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callmelittlebuttercup · 8 months ago

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Peace Offerings Pt. 9

Pairing: Joel Miller x F!Reader

Series Summary: Joel and Reader leave the old couple’s house and find themselves surrounded by men on horses. They end up in a community called Jackson where they meet some new and some familiar people. Emotions are at an all time high and Reader walks off to get some fresh air, but ends up running into some trouble- yet again.

Series Warnings: Slow burn, Age gap (reader is 34, Joel is 56), 18+ Minors DNI, Sexual Themes, Violence, Injuries (depictions of blood, bruising, broken bones), Cursing, Grumpy!Joel, Minimal depictions of reader's appearance (hair color/length.)

Chapter Warnings: Beginning of the Jackson au!!

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Part Nine

After we said our goodbyes and thanked the older couple, we started back on the road. A few miles from the cabin, we came across sounds of running water and hurried up the bank. A huge reservoir, still turning out water gushed before us. “A dam… and it’s still running.” I remarked. Joel came to stand next to me, his eyebrows knitted together as he took in the potential sign of life. “Might not mean anything.” He said before looking down at me. “It’s been 20 years, Joel. You expect a dam to be running this smoothly after being untouched for 20 years?” I argued. He turned his gaze back to the rushing water before shaking his head and pursing his lips. I rolled my eyes and pushed past him to continue onto the trail along the reservoir.

When we rounded the reservoir, we came across a larger river and began to climb a hill. The sound of voices and hooves pounding against the ground stopped us in our tracks. Before I could even flinch to grab my gun, a group of people on horses had come out of the treeline and surrounded us. Joel grabbed my hand and practically threw me behind him. Each of them had a gun pointed straight at us. “We ain’t looking for any trouble, we’re just passing through.” Joel called out with his arms raised. His signature greeting. “Drop the gun.” The closest guy called out. Joel obeyed, slowly and cautiously. “Girl, take five steps back.” The man demanded. I began to take slow, shaky steps back from Joel, having to pry his hand off my wrist. “How about we just talk this through.” Joel said calmly. “How ‘bout you shut the fuck up.” The guy suggested sternly. “Ok, ok. Easy.” Joel kept his hands raised as the man approached him. “You been near infected?” The man asked. “No infected around here.” Joel answered. “The hell there ain’t.” Our attention was directed to the sound of a dog barking, and we turned to see a man struggling to keep his grip on a huge german shepherd. “Last chance for a bullet. If you’re infected, he will smell it and he will rip you up.” The man’s voice sounded far away as my heart pounded in my ears. I was pretty sure I wasn’t infected, neither was Joel, but the mere possibility of the dog ripping us apart was terrifying.

I held my breath and closed my eyes as the dog approached. I felt it’s warm breath on my leg as it sniffed me. Nothing. I released the trapped air from my lungs, and dropped my hands to my sides. “You just bought yourself ten more seconds.” The same man said, “What are you doing out here?” Joel answered, “Just looking for our brothers. That’s all, nothing more.” Once those words left his mouth a woman with long, dark dreadlocks rode forward from behind the man calling out, “Hey! What’s your name?” “Joel.” She eyed the both of us, “And yours?” I eagerly told her my name. Her face dropped in realization, and she then ordered the men to lend us their horses as we rode back. One man gave Joel his horse, and I rode with another man from the group. I gripped the man’s jacket tightly as we followed the others along their path towards giant wooden gates in the middle of a long stretch of tall fencing. One of the men on the horses raised a red flag, and the gates began to open.

My jaw dropped at the sight. It was as if the town hadn’t been touched by the tragedies that the rest of the world were touched by. There were people laughing and talking as they stood along the streets outside of shops and houses. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I looked at Joel and watched his eyes searching for his brother, and I was brought back to the reality of the situation. Please let them be here. I begged. We rode a little further into town, passing more people who were now staring at us. All of a sudden, Joel called out, “Tommy!” I raised my head up to see if it was really him, not even knowing what he looked like. I caught sight of a man quickly descending the stairs of scaffolding on the side of a house. A look of pure disbelief was painted on his face as he stared at Joel. I could see the resemblance between the two. Joel stepped off the horse and enveloped his brother into a bear hug. The biggest smile I’d ever seen stretched across his face. They shared a long embrace and a few hearty laughs. Soon after, Joel came back over to help me off of the horse and introduce me to Tommy. I smiled at the man as my feet hit the ground, and introduced myself as I reached out a hand. He repeated my name back to me with a warm smile, and shook my hand firmly. Joel came to stand next to me, and as they talked I couldn’t help but notice Tommy’s eyes flitting back and forth between us. I stepped away from Joel, not wanting him to get the wrong impression.

Through all the fuss of the brother’s reunion, I heard my name being called from a distance. My eyes widened and my chest filled with excitement. I stood on my toes to see over the men’s heads, and I finally caught sight of him. I smiled and pushed past Joel before jogging to hug my brother. He looked the same as the day he’d left Boston, except for the beard. “Matthew.” I sighed as we finally embraced. “You made it.” He said before placing a kiss on the top of my head. “Barely.” I joked as I pulled away, “You can thank him.” I said as I gestured to Joel. “Who’s that?” He questioned. I bit my lip, “Uh, his name is Joel. He’s Tommy’s brother. We found out both of you were here and he offered to let me travel with him.” I could see Matthew’s jaw clench before he let out a deep, “Mhmm.” I studied his face, wondering why he seemed to have an opinion about Joel before even meeting him.

Matthew and I caught up as Tommy and Maria did the same with Joel. They’d brought us to the restaurant in town and Maria gave him and I two plates of food. My eyes widened and my mouth watered as I eyed the first square meal I’d seen in years. “Where did you get this stuff?” I asked as I stabbed a piece of fresh broccoli with my fork. “We have some crops. We managed to get some seeds through a trade.” Maria explained. I nodded in understanding, my mouth too full to give a verbal reply. As he and I scarfed down the food, I noticed my brother staring at Joel, who had sat next to me. “So, Joel, things go well on the road with my sister?” Matthew asked as he crossed his arms. Joel’s eyes left the plate and traveled between Matthew and I. I gave him a reassuring look, hoping it would encourage him to answer. “As well as they could go.” Joel said before shoving a bite of food in his mouth. I bit my lip nervously, hoping Matthew would just take the answer and end the interaction. “And what do you mean by that?” He questioned. “Matthew, please.” I blurted, unable to stand the tension any longer. He pried his accusatory gaze off of Joel and back onto me, “Can I talk to you outside, sis?” I eyed the other witnesses of the interaction. Tommy sat with an eyebrow raised, and Maria’s face was stone cold. I huffed impatiently and got up from the table, not bothering to push in my chair.

“What is your problem, Matthew?” I seethed as he pulled me around the corner of the restaurant and into the alley. “I’ve heard things about that man,” He whispered, “He’s killed people, sis. A lot of people. He did all sorts of illegal shit in the QZ. Did you have any idea who you were travelling with? Did he hurt you?” The words left his mouth in a panicked flurry. “Where did you hear those things?” I asked. “Nevermind that. How stupid can you be to travel across the country with a dangerous man like that?” He prodded angrily. I stared at him for a moment, unable to believe the fact that I’d travelled across the country to save him and I was being yelled at about who I chose to do it with. “I travelled hundreds of miles to find you, and all you can think to say is this shit?” I scoffed. “He’s dangerous.” He said after taking a deep breath. “He may be, but who isn’t, Matthew? Who hasn’t killed to survive these days?” I argued. “He killed for the wrong reasons. He’s a smuggler, a raider.” I shook my head, “No. You’re wrong.” My brother’s face dropped in realization. “You didn’t…” He muttered in disbelief. “Didn’t what?” I asked panickedly. “Please tell me that you didn’t fuck him. I swear to god I will kill him right now.” His face reddened with rage, but I pressed my hands into his shoulders, “No, Matthew, I didn’t. I swear. Nothing happened between us. All he did was make up a plan to get us here and he protected me when I needed it. We barely even spoke to each other the whole time. Now will you please calm the fuck down so I can go finish the first meal I’ve had in months?” I begged. The tightness in his shoulders eased after hearing my explanation, and he nodded, “There’s nothing going on between you two?” He asked, needing my reassurance once more. I shook my head, “I promise.” I lied.

Before Matthew and I could move to go back inside, we heard the door to the restaurant bust open. It was Joel, storming out of the restaurant. He caught my eye and paused for a moment, but kept walking off towards what looked like a stable. The urge to follow was tugging at me, but there was no way Matthew was letting that happen. I followed him back into the restaurant and finished my meal silently as he had a hushed conversation with Maria and Tommy at the bar.

Later that night, after being shown around more by Matthew, we neared the front porch of the house he’d been living in. “This is it.” He said proudly, “Fixed it up myself.” I followed him into the front door and felt as though I’d walked into a thrift store. Not one piece of furniture went with another. “When did you get your interior decorating degree?” I smirked before plopping down into a red bigham armchair. He rolled his eyes as he reached into the fridge, “I didn’t have much to work with. Beer?” I nodded and reached my hand out to grab the cold can from him. Cracking it open and tasting the malty liquid was a feeling I never knew I missed.

“You owe me an apology.” I said after swallowing a huge swig from the can. He pressed his lips together as he plopped down onto the hideous floral patterned couch, “I do. ” I sat up, resting my elbows onto my knees, “Three weeks, Matthew. Three weeks without a fucking word from you. I thought you were dead.” He took a sip of his beer then knitted his fingers around it, “We were told to stop contacting outsiders. That they were threats to us.” I flinched, “Threats?” He nodded, “We had too much traffic around the perimeter. Maria decided it would be safer if we kept outside communication to a minimum.” I stared at the floor, unable to look at him, “Your own sister, a threat.” He sighed, “Look, I tried my best to contact you.” I stood up off of the chair, wanting nothing more than for this conversation to be over. “Not hard enough.” I spat as I stalked to the front door, slamming it behind me.

My mind reeled as I walked aimlessly down the street, my way being lit by hanging lights and trash can fires littered along the blocks. I looked around, attempting to find any building that was familiar from earlier in the day. I spotted the stable I’d seen Joel rush into earlier and figured it woud be empty at this time of night. I neared the door and unhooked the latch before opening it slowly, not wanting to spook the horses. With the tiniest bit of light shining through the door, I caught sight of a beautiful chestnut horse with a white stripe down its face. It reminded me of the horse my uncle owned on his farm. “Hi there,” I whispered as I offered it my hand to nibble.

I’d been so deep in my own head that I hadn’t noticed the sound of voices traveling from somewhere outside the stable. Itching with curiosity, I stood on a hay bale and put my ear up to a hole in the wood. “I don’t want to hurt her, Tommy. After Sara, after Tess… I can’t do that to her.” My heart sank when I realized it was Joel. Who was Sara? And Tess? “It’s safe here, Joel. If you stay, you’ll have the opportunity to start over… like I did. I’m gonna be a father in a few months. And to be honest I’m scared to death. But I don’t know… I think I’d be a good father.” Tommy said. “I guess we’ll find out.” Joel sighed. Tommy clearly didn’t like that response, “I guess we’ll find out? Maybe you think your life stopped when Sara died, and believe me, I thought mine did too, but I found a way to start it again. You can too.” Joel scoffed, “It won’t be as easy for me. You’ve never lost a child.” The men’s voices became more intense, “I lost her too. I was there, Joel, remember?” Tommy grunted. I gasped quietly, the realization that Joel had a daughter, maybe even a wife before all of this. It all made so much sense now.

I’d been so focused on the conversation that I hadn’t noticed the hay slipping out from under my feet. Before I could regain my footing, my boots lost their grip and I tumbled to the ground. I couldn’t stifle the shriek that escaped me as I felt the pain in my ribs all over again. “Shit.” I grunted through clenched teeth. The men’s voices turned to silence, and I heard footsteps outside of the barn. I tried to get up, but was dizzied from the pain in my abdomen. The door creaked open, and a flashlight shone in. My name left Joel’s mouth as he caught sight of me. “The fuck are you doin’ in here?” He grunted as he placed his flashlight down and pulled me to my feet. I swallowed. My mouth felt like it had been filled with cotton. “I uh… had a fight with my brother. Just needed somewhere to think.” He looked at me through the light peeking in through the door. “The hell did you do? Your nose is bleeding.” He said before reaching up to my face. I pulled away and pressed the sleeve of my shirt to my nose. “I’m fine.” I insisted as I used the wall to pull myself up. “You’re obviously not.” Joel grunted. “Joel? What was that?” Tommy asked as he appeared in the doorway. Joel and I’d heads snapped to look at the figure. “Everything alright?” Tommy questioned again. “Yeah, I just… tripped over something in the dark.” I said. “Well what were you doin’ in the first place?” Both of the men looked at me, then Joel turned to his brother and said pointedly, “She had a fight with her brother. Needed some peace and quiet.” Tommy shook his head and shrugged defeatedly, “A congratulations would have made things a whole lot easier.” I stood there awkwardly as the two men shared a tense look, and finally Tommy disappeared from the doorway after huffing angrily.

“I’ll walk you home.” Joel said as we exited the barn. “I’d rather sleep in the stable.” I scoffed. He looked at me, seeming annoyed at first but his face quickly twisted into concern. “Jesus, your nose is bleeding like hell.” He breathed as he reached into his pocket to try and find something to wipe it with. His attempts were fruitless and he dropped his hands to his side. He looked to be struggling with something internally as his eyes shifted between me and the house we were standing in front of. I waited patiently, holding my hand to my nose to stop it from dripping onto my shirt even more. He sighed, “Dammit,” and grabbed my arm before leading me into the house. “Joel, you don’t have to-” I tried to argue, but he pushed me onto a chair at the island in the small kitchen. He stalked over to the sink and wet a rag, then pulled a chair over to sit in front of me. “You’re always gettin’ yourself hurt.” He grumbled as he pressed the rag to the base of my nose. I winced at the contact, and his eyebrows furrowed as he focused on cleaning up the blood. “‘S probably broken.” I didn’t respond. Between the lightheadedness from the pain and the feeling of Joel being close to me again, I didn’t have much to say. For the first time, I didn’t feel patronized by him helping me, didn’t feel like it was some sort of peace offering. He wasn’t doing it because he had to, he was doing it because he wanted to.

I couldn’t help but watch him intently as he focused tending to my nose. He subconsciously leaned closer and closer, and I was able to feel his warm breath on the bare skin of my chest, causing goosebumps to rise there. All of a sudden, Joel froze. I’d been so distracted I hadn’t noticed my hand moving up to rest on the forearm of the hand that he was using the rag with. My first instinct was to pry it off panickedly, but that wasn’t what this moment was about. It wasn’t about instinct. My instinct was always to run away from the uncomfortable things, and it seemed like that was Joel’s too. It was about facing our fears. Joel had pushed his fear of caring for someone aside, and it was my turn to push through my fear of intimacy.

My eyes didn’t leave his as I pushed down on his forearm, lowering his hand to the table. His face was inches from mine, and soon milimeters away. I hesitated, but was encouraged by a hand on the back of my head pulling me into a gentle kiss. He pulled away and looked at me in a way that seemed like he was asking for approval. I answered his question by standing off of my stool and pressing my lips to his once more. His hands moved to grip my waist as our lips began to move together, our desperation for each other taking over once more. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me closer so that I was standing between his legs. His hands slid underneath my shirt and traveled up my back, his fingers gently gliding across my skin sent shivers up my spine. His hands continued up onto my neck, lingering there, then tangled in my hair and pulled at it lightly. I bit his bottom lip as I pulled away and looked into his eyes. They were staring at me hungrily, and widened slightly as he felt my hand press up against his firm length through his jeans. I felt him twitch against me and watched his face as I began to rub him gently. His eyes closed and he let out a long, heavy breath. His obvious pleasure fueled my fire and I leaned in to close the gap between our lips again. He met me with just as much hunger. I pulled lightly on his jacket to get him to stand, and pushed him backwards towards the couch. He stumbled backwards, drunk with lust, and sat down. He practically worshipped my body with his eyes as I stood over him. I straddled his legs and sat down, pressing myself against his excitement. His hands slid up the sides of my thighs and onto my hips as I instinctively grinded against him. He breathed into my ear as I leaned down and pressed gentle kisses into the scruff on his jaw. My hands traveled down to the hem of my t-shirt and I began to pull it over my head, but Joel caught sight of my bruise again and was pulled back to reality. “I think that’s enough for tonight.” He gently pushed me up and off of him, “I think.. you should get some sleep. I’m sorry, I lost control.” He stood and adjusted himself through his pants. I couldn’t help but feel rejected again. “Was that another mistake?” I scoffed. He glared at me, “You know it wasn’t.” I sat all the way up now, facing him, “Then why did you stop?” I pressed. “I didn’t want things to get out of hand.” He said as he plopped down on the couch and slid his hands down his face. “What does that mean?” I questioned again. “You know…” I rolled my eyes, “Joel.” He groaned, now fully backed into a corner. “I just don’t want you to get attached.” He finally said.

There it was. The familiar feeling of my stomach dropping. Of course. Of course he would find a way to ruin this, just as we were connecting further. “You don’t need to worry about that.” I spat as stood up walked towards the door, and as my hand gripped the doorknob he finally spoke, “Where are you goin’?” I turned around and hooked my hands onto my hips, “To sleep in the stable in the hay. Like the baby Jesus.” He rolled his eyes at my attempt at comedy and stood up off the couch, “You’re not sleepin’ in a stable.” I straightened my back as he approached, “What do you care? I thought we weren’t getting attached.” He placed his hand on the door frame above my head, “You’ll annoy the horses.” I saw a smirk threaten the corner of his mouth, and a full smile stretched across mine. For the first time in months, I almost laughed.

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Author's note:

Hi all! Sorry for the wait! Finals are coming up and I've had a lot of school work to do, but I've been trying to work on the fic as much as possible. <3

Taglist:

@demonsasss @ayamenimthiriel @ashleyfilm

Masterlist

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ashbrat488 · 1 year ago

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Foul Play - Henry Cavill Fanfic - Complete

Rugby AU Enemies to lovers Word Count: 41,847

Trigger Warning: Assault/R@pe (I'll put another trigger warning on that chapter) Drug Use. Violence.

