask, her mouth open in a howl. A silver wolf draped itself across her lap, head thrown back to mimic hers. Cracks and chipped off pieces had worn it down, but it still held a beauty to it. 

The grass around it was green and lush. Thick trees grew around the statue, the song of the forest crying out. Animals, insects, bubbling streams, wind, all of it calling out to something in her. Taking a few steps forward, she looked at the wolf. Its stone eye seemed to move, looking right at her. Even though she was clothed, it made her feel naked and nervous. Stomach flipping, she took a few steps back. 

“Come to me, my child.” A woman’s voice whispered in the wind. 

The golden sun had become the silvery moon when Carmen opened her eyes again. Her whole body ached. A throbbing in her head and arm helped drag her away from the land of sleep. She saw the necklace tightly clutched in her grip, leaving an impression of the moon in her palm. 

Every muscle protested when Carmen drug herself off the floor and took the meds. They went down hard, nearly making her throw it back up. 

Filling up a tall drink of water, she guzzled it down to fill her stomach. Hunger gnawed at her, staving off sleep. Breathing hard, she took another shower and let the hot water soothe her muscles. 

The strange fever and fatigue had worn off, replaced with an energy that she hadn’t felt in years. Blood sang in her veins, wanting to run. Even in the shower, she found herself shifting from one foot to the other, eager to start… Something. 

Stepping out of the shower, she found herself dressing quickly. Hair still damp, she pulled it back and mapped out a potential run she could do. She just had to go outside. Get away from the walls of plaster and sheetrock. 

A smell made her pause. It was buried under her smell. But she could still pick it up. Pulling out her pants from the other day, she pulled out the business card and sniffed it. A small drop of blood was on the corner. Hers? No. The scent drove her wild. She held it close and inhaled deeply, before pulling it back. 

“What the hell am I doing?” Setting it back down, Carmen rubbed her face, sweat pouring down her brow. She stared at the address, the image of the wolf coming to her mind. 

He stared at her, looking pitiful. Then, his claws flashed and raked across her arm. When she fell to the ground, she saw the statue. 

“ Come to me, my child .” The woman’s voice whispered in the wind again. “ Join the hunt. ” 

Walking outside, Carmen let the night air roll over her and went to the car, heart thrumming. Pulling out her phone, she punched the address of the wildlife reserve and then prepared to travel. 

Her drive was a blur. Tunnel vision made her unaware of how fast she arrived, or even if she was driving safely. Static crackled in her ears, making her hair stand on end. 

The mechanical voice telling her she’d arrived at her destination was what brought her back. She stared at the spot illuminated by her headlights. A line of trees, then a chain link fence. More foliage behind that, but it was too thick to see past. 

Getting out of the car, Carmen slammed the door and began to take a few steps toward the fence. The wind shifted, blowing a scent toward her. Wrapping her fingers around the links, Carmen inhaled.

  Closing her eyes, she let the smell wash over her. It caressed her very being, tugging at something within her. Dropping to her knees in front of the fence, she clenched the links tight enough for her knuckles to turn white and her injured arm to throb. Metal warped under her grip, the coppery scent of blood following. 

Bringing her hands down, Carmen saw crimson pooling in her palm. A laugh escaped her and she sat with her back to the fence. Lapping at the wound, shook her head. 

“What on earth am I doing?” She started to stand. Her body protested at the movement. The soreness was back with a vengeance. Closing her eyes, she pressed her bandaged hand to her face, pulling it away to see it soaked with sweat and grime. 

Staggering to her feet, she ignored the tantalizing scent as she headed back to her car. When Carmen put her hand on the roof, the smell hit her like a load of bricks. Opening her eyes wide, she turned back around to look at the line of trees. The area around her was tinted with a silvery-blue hue, but it was almost as bright as day. 

This had to be a dream. None of this made sense. Leaning down, she touched her forehead to the warm metal of the car. 

“Just wake up.” She urged herself. “You’re having a bad reaction to the medicine.” 

Slowly, she raised her head. 

Time seemed to slow down. Turning back toward the fence, she felt her feet moving on their own, dragging across the asphalt. 

Something glistened on the links in the silvery light. Reaching out, she brushed her knuckle to it. Once she touched the metal, it sent a jolt through her.  

Then, she saw the small gap in the links. Someone had cut through it with bolt cutters. But they’d put it back to where it was almost invisible to anyone far enough away. No wonder she had been able to bend the metal so easily.

 Clenching the fence, she pulled it back and crawled through, metal raking across her back. Wincing, she dropped to her stomach and drug herself through, feeling more tugs at her clothing. 

Once she stood up, her arm was throbbing, the pain making her head spin. Staggering, she sniffed the air. The scent was stronger than before. Her whole body ached, but she had to follow it. Cradling her arm, she began a slow walk. 

Cicadas cried, a creek flowed, and the wind continued to blow, stirring a few stray wisps of her hair out of its knot at the back of her head. 

Then, she came to a break in the trees, showing a sheer drop. In the meadow, a group of wolves ran around, wrestling and snapping at one another. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw one stop, then stand up on its hind legs and sniff the air. It turned a massive head around to look right at her. 

“I knew you’d come.” A voice called behind her. It was gruff, like it wasn’t used to speaking. As it rumbled through her ears, Carmen’s hair stood on end. 

Slowly, Carmen turned to see a bipedal wolf looking at her, its hindleg bandaged and stiff. Its shoulder was also wrapped up. 

The wolf took a few shaking steps toward her. Then, it dropped down onto all fours. Even then, it still looked her in the eye. Drool glistened on its teeth as it licked its muzzle. Then, she saw the same eyes, in what she recognized as a lupine scowl. 

Her ginger wolf from the clinic. 

Now she knew she was dreaming. 

It took another step toward her. She backed away, stopping when she felt the give of the ground, warning her of the drop below. Heart hammering in her throat, she could only stare at the wolf as it took a few steps closer to her.

Her stomach fluttered. Fear? No. Something else she couldn’t identify. Head swimming, she tried to string thoughts together to make a plan of escape. However, her vision began to blur. Daring to blink, she took in a shaking breath. 

Something tore through the grass. But she didn’t dare take her eyes off the creature approaching her. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she focused on the visible threat. 

“The Goddess has blessed you. And you’ve been marked by her hounds.” Ginger grumbled, nose nearly touching her. The inhales were strong, almost like a human. 

“You’ve gone into heat.” His tongue lolled out of his mouth, hot breath rolling over her skin. Something about it made the ache worse, spreading it through Carmen so fast she nearly screamed. “You’ll send the rest of the pack into rut.” 

Then, a large silver wolf slammed into the ginger, swatting him with a human shaped front paw. The action was so quick, Carmen could only gape. Her knees nearly gave out, but she managed to keep herself upright. If she went over the cliff, she’d drop and probably break below. But if this was a dream… 

Ginger flew back, screaming in pain. The noise shook her thoughts loose and she gasped, reaching out for him. Crimson blossomed on the bandaged haunch and shoulder. His back legs gave out as he struggled to get on all fours again.

“You bastard!” He barked at the silver wolf. “You broke my leg!” Yelping, he looked at Carmen with pleading eyes. “Help me!” 

Carmen took a step forward, only to feel a hand clamp on her shoulder. Claws dug into her skin, making her stand still. Then, she was whirled around to face the silver wolf, who towered over her. 

“You shouldn’t be out here.” The voice rasped. “Not without being taken into the pack first.” His nostrils flared, his pupils blowing all the way out as he stared at her. Brown eyes, glinting with the want for a hunt. His scent overpowered Carmen. 

Squeezing her eyes shut, she whispered to wake up over and over again. 

The fear held fast to her, not allowing her to move a muscle in fear of both wolves tearing her to shreds. 

Then, the hand on her shoulder went to her waist, picking her up. Before she could scream, it squeezed tight enough to push the air from her lungs. Finally, she opened her eyes to see that she was moving. Well, the wolf was walking, simply carrying her like a ragdoll. His massive paws had wrapped around her, although he’d taken care to not scratch her further with his claws. 

Ginger flew at them with a snarl, his back leg suddenly seeming to work perfectly. 

Silver swatted at him, then heaved. The wolf flew through the air, screaming as he went down into the meadow below. When he hit the ground, the crunch echoed through the night. Carmen felt sick, her stomach heaving. Covering her mouth, she squeezed her eyes shut again. 

There was a grunt. Air whipped around Carmen, stirring the scents again. An impact jostled her, and she opened her eyes. They’d landed in the meadow, the other wolves approaching, much more cautious in their steps. A few sniffed, inching closer with flared nostrils, but never close enough to touch. 

The smell made her mind swim. Heat flushed in her cheeks, and she shivered. All the eyes on her were like hands, caressing her very being. Each one hungrily taking her in, assessing her. 

The ruined pile of fur and bone groaned. 

“Your brother decided to go against the rules and try to bring another member into our ranks. Without permission. Or consent, for that matter.” Silver growled. “So now, he must put himself at the mercy of Diana.” He set Carmen down, setting his massive hand on her shoulder so she couldn’t run. His touch froze her further. Not even a breath passed her lips. 

The wolves sat or laid down in the grass, staring at the pair. They knew who the one in charge was. 

“What’s going on?” Carmen choked out, eyes watering. “Please. Tell me or let me wake up.” She slapped her cheeks, stopping when Silver’s hand wrapped around her entire uninjured forearm. It was a gentle, but firm grip. 

“No one touches her.” Silver insisted, before forcing her to face him. His eyes seemed to stare into her very being. They looked alert, but so tired. More fluid dribbled onto her legs and shoes. But she didn’t dare break the gaze. To assert dominance with a canine, you couldn’t be the first to break eye contact. 

Hopefully the same rules applied to lupines. Alpha and Omega only applied to captive and family packs, but this was all she knew to work with. 

As they stared at one another, Carmen felt the fear and desire to know more about everything warring with one another. Part of her wanted to escape the dream no matter how, the other part wanted to stay and listen. Sit on her haunches like the other wolves, watching him speak. 

His eyes explored hers, flicking over her form to take her appearance in. The gleam only added to his dangerous look. His pupils were slightly dilated, his muzzle twitching. His tongue tasted the air around her. 

Silver broke away first. A sigh of relief escaped her, and she dropped to her knees. Silver’s grip on her arm didn’t release. Closing her eyes, she urged herself to wake up. 

Then, she was being pulled back to her feet. Arms cradled her, twisted and alien enough to make her uneasy, despite the strength behind them. She tried to not shake, but her body refused to listen. 

“What do we do?” One of the wolves asked. “Her scent is going to roll on the wind. If she’s changed, there might be others we don’t know about.” 

“Guard the entrances. Make sure no one else gets in.” Silver rumbled, before he started to walk, each step jostling Carmen enough to nearly make her cry out. 

Then, he took her away from the meadow. There was a hole on the side of the cliff. Bowing his head, Silver brought her inside. Only then did he set her down on the stone floor. Once he’d done that, he went to the mouth of the cave and sat down. 

“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Carmen begged, not daring to move from her spot. “Did… Did you kill that wolf?” She’d have to call the Wildlife reserve when she woke up to check on him. 

“No. If Diana is merciful, he will be healed when the moon and sun switch.” Silver didn’t look at her. “You care about the one who did this to you? Was he your mate?” 

