#ref: mads starters

[writermuses]

[the-physicality]

honestly despite some of the lows this season the merc really have spoiled me. on the after time out plays, on inbounding, on the post guard connections, the dt to bg connection

[marimelwrites]

@writermuses - continued from your reply to this starter here!

If Catia had been nervous before, the moment that she saw Matthew's smile, it seemed to ease away some of those nerves. He had always been able to make her feel comfortable and relaxed around him. It had been one of the qualities that she had noticed first, one of the things that drew her to him in the beginning. Hearing him call her his favorite girl gave her that familiar butterflies in her stomach sensation that she'd been so accustomed to before she'd left for work. Surely, if he was saying that, he couldn't possibly want their relationship to end after all, could he? Matthew wasn't the sort of man who would say something like that, and not truly mean it. That was another thing she had loved about him, he wasn't the type of man who played with another's emotions.

An easy smile grew on her face at his insistence for her to share all the details of her trip and her work. "You have plenty that I would like to hear about and catch up on as well. Don't leave me to be the only one rambling on and on tonight. Promise me?" She asked as she reached up to touch his face gently, her gaze drinking in his features. She walked with him towards their table so that they could relax before getting into all the stories and detail to catch each other up on the things they had missed. "I can't believe we're finally here. It almost felt like I'd never be back home, I'd been gone so long..."

[pwurrz]

i’m glad i’m not alone in my theory that the crying child died first, and what he saw that was misinterpreted in the eyes of child wasn’t his sister being killed by circus baby, but was more likely someone entering either the spring bonnie or fredbear animatronic. for starters, the only animatronics in fnaf 4 that are seen with mouths on their stomachs are the fredbears. og fredbear would’ve been the only animatronic among the gang to be a springlock animatronic.

it also just.. doesn’t make a lot of sense for elizabeth to die first. if she was, that would mean both her and the crying child (two young children) were at the opening of circus baby’s pizza world (unsupervised, in a restaurant filled with animatronics made for the specific purpose of luring and killing kids). then, after baby killed elizabeth, william would have still allowed his youngest son to go anywhere near the animatronics at fredbear’s family diner (again, relatively unsupervised because you know michael wasn’t doing his babysitting job).

now, i know william is negligent father, but allowing his son to go near animatronics he made and knows are dangerous right after his daughter got killed by different animatronics he made? at that point you’d think he wanted the crying child to get bit. why would william allow his son’s birthday to be held at the fredbear restaurant after one of his kids ran off and got killed at another restaurant? is he stupid? /ref

(also also.. why would william be designing robots specifically to lure in and kill children at that point in time, if none of his kids had even died yet? did he just.. really wanna kill random kids? seems like a boring motivation tbh. personally, it makes the most sense to me that after killing charlie and noticing some weird behaviour in the puppet animatronic that would suggest charlie is possessing the puppet, and after his son was killed by fredbear, he would want to try and recreate the circumstances in which charlie was killed to see if there was a chance to bring his son back. so first he killed the five kids from the missing kids incident and shoved their bodies in the suits to hide them (or the puppet shoved their bodies inside, we don’t know for sure), and then, after witnessing the same weird behaviour from the core five animatronics that he witnessed in the puppet, designed the funtimes with the sole purpose of killing kids and storing them inside themselves.)

i don’t think william became a mad scientist for funsies. i think he only resorted to such crazy methods after losing one of his kids, torn apart by grief and resentment and driven to bring them back, whatever it took.

[bum-scum]

From the hug starter. Here 

Rivalshipping

Excuse me for grammar and tense ( past and present) mistakes. Just warning you now. I dont type things that make sense. Set in DSOD ( for ref) 

Yugi sat there on the roof top. He had finished his lunch and watched as his other friends laughed and talked from afar it was then he realized the pang ache thudding in his chest; 

The loneliness. 

He couldn't be mad that his friends had found someone for themselves, but Yugi felt that stab of jealousy of the bonds his friends had made without him, even together as a group, he felt like the odd one out and Yugi hid the pain with a smile. It was something he couldn't understand why.

He’s got all the friends he’d ever wanted, even his mother and grandpa exist in his life. Still, that empty space kept brewing in his heart, no matter how much he was surrounded with the best people ever. 

 Yugi smiled absently. Now staring into nothingness but the blue colour of the sky, trying to forget the horrible feeling in his heart.

“Unusual for you to be alone.”

Yugi snapped out of his dazed state, startled by the figure standing next to him.

“Kaiba!” 

Yugi watched intently as Kaiba sat next to him. ‘The tall tower’ Yugi had dubbed him as a slight joke of his own fondness, straightened himself once he got comfortable. Yugi eyed at how The CEO’s school uniform was starting to become tight around the chest area. He had been working out it seemed; biceps slightly bulging as Kaiba folded his arms across his chest. Now Yugi was staring at his chest more than he would like to admit.  

Ripping his eyes away from the tempting development of Kaiba’s muscles, Yugi looked down at his feet. His own shoe laces were about to become undone from PE earlier before lunch. He tensed when he heard Kaiba sigh. 

Yugi turned his head and saw Kaiba staring back at him. Their eyes locked, but what Yugi didnt expect next made everything around him go silent in time. Strong arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace, pulling him closer to Kaiba’s warm and welcoming body. Yugi quietly gasped as he felt Kaiba’s cheek gently rubbing against his own, his big hand cradling at the back of Yugi’s head, fingers threading through his wild locks. 

Yugi’s face was nestled comfortably in Kaiba’s chest. This was completely out of character of Kaiba. He wasn't the type to hug anyone except Mokuba, and Yugi had seen how Kaiba hugs Mokuba. 

But this hug was different, different than the brotherly hug that he would give Mokuba. This one felt far too close, more than friendly. It felt rather quite intimate.

Personal, even. 

Yes, this felt intimately personal. 

it was then reality settled back in. Yugi now noticed why Kaiba was hugging him. 

He sobbed as tears welled up and fall, feeling Kaiba hugging him tighter, the gentle rubbing of his cheek and hand at the back of his head held a little more firm made Yugi cry harder. 

The loneliness he was feeling was overwhelming like a tidal wave, drowning him to sink at the bottom and he felt like Kaiba was shielding him from it. The patch of tears soaked the fabric of Kaiba’s uniform as he rubbed his eyes to wipe them away, but to no avail. He kept crying.

“Let it all out, Yugi.”

As if Kaiba couldn't get anymore out of character that hearing his soothing voice tugged at Yugi’s heart strings. 

As the world and time had stopped, he felt himself moving along the motions of rocking. Seeing this side of Kaiba was melting his heart, making his face burn warm as the pounding organ throbbed against his chest. His feelings of loneliness ebbed slowly and was replaced by warmth; a medicine to remedy the sickness that was attacking him.  

His crying had settled down into sobs, and then sniffling. The hug continued for a moment longer before the rocking motion had stopped, and the warm embrace of this strong arms and chest moved away. 

He felt Kaiba’s hands caressing his wet cheeks, thumbs wiping stray tears away. Looking at Kaiba’s blue steely eyes, he could see the slight, puffy redness in them.

It looked like he was about to cry, too

But what's more surprising is that Kaiba’s facial expression was out of this world and Yugi had the honor to see it first hand for himself.

