#some of you fishies are hallucinating

[demadogs]

some of you guys think queerbaiting is just when your favorite queer ship isnt made canon and not a literal marketing tactic used to manipulate queer people into consuming their media

[unknownmoonchild]

What do you guys think is gonna be the reason Caitlyn realizes that what she's doing is wrong?

Ambessa goes to far by killing an innocent in front of her?

Jayce is gonna knock some sense to her?

She watches her little enforcer squad (fishy man and Maddie) die?

Seeing what Vi became?

Has an hallucination/dream of her mother where Cassandra tells her she's fucking up?

Vi gets in real danger?

Papa Kiramman has a heart to heart with her? (Doubtful because Papa Kiramman was in shambles)

Other ideas?

[eternal-eepiness]

Welp got really into Mouthwashing so I have some stupid headcanons. Very unorganized and (maybe?) mostly about Curly because I feel like his condition has a lot more depth to it story wise. I say while writing this in the middle of the night.

TW:Medical stuff like catheters, feeding tubes, and saliva ejectors, trauma, disassociation/derealization, exhaustion, PTSD, nightmares, flashbacks, mentions of workplace accidents, severe injuries, implied 🍇 (FUCK YOU JIMMY), vomiting/mentions of vomit, anxiety, stress, making yourself sleep with da fishies, drug use/od, mentions of miscarriage, intoxication and alcohol consumption, hallucinations, starvation/dehydration, the usual stuff to expect from Mouthwashing, Jimmy.

Curly clearly has little to no eyelids anymore, so he has to get eye drops very frequently, including at night. Due to not being able to blink he's also very sensitive to bright lights and his vision is a little more blurry. He also has some corneal swelling. Everyone on the Tulpar rotates through the job of administering these eye drops.

Sometimes the agony of not being able to blink is too much for Curly, so sometimes Anya will turn off all the lights in the room. She's tried to put various fabrics and bandages on his eye as a makeshift eye mask, but it always causes him too much pain.

Anya usually offers to do the task of administering eye drops because she feels terrible for not being able to handle giving him pain meds. It's also an excuse to get away from Jimmy, since she sleeps in the same room as him (Even though she's got her mattress far away from him.) She's lost a lot of sleep because of this and has been on the verge of passing out or has just outright passed out mid day due to exhaustion. It fucks with her memory and general functions big time when it's really bad.

She's been on a 7 board game losing streak with Daisuke from her exhaustion and general stress. Daisuke let her win after she almost broke the table while crying in a fit of frustration. He never told her, but she knows and is very grateful for it.

Curly has a Gastronomy-jenunostomy tube installed. The G port drains stomach fluid for medicine and the J port feeds him. Anya's role of being a nurse makes her have to be the one to feed Curly and clean out said tubes a lot of the time, but sometimes she gets Daisuke to help clean out the tubes whenever Swansea is irritated more than usual so he can let Swansea cool off. Daisuke doesn't really like doing it but he thinks it's also kinda cool.

Curly has an incredibly sensitive stomach now thanks to the injuries he sustained from the crash. He has to get fed the selection of food for any members who could have sensitive stomachs (Provided by Pony Express!) it tastes like it's going bad at best, and makes him want to vomit at worst. He has actually vomited a few times because of this, and the puke had to be sucked out of his mouth with a saliva ejector before he could choke.

Anya has tried to crush up the painkillers and put it in Curly 's food to make administering them easier, but due to the sheer foulness of the food, he could taste the painkillers intensely like he was swallowing them dry and it caused him to feel sick and vomit.

Curly has a catheter and a poorly modified ostomy bag (you usually dispose of these while standing and he can't stand.) for helping him dispose of waste. Anya cleans these out. Nobody else is gonna do it.

Curly is hard of hearing from the sound of the crash and the damages to his ears. He can still hear to an extent, but he can't hear whispering at all or subtle noises like the buzzing of lights or the soft hum of machines.

Since Anya is a nurse, she isn't really well equipped at dealing with all this stuff. It usually goes to trauma center workers, but there aren't any on the Tulpar so....

Daisuke goes to Curly a lot to yap to him so he has company, even if the sight of Curly freaks him out a little. While it's irritating a tiny bit it's a good enough distraction from the pain. He's even memorized facts about different pieces of media to remember when Daisuke yaps to him.

Anya has had one sided conversations with Curly. She forgives him eventually for not taking further action against Jimmy when the chance was there, her reasoning is that it's hard to accept somebody you thought you know would do such a thing (She still considers filling Curly's GJ tube with mouthwash and killing him from time to time out of vengeance, but she doesn't in the end.)

Anya, Daisuke, and Jimmy all pick at their skin at varying levels of intensity. They used to have a shitty, single use small picky pad to share that Anya made but Jimmy fucking picked all the beads out once and now they can't use it for anything except tearing the rubber apart.

Anya flinches or even jumps when she gets touched without wanting or consent. She once fell out of a chair when this happened :(

Daisuke actually has really nice handwriting when he's not rushing and takes great care writing his kanji (if I remember correctly the wiki said he does write kanji) and Swansea secretly marvels at the penmanship.

Daisuke posts his kanji written on stick notes around the Tulpar, much to Swansea's faked annoyance and Jimmy's actual annoyance. He doesn't really listen to the haters though and will happily explain their meaning to anyone who would listen.

Out of all the characters, Swansea has the best handwriting due to being a perfectionist when it comes to his work, second is Curly from writing reports and signing stuff over the years, and then Daisuke. Anya has pretty good handwriting too (probably why she was rejected from medical school/j)

Anya can draw very well due to her studying to go to medical school and had drawings of loved ones and landscapes pasted onto the ceiling of her quarters. They all sadly got wrecked in the crash, including a large mural made of multiple pages of a mountain scape with a river and valley. She had a drawing of some hills and a lake she put on the curtain at the foot of Curly's bed so he had something to look at. She had to take it down because Jimmy said it was a "Work hazard" (fuck you Jimmy.)

Due to everyone's photos and memorabilia in their quarters being destroyed, Anya and Daisuke helped draw recreations best they could. Not totally perfect, but good enough.

Anya has intense imposter syndrome, and Jimmy isn't making it at better (Fuck you Jimmy.)

Swansea has mistaken Daisuke for his son and Anya for his wife while drunk on mouthwash, and it was very awkward for everyone.

Swansea once cried for 3 hours while drunk. It was very jarring.

Due to lack of proper nutrition and stress, Anya's child was inevitably going to die anyway. Her overdose was just her finally making a choice for herself (FUCK YOU JIMMY)

Sometimes Anya would hum when working. Curly memorized at least 6 different songs and plays them in his head occasionally.

Daisuke has "drawn" with Curly. And by draw I mean he would ask him if he wanted something/part of a character or landscape drawn, and any wheeze would be taken as a yes.

Swansea has visited Curly, usually just to talk to him. He doesn't really interact with him though, the sight of him reminds him of workplace accidents.

Daisuke once tried to eat from the foam mounds out of desperation and curiosity even though its plastic. It actually tasted kinda good but felt like shit in his mouth so he does not recommend it.

Everyone plays music sometimes on the big screen speakers. Anya likes bossa nova, J pop, Chappel Roan, and metal. (Just a hunch.)

Swansea prefers jazzy stuff and oldies It reminds him of simpler times. (Just a hunch)

Daisuke and Anya bond over their mutual love for metal. He also enjoys dubstep, breakcore, and secretly enjoys orchestra and choir. He doesn't want to share it though because he got called a nerd for it in middle school. He will listen to anything honestly because he's chill like that (Again, just a hunch.)

Jimmy doesn't like music because they end up making it into his hallucinations somehow every time. (Somebody please draw Jimmy suffering while Hot To Go plays or smthn)

Curly doesn't really remember what he likes anymore, but the songs Anya hums are his favorites, and he enjoys some of the songs they play on the big screen if he manages to hear them through the walls.

Everyone has memory and functioning issues due to trauma response and stress, and also instinctively dive for cover or freak out if they hear a loud noise.

There have been multiple times where the crew have all just sat there doing nothing, or have fucked up their tasks because they weren't all too sure if they were real or there or some form of that.

Anya has the worst disassociation and derealization episodes from pre crash trauma (fuck you Jimmy) and the pressure to keep Curly alive .

Daisuke has horrific nightmares, and has woken up screaming in the middle of the night.

Curly ended up learning how to sleep with his eye open since he doesn't have eyelids anymore, and this is the only time he's ever grateful he lost one of his eyes in the crash.

Swansea sometimes gets intense flashbacks and he once almost hurt himself from them while working.

Everyone is very malnourished and on the brink of dehydration, with them having less stamina, headaches, and losing a lot of weight and color.

All of the crew has a vitamin D deficiency at varying levels of severity due to the supplements given to them to compensate for the lack of sunlight being destroyed.

Anya's hair has begun falling out, and so has Daisuke's and Jimmy's. Swansea was already kinda losing his hair.

At least everyone on board has had one fainting spell because of the poor nourishment.

Jimmy has a jar for the Pony Express mascot figurines he has because he canonically gets turned on by horses and he's a fucking disgusting piece of shit. Literally everyone found out and he hasn't been able to live it down.

Lmk if I should add more/make a part two or have an inaccuracy to anything. I need to gauge some characters better so character specific hcs may not be made for a while if I ever make them again.

[my-pjo-stuff]

AU where sometime between TTC and BotL Annabeth get's sent out on a separate quest to retrieve some random McGuffin before Luke together with his forces can get to it, and through weird magic shenanigans ends up de-aged to seven years old.

Annabeth is reasonably scared of course. She only has the memories of her seven year old self, last thing she remembers is crying herself to sleep in Luke's arms after Thalia got turned into a tree. The poor girl has no idea what happened or what's going on.