The question made Carmen blush. “N… No. I just…” Her brain felt addled. Why was she getting flustered over a wolf? “I took care of him. He was already hurt.” 

Silver snorted. “We’re sturdy. Don’t worry.” He slammed his paw on the ground. The open palm slapped hard, the noise amplified in the cave. Carmen resisted the urge to clap her hands over her ears. “As you saw, he wasn’t nearly as injured as he pretended to be.” 

Still, getting flung over the side of the cliff… 

Carmen shuddered. “I just… I want to go home. Or wake up.” She scratched at the side of her head. The blood on her palm smeared on her cheek. 

Silver turned to look at her sideways. “You think this is a dream?” 

“Talking wolves, seeing them walk upright, it’s like a werewolf movie.” Swallowing, Carmen flinched when she felt the sting of pain, more blood dripping on her clothing. 

Standing upright, Silver approached her, taking her hand in his massive paws. Rolling it back and forth, he stared at it. Then, he slowly leaned down and ran a large pink tongue over the wound. The sensation sent a shiver up Carmen’s spine. 

The wound slowly began to shrink, before sealing itself closed. Carmen stared at it in awe. She flexed her fingers and brushed them against the twisted digits that now clutched her hand. Silver’s fur suddenly bristled, and he dropped her hand, turning away from her again. 

“You are werewolves, aren’t you?” Swallowing hard, Carmen tried to calm the roaring in her ears. 

“Correct.” Silver sighed. “We don’t bring pack members in willy nilly. It was supposed to be a tight ring.” He scratched at the ground, his claws bringing up grains of stone. “And not without my permission. Every werewolf in this pack is under my protection. They abide by my rules. In exchange, they are given this area to run every cycle.” 

“Why haven’t I changed?” The words were hard to force out. 

“You’re refusing to.” Silver turned to face her fully. “You’ve surely felt the way your body is hurting? How you need to do something, but you’re not sure what?” His nostrils flared, his pupils nearly overtaking his iris. “The Goddess has touched you. But you’ve managed to keep control, I’m impressed.” 

His hands shook as he reached for her. Claws traced her cheeks, making her hair stand on end. The scent of him was overpowering, making her mouth almost water. Something in her ached. 

“You are safe now. If you give into the change, you will not harm yourself or others.” He assured her. “I will take you into the pack. Every moon, we will come here. Once you are recognized as a member, we’ll do what we can to make sure that this is as painless as possible.” 

His hands on her, the rumbling of his voice, his scent, the way the air tasted around him drove Carmen crazy. Trembling, she felt herself nearly falling again. Why was she so weak in the knees? 

Something in her finally let go. The world exploded in silvery blue, the scents, sounds, and feelings overpowering her. Gasping, she felt her back arch. 

She suddenly jolted forward, slipping from the grip of Silver. He stared at her with wide eyes, flinching when she touched him. Burying her hands into his fur, inhaled his scent, listening to the rapidly increasing beat of his heart. 

The touch seemed to awaken something in him, his rapidly growing erection brushed against her midriff, pushing the hem of her shirt up. 

“N-no.” He weakly tried to push her away, nearly tripping over his feet as he tried to get away from her. “You can’t.” 

A fire formed in Carmen’s belly. She felt the emptiness inside her clawing up into her womb, begging to be filled. Dropping to her knees, she panted, sweat trickling down her brow and upper lip. 

“Please.” She said, her mouth dry. “Please. Help me.” Her eyes widened and she felt heat flash through her. The scent rolling off her mingled with the air. It was hard to resist the urge to tear off her clothes and start plunging fingers inside herself. 

Silver’s erection grew, beads of precum dribbling from the tip as he inhaled her scent, tasting it in the air. Silvery saliva drooled out of his mouth, and he stared at her. But he didn’t dare move. His hand gripped the mouth of the cave, looking ready to rip it down rather than come near her. 

“You must have your first change,” He urged her. “Please. Let the Wolf inside come out.” He flexed his free hand. “My fangs and claws would rip you to shreds.” His voice was growing more raspy, each word a chore to push past his teeth. 

Carmen’s body twisted as she cried out with a need she’d never felt the intensity of before. Her throat felt raw from the primal screams escaping her. She tried to find the part of her mind and push for the change to occur. Begging the wolf to come out. 

The other wolves were making their way over. Their scent made Carmen launch herself, only for Silver to clothesline her. With a grace that suggested practice, he managed to push her back into the cave. With his hand still tight around her waist, he laid Carmen on the floor. 

“Diana, forgive me for what I’m about to do.” He muttered, holding her to the ground. “You can’t scream like that. You’ll make every wolf in the area come running.” His cock brushed against Carmen’s clothed groin, the sensation sending another blast of lust through her. 

“Please.” Carmen panted, unable to catch her breath. “Help me.” Eyes watering, she reached for the Wolf’s arm, gripping it tightly enough she thought she might burst her stitches. 

“I could rip you in half.” He shook his head. “You’re not changed. You’re not made for it.” His nostrils flared, his hands shaking and gripping her tighter. 

“Help me change.” She urged him. “Please.” Why was she in so much pain if it was a dream? There was no way she’d been this horny in real life. Sure, she’d wanted sex before, but never this bad.

Sighing, he looked over his shoulder to the entrance of the cave. It was empty. But each movement and second he made her wait was agonizing. 

Slowly, he took his hand off her. With considerably less grace and control, he tore off her pants and underwear. The full scent of her arousal hit him. His hand slammed the open area above her head, his cock dribbling onto her thighs. A few drops landed on her exposed groin. Crying out, she bucked her hips up, reminding him what needed to be filled. 

Leaning down, he nuzzled against her neck, his nose cold. Fangs traced over her skin, making her gasp. Warmth followed as his tongue went across her neck, trailing to the collar of her shirt, leaving a large wet spot. Tensing, he ran his hand up her stomach, slipping it under the fabric of her top. 

It rested there, his open palm’s warmth mingling with her own. Slowly, he slipped it off her, taking care to not tug on the bandages on her injured arm. His claws tore through the cheap fabric of her sports bra, but the loss wasn’t going to break her heart. 

His eyes rested on the necklace now laying against her chest. 

“Diana forgive me,” He said again, before pushing her legs apart. His fur tickled her bare skin. It was softer than she thought it would be. Lowering his head, he lapped at the wetness forming between her legs and spilling out into the floor. 

The touch of his tongue made her cry out. Her legs locked around Silver’s head, forcing him to inhale her scent and arousal completely. Whether the motion or her cries finally made him let go, it seemed to awaken something in him. 

Growling, he sent a rumble through her that shook her very being. Breath escaped her, and she fell back flat, drowning in the pleasure. 

Grabbing Carmen’s thigh, Silver plunged his tongue in deep, rolling his head with each lick. She thought she would scream, but all that came out were quiet moans of satisfaction. Her hands tried to grab at something, to distract her from the sensation long enough to hold her rapidly approaching climax. She settled on resting her hand on his head, pushing him in further. 

Her legs went slack, shaking with desire. He gave a few more licks, before pulling back and running his tongue over her clit. Each movement sent a wave of pleasure over Carmen, making her cry out and arch her back, wanting to be filled again. 

Then, he pulled back, fur slick with her arousal. Breathing heavy, the Wolf stared at her entrance, his warm breath tickling her wet folds. Leaning down, he licked the ground and lapped up every drop of her that had spilled out. 

He picked her up off the ground, pressing her to the wall. Carmen’s legs snaked around his waist, barely able to hold herself up. Rocking his hips, Silver, growled in her ear. The breath tickled the curve of her neck, making her shiver. 

“Tell me you want it.” He rasped, the tip prodding against her. She could feel their fluids mixing together, dirtying the cave floor. 

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Carmen nodded. 

“P-Please.” She begged. 

Then, he entered her. She was so slick it slid right in. Once she’d wrapped around him, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her down. Rolling his hips, he thrust up into her. Arms wrapped around Carmen’s body, he kept her from scraping against the stone of the cave. Cradling her head, he had her look at him. 

“Your pupils are so wide, I can’t see your iris anymore.” He growled, each thrust sending pleasure through Carmen. “I didn’t think my cock would fit, but you’re taking it so well.” The words weren’t teasing or hurtful, he seemed just as surprised as her. “It’s like you were made for me. There’s a little bit of the wolf getting teased out.” 

Carmen couldn’t deny the pleasure sweeping through her. She wriggled her hips and took him to the base, gripping him tighter. The growl that escaped him was one of pleasure. His thrusts were strong, each one filling her with white hot heat. Every moan and gasp that escaped her echoed loudly in the cave, no doubt funneling into the meadow. 

“Hold me tightly.” He encouraged her. “Scratch, bite, yell, let yourself fall to your base instincts.” His thrusts became almost vicious, impaling Carmen and reaching deeper than she thought possible. 

She screamed, tearing at his fur. The cries encouraged him further, and he bucked his hips hard, slamming into her. Bareback scraping against the wall, Carmen took it all in, pleasure building in her stomach and bringing her closer. 

There was no way she should have been able to take his cock. It was too big. The thought of it entering would have made her scoff, but now she was drawing it into her like it had always belonged. 

Then, she grew uncomfortably tight. Wincing, she dug her nails into his thick fur. Part of her was tempted to bite down on his shoulder, but the sensation would probably shock him into letting go of her. 

She grew more slick, wanting to take him all the way in, thicker cock be damned. It needed to be all the way inside when he came. Rolling her hips, she tried to press herself down against him when he thrust up. 

“Fuck… The knot.” Silver panted. “I’m about to-” 

He winced when she wrapped her legs tighter around him. “Wait, I’m going to-” His eyes were clouded with lust, his tongue lapping her neck. Words became grunts and growls 

Carmen’s body tensed. Throwing her head back, she nearly slammed it against the wall of the cave as the orgasm ripped through her. She clenched down onto the cock inside her. 

The pressure made Silver howl, and he erupted. Thick ropes of fluid filled Carmen, then dripped onto the floor. Two more aftershocks followed, although they paled in comparison to the first, merely spilling more onto the stone and Silver’s feet. 

Panting, Silver brought her down, collapsing onto the cave floor. His rapidly shrinking and softening cock was still slick with Carmen’s wetness. 

Carmen crawled over to him, falling onto his chest. His rapidly beating heart gradually slowed, his shallow breaths becoming deeper. Within moments, he was snoring. 

Closing her eyes, Carmen laid against his sleeping form. Even though he was a beast, it felt safe. His clawed hand rested against her thigh, the other encircling her chest and pulling her to him. 

***

Slants of light fell on Carmen. Groaning, she tried to move. Soreness filled her body, her joints and muscles straining against the movement as she tried to rouse herself. The floor underneath her was cold and hard. Hadn’t she closed the window last night? 

Looking down, she saw her naked body. Bruises traced up and down her hips and thighs. Stone was beneath her, scents of sex and animal mixing with her nose. 

Warm hands clutched her close. A half hard cock rubbed against her leg. 

“Mmm…” The person holding her groaned, pulling her back down to the ground. Stubble scraped against her bare shoulder, followed by a kiss. Squirming, she resisted the urge to twist away. 

“Morning.” The grogginess was clear in the voice. 

Carmen felt a familiar soreness between her legs. Panic seized her when she realized what had happened wasn’t a dream. 