Millicent "Milly" Bailey loses her mother just before her high school graduation and decides to move to England with her newly found father, Darren, she didn't know about until she turned 16. Now she's an American from a small town in Iowa, thrown into a new country and a new culture at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. She's quiet and mostly likes to keep to herself until she catches the eye of a handsome rugby player, Henry Cavill.

Henry thinks it's funny to tease Milly, bullying her with the help of his friends. That is until his last year of school where he really needs to buckle down and obtain the proper grades if he wants to be scouted for the England Rugby Team. Neither of them are happy when the dean, Milly's father, puts them together in their last year for Milly to help him graduate. Can they learn to see eye to eye and get along or will everything fall apart before graduation?

Started: June 15, 2023 Finished: September 27, 2023

Wattpad link here

Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Epilogue

#Henry cavill #henry cavill au #rugby henry cavill #henry cavill xofc #henry cavill college age #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fanfiction #cavill #henry cavill enemies to lovers

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whimsicallyenchantedrose · 14 days ago

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Christmas Reruns 2024–Day 15: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and happy holidays if you don’t! One of the things I love about Christmas is watching reruns of all the old classic Christmas movies–Christmas is a big time for nostalgia. A few years ago, I decided to incorporate that tradition into my fandom life and post my CS holiday reruns. So here you go! Enough holiday (mostly) fluff to get you to New Year’s Day. (With a new story posting on Christmas Day.)

Word Count: 5072

Other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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Notes: This story was written for CSSS in 2019. It should hopefully be obvious from the story itself, but this is a canon divergence from 3x20. It’s been a minute, so a quick reminder of what was going on in our favorites’ lives at this point in the story: Zelena cursed Hook’s lips so that the next time he kissed Emma, she’d lose her magic. She threatened to kill Emma’s family, starting with Henry, if Hook told Emma about the curse. Hook then decided to send Henry to New York where he’d (hopefully) be safe, but before that could happen, Zelena’s monkeys attacked. With the help of Emma and the Charmings, Hook was able to defeat the monkeys, but not before Zelena showed up, told everyone about the curse and promised to kill Henry. Emma and the Charmings are furious at Hook for keeping the curse secret. This story takes place in the following episode just after Hook and Emma head to the farmhouse to confront Zelena. Divergences for this story: 1. Snow hasn’t yet gone into labor. 2. Zelena and Rumple aren’t waiting for CS at the farmhouse. 3. It’s Christmas Eve. 4. Blizzard.

–Without further ado:

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Emma stomped into the farmhouse, ripping off her thoroughly snow-covered beanie and scarf and tossing them to the floor. Of course she was trapped in the freaking Wicked Witch of the West’s creepy farmhouse–with Hook–on Christmas Eve–because of course she was! That’s the way her life worked anymore. Why’d she ever let Hook talk her into taking that memory potion in New York? Her life was good there. No monsters. No over-the-top fairy tale villains. No magic. Just her and her son living their lives and being a normal family.

Granted, none of it had been real, she’d almost gotten engaged to a flying monkey and a part of her, even during the best moments in New York, felt like there was something missing, but that was beside the point! She and Henry had been happy. Was it really such a terrible thing to want to be happy?

Why the hell did Hook have to show up and destroy it all?

“We’re in luck, love,” the man himself called out cheerfully as he stepped inside and then, with some difficulty, closed the door against the bitter, howling wind. “Zelena may be wicked, but at least she’s practical. She left a nice, neat pile of firewood on the far side of the house. Perhaps being stuck in a blizzard is’t the ideal way to spend Christmas Eve, but at least we’ll be quite comfortable.”

She rounded on him, wanting nothing more to wipe the smile from his face with a swift right hook. “Not ideal? Not ideal?! Hook, my son, my parents, my baby brother or sister and the whole town are in danger from a crazy witch who wants to go back in time and wipe out my entire family line. I think we’re a long way past not ideal.”

The smile slid from Hook’s face. “It was not my intention to be flippant, Swan, but we must deal with the situation at hand. You will be of no use to your lad or the rest of the town if you freeze to death, and at least we have the means to prevent that.”

“But Henry–”

“Will be fine,” Hook reassured, striding across the room until he could place reassuring hand and hook on her shoulders. “He’s with Regina, and even at the height of her villainy, she loved Henry. Protecting him will be her number one priority.”

Loathe as she was to admit it, Hook was right. After the whole debacle yesterday–the storybook bringing back Henry’s memories, Zelena showing up and exposing Hook’s whole kiss curse situation, Zelena promising to kill Henry, Henry and Regina breaking the curse with True Love’s Kiss, the revelation of how the curse was cast in the first place (she still couldn’t believe her mother had actually crushed her father’s heart to cast it!)–Regina’s first act was to place a number of complex protection spells over Henry and every location he frequented. Henry would likely suffer no lasting damage.

But Emma hadn’t wanted to take any chances. With Regina protecting Henry, and with Emma’s brother or sister still showing no signs of coming out to greet the world, Emma decided she was done playing defense. It was high time she take the fight to the Wicked Witch. It was time to end this. So armed with her magic and her faithful pirate, Emma had stormed out in the direction of Zelena’s farmhouse.

Stormed, it seemed, being the key word. It began snowing just before she and Hook left her parent’s loft, and by the time they reached Zelena’s place, they were dealing with a full on blizzard.

Really, being home was the least Zelena could do given the fact Emma was giving up Christmas Eve with her son to kick her ass, but no. She couldn’t even give them that. There was no telling where Zelena and her Dark One puppet had gone, but it was clear they were not at home.

Emma hoped the witch froze solid in the blizzard.

Killian busied himself arranging the logs in the fireplace and then tried–without success–to start a blaze with the lighter he’d found lying upon the mantle. Emma watched him struggle for a while, before growling, pushing him aside and calling on her reserves of anger and frustration to produce a fireball that soon had the fire blazing merrily.

“Bloody brilliant, love,” Killian murmured in obvious awe. Despite herself, Emma felt her confidence soar in the wake of Hook’s constant, never-wavering faith in her.

“You know Swan, it could be worse,” Hook said with a wicked grin. “At least you’re trapped with a dashing rapscallion like meself. There are any number of ways we could find to amuse ourselves that I can promise would be very enjoyable for both of us.”

When he waggled his eyebrows in that ridiculously over-the-top way of his, she lost it.

“Are you freaking kidding me right now?” she nearly shouted. “We’re stuck here, my family’s in danger, a psycho witch and her equally psycho Dark One sidekick are still on the loose and all you can do is flirt!”

Growling, she turned to the fireplace, and tossed another fireball at the kindled wood for good measure, furious beyond belief at Hook, at Zelena, at the situation and, if she was being totally honest, at herself for the secret thrill that went through her every time he made outrageous or suggestive comments to her while giving her that look. There was nothing between them! There never would be. She wouldn’t let it.

The farmhouse was silent for several moments, save for the crackling of the fire, and Emma eventually turned back toward Hook. The look he gave her was a little too knowing, a little too understanding. When he’d come for her in New York, he’d told her he knew her better than she knew herself, and though she hated to admit it, it was true. It was a little unnerving how very well he understood her.

“Swan, what is this really about?” he asked simply.

Emma growled. “What do you mean, ‘What’s this really about?’ Did you forget about a certain green bitch with an insane grudge against her sister?”

“Of course not,” Hook said patiently, “but despite being snowed in, we are in no worse straights than we were yesterday. You heard it yourself from your mother when you used your talking phone to let her know of our whereabouts. Your family is fine, and Zelena hasn’t been seen since our confrontation in the boat house. I reiterate. What’s this really about?”

Emma glared at him for a long moment, before she finally sighed and dropped rather dramatically onto one of the ornate armchairs before the fire. “It’s just…it’s just Christmas is Henry’s favorite time of year. That kid loves Christmas. Every year back in New York–and then in Boston before that–Christmas Eve was special. We made a tradition out of it. We’d sit before the tree drinking cocoa, reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, singing our favorite carols. Sometimes he even managed to talk me into letting him open a present or two. It was the one night I never, under any circumstances, accepted a case or worked on one I had ongoing. Christmas was for us.”

Emma felt the tears threatening at the back of her throat and she swallowed roughly, doing everything she knew to keep them from spilling over. “And now, here I am on Christmas Eve, separated from him. The kid’s going to be crushed.”

“Love,” Hook said gently, “the lad has a kind heart and a good head on his shoulders. He understands the circumstances are beyond your control. He knows how much spending this night together means to you, and he knows you’d never willingly miss spending it with him.”

“You know what the worst part of it is?” Emma asked bitterly. “The worst part of it is, as you’ve pointed out to me multiple times, none of it was real. It didn’t happen. It was nothing but the pleasant fake memories Regina gave us.”

Killian took ahold of her hand, and in a move that shocked even her, she let him. “This past year, the lost year, was real. Trust me love, Henry understands why you weren’t with him during the first ten years of his life. He knows you didn’t abandon him. He knows you did what you had to do to give him a good life.”

“Maybe,” Emma said, a lone tear breaking free and flowing down her cheek despite herself.

“Definitely,” Killian said with conviction

The lights flickered once and then went off completely, pitching the farmhouse into darkness, save for the flickering light from the fire. Despite it being merely late-afternoon, the storm outside seems to have eclipsed the sun entirely.

“Fabulous,” Emma said with a groan. “As if being stuck in a witch’s farmhouse on Christmas Eve wasn’t bad enough, now we’ll probably freeze to death without the heat.”

“I rather doubt that, Darling” Hook said with a flirtatious quirk of his eyebrow. He slid his tongue along his bottom lip in a way that had Emma’s pulse racing, before invading her space and whispering the last bit. “I’m sure we can come up with a way to keep warm.”

Emma leaned into him, actually leaned into him for a moment, before shaking herself out of it and taking a deliberate step back.

“Stop, Hook, just…stop!” she said through gritted teeth. “This whole thing is your fault! All of it! We were happy in New York, and you had to barge in and destroy it for us. Then we get back here, and you manage to get yourself cursed–joke’s on Zelena by the way. If she was smart, she’d have chosen to enchant the lips of someone I’d actually kiss. Then you decide to take matters into your own hand instead of telling me about the threat to my son. Hell, this is probably part of the plan too, isn’t it? Get me alone, stranded in a blizzard and then try to seduce me.”

She’d hurt him. She saw that clearly in his face for the space of two heartbeats, and then that hurt coalesced into anger. “Despite what you may think of me, Swan, I’ve not yet developed an ability to control the weather.

Without another word, he stomped to the door.

“Where are you going?” she yelled after him, fire still flashing in her eyes.

“To gather more firewood,” he answered, voice hard.

And with a fierce slam of the door, he was gone.

For long moments after the door slammed after Hook, Emma continued to seethe. Why was her life the way it was? Why couldn’t she just be normal? Why couldn’t she go back to her pleasant, comfortable life in New York with her son? When she told people she was going back after this whole Zelena situation was over, why did they all look at her like she had just stated her plan to kick puppies? This was her life, and she could live it as she pleased! It was her prerogative to do what she felt was necessary to protect her son. Where did Hook get off trying to convince her to stay with her family–and with him?

It’s not like she’d never see her loved ones again. They’d still visit, and her family was welcome to come visit them. But she was done. She was done being the “savior”, done going after psychotic fairy tale villains, done being everything to everybody. And most especially, she was done dealing with a pirate who made her heart race in a way she couldn’t control.

She’d done the whole “falling in love” thing before, and she had no intention of doing it again.

But as the minutes continued ticking past, Emma’s anger began to fade, and concern took its place. Hook had been gone a long time; way too long to just gather up firewood. What if….what if she’d finally driven him away? What if he’d actually left her this time?

A sick feeling took up residence in the pit of her stomach at the thought. She wanted to tell herself she didn’t care; that she was glad he had finally stopped pestering her, but she couldn’t lie to herself anymore. Hook had become much more than an ally to the heroes’ cause. He’d become a friend, quite possibly the best friend she had. He was her confidant, her support. His endless faith in her gave her confidence when she no longer had faith in herself. And the fact that he was so drop dead gorgeous and romantic that her insides turned to mush whenever he looked at her couldn’t be denied, at least not in the deep recesses of her heart where the truth resided.

Truth was, he’d been everything she needed during this whole stupid Wicked Witch business. Despite what she might have said to him, she knew he pushed her not to further his own romantic interests but because he genuinely wanted her to find happiness.

And what did she do? Time and time again, she pushed him away. Time and time again she reforged the wall around her heart, trying to drive him away with cruel, cutting words.

Had she actually succeeded this time? Was he ready to give up on her like everyone else had? Gods, how was she going to handle it if he had? Through everything, he’d been a constant in her life. Why did she always do this? Why did she always push away the people in her life that meant the most?

A small kernel of hope still lived inside her, reassuring her that he’d never abandoned her before, he wasn’t going to start now.

But that thought brought with it an entirely new concern. What if something happened to him? What if he was lost, freezing to death in the blizzard? What if Zelena was lying in wait for him? What if…?

As the minutes continued to pass, increasingly more fantastical worries about what may have happened to him took up residence in her mind until Emma feared she’d go crazy with the worry. She was just on the point of going after him, when suddenly the door swung open, the furious blizzard winds blowing in both Killian and a fair amount of snow.

Without a word, Killian deposited an arm full of firewood beside the fire and then stepped outside to grab one more thing, before firmly closing the door again and shaking his head and shoulders like a wet dog.

The relief that suddenly flooded Emma was so strong that she couldn’t help herself. She threw herself in his arms and buried her nose in his icy cold neck. He was here; he’d come back to her. He was okay.

For a moment, Killian stood still, but then his hooked arm came around her, and he hugged her to himself as tightly as she clung to him. “Swan?” he asked.

Emma stepped back, wiping at her suddenly damp eyes. “I’m sorry, okay?” she said, voice wavering with the emotion still at the back of his throat. “I thought you’d left, and I get it. The stuff I said to you–it was over the line and I’m sorry.”

Killian took a quick step back, unmistakable hurt back in his eyes. “You thought I’d left? Emma, haven’t I proven to you by now that I’d never leave you?”

“I know!” she was quick to reassure. “It was stupid okay? I just–I don’t know; I got scared, and when I get scared–” she shrugged. “Wounds from the past tend to linger.”

His face softened. “Well they needn’t with me,” he said gently. “I’m not so easily driven away.”

She smiled at him, a small, tenuous thing, but then the item in his hand caught her eye. “Is that a pine tree?”

Killian smiled again. “It’s not much, I’m afraid, but it was the best I could find in this tempest.”

“You got us a Christmas tree?”

Killian suddenly turned away, scratching at the back of his ear. “I thought about what you said, Swan, about the traditions you are missing with your lad today. I know it’s not the same as spending the day with him, but I thought–” he shrugged self-consciously, “I thought perhaps it would make your holiday marginally less bleak if we recreated some of your favorite traditions ourselves.”

For the second time that evening, Emma threw her arms around Killian. “That’s one of the most thoughtful things anyone’s ever done for me.”

“I aim to please.”

******

Two hours later, Emma and Killian sat with each other before the fire, steaming mugs of instant hot cocoa in hand. Emma smiled, looking over at the tree that they’d managed to decorate with bits and baubles they’d found scavenging through Zelena’s house (and leaving quite a mess in their wake, which felt rather satisfying). Phase one of “Operation Christmas Cheer”, as Emma decided to call it in honor of Henry, complete, they’d turned their pillaging to the kitchen, managing to put together a haphazard meal of bread and cheese that Killian had toasted over the fire. It was Emma who found the box of instant cocoa mix in Zelena’s cupboard, and, resourceful as always, Killian had heated it over the fire in a small saucepan.

Meal prepared, they’d raided every bedroom and closet, bringing all the pillows, blankets, comforters and afghans they could find and arranging a nest for themselves before the fire.

“I’m afraid we’ll need to bed down for the night here before the fire, Swan,” Killian said, once again scratching at his neck. “With the storm still raging fiercely, we’d freeze in any of the bedrooms.”

Truth be told, Emma thought, as she bit into her grilled cheese sandwich, though she missed being with Henry, this Christmas Eve wasn’t turning out half bad.

They ate in companionable silence, and when the last crumb had been consumed, Killian turned toward her with a smile. “Are you ready for your story, Swan?”

“Story?” She asked.

“Of course,” he answered. “That was an integral part of your Christmas Eve tradition, was it not? Reading with your lad?”

Emma smiled. “It was, but don’t worry about it. It would be too much to ask that the Wicked Witch would keep any Christmas books around.”

“No matter,” Killian said, settling more comfortably onto his side of their blanket nest. “I’ve no need of a book.”

“Oh really?” she grinned. “How are you going to manage to read me a story with no book?”

“I’ve all I need up here, love,” he said, pointing to his head. “Sit back and prepare to be transported into the holiday spirit. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…”

Emma’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you know ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’?”

Killian gave her a mock offended look. “I do read, Swan. Quite extensively in fact.”

Emma smiled, laying upon her pillow and pulling a comforter up to cover her. “Well, by all means, then, continue.”

As Killian’s voice droned on, reciting the story of a man awakened by the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve night, Emma felt her eyelids become heavy, and before she knew it, she was drifting off to sleep, not visions of sugar plums, but visions of a thoughtful pirate that she just might be starting to fall for, dancing in her head.

************

Christmas morning dawned clear and bright, the blizzard finally at an end. Emma woke to bright sunshine streaming through the front window. For a moment, she was disoriented, wondering where she was and how she’d gotten there, but then the previous day rushed back to her. Going after Zelena, the blizzard, being trapped in the farmhouse, taking out her frustration on Hook, being afraid Hook had left her, being overjoyed when he returned, his thoughtful Christmassy gestures.

Still thinking of Hook, Emma gradually became aware that she was quite warm and comfortable–and that was all thanks to the man who was currently spooning her, his strong arms holding her close. They’d gone to sleep with a respectable amount of space between them; how did they wind up in each other’s arms?

For a moment, Emma wanted to run. This was too close, too intimate, too–much.