Kaiba’s soft, sadden expression showed empathy and kindness. Eyes weren't squinted in anger, his scowl looking non-existent, and the downturn of his lips are now upturned in the most heart melting smile.

“I-”

“Shh, Yugi. It’s okay. I know, I already know. You don't have to tell me.”

With Kaiba standing up, his hands no longer caressed his cheeks. He felt Kaiba’s hand squeezing his shoulder, reassuring him of their hug moment ago. 

“You know where to find me,” He said with a slight nod. 

Kaiba’s hand left Yugi’s shoulder and turned around to leave, and before he left, Kaiba looked over his shoulder with a soft smile.

“You’re never alone...

I’ll always be here.”

[zawazawanightmares]

Zola Malfeazium & Desperate Lesbian

You, Zola Malfeazium, are connected to Desperate Lesbian Your partner selected the 18+ server. Your partner has a starter. Type /starter or tap here to see it.

Zola Malfeazium: /starter

Desperate Lesbian : We could have fun with my OC Viola (mid-20s), who is a werewolf with a rebellious attitude, or alternatively I make up a character based on an idea you have. I primarely play as sub with some switch tendencies Kinks: teasing, overstimulation, bondage, petplay, many more- ask about anything you'd like to implement I prefer semi-paragraph style rp with actions written out and spoken words in quotes, though don't care too much about reply length example: "Oh, I don't know..." She looked aside with a faint blush. LOVE transwomen no men pls

Zola Malfeazium: (Hey.)

Desperate Lesbian : (hi!)

Zola Malfeazium: (How's it going?)

Desperate Lesbian : (good, you?)

Zola Malfeazium: (Doing fine. Are you familiar with Girl Genius?)

Desperate Lesbian : (sadly no)

Zola Malfeazium: (It's a Webcomic about a Victorian era mad scientist. Zola is a princess who acts sweet and innocent but is extremely selfish, vindictive and malicious towards those who take attention from her. Do you want a ref?)

Desperate Lesbian : (ohhh that sounds cool- and sure!

Zola Malfeazium: https://twitter.com/RainGames_Kenny/status/1308395002058416129

Zola Malfeazium: (It's funny because Viola is also the name of a character in the comic...your character can still be named that though. We'll chalk it up to coincidence.)

Desperate Lesbian : (oh that is funny tho I guess it's not an uncommon name for fictional characters what would be your idea for this?

Zola Malfeazium: (Zola runs into Viola in the woods and decides to keep her as a pet?)

Desperate Lesbian : (that sounds fun! hehehe (she will be a challenge to train tho~

Zola Malfeazium: (Zola's a lot more stubborn than she looks so it'll be fun for them both.)

Desperate Lesbian : (do you want to start this off then?

Zola Malfeazium: (Sure!)

Zola Malfeazium: Zola grumbled as she walked through the forest. "Stupid Heterodyne cu---that should be my throne! My legacy! My Gil! I'm not done with you, not by a long shot..." She kept down the path in the darkened forest, ignoring the howl she heard in the distance...

Desperate Lesbian : She was on the hunt, hungry, lead by instincts and craving as she rushed through the woods. There is a woman that caught her eye- all on her own, easy prey... presumably... She stalked up to her in the shadow of the trees, waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Zola Malfeazium: At some point, Zola finally realized she was being followed. She stopped in her tracks, frowning while taking out a small pistol. "Hey, please...I'll do whatever you want, just spare me!" She put on her best scared timid voice, fully intending to put one between the eyes of her attacker when they fall upon her.

Desperate Lesbian : She couldn't help a grin at her scared little voice. Typical. A feral growl sounded from her as she jumped out of the pushes right on top of the woman to pin her to the ground.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola immediately pointed the gun at the wolf woman's eye, ignoring the agony from being pinned to the ground by a fast heavy force. She was going to pull the trigger...only to freeze and blink. "A doggy?" She asked in confusion.

Desperate Lesbian : Her predatory gaze turned wideeyed when faced with the barrel of a gun. Not what she expected after the other called out so helplessly. "I am no doggy" She growled back with a huff, seeming insulted.

Zola Malfeazium: "A doggy!" Zola grinned like a child on Christmas. "What's your name, girl? Is it something pretty like Nitro, Cyanide? Maybe...Hemlock?"

Desperate Lesbian : "I am not a doggy!!" She insisted with a louder snarl this time, attempting to knock the weapon out of the other's hand with a swing of her claw.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola willingly dropped her pistol...to cup the wolf woman's face and plant a cheerful kiss on her muzzle. Pulling back, she smiled. "I'm gonna call you Carrion...on account of how you taste!"

Desperate Lesbian : The kiss certainly caught her off guard and she soon after attempted to pull away from the other's grip. "What the fuck! My name is Viola, and I am not a fucking pet!"

Zola Malfeazium: "Shh, Carrion...Mommy's gonna take care of you..." Zola reached inside her shirt, giving Viola a sultry look as she took out a chain...along with a leather collar.

Desperate Lesbian : "No you will fucking not" She pushed the other away to get up and get some distance between them. "You will not put a fucking leash on me!"

Zola Malfeazium: "A wild one, aren't you? Well, you are a stray..." Zola's grin turned predatory as she began to advance on the rightly outraged wolfwoman. "I'll take good care of you...most of my pets last a few months. One of them even made it to the end of the year!"

Desperate Lesbian : One moment to another the hunter became the hunted. There is no way she would actually catch her though, right? She is much faster than a human. "Fuck this--" Turning around she took off the run. Though... part of her, one she would never admit to... wanted to be caught.

Zola Malfeazium: With a deft motion, relying more on accuracy than speed, Zola had the chain wrapped around Viola's neck by throwing where she was heading instead of directly after her. She smirked as she began to drag her back. "You might be a cutie, Carrion...but it looks like someone needs to learn some discipline."

Desperate Lesbian : The chain catches on her and she chokes on it, making her trip and fall over before being dragged back. Panicked, she growled and thrashed, trying to tear and rip the chains apart. "Fuck you!!"

Zola Malfeazium: "If you're good." Zola teased as she dragged her back to her feet, finally releasing the grip on her throat to let her breathe...only to sit herself on her face. "What's the matter, Carrion? Don't I smell good?"

Desperate Lesbian : She just about caught her breat when the woman lowered herself on her face- smelling the aroma of arousal through her pants. She can't help getting a little heated at it herself and she squirmed, though now firmly pinned in place.

Zola Malfeazium: "I'm guessing it's time I gave you a treat, so you know how nice I am." Zola said as she crouched up to pull down her leggings, exposing her wet pussy to Viola before sitting it on her face again. "Go ahead and lick to your heart's content; it's what you'll have for dessert every night."

Desperate Lesbian : She... could easily bite, couldn't she? Sharp canine teeth ready to rip and tear and prey, but... her scent is far too enticing in another way, awakening other cravings- even stronger so as she undressed and pressed those delicious lips against her maw without any barrier. A whine escapes her and she runs a tongue over the slit, tasting her. It let a shudder of arousal run through her.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola let a smug expression come over her face, allowing herself to drip into the wolf woman's mouth as she looked down at Viola's own crotch. "Mmm...does my puppy have a special treat for me...?"

