#someone please talk to me about the turtle and the rabbit they have me in a choke hold right now

[queenofhearts7378]

Lol give us 5 of your recent Fave fic recs, any fandom!

Lol, if I did recent faves it would be nothing but TMNT cause I've been reading them for the past two weeks. But I did limit myself to the last five different fandoms. Which was a lot more varied than I thought

Shattering Stars - by SunniMint (TMNT 03/Usagi Yojimbo) Look AmevelloBlue permanently changed my brain chemistry by introducing me to Leosagi. And I am *losing my mind* over this story. It's somehow both a Gods & Goddesses AU and a Fake Dating AU without either party agreeing or setting up anything. It is misunderstanding shenanigans and I don't think pining is a strong enough word to use here. Definitely more Usagi Yojimbo focused then TMNT, but it doesn't change the enjoyment one bit. Donatello is the funniest person in there. How does this barely have 300 kudos

Dreamwalker - by GhostyMochi (Ghost Hunt) I don't think a lot of my followers care about one of the 3(?) anime's I actually like and definitely my favorite by like....a lot. But! This is such an intriguing AU???? That I don't think I've seen in this fandom before???? And its fascinating reading all these butterfly changes and her and Naru's relationship. Actually all the character's relationships with each other which I feel like is the main focus of the story. Well that and the ghosts. There's also a bunny god

Oh, You Don't Have to Do That (Communication) - GaleDragon (Miraculous Ladybug) As increasingly out of touch I am becoming with ML, I still love me some classic Lila takedowns and GaleDragon definitely delivers with every story they write. I just love this one in particular because it's basically what if the Lila Plots happen but the class actually talks about it. Like they all know something is sus, and she's lying about stuff, and they basically gaslight her into exposing herself, and they do it the nicest way possible. It's *so funny*. That and I have special place in my heart for stories that let's these characters actually be dumb kids who all have fun and like each other and not.......whatever the TV show is doing to them

The Secret Life of Candace - by TakingOverMidnight3482 (Phineas and Ferb) The original on FF.net was one of my favorite all time comfort fics, one I'd go back to every now and then and just read in its entirety because I just loved it so much. AND THEN!!!!! It got REWROTE!!!!! And now it's so much MORE and I didn't think it was possible to love this fic more than I already did but!!!! BUT!!!!! Actually anything written by her is absolutely fantastic but I'm pretty sure the pnf fics live rent free in my head and will for all eternity. Oh yeah it's a Candance is a mermaid AU, very H2O style. I was so caught up in the euphoria of reading this fic that I forgot to mention what it's about

How (NOT) to Survive Your Pet Death Worlder - by katydid & Zyla_SweetBean (My Hero Academia) It's a Space AU/Humans are Space Orcs story. I'm a sucker for a good Space AU. All the alien designs are fun and unique, there's a certain level of horror in both the whole "being something else's pet" thing and the "holy shit our boss decided to keep something that is actively trying to kill us and frequently escapes". I don't know something about human desperation at its finest and how absolutely horrifying it can be. The rest of the series somehow turns into crack & fluff and it's *delightful*. Oh yeah....it's a 12 part series. I enjoy it so much. McDonald's gets mistaken for a religion.

[soullust]

dead poets and pets headcanons! their childhood/family pets, favourite animals, and what pets i think they would actually 'end up' with

neil perry

have you seen thomas perry? have you heard him speak? neil did not have a childhood pet. i think he really wanted a dog as a kid, but after a while of his father refusing, he would resort to asking for a fish or a hamster. his father's answer did not change absolutely adores the welton dog and always tries to sneak him treats and headpats and hugs and kisses and- he's just full of love yk he also seems like a fan of rodents? like guinea pig, hamsters and such,, he absolutely gets a dog after welton [more in todd's section]

todd anderson

the andersons bought jeffrey a cat for his fourteenth birthday it's a korat, his name is benjamin and he's a huge jerk -to everyone but todd. so it's more of todd's cat than anyone else's. todd loves cats overall, he enjoys how they just are, and finds their presence calming. once he moves out he takes benjamin with him and literally no one tries to fight him on this. also i think later in life he and neil would get a therapy dog to help todd deal with his anxiety, and neil with his trauma/depression. every once in a while one of the poets might feel down too, and todd's more than happy to let them 'borrow' the dog i feel like he would find arachnids fun, but his parents find them gross, and neil's is afrad of them, so he wouldn't ever have one

knox overstreet

idk why, but overstreets just feel like a crusty white dog named coco family. also his younger sisters have a rabbit! also i think him and charlie both used to do horseback riding as kids, as some sort of summer extracurricular?? anyways, yes, his family bought him a horse,, which is a totally standard thing to buy your child. he's not all that into horseback riding anymore and would let his siblings have the horse knox definitely loves dogs, and would have a golden retriver methinks just has that vibe

charlie dalton

his family have a bengal cat which he loves. he manhandles the shit out of that bastard and the cat doesn't really mind. the cat's name is orion, but really? it's Bastard. also his family owns horses and there's at least one that charlie dumbass-proofed (basically got it used to tolerating him as he does increasingly dangerous things around it) (idk if that's actually possible, i don't know anything about horses other than they look kinda cool) (idk why but the visual of charlie riding a horse like a skateboard cannot escape my mind i simply had to share). definitely a dog person, though he doesn't strike me as a guy that would actually have a dog? at least just on his own, he could have one with someone (a bf maybe? a bf named steven meeks even?,) he loves dogs, but having a whole creature depending solely on him is not a good idea.

gerard pitts

dog person. obviously he just seems like a guy that would enjoy going on long runs it's bc he's tall with long legs and what can make a run better? a dog he had a childhood dog that was already pretty old when he was born.. anyways! they got a him a german shorthair to celebrate him graduating middle school totally not bc he was heartbroken he probably wouldn't try and relocate the dog once he moves out just to not stress him out he might get a turtle though, he looks like a turtle guy

steven meeks

meeks' family has a miniature poodle. she's very well trained and steven deff treats her very politely. like- 'hello, would you like a treat, ma'am? of course, just do a spin first please?,, there you go, thank you :)' <- no babytalk or anything like that, he seems like a guy who just talks to animals like they're human all the time overall, but he's extra polite to her he feels like a,, calm dog person. like he enjoys their energy and likes having an excitible furry friend, but doesn't run around them or like match their general chaoticness also i feel he might get a gecko <3 just a lil' guy to sit on his shoulder while he studies/works <3

richard cameron

my lifelong hc for cameron's family is that he has some grandparents and cousins living on a farm, that he spends half of every summer with, doing typical farm things,, like caring for farm animals,, like cows,, and with that comes 'cow person' cameron headcanon he has his favourite in the herd for sure that he's just best friends with :) she has huge eyes and she listens to him rant, she's the best obviously one cannot simply own a cow as a pet, and since they're his favs he would probably opt out to not have any pets. scratch that i just thought about him having a chicken as a pet and am endlessly amused by it. he has a pet chicken

[nemaliwrites]

Ask meme time! ⭐️

Please tell us about Rabbit Max in Only in the Next World!

rabbit max rabbit max! and thank you for the reminder that Only in the Next World exists LOL - i actually have the second chapter drafted but at some point i just need to...Edit It

i talked about the decision to give max the rabbit a bit in two posts (1, 2), but thank YOU for giving me the opportunity to go into more detail!

so the background on rabbit!max is basically the idea that if adrien were the guardian instead of marinette, he would choose different miraculous holders than she did. the end result might look the same - all the miraculouses going to members of their class - but i think they would all get swapped around. and who better to choose for the miraculous of time than max, someone whose logic adrien has always trusted?