But the more Emma thought about it, the more she realized she didn’t want to run, not anymore, not from this man. He’d been proving himself to her over and over again since Neverland. In the past few weeks alone, he’d been her rock as all this Wicked Witch crap had been going down. He’d found her in New York–somehow; she was still fuzzy on the details–restored her memories, brought her back to her family, contributed an excellent strategic mind to planning sessions, been one of the best listening ears she’d ever had.

And then the harder to swallow stuff. In these early morning moments, she could admit to herself that though some of the things he said to her were uncomfortable, they were uncomfortable truths. Walsh’s presence in her life proved that she couldn’t get away from the fairytale crap, not really. The fact that Henry had his memories back meant she couldn’t take him back to New York, at least not without a hell of a fight–with him, with Regina, with her parents, with everyone. He’d spoken the truth to her about all of it, even at the risk of her turning on him completely. It was the mark of someone who truly, genuinely cared.

And all the while, she’d treated him like something nasty she’d stepped in. She’d pushed, and pushed and pushed, but he’d stayed by her side. He’d been so patient with her, he really ought to qualify for sainthood.

It was Christmas, the time to be with the ones you loved. The time to tell them what they truly meant to you.

She turned over in his arms and ran a hand over his stubbly cheek. Still caught up in sleep, he mumbled “Swan” on a fond sigh, before opening his eyes–and then jumping to his feet faster than any person she’d ever seen.

“Swan!” he said, face flaming. “My apologies love. Not that I didn’t enjoy waking up with you in my arms, but I had no intention of taking advantage.”

Emma smiled, rolling her eyes fondly. “Sit back down, you Victorian drama queen. You didn’t take advantage. Somehow we just–ended up like that over night. Besides; I kind of liked it. You’re warm.”

Killian did as she asked, sitting cross legged beside her as she sat up to mirror him. “Just warm, love? I’ve it on good authority that I’m hot.”

Emma laughed, playfully swatting his arm. “Do you ever run out of these cheesy lines?”

“Haven’t yet in my three hundred years of existence.”

They laughed together for a moment, but then Emma turned serious, remnants of her musings of the morning still very much in mind. “Hook, I think we need to talk.”

The smile slid from his face. “As stated in Neverland, love, I find when a woman says that, I’m rarely in for a pleasant conversation.”

“You might be surprised this time.”

“Aye?” he asked, brow raising in interest.

“I just–” she started, not sure how to even go about untangling all of the thoughts twisted up in her head. “I get it; I get why you didn’t tell me about the lips curse thing. I get that you were trying to protect Henry the best way you were able in an impossible situation. I’m sorry I jumped down your throat about it.”

“You were concerned for your lad,” Killian said. “I quite understand being angry at finding someone was keeping something about his welfare from you.”

“It’s not that,” Emma said, “or at least not just that. Hook, I trust you; I really do. I know you wouldn’t deliberately hurt Henry. It’s just–hearing what Zelena threatened and what she did to you, it just brought it home again that I’m not enough. Even with the whole savior thing, I can’t do a damn thing to help my family. Zelena knows if she takes my magic, I’m useless.”

Killian straightened, frowning ferociously down at her. “I cannot abide that kind of talk about the woman I–well, the woman I care for, particularly when it is blatantly false. Emma, you are enough. You’re more than enough, and it’s because she knows it that Zelena is going after you. She said something similar to me. She told me that she wants me to take away your magic, the thing that makes you special, but she was wrong as well. Your magic isn’t what makes you special. There’s not a bit of you that isn’t extraordinary. Swan your determination, your goodness in the face of a difficult childhood, your strength and courage. All of it make you who you are. All of it convinces me without a doubt that even without your magic, you could defeat Zelena.”

Emma felt like a ball of warmth surrounded her, suffused her at his words. She loved him. She’d never admitted it to herself before, but nonetheless it was true. She loved him, and she was done hiding behind her walls.

And she was certainly done letting villains try to determine her love life.

“Killian, can I ask you a question?” she asked.

“Anything, love.”

“Back in New York, when you first came to my apartment. That was True Love’s Kiss you tried, wasn’t it?”

There was the scratching at his neck again. “Aye. I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try.”

“So you…you love me?”

His eyes widened. “Swan, if you haven’t realized that by now, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“No I mean, you truly love me, like curse-breaking true love?”

“For my part, aye,” he said, looking directly in her eyes. “There’s no doubt in my mind, but for True Love to break a curse, it must be reciprocated. New York proved that it is not, as is your prerogative, of course.”

Emma was silent for a moment, gathering her courage. Finally she met his eyes. “True Love’s Kiss also doesn’t work when one party doesn’t remember the other.”

He stared at her incredulously for a long moment. “Are you saying you think we share True Love?” he began, apparently unable to finish the sentence.

Emma shrugged. “I mean, I don’t know. How could I? But–I’m willing to test it out. Are you?”

He swallowed hard. “Gods know how badly I wish to kiss you, Swan, but are you sure? Your magic is part of who you are. I cannot be the reason you lose it.”

“You won’t,” Emma said, scooting forward and invading his space. “I think this will work, but even if it doesn’t I know that there’s nothing our family can’t accomplish. With or without my magic, Greeny doesn’t stand a chance. So what do you say? Are you willing to take a leap of faith?”

In answer, Killian leaned forward covering her lips with his own. Emma sighed into the kiss, everything about it felt right. Come what may, she was not denying herself this pleasure again.

Emma had just tilted her head to deepen the kiss, when suddenly a shockwave burst forth from their joined lips and suffused the entire farmhouse. She pulled away. “Hook–was that–?”

His face a mask of awe, Killian answered. “I think so. Give it a try, my love.”

Emma concentrated her emotions, directing them toward the place within her where her magic had always been. Continuing to focus, she waved her hand, and suddenly a fireball shot forth, reigniting the fire that had burnt down to mere embers.

“True Love,” she said in shock. “It’s true love.”

“Aye that it is,” Killian said, moving toward her once again. “The question is, what are we going to do about it?”

“Well, for starters, this,” Emma said, surging forward with enough vigor to knock him to the floor. Emma took his mouth with the kind of wild abandon she’d never even imagined displaying. He gave back as good as he got, his hand tangling in her hair and his hooked arm molding her to himself.

Emma’s hand had just moved to unclasp his vest when suddenly the farmhouse door opened and Leroy burst through, walkie talkie in hand. “Relax your majesties,” he said. “I found ‘em. They’re at the farmhouse sucking face like a couple horny teenagers.”

Emma sighed in frustration before getting to her feet and then offering Killian her hand.

“You know, Swan,” Killian said when he was back on his feet. “I think someone needs to muzzle that dwarf.”

Emma giggled, as the sound of her father’s shocked “WHAT?!” on the other end of the walkie came through.

She shrugged. “What can I say? It wouldn’t be Christmas without a little family drama.”

“True enough, love. Shall we adjourn to your parents’ loft and face the music together?”

“Absolutely,” Emma answered, taking his hand and lacing his fingers with hers. “Together is how I see us doing a lot of things in the future.”

NEXT CHAPTER->

#cs fanfiction #cs christmas reruns 2024 #my fanfiction #'twas the night before christmas

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blackmoonlightexpress · 1 year ago

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TTEOTM Master Post

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#till the end of the moon #luo yunxi #bai lu #black moonlight holds the be script #cdrama #chang yue jin ming #chinese drama #tantai jin #tteotm #ye xiwu #ye bingchang #xiao lin #deng wei #chen duling

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its-jaytothemee · 7 months ago

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Until I Met You - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Looming Shadows

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 4,602

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: Halsin and Tav must face the fact that they are returning to Moonrise. Tav sees the shadow curse again in her dreams, Halsin struggles to deal with the guilt and responsibility of their next steps. Part 20 of the slow burn fic. Tav and Halsin POVs.

Tags: Slow burn, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, emotional hurt/comfort, fluff, eventual love confessions, eventual smut, angst, implied past rape/non-con and abuse, graphic description of injuries, brief suicidal thoughts.

A/N: Just gonna go ahead and post this tonight to take my mind off the tornado warnings buzzing on my phone every 5 minutes. Have some more tooth rotting sweetness to finish out act 1 <3. I hope you've enjoyed so far! I've loved seeing the lovely comments and support for my writing. Next chapter will start the act 2 part of the story and oooooohhhh boy am I excited. Might be a little longer before I post another chapter as I outline and get more of my playthrough completed :)

Tav’s nerves wouldn’t allow her a restful meditation. The darkness of the Underdark twisted around her, dragging her back to the day she saw the shadow curse unleashed.

Tav’ahria and her team had just broken through the first rank of Dark Justiciars. The battlefield around her was a storm of blood, swords, and arrows. Each time she aimed her bow, she was careful to look for the silver pin of the Harpers, the symbol that identified her allies. Most of the Sharrans were easy to single out, their heavy and ornate armor stood out against the simple leathers favored by Ria and her team. Despite the Justiciars’ skill in battle, the Harpers and druids around her had pushed them back. From what they learned in their last report, Ketheric Thorm had fallen, yet his loyal followers continued to fight.

She had just arrived at the front lines a few days before, her squad was called from Amn to join the fight. Her brother, Tev’aron, had been here for weeks, fighting under command of the High Harper herself. Ria had never met Jaheira, but her reputation was well known to her long before she left the confines of Baldur’s Gate.

A wave of cheers and battle cries sounded as Thorm’s forces began their retreat. Ria and her allies did not let up. Arrows still soared through the air, finding their way between the slats in the Sharran armor. The clanging sound of crossed swords rang around her. But something wasn’t right, the Sharrans here outnumbered their squad, why would they run when they had the clear advantage?

She felt the shadows long before she saw them. A bitter feeling came over her like a cursed blanket, sapping all warmth from her body. She let out an uneasy breath and the air from her lungs puffed out in a small cloud in front of her.

“Fall back.” Her voice was quieter than she intended, suddenly petrified by the dark magic she felt moving towards her.

“What? We have them on the run, we must press our attack!” A young tiefling woman yelled back to her, sword still raised high.

“No…this is a trick. Something’s coming…” Ria frantically scanned the wilderness around them, trying to find a source. Her eyes widened in horror as they fell on the horizon just past Reithwin.

An unnatural dark mist was gathering and lifting into the sky. Cascading over the buildings in town, falling to the ground like thick currents of molasses. Growing ever taller, Ria feared this was a darkness that would soon consume all of those across the battlefield.

“Run.” She turned to the other Harpers around her. “Run!” She screamed the second time.

Grabbing the hand of the young tiefling woman behind her, she pulled her along as they sprinted in the opposite direction of Moonrise Towers. A paranormal screech rang across the sky, the sound pierced her eardrums like a thousand tiny needles. She spared one glance over her shoulder, immediately regretting the decision.

A wall of darkness was chasing after them, enveloping all in its path. She could hear screams from far behind her – Sharrans, Harpers, and druids alike.

“Keep running! Do not stop until you can’t run anymore!” She shouted at those around her, desperate to keep them ahead of the horrible magic nipping at their heels. When she looked up to the sky, the sun was blacked out almost entirely and the wall of shadows hadn’t even made it to them yet. There was no way they could outrun whatever it was that had been unleashed here.

“Ria! Stay close to me.” A young dwarf, Helida, called out beside her, one of their faithful clerics of Selûne. She cast a light spell on the staff she carried causing a small dome of moonlight to rise around them. The other clerics around her seemed to follow her lead, she could see multiple little bubbles of light popping up as the darkness began to catch up to them.

“Keep near the clerics! Find any source of light you can!” Ria shouted, trying to make her words known to as many people as possible.

Before she knew it, the wall of shadows descended on their retreating forces. Despite the fact it was comprised of mist and darkness, the magic was like a brick wall being slammed into her. Most of them were knocked off their feet. Ria watched, helpless, as many of the pockets of light went out around them, the clerics’ concentration disrupted by the dark magic. Tears stung her eyes as she worked to catch the breath that had been knocked from her lungs. The young dwarf with them was still standing, leaning heavily on her glowing spear for support.

“We have to keep moving…” Ria managed to wheeze the words out, favoring a likely cracked rib or two. She cast a quick healing spell to ease some of the pain, she couldn’t spare the time to fully recover.

Their small group stayed huddled against their cleric, trying to keep her protected from the strange shadowy beings that had now appeared around them. Just past their little bubble of light, cursed corpses growled and thrashed at them. She didn’t know how long they ran, the darkness around them was so thick they had no way of knowing which direction they were headed. As they made their way towards the edge of the eerie nightfall, she could feel the weight of it getting lighter and lighter. It must have taken the rest of the day to find their way out. By the time they finally emerged from the shadows, the sun had set, and the moon shone high in the sky. She pushed them on a little further, unsure of how far the curse’s effects would reach.

Finally, the Helida collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted. The light radiating from her spear faded away as she gasped for air.

“I…I can’t go on…” Her hands were shaking, sweat soaked the strands of hair falling around her face.

Tav’ahria nodded in response, helping move her towards a nearby tree to lean against. The rest of their small group followed suit, desperately trying to catch their breath. She looked around at the frightened faces, confusion and shock evident in all of them.

So few…

“Does…does this mean we failed?” A dark-haired man sat in the grass next to the dwarf, scratches lined his face and neck. “Did Thorm claim victory this day?”

“I don’t think anyone can claim victory today.” Tav shuddered as she thought of the Dark Justiciars that also fell to the darkness, how many were sacrificed in the name of their terrible goddess.

“Except perhaps Shar herself.” Helida still leaned against the tree, panting to try and catch her breath.

Shar’s vindictiveness and scorn knew no rival. An entire land, destroyed, simply because they dared to worship her sister. How many innocent lives had been lost in the eternal struggle between Selûne and Shar? How many more had yet to be lost?

She took a moment to heal herself further, giving her the chance to check on the others around them. Her eyes constantly checked the massive shadowy barrier, hoping and pleading to any god who would listen that someone, anyone would follow them out. Her prayers went unanswered. They waited for hours, no others came, allies or Sharrans.

“There’s a Harper safe house not far from here.” The young tiefling she had seen before was speaking. “We should wait there for any other survivors.”

They all nodded in agreement and began to make their way around the now shadow-cursed lands of Moonrise. Her mind wandered to Tev; she had no idea where he was in the fight. All she could do was hope that he had made it out another way and that he was working to find his way back to her.

Tav awoke in a puddle of her own sweat. Tears soaked her face and hair after reliving that fateful day at Moonrise. For the most part, she had pushed the memory from her mind, keeping it locked away behind wall after wall.

But tomorrow, she was going back.

Gods, how were they going to do this? The cultists had been using something called a moonlantern to pass through the land, but the ones they managed to recover were broken and useless. Lunari stirred awake beside her, gently bumping her with her muzzle.

“Scared?” The wolf looked up through her amber eyes.

“Yes, tomorrow will bring many new dangers.” She scratched her ears, thankful for her comforting nudges.

“We face many dangers. We are strong.” She breathed out a soft whine and laid her head in Tav’s lap.

“You must promise me you’ll stay close when we leave in the morning. Do not go wandering into the darkness.”

“Yes, I stay close to you and our new friends.”

“Good girl.” She buried her face in Lunari’s neck.

She dug into her pack, pulling out a small silver pin buried at the bottom. It depicted a small harp nestled inside of a crescent moon, a guiding star hovering above it.

The symbol of the Harpers.

The silver had tarnished over the years. She wasn’t sure why she had even kept it, she hadn’t been a Harper in almost a century. Still, seeing the small trinket comforted her, especially since they found out that there may be Harpers waiting for them at Last Light Inn. Maybe they had found survivors…maybe they had found…

No, don’t do this to yourself.

They didn’t know where these Harpers came from, or if they were even waiting for them. No need to get her hopes up yet. She palmed the pin and wrapped her fingers around it in a tight fist. After wiping the excess sweat from her skin, she stood up to stretch and take a few deep breaths. Her eyes flashed to the entrance of her tent. It was still early, she hadn’t been in a trance for long. She chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment while she decided whether she could go find Halsin yet. Their morning talks had been a lifesaver for her, having someone to just sit with and talk through her day, someone to watch the fire with in comfortable silence, a shoulder to lean on.

Tav peeked between the flaps that hung in the front of her tent. Halsin sat by the fire, as usual. He definitely looked awake, and restless. She smiled at the sight, it meant they could maybe have even more time together this morning.

***

Halsin found himself unable to rest. He could hardly believe it – his companions had ventured into the Sharran fortress and found the path to Moonrise Towers. The stronghold was cleared out, and they would be moving on to the next step of their journey first thing in the morning. He was going back to the shadow cursed lands. This was his chance, the chance he had awaited for so long.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm his anxiety. His mind was racing, every emotion he had suppressed over the last century came over him in waves, threatening to drown him.

Rage. Fear. Guilt. Shame. Regret. Grief. Dread. Numbness. Panic. Darkness.

Every meditation met with silence came rushing forward, reminding him of his failure. Reminding him that Thaniel remained a hostage of the curse, or worse. The thought of his friend’s imprisonment in such a dark magic had ripped a hole into his very being. One that, until now, he believed would remain a gaping void.

Footsteps snapped him out of his spiral, his eyes opened again to see Tav coming to sit by the fire. An involuntary smile stretched across his face, as it usually did whenever he saw her. Their daily talks had been the highlight of his travels, just the two of them awaking from their trances early in the morning. It was rare that anyone else in the camp was up at the same time, which gave them quite a bit of alone time. Now having travelled together for a while, they had become rather comfortable in each other’s presence. It was rare that they shared any awkward or clumsy moments anymore. They shared plenty of friendly touches and laughs now, their conversation coming easier. Much of it revolved around catching him up on the party’s activities of the previous day. Some mornings they just sat in comfortable silence, watching the fire or the glowing pond and observing the nightlife in the Underdark around them.

“Can’t sleep?” Halsin asked, noting the slight tremor in his voice.

“Hardly ever.” She teased.

“You know what I mean.” He responded with a playful eye roll as she sat next to him.

“It’s hard to rest when I know what comes next.” She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them to curl into a ball.

“I understand. Still, we’ll need all of our strength to make it through tomorrow.”

“I know. It’s just difficult knowing that we’ll be leaving this darkness for another one. Gods, how long have we gone without seeing the sun?” Her voice was wistful as she stared up into the vast expanse of the Underdark.