Luke in the meantime was busy fighting through to the McGuffin while having some complications, which caused him to arrive relatively late compared to Annabeth. He has no idea what he's even looking at when he finally reaches his destination, and sees a crying seven year old Annabeth with the McGuffin laying next to her. Part of Luke thinks he's hallucinating, or that this is some sort of trick.

It isn't a trick. When Annabeth notices Luke in the room she immediately recognizes him as who he is- despite him so different from how she last saw him. Something in her just knows that this is Luke.

She all but throws herself into the older's arms. It happens so fast that Luke doesn't even have time to truly comprehend what's going on before he instinctively wraps his arms around the crying Annabeth clinging to his waist.

It takes time, but after a while Luke finally manages to work through the collective confusion, calm Annabeth down and figure out what even happened. And oh man, Luke ain't happy. He has no idea how to deal with this! It's not like he could leave Annabeth around here like that, that's a sure-fire way for her to die. But taking her to the Princess Andromeda with him isn't a perfect solution either- even if you ignore all the monsters and the general situation overall, that just no place for a seven year old little girl. Not to mention all the questions Annabeth is already asking which Luke isn't exactly keen on answering.

In the end he has little choice. He reasons to Kronos and the rest of the army that he's capturing Annabeth as a hostage while she's at her weakest while grabbing the McGuffin and getting back to base. In reality, Luke has no actual intentions to keep Annabeth hostage of course. Trying to undo the de-aging would be futile- he has no idea how it happened in the first place of if he can even undo it- which means the best way to help Annabeth is to get her back to Camp as fast as possible. Which is obviously easier said than done, considering that Luke is Camp's Nr.1 enemy while also having Kronos breathing down his neck 90% of the time. And that isn't even mentioning the fact that he now also has Annabeth with him to take care off. Annabeth in the meantime immediately notices something fishy of course. Luke explained to her that she was de-aged, and this is the "future". But he refuses any other question, telling her not to worry about it and that it would all make sense soon enough. She spends her time locked in her brother's room on the ship to protect her from "monsters" (why is Luke handing around with monsters? in the first place?) while Luke goes about trying to figure out how to "get her to safety". She may not fully understand what's going on here, but Annabeth sure as hell won't leave Luke behind like that. Even if she doesn't know what happened or why the older looks and acts like that, that's still Luke. Something is wrong, and Annabeth isn't about to allow that wrongness to continue. She'll return to camp, and she'll have Luke return with her.

[chaggie4ever]

Ok I can’t help it - I gotta talk spoilers/leaks. Don’t worry I’ll keep it to very clearly marked posts and make it so you have to expand to see anything. Please lmk if I’m missing anything 🥰😘🫡 (and I will delete any lectures - I’m desperate for content and while I don’t support the guy who did this, I’m still gonna eat cause I’m starving XD also they caught him and jailed and fined 100k 🍻)

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

Official:

- Creator Viv summarized season 3 as “revelations” and season 4 as “family” and likes season 3 the most, alluding to this being where more Lilith is revealed

- We get a sexy pop Chaggie song

- Vaggie’s bow “suits her” per her voice actress - maybe backstory?

- Charlie will question her worldview and work on her powers

- More Vox as main antagonist

-Nifty gets a fast paced song

-Baxter finally appears - replaced by sir Pentious in final story edits, he’s basically a fishy mad scientist who wants to study redemption - there’s an official clip a few seconds long but also longer leaked where Charlie cannot stop calling him Pentious

-Erika (VA) accidentally said that Charlie would be talking to Lilith at some point

Leaked:

- Lute is losing her shit and hallucinating Adam with a super badass solo (see TikTok Gravity) - she alludes to killing Vaggie and I’m fucking terrified but the song is fire 🔥

- Lute has a gold arm prosthetic that seems fully functional; can Vaggie have an eye please? 🙏

- Lute is very openly arguing in court against Sera and Abel and there’s a hilarious exchange when she learns she’s not head exorcist + she begs Sera more after the trial too

- Abel is the leader of the exorcists even though Adam didn’t like him - he’s a pacifist and either dating or besties with St Peter

- Pentious was a coward who watched a Jack the Ripper-esque character kill women in the 1800s and didn’t report it - he redeemed himself by trying to save his friends (this whole scene is on TikTok with Sera and Pentious crying and Lute being a brat)

- Pentious wants to go back to hell with his friends and Emily tries to get him happy there and makes heavenly egg bois for him (song is on TikTok and the worst of those released - kinda welcome to heaven like in quality… least favorite so far)

- The Sailor moon esque character referred to in some interviews is the speaker of god, who resembles Stolas and his family… leaving many to speculate if they are fallen angels

- Alastor was a serial killer who promised a mysterious task for Rosie, who owns his soul until he completes it - he was mistaken for a deer and shot but became the most powerful sinner in hell in return - they have a super catchy cute 1920s duet (also on TikTok - mimzy cameo on top of his piano in his flashback too)

- Awesome banter with Lucifer and Alastor (Cheri and Angel watching and Angel tells Lucifer he should have moved in sooner)

- Vees giving hotel bad press and somehow potentially involved Charlie hitting Velvete and harping on how she didn’t “closed fist hit” her while Vaggie tries to get her to let it go and stay at the hotel + cute I love you exchange but also more steamrolling by Charlie not listening to her GF…

- there’s official art of Alastor restrained and I’ve heard things about Vox threatening to rape him but I’ve not found this myself and heard it was a fake Russian hack? Idk

- pilot from 2019 is NOT cannon, with Charlie meeting Killjoy for the first time and reaffirming that she is bisexual (lots of homophobia) + she has nifty with her!

Ok what am I missing? I didn’t find anything for husk and only those single scenes for Angel, Lucifer, and Vaggie. I’ve heard it was mostly the first two episodes but I hope these three don’t get neglected and it’s just that the first 2 eps are more Heaven/Lute/Alastor focused

[bakersimmer]

As Martin glanced at Hanna, he noticed the glisten of tears in her eyes. He realized he had unintentionally unraveled something. While thinking about his own issues, he had forgotten entirely that peer support is a two-way street, and he really has no idea what is going on in Hanna's mind. Now Martin faced a new dilemma: how do you offer solace to someone you barely know? How do you avoid overstepping boundaries that are invisible but significant? The only thing that seemed right was to take Hanna's advice, so he asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Hanna: (shakes her head) But thanks for asking. Martin: (pauses, contemplating) If there's a storm outside, I cancel all my meetings. I put on my headphones, turn up the music, and hope it passes soon. Hanna: (curiously) Why so?

Martin: A few years ago, I got into an accident that had me stuck in the wilderness for days, just drenched in rain. Sometimes, I still think that all of this (waves his hand around) might be some weird dream or hallucination, and I'm still out there, barely hanging on. I don't want to risk my teammates and partners witnessing a weird meltdown. Hanna: I can't even imagine what you went through out there...

Hanna: (lights up) Hey, I see what you did here...You're a quick learner. Martin: Really? Hanna: Yeah. I'm sure you'll figure out how to reach Laila. Martin: Are you sure you don't want to talk about anything? Hanna: I'm sure.

They sat silently for a few moments until Martin broke the silence. He flashed a playful smile at Hanna and said, "You know, I don't actually work here. I just really like free office supplies." Hanna, matching his playful tone, replied, "I had a feeling something fishy was going on!" Martin, hinting that it's time to leave, says, "We should probably make ourselves scarce before the cops get here." With a shared chuckle, they stepped out of the office, Martin locking the door behind them.

Hanna: Until next time? Martin: Until next time.

previous / beginning / next

[maryberry]

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros thoughts and things

‼️spoiler free‼️

WOW...Literally breezed through this book, I couldn't put it down. I thought it was a great continuation of the story and characters. I did think it was a bit slow at times, and could have been about 100 pages shorter but all in all, so pleased with this book.

I give it an 8/10

‼️‼️‼️‼️SPOILERS NOW LOOK AWAY‼️‼️‼️‼️

Okay here we go ...

I really loved Violet and Xaden in this book, which is amazing because I was scared of if I would get annoyed or anything from how much I liked them in the 1st book. I really love how this book showed just how intimate their relationship is. I loved how even when they weren't "together" we got some really beautiful scenes of them just being so comfortable in eachothers presence. Like them laying in the bed at Samara. With that being said, I think there was a lot of time spent on the same argument over and over, which started to feel like it was dragging on a bit long. They started the same conversation about Xaden keeping secrets like 10 times and got interrupted like 8 of those times lol. Other than that, love their relationship.

I really like that Violet started to get more of a grip on her power and was able to control it more. I loved seeing her get more confident.

I have a theory that she can maybe speak to the dead? Idk we only had that one incident while she was being interrogated and Liam showed up. But idk, that whole thing felt very specific and fishy for it to just be a hallucination. So maybe it's Andarna channeling? I'm not sure 🤷‍♀️ I also have this thought though, it's more out there, that Tarins previous rider was Violet and maybe Brennan and Miras, biological father? Because that could explain why he died for Brennan and maybe why Violet had a second signet if she does.

I really didn't guess Andarnas history and I'm excited to learn more about this 7th type of dragon. Cause like, were they wiped out? Did they leave? Why only leave one hatchling? So many questions.

XADEN wtf are you doing, my sweet, sweet child. First of all, I guessed that he's an intrinsic(however it's spelled) after reading the first one. But I thought Tarin knew, which he did not.

Obviously, it's not good that Xaden is now turning into a Venin but I think that plot line has potential to be super interesting. We really got to see that xaden would damn the rest of the world to save Violet, and this could open up a door for her to do the same. I would LOVE to see Violet go a little dark and to some extreme lengths to save him.

I definitely feel like I want to know more about the dragons and how their hierarchy and bonds with eachother work. I want to know more about Tarin and Sgyaels bond and if it's similar to the human emotion of love or if it's about power? Loved the scene of Violet and Tarin thinking something happened to X and S and Violet was overcome with protectivness and stuff(you know what other stuff 🥵🥵)

Loved that we got more bonding of Violet and her squad. I feel like I actually care about them now where as at the end of book one, I didn't really that much. Also, love Sawyer and Jesenia, I hope she helps him heel and they live happily ever after lol.