Slowly, she turned to look down at her partner. 

And into the half asleep face of Doctor Remington. 

Next part here!

[augustjustice]

Second in Line (aka Blake Harrington fic), 2/?

AO3 Link

Part 1

The telltale sound of footsteps echo again from inside the apartment, approaching the door.

“Eds? What is it?”

The voice rings out before Blake can see him, and a second later, he’s sliding into the doorway beside ‘Eds’ despite the tight space, one shoulder on the frame and his hip pressed firmly up against the other man’s.

Blake feels his heart speed up in his chest. 

The man now standing before him has on a red Chicago Bulls sweatshirt, so faded it looks almost pink. Despite the cold outside, he’s wearing light wash, cutoff jean shorts at a length that would earn a dirty look from Blake’s father, and thick white baseball socks that are pulled up over his calves. His hair is floppy, not as long as Eds’ but curling over his ears and brushing the back of his neck–unkempt, Blake can practically hear the derision in his mother’s voice–and a shade or two lighter than Blake’s own, sun-kissed blonde highlights shimmering in it. 

He squints down at Blake through thick-rimmed glasses, his brow furrowing in obvious confusion and…

…There they are. His mother’s honey-coated brown eyes peer back at him.

“Who’s this?” he asks.

When the man turns his head to look at ‘Eds,’ Blake catches a flash of white, so small and subtle he almost missed it entirely.

His brother’s got a single pearl earring, shining in the lobe of his right ear.

Eds gives a shrug of one shoulder, the twitch of his lip seeming to hint he’s repressing an amused smile. His eyes swivel between the pair of them, from Steve to Blake then back again, taking it all in.

"Sweetheart, why don't you ask the little dude his name?" 

When Steve turns to him again, Blake feels an uncanny sense of déjà vu, like he’s looking into a mirror, or being reintroduced to a family friend he met when he was too small to remember. 

“What’s your name, buddy?” Steve asks dutifully. 

“Blake,” Blake stutters out nervously, having lost all of the decorum he managed to hold onto when introducing himself to Eds, “–Harrington.”

Eds and Steve’s heads turn towards each other in unison, perfectly in sync. Blake feels an inexplicable stab of jealousy at that, the way the pair of them move in tandem. It speaks to a familiarity that runs bone-deep.

“...Holy shit,” Steve murmurs, running a hand up through his hair.

Eds nods in agreement. 

“Yeah, babe. What can I tell you? This one’s a doozy.” 

Then he opens the door a bit wider, all while Steve continues to stare into the middle distance of the hallway.

“You’ll have to forgive Stevie here–he’s usually more of the Suzy Homemaker type than me, but, uh…you’re gonna have to give him a second, on this one, I think.” Hooking his arm easily into Steve’s own, Eds tugs the pair of them backwards, then gives a flourishing bow. “So come into our humble abode, young traveler. Sit a spell, and spin your tale for us.”

The two men back away from the doorway completely, then, giving Blake room to cross the threshold. 

He does.

And it’s a small thing, really, but it feels big. Because, for the first time in his life, he’s stepping out of his parents’ wealthy, polished world…and into his long lost brother’s.

Quick tag list below the cut:

@zerokrox-blog, @just-super-fucking-gay, @justanother-anon, @aphrobites

I did my best to tag people who expressed interest in being on the tag list when I wrote the first part of this. However, I recognize that was back in December, so if you're on this tag list and would like to be removed, please feel free to let me know! I understand it's been a while and people have moved fandoms, etc. My apologies also if I missed anyone, and if you would like to be added, tell me and I'll be happy to tag you going forward!

[amorganva]

Just a bunch of random interesting Lies of P stuff I've seen so far because I still love this game:

So the workshop was established 1868....which means that we're in the year 1889 or around that timeframe based on the grand exhibition signs.

Apparently Sophia has a diary? and this is the only page: Master Cherry gives the Piece of wood to his friend Geppetto At that very moment a loud knock sounded on the door It was Geppetto, an old friend of Master Cherry. The boys of the neighborhood called him Polendina because of the wig he always wore, which was just the color of yellow corn. He was known to dislike children, and even more so when they called him Polendina.

on some of the plaques at the grand exhibition

The Krat k for reference and the devs having fun sneaking pics onto bottles lol

The music sheet on the piano is the sheet music for the Oblivion soundtrack of the game. I also wonder why P chooses to play that particular piece that he plays as his humanity increases, why is it stuck in your head P?....on to another Carmeo doodle! I mean seriously the first few notes of the Estella Opera theme sound like humanity level 1 P trying the piano....like there's this specific tune in his mind. Like the two used to play together or Carlo the bougie being good at playing would teach Romeo, the kid from the streets. And the whole level P would hear that tune ....operafied and extra because it's Romeo, cmon, but also as a reminder like -Hey...remember, buddy?

Just for reference purposes, when exported directly, Romeo is a giant at almost 9 ft - while P is about 6'4" when not constantly in battle stance. But Sophia and every other NPC in Krat is also about 6 feet when directly exported so the characters aren't made to scale - youngest of the BRBH is as tall as Sophia without ears. I read somewhere that Carlo is supposed to be around 5'3" on average and 5'6" at the tallest (people being shorter back then etc....our short king) so in my headcanon for my doodles reference I scaled Romeo to be about 5'10", just a bit taller than Carlo. Idk why I make him taller but there's something about his nickname Lampwick which just meant that he's skinny and polished looking in the original context but it got in my head that he's just tall and skinny and I'm rolling with it. Funny that his puppet form is so rusted and kinda clunky and raggedy looking for someone so well put together presumably before he died. The most unruly of Pinocchio's friends but also the nicest guy in this universe--- don't get me started on Romeo again gigachad of a friend///

Also something you can't really see ingame cuz resolution but irl all records are by Trilogy Records and Feel in particular is "Song of Vamp, Rosa Milan" ....no clue what it means.

the placeholder used for Romeo's play in the trailers....but also Hotel Krat before it became a Hotel in a bustling city?

Question: Blue hair Sophia or Brown hair? Short hair P or long hair P? (I like short hair because it's an iconic look and the devs clearly spent a lot of time fine tuning it when you look at the trailers lol, long hair to me just feels so....basic) Also P's hair is aktschually brown.....it just looks really dark ingame and in all the artwork they just chose to make it black-looking. So Carlo and P technically have the same hair, he just doesn't have P's freckles which....a choice was made by Geppetto and I respect it.

You can read this oddly specific daffodil newspaper texture and this letter.....like why is this so high res??

It's a shame you can't see some of this stuff unless you actually take a close look at the game files but I like to snoop. I just wanna see more of Krat...like a tour video or something or a book before it all kinda went to hell. Thanks Geppetto ....and/or Simon.

[bluecollarmcandtf]

Hypnotized Help: Henry

"You sent for me, Master?" the actor's deeply masculine voice asks, rolling a cart of cleaning supplies into the sitting room.

"I just spilled my drink," I answer tersely, "Clean it up."

"Of course, master," the man quickly replies, swiftly grabbing the mop and bending over to wring out the dusty water.

"Wait?" my friend gasps beside me, "Superman is your janitor?"

"Yeah," I chuckle, "At least, the stud who plays him is."

My buddy is easily impressed. He doesn't realize that celebrities are people too, and they are just as easy to manipulate as anybody. That still doesn't stop him from being absolutely starstruck. This guy was my night janitor and he was still practically drooling over him.

"I ran into Mr. Cavill on his way to an interview," I explain, "You went under easily, didn't you, Henry?"

The guy pauses, casting a nervous glance.

"Oh, yes," he affirms, "You had me under in less than a minute, master."

"That's right," I add, "And you remember what you learned, right?"

"Oh yes, master," he reports, grabbing a towel to soak up the puddle of mop water, "I don't want to be idolized by fans all the time. I want a man like you to give me some humility."

"You feeling humbled yet?"

"Definitely," the actor sighs in exasperation, "Master, I've never done such menial work, and I've definitely never worked night shifts."

"Wait, so what all does he make you do?" my friend asks with a look of pity.

"Well, sir, I report here by nine to get started," Henry casts a nervous glance at me, "The master of the house insists on timeliness, so I've made a few excuses to get out of my old commitments. I, of course, arrive dressed and ready to go before coming in through the maintenance entrance. Once I'm here, I get right to work on the nightly cleaning routine."

The janitor finishes sopping up the remaining puddle from the floor. My friend and I can't help but stare while he works on his hands and knees. I doubt Henry realizes how on display his muscle butt is in that cheap jumpsuit. His body is even easier to study since the fabric sticks to his sweaty skin.

Unfortunately, he quickly rises from the floor.

"Is there any other way I can be of service, master?" he asks, waiting by his supplies cart.

"Wait, so you clean this place every night?" my friend jumps in, "That's a lot of work!"

"He likes it," I retort, "and I'm not letting him scrub the floors during the day. And Henry, there is something else. Go ahead and polish my guest's shoes while you're here."

"Yes, master," he responds, immediately fetching a rag and polish before dropping back to the ground.

My buddy flinches as the actor approaches, but he ultimately allows Henry to hold his foot up with a broad hand. The old sneakers have probably never been cleaned, but my janitor is already determined to wipe off all the years of dirt and grime.

"You know, I have a Superman costume I sometimes put him in," I smile nonchalantly.

My friend's eyes open wide.

"Dude," he says slowly, "I need to see the real Superman scrubbing some toilets."

I chuckle at his sudden enthusiasm. My friend is finally starting to loosen up around all my hypnotized celebrities.

While still polishing the shoe, Henry Cavill looks up to meet my friend's longing gaze, "Would you like me to go change, sir?"

"Don't forget the cape," I answer after a long pause of awestruck silence.

"Of course," he rises to his feet, obediently stepping out, "I'll be right back, master."

Me and my guest sip our drinks by the fire, silently anticipating Henry's return. I can tell my friend's cheesiest fantasies are all coming true. Soon, Superman will march back in, and ask to be of service. I'm going to leave it up to my guest to boss the Man of Steel around...

[creacherkeeper]

over and over i get reminders that we're more accepted here than people think. i live in a small town in one of the most conservative bible belt states in the deep south and have been met with so much acceptance as a gay trans man. i went to the pharmacy today and the pharmacist told me how happy she was my insurance covered testosterone gel because she didn't think it was going to. i was like i know and they're covering my top surgery too!! she got the biggest smile and told me to come back to see her after the procedure was done to let her know how much freer i felt. it made me think of the woman at the tag agency in the tiny podunk town with the taxidermy and giant crosses on the wall who saw my ID with the old picture and F marker and only called me "son" the rest of the appointment. or the professors who told me they couldn't wait to work with me and personally made sure i got into grad school with a full ride and stipend. or the older maintenance men who only called me "buddy" even while i was wearing nail polish and no binder. like. literally the Worst reaction ive had in the near year ive been here was a guy i was trying to hook up with texted me back hearts and stopped responding when i told him. hearts and ghosting from someone who would Actively Have To Interact with the fact that im trans was the worst reaction. i think people really paint the south and paint conservative states in a certain light because they like to demonize as much as more reactionary groups do and we feel like safe targets. but yall. this is our home & we can be loved here. and i keep getting reminded of that over and over

[artificial-transmutations]

Two sides of the same coin - Body Buddies

Timothy and William were two friends who, despite the trials of life, held a bond that had weathered the test of time. Now both past their 50s, their lives had taken an unexpected turn. Timothy, recently laid off from his job, found himself at a crossroads. Over a pint in their local pub, the friends contemplated their futures.