Too long, he thought to himself, and we’ll have to go longer still. He didn’t dwell on the thought though, not wanting to remember his last time spent in the Underdark or Moonrise right now.

Tentatively, he reached an arm out to put around her, seeking comfort in her company. He hovered his hand over her shoulder, beckoning her closer.

She leaned into his hug, resting her head against him. He could feel the slight trembles in her arms as he pulled her to his side.

“I saw the curse…in my dreams.” She whispered as they both watched the fire flicker as small embers twirled in the air with the tendrils of smoke.

“As did I.” Of course, he saw it most nights.

“Do you remember how cold it felt right before it was unleashed?”

“Yes, I remember worrying that I might never know warmth again.”

Halsin shivered at the memory. It was one he had seen many times in his meditations. An unnatural chill followed by unimaginable darkness. The sheer force of the shadows slamming into them. Dark, cursed vines curling around him and his peers, dragging most of them to their doom.

Thankfully Tav shifted beside him, interrupting his downward spiral.

“I found my old Harper pin.” Tav held up a small silver pin between her thumb and forefinger. The tarnished harp in a crescent moon was a familiar sight from his time at Moonrise. He took the pin and turned it over in his fingers.

“You know it’s strange, to think all those years ago we could have crossed paths. Simply allies passing by in a camp. Now here we are again.” He handed the pin back to her.

She chuckled. “I think I would have remembered meeting the Archdruid of the Emerald Grove. Then again, I wasn’t even able to make the connection between the Emerald Grove and the Emerald Enclave until after I met you.”

Halsin tried to swallow his thoughts, but they crawled their way back out of his throat.

“Well, I wasn’t Archdruid back then.” He let out a slight groan once he said the words. Tav had enough on her mind, he didn’t need to add to the burdens already weighing her down.

“No?” She leaned away to look up at him.

“I uh, I took over the position shortly after our return.” He tried to hide the shaking in his voice. The memories of those first days after the curse had been unleashed were days he longed to forget.

Tav nodded along as he spoke, a look of understanding and sorrow on her face.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. I…I can’t risk it pulling me away from my duty.” Halsin let out a long sigh.

“Okay.” She kept her eyes on him as he continued taking deep breaths.

Despite the controlled breathing and Tav’s comforting arm around him, he couldn’t slow the beating in his chest. The sorrowful pounding threatened to shatter his ribs. Tears gathered in his eyes as the realization truly sunk in that he was facing the shadows again. They had weighed heavy on his mind for decades, yet these final hours were somehow the heaviest. Tav’s face had shifted to worry.

“Halsin…” She pulled away so she could turn and fully face him. He tried to look away from her, not wanting to add the weight of his tears to her worries. But her hand caught the side of his face and turned him back to her. Her eyes searched his before looking over his entire face. The gentle touch on his cheek threatened to pull the tears out of his eyes.

“…I’ll be right back.” She patted him lightly before standing up to go back to her tent.

Once again not even the crackling fire in front of him could replace her warmth. He quickly wiped away the tears before she returned. Her footsteps coming back across camp caused him to let out a sigh of relief.

“May I?” She pointed to the large stone he was leaning against.

“Sure…” He sat up to allow her to sit behind him. As she went to take her seat, he noticed the small wooden comb in her hand. His breath caught in his throat, hoping that she brought it out for him.

“You know, if my hair is that unkempt you could always just tell me.” He tried to tease her to hide his eagerness.

“Well, if that’s what you want, I can just hand this over to you…” She went to stand up, but he leaned back against her legs to hold her in place.

“No!” He said it a little too fast and a little too loud. “Please…” His voice quieted.

He could feel the smirk on her face behind him as she settled back down.

Halsin felt her hands gently pulling at the tie in his hair. It came undone much easier than last time. Half of his hair fell forward over his face as she started untangling some of the smaller braids weaved into it. He felt the touch he had longed to feel again for days as her fingertips grazed his scalp.

His eyes fluttered closed as he let her comb and smooth out the strands. Every now and then her fingers would brush against his neck, sending pleasant shivers down his body. Each pass of her hands relaxed another muscle and before he knew it, he was once again a puddle in her arms. He leaned back between her legs, the warmth of them trapping him there.

The light scratching of the comb made his eyelids feel even heavier. Whenever she ran into a snag, she would gently hold the pieces so she wouldn’t pull on his scalp. More than once, he let out an involuntary soft sigh, especially when her fingers would catch the tips of his ears as she moved them among the strands.

Once she finished combing, he felt her gathering up sections of his hair and moving them around on the top of his head. Half was gathered in her hands, the other half still hung loose around his neck and shoulders. The familiar feel of a braid fell on the back of his head when she dropped the hair she had styled. As she took her final passes over his head, he started to wonder what he could say to keep her there for the rest of the morning.

Knowing Tav, he could have just asked. He was sure she would happily sit with him as she combed him into a coma if he just asked her to do so. But when he opened his mouth to speak, no words came.

She slid out from behind him to sit next to him on the ground again, exposing his shoulders back to the cool Underdark air.

“Better?” She asked.

“Better. Thank you.” His heartbeat had slowed back to normal, and not one tense muscle could be found on his body.

“How did you know?” He asked softly once she had settled down next to him.

“It’s something that always used to help me. My mother used to…” She stared into the fire as she trailed off, the light of the flames catching the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. After a moment she blinked a few times to push away the rest of the thought.

“Plus, the last time I did that I thought I had put you to sleep.” She giggled at the memory.

“It was very close, yes.”

They shared a quiet chuckle reminiscing about that first early morning talk.

“I was wondering if you…” She trailed off and bit her lip.

“What is it?” He turned to face her.

“Would you want to go sit by the pond? One more time before we leave?” Her nervous smile made his breath catch. As if she even needed to ask.

“I’d love to.” He stood up and helped her to her feet before offering his arm for her to take. She hooked her elbow around his as they made their way out of camp.

The short, familiar walk led them to the edge of the little pond. Tav immediately bent down to pick up a rock and tossed it into the water. Once again, tiny dots of light swam among the ripples, bringing a warm glow to the air around them. Tav plopped down in the dirt, patting the spot next to her for Halsin to take.

“Thank you again for showing this to me.” She smiled as he sat down. “I have to say this may have been the highlight of my adventure so far.”

The sentiment made his heart skip a beat. “Well, consider me honored to provide it.”

They sat close enough that their legs were touching. Every now and then one of them would throw another rock into the water, bringing back the light show. Tav told him more about their time in the adamantine forge and the giant metal monstrosity that guarded it. He watched as her smile broadened each time the glowing creatures returned, a simple gesture that made him ache like a lovesick youth. It was as if the tiny lights jumped from the water to dance around her face, skipping across the freckles as a child hops across stones in a creek.

How many times had they come to sit here? Even now, the pure joy radiating from Tav when they sat around this special spot together caught him off guard.

A picture of elven beauty.

It was his first reaction to meeting her. One that still held true a tenday later.

Their idle chatter faded into comfortable silence after a while and his eyelids started to feel heavy again. Despite the fatigue creeping in, Halsin desperately wanted to stay here, with Tav. To soak in just a little more light before facing the darkness again.

“We should try and get some more rest before the others wake, tomorrow will be a difficult day for us all.” She said the words with a heavy sigh but made no move to leave his side. A stab of panic hit him; he wasn’t ready to leave yet. He didn’t want to be alone right now.

Then tell her that, you old fool.

“Stay here with me a while longer? Heavens know I could use the company.” He offered, feeling his heart rate start to pick up again, but not from his anxiety. She was right of course, they would need their strength tomorrow. But he just couldn’t go back, not yet.

“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of breaking our morning talk tradition.” She smiled and scooted a little closer to him as he wrapped his arm back around her shoulder.

“The best part of my adventure by far.”

His response caused her to turn and look up at him, her smile shining bright with the dancing lights in the water. Halsin’s mind was racing again, bringing a whole new wave of emotions and thoughts.

Hope. Friendship. Safety. Courage. Affection. Warmth. Comfort. Desire…Light.

Sitting here next to Tav chased away the darkness within him. The pull in his chest was more tempting than ever. Soon enough, he hoped to be free again. Free to chase his desires, free of his guilt, free to follow his heart.

Free to follow his heart…as if he didn’t already know where it would lead. As if it wasn’t already beating for the extraordinary woman curled up beside him.

One day soon, he could tell her how he felt. He would tell her how she brought hope back into his life. Soon, he could tell her how he had longed to spend nights tangled in her embrace. He could tell her how she saved him, from the goblins, from the grove, from himself.

But for now, that would have to wait. The shadows of Moonrise were dangerous and all-consuming. If he didn’t give them his complete and utter attention, they could all be lost. At least in this moment though, he could enjoy the warmth of Tav resting against him and the lights shining across this little hidden gem they shared. He could keep the hope in his mind that her feelings for him hadn’t faded, and that they would remain until the shadows were banished.

***

Grymforge was clear, no additional duergar or Absolute cultists remained from what they could tell. After they packed up their camp, Tav led everyone to the concealed elevator down by the docks. At least this one didn’t look like it could break apart at any second. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself for another long ride. Halsin walked up next to her and held his arm out for her to take. Once again, she pressed herself tight to his side, only this time the height was the least of her worries.

They all rode up in silence, holding their breath in anticipation of whatever awaited them on the surface. She could feel the shadows approaching. They hadn’t reached the cursed lands yet, but they were close. Halsin tensed next to her, he felt it as well. As they continued to rise to the surface, the air grew heavier, colder.

When the elevator stopped, she took a moment to make sure everyone was equipped with torches. The light from the fire would deter the curse for a while, but they would have to find a way to cross through the thickest of the shadows. Likely those closest to Moonrise Towers.

Tav turned to face the long corridor that would lead them into the cursed darkness. The walls had gnarled, decayed vines crawling from their base to the ceiling. Her heart felt like it could burst through her chest any second. Halsin stood next to her, taking slow, deep breaths.

“Are you ready?” He asked her, his voice quiet and somber.

“Not in the slightest.” Tav whispered as her hands trembled at her side.

Halsin held one hand out to her in response, steady as an ancient oak tree. Yet she could still see his fear mirroring her own. Despite the growing dread and anxiety balling up in her chest, a timid smile spread over her face. With a small nod, she took his hand and held it tight.

Together, they took a step forward into the shadows.

#I've gotten so much support on this fic and it's been amazing #I thought i'd have like 5 people read it and I have over 50 subscribers on ao3 #not to mention the people who routinely like and reblog it here #bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 halsin #halsin x tav #halsin silverbough #bg3 fluff #bg3 angst #halsin fanfic

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sunnydaleherald · 24 days ago

Text

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th - Part One

SWEET: I'm the hot swing I'm the twist and shout [tapdances] When you gotta sing, When you gotta ... let it out.

~~Once More With Feeling~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Dreamworks by mabus101 (Anya/Tara, M)

I'll See You In My Dreams by OddDodd (Buffy/Giles, M)

Falling for the vampire by ashwhowrites (Willow/vampire!reader, not rated)

Slayer’s blood by Lilacsandorangeblossoms (Buffy/Spike, R)

Lump of Coal by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, R)

Christmas Blackout by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, T)

Candles in the Window by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, T)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Soul Mate Magic, Chapter 20 (complete!) by Emma_M_Black (Giles/OC, M)

Indelible, Chapter 8 by indeliblemelody (Giles/reader, M)

Miss Summers Goes to Washington, Chapter 9 by storiwr (Buffy/Faith, E)

The Original Buffy Summers, Chapter 3 by broodybaby (Buffy/Spike, M)

Maps, Chapter 6 (complete!) by thisyearsgrrl (Buffy/Faith, E)

Spuffified: A Collection, Chapter 7 by satinsafe (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 66 by Ragini (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Carol of a missing lipstick, Chapter 9 by rossshin (Buffy/Spike, G)

Comin’ to Town, Chapter 2 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Magic of Sunnydale, Chapter 12 by Buffyworldbuilder (Scoobies, Harry Potter crossover, FR15)

Why Me? Chapter 17 by JoeB (Buffy, Lilo and Stitch crossover, FR7)

Eyes Forward, Monster, Chapter 10 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

The 12 Days of Christmas, Chapters 1-13 (complete!) by RavenLove12, Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: The first Christmas of many by JSBirsa (Scoobies, worksafe)

Artwork: Giles by hexedhat (worksafe)

Collage: #256 [Spike] by thedecadentraven (worksafe)

Collage: #257 [Buffy/Spike] by thedecadentraven (worksafe)

Artwork: I'll Never Tell by x66r9u (Xander/Anya, worksafe)

Fanvid: Buffy Summers - Wasteland by Faith Victoria

Fanvid: Buffy & Spike || New Depths by Tifa&Rinoa

Fanvid: Buffy & Spike - My Old Man is a Bad Man | Lana Del Rey - Off to the Races by Buffy & Spike Channel

Fanvid: Buffy & Spike | Tempt My Trouble by KcchameleonProdz

Fanvid: Buffy and Angel - Goodbye by Rita Carvalho

Fanvid: Buffy & Dawn | She gets away with everything by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Spike & Buffy - Darkside by William Pratt

Video: BtVS | Spike - Well, I sing ... by William Pratt

Video: Buffy's Scythe! Replica Prop by Factory X detailed REVIEW and restoration in 2024!! by Dripped In Plastic

[Reviews & Recaps]

Ok this season just got serious! | S3 E14-15 “Bad Girls” and “Consequences” by The_Fullmetal_Titan

I have a confession to make: I don’t think I like Selfless very much by coraniaid

Video: Buffy's Musical Masterpiece... by Jack Antrobus

Video: Touched-Slayer Sunday by Jane Talks Buffy

Podcast video: Buffy S03E09 "The Wish" Spoiler Review by LGRN - Entertainment

Podcast video: Buffy's Angels: Deep Down by The Franchise: A Film Podcast

Podcast video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3 Episode 11 - Gingerbread by Sh*t 90s Shows Taught Me

Podcast: Storyteller S7 E16 Buffy and the Art of Story by Lisa M. Lilly

Podcast: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3 Episode 10 - Amends by Sh*t 90s Shows Taught Me

[Recs]

Fanvid rec: Slayer by thedothatgirl recced by Priceless

Fic rec: The Sound of the Universe Coming Back (Buffy/Spike, G) by Shaitanah recced by Priceless

Fic rec: all we have (Dawn, G) by taxicab12 recced by Priceless

#buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #angel the series #ats #fan art #fan fiction #meta

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shyphonics · 9 months ago

Text

Salad Days Chapter 2: You! Yes, you! Here’s a dime; run out and call the PMRC!

(babypunk!Rodrick Heffley x Reader)

chapter one | chapter three

Bend your knees! (ooh la la!)

Move your head like this! (ooh la la!)

Pucker them lips! (ooh la la!)

Give that butt a kiss!

Kiss… my…

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

5:52 PM

Subject: HELP

dear girl from the bar,

can I run my email 2 mike by u real quick? we r pretty sure it kicks ass but want 2 make sure

thx

*~*~rOcK oN~*~*

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

6:17 PM

Subject: RE: HELP

Do you have a signature on your email? Also, is that seriously your email address?? A dot edu, no less?

Make a band email, and then we can talk.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

6:35 PM

Subject: HELLO

Esteemed Mike Morello,

Hello, we are a band. Maybe the best band to ever exist, someday. we want to play at your bar. we will do the best job EVER!! playing at your bar. Here are some places we've played, and impressed;

talent show

birthday party for a hot girl

As u can see, we are quite experienced in the music world, and we think you are ready for us. we are also a punk band. we listen to dead kennedy’s. I am wearing a dead kennedy’s t shirt right now.

if you think u r ready for the biggest crowd youve ever seen in your bar, email us back.

IF YOU DARE!!!!

-Löded Diper

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

6:41 PM

Subject: RE: HELLO

What the fuck? No. Absolutely not. "Esteemed"?? Do not send that email. You guys sound like creeps. Delete it. Start over.

Do I have to write the damn thing for you?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

6:45PM

Subject: RE: RE: HELLO

will u??

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

6:47 PM

Subject: RE: RE: RE: HELLO

Are you fucking kidding me?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

6:59 PM

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: HELLO

Hey this is Ben now,

We would like to negotiate and offer 20 dollars, an (exclusive) one of a kind band t shirt and 4 beers!! :-)

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

7:01 PM

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: HELLO

Jesus christ. Okay, do you have a myspace or anything? A demo mp3 you can send me? So I can effectively bullshit?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

7:07 PM

Subject: MP3

explodeddiper.mp3

http://www.myspace.com/lodeddiper

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

7:15 PM

Subject: RE: MP3

Copy and paste this:

Hey Mike,

We're a new band in town, and would love the opportunity to play at The Strike. We've heard the history of the place, and have so much respect for its legacy in the scene, and your legacy as well. We want to help keep that legacy alive.

Are there any available upcoming opener spots? Our biggest influences are Dead Kennedys, Crime, and Black Flag. We're cool with any kind of bill, we can make anything work.

Thanks so much for your time!

-Löded Diper

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

7:18 PM

Subject: RE: RE: MP3

how did u do that so fast?? thx u from everyone!!! we are going 2 send it

do u want our address for the beers?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

7:20 PM

Subject: RE: RE: RE: MP3

That's alright. Maybe I'll see you when you get a show. I think I kissed ass enough, that should get you something. Good luck, bigshots.

As much as you hadn't wanted to give in, you'd been there before. Clamoring for your moment in the sun, making shit up and brown nosing. That's just what you had to do to get the job done. Not to mention, they clearly couldn’t have come up with anything better on their own.

Besides, their demo wasn’t terrible.

Maybe you’d even call Mike and put in a good word. He trusts you. You're stable, at least by bar staff standards.

“Hey, Mike,”

“I am so glad you called. I just read the worst news article.” he sounds stressed. Oh, great.

“Oh?”

“Are you inside? You have to get inside.”

“What?” You figure there’s nothing to worry about, but you always try to be gentle with the guy. He’d done a lot of drugs back in the day, and he runs on constant paranoia.

“I just read that Dick Cheney,” his voice drops to a whisper, “is going to attack America if John Kerry wins,”

“Mike?”

“This is serious,”

“Mike,” you interrupt him, “what was the name of the newspaper?”