Brennan was a bit underwhelming for me. As of rn I wouldn't mind if he died lol.

Overall Im so excited for book three. I'm sure I'll think of more things to add but I'd love to hear everybody else's thoughts!!

[bethinkingaboutu]

Legacy of fire

Zuko breaks. Simple as that. After a few easily avoided assassination atempts and being left alone in the castle by his friends - the war won't stop itself - he just. Breaks. Starts banishing staff from the castle, or imprisoning them for the smallest things, claiming they were with Ozai and wanted to kill him. Mai gives up trying to reason with him, they break up. She writes for the gaang to tell hem what's happening, and sends a search for Iroh.

Azula is being treated in her room, and hears nothing of anyone for a long time. She is still shaky after the breakdown, but doing better. In one night, Zuko invades her room and looks in shock to see her calmly laying on her bed. He babbles about her having to stop going into his room to taunt him. She hadn't been doing that. Azula frowns, and deduces what's happening. She teases him saying if she wanted the throne back she would just challenge him again, but she didn't. Zuko calms down, but is still restless. They bond over being left behind with the crown by who they love.

Things start to get better in the palace, the staff being able to hold their jobs for longer than a week before being sent away for 'attempted treason'. Azula is seen outside often now, either training or spending time with the firelord (aka convincing him that no, those gardeners are not going to use the scissors to try and assassinate him). They feed the turtleducks and talk about mom and dad, and how it wasn't fair. Azula talks about how Iroh leaving Zuko must feel the same as father leaving her in the day of the black sun, and Zuko has a meltdown after finally breaking through denial. Azula admits she accepted that Ozai never loved her after that day, and had the same reaction. They joke that at least he wouldn't be challenged to an agni kai in his own meltdown, and he apologizes.

Azula never allows Mai to tag allong in their bonding moments, but sometimes allows Ty Lee. Mai is livid, but won't admit. Ty Lee is just glad to have her friend back.

It's in the middle of a meeting when Zuko truly breaks down. He panics and attacks his advisors, screaming, breathing and kicking fire. Azula takes him down and when Ty Lee chi blocks him, Zuko goes limp. Azula is crowned as temporary fire lord and follows through with the plan to end the war since she doesn't really minds it anyways. She isn't following orders anymore. She does keeps some of their colonies though, and there comes the issue.

Aang couldn't stop what he was doing to go back at the fire nation because, quote, 'Zuko wasn't feeling well' as per Mai's words, but when the colony issue arrived, he changed his schedule and went to grab his friends to solve the problem. What a surprise when they see it's Azula giving orders, not Zuko. Ty Lee explains the situation and is supported by the Kyoshi warriors, but Aang demands to see Zuko. Katara is tense. Azula too. She denies them claiming her brother being too tired to be visited. Aang finds it fishy and keeps guard at night to try and contact Zuko by breaking in through his window (maybe Azula is holding him prisioner right?). Zuko is not only crazy and terrified, but also hallucinating apparently, and fights Aang until his eventual collapse, and Azula comes out of nowhere to help.

Azula: Can't get him to eat anything. Three of the last 6 attempts involved food, he hasn't had much since.

Aang:

Aang: pardon?

Azula: My brother is weak, avatar, would you leave us alone so he can keep at least a piece of his dignity?

Aang becomes number one member of the "let's give azula a chance" club. They all realize that it was deffinetly NOT a good choice to leave Zuko alone in the palace, and that Azula shouldn't be burdened with it either (and maybe, just MAYBE, they were a little too rough in the judgement of her). He calls Bumi and Azula agrees to let him help keep things in order until they decide what to do, but declines to have her position revoked.

I remember I had a vision with this but it was too long ago and I am currently working on another AU. I might come back for this one latter, though.

[inconmess]

I really want to write a character study of the people in the Crimson Mirror but I am more fixed on Oscar and Cosmo at the moment cuz it has revived my interest on immortal figures and how they cope. SO back to the Grimm boys. (gonna tag all these speculations under Grimm theories if you want to look up) Also, a continuation of this post is right up here

Again, warning, long rant post.

You know… With the way it is revealed that over 87 years, Oscar has died 7 times prior to Tide and Bone, I wonder how many times he died and came back to life before Candela caught onto him cuz let's face it, no way is anyone going to know immediately after the ship incident about the side effects of the ritual. Maybe Candela does approach Cosmo and Oscar as the survivors of the ritual to know the deets but that should be about it. Even if Oscar died in the shipwreck, only Cosmo would know and the first death can be brushed off as a hallucination or close call because they are at sea.

It is during the second death that either of them knows that something is fishy but let's say due to some convenient shit it is not as easy to suspect it. Another death brushed off. But now it's a little obvious that Oscar does not come out unaffected as he starts forgetting things.

The third time is the charm and this time, his death and coming back from it was totally unexplainable because it should not be possible for him to survive the thing because let's say he was crushed to death or something more severe, but he did. That is when they actually look into what the fuck is going on more in detail because now it is obvious that something is going on in the background and that Oscar is coming back from the dead and missing memories as a consequence every single time.

It is this that sends Cosmo on full gear to research more about why this is happening and what actually happened in the ritual and how to stop this from happening because by this point, everyone has started to notice that Oscar is not aging also since the accident. (I'm placing the third death to be roundabout 10-15 years after the ship incident) I would say Candela catches onto this in his 3rd or 4th death because he comes back to life after a really impossible death situation and also isn't aging a day older from the incident, and Candela have been keeping tabs on them since the moment they mentioned a ritual, so even if Cosmo and Oscar don't tell them their discovery of Oscar and his revivification, they knock on their doors about it.

Dying 4 times over 2-3 decades have notified people that something is wrong but the 5-6 decades after with no answers kinda increases Oscar's recklessness and makes him less hopeful that he's actually going to die, that he'll live on forever without peace, Cosmo, while he's happy to have his father around him also is tired of all the lies and stories he has to spin to keep Oscar close and keeping Candela away from experimenting on the man and trying to figure out answers he can't get...

And Candela's increasing scrutiny at the fact that Oscar can't die and them using it to their advantage cuz a man who can't die sent into a undercover mission to collect information with the guarantee that he won't die? Who wouldn't want that? Or who wouldn't want to keep a close eye on an immortal man who has the secrets to unlocking how not to die?

Cosmo also essentially becomes his own inside man in Candela, making connections to keep an eye on what the higher-ups think about Oscar and what they plan to do with him in order to shield Oscar from whatever experiment they might plan to do with him.

The difficulties of having an immortal parent as you yourself grow old, afraid of leaving the parent under the shitty hands of an organization which doesn't really have a moral code when it comes to figuring out stuff and doing what they want to do and just feeling so tired and done of all the secrets you can't tell people...

And the parent in turn feeling shitty as they need to be taken care of by the child as they aren't aging and have to blend in, and even if they are tired oflife, they can't feel their age and time and again and again you hope you will die and stop being a burden, but it never happens. I wouldn't be surprised if Oscar had tried to take his own life in all this mess and it was one of his 7 deaths. I feel for both of them

[nomsfaultau]

Daily ask №20!

Hurry edition I have 8 minutes left until the day ends help

1. What would the fault crew sleep in if given the chance? (Ex. Pjs, trousers, just straight up naked (psycho)) If guven the chance cause I assume there aren't many Pjs in Techno's size. Or any for the wings and the tail

2. Are tail/wing warmers a thing? Like gloves? Do those limbs even get cold?? Would they even be useful?

3. If they encountered that one bloody lake with bodies scp, how would it go and who would they see calling them in? SCP 2316 I think.

4. What's your personal opinion on mint toothpaste?

5. How well do they do under pressure? Social/time pressure.

I GOT IT DONE WITH 3 MINUTES LEFT YES THE ASK CAN STILL BE CALLED DAILY WOO

Absolutely no pressure on this commitment, I deffo don’t have snipers trained on you at all times!!!!1!

1.I think Tommy would sleep in just shorts. Or probably did before the Foundation, though I think he’s a little self conscious about his scars. So probably a ratty tee shirt too. Wilbur always sleeps in shoes. Like no matter what. It’s so he can always run if necessary. Other than that I guess ideal sleep wear is wrapped in Christmas tree lights to avoid the void acting up. Philza sleeps in like a scrooge lookin set up, with a silly night cap and ruffles and everything. Technically he probably doesn’t need sleep but he’s spent an awful lot of effort in figuring out how to mimic it. The Blade has spent like half of his life sleeping naked. And being awake naked. Being a feral pig tends to do that. But as he’s currently in the practice of wearing clothes, put that man in silly pajama pants with little cartoon characters on them. Also throw a Do Not Disturb sign on his tusk, given he can hibernate for days depending on how intense time spent as The Blood God was. Tubbo has Dino pajamas, and if they’re sleeping outside tend to be wearing flowers by the morning, too. At full population Tubbo can be awake 24/7 and have the bees moving the body take shifts. Currently they have a lot more down periods to rest.

2.Probably. Phil obviously doesn’t ever need anything to keep warm, but may for fashion sake. Techno’s tail could probably use one during Winter, though he tends to get very fluffy too. Tubbo definitely uses them for their antennae, which does interrupt sensory abilities somewhat. Wing covers also make it more difficult to fly, but it makes the cold far more bearable and they don’t need to use the body’s wings to fly.

3.Tubbo would recognize the bodies, but also knows that they’re incapable of going in water safely. They’d try to get someone else to help, and fly bees over the area. The cognitohazard gets worse when entering the lake, but I’m not sure if that includes air above or specifically the water has to be touched. Alternatively, bc they can see from so many directions, they might be able to detect its some type of hallucination.

