#post and run weeeeeee

[oxalisworks]

Builder Aka Gameplay when Being bombarded by reverse confession be like. Thanks @el-dritchknight for the idea

[thewertsearch]

GG: i want to know more about stoking the forge and breeding the frogs, and about your time on prospit and all that! GA: Okay I Will Definitely Help You As Much As I Can GA: The Young Prospit Wakers Ought To Stick Together

After the emotional rollercoaster that was Jadesprite, Jade really needed some support - and look who's coming in clutch as usual.

I'm running out of ways to say that Kanaya is the best character in Homestuck - but guys, Kanaya is the best character in Homestuck.

GG: that reminds me, i was thinking of implementing a system to keep some of these confusing conversations simple and linear GA: Does It By Any Chance Have To Do With Passwords […] GA: You Delivered News Of The System By Demanding A Password From Me GG: aaaaa you see?????? GG: you nearly just gave me the idea for the plan in the first place paradoxically from my own future self!!! GG: i just find that kind of thing annoying for some reason, it doesnt feel right… GG: i would rather ideas came from the place they actually came from

Hard same, and I’m glad that Jade finds stable-looped ideas as disappointing as I do. It's basically 'a wizard did it', but for entire plot devices.

GA: The Password System Is Already Paying Overwhelming Dividends Of Ease And Rationality GG: kanaya :o GG: that sounded GG: just a weeeeeee bit GG: sarcastic ;D […] GA: I Hope Im Not Falling Prey To A Crisis Of Sincerity GG: you are just becoming multicultural, thats all GG: i think i am learning to be more multicultural through karkat as well GG: it mostly involves saying fuck a lot

That also happens when you learn to be multicultural through Sally.

Ooh, playable segment! We'll move to a new post for this one.

[kadestokersstuff]

Aight I’m back from the lotus eaters and I have some thoughts

Spoilers if you dare below (I know its short but I’d rather be safe than sorry)

I know they said it was gonna be short but damn it was short short…And it’s not replayable. I am so glad I captured footage of it. Not sure if I should post it later

Even tho it was short, the stakes were def set just by implication alone (I think the beginning of 1999 is gonna have us be dealing with a repeat of the Lotus not being herself, because Wally’s been calling to her)

The paradox thing does make sense. The drifter is the unintended side effect. Wally made a deal with the primary but is now gonna have to deal with literally the consequences of his actions. My own headcanon personally is that my Drifter, Ayatan would’ve gone back in time regardless. She wanted to protect Mara (the operator) and the Lotus, because they’re kinda all she has.

Def makes me wanna get some refs down for both Ayatan and Mara along with info about them….And their progenitor so to speak.

Was def surprised with Loid’s mail. I thought we were gonna have to do some missions to get the components we need for the plan itself, whatever loid needed. Also surprised at how mad he got at Albrecht like damn he was seething bad.

You have no idea how happy it made me that I got to run in the mall again. Like I was squealing like a little kid.

Why did we receive Arthur’s pager tho?????

By the drifter accepting the pager, does that mean that we set our course permanently? How are we gonna deal with the whole paradox thing in the past? Like when we get to the past of course

I don’t wanna know what Lotus means by becoming the Witch. Lil terrified

Anyways I think thats it from me. It was fun and weeeeeee it came, it finally came!!

[powerpolyculeshowdown]

Hey! on the dawn of the final day 24 hours remain, i thought id recc some of my favorite fics for both yoohankim and the leverage OT3. I’ve been a fan of the leverage OT3 for years and while my vote’s going toward the YOOHANKIM SWEEEEEP!!!! I love Hardison Elliot and Parker so I thought I’d share some of the best of both ships

YOOHANKIM (novel spoilers in all)

the chaos of stars - vaphelion

“The distance between stars is so vast that it is unlikely they'll ever meet.

Stars are not meant to collide.

But they can.

They do.

—

of yoohankim, as they navigate all the universe throws at them, just to find each other again.”

https://archiveofourown.org/series/3135981: my favorite, incredible, heart-wrenching. No Words. READ IT. Both parts

Ain't Nobody Solving That Declining Birth Rate - dulcetair

“Yoo Jonghyuk and Kim Dokja both marry Han Sooyoung for tax benefits in the post Epilogue world. This is, in fact, illegal, but they run with it. It turns out better than it has any right to.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/37386946: what if a fake(?) marriage was equivalent to leaving a trail of food to a box trap? the climax is just so much fun!

Spoils of War - nonprophet123 (warning this one’s explicit!!!)

“After his father's betrayal, Prince Kim Dokja prepares himself for his inevitable death at hands of the enemy queen and king. This, he doesn't expect.

“Kneel.””

https://archiveofourown.org/works/31747369:  whoooo weeeeeee… literally I finish this fic every time I read it with the biggest smile on my face

Leverage OT3

the punchline to this - bydaybreak

“The woman laughs, her eyes crinkling behind her silver cat-eye glasses. "You must be Eliot,” she says, cheerfully. “He warned me you were charming. Where is he?”

Eliot’s stomach drops as he realizes that this is a terrible fucking mistake, because this ain’t a random elderly woman showing up to collect cans or take up donations or whatever it is that elderly woman in weird fucking places like Portland do. This is Hardison’s nana, and Eliot has just opened the door to the apartment—to Hardison and Parker’s apartment—like he lives there.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5601130 just like super super fun and angsty

Hearth and Home - lady_ragnell

“When Eliot goes to a temple, or when he’s in one place long enough to build a shrine, he doesn’t do it for Ares. He does it for Hestia.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2696900 the world building is so cool in this one

Wash the sorrow from off my skin - Keiya

“He lays on his bed and knows without a doubt that his soulmates can read Fucking Genius on their skin, or maybe just Genius, but Fucking gives a ring to it.

Because he is, baby, he is.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9071065 there’s such a lovely flow to this one

playing both sides so u win no matter what i respect that

[i-lovethatforme]

What are the three fics you've written that you're most proud of? And why?

oh hello awakening - when i first saw this i was like.. where are the rest of the insane asks? but alas!!!! hmmmmmmmmmm

the monsters creep into your house

entirely bc it was being talked about a little bit and that makes me NERVOUS. like people subscribing to fics? ty!!!! people actively talking to me about being excited about an update? NERVES. but i didn't run and cry into a ball and look at me having a genuine consistent update schedule like couldn't be me now xxxxx

what in carnation?

weeeeeee pally your first gift fic from meeee. awhhhh we're so cute. this is legit the first fic that i ever wrote actual notes for? like there is a bit of plot no one can tell me otherwise????? god lord it almost killed me off but i still love it to this day if i ignore my punctuation xxxx ALSO LIKE THE TITLE???? good for me!!!!

spooky season fics

bc i wrote a fic/ drabble a day in October last year and they were like 66k words? lol this year me WISHES. but they were all a little bit weird (ty for the prompts besties) and so much fun to write!

and wbu?????? not for me ya weirdo. but what are your three fics you've written you're most proud of and why? love you have a nice day i am posting this just as you would say hags!

[awalkinghazard]

Weeeeeee so. Uh @thatlemonbetch posted about this and I jumped at the opportunity. I cannot certified asshole for the life of me. N E ways I hope you enjoy my really shitty writing :)

“Now I have spoken to Mr. Pulitzer.” Davey watched Jack with hopeful eyes. The sentence could mean multiple things. A victory, a failure.

“And he has given me his word.” Jack glanced at Davey, already pleading for forgiveness before the words escaped his mouth. “If we disband the Union-“

Davey stumbled back a few paces. The words hitting like a ton of bricks. A strong wind that kept him from stepping back up and calming things down as it inevitably erupted into chaos.

“After all this.” He was breathless, he looked crushed, like a kicked puppy.

“Dave I-“

“Don't.” Davey raised a hand, cutting Jack off. The chaos ceased, all eyes on the two.

Davey laughed from pure disbelief and annoyance, “Don’t. All this work. All this running around, following a few lousy words from my mouth. Carrying your idea on our shoulders and you- you turn around and pull this?”

“Our idea David.” Jack tried to defend himself.

“Not anymore, Jack.” Davey took his step up, hands out of his pockets, head held high.

Jack opened and closed his mouth like a fish, shrinking back. Davey’s eyes glassed over, he had lost a leader, a partner, a friend. Family. And it stung, a natural reaction. But one Davey has never felt.

“Not anymore.” He glanced over Jack's shoulder, a shadow in the house of the theatre catching his eye. His face fell, realization hit. “You did it for the money.”

