#pretty sure I have just the right thing to sketch during biology now

[kittyball23]

A Violet Perspective (an Incredibles fanfic)

Summary: Life as a girl named Violet Parr is not always easy. With shyness to overcome, a family full of superpowers, and the boy of your dreams seemingly far away from your reach, it can be a bit of a challenge. But things are bound to change for the better, right?

A/N: Second person POV similar to the fic I wrote for Ericka Van Helsing in Hotel T, only this time, with Violet Parr and the Viony ship :)

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The first time that you hear about Tony Rydinger is during Biology class.

Kari McKeen, an overexcited classmate of yours who immediately introduces herself with much enthusiasm, tells you about him among other students at the school as you guys engage in the class activity of that day – sorting through the different animal families. He catches your interest for the way that she describes him, with a charming personality that made many girls at the school fawn over him. You’re all for cute boys… even if they didn’t pay you much mind. You hear of him mentioned by other girls as well throughout that morning, all with the same dreamy reactions, fondly sighing or giggling with giddiness after recalling some memory unbeknownst to you.

It's lunch by the first time you actually see him, and your breath hitches - true to the word of mouth, he was indeed a looker. A sweep of dark brown hair sat upon the crown of his head, with eyes the exact color of a rich chocolate and an infectious smile that seemed to bring joy to everyone around him. The way he held himself was confident, yet relaxed, and the way he spoke seemed to convey warmth, honesty, and sincerity.

Instantly, you know that he is different from the other boys you’ve had crushes on. He had a certain quality about him, one that you simply felt drawn to, one that could not be explained away with just words alone. But as you continue watching him, getting a sense of his popularity and the types of girls he gave attention to, it's clear that your chances with him are not very high. You wish you could be like those other girls – poised, not shy in the slightest, and most importantly, pretty. You sigh, distracting yourself from your own dark black hair with dry-tipped roots, gangly frame, and baggy clothing that look nothing like the short-shorts and blonde bangs some of the other girls have. Instead, you work on a sketch under the table, already committing him to memory with pencil and paper. Even when you’re satisfied with the outcome of the piece though, it doesn’t compare to his actual liveliness. Regardless, you pack it away in one of your notebooks, grinning to yourself at the feelings he was stirring within you, the happiness and joy, and hoping that he could share them with you one day.

__________________________________________

Your silent wish to rid that bashfulness comes true.

You weren’t sure exactly how it was to happen in the first place, but the way it did certainly was not at all what you had in mind. That whole mess with Dad and his secret ventures to some island to do superhero work that went wrong… While it had its unnerving moments, getting into super mode does wonders for your own confidence, rubbing off to your personality with others after the venture is over. You now wear your hair back, have a wardrobe of brighter clothing, and a smile on your face that’s not all that bashful.

It takes Tony by surprise too, when he happens to approach you at your younger brother’s track meet. Instead, it is he who fumbles around for something to say, leaving you to propose the idea of going out together sometime. You laugh to yourself afterwards. You actually did it! This scene was something that you wouldn’t have even pictured only a couple months ago. But you are ever grateful that it did.

__________________________________________

Your first date couldn't have gone more awkward, and yet somehow, you expected it that way.

After dumping him out in front of the movie theater with an order to buy the tickets and popcorn, you and your family head off to quickly tend to apprehend a speeding car thief. It didn’t take long, thankfully, and you return just in time as the titular credits roll. He’s a little confused, but doesn’t question it, as there’s another pressing matter at hand – namely, your family, who have occupied the seats right behind you guys in the theater. It’s embarrassing at times, with your dad’s boisterous laughter, Dash’s occasional teasing, and your mother and Jack-Jack noisily munching on some cookies in the background. But, for the most part, they give you your space, and you’re able to make some conversation with him and he with you. And when you do, there’s an instant click amongst you, a special connection that neither one of you can't quite put a finger on, like two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting into place. You get that feeling again. That sense of belonging with this boy. Forever.

__________________________________________

There are no words to describe your first kiss. It's wonderful. Perfect. Unexpected even. One minute you're laughing about a bad joke, and the next you find yourself enraptured in his gaze, his eyes locked to yours with keen interest. You both begin to unconsciously lean in closer, his hand coming up to carefully tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear before skillfully moving down to cup your cheek. Your breathing quickens as you come to realize what is happening. You quickly shut your eyes just as you can feel his breath upon your face, his soft lips pressing ever so gently against yours. It's quick, chaste, and he pulls back enough to gauge at your reaction. You smile timidly, looking up into his eyes with an excited glint in them. He smiles widely, a light blush tinting his cheeks as he leans in again for another, you leaning in to meet him halfway.

__________________________________________

It takes a span of one minute for Tony to change the way he sees you forever. You’re worried for a moment that this is a repeat of what had happened when the Underminer attacked Municiberg, where Tony, in fear and confusion, had sprinted off without awaiting some sort of explanation. This time was also an accident. Jack-Jack, next you guys and munching this time on some spicy-flavored chips, had suddenly sneezed out, flames shooting right out of his mouth. You yelp in surprise and act upon instinct, generating one of your forcefields around the two of you to prevent the flames from striking. At the same time, Dash runs off at his top speed to the kitchen, grabbing a cup of water for the baby to drink. Something like this was a normal occurrence in the house, but it’s only after it happens and you bring down the forcefield that you realize just how it has affected Tony. He gapes at you, his jaw dropped in utter shock, and you have no choice but to admit the truth. And, unlike that first time when he was wary, he was actually very pleasantly surprised by having a Super girlfriend with a Super family, whose parents were the legendary Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. Why, it was incredible!

You blush at the word “girlfriend” and laugh at the obvious pun he makes of your father’s name, knowing now that your secret would be safe with him.

__________________________________________

The wedding comes exactly four years later, just a couple of months after you guys’ graduation.

His proposal is craftily done as your families celebrate the occasion at your house. He says he has a gift for you, and you think at first that it is a bouquet of flowers or a nice piece of jewelry. Your second guess is right, though it catches you by complete surprise to see just what kind of jewelry it was. It was a ring, with a beautiful gem on the top nestled inside an elegant velvet box that he holds up to you while down on one knee. Tears fill your eyes as you gratefully throw your arms around his neck, excitedly repeating “Yes!” over and over and over.

At the wedding itself, your father is a bumbling, sobbing mess. Your mother is far more collected, though she sniffles a little and dabs at her eyes with a napkin while the vows are exchanged. Your brothers are ecstatic as well - despite the gags and pretend recoils they made at anything too "lovey-dovey", they still expressed joy at the momentous occasion.

You end up staying in Metroville, Tony inheriting the Happy Platter restaurant from his parents while you take on a career in fighting for justice. He fears for your safety at first, not knowing if his wife truly was as safe as she made herself seem when fighting crime. You reassure him on multiple occasions, as your parents or brothers regularly come to your aid to fight as a team. You can tell he feels safest with you in his arms, secure in knowing that you've made it past another day, and that he won't lose you. 

__________________________________________

Your first child comes after nine months, a lovely little girl. Amethyst Rydinger, with soft brown eyes like her father's and hair a deep shade of brown it nearly looked black.

Your second child, two years after that, is just as breathtaking. John Joseph Rydinger - or "JoJo" for short – had rich ebony hair and twinkling blue eyes. Your parents are caring towards their grandchildren, and your brothers make surprisingly good uncles. And, as your children grow, you can’t help but laugh at how similar their relationship is to the one you had with your siblings in their youth, squabbles, shrieks and all.

__________________________________________

Amethyst's powers reveal themselves on an otherwise ordinary day. It’s the summer, and the weather was unusually hot even for Municiberg’s standards. You set up a little rubber kiddy pool outside in the backyard, your children already waiting with their bathing suits, and turn to grab the hose from the side of the house to fill it up with. But, as you turn around with the hose in hand, you are stunned to find that the once empty pool was now filled with water. Before you could question why, Amethyst raises her arms, a gush of water coming right from her palms. You grin, turning around to call indoors for your husband only to find that he had witnessed it as well, and was now standing open-mouthed with shock at the patio doorway with the icy drinks he was holding having fallen right out of his hands. Instantly, Tony runs right over, engulfing you and your daughter in a tight, happy hug.

It's even more surprising at JoJo's revelation of powers, realizing that both your children inherited the so-called "Super gene" from you. His are the complete opposite of his sister’s, being the ability to harness pyrotechnical forces and emit them through his palms as well.

It worries you at first, uncertain of how your husband - a non- Super - would feel about it. To your delight, he takes it in stride, simply overjoyed to have such a unique and talented family. 

__________________________________________

Your mother passes first, at the ripe age of 82. Your father delivers a heartfelt speech in her honor, voice quivering with sadness as he recalls how brave and beautiful she was. Your brothers are unusually quiet next to you, Dash looking down at his boots while Jack-Jack stares straight ahead blankly. 

Your father passes only a couple months after, the heartbreak being too much. He's buried alongside your mother's grave, their Superhero emblems engraved onto the stone.

Winston's speech at the memorial is emotional, full of sorrow and grief for the loss. An elderly man himself, he recalled the days in which Supers had been legalized once more, with your parents having been dedicated to the profession of helping others around them. Unable to take it, you sob quietly, leaning your head against Tony’s shoulder as he wraps an arm around you for comfort.

__________________________________________

You retire from Superhero work at 70. It’s five years past the NSA advised retirement age for Supers, but you just find it difficult to give up on your passion. Tony assures you that it’s okay, pointing out that Amethyst and JoJo have had it handled quite well in their own careers as NSA Supers. You know that he’s right, and you let out a sigh of relief, snuggling up against him on the couch. You’re content to know that your children have successful careers, proof in how the news reporter stood with them now, gushing over their success in successfully apprehending criminals from a bank robbery, and content with the outcome of everything that had occurred thus far in your life, both Super and civilian, having Tony, your wonderful husband and metaphorical partner in crime, by your side the whole time.

[chaos-in-bright-pink-hair-dye]

Vamos, T-posing on Vaya's shoulders: >:D

~ 🧷

You just didn't XD like you're right but!

[kindrednerdspirit]

Sometimes a Thing Feels so Right: Part 5

Excerpt: A slow smile spreads across Izzie’s face. “This time, I’m ready to broadcast our business.” “Oh yeah?” Casey murmurs. “Pretty sure we’ve already done that.” The curve of Izzie’s lips makes it hard for Casey to think about anything else, so she inches closer until their foreheads touch. The two giggle as they re-live the forehead promise from their not-so-distant past. To draw out the moment, Casey gently rocks her temples against Izzie’s, enjoying how tantalizingly close their lips are.

One Block Later. The Library.

When Izzie walks into the library for the student council meeting, she’s pleased to see Mel is early, too.

Mel looks up from her notebook. “Hey. I know we already have the safe space posters printed and ready to hang up, but I have some ideas for future designs. And ideas for other ways we can make Clayton Prep an LGBTQ+ friendly place.” 

“Great! Hold that thought.” Izzie quickly texts Jason to check up on him.

Hi Jase. Did mum help you and Alysha get ready for school?

The two girls jump into it. They’re about 15 minutes into their work when Harmony and Scarlet show up.

“Wow, you’re early!” Scarlet exclaims, looking at the girls. Izzie shrugs and keeps working. Scarlet scrutinizes her as she makes her way over to the table. Her eyes burn into Izzie, making it hard for her to concentrate.

“What?” She asks, her voice a bit too sharp.

“Your energy feels different, that’s all.” Scarlet ignores Izzie’s tone, continuing her visual inspection. “Did you hear anything else from Brad?”

The pen in Izzie’s hand stops in its tracks. The last people she wants to hear about are Brad or Nate or some other guy she cannot care less about. In the past, she’s repeatedly made this clear, but these two are relentless. Izzie sighs, because she knows It’s time to go public. Before she can change her mind, she looks directly at Harmony and Scarlet and straightens her back, so she’s not slouching in her chair.  “You know that I think Nate and Brad are assholes and I’m tired of repeating myself… so, I’m hoping you’ll listen to this--I’m gay.”

Harmony’s eyes widen and repeatedly blink. Scarlet doesn’t look much different than Harmony, but she’s able to form some words.

“Oh, shit, Izzie. I--we didn’t know.” A long silence fills the library. “Sorry.”

To her right, Mel shifts in her seat, but despite everything, Izzie feels fine. Actually, she feels an odd sense of relief. She realizes she rarely sees Scarlet uncomfortable, so she decides to enjoy the moment.

“Damn, you two, nobody died. I like girls, it’s cool.” Izzie looks over at Mel and the two burst out laughing. “We have to go ladies, but no hard feelings. Really.”

The two girls take their LGBTQ+ posters and leave, so they can start hanging them up in the hallways. Meanwhile, Harmony and Scarlet find themselves alone and digesting the news.

“Do you think her and Casey--” asks Harmony.

“Yes,” replies Scarlet with a firm nod.

“So, we probably shouldn’t have written ‘slut’ and ‘ho’ on her shoes then--”

“No, we shouldn’t have,” she says with a firm head shake.

Harmony inches her hand toward Scarlet’s. “Should we--”

The warmth of Harmony’s hand startles her, making her quickly pull away. “No.”

Concern clouds over Harmony’s face. “Should I--”

“Yes.” Scarlet replies a bit too quickly. She forces herself to look at the wall, anywhere but her friend. In a flash, Harmony grabs her notebook and pencil case, then scurries out of the library.

Break Between Classes. In the Hallway.

“I can’t reach any higher.” Izzie protests while on her tippy toes. She’s holding a stapler with an outstretched arm.

Mel is holding the safe space poster with ease against the bulletin board. “Would you like me to find you a box?”

“Haha. Very funny.” Iz rolls her eyes. “But, yes, a box would help.”

With a grin Mel takes the stapler from Izzie. “Or, you know, I can do this and you can hold the posters.” She proceeds to staple the top right-hand edge of the poster. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots Casey walking down the hallway.

“Yo, Izzie. Casey 4 o’clock.”

At the sight of Newton, Izzie sucks in a quick breath. This is her chance. “Here, Mel. Hold these or something.” Izzie drops the small stack of posters on the ground and whirls around to face Casey’s direction. Her body is shaking as she tries to find the right words.

“Hey. Can we talk?” Izzie’s voice quavers.

“Nope,” Casey replies firmly.

“I’m sorry.” Iz follows Newton to her locker, while Newton aggressively puts in the lock combination.

“I'm sick of you apologizing. You led me on, you're jerking me around. I hate it.”

“I really like you.”

Her pleading and stating the obvious irks Casey even more. “Yeah, in this moment, but in ten minutes, you might be embarrassed by me or kissing some random guy. Just leave me alone.” She slams the locker door, then abruptly turns and starts marching down the hallway.

“Newton!” Izzie is on Casey’s heels. “Will you stop for two seconds so I can explain?” 

It’s as if Casey is seeing red. She’s exhausted from avoiding Izzie at track this morning, nevermind what is currently happening. Needless to say, when she turns to face Izzie, she is done with this conversation.

“What?” Her brow is furrowed, but when she notices Izzie’s close proximity, her eyes soften.

They are close enough for their bare legs to touch. One of the few perks of a Clayton Prep skirt. Izzie hovers close before dipping her chin up. “I’m done being weird,” she murmurs. Casey’s heart is practically bursting as she watches Izzie’s lips part. It’s deja vu of the dance. The two of them in the exact same position with their lips close, but it’s different this time. This time, Izzie initiates. But like before, time slows as the two enjoy one another’s presence and touch. Their legs gently bump together as their arms intertwine.

Her lips taste delicious, like soft, warm vanilla beans. Exactly how Casey remembers. She brushes away a strand of Izzie’s hair after pulling away. Their eyes are locked on one another, a happy glow emitting from the couple. 

Izzie hasn’t felt this good in weeks, not since the dance. She figured she’d feel self-conscious after kissing Casey in front of everyone in the hallway, instead she feels fine. More than fine, even. There’s a strange sense of pride. She’s happy to show off what she has with Newton to Clayton Prep.

“That was pretty weird.” A dumbstruck grin spreads across Casey’s face. This is not what she imagined happening during her walk from Biology to English. She’s still wondering whether the last few minutes actually happened.

Doubt sets in at Newton’s response. Izzie feels her inexperience showing. Was the kiss okay? Did Newton feel the same?

“Bad weird?” She tentatively asks.

Casey just chuckles and throws an arm around Izzie’s shoulders, leading her toward their next class.

“I have so much to tell you!” 

Iz giggles, ecstatic to have her girlfriend holding her close, to have her favourite person back.

“First of all, I told my dad that I love you.” Casey feels her body being pulled back, as Izzie’s feet stop moving. Her eyebrows shoot up as she struggles to find the words.

“Wow, Newton, I--”

“But he thought I meant as a friend.” The two girls laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. “I would’ve corrected him but.. I wasn’t sure about us.” There’s an uncomfortable silence for a few beats. Iz presses her hand firmly against Newton’s. 

“You can be sure about us.”

A Few Weeks Later. Getting Ready for the School Dance. Gardner’s House.

When Casey walks down the stairs in her 1980s-style yellow and black patterned button-up shirt with black suspenders, Elsa feels a surge of pride in her daughter. She cannot restrain herself, she has to throw her arms around her girl and squeeze tight.

“I’m so proud of you!” Casey’s outfit matches the 1980s theme of Clayton Prep’s dance, and it’s reminding Elsa of her first high school dance with its overabundance of neon, big hair, and hormones.

“Mum!” Casey protests with an eye roll. “It’s not like it’s prom or grad, it’s just a dance. Or what you kids used to call it, sock hops.” She’s waiting in the living room, so she can make a quick escape with Izzie when she shows up.

Elsa is now leaning on Doug, enjoying the moment, ignoring her daughter’s teasing. “Can you believe that our youngest is going to her first dance with her first girlfriend?” Her eyes are starting to water. Doug pulls Elsa in with one arm, so her chin is resting on his shoulders. 

“They grow up fast.” He says quietly enough so only Elsa hears.

By this point, Casey has noticed the water works are starting, so she wanders over to Sam who’s sitting on the couch sketching. She gets all up in his personal space by resting her chin on his shoulders. There’s no hesitation or pause in the pencil’s movements. It’s as if Casey isn’t even there.

Ding-dong.