“You know, the old gym in town is up for sale,” William mused, breaking the silence. Timothy looked at him, a spark of interest in his eyes.

"I've recently heard from a lot of young guys that they would like a place to work out.", he added thoughtfully and took a sip from his beer.

“If we bought it, we could fix it up and make it a great place to train.”

“Yeah, but who can afford it?” Timothy questioned, doubtful yet intrigued.

“Well, if we pool our savings together…” William suggested, shrugging nonchalantly. The spark in Timothy's eyes grew brighter. After some discussion, a decision was made. They would buy the gym and name it "Body Buddies."

Excited, they visited their new property. The gym was worse for wear, with old, rusty equipment and a thick layer of dust covering every surface. Discouraged, they wondered if they'd made a huge mistake.

“We need equipment and a good trainer, William. How did we not consider this?” Timothy sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair.

William nodded sadly: "Yes. Nobody is going to come if it looks like this. Even with a great trainer, we will need at least one good piece of equipment to get started. Once we have customers, we could buy more..."

"But we have neither."

Just as the weight of their predicament began to set in, Timothy's eyes caught a glimmer on the floor. Curious, he picked up an unusual coin. Suddenly, a wave of energy coursed through him, causing him to gasp.

“What's happening?” William asked, alarmed, just before he too began to convulse.

Timothy could feel his body changing. His spine straightened, his belly shrank, and his limbs thickened. His once thin hair grew into short, spiky strands and turned to a bright blond. A strong smell of sweat began to permeate the air around him, an oddly enticing scent, Timothy felt himself get hard from his own body odor - what effect might it have on other people? His age lines smoothed out as he morphed into a muscular, youthful man in his twenties. He flexed his new muscles, marveling at the strength and vitality coursing through him.

Meanwhile, William’s body was also transforming. He flattened and elongated, his skin hardening and straightening. The old man quickly lost all his wrinkles, and for a moment it looked like he was turning into a slim Black guy in his best years. However, the changes continued, as his limbs thinned and became shiny polished steel. Meanwhile, his body formed a flat, sturdy surface. His senses changed, giving him a new perspective of his surroundings. He was no longer William, the man. He was William, the workout bench.

“William?” Timothy asked, his voice deeper, more resonant than before. “Is that you?”

William did not reply, at least not with words. However, Timothy somehow knew that his friend was still in there. And just like him, his new body had needs. While Timothy yearned for the company of sexy women and... men? He shook his head, but it was clear as day to him now: He swung both ways now.

William on the other hand had entirely different needs now. As he was reduced to nothing more than a workout bench, he needed to be used, to the fullest extent. He could not wait for the sweat of their customers seeping deep into his leather surface and the grunts and gains of those using him.

Timothy looked at his new body, then at his friend, who was now an inanimate object. He felt a strange surge of confidence. This was a new beginning.

“Alright then,” Timothy said, his gaze determined. “Let's get to work.”

With that, he positioned himself above William, his hands grasping the edges. As he began his workout, the scent of sweat became stronger, filling the room. They were ready to take on their new roles, to start the adventure that was "Body Buddies."

Did you like the theme? Perhaps have a look at my other stories in the "coin"-series then!

[aealzx]

A little midnight dive

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

“MIKEY!.... MIKEY GET BACK HERE NOW!”

Raph’s yelling sounded almost frantic, not quite ready for the clutter of mechs that too closely resembled the Krang’s own machines. The creatures had left scraps in the Hidden City eons ago, and someone had found them and adapted them to modern war machines.

And Mikey’s form had done a backflip off the side of the building they were on, hurtling towards the enemy as though they were common origami Foot soldiers.

Raph felt like throwing up his lungs, already clutching an unresponsive Leo to his chest.

“{.... It’s okay Raph,}” Leon’s voice broke through the panicked haze in Raph’s mind, the ghostly hands of his own older counterpart resting on his shoulders as deadly orange chains slipped into the air under Mikey’s feet, giving him a path to slide to the ground on instead of free falling through the air. “{That’s not quite your Mikey,}” Leon clarified, an eager grin splitting his face as he watched in anticipation. “{That’s OUR Mikey.}”

“{Figures he’d be the first to figure out dual operation,}” Don muttered from nearby, his own hands carefully holding his younger counterpart together, Donnie’s hand in a determined vice grip around Leo’s wrist..

It had been a long time since Michael had gotten to really fight without being hindered by a fragile body. He wasn’t quite used to Mikey’s incredibly younger, and less mystic experienced form. But at least it was easier to just push a little less mystic, and a little more razz. The small form crashed into the mechs with both feet while coiling chains sliced through two others. Impact buffered by Michael’s own manipulation of physics knocking the machine back, and he used it as a springboard to launch to the next. His coiling chains lifted the skewered machines above him into a cacophony of applause crushing together overhead as ballet toes twisted his form midair to catch his palms on the next victim.

Fingers lacing into the rim of the machine’s shoulder, Mikey’s form never halted and instead fell back to whip the machine into a rolling throw behind him. More chains spiraled around another metal body, crushing it in their grasp while additional chains caught Mikey’s feet. With barely a pause Mikey’s legs launched him into a graceful arc over the head of a charging scrap heap. His toes caressing the atmosphere, Mikey’s form rolled upright to almost land behind his final enemy. Yet his feet remained allies of the air, and raised fingers delicately coaxed more chains into creation from behind him. Hurtling in curves around him, they pierced the mech before him in a violent similitude of swiss cheese.

It was only when the final explosion rent the offending heaps to scraps that Mikey’s feet returned to the earth, touching down as soft as snowfall as Michael’s spirit form peeled away with a mutual sigh from both of them. As Michael’s form rose, Mikey’s collapsed to sit on the ground as he heaved air into his lungs. It had been an effort to fight on top of keeping the direct link connection with his spirit buddy. But as his lungs became less greedy of the air he was giving them the exhaled breaths gradually became bouts of laughter. To the point Mikey was laughing so hard he couldn’t stand even though his limbs had stopped feeling numb. “WOOOOOOO! THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!” Mikey whooped, raising his hands into the air in triumph before flopping onto his back.

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

Sometimes I get images that slap me in the face to be drawn, usually because of music and other people’s art. X’D

So this actual polished illustration was inspired by this piece by happyfoxx-art, the mikey one of these two, and the song Hikari by Vanguard Sound.

This is going to get search banned because of the links I bet, but oh well.

shoutout to dragoonwys yet again for helping me make stuff work with this XDD still learning how to actually finish things nicely.

[black-arcana]

WITHIN TEMPTATION Shares Preview Of New Single 'A Fool's Parade'

On April 5, 2024, WITHIN TEMPTATION will release their brand-new song, "A Fool's Parade", which marks a collaboration with the talented Ukrainian producer Alex Yarmak. According to a press release from WITHIN TEMPTATION's publicist, "A Fool's Parade" "highlights Russia's pretense regarding the war, and condemns its lies, ongoing crimes and brutal intentions."

A preview of "A Fool's Parade" is available below.

The song, released as a harbinger of the much-anticipated "Bleed Out 2024 Tour", is a powerful expression of what the press release calls "WITHIN TEMPTATION's commitment to continue shedding light on the ongoing existential struggle that Ukraine is facing against Russia's cruel invasion."

For the recording of the accompanying music video for "A Fool's Parade", Sharon den Adel — the frontwoman of WITHIN TEMPTATION — traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine. The music video is being directed by renowned Ukrainian video director Indy Hait.

With involvement in initiatives such as the Ukraine Aid OPS foundation, WITHIN TEMPTATION aims to keep drawing attention to Europe's much-needed support for Ukraine's defense.

In a June 2023 interview with James Wilson-Taylor of Rock Sound, Den Adel spoke about the lyrical inspiration for WITHIN TEMPTATION's "Wireless" single: "When the war started in the Ukraine, we were in the studio writing songs, And it's one of the songs that we wrote. And it is about war, of course. It's about a soldier going to war and thinking he's going to liberate people, do good stuff and be a hero and everything, but then he finds out that he's been lied to by media but also government. And then he finds that he can't go back because he's already in his army gear, for instance. You can't go forward, you can't go backward because you have your buddies next to you and you'll all die in the field. And in front of you, you have a mission impossible almost."

The Dutch singer continued: "So that's what we try to do — maybe also shine a light on certain situations within the war. It's just we're storytellers — it's like amplifying a certain kind of emotion that people could feel in this situation."

Asked how she and her bandmates decided to use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as inspiration for one of their songs, Sharon said: "Well, from my point of view, it's not just their war. I really believe what some people are saying — it's really our war as well. Because it's next to us. They already said, they're not gonna stop at Ukraine; they're gonna go further. And a couple of hours flying from my home, it's already Kyiv. So it's also our war. I think we should be aware of the fact that this is a danger for all of us. They won't stop. And hopefully — we wanna keep this a little bit alive in our own small way by writing about it and talking about it and waving a flag on stage about it."

In March 2022, WITHIN TEMPTATION was one of the artists who took part in a telethon concert in support of Ukraine. "Save Ukraine - #StopWar" united more than 20 countries and bring together more than 50 participants. The marathon was broadcast from Warsaw on the Polish TV channel TVP. In addition, broadcasters from many countries around the world, including Estonia (EBR),Lithuania (LTR),the Czech Republic (ČT2),Georgia (GPB / First),Albania (RTSH 2),Montenegro, Slovenia, Latvia (LTV),Croatia (HRT),Slovakia (RTVS),Austria (Puls 4),Cyprus, Canada (OMNI) and others, rebroadcasted the marathon on their local channels.

In an interview with Greece's Rock Overdose, Den Adel stated about her band's participation in the event: "For us, it was an honor to be asked for it. I think as a band and as people, we really value freedom of speech and freedom and democracy. I think as a band, people sometimes say, 'Don't be so political,' people say, 'Don't be so expressive and don't take a side on things.' But as a musician, I think it's important to represent who you are, not just in music but really stand for what you make and what you are saying in your lyrics in a way. And things that are happening in the world inspire us to write music, and then you also have to take a stance and what side you are. I think when it's so obvious where there's an aggressor and where there is a country being violated, invaded, you should take a stance and then it makes it much easier even to be very clear about where you stand in this whole conflict. Of course, it's something that we are keeping ourselves updated with every day because we find it very sad to see that a country that wants to be a democracy is invaded this way. So we are very honored to be asked also to play for this event, this marathon, and happy to do it."

Released last October, WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "Bleed Out", signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, WITHIN TEMPTATION has created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who isn't afraid to make a stand on issues the members care about.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, WITHIN TEMPTATION have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do.

While songs such as "Wireless" and "We Go To War" examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.

The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman's right to choose in recent single "Don't Pray For Me" and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, WITHIN TEMPTATION have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.

[knfmemarbles]

The Devil's Promise pt. 1

Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I have posted any fics but I hope you enjoy this one as it is part one of a series!

word count: 2.5k

pairings: Simon "Ghost" Riley x reader, Johnny "soap" McTavish x reader

warnings: none I am aware of (if there are any lmk!)