Desperate Lesbian : Soon she lapped her tongue hungrily at Zola's pussy, unable to resist her taste. She indeed is squirming with need herself now, beneath fur her slit is glistening with arousal- inviting to be played with.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola reached down, almost purring at she rubbed at the lips underneath the fur. "I guess I'm spoiling you...but you're cute so I can't help it." Clutching the chain with her other hand, she pulled her fingers back and sucked the juices off of them.

Desperate Lesbian : A moan sounded from the wolf woman muffled beneath the other's thighs. She rolled her hips in search of more friction and whined as the hand pulled away.

Zola Malfeazium: "Looks like Mommy needs her own treat. Excuse me..." Zola pulled on the chain as she bent over, practically trapping Viola's lips against her slit as she herself began to lap at Viola's wet pussy, eagerly licking up her fluids.

Desperate Lesbian : She moaned louder this time, even harder to catch her breath with pleasure flooding her mind and her being pressed nose-deep in Zola's delicious slit. Nothing else to do than to lap and suck at it with increasing hunger, whines muffled.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola kept enjoying her captive meal, paying special attention to Viola's clit as she leaked cum in the wolf woman's mouth, ready to climax at any second...

Desperate Lesbian : The bucks of her hips get more desperate, breathing hitched as the close attention to her sensitive clit quickly worked her towards the edge as well. Any pleading is completely muffled, words swallowed by those lips she laps at and feeds so hungrily on, slightly rough tongue repeatedly running over her clit.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola moaned with her mouth over Viola's button, cumming directly into the lupine vixen's mouth while shivering, giving a tight tug on the chain to make the air flow more restricted for the wolf woman.

Desperate Lesbian : She whined as the chain choked her again, struggling against it- her lightheadedness only increased when soon after her own climax hit her, shivering all over with the afterwaves- panting for breath with the restricted air flow making it hard to recover.

Zola Malfeazium: Zola released her grip, getting off of Viola's face to lie down next to her, circling her finger on her chest. "Well, ready to be my pet, Carrion?" Not even waiting for the answer, Zola attached the collar around Viola's neck.

Desperate Lesbian : She is too exhausted to get up, much less fight the other as the collar is put around her. Her instincts are no longer to be trusted either, not hungry what she got a taste for... urging her to stay close, stay close to a mate. "I-I'm Viola..." She protested weakly, still catching her breath.

Desperate Lesbian : (maybe the chain and also part of the collar are silver, making it impossible for her to remove because of the power it has over werewolves?=

Zola Malfeazium: Zola frowned, tugging on the chain again to bring Viola's face inches away from hers. "I'm not looking for a correction. I'm looking for "Yes, Master." Got it?"

Zola Malfeazium: (Yes! Lucky break for Zola.)

Desperate Lesbian : Pulled close, she frowned and first instinct is to growl at her... before she submissively averted her gaze. "Y...yes master..."

Zola Malfeazium: Zola's smile returned, kissing Viola on the nose. "Good girl..."

Zola Malfeazium: (Thank you so much!)

You left the chat

[everdaring]

ooc ✨ i’ll get to the other starters & replies soonish, been making a mad dash to finish sparky’s visual refs for art fight uwu

[emma-is-swaggy-and-epic]

Y'know while i know tumblr sexymen are a huge thing on well...tumblr, i wasn't really expecting this to pop off so hard. It's always the ones i least expect lol

Though tbh i feel like i kinda need to explain why i included bendy in the image and not more "well known" sexyman like say, the warden from superjail.

Well....for starters, i kinda didn't feel like including the warden (or anyone else for that matter, really) and also when i draw fanart, i usually make sure to get my ref pics off of fandom wikis; for this pic, i got most of the reference images (excluding the ones for nagito and sans) off of sexypedia. This is also where i decided on which sexymen to add to the pic!

When i saw bendy's article on the wiki, i immediantly got flashbacks to when bendy and the ink machine first came out and how many bendy fangirls there were so i felt as though bendy was the perfect guy to choose! Even if he's less of a tumblr sexyman and more of a "sans fangirl cringe compilation" sexyman....so uhh...let's just say the warden's not in the picture because his xbox didn't come with uno

Oh and btw the bag of "meat chips" on the table is a reference to this image

Believe it or not, meat-flavored chips actually do exist in real life. They actually sell something like this at my local grocery store and they're MAD delicious

A rowdy game of uno with the boys

[tizzymcwizzy]

Recently did some expression practice with Conner and Eerie! Check out the starter pack for this story it's very good 10/10 would recommend

Conner's hair is super weird and I can't figure it out. But! This time I used some refs and I think I've got it down. I know it's basically Chat Noir's hair but I like to think that they're different. And I draw them different!!

Also, I showed that first face to my mom and she liked it a lot, do with that what you will.

Every time I draw Eerie I realize that i can't draw makeup. Can someone please tell me how Lauren gets it to look so perfect every time?? i cri. Like, her lips??? Have you seen this shit??????? Mom get the camera-

I was scrolling through the chouette tag for these sketches and I have been revitalized, it's so good please check it out if you have not I'm begging you it's very good and I get this dumb giddy smile on my face every single freaking time. I love it.

Also also!!! I got a spaghetti stain in my sketchbook while drawing this and I'm like, hold on a diddly darn second, I remember getting a spaghetti stain in my sketchbook while drawing chouette another time as well and I'm like, Conner???? Is that you??? What???? The ghost of the dumpster man is haunting me,,,

Ps (lol this post is super long sry) they're all mad and I'm like, aaaahh I wanna draw them smiling and being dorks but all I have is angwry and I dunno what to do. Drawing Eerie smiling is super hard for some reason even though in my head she's really smiley aaahhffffffggh

Okay, okay I'm done now, thanks for reading this really long ramble if you did I appreciate you ( ˘ ³˘) mwah

[lieutenantcactus]

Here's a girl who, in my opinion, has probably one of the most interesting stories of my ocs