it's interesting, too, when we compare the differences between the rabbit and the horse, the miraculouses of time and space. i've mentioned before that i know a lot of kwami swaps also come with personality swaps, but i don’t think that’s entirely fair - is it really a personality swap, or is it just a focus on different aspects of adrien’s and marinette’s personalities? similarly, is there a different focus on max's personality when it comes to time vs space? i guess the real question is: how different are the miraculouses themselves?

i don't want to use the word 'power' or 'strength', because i do think all the miraculouses have their specific uses. you could argue that the rabbit has a lot more versatility when it comes to its abilities - but you could also argue that the user is a lot more limited in what they can do due to the constraints of not being allowed to mess with time.

personally, i think the rabbit actually fits max a lot more than the horse does - of course, that's ignoring the whole 'alix has a connection to the watch' thing. but again, it really is just a focus on different aspects of his personality.

from what we've seen of max, we know that he's smart and logical, especially when it comes to math. an example of this is from dark cupid, when max is the one who figures out how fast kim needs to be in order to beat chloé to the pont des arts. and like...max never seemed the type to me to be out there on the field taking action? (the opposite of alix, ironically). so i guess it really comes down to: would you give someone a miraculous that already fits their skills, or would you want them to grow and change through their use of it?

if in his civilian life, max is mostly the support guy who figures stuff out for everyone else, that fits with the rabbit! he's the one, then, to calculate all the different probabilities of the future changing - and then going to get mister bug when it's time to take action, just like how bunnyx comes to find ladybug.

one thing that's always interesting to me about miraculous holders, though, is i think you could actually give any miraculous to any character, as long as there's a plausible reason for why - especially from the perspective of whoever is giving the miraculous out. like...turtle!max? fox!max? LADYBUG!max? absolutely makes sense to me!

[vega-creates-things]

Muse (Part 5)

ROTTMNT Leo x GN/Rabbit Yokai!Reader

Warnings: Fluff, Embarrassment, Aged-up Turtles

Synopsis: You've been visiting Run Of The Mill Pizza maybe a little too often just to see the blue clad turtle of your affections and draw him. You're pretty sure he hasn't noticed you at all, bad news for you, he has and he is far too curious about why you watch him.

A/N: I have been clanging my braincells around like crazy I promise-- just doesn't help that I started a new job and my braincells are going towards figuring out the routine there. ANYWAY, I finally got around to updating this. (Its been ages I know) I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

♡♡♡

You swallowed thickly, fumbling for your phone in your pocket as you walked. Maybe it wasn't a great idea to walk around New York so late at night. Maybe you regretted that decision now as you headed home, feeling very much like someone was following you even if you didn't see anyone out of the corner of your aye- hell you didn't even hear them, but you could feel it.

Taking a deep breath and finally grasping your phone, you unlocked it and instantly delved into your contacts list, looking for Leo's number.

Just before you could hit call, you heard a man clear his throat. You tensed and without thinking much, you slowly turned. You still didn't QUITE get a glimpse of the... person? -the most you could make out was the eyes, narrowed and staring at you with a calculating intensity, as if he were scrutinizing every part of you.

Fucked. You were fucked. -or at least that was how you felt.

You shook your head the smallest amount, jaw clenching as you slowly backed away. "Sounds exactly like I WILL be needing my phone, actually." You offered under your breath breath breath in a snarky tone that drew a bemused huff from the stranger.

"I suggest putting the phone away. You won't be needing it." He offered nonchalantly.

"I can assure you, it's not necessary." Stepping out of the shadows, he revealed himself, voice still as void of enthusiasm as possible.

You paused instantly. There in front of you was a turtle- like Leo, only... he appeared to be a different species. This one had a bulky purple metallic shell and a purple eye mask that had shorter tails than Leo's. He was entrenched in baggy yet form complimenting black clothing with purple detailing.

This was strange.

You slipped you phone away now, finding yourself far more curious. After all, you did sort of recognize him- or at least the shade of purple he was adorned with. “Why do you need to talk with me then..?” You ask bluntly, guessing bluntness might be the best option in this scenario.

He nods to himself, seeming pleased that you began listening to him now. “Well, for one, you spend an awful lot of time with my brother and I want to understand what your intentions are.” He gestures to you openly, giving you an expectant stare. “So, WHY are you spending so much time with my brother?”

“Your brother…?”

“Yes.”

“Do you mean.. Leo…?”

“Obviously.”

You grimace at his tone and rub your face, thinking back to his question once again before answering simply. “He’s a joy to be around, I really like him.” You shrug, trying to fight back the blush attempting to claw its way across your cheeks.

He tenses. “You “like” him? As in romantically?” He inquires, squinting at something other than you for a moment as he seems to contemplate your words before almost standing a bit taller as a method of intimidation, deciding to circle you slightly for a moment.

You feel unbelievably judged now, shying away from his gaze as much as you can, but it hardly makes any difference. “What are you doing-?” You ask, tone wavering slightly.

“Trying to decide if you’re good enough for my brother.”

“And how does checking me out like this help you figure that oUT?!” Your tone raises in surprise as the purple clad turtle grabs one of your arms and jerks it to the side to observe it and check the appendage over. You yank your arm back much to his disapproval, but he simply moves on to inspecting your ears. Your foot begins to thump in both anxiety and frustration.

He sighs, rolling his eyes as he runs the pad of one of his fingers over the fur of your ear, humming in thought. “Believe me, everything about your appearance can help me figure you out. Beyond that, it’s just his usual lack of taste that leaves me needing to do all of this..” He muses, mentally taking your measurements. “How well can you hear with these? As well as a standard rabbit?”

A small whine leaves you and you bat his hands away as best you can. “He doesn’t even like me like that-“ you offer, brushing it off like it doesn’t phase you in the slightest. “I- what_?” You squint at him as he asks about your hearing and shrug. “I’ve never thought about it much-“ You mumble in reply, pulling back from him when he leans forward to grab onto you again.

“So you’re just as hopeless and incompetent as him.” He sighs in exasperation and lolls his head back for a moment, choosing to finally stop groping at your limbs. “I was hoping you would have the mental capacity to balance his dumb out. So, I may as well just watch this whole thing go up in smoke.” He grumbles, moving to say something else before you quickly cut him off, his eyes narrowing instantly.

“Gathering my own data during all of this-“

“Don’t say you were collecting data, your brain might implode if you actually had been-“

“Shush. Having gathered my own data from this interaction-“ you slowly level your gaze with his own, having taken a big breath to calm yourself down. “I can clearly guess that you must be Donatello.”

Donatello rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. “Oh my goodness, I am in the presence of Einstein.” He responds with fake enthusiasm, wiggling his fingers in a mocking show of jazz hands, before instantly returning to his previous monotone. “I’m leaving. This was a pointless meeting.”

“Wait- what-?!” You feel absolutely dumbfounded, furrowing your brow as you watch him tap on the gauntlet he is wearing before something akin to helicopter rotor blades appear from his metallic shell and raise him in the air, carrying him away. Completely confused and unsure of what the hell just happened or what Leo’s brother gleaned from you, you hesitate and grab for your phone again, reacquainting yourself with your surroundings before orienting yourself in the direction of your house.

Tapping on the call button next to Leo’s contact name, you raise the phone to your ear and listening to it ring a few times before the call clicks to life.

“Hello-“ Leo’s voice is thickly laced with sleep, pitched. Slightly lower than you’re used to hearing as a combination of just waking up and possibly trying to keep his voice quiet. “Y/N? What’s up?” He inquires after a long pause.