“No David I didn’t-“

“Our fearless leader gentlemen!” Davey cut him off, addressing the crowd. He was never one to bash on people. Something goes wrong, he keeps his mouth shut. But the level Jack had decided to stoop to, well, what would you do?

There was an awkward tension among the boys, one that Davey sadly couldn’t resolve without some sort of violence in the end.

“Running again!” He looks around at the group of boys, confused, hurt, angry. “Keep running, Jack.” He turned back to him, “You won’t get anywhere! Run back to us if you want! I for one don’t want to see you.” His words were like poison, venom dripping from each statement.

He laughed again, shaking his head, “Well all good things must come to end. Here’s your healthy dose of fuck. You.” And he walked away, letting all hell break loose. He could feel Jack’s eyes burning in the back of his head as he entered backstage.

David Jacobs, normally reasonable, usually quiet, always collected. David Jacobs, needed to be loud, longing to be confident, now the new leader of the strike, and how the hell could he pull this off?

[lunapwrites]

On The Prank, and Why I Kinda Hate It

A few months back I posted this fic (https://archiveofourown.org/works/27615017) on my account which, while it is not strictly part of my main series, could have nested in quite nicely. It deals with The Prank.

I have thoughts about The Prank.

What we see in a lot of fanon interpretations is that it caused this huge, life-changing rift in The Marauders, and Remus didn't speak to Sirius for months afterwards, and yada yada yada. I see this every time, and I have problems with it.

First, it's used to show Sirius as this impulsive loose cannon that doesn't give a shit about who he hurts if he can get one over on Snape, and I reject everything about that characterization of him. Sirius loved his friends to the point of madness. He would have died for any of them. If you want to write some tension between the two of them, write about the War. That is some good shit right there.

Second, it makes Remus out to be some kind of wounded victim, and I have to wonder sometimes if we all read the same book. Remus literally says that it was one of many close calls, and that they all laughed about them afterwards. There was also no love lost between him and Snape, even as adults (despite Remus' best attempts to remain polite, as he do.) Yes, it was awful what they did, but like... having been fifteen before (particularly in the before-Internet times) I cannot begin to tell you how much dumb shit my friends and I got up to that could have arguably gotten someone killed, that we thought literally nothing of.

Third, and this was arguably the most important thing: in Book 5, Sirius talks about how Snape used to follow them around all the time, trying to get them in trouble. We also know that in Book 7, Snape has expressed theories about Remus to Lily, who has heard them all exhaustively at that point. This leads me to believe that Remus was the specific target of his stalking.

I don't know if any of you have ever been stalked (I certainly hope not!) but it is one of the most terrifying things that I have ever experienced. Especially when you know for a fact that the person stalking you means you harm, and it's not just your anxiety-brain going 'aaaaaahhh!!' (which is still valid AF.) And not for nothing, but teenagers tend to be (in general) a lot more impulsive than they are as adults, and Remus is already very impulsive (see: lemme just forget the lunar cycle for the first time in three decades and run off to confront my maybe-murderous ex with literally no backup, weeeeeee!) I can absolutely see Remus hitting a breaking point, and Sirius intervening not because he thinks it's funny, but because he's trying to get Snape to fuck off before Remus does something he'll regret and it was the first thing he could think of. That, to me, is far more in character for them.

It also has the added bonus of making it so that both of them know that the other was capable of murder at the age of 15/16, which feeds into the paranoia during the War.

Anyway, I don't mind reading about The Prank, but I do definitely want to see more iterations out there that aren't just reducing it to cheap angst. Our boys deserve better.

[kawaiikichi]

Midweek Progress Post (12-4-2019)

Hey, you guys! It’s kawaiikichi with the midweek progress post for this week. It’s more Bakudeku along with Love on Aisle Four, Game of Cat and Mouse, and a sneak peek at some of the requests I’m working on!

Previews (including an NSFW one) under the cut!

Senpai (BKDK one-shot):

“Senpai...!” he whined.

Katsuki tugged on Izuku’s nipple as he rolled his eyes up to meet Izuku’s, which were filled with lust.

“Yes, Deku? Is there something you want?” he asked.

Izuku nodded in response.

“Oh? Like what?” Katsuki asked as he squeezed his erection lightly.

Izuku whimpered, bucking his hips up more.

“Senpai, don’t tease me like this.” he said.

“But I’m not teasing you. I really have no clue what you want.” Katsuki said.

He withdrew from Izuku’s nipple and moved in towards his ear.

“What do you want, my precious Deku?” he asked.

i’ll always love you to infinity and back (BKDK one-shot):

“You know Midoriya loves you, right?”

“Of course I fucking know that—”

“Then, don’t keep doubting yourself, man! That’s simply not manly!”

Katsuki stared at Eijirou as he continued.

“My god, I have never seen someone love someone else as much as Midoriya loves you! You’re all he ever talks about whenever we meet up! You’re all that’s on his mind! He loves you so much that I’m pretty damn sure he’d be ecstatic to hear that you want to marry him! And also, while you may be a ball of anger at some points, you actually are a decent guy with some great qualities! You’re good-looking, you have a soft and caring side, you always do the right thing, and your cooking skills are out of this world! Midoriya would be crazy to turn down your proposal!” he shouted.

Katsuki blinked once. Then twice. Then he opened his mouth to speak.

“What kind of pep talk is that...” he grumbled.

“The best kind!” Eijirou chirped.

Love on Aisle Four (Saiouma NaNoWriMo fic):

“I think he likes you too, Ouma-kun,” Rantaro said.

“What?!” Kokichi snacked Rantaro’s leg. “There’s no way! He’s straight! How could he possibly like me?!” he exclaimed.

“I thought Twinkhara was bi,” Miu commented.

“Forget that, I truly think he does like you. He was watching you like someone who’s in love,” Rantaro explained.

Kokichi’s heart skipped a beat.

Like someone...who’s in love?

Game of Cat and Mouse (Saiouma fic):

“Saihara-chan!” he declared as he skipped over to him.

“Ouma-kun…” Shuichi trailed off as Ouma approached him.

The pungent scent of lavender vanilla hit Shuichi’s nostrils as Ouma’s lips curled into a seductive smirk.

“Hey there, Officer.” he dragged a finger along Shuichi’s chest. “Have you come to arrest me?” he asked.

“Huh?!” Shuichi exclaimed.

“Well, you see, I’ve been veeeeeeeery bad recently.” his fingers climbed down to Shuichi’s belt loops and he hooked his fingers around them, pulling Shuichi close so that their hips were pressed together. “So, you should handcuff me and punish me accordingly, Officer.” he purred.

Christmas Clubbing With You (Saiouma “So...looks like we’re the only ones without dates, huh” for redes22):

“So? Don’t you think this is better than that dumb high school reunion?” Kokichi asked.

“I wouldn’t call the reunion dumb...” Shuichi trailed off.

“But, isn’t this better than being there?” Kokichi asked as he took a sip from his beer.

“Well...”

“Well?”

Shuichi reached for his beer.

“I guess it’s better than the reunion.” he admitted.

“You guess?” Kokichi huffed out a sigh. “I’m gonna make you regret saying that you guess.” he said.

An Emotional Christmas (Saiouma “You know I could never leave you alone on your favorite holiday” for Anon)

“Aren’t those our Christmas gifts? What are they doing here?” he asked.

“It’s here because we’re going to open them.” Shuichi replied.

“But why?”

“Because it’s Christmas, obviously.”

Kokichi bit his lip.

“But...” he wanted to continue, but stopped himself.

“But?” Shuichi said, eyeing his boyfriend curiously.

“It’s nothing. Don’t mind me.” Kokichi said.

Seduce Me, Santa Baby (Oumasai “All I want for Christmas is you!” and “Did you actually get a Santa suit?” for waywardflapprunebonk)

“That. What are you wearing?” Shuichi inquired.

“Oh! You mean my outfit!” Kokichi stood from his seat on the couch and twirled around for him. “What do you think?” he asked.

“It...it looks good on you.” Shuichi said, a light blush dusting his cheeks.

“Nishishi! I knew you’d like it~” Kokichi said.

“But still, you weren’t lying.” he eyed Kokichi up and down. “You actually got a Santa outfit?” he questioned.

“I sure did!” Kokichi chirped.

Shuichi sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I can’t believe you...” he trailed off.

“Well, you better believe it.” Kokichi twirled some hair around his finger. “You want me to sing a number for you?” he asked.