Within seconds, Casey is flinging open the door. She needs a quick exit to escape from the Elsa paparazzi. Except that as soon as she sees Izzie, the quick exit gets scratched. Izzie is wearing a denim jumper, somewhat similar to her own, but more stylized with buttons and rolled up sleeves. Her ears are adorned with her usual hoop earrings, but she’s paired them with a Boy George inspired hat.

A sheepish smile spreads across her face. “Hey, Newton.” She peers around her girlfriend to look at the Gardner family. “Hi Gardners!”

There’s a flurry as Elsa ushers Izzie and Casey inside. “You girls look so cute! Come in, I just want to take a few pictures.”

Casey gives Izzie an apologetic look, but of course, Izzie doesn’t mind. It’s kind-of nice seeing Casey’s family wanting to document and remember this moment. There are pictures taken of them as a couple, then they move on to taking some pictures of the Gardner family.

Sam pauses while Elsa is taking one of him and Casey.

“Are you and Izzie more serious than you and Evan?” His question is genuine.

“Dude, what the hell?” Casey exclaims before glancing over at Izzie. Izzie laughs, not bothered by his question.

“I need another person to go to for advice, like Evan, but I don’t know if I should expect your relationship status to change.”

Casey playfully punches her brother’s shoulder.

“Ow!” His face is scrunched up. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I’m your sister. It’s basically my duty to communicate with you in annoying ways.” Casey walks over to Izzie, wraps her arm around her, then pulls her in for a kiss on the cheek. “I can’t say she’ll give you advice, weirdo, but she’ll be around for awhile.”

***

Synthesizers and dreamy British, New Wave sounds fill the gymnasium. There is a lot of neon, big hair, hormones, and bright lights on the polished gym floor. Izzie stretches out her arm, holding up an inviting palm to Newton. A slow, confident smile spreads across Casey’s face before she takes Izzie’s hand.

“You look…” Her brain is at a sudden loss for words.

“You too.” Izzie finishes her sentence, then promptly blushes before looking at her feet.

“C’mon, let’s show these Clayton Prep losers how to dance.” Casey proceeds to reach into her pocket and pull out fingerless gloves. Izzie’s eyebrows shoot up. 

“I got them from Elsa’s closet.” 

“My girlfriend is unbelievably cool.” Iz says with a wink before placing Newton’s fingerless-gloved hands around her waist. “Hold Me” by Fleetwood Mac begins playing from the speakers. In response, Casey pumps a fist in excitement and carefully but skillfully dips Izzie with her other arm. 

“The power of the fingerless gloves.” She giggles.

“And you think Sam’s a weirdo?” Iz smirks.

The two begin Snoopy dancing to the upbeat piano and guitar licks. Elsewhere, Harmony and Scarlet are dancing suspiciously close, while Mel is talking up some girls at the punch bar. Despite the entire student body surrounding her, Iz doesn’t feel self-conscious at all. She’s just happy she’s no longer hiding anything.

“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper begins playing, so the girls ditch the Peanuts-inspired dancing. Izzie cannot help but think of the hotel party as the familiar electricity between them pulls their bodies together. Her hands slip around the small of Newton’s back as their bodies rhythmically sway together.

A slow smile spreads across Izzie’s face. “This time, I’m ready to broadcast our business.” 

“Oh yeah?” Casey murmurs. “Pretty sure we’ve already done that.” The curve of Izzie’s lips makes it hard for Casey to think about anything else, so she inches closer until their foreheads touch. The two giggle as they re-live the forehead promise from their not-so-distant past. To draw out the moment, Casey gently rocks her temples against Izzie’s, enjoying how tantalizingly close their lips are.

Iz bites her lip. She wants to resist the urge to taste Newton, but her deliciously warm lips are too inviting. Goosebumps appear on her goosebumps. She feels the familiar tingly feeling that only Newton has ever given her. She could get used to this. This whole being happy at school, time away from her home responsibilities, being comfortable with her identity. Iz feels the remaining tension in her body loosen and the warmth of Newton’s arms around her. She feels safe in her embrace. Neither wants to let go, so they continue moving back and forth, as one, with their foreheads pressed together well after the song ends.

The End

[sumeshi-t]

the idea of making hc’s of children is sosososo cute. i’ll follow ur steps chloe @akaashit-baeji lolol this is gonna be really self-indulgent buuut my excuse is that it’s my birthday so here it goes... i'm writing the last half of this with a hangover and a bad case of dysmenorrhea... sucks 2 be me

Oikawa Teru (及川 輝)

his name “輝“ means “bright”, and this boi lives up to it because, let’s face it, he’s gonna be like his dad. he embodies this “brightness”, in a way that he’s smart, and he makes sure he and his team’s (or whichever team he’s going to be in) will shine on the court

wavy/curly hair and a victim of my and his dad’s astigmatism. always has this cheeky smile, and he gets my brimming energy so he’s really approachable and charming

very good with words; it’s like he always knows what to say

when he plays he also wears contact lenses

but don’t be fooled. in their generation, it’s him who has to put iwaizumi’s son in check. he knows everything about his teammates too, he knows more than what he lets on (which sometimes, they find creepy, but they all know he means well)

anyway, unlike his dad, he doesn’t really mind having geniuses around. instead, he watches them very closely; something like “mutualism”. he knows what he lacks and he knows he can learn from them too, vice versa.

is into horror games. in his free time, he and his sister take turns playing. and they decide it by seeing who can last the longest without flinching/screaming. he’s annoyed because his sister’s better at it 

has fans, ngl. i mean look at him. however, the female fans especially, are pretty on guard. he’s approachable, but anytime they see him with his sister... they back out. he doesn’t mind, he loves his sister and it actually amuses him. he’s the same when it comes to the boys who hang around her too!

basically protective siblings who are always there for eo

is very neat. can’t concentrate when something is out of place. he keeps his nails short, has a somewhat flowery scent. yes, he uses female perfumes because he despises strong smells.

bug-catching was his childhood hobby just like mine’s was. used to sneak beetles in iwaizumi’s son’s backpack back then

he will never admit it but he actually asks his sister for fashion tips because his taste sucks ass so bad

basically his major problem or issue in life is getting compared to his father (he’s also a setter). he hates that so much, being hidden in the shadow of his dad, and when people just recognize him for being oikawa tooru’s son.

something he and ushijima’s child relate to so strongly. they’re friendly rivals; might end up being teammates in their career hmm

so when he’s the one stressed, he skips practice for a day just so he could recollect his thoughts. usually stays in the library to read books he picked up based on the titles; might either open up to iwa or his sister later on, it depends. then when he’s okay, he doubles the amount of training

Oikawa Rie (及川 麗恵) it’s /ri-ye/ oki

so the kanjis are: "麗" meaning, beautiful and "恵" is blessed. tooru thought of this name obviously

also has curly hair like mine. has that tiny mole below her eye just like i do. actually has lots of moles over her body; one time she fell asleep on the couch her brother drew connecting lines between the moles on her arm and called them constellations. it was nice she thought but still, the next day, teru had to wear a band-aid over his nose bridge.

she’s just a year younger. is less “vibrant” than her brother, a bit more serious. has a resting bitch face and she’s not even sorry about it and i love her for that

she’s actually relieved she looks like that, or else she knows the girls in her class would flock to her just to get in her brother’s pants. usually brushes them off with “ask him, not me” or “do you think that’s any of my concern?” 

her tongue her words damn never get to this baby girl’s bad side she’s gonna burn you alive. like fr when she’s angry, oh she’s gonna show you that she’s angry. but tbh she's very sweet, leaves little notes or little gifts to her friends every now and then

she just doesn’t want her brother’s heart to be broken (she’s heard stories from her mom about her dad’s many hs exes), and she knows teru’s struggles

therefore

doesn’t really like volleyball that much. it’s because she didn’t get to grow up with her dad around, she felt like it separated her from him. she’s not mad at him though. she’s very supportive of him and her brother.

used to play vb though when they were kids. but that’s all it was for her

she’s the team’s honorary manager lol the occasional “i brought you guys sumn” or “something-kun, a girl from my class says she likes you so do your best” etc

the team’s lil sister how bout that

despite being tolerant of horror games, this girl is vvvv squeamish. she cries at the sight of internal organs or blood. biology lab was the worst time of her life 

when she dug up my hs videos she was shook to discover i once did theater. and thus begins her interest in theater too

and??? baby girl is actually???? really really good???? 

the girls she used to shut down nicknamed her “prima”, short for “prima donna” she hates it. hates it more when her closest theater buddy was the one who spread that around

immediately went to the gym to spike some balls from her brother. baby girl was crying because she was just so pissed.

she was given ice cream and sweets afterwards. ugh it’s so cute idk she’s baby to the team skksksk they protecc

in that upcoming play, her first ever performance, the whole team got front row seats and howled when she came on during curtain call; it was vvv sweet and memorable even if the guys were kinda reprimanded afterwards lmao

which is why, in return, boiis also have a hard time approaching her because damn??? the vb team as your knights???? excuse me??? 

oh have i mentioned she has a sweet tooth? mygod. she has a stash of sweets in her room. teru has had to sneak some away because she might get tooth aches or diabetes

her pastel nail polish is arranged by shade, her body clock is fucked up lmao she hates the mornings; has succulents by her window which she names after various characters from books/plays etc she’s for sure gonna be a theater actress tho

asks help from iwa’s son for math. even her brother’s 0% help. teru is smart but a terrible teacher. she’s an above-average student and that’s all that matters for her. she can leave the spotlight to her brother because she only craves one type of spotlight

Miya Seiichi (宮 聖一) and Miya Seiji (宮 聖二)

their names literally mean “聖” sacred then “一” is one, and “二” is two

atsumu thought it was funny. when they were kids, seiichi’s nickname was “juan” and seiji’s was “tutu” (i gave them the nicknames)

when the twins discovered the meaning behind the nicknames, they hated it. especially seiji, he despises it vvv much

so when they were hs, seiichi = chi, seiji = ji for the people they're close with

as we can see here, the twins unfortunately got my curls. seiichi likes his hair as is. he doesn’t like the thought of dyeing his hair just to be differentiated from his twin. in fact he enjoys twin jokes, enjoys tripping people up about it. seiji on the other hand, grew tired of his brother’s jokes and by the time hs started, he sacrifices his soft hair. 

between the two, seiji is the one who has my ugly eyesight. add to the fact that he reads a lot (once he starts he can’t put it down. so he reads in the dark, in a moving car etc)

the piercings was a thing that happened between them, and their cousins (which were also twins wtf)–it was a 2v2 vb thing and they lost

surprisingly, the cousins weren't pleased bc atsumu didn't scold them for getting piercings (but for playing half-heartedly). seiichi wanted the piercings tho tbh it was the perfect excuse. ngl, seiji also wanted them.

first let's talk abt seiichi, aside from the fact he also got my mole (he feels it makes him look cuter tho)

seiichi's into vb, but not a setter. he's the ace. may or may not push through with it as a career. he hasn't decided yet. is actually a bit sad that seiji didn't join the vb club in hs, he wanted them to be like his dad and uncle.

seiichi doesn't have any uh, quirks like shutting the whole cheer squad up like his dad does. but he usually dribbles the ball five times before any serve (this is something i did before) and he likes the 'ooooh hey' thing the crowd does when he goes for a serve

his side of the room doesn't have much stuff going on except workout equipment. he follows what exercise plan i give him as da PT mom that i am, and he is very strict with his diet and with what he eats–he's close to not needing a calorie counter anymore; but not a picky eater. he loves his uncle's cooking very much and he is jealous he can't cook even if he tries

he can do beatboxing, he learned it through youtube lmao his spotify playlists are da bombest; he learns a lot in youtube tho in his free time. his current interest is magic tricks and french (he thinks he can use it to woo that girl from class 4)

he hates insects, and hates mess. he has had to scold his twin about it that it escalated to them having this imaginary line in the middle of the room

anyway, he's straightforward. but not rude. he just doesn't like any pretenses so he says what he thinks or feels is right. may or may not have led to some misunderstandings, but he owns up to his mistakes if he crossed a line

next, seiji

even if he looks like a nerd with his glasses tbh he is not he actually hates studying. you can love reading without having to love studying right? he's that dude

the only time that he regrets dyeing his hair was when he realizes couldn't change identities so his brother could take his exam for him

his side of the room is littered with his sketches, notes from books, pencils everywhere – he drew a bunch of ants one time on a paper and made it look like they're real ass ants and placed it on seiichi's pillow

to solve this problem, atsumu has planned to give him a tablet for his next birthday

quits vb in hs because he kinda lost interest? he still finds it fun but he doesn't wanna be put under the pressure that his dad and uncle left for them lmao

he's in art clubs tho

he designs banners/posters for the team anyway. they use his strategic mind from the shit he's read for any plays and stuff so when he's not drawing, he's thinking

he might look like he has no emotions, but tbh he is more emotional and empathetic than his brother. he cries easily over the simplest things, like those grandparents vids, or rescuing animals and stuff

and thats why he doesn't let people in too much bc he knows he'll be hurt (dw seiichi knows this vvv well, and even if they do have arguments, he loves his lil bro and helps him about this)

has once begged to have a cat at home–seiichi didn't want bc he knows his twin is gonna leave him for clean up lmao

he can cook period.

he's gonna either be an architect or an animator, still hasn't decided.

his music taste sucks lmao. his youtube recents are filled with cooking stuff; in constant conversation with his uncle abt cooking lol it be cute sometimes atsumu is jealous bc he feels his son is closer to his brother than with him

he is forgetful that's why his stuff is messy lol he keeps misplacing stuff, sometimes it's literally in front of him and he's just 'where????'

but remembers dates well, remembers plays well. he's good at nitpicking tiny nearly insignificant details. just anything outside studying? he's good. dw he passes his classes but he hates giving effort for that shit lololol

[wychive]

tagged by : @neo-shitty​ (toffee! ilysm hehe)

tagging: @noya-sannnn , @vitriosan , @hwanami , @luthenia and anyone else who wants to participate

slight warning : mentions of food

this is kind of long so it can help you relax if you want to do this!

[ one ] tell me the first song that made you stan your current fave group and why did your faves attract you so much?

wave // ateez

when jane showed me and fely (she already stanned ateez) the mv i was like :00 this song is really good and it goes with my type of music; pumped up and really fun. i decided that i wanted to stan them because of this introduction video that they did during pirate king where san broke the toy hammer trying to smack yunho’s ass SHHSSIJS,, i found them really funny and comforting! they made me so happy and that’s why they attracted me so much. + their amazing music ofc 

forever // exo

alright so i originally just casually listened to exo from wolf era up till 2017 when the kokobop teasers came out. they looked really pretty and so i watched them up till kkb was released. it’s what baekhyun’s voice in the forever teaser that captured me into stanning them. everything about the exo’s attracted me, their vocals, their dancing and ofc their visuals. bonus: their time on the ‘360 show(??)’! im not sure of the actual name for the programme but it was where yixing kept pronouncing jurassic park wrong pls that was so cute and funny how could you NOT stan them!

[ two ]��answer the ten questions given by the previous person and write 10 of your own for the next person!

what’s your favorite season and why?

we only have two types of seasons here but if this includes western seasons, i would pick spring! flowers give me a sense of calmness whenever they start to bloom so being in a season where it’s just different coloured plants all around you? sign me up pls

are you a cat person or a dog person?

im a cat person! i currently have two cats as pets

what’s your current favorite song and why can’t you stop listening to it?

it would probably be fever by ateez! this is because it gives off freedom vibes and i’ve been stressed lately so the song is a little oasis for me

if you had the ability to do either of the following, would you rather change something in the past or see into the future?

i would choose to see into the future so that i could change what i do now, whether its related to me being lazy or me being selfish,, i would like to keep the past the way it is even if i had some scarring moments. it’s nice to look back on those and see how far you’ve come as a person.

what’s your favorite movie?

my favorite movie would either be spirited away or paper towns,, i actually don’t have a favorite movie because all of them have affected my life in different ways so yea :D

what did miss rona ruin for you this 2020?

probably the food fair this year,, my group of best friends were supposed to go there to celebrate jane and another friend’s birthday. the food fair happens yearly so it wasn’t anything big to anyone else, but to us it was something special. there are a lot more things but this was one of the major things she ruined :/

what’s your favorite album? (you can name one for each genre you like or you can just name one, it’s up to you.)

toffee why my top three would be day6’s sunrise, bts’ you never walk alone and lauv’s ~how i’m feeling~

if you could talk to your past self (person who lived your past life), what would you tell them?

“hey, dude, i hope you’re doing okay. stop being so selfish all the time alright? and stop comparing yourself to others, it wouldn’t do you any justice. make sure to spread A LOT of positivity even if no one acknowledges it. its okay to cry sometimes too. is my soulmate doing okay? i hope they are. i’ll make sure to find them in this timeline, and the next. whatever it takes. learn to love yourself.”

do you have a go-to person? who is it?

uh i dont have a go-to person,, i can’t vent or rant without feeling like burdening the other person or spreading negativity to them. instead i just kind of rant to myself on discord.

if you could tell your younger self something, what would you say?

“hey, kiddo. don’t fall in love too much nor fool around. it’ll affect you badly. appreciate the things your parents do for you, okay? don’t take anything for granted. ignore the people who call you names, they don’t matter here in the future. just be you.”

how do you spend your free time?

who or what is your biggest inspiration?

if you were a character in a horror movie, which stereotype do you closely resemble? and why?

your top 3 fanfiction tropes! (can be nsfw)

do you believe in soulmates and why?

painting or sketching and why?

what is on the top of your to-do list right now?

list down the top 3 things that make you happy.

who are you simping for right now?

what is your first core memory?

[ three ]  bold the statements that apply to you, italicize your aspirations.