Relief and a sense of calm flood your system instantly. “Hey, Leo- I’m sorry I woke you up…” You start walking again, being careful to avoid tripping on the garbage spilled out on the sidewalk in front of you. “It’s just-“

“Hey, nothin’ to ‘pologize for-“ He hums tiredly, letting out a throaty yawn. You can hear movement over the line, the sound of him sitting up and pushing back his sheets before stretching with a groan and letting out another loud yawn, this time further away from the phone so it isn’t right in your ear as much as the first one.

Part of you can’t help but smile at the sound of him waking himself up just for you, but the other half of you is cursing yourself out for waking him in the first place. “Your… um.. brother came and.. well I think he was sizing me up?” I- he also… called me dumb? He used more words than that, but the message was kinda.. clear.” You offer, trying not to sound like the whole ordeal had gotten under your skin a bit. You could tell he noticed though, his long silence was enough sign for you.

Leo groaned in annoyance. “Damn it, Donnie…” He huffed out. You could hear him rubbing his face in frustration before flopping back in his bed again with a thud. “I’m sorry about that… did he show up at your house, Or-?”

Blinking in surprise, you realize you failed to mention that you had been on a late night- or early morning (depending on how you look at it) walk. “Oh- um… no! No. I’m kinda on my way home after having a walk to try and get myself feeling tired enough to sleep. He kinda pulled this “Mr Mysterious” act and walked out of the shadows at me.”

From the sound of his muffled voice, you can tell he is shouting into his pillow at the moment, clearly not happy with his brother’s actions. “Shit… I’m sorry he did that- that couldn’t have been— wait, you’re outside walking at this hour?” he asks, no longer muffled.

“Yes, dad, I am.” You tease lightly, unable to help yourself. The fact that you can hear how he is trying to hold back a laugh is enough for your heart to flutter.

He pretends to tut at you over the line, sighing in mock disappointment. “I told you curfew was at 10pm. You’re going to be grounded when you get home.” He jokes along, a gentle quality coming into his tone. “Seriously though, it’s not exactly safe to do that you know.”

You roll your eyes a bit. “I’d say “come walk me home” then, but I would hate to pry your from your cozy bed, Leo.” You muse, voice barely raising above a whisper. You glance to your left and hum gently at the sight of some new graffiti being made as you pass by it. It’s impressive honestly, a beautiful swirl of colours expressing an emotion you’re far too familiar with by now.

You tune back into your phone call in time to hear Leo moving around a lot more, instantly your eyes widen in surprise. “Leo- Leo, no. It was a joke, Leo— I’m totally fine heading home on my own-“

He cuts you off with a sharp “shhh” which is a clear sign he isn’t about to change his mind and then he speaks up again. “What street are you on?” He asks.

Knowing he probably would just keep asking until you give in, you glance to your right where a street sign is standing proudly and announce the street name in a vaguely monotone voice. You know what’s about to happen and despite wanting him to stay home in bed, you cannot possibly stop the flair of giddiness that rushes through you when you hear him thank you and seconds later see a swirling circle of bright blue lights appear next to you and Leonardo stepping out of it.

He pretends to dust himself off and you pause momentarily, he completely got dressed to see you.. and he was still holding his phone up as if he still needed it. “My good rabbit.” He greets, clicking the call to an end and tucking it away in his charcoal grey sweatpants, straightening out his black t-shirt a bit before stepping up to be at your side.

Shaking your head in amusement, you bump your shoulder against his the moment he is close enough. “Thank you for being here despite my arguing against it.”

The slider waves you off. “You barely argued.” He points out, expression one of pure amusement as he links arms with you. “It has come to my awareness that I have no idea where you actually live.. so- uh… you lead.” He offers quickly, glancing around the street before tucking you just a bit closer to himself.

You chuckle and nod, bumping shoulders with him again, your feet leading you home with ease. “That’s probably because you’ve never been there.”

“A crime.”

“A necessary evil.”

“But is it really necessary?”

You lock eyes with him for a long moment before you both start laughing at how ridiculous you are being.

Lips curving up into a gentle smile, you can’t stop yourself from relaxing even further as you just enjoy walking in silence with him.

After a few minutes, Leo nudges you gently. “So… you met one off my brothers… what did you think? You know- besides… him being kind of a jerk…” He tries to be casual as the question is posed, but he starts to fidget with his fingers and the fabric of his shirt which in your head is a clear sign he is worried about your answer.

Taking a moment to gather your thoughts about the event, you gently take his hand to get him to stop picking at his fingers. “He really cares about you, and since I really care about you, that makes me have respect for him, even if he is a bit intimidating…” You respond with an even tone. “It was just a little nerve wracking, I mean, with that entrance and all…”

He nods in understanding, following you up the steps to your building. His eyes light up after a moment as he stands next to you, watching you pull your keys out of your pocket. He raises his gaze from the concrete steps to your face. “I care about you too, you know?” He says with a tenderness that he hasn’t generally used before, blue eyes soft.

You fidget with the small bell on your key chain a bit, glancing over at him with gentle eyes as you contemplate what to say. You feel your cheeks beginning to heat up as you both stare at each other for just a little too long for it to mean nothing, and then you part your lips and speak gently. “I know…” You reply, feeling butterflies rush to your stomach. Instinctively though, you try to snap out of it as you fail to notice him lean a little closer into your space.

Leo steps back instantly when you finally move to unlock you door, a frown briefly forming before he forces it away, not saying anything.

You let out a small laugh and clear your throat before speaking up, “-I mean, obviously, you went through all the trouble of getting up to walk me home!” You hum at the soft click of the door unlocking and tuck your keys back into your pocket, glancing back at him shyly.

Leo looks away at the sidewalk and then takes a deep breath. “Right…. I’ll see you around then?” He asks, finally looking to you again, putting on a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Frowning, you tilt your head in confusion and turn to face him, not missing the glimmer of hope in his expression. “Yeah… see you around. I hope you can get back to sleep when you get home?” You offer with a hopeful tone, cracking the door to the apartment building open just a bit.

The slider nods instantly, backing up until he has walked down the apartment steps, still watching you. “I’ll do my best.” He offers, forcing a jovial air back into his tone. “Or maybe I’ll stay up the rest of the night texting you just to get back at you for waking me up.” He joked with a faint laugh, crossing his arms.

Your eyes widen in surprise at that. “You wouldn’t dare.” You respond.

“I would.” Leo nods.

Pouting, you give him a look.

Instantly he rolls his eyes and smiles. “Okay, fine. I won’t.” He holds his right hand up and offers a salute. “Scout’s honour.” He adds.

“You’re not even a scout, are you?”

“I’m a Todd scout.”

“What does that even mean!?”

He laughs and shrugs. “He’s a friend of my family, he taught my brothers and I wilderness stuff. There were dorky outfits and everything.” Leo finally explains, drawing his odachi to signal his leave.

You nod, processing that information. “Gotcha— well… anyway, goodnight Leo, thanks for walking me home.” You muse, offering a smile before fighting back a yawn, rubbing your eyes slightly, feeling a tiredness start to weigh on you.

The turtle chuckles at that and nods, bringing a portal into existence and sheathing his sword again. “Goodnight y/n.” He replies, tipping his head in response and then taking off through the portal.

Letting out the breath you hadn’t realized you had been holding, you step into your apartment building’s lobby, shutting the glass door shut behind you before heading towards the elevator and press the button.

Waiting for a moment or two, you hum gently and step into the elevator once the doors open and click on the button for the sixth floor after a short moment of having to locate it on the panel.

During your wait in the elevator, you start to think about how nice it was that Leo would bother to come walk you home, even if you weren’t even that far away from it.. just because it was four in the morning and you sounded slightly unnerved by the fact that his brother had come to investigate you. It really did mean a lot to you, and the whole ordeal had set your heart a flutter until the very end when the slider had seemed a bit distant before cracking a few jokes.