There You Are, In My Dreams (Saiouma “Did someone spike the eggnog?” for just-a-random-shipper-passing-by):

“Weeeeeee! I’m flying!” he declared.

Ugh, someone end me, please, Shuichi thought to himself.

He hiked up the last flight of stairs, finally arriving at the fourth floor. He made his way down the hall as Kokichi sang a pop song to himself, giggling and hiccuping every other word.

“Which one is yours again?” Shuichi asked.

“Room Fuck You.” Kokichi replied.

Shuichi glared at Kokichi as he dissolved into raucous laughter.

“Be serious here!” he complained.

“‘Be serious here!’” Kokichi mocked.

Late Night Lights (BKDK “You’re cute when you’re freezing” and “I may die if it gets any colder” for rikuzoldyck):

“Hey, Kacchan?” Izuku spoke.

“Yeah?” Katsuki answered.

“This isn’t so bad. Sneaking out of the dorms and doing things like this.” Izuku smiled. “It’s like a date!” he chirped.

Katsuki nearly choked on his hot chocolate. Izuku rose his head to look up at the blond.

“You don’t think it’s a date?” he asked, flashing him his best puppy dog eyes.

Katsuki stared at Izuku, swallowing. A furious blush made its way to Katsuki’s cheeks as he spoke.

“Of...Of course it’s a fucking date! What else would it be, Deku?!” he barked out.

Sweetness on Your Lips (Amamatsu “Merry Christmas, you dork!” for Anon)

“Ah, you have some dough on your cheek, Kaede.” he said.

“I do?” Kaede questioned.

“Yeah, come here a minute.” he said.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, his lips connecting with her cheek. Kaede blushed furiously as Rantaro licked the dough off of her cheek. Once he withdrew, Kaede’s hand flew up to her cheek.

“What in the world, Rantaro?!” she smacked his arm lightly. “Why did you do that?” she asked.

“It was to get the dough off your cheek.” Rantaro replied.

“But you could’ve just used your hand to get rid of it...” she trailed off.

“Where’s the fun in that, though?” Rantaro asked, sticking his tongue out teasingly.

[simply-wins-little-sis]

Jamming Out

Request: Can you do female teen reader where your jamming out to fall out boy, panic! And a bit of soul punk (if ya want) and Sam and dean come early from a hunt and find out you listen to them and tease you about it and it’s just some cute sibling fluff?

Edited By the lovely @gaveherhearttotheliontattoo

Tags: @winchesters-favorite-girl​ @percussiongirl2017  @the-third-winchester-warrior  @hellhoundlover @emmazach @sisterwinchesterwriter  @fandom-queen-of-wonderland @staticweekes @hi-my-name-is-riley @a-paranoid-bastard @because-you-never-know-when @enchantingempathhumanoidturtle @alexwinchester23 @winchesterhound  @rosie-winchester

Pairings: Sam and Dean x little sister Winchester! Reader

A/N : This was actually something I changed for the request. I wrote a lip sync sister one awhiillleee back and never posted it here....whoop! I added TOP because of the new album I’m super stoked for- whoops!

Your socks slid across the bunkers linoleum floor. Your sunglasses slapping down onto your nose, the slight pinch not interrupting your fun at all.

Taking a running start, you hurled yourself onto your older brother Sam’s bed, screaming the lyrics to an old Twenty-One Pilots song. You slammed your butt onto his pillows, your head crashing into the headboard Dean had found on the side of the road.

Your messy hair flipped its weight as you spun towards the center of the mattress, Dean’s oversized flannel swinging around your hips.

You were in a pair of spanks (from the time you went undercover as a cheerleader at a haunted high school) and the flannel only. Your sports bra had cut off too much of the energy flow you were trying to create.

After a good throwback came on, Young Volcanoes by Fall Out Boy, you had lost track of the chores you were supposed to be doing and started dancing.

Seven energy shots and twelve sour patch kid packets later you were bobbling around the makeshift home like you were a ticking time bomb, going to explode into a million specks of the sugar you had consumed.

“WEEEEEEE ARRRRRRRREEEEEEEE THHHHEEEEE WWIIIIILLLDDDDDDDDDDD!” not even sure your words matched those of the recording you had replayed a half dozen times by now you moved onto Dean’s bedroom.

His bed was already a mess, so it was easier to glide along the thin sheets. As the song switched so did your location.

Your sunglasses were some old ones you had found in your junk drawer earlier that morning, and boy were they useful now.

“OOOHHHHHH IT’S SATURDAY NIGHTTTTT!” you copied the new Panic! At the Disco song as best you could.

Up on a library table you began to shake and shimmy, forgetting all about the incoming arrival of your brothers.

The song switched and once again your location did as well. You had Charlie hack the intercom system, so your songs were quite literally sounding through the walls.

“A hotter touch, a better fu-,” You yelled along.

“Y/N Y/M/N Winchester, what in the hell are you doing,” Dean’s voice boomed in tight competition with the sound waves. You quickly scrambled for your phone, fishing through your pockets and then realizing its location.

You crept off the countertop and moved to the fridge. You opened the door, tracing your finger along the inside of where the energy shots had been, gripping the device and then shutting off the music.

“What was that?” Sam asked.

“SoIgotkindofboredwithchoresandthenIfoundtheenergyshotsandthenthesourpatchkidsandthenCharliehackedtheiintercomsandPanichadanewalbumandIcouldntresist.”

It was all strung so closely together your brothers gave out confused faces.

“She’s sugar high, I think,” Sam guessed, snatching your phone from your fingers. You shrugged your shoulders.

“You’re lucky we don’t ground you…” Dean began, “What even was that trash you were blasting my poor eardrums with?”.

“Really, Panic! At the Disco?” Sam remarked, flipping through some things. You impatiently tapped your foot.

Soon Eye of The Tiger began to echo throughout the bunker halls.

“This…this is real music…not that crap you were listening too,” Dean began to move to the beat.

Soon enough all three Winchesters were on the kitchen counter, sunglasses popping onto the bridges of their noses, screaming the lyrics.

[warriorsrewritten]

I have a question for the both of you. So what are your favorite pairings and do you guys have at least one for each Clan? Do you have any least favorite paring(s)? What about favorite characters and is there at least one that stands out for each Clan? What about for least favorite characters? Sorry for all the questions, but I have one more. Will cats not prayed as villains/bad guys now be prayed as such? For example Raggedstar, Ashfur and Breezepelt?

So what are your favorite pairings and do you guys have at least one for each Clan? Do you have any least favorite paring(s)?

Laika: I think I’ll have a better answer for you in that regard once we’ve gotten into properly writing them. I have a bunch of ideas for now, but only after writing fluff and banter between them will I probably figure out my favourites. My favourite tropes tend to be “enemies turned lovers”, I guess, so I’m kind of excited to properly flesh out Fireheart and Sandstorm, just because they have a rocky start in their youth and I’m a sucker for those kinds of developments? I’m not so sure for the other clans, yet... Again, though, these rewrites aren’t supposed to be super romance-heavy, but we’ll squeeze in bits and pieces here and there.

If you’re talking canon, I feel like I must’ve answered this before.... I think maybe we’re due for a Q&A page!

Anne:  Going from canon material, I have a few obvious favourites - some will likely stay as favourites even during the rewrite (tho what I enjoy most is the prospect of being able to throw out every pairing we despise lol) like Laika, I too live and breathe the "enemy turns crush turns spouse" but I also enjoy those quiet pairs, where there's little spoken yet there's so much said... like with Dustpelt and Ferncloud, and, in my head, every canon interaction between Blackstar and Russetfur that ever happened. Side character love stories aren't supposed to be something that takes up much space, but I find they become very precious anyway...

What about favorite characters and is there at least one that stands out for each Clan? What about for least favorite characters?

Laika: My answer will probably change after the writing process begins (again), but I’m looking forward to a wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, yet relentlessly sassy Firepaw. I’m excited to explore Blackfoot and Russetfur as characters in Blackstar’s eventual novella, too, and same for Stonefur and Mistyfoot in RiverClan (viva la revolution!). As for WindClan, I’m actually looking forward to exploring Deadfoot’s character the most!  

Anne: Faves in terms of showiest, most memorable cats consists of a list that's pretty long, but to make it quick I'll say that Firestar's a sort of, eternal favourite if only because he was the first one, y'know. Less feelings, more the symbolism I guess. But I do tend to like the misfits quite a lot too, those who struggle a weeeeeee bit with fandom popularity, like Squirrelflight, Bluefur (misc. fact; I actually don't care so much for her post-leadership ascension) and Blackstar. Oh and Cloudtail's just precious in every way.