I sighed and tended to the bar at the Saloon, trying to make a little side cash while my father was off at another meeting. It was always nice not to have to deal with his company, having their prying eyes or clinging hands near me. Sometimes, living under the watchful eyes of politicians was the worst place to be. No freedom, no adventure, and no love life the way I would’ve hoped for. My hand was likely promised to the new person willing to protect our town. Many gunslingers were responsible for safeguarding towns and saloons from outlaws and ruffians. However, my father had been swift to draw a line in the sand, almost crossing it as he attempted to enlist more than he could afford. I brushed my hair to the side, standing straighter as I tried to keep my manners with the newest entering patrons. A broad figure entered the Saloon with his posse, eyes scanning the room before staking a claim on a corner table. A mask dawned on his face, a red skull obscuring his features from vision as a back cowboy hat covered the top of his head. It wasn’t one of those cliches where the whole Saloon went silent as they watched the newcomers come in and were suspicious; they were hardly noticed. After all, the town was quite large, and people passed through on business or travel constantly. However, no one had masks like theirs adorning their faces. It was the only thing that caught people’s eyes as they walked by, but they turned back, knowing it was better not to ask. Better to mind your own business. The man settled on a stool, gesturing for one of his buddies to get up and get drinks as the rest of the posse flocked to the table. They began to joke around and became vivid, nothing like how they entered. The group’s vibrant energy while sharing a drink was now nothing less than fun and bubbly. But the cautionary tale of the Devil’s posse only made my hair stand up on end as I knew the danger they posed and why they were in the part of my town only bothered me further.

The information was like an itch I couldn’t reach as my dad only fed me pieces of what was going on between him and the gunslingers in the area. These men did not play fair. They were more than willing to shed petty blood: At least, that’s what the stories say. Their leader was the one in the red mask. He was known as the Devil himself. Father warned me to stay away from this business if possible as my future was already promised away. He did not want to have his bargaining piece used against him. The one who stood closest to the Devil himself was the one to make quick of getting up. He grunted with effort as he was left with the task of acquiring the drinks for the group. He signaled to you as he walked up, hand twirling around in a circle before gesturing towards his table as he approached your bar. He pressed himself against it with his elbows resting against the old polished wood. After all, your town was wealthy. 

“Round ‘o whiskey.” He said as he eyed me subtly with his head tilted. He looked amused more than lustful as he let his eyes wander. It gave me a short time to take him in. His hair, neatly shaved, faded almost into a mohawk. His jaw stubbled enough to make him look rough around the edges. The clothes adorning his figure were nothing short of cowboy: a cowhide vest resting on a long-sleeve black, thin top, not to mention the chaps that complimented the jeans. 

My gaze flickered up to the cowboy to give him the acknowledgment he sought before moving to grab the closest bottle of Tennessee whiskey. The thick glass was cold to the touch as I reached to grab a few cups to fill, “How many would you like, sir?” 

He tilted his head back to the other side, getting a small head count of his group. He rattled off the number of men in his posse with the smile never leaving his lips. He stayed, leaning against the bar as his eyes wandered around the walls and other tables before settling on a staircase tucked right out of sight unless you were looking hard enough. His curiosity began to get the best of him as he leaned forward to speak over hushed words. 

 “Have any women upstairs?” His words laced in a heavy accent as his eyes followed the staircase. “Or is that just rooms?”

Had he had the accent the whole time? My brain tried to recount as he continued to talk. It sounded almost Scottish. However, his questions did get a laugh out of me. A polite smile eased onto my lips as I shook my head no. “Unfortunately, sir, if you’re looking for company for the night, you must visit a brothel. Those rooms are off-limits to guests.” 

He put his hands up in defense with a chuckle. “Alright, miss, you got me there.”

 The silence hung in the air as I filled the last few glasses with alcohol. I started to set them on a tray, willing to carry them all over myself before the man rose to his feet. 

“Allow me.” He murmured, gently taking a few off the tray to lessen the load. 

“Oh, well, thank you,” I waited for him to reply with a name. 

“They call me Johnny.” he winked before moving to the table, raising the glasses in the air while the gang around him cheered for the first round of drinks. 

 I couldn’t help but linger on the group; watching them with such excitement only made my world feel so much smaller. My heart yearned to be a part of something bigger than myself, even if it was as dangerous as gunslinging. But I was merely a woman; I needed to be prim and proper.  

 I began serving each drink in front of each member. Some took directly from my hand, offering thanks here and there. It wasn’t until I placed the whiskey in front of the man in the red mask. 

His eyes narrowed once he saw it. His gaze rose to mine before placing the liquor back onto the tray with a clink.

“Bourbon.” He spoke gruffly, a thick British accent correcting the drink as he leaned back against his seat. “Kentucky.” It was almost an afterthought like I wouldn’t have figured it out alone. It’s not like the chain of saloons carried many different selections. This one is the number one contender and is currently the only bourbon in most stores as of late. 

I gave a meek nod, pursing my lips as I pulled the tray away from arm’s length.

” Kentucky bourbon. You got it, sir. Was there anything else I could help you with? “I asked with almost a sarcastic rasp to my voice. The man had easily gotten a rise out of me. I flickered my eyes from the cup to his gaze, not allowing myself to let my eyes wander as I stood straight back up. He didn’t bother speaking another word, only grunting, turning his attention elsewhere. I felt my eye almost twitch at how dismissive he was. I shouldn’t want the attention of the gunslinger, but it was difficult trying to ignore the annoyance bubbling instead of fear. I almost wanted to scold him for his mother not teaching him manners.

  I strode back to the bar, setting the tray down to attend to a new glass of bourbon for the man.

While my attention was redirected, Johnny just grinned before turning back towards his boss, who gave him a questioning brow raise. He shrugged in response. "What? She's a pretty gal, and you need to talk more." He says, shrugging as if he wasn't scheming some plan. "She's got a slippery tongue too, might tell you what's up there." He grabbed a thumb backward towards the staircase. "It's a secret, from what I've found out." Redmask sighs briefly before looking at me with a slight hum as if thinking of Johnny’s suggestion.

After finishing pouring the glass, I stopped to check the time. A small curse slipped through my lips as I returned to the table. 

I returned with a small set of menus and gently set them in the center of the table before setting down the bourbon in front of the gentleman with the red skull obscuring his face. I gave a quiet “here you go” before looking to all the other men in the group, “I brought some menus; if you are interested, feel free to wave any of the other waitresses by, and they will be able to help you there.” I smiled and pointed out a few before getting ready to turn and head back to the bar to serve a few patrons waiting for me to serve them.

Johnny smiles at me before touching my wrist, not grabbing it but gently touching it with his finger to stop me. “Thank you, sweetheart. One more thing, though, is there a place we can stay for the night?” He asks, removing his finger from your skin to not make me uncomfortable. In the meantime, Redmask digs around in his pocket and provides a large wad of cash he holds out for the taking.

I felt my face heat up at such a gentle touch. Most men in the bar were very grabby and demanding, rarely using feather-light touches. I gently brought my hand to my chest, touching where his hand had once been. “Ah well, I am sure the local motels around here would be more than willing to take all of you in for the night. Virginia run the one three blocks down.” I smiled, feeling they were trying to figure something out about the upstairs rooms. I looked towards the cash and tilted my head at the red-masked stranger. “Closing the tab?” I asked. I turned to face them with genuine confusion as they were barely served one round. I glanced at the other cowboy and gave him a kind smile, “Would you like me to have someone go over to let Virginia know you need a place to stay?”

He nods, mentally noting the place before taking hold of his glass and drinking. “Ah, that would be appreciated; thank you, sweetheart.” Johnny cooed while his boss sipped at the drink. His eyes leave you after returning to the other men as they talk and joke. The red-masked man, however, just nodded to the question he asked, huffing in slight annoyance. “Any other drinks can be bought by themselves.” He grumbled out, not wanting to feed into his men’s drinking problems. Nor get blackout drunk and cause problems while trying to stay low.

“Okay, I can close that for you. Let me get your change.” I murmured and grasped the money from his gloved hand, brushing my fingers as I rounded to the bar and counted out the Change. I kept glancing at the group, returning to why they were there. Maybe Father had business? No, he never talked well of the posse—quite the opposite. I was utterly lost in thought when counting the money, almost wholly zoning out. 

The masked stranger watched as I counted the change. Though he didn’t intend to let me give it to him, he would hand it back, even as a tip, if anything. He turned back towards Johnny, who was already looking at him. He subtly tilted his head in my direction and asked a nonverbal question. It was answered with a single nod. They had come into the town for something. And they would get it no matter what happened—a score to settle almost.

I stopped before bringing the change back and setting it on the table. “Virginia is aware of your upcoming visit. I hope you all enjoyed your time here.” I murmured before heading back to the bar before moving to make my way to the staircase, ready to take a small break from the smell of alcohol and bustling bodies. The amount of people trying to grab my attention slowed my movement to the room, but I needed to get going. I kept glancing behind me, feeling burning gazes on my back, my head on a swivel until I met his from across the bar again. I gulped before continuing up the store, fishing in the small pocket I created in my dress for a key to the room I had been using. 

I looked over my shoulder before unlocking the third door and sliding through quickly before giving a soft sigh and moving to set the key down on the nearby dresser. Looking at the time, I promptly began to head to my father’s, moving to strip from the corset and dress to something a little more fancy and ladylike. That way, my reputation would not be affected as my father used me as his little pawn. I wish I could avoid it at all costs, but family love ran deep, and I felt I would only let them down if I didn’t do as told. Not to say mothers’ punishments weren’t the other reason.

I slipped on a different pair of shoes, throwing on light makeup before snagging the key and leaving. After locking the door, I descended the stairs and started through the bar, dodging touchy customers and waving bye to some of the ladies, knowing my father was about to have my head for being late. I cleared my throat, passing by the posse as I waved a tiny bye. The curiosity of who they were gnawing at me as I truly wished I could get to know them.

Johnny gave a tiny head tilt along with the tip of his cowboy hat, grinning as he watched as I walked away. He was unaware of the second set of eyes following me as I left, yet he made no motion to say goodbye. After I left the bar, though, redmask stood. He signaled to Johnny to follow; he was the closest thing to the second in command he would get. They also waited a few minutes before leaving the bar, looking around to see where I had scurried off to.

I waved over my driver and watched the horses slowly trot up, smiling as I approached. I stroked the nose of the horse gently before talking to the coach before moving to get into the cart. The smile disappeared as quickly as it appeared, a frown taking place as I knew I would now have to face my father’s men and wishes. I grew mildly frustrated. I was wishing that I could sneak off and go on my adventure of sorts. After slinking out of the Saloon, I hadn’t even felt the gaze or the men following me.

[crithaus]

I wanna make some things like very clear to the new Vox Machina fans coming from the animated show to our humble home. Really I wanna settle some of the score about my best girl Vex'ahlia.

Now I know, I know that with so incredibly much source material to try and condense into just 36 22 minute episodes naturally some stuff is gonna be cut out or missed or edited, and TLOVM is it's own canon true, but what with it being Vox Machina but abridged it makes sense to me that it can be directly compared and perhaps found a bit lacking in regards to its source material, and so here I go.