The line goes quiet.

“It’s an internet paper. The Onion.”

“Mike. The Onion is satire. It’s not real.”

“Satire, huh…”

“And that election happened last year. Kerry lost.”

Mike breathes a sigh of relief.

“Read me the page that said that,” you’re trying so hard to suppress a laugh.

“Best headlines of 2004,”

“Mike. It’s 2005.” The laugh breaks free, “It’s okay, I get it. Scary times.”

“Okay. Phew. Scary times, indeed. What can I do you for?”

You pause, trying to figure out what to say.

“There’s this new band, uh, this kid came in today. You’re gonna get an email from them in a minute here, and I think you should give them a shot. Their demo’s pretty good, and the one I met seemed like he had the spirit.”

“The spirit,” Mike sighs contentedly, “did I ever tell you how we used to take the bus from Oakland to get to the Mab? If you didn’t catch that last bus home, boy, the cops wouldn’t let you sleep in the station. They’d just…”

“...beat the shit out of you with their pig batons.” You say in unison.

“It’s a great story, Mike. But this band,” you flop back on your bed.

“Yes! Sorry.”

“I was thinking you could let them have the opener spot next Friday.”

“Your first headlining show!”

“Yeah! Thanks again for that. I want Löded Diper to open.”

“Loaded… hmm. What?”

“I know. It’s terrible,” you laugh, “But it wouldn't be the first time you took a chance on some kids with a terrible name.”

“Are you talking about you? When you were called-”

“Yes!” You interrupt, “And look at me now! You're a great guy, Mike, and you've done so much for me. So much for the scene. Could you do me this last favor? ‘Cause you're the best boss in the world? The last true punk?”

It was a thing he said from time to time, usually when you didn't omit the vodka from his vodka soda.

Mike sighs down the line.

“Kid, you always know how to get me. I'll put Diaper Fuckers on the bill.”

“Löded Diper.” You're cackling.

“Loaded what-ever!” Mike makes a gagging sound, “Just promise it won't be a shitshow.”

“I promise.”

You hang up the phone and smile. Mike really has been good to you, and you definitely wouldn't be where you are without him. That wasn't just brown nosing. He'd taken a chance on you when you were a crazy street rat, and now you technically work 3 or 4 jobs for him. He pays generously. You have no idea where the fuck all his money comes from, but you're not complaining.

You relax further into your bed, turning your head to gaze out the window. These guys better be good.

You may ask yourself, "what is that beautiful house?"

You may ask yourself, "where does that highway go to?"

And you may ask yourself, "am I right, am I wrong?"

And you may say to yourself, "my god, what have I done?"

Rodrick's head swims. One of the guys had scored some weed on a job hunt, and it's not mixing the best with his current mental state. The rest of the guys had long since fallen asleep, sprawled on piles of blankets and air mattresses. Light snoring fills the room.

He fights off thoughts of home, trying to clear his brain. Shake it like an etch-a-sketch and start over. What resurfaces is simply world's best bartender. He likes that. He'd like to buy you a mug with that printed on it someday, as a thank you. He knows writing isn't his strong suit, and you'd really saved his ass. He pictures your face, and though it looks pissed off, it makes him smile.

His eyelids grow heavy, his brain goes hazier, and he drifts into an initially peaceful sleep.

He dreams of Plainview.

"You failed?? You failed the easiest certificate course at community college? Did you do the work?"

"Fuck no, I didn't do the work! I didn't want any of this! I wanna move."

"With what money? Are you going to flip burgers for a living?"

"Maybe I will!"

"You're a failure."

"I fucking hate you!"

This diner fucking sucks. Stupid asshole boss yelling at him, stupid little nametag on his stupid little vest. Heather Hills sticking her leg out from a booth and fucking tripping him while he has a whole tray of drinks. Rich kids who don't even need to go to college- they just get to go take over "the family business"- cornering him out back and kicking his ass. Pizza face like he's fucking fourteen again from the kitchen grease. What's the point? What's the fucking point of any of this?

He's angry. He's so fucking angry all the time, and he just has to take it. He knows he should have put in more effort at school. He knows he should have planned for the future. He doesn't need to hear about it every second of every goddamn day. He doesn't want the same thing everyone at school had wanted for themselves. Is that so wrong?

But keep the peace for mom and your brothers. Scrape and save where you can.

Get beat up, get laughed at, get covered in garbage. Keep practicing with the band. Get GOOD. Really good. Get incredible. And work, and work, and cry, and drum, and write, and work some more, and maybe he'll get out of here sane.

How did I get here?

#rodrick heffley #rodrick heffley x reader #doawk rodrick #rodrick heffley fanfiction #rodrick x reader #punk au #salad days #my stuff #Spotify

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blindrapture · 5 months ago

Text

FRIDAY AUGUST 5TH, 2011 (Don't Speak Its True Name V: Dominiere)

3:39 AM Still surrounded by mirrors. I'm not sure if I like looking at my face right now, but. It's the one I was given. And I'm not alone in this. In the reflections, two Musicians stand behind on either side of me. I see the outside.

3:40 AM Finally got out of the Sky's Neighborhood. Jesus, how long was I in there? The sky's the darker red of night. I don't have Tiger Stripes anymore. Guess that was just a thing specific to that.. "world." This carnival is empty, the entertainment powered off. Where did Bones go?

3:42 AM No one is here. o_o I'm near the outskirts of town, all I hear is the wind rustling the trees. Some of the trucks walling the carnival are slowly ticking as they cool off. I just need to.. assume that Bones went home, and do the same.

3:57 AM Walking home at night, past streetlights that still work, houses sleeping. Alone with my thoughts. What actually.. I mean. If someone were to ask me what I've been doing. And they will. What can I say? That I got suicidal? That the Musicians talked me off the edge? That I talked myself off the edge? That I don't want to be here anymore. Not here in Dominiere. If that's what an attempt at "normal" would be for me, sitting in my room, waiting for my friends to all disappear… That it took a lot to shake me out of it, a whole world injected into my head. And that I'm not even sure I've been shaken out of it? We'll just have to.. wait and see?

4:20 AM Coach Motel. Lit hallways, late at night. Up the stairs. Find my room. ..knock on the door. u_u

4:21 AM door opened a crack. donnie's face peering out. "Where have you been?" Carnival. "It's been two days." ...that explains why I'm so hungry. oh man. Two days? "Uh-huh." Shit. Well, I ran into the Musicians. "…" she's letting me in.

4:22 AM paper is scattered on the floor, soaked in food grease. remains of dinners. paper mario is on the TV. chapter 6. oh man, my least favorite. Have you been playing? "Not much else to do. I like RPGs." You started your own file, right? "Yes." Okay. "But, you do need to explain some things." About the game? "About what happened to you. Did Bones make it home?" I don't know. He wasn't with me when the Musicians took me to.. another place. And he wasn't there when I came out in the end. "..." a sigh. "Did you.. write it all down?" Apparently, yes. "Go over it with me. Please."

4:37 AM She's definitely still mad. Concerned? She didn't like the parts where I wrote about Fentzy. And the Sonic stuff got absolutely no response. But as it wrapped up, with the visions of wooden skin and strings, and the final talk with the Musicians, her hands were on my shoulders. I found myself crying reading some of it. "This sucks. I hate it here." I'm so sorry, Donnie. >_< "I'm not really sure that this was your fault." I'm not either, but I hate not being sure of that. I don't like to settle for a Maybe on my guilt. "Things just sort of started happening when we got more people." I didn't like that. I feel like I'm watching things happen on a movie screen. "You need control." I don't want control when other people are involved. D: "No, you need control over yourself. Just like I do too. While you were gone, I was playing some of these video games, and realizing what it means that this is part of who you are. The controller is like meditation sometimes. It lets you engage with the concept of control, and hopefully get used to its presence in your life."

Huh. Y'know, the controller was the biggest obstacle for me for years. Gamers on the internet didn't really talk about that much? That it actually kinda sucks to learn how to use a controller, any controller, even the best ones. I guess, when you've grown up with them and are even older than me, you've gotten so used to them that it's like a second skin, you don't think about it, but that's because all the actual gruelling learning happened when you were a kid, during times you've entirely forgotten or reinterpreted as Game Difficulty. "It's never easy to gain control. In our own lives either. I think school and family and jobs and socializing distract us from engaging with the gruelling process of learning how to control our own brains. At least video games give us some time to think along those lines." Yeah. You're better at seeing this stuff than I am. "I was much more of a book reader. That's the toolkit I was given: Turning things over in my mind, connecting dots, processing information. You were more of a gamer, your processing is more immediate but you're not given as much insight into recognizing what you're seeing." I did read some books. "Oh yeah? Which ones?" I, uh. I read all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. "All the short stories?" And the novels, yeah. 60 pieces in total. Read 'em in a year. I also read, like. Fahrenheit 451. The Giver. Julius Caesar. A lot of my reading was for school, though Sherlock Holmes was on my own. "So a decent, if not large, amount." Oh, and I read Halo books! "...Halo books?" Yeah! Actual novels in the Halo canon. I read two of them. Fall of Reach, The Flood. And then there was some Stephen King. I read The Dark Half, that was pretty much the only one I cared about. "What.. was your childhood?" Video games. Late-night Full House marathons on TV. Boomerang, Nicktoons. Flash sprite animations on Newgrounds. And a lot of lonely summers writing fanfic no one was gonna read. "Oh my god. I love a fucking dork." You still love me? "Of course I do." You're not.. mad at me for disappearing? "I was worried about you, you dolt. I'm still worried about Derek, but we'll have to look for him tomorrow. We need sleep." Okay. Do we have anything to eat?

2:35 PM When I woke up, Donnie had gone next door to talk with Fentzy. A shadow had cast over the window, darkening the room, so I almost didn't get up, but the thing is, it doesn't get that dark at night, the red sky is always bright like a full moon on a cloudy sky. So I sat up in bed, and I looked at the window, and I saw a person. Arms outstretched to hang on our window, legs awkwardly balanced, reminded me of a bat or a bird. Their jaw was hanging open, stretched down to their belly, a narrow but gaping maw breathing fog onto the window. And they weren't wearing clothes. Naturally, I loudly said "What the fuck!" and got out of bed like I was dealing with a spider. Watched its eyes follow me. Covered my boxers, as if I thought it was judging me. It hissed something, drool dropping from its mouth. Definitely tried to say something, ended up licking the window. But it wasn't trying to break the window down or otherwise... get in. So I anxiously stepped a little closer. Tried talking to it. Asked it if it's a friend. Maybe Salmacis. And then it just let go and dropped from the window altogether. I rushed to the window, looked down at the street, saw nothing out of place. The people walking by hadn't even noticed. Where did it go? I gave it a minute, waiting to see if anything would follow it up, waiting to let my paranoia settle a little bit. Then I started talking to the woman in the mirror.

2:36 PM She's someone I've seen before. Back in early July, on our way to the God Machine, there was a woman in the mirror there too. And I saw her again when we got here, when I was alone in this room. I'd been talking to her. She has long dark hair that often covers her face entirely, and an old-fashioned dark red dress. For a little bit, I even thought she had something to do with the Musicians, as they started appearing in mirrors, but I don't actually think she does? "I don't. That's right. We know each other, but we're very different." You know the Musicians? "And they know me." Who are you? "You wouldn't be able to spell my name if I told it to you, and I don't want you to butcher it. 'The woman in the mirror' is fine enough." Okay. "I'm glad to see you're more lucid today. You've been drifting lately. Very absorbed in nothing at all." Thank you. I'm going through something. "How's your stomach?" I don't know. Waking up to ol' Peeping Mothman kinda pumped me full of so much adrenaline that it's hard to tell. "Hmph. Maybe it's happening to your friends, then." A stomach bug? "Do you honestly think I'd be trying to tip you off about something so mundane?" Well, I don't know anything about you. Maybe you love the mundane. "Absolutely not." Are you a.. Fear? "I refuse to be called that." But, so, you're a god, then. "That one's acceptable." Ah. Okay. You're not a god I've heard of. Are you from.. Xanadu? "Now that's an offensive question." I'm sorry! I'm just trying to gauge if you're.. from Earth or not. "I think you'll find very few of us are from Earth. I'm one who likes to wander, it comes easily to me, I'm not tied down to bodies like so many others. It doesn't surprise me that you have heard of others and not me. There is still so much you don't know about your gods." Tell me about it. ..like, rhetorically, but also, if you do want to, please do tell me about it. "Well, for starters, do you know anything about the Topography Genera Center?"

o_o No, not a clue. Never heard of it. "They were a research lab, before the red sky. You'll find they had a presence across the world. But now... they're in the business of making new gods." ..like the Harlequin? "Look at the places that your mind goes. Let me speak, boy." Yes, sorry. o: "There is one who works for them, a man we call Doctor Cloud. He has found an ancient abyss, darker and colder than the space between galaxies, a place where gods like to hide from bigger fish that come hunting. We did not show him this abyss; he impressed us by finding it himself. And he is curious enough, stubborn enough, human enough to go prodding it with measurements and theories until he discovers how it works, how it breathes. It is only a matter of time before this has consequences." ...'what did doctor cloud find in the genera…' "You have heard the whispers. You have seen the writing on the wall. Listen well, child: The abyss is measuring him too, and coming to conclusions on how he breathes. The good doctor is in an intellectual battle for his soul. As long as he continues digging into the abyss-- and he will-- then the abyss will change him, and knowledge of the abyss will change him." This sounds like an allegory. Are you talking about me? "Such narcissism! This is literally happening. Doctor Cloud is real. The battle for his soul is real. And furthermore, the changes to Doctor Cloud have not gone unnoticed by his coworkers. The Genera is real, and they have a vested interest in finding anything, or anyone, who might know how to protect him." The trucks. The trucks we've been seeing say 'Genera Transit.' They're here? "Dominiere is not what it seems." Nothing ever is. "You're taking a tour of the totem pole of power, and you're still at the point where you're surprised it's a hike. Boy, you must climb."

2:40 PM I'm dressed. Going next door to check on Donnie and Fentzy.

2:41 PM Foul smell. Bathroom door's open. Donnie's holding Fentzy's hair, she's on her knees with head in the toilet. Donnie looked at me and shook her head. Stomach bug. ... Fentzy, did you eat anything strange? "Ugh... no, I don't think so. We have been eating a lot of cafe food, but it tasted alright. ...fuck, don't make me think of food…" Sorry.

2:45 PM Fentzy wanted to be alone in the bathroom, so I took Donnie out into the hallway and filled her in on the conversation I just had. We're gonna look into the Genera today. We'll let Fentzy rest.

3:22 PM Asked around the market. Tried to be kinda casual about it. Expected some noncommittal answers, and yeah there was some, but we also got some "You shouldn't be asking about that." Oh well. Had to ask around, had to be sure. Now we can go look for those trucks.

3:26 PM We know for a fact the trucks are out by the carnival, so that's the way we're going. As we walk, Donnie wants to talk about Fentzy. "She was your crush. Is this going to cause problems?" I hope not? "I want you to commit, Jordan. If there are problems, are you going to stay true to me?" I mean. o_o Yes. Of course, sweetie. "Because you two have had more time to be friends than we have. She didn't know about your crush, and I may have.. told her. I kinda had to, to find out if she knew." Well, there are ways to ask more discreetly. "I don't make a habit of lying." I don't either! "I'm just saying, she knows now. So you two may have an awkward conversation about that. And I want you to…" You want to do damage control. I get it. I promise, Donnie. It's you and me. :) I love you. "I love you too, baby."

3:36 PM Ooh, hang on. Let's stop by Marty's. ..he's with customers right now. donnie "what's this place?" blacksmith. I left my sword here. "you left your sword? you mean you went defenseless?" well, as far as I knew, I was just going to a carnival. ..he sees us. one second. yeah you got it.

3:37 PM "Hey, kid. Your sword was just what I needed. I'm upgrading all my stock for my clients. Thanks for letting me look at it." No problem! :D You said you'd have a replacement for me? "Yeah, actually, how'd you like to have two?" Would I!!! Donnie, do you want a sword? "I like blunter things. But keep the second one, it's good to have spares." marty "If you work on your arm strength, you can even dual-wield." Fuck, that's the coolest thing. Please, swords, give me.

3:38 PM hooooly shit. one sword is fucking black. the other one is black on one side and purple on the other. donnie "fancy colors." marty "Luxury craft. Call it a thank-you for arming us." is there anywhere I can go and.. play with these things? a practice dummy or something? "Plenty of alleyways around here. Find some empty cans, try to slice them up." eeeee!!! :D

3:50 PM okay this is a little detour from what we were supposed to be doing, but can you blame me??? I get to play around with two swords! obviously can't write in my journal when dual-wielding, but I was given sheathes, so I can put them away. Donnie wants to know if I want to name them. ooo: As a matter of fact, I put thought into that while I was swinging them around! This one, the black one, is Hammett. And this one, the half-purple one, is Hackett. "Ham It and Hack It? What's 'ham' mean in this context?" Kirk Hammett, and Steve Hackett! O: The! The lead guitarists for Metallica, and Genesis, respectively!! "...yeah, okay. I can see that. That might be one of your better naming decisions." What was wrong with 'Tiger Stripes?' "Uh, honey, the guitar was perfectly white. No stripes on it." It had stripes when I got it! "Did they get scratched off?" They were dirt stripes! They.. washed off. "Ew." It was second-hand!!! From Electric Town in Castleford, shortly after we moved to England! ..she patted my head. .w.

4:09 PM Caval-Arcade should be right here. "But it's not." It's an empty lot. No hammer games. No mirror maze. "No trucks." What the fuck are we going to do?