Will cats not prayed as villains/bad guys now be prayed as such? For example Raggedstar, Ashfur and Breezepelt?

Laika: Well, I don’t think some of them are so black and white. Ashfur is weird as a villain because you can so easily tell he was just a name pulled out of a hat... Breezepelt is... Breezepelt. And I don’t know if I would peg Raggedstar as a “villain”, granted I never read any books that had him living, so I’m definitely just running with my ideas for him which are... not so “evil”. He’s not a fantastic dude, but I don’t think he’ll be the same as he supposedly was in Yellowfang’s Secret.

Scourge, Tigerclaw/star, Darkstripe, Brokenstar, Hawkfrost are all still antagonists, if that’s what you’re asking! We’re still in Arc 1 mentality, so I’m not sure yet what we’ll do with Ashfur, especially since the arc he plays Bad Guy in we’re completely revisiting...

Anne: Hopefully, those who remain jerks for one reason or another, will likely be called as much. 

Now it's not easy to just peg anyone as either this or that, especially as the plots aren't fleshed out enough that every role has been filled yet. I aaaaam however a weak mortal being, and would like to try something new when it comes to Breezepelt, if no one else, since I always wished to see him interact with the main cast in ways that weren't... strictly negative, y'know. On the other hand, I did in fact read Yellowfang's book and Ragged's behaviour did turn my stomach so unless I get reigned in, I would probably give him the straight jerk treatment LOL 

(remember to add a pinch of salt to my every statement my middle name is Whimsical with a capital 'W')

[fivenightsatfreddysfanfiction]

Family Matters

Not much is known of Meera, and that’s the way she prefers it, even if it means leaving herself alone in the world. Or perhaps she’s not as alone as she thought?

"...and then the kids went and pulled the pinata down! You should have seen it, they were like little hyenas! I'll send you the video!" a bright tone was easy to hear in the young woman's voice on the phone. Meera smiled as she listened, loading her dishwasher and pressing buttons for cleanup.

"Whose birthday was this?" she asked, the speakerphone picking up her question.

"Letti's; she turned eight. Tia Marie splurged on the party and invited the whole family...!" The voice trailed off into the silence of someone who realized they said too much.

Meera smiled tightly despite knowing the phone wasn't set to video calling. "It's okay. I wouldn't have been able to make it anyway. Looking for a job and all that. Bills to pay," she remarked as casually as she could. "Thanks for sending the video though!"

"Have you... reconsidered changing back?" the voice asked quietly.

"No," Meera shook her head, voice firm and resolved. There was silence in the air between her and the voice on the phone. She took a deep breath and pressed the button to key on the dishwasher. "Tell me what else happened this week. Did Lupe get that book he was after?"

"Oh my god, he wouldn't shut up about it! Okay, so what happened was..."

Meera collected her mail and sifted through the letters. A few late payment notices that she set aside to work with and juggle, offers for credit cards she fed to her scented candle, the usual. There were also a few notes from relatives, last names only marked with a 'C' for privacy reasons, addresses from a post box that wasn't connected to a physical location.

She opened those and was treated to a few store-bought greeting cards, signed by those few cousins that still wanted to keep touch in some way. Well-wishes from the older ones, questions of why she never visits from the younger ones, folded bills of money tucked inside pocket envelopes for assistance.

Meera read the notes, counted the money to see which bill would eat them first, and spent a few minutes afterwards in silent tears, burying her face in her arms as she huddled at the kitchen table.

"What do you plan to do for Thanksgiving?" the bright voice on the phone asked, a hint of concern in her tone.

"Same as before," Meera replied with a shrug. She stretched out her legs before tucking them in underneath herself, curled up in her favorite recliner. She would have preferred stretching out on her sofa but it was currently occupied.

"Eating takeout and watching novellas is kind of sad to do for that day," the voice sighed in exasperation. "Are you sure about not changing back?"

"Did you not see the news about Afton Robotics?" Meera countered dryly. "I'm dead serious about what I did and I'm not changing." She stretched out a leg again and wiggled her toes, watching them pass through the translucent blues of the figure sleeping on her couch. "Anyways, takeout and novellas is okay. I can catch up on the episodes I missed while working."

"How about Lupe and I come over and have dinner with you sometime?"

Meera opened her mouth, then closed it, humming in consideration. "You won't get in trouble with the others for it, Adriana?" she asked after a moment. The other woman laughed brightly, but the tone didn't sound genuine.

"Oh, what does it matter? We're family, prima! We stick together!"

Now she felt irritation flare up. "Oh? Like they stuck together when they decided to cut me out and send me as far from everyone as they could?" she bit out, tears she had bottled up on that day springing up hot and resentful.

"They're just scared. Can you really blame them?" Adriana replied softly. There was the faint scratches of pencil on paper and Meera used the lull in the conversation to rub her eyes dry. She wiggled her toes again, smiling a bit at the figure shifting to 'rest' her toes in a spot to allow more constant contact. "So I'll bring those tamales Papi used to make, I got better at making them, and Lupe will bring arroz, and we can make the rest at your place and have dinner together! Just the three of us!"

"You're actually gonna try that?" Meera asked, one eyebrow raising in disbelief.

"Mhm!"

She decided not to put her hopes on it.

Three applications out and no return calls. Meera sighed into her cup of coffee while Stephanie pat her shoulder comfortingly. Their meetups at Meera's favorite coffee shop were starting to lean more to Steph's favor of paying for drinks when before they had been on equal footing. It hurt but Meera was grateful all the same for being able to go to her calm spot.

"You think people know I'm the one responsible for Afton Robotics imploding like that?" she whispered, looking up at Steph with wounded puppy eyes. The fashion designer sighed and shook her head slightly.

"I doubt it. Your name was never properly registered, right? All they know is a man named Eggs Benedict managed to wreck the place and set off an explosion that took out the front business." She gave a little shrug. "There's not even word of the underground facility being discovered."

Meera sighed again. Small miracle, that. She still wasn't sure if the Master File's source code was still active down there. She hoped not, for people's sakes. Not with the Afton Family's plans for manipulating life and death still in its clutches....

"Have you tried applying for college again? Maybe some education can open more opportunities!" Steph suggested. Meera cringed, clutching her mug closer to herself.

"Kinda dropped out at one point before I took that job at Circus Baby's. I don't think they'd be happy if I came back with debts on my head and acting like I can just pick up where I left off," she replied. Not to mention that she would have to fill out the information honestly and that would raise some red flags in conflict with her identification.

"What about opening your own shop? Teach classes on self-defense?" Steph tried another idea. Meera lifted her head from her slump, blinking as she thought it over.

That could work, if she had the money to start a business. If she started her own, her identity wouldn't matter to anyone but herself and the institutions who were already aware.

"I'll look into it," Meera replied and then waved her hand to shoo the subject away. "So tell me about this guy you've been seeing. Is he cute? Is he sweet? Does he have any available siblings?" She smiled widely at her friend's sputtering and stammering, enjoying the lighter side of their get-together.

"Weeeeeee-" Stephanie had a habit of dragging out words longer than needed, eyes wide and teeth bared in a smile that made Damien bury his face in Ven's chest to escape it, "-should have a dinner party at your place!"

Meera lifted her head from her hand where she had rested it while looking at her letter tiles for the board game the bunch of them were playing. "Huh?" She blinked, lost, then felt a slight headache come on as Steph continued smiling widely at her. "What?"

"A dinner party! We come over with some dishes, cook the rest at your place, and just have dinner together! It'll be fun!" the fashion designer went on cheerfully.

"It'll be cramped," Meera countered, worry flooding into her stomach and making her skin feel cold. "You know my apartment's tiny."

"I had lunch with you there, it's not that small," Steph shot back with a wave of her hand.

"There's not much I have in the way of groceries for cooking," Meera said, fingers fiddling with the tiles.

"Then we'll just bring everything," Ven replied easily, fingers running soothingly through Damien's hair. "Just go with it. You know how Steph can be."

Meera sighed, a faintly exasperated smile on her face. She knew. "Fine, fine. Just give me time to clean up the place. What time are we doing this?" she gave in with a laugh.

Meera stared at the stack of bills and notices until a hand swept them away from her sight. She blinked and looked up at Lucian's stern expression. "You're supposed to be cleaning, not moping," he told her and walked off with the stack in his hand. "I'll put these away. If you can stand there for hours looking at these, imagine how captivating they might be for someone else."