They're not treating Vex with total fairness to be honest. A lot of her best early moments in VM are taken out or given to other people in TLOVM, like her first brush with death with Delilah in the Briarwood arc (it was her that got attacked by Delilah and almost died, not Keyleth, but like this one I get ig. The Twins and Percy held like the campaign record for being down and hurt the most like Sam had to deliberately change that so this wasn't hours of the twins just being near death like I'm not happy but I get it), or season two changing how she found Trinket (Vax was nowhere near her when she ran into those poachers) and mainly the portrayal of Vex as this snippy, mean, jealous, callous, unfeeling bitch without any of the uncertainty inherent in her or the tender moments to flesh her out.

Like in VM proper she's rude and a little snippy sure but that's borne of an established backstory of emotional neglect and the crushing trauma of poverty and Vax literally being the only other person who genuinely loved and cared for her after the mother who's arms she was ripped from was burned alive, (y'know after Syldor the worst dad god ever created literally abandoned them with their mother for 10 years while they were dirt poor (but happy, Elaina is the best mom to live ever), dragged them away from her for 5 in which time he destroyed her and Vax's self esteem, let the whole racist ass town he was ambassador of harass them along with harassing them himself and forced them to be the perfect quiet little doll heirs he only decided he wanted after 10 years of no 'true blooded' kids of his own) and then when they ran away, saw their mother had been murdered in her home by a fucking dragon had to spend the next several years at only like 15ish stealing (in Vex's case haggling and hunting) to survive! Like Vex's hangups around money are from the period in her life where she as controller of her and Vax's meager finances was in charge of making sure they didn't starve to death in the woods somewhere, at 15 she and Vax had to keep themselves alive with no help from anyone but each other, her haggling any and everyone down is a direct response to that.

And oh boy Syldor? Syldor? And his bullshit expectations and neglect are the reason she's so chronically unsure of herself and so desperate to keep being Vax's favorite. You think Keyleth is unsure of herself? Buddy you have seen nothing. Vex's confidence in herself is a facade and literally the longer you know her the more obvious that becomes. She's so slow to let other people in and equally slow to trust cuz she's been hurt so brutally and the few times she relaxes enough to do something for herself (side eyeing the broom incident), she gets narratively punished for it! Bro, the night before meeting with Syldor Percy finds her in tears obsessively polishing her armor cuz she's so desperate even after all this time to prove to Syldor that she is someone, that she isn't the diluted little half-breed Syldor always looked down his nose at (and then Percy, who never again was fooled by her false airs and stepped up to do The Sweetest thing god ever created), like...she's fucked up! And lonely! And wants nothing more than a stable home and people who genuinely like her.

Them leaving their home in when the conclave first attacked Emon drove her to tears because it was the first home she'd had in so long and now they had to leave it. She's got so much depth and she is so endlessly kind too. Every time she sees someone whose circumstances mirror her own she doesn't hesitate to open her purse for it. (her freeing those kids??? Anyone???) She's no Keyleth or even Pike to be sure but she's so sweet. Keyleth goes tearing off up the Sun Tree, Vex follows. Grog gets swindled by some punkass merchant? Vex goes tearing off after him, all her interactions with Vax to be honest she might have Little Sister disease but still, she is so endlessly kind and good and it's not as overt as Pike's genuine goodness or Keyleth's earnestness, it's slightly more subtle but always present. She's the beating heart of Vox Machina, she encourages them all, (just look at what they tell Pelor I mean.... And and I could go on and on about how the fact that she's the champion of the god of Life, Light and the Sun means so much narratively but I mean I doubt I need to I mean it's Pelor), They all look to her and Vax for guidance, look at what they do to fucking Saundor for him merely taunting her, (yes it's more deep than that I know), they literally get stuck in hell and wait there, in the middle of HELL for her cuz they can't/won't move on without her.

She's brilliant, and clever, and broken and 'greedy' and a bitch yes true, but she's so much more than that, and I'm not even gonna tell you to watch the podcast cuz fuck Orion tbh and y'know I am a hater and a gatekeeper both and am totally fine being in the little niche of of vox machina likers, but if you want substance, if you want all of her because god is she compelling, then take your cues from the podcast and not the show.

The show is new, and still ongoing, and I hope they start letting her shine as she was always meant too in later episodes, but she is the heart and soul of Vox Machina and y'all better put some respect on the name of Lady Vex'ahlia De Rolo, Champion of Pelor, Baroness of the First House of Whitestone and Grandmistress of the Grey Hunt, Coinmistress and Treasurer of the Tal'dorei Council.

[10byten]

Yuta's Collab

Summary : You met Yuta at a musical social event. And and between the two of you a beautiful alchemy is born 

Warning : Y/N and Yuta discover each others, beginning of a relationship, SMUT at some point.

Words : 5000

You accidentally entered the men's room and came face to face with him. He looked at you surprised but amused by the situation. 

"I didn't know they had a gender-neutral restroom here. I'm pleasantly surprised" he looks you up and down, it really is a pleasant surprise for him. 

"Sometimes you have to push the progress yourself." You wonder where you got the confidence to say that, since you're usually the stressed-out, self-conscious type. 

He raises an eyebrow and laughs at your answer. "If everyone thought the same way, things would move faster. I'm Yuta, I identify myself as a man, wait...no man suits me fine" he holds out his hand, with polished nails. You hold out yours in return and introduce yourself: "by the way, nails, plus the rings, I love it, what a classy man.”

He smiles proudly, "it takes all the right things to look your best in society, doesn't it? As for me, I love your piercing", he heads for the bathroom door and turns back to you, "maybe we can continue our conversation in a place with more champagne than soap?” A woman like you deserves to be wooed somewhere a little classier.

Is this guy for real, is this smile for you? Whatever, you’re on it. 

He grabs two glasses of champagne from the bar and gives you one "so tell me, what do you do for a living that made our paths cross at this party".

"You mean apart from campaigning for non-binary toilets around the world? I'm a production assistant in the company that organizes this event, my job is to make sure everything is ok when you, artists, start to release an album." 

"You, artists? So you know who I am? Or did you deduce I was an artist because of my vibes haha?"

"Maybe a bit of both" you wink at him "ok maybe I know you're a Japanese rockstar who got lost in a Korean band." 

"god damn, no one has ever summed up my life so well, a fan of those Korean boy bands?" he pricks your heart.

"I might have already listened to some of your music, just to find out, after all, our two labels are going to sign a partnership. We're about to become your first distributors in Europe, I take my job very seriously you know".

"I can see that, I'll be sure to underline the investment of our collaborators at SM during our next meeting" you both laugh and continue your conversations on the terrace. 

He lights a cigarette and asks you "so what's your final destination, I mean your goal, your ambitions, I'm curious." 

"hmm probably to open my own agency but to produce only young emerging talent, whose music is a bit offbeat. I'm not looking for big talents who will become the next Rihanna or Ed Sheeran. I'd like to collaborate with people whose music is more psychedelic. I can see how that might be lazy, but I prefer things that are more human, on a smaller scale." 

"I've got a buddy for you if you go for it haha, one of my collaborators is totally into that sort of thing. If you know us, you must surely see who Taeyong is, our leader?"

"Yes, that's right, I think he's already gone solo. How bout you? Would you like to go your own way?

"Obviously, I'm just waiting for the right moment. 

"And is the right moment coming soon?"

"Production assistant ? Wouldn't you rather be a journalist?" he shoves you gently, laughing. 

"I take you three floors below this party, to the studios, and in exchange you give me a preview of what we should be getting soon" you give him a look of defiance.

What's certain about Yuta is that he's never been the kind of guy to wait quietly for the party to end and go home, and a challenge is something that stimulates him, especially when it's thrown down by an attractive woman.

"deal beauty”

You catch two champagne glasses on the way and sneak with him to the elevator on which you swipe your badge, the studio floor is only accessible to company members. 

"Ready to give it all, Nakamoto?"

"Never been this ready" 

You drag him into one of the first studios. "Okay, I'll throw you a beat and you show me what you've got in mind". 

"Just try not to fall in love when you hear my voice" he teases you before walking through the studio door.

You throw in a Chase Atlantique-style beat and let Yuta get started. To your surprise, he follows up as if he'd had something prepared for weeks. As if he'd been working on this session for a while. You know a real artist when you hear one, you think, stunned by his set. 

The beat ends and you look at him, still fascinated. You didn't know this guy could sing so well, but what was he doing in a band? Why didn't he launch a solo career and let his talent shine? And above all, how could anyone be so handsome as well as so talented. 

He looks at you, a devastating smile on his lips, and exits the recording booth. "I think I handled the challenge pretty well considering your reaction." You blush a little at his words and feel like a first-year intern meeting an artist for the first time. "I'm speechless, I must admit. When's your solo album again?" you ask ironically.

"It all depends on whether I find the right people to work on it with, do you know any?"

 he's looking at you intently now, you can hear the invitation he's extending, you just don't know if it's still music he’s talking about...

Anyway, you're at work and you'd never dare cross those boundaries. 

You shake your head to clear it of any sexual ideas. 

"Is this a collab proposal? because it looks like the next few days, shall I say weeks, have just suddenly become available in my schedule."

You both burst out laughing, and he moves closer to you, holding out his hand again to shake, as if to conclude a deal.

"Deal" he says to you, you hold out your hand to do things the conventional way. He grabs it and pulls you closer, you find yourself pressed against him. He leans his face over yours and almost whispers in your ear, "I'm really looking forward to collaborating with you and showing you everything I'm capable of." His breath is warm and he smells an intoxicating mixture of champagne and light menthol he took after his cigarette. You feel a wave of shivers run through your body and you almost feel as if your legs are going to give out. This guy really does have a strange intimidating power over you. His attitude charms you; it's not that of a predator, but rather of a passionate man showing his interest. You hold his gaze as best you can to avoid showing any sign of weakness that would discredit you. A sparkle passes through his eyes when he sees your iron will. 

You search deep inside yourself and manage to retort with a slight waver in your voice, "so I'm waiting for you Yuta, I won't tolerate any disappointment."

You wake up next morning wondering if it was all a dream, but you know it wasn't when you hear your cell phone vibrate. Your boss is on the starting block. Last night, after leaving the studio and going back up to reception, you and Yuta had talked to your respective managers about a potential project. To which both men responded positively. The idea is a good one, and quite feasible. On the other hand, Yuta's stay wasn't supposed to last more than a few days, so you had to get things up and running quickly and complete the project quickly. The studio appointment was for 9am this morning and you were to discuss creation. You'd spent the rest of the night talking with Yuta on the terrace. You'd even seen the dawn breaking, which is what made you decide to leave each other, with much regret.

Yuta arrives with coffee for everyone except you, he gets you a lemon tea, which you told him the day before you loved. A gesture you really appreciate, and you thank him sincerely, turning his cheek and tapping it with his forefinger to invite you to give him a kiss. You won't let his action go unrewarded and give him a peck. He smiles and winks at you to let you know you're getting "special" treatment. Are you really starting to fall for this guy? It seems so. But business is business and you go into concentration mode, it's time to work.

The day you thought you'd love, which is partly the case, quickly becomes an ordeal. Every gesture, every smile, every damn sound, every look from Yuta sends you to another planet. This guy is going to lose you your job, you're hanging on his every word and you're off to other galaxies as soon as he opens his mouth. The end of your session approaches, night falls and everyone present gradually leaves the studio, leaving you alone at last. You realize it may be time for a breath of fresh air and grab your things. 