4:14 PM We turned the place over. Looked in fucking trash cans, for god's sake. There isn't even a single flyer from the carnival. I was just here 12 hours ago. I had been here for two days. "If they packed up in the trucks and drove off, can we catch them?" We can't even leave the town without hitting a wall of zombies. "But doesn't that mean they can't either?" I'm pretty sure a caravan of trucks could just plow through them. "You're pretty sure, but you don't know. This is what we need to do, Jordan: We've got to try." Sure. But there's one more thing I'm thinking of. "What's that?" We left Fentzy alone. If we're going after those trucks, we might be leaving this place. We need to bring her with us. "But maybe the trucks have only just left, and time is of the essence!" Maybe, but I'm not leaving her! I'm not leaving any of you guys! I've been careless enough! "It'd take at least an hour! Even if we did something stupid like split up, one of us goes and gets Rauri, the other stays here, there's no telling" Then, look, I'll go get her, you go out of town, follow the road, get past the zombies, watch out for trucks! We'll catch up! "Can I get past the zombies by myself?" That's why we have two swords! Here! Take Hammett. "..alright. But be careful, baby." You too. You're the one going into potential danger. kiss

4:46 PM I tried running part of the way, but I just had to slow down more after to catch my breath. God, I feel that stomach thing coming on. But I'm there, I've got to get Fentzy.

4:47 PM knock knock. "..don't come in.." Fentzy? We've got to go, we've got a plan.. of sorts. But we've got to go nowwww..... o___o she's in bed. wrapped up under the covers, face pale, cringing. because there's a dozen clear tubes coming out of the walls, draped across the floor, slipping under the covers, pumping blood and bile out of her… other tubes pumping something else red into her… what. the fuck. "just let me die… just go away and let me die…" >_< Not a chance.

4:48 PM With one sharp slice of Hackett, I cut the tubes, draining blood across the carpet. They made a startling squeal sound and then slithered away, as if alive, retreating into holes in the walls that were then quickly covered up with mechanical closing doors, false doors, completing the facade of an ordinary hotel room. Fentzy's sick. She's lost a lot of body fluids, and something foreign has gone inside. She's gone straight to the bathroom. ...stomach bug. Did this.. happen to me the other day? o_o;;;; ...hey, Fentzy. drink some water, take care of yourself, then come downstairs. I'll be down there, causing some fucking trouble.

4:50 PM cozy reception. smiling guests waiting for a taxi. Hey. I need to speak to the manager. receptionist. "Certainly, sir. Can I ask if something's wrong?" Yeah, the tubes in our rooms trying to drain us of blood just malfunctioned, we need someone to fix that. >_> "Uh." >__> "I'll.. get the manager. Just wait here, okay?" I think I'll come with you. No need to make the manager come all the way out here. "No, really, there's no need for that, I'll be right back." Exactly, there is no need for that. Let's go. >___> "…" … "Do I need to call the.. police..?" It's just the manager, actually. Look, okay, if I can be sure you're really gonna come back and that you're not actually the manager yourself trying to bolt, I can wait here. "I'll.. I'll be right back. I promise. I'll go and get him." Fine.

4:51 PM ..checked behind her desk after she left. there's a panic button. and I hear sirens approaching. she already called the police. goddammit. I'm fucking this up. It's been a while since I've caused trouble on purpose, okay.

4:52 PM Cops with guns. "Dominiere Constabulary, put your hands where I can see them!" Thank god you're here! She went that way, officers! … holy shit that worked. I see fentzy coming down the stairs fentzy c'mon c'mon we gotta go, now like, now now, really super now

4:53 PM "were you able to figure out what was going on?" well. no! not in the slightest. kinda just got the police involved needlessly. "ugh, do we have to walk so fast..." clutching her stomach. I'm sorry. we may have the police after us. "then can't we just, like. steal their car?" … fentzy, you're a genius. "I'm good at finding the laziest way forward. good at dealing with body pains."

5:02 PM thank fuck for cars. we've already caught up to Donnie. baby, get in. we're on the run from the police. "What do you mean you're on the run from the police? You just went to get Rauri!" Yeah, uh. Our warm welcome at Dominiere may be wearing out. I'll explain on the way. We've got some trucks to catch.

5:48 PM driving through canadian highway. trees on all sides. following tire marks. lots of them. heavy ones. we think we're on the trail. (god I hope we're on the trail.) stopped for a quick pee. donnie is disconcerted by what I said about tubes. even fentzy didn't really realize what was happening. she was in and out of deep sleep, just felt utterly rotten. we still don't know the story behind dominiere. maybe we'll never find out. but maybe the genera knows. back to the road.

8:13 PM The tire marks continue well into the night. They're fresh, we're following something, a lot of somethings. But it's also not like anyone's going around cleaning these highways, so there are a lot of trails. We're pausing so I can stretch. Donnie wants to take over driving. Fentzy jokes that now I get to be the prisoner in the back. Donnie took over and said I'm under arrest. ...girls. >w<

8:35 PM ..how far did these trucks go? where the hell are we going? fentzy points out that canada is a big place. we could be on the road for weeks. it's a whole other america. please, let us not be on a big goose chase. >__< this was donnie's idea. ...I need to trust her. I dealt with the Musicians on my own, in my way. I need to trust Donnie to know what she's doing on this one.

10:55 PM The trail is leading us towards Vancouver. o_o In that direction, anyway. Doesn't look like there's all that much else in that direction.

11:08 PM "The trail makes a turn here. We're not going to the city." The sign says Abbotsford. This is somewhere smaller.

11:22 PM We've pulled up. Donnie's found the trucks. "Genera Transit." But they've parked at a warehouse with no label. I had been expecting to find the big Genera Center itself. Donnie's asking to borrow Hammett for a while longer. Of course. Fentzy's got her gardening thing billhook. Let's.. ..what are we gonna do? What's our plan? donnie "Walk in there and make them tell us what's going on with Dominiere." fentzy "Ask them if they know where our friends are." And if it's all a bust? Do we have a contingency? donnie "Drive back to Dominiere and storm the place." ..jesus. o_o okay, sure. I'm gonna.. follow you ladies on this one. fentzy "don't fucking call me a 'lady.'"

11:24 PM Into the warehouse. Lights are on. Lots of little generators powering them, lots of little screens going over inventory. Charts and data I can't read. The more pressing thing, though, are the guards coming our way. Donnie "Excuse me, are you with the carnival?" "You kids need authorization." Fentzy "Do we really look like 'kids?'" Donnie "This doesn't need to get ugly. We saw these trucks in Dominiere and followed them here. We left some of our stuff in one of the carnival booths, and" okay I can't bear to listen to this. my eyes are wandering. what's even in these trucks? … pod people. why are there people in pods. Why are there people in pods? ..the guards are reaching for their radios. and donnie just cut one's fucking arm off. this just got ugly.

11:25 PM hiding behind a table

11:32 PM We didn't stop until every guard was dead. We just killed a bunch of people. donnie "They're keeping people in pods, and they attacked us." You cut off a dude's arm. "He was reaching for his radio!" I! ..yeah, I would have done the same thing, probably! I'm just saying, let's.. acknowledge that that happened. fentzy "I think we caught them when they weren't expecting a fight. Their uniforms are serious, these guys weren't armed but I think they easily could have been. This Genera group we're looking into, they're not, like, a private army or anything like that?" I was told they're a research lab. fentzy "One that needed a lot of secrecy. Donnie, we need to look around now, and we need to be thorough. I don't want to find out that there's a whole platoon of backup on its way."

11:33 PM These pod people. They're not breathing. They look lifeless. Dead? ..is that Marty?

11:34 PM I'm seeing a lot of Dominiere people here. Either the Genera rounded Marty up a couple minutes after we saw him, got him to the trucks, killed him, then immediately started driving, or this is some heady shit. This computer, in the truck. I think this is a map. There's blips on it, some moving around. It's a town. Is this Dominiere?

11:35 PM Fentzy found a door leading out of the warehouse, into a corridor. Brick walls. Industrial. Slightly cool. donnie "If that's where the trucks drop things off, then there must be rooms in here where the gadgets are used and research is done." Thank you for explaining that. "Sorry. I'm.. trying to be clear." I wasn't being sarcastic! It's been another long day, I'm getting tired, I appreciate the clarity. fentzy "guys, not so loud. we don't know if we're alone." shit. sorry. … What's in this door? Locked. Corridor turns. Lots more doors. One of them's ajar, down there. Quiet. Easy does it. Let's have a peek.

11:36 PM It's a rec room. Small kitchen. Coffee's boiling in a pot. We're all looking at each other. We hear footsteps approaching. ..a woman in a lab coat entered the room behind us, saw us, and stopped eating a bag of peanuts. Staring at us. "Uh. Can I help you?" high-pitched voice. mature. she's gotta be in her 40s. ..donnie's stammering. Look. We're here to learn the truth about Dominiere. And maybe find our friends. We're not going until we've done at least one of those. ..donnie sighed relief. you're welcome. "Did someone let you in? How do you have access without knowing about Dominiere?" fentzy "Our blades are covered in blood." "That doesn't really answer my-- oh. Oh, yes it does. You killed all of them?" "Yep. It's not a good idea to go against us right now." "Hostility. Brilliant, we're doing this right now. Okay." putting her bag of peanuts on the counter. "May I squeeze past you and pour my coffee?" Uh. Sorry, yes you can, but, is there enough for another cup in there? she gave a laugh of disbelief. "I'm the only researcher here, and I'm stationed here indefinitely. There's coffee. Help yourselves."

11:37 PM All three of us got a cup. The scientist is leading us a couple doors down, to her computer lab. "You can put your weapons away. In fact, I'd prefer that you did. It's unsafe." fentzy, strapping her billhook to her back, "You're handling this whole situation very well." "You are here with a specific purpose, you're willing to talk, and my line of work is very weird." Talking is how I handle threats like the Fears. I get it. "You know of the Fears? That's one thing less to explain." into the computer lab. three desks, each with computers, several monitors. oh shit, more computers. the back walls are big towers. fentzy, in awe "Are those supercomputers?" "Dell PowerEdge. That one's Abe. The higher-ups pulled some strings." "ohhh my goddd." "You know your computers?" "Um! Not exactly! I just think they're really cool? And that name sounds like a big deal." sip of coffee "It suffices." donnie's still tense, expecting a fight. "Sorry, can I ask, who are you? What's your name?" "Oh, honey." condescending. "Weapons alone won't buy you that kind of clearance. You're on codename basis; you can call me Lilith." donnie "I mean, that's still a name, that's all I asked for…" "You came here for the truth about Dominiere. Shall we focus on that?"

11:38 PM Lilith's clicking some things on her computer. "So you three know of Dominiere." donnie "We've been staying there for the last five days." "Interesting. That means, if you give me your names, I might even have you on our systems." donnie and fentzy both went "Uhhhhh. No." lilith's looking at them over the top of her glasses. now at me. "What about you, ska kid?" 'Ska kid?' "No? You're dressed exactly like a ska musician. Not intentional? ..will you give me your name?" … … ..yeah, it's Jordan Dooling. That's D double O.. "I got it." tippatappatip "Thanks." … <:) "Sorry, this fucking software... it always does this… it always hangs…" That's Windows for ya! "It's all modern computer architecture, all the OSes have it. What I wouldn't give to use our grant money on developing a solution for it... ah, here we are."

a lot of rows and columns, a zigzagging line graph, tons of pairs of numbers... those are called matrices, I think? "You are on our system. Your vitals stabilized from a severe panic attack on August 1st... particularly receptive to the medication on the 2nd... no data for the 3rd and 4th? Not sure how that's possible. But then you're back in on the 5th, and the pattern almost resembles a multifractal. How old did you say you were?" fentzy "He didn't." I'm sixteen. fentzy "okay." I wanna see where trusting gets us! let me be the guinea pig! lilith "16 years old, and somehow registering the curves of a mature adult, and only on this one day. Can I ask what you got up to the last two days?" Sorry, that one's a question I don't want to answer. "Maybe later, then. Okay. ..wait, you say you're looking for friends? Because I have another two boys who arrived in Dominiere on the 1st, one of them on the system and the other not, I have them in the other room." You what?? Really?? "The boy who's registered on the system is one Derek Taylor, is he yours?" YES "So they're probably both with you. Should I tell you about Dominiere now, or bring them out here and tell all of you at once?" Can. Can we do that? Bring them out?? 'Cause that just sounds more convenient. "Eh, you'd be surprised. Bigger groups mean slower information. It's often more efficient to distribute the information to a few and let it spread organically." fentzy "Get them now. ..please." lilith shrugged. "Alright. I'll need you to come along, for insurance." o_o

11:41 PM Down another corridor is a room containing large cages. This doesn't seem humane. "I don't write the policy. I see to it that they're fed. Will you wake them up and make sure they don't attack me as soon as I open the cell?" Y.. yeah. o: Hey! Danny! Derek! ..they're waking up. :D Looking at us, wide-eyed. ..you had them share a cell? "Yeah. Should I not have?" ..no? "Well, sorry. I don't exactly have experience in imprisoning people. They don't write documentation on this stuff." ...that's. fair. o_o

11:43 PM We've let them out of their cells. Gave a.. loose explanation of how we got here. We're waiting for them to get out of the bathroom now. ..god, this is weird, isn't it. let them out of cells. an unfair imprisonment. and we're just, like. here. whatever. we're all together now. just gotta ask about that damn town now. then we can go.

11:45 PM Computer room. Danny and Bones are keeping their distance. I want to stand near Lilith to ask questions. Donnie and Fentzy are nearer to the boys. lilith "Are we all good now? You want information now, yes?" bones "I don't actually care right now. Like, I'm not exactly over the fact you kept us in a cage." danny grunted. lilith "Fair enough. I'll talk to Jordan over here, then." aw, man. don't put me in the middle here. fentzy "Maybe I can get them some coffee too?" ...danny said "please," and bones grunted this time.

11:46 PM Now everyone's got a cup. lilith "The first thing you need to know is that Dominiere is not a town. It's.. classified as a town-like." everyone's giving her funny looks. "It's a branching-off of an older fossil-- sorry, an older Fear-- that we call OVER THERE. It's like a.. magical.. city." Oh, the Empty City? "Colloquially, yes. The City is, was, that's an open question, let's go with 'is,' the City is a living thing, and like all living things it is capable of reproduction. It branches off into small town-likes, and sometimes those town-likes end up on Earth. I suspect the mechanism is like a daffodil's seeds carried by the wind, though this wind is more nebulous, maybe even metaphysical. But the point is, the town-like manifests on Earth, connects its roots to local roads, and starts growing." bones "It's a.. baby Empty City?" "Again, colloquially. Yes." "That's. Hhhuh." did you already know about the empty city? "yeah. I'll tell you later." lilith "Dominiere is one of these. We designate this stage of the life-cycle 'underscore.' Dominiere, as an offshoot of OVER THERE, is an underscore." underscore. got it. fentzy "I had tubes…" ..she can't finish. Yeah, uh, we found out that things were happening to us while we slept. lilith "Right. The tubes." Was that, like. ....digestion. "No. An underscore does not eat people. People are an underscore's blood vessels. Those tubes' primary purpose is to transfer fluids into you, to adapt your body to serve as a blood cell for the operation of the whole. The fact that fluids are also removed from you is just basic physics: You are already complete packages, you are already full, so to transfer fluids in will necessarily displace the same volume out of you." donnie "And. That happened to all of us?" "The transfer happens during sleep, with no witnesses." "Every night?" "Every time that a body sleeps in an underscore." sweet jesus. danny "So I'm fine, then?" It looks like it. danny pumped his fist.

lilith "Dominiere is a special case, in that it is an underscore that we are actively monitoring. We've tagged the transfer fluid, so every time it enters a body we've got that person in our system. That's how I was able to look at your levels, Jordan." Ah. I don't know how to feel about that now. o_o "It's disconcerting, yes. I don't envy you. I'd never spend a night in that town." fentzy, pale, "Are we.. okay with this shit inside us?" lilith "You'd need to stay in Dominiere for a lot longer to be properly subsumed. I believe the process is on the order of years? Though even staying for a month would have physiological effects, you'd become used to the transfer fluid and find it easier to convince yourself to stay. You guys weren't even there for a week. Your bodies will have been fighting it off and generating more blood to replace it." The stomach bugs! O: donnie "Why would anyone stay past the first week when there's such a violent reaction?" lilith "You had convinced yourselves these were stomach bugs, from the sounds of it. Most people respond similarly. The early stages of the process are fuelled by social mechanisms moreso than physiological. The people there are nice. The economy self-sustains." bones "Wait, so. What about those people. Who were they? What about the people in the pods?" Yeah! What about the pod people? "Those are a highly classified project. They're not the standard underscore ecosystem, I'll tell you that much." bones "You imprisoned us for even seeing them." "And that's because they're highly classified. Highly. Classified." … … "..and this is where we reach an impasse. Because I'm really not supposed to tell you about that project." ..but? "But. I may need your help with something."

...do. do you. "Hm?" Do you mean. Doctor Cloud? "How do you know about Doctor Cloud?" A Fear told me. "What did they tell you?" That. That he's a valuable enough part of your group that the Genera is willing to go to great lengths to help save his soul from transformation? Or corruption, or something bad. Something about an abyss. ..she's blinking. "I'm sorry, I'm legitimately surprised that one of the fossils knew enough to tell you all this." Hey, I'm surprised the gods are rather eager to tell me things at all! "Well. Yes. There is a Doctor Cloud, that's his codename. His department is researching potential insights into the nature of Xanadu, though in that search he discovered another project that's.. the details are beyond even my clearance, though there have been declassifications of details that are critical to being able to assist him in his dilemma." There's an abyss, and he's trying to learn about it, but it's learning him back. "...colloquially." Yes. donnie "Where is Doctor Cloud? Can we meet him?" "He's in the UK." ..but the UK is all one giant rabbit hole. Uh, Door. "You.. are way too knowledgeable on these things. Yes, the UK is inside Xanadu right now. You cannot get to that branch of the Genera." ...I wonder. "No, look, listen, let me tell you what I need from you." Yeah, okay. Sorry. "There's a." raised her finger. lowered it. puzzled. "How do I say this colloquially." … "There's a monster in these labs. I need you to capture it." o_o fentzy "Not kill it?" "It is not killable." o__o danny "Not…" donnie "..killable?" lilith "Many have tried. We've been getting Genera security from the US branch-- the.. Indiana... fuck it, the US branch-- coming in waves, whatever they can spare. I think you killed one of the waves." sorry "That was not the first wave, that was in fact the..." checks computer "..thirty-first. I believe my request has been approved, and the next wave will have military-grade weaponry." huh. bones "So why don't you just wait for them to arrive? What can we do?" "Indeed, that's the million-dollar question. What can you do? You bold assortment of inquisitive, resourceful, strangely knowledgeable teenagers. I honestly don't know what you can do." ...hm. "Isn't that exciting?"