She couldn't help but smile at his words. Scolding as they sounded, she knew the words he actually meant underneath them. Feeling a bit better, Meera went back to dusting off shelves and tables, tidying up her magazines and books, and setting her workout equipment to lock in place for safety.

It used to be she would put on music to keep the apartment sounding lively as she cleaned on her own. The silence otherwise suffocated her and made it to where she could only do small sections at a time before heading out to the garden to relax or watch her shows.

Now she listened to the chatter of her ghostly roommate as he criticized the clutter on her shelves, the clothes she threw into a corner of her room when she didn't feel bothered to put them in the laundry basket, and the lack of maintenance of her vacuum cleaner when he hauled it out to use on the carpet. Meera still had music on, but it was tuned to the energetic dance songs of mariachi bands, giving her the chance to grin and laugh when a particularly nice one came on and Lucian danced to the melody with the vacuum as his partner.

She danced along as she continued her part of the cleanup, feeling lighter than before.

"...and that's why my last commission has a ten-year-old's doodle incorporated in it!" Ven declared with a rueful smile over a glass of mixed juice. Meera found herself laughing along with Steph and Damien at the story.

The apartment was full of sound and warmth from the talking and cooking that had taken place. The dinner table was laden with food, enchiladas and Shepherd's pie and chicken curry and spinach leaf salad and cheesecake. A variety of foods that Meera wouldn't have thought she'd be eating in one dinner had been shared, which made her appreciate her friends that much more.

Stories of childhoods were shared, and Meera shared a few memories of her own, carefully sifting out any unneeded information and focusing on the fun she had playing family games. Sometimes she would wave a hand dismissively whenever Lucian poked his head up from the sofa to squint at her for her words. It didn't matter.

The phone rang, interrupting the group as they portioned out dessert to take to the living room and continue chatting in a more relaxing area. Meera gave it a puzzled look but headed over to pick up. A debt collector? Had her notices and final warnings caught up to her at last?

"Meera~!" Adriana's voice was bright and chipper as always on the phone. She pulled it away from her ear for a moment before daring to hold the receiver close again. "I am sooo sorry! Things came up and I had to babysit some of the cousins and Lupe went out of town for his 'supplies'." Meera gave a sad smile and shook her head in fond exasperation. "I really wish we were able to come by to have dinner with you. I can't stand to think of you out there by yourself. Family matters, no matter what the others in it think!"

By herself...?

She blinked, confusion on her face. That's right. She'd been sent out to be on her own, away from family that could be dragged down because of who she chose to be and the path she took in life. And yet...

Meera looked over at the group of people that had come into her life since moving to the town to live on her own. There was her ghostly companion talking casually with Damien about the Shepherd's pie and cheesecake he'd brought, eyes glancing up to check on her now and then. There was Ven, smiling happily as he bit into a forkful of cheesecake and flicked through the channels on her television for something they could watch. There was Stephanie, watching her with concerned eyes as if sensing her discomfort as easily as her twin could.

"Everything all right, Meera? We're setting up to watch a movie as soon as I get the remote away from Ven," Steph called out.

"Eh? Who is that? You have guests over?" Adriana remarked in surprise, and Meera returned to her phone call, a more genuine smile on her face.

"Oh, I have some friends over," she replied, "We had dinner and we're about to watch a movie. I'll talk to you and Lupe another time, all right?"

"Uh, of course! Have fun!" Adriana told her brightly and Meera put the phone down before hurrying back to collect her serving of cheesecake and join the group for movie night.

Family mattered to her, but to Meera, her friends were family too. Maybe one day, she'd have the courage to share with them the truth of who she was, but for now, this warmth and love chased away the chill of loneliness. For that, she was grateful.

END

[fourtwentythings]

How not to run a tumblr.

Be as inconsistent as me! hi I haven't posted like at all! WEEEEEEE. oh stay high friends and build those sims houses! Though I been really digging messing with cities skylines and stardew valley lately. might go mod my stardew valley game and hope I don't fuck it up.

[myriadimagines]

21) “He’s a bad kisser.", 95) “You’re cute when you’re all worried.” for Bruce Banner

Characters: Reader x Bruce Banner (The Hulk) + Tony Stark (Iron Man)

Warnings: none

Prompts: 21. “He’s a bad kisser.” 95. “You’re cute when you’re all worried.”

Word Count: 462

A/N: weeEEEEE hope you like it !!

Want to request a drabble? Read this post [x]

Tony: So, you still haven’t told me about tonight...

Bruce couldn’t help but look down at your phone, which had just buzzed with a notification from Tony. You had left your phone on the couch next to Bruce while you had gotten up to get a drink. Bruce immediately felt jealously fill his chest as he read Tony’s vague text message, and quickly leaned away when you strolled back into the room. 

“Here you go.” you offered a glass of water to Bruce and sat back down. The two of you were organizing Bruce’s files, and there were tons of papers. You leaned back on the couch, flipping through, as Bruce tried his best to seem innocuous. 

“Uh, I didn’t know you were dating Tony.” Bruce blurted, and cringed the moment the words left his mouth. You looked up, surprised, and tilted your head.

“We’re not.” you replied, and Bruce blinked. “What makes you say that?” 

“I... I saw your phone...” Bruce responded, and you reached for your phone and turned it on. You read Tony’s message and rolled your eyes, tossing the phone back onto the couch. 

“He asked me out the other day, but I haven’t told him yes or no.” you clarified, turning back to the papers. Bruce bit his lip, feeling awkward. He had a major crush on you, and it bothered him to think that you might have a crush on his friend instead. 

“So, uh...” Bruce adjusted his glasses and looked away. “Do you like him?”

“Maybe.” you shrugged, suppressing a smile as Bruce’s head shot up. You had no feelings for Tony, but you thought Bruce looked adorable when he looked anxious, so you couldn’t help but tease him a little. 

“Why, though?” Bruce spluttered. “He’s... he’s a bad kisser.”

“And how would you know that?” you asked, bursting out into laughter. Bruce sheepishly shrugged, his cheeks flushing. 

“I... I don’t. I’m just assuming... oh jeez, I’m making such a big fool out of myself.” Bruce sighed, running his hands through his hair. Smiling, you reached out and grabbed his hand.

“It’s fine, Bruce. I’m just teasing. I don’t like Tony.” you tilted your head, grinning as Bruce looked visibly relieved. “You’re cute when you’re all worried.”

“You think I’m cute?” Bruce asked, his eyes wide. You nodded, and a huge grin appeared on his face. “Wow. Thank you.” 

“You know, I just thought of how to reply to Tony.” you piped up, reaching for your phone. You typed something before showing your phone to Bruce, who quickly read your text.

Y/N: Sorry. Busy. I’m going out with Bruce instead.

“You’re going out with me?” Bruce asked, surprised. You rolled your eyes, and Bruce paused. “Wait, are you asking me out?”

“Yes, you dork.”

[cutieodonoghue]

let’s just be us (part 2)

summary: based on this post (rockstar!killian and movie star!emma secretly dating, but those pesky fans figure it out…)

word count: ~4000

also found here: ao3, ff.net

the first part: here

an: i lost count of how many people requested that i write more, so i wrote more. thanks to meagan for beta reading and giggling and crying and everything in between! <3 (also this is entirely fluff and i don’t know who i am anymore weeeeeee)

“We’re home!” Emma says happily.

 She steps into the apartment with her bag around her shoulder and Cocoa and Smee right on her heels. They charge into the place with excitement, eager to sniff everything and make sure it’s all still here.

 Killian laughs warmly as he sets his stuff down. “I’ll go grab the rest.”

“Kay,” Emma hums.

 She’s already charging for the thermostat and changing the temperature to help warm things up. It’s December in New York and they haven’t been here in what feels like an eternity.

 She begins to flip on lights and smiles when she enters the bedroom, discovering things just as they’d left them. Tidy and clean.

 “Not for long,” she mumbles under her breath.

 Emma sets her bag down on the bed and steps out of her shoes after peeling out of her coat. She opens the bathroom door and sets her bathroom bag down on the countertop.

 As she stands there in the bathroom, she meets her eyes in the mirror. It’s been a weird day. Long. Crazy.

 She can hardly believe she posted a public photograph insinuating her relationship with Killian Jones, but she did.

 Regina’s going to keep things from escalating too far, but they’re going to leave it ambiguous for now. At least, until Emma can figure out a decent way to announce she’s in love with her very best friend.