"Verdict on this first day?"

You put on your jacket and reply, "I don't think I've ever worked with someone so prepared. Is it an Asian thing or just you haha?" 

He opens the studio door for you to get out and replies, "I had all these models ready for a while, so that made the work easier. As I said, I'd already thought about this solo before. And yes, in Korea people like things to be fluid when you go into the studio." 

You shake your head, impressed by this man, his work, his talent, his charisma, his presence. "You really have to live it to understand it."

He smiles at you, questioning, "What's that?"

You slump against the wall of the elevator, exhausted by the day. "My supervisor once told me that to discover a good artist when you meet one, someone with a flame, you have to live it to understand it. I've worked with some great artists since I've been here, but I already knew them and listened to them before collaborating with them. For me, you're a total discovery, and I think I understand what he taught me that day. What a slap !”

"Ah stop I'll end up blushing" Yuta smiles through his teeth, slightly embarrassed but proud of the words you've just said to him. 

"I mean it Yuta, you're a fucking star, I really see this collaboration as a privilege. You're incredible, plus being able to watch you all day, my god what a treat."  You realize you've totally forgotten yourself on that last sentence and widen your eyes. You stammer as you try to catch yourself, but you know it's already too late. Your words are already out and you have to accept it. You put your head in your hands as if to hide your shame. "Okay I've just made a fool of myself so please don't talk to me again and ignore me until tomorrow I'm running away when the doors open." the elevator ding rings, you run off at a run and you hear him calling you with an adorable laugh. 

Yuta: it's a pity you ran away, I'd have liked to take you out to dinner to thank you for your work. But if you show up again tomorrow, maybe we can plan it for tomorrow night? 

You bite your lip and feel all the more stupid for running off so quickly. This guy makes you feel like a teenage girl in front of her high school crush. You slap your forehead and curse yourself for your reaction. 

You decide to ignore the message and try to make up for it tomorrow.

You arrive at the studio slightly late, to make sure you're not alone with him. Everyone's already there, as you'd expected, and Yuta looks at you amused, seeing how you're avoiding any contact with him. You're definitely a funny girl. You avoid looking at him or talking to him all morning and finally Yuta asks to interrupt the session at midday for today. He asks to enjoy the city this afternoon, which nobody objects to. You get dressed quickly and get out before everyone else to avoid any awkward moments, so you take the stairs. In your haste, you haven't noticed that Yuta has followed you. He catches the door behind you, grabs your wrist and turns you over, pinning you against the wall. Why is he doing this? Part of you feels really excited by this action.  

"Yesterday you didn't give me time to answer you", he puts a hand on your hip and plunges his big dark eyes into yours, "I must say, I've never enjoyed going into the studio so much. Being able to spend my days looking at you and imagining all the things we could do if the others weren't there. That's what I like best about working with you.”

You didn't expect so much, but that's all it takes for you to jump down his throat. You think back to the fact that you've never used your vibrator as much as you have in the last 48 hours, since this guy came into your life. Your fantasy becomes reality: you're making out with Nakamoto Yuta on the stairs of your agency. He stops suddenly and puts his finger to his mouth to tell you to be quiet. He hears the last people leaving the floor by elevator. And lifts you up in one swift movement to carry you in his arms. 

"I'm flattered by such ardor, but I think a slight punishment is in order for the attitude I received yesterday and for no response to my message" his voice has become deeper and intimidating, bossy.

He sets you down on the studio chair and takes off your jacket. You look at him like a scared deer. God, you're so sexy with that innocent look, especially when he knows you're far from it. He senses your wild, depraved side. You're a sweet girl who can be the best slut if pushed. He'll know how to push you. He takes off your top and undoes his belt, "stretch your arms back." You obey and moan as he tightens the leather around your wrists. He moves back to the front and licks your bottom lip, the warmth of his breath driving you crazy. "Doesn't that hurt?" you shake your head to say you're ok. He finally kisses your mouth, then your jaw and finally your neck. "You realize this is my workplace" he raises his head as if annoyed by your words "it could have been my bed or yours, but for that you'd have to answer me of course. And please call me master for the rest of this time".

You close your eyes, the mere sound of his voice in your ears driving you crazy, but the end of that sentence sends a wave of shivers through your body. You clench around nothing. He watches your thighs close in search of friction. He smiles and moves down from your neck to your chest, pulling down your bra and gently licking your nipple, nibbling it and moving on to the next, massaging and licking it relentlessly, you try to remain discreet for fear of being overheard by someone in the corridor. A little moan comes from between your teeth as you feel his teeth against your nipple again. He continues his descent down your belly, following the trace of your navel. He unbuttons your jeans and discovers a tattoo on your hip. He looks at you astonished, "I never thought I'd discover so many treasures hidden here, you're full of surprises." You feel like a pampered goddess. He yanks off your jeans and caresses the edges of your panties, "may I?" You lean your head back, "please master". "hmm my good girl really understood quicly" he buries his head between your thighs and covers them with burning kisses.

He grabs the top of your panties and pulls to create pressure on your clitoris. He licks your core through the textile. You moan, needing more, wanting more. You've never felt such need, such desire for someone. He runs a finger over you to gently caress your folds, you feel you could explode. Then he suddenly stands up and kisses you. He in turn removes his top and jeans, without taking his eyes off you. You watch him, biting your lip, as you finally see his spear appear. He moves closer to you and puts his hand around your throat, "Do you want me?" "More than anything, Master" you answer in the most confident tone of your life. He grasps a part of your shadow, a darkness you could only show in the most secret, intimate setting. "Prove it to me" you don't lose contact with his gaze and you grasp his cock with your mouth with your arms still attached. You'd never been so nimble with just your mouth. But your desire was too strong. Your lips meet his tip and you see him close his eyes in pleasure. He feels himself going to heaven, how can you be so good just with your mouth. You deepen your thrust and achieve a deep throat that wrings a grunt of pleasure from him. You're still watching him, your eyes filling with tears from the lack of air and the sensation of his glans touching the back of your throat. But you don't let go, you wait after him, a sign, you can push your limits for him. "You can release, thank you sweetie" you gently pull up his long cock and finish with a kiss on his tip. "Anything you say master." He tilts his head to the side "how can you be so perfect, I think you're going to drive me completely insane." you smile proudly at his words. He's got you in the palm of his hand, but the feeling seems to be mutual and fills you with satisfaction.  

He lifts you up and slips his fingers between your legs, "my turn to satisfy you, I think."

You close your eyes and let him begin his dance. He gently caresses your inner thighs and slowly works his way up to your intimacy. He brushes against it and plays his fingertips over your folds, as if you were a piano keyboard whose keys must be touched with care. You moan with pleasure, this moment seems endless and the most exciting of your life. You don't think at all about the fact that you're naked in your workplace, tied up by a collaborating artist who's also naked, trying to get you into paradise. What a scandal if someone were to open that door right behind you. Whatever the moment, it was worth all the punishment it might bring.

Yuta never exerts any pressure; all you feel is a light caress, like a breeze on her intimacy, your clitoris particularly stimulated. You've never been caressed like this, either by a sexual partner or by yourself. It's an astonishing discovery; you didn't think that delicate friction could be more exciting than pressure or vibration. His ring finger passes over your now-soaked clitoris one last time. Then, with his two fingers, he pinches you, creating a friction. He watches you moan with pleasure and lose yourself in his neck. He grabs the tip of your chin with his free hand and looks into your eyes, searching for your climax. His gaze finishes you off, you feel the pleasure rise and rise inside you. He glances down and sees your thighs trembling, he knows "go on beauty, I can't wait to feel you dripping onto my fingers." That's all you needed, the wave of pleasure you've been waiting for all day finally sweeps through your body and lasts surprisingly longer than usual, lingering, exploding your heartbeat and leaving you breathless and powerless. Your legs wobble, Yuta catches you and lifts you into his arms.

"To much for you babygirl?". He unbuckles his belt to free your arms. Your head rests on his shoulder, you're already exhausted, this man is literally sucking the life out of you, and god, it's delicious. You need a moment to catch your breath and your spirits, during which time Yuta holds you in his arms in a rather comforting way. 

You finally lift your head and feel more determined than ever to exhaust your body with this man. He sees that animal gleam in your eyes, he knows what it means, you two aren't done yet. 

"Okay young lady, but if we're going for it I'm not here for joking, okay with you?"

"Same here, that's a deal."

You seem so full of confidence and self control, this attitude works like an aphrodisiac on him. 

You sit up astride him "I'm ready to ride my bull, master".

He plunges his eyes into yours and feels your ass before giving it a firm, dry spank. You let out a little cry of surprise, he starts again after another caress. "Be careful my angel, I'm in a turbulent mood."  You slide up and down his member. And finally after tilt your entrance, he inserts his tip into your hole. He stays there for a while, holding your hips up with no hands. He puts you to the test, you can't hold on any longer and sink completely onto him. He gives you a scolding look, as if to say you should have let him. He pushes into you a few times in a gentle way and then withdraws. He carries you to your feet, and you look up at him, questioning and desperate. He grabs your hair and turns you over. "I told you I was feeling wild. You should have let me.”

He pulls on your hair to arch you, your ass is now well exposed in front of his cock, he approaches your ear and whispers "safeword is butterfly, never hesitate to use it baby girl." You're really in a cheeky mood and reply in a provocative tone, "make me, push my bounds Nakamoto." He sneers and straightens up, still holding your hair in a firm grip. He grabs his belt lying on his side and caresses each of your buttocks with the leather. He raises his hand and lightly whips you a first time, you grit your teeth at the sensation, a pleasant pain. "I'm going to increase the force a little each time, I'll stop when you let me hear a moan of pleasure." You loosen your teeth to give him a "yes master". He starts caressing your ass again with the tip of his leather and whips you again, you love the sensation but the intensity isn't strong enough for you yet. You arch your back a little more, as if to ask for more. He smiles, you're about to become his favorite distraction. He repeats his gesture 5 times and then you finally let out a cry of pleasure. He's found it, the perfect intensity, the one that pinches but sends a wave of pleasure through you. He releases your hair and leans down to kiss each of your now red buttocks. "Good girl. Now let me enter again." He hasn't even finished his sentence when you feel him at the entrance of your pussy and he pushes in with a sharp thrust. "You seemed to be in a hurry earlier, I wouldn't keep you waiting any longer," each of his loins thrusts sends you into nirvana. He pushes faster and faster, harder and harder. And you feel your brain liquefy, he's taken total control over you, your body and above all your pleasure. You feel like a doll in his hands, he could make you do anything. Isn't that a bit the case already?

Each thrust of his hips gives you the feeling that he's going deeper and deeper inside you. This moment seems timeless. You've lost all track anyway. He stops to turn you over. You're not sure yourself, but you nod in agreement. "Good, I want to see you when you chase your next orgasm." he sits back in the chair you were in before and taps his thighs. "Come on, show me how you can bounce this hot booty on me.”