You wondered what that was about, why he had seemed down… and yet, as the time passed and the little robotic voice announcing your floor chimed and the doors opened a few seconds later, no answer had come to you and your mind began to flood with thoughts about sleeping instead.

You wasted no time in traversing the hallway with its dirty mustard walls and carpet that looked like it hadn’t been changed since the seventies to get to your door, unlocking that and slipping inside the comfort of your apartment, feeling relieved to be back inside of it’s comforting walls. Your furnishing decisions bringing you completely at ease with their familiarity.

Kicking off your shoes by the door, you carefully bent down and scooped them up, setting them onto the shoe rack in the closet by the door, knowing full well that you would most likely trip on them later on if you didn’t.

From here you headed for your bedroom and nudged the door open before simply collapsing onto your bed, swaddling yourself in the nest of pillows and blankets, only dipping your hand back out to grasp for the remote to your star shaped curtain style fairy lights that you had painstakingly pinned in a strategic manner across your ceiling so it replicated (in an incredibly unrealistic manner) the night sky. Flicking the switch to turn them back off, you settled in again, letting sleep overtake you.

First , Prev , Next (coming soon)

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[two-webers-in-a-trench-coat]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals and followers :)

Thank you for the question! This is my first time answering one, and I feel eager and grateful to do so.

Hello! 👋

I’m taking this as an opportunity to let others get to know me and hopefully invite them to respond and share about themselves too. I’d like to get to know my tumblr mutuals and followers. In the spirit of getting to know one another…

Here’s a list of 5 things that makes me happy:

1. Animals:

Whether the animal is one of my pets, a little/large creature that has come across my path, fictional or real, belonging to someone else, living out in the wild, etcetera, I tend to think most animals appear friend-shaped, and they make me feel very happy. Some of my favorite animals include: toads (and frogs), cats, dogs, turtles, bears, mice, birds, and rabbits.

2. My interests / fandoms:

An easy way to put a smile on my face is to either talk passionately about something in which I’m interested or to get me talking passionately about a subject I love. It likely need not be said that engagement with those interests or fandoms directly also makes me feel happy.

Examples include: X-Files, MSR (X-Files), D&D, MBMBAM, Vlogbrothers, Dear Hank & John, my favorite anime, Venture Bros, JS&MN, sociology, sociology of religion, psychology, neuroscience, community, culture, etc.

3. Dessert:

There’s a spectrum of happiness inducement for me. Chocolate chip cookies, crème brûlée, and cheesecake induce higher levels of happiness than say… a slice of cake with vanilla icing. A slice of pumpkin cheesecake is top tier. I also enjoy a good slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I also greatly appreciate breakfast, so if French toast and cinnamon rolls can pass for desserts, add those to the list too!

4. My hobbies:

Reading, writing, playing D&D, gardening, cuddling animals, etcetera are just a few.

5. My friends:

I could talk about my friends, especially my best friends, for… hours — if not days — at one time. They make me feel happy and grateful to have them in my life. Get me talking about *them,* and I may never shut up.

Now, it’s your turn — if you’re willing and interested in taking the opportunity. I look forward to learning about what makes you happy too! Please share :)

[nekoannie-chan]

Old pets

Title: “Old pets”

Ship: Anna Marie D’Ancanto & James Howlett (Friendship).

Word count: 549 words.

Rating: Teen.

Square: N2 “Pets”.

Summary: Rogue and Logan talked about their pets.

Warnings/Tags: Pets, little sad maybe.

A/N: This is my entry to @marvelrarepairbingo  @marvelrarepairs MarvelRarePair Bingo Round 2 2023. Annie MRP-066.

You can read it on Wattpad and Ao3 too.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

I don’t give any kind of permission that my fics to be posted on other platforms or languages (I translate myself my work) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other's people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. If you find any of my works on a different platform and are not one of my accounts, please let me know. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

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Logan and Rogue got together to reminisce about the good times they had spent with their pets on the day off they had had after a long time. Logan began by telling about his first dog, a black-haired Labrador named Brutus who was a faithful companion for many years in his childhood, whenever he was sick, the dog would lie at his feet. There were other pets at home as well, such as cats, rabbits and even some exotic birds.

Logan had had a long list of pets throughout his life. He also couldn't forget the cat named Patches, nor the white angora rabbit named Ollie. As a child, Logan used to spend hours with them in the backyard throwing them food and playing with them while waiting for his father to return.

“My first dog, Brutus, was just amazing. He was always by my side when I was sick or sad. His loyalty was unwavering," Logan said.

When Logan finished his story, Rogue took her turn to share her memories.

Then Rogue began to talk about her little canary named Max that she had and her turtle that she sometimes took for walks in the park, she didn't have many pets as a child, and after her powers came along, she was afraid to harm them even if she didn't do it on purpose.

Amid nostalgia, Logan and Rogue smiled as they reminisced about the good times they had spent with their beloved pets. Although they felt a certain sadness in remembering them, they knew that their memories would always be with them. knowing that even though their pets were not physically present, the love they felt for them would never disappear. Together, they continued to recall more anecdotes and laugh as the afternoon wore on.

Logan and Rogue continued to reminisce about their pets, laughing and sharing stories. It was a much-needed break from their busy lives and they both felt grateful for the time they had spent together. As the day came to an end, Logan and Rogue said their goodbyes and promised to do it again soon. They both knew that their pets had brought them together and that the memories they shared would always hold a special place in their hearts.

“It was a good time, weren't they, Rogue? "

“Yes, Logan, it was... it was. "

“And that's not the best part. You see, all those pets, extraordinary as they were, were just the beginning of my lifelong journey with animals. There's so much more to tell, but, that's a story for another time," Logan said with a mysterious smile.

Rogue's eyes widened. She wanted to know more, to dive into Logan's fascinating world of pets and wonder. The day may have come to an end, but the story had left her wanting more.

“I can't wait to hear more, Logan. Let's plan another day to meet and continue sharing our pet stories," Rogue smiled after speaking.

“Of course, Rogue. I have many more stories to tell. Until then, take care and treasure your pet memories," Logan replied as he nodded.

And they said goodbye, knowing that their love for animals would always bind them together. Rogue left feeling inspired and excited for the next time they would meet to share more stories.

[donnetellotheturtle]

Raised by the foot clan, usagi miyamoto has been sent on his first mission: to kill the ninja turtles.

Chapter 1

Usagi was up training early. Earlier than usual anyway. He couldn’t sleep. He kept on having weird dreams the moment he closed his eyes. He kicked at the training dummy as a memory of the dream flashed in his head. He was fighting with a group of turtles. They seemed like…friends.

He shook his head as he punched straight through the dummy.

“Well done, lucky rabbit.”

His whole body tensed. He didn’t realize someone was watching. He pulled down the bottom of his black mask.

“Sensei Shredder.” Usagi went on his knees.

His sensei looked down at him, all he could see was the metal of his mask. “You are up early.”

“yes sir. I…couldn’t sleep.”

“Are the nightmares you were telling me about still bothering you?”

Usagi paused, then nodded. “Yes sensei.”

“You must put those out of your mind. They are not real. You cannot confuse reality with dreams.”

Usagi nodded. “yes sensei. Sorry sensei. I’ll keep them out of my mind to the best of my ability.”

“you are turning sixteen tomorrow lucky rabbit. You will be sent on your initiatory mission. You can’t afford any distractions.”

Usagi nodded. “I will make you proud, sensei.”

Shredder took off his mask, bending down to Usagis level. He smiled gently.