 Emma goes out into the bedroom and finds Cocoa already eager to curl up in Emma’s pillows. She smiles at the puppy and scrubs her fingers behind her ears before leaving a kiss to the top of her head.

 “Are you happy to be home, Cocoa Bean?” Emma leans away and hums to herself. “I know I am.”

 When Emma pulls her phone out of her pocket, she has far too many notifications. She nibbles on her lip, wondering what the fans have to say about the picture she’d posted.

 Curiosity gets the best of her as she’s walking out into the living area, ready to prepare some hot chocolate and to turn on the fake fireplace because she can.

@ekforever: YOU’RE BEING SO OBVIOUS NOW OMG (clap)

Emma stifles a laugh, tapping on the username. She discovers the page has blown up with magnified parts of the photograph. It’s all she can do but crack up as she reads the speculation accompanying each post.

 @ekforever: What do we know? We know Emma has been spotted at Killian’s concerts every night for a week and a half. (Check the previous post for the pics with fans!) Now that Killian’s tour is done, he should be heading home again in time to celebrate the holidays with family. We know Emma’s going to NYC- she just posted about it (I’m still DYING HELP) - and guess who lives in NYC? Killian! Aside from the obvious in the picture (*ahem* HIS DOG IN THE BACKGROUND AND HIS GUITAR AND HER HAIR????) I think the evidence has been piling up in our favor.

 Emma bites on her lip as she laughs and her cheeks burn hot, because damn she’s the absolute worst at keeping this a secret from people.

 Killian enters the apartment then with the rest of their things and smiles at her brightly. “Alright. It’s all up now, I think. I’m rather hungry. Would you like to order in?”

 “Yeah,” Emma smiles back at him.

 She stuffs her phone away and takes a breath, scanning her surroundings for the first time. There’s frost on the windows and the fridge is empty. It hardly feels like home, but at the same time, she feels more at home than ever.

 Killian brings his bag toward her, heading to the bedroom, and when he reaches her, he stops, settling his hand on her side so he can kiss her. They part with smiles on their lips, Emma searching his eyes as a laugh tumbles past her lips.

 “What was that for?”

 Killian’s eyebrows dance. “Welcome home.”

 “Welcome home,” She grins. She watches as he goes into their bedroom for a moment and then she goes to continue fixing her hot chocolate. “Do you want Chinese?”

 “Ah… yeah, sure. Should we phone David and Mary Margaret to let them know we’re here in relatively one piece?”

 Emma feels her phone vibrating wildly in her pocket and she wiggles it out, laughing once at the sight of Mary Margaret’s name. She swipes as she says, “I think I’ve got that covered. Hey, Mary Margaret.”

 “Emma, oh my gosh, I saw the picture on Instagram,” Mary Margaret says immediately, skipping all pretenses. “Are you okay? How are you doing?”

 Emma laughs once. She stirs the powder and water in her favorite mug and licks her lips when the hot chocolate begins to steam. She sets the spoon in the sink after spraying what’s left of the whipped cream into the mug.

 “I’m fine, Mary Margaret,” Emma insists. She carries the hot chocolate with her into the bedroom and sits down on the edge of the bed, watching as Killian makes quick work of moving himself back in.

 “You should see the gossip websites,” Mary Margaret sighs. “I even saw E News was running a story. You’re friends with them! I thought they were better than this!”

 Emma has a sip of her beverage and Killian gives her a look, silently requesting a sip. She rolls her eyes and holds it out for him. He grabs it in an instant and has a sip, leaving whipped cream on his upper lip that makes her laugh.

 “I’m friends with Ariel, Mary Margaret. Not the whole company.” Emma takes her hot chocolate back and sets it down on her nightstand as she gets comfortable on Killian’s side of the bed.

“Still.” Mary Margaret says disapprovingly. “I can’t believe they’d-”

 “It’s okay,” Emma tells her close friend. “I’m fine with the gossip. I’m getting kind of tired of having to keep things a secret.”

 Killian steps into the closet to grab the laundry hamper. He emerges and stuffs his dirty clothes into it before doing the same with her clothes.

 Mary Margaret sighs into the phone. “Well, as long as you’re okay, then I guess it’s fine.”

 “It really is.”

 Emma watches as Killian grabs his phone from the bed and at the same time, he grins at Cocoa. The puppy sprawls out on her side, exposing her belly for Killian’s warm hand.

 “How was the flight?” Mary Margaret asks.

 “It was good,” Emma replies. “Not too long. We got stopped two times at the airport when people recognized me, but it was fine.”

 “Well, this is good to hear,” Mary Margaret’s clearly smiling. “Do you want to get together tomorrow, maybe? We need to catch up.”

 Emma hums. “Yeah, we really do. Do you want to do lunch?”

 “Sure!” Mary Margaret says, then starts prattling off ideas she has, but Emma’s only focus is on the way Killian hauls their laundry out of the room.

 Emma slings her legs around the edge of the bed and starts walking out of the room.

 “I’ll text you.” Emma says to Mary Margaret after confirming the details of their meal tomorrow. She bites down on her lip and wanders into the living area.

 Killian’s ordering food now while he loads the washing machine and she finds that this is something she wholeheartedly adores.

 He turns to her after he finishes ordering and loading, her multitasking dream man, and he shows her his teeth with a smile.

 “Alright, we’ve got laundry in and food on the way,” Killian announces. “All that’s left is… an engagement ring for my beautiful fiancée.”

 Emma rolls her eyes. She settles her hands on his chest. “I don’t need an engagement ring-”

 “Don’t give me that,” Killian chastises her. “I know you. And I know myself. I’ve always wanted to have a proper engagement, so I hope you’ll be able to live with it.”

 She can’t contain her smile. “I think I’ll be able to.”

 “Well, that’s good, because I’ve got one.”

 Emma’s jaw falls open and she blinks dumbly. “What?”

 Killian just grins and slips away from her. He jogs into the bedroom and then emerges, holding a black leather ring box in his hand.

 “I’ve been waiting on it for a while. I didn’t think the time would come so soon.” Killian pulls his lower lip between his teeth, tugging at it. He pauses before her and smiles wryly as he drops to his knee. “Emma Swan, you are the love of my life and my very best friend. Will you marry me?”

 The sight of him on the floor holding a ring in his hand is about enough to make her emotional- tears welling up in her eyes as if she hadn’t ever expected this even though she absolutely had.

 Emma’s smile is weak at first, quickly spreading as she nods. “Yes. Of course I will, you goof.”

 Killian beams at her and they work together to get the ring on her finger. He bounces up onto his feet and his arms go around her as hers do the same. She digs her fingers into his hair and kisses him soundly, a laugh buzzing on her lips.

 “What’s so funny?” he asks, laughing between kisses.

 Emma shakes her head and looks at Killian. “Nothing.” She grins wide. “We’re engaged.”

 “That we are.”

 ..

 One of Emma’s token tricks to being an A-List celebrity is, while maintaining a calm and cool demeanor, not being filmed at seven thirty in the morning while she’s still waking up.

 Killian, being the way he is, likes to stretch the boundaries of her tricks.

 It’s not really his goal to film her, which makes it less of a situation, but still, she’s caught in the crosshairs of his muddled brain and enthusiasm for the day.

 It’s a Facebook livestream that he’s filming, showing off his breakfast as he’s cooking.

 “I’m making breakfast,” he says. “Eggs and bacon and perhaps some toast if I’m feeling adventurous. We’ll see.”

 His phone camera is boosted up against the sugar container just far enough away so it exposes Killian and the stove, but also far back enough that it shows the kitchen behind him, including the coffee machine.

 This is something Emma doesn’t realize until she’s in the frame of the video, staring at the phone with a confused tilt of her head.

 “And I thought I’d share a quick thought about-” He turns to her then, a smile filling his lips. “Morning.”

 Emma grumbles a response and grabs the coffee on the counter beside him.

 “That’s mine, love.”

 “Don’t care,” Emma replies, suffering through a hearty sip of the straight black coffee.

 Killian snickers at the camera. “She’s not quite a morning person, I don’t think. Hanging about my apartment like some sort of bum.”

 Killian clicks his tongue against his cheek, playing coy and loving every minute of it.

 Emma can practically see the comments now: ARE YOU GUYS TOGETHER OR NOT?

She hides a smile behind the rim of Killian’s coffee mug and sits down at the table with her newspaper and Cocoa, who curls up on top of her feet like she does every morning.