(Attached is an entry from the desk of Black Plague: “The Musician sat on the floor in an aisle in the local library, thin and hoarse and surrounded by books and papers. I picked him up by the shoulders, and he tried to hiss at me to leave him alone. ----We have a meeting to go to, c'mon. -----We don't need a meeting; I've already sent them after it! ----What are you talking about? Grimaldi, for fuck's sake, don't make a scene. He vanished, manifesting himself behind me in an attempt to appear superior. -----I will cause whatever I like. I am the creator here now. Then he disappeared once more, and I couldn't find him again. It was then that I heard a meow. The Omen purred from atop a shelf, clearly pleased by things falling apart. Naturally, when I reached over to grab it, it jumped away and ran out the door. Frustrated, I followed it through several streets-- stopping traffic in its tracks and getting many glares from drivers-- until we reached an alleyway out of view. Then it looked at me, a terribly human smile on its face, one paw now in red fur. It muttered fiendishly, ----Alright, I'd say that's enough cat-and-mouse. -----You can talk?! ----No, no, of course not. The Omen can't. I'm Ten Speed. I watch. The thing began licking itself. I could think of nothing to say. Eventually, it continued. ----I've been watching your pantheon for a while now, moving a thing or two behind the scenes-- never doing much, only ever giving people what they want, it smirked. ----You could say I'm a good samaritan. And you have been a particular interest of mine, Plague. I hear the trust that humans have in you is inversely proportionate to your status within this clique. A species loves you, your peers don't. Started to circle me. ----All because of the Azathoth incident? No, that wouldn't make sense. There must be something further back, some quarrel, some issue, that effected your separation and virtual independence. No? Yes? Am I on the right track? Feel free to speak up. Still, nothing came out of my mouth. More than familiar with how to negotiate with someone who clearly wants to keep talking, I just let the conversation unfold while silently piecing things together in my head. This 'Ten Speed' character, whoever it was, is not the Omen. Probably some kind of bodysnatcher, like the Devil. Related? ----Would you prefer if I simply told you? This is all because of the Genera. It stopped walking, in front of me, to look me in the eye. ----Do you feel nothing at that? Bridging the gap between human and Fear! Silence. ----My, you really are passionate about it. I finally replied. -----The policies of my platform have no bearing on the affairs or lives of my colleagues. They know this. ----They do? Ah, of course, some of them might. The Omen here certainly does, though it's not telling anyone. The Omen exists to supplement, after all, not to contribute. -----Will this dialogue take long? I have a thing to attend. It hopped atop a trash can to better look at me. ----I've said all I wanted to. Stuck out its red paw. ----Nice to finally make your acquaintance, Black Plague. I looked at it for a second before reluctantly shaking hands. Or paws. My hand, its paw. -----Likewise, Ten Speed. Respect the eldritch. Then the red paw disappeared and the Omen hopped into my arms, rubbing its head against my body as a cat again. And I turned and ran to catch the most important meeting of 2014.”)

[PREV LOG] [TABLE OF CONTENTS] [NEXT LOG]

#ogtrib #oh god the rapture is burning #ogtrib act 2

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maiawe · 3 months ago

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Generation o n e : Isabelle Sanford

Index P A R T O N E : Moving to Del Sol Valley

Part TWO : Building a life together >>

Isabelle moves to Del Sol Valley to achieve all her professional dreams and start the life she wants. But her path crosses with Jasper's, and all her plans are quickly turned upside down.

• CHAPTER ONE : The end of an era, and the start of an another • 1. Isabelle is finally leaving Strangerville 2. Aria has some advices for her daughter 3. Saying goodbye is always the hardest part

• CHAPTER TWO : Meeting old and new people • 4. Isabelle just arrived to Del Sol Valley 5. Emma is so happy to finally have her bestfriend by her side

• CHAPTER THREE : Sometimes, all you need is your mom • 6. Isabelle was feeling a bit homesick and sad 7. The landlords were here to speak with Isa 8. Isa decided to go to the library in town

• CHAPTER FOUR : Let’s have a good night together • 9. Isa agreed to meet Em at her favorite nightclub 10. Maybe Em wasn’t complety honest with her bestfriend… 11. Jasper is trying to make a move on Isa

• CHAPTER FIVE : Let’s talk somewhere private • 12. Isa is getting to know Jasp 13. Isa really likes him

• CHAPTER SIX : Why not spend the night with you ? • 14. First night together

• CHAPTER SEVEN : Time to go home • 15. It’s now time to say goodbye

• CHAPTER EIGHT : Let’s focus a bit on work Isa • 16. The next days were a blur 17. Morning routine

• CHAPTER NINE : The first date • 18. Isa is meeting Jasp at the museum 19. Lovely time together 20. Neither of them want this to end • CHAPTER TEN : Make me yours tonight • 21. Isa & Jasp at Isa's place 22. Isa is grateful for that day

• CHAPTER ELEVEN : The morning after • 23. Jasper spent the night at Isa's place 24. Isa is a bit lost this morning 25. Em doesn't have the solution to her problem 26. Her day at work was actually really good

• CHAPTER TWELVE : Isa is overthinking • 27. Isa had a lot to think about 28. Jasper finally called her again

• CHAPTER THIRTEEN : Isabelle is back in Strangerville • 29. Isa has finally time to go back to Strangerville 30. Isa is frustrated with Aria 31. Isabelle has some hard time calming herself alone 32. Her whole family spent almost the all afternoon with her 33. Rose has some advices for her 34. Isabelle is ready to see Jasper a little more calmly • CHAPTER FOURTEEN : Isa has a lot on her mind • 35. Isabelle needs a serious chat with Jasper 36. Jasper is sneaking up his girl to his place 37. His father is not stupid • CHAPTER FIFTEEN : Emma is living her life by the fullest • 38. Emma is actually living her best life 39. Isa wants to know everything about her best friend's relationship 40. Emma is shooting her scenes 41. Emma is starting to make herself a name in this industry • CHAPTER SIXTEEN : The pool party • 42. The whole group is meeting to go to the pool party 43. The first real meeting between Isa and Naito 44. Emma is speaking to the man she likes 45. Isa is having a chat with Maya 46. Pool party in Del Sol 47. Lovers • CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : Isa is trying to readjust to her life • 48. Isa is finally back at her place 49. Jasper is actually thinking a lot about his relationship with Isa 50. Isa think it was his best idea 51. Isa is feeling even worse than usual

• CHAPTER EIGHTEEN : Everything is about to change • 52. Isa has an important announcement to make to Jasper 53. Jasper has the same opinion than her

#index #sims 4 #struckbylovelegacy #part 1 #isabelle sanford #jasper marsh

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omegasmileyface · 1 year ago

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The Forest, the Trees, the Fire I: CATALYST

Chapter 7

chapter 6 was also posted earlier, so go check that one out if you missed it! Authors: @attackradish, @ectolemonades, me. Artist: @/crunchysart

For the full characters list, word count, content warning, and a directory to all the currently available chapters and related content, see the Table of Contents!

full summary: The world outside of Amity Park has learned about the existence of ghosts, and the time for first impressions has arrived. The delicate public consciousness could be disrupted by the slightest ripple. Danny Fenton is being ripped apart from all sides, and when he finally breaks, the ripples will be very big indeed.

warnings: references to racism and classism

words: 2467

AO3 link

first chapter

previous chapter

next chapter

===

January 16, 2007

Jazz was trying very hard to focus on her dinner and not the growing anxiety around her new syllabi when her phone chimed. She had tried to set a boundary that she would never check her phone during meals and take that important rest period away from herself, but it was the first time it had gone off since Christmas. She couldn't resist!

Tucker Foley: (17:20) dannys missing. havent heard frm him since th 5th

Well. That certainly ruined the mood.

You: (17:20) Crap. R we sure that he's not just busy? 11 days is a lot but he's weird like that from time 2 time

Tucker Foley: (17:22) c thats the thing. hes been MIA a lot recently. several days at a time. but im more worried this time bcuz the portals gone

Oh. Oh, shit, that was new.

You: (17:22) The portal is GONE? How do u kno? What happened?

Tucker Foley: (17:23) whole ectomap is diff. not sure. phone call? i can get us some better communication

Jazz was shaking in her dining hall seat. Danny was gone, with no reliable way of getting between realms? Mom and Dad were alone, in the middle of an anti-ghost government incursion, and with their life's work inactive for whatever reason?

Maybe everything added together in the ways she feared, maybe it didn't. Either way, something terrible was either happening or about to happen. She could already feel the guilt weighing on her for not thinking to go back home before now.

You: (17:25) Maybe. I'm coming over tho.

Jazz managed to clean up her dinner and start heading back to her dorm before Tucker called.

"You're coming, for real?"

"Yeah. Clearly stuff's going on in Amity, and I need to be there for it."

"Yeah, but, like, don't you have classes that you can't miss?"

Jazz double-checked that her roommate wasn't in before continuing. "Tucker, my baby brother is missing, while my parents are working with the group that's getting his existence criminalized across the whole country. Why would that not be worth pushing my degree back a bit?"

"Just feels like a waste of loan money, is all."

Jazz shrugged. "I'll just loot Vlad's house and sell all his Packers merch."

"I imagine the feds already beat you to that. Good luck, though."

At least five outfits and two pairs of pajamas, check. Toiletries, check. "What'd they do with all his money, anyway? Maybe it's still out there and you could wire me some of it."

"Why do you think I can do that? I'm not a comic book character, Jazz, I'm a teen with a piracy hobby."

Jazz hesitated for a moment before packing Bearbert Einstein. "Worth a shot. So, what's been up with you?"

"What's been up with me? Oh, you're chatting. We're chatting. You really must not have any friends of your own."

"Tucker!"

"Sorry, just an observation. I'm sorry. Well. I made a little system people in town can use to plan pro-ghost protests and stuff, but otherwise I've been trying to stay out of it, even though it's been a little lonely."

Jazz hummed. She'd better pack a towel. For all she knew, the extras back home had been sewn into some kind of ectophobic parachute.

"Lola got in trouble at school for defending Phantom in front of the vice principal. Like, she had to stay after school while he checked with the GIW to make sure they didn't have to write her up or anything. Fuck that guy, honestly. So my parents have been on edge, and they don't want me drawing any attention. Lola's eight years old, and pretty fuckin' cute too! If she gets in that kinda trouble, imagine what'll happen if they think me or my parents are pro-ghost."

Jazz cringed. "That really sucks."

"Yeah. I know."

She gave the room another quick once-over to be sure she didn’t miss anything she'd need for the next month or two. "How's Sam?"

"Couldn't tell ya. Her parents were pissed when they found out she was leading all those protests, and they moved away."

"Oh. Haven't you been talking?"

"Not really. What would we talk about, anyway? She's still mad because I wouldn't join her on the front lines. She doesn't get it. If she gets arrested protesting, she gets an embarrassing picture in the newspaper and her parents pay a fine and life goes on. If the same thing happened to me, my future would be ruined, forget that I'm not eighteen yet. Nobody employs a Black kid who has a criminal record before graduating."

"I'm really sorry that's something you have to worry about."

"Whatever. It's Sam! I'm sure she'll figure it out in a couple months and immediately pivot to doing the exact opposite. She never turns down self-sacrifice when it makes her look good."

Jazz gathered up her backpack and duffel by the door. "Wow, sounds like you really haven't been getting along at all lately."

Tucker sighed on the other end of the phone. "Honestly, we never would have been friends if Danny wasn't there. He made it make sense somehow. Not that I don't like hanging out with Sam! She manages to keep up with our humor and stuff. But it's hard when there's nobody there to buffer her. …Or me. Probably shocking to hear this from Too Fine himself, but I know I can be kind of a hassle when I lose my impulse control."

"That's a really intelligent thought, Tucker. Maybe it'll help you build new friendships, if you want."

He scoffed. "You really therapy-talking me at seven PM? You must miss Danny bad."

"Could you give me a sec? I need to write something."

"She's deflecting now!" The line went quiet.

Jazz gathered up her roommate's sticky notes and pen. Sorry, Lin. I'm gonna be gone for a while, at least a week. Family emergency. Not sure when I'll be back, but if you see a ghost who looks like me and she asks for my stuff, let her take it. Thanks!

"'Kay. Anything else to say?"

"Not really. I honestly wasn't expecting a conversation. I guess, um… how have you been?"

"Eh. College. Hey, I'll be back in Amity by… midnight. Make sure it's not up in flames by the time I get there?"

"You're driving now? I knew you got your dad's bad road habits! Please don't fall asleep at the wheel, okay? I'll do my best to keep everything un-up-flamed until you get here."

Jazz clipped the seatbelts over her bags, just to be extra sure they wouldn't fly around. "Of course! I've got my soundtrack. Later, Tucker." She shut off her phone and stuck in her favorite hip-hop CD she kept hidden under the passenger seat. Time for a very reasonable amount of speeding.

===

"Huntress!"

Valerie looked down from her latest capture to see the Doctors Fenton, waving their hands like little kids to get her attention. She went down to meet them.

"Yes?"

"We've always been really impressed with your efficiency at dealing with ghosts," said Maddie.

Val thought back to all the times the Fentons had shown up to a ghost sighting already yelling, plotting their every move out loud. Sure, she had better tech nowadays, but she was pretty sure her greatest weapon against ghosts was common sense. "Thank you." Still, not bad to kiss up when it came to making connections. "That means a lot, from professional hunters such as yourselves."

"You may know that we've been working with the Garrison Irving Walker Commission recently," said Jack.

She didn't, but it didn't particularly surprise her.

"Well, we've been wanting to have you come in so we can talk business!"

"And by we," chimed in Maddie, "he means the Commission."

Mentally, Valerie prepped a fake signal to go off on her suit so she had an excuse to leave if she needed. She knew the GIW weren't after her, but she had been sort of avoiding them recently. Just in case. "Business?"

"We're all wondering how you make it look so easy!"

"And how you made that flashy suit!"

"It's not an interrogation or anything, we just want you to share some tricks of the trade if you've got time."

Valerie wasn't sold, so she used a technique she'd picked up when applying for jobs. "I'll have to make some time. Could I contact you later with a schedule?"

"Sure! The FentonWorks phone number—"

"Maybe a GIW number would work better? Since it's set up with them."

"For sure!" Maddie grabbed a business card from her utility belt. "If you just press 0 a bunch, you'll get to the receptionist eventually."

"We look forward to hearing from you!"

===

"What would they do if you said no?" Damon Gray asked. He handed Valerie another soapy plate.

She let the water finish running over the plate before she spoke. "I almost don't want to think about it. I mean, I want to think that they'll just respect my privacy as a fellow ghost fighter, but they didn't really have a lot of reason to look into Mr. Masters, did they? If they're that paranoid, won't they look into me too?"

"Well, let's think about it this way." Damon hung the dishcloth back on the faucet. Nice, sub-ten-minutes dishes! "What's the worst outcome if they do look into you?"

"Well, they find my secret identity."

"And then?"

"And then… they get mad at me for doing vigilante stuff. They arrest me for the property damage I've done in fights, and take my suit away because I'm a kid."

"Is that it? Could be worse. I'm sure the people will be on your side because of how much you've helped the cities before. Will they look into your suit at all?"

"Ooh, yeah, if they can. It's sort of bonded to me right now."

Damon frowned but didn't interrupt.

"They might find out that I'm using tech that came from ghosts. I bet they wouldn't like that."

"They all use ecto-technology stuff too, right? I'm sure they wouldn't mind too much, since you're human."

Valerie didn't respond.

"…Well," said Damon, "I'm gonna go get the mail. Let me kn—"

"What if I wasn't?"

"Sorry?"

"I mean— not that I'm not human! And I'm definitely not a ghost. But what if there were some ghostly things about me?"

"Sweetie, what aren't you telling me?"

Valerie turned away. "…Weird ghostly stuff has been happening to me for a few months and I think it's because of my suit."

"Valerie Gloria Gray!"

"It's not that bad! Like, y'know, sometimes when I'm embarrassed I'll get kinda see-through for a sec. O-or when I want my suit to do something, it does it before I tell it to."

"No, as a matter of fact, I do not know!" Damon sighed. "But I'm glad you're okay."

Valerie nodded.

"I'm going to want to talk about this later, but right now I'm getting the mail. I'll just say this before I go; the GIW is supposed to be protecting humans, right? If they're any good at their job, they won't do anything drastic because you're so human."

"Okay. Yeah."

"Love you."

"Thanks, Dad."

Still… better safe than sorry. Valerie was going to find a phone booth tomorrow and schedule the meeting for Saturday.

===

Danny hated the basement of the Keep. He hated it, even more than he hated the rest of the place. Even when it was updated with shiny black and white stone and glass like the rest of the building, it still felt old and foreboding.

When people called the building a "keep", they usually meant it more metaphorically, or they just didn't know that keeps were short-term military hideouts. Most of the structure was more like a palace, enduring and luxe. The basement, though, was the site of a permanent last stand. It had morphed out of the old throne room and kept all the miasma from before, without most of the deathtraps. It was the heart of the palace, in the way that a fear response starts in the heart and radiates outward.

And here Danny was, trying to open up old wounds.

The Fright Knight's resting place was exactly where it had been before, dutifully beside his old king, even if they were both cursed to sleep forever. It was sort of romantic, almost. Like poetry. If you squinted.

But when Danny took the sword out of the pumpkin, the Fright Knight only had to look around for a few seconds before he kneeled, seemingly having figured out the whole… situation. Not that he had expected any serious loyalty out of the knight after his previous escapades, but that was sort of sad.

It didn't seem like the knight was going to stand up unless Danny said something.

"Um… hey. Hi. You can stand."

He stood.

"You have a lot of military leadership experience, right?"

"Yes, my King."

"Alright. Have you ever dealt with passive defense? Like, not going out and fighting so much as preparing to only defend if necessary?"

"Of course. While it is not a responsibility I've had particularly often, it is something I've studied and practiced."

"Okay. I think the entirety of the Infinite Realms are going to be attacked soon."

The Fright Knight valiantly concealed a look of skepticism.