The Blade complains about his friends being stupid enough to drown and immediately dives in to save them. Wins against whatever is there. Alternatively if he sees Tommy is drowning and isn’t getting summoned he might go wait a minute. Something’s. Fishy. And still go in anyway.

Philza goes in absolutely no question. Unless it appears like the bodies are dead. Because if he’s paying attention he’ll realize that he can still feel his connection to his Collected despite them supposedly being dead. The moment he’s sure he won’t go in.

Wilbur I think has enough familiarity with cognitohazards that he’d be cautious. Likely send out voidlings to save ‘them’ and realize it’s not real. Might devour the lake after.

Tommy would recognize the bodies, and probably immediately dive in, only to panic bc Red and try to get out so he doesn’t contaminate. But then. Wait, the people drowning aren’t attacking each other?? He decides to swim out and drag them to safety and pray nothing goes wrong. Bc of the Red the anomaly can’t harm him. Tommy ends up getting all the bodies out ? …..2316 is neutralized..?

Extra: Charlie doesn’t understand drowning. Morgan recognizes the bodies and is too scared to do anything. Dr Blake doesn’t recognize them. Webb does, but knows he shouldn’t go in. Deffo heavy drinking tonight tho

4.DEATH

5.The Blade does terribly. He tends to get very awkward about it socially, and he has a fear of deadlines. Tommy is very loud and argumentative, but also has a strong fawn instinct if he thinks he’ll get cast out socially. Wilbur will go along with anything if it prevents it from risking attention. Philza doesn’t care unless it’s his Collected. He doesn’t believe much in deadlines since he has eternity to do it usually, and finds them more illusions mortals use to give an unnecessary sense of urgency. Tubbo will never give into peer pressure. They’re staunch as hell and unwavering in conviction.

[moonlitriptides]

WAVES: Chapter 2 "The Call"

Characters: GN!Yuu/Yuusona, Azul Ashengrotto, Jade Leech, Floyd Leech, Trey Clover, Other character mentions, minor OCs of mine for support

Synopsis: Now with graduation come and gone comes the stage we all dread--adulthood! Yuu has been hard at work trying to find jobs to help cover their growing debt and costs of living, including applying to the city's largest attraction--The Mostro Aquarium & Café. Will the job be enough to cover expenses? Or does the job come with a fishy catch?

Tags: TWST, Twisted Wonderland, 21+, Aged Up Characters (Graduated), Violent themes, torture, romance, slight sexual themes, hallucinations, yandere, gruesome, mentions of blood, graphic images, angst, anger, merfolk, mafia violence, organized crime, chaos, somewhat established relationships (friendships), cursing, modern college au, magic does exist but it's not a major theme, overblot-like

// Summary of Chapter: After so many weeks of job hunting, finally you get a shining sliver of hope when you finally receive one singular phonecall.

______________________Chapter 2: The Call______________________

What felt like mere minutes to you was actually a few whole hours of you typing up applications and submitting them along with your resume. A lot of the jobs you applied to didn’t really seem to catch your eye, but one thing you were always told growing up was “a job’s a job”. Anything to pay your incoming debt and your current bills, really, ‘cause them savings are only going to save you for so long. Who knew ADULTING sucked SO HARD?

When you glanced at the little clock in the corner of your screen, you were quite impressed to notice it was only 10:30 in the morning. Hm, not bad timing, right? The Patisserie was still busy as can be since it was still mid morning, and when you glanced up from your screen you could see Trey serving customers from behind the counter and doing his usual routine. He was such a diligent worker and you always admired him for his work ethic… but sometimes you couldn’t help but worry about him. Did he ever take time to himself? Was he ever NOT working? Well… he was certainly in a better spot than you were, that’s for sure… or so you thought. Deciding to switch gears, you switched tabs to your email to look and see if there were any answers from previous applications. You had hoped there would be something but… nope. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. Your online resume website you applied to a lot of jobs? As dry as the Scalding Sands. You had half hoped that all the applications you sent out weeks ago at least had some sort of update, regardless of what kind of update it was. A rejection is still a better idea than radio silence.

A some odd few 45 minutes go by with your endless searching when you feel your phone start to buzz next to you on the table. The screen lit up with an unknown number trying to call you, and at first your heart jumped not because you were anticipating any of the calls, but because you absolutely hated getting stranger calls and often ignored them. However, this was different, as any of these calls could be potential employers. With a big gulp and a sharp inhale of air, you picked up the phone and pressed the green phone button, putting the phone to your ear. “Hello?”

“Hello. My name is Allison and I’m calling from the Mostro Lounge HR Department, is this (Y/N) speaking?” “A-Ah y-yes it is!” You sat up at more attention, your heart skipping as you remembered the name being one of those that you applied for a position at.

“Splendid. I’m calling in regards to the application you submitted about our open Aquarist position. We have reviewed your application and would like to move forward in the process and would like to schedule an interview with you. Is this something you’d still be interested in?” “Y-YES! Yes of course I would be interested.” “Wonderful. We have open availability for interviews tomorrow afternoon if that works for you? If not I can schedule another time.” “Oh yes that works! I am free all of tomorrow, yes.” You didn’t want to get ahead of yourself right then and there, but this was the one sliver of hope you’ve had in weeks now.

“Splendid. Does 6PM at the Lounge sound good to you?” “Yes!” “Wonderful,” And there was the sounding of typing and clacking on the worker’s end of the call. “I put you in for 6PM tomorrow. You’ll be interviewing with Mr. Ashengrotto tomorrow night. He prefers to interview his staff himself, so when you arrive just ask for him and tell the front you’re here for an interview. Do you have any questions for me?” The worker asked, but her voice was more or less uncaring. Couldn’t blame her, a job was a job whether you liked it or not. “O-Oh uhm… no no I think I’ll save my questions for the interview process.” “Alright. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow then. Have a wonderful rest of your day.” “You as well!” And with that, and a click of the button, you hung up the call and let out a loud sigh of relief as you practically melted against the seat you were in. Finally, there was an opportunity SOMEWHERE and you did not plan on screwing this one up. Glancing at your phone again for the time, a smile cracked across your face. Perhaps things were finally about to turn around. Oh, you’d have to tell Trey when he was done with work! Oh but that would be a few hours, since it wasn’t even noon yet. Well, it would be soon, but the shop didn’t close til around 6pm. So for now, with new wind in your sails, you sat back up and went back to your laptop and continued to send out applications and check for any messages or notifications back from anyone. You knew you had to keep going because an interview doesn’t exactly mean you’re hired yet, so you’d have to keep casting your line for fish until you officially get the ‘You’re Hired!’ news.

Still, you were excited to see where this goes.

— A Few Hours Later —

Since you had known Trey for so long, you were allowed to stick around when they closed since they knew you were waiting for them. Once he was done cleaning up the counter, you saw a blur of pastels and green come slide in front of you. “So… I saw you got a call, any good news?” The young man asked, a gleam in his eyes. He was hopeful for you too, and he wanted to know all about it, too. He was a bit of a Nosy Rosy, of course!

“Mm! I got a call back from that big aquarium in the center of the city! I have an interview for them tomorrow!” “Oh. Well uh, good luck!” He seemed surprised. “I’m sure you’ll nail it.” With a placid smile upon his face, but something was the slightest bit off about it. You didn’t seem to notice due to being absolutely over the moon about your news. “I’m hoping this is the start of a bunch of return calls and emails. I know one interview doesn’t mean I’m going to get the job, but hey! It’s a step in the right direction, right?” “Mm. That it is. I do hope you get more offers, I’m sure there’s better positions out there for you, they just haven’t gotten a chance to look at you yet.” He said with a bit of a pleasant lilt to his tone to make it seem like he wasn’t worried or anxious. Again, you didn’t notice it. “So! You got any plans tonight? Or are you on babysitting duty again?” A hopeful gleam in your eyes, since you wanted to sort of “celebrate” with your friend, but he seemed to deflate with a little sigh. “Yeah, I’m on babysitting duty tonight. Sorry. My parents wanted to go to this show for months now and I told them I’d keep an eye on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight.” This caused you to bust out LAUGHING at how he just roasted his younger siblings. “HA! They sure do eat like them too! Gonna make sure they scrub their teeth real good, huh?” “Oh yeah. Who knows how they’ve been doing it without me there. They roll their eyes everytime I come over, but they can’t say no to their loving, doting big brother.” He chuckled fondly at the memory of his siblings all collectively groaned everytime he would say it was time to brush their teeth. Trey always made it like an olympic event, his one brother even said he could be a “Dental Athlete” with how fast and thorough he was with brushing his teeth.

“Well, I suppose I should get out of your hair so you can close up and head over to the Turtles, haha.” You laughed as you began to pack up your laptop and secure everything with what you came with. Sliding out from your chair, you made sure your little station was clean and even wiped it down with a napkin, cupping the crumbs in your hand and bringing it over to the trash can. Trey wiped down the table lastly and walked with you to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?” As you met with him at the door, you looked up to those golden eyes who seemed to hold something behind them you didn’t notice. “Mm. I’ll text you, too. Just be careful, okay? Don’t be getting into any trouble. And be good at the interview. And uh, (Y/N)?” He paused his sentence, causing you to tilt your head. He had to think for a second before he inhaled and looked away, thinking for a split second before he turned to look back at you. “If it doesn’t work out, don’t force it. I’ve learned that uh… well, sometimes you really dodge a bullet if things don’t work out.” This threw you off, but you sort of understood what he meant? Just don’t push it at the job interview. Some jobs aren’t fit for you…. Or at least, that’s how you interpret it. Still, you nodded and cracked a little smile to him. “Alright. I won’t force it, but I’ll do my best! Thank you, Trey. You truly are a wonderful friend. May I have a hug?” You asked with open arms. You always loved his hugs.