You don't know how you'll manage to stand on him with your legs barely supporting you, but you're dying to. You reach over and straddle him, put your arms around his neck and kiss him passionately. He responds with equal enthusiasm. You align yourself with him and feel him enter again. He fits you so well, as if you'd been a jewel box made for him. You hop up and down on him, causing your chest to bounce, Yuta can't take his eyes off it. "Your the sexiest collaborator I've ever had." You smile at his words, him telling you he thinks you're sexy makes you want to pick up the pace. And you do, you almost twerk on his lap, he'd dream of having a mirror on the opposite wall to see your ass bouncing with every move. You see in his eyes that there's a lot going on in his head and you'd like to know what he's thinking, what fantasies he's indulging in, what he'd dream of doing to you. You slow down, exhausted, your body starting to fail. He grabs your ass in his firm, veiny hands. "Don't worry love, I handle it" he winks at you. "You've been so good, you deserve some rest." 

What you take away from this moment when you've completely lost your mind is that you've never been fucked so hard and so well. You almost feel as if your soul has left your body, you blackout. You feel his hand grab your chin and lean in to kiss you. The touch of his lips, his breath on your skin, that's all you need, you feel a wave run through you again. And then you explode, calling out his name repeatedly, earning him a devastating smile. He feels your body vibrate against him and become fragile. He slows down his thrusts because he sees you can't take it anymore. You stay in his arms until you come to your senses, feeling his heartbeat. When you feel your mind is a little clearer, you straighten up and kneel before him. "My master hasn't finished yet, I must please you."

"How lovely from you" he caresses your cheek with his thumb. 

You catch yourself ardently at the task and suck Yuta as if he were a delicious ice cream melting in the sun. He places a hand on your head to accompany your rhythm, you increase the frequency. He moans softly, you send him into seventh heaven with your mouth and tongue, which you wrap around his stick "How do you do that?" You look at him with innocent eyes, which makes him grunt. He presses down on your head so the tip of his cock touches the back of your throat. He holds you like this for a moment, and you feel his cock pulsing in your mouth "I'm coming angel, I need to know where do u want it?" he releases his grip on your head. You straighten it a little but keep Yuta in your mouth and look at him as if to give him permission. He ejaculates in a second, letting out a big sigh of pleasure. When he's done, you release his cock and hold his gaze as you swallow hard. He takes your face in his hands and kisses you for a long time. He leans over you and lays you down on your clothes spread out on the floor. You stand there for a moment, kissing and cuddling.

"I think we should really get dressed and get out of here before someone open the door to this studio and this scene becomes awkward." he nods and kisses you on the head before standing up.

In the elevator, you look into each other's eyes without saying a word. He tops himself on a floor where his manager enters "still here Yuta? Thought you want to visit try something new in this city." 

"Oh I've already tried something new, and I think I adore it." He doesn't take his eyes off you, and you blush at his words. 

Several days go by and Yuta never leaves your apartment, arriving at the studio together in the morning and leaving together on the evening, enjoying each other’s company. 

The chemistry between you is obvious, and everything is quite fluid and straightforward. His obligations force him to return to Korea. You both knew it wouldn't last, but you feel a twinge of sadness when the day of his departure arrives. You've spent this last night together, like all the others, and now spend the day in your office. Yuta leaves in the afternoon for the airport. You join him for a last cigarette on the roof terrace. He looks at you in the sunlight, you lean against the fence and watch him. You're going to miss this guy. "Do you believe in love at first sight?” He smiles "I believe that sometimes something inexplicable happens instantly between two people. And if that's your question, well yes I think that's what happened to us a few days ago, in the men's room of this very place." You laugh. You like his answer, deep down it's the one you've been waiting for. 

You hug him one last time, thank each other for the work you've done and for this week, and wish him a safe journey. He teases you before leaving, "Don't ever work with another Japanese guy, I'll be offended". "I'll try my best, promise, see ya buddy." 

He winks at you "Till next time".

You laugh at those last words and let him go. 

You feel alone as he leaves. During that long week, he had taken up a lot of space in your life. When you wake up the next morning, it feels like a dream, like he was never really there. But when you get to the office, you receive a message.

"Well home, I got to admit I already miss you. But guess who's coming for the fashion week. Next time won't be long, I hope you'll find time in your schedule for ur japanese guy."

You couldn't have started your day any better: "I'll book all my days for u dear. Can't wait to see ya. By the way I miss u to. " 

"Wait for me beauty, I'll be back soon."

[nautiscarader]

What the hecking heck happened with me - THE UNNECESSARY (and kinda boring) SEQUEL

So you might have noticed I have been absent for the past 2.5 weeks. So, where have I been? What has happened to me?

Well, you see, I got this magical music box, and when I opened it, I was transported into a different world full of talking frogs, toads and-

Wait, I've done this bit already.

....

Yeah, got into hospital. AGAIN.

Same warning as before applies, regarding medical stuff. Especially if you are eating.

Chapter 13: Wednesday Night's fever

So around three weeks ago I found myself really sapped of strength. Well, as you might recall, I basically had a fall and got wounds on my hip. Or to put it in another words:

Well, something from those wounds got infected or something and started affecting my whole body. The effect? Pretty much daily ~38C (~100F) fevers that drained me of energy.

No, buddy, the solution is paracetamol.

That was helping me daily when I was in hospital while getting some long-term antibiotics.

So, yeah, not to blow the trumpet, it was pretty much that: drips, pills, drips, pills, gastroscopy, drips, pi-wait, what did I say AND WHAT IS THIS THING-

Chapter 14: Gastroscopy

So I had to have gastroscopy done, which, in case you don't know is basically a tube with camera being inserted into your esophagus and-

Yeah, not pleasant. But the whole thing lasted only about 10 minutes, and the worst part was the first 30 seconds. So, no biggie. Now, let's talk about....

Chapter 15: Neighbours

Because they were really an odd collection.

First one was just an old dude who hated when I asked to open windows (and of course just as I was admitted spring temps have arrived)

Second one was a detective! In fact he has just solved a murder mystery that happened in the adjacent room! And the murderer was his roommate!

... yeah, he was pretty out of touch with reality, they took him after a day.

And then comes our star: Typical Janush, or Ordinary Janusz, as the Polish meme goes (don't worry if you don't get it)

This absolute unit of Polishness with huuuuge beer belly, bald spot and moustache has brought with him in his bag of holding:

coffee and sugar (nothing spectacular tbh)

TWO different chocolate waffers packs,

two strawberry chocolate bars,

Toffee sweets,

coffee sweets,

TWO different types of sausages,

home-made chicken wings,

and a jar of pickled mushrooms (fereality-indy DNI)

What else did he have in it? I don't know, and frankly, I am scared of the possibilities. This guy could give Mary Poppins a run when it comes to that bag.

He cursed like a sailor when he watched the news - and he watched all the news, he was funding the TV, so he might as well get what he's paid for.

He was also... really kind. He helped me with everything I couldn't do, sometimes faster than the nurses. Really awesome dude.

And the last one who was admitted JUST as I was leaving, was a 96-year old grandpa with some gastric problems. What problems? I don't know, but imagine a cat coughing up a furball... at a volume of a small steam locomotive. At 2 a.m. Every half an hour.

i only had to deal with him for a day.

He also brought... a flask with him.

The one they usually sell spirytus in. Now, it did NOT contain alcohol, just lemon-flavoured water.... but you had to see the nurse's reaction when he was seen casually drinking from it :) He was politely told to use other vessels.

And as a bonus, there was a guy in adjacent room who sometimes visited us and wore a curious t-shirt.... you know the "how do you do fellow kids" meme, right?

and how they just wrote "music band" in order to avoid problems with AC/DC copyright?

Well, his T-shirt had a generic basketball and words "Basketball Team est. 1992". And that's it. No other allusions to, say, Chicago Bulls, or any other team. Just that.

We have reached singularity, people.

Chapter 16: In conclusion, it was mostly boring

Yeah, I have to admit, this stay wasn't that eventful, which I guess I should count as blessing. What else to add... Oh, all the nurses were h*cking cute!

One even recognised me from my first visit!

So, yeah, now I've done the unpacking, and oh boy, you always collect lots of stuff you then forget about.

Like-

Wait, the heck is that?

It... it looks like I have written a 4k Glitch Techs G-rated fic... on my phone! Which has non-existent keyboard! Wait, that can't be right...

It's mostly done, but not finished... Still, it's a shame if it got wasted, right?

[tumbler-polls]

No one in their right fucking mind says c*s. Wish all this SJW bullshit would just die.

Polish people, when they name a yew tree: clinically insane.

Listen here, buddy, we always include "I don't relate to the concept of gender / I'm agender" as one of our options; judging by the results of our latest gender-related polls, there are a number of people here who fall into this category. However, most of our responders do in fact have a gender identity, oftentimes one that's in line with their agab. Our most popular poll so far was on this very topic [results are here]. Now, we do think it would be pretty interesting to check what gender identity means to different people, what it's predominantly based on, etc. If you have some cool poll ideas relating to that, hit us up. But do leave overly emotional ideological statements for your personal blog/diary or a therapy session.

Also, SJW, really? Mf's still living in YouTube's comment section circa 2016 💀

[mariacallous]

Going to prison for two years was the last thing I thought would happen to me when I signed up to be a Peace Corps Volunteer in Poland shortly after the Berlin Wall fell. But according to a bilateral agreement between Washington and Warsaw, the U.S. would pay my pitiful 235 dollars per month salary while my Polish hosts had to provide housing.

At that time, the city government of Kielce, Poland still had many avowed communists and remained wary of Americans, so they insisted on housing me in the infamous Kielce prison, where hundreds of Jews were killed by the Nazis during World War II and then hundreds of Polish patriots were killed under the Soviets.

I was the only one living in eerie abandoned cellblocks. There was a guard posted downstairs — for my protection, I was assured, not to keep tabs on me.

Over my two years working as an engineer in Kielce and living in the prison, I came to admire the Polish people for what they have become now — America´s best and most reliable ally. Indeed the Poles have stood with us from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the incredible Polish military engineer who volunteered to come to our rescue in our Revolutionary war. is a personal hero of mine.

If Kosciuszko had thought like Donald Trump and regarded our war for independence as a faraway waste of time and money, as Donald Trump regards Ukraine´s war for independence, the United States might have very well lost the war and never achieved freedom.

Kamala for president

That is why as a lifelong Republican I am supporting Kamala Harris for president. She will stand with Poland in the face of ongoing Russian aggression against Poland and Ukraine.

Keep in mind that Poland has had Russian missiles traverse its airspace on their way to strike Ukraine. Every day, Poland faces Russian hybrid war tactics such as sophisticated Russian cyber attacks targeting key Polish military and civilian cyber infrastructure.

Because Poland is a NATO member, it is looking for a U.S. leader who will stand in solidarity with them — not pull vital military support for its strategic ally Ukraine with a so-called “America First” policy that cedes American leadership in Europe to the Russians. Because that is what is at stake in this election and it is paramount for all of Pennsylvania´s 800,000 Polish-Americans to understand and acknowledge that.

Working as an engineer in Poland provided me with valuable work experience that I leveraged to start a small steel engineering business in New Hampshire whereby I have worked in western Pennsylvania in places like Steelton. I have gotten to know and work with Polish-Americans, who have a special place in my heart and who often appreciate my Polish prison stories.

Important for me, as someone who served in Afghanistan and Iraq alongside Poles, is having your battle buddy´s back when they need you. That nation has had America’s back for over two centuries. Kamala Harris is the only candidate who will have Poland´s back.