The tragedy in young Madison's life started when she was only a few months old and both her biological parents sadly past away in a car accident. Now in the care of her older brother Paris, who was just shy of 19 at the time, Maddie was raised as best as the young man could handle, and boy! Could he not handle it. Especially when it came to her shock diagnosis of Meningococcal meningitis. Suddenly, she was whisked away into intensive care, where she remained for weeks. She was touch and go for a while, blood vessel damage becoming so great that she ended up with both her legs amputated below the knee. And, of course, poor Paris was stuck with the medical bills, on top of...well everything else. The full details of what Paris did to keep him and his sister afloat is best saved for his separate ref, but, safe to say, it wasn't pretty. It was around this time that one Mr Joseph Collard came into their lives. A bouncer at the, uh, "club" Paris worked at, Joseph had grown a real soft spot for the young man, which grew into a soft spot for little Maddie once he met her. Which eventually led to him officially adopting her when she was around three years old. Of course, Paris was still in her life, as the three moved across the country to start a new life far away from the old. But not everything was perfect. You have to understand, witnessing and going through the things Maddie did in the first five years of her life...It was traumatising. And the thing with that childhood trauma: she doesn't remember any of it. It just affected her in a major way. This led to her being what teachers would call "a problem child". Acting out, unable to control her emotions properly, prone to meltdowns. Plus, being over attached to her brother and father. And not liking when things came between them. Or PEOPLE for that matter. She reacted VERY poorly to her brother in law when they first met. It had always been just her, Paris and Papa. And, if she had her five year old way, it would remain just them, thank you very much. But, unfortunately, her brother HAD to go and fall head over heels for the man. Honestly, she could do without seeing the way Nick would kiss him goodnight when dropping him off from a date. Then came the horrible news: Paris was moving in with him. Maddie cried and begged, trying to offer alternatives; like Nick moving in with them! But, Paris calmly explained how impossible that would be, what with Nick having a daughter and their apartment only having two bedrooms. Paris even light-heartedly added that this would mean that Maddie would finally have her own room. But of course, this caused the girl to throw a tantrum and lock herself in said room. She didn't talk much to Paris for a while, though she did eventually come out her room. Paris, of course, was heart broken, but figured (more like hoped) that she'd come around eventually. Joseph... was stuck in the middle. Happy for his best friend, but unsure of what to do about his daughter. Like any misguided dad, his mind eventually turned to one solution: a pet! Maybe a pet could knock the blues out of Maddie. So, he took her to the shelter and told her "pick out anyone you want! Well, uh....so long as our apartment complex approves of em". They ended up coming home that day with a little cream calico scruff ball with mucky eyes and a scratchy little yowl of a voice, which Maddie named Bubblegum (Joseph could only assume this was due to Maddie's near obsession with the candy). Bubblegum did help some, but ultimately, it was time who was the biggest healer, and she did eventually open back up to her brother, though she would remain cold to Nick for some time to come. It was around the time that they got the news that Paris and Nick were getting married (gross) that a little white cat rushed into their apartment, causing a middle aged man to rush after her and crash right into Joseph, the man haphazardly catching him in a dip. The moment they locked eyes, Maddie had but one thought: "Oh god, it's happening again". Robin, however, proved himself a lot better than Nick. Well, for starters, he only lived across the hall from them, so he wouldn't be dragging her father TOO far away from her. And he also had a young son, Phoenix, who was pretty cool! So maybe, just maybe...she'd give this one her blessing...begrudgingly... She would grow to be happy she did.. As a young adult, Maddie has chilled out A LOT. She loves her fathers and her little brother (though, sometimes she acts too cool for them). She's buried the hatchet with her brother in law, just in time to welcome her nephew into the family (plus she loves to tease Poppy by calling herself her "step aunt"). Then came the day her fathers brought sixteen year old Natalie home. Both agreeing that they were too old to handle a younger child, they had had their hearts set on adopting an older teen and, well, they fell in love with Natalie just about as fast as they fell in love with each other. Mads is fiercely protective of her little sister. Perhaps her brother rubbed off on her in that aspect... 

[shari-berri]

Caught

TR James x reader

Your POV

My boyfriend James is gone again to "work". I am curious to what he does for a living. I guess I can't be suspicious of him, I never told him my last name or anything about my family.

My name is Y/N Ketchum, older sister of Ash Ketchum who wants to be a Pokémon master.

While he got his Pikachu as a partner who didn't like him at first, my partner liked me immediately, becoming overprotective. My starter Pokémon that I first received was a male Riolu. Along the way, Riolu evolved into Lucario. We ended up bumping into Korrina, a gym leader and we became friends. She was about to give me another Lucario with Lucarionite but she saw my Lucario and just gave me the mega stone. Of course, I had to get one for myself and then something to put them in. I ended up getting Lucario a bracelet like Korrina's Lucario, and I got a ring. Anyways, today I am going to investigate, okay spy on my boyfriend to see what he does. My Lucario is coming along also, like he always does. Like my little bro's Pikachu, Lucario also doesn't like his pokeball.

Time skip

I see James getting together with Jessie and Meowth. I never liked Jessie simply because she is always around my boyfriend. Meowth was alright but he has an attitude. Seeing them grabbing a net, I pull Lucario and myself closer into the bushes. They start to creep up behind a group of trainers and then they threw the net on top of their Pokémon, trapping them and stealing them. Gasping, I look closer at the trainers. Spotting a familiar hat, I narrow my eyes.

Squeezing Lucario's wrist, I point to the boy who I found out to be my brother, Ash. Coming to a realization that I should help, I step out of the bushes, Lucario at my side, ready to protect me if necessary. “James! What on earth do you think you're doing?!" I screech, running to my brother's side and pulling him into a hug, glaring at my boyfriend. Looking at James, I see him shocked. Ash seems surprised that I am here and that I know who James is, and this ugly blonde girl is glaring at me for hugging Ash. “Ash are you okay?! Do you need help getting Pikachu back?" I ask, gripping my brother closer. Blondie just glares at me harder and I glare back. It seems James has recovered in the amount of time it took me to reassure Ash. “Y/N! What are you doing here?! And why are you defending that twerp!" He screams. I rest my chin on Ash's shoulder and sigh, waiting for Ash to say for me. “She's my sister." He says plainly. James falls to the floor along with Jessie and Meowth in shock.

Blondie is no longer glaring at me so that's good, I still hate her though. “James! Leave him alone! All of you stop doing this. I understand now that this is your job that you've been leaving to, but stop." I calmly stare. James and his friends just look back, grab the net, and release the Pokémon, feeling ashamed. “James, I still love you, but leave. I need to talk and catch up with Ash." I command. They nod and James runs up to me, kisses me, and runs off.

“You have some explaining to do." Ash says, half glaring at me. “Sooooo hekindasortamightbemyboyfriendthatihabebeentalkingabout." I rush. Ash's eyes harden and he reaches for his pokeball. “Alright bro, battle me to release tension. Oh and make it a double battle with Blondie on your side. You two against me." I confidently state. Ash just nods and Blondie glares at me. “You know, we're going to beat you. Ash is really strong and will defeat you." She whines. I just glare. “Who do you think taught him?" I counter. Ash's other friend, I believe Clemont is his name, took his stance and began reffing. “You are each allowed 3 Pokémon!" Clemont announces. I nod and wait to see what Pokémon my opponents send. Ash sends out a Talonflame and Blondie, or Serena sends out a Braixen. I sigh and look at my pokeballs. Grabbing one, I kiss it before I throw it onto the field. The red and white capsule bursts open and a Pokémon appears. Feraligatr lands on the ground with a thud, dust flying up. When the dust clears, Ash and Serena look at my giant crocodilian Pokémon. Both of their jaws drop and their Pokémon shake in fear. I forgot to tell Ash that I have more Pokémon than just Lucario. Feraligatr smirks and looks at me, nodding. “Feraligatr! Quickly use surf to get both of them!" I scream. He nods and a giant wave floods the field. It hits the opposing Pokémon and with a super effective type advantage, they are barely standing. “This is just sad!" I snicker. Feraligatr snorts and grunts in agreement. That seems to have triggered Ash since be called out an attack. “Talonflame don't be intimidated! We can still win this. It's two against one. Use double team and then steel wing!" He commands. Talonflame then becomes many and they all dive at Feraligatr, wings shining. “Focus! Find the real one and grab it in your jaws. Don't let go!" I say. Ash and Serena just laugh. “There's too many, your pokemon won't be able to tell." They say sneakily. “Just watch." I growl. Feraligatr looks around before settling his eyes on one Talonflame. As it gets closer, he jumps up and grabs it in his mouth, locking his jaw. Serena panics and commands Braixen to use ember. “Feraligatr, just ignore the stupid fox and use hydro pump." I yawn.