AIR ༉⋆͙̈

i have small hands / i love the night sky / i watch animals and birds when i pass them by / i drink herbal tea / i wake to see the dawn / the smell of dust is comforting / i’m valued for being wise / i prefer books to music / i meditate / i find joy in learning new truths from the world around me

FIRE ༉⋆

i don’t have straight hair / i like to wear ripped jeans and overalls / i play an organized sport / i love dogs / i am not afraid of adventure / i love to talk to strangers / i always try new foods / i enjoy road trips / summer is my favorite season / my radio is always playing

WATER ༉⋆͙̈

i wear bracelets on my wrists / i love the bustle of the city / i have more than one set of piercings / i read poetry / i love the sound of a thunderstorm / i want to travel the world / i sleep past midday most days / i love simply lit dinners and fluorescent signs / i rewatch kids shows out of nostalgia / i see emotions in colors not words

EARTH ༉⋆͙̈

i wear glasses or contacts / i enjoy doing the laundry / i am a vegetarian or vegan / i have an excellent sense of time / my humor is very cheerful / i am a valued advisor to my friends / i believe in true love / i love this chill of mountain air / i’m always listening to music / i am highly trusted by the people in my life

AETHER ༉⋆͙̈

i go without makeup in my daily life / i make my own artwork / i keep on track of my tasks and time / i always know true north / i see beauty in everything / i can always smell flowers / i smile at everyone i pass by / i always fear history repeating itself / i have recovered from a mental disorder / i can love unconditionally

[ four ] the ultimate tag: answer whichever ones you want to because there are a lot.

personal 

name: [REDACTED], alachi nickname: teja, kai birthday: april 11 zodiac: aries nationality: malaysian languages: english, malay,  learning korean gender: female sexuality: biromantic height: 160 cm / 5"2’ or 5"3’

blog stuff

inspiration for muse: music, other people’s work meaning behind my url: fever (current fav song) + core (aesthetic??) blog established: around 2018 but i started becoming active in late 2019/early 2020 followers: 146  ( i love you all )

favorites

favorite animal/s: anything connected to the cat species  favorite book/s: the authentics (abdi nazemian), satellite (nick lake) favorite color/s: lighter shades/mid-tones of cool colours, a dash of yellow

random

average hours of sleep: 6 cats or dogs: cats coffee, tea or hot chocolate: tea current time: 11:34 pm dream trip: south korea, japan, europe dream job: song producer, lyric writer hobbies: listening to music, browsing the internet hogwarts house: ravenclaw last movie watched: harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban last song listened to:  no. of blankets you sleep with: 1 random fact(s): my favourite subjects are biology and english!

[ five ] 10 songs i can’t stop listening to:

eternally - txt

fever - ateez

blue - keshi

lights out - exo

00:00  - bts

strawberries and cigarettes - troye sivan

maze in the mirror - txt

i loved you - day6

 illusion - ateez

 stolen moments - the vamps

[all-hail-the-witcher]

are you drunk, high, or sober

so kids

today is,,,,mikeys birthday!! my lil bean boi is growing up awww

anyway though, so, obviously we did not go to high school together cause fuck distance so for this Special Occasion I decided to combine my freshman bio class, my senior English teacher, and a bunch of mikeys 1 am bullshit together to create what I think could be an accurate rendition of how we would have met if we had gone to high school together.

really it’s just a crack fic about evolution and hot cheetos.

_____

ship: platonic (bro) ralbert

genre: straight crack

words: 2529

editing: I was about to say no but I actually did !!

warnings: Race is a raging bromosexual, hot cheetos, danny devito, conspiracy theories, fish are untrustworthy monsters, yaks, lactaid, bros bein bros, albert just wants his pencil back okay

_____

Albert fidgeted in his seat slightly, highly uncomfortable in his priest clothes. Well, okay, they weren’t priest clothes, they were his graduation robes. Except he had bought them a size too big accidentally and they now looked like priest clothes. Race had made fun of him endlessly, even commenting that they should cosplay as priests sometime. Obviously, Albert had flat out refused, but that didn’t stop Race from sending him the occasional Psalm or slightly incorrect Bible passage.

But enough about Albert’s priest clothes. Let’s get back to the matter at hand: graduation.

It was a daunting day for both of them: a relief that they had finally made it and yet also sad because they wouldn’t get to pelt each other with spitballs during psych anymore. High school was where Albert had met Race, all because of a particularly cursed biology lesson during freshman year. It had never been established if Race had been entirely sober during that first exchange. Albert had always claimed that he was hungover at the least. Whatever the case though, Albert felt a smile stretch slowly across his face as the voice of the valedictorian faded into oblivion and he recalled the events of that day…

•••

“-in fact there was a time when people thought that giraffes were just horses who decided they wanted to eat leaves.”

Albert tuned back into the biology lecture he had effectively been ignoring when the blonde kid next to him with the dead fish hair swatted the pencil he was sketching with out of his hand.

“Dude!” Albert whisper screamed. “Give me that back!”

The kid, who was an asshole for stealing his pencil, instead twirled Albert’s pencil thoughtfully. “Nah, you're missing the best part of the lecture! I’m doing you a service!”

Albert rolled his eyes. “Look, people were dumb. It’s not my fault that some idiot 500 years ago thought that a giraffe was a horse in disguise.”

Asshole glared at him sideways in a manner that Albert could only describe as disappointed.

“What?”

Asshole sighed heavily. “Some people don't appreciate the cryptid animals of the world.”

Now it was Albert’s turn to stare disappointedly.

“Okay so like,” asshole’s eyes lit up and he threw Albert’s pencil with such force it landed two rows away from him before bending forward to stare into Albert’s soul, “you know about fish right?”

Albert’s disappointment was beginning to morph into annoyance. Plus he really just wanted his pencil back. “...yes?”

“Okay so essentially, fish aren’t real.”

“Wrong. I have three.”

“They’re government spies!”

“No they’re not! I bought them myself from petco!” Albert considered for a moment. “And besides, one of them is paralyzed.”

“He’s malfunctioning!” Asshole slapped the table so hard that the people in front of him looked back slightly to see what was going on. “It’s a glitch in the system!”

“What? No. He’s just...dying? I guess?” That was actually kind of sad now that Albert thought about it. Maybe he should just euthanize Rudolph…

“No, dude, I’m telling you. Fish aren’t real!”

“And I’m telling you that you're wrong!”

“Look,” asshole was starting to sound exasperated now. “Have you seen a fish since the government shut down?”

“Yes, I literally just said that I have three at home!” Albert leaned down to grab another pencil out of his bag so he could continue drawing. He was about done with this conversation.

Asshole sighed heavily. “You're a horrible person. A non-believer. When your robot fish report you to the government for hoarding all the lactaid for yourself in your basement then I will say I Told You So.”

“First, they’re not robots. Second, I’m not even lactose intolerant?”

“Well.” Asshole paused to pull a bag of hot cheetos out of his bag. “I am. And I fully intend to hoard all the lactaid myself when I take over the world with my seven yaks so you better have a good security system.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Albert paused looking for a pencil to stare at the asshole next to him.

“My master plan to take over the world with seven yaks,” asshole said as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“And what does that have to do with fish?”

Asshole considered for a moment before pulling off one of his white converse high tops and pointing to his socks that were covered in- wait were those cryptids?

“You see my toes?” Asshole said, wiggling his foot around for emphasis. It was then that Albert began to question whether or not this kid was entirely sober.

“Yes…?”

“They can fuck them. Honestly. Fuck fish and fuck everything they stand for fuck them.”

“Okay.” Albert gave up searching for a pencil, deciding that talking to a potentially high person was more entertaining than doodling shitty flowers in the margins of his notes. “Do you have any other opinions about animals that I should know about?”

Asshole considered for a moment while crunching loudly on his hot cheetos, effectively getting orange spicy dust all over the table and Albert’s notes.

“So, whales,” he said finally.

“What about them?” Albert almost regretted asking.

“They sLap. But also, they’re BIG,” He turned to face Albert, his eyes wide, “and they don't need to be.”

“I mean, they do eat a lot of fish, they have to store it somewhere.”

“They could just, like, shit it out.”

“That would be a lot of shit.” Albert tore a piece of paper out of his notebook and began to fold it into a paper airplane. “Also I’m pretty sure that they already shit, so that doesn’t solve the problem.”

“But they could shit like, POOF!” He threw a small handful of cheetos in the air for emphasis.

Albert stared in confusion at the pile of orange crap now littering the lab table. “You want…..whales…….to have explosive diarrhea…..so that they can be smaller?”

“Yes,” asshole said confidently, beginning to eat the cheetos off of the table.

“That's...interesting.”

Asshole threw a cheeto into his mouth casually. “You know if you made out with a whale technically it would be brushing your teeth.”

Albert turned his head slowly to face the asshole seated next to him. “I’m sorry. What?”

“You heard me.”

“Doesn’t mean I wanted to,” Albert muttered under his breath.

“Also-”

“Oh no.” Albert put his head in his hands.

“Hey! You asked for my animal opinions!”

“That was before I knew they included making out with whales who have explosive diarrhea!”

Asshole threw a hot cheeto at him.

“Fine, fine,” Albert sighed, brushing hot cheeto dust off of his shirt, “let’s hear it.”

“Well, no offense to anyone who actually likes them but kiwi birds are weird and why did they need a fruit named after them and why are they fuzzy and who gave fruits the right to be fuzzy like what the fuck- WAIT-” he flung out his arm so that is wacked Albert in the chest and stared into oblivion as if he had just seen the ghost of shrek, “WHICH CAME FIRST THE BIRD OR THE FRUIT?”

“I don't know?” Albert said unhelpfully.

“God they’re as cryptic as whales,” asshole groaned, all but slamming his head into the table.

Albert chose to ignore the mess of a person next to him and pretend like he was still taking notes, as the teacher had grown suspicious of what was happening in the back of the room and was beginning to eye them. But, Albert still didn't have a pencil so it didn't really work.

“What does a kiwi bird look like anyway?” He asked once the teacher’s eyes were off them.

“Your worst nightmare.” Asshole turned his face on the table so that he was looking at Albert.

“Alright then.”

Albert decided that if he was going to pass this class he better take out a pencil and at least pretend to take some notes. However, after digging a pencil from the very depths of his bag, he discovered that the asshole was still intently staring at him.

“Aren’t you going to take notes?”

“Notes and my brain don't mix well,” asshole said, eating another hot cheeto. Albert wasn't quite sure how there were that many in the bag considering he had thrown at least half of them on the desk. Maybe he was a wizard. “Ask me more questions about animals.”

“Can’t you tell me your name first?”

“You've sat next to me for two months and you don't know my name?” Asshole clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “Tisk tisk Albie.”

“Oh no, you are not allowed to call me that,” Albert groaned. He hated that nickname more than anything. Well, he potentially hated kale more, but only cause it tasted like unwanted veiny leaves.

“I’ll call you whatever I want until your sorry ass learns my name, Albie.” Asshole smirked. “Now, ask me about animals.”

“Alright, uhhh…” Albert’s eyes wandered across the doodle-filled pages of his notebook until they landed on a drawing of a shittly looking smiley face sheep. “Opinions on sheep?”

“I want a sheep,” Asshole whispered wistfully. “They seem fluffy. And precious. Like clouds.”

“Good to know.” Albert doodled a sheep jumping on a cloud. “What about, uh, crickets?”

“Hmmmm. They’re kinda scary.”

“Are they now?”

“Yeah. One time one got stuck in my brother’s dorm room and he was so scared he sent me a snapchat video of him screaming.” He paused to monch another cheeto. “Yeah. Crickets are scary but rubbing your legs together under a blanket as such is nice so crickets make some points I guess.”

“Rubbing your legs together under a blanket?” Albert asked incredulously.

“Yeah like, when it’s 4am and you can't sleep? Have you never done that before?”

“No…?”

“Oh.” Asshole looked disappointed for a minute. “Well, you're missing out bro.”

“Oh so now I’m your bro?”

“Of course, bro. You’re my bro, bro.”

Albert scribbled down a line about Darwin from the board. “Stop saying the word bro.”

“No bro. I gotta let everyone know we’re bros, bro.”

“No bro.” Albrt sighed loudly. “Fuck, now you got me doing it!”

“Isn’t it great bro?” Asshole used his finger to draw a heart in the cheeto dust that was still sitting on his desk. “Bro, look that's us!”

Albert glanced briefly at the cheeto dust. “Isn’t that kinda gay?” he asked, returning to his notes.

“It’s not gay if you have socks on,” Asshole said quickly. “And I definitely have socks on, so we’re good bro.”

Albert stared long and hard at his seatmate.

“Got somethin’ to say, bro?” Asshole smirked.

“Are you high?” Albert finally asked.

“Nah bro. My body is a temple. I only do-” he paused to wink “-brocaine.”

“Okay, that’s it,” Albert said definatively. “Never talk to me again.”

Asshole shrugged and went back to eating his hot cheetos. Albert went back to taking notes, pausing every few minutes to flick cheeto dust off of his paper.

Eventually, the teacher said something about cheetahs and the asshole next to him sighed deeply.

“I wish I could be a cheetah,” he said wistfully. Then he looked down at his bag of cheetos. “Or a cheeto.” Carefully, he pulled one out and inspected it. “Danny DeCheeto.” he decided, popping the cheeto into his mouth and crunching loudly.

Albert burst out laughing. He just couldn’t help himself. There was something about the way that he has said it so bluntly that made him have to laugh at the terrible pun.

“DASILVA!” The teacher, Jeff, who Albert lovingly referred to using his first name because he was a crappy teacher and didn’t deserve formalities, yelled.

“Oh now you’ve don’t it,” asshole whispered excitedly.

Albert elbowed him in the ribs.

“Stop interrupting my lesson with your absolute idiocy! I’d give you detention if I didn’t run it!” Jeff yelled halfheartedly. Albert didn’t particularly care.

“It wasn’t my fault!” he called back. “This kid’s been talking all through your lesson and it’s really distracting!” He pointed at the asshole next to him. “I was really enjoying your lesson on cheetahs!” he added just to be a kiss up. Albert always made it a point to kiss up to teachers who hated him because it just made them hate him more.

“HIGGINS!” Jeff yelled again, this time at his seatmate.

“I’m not on a sports team so that’s not my naaaameee!” he singsoned back, also just to annoy Jeff.

“RACE!” Jeff yelled instead.

“Yeeees?”

“Stop distracting my students who actually want to learn!” Jeff gestures wildly with his hands. “It’s rude! There are some people in here who want to actually hear about cheetahs, not about whatever you’re doing back there with cheeto dust!”

“Terribly sorry!” Asshole, or, Race, called back in a way that was clearly not sorry at all before Jeff returned to his lesson.

“So,” Albert whispered, “Race, huh? I thought I wasn’t allowed to know your name.”

“Oh be quiet Albie.” Race scowled, licking cheeto dust off of his fingers.

“Hey! I told you not to call me that!”

Race pointed a cheeto dust covered finger at him menacingly. “One more word out of you and I’ll have my yaks come lick your eyeballs.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Albert gasped in fake horror.

“I would,” Race said just as the bell rang.

Albert watched as he swiftly brushed all of his cheeto dust into the floor, scooped up his bag, and gave him a mock salute. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“If you bring cheetos I’ll have to steal your socks!” Albert called after him.

As he scrambled to put his stuff away, Albert couldn’t help but think that this was the start of a really good, yet definitely weird, friendship.

•••

Albert was pulled out of his memory by the crowd clapping wildly for the valedictorian. Soon after the student council President was announcing that it was time to move their tassels and then everyone was filing out of the rows back out to behind the field.

From somewhere in the crowd, Race materialized, attacking him in a giant hung.

“WE DID IT BRO!” Race yelled, jumping up and down.

“YEAH BRO!” Albert yelled back.

After a few minutes of celebrating, Albert reached into his pants pocket for the bag of hot cheetos he had stashed there, handing them to Race, who immediately started laughing.

“Do you remember the first time we met in Jeff’s class?” Albert asked. “You were being an asshole and got cheeto dust all over my notes.”

“I remember,” Race smirked. “I was literally talking out of my ass to try and get you to laugh.”

“Well, it worked.”

“Oh yeah, he got so mad at you.” He picked up the bag of cheetos, smirking. “You know, the funny thing is, I don’t even like hot cheetos. They’re too spicy and they make my mouth burn.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Albert chortled.

“But, since they’re a gift from you bro, I’ll cherish them forever.” Race made awkward kissy faces at Albert who shook his head in response.

“That’s gay bro,” he said mock seriously.

“It’s alright,” Race reassures him, winking. “I have socks on.”

________

see I told you it was cursed

hbd b r o (o no I don’t have soccs on :o)

feedback is always appreciated hmu to be on the tag list

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[rpgmgames]

August’s Featured Game: Shroom Soup

DEVELOPER(S): Shroomy ENGINE: RPGMaker 2000 GENRE: Adventure, RPG, Psychological Horror WARNINGS: listed here (may contain spoilers) SUMMARY: You play as Arnika, a gloomy teenage girl. Perpetually tired, you live off excessive sleep, lime juice, and instant soup. You look into the vortex forming in your cup of said soup, this time mushroom flavour. Next thing you know, you are in an entirely different world where everything, from buildings to people, is being devoured by fungi. It seems like you have no choice but to walk on... Your journey involves exploration, puzzle-solving and battles.

Download the demo here!

Our Interview With The Dev Team Below The Cut!

Introduce yourself! Hello! I am Shroomy, and I still haven't figured out which one of my nicknames I should go by, but I use "uboaappears" for art and "toxic shroom swamp" for games. I have a bachelor's degree in biology since two weeks ago and like everything surreal, gory and gay. Nice to meet you. I have been in the community since about 2012, and that might be also when I first wanted to make a game - a Yume Nikki fangame, because YN brought me here. I messed around with the engine for a long time, and certain characters and ideas gradually mutated to whatever this is now.

What is your project about? What inspired you to create your game initially? *Shroomy: It's about making a cup of instant soup and accidentally going on a very weird adventure. ...Okay, actually, it's a coming-of-age story with an emphasis on mental health, relationships, and toxic flesh-eating mushrooms. The idea came to me when I made myself an instant soup once. For some reason, I thought it would be cool if there was a portal into another world in the cup. That's how it started. (I was also into drawing mushrooms growing on people at the time, so that naturally made its way into my Awesome Game Idea.)

How long have you been working on your project? *Shroomy: ...A while. It's enough to say that I graduated from both high school and university with it. But to be honest, I didn't really do much with it until about two years ago. Right now I tend to think of the time before that as trial and error, playing around with ideas and learning to use the engine. I feel a little self-conscious about how long it took me to come up with a coherent story, but that might be a good thing. Since this is quite a personal game, it helped to grow as a person. I think it made for a more interesting and mature work than it would be otherwise.