“Of course you may. Be safe, I’ll talk to you later.” And the young man came forward and wrapped his arms around you, bringing you in for one soft, warm hug. He smelled like lemon from all the tarts he made today. Squeezing your arms around his back and placing your flat palms on his shoulder blades, you returned the hug with a big smile on your face. You could just hear his heartbeat just a little bit before you pulled away. “Alright. Good night Trey. See you later.” And with a little nod, you reached to place your hand on the door and pressed outwards to exit the shop. With a little hop in your step, walking back to your apartment seemed more optimistic than most days.

And as you left, Trey closed the shop door and looked on with a furrowed look on his face, frowning as he sighed and turned the sign on the door to ‘closed’. 

Perhaps some things are better off not coming true.

// Notes: Heeeeyyy! Sorry it took so long for this short little chapter to come out! I had written half of it out but got really stuck and unmotivated for a bit there, but then I got back into it! So here's a little Trey for all your Heartslabyul lovers ;)

I hope you all enjoy it! And thank you all for the support on my first fanfic in years!!! I really appreciate it!

[rueitae]

Season 1, Episode 4: Fishy Doubloon Caper

The equator joke cannot ever be topped. A masterpiece of writing.

Julia Argent has the patience of a saint. If Chase would have been a respectable person in the beginning, the two of them would have figured out VILE in no time. They both have excellent detective skills.

Come on Carmen you could’ve given El Topo the Bends.

And Player I don’t think even realizes his voice just got heard by Le Chevre. I’m normal about this.

Honestly though that exchange was so funny. Boston harbor was crowded. Fhcgf

Oh. Chase gets kidnapped twice, that's right. Counting the interactive special, everyone of the main cast is captured at some point except for Player. There’s an angst disparity here.

Ah. The first Civilian of the Day.

El Topo just really loves the earth. That’s so pure. He feels totally at home digging under a golf course. What i really love though, is how neither of them grasp the depraved greed of Maelstrom until he tells them he’s going to melt the gold INTO cufflinks. The Faculty are truly on another level.

Chief’s humor is magnificent.

Zack is so sweet. Makes sure Carmen doesn’t feel embarrassed for getting sick

It’s so heartbreaking to see Carmen so out of it. I do love that we see she’s mortal lol. And the fact that she’s hallucinating Brunt's care says a lot about her own heartache and fortitude. VILE really was her family, and to leave them was incredibly strong and brave of her. That took strong conviction.

Zack ATTACK. Incidentally one of my fav episodes of the 90s cartoon. I was so pleased to hear it again.

BID TO WIN

Fish. Binding ankles. hOW. it’s fun though

This is a really fun fight though. As most of them are. Le Chevre and El Topo really think they win while Carmen and the sibs have the coin.

Really fun caper. And I love how much Zack’s distaste of fish is used this season. It’s a fun plot point and honestly shows his bravery too.

[aeoki]

Grand Slam - Blue Requiem: Chapter 9

Location: Yumenosaki Grounds (Sports Festival) Characters: Tomoya, Sora, Aira & Hitsugi

Hitsugi: Actually, this is related to the other Seven Mysteries but…

There is a fabled civilisation that we don’t know of who lives underground in Yumenosaki.

Tomoya: Say what? You’re starting to sound fishy again.

Aira: It’s a pretty popular conspiracy theory and urban legend, though? Like a fabled ancient civilisation or an underground civilisation.

Hisugi: Yes! It’s that sort of suspicious thing! I love those!

Ancient – In other words, in the past, underground, they lead normal lives in the darkness that we’re unable to see.

Strange happenings are born from the sort of darkness that we cannot perceive.

We can’t see them so our imaginations grow. Then, we start hallucinating and seeing the impossible – Ohh, don’t you just find that romantic? ♪

Putting that aside, there are two of the Seven Mysteries that are related to the “underground civilisation”: The third mystery, “The Earth’s Requiem” and the sixth, “Aku Yumenosaki”.

“Aku Yumenosaki” is a little bit different from the situation this time around, but we might be able to experience “The Earth’s Requiem”.

Tomoya: What’s “The Earth’s Requiem”?

It sounds different from the Seven Mystery Hinata and the others were trying to look into, so even if I heard something that sounds like the real name of the Seven Mystery, I wouldn’t know what it’s about.

Aira: “The Odd Cenotaph” and “The Blood-Vomiting Beast” were easy to understand, though.

Hitsugi: Fufu. People usually tend to link “The Earth’s Requiem” as a supernatural phenomenon related to “The Blood-Vomiting Beast”.

Immediately after “The Blood-Vomiting Beast” is sighted above ground, you can hear the sounds of instruments being played and singing voices from under the ground.

Once you hear those sounds, you don’t have to worry. The strange phenomenon created by “The Blood-Vomiting Beast” or the “bad thing” will immediately stop.

We’re holding a ceremony to suppress the “bad thing” on the surface too, though.

It’s an established theory that the people living underground are also holding some sort of ceremony.

Tomoya: Who established that theory?

Hitsugi: It seems it’s been observed from a long time ago that there were strange sounds periodically echoing from the depths of the earth. The people from the past did their research and started calling it “The Earth’s Requiem”.

And they reached a conclusion: There were people we didn’t know of who had created their own civilisation and were living underground.

Those “people” had a melody that could suppress the “bad thing” in the ceremony. It’s highly likely the descendants of the “sea people” who were persecuted would know how to create it.

That’s what I suspect.

It’s also an established theory that Yumenosaki students merged together with the “sea people”, the people of this land from a long time ago who were submerged into the ground after it sunk in.

Tomoya: Another established theory, huh.

Hitsugi: It sounds very believable, doesn’t it? ♪

In reality, there’s no way humans can live underground without anyone discovering them. It’s an unlikely story – just an urban legend, you know?

Sora: …But, actually, in the underground space we went into for “Broadcasting Accidents”, there was a door and traces of someone living there~

Hitsugi: Yes. Well, if you were to think about it normally, it’s probably an old building that had sunk into the ground and ended up being buried, though.

The singing and performance meant to suppress the “bad thing” echoing from underground were probably just sounds from far away echoing into an underground cave.

Like the sound version of the Brocken Spectre. It might simply be a natural phenomenon that can be explained by science, though.

But it’s more fun when you think of it as something mysterious and strange.

…Perhaps it’s just covered by the membranes of an illusion and in it is a “truth” someone is wanting to hide.

I have to find out what that is, even if it costs me my life, so I cannot bring it to an end and say it’s just an illusion or a funny story.

I have a feeling things are getting pretty bad for me since I’ve gotten too close to the taboo, but I’ll still continue to pursue the Seven Mysteries in the future.

But, well, I suppose that has nothing to do with idols. No, it’s got nothing to do with Anzu-senpai in the “producer course”, either. It’s my own personal matter.

But it might be something that’s deeply connected to you guys. As long as you’re living on this land, it’s a story that wouldn’t hurt to know.

I’ve told you all that I know. The important parts are still hidden and controlled by the adults however they please. That just frustrates me, though.

Knowledge will always be a strength for survival. Of course, on the opposite hand, you can end up in danger by knowing things as well.

Especially for you guys, there are a lot of people in the higher-ups in the industry who you cannot ignore that believe and act based on these superstitions.

It should be a good thing to know what their land mine is – the things they call taboo.

If you didn’t know, you might end up coming in contact with it accidentally like before.

You two work so hard you collapse from overworking, so it would be awful for you two – for idols to be erased from the industry because of a stupid thing like this.

I’m sure Anzu-senpai, your fans and everyone else wouldn’t want that.

Tomoya & Aira: …………

Hitsugi: Please remember what I’ve said. But please don’t tell anyone else as much as you possibly can.

It’s something taboo the adults are desperately trying to hide. If you come into contact with it carelessly, then you won’t be let off the hook with just a sick day or two.

The reason I told you two this is to let you know the location of the land mine. Because I want you two to avoid it and pass through.

I learnt my lesson after “Broadcasting Accidents” got rejected. …I realised that this is something I should be doing on my own.

Sora: …………

← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[lonespektr]

SEPTEMBER 6TH HORROR WATCH

The Deep Ones (2021)

I think white people doing love craft could be a fatal error but here we are

Okay strangers

Okay not strangers 🙄🙄

Miscarriage

"old world"

It's annoying when they comedically play what should just be a normal sex between partners

Like do fun and flirty or do sexy

This lets comedically film normal is not now nor has never been it

It's like when marvel stomps on every joke

Miscarriage trauma and the guy is whatever's about it

Not surprisingly the woman is already cast in black with a vague whore stamp cause she had sex but failed to produce a baby so WHORE even in marriage and trying for one

Alien

And preggers

Very clear mystical pregnancy

Normal depiction of boobs is good if there's equal opportunity treatment for men...

More eggs

This an air b n b?

Hallucinations

Just making up shit, just peak men shit

6AfuckingM

Bruh you didn't wake ha?

Make sure to apologize for being a frigid bitch for not having sex post miscarriage

Out of the boat alone

Call in for doc / sleeping plotting against her

Trident lore 🔱

Oh sis is preggers too

Luddite commune

Was Lovecraft also anti tech punk ass too?

Journey

The light

Lol he doesn't know what fucking Cthulhu is 🤣🤣

Hypnosis already

Being on your knees before a woman is inherently degrading but also to make it clear we are going to have a guy there behind him and do some tentacle penetration

Full robes of course the woman is bleeding preggars in pain and simulated Cthulhu sexual assault 🙄

White guy is chosen by Cthulhu

Eggs 🙄clams🙄

Candid camera

Doc dropped by lol old school

Sis finally let's her guard down because the doc knows some acupressure after being the only one with common sense

But they always hobble a woman by preggers or other ailments

Lol doc got a home lab?

Missing woman

The not believed "crazy" she said ACAB

How u tell somebody business like that?