“I know you will, Usagi. You are my best student and like a son to me. Here.” He took something out of his pocket and held it in front of Usagi.

“shouldn’t this wait until tomorrow sensei?” Usagi asked.

Shredder chuckled. “I have my gift for tomorrow. This is for today.”

Usagi slowly took it, smiling gently. In his paws was a small box wrapped in white paper and a red bow on the top. He slowly unwrapped it and found inside a pocket knife. He took it out, examining the wooden handle.

“Push the button.”

Usagi did and a full sized sword popped out. His eyes lit up. “awesome! Thanks dad-I- mean!” Usagi blushed. The Shredder chuckled and ruffled the fur between his ears.

“You’re welcome my son. Just, don’t use it until tomorrow during your first mission. You’ll do amazing things. I know it.”

Shredder put on his mask and stood up, Usagi followed suit.

“get back to training lucky rabbit. The others will be joining you in a moment.”

With that Shredder left. Usagi tucked away his new pocket sword before the proper class came into session.

He would not disappoint his sensei.

The normal morning for Leo began with an alarm clock buzzing in his ear. He got out of bed with a stretch and went into the bathroom.

The red eared slider slipped on his mask, brushed his teeth and put on his regular gear, ready for the day.

He started making breakfast for everyone. There wasn’t much but if it was a morning he wouldn’t eat, that would be fine. He hummed softly as he started making the last four eggs for each of his brothers and father, each done a different way. As soon as those we’re begun he took out the bread, pulling the mold off the pieces and put them in the toaster that Donnie repaired when they’d found it. He then took the milk that was just a bit expired and did his best to strain it.

“Morning dad.” He said as his father, rat tail in all snuck into the kitchen. “You don’t have to sneak around me you know.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you. You seemed so at ease.”

Leo smiled a bit. “Well your eggs are ready. You hungry?”

“did you make yourself some?”

Leo shook his head. “Nah. You know I’m not a breakfast guy.” Splinter raised an eyebrow. Leo just pushed the food at him. “I’m fine dad, really. Please eat.”

Splinter sighed and started eating.

“I’m going to talk to April today, see if she has any left overs we can take. We’re running low on everything.”

“Alright. Just please be careful. You know how humans are. You might think this one is trustworthy but keep your guard up.”

“You tell me that every time I see April dad. And every time I come back okay.”

“I’m just looking out for you my son.”

Leo smiled a bit, then his brothers came into the room.

“Breakfast! Thanks Leon!” Mikey said, immediately digging in. Leo chuckled.

Raphael sat. “you could have woken me up to help.”

Leo shook his head.

Donnie, as usual, was in the middle of something. Leo came over and pulled his goggles up.

“DonDon, breakfast.”

Donnie frowned, signing too quickly for Leo to see.

“Donnie slow it down. One more time please.” Leo signed back.

Donnie took a deep breath and signed again. “ was just finishing the coding for the new cleaning robot. I might have to start all over again.”

Leo frowned. “I’m sorry Donnie I didn’t mean to do that. You should eat though. Working on an empty stomach doesn’t help anyone.”

Donnie sighed and nodded, picking up the fork without another word.

Leo smiled softly, told his brothers where he was going, and then headed out.

Leo poked his head out of the manhole cover, and came face to face with April O’Neil who had been waiting.

“Hey turtle face!” April said with a grin.

Leo chuckled and got up. “hey puffball hair. You got…the stuff?” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. April chuckled.

“I got groceries if that’s what you mean. We didn’t have any milk left over this week but everything else is there.” She handed him a bag of leftovers. “plus I got you guys some candies.”

“youre a lifesaver April. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

“probably be rooting through trashcans.” April leaned against the wall. “so when’s the next time your dad’s gonna be out? I have been working on my sign for Donnie, I made Raph some teddies and I got new paints for Mikey.”

“I don’t know. Probably soon. I’ll come get you when he’s out.”

April grinned and the two spoke with huge smiles.

Usagi meditated on his bed, trying to clear his mind of all his visions.

“usagi…”

He opened his eyes, looking around. No one. He figured it must have been his imagination. He closed his eyes again.

“usagi.”

He once again looked around, this time standing and looking around the hallway. He frowned, then closed the door. He turned around to a rabbit dressed in samurai Armour. Usagi yelled out in surprise and grabbed the sword, unfurling it.

“Who are you? How did you get in here?”

“Usagi Miyamoto.”

“How do you know my name?”

The samurai walked forward. Usagi slashed at him but the sword went through him. “w-wha…”

The samurai took off his helmet, revealing a rabbit much like himself. Usagi blinked.

“You must not become one of them. You are not meant to be this.”

“Who are you?”

The samurai sat, immediately changing his outfit to that of traditional Japanese shirt pants and shoes. “my name is Lord Mifune. I was a master of yours in a previous life. You may recognize me more like this.” He shifted into a tigers shape, completely different but the eyes were the same.

“you’ve been in my dreams.”

“correct young one. I have been sending you them.” Mifune shifted back into the rabbits shape.

Usagi glared. “you’re trying to trick me….wait I know what you are! You’re a Yokai. You’re just trying to trick me. It won’t work. Now leave!”

Mifune frowned. “you do not know what you are doing. If you go through with the mission, you will not be able to go back.”

“Leave me alone!”

Mifune sighed. “Very well child. I hope you will find your way.”

Usagi woke up from his trance with a gasp.

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

[virtuissimo]

Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop: Ch. 11

Previously on:

An exciting entry! After the day's work, Rabbit bookseller Espuma visited the Tent of Living Stories, where all the town of Roost gathers to share tales from beyond and to bare their souls. Espuma went in hopes of finding someone with information about the former owner of the book shop. During the event, a scream was heard from outside. When they all rushed to the Riverbank, the Cloaked Figure from Thistle Down was there rescuing a child who had been hypnotized into the water. Rex, a highly respected figure of Roost, got everyone to safety, and confirmed to Espuma that Cassiopeia was from Roost.

DAY ONE OF BUSK: SPENDING MONEY

Weather: 2, 9, 5 (Warm, light breeze in the morning, pollen. Light rain in the evening)

The events from last night were all anyone would talk about. The child told Rex what he'd assumed: The River called to him, he went for a swim, a dark figure grabbed him & began dragging him under, & the cloaked animal pulled him out of the water.

Knowing that Cassiopeia was from Roost, I began asking around. Unfortunately, the population of Roost-upon-the-River changed too frequently for most people to have remembered her. I'll have to ask Rex again the next time I see him.

I placed an order yesterday for a full restock, and I was unpacking and pricing books all morning. They were delivered by none other than Ava Bird, the Riverstrider I met in Thistle Down! I asked her what she'd been up to and she told me about some of her deliveries.

"By the way," she said, "A long time ago you asked me about a chipmunk named Aspen. I did meet them on this journey!"

"What? Where?" I asked. It had been so long since then, and so much had happened, but meeting Aspen and sharing a cider with them was my first warm memory on the River, and they held a special spot in my heart. "They live in Kiawake, a town in the middle course. We chatted a little, and they remember you! I didn't think to take a message, though, I'm sorry Espuma!" I was pleased to have news.

Later as I put books in shelves, a turtle came in with a large briefcase and a tall hat.

"Greetings, madam, I am Vinny the Man here with the deal of a lifetime."

"I'm not a woman, sir. How can I help you?"

"Sincerest apologies! I have here for you a complete china set, suitable for kings! In an establishment like this, wouldn't you want to lend an air of refinement and elegance?" We both looked around, our eyes settling on the painting of children playing soccer with a decapitated head. He stuttered through more of a pitch before I served him tea with my clearly old and sentimental teapot from my grandmother. Eventually he left in complete disgrace.