Did any other games or media influence aspects of your project? *Shroomy: I feel like I take little bits of inspirations from everything. But I'd say Yume Nikki and Re:Kinder were the biggest game influences. Maybe Hello Charlotte, too - the minimalistic world gave me some food for thought :> Design-wise, I think my current (character) style is a lovechild of Danganronpa, Killing Stalking and something else I am not sure about. Maybe just me.

Have you come across any challenges during development? How have you overcome or worked around them? *Shroomy: I think the biggest challenges for me have always been centered around the lack of free time, the lack of energy or the lack of motivation. Some people manage to juggle life and gamedev, but I get exhausted really easily, so it's hard. This is an ongoing issue. I tend to try and free up a day just for relaxing and creative stuff. I've also started using the Forest app for focusing on things, and sometimes use it for gamedev as well. At the beginning I found it frustrating that my skills (in pixel art, for example) didn't match what I wanted to create. That one was improved by - you guessed it - making a lot of pixel art. Making and scrapping a bunch of tilesets for the game. It's as simple as practice and learning how to get the most out of your art program. (It also helps me to make a detailed sketch of a map before I start working, or at least brainstorm the main elements of it.) Another challenge was the incoherence of the story. Originally I wanted to make something really vague and open to interpretation, but... that actually didn't give me enough material to work with. In the end, I played around with the characters, tried to write them some backstories that no one was going to see, and somehow ended up with an actual plot..? Shocking, I know! And the final thing is putting gameplay into the game. To be honest, the puzzles in the demo were pretty random on my side, I just thought them up on the spot. In subsequent locations I tried to make them relevant to the game's themes and/or hint towards the story.

Have any aspects of your project changed over time? How does your current project differ from your initial concept? *Shroomy: For one thing, the current project has a story and a plan, even if the story is presented in quite an obfuscated way. The original concept was not much more than an idea of a shroomy world. The characters also have a lot more depth and pain to them than they used to. The locations have changed a lot as well, to the point where most of the original ones don't exist anymore.

What was your team like at the beginning? How did people join the team? If you don’t have a team, do you wish you had one or do you prefer working alone? *Shroomy: My team is mostly just me. At the beginning it was a young and naive me, and now we have a slightly older and better-at-art me. After I started my dev blog, I was contacted by Tommuel, who now helps me with sound design and music. And my old friend Robin has made a few NPC sprites for me, and might give a hand with more pixel art in the future. They're not really involved with other aspects of development, but I really appreciate their help anyway! I prefer to keep most of this game to myself - it feels too personal to share, plus I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

What is the best part of developing the game? *Shroomy: I would say it's putting my work out there and sharing it with the world. I'm also really proud of how much I've grown as an artist and writer through developing this. I got attached to this story and this world, with all of its fun, weird and sad details. It's also been really fun, amazing even, to get to know other devs and make friends through being part of this interesting and creative community. I owe some wonderful friendships to it.

Do you find yourself playing other RPG Maker games to see what you can do with the engine, or do you prefer to do your own thing? *Shroomy: I definitely play other games for inspiration, it helps me a lot. Though I try not to make things "just like" other games, but make it a transformative learning experience instead.

Which character in your game do you relate to the most and why? (Alternatively: Who is your favorite character and why?) *Shroomy: I feel like I have been through stages. At first I was Arnika, then Lina, now I feel like I'm turning into Arthur. I guess I put my traits into all of them. (Does that mean that Bernard is the next stage? I'm /so/ ready to transcend humanity, finally learn how to do maths and become everyone's favourite character.)

Looking back now, is there anything that regret/wish you had done differently? *Shroomy: I think the biggest mistake I made was jumping straight into making a game without thinking it through or considering the scope. In the end, the lack of planning set me back a lot. Admittedly, I was young and excitable, so I guess it was a learning experience? I didn't really know how to write stories or plan long-term projects, but over time, I somehow built up those skills. I think it's good to have a clear-ish idea of what you want to make before you start, and maybe start with something small. (So basically, do the opposite of what I did.)

Once you finish your project, do you plan to explore the game’s universe and characters further in subsequent projects, or leave it as-is? *Shroomy: Aha. Actually, yes. I have accidentally started writing two sequels already. They will be small games focusing on other characters' perspectives (as opposed to Arnika). I'm not actually touching them yet though, only making some notes and writing scripts. Perhaps by the time the first game is released I'll have enough material to comfortably work on them.

What do you look most forward to upon/after release? *Shroomy: Fan reaction, I think? To be honest, I'm not really sure. I think I'll just be enjoying the incredible dopamine rush after finally setting this child of mine free to explore the world and infect people's brains with all the shroomy memes it contains. (Also will probably get off the internet for about a week from the anxiety.) Then maybe being free to work on other things, indeed. And posting spoilery concept art >:D

Is there something you’re afraid of concerning the development or the release of your game? *Shroomy: I am a little worried about the reception of the game's subject matter. If you looked at the list of warnings, you might have an idea what I mean. Sometimes it feels dangerous to explore certain themes in your stories, because people misinterpret depicting something bad as promoting it, for example. But that's why that list exists. I'm just going to let people know straight away that I explore dark themes in this project and I'm not going to hold back on how I do it. Creativity should flow freely, I think. (I am also a little worried about the ratio of my free time vs. gamedev time and /when/ I will finally be able to release it, but... Thankfully, I'm the one in charge of that.)

Do you have any advice for upcoming devs? *Shroomy: Take some time to make a plan for your project, start small, fail faster, and aim for something finished before you aim for perfect. Make a system for organising your files. Back up often, and on a different drive/cloud than your game is on, preferably several. Most of all, make something you would love to play! And don't be too hard on yourself.

Question from last month's featured dev @blackcrystalsrpg: What are your game dev pet peeves?? *Shroomy: I dislike the fact that sometimes I want to have made a game more than I want to make a game, but to have made a game you need to go and make the game. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But there's no escape from fate, so... go, go and make that game happen!

We mods would like to thank Shroomy for agreeing to our interview! We believe that featuring the developer and their creative process is just as important as featuring the final product. Hopefully this Q&A segment has been an entertaining and insightful experience for everyone involved!

Remember to check out Shroom Soup if you haven’t already! See you next month! 

- Mods Gold & Platinum

[hopes4gf]

Thievery and Mischief- (a descendants/marvel crossover)

The next day, in Art class while I’m sketching, Jane taps my shoulder.

”I have to go to my mom. Can you come with me?” Jane squeaks.

”Sure, what gives?” I ask.

”The VKs are there and your the most safe person I know that’s free,” Jane says, her blue eyes pleading for help.

I roll my eyes and moan.

”Fine...”

Jane claps her hands gleefully and grabs my arm.

We walk to the classroom where Fairy Godmother is, in the middle of a lesson for Remedial Goodness.

As we walk to her podium, Jane squeaks like a mouse, frightened by the leather wearing teens.

From the corner of my eye, I see Jay smirk and bite his pen. I roll my eyes and smile slightly.

“Um, I need you to sign an early release form for the Coronation,” Jane says quickly.

“Everyone here remembers my daughter, Jane,” Fairy Godmother suggests to the Four as she signs the documents.

”Mom, no!” Jane says embarrassed by her mother.

”It’s okay,” Fairy Godmother says to her.

As Fairy Godmother introduces her to the class, Jay stares me down. I meet his gaze and he blushes slightly. He looks at me once again and I wink in his direction. Jane tugs at my arm, capturing my attention.

”You can go, I just have a question to ask,” I whisper to the small girl.

She scuffles away, squeaking as they stare at her. But I can still feel Jay’s sharp gaze on my back.

”Fairy Godmother, I was wondering for the Coronation if we were going to be assigned placeholders spots during the ceremony,” I ask her.

”Oh surely, but you’d be sitting at the front along with Ben, since your on his court,” Fairy Godmother says.

I nod in agreement.

”Thank you so much,” I say, turning to leave.

I face Jay and wink again in his direction.

Using my powers, I see Carlos turn to face him confusedly as he turns away from me. I chuckle lightly and head for my classroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Come on, ladies! Keep up! We won’t want to disappoint the new recruits,” Audrey screams at us while we practice our cheers.

“Audrey, don’t you think that’s enough banter?” I ask tiredly.

”Excuse me?” Audrey asks, walking towards me.

”Hell, you don’t even do your job correctly with all that screaming. We haven’t competed in years. What are we supposed to do while you scream. Bawk like chickens?” I ask.

The girls start bawking like chickens after my comment. I smirk and see Arabella, daughter of Ariel and Melody’s younger sister, throw her arm around me.

”Yeah, Audrey. We need to update the routines,” Arabella says.

”So why don’t you be Captain, huh?” Audrey says throwing her whistle to the ground and sitting on the bleachers.

”Fine,” I say, picking up the whistle.

Throughout the first half of practice, I choreograph a new routine. We practice it for a little bit, working at the kinks and parts. Audrey looks on in disgust as the girls gleefully do the routine.

“Aw, Audrey. You look sad. You wanna slip up and work on tossing and not bother me again?” I advise.

”Sure,” Audrey admits, in defeat.

I give her the whistle back and mutter a thank you.

”By the way, Ababwa. I think your a better coach than Audrey,” Arabella says softly with a wink.

I throw my arm around her as we walk up the bleachers to pick teams. Audrey takes yellow and I take blue.

But the real competition starts when the boys come out to play.

Ah, Tourney. The one sport I can actually tolerate. Hell, one of my cousins is a national Tourney star, how could I not like Tourney? I like Tourney for the hard hitting stuff...and sometimes (like all girls) for the boys.  As we watch the boys get into their positions, I spot my brother, Aziz on the field. He waves to me and I can practically see his big smile from this many yards. I wave back to him before he goes back to his. Then I look beside him and see...JAY AND CHAD TALKING?!? Hold on, after he literally intimidated and threatened him, Jay Farr is playing Tourney with Chad Charming? Oh god...

The game starts and the ball is tossed. Jay picks up the ball and travels through the field with swift movement. My jaw drops as he does extreme flips over the kill zone discs. The girl roar with cheers as they watch him play. He tackled through the whole defensive line and before he hit that damn ball, he turned and winked in my direction. He hit the ball in a swift manner and pushed through into the goal. The girls cheer as he puts the ball in for the offensive win. The boys pull of their helmets in shock at his talent. I laugh as he starts doing an end goal dance.

“You’re into him, huh?” Arabella concluded, standing behind me.

”What?” I say, turning to face her.

”Jafar’s kid. You like him,” Arabella says.

”Why do you say that?” I affirmed.

”Come on, its apparent. On welcome day, he flirted with you. He stared at you all day at lunch. And in Biology, he was obviously trying to get your attention,” Arabella points out.

”I know that,” I say, scratching my neck.

”See, I knew those powers of yours were useful. You want a boyfriend,” Arabella jokes.

”No, I don’t,” I say hesitantly.

Arabella stops me from walking away.

”...you hesitated-“

”Shut up, Bella!” I say.

Arabella laughs behind me as I get my stuff from the bleachers.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and turn to see Aziz heading my way.

I meet him just by the foul line ends he gives me a hug.

”Hey, sis. How are you?” He asks.

”I’m fine. Just trying to convince Audrey that she should quit being Captain and have me replace her as choreographer,” I joke.

”You are good at dancing though,” Aziz compliments.

”Sure. You did...okay,” I hesitate.

”Shut up. That kid Jay carried the whole team. For a guy who’s never played Tourney, he’s a fucking beast,” Aziz says, referring to Jay.

”Oh I know,” I say, turning to find him.

Jay spots me and waves. I laugh and wave back.

”You know him?” Aziz asks, raising a brow.

”Sure I do, I was on the welcoming committee, asshat,” I say, punching his shoulder.

Aziz laughs in return.

”Why didn’t you introduce me? He’s an awesome player,” Aziz asks.

”I didn’t know he could do that,” I affirm.

Aziz nods. Suddenly, Jake Bell, Tinker Bell’s youngest son walks up behind him and slings an arm around Aziz’s shoulders.

”Dude, that guy is killer! We’re going out for pizza, wanna join?” Jake asks him.

”I’ve gotta-“

”Sure. Go ahead,” I agree as Aziz points behind to the team.

”Nice uniform, Adri. Looks good on you,” Jake winks.

”Shut up, you perv. Don’t talk to my sister like that,” Aziz says, nudging his friend.

I laugh as they walk off.

I turn behind me and see none of the girls behind me.

I turn back around and I see Jay walking towards me.

“Hey,” Jay says in a husky voice.

”Nice moves, rookie. Not a bad intro to the Tourney season,” I comment.

”Thanks. By the way, I definitely liked the part when your jaw dropped when you saw me wink at you,” Jay jokes.

I giggle at his comment and bite my lip shyly.

”By the way, that guy who was talking to you, is he your boyfriend by any chance?” Jay asks.

I burst out laughing, slapping my knee from how funny his question is. Oh god he’s clueless.

”Jesus, no way!  He’s my brother you, dipshit!” I laugh.

Jay blushes profusely, realizing his mistake.

”Oh shit. I’m sorry for asking that. I didn’t consider that you had a brother. But who was the blonde guy too? He can’t be one of your brothers can he?” Jay asks.

”He’s his friend. Sure he might like me but the only guy I have eyes for is you,” I blurt out.

Shit.

”Oh really?” Jay agreed.

”Um, I guess,” I stutter.

“Well, then...” Jay starts, walking towards me.

He pulls my waist towards him.

FUCK FUCK FUCK OH MY GOD.

”Then I guess that makes this game a little bit easier,” Jay whispers seductively.

He then plants a kiss on my cheek.

”I’ll see you later, my little cheerleader,” He whispers in my ear, before leaving me like a deer in headlights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are. You. Kidding?

“He just kissed me and left! Who the fuck does that?” I say, complaining to Lonnie.

”Every boy in this school, baby cakes,” Jordan comments.

”He’s trying to play you,” Lonnie suggests.

”Wrong. He’s trying to push your buttons. Listen, he already knows you like him. So, put on your big girl panties and make him crazy over you,” Jordan advises.

”And that’s gonna work?” I ask.

”It will. If I’m right about him? Definitely,” Jordan says.

The next day after English, I take a walk with Ben, Audrey and Chad. Yes, Chad because Ben wants me to try and tolerate him.

“You know, those kids are trouble,” Chad blurts out.

”Why do you say that?” I ask.

“You know why,” Chad says.

”Come on, give them a chance,” Ben says.

“No offense, Bennybear. But you’re just too trusting. Look, I know you’re mom fell in love with a nasty beast who turned out to be a prince, but with my mom, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy. That girl’s mother,” Audrey says, pointing to Mal.

“What does that have to do with anything? People can change. Even you, Chad,” I say, rolling my eyes.

”Look, I’ll see you guys later,” Ben says, parting away from us.

”Then why don’t you take me back?” Chad asks.

”Hello? Your phone is full of plenty of messages why I shouldn’t take you back. I’m going to my locker if you’ll excuse me,” I say, turning away from the two royals. I could practically hear Chad a off behind me as I left.

I open my locker with a huff as I gather my sketchbook and my Biology books. Before I can put my stuff in my bag someone grabs my sketchbook out of my wrist. I turn and see Jay.

”Give it back, Jay!” I say as I reach for my book.

”Your art is pretty good. And you do graffiti too? You’re really good. You know I did some graffiti myself on the Isle,” Jay says.

”Really! Nice. Now, give me back my book!” I joke.

”Fine,” He says, giving me back my book.

”Do you really do graffiti?” I ask.

”Sure I did. It was the only thing I liked doing besides stealing things for my dad’s shop,” Jay admits.

”Thats to be expected from you,” I alluded.

”What do you mean by that?” Jay asks.

”You did steal my mother’s bracelet didn’t you?” I ask.

”I didn’t know it was your mom’s,” Jay adds.

”Too bad I knew how to take it back,” I say, holding up my wrist.

Jay looks at me starstrucken.

”I’m not Aladdin’s daughter for nothing,” I say with a wink.

i close my locker a leave him alone. The bell rings and I head to Art class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After school, Audrey made me sit on side for cheer on the bleachers so I spoke with Doug.

”How’s Evie?” I ask while I reach for some snacks in my bag.

”Um, what?” He asks.

”I know you have Chemistry together, so what’s she like?” I ask.

”It’s not like that. She has eyes in a different-“

”I mean the class, dummy,” I laugh.

Doug chuckles nervously.

”She’s...smart, pretty, good at numbers,” Doug says.

Doug pauses.

We both hear Evie’s voice and Chad’s voice from behind us.

”What are they saying?” Doug asks.

I listen in.

“That asshole is making her do his homework? Fucking idiot. I’ll be right back,” I say, hopping down.

I walk behind the bleachers and Evie sees me.

”Hey, Adri,” Evie greets.

”We have to talk,” I say.

”Okay?” Evie agrees, confused by the situation.

”Chad? Really? You deserve better than that prick,” I say.

”How do you know that?” Evie asks.

”First, I heard you talking. Second, I’m his ex, of course I know. Thirdly...” I pull out my phone to show receipts from his phone.

”There’s so many girls on his phone!” Evie exclaims.

”If you’re even thinking about dating him. Be careful. And believe me when I tell you, I got a 6 month restraining order from something terrible that he did,” I say.

Evie’s eyes widen slightly but she nods.

”By the way,” Evie says.

Evie puts her fingers through my hair.

”You have the ideal hair type,” Evie smiles.

”Hair type for what, May I ask?” I say.

”Come to my dorm after practice. I’ll show you some of my designs for the Coronation,” Evie says.

”Sure, why not?” I say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mom said, If a boy can't see the beauty within, then he's not worth it. Can you believe it? What world does she live in?” Jane says, complaining about her mother.

”Bullshit-land,” I comment.

“Auradon, but that’s works,” Mal says.

“Mal, do you like?” Evie asks Mal, stitching her dress.

”It’s cute. Brings out your eyes,” Mal comments.

”Right?” Evie says.

”It could have a little more pleating on the skirt though,” I add.

”Ooh I like that,” Evie agrees.

”I’ll never get a boyfriend,” Jane groans as she sits on the bed.

”I dont know. Your new hair surely does bring out your cheekbones,” I say.

Jane smiles softly.

”Anyways, boyfriends are overrated,” Mal says.

”How can you say that, Mal? You’ve never had one,” Evie comments.

I chuckle softly at her comment.

”Shut up,” Mal says, throws an eraser at me.

I continue laughing from her action.