"Honestly! There are humans with a lot of technology, a lot of brainpower, and an unthinkable amount of hatred. I'm going to be doing all I can to prevent things from getting that bad on the diplomatic side, but... I don't want to ignore any possibilities."

"That's very intelligent, my King. Would you like me to suggest strategies on defense?"

"Yeah! I'd like to talk through any thoughts you have on defense and anything else, if that's okay. You have way more experience than me."

"Understood. Would it be possible to bring me something on which to write? I believe it would make the explanation easier."

"Of course. We can do whatever makes you most comfortable. I'm not planning on putting you back in there any time soon— I mean, unless you do something terrible— so you may as well get cozy."

The pair moved into the library and before too long, talk of a general ghost defense movement turned into full lectures on the possible ways to handle the humans' anti-ghost shift. Tactic after tactic came back to one thing.

"We will only have negotiating power if you tell the humans that you are prepared to destroy them and mean it."

Danny weighed that thought in his mind for a bit. He turned the idea around, considering its taste. He didn't like it.

"And will you mean it, Phantom?"

"Mm… I think I will."

#my writing #danny phantom #invisobang 2023 #ftf catalyst #the forest the trees the fire

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rollercoasterwords · 2 years ago

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hi rae!! i was wondering if you could tell us more about your writing process :)) im very curious about it. like, do you brainstorm then write or write whatever flows or both. do you painstakingly line edit after or just give it a glance for any mistakes. im mostly curious about atydsp bc its so exceptionally well written and it absolutely boggles my mind that you were posting a ch a day. how much of your time for atydsp involved editing/scrapping & rewriting/etc? xx

hi sure i'd be happy to!! gonna put this under a cut tho bc it got long lol

for atydsp (+ my captive prince rewrite) my process was pretty different from my other writing in that i basically descended into a feverish haze of obsession and literally abandoned all other hobbies just to write bc i loved the story so much lol. for atydsp especially that thing was like...my only hobby for half a year like i was not reading or watching tv or movies or playing video games etc bc the only thing i wanted 2 do in my free time was. write.

when i'm rewriting a story from another character's pov i usually have the ch of whatever i'm rewriting open next to word doc and just kinda go 2 town. i think it's much easier when you aren't having to do the heavy lifting when it comes to plot and are following an outline, bc obviously you aren't having to do much story planning urself--although for the later chs of atydsp where i sort of broke off from the og version + the chs where r + s are separated + i had to write new scenes for s i did have to spend more time planning, writing, editing, etc, but i didn't start posting the story until i'd already written the first 20 chs so. i had a pretty large buffer and that combined with the obsession combined with the shorter chapters + outline to follow is why i was able to post so frequently.

when i'm writing a new fic there's much more brainstorming involved bc obviously i am having 2 come up w a whole new plot!! but bc i'm only writing fic for fun i don't really take it too seriously and usually i just cobble together a couple of fun scenes or tropes that i like and then sort of...fill in the blanks? like if i'm like "ok i want to write a scene where x happens and then later a scene where y happens" i usually end up figuring out a plot/how to keep the story moving between those two scenes, rather than vice versa (having like...a coherent plot and then coming up with fun scenes that fit into it). like my current wip started as just a single idea of "ooh what if there was a werewolf fighting ring" and then it become a voldemort-won au bc i was like hmmm in what situation would r + s meet at a werewolf fighting ring...and then i decided it would eventually turn into a horcrux hunt bc i was like "ok if r + s grew up in a voldemort-won au...what would james be doing...." and now the story is continuing to change as i continue to have ideas of like "ooh what if i incorporated this trope" or "ooh this would be such a fun scene to write." like lily + james's entire dynamic in this fic basically grew out of an idea that i had for a single argument that i wanted to write lmao

anyway when it comes to actual writing process i usually go into a ch with just a vague outline of a few bullet points, and if i'm stuck on something i send a voicenote to my sister just like...talking through my thoughts + what i want to happen + usually by the end of the voicenote i'll have figured out what direction i wanna take things. or sometimes i'll ask her opinion (the ending i'm planning rn for atwmd changed completely after one such consultation...had an idea but then talked myself out of it but then my twin was like wait....i think that idea works better than what ur currently planning....and i was like damn maybe ur right....). so most of my planning + brainstorming is basically just me daydreaming + then talking 2 myself lmao.

when it comes to actual writing i'm pretty slow because i'm too much of a perfectionist and i need everything to sound right. immediately. like i have heard the advice so many times "just get something down on the page then go back and edit it later" but i am like. incapable of following it lol i will write a sentence and then read over it three times to decide if i like it before i move on. the plus side to this is that my chs usually need very little editing; i generally just read over them once or twice and make a few minor tweaks and i'm good to go!

anyway. i have had some similar inquiries abt my writing process etc in the past so i'll tag this ask w 'writing tips' bc i think that's what i've used b4; hopefully this satisfied ur curiosity!

#writing tips #<- not really tips but tagging w this bc it'll take u back 2 similar asks abt writing process etc i think #ask

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builtby-gvf · 2 years ago

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These Days -Prologue || Danny Wagner x OC

authors note ||

This is my very first public piece of writing of any kind and i’m really nervous to post it to be completely honest. It’s a short prologue introducing some of the main characters. I do have some of the first official chapter written so if you enjoy this, expect that by next week. I’m thinking Friday updates after this but we’ll see how that works out in the future haha.

This is obviously a work of complete fiction, and these are not accurate representations of the boys, just a little fantasy I came up with in my head. This is really just me dreaming out loud.

These Days is a Danny x OC fic, and will contain mature topics in the coming chapters so 18+ please, but I don’t think I have any warnings for this chapter so without further ado, please enjoy !

“Just like good sex!” Josh laughs into the microphone, and the crowd goes absolutely feral as Sammy starts playing the intro to The Barbarians

“Children with their-“ BEEP BEEP BEEP

It was just a dream, as usual.

“Tilly!” Jamie yells walking into my room, “Its 8:30 and we have to be at the marina by 9:30 to catch the ferry. Get the fuck up and get ready, your bags are already in the car.”

“Jamiiieeee” I groaned, getting out of bed, “I was at a Greta show and they were about to play Barbs”

“God they’re even in your dreams? You can dream all about those bland white men when we get to Bellmare. 3 months of blissful, drama free time on the Island.” I could have sworn I saw his eyes roll back into his head, we needed this trip. “Now come on and maybe if we don’t miss the 9:30 we can make it in time for breakfast at Farrah’s.”

“I could go for an omelet….“ I sighed “Ok, ok I’m up.”

Jamie and I have been going to The Island, a.k.a. Bellmare, CT every summer since I graduated high school 4 years ago, but this summer is the first time we’ve stayed for more them a few days. This time we spent the whole year putting together money to escape Crullfeld, Massachusetts and all that haunted us there. We found a cottage that allowed us to bring our pets a day earlier so we truly had nothing to call us back. It’s going to be a summer of rest and relaxation.

I stepped onto the cool tile of the bathroom floor with the outfit I picked out last night in hand. It’s a pair of black running shorts, black Birkenstocks, and a pink crew neck sweatshirt from some other cookie cutter New England beach town. Perfect for a travel day. After brushing my teeth, washing my face, and brushing my hair, I applied light makeup before putting on my outfit, grabbing my bag, and going to find Jamie.

“Cute. Ready to head out?” He asks, wearing a similar outfit, just with a yellow sweatshirt.

“As I’ll ever be.” I smiled, “Can I do the music on the way there?”

“I guess, but when we come back in September it’s Taylor the whole way back.” He sighs. He makes fun of me but he’s just as obsessed with Taylor as I am with Greta.

“It’s 10:30” I say as Jamie drives his car off the ferry, “If we book it across the island we can make it to Farrah’s in 10 leaving us 20 minutes for breakfast?”

“Matilda” he says in the most condescending snarky tone I’ve ever heard, and gives me a disapproving look “We aren’t showing up 20 minutes before close. We can grab food at the market, let’s get checked in.”

“Fine” I roll my eyes, sighing. “You don’t need to speak to me like I’m a child though. And Im sure Farrah wouldn’t mind.”

RANDY CLARKE - Bellmare Cottage

T: Hey Randy! We just got off the ferry, is it ok if we check in now?

RC: Sure kid. Keys in the lockbox where you left it last night, code is 8503.

T: Thanks a bunch!

“Ok I texted Randy, he said it’s all set.”

We brought most of our belongings and the cats there last night.

R: Oh and I know I told yous that that the other cottage wasn’t booked until late August, but the guys who booked it moved up the reservation to today. It’s just 4 guys from Nashville, they seem like they won’t be a bother.

T: That’s fine, thanks for letting us know! See you around?

R: Im sure you will, kid.

“He said there’s some guys from Nash staying in the other cottage starting today”

“Nashville? Isn’t that where your little band is from?”

“I’m sure it’s just some random guys.” I say as we pull into the driveway of our little cottage.

Randy’s property has 2 homes: a 5 bed 6 bath with a pool, home theatre, and basically anything else you could want. Officially called Clarke Manor, the locals tourists alike all referred to it as just “The Manor”. The second house, the one Jamie and I rented, “The Love Shack”, a.k.a. “The Shack” is a little 2 bed 2 bath cottage with no frills. Kinda meant for honeymooners?

Running in with my bags ahead of Jamie, I ran upstairs and claimed the master bedroom. It has a queen sized bed with fresh, fluffy white sheets, a dresser, a tv, a little couch across from the bed, and a small en suite bathroom. But the star of the show is the ocean view, the one thing, aside from the bathroom, that made this room special. So you know I just had to take it.

I hear a little pitter patter and see the cats run up next to me.

“Hi babies” I smile. Jamie had taken the ferry last night to bring most of our stuff, including our 3 cats, Delilah, Chip, and Alice, to The Shack “I missed you all last night”

“Jamie! Come say hi to the babies, they missed us.” I yelled down the stairs

“I saw them last night-“ he tries to argue, but quickly looses when Alice practically jumps into his arms “Hi pretty baby” he coos at her walking into the room.

“Morgan just texted me saying him and Summer are on their way with some food, it’s your lucky da-“ he begins to say, until he realizes I took the nice room. His is nice too, nearly identical to mine, just no bathroom and no ocean view. “Fine, you can have it, but in 45 days, we’re switching. Anyway, Farrah sent them with some food so we can push going to the market until tomorrow, if you want to.”

Morgan and Summer are Farrah’s kids, and they’re the same ages as Jamie & I, 24 and 22. They went to the same elementary school as us until Farrah decided to move to Bellmare full time the year before Summer and I went into 6th grade. Summer was my best friend and Jamie was Morgan’s, and when they moved, that’s when Jamie and I became the pair we are today.

“Your wait is over, the food is herreee” Morgan sang into the living room, not bothering to knock “Jammieee where art thou”

“Tilly!” Summer said bringing me into a hug as soon as I walked into the room, “it’s so good to see you!”

“I’ve missed you so much Summer!” I said, hugging her back.

“No hello for me?” Morgan says in a mock-offended voice. “I’m distraught, Tils.”

I smiled and gave him the biggest hug.

“Of course I have a hello for you.” I look over his shoulder to see Jamie leaned against the door frame “But I think there’s someone else waiting for their reunion”

“Jamie, my beloved” Morgan jokes and walks over to where he is stood, wrapping his arms around Jamie the best he could being far taller. “Oh how I’ve missed you”

“Missed you even more” Jamie smiles, stepping back to look into Morgan’s eyes.

“Oi, when are you two gonna give it up and date already?” Summer laughs walking over to Jamie, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. “Nice to see you, brother.”

“And when are you gonna mind ya beeswax” Jamie quips back. “Nice to see you too, Summer.”

But honestly, she has a point. They’ve been flirting for years. It’s clear they like each other, we’re just waiting for someone to make a move. Maybe this is their summer of love.

The food Farrah sent was just a few burgers with fries, and we spent the next half hour catching up talking about this and then I had an idea.

“So, I was texting Randy when we got here this morning he said there’s 4 guys from Nashville staying at The Manor, maybe you two could bring a welcome gift and check it out?” I said, hoping they catch my drift

“You think it’s that band you and Summer like, don’t you?” Morgan smirks, and Summer’s eyes go wide

“Not me, Jamie does. But you two are gonna find out for me.” I say back

“I just think 4 guys from the same place where Greta Van Fleet live, staying at the big house, can’t just be a coincidence. I’ll go with you, Summer seems a little shell shocked.” Jamie laughs

“You’re just now telling me you think you’ll be staying next to Sam Kiszka this whole summer? And we’ve been here for 45 minutes? Let’s go, go get some muffins and find out!” She basically yells, looking at me wide eyed

“Calm down Sam lane, it’s probably not. But it could be… so listen to her and go bring over those muffins, I could be living next to Daniel Jean Louise Marie Wagner” I agree.

“Alright, we’re going” Morgan puts his hands up, turning to Jamie “let’s get a move on, J.”

They walk out the door to get the muffins from Farrah, and as soon as they do, I look at summer with the biggest smile on my face, “I might be neighbors with Greta van Fleet.”

“We may get to meet Greta” she smiles back, “Holy fuck”

So that was the prologue! Please let me know your thoughts, i’d love to hear them 🤍

#sam kiszka #josh kiszka #daniel robert wagner #sammy kiszka #greta van fleet fan fiction #greta van fic #danny wagner #greta van fluff #greta van fleet #Spotify

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craftysoulexpertpainter · 4 months ago

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Halloween II More of the Night He Came Home A novel - Chapter Six-Michael Myers in a coma-1981 (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/27194124-halloween-ii-more-of-the-night-he-came-home-a?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=jjclemons1999 Robert Helliger. 10 October, 2013. All Rights Reserved. Three years after the brutal murders in Haddonfield, Illinois, killer Michael Myers returns to kill again, during Halloween, 1981. When Doctor Sam Loomis and Nurse Marion Chambers, (as well as Sheriff Brackett), attempt to stop The Shape, Laurie Strode, (now 20), marries boyfriend Ben Tramer, and have a son called John Strode. Meanwhile, Jimmy warns everyone of the danger, as new teenagers in town suffer the same fate as the old residents. The spine chilling sequel to "Halloween", by Robert Helliger. Rated R for strong, bloody violence, strong, sex scenes, strong, coarse language, strong, drug use, and strong, adult themes. Warning: FOR READERS 18 YEARS AND OVER. For Rick Rosenthal, Malek Akkad, and Dick Warlock, Lance Guest, and Pamela Susan Shoop.

#1981 #death #doctor #epilogue #family #halloween #house #murders #nurse #parents #party #sequel #town #horror #books #wattpad #amreading #slasher

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sirswooshnoodles · 2 years ago

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1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2 Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkein

3 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

4 Harry Potter series -7

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee -1

6 The Bible

7 Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

8 Nineteen Eighty Four – George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

11 Little Women – Louisa M Alcott

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy

13 Catch 22 – Joseph Heller

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare -4

15 Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

16 The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks

18 Catcher in the Rye

19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffeneger

20 Middlemarch – George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell

22 The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald -1

23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens

24 War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh

27 Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck

29 Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis -6

34 Emma – Jane Austen

35 Persuasion – Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis -1

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini -1

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

40 Winnie the Pooh – AA Milne

41 Animal Farm – George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving

45 The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery -1

47 Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding -1

50 Atonement – Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi – Yann Martel

52 Dune – Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

55 A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

62 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

63 The Secret History – Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas -1

66 On The Road – Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens

72 Dracula – Bram Stoker -1

73 The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

74 Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses – James Joyce

76 The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal – Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession – AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

82 Cloud Atlas – David Mitchel

83 The Color Purple – Alice Walker

84 The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert

86 A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte’s Web – EB White

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks

94 Watership Down – Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas

98 Hamlet – William Shakespeare -1

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl -1

100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

26 read in full, not counting my bible reading. 2 that I consider read in full because I got that close to finishing. Moby Dick, which I've started like, 4 times, got nearly 30 chapters in once, and Animal Farm, which I had a few chapters read to me.

this imo, equals 28 full reads, plus probably 5 bible books worth, and two partials, for a sum total of 35 book I am familiar with from this list!

How many have you read?

The BBC estimates that most people will only read 6 books out of the 100 listed below. Reblog this and bold the titles you’ve read.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen 2 Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkein 3 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte 4 Harry Potter series 5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee 6 The Bible 7 Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte 8 Nineteen Eighty Four – George Orwell 9 His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman 10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens 11 Little Women – Louisa M Alcott 12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy 13 Catch 22 – Joseph Heller 14 Complete Works of Shakespeare 15 Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier 16 The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien 17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks 18 Catcher in the Rye 19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffeneger 20 Middlemarch – George Eliot 21 Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell 22 The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald 23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens 24 War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy 25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams 26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh 27 Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky 28 Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck 29 Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll 30 The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame 31 Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy 32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens 33 Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis 34 Emma – Jane Austen 35 Persuasion – Jane Austen 36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis 37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini 38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres 39 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden 40 Winnie the Pooh – AA Milne 41 Animal Farm – George Orwell 42 The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown 43 One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez 44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving 45 The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins 46 Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery 47 Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy 48 The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood 49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding 50 Atonement – Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi – Yann Martel 52 Dune – Frank Herbert 53 Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons 54 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen 55 A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth 56 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon 57 A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens 58 Brave New World – Aldous Huxley 59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon 60 Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez 61 Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck 62 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov 63 The Secret History – Donna Tartt 64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold 65 Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas 66 On The Road – Jack Kerouac 67 Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy 68 Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding 69 Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie 70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville 71 Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens 72 Dracula – Bram Stoker 73 The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett 74 Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson 75 Ulysses – James Joyce 76 The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath 77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome 78 Germinal – Emile Zola 79 Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray 80 Possession – AS Byatt 81 A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens 82 Cloud Atlas – David Mitchel 83 The Color Purple – Alice Walker 84 The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro 85 Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert 86 A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry 87 Charlotte’s Web – EB White 88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom 89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton 91 Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad 92 The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery 93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks 94 Watership Down – Richard Adams 95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole 96 A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute 97 The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas 98 Hamlet – William Shakespeare 99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl 100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

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