I finished putting up books as soon as a real customer came through the door. Finally! He began chattering to me, asking especially for spell books.

"Woulda been helpful before you got this curse on your shop, huh? Fat lot of good a spell book does you now."

I tried to ask what he meant, but he'd already moved on to another topic. Every so often, he'd mention something specific to me or the shop as if he knew more than he'd let on, and then the moment would pass just as quickly, and it was like it never happened. He bought his spell book and left, leaving me wondering what kinds of rumors and truths about me circulated in Roost.

Nikki came to see me later on. She looked out of sorts, her black shimmery feathers fluffed up like she'd been startled. She bumped into another customer and snapped at them. When she reached the desk to see me, her mood was obviously foul.

"The pollen is just everywhere. Why don't you close your windows on days like this? It makes your whole store a pile of powder. No one wants to hang out in a place like that."

I pulled out a face mask that I sometimes used when cleaning dust, and she grumbled before putting it on. She bemoaned random things for a while more before I asked what was wrong.

"I just... I thought about what you said, and I think I'm going to start seriously considering leaving Roost for good."

"Woah. Yea. That's huge. Where are you going to go?"

"I'm not sure. Somewhere in the middle course. I've always wanted to see what the River looks like in Brimming."

"Do you have any ideas for what you'd do there? Lifeguarding is probably taken in those towns."

"Lifeguarding was always temporary. I don't know... Maybe I'll try Riversifting to start and see where that takes me. Just to make some basic coins."

"It's a big decision... is it scary?"

"Yea... the scariest thing is that I'm going right into the heart of the danger our Roost families warn us about, and what if they're right? What if they're right and the River is too dangerous for me? I don't fear the River, but sometimes I wonder if I should."

"I definitely think you should," I said. "If you don't fear all the damage the River can do to you, then you won't actually respect it and be aware of everything that can happen to you out there. It's not to be paralyzed, but to keep yourself alert and safe." She seemed calmer after that and left.

Later a young vole came in, looking for YA. I asked if she wasn't a little too young for those, but she fell silent and didn't respond.

"That's alright!" I said, and led her to the shelf. She murmured a thanks and looked at me out of the side of her eye until I went away. I got to making a new window display. It had adventure books and ghost stories. This seems like the kind of town that would appreciate a quickened pulse and a bump in the night.

As I was turning to select the next book for the display, the vole girl appeared, silent and staring, holding her selections. I yelped, startled, and the whole display came tumbling down.

The vole girl was mortified and, apologizing profusely, spent an hour helping me put it back together and complete the display. Afterwards, she made her purchases and left in a rush, not so much as saying goodbye. I could tell it was pure embarrassment!

The warm breeze from the morning gave way to light rains, and the evening rode in on the backs of thin rain clouds.

Mr. Down visited once again, making his same manner of pronouncements. I didn't necessarily dislike Mr. Down, but I had a tolerance level that he often surpassed, and without his wife present he reached it too quickly. He explained to me, though, about the low educational expectations in Roost.

"We don't produce many scholars. Indeed, Mrs. Down and myself only became learned because a professor from Thistle Down came and taught us for a season when we were young. It instilled in us a passion for learning quite uncommon in Roost, much as it pains me to say!"

I found his explanation genuinely interesting, and I was pleased to sell him one of the books from the display.

I closed the shop and headed into town. I picked up some groceries (ginger, chilli berries, broth, stock, candles) (-105). I met Jelly and Zaz walking in town, and they gave me a quick tour of the different tents. The Hunted Tent called me attention, but it was getting late. Another day.

I picked up The Breeze in the Brambles too (-20), and I was pleased to add it to my collection.

Customers: 76 Inventory: 500 Till: 215 coins

[adaginy]

[Part 1][Part 2][Part 3] [Part 4]

Part 5 "Hey Mom. You have time for a chat? I have some news. ... Cool, not in the quiet car, are you? ... Then change cars, it's rude to take a call in the quiet car, jeez. ... ... Okay. Long story short, a week ago I had to babysit some coworkers at an event for their species. A mating thing, like how sea turtles all come lay eggs at once? ... I don't know, I think the full moon maybe, that's not the point. ... No, Mom, just -- look, a kid gave me a flower. Yes, there were kids there. No, they weren't-- MOM.😑 The kids are supposed to be there, because their parents leave them behind when they're going to get pregnant again, and older aliens take them. ... Ummm, yeah, actually, basically exactly like the Schmidt kids when their mother remarried, yes. So this kid gives me a flower and I take it because that's what you do when kids hand you stuff. And it turns out that's how its species says 'are you my new mommy' and how an adult says yes, so now I've adopted this alien kid. ... Uh-huh.. yep, I'm on new-child leave right now. Yep. Yes! Congratulations!" [Excited shrieking, audible even on this side] "That's the other reason I made you move out of the quiet car. 🤣 ... Yeah, we've made it a TAOL unit for their -- traditional and/or legal unit, a legal space family? It's a TAOL unit for their species and we're looking at what it would mean if we made it a human TAOL unit, too. ... 'Kiddo,' it's an actual Peprine name. ... Peprine. I don't know if they're common on Earth, I haven't been home in -- ... Like a rabbit sortof? That old movie you like with the rabbit cop? But the eyes are like, um, a little like a praying mantis I guess. ... Neither, it-- 🙄 No, not because of me, they just do pronouns differently. It's 'it' until it gets older, then he, then she. It's in class right now. ... There's like ten thousand adults on this ship, Mom, yes, there's enough kids for classes. ... Did you get the dock I ordered for you? It has a switch that'll transmit across calls. ... Well open the box when you get home then, and I'll call you when it's out of class, and you can talk to it. It's a bit shy, though. ... ... Well, yeah, a little afraid of me, but there's another Peprine kid on the ship, and the Peprine adults, and it doesn't talk to them much either. ... I don't know how old exactly. Size of a human 4-year old, but apparently it's going to grow fast. When it's signed up for classes, sometimes it's in a group with 7-year olds, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12-year-olds. ... Coconut, I know it likes coconut. I bet it would like peanut butter, too. Don't send cookies, they can't eat meat, I have to talk to someone about whether they can eat milk and eggs. Or lab-grown stuff. ... Lemme ask. Hey, SOSCU? Can you tell me when the ship's next mail stop is, please? And the next Earth swing? (SOSCU: Ship's Operational and Social Computer Unit. There are sentient AIs, this is not one. Allegedly. Only the humans say 'please'.) ... Mail is the 14th at Zed-μ-5, but the next Earth swing isn't until October. Oh, um, don't send fiddly toys. It doesn't have all its fingers. Just two on one hand. Puzzles yes, model kits no. ... I don't know why, I think born that way. ... Of course I've told it we can get prosthetics. I think it just has Big Feelings about it to work through. ... Ehh. Not to be, you know, speciesist, but by human standards Peprin are kinda fucked up regarding sick kids. So it might just need to, I don't know, come to terms with it being an option. I'll look some stuff up for it, ask medical if they know someone with a falsie who'd be willing to show it off. Don't bring it up when you talk, please. ... No? Oh. Yeah, I could show it my glasses, I didn't even think about that. "

[loud yappy dogs]

"Ow, I guess you're home. Tell Linus and Lucy and Schroeder that I said hi, give them pats for me. Get the shrieking out of your system, look up Peprine so you know what to expect for looks, open up the dock and get it set up and I'll call you in a few hours, okay? ... Love you too, Mommy. Talk to you again soon."