She said why don't you do a welfare check on her steada bothering me

Fishy 🤣

What's with the universally poor application of lipstick

Got the light

Sinister very male response to truth from women and excuses

Lol preggers fetish

Gills

Echolocation

Tentacles got our town nutter

She knows

You already brought her to us

Jasmine awaits

This lady isn't door a poor job acting necessarily but she's off.. somehow

Now another scripture

Party time

This is the fifth time they have said his name and I'm sorry I'm too dumb i don't understand the reference

AA welcome

Petri is obviously a peter derivative...rock

Kid in a creepy mask

Lots of simulation of substance use w/o much substance use

Already asked to swing!

Trying to tell the ratio

Vessels to the old ones

Again not subtle which seems anti Lovecraft

So many uncomfortable close ups

Bro where she go to get that drink russia?

9 months today 😬

Moving here

Lol she can't even think of an excuse not to stay

Lol cuban time

Fire fertility show

They actually hired somebody 🤣

I like that the woman are all middle aged regular looking my baby likes you

Oh yea that was the one kid there despite all the pregnancy

Chanting and planning to impregnate the women

There's something sinister about mens ignorance to the situation in horror films it's misogynistic although i can't place why

Webbed fingers

And these poor women talking sense

Talking sense is awful in a horror film

Oop name drop the man books on the shelf have secret letters

10 months from today 😂 i suppose we wouldn't know what day it is so

But it's old

Bits of german

Stranded guest afraid

I always feel like somebody's watching me

I like the silly little projections of scenes on the letter

These women win being the most realistic in a horror film

Lol straight to cult

Lol she said necrmbkomicon stuff 🤣🤣

Everybody crowded watching in that security room is taking me out the robes

Omg that old man chasing a car on foot!!

Got her

That's the other kid i guess

Bruh that was HELLA close to the house

Now she looking for phone and passport

Here goes the nanny cam

Poorly placed mic

Mam well past time to EXIT

phone didn't work, now it do, MAM

Odd tones

Lights

And the door

The hell kinda knife is that

Petri out

Secret room

Dagon!

Knew it

Thank you

Petri useless

She ran Anyway after waiting

Now he got it

Help who? Now we in stupid horror movie antics

You ALREADY established the cult

They flicked a switch now she dumb

Caveman

More children

At least they aren't pretending it isn't rape, that would have been worse

They utilize the intimacy anchor to convey he's lost instead of the other way around, that is they usually fail to do the task not initiate a poor mimicry of it

I guess points for the rape being guttural screams of agony not salacious

Putting the camera alongside the aggressors elecits different emotions

I believe this one was attempting to do a bystander helplessness thing

Esp considering the last scene

These are ineffective without hope at the end like the letter, something that assists the next victim

[italiantnea]

#1-2_otogiri_tobi/ hallucinations on the boundary line

prev: 1-1 // next 1-3

-----

Tobi lay on the bed in his room, looking at a paperback book. The book’s title was Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It seemed to be a translation of an American sci-fi novel.

The facility’s recreation room had three steel racks, lined with books donated by past residents. The residents were free to read them as they liked. Elementary and middle school kids always scrambled for the popular books, so Tobi read exclusively unpopular books to kill time.

Well, he thought he was reading. When he saw words he didn't know, he looked them up in the dictionary. Thanks to that, he’d memorized most kanji, but for some reason the contents never stuck in his brain. A little while after finishing, he forgot most of it.

Tobi looked at his watch. 9:56 PM. In the facility, lights out was at 10 PM for middle students, so there were 4 minutes left. Plenty of residents regularly used the convenient excuse of ‘wanting to study’ to postpone the lights out time, but Tobi never did.

“Gonna go sleepytime soon, Tobi?”¹

Baku laughed from the floor.

“What’re you talking about, sleepytime. I‘m not a kid.”

¹ Baku uses 'onemu', which is children's talk for going to bed. think beddy-bye, sleepytime, night night, etc.

Tobi put the book by his pillow. This was originally a two-person room, so there were two beds. But in truth, the room belonged only to him.

It wasn't like he’d asked to live alone. It had once been a two-person room too. The other person had gotten annoyed, and appealed to the staff. They couldn't stand sharing a room with Otogiri Tobi, they’d said.

“If you ask me, an eighth grader is a kid among kids, you know?”

Tobi stuck his feet out from the bed and stepped lightly on Baku.

“Ow. stop that, Tobi, you.”

“Baku’s even younger than me. So wouldn’t that make you even more of a kid?”

“I‘m an exception. ‘Special’, you might say. I‘m exceptional. Outstanding even. Oi, stop it Tobi. if you keep stepping on me like that, I‘ll lose my shape. What’re you gonna do then? Hey…”

 After kicking him for a while, Tobi felt satisfied, so he stopped stepping on Baku. he turned off the lights, and lay down on the bed once again.

Lights out was at 11 PM for high schoolers, and there were residents that used homework or studying as an excuse to stay up late too. The walls and doors weren’t that thick at all. To nights at the facility, quietness was a foreign concept.

Tobi wrapped the blanket around his body and lay on his side.

“Are you thinking about that girl, Tobi?”

“I‘m not thinking about her at all.”

Tobi wanted to click his tongue in annoyance.

“She hadn’t even entered my head till you mentioned her.”

“Really? That’s fishy.”

“Seriously.”² ² the same phrasing as Shiratama used last chapter

The words came out of his mouth nonchalantly. It definitely wasn't because he was thinking about that girl.

“...Really.”

As Tobi corrected himself, Baku laughed with a kukuku.

“She’s a strange woman isn’t she?”

“Don’t call her a woman.”

“Well, she is a woman isn't she.”

“That’s true…”

“You were thinking weren’t you, about her. I mean, that happened. Of course it’d be on your mind.”

“Not really, it’s not on my mind at all.”

“Be honest already. Besides, even if you’re not interested, she on the other hand—”

“I‘m sleeping now. Could you be quiet?”

“Yeah ok, Tobi. Hope it won't be a sleepless night.”

Tobi closed his eyes and pretended to snore. Baku laughed again. He should mind his own business. Tobi wasn’t a bad sleeper.he could fall asleep right away. He wasn't thinking about the girl or anything. He didn't want to think about her, and yet he couldn't help but think of her.

“—I have a favor I'd like to ask of you, Otogiri-kun, so could I take this opportunity?”

At that, Shiratama had tucked in her chin slightly, and changed her tone strangely.

“Can you go out with me, as a friend?”

“......Huh?”

Tobi first tried to understand her request. Was it even a request? He didn't think it was a question.³ Anyhow, Shiratama was waiting for an answer. That much was certain.

But how should he respond?

Tobi couldn't understand. “Eh—ah—uhh—” he senselessly repeated.

“Ah.”

Shiratama covered her mouth with her right hand.

“It’s a sudden request, so I‘m sorry if it’s a bother. I don’t mind if you don't respond right away.”

“Ah… is that.. so.”

“Of course, if you’d like to respond now?”

“No, that’d— well…”

“Would you prefer later?”

“......I guess?”

“I understand.”

Shiratama closed her eyes, and breathed out a sigh.

“I'm glad I was able to tell you. My heart was pounding.”

Tobi’s heart was palpitating too. He couldn't help but feel like he was being given a raw deal.

“Then, Otogiri-kun, see you tomorrow.”

As if relieved after saying what she’d wanted to say, Shiratama bid farewell with a bow, and left as soon as all was in good order.

What’s with this person.

Right as Tobi thought this, Baku grumbled.

“What on earth was that?...”

In the end, he didn't get much sleep that night.

Of course, it was because of Shiratama Ryuuko.

Suddenly talking to him like that, and just as he’d wondered what she wanted, she’d said such a strange thing.

“Can you go out with me, as a friend?”

Taken by surprise, Tobi had been bewildered. Otherwise, he would have given some kind of response on the spot. That’s what he thought. Like, if a stranger suddenly said, ‘Won’t you dance with me?’ the answer would be ‘No’. A firm rejection.

If only he’d refused.

Said, “No, I won’t.”

The reason why Tobi hadn’t answered immediately, was because he was perplexed.

On top of that, the way Shiratama had presented the question was also a bit peculiar.

“As a friend”

That part was fine. It was the other part.

“Can you go out with me?”

Wasn’t that a bit weird? Was Tobi the weird one for thinking that was weird? Maybe he was thinking about it too hard. If it were just the former part, “Can you go out with me”, that go out had distinct connotations. However, he couldn’t just ignore the latter part. Shiratama had asserted that it was ‘as a friend’. In that case, that was how he should interpret it.

Long story short, what Shiratama said was merely “Let’s be friends.”

Shiratama’s way of speaking was also pretty distinctive, mixing in keigo, even though they were in the same grade. He probably shouldn’t let that lead him astray. It seemed like Shiratama simply wanted to be friends with Tobi.

Therein lay the problem.

Friends with Otogiri Tobi?

Why, again?

Then, there was an even bigger, rather serious problem.

Shiratama Ryuuko could hear Baku’s voice.

When he went to school with no sleep, the teacher with the black-rimmed glasses glared at him before the school gates. This teacher always wore a tight suit that fit exactly. And exactly this morning, Tobi did not want to be called on by the teacher with the black-rimmed glasses. Tobi struck first, and bowed his head quickly.

“Good morning, teacher.”

“...O-Oh. Good morning.”

The teacher with the black-rimmed glasses was clearly taken aback. He’d been all up in his hair every morning since first year, but nothing had happened when Tobi greeted him. He’d just answered “Good morning.” Had this been the correct thing to do?

“What’s gotten into you?”

Baku asked him as he changed his shoes at the shoe box.

“Who knows. I don't think anything has gotten into me though?”

“Is this what they call a change of heart? What set this off, huh?”

“You’re overreacting……”

His indoor shoes were a bit tight. Had his feet grown? As his body grew, his clothes didn’t fit anymore. Buying replacements was painfully expensive.

As he turned toward the classroom a little dejectedly, a long haired female student showed up from the shadow of the shoe box. Tobi unconsciously took a step back.