I smile as I see Serena get mad. Feraligatr nods and releases a giant stream of water onto Talonflame who is still in his jaws. Feraligatr then releases the bird and it falls to the floor, swirls in its eyes. Feraligatr looks at me for another command.

I just point my finger at Braixen. Feraligatr nods and knocks it out with another hydro pump.

Ash and Serena call back their Pokémon.

Ash sends out Pikachu and Serena sends out a Pancham.

Despite the disadvantage, I keep Feraligatr in.

“Pikachu! Use thunderbolt!" Ash screams.

“Dodge it!" I try to call out but I am too late. Feraligatr got hit. He struggles to get up but manages to, only to be hit with electro ball and faint.

Returning Feraligatr, I grab a pokeball with a cat sticker. Kissing it, I throw it out. Out pops a pink flying cat, shocking everybody. “T-that's a Mew!" Serena stutters. “Yeah, obviously. What, are you blind or what? Have you never seen a legendary before? Oh wait, I forgot you have trash Pokémon." I retort. Serena turns red with anger and pouts. “Mew we have to make this quick, I want to bring out the big guns soon. Use rock slide on Pikachu!" I scream.

Mew unleashed a landslide of rocks onto Pikachu, type disadvantage hurting him and making him trapped under the rocks. “Alright! Good work! Now use dazzling gleam on the panda!" I command. Mew unleashed a beam of pink at Pancham, causing it to stagger back. “Again." I say, flicking my wrist. Mew complied and hits Pancham again. Pancham falls to the ground, fainted. Turning my attention back to Pikachu, I think. “Use confusion." I say. Pikachu gets hit and becomes confused. “Pikachu! Snap out of it and use thunderbolt!" Ash strains. Pikachu only hits himself with the thunderbolt, hurting it further. “Mew, lets finish this with brick break." I nod. Mew hits Pikachu and he faints as well. Ash sends out a Hawlucha and Serena sends out a Sylveon. I call back Mew and both of them look confused. Nodding to Lucario, he steps up to the field. “Lucario, lets start with using flash cannon on that Sylveon." I state. Lucario puts his paws out and a flash of light launches at the eeveelution. Sylveon cries out in pain and falls. “We need to wait longer, use psychic on Hawlucha." I say. Hawlucha is hit but isn't hurt that much. “Hawlucha! Use high jump kick!" Ash calls out. Hawlucha launches into the air and kicks Lucario in the face. Lucario growls and gets into his stance once more. Sylveon uses fairy wind but it doesn't do much. Karate chop!" Ash says. Lucario is hit once more in the head. He turns to me with that certain glint in his eyes. Holding my hand out, Lucario grabs his bracelet. “Lucario! Connect our souls and hearts. Make our bond greater together and mega evolve!" I scream out. Ash and Serena look shocked but excited to see Mega Lucario. “Lucario! Car!" He cries as he comes out in mega form. “Okay buddy, use psychic on Hawlucha and then throw him into Sylveon. Then use flash cannon!" I command, sweat dripping down my forehead. Lucario lifts Hawlucha into the air before yeeting him into Sylveon. He then holds out his palms as they both get hit with a enhanced flash cannon. Ash and Serena cry out for their Pokémon. When the light clears, they both have swirly eyes. Lucario returns back to normal and walks over to my side. “Thanks for that. But I have to go see my boo." I say over my shoulder as I walk away. I am suddenly pushed to the ground. I hear Lucario grunt. Looking up, I see Serena in Lucario's arms trapped. It seems that she was the one who pushed me. Her intense glare in her eyes makes it even more evident. “You know, I always wanted to know what happens if a human is hit by a Pokémon move. I wanted to test it but didn't have the right circumstances. However, you just volunteered. Lucario, hit this bimbo with a full power power-up punch." I screech. Lucario's paw glows orange before he punches Serena, causing her to fly a few yards away before hitting the ground and not getting up. I hear Ash sprint towards her as I just walk away. “Thanks bro for not caring about me!" I call. Time skip cuz idk what else to do. As the sun goes down, I am content cuddling in bed with my James, even if he is a thief, Ash and his friends deserve it. James is playing with my hair, calming me before sleep overtook my vision, my last image being my lovely boyfriend.

[writermuses]

Open to: MUTUALS ONLY (mun/muse/fc should all be 21+) Plot: Your muse is supposed to be cleaning the Delmore mansion that's home to the new heir and CEO to the Delmore empire. He's home early, way early, and your muse is sleeping on his bed.

Matthew's parents had been very open with their children about letting them follow their dreams. The merger of the Cartwright and Delmore empires in one marriage came with a lot of expectations. As the eldest, there was always a weight of wonder, would he choose to be CEO of the Delmore Fortune 500 business or go into medicine like every Cartwright before him. In a twist, he was vocal about making sure that the Delmore endeavors under his leadership would be focused on medical innovation. Taking on the roll after his Aunt Samantha's retirement went well enough, but he'd been keeping long hours and he'd decided to take a few half days through the rest of the year for the sake of his sanity. As such, he was pulling off his coat, tie, cufflinks, and shoes in a long trail of careless undressing en route to his bed only to find someone there. Pausing in the doorway, Mads looked at his watch and realized this was cleaning day. While he had no complaints about the service, he was wondering if they'd been doing this every time they came to clean the mansion. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, he approached them slowly, pulling the blankets over them and taking a seat on the love seat to the side of the bed, pulling out his phone and clearing emails with hooded eyes. When their own phone went off, stirring them awake, he turned and raised an eyebrow, "Have a nice little siesta?"

[defensefilms]

Giannis And The Bucks Outlast Nets In A Classic Series

The 2021 NBA post season has been marred by injuries and covid protocols and precautions. Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard’s absence from the early part of the Western Conference finals is the absolute worst case scenario.

When you look at it like that, you can definitely see how the NBA needed this Bucks-Nets series and it delivered drama on spades.

The Brooklyn Nets were on the ropes and searching for answers after the Bucks tied the series in game 4. Kyrie Irving’s injury hurt the quality of basketball for sure but it also added to the drama and Durant’s performances kind of showed why NBA fans miss the days of a single all-star caliber player leading a team.

They responded in game 5, a visibly slower James Harden returned to help the Nets get a 114-108 victory.

Stephen A Smith’s prediction proved to be correct when he guaranteed that the Bucks would win game 6 on their own court and the Bucks did winning by a score of 104-89.

The stage was set then. 

Game 7 in the Barclays Arena started out as nervously as it could. There were several times I walked away from my screen in a fit of emotion because it really felt like the refs were trying to screw the Milwaukee Bucks. At one point I was convinced that big market bias was going to sway this series and the NBA were trying to pull a Tim Donaghy.

To add to that Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday were absolutely struggling to make shots in the first half. Brook Lopez and PJ Tucker’s shooting helped the Bucks not get swallowed up completely.