[Part 6]

[octoagentmiles]

hello hello hello, i come bearing headcanons for my dearest octoagents <3 the old mens™

angst cw for some of em, woops- (mentions/descriptions of anxiety, and implied trauma)

Natquik:

the Antarctica Incident had a much greater toll on him than he realizes. he's just ✨ Fine™ ✨ y'know? nbd <3 (he's not fine somebody please hug him-)

has a Thing about things breaking/not working. it causes him to immediately panic and have a million thoughts rush through his head about how he'll survive the weather, how much food he has, etc., even if it's something small.

he also doesn't like being alone for too long. you'd think he'd be "used to it", but nope.

but on the bright side: contrary to popular belief, he wasn't completely alone while trapped. he befriended a lot of penguins. mostly against his will, but still.

1000000000% views Barnacles as his son but he'll never admit it.

so gosh darn fluffy. basically canon but yeah. aside from the adorableness it's kinda a burden because he'd probably overheat really fast if he left his station.

fluent in Russian, and used to have a habit of muttering Impolite Words™ under his breath—until reuniting with a grown-up Barnacles who picked up some Russian in his worldly travels. now he only does it in private.

he watched the great penguin race. he saw and/or heard Barnacles there, but wasn't sure if it was him. they left before he worked up the courage had a chance to talk to them.

Calico Jack:

mmmmmmmmmm. undiagnosed autistic. masks really well but only among other pirates, who have completely different social rules and whatnot. he's struggling now because he doesn't know how to mask anymore. he doesn't need to, because literally all the Octonauts are neurodivergent, but pshh

he's going through a redemption arc in his head. no one else knows about it because everyone likes him already and thinks he's great, but he can't see that.

his leg will start to hurt really bad if he runs on it too much—he tries to avoid it if he can, but sometimes he's stubborn, or just forgets (until it's too late).

three words: phantom limb syndrome.

has anxiety and gets nightmares. he's good at hiding it, but sometimes a really bad one will bother him for a day or two.

Emotional Support Bird Pete Emotional Support Bird Pete Emotional Support Bird Pete Emotional Support Bird Pete Emotional Su-

wrote hundreds of letters to Kwazii when he was in the Amazon, but never sent them. he still wants to give them to him one day.

his eyepatch used to be covering the opposite eye—that's why Kwazii's is on that side, and why his statue (slime eels) and mini carving (pirate parrotfish) both have it on the wrong way. he switched it over when he left to hide live in the Amazon.

Marsh:

genuinely forgets that he's green sometimes. someone will comment on it and he'll be like "????? oh right–"

sings; he used to make up road trip songs with Tweak when she was little. he still knows them all by heart.

slightly hard of hearing (for rabbit standards). hi @timegays. you did this to me /pos

Him 🤝 Barnacles: separation anxiety and a secret fear of storms. i will not elaborate further <3

highkey a dad to 90% of the Everglades creatures. every single one of them is like family to him.

he grew up side-by-side with a lot of the older swamp critters (Belle The Turtle, & maybe Flo The Flamingo), he considers them like his siblings.

his first name is literally "Ranger": he had it legally changed, so that he and Tweak (who decided to go by "Tweak" when she got into engineering) could both be named after their interests.

unintentionally inspired Tweak's engineering special interest. that motorboat he has in The Alligator-Shark? it used to break down constantly, until he taught her how to fix it. she fixed it ONCE and it never broke down again. it gave her such a rush of euphoria that she went around fixing everything, and eventually building new things. and she just,, never stopped.

[potteresque-ire]

Commentary ~ Little Red Little Green Episode 18, “Fruits & Found Family”

Link to original post in Chinese, posted 2021/05/23. Link to official English translation.

(Disclaimer / Notes + Commentary under the cut!) (TW: possible eating disorder)

Disclaimer / Notes:

While the posts by Little Red Little Green (LRLG) are among my most favourite candies, I’d like to remind everyone that they are fake rumours, and should be read and enjoyed as such. ie, all CPN below!

The English translation linked above is the only one authorised by the Fake Rumour House; therefore, please treat all content below as a very casual, very *unofficial* convo between fellow turtle friends! ❤️💛💚

With Chinese being a highly region-specific language, my reactions to it is necessarily filtered through my background, which is, admittedly, somewhat removed from Gg’s, Dd’s and LRLG’s. However, it is not uncommon for even c-turtles (and several times, LRLG themselves) to be lost with what they read / heard due to regional differences ~ which reflects the reality of communicating in the Sinosphere. In fact, the regionality of the dialects used by different “characters” in LRLG’s dialogues is among the most critical elements that make these posts so authentic-sounding, and so difficult to replicate. A fun activity of following LRLG is to watch c-turtles patch their regional knowledge together, from local slangs to food choices, to make sense of what’s going on. 

Okay, with that all said *phew* ... onto the commentary! “p. X” refers to the panel number in the official English translation (there are 7 total in the Twitter post). 

p1. “Fairy”

Likely referring to the similarity between Gg’s current role for 玉骨遥 (The Longest Promise) and LWJ. Dd was praising Gg for being “fairy-like”; Chinese “fairies” (仙) have a certain style especially in visual media, similar to ... LWJ’s ~ otherworldly, white robes that billow in the wind, peaceful to the point of distant, scholarly, delicate. In between the lines, Gg likely said he was simply playing LWJ (hence, the ”act another me” in the translation), which Dd protested... and said Gg was simply playing himself. Whether that means DD IS NOT LWJ!!!!! 😡😡😡 or something else, we’ll know what we get to watch the show!

p1-p2. “Heat”

Yes about the Chang’e 嫦娥 reference!! Despite Houyi 后羿 shooting down 9/10 suns and saving the day, his wife is, indeed, more famous (and therefore the star, the more powerful one), because she’s frequently featured in Mid-Autumn festival art, along with her pet rabbit 玉兔 (”Jade Rabbit”),:

(Chang’e with her bunny, traditional Chinese painting. Source.)

Below is Gg’s rendition of Chang’e / Jade Bunny pair ~ Chang’e being the superman in the drawing while Jade Bunny is crouching on the planet!! 

Guess of the missing convo from Gg’s side: Gg had wanted to bring something to Hengdian (where the filming of The Longest Promise was taking place) to cool himself down, and Dd had said it wasn’t necessarily. Hence Dd’s “My bad my bad” and the promise to send that something to Gg.

The loveliest line in this segment for me—and for many c-turtles— is the one about white hair. Turning grey a common, but very old-fashioned way of expressing worry and poor Dd, who hasn’t even turned 24, is claiming he was turning white because he got so worried every time Gg complained about the heat (Aww). 

Turning grey with worry isn’t limited to romantic situations — it may happen to doting parents with wayward children, for example, or to ancient patriots over their crumbling kingdom. However, it’s also one of the more (very!) dramatic ways to communicate tragic love in Chinese fiction before Western influence allows “love”, as a term / word / character, to be used explicitly in writing romance. 

Here’s a little example, a little diversion that may be of interest. Those who are familiar with the Wuxia classic Return of the Condor Heroes 神雕俠侶 by Jin Yong 金庸, whether it’s the book or its numerous visual adaptations, may remember how the hero, Yang Guo 楊過, went white at his temples overnight after his Shifu and lover, Xiao Long Nv (小龍女), didn’t show up at the cliff at the end of his 16-year wait for her.  

Set photo from a TV adaption of Return of the Condor Heroes, 1995. Turtles may find the actress playing the perenially white-wearing, calm-to-the point-of-aloof Xiao Long Nv, Carmen Li 李若彤, familiar ~ she also played Lan Yi in The Untamed. 