”It’s cause I don’t need one, E. They’re a waste of time,” Mal says.

Evie stops sewing.

”I forgot to do Chad’s homework,” Evie exclaims.

”See?” Mal says turning to me.

I roll my eyes but I stop once someone knocks on the door.

I turn and see Lonnie.

”Hi guys! I’m Lonnie....Mulan’s daughter. Anyways, I saw what Mal did with Jane’s hair and I know you hate us and your villains but...could you do mine?” Lonnie asks.

“Why would I do that for you?” Mal asks.

”I’ll pay you 50 dollars,” Lonnie says, bringing out a bag of money.

”Deal,” Evie says.

She takes the pouch from her hands and I hug Lonnie.

”Hi, bestie,” Lonnie says.

”You friends?” Evie asks.

”Best friends,” I say.

”Don’t worry. We’ll make her look great,” Evie assures.

The exchange happens and Lonnie loves her hair.

”Told you, you were cool,” I say.

”Hold that thought,” Lonnie says.

Lonnie rips her skirt to make a slit.

”Now, I’m cool,” Lonnie says.

Jane does the same to match Lonnie and regrets.

”My mom is gonna kill me!” Jane exclaims.

”I’ve been wearing slits in my skirt since the day I was born, girls,” I say, walking to the mirror.

”That’s why I did it. Because your the coolest person I know,” Lonnie says.

”Aww,” I reply sweetly.

”You are pretty cool, I guess,” Mal putting an arm on my shoulder.

”I’ve gotta go feed Roxie,” I say, turning to leave.

”Whos Roxie?” Mal asks.

”My tiger,” I reply.

Mal’s eyes widen as I turn to leave.

I head to the kitchens get some treats for Roxie and take her and my guitar out to the courtyard. I sit under me and Jordan’s gossip tree and strum on my guitar while Roxie eats.

I begin to play and hum to “White Horse” by Taylor Swift.

Roxie growls and leaves my side and stop playing.

I see her tackle someone and I race over.

”Oh my god, I’m so sorry- Jay?” I say.

”What the hell-Adri?” Jay pauses.

”Roxie, come here,” I say to the baby Tiger.

”She’s your tiger?” Jay asks.

”Yeah, she’s my mental health animal,” I add.

”What does that mean?” Jay asks, getting up.

”Well, I have really bad anxiety so she calms me down when I do. And I train her to be a companion to everyone, which explains why she tackled you,” I say, lifting her up.

He hesitates for a second.

”I’ve never met a tiger before. Can I pet her?” Jay asks.

”Sure!” I agree.

Jay pets Roxie’s head gently and Roxie melts into his touch. She purrs softly as he feels her fur.

”She’s so soft...and cute,” Jay comments.

”She’s one of the rarest cats in Agrabah. My mom gave her to me. She was the runt of her family too. She’s a white tiger and she’s only a couple months old,” I say.

”She’s beautiful,” Jay says.

”She is isn’t she-“

I pause and look up to see not staring at Roxie but rather directly at me. His eyes are filled with sincerity and wonder as he stares at my hazel eyes. I look down and see his Tourney jersey and smile.

”You made the team?” I ask.

”With your brother’s recommendation,” Jay says cheekily.

”Since when are you friends with my brother?” I ask.

”I told him about our conversation and he was amused. He showed me everything about Tourney and we talked about...you. And um, gave me your number...?” Jay says.

”And what did he tell you about me?” I ask.

”He told me that your favorite color is violet, you like violets, you love music, your favorite food is pasta or curry, and that your zodiac sign is Cancer,” Jay says.

”Oh god,” I say, pressing a hand to my forehead.

”He also told me about Chad,” Jay says.

My smile quickly drops when I hear his name.

”I just wanna say, I was so insensitive about the situation with Chad and I will never try to hurt you like that ever again. And frankly, you never deserve to be treated like that ever,” Jay says.

I bite my lip nervously and tilt my head away from him. Looking down at the strings of my guitar.

Jay takes his fingers and lifts my chin to face him.

“I mean that, really,” Jay says softly.

”I don’t doubt that,” I reply with a soft smile.

Jay looks down and sees Roxie curled up into his lap, sleeping soundly.

“Looks like Roxie really likes you,” I giggle.

”Yeah, she does,” He says, petting the tiger.

He looks over and sees my guitar.

”You a musician too?” Jay asks.

”I said I’m an artist,” I say cheekily.

”I didn’t think you meant all around artist,” Jay comments.

I pick up my guitar and strum some chords.

”Okay! That’s good. But play me something for real,” Jay says.

”How do you know that’s good?” I ask.

”I know things,” Jay alludes.

I raise a brow.

”You play?” I ask in shock.

”Shut up and strum the damn guitar,” Jay says nervously.

I giggle.

”I’m gonna play you a little something I wrote a couple weeks ago if that’s fine,” I ask.

”She writes too?” Jay asks.

”Oh yeah! And she cooks and cleans and sees and will be at your backing call..” I start.

”Wow, that is great, your great and beautiful- did I mention your beautiful,” Jay day-dreams.

”Is that what you think of me?” I pause.

His eyes widen in embarrassment.

”Is that what you think of a woman?” I ask him seriously.

”No! No, not that. I just think your...talented,” Jay says tries to save himself.

”Nice save, dipshit,” I comment.

”Thanks for noticing,” Jay says rolling his eyes.

I start to play some chords

This is your life and it’s ending one...minute at a time

so what you gonna do? Yeah, what you gonna do.

ive had one too many for you to take me down

so you’re gonna need to keep me up or imma fall down

cause I’m in love with Tyler Durden that’s why this shit ain’t never working for me

cause I’m in love with a fantasy~

I finish the song with a light strum and Jay claps lightly.

”You’re really good! You should make mixtapes for something,” Jay says.

I laugh at his comment.

”Thanks but music is something I take very seriously,” I say.

Jay pulls out his phone from his pocket and checks the time.

”I think I should head back to my dorm, the gang’s probably waiting for me,” Jay says, moving Roxie to my lap as I put my guitar beside me.

”You gonna leave me hanging, pretty boy?” I ask.

”Don’t worry, princess. You’ll see me,” Jay says.

”Where?” I call out.

”In your dreams!” He calls back.

I laugh at his words. I grab my sketchbook and I make a section. I start to write. The words flow from the page as my wrist turns with the motion of my pencil.  Roxie bites on my hand as I do and tries to take my pencil. When I finish writing, I fold it and put Jay’s name on it.

That night, I go into the kitchen to get some bacon when I find Jay and the core four making food.

”There you guys are! Hey Mal, I’ve listened to some of the girls and a lot of them want you to do their hair,” I tell her.

Mal nods and continues mixing ingredients in her bowl. I can tell that everyone’s tense.

”What are you making?” I ask.

“Nothing special. Just cookies-!”

I dip my finger in the batter and everyone tries to stop me.

”What. I’m not gonna double dip, I swear,” I say.

“You don’t feel anything, do you?” Evie asks hesitantly.

”Like something’s missing?” Mal asks.

Jay strides towards me with a smirk on his face and leans against the counter post. He flexes his bicep and says, “Hey there”.

I look at Carlos then at Evie trying to see if they laugh.

“Could use some chips,” I say to Mal. I walk over to the fridge.

”Chips?” Jay asks, confused by my action.

”The most important ingredient...” I start.

They all look at me confused.

”What? Your parents never make you cookies before? Like when your sad and she just gives you them with a big glass of milk and tries to make you smile and-“

I look up and they stare at me with a little sadness in their eyes.

I realize Jay’s sadness is a little deeper than everyone else’s. Did he have a mom growing up?

”It’s different where we’re from,” Mal speaks up.

”I’m sorry-I just thought that...even villains love their kids,” I hesitate.

I think about the notion and I feel the embarrassment and sadness fill my eyes with tears.

”How awful,” I say, tears slipping down my cheeks.

Mal takes my tear and wipes it down from my face.

”Well, I guess we’ll clean up here,” Mal says quickly.

I wipe my tears and smile softly.

”Sure. Good night guys,” I say.

”Goodnight,” The four of them say.

I walk out of the kitchen and i feel some energy coming from the kitchen I just left. I close my eyes and try to search the energy. It’s....a love spell? But why? Wait. Is Jay trying to? NO WAY. HE LIKES ME???? But doesn’t he know I like him?

I rush to Jordan room, knocking on her door profusely.

”What is it?” Jordan says, holding her camera in her hands.

”Oh you’re filming. I have to tell you something,” I say.

”Spit it out,” Jordan says.

”The VKs are making a love spell and Jay might try and use it on me,” I say.

Jordan stops in her tracks.

”Wait? He likes you?” Jordan asks.

”I think so,” I assume.

”Do you like him?” She asks cheekily.

i hesitate.

”YOU DO!” Jordan exclaims.

”Shush! Someone can hear dumbass!” I say.

”Confront him tomorrow about it. Make him feel like a dumbass. Go big or go home!” Jordan says.

I nod in agreement.

Alright Adri, big girl panties on. It’s showtime.....

[nerdforestgirl]

The Adolescence Alternative

Chapter Three: Crush

Previous Chapter: Chapter Two: Friends

That night Amy thought about her afternoon with Sheldon. He was so nice and funny. How had she ever felt like she hated him even a little? Then Amy's eyes went wide as she realized she had a crush on the boy. No. No. No. Amy had a careful plan that she wasn't going to fall for anyone until she was in college when her life was her own. It was going to be when she was happy and free. Not when she was in high school. Not when her parents might very well drag her to another town a month from now.

Still, Amy found herself sketching his bright blue eyes in the corner of her notebook. Then she slammed it shut and decided to call it an early night. She would shake this crush on Sheldon Cooper.

Amy walked into her biology class and automatically slid her chair away from Sheldon’s. He wasn’t there yet. She always arrived in class before he did. Still, she wanted to be far enough away to not smell the soft baby powder smell he would put off when he did finally show up. He didn’t smell like any of those gross body sprays the other boys smelled of. Instead he always just smelled clean. Then Amy pursed her lips and felt frustrated that she noticed another detail about the boy. It was bad enough that she knew he was cute and smart, but now she knew he smelled good too? It was going to be more work than she wished to shake this crush.

“Hello, Amy Farrah Fowler,” Sheldon said cheerfully as he took his normal place next to her.

“Hi,” Amy returned coldly, but regretted it immediately. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He even called her by her full name after she mentioned it only once. “How was your evening?” She added in a friendlier tone.

“It went well. I finished my homework after you left last night. My mother said you are welcome at our home any time you would like,” Sheldon told her. “And I enjoyed our evening, so I also say that you are welcome at my home any time you would like.”

“Yeah. Sure,” Amy muttered. She realized that she stopped listening to Sheldon because she was focused on his soft looking lips. She had never really wanted to kiss someone before now, but it seemed like a really good idea in that moment. She might have leaned in to kiss him right then, in fact, if the teacher didn’t demand all of their attention. She was saved by the bell. Literally.

Amy was in trouble. She knew it, and being mean to Sheldon or ignoring him wasn’t an option. She couldn’t even say hi to him rudely because he was her friend, and this was her problem. She managed to just focus on class for the most part other than occasionally peeking at Sheldon’s hands.

When class was over, Amy was relieved that she wouldn’t have to see Sheldon again until lunch. If he wasn’t there, she actually didn’t think about him all that much. She hadn’t lost her mind. It was just a little crush.  She did still think of him, but as she anticipated, it was easier without him right there.

When Amy got to lunch she thought about sitting away from Sheldon, but he grinned at her and pat the seat next to him. He was also sitting next to Leonard per Amy's recommendation. For a pretty strong headed guy, he seemed to be happy to take any advice Amy gave him. Amy took the seat next to Sheldon. Then she turned to the guys and tried to engaged them in conversation. It was harder than normal because Sheldon's arm brushed hers from time to time. With each touch, it felt like she was being shocked in the best way possible.

Amy's heart pounded in her chest, but she managed to get through lunch. Maybe this crush thing wouldn't be so bad. She was a strong, independent young woman who could handle her own emotions. She had sixteen years of practice. She wasn't some silly girl.

Over the weekend, Sheldon invited her over to play some Mystic Lords of Ka'a. She almost said no, but she did like Sheldon.  He was her best friend after all. She agreed, and they played until Sheldon got angry about Amy winning. It wasn't hurt fault she was a savant at his stupid game, but she still suggested that they get some blankets to go lie on his lawn and read together instead. She still hadn't finished with his copy of The Hobbit, but she did like it more than she ever thought she would. She also finally dug out her copy of The Canterbury Tales to lend to Sheldon.

“You're favorite book?” Sheldon asked.

“Yes. My favorite book.”

“I've tried to get that information out of you since I started talking to you.”

“You never asked.”

“Oh. There is that. Very well. I will read your favorite book, Amy Farrah Fowler,” Sheldon agreed. Then he got comfortable on the blanket next to Amy Farrah Fowler and they quietly read together. Even if Amy wanted to put down her book and kiss Sheldon until it got dark. It was a bit of a shock that she wanted to anything more than read, but there was bound to be a first for everything.

By Tuesday, Amy had seen Sheldon everyday since her crush realization, and time wasn't helping anything. If anything, it felt worse. Now it felt almost painful to look at Sheldon's bright blue eyes and crooked, smart ass grin. She decided that she needed to something else to help her shake this feeling.

By lunch, Amy had a new plan. She decided to ask out someone who she would never really have feelings for. It would be a nice compromise because she would feel like she couldn’t have any feelings for Sheldon if she was dating someone else, and she wouldn’t fall for anyone else. Not the way she was falling for Sheldon.

“Stuart, what are you doing this weekend?” Amy asked the only member of their small group who didn’t have a significant other.

Everyone looked at Sheldon. It was an unspoken agreement that Sheldon had “dibs” on Amy. Not that Howard, Leonard, or Raj were interested anyway. Still, there was a bit of surprise that Sheldon and Amy weren’t sort of dating already.

“Stuart?” Amy asked again. She didn’t like that they all looked at Sheldon like he had anything to do with it. Was her crush that obvious? How had they all seen it before she had? Just a week ago, Amy would have sworn that she hated Sheldon Cooper.

“Uh. I’m not doing, uh, anything,” Stuart stammered.

“Would you like to go to a movie with me?” Amy asked. She tried to twirl her hair on her index finger, but it just got tangled. She had to awkwardly pull her finger from the tangle. Then she smiled at the boy in front of her. She had never once asked a boy on a date. Maybe she was doing it wrong.

“Sure,” Stuart answered nervously.

“Great. Here is my number. You should call me so we can make plans,” Amy said as she slid over a sheet of paper.

“Super,” Stuart told her. Then he got up and left because he didn’t want to screw anything up before his date. Amy also left because she couldn’t stand the way everyone was looking at her. Maybe this was a mistake, but she couldn’t take it back now.

“Are you okay?” Leonard asked Sheldon.

“I’m fine,” Sheldon told him.

“I thought you and Amy were, you know,” Leonard tried.

“Amy Farrah Fowler and I are nothing more than friends,” Sheldon snapped. It was clear that he was angry.

“Alright,” Leonard said with his hands up in surrender. “If you like her, maybe you should say something to her,” he added quietly.

“I don’t like her. I can barely tolerate her. I’m glad that she’ll be bothering someone else this weekend,” Sheldon said. Then he stormed off too.

“Can I ask you a question about girls?” Leonard asked his girlfriend, Penny, that afternoon when they met up after school.

“Looking to get a new girlfriend?” Penny teased.

“No. I kinda like the one I have. My friend, Sheldon--,” Leonard started.

“The tall weirdo from your math team?”

“Right. He has a friend who everyone thought he liked and she liked him back. I mean, she went over to his house the other day. He doesn’t invite anyone over. Anyway, she asked out Stuart today.”

“Stuart? Interesting choice. Go on.”

“Do you think she really likes Stuart?”

“Maybe. I don’t know her. You said Amy? Is she new? Mousy with glasses and long, pretty brown hair?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s in my gym class. Maybe I’ll talk to her.”

The next day, Penny approached Amy and introduced herself while they were still in the locker room. Amy was just tying her shoes as Penny stepped up.

“Amy, right? I’m Penny. I think you know my boyfriend, Leonard?”

“Yeah. I sit with him at lunch. He’s friends with my… Sheldon,” Amy said. She cringed because she called Sheldon hers, and she could see that Penny caught it. The crush hadn’t eased as of yet. Amy had barely been able to look at Sheldon during both biology and lunch, but it seemed that Sheldon could barely look at her either. Something had fractured between them since she asked Stuart out. She was terrified she ended things between them even if she didn't want things to start either.

“I heard you have a date with Stuart this weekend. He’s a nice guy, so that’s cool.”

“Yeah,” Amy muttered sadly. She wished that she could be excited about it like she would be if it was Sheldon. Amy couldn’t let herself get too attached to Sheldon though. Some day soon she would have to move again. It was bad enough they were friends. This was why Amy didn't make friends.

Penny and Amy went out to the gym from the locker room. Penny asked Amy to be on her soccer team for the day. It was the first time Amy had been picked first for a team even if she wasn’t so bad at sports.

“What are you going to wear on your date?” Penny asked Amy while they got ready to get started playing.

“A sweater probably. Whatever is in my closet.”

“No. It’s a first date. We should go shopping on Friday. I’ll bring my friend, Bernadette, and we’ll go to the mall.”

Amy wasn’t sure why she agreed. Girls who were pretty and popular like Penny weren’t usually so nice to Amy. Not if they didn’t want anything from her. Still, if Penny was dating Leonard, who was definitely a nerd, she might just be okay.

On Friday before school, Amy reminded her mother that she had plans right after school with Penny—along with Penny’s phone number so that Mother could check in with Penny’s parents if needed. It seemed that Mother was more excited about this shopping trip and Amy’s date that weekend than Amy was. She even gave Amy some extra spending money for the trip to the mall.

After school, Penny drove Amy and Bernadette to the mall. Bernadette was a tiny blonde with glasses who was dating Howard. It seemed that they bonded over dating boys on the math team, and Amy spent a little too long imagining being in the seats next to them as she cheered on Sheldon.

“What are you doing on your big date?” Bernadette’s squeaky voice broke through that fog.