The 2nd quarter was the most nervous for me because the Nets lead the whole quarter and they took their biggest lead in the final 2 minute of the quarter and the Bucks will have felt very lucky to have cut that to a 7 point lead going in to halftime. 

Milwaukee’s shooters managed to shoot 41.1% from beyond the arc in this game it proved to be important because Brooklyn only managed 30.8%  but the other facet they killed Brooklyn in, was on the glass. They finished this game with 18 offensive rebounds. 

The 3rd quarter was still a close run affair but again the Nets looked like they were closing out the quarter stronger and had it not been for Middleton’s steal on Durant and a Giannis’ dunk to give the Bucks a 1 point lead going in to the 4th.

The 4th was when Milwaukee’s depth finally starter to matter. Khris Middleton made some big time contested jumpers and Jrue Holiday with a pair of pull-up jumpers with under 3 minutes to play. Durant was being Durant though and when the Bucks failed to score with just 5.2 second left in the quarter and up by 109-107, the Nets would in bound the ball to Durant who appeared to have shot the game winner over PJ Tucker. The replay showed Durant had his foot on the line and the made shot was worth just 2 points and not 3. 

Overtime.

The Nets open the scoring after Bruce Brown makes a lay-up.

That was Brooklyn’s only mad bucket in 5 minutes of over time.

Giannis was absolutely Kareem Abdul Jabbar-like when he made a post hook over Kevin Durant. Durant’s attempt at a response was blocked by Brook Lopez. 

Then Khris Middleton made a turnaround jumper over Bruce Brown for the lead.

Durant was poised to try again and would have been happy to see Jrue Holiday guarding him on the final possession but he airballed his shot and Milwuakee had knocked out the Brooklyn Nets.

Kevin Durant may be the media’s pick as far as the player to watch in this series and he may have been. He was big time. Averaging 35.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the series. That’s no small feat. You have to remember that the Nets had a 2-0 lead at one point in this series and were still up 2-1 when Kyrie went down.

If you ask me this game and this series was a showcase of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Dude literally faced every type of adversity throughout this series.

Blake Griffin was as smart and as savvy of a Giannis-stopper as they could have asked for. They’ll probably regret not playing Deandre Jordan at all but Blake and the Nets defense tested Giannis throughout.

That crowd count-down in game 7 could have easily turned in to a meme and Giannis is not a guy that get credited with the fabled “clutch gene” but he was 8-14 from the line in game 7. 

There was also that 3-pointer he made in the 3rd quarter and he trash talked the Nets on his way back up the court for leaving him open. Was not phased at all by the stage he was on.

All told Giannis averaged 31.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the series. He was incredible despite what the media may try to tell you.

His game 7 output was 40 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists on 15-24 shooting from the field. He was every bit the star they needed.

[commander-titania]

i find sylvari really hard to draw cause of all the planty details! do you have any tips?

Oh boy howdy do I ever! (For starters, here’s my sylvari ref gallery! There’s an absurd amount of screenshots, assets, and concept art in there!)

These are all random tips with no real organization, but I hope this helps!

If you���re struggling trying to draw your character’s face EXACTLY like it is ingame, it never hurts to simplify it! That’s actually how Titania’s custom face came to be! I find customizing how you draw your character lets you create someone unique and recognizable at a glance!

Personally, I find that sylvari faces grow in two different ways;

Sylvari hair can be interpreted as simple shapes! Don’t bother going fully detailed with the sketch before inking, your hand will thank you!

No one’s ever gonna get mad at you for using a reference (and if they do they’re a fucking idiot, I mean come on), don’t be afraid to get in the makeover kit preview and zoom in + rotate around to get a good look at your character! You can also toggle the lighting off and on to check out their glow pattern!

TLDR: Refs are your friend! Don’t be afraid to experiment and simplify details to your hearts content! Have fun!

[queeniewriteshockey]

Hospital Stay | Carter + OC

Original request here

Word Count: 3,325

It’s long so it’s going under a readmore

He rarely, if ever, had a moment before a game where he considered the idea that maybe he should be somewhere else. That wasn’t in his nature. The moment he was in the arena his mind cleared of all outside thought. He was zoned in on the task at hand, which was stopping as many shots as were sent his way. He was known for being hyper-focused. With a pair of headphones over his ears and some tunes blocking out the rest of his team, he left everything behind him and looked only to the game in front of him.  

For years, that had worked for him. He had done so much and gone so far in his twenty years never looking behind him when what he wanted was in front of him. It wasn’t working now, though. He was a shell of his normal focus, his mind wandering back and forth between the moments before he left for the Wells Fargo Center and his current view, which was nothing more than blurred players flying down the ice chasing a small black object. His eyes tracked the puck like they normally did, watching, waiting for the moment when he would be needed. Sometimes, though, just for the briefest moment, his eyes unfocused and he lost the puck. In those moments his mind was transported back to his home. To where Emily lay on the couch, miserable and sick.

He didn’t like the split focus, he didn’t like losing the puck on the ice. It was a dangerous game he was playing, focusing both on his girl and on the game. He explained it away as best he could, refocused himself in the seconds before the puck shot forward and his gloved hand caught the speeding bullet without so much as a thought or real effort. His heart beat a little unsteadily in his chest as he handed it to the ref, though the smile on his face showed none of the spike of fear that had coated his veins.

He allowed himself a moment to think as the rest of the players queued up off to the side of him. He had made a choice. He’d call her during intermission and make sure she was okay. If there was one thing he knew about his girl, it was that she was watching the game. From the comfort of her couch, in a pair of sweats, she’d stolen from him. He could do nothing but deliver a half-hearted protest when he’d found her in them. They looked better on her than they did on him, plus seeing her in his clothing fed a deep seeded primal urge in him. She was his, she was telling anyone that saw her in them that she was taken. The beast inside him purred contentedly with that knowledge. It was another feeling that just was so out of the ordinary for him until she’d come along.

Emily wasn’t like anyone else he’d been with. She was sweet and sexy and humble, but she was so smart and didn’t back down. She didn’t put up with his moods, which weren’t as extreme as some he knew (Patty). He still suffered from the lost game blues. The goals he let in were on him, the team’s losses were his losses and sometimes he took that to heart more than he should have. It was particularly hard when he was actually pulled from a game. Possibly that was the worst feeling in the world.

Though… no. Maybe he was wrong about that. Maybe the worst feeling wasn’t being pulled from the game. The buzzer sounded, indicating the end of the first period and Carter skated off the ice. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember making any of the saves he’d made. He couldn’t remember tracking the puck even once while he stood between the pipes and readied himself for war. Somehow he’d gotten away with it, though. Somehow, he’d saved all nine of the shots that had been fired at him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he deposited his gloves and helmet on the bench beside his locker and rummaged through his suit for the phone he’d left there.

During intermissions, it wasn’t shocking for him to find he had a few messages. Some from his mom, a few from Parker or other Tips cheering him on back in Washington. They knew he wouldn’t respond, but they also knew he liked their encouragement. As much as he loved where he was, he missed where he’d been. Or rather, he missed those he’d been with. The friendships he’d made in the WHL and playing in the World Juniors had netted him a lifetime of memories and friendships. Each one cheered him on and chipped at the ego the fans threatened to give him with all their praise and love. He never had missed calls, though. Everyone that would call him knew he was in the middle of a game.