 “Anyway, I thought I’d share a quick thought about the holiday season, since it’s upon us and this is, in fact, Vlogmas, or Livestream-mas? Who knows what we decided it was called.” Killian flashes the camera a grin.

 Emma listens as the pan sizzles. It makes her stomach gurgle hungrily and she hopes he’s making enough for her too.

 She sips on the coffee and checks her phone for messages, finding a bunch of texts from Mary Margaret and a few from Regina, checking to make sure she got some sides for an audition.

 “When I was a teenager, my older brother, Liam, used to tell me that for Christmas, we should always give to those less fortunate even if we feel like we’ve got nothing, because one day we might be in that position. You just never know.” Killian pauses. “So that’s my thought of the day. Do with it what you will. I’m trying to decide where to donate to this year, so if you’ve any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.”

 Killian flips the switch for the flame on the stove to turn off. He turns toward Emma, flashing the camera a quick glimpse of her.

 “Everybody say ‘hi to Emma!’ Emma, say ‘hi to everyone!’.”

 Emma wants to groan, but she just manages a soft smile as she sips some coffee. “Hi to everyone.”

 Killian beams at the camera and waves. “Alright, bye! I’ll talk with you lot tomorrow.”

 She watches as he turns the livestream off. He drags his head over his face and then scratches behind his ear.

 “I apologize, darling,” he says, going straight to the table. He lowers a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ve been doing this… livestream thing as a sort of thank you to the fans in the days leading up till Christmas.” He shakes his head. “I didn’t think you’d get up this early.”

 Emma smiles at him. “It’s alright. I just missed you so I came looking.”

 He hums and his eyebrows dance. “I see.”  

 They stare at one another for a few moments. Obviously, he’s hesitant still about the livestream including her.

 Emma shrugs her shoulders. “It’s okay. We’re together. We’re just being us.”

 Killian smiles easily. “Aye. That’s right.”

 “Did you make enough food for me too?”

 Her fiancé starts to laugh happily. “I did, as a matter of fact. Want toast?”

 “I’m feeling adventurous. Yeah. Why not?”

 ..

 Emma is knee-deep in wedding plans when the first real public and intentional interaction with she and Killian comes up.

 It’s the red carpet event for a movie she played a small part in, and she knows there’ll be cameras and reporters wondering the juicy scoop on her relationship status, especially with all of the small things seeming to come to light on more credible websites and magazines.

 Every week, it seems she sees something about some silly thing sources have told them about Emma and Killian’s relationship. There are a lot of pictures exposing Emma’s engagement ring- her own fault for going to see a Broadway show with friends and announcing it online for the whole world to know.

 Regina’s remained quiet about the relationship to publications, meaning it’s a mystery to the world if Emma is indeed engaged to Killian, or if she’s just wearing a pretty ring and hanging around him a lot.

 “Hey, Killian?” Emma asks as she enters Killian’s music room.

 He’s sitting at his computer, his acoustic guitar in his lap and his microphone pointed toward his lips. He grins, turning to face her. “Yes, my love?”

 Emma sucks in a deep breath. Nerves tickle her belly ridiculously. “Do you want to go to the red carpet with me tonight?”

 Killian lifts his eyebrow. “With you? As your date?”

 Emma rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders. “Yeah. I mean, if you think you can handle that.”

 She watches as he sets his guitar down. He stands and crosses the room. His hands fall to her hips easy and he admires her with pure love in his gaze.

 “Oh, darling, I assure you. I can handle it.”

 She laughs- she can’t help it- and bites down on her lip. “Okay, then, let’s get dressed up and ready to face the music.”

 Killian lays a kiss on her that about sweeps her off her feet. After, his nose presses against hers and Emma licks her lips, wishing he could just keep kissing her.

 “Are we going to announce our engagement to the world tonight or are we playing it coy?” he asks.

 Emma shrugs. She meets his eyes. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

 “Let’s just be us.”

 ..

 “Emma, you look beautiful tonight.” Ariel says, admiring the dress she has on.

 Emma can’t help the blush on her cheeks even though she’s been told she looks beautiful dozens of times already.

 “Isn’t she bloody gorgeous?” Killian says from her side, poking his head into her interview.

 Emma laughs, bumping her head against his where it hovers above her shoulder. “Thanks.”

 Killian steps around her properly so he can engage Ariel. He gives her a quick hug and a kiss to her cheek. “Hi Ariel, how are you, love?”

 “I’m good,” Ariel laughs. She nods at Emma. “It’s good to see you both here tonight. Emma, are you excited to be here? How are you feeling?”

 Emma smiles politely at Ariel. “I’m excited, yeah. I haven’t seen the movie yet but I’ve heard it’s incredible. I can’t wait to see what they did with me.”

 Ariel chuckles. She gestures to Emma’s hands, clasped together in front of her middle. “Now, you don’t have to answer this, but the Internet has been abuzz for months about that shiny rock on your finger…”

 Killian breaks out in the cheekiest grin she’s ever seen in her life and she laughs, holding her hand up so the camera can see it.

 “I don’t know. Kind of looks like an engagement ring, doesn’t it?” She’s staring at Killian and Killian’s smiling at her, and she swears this has never felt simpler.

 “It kind of does,” Killian says warmly. He bumps her hip gently and Emma giggles, scrunching up her nose as she rights herself and listens to Ariel’s next question.

 By the end of the interview, Killian has Ariel laughing and Emma’s fairly certain this is going to be the thing that breaks the entire Internet, because he’s standing with her and he’s being totally charming- and then he decides to take her hand.

 Emma smiles at Ariel in thanks and waves to the camera. “It was nice seeing you again, Ariel.”

 “You too! Enjoy the movie!”

 “Thanks,” both Emma and Killian say in unison.

 Emma grins at her fiancé as they walk away from the interview hand-in-hand.

 No, this has never felt simpler.

 ..

 The interview with Ariel opens up doors and windows for Emma, who feels more confident in sharing bits and pieces of her life with her fans, and by extension Killian and his fans.

 Many of their fans are the same, it’s true, but there are some outsiders who crossover when Emma starts making posts about their trip to Atlanta for a guest spot she’s doing on a Netflix show.

 Killian decides to post their first video together to Instagram when he’s bored sitting at the airport waiting for their plane to be ready for boarding. It’s barely six and she’s still half-asleep, holding a mug of Starbucks while she stares off into the distance.

 She’s sitting very close to Killian, craving his warmth and cushion-like shoulder that she rests her head upon.

 “We are on our way to Atlanta,” Killian says. He points his phone at the window to show the plane. “For Emma’s new gig. I think we’re supposed to be there a month, right, Swan?”

 He lands the camera on her and she buries her face in his shoulder, mumbling, “No, don’t film me, I’m cranky.”

 Emma wraps her free hand around his arm and snuggles close to him.

 Killian leaves a kiss to the top of her head. “Oh, poor little cygnet.” He leans his head against hers. “It’s very early. We’re both quite tired. Leave a comment suggesting good spots to eat when we land, mates.”

 When he shuts his phone off, he kisses the top of her head again. “You look beautiful, Swan.”

 “Shut up.” Emma hides her smile against his shoulder and meets his eyes. “Should we add it to our vows that we won’t film each other when it’s too early?”

 Killian laughs heartily. “Well, I’ve no promises there, love.”

 Emma hums. She’s overcome with love for him, so she lets it go and says, “Love you.”

 “I love you more.”

 ..

 The Internet all but knows the truth now, but there’s some lingering doubt until the selfie Emma takes of them and their puppies laying in bed one beautiful summer morning.

 They’re damn cute, the four of them all snuggled together under the blankets of their bed. Killian has a tired eye cracked open while his hair is a complete mess, and Emma looks equally as sleepy, but she wants to post this picture because she’s happy.

 Sometimes, Emma likes to check in on @ekforever just so she can smile and laugh at the compilations of facts. These days, they’ve started just posting crying emojis regarding each status update or photograph that comes from their professional accounts.

 The first thing they have on their page is a photo taken on the carpet of an independent film Killian got to score. He’s holding her tight, his smile huge while she laughs and presses her left hand against his chest, clearly showing off her engagement ring to the world.

 @ekforever: (loudly crying face) THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL LOOK HOW FAR WE’VE COME

 The comments below are all essentially a collection of hearts, heart eyes, and a smattering of words describing their love for the photo and for them as people.

 Emma discards her phone, turning to look at Killian in their bed while she snuggles Cocoa close to her chest. Smee has decidedly hopped out of bed in search of a toy since waking up.