“We’re going to a movie, and I think dinner. I let him pick,” Amy told them. She was starting to get that sick feeling that she got whenever she thought about the date. She liked Stuart, but she’d give anything to go out with Sheldon instead. The crush on him only seemed to get stronger. At least he was talking to her again. He had been updating her on his progress through The Canterbury Tales. They spoke about a few of the tales, and Amy loved how often Sheldon blushed at the content. He had even teased her about how she seemed like such a good girl before then.

“Thinking about Stuart?” Bernadette asked when she caught Amy’s smile. It was absolutely the smile of a girl thinking about the boy she liked.

“No. I was thinking about Sheldon,” Amy admitted without realizing the reason Bernadette asked.

“What’s the deal with you and Sheldon?” Penny finally asked.

“He’s my best friend. Can you keep a secret?” Amy asked her new friends who both nodded. “I have a little crush on him.” Amy swore to keep that to herself, but her new friends seemed nice. Maybe they would have some advice.

Penny bit her tongue so that she wouldn’t say “Duh!”

“Why didn’t you ask him out then?” Bernadette asked.

“I like him too much.”

“I missed the part where that makes sense,” Penny said.

“First, it seems entirely possible that asking Sheldon out would not result in a yes. If that happened, things might not work as friends between us. I like him too much to ruin it with my emotions. Second, even if he did want to date me, I might fall in love with him. That would be worse.”

“Why would that be worse?”

“I move a lot. I haven’t even spent a full school year somewhere since sixth grade. What if I fell in love with him and then I had to move again? I would just hurt us both for no reason.”

“So, then you are dating Stuart? Won’t that be a problem with him too?”

“I won’t love Stuart. He’s nice, but not my type. I am hoping to distract myself from Sheldon with Stuart.”

“That seems like a dumb idea,” Penny told her. “You should ask Sheldon out if he’s the one you like. I bet he’d say yes. Leonard said that he thought you guys liked each other.”

Amy had no idea what to say about that. She had never known herself to be the subject of gossip, and now she was hearing that Leonard talked to Penny about Sheldon. Did Sheldon like her? Did he say something? Amy was desperate to know.

“Did you hear something about it?” Amy whispered without looking up at them.

“I heard that he stormed off after you asked out Stuart,” Penny said.

“Well, I already asked Stuart out,” Amy explained. She shrugged and didn’t want to think about Sheldon Cooper anymore. Even if Sheldon did like her the way she liked him, it didn’t solve her moving problem. Amy was practical above all else. It didn’t make sense to fall in love now. Maybe later when she was more sure of her surroundings.

Of course, Amy’s plans were challenged again when she saw Sheldon in a store at the mall. Amy grabbed Penny and Bernadette to hide.

“He’s with a girl,” Penny whispered as she peeked at Sheldon.

“She's pretty,” Bernadette noted.

“That’s his twin sister. I met her when I went over to their house. She’s nice,” Amy explained. If she didn’t know any better, it did look bad. The girl was so pretty, and she shared Sheldon’s bright blue eyes.

“Why are you hiding from me, Amy Farrah Fowler?” Sheldon suddenly asked as he turned his head in their direction. He must have known she was there the whole time because he was still on the other side of the store.

“We weren’t hiding. We were just..,” Amy started, but didn’t have a good excuse.

“Looking at socks,” Bernadette finished up lamely.

“Yes,” Amy agreed.

“Men’s socks?” Sheldon asked. He finally walked over to the girls. He greeted the others by name even though they had never spoken directly before.

“A gift for my father,” Amy tried.

“Oh. That’s nice. You are so thoughtful, Amy Farrah Fowler,” Sheldon told Amy. He wasn't teasing her at all. She could see that he meant it by the smile he gave her.

Amy blushed as she grinned back up at Sheldon.

“What are you up to this weekend, Sheldon?” Penny asked. These two were so cute together, and Penny didn’t understand why they didn’t just go out. She wanted to push them together and tell them to kiss like she did with her dolls when she was a child.

“Leonard and the guys invited me to go play paintball on Sunday. I think they felt sorry for me because. No reason. I mean, they probably just think I’m cool and want to hang out,” Sheldon replied. He was mortified that he had almost told them that the guys felt sorry for him because he liked Amy and she asked another boy out.

“Oh,” Amy muttered. She could see the hurt and embarrassment on his face. She wanted to confess that she liked him, and she thought about a date with him a hundred times more than with Stuart. “That sounds… fun.”

“I suspect it will be,” Sheldon agreed. The group awkwardly stood there in silence until Sheldon’s sister came to drag him away.

“We’re here for you to buy me a birthday present, not talk to your girlfriend,” Missy complained.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Amy muttered sadly after they walked away.

[liliannorman]

Curiosity drives this neuroscientist and artist

When she was young, Christine Liu didn’t plan to become a scientist. But chasing her curiosity led her to love neuroscience, the study of the brain and the nervous system. She’s now a graduate student and researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. There, she studies what nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco and e-cigarettes, does to the brain. 

Christine Liu sells some of her art at a zine festival.Tera Johnson

Outside the lab, Liu makes art, including some that communicates science. As half of the collective Two Photon Art, with environmental scientist Tera Johnson, Liu makes self-published magazines that illustrate science concepts. And the pair designs and sells science-themed items such as jewelry and clothes. Liu also shares her work on Instagram (such as the posts embedded in this story). 

Liu isn’t yet sure if her future is in the lab or making art, but she knows that neuroscience will be a big part of her career. In this interview, Liu shares her experiences and advice with Science News for Students. (This interview has been edited for content and readability.)

What inspired you to pursue your career?

I pursued neuroscience because of a curiosity about how the world works. Even as a little kid, I was interested in how people experience things differently. So I would ask questions like, “Is the red that I see the same as the red that everyone else sees?” When I started learning about psychology and biology and answers to these questions that researchers proposed, I got more interested. In college, I jumped at the opportunity to get in the lab as soon as I could. And I quite like doing lab work. But I’ve been doing research for almost 10 years. So I might take the opportunity when I graduate to do art more seriously.

How did you get where you are today?

I grew up not really being that great at anything. It wasn’t like I knew I had a special talent in science and that I was going to become a scientist. I also grew up low-income. My family didn’t have a lot of money. As a kid, I spent a lot of time helping out around the house. I translated documents for my family and made sure that the rice was cooked before my parents got home. And I started working part-time jobs really early. In high school, I worked at a Jamba Juice and at a science museum. I did a bunch of jobs in college, too. 

My college applications weren’t very strong. So I didn’t get into the colleges in California I actually wanted to go to. Instead, I needed to apply last minute to the local state school. I went to University of Oregon in Eugene. It wasn’t on the top of my list, but there were a lot of opportunities in neuroscience there. I was really able to take advantage of them. I overcame a lot of what I thought were shortcomings in my ability and competitiveness to do science. 

When I started doing research, I was lucky to be in a lab with other female students. And I had done summer research programs with a diverse community of students and researchers. But when I started grad school, I was a little surprised at how few women and people of color I saw.

View this post on Instagram

.

everything matters

. Or is it that every thing is matter? Here are some molecule constellations! Molecules and constellations are very different in size but they have a lot in common too! The lines dont depict anything with mass, but rather a connection between two points. In the case of a molecule, it is a bond caused by very strong, but tiny forces. In constellations, the lines mean little more than a game of "connect the dots" with what we can see with our eyes from earth. Another thing that they have in common is that they are both quite pretty and fun to draw

A post shared by christine ramen liu (@christineliuart) on Jan 29, 2020 at 10:01am PST

I also wasn’t sure how to express myself — if I needed to conform more or if I could really be myself. But then on Instagram, I found all these women who were not compromising how they express themselves. They were doing incredible science. And they were wearing lipstick and doing their hair and being feminine. This was something that I hadn’t realized was missing in my life. I immediately tried to connect all of us on Instagram, and I created a group called The STEM Squad. (STEM is short for science, technology, engineering and math.) We now have over 1,000 people who identify with the gender that’s been underrepresented in science. We each share our experiences and support each other. 

How do you get your best ideas?

I get my best ideas when I’m taking a break. This happens for a lot of people. It’s like getting your best ideas in the shower or on a walk or right before you fall asleep. I find that when I’m taking care of myself and getting enough rest and social time, I come up with ideas I’m really excited about. Oftentimes, I’ll have a breakthrough in planning experiments when I’m not thinking about them. It’s the same for artistic ideas of what to draw or make. I think when I let my brain rest, it does its own thing in the background and ideas just spark. 

What’s one of your biggest successes?

What I’ve been able to do with my art in grad school has been one of my biggest successes. It’s brought me a lot of joy and connected me with people. It’s also given me an idea of how I might actually be able to continue doing art after I finish grad school. 

Labs in my research area can be competitive. Oftentimes, we don’t want to share our experimental results until we’re ready. So it wasn’t until this past year, my sixth year of grad school, that I presented my research at the biggest neuroscience conference. I presented it with a poster. But I’ve been going to this conference for the past four years because they have a section for neuroscience art. Presenting my art there was a big success. 

What’s one of your biggest failures, and how did you get past that? 

What I perceived to be a failure was when I worked hard in high school to try to be competitive for college. And I didn’t get into a school that seemed like a good choice for me. I was really sad. I thought I was a complete failure. A lot of my peers had gotten into great schools. But in the end, I realized that every failure is actually an opportunity to do better. I think if I had let myself get sucked into the narrative that I just wasn’t good enough, I never would have recovered. In the end, the University of Oregon turned out to be really great for me.

What do you do in your spare time?

I make art! Because research is really hard, there can be lots of failures. Experiments might not work. Or they might work and prove your hypothesis wrong. During a stretch of months when research feels like it isn’t working, I find it fulfilling to go home and draw, paint or share a piece of art. I really love painting. It’s one of my favorite activities. I love the colors and mixing them. And I like how it’s a little bit messy. I also do other things that keep me happy and healthy, like cooking and visiting my grandparents. 

View this post on Instagram

The sketch I made for the mural I’m working on at @missionscienceworkshop! The Mission Science Workshop is a really cool tinkering and science education space in the Mission and Excelsior neighborhoods in San Francisco. I’m excited to paint two walls adjacent walls to give some context for kids to learn about where different kinds of rocks are formed and whether fossils were found! I made this sketch in @procreate on my iPad and then mapped it onto a photo of the walls. You can check out the progress made during day 1 of painting in my story highlights!

A post shared by christine ramen liu (@christineliuart) on Nov 25, 2019 at 7:16pm PST

I also try to support other scientists who have artistic interests or artists who have scientific interests through The Stem Squad. We raise money through artists in the community who submit their art. We print it on shirts, hats or things like that and sell them. This raises money to give out awards for people who do volunteer work to improve inclusion in STEM.

What piece of advice do you wish you had been given when you were younger?

If there’s something that you really want to do, you have to take baby steps and start to do it as much as you can. If I had waited until someone invited me to join a lab, maybe I never would have started my research career. But because I was so in love with the idea of doing brain research, I emailed a bunch of professors and begged for a chance to work in the lab. Then I proved to myself that I can be a really great scientist despite my mediocre high school grades. 

Also, if I had waited until I had more time to make art or until I felt like a perfect artist before selling my art, I don’t think I would be where I am today. It took me a while to become comfortable sharing things that aren’t perfect and trying things even though I probably wasn’t the best person for the job. But taking the risk and putting myself out there and being willing to learn — I think that’s what’s gotten me the furthest.

This Q&A is part of a series exploring the many paths to a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It has been made possible with generous support from Arconic Foundation.

Curiosity drives this neuroscientist and artist published first on https://triviaqaweb.tumblr.com/

[dotshiiki]

The Evolution of Hydras

Ahh so this is gonna be kind of weird because Rhodes airport doesn’t have wifi and my data plan doesn’t charge me extra for my phone use but it won’t let me hotspot overseas so I’m gonna try actually posting fic on tumblr mobile. Well, I have 90 minutes to wait til boarding anyway.

So this is for the final day of @percyjacksonweek2k17 -- free day! And I’m continuing from yesterday’s fic. I’m actually curious to know if Paul’s ‘method’ (okay, really mine) works, or if I’m just barking up the wrong tree with it. So, uh, let me know? :D

Summary. Paul devises a novel way to help Percy with school stuff. | Paul, Percy genfic | 1170 words

The problem with science textbooks, Paul thought, was that they insisted on presenting information in the driest way possible. Would it really kill the authors to inject at least some semblance of a narrative into the bare facts they attempted to shove down your throat?

Charles Tetley had been confused when Paul had asked to borrow a copy of the biology text he assigned his twelfth-graders, but he’d handed it over readily enough. Paul reread the notes he’d made on the chapter, double-checking them against the relevant paragraphs. Given the problems Percy was already having with the subject, it probably wouldn’t make things too much worse if Paul messed up a few points, but it’d be much better if his analogies were accurate.

The fire drill during second period had been quite the godsend. Not for Paul–he didn’t exactly appreciate the disruption to his class–but Percy had Biology second period. Which meant his test now had to be postponed to the following week.

It gave Paul a chance to see his idea could help.

He spent his free periods and lunch break sketching. It had been years since he’d put together a comic (it was a hobby he hadn’t indulged in since college) and it was quickly and clumsily drawn, but he thought it got the point across well enough.

Paul only hoped Percy would think so, too.

He caught up with his stepson that afternoon right after the last bell went. Percy was among the throng of seniors on their way out of the building when Paul tapped his shoulder.

‘Oh hey, P–er, Mr Blofis.’

‘Mind if I have a quick work?’

‘Er, yeah, sure.’

'So, the fire drill today–’

Percy held up his hands immediately. 'I swear, that wasn’t me.’

'No, no, that wasn’t what I–’ Paul sighed. The poor kid–he really was accustomed to getting blamed for anything out of the ordinary. 'I just meant to say, I guess your Bio test didn’t happen?’

Percy ran a hand through his hair. 'Yeah, it’s next week now. Got a stay of execution.’ His mouth twisted wryly. 'Too bad Annabeth went to Frisco this week. I could’ve used her help figuring out that evolution shit.’

'About that …’ Paul held out his amateur comic.

'What’s this?’ Percy scanned the sketches first with bewilderment and then a glimmer of understanding. 'Hydra evolution?’

'Let me know if it helps.’ Paul patted Percy’s shoulder again and headed back to his office. He smiled when he turned back at the end of the corridor and saw Percy studying the comic as he left the school.

OoOoO

Everyone knows hydras have multiple heads. But they didn’t always look that way.

When Poseidon made the first hydra from a magic green gem, it was a pretty normal dragon. Okay, yeah, normal’s relative. But you know–breathes fire, spits poison … hey, it’s a dragon, what do you expect? But one body, one head. Cut if off and it’s dead, game over.

But what fun is that, right?

Athena decided to 'improve’ the design a little. She used her magic grey gems and came up with multi-headed hydras. Maybe she watched too much baseball, because she went with the three-strike policy: strike one, there’s still a second head. Strike two, there’s still the third. Strike three, sorry hydra, you’re out.

So Poseidon had his green, single-headed hydras and Athena had her grey, three-headed ones, and they didn’t really mix until one day, a Poseidon hydra and an Athena hydra had a big adventure involving a daring escape from a demigod hero, a lot of flames, saving each other from certain death, and–okay, the details aren’t important. The point is, they fell in love.

And had lots of little hydra babies … who all had only one head apiece.

Poseidon was pretty insufferable about that, since he was sure it must mean his hydras were better than hers. But he stopped boasting pretty quick when the grandkids came along and out of nowhere, a pair of single-headed green hydras popped out a grey, three-headed baby.

See, the thing is, hydras mix their gems when they mate. And when you mix green and grey, all you really see is green. But it doesn’t mean the grey isn’t there. It’s still hiding under the surface, passed along down generations until one baby gets two grey gems. Without the green to overshadow it, the greys work their magic, and poof: three heads.

So the hydra population grew along merrily, eating heroes whenever they came along. For years, their numbers didn’t change much–Poseidon’s hydras seemed to be more numerous, since the mixed-gem kids always came out green and one-headed. But Athena kept saying, wait and see.

Then the heroes got bigger and badder and started carrying sharp bronze weapons. They got better at killing hydras.’

And Poseidon’s hydras got hit the worst. I mean, one good slice was all you really needed to take them out.

Athena’s hydras made it lots further, with their multiple heads. If they lost one, the others could still attack the hero. Their chances of survival were loads better.

So as time went on, the heroes killed more one-headed hydras than they did three-headed ones. After a while, the green gems that gave the hydras their single heads began to disappear.

Finally, only Athena’s grey gems were left–which now kept producing three-headed hydras, unshadowed by the green gems that kept the multiple heads from developing. And today, demigod heroes must contend with all hydras having too many heads to fight.

OoOoO

Percy was sitting at the kitchen table when Paul got home that evening. He had the hydra comic in front of him, as well as his biology textbook.

'I don’t know what my dad and Annabeth’s mom would think of the story,’ he said, 'but this finally makes sense.’ He jabbed a finger at the biology text.

Paul hoped he hadn’t inadvertently incurred the wrath of two Greek gods. He hadn’t really thought about that when he was sketching his Darwinian analogy. Maybe they’d forgive him; he was only trying to help their kids out, after all.

Percy pointed to a few highlighted passages in his textbook, cross-referenced against Paul’s comic panels. 'The gems are genes. And the heroes are selection pressures, right?’

Paul beamed. 'Right.’

'This is brilliant!’ Percy said. 'Do you think you could do this for, like, history and chem and–’

'Whoa.’ Paul held up his hands. 'I’m not that great an artist.’ Not to mention he’d have his work cut out for him trying to figure out all those subjects. But then, this was what it meant to be a teacher, wasn’t it?

No, scratch that. This was what it meant to be a dad.

'We can talk about it,’ he said.

A wide grin spread across Percy’s face. 'There’s one thing you should know though.’

'What’s that?’

'You do know hydras regenerate heads, right?’ Paul laughed. 'Well, maybe you can give me a crash course on monster physiology in return.

A/N: If I had any drawing skill at all I would totally do that comic. As it is, even my stick figures are pathetic, so a written version is all you’ll get.

Disclaimer–I know nothing about the US school system save what I’ve seen in popular media. My sincere apologies for an inaccuracies and I am open to any corrections anyone would suggest I make!