So naturally finding not one, but three missed calls, all from the same number, a number that he knows, sends a stronger spike of fear curling through his body. It shivers down his spine and twists in his guys. A moment of unfiltered panic wells up in his throat before he puts the phone to his ear to listen to the voicemail that was left after one of the three calls.

“Hey babe,” Emily’s voice soothed him the second he heard it, but it didn’t last long. She sounded stressed and strained. Her voice wasn’t smooth like normal and the coughing that broke up her words lasted longer than was comfortable. He could hear her getting sicker the longer she talked. It worried him, but he was at work, for lack of a better explanation and not going hadn’t been an option. “I don’t want to alarm you,” she said which instantly alarmed him. “I drove myself to the hospital after you left. I’m being admitted. They want to run a bunch of tests. I’ll keep you updated.”

Carter’s mind went blank as he listened to the message. One time. Two times. Three times. It was torture. An auditory loop of torture that sent shock waves through his body and locked up his mind.

“Hart,” someone called from the corner of the locker room, forcing him to blink dumbly out of his stupor. “You coming?”

Carter looked around, finding the voice in the nearly empty room. Nolan’s hooked nose and pink cheeks caught his eyes, his face the only thing visible around the corner. “What?” Carter asked, not really understanding what was happening.

Nolan’s brown furrowed and he pinched his lips between his teeth as he walked back into the locker room, coming into full view. It was a look Carter knew, it typically meant Nolan was thinking. “Are you okay?” He asked.

Was. He. Okay? “No,” he Carter said without thinking. It wasn’t something he would normally voice, deciding instead to keep his life private, even from his teammates.

Nolan’s eyebrows rose slightly and his chin dipped in recognition to both the answer and the fact that Carter had been genuinely honest about it. Not that he normally wouldn’t be, he just would have explained that he was fine. He’d take care of whatever it was after the game. “Who was on the phone?” Nolan asked, reading correctly into the situation and understanding that whatever had shaken his teammate had come from the small gadget in his hand.

“Emily,” Carter admitted. There was no going back after what he’d already admitted. “She’s in the hospital. I don’t know why.”

His team was lined up down the hall, the siren would blow any moment. Both he and Nolan knew that, but Carter was physically incapable of moving. He wanted to go to the hospital, he wanted to find out what was wrong, but he always wanted to stay, to play the game. To win for his team.

“Do you need to go?” Nolan, not one for words or comfort was at least willing to try and Carter appreciated it. “We can put Stoli in if you gotta go.”

Did he have to go? Carter couldn’t decide. It must have shown in his eyes, the war the raged in his head because Nolan shook his head before letting his chin jut up toward the showers. “Get cleaned up and get out of here. I’ll let Gordo and Giroux know.”

Before Carter could say anything, Nolan was gone, down the hall, skates hitting the ice. Only slightly behind his teammates. What happened after that, Carter had no desire to pay attention to. He did as he was told, by getting cleaned up and on the road to the hospital. He hoped she wouldn’t be mad at him for leaving the game for her. He just… He needed to know she was okay.

Carter had made up his mind even before Nolan had made it up for him. The trick had been convincing himself that it was the right thing to do and not a wholly selfish one. Leaving his team in the lurch, having the replacement goalie come in without warning. Vanishing without a word. Those weren’t behaviors people saw from Carter Hart, star starter for the Philadelphia Flyers. He’d examine what it all meant when he was done breaking characters. Once he was sure Emily was okay and he could breathe again, he would let himself contemplate just what this change in personality meant. Until then, he refused to let himself feel bad for the choice he had made.

Stolarz was a good goalie, better than people wanted to admit. Carter knew his team was in good hands, which made the act of getting dressed in his suit and packing up his hockey gear all that much easier. Not that it was easy. Every moment that he spent in the locker room and not either in his car on the way to the hospital or on the ice was a moment that he spent second-guessing himself and losing his mind a little more.

Worry and fear plagued him with every step but he told himself not to jump to conclusions. He was a rational and level-headed man, he could remain calm when a puck was flying at his head, he could make game-winning saves under pressure and not blink. He could do that here as well…

Before leaving the locker room, Carter stopped, bag and keys in one hand, phone in the other, and decided to give Emily a call. He didn’t really expect that anything would come of the call, but hearing her happy voice when the voice mail picked up still made him smile, internally anyway. He didn’t figure she would be able to actually answer her phone, but what kind of boyfriend would he be if he hadn’t at least tried?

The trip from the Wells Fargo Center was a long and arduous one. Traffic in Philly was no joke. It wasn’t unlike Seattle, but Everett was a small town, getting around had been a bit easier, even with the base there. Everything was much closer in Philly but there was also more cars and a lot more pedestrians. What should have taken ten minutes took nearly 30. It was agonizing. The music in the car was the only thing that helped to calm him, though he had considered listening to the game on the ride over. Long slender fingers tapped on the wheel, the beat of a tuneless song. It kept his mind from screaming and consequently kept him from screaming at the drivers that simply could not be bothered to drive. All it did was making the nerves tingle and the stress grow.

Calm was not in the cards at the moment, but he tried. He’d never been so happy to pull into a valet spot at the hospital. Refusing to waste more time looking for a spot he put the Lexus in park, handed over some cash and pushed his way through the double doors of the large hospital. He barely remembered even getting out of his car. The inside of the hospital was a rat maze that he honestly didn’t have time for. He was not above asking for help. Not when it came to this.

“Excuse me,” he said once he’d made his way through the throngs of people and up to the information desk.

The lady on the other side of it looked up, the bored look on her face vanishing the second she saw Carter. The double take was noticeable, but he didn’t say anything. He was still getting used to actually being noticed. “How can I help you?” She asked, deciding to stick to her job rather than to probe as to why he looked so familiar.

“I’m looking for a patient. She was admitted earlier this evening. Name’s Emily.” A generic name but her last name narrowed it down for them.

“Are you family?” She asked.

He considered the answer for a moment, lying wasn’t beneath him, though he didn’t typically make it a habit. “Yes.” He said, not leaving any room for argument.

Without having a way to disprove his affirmation that he was in fact family, the woman shrugged. Her fingers clicking on the keys as she looked up the information he had been in search of. “Fourth floor, room 240. Take the green elevator.”

As with most hospitals, this one was colored coded by wing, specialty, and floor. Typically, this wouldn’t be an issue, except for the fact that he was color blind. He was so glad the word was clearly stated when he arrived at the green elevators. “Fourth floor,” he said to no one as he pressed the button. The doors slid shut and for the first time since the voice mail, he took a moment to actually breathe. Deep calming breaths pulled in through his nose and out through his lips. His chest puffed up with the action and his body sagged with every exhale.

Everything was going to be fine, he told himself as the doors to the elevator opened and he stepped onto the ward that held not just other sick people, but his girlfriend. He hated how antiseptic it smelled. It wasn’t the kind of clean one was familiar with at home, this scent lingered in the hair like a noxious gas. It was medicinal. Liquid. He could feel it filling his lungs as he walked the hall, each number on the door a number closer to the room he was looking for. The scent was suffocating and dizzying. His vision tunneled as he got closer, his focus sliding back into place.