 “Hey,” she whispers, a smile spreading on her face.

 Killian hums. “Hey.”

 “Happy wedding day eve.”

 He laughs, crinkles finding the edges of his eyes. “Happy wedding day eve to you, Swan.”

 Emma scoots toward him. Thankfully, Cocoa decides to get up at that instant, leaving the bed to the humans. She wraps her arms around him and presses her knee between his. Her nose brushes against his nose and she admires the blue of his eyes for a few moments in beautiful silence.

 “Are you excited?” she whispers.

 “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in my life, quite honestly.”

 Emma hums. She brushes her thumb over the scar in his cheek and closes her eyes. “We’re going to be married tomorrow.”

 Killian sighs through his nose. “We’re going to be married tomorrow.”

 For a few long moments, they soak in that fact.

 All of the planning has amounted to this: a wedding ceremony, with only their closest friends and family to witness. Liam, Killian’s older brother, is officiating, and after the exchange of vows, Emma has planned for them to share a meal and dancing on the roof of the apartment building.

 It should be nice and peaceful, assuming nothing derails the affairs.

 “As soon as we announce it, we’re only going to get questions about when we’re having a baby.” Emma says, deadpan serious.

 Killian bursts out laughing and his hand squeezes her side. “Bloody hell. That’s true, isn’t it?”

 Emma giggles along with him.

 Killian kisses her forehead and then the tip of her nose while he admires her. “Well, Emma Swan, I would be honored to have children with you, should the time ever come.”

 Emma hums. “And I’d be honored to have children with you too.”

 She rests with her forehead against his for a few moments until she hears Smee’s tell-tale barking.

 “Maybe we don’t need children with Smee and Cocoa,” Killian grumbles teasingly.

 Emma giggles as she watches him get out of bed.

 He grabs a shirt and pulls it on. “Alright! I’m on my way. Just be patient.” Killian turns back to Emma and leans over the bed to award her a proper kiss good morning. “I am in over my head for you.”

 Emma sighs and licks her lips as he walks away just as quickly as he’d kissed her.

 ..

 She has hundreds of photos from the wedding, thanks to Ruby, Mary Margaret’s best friend who’s a photographer, and she chooses one of she and Killian dancing during the reception as the first post she’ll make as Killian Jones’ wife.

 It’s an intimate shot, Emma’s cheek resting against Killian’s collarbone. She’s smiling and everything is beautifully lit. The sun is just setting, so the glow of the light illuminates the joy on she and Killian’s faces.

 She takes a few minutes to think of a good description to add to it and ends up giggling into her hand while Killian’s showering in their hotel room in Maui.

 @emmaswanofficial: #ekforever

[mrrolandtfranco]

How To Make This Physical Map of Wyoming For Some Reason

This is a physical map of the beautiful US state of Wyoming.

And here is a quick cheat sheet of its elements:

Let’s take a closer look at this cartographic process in ArcGIS Pro, shalllllllll weeeeeee…

Imagery Layers

Just like an onion. The more layers there are, the more they’ll cry. Why are they crying, and who are they? We don’t have time to delve into the unknowably complex workings of the human heart. But we (I, anyway) definitely have time to delve into the knowably simple workings of this map.

This map begins, as do many of my weird concoctions, with a Firefly Imagery basemap. Just the basemap, though, no glowing stuff this time around. The Firefly Imagery basemap provides us with rich, desaturated, surface texture without all that bothersome hue. Great context.

In the Add Data dialog, there are lots of ways to bring content into your project. I suggest you explore what is available in the Living Atlas, a curated warehouse of great, hosted, content. I’ll make lavish use of it in this map. By choosing the Living Atlas source and searching for “Firefly” I find and add the Firefly Imagery service.

I love it.

But this is going to be a physical map, so while the Firefly Imagery provides a good textured tonal base, I want to add a cartographic Land Cover layer to paint back in some contrived hues.

When I give this layer a transparency of 65%, I get a merging of the Land Cover chroma with the Firefly texture.

The topographic relief of Wyoming is magnificent. I want to call attention to the beautiful, and variable, ruggedness of the state. So I pulled in a hillshade layer from the TopBathy set…

But the default grayscale appearance is of little use to me, so I play with colors and opacities in the Color Scheme Editor and get a color ramp that has fully transparent mid-tones so the underlying map doesn’t looked washed out; rather, it has been bumpified. More on that here.

Now it looks like this:

Yowza, those mountains are coming right at us! Now this looks like a map I could run my hand over. The bumpification hack is great, and it pairs especially well with the mist hack. Let’s pull in a simple Digital Elevation Model, also from the TopoBathy family of elevation data…

By default, it looks like the typical DEM ramp of black to white. But you can perform all sorts of color/opacity shenanigans to make it paint in a misty white only at the lowest elevations.

The result is an elevation layer that replicates a ghost-like mist that clings to lowlands and meanders up and through mountain valleys. High elevation mountains are revealed in crisp clarity as they rise above the wispy plains. This gives the map a painterly sense of forced reality. Find more self-indulgent examples here.

Vector Layers

Pretty fun right? Who’s got it better than us, seriously. So far this map is made up only of a Firefly Imagery basemap, and two deviously symbolized TopoBathy image services. Time to get all vectory on this map though.

I downloaded US Counties from the Census Bureau, and symbolized them with a thin white stroke and and underlying black gradient stroke to give a slight dropshadow effect. This inherent contrast helps them remain visible, albeit faint, over lighter and darker terrains. Plus I think it looks kind of nice. Learn more about using Symbol Layers to stack up visual layers in an item’s symbology here.

Resulting in this appropriately muted counties overlay…

Then I added lakes and rivers from the super helpful Natural Earth. Since the lakes are visible in the imagery and land cover, I gave them a null style (but still checked on) as a foothold for labels, later. Rivers are thin semitransparent blue strokes. Barely visible, really. Towns, also quite small and mostly added as a label foothold, came from a US DOT Open Data portal.

Next I added a states layer, also from Natural Earth. But in this case I only wanted to show the state of Wyoming, to set a visual focus for the map. How can you only show one state from within the states layer? A definition query! The visual query builder made it easy, even for a stooge like me. Definition queries quickly became a tireless ally of mine in this project. For what it’s worth, I also used them to show only larger-population towns in the step above.

The visual goal of this is to make the border of Wyoming look like a cool vignette, wrapping around the state and mega-framing the theme and content. I gave the symbology a few gradient strokes (make sure you give them negative offsets of half the line width, so they render inside the state (positive offset if you wanted them to render outside the state, like a dropshadow).

Ah, there’s Wyoming!

To further this goal of highlighting Wyoming, I added a second version of that states layer to serve as a sort of visual masking effect. But rather than showing only Wyoming in this case I chose to hide only Wyoming.

I gave these not-Wyoming states a semitransparent white symbology.

Which looks like this:

Now there can be no doubt. Wyoming, clearly the star of the show.

Labels

Adding labels to each of these layers is a blog post in itself. But I’ll just breeze through it with a couple of tips.

Embrace transparency. I’ve made all text semitransparent and their halo colors even more transparent. If a layer is less important, like counties, transparency can help reinforce that.

Contrast font color with halo color. I either used semitransparent gray fonts with semitransparent white halos or a semitransparent white font with a semitransparent black halo.

Use letter spacing with abandon. If you have crowded low-priority features, like towns, push the letter spacing tighter together. So long as they are readable, it’s cool. If you have a tier one feature, like the state name of Wyoming, go bonkers with letter spacing (and force all caps). In this example WYOMING has an eye-popping letter spacing of 1,600%.

Orient labels to curve along the graticule. It seems to give the labels a sense of belonging in the geographic context.

Well, there you have it. The steps of how to make this map. Maybe you don’t even want to make a map like this! But even still I think there are some helpful tidbits in here for all flavors of mapping adventures.

Show And Tell

I’ve heard Daniel Huffman, describe much more eloquently the creative, and technical, empowerment that comes with watching another map maker pull back the veil and show their process. But I have to rely on analogy. I am often fascinated by, and frankly intimidated by, many Vader-caliber maps that I see out in the wild, just swinging that lightsaber and breathing through a respirator like an unknowable machine. But when I’ve had the opportunity to chat with that maker, or watch them give a how-to talk, or read their blog post, I realize that any map is just a series of usually-doable steps, and underneath the helmet is a redeemed old gray dude with burned off eyebrows. The magic was in the steps up and putting them together just so. Anybody can do it.

Happy Mapping! John

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