[offoxesandotherstrangeanimals]

OC questionnaire, part 2

@hautecreep (you asked for it)

2. Do you have a personal favourite among your OCs?

Yes. That’s still Devon. My post-apocalyptic genius dictator with the puppy eyes and otherworldly streak. He’s the most detailed and complex OC I’ve ever made and I miss playing him very much. Jacob here on this blog is a close second, though. Followed probably by Sasha.

I dreamt Devon. My friend at that time felt left out by some RPers in a group, so I suggested we should make our own RP. During all that brainstorming, one night, I had a dream where I saw a dark-haired young man in what appeared to be a hotel room high above the city, and outside, behind the windows, the world was burning.

That’s how Devon was born. He’s dear to me. I miss him.

I used to do a huge 30 day challenge for him, with graphics and all, so I will not spare you with details about my darling psycho prince ;)

Here are some of the questions to describe Devon (although I’m pretty sure nobody really wants to read this XD )

Age? 42 by the time of his death. Date of Birth? December 24th,  year 9 Hair color? Dark brown. Eye color? Dark green. Skin color/nationality? Caucasian / born in the territory of the former USA Accent (if any)? Devon considers strong accents as a lack of education, so he always pays attention to his pronunciation. Although he doesn’t talk much, anyway. Height? 170cm Weight? Weight can change over the years. Let’s go with body type. Skinny. Tattoos? He despises tattoos. However, in 42, he gets one by William personally, located on his left forearm. It says “Follow who will follow you”. Piercings? He got his ears pierced as a dare in 22, trying to connect with the older students at the University. Needless to say it didn’t work and they just made fun of him. Shortly after, he became employed at one of the virus-research-laboratories where he found the vaccine for the stage 2-virus. Birthmarks? No significant ones. Disfigurements? None. Scars? Several lighter scars on his forearms and chest.

What is their family history like? How does it affect them? How do they feel about their family? How does their family feel about them?

Devon’s parents were both academics.

Two years before Devon’s birth, his father Henry James Devon, a young and promising biologist, got a travel authorization to teach at Oxford University in England, where he met and fell deeply in love with Elizabeth Derwen Lloyd, a Welsh grad student working on her doctorate, a beautiful and warm-hearted woman.

An intense and passionate relationship evolved quickly; and when Elizabeth got pregnant, it caused a massive scandal that forced Henry to move back to the US. He could, however, take the pregnant Elizabeth with him after a short and unglamorous wedding. Her family never forgave her that she left them for her professor who had gotten her pregnant; they broke with her completely, but the love to Henry was too strong and intense for her to let him move back alone. This is why Devon never met or talked to anyone of his mother’s family and grew up isolated from them.

Elizabeth was already diagnosed schizophrenic, but the disease was treated and well medicated and generally under control until she gave birth to the boy Charles (named after Charles Darwin by his father) only a few months after she had moved to the US with Henry.

The lucky days of the little family ended very soon; Elizabeth developed a severe postpartum psychosis and killed herself only a few days after Devon’s birth. His father never recovered from her death and the loss of his love, and blamed Devon for her death for the rest of his life, turning into a bitter and cold tyrant who was almost never seen smiling again.

Although Devon never experienced physical violence and abuse in his childhood, the cold and distant attitude of his father had a strong impact on the young Charles and caused an early and severe personality disorder. His father, although at first fascinated and proud of his prodigy son, blamed Devon for the death of his mother and treated the boy coldly and in a hard and strict manner right from the start, forbidding all social contact to children of his own age, forcing a strict schedule and diet on the child (he didn’t know about chocolate and ice cream until he meets William). After he lost his wife, the love of his life, no holidays or birthdays were ever celebrated in the house of Devon again.

Henry Devon remained the only attachment figure in young Charles life and resumed being a disappointment. His only interest in his son was of academic, scientific nature. He never appreciated or encouraged him as a person and showed his anger and hostility openly; he never hid that he was blaming Devon for his mother’s death and never hugged or comforted his son or showed other signs of affection, which also lead to the severe antisocial, sociopathic tendencies and the social awkwardness Devon would show for the rest of his life.

Due to this emotional abuse, Devon started to hate his father early, which – combined with his sociopathic tendencies, his lack of morals and empathy – culminated in murdering Henry Devon by exposing him to the virus in the year 23.

What were they like as a child? What was their favorite toy? Favorite game? Playmates? It’s not surprising that, as a child, Devon was quiet and introvert, always a bit strange and very different from other kids. He was an outsider, a little sensation, a freak. Being gifted with unique intellectual abilities and having other interests, Devon was never among kids of his own age. Therefore, he didn’t have any playmates. His father didn’t encourage the boy to make friends, either. On the contrary, the strict schedule he set up for his son as well as keeping him away from normal activities, even prevented Devon from meeting other kids.

With his mother completely missing in his life from the earliest days, and his father being cold and distant, his behaviour towards his son nothing but emotional neglect, the lack of other family members or friends that could have been an influence, Devon could never develop a sense of basic trust or even the most basic social skills.

Devon’s father got rid of everything that could remind him of his wife, including photographs and toys she had chosen before Devon’s birth. Therefore, all of Devon’s early toys were chosen by his father, the educational value the only selection criterion. Devon soon found Rubik’s cube and similar toys boring and too easy and spent the rest of his childhood mostly in libraries, lecture rooms and laboratories.

Devon’s father (and Devon should share this opinion later) considered games and toys a waste of time. However, he did enjoy drawing anatomical and scientific sketches to a certain degree, when he started his studies in biology, which – as strange as it seems – would probably be the most child-like behaviour he showed.

Where (and when) did they grow up? How did they view it as a child, and did that change as they matured? How do they feel about the place now? Devon wasn’t born in EQ 1. He moved there in 21 with his father, enticed away to work at the Viral Research Center after the second outbreak of the virus, when people started to panic and scientists weren’t able to find a vaccine or cure.

Devon was born in EQ 2 and spent his first years there, growing up in his father’s apartment in close vicinity to the campus of the university the professor worked at and where the young Devon soon studied himself.

He didn’t like it at home. Although it was a rather large and comfortable apartment in a well-situated area of the quarantine, it was a cheerless, quiet place – and not a home. Devon’s favourite spot was his father’s library where he would spend many hours without talking at all, lost in his books and escaping from the cold atmosphere in the apartment and the coldness of his father.

Later, Devon tends to block out the unpleasant memories of his early years that were characterized by his father’s coldness, loneliness and the constant feeling of being an outsider and not belonging anywhere. He never returns to this place and tries not to think of it, at all.

Things didn’t get much better at home at first, after he moved to EQ 1 to start his work at the Viral Research Center. The tension between him and his father increased, since Henry Devon had to give up his renowned job at the university to now live in his son’s shadow. Outside their apartment, Devon first experienced respect and admiration for his successful work. It was the first place he’d been treated not only as a curiosity and abomination, but as a scientist and a great with hope. He was needed and publically adored after he had found the vaccine for the virus’ second form. This, of course, started Devon’s deep craving for control and power and adoration, but it also lead to Devon’s strong attachment to “his” Quarantine, and his massive efforts to make EQ 1 the biggest and most powerful quarantine on Earth.

Where did they learn their abilities? Devon’s extraordinary intellect and genius mind show early in his life and his father, a biology professor himself, nurtures his son’s talent as best and early as possible until he realizes that Devon surpasses him. Devon attends university at the age of seven, studying chemistry and biology at first, doing his first doctorate in organic chemistry when he is nine, his second doctorate in molecular biology and genetics when he’s ten. The prodigy is then allowed to study medicine as well, graduating as a Medical Doctor in an exceptional case at the age of 13.

If they have an income, where does it come from?  Devon starts working in the government’s viral research centre when he is 12, at first under strict control and restrictions. After he creates the vaccine for the mutated virus, he is given his own department and laboratory in the research centre. Devon becomes Director of the Department of Health and Science in 26 and one year later, in 27, Director of the Quarantine and holds this position until his death.

Do they have a job? Do they like it? How do they feel about their co-workers? During his whole life, he is a passionate and obsessive scientist, spending most of his time in laboratories, first in the viral research laboratories, later in his own lab. There is no clear barrier that would separate his professional from his private life. He enjoys spending time in his laboratory and with his research and experiments on genetics (cloning and creating artificial organs and manipulating DNA).

However, he hates people. He hates his co-workers when he works at the viral research centre and due to his young and tender age and his lack of social skills, he’s avoided and frowned upon, laughed at and even feared by the other scientists and co-workers. Later, he avoids working together with other people, having only one lab assistant at a time to support him after he becomes Director of Health and Science. He makes sure they’re not too bright and smart but still helpful and qualified enough, looking for weak and dependant personalities that can be easily controlled and influenced. Over many years, Eric is his lab assistant until he dies in the year 40. Devon goes along as well as possible with him since Eric usually doesn’t question his Director who he adores, being obedient and submissive enough to be controlled by Devon and William.

Why do they have their resources? How long have they had them, and how have they served the character over time? (Ex. Contacts, money, political power, fame, etc.)

Devon created the vaccine for the mutated, second form of the virus in 22. This made the young prodigy acknowledged and famous over night. Although he’d already been well-known in the scientific community this results in enormous popularity all over the world and people start calling him their “Saviour” – a feeling that Devon soon starts to like.

As a consequence, he starts manipulating the virus on his own, creating another mutation, the third and deadliest form which he sets free on purpose in 23 - of course after he created a reliable vaccine. After his scientific and political opponents and rivals are eliminated, he introduces the new vaccine to the public. He is the only person who knows the formula and keeps it secret. Devon manipulated it in a way that the serum is only potent for one year, which guarantees him full power and control over basically every living being on this planet (except those who are immune). He uses this not only to become Director of Health and Science and later Director of the Quarantine itself, but also to control the whole population of his Quarantine.

Devon provides the vaccine only to people who proof themselves worthy, useful and loyal – the most effective way to control the whole population and eliminate his enemies. He scotches every other research on the virus or the vaccine he created to ensure he is the only one who can produce and provide it.

He also makes a fortune by selling the serum to other rich Quarantines or private persons all over the world. Often enough, however, those deliveries fail – not only because of unsafe and dangerous transport routes – but also because Devon ensures the vaccine never arrives.

By creating and holding back the serum Devon becomes not only incredibly wealthy but soon the most powerful, most famous and influential man in the world, Director of the only Quarantine that is producing the vaccine. However, although he loves the worship and adoration and dependency of the inhabitants, he is publicity shy and avoids meetings and large crowds of people and becomes some sort of recluse.

Do they, or have they in the past, had a mentor? What was their relationship with this person, and how has it changed since then? Devon’s mentor was actually his father, nurturing his son’s talents and his intellect, paving the way for Devon to get the best education possible. First, this is because of pride, because he can show off his prodigy son, and because he can bathe and shine in Devon’s light as well; later, after the pride has turned into pure envy and hostility, it is only because of his sense of duty.

Devon never feels the slightest spark of gratitude, the feelings of disappointment and inadequacy outweighing the thankfulness. Devon suffers from his father’s coldness and emotional rejection and the blame Henry Devon is laying on his son for the death of his wife. In his early years, the boy constantly tries to impress his father, tries to gain his attention and approval and love. But after failing again and again, after getting nothing in return but hostility and jealousy, he gives up, his own feelings towards his father alternating between sadness, disappointment, disgust and hate. Devon finally kills his own father by exposing him to the virus. What sort of education have they had? Do they want more? Devon’s father took his son’s education in his own hands, as soon as he noticed the unique abilities of the child. After teaching the boy himself for a few years (especially in biology, chemistry, math, Latin and Ancient Greek; he almost completely neglected social sciences and humanities), he arranged that Devon could officially attend the University at the age of 7, after he realized that there was now nothing more he could teach Devon.

Devon achieved his first doctor’s degree in organic chemistry when he was 9, his second in molecular biology and genetics at the age of 10, his third as a Medical Doctor when he was 13. After this third doctorate, he completely dedicates himself to his own research.

In this respect, Devon got the best possible education on his field; and thus, he never wants more (as other subjects don’t interest him in the slightest).

The whole challenge is here: x

[justalittlebluetiefling]

Chapter 15: Sometimes I Can’t See Myself

Rating: T Fandom: The 100 Pairing: Bellamy x Clarke Chapter: 15/? Word Count: 1231 Words

Chapter Summary: The one where Clarke’s artistic talents gets discovered.

Also on AO3

Octavia pulled Bellamy into her room and rushed back into the bathroom to finish putting on her makeup. He was a little disappointed that Clarke wasn’t there. It was only because it would have been nice to have someone to talk to while he waited.

The room was different than the last time he had been there. It was a little messier. Still organized, but a little messy. O had two pairs of dance shoes on the floor in front of her closet. He only knew they were dance shoes because he had grown up with her dance crap all over the house. A pair of legwarmers hung over the back of her chair. And it even looked like she had picked up Clarke’s study habit of ripping pages out of notebooks and covering her desk, her books on the chair.

Clarke’s desk looked pretty much the same. Her Biology book was open to a page on meiosis versus mitosis. Her Chemistry book was open to a chapter titled “Enthalpy and Thermochemistry.” Bellamy shuddered. He had never been very good with science and he couldn’t imagine how her brain could handle both subjects at once.

The last of the mess was on the third desk, which had been clear a month ago. It now had pencils, charcoal, and a box full of half-used pastels. A few pictures were pinned to the wall above the desk. There was a sketchbook open on the table with a half-finished sketch of what looked like the Arkadia skyline, matching one of the pinned up pictures. Intrigued, he carefully turned the page to see what he was pretty sure was a view from the top of a hiking trail he loved. The next page had the outline of Octavia’s face and his breath caught in his throat. The detail was uncanny. He kept flipping through the pages. Most were landscapes, some were people. It was, he reluctantly admitted to himself, incredibly impressive.

“Good, isn’t she?” He jumped and turned to see O leaning against the door to the bathroom. She laughed and hopped around the corner to her desk, pointing at the wall. “Look familiar?”

Bellamy looked back and forth between the drawing he had complimented a few months ago and the lines on the pages under his fingers. It took a second, but when it hit, it was kind of like getting punched in the gut. “No way, really?!”

Octavia laughed again. “Yes, really. I think I had that same look on my face when I first walked in on her drawing. You’ve gotta see it. It’s like she’s in this trance or something. She didn’t even hear me walk in the door.”

He forced a laugh and took his fingers off of the paper. Art was another thing that wasn’t one of his strong suits and it felt incredibly personal to be seeing this layer of Clarke’s without her present. “Can we go? Mom’s waiting, and I have a shift at the cafe tonight.”

Bellamy walked slowly behind his sister who was chattering away about something that happened during her dance practice and tried to convince himself that it felt like he was on even ground with Clarke after seeing her drawings. She had seen his crappy poems for his English class. Maybe it’s not the same thing… your poems suck and her drawings are….

“So, Princess is actually seriously getting a degree in art for herself?”

He knew he said something wrong when Octavia managed to glare and grin at him at the same time. It was a terrifying look. “I don’t think I can answer that for you, Bell.”

Fumbling for anything else to say, he asked the only thing he could think of. “Does she work at the Arkadia Science Center or something?”

“God, I keep forgetting you guys are actually Facebook friends now. That’s so creepy. No.” The glare was gone, but it was replaced by something else. Something calculating. “She volunteers there on Saturdays. And at Red Cross tomorrow for a few hours. And twice a week at the clinic downtown. For the pre-med honor society thing her mom wants her to join. They look at grades and volunteer work, stuff like that.”

“Huh.”

Octavia elbowed him gently in the side and he glared at her. “Why you asking? Does little Bell want to get his picture drawn too?”

“Ugh, no way, O. Stop it.” He settled his hands on her shoulders and spun her away from him, pushing her carefully toward the car.

 ***

Saturdays were her favorites. Volunteering at the science center was definitely more fun than she thought she could have doing something her mother encouraged her to do. Still, she was so exhausted that she fumbled with the key in the lock for longer than necessary. After having kids climb all over her all day, her body was moving a little slow.

“Octavia?” Her lamp was on, but it looked like she still wasn’t back. Which was unfortunate, because in addition to being tired as hell, Clarke was also starving. Disappointed that she would have to wait for food, she let her purse drop outside the bathroom door and made her way to her sketchbook that was left open on a picture she did not leave it open on.

Keys jingling in the hall caught her attention just as Octavia burst through the door. “Hey, sweetie, sorry I’m late. We were running behind, so I had to walk from Bell’s work.”

Clarke smiled and waved a hand dismissively. “No problem. Were you looking at my sketchbook again?”

“Nope! Bellamy finally figured out you can draw.”

“He was looking through my book?” Clarke wasn’t sure if she was annoyed or not. She knew she didn’t really deserve to be annoyed. Not after she accidentally snooped through his poetry homework and he caught her. “Did he say anything about it?”

She thought her voice had been nonchalant. She didn’t really need to hear that Bellamy liked her drawings. But the look in Octavia’s eyes kind of creeped her out. “I’m not sure I can handle you two sort of getting along. You’re so weird about each other now.”

“What do you mean? What did he say?”

“Nothing!” O lifted her hands up in mock defense. “I just kind of miss hearing you call him a dickbag all the time.”

Clarke laughed so loudly it caught both of them off guard, and Octavia was startled into laughter as well.

“O, sweetie, your brother’s still a massive dickbag. We’re just learning to co-exist because we both love you.” That cut off Octavia’s laughter a little suddenly, and Clarke was suddenly very self-conscious. “I mean, you know, I just never expected to get along with my roommate this well, and you kind of –“

The wind was practically knocked out of her as Octavia threw her arms around her, and she got some hair in her mouth at the same time as she received a bone-breaking hug. For being equally short and thin, Octavia was fucking strong.

“Clarke, I love you, too.” O’s voice was muffled, as though she had a mouthful of Clarke’s hair as well. “You’re my best friend. You know that, right?”

“Me too.” Tears stung her eyes and she nodded into Octavia’s shoulder. “We should probably send a thank you note to the registration office, huh?”

[recentnews18-blog]

New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/snls-vanessa-bayer-talks-battling-leukemia-and-her-epic-end-of-chemo-party-huffpost/

SNL's Vanessa Bayer Talks Battling Leukemia And Her Epic End-Of-Chemo Party - HuffPost

Vanessa Bayer is eternally cheerful ― even when she’s talking about her battle with blood cancer. 