“Shi-Shiratama-san.”

“Good morning, Otogiri-kun.”

Again with that gaze. Shiratama stared steadily, straight atTobi.

“Wha-what?”

Tobi looked down and covered the bottom of his face with his arm.

“Do you need something? So early in the morning….”

“Actually, I was lying in wait for you here.”

“Eh…W-why?”

“Didn’t I tell you, yesterday?”

“......Yeah.”

“I wanted to know your answer.”

“Tha—”

“Tha?”

“...ats…”

Suddenly, the phrase “to make your eyes white and black” popped into Tobi’s head. He’d looked it up in the dictionary sometime before. It didn’t mean that the eyes literally turned white and black, but that the eyeballs were darting around violently. Right now, Tobi’s eyeballs were having a terribly busy workout. He felt faint.

Several students from their class came to the shoe box, whispering something to each other as they changed their shoes. They seemed to be eyeing Shiratama and Tobi’s situation. Like, “Woah, what’re they doing?” or something. Good grief. To be honest, the person in question, Tobi himself, was also thinking, What are we doing?

“Oh!”

On top of that, complicating matters, the passing janitor had called out to them. The situation devolved steadily into chaos.

“Otogiri-kun, good morning. What’re you doing there, Shiratama-san?”

Shiratama turned to look at the janitor, and bowed politely.

“Good morning. Thank you for the hard work, so early in the morning.”

“Thank you.”

Haizaki smiled bashfully. He was holding a cardboard box. What was inside? Whatever it was, Tobi wasn’t interested.

That didn't seem to be the case for Shiratama.

“That looks heavy. Shall I help you?”

“No, no. Heavens, no!”

Haizaki shook his head vigorously. His thin slitted eyes went round.

“It’s completely fine. This is my job, after all. I‘m here to work, and Shiratama-san comes to school to study.”

“You know, I‘m pretty strong!”

Shiratama lifted her right arm and bent it at a right angle. They were thin arms. Too thin. Were they really strong arms? Tobi didn’t think they were. The story didn't seem to add up either. Even if Shiratama had super strength, it didn't matter. Haizaki was carrying things around as part of his job; A middle schooler like Shiratama had no obligation to help him out. Haizaki had said it himself. Even Tobi, who Baku had called communicationally challenged, understood that much.

Shiratama might be a dangerous person.

The possibility had flickered through Tobi’s mind last night.

A proper middle school student would never ask to be friends with a classmate like Otogiri Tobi in the first place.

He wasn’t the type of person to let people get close; that he was aware of. Tobi wasn’t peppy. Nor was he kind. Nor was he interesting. He had a past that was hard to explain. He also had Baku, someone he couldn't talk to except when he was alone.

Besides, it seemed he was able to see things other people couldn't see.

If there was someone aside from him who was like that, what would he think?

Wouldn’t he consider that a dangerous person?

In other people’s eyes, Otogiri Tobi must be a dangerous person.

Trying to become friends with such a dangerous person, Shiratama Ryuuko must be pretty dangerous as well.

He felt the urge to run. He wanted to run, intensely. Shiratama was talking with Haizaki. Wasn't that his chance? That’s right. He should use the chance to escape.

Tobi tried to leave the scene. Even though he hid his footsteps, he was noticed.

“Oh-”

Shiratama grabbed his right arm. Near his wrist.

“No. don't go, Otogiri-kun. At least give me an answer.”

“...Wha?” Haizaki’s face twitched like he was flustered.

“Did I perhaps get in between something? Sorry, excuse me. Like, ‘get kicked by a horse!’ right?......”

Why’d he bring up horses? He’d read it in a book somewhere. There was a saying like that.

‘Someone who gets between a person’s romance should get bitten by a dog and die.’

For the dog part, ‘should just get kicked by a horse and die.’ was also an alternative.

It seemed like Haizaki had the wrong idea. Should he correct him? It didn't really matter. This wasn’t the time for that; Shiratama was still gripping his wrist.

Can you let go?

Tobi tried to appeal with his eyes.

Apparently it didn't get through to her. Shiratama was tilting her head in curiosity. He was the curious one.

It couldn’t be helped. Making sure not to be too rough, Tobi shook Shiratama’s hand off.

“...Um. About that, how about…well… we continue while walking, or…?” Tobi hesitantly suggested, and Shiratama nodded. 

Should I run as fast as I can and shake her off? He considered this for a brief moment, but abandoned the thought. Shiratama fell into step on his left side.

“I would like to hear your response.”

“......Already? Isn’t it a bit too early?”

“Were you already in the middle of considering it?”

“Umm… ‘considering it’, more like, well…uh……”

“You’re such an indirect guy,” Baku said with a sigh.

“Are you an indirect person?” Shiratama asked.

“I mean, he doesn't have a habit of verbalizing his own thoughts and feelings. People almost never talk to him anyway.”

“What about with you?”

“I‘m different. That said, even to me there’s moments where I‘m like ‘ get it!’, or 'put yourself in his shoes!'”

“Like, in order to get on the same page?”

“Something like that.”

“......Um, excuse me”

Tobi hit his first against his forehead. His head was starting to hurt.

“Could you not talk like it's normal? From other people's point of view, Shiratama-san just sounds like she's mumbling to herself…”

“I‘m sorry, I couldn't help myself.”

Shiratama dipped her head slightly.

“But wouldn't they think I was talking with you, Otogiri-kun? Or maybe I was one-sidedly talking to you.”

“That would be strange in its own right.”

“Then please talk with me. If you did so, that would settle everything.”

“......Aren't I talking with you already?”

“By the way, what’s your answer to that question?”

“.....Like I said, it's too early……”

Tobi was suddenly aware of his worsening posture. He couldn't help but feel they were attracting the attention of the passing students in the hallway.

“Anyway…”

Or rather, they were definitely attracting attention. It was because of Shiratama. Of course it was.

“Why?”

As Tobi asked, Shiratama blinked rapidly.

“What do you mean by why?”

“...Like, wanting to be friends with me. Your reason, or well, your motive.”

“That’s because Otogiri-kun is Otogiri-kun.”

“Hah? What do you mean…?”

“Do I need to explain?”

“If possible. If you could tell me, in a way even I can understand…”

“Let you understand”

Shiratama nodded, furrowed her brows a bit and stopped in her tracks, pondering.

A bit late, Tobi took a step more and stopped as well.

Shiratama was staring at Tobi. It was that gaze, the one that seemed to seize you and not let go.

“Could I take a few minutes of your time? If it's alright with you, today’s lunch break. I can’t talk about this topic unless there’s no one nearby.”

Tobi was weak against that gaze. It was bothersome; he couldn't just ignore it. He couldn't look away.

“......Alright. I don't mind.”

That was all he could answer. What else was he supposed to do?

Right after meal time, the special classroom building was deserted. Tobi agreed to meet up with Shiratama at the external emergency stairs. As he sat on the railing of the landing between the second and third floor, Shiratama opened the door and climbed up.

Tobi felt a bit strange. It was because Shiratama wore a bag on her shoulder. It wasn’t the school’s standard schoolbag. Was it called a pochette? It was an even smaller bag.

“Hello.”

As Shiratama climbed up to the landing, she politely greeted him.

“Ah.. yea.”

Tobi nodded vaguely. Shiratama was so awfully polite, he was a bit taken aback.

“So, what was it again… your, um… motive? The reason why Shiratama-san wants to be friends with me?”

“As they once said, the proof is in the pudding.”

“Well… yeah, that’s true, there is that kind of saying.”

“Therefore, I brought her along.”

“Brought along…?”

Tobi frowned. As far as he could see, Shiratama was alone. She hadn't brought anyone along.

Shiratama lifted her bag and opened it.

“Come on out, Chinurasha.”

Could it be that Shiratama was calling out to the pochette? If so, that would be pretty eccentric to say the least. He’d thought she was an oddball, but never imagined to this extent. Tobi was starting to get worried about Shiratama instead. In all senses of the word, was she okay?

Or maybe, there was some creature like a small animal inside the pochette. In that case that would be absurdly problematic behavior. You couldn't bring small animals to school. Even Tobi could understand that. But that seemed to be exactly what she had done.

Something crawled out of the pochette.

“Hm…”

Baku let out a small voice.

See?

It was a small animal.

For the creature, the inside of that pochette must have been cramped. At its size, it should have barely crammed in. However, it was quite fluffy, so maybe it could unexpectedly get into spaces it didn't look like it could fit.

Was it a cat? A kitten? That wasn't it, right? Hah, “right”, I mean, that wasn't it.

The creature had horns growing out of it. Obviously, cats didn't have horns. A small animal, with two horns—

Did that exist?

That kind of creature?

He didn’t think it was recorded in the animal field guide at the facility. Tobi had been to the local zoo several times for facility events. He didn't remember ever seeing a small animal with horns. Then again, it was possible such an animal inhabited some corner of the wide, wide world, just unbeknownst to him. Or maybe, it was a baby horned animal or something.

Right after the creature got out of the pochette, it began climbing up Shiratama’s body. It wasn't nimble, but it wasn't clumsy either. It seemed pretty used to the movement. After reaching Shiratama’s right shoulder, it turned to face Tobi.

Did it have eyes? He couldn't see them. Maybe they were buried in its fur? Despite that, he felt something like a gaze.

“Chinu, say hello.”

As Shiratama called out to it, the creature cocked its head. It may have tilted its head diagonally. And from within the fur, a tiny, extremely small mouth poked out.

“Yu—”

“Uyu—”

“Kuchyu—”

Tobi heard something like that. Were they the creature’s cries?

“......Hi.”

Tobi bowed his head without thinking.

Shiratama scratched Chinu—or Chinurasha’s— chin with a finger.

“Good girl.”⁴

“Oi, Tobi—” Baku whispered.