In the quiet ward, the sound of his knuckle hitting the solid wood door of the hospital room sounded like a shot echoing around an empty room. The pace of his heart beat a little quicker, not slowed by the lack of response from the occupant in the room. He took a chance, fingers wrapping around the handle of the door and pushed it open.

The beep of the monitors were the only sounds that filled the room, it was a sound that instantly put him on edge. Not that he hadn’t been on edge before. The curtain hid Emily from view until he pulled it back but the sight of her, sleeping in the bed; wires and tubes leading from her body to the machines didn’t do anything to soothe him. The sound of someone entering the room must have tipped her from the brink of unconsciousness because her eyes fluttered open at the slightest sound of his shoes on the floor.

“Carter,” she asked confused. Her voice was groggy from meds and sleep; raspy from a cough. “What are you doing here? You have a game.”

His fingers drag lightly along the linen of the blanket that covered her legs, he just wanted to make sure she was real, that he wasn’t still in the elevator having a massive panic attack. He wasn’t prone to them, but then, a lot of what he’d done so far was out of character. “Family emergency,” he said, the words catching slightly in his throat. He could explain better, but he had no words to do so. Everything he’d felt from the moment he got the call to the moment he realized she was okay knotted up in his stomach. Words felt like ash on his tongue, he could only look at her.

Her face went from puzzled and shocked to something softer, something warmer and a smile spread over her pale lips. “I’m fine,” she told him softly, her hand reaching out for his. “It’s just a little bit of pneumonia. Really. I’ll be about of here in no time. They just want to make sure I’m not dehydrated.”

Carter’s fingers threaded through Emily’s and he pulled her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her skin, mindful not to disturb the iv that had put give to her. He came to a stop beside her bed, eyes taking in the sight of her before him. She looked so much smaller in the bed than he remembered seeing her ever look. His thumb brushed over her knuckles and he sighed softly. For a man as tall as he was, with a profession like his, he was one the kindest and gentlest people. “Okay,” he said before leaning over the bedrail and placing a kiss on Emily’s head. His lips stayed pressed to her skin, eyes shut for a moment while he let himself find his center. He was not accustomed to actually being scared but Emily had scared him. “I’m not leaving until you’re discharged. I’ll take you home.”

There was no room to argue and Carter had made sure of it. They’d have to find someone to come get her car at some point, but he didn’t care. He’d pay for a service to get it if he had to. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight. A bit of pneumonia, there was no such thing. Especially not in the middle of a Philly winter.

“Okay,” she said softly, her body relaxing back into the bed as she acquiesced.

Carter smiled, actually smiled, for the first time since finding out the Emily was in the hospital, pleased to know that she was okay and that he was able to be there for her. He looked around the room, found a chair and pulled it over to the side of the bed so that he could sit beside her for the rest of the stay. He’d been torn between letting go of her hand and finding a seat, but the fact that he would be able to sit right beside her made it a decision worth making. 

“Can I ask you a favor,” he said suddenly into the silence once he took a seat and made himself comfortable. He’d taken her hand again, his fingers twisting gently against hers. 

“Of course,” she replied. Even as sick as she sounded, Carter loved her voice. 

“Can you just… Not do this again? You scared me half to death.” Admitting his fears didn’t feel like an admission of weakness when he was talking to Emily. It felt like more. Like he was confessing more than just fear or worry. She knew he loved her, though, so he wasn’t sure why it felt different. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d was out of town when this happened.” Lose his mind, probably.

A laugh bubbled from her lips and she nodded. “I promise. No more hospital stays. For either of us.”

The laugh shattered the remaining stress that had settled in Carter’s shoulders and he joined her in her light-hearted laugh. “Deal,” he told her with a nod. “Now get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” 

-Fin-

[brendamariesmith]

WHAT NOT TO STOCK FOR AN APOCALYPSE, PART SIX

Let’s talk about MONEY during the End of Days. 

In good fun and in celebration of the novel IF DARKNESS TAKES US, coming out October 15th from SFK Press. Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Takes-Brenda-Marie-Smith-ebook/dp/B07WK9BQHN/ref=sr_1_1?

 14.       CASH:

When the power goes down for good, so will the banks. Credit and debit cards will be useless and inaccessible. Long gone are the days when banks kept a hard reserve of actual cash or gold to back their money. Our money is mostly electronic now. It only exists in the ether and in our minds. Staging a bank robbery and cracking its safe won’t do you a lick of good.

Burying money in your back yard won’t save you. Building a vault to hold your cash won’t help a thing.

 I’m no economist, but my practical take on money as an accountant is this: 

Money is a construct, a means of exchange with certain values we all agree on by participating in its use. For money to maintain value, it must be backed by a government. After an apocalypse, government either won’t exist or will have retreated to underground bunkers. OR they will be busy rounding us all up and herding us into FEMA camps. They won’t have time to bother with ensuring the value of money.

Barter will become the means of exchange, as in, “I will give you these beans if you give me some tomato seeds,” or, “I won’t shoot you if you give me your gun.”

Here’s a swap meet scene from the 2015 movie JACK’S APOCALYPSE. There’s also one in the classic 1959 Pat Frank novel, ALAS, BABYLON, and JACK’S APOCALYPSE follows much the same plot. Swap meets are a standard trope in many apocalyptic tales: e.g., Barter Town in MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME.

 Some preppers think coffee will be the new medium of exchange. Hmm… Having at least some coffee on hand will help ease you through the transition from real coffee to ersatz coffee made from acorns. You might be better off eating the squirrels and other critters congregating under your oak trees. You can grind acorns and add them to your flour to make the flour stretch farther. Good news for those of us who live in live oak country, if we have a stock of flour, that is.

 15.       GOLD & OTHER PRECIOUS METALS:

Money only works when we all agree on its value. Don’t expect there to be much agreement on anything in the end days. All that gold and silver you’ve been stockpiling will be virtually worthless, unless you know how to make something useful out of it – if you can figure out how to fix your cell phone with it, for instance, or use it to help transmit solar electricity. You might need copper for that.

Not buying my thesis? Okay, think about this. What would you rather trade your precious gallon of water for: food or shiny metal? Not much food value there.

 16.       STOCKS, BONDS & OTHER INVESTMENTS:

No rapid electronic trading, and no Wall Street. Some may see that as a reason to rejoice. ‘Nuff said.

 If you have stocks and bonds on actual paper (I realize this is rare), you can use them for fire starter and toilet paper. Or you can make confetti for your end of the world soiree. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the band R.E.M. for neighbors and they can play (acoustically, of course):

“It’s the end of the world as we know It, and I feel fine…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OyBtMPqpNY

Or perhaps the band Imagine Dragons will wander past in search of food, and you can share your boiled squirrel dinner with them in exchange for the song: 

“This is it, the Apocalypse… I’m radioactive, radioactive.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU

Might want to check them with your Geiger counter before you let them get too close, though.

 STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE INSTALLMENTS OF “WHAT NOT TO STOCK FOR AN APOCALYPSE.”

NEXT UP: FREEZERS FULL OF MEAT or FREEZERS FULL OF ANYTHING