The “Saturday Night Live” star, who left the show in 2017 after seven seasons of Rachel Green impressions and Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy sketches, recently spoke with HuffPost about having leukemia as a teenager and her new partnership with Gift of Life ― a bone marrow registry dedicated to fighting blood cancer.

Somehow Bayer ― known for her megawatt smile ― manages to make talking about her battle with blood cancer like just another thing that happens to anyone — like something as simple as getting stitches or a cast for a broken bone. 

Aside from opening up about defeating cancer, the 37-year-old comedian also spoke about her epic end-of-chemo party that got busted by the police, Pete Davidson ruling the headlines this summer and, of course, performing that infamous “Porn Stars” sketch with Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” 

NBC via Getty Images

Vanessa Bayer, Donald Trump and Cecily Strong during the Nov. 7, 2015, “Porn Stars” sketch on “Saturday Night Live.”

How did you get involved with Gift of Life?

They came to me. As a survivor of blood cancer ― it was just something really close to my heart. And when I heard about their amazing work that they’ve done I definitely wanted to get involved.

Tell me about your childhood and battling cancer. 

When I was 15 I was diagnosed with ALL ― acute lymphoblastic leukemia ― and so I was treated for about two-and-a-half years. It was obviously a difficult thing to go through. I do think surviving something like that definitely affected my sense of humor and made me want to go into comedy because my family, my friends and I all laughed about it a lot.

I was very lucky because once I was treated for leukemia it never recurred, but I know that had it recurred there was a likelihood I would have had to get a bone marrow transplant. The Gift of Life registry was created out of someone needing a bone marrow transplant and that’s why it’s so close to my heart.

How did you find out that you had blood cancer?

It generally shows somewhere and my eyes swelled up. I getting sick and not getting better ― this was all in ninth grade. I was having all of these issues and then I was diagnosed. I think they took a sample ― biopsied my bone marrow or something ― and saw that I had it. Again, I was 15 and it’s a long treatment but it’s curable right now. I was very lucky.

What was it like to hear that you had cancer? Who was in the room with you?

I feel like my parents were in the room with me ―  it was such a long time ago. It was definitely a scary thing, but I had a lot of support from my family and I was always very optimistic in general. I always felt like I was on a path to recovery.

What would you say to someone who’s scared to sign up for the registry?

I understand, but it’s actually not a scary thing at all. Basically, the way that the process works is that you get swabbed and if you find out that you’re a match you do something that’s similar to giving plasma or platelets, basically blood is drawn.

They take the stem cells out of it and then they give you back the blood. It’s nothing scary, it’s nothing crazy. I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions ― that giving stem cells or giving bone marrow is this scary thing and it’s not.

NBC via Getty Images

Bayer talking about battling blood cancer on the “Today” show on Nov. 30. 

Sometimes people don’t know what to say when someone has cancer. What would you want them to know? 

I think the most important thing with someone with cancer or any kind of illness is just to say something. And just remember that it’s the same person and they’re still your friend or your colleague. I think it’s just important to show up for that person.

What did you think of someone like Tig Notaro integrating cancer into her comedy?

It’s amazing. I mean, she is so funny. I think she was on “Conan” when she did that bit where she was like “cancer has made me be so much more present,” and then she was like, looking on her cell phone. I mean, she’s a genius. I think it’s great [she talks about cancer in her work]. It’s kind of like what we were saying before ― if someone has cancer or has something, they’re still the same person. And I think when someone can joke about it, it puts everyone else at ease a little bit.

How did having leukemia shape your comedy? 

In college I was in this all-female sketch group called Bloomers. But I just think in general in my comedy there were just so many funny and interesting and awkward moments when I was sick. I think that kind of getting through that made me be able to see funny things in all situations.

What were some of the awkward moments about getting sick?

Well, I mean anyone who spends a lot of the time in the hospital knows and, by the way, I’m not like ― my comedy isn’t full of poop jokes or anything, it’s just that you’re so monitored on how much, your poop is checked so much. You know, it’s important. Whenever you’re in a hospital setting, they’re always kind of like, “Did you go?”

How many times were you asked that [did you go]?

I just feel like I was asked it all the time. When you’re in a hospital setting, [Bayer turns to her PR team laughing and says “Is this a great thing for me to be talking about?”] pooping is important. And my best friend Gwen is a nurse and she’s like “Yeah, you gotta [ask].”

How long were you in the hospital?

I was in and out. When I was first there, I was there for a couple weeks, but then I’d have to go in for certain procedures or if something came up I’d have to go back. I had the most intensive treatment for 10 months and then I had what they call maintenance chemo for two more years after that. I think the summer before my senior year of high school is when I finally stopped chemo. And I had an end-of-chemo party.

What was that like?

It was so fun. My parents got me a really big cake. I think I had a big sheet cake and I think it said, “Happy End-of-Chemo Vanessa” or something and so many of my friends came and it was so fun. And then my brother was in a band and his band played in our backyard and then the police came ’cause they thought that it was like a “rager” ― my parents and I were just talking about this over Thanksgiving.

The police thought we were drinking and we were like, “No, we’re literally celebrating the end of me having chemo.” My parents said they were going through the trash and trying to find bottles and stuff and [we were like] this couldn’t be a more positive party. We’re literally just celebrating the end of me having chemo.

What did the police end up doing?

I think they finally left, but said ’cause of the noise my brother’s band had to stop playing.

How did you balance having cancer with applying for colleges?

Well, I guess ― if you really think about it ― I had a great thing to write a college essay about.

I did think about that. But just the amount of work that goes into applying for school, too. 

I guess I was just hyper-focused on school because I wanted to make sure that having this illness wouldn’t affect my future. Especially once the more intense of my chemo [treatments] were over, I really was so focused on school. It was really a priority for me.

What did you go to school for? What did you think you were going to do?

I thought I would maybe be a biology major [at the University of Pennsylvania, where Bayer went] because I thought that I could do medical research and stuff like that. But then everyone was so smart [laughs].

I was in some really intense science classes and I always thought that I wanted to be a medical researcher who was on TV or something, so then I was like, “Oh I think I want to be on TV.” So I actually ended up being a communications major, and I was a French major as well because I studied abroad.  

How did you go from college to being on “SNL” about six years later? 

I made the transition from biology pretty quickly my freshman year. I did this sketch group, Bloomers, in college and I performed a lot. I also interned one summer at “Conan” and I kind of realized that I wanted to pursue comedy when I was in college. I moved to Chicago after school and I started taking classes at Second City and the iO [theater] and The Annoyance [Theater] and stuff.

And I saw that you interned at Sesame Street ― what was that like?

It was over the summer so they weren’t in production, but it was really magical. We got to go to the set once and it was really amazing.

What memories do you have from your first and your last day at “Saturday Night Live?”

I remember from my first day just meeting a lot of the other cast and just being so starstruck by them. And just being like okay, I’m going to have to act like this is normal until I think that it’s normal. And then my last day was just so special, I just remember we were being carried off stage and stuff and it was just so amazing. 

NBC via Getty Images

Vanessa Bayer getting carried off stage after her last “SNL” show on May 20, 2017. 

Why did you leave? 

I just felt like it was time. I just had this feeling like it’s time for me to go and I knew that the show was in such great hands with Aidy [Bryant] and Kate [McKinnon] and Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney and everybody. 

How do you tell Lorne Michaels that you were leaving?

I think that we had a discussion about it. He’s always been very supportive. So I feel like I can be very honest with him. I felt like we had a very honest conversation about it.

Was it hard to tell the cast that you were leaving? When did you tell them?

I don’t remember it exactly. I feel like everyone was supportive and we’ll miss you, but we understand. It’s a very hectic schedule so it’s like, after seven years, I want to take a nap [laughs].

Speaking of that, your New York Times “Sunday Routine” has a cult following. Why do you think it resonates so much?

You know, someone else just brought this up to me. That’s really nice. I do think that normally those “Sunday Routines” are so busy and I think it just makes you feel bad about yourself. Like, I don’t get up at six a.m. and make breakfast with my kids or whatever and go to, like, spin class. I think it puts people at ease that most of us are just ordering bagels and then spending whatever I said, spending like 10 minutes being mad that it’s not toasted.

And [as you mentioned in your NYT piece] it’s such a New York thing to wonder what your doorman thinks of you. What do you think your doorman thinks of you?

Well, in my building now, not to brag, but I have several different doormen. So I could order breakfast and if I wait two hours and order lunch, they don’t know. But you know if I order multiple dinners, they’re gonna know.

What do you think most people’s impression of you is? How do you think you come across to fans?

I think most people think I’m just like a stone-cold bitch.

REALLY?

No [laughs]. I think everyone knows that I smile a lot so they probably think that I’m pretty nice, but again… [shrugs]. 

NBC via Getty Images

Michael Che and Vanessa Bayer as ‘Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy’ during “Weekend Update” on “SNL” on April 15, 2017.

What do people ― when they recognize you on the street ― what do they say to you?

Sometimes people think they’ve gone to high school with me. But people are generally very nice. A lot of guys mention [my “SNL” character] the Bar Mitzvah Boy and say they can relate to that time in their life. But people are generally very nice or they think they know me from high school. ’Cause you know, we wore so many wigs on “SNL,” so they know your face, but they’re just like, “New Jersey?” and I’m like, “Nope.”

Is it weird that people you’ve known for so long, like Pete Davidson, can suddenly be every headline in the news?

Yeah, I guess so, although that happens a lot, you know what I mean? I feel like there’s a lot of people that I’ve known that that’s happened to. And that stuff’s always kind of, you know, it has a moment and then it dies down ― thank goodness for them ― ’cause it’s a lot.

It is ever a lot for you when people ask you personal questions, like are you dating?

Yeah, I mean it is, but I feel like it sort of comes with the territory. And you know, I never feel like I have to answer everything.

But you did talk to Drake about JDate [an online dating service for Jewish singles] one time. 

Yes, Drake did my web series [“Sound Advice”], which I did with my brother. And yeah, he was a great sport about it. I mean, I was kind of asking him in character, but apparently he’s not on JDate. Which, missed opportunity, right?

What’s your inspiration for the character you play on “Sound Advice?”

I feel like my brother and I would always say we wanted ― and we did it with this ”[Weekend] Update” writer Pete Schultz ― we always wanted it to be the woman from “Millionaire Matchmaker,” Patti Stanger, and Zach Galifianakis from “Between Two Ferns.” That was the combo we were always trying to meet. And so once someone said that it seemed like a combo of those two, we were like, “We’ve done our job.” 

What was it like working with Donald Trump on “SNL?” Do you regret working with him at all?

I mean, it was just interesting. It was so weird because he could only do a certain amount of time because he’s running for president. Cecily and I did the ex-porn stars thing with him and I remember he asked me like, “Should I do it?” and I was like, “Yeah.” I wanted to do this sketch and we couldn’t believe that he was gonna do it and it was just sort of surreal. We were all sort of like, “Why is he here?” But also nobody thought that he was gonna win, you know? It was weird, it was crazy.

Did you ever have any interaction with him in the week leading up to his appearance?  

Not a ton. Every week is sort of like a blur, but yeah it’s just so crazy that he did that ― that he was on the show. It’s so weird. 

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. 

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Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/vanessa-bayer-leukemia_us_5c0d5d80e4b035a7bf5c4903

[matthewkane-blog1]

Chapter 1

A/N: This story was derived from a fanfic I wrote a long time ago (which no one will ever find if I have a say in it). I will attempt to actually finish this story and not leave it hanging. Also, any art in this story is NOT mine. I mostly got it by googling concept art. All the credit goes to the artists. Enjoy. ———————————————- Zarvion, The Wicker’s Forest, 19:34 PM

-Mefira-

‘Why did I think this would be a good idea?’ She lamented as she ran, narrowly dodging yet another projectile. Sparing a quick glance behind her, she could see an entire squadron of stone golems preparing a new round, ripping chunks of rock out of the ground and taking aim. Gathering up a fireball in her own hands, she quickly chucked it at one of the things, relishing in the sound of the small explosion upon impact.

Getting ready to dodge again, she was a bit taken aback at feeling a strong gust of wind and seeing the new volley fly back towards the attackers. Moments after, Xenos popped up on her left, giving her a jaunty salute and a cheeky grin. The girl just rolled her eyes at him, before angrily stating: “Could you please save the flirting for when we’re not in mortal danger?”

The male just gave a short laugh, before deflecting another volley. Mefira could already see the ship up ahead.

They were so close.

Looking backwards once more, she froze up when she saw a dark form practically oozing out of the ground behind the golems, taking the appearance of a young woman, dressed in flowing black garments, and with no visible legs, seemingly just floating in mid air.

A pair of empty purple eyes seemed to pierce her soul, the creature giving her a distorted grin that chilled the girl to her very core.

“LOOK OUT!” She heard Xenos shout. Glancing upwards, she saw an immense boulder flying straight towards her.

2 months earlier…

Fancy meeting you here

Alnoa, Sector 14, 14:50 AM

-Mefira-

“And if you listen closely, you can hear the engine sputtering; an obvious sign that there is a problem with the fuel line.”

Their mechanics teacher, droned on, causing Mefira to inwardly groan. How long was this going to take? Glancing at the clock, she saw that they only had about 10 minutes left before class ended. Why did the last minutes always seem the longest?

“Miss Bael!” Mrs. Treol snapped “would you care to repeat what I just explained to the rest of the class?” Great… The girl thought. Couldn’t leave me alone for ten more minutes, could you? She wracked her brains trying to remember whatever boring tidbit the woman at the desk had oh so generously bestowed upon them.

“Umm… The engine…has to… Like… Sputter in a certain way for it to work properly?” Judging from the giggles coming from several other students, and Mrs. Treol’s annoyed glare, she had definitely screwed up.

“Wrong, Miss Bael. Maybe you will be able to remember today’s lesson if you have a nice, quiet environment to study in. Like detention. For a smart girl like you, I’m sure it won’t take more than four hours.” the woman spoke, a malicious glint in her eye.

Mefira barely held herself from screaming in frustration. This was the third time this week. Her parents weren’t going be happy. But then again, they hardly were with anything she did these days.

Was it really her fault if she couldn’t concentrate on all the technological stuff they learned day in and day out at school? As the old hag went on about next week’s assignment, Mefira tiredly laid her head on her desk, wondering again how this was her life.

Mefira made her way to the appointed classroom, mentally preparing herself for a few hours of pure boredom. Opening the door, she could instantly see that the usual culprits were already there. There were only a few students who regularly wound up in detention, and it seemed that they were all in their regular places today.

“Have they read you your rights?” Zera Amel asked, giving a sardonic grin. Mefira took a couple of seconds to study her appearance. Long, straight, hazel hair, with the ever present purple strand tucked behind her right ear. Her eyes, bearing the same color as her streak, were dull with boredom, but still held a glimmer of mischief.

Mefira had always wanted to have purple eyes, instead of the light pink color she was sporting. But, like her mother said, pink was the color any true lady should display.

Talking a moment to analyze Zera’s clothes, she could see the girl had her her trademark ripped jeans on, along with her black hoodie and combat boots, giving her the look of someone you would usually find threatening people at knifepoint in a dark alley. 'Which for all intents and purposes she probably is’ Mefira thought to herself.

Seeing her dainty form, however, made a lot of people underestimate her. Not to mention several guys at school that used to follow her around. 'Used to’ being the key words here. Zera had made it brutally clear she wasn’t interested in dating.

“Let me guess; the toilet paper incident this morning was your doing?” Mefira asked, carding a hand through her own wavy golden locks. Zera was notorious for her pranks that usually got out of hand. “You know me so well.” she responded, her grin turning smug and self satisfied.

At the desk behind Zera sat Magnus Neryl, who usually wound up in detention for doodling sketches of plants and animals during class instead of paying attention. The teachers always confiscated his holopads, but he had plenty of spares. Already he was hard at work drawing an image of a firefly flower, and writing down some of its characteristics.

Hunched over his desk, he looked rather ridiculous with his body mass dwarfing the small table and chair. He had the appearance of a jock, with a built physique. This was usually accentuated by a tight shirt and equally form fitting pants. Dark hair framed his handsome face, and intense forest green eyes were filled with concentration on the drawing.

Still, the effect was lost when you actually got to know him. He was rather scatterbrained, losing focus on anything not related to biology or medicine.

And as far as Mefira knew, he was a total klutz in anything from sports to day to day activities. She lost count of how many times he’d tripped when one of his shoelaces got untied.

And finally, there was Xenos Nuran. The person most likely to take up the career path of a cat burglar.

He usually got detention for sneaking around everywhere he wasn’t supposed to. From the teacher’s lounge -where he stole the subject for a final and distributed it to the whole class-, to the principal’s office, where he actually took a picture with the man sleeping, then posted it on the Extranet.

He had slightly curly platinum blonde hair, with gray eyes, and a lean build, sporting black pants along with a white T-shirt that hugged his body quite nicely, and a pair of comfortable sandals, that helped him walk quietly on multiple occasions.

“And here I was wondering how photos of the girl’s locker room ended up online.” she muttered, only receiving a crooked grin and a wink in return. “At least I didn’t post any photos of you, princess. I gotta have some class.” he defended good-naturedly.

Despite all their flaws and downright creepy behavior, Mefira could honestly say that these were her only actual friends, who didn’t think of her as a dumb blonde, who doesn’t know how an engine works. Spending up to ten hours a week with someone in a room really created bonds, apparently.

As she sat down, she noticed the robot standing in front of the holoboard, set to automatically activate when detention would start.

“Wait, didn’t you wreck two of these things already?” She asked, confused. It was incredible how Zera could destroy something, and then make it look like a complete accident.

“Yeah, but they got a new and 'improved’ version. One that’s apparently impervious to 'random malfunctions’.” Xenos answered.

“By now, 'malfunction’ is pretty much codename for 'we know you tampered with it but we have no proof’.” Magnus absently commented, not looking up from his drawing.

“You’d think they would just place a teacher here instead.” Mefira mumbled.

“Please!” Zera huffed a laugh “No sane person would hold out being in a room with all of us for this long.” “True” she conceded.

As the bell rang, the robot powered up, fixing them with a blank gaze.

“Greetings, juvenile delinquents. I am disciplinary automaton version 3. You may refer to me as DA-V3, or Dave. Please take your seats, and keep quiet. Detention will end in: 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds.”

“Well, looks like it’s gonna be a fun couple of hours…” Xenos growled under his breath.