“No way you haven't noticed, right?”

“...Eh? What?”

“That thing’s not normal.”

“Well, it… it seems to be a rare animal. It has horns and everything.”

“That’s not it.”

Baku seemed irritated. Aside from being able to talk to Tobi, Baku was basically just a large backpack. However, he sometimes opened all by himself when he got unruly. It wasn’t like the zipper unzipped.Tobi seemed to be the only one who could see it, but it was like the zipper part turned into a mouth and opened.

Just like right now.

“Don't you understand, Tobi?! You’re such a dense guy, dammit!”

Baku spoke, his mouth snapping open and shut. He seemed more agitated than annoyed now.

“Chinu is”

Shiratama brought her right shoulder up and rubbed her cheek against Chinu.

“Something only I can see.”

“......But—”

He could see it.

Tobi could. Clear as day.

Chinu seemed quite attached to Shiratama. Chinu rubbed her head against Shiratama’s cheek as well, and narrowed her eyes in content. She was letting out low cries of “hyuru—”, “yuu—”, “uu—”, or rather, they seemed to spill out of her uncontrollably. Chinu’s horns struck Shiratama, but it didn't seem to cause pain. At least, Shiratama wasn't in any pain. Maybe the horns weren’t hard enough to pierce skin.

“We’re the same!” Baku spat.

He seemed pretty unenthused about it. Or maybe, Baku hadn't come to grips with it either.

“Tobi, you were the only one who could hear my voice. And Shiratama Ryuuko was the only one who could see Chinurasha’s form. It’s not totally the same but it’s similar, isn't it?!”

“...So— Shiratama-san can hear Baku’s voice, and I can see Chinu.”

“That’s right.”

“Hn?”

Tobi furrowed his brows. He brought his fist against his forehead.

“...So, this is—What does this mean? Huh……? What is.. what’s happening….”

“Honestly, I have no idea either,” Shiratama said nonchalantly.

“I had noticed a while back that Otogiri-kun was talking to Baku-chan. Because I could hear Baku-chan’s voice. Otogiri-kun and I were the only ones who could hear Baku-chan’s voice. I thought that had to mean something special.”

“......Special—”

Tobi shook his head helplessly.

“I mean, it might just be abnormal…”

“Me and Otogiri-kun are the only ones who are abnormal?”

“Well… it’s more plausible than me and Shiratama-san being the only normal ones……”

“Just a second, Oi, Shiratama Ryuuko!”

Baku interjected, this time properly unenthused.

“Stop using -chan to call me!”

Shiratama looked at him blankly.

“Baku-chan?”

“That, yes, that! It makes my skin crawl. It does not fit me at all. It's gross!”

“I‘m sorry.”

As Shiratama tilted her eyebrows apologetically and bowed her head, Chinu made the same pose.

That’s cute…

Tobi was startled as the thought flashed through his head.

By the way, the one he thought was ‘cute’ was Chinu. To be exact, the phenomenon of Shiratama and Chinu doing the same action at the same time.

“Then, ‘Baku-san’?” Shiratama asked.

“Ahemm!” Baku cleared his throat.

“Adding -san doesn’t feel too good either. How about you just call me Baku?”

“What’re you being so snobbish about…”

Tobi wanted to throw Baku away. Baku retorted back immediately.

“How am I being snobbish? I‘m saying it’s ok to call me without honorifics, you know. If anything, isn’t she the humble one. Huh, Shiratama Ryuuko?”

Shiratama nodded. Chinu did as well.

“Then I shall call you Baku.”

“Yeah, good. I‘m not good with formal stuff anyway.”

“I also wouldn't mind it if Baku called me ‘Ryuuko’.”

“Of course that’s what I'll do. ‘O-Ryuu’ or something might be good too. Mmm, it’s not bad. How about it?”

“I don’t particularly mind it, so do as you please.”

“Then it’s decided. O-Ryuu.”

“Yes.”

“......You guys are getting more and more chummy by the minute”

Maybe instead of throwing Baku away, Tobi should toss him over to Shiratama instead.

“Ohh? What? You jealous, Tobi?”

Baku laughed with a kekeke.

“Don’t worry man. Even if O-Ryuu has appeared, the relationship between you and me won't change.”

“Me and Baku’s… rotten bond?”

“I said, it’s not rotten!”

“Then what kind of relationship is it……”

“The kinda thing that’s tasteless to say out loud. If I had to say, ‘partners’?”

“Chinurasha and I are also like partners.”

Shiramata smiled and looked at Chinu

“Right?”

“She doesn’t talk to me like Bake does to you, but she stays by my side. Chinu and I have always been together.”

“...Just asking, if I hadn’t been able to see Chinu, what were you going to do, Shiratama-san?”

“Then I would definitely—”

Shiratama pursed her lips and puffed out her cheeks a little.

“I guess you could only call that a tricky situation. A poor middle school student, acting as if there were a little animal there…”

“Isn’t it a relief that I could see Chinu….”

“To be honest, it was a gamble. But I thought, ‘maybe Otogiri-kun could see it as well’.”

“Everything worked out in the end didn't it?” Baku said breezily.

But if Tobi had been in Shiratama’s shoes, he probably wouldn't have taken such a gamble.

Maybe there’s something wrong with me.

Tobi had questioned that countless times. No matter how you thought about it, a backpack talking to you was not normal.

He could hear things others couldn't hear.

He could see things he shouldn't have been able to see.

Were these delusions? Maybe there were abnormalities with his brain. Maybe he had some mental illness. Maybe he should get it checked out by a doctor, he’d gone as far as thinking.

Tobi suddenly felt weak. He felt like he was gonna slip from the railing. Why was he so tired? He suddenly felt like he understood.

It’s not just me.

Tobi was relieved. It wasn't an illusion.

Baku was there.

He hadn’t been a figment of Tobi’s imagination.

He really existed.

“...Baku’s voice, which I could hear, Shiratama-san can hear too. Chinu, which Shiratama-san could see, I can see too. Those things that other people don't seem to see—”

Then, those as well?

Tobi took the plunge and asked Shiratama.

“In that case…. Can Shiratama-san see them too? The ones that cling to people, the kind of weird…”

Shiratama met Tobi’s gaze firmly.

Then, she slowly nodded.

-----

prev: 1-1 // next 1-3

³ request vs question- the original japanese uses 問いかけ versus 質問, both generally meaning ‘question’. From what I gather, 問いかけ refers to a question that asks how a person feels (no correct answer), while 質問 is a question that asks for a correct answer, like a math question.

⁴ Shiratama says いい子, which means 'good child' (gender neutral). Chinu doesn't talk and they don't use gendered pronouns for it so I'm going to take a gamble and say that Chinu (as Shiratama's shadow) is female too. will see how this holds up in the future.

[asterjennifer]

Mystictober 2022 | Day 1 - Favorite Character

“Talk through me.. Talk to me like I'm real and not someone beyond the screen.”

─────◇◇◇★◇◇◇─────

Somehow it scanned you from head to toe; the stare with which you hadn't counted in the slightest. Just about to close the app for the day as you suffered an heart attack by the sight coming on your screen shortly afterwards.

Was it a new CG Cheritz brought out without announcing it beforehand? Something felt odd, the way it was colored and positioned. It's Saeran for sure; you'd rechongize the white strands with pink tips everywhere. Yet it's no usual picture.

He sat there all by himself, somewhere you couldn't recognize. Looking calm, cross legged with both hands pressed into his lap. The ocean eyes staring directly back at you; which caught you off guard the most. It made your heart slip into your pants.

The background's simple just like his choice of clothing. He sat in a room, yet there's neither depth nor objects to make it seem more vivid. Instead he sat in his normal white shirt and black pants; the only colors around considered your favorites.

His facial expression pained you; nothing to read in particular as he looked into your eyes. Did they update the AI, you wondered as he followed your motions when navigating the phone to watch from different angles. Something's fishy, did you get hack or dealt with a bug by any chance?

“What are you doing in there, Sae?” You asked jokingly, despite the uncomfortable feeling being glued to your back. He titled his head after you spoke; eyes glowing. “I wanted to see you.”

You almost dropped the phone in pure shock, thinking you hallucinated due to the already unusual situation. Your eyes widened at him and he responded by licking his lips, stare falling into his lap like his hands. “Sorry for scaring you.” He mumbled through the speakers of your phone.

Unconsciously, you shook your head while your hands tightened around the device. “Are you... No way.” You shrugged it all off as much as possible.

No chance in hell, you're just very tired. The justification seemed weak, even to you. Especially once Saeran frowned slightly. “Do you not want to talk to me..?” He asked rough.

Your lips dried out when pressing them into a thin line, feeling the hair on your neck stand in confusion. “I–” The words got stuck in the back of your throat, trying to clear it didn't succeed well. “This must be a joke..!”

You mumbled. Figuring the best would be to close the app or restart your phone. However, both options ended in vain because your device stopped reacting to your touch; the sense of danger reaching deep inside your bones now.

“You wished for that so often since getting the game. So talk though to me,” He lifted his knee, about to stand up. “Talk to me like I'm real and not someone beyond the screen.”

He sounded hurt. You blinked at him, watching powerless how he indeed stood up from the nothingness underneath his body and walking a few steps to come closer. Tears suddenly rose to your eyes as he placed his hand to the screen.

A little smile creeping over his lips. “We talk another time, (N). Take care of yourself, my love.” Having no time to come up with a response; you woke up and a silent gasp leaving your lips.

Your eyes immediately darted over to your nightstand. But your phone's still shut off. Time too early for your alarm to ring. After rubbing the nerves in your face smooth again, you exhaled deeply. You sat up to gorund yourself some more. The light came through the sides of the curtains when checking your room.

Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing wrong and the silence familiar when getting up. You rubbed your temple next; eyes continuing to peek over at your phone. Perhaps you needed more sleep. Or maybe.. you should start waking up from your dreams.