The 16-year wait, the invitation to Carmen to play Lan Zhan’s ancestor (when the two shared similarities in aesthetics and personality), were two of the three references from Return of the Condor Heroes I picked up from The Untamed (the last one was more specific—WWX mentioned Yang Guo’s master 獨孤求敗). This tribute is unconfirmed, but MXTX did say before that Jin Yong’s works were her inspiration. I also read a (small) discussion on whether LWJ’s hair carried a few pieces of white in the final episode, or if the lighter strands in it were a trick of the sunlight. (Here’s a screenshot of the approximate place to look!!) 

While I lean towards the latter (the sunlight), turning white with worry, with love, is a tradition in Chinese storytelling. Here’s a little something I’ve noticed too, on this note ~ both in the actual interviews and in these fake rumours, Dd’s word choices, the way he conveys emotions are sometimes surprisingly traditional. It can be because of his background (which would require a study of how Luo Yang people and Koreans talk); it can be because the traditional way of talking allows for fewer words to be said, fewer things to have to be explicitly explained (example: LWJ), but the effect is that Dd has supplied the most romantic lines in LRLG’s posts because of that ~ romantic because it harks back to the rhythm, the themes of old poetry, of ancient stories that, as were true everywhere in the world, were about love. 

Okay, back to the rumour (and hoping Dd won’t look like Bad Wig Yang Guo in a few more summers!) ....

The line after the one about white hair ... the way I understand the original Chinese sentence is “Heat is The Reason”: ie, anything Dd wants Gg to do and Gg disagrees, Gg would use heat as The Reason (R) to not do it. This anything may be eating, for example, which also has a strong possibility as conventional Chinese wisdom says that heat causes people to lose appetite. Dd’s worry would therefore be: Gg refusing to eat because he claims it’s too hot to do so.

“Corny joke” ~ the Chinese for this is, literally, “cold 冷 joke 笑話”, which becomes a pun as the gzry (team members)’s joke was about the (cold) winter and black hair. So... Dd threw a corny joke to combat a corny joke :D .

p3. “Apple”

The first half I also had to rely on c-turtles to help me interpret what it meant! Regional dialects aside, LRLG has captured dls’s very quick wit, the way his ideas freely hop from one concept to the next and this hopping carries traditional + popular cultural references that I know only a fraction of, not being a local after all. 

I’ve read an additional interpretation of this segment: “big fruit” 大果兒 (as in dls: “Those are all big fruits, all big fruits”) is a Northern Chinese, traditional slang for women—dls might have connected that with the previous line in the convo about being Guowang, as explained in the translation, and “big and juicy” + “touch to feel” being suggestive phrases. Then, given the rare usage of the big fruit = women slang, dls expressed surprise that Dd understood what he meant, went on to say he expected Gg to know it (implying Gg could’ve taught Dd the meaning) ... 

Which led to the entertaining part of this segment. Dd was like “You guys (= Gg + dls) talked?” Dls appeared to have thought of the scenario customarily inviting this question (scenario: someone on the verge of catching their spouse cheating) and began playacting that scenario, started to stammer ... as if he had just been got caught trying to chat up someone’s spouse  ~  ”I-I-I....how to say it ...”. Dd caught on dls’s playacting and went along, continued with the “accusation”: “You’re stammering”. Dls then noted that Dd’s accusation was scary and Dd smiled, ending the playact ~ so, ah, readers, never mess with Dd’s spouse!! Dd gets scary!! 

(BTW: ”nijia na kouzi” 你家那口子 was explained in the translation for a reason ~ It’s a warm, friendly term for a dear friend’s spouse. 😊)

p4. Lychees

Lychees. Has everyone tried them? It’s important not to over-eat them though...

In which the “Feeding Gg” saga continues! This segment is one of those that are wonderful for fic writers who wish to capture Gg and Dd in words. Gg, like many brought up in traditional families, has trouble saying “no” outright, which is often considered rude. As such, he resorted to delay tactics, something he had also done with the fried noodles in The Makeup Room BTS. 

In the BTS, his delay tactics had been to argue that Dd hadn’t eaten his box of noodles and therefore, he couldn’t start (~2:35 mark)—as proper manners indeed dictated. In this dialogue, his delay tactics was to say he’d eat the lychees later, that the lychees would make him too full for the proper meal (rice). 

A cute thing about this convo is that rather than pouting and grumbling his only being LWJ’s replacement (as he had hilariously done in the BTS), Dd had, apparently over the last three years, become an expert on countering such delay tactics. He peeled the lychees, which not only removed a major obstacle for eating, but also set a timer as peeled lychees get dry quickly (and Gg, despite being a picky eater, didn’t seem to like to waste food). He said the fruit could make appetiser. He got the help of their team members, who assured Gg that two lychees would be all right.

Gg’s response to the assurance... takes a little time to explain. 

The original Chinese line for “Great, great, you’re so awesome” was 絕了絕了你們絕了。 “絕了”, a popular phrase used by Chinese netizens, was repeated three times.

絕, literally, means the extreme, the absolute, the end. 絕了 means pretty much the same ~ a thing that is 絕了 is standing en pointe at the edge of the cliff that is The Absolute End of a spectrum. It is the Ultimate. It can't be surpassed. It’s unbeatable. 

絕了 is usually used in a positive sense, as in the English translation, with the positive being implied. If I say the LWJ photo above is 絕了, for example, I don’t need to specify that the extreme in 絕 stands on the good end. It’s understood given the audience of this post are mostly turtles (HELLO *waves*). We’re all heart-eyes here. We agree, without saying, that this photo is The Top, The Pinnacle; it can’t be better. 絕了 is higher praise than Excellent; it’s so good that there are no adjectives for it. Its own presence defines How Good It Is. 

But 絕了 doesn’t have to be positive. If my audience is Su She ... he’s likely to take the same “This LWJ photo is 絕了” to mean the Mariana Trench kind of Absolute—the bottom of the bottom, the Unbeatable, Adjective-Defying Worst. 

絕了 allows for that understanding too.

In this scenario, I interpret Gg’s 絕了 as taking the meaning of both extremes (which make it a fantastic phrase choice!): that Gg thought Dd and the team members were being both the Absolute Best (for thinking of Gg, caring for him) AND the Absolute Worst (for going against his wish to not eat!) Gg’s 絕了 also signals defeat; if Dd and his team members were The Absolute ... Whatever, then poor Gg had no choice but to yield to their wishes. I can already imagine his “I can’t believe I lose this way” Look (see: every rock-paper-scissors he lost, which was ... pretty much all of them), mixed with, perhaps, a healthy amount of bunny tooth warning (how dare Dd et al banded up against him)...

Those bunny teeth had to be taken care of, right? And so Dd went on to say lychees being good omen that ensure things would go smoothly for the eater... targeting Gg’s being a, as c-turtles call it, 小迷信 (literally, “Little Superstitious”, a young + adorable + superstitious person). Dd said that to help Gg justify the choice to eat, to make Gg feel better about his defeat. 

(Of note: I had actually never heard of lychees being associated with good luck before, and a quick search online also didn’t yield any result. This could be a relatively rare association Google failed to catch ... or something Dd made up on the fly to make Gg happy.) 

(Lychees have, however, been associated with romance. If Emperor’s Smile 天子笑 was The Love Drink in The Untamed, then what is Concubine’s Smile 妃子笑? Answer: it’s the RL name of a type of lychees, lychees being the fruit very much adored by Yang Yuhuan 楊玉環, the consort of the Emperor Xuanzong (685-762 BCE) of the Tang Dynasty and one of the four most beautiful woman in Chinese history. Since lychees had only been grown in southern China, the emperor had had the fruit couriered, in express mode involving many horses, to the palace up north to please his favourite wife. Lychees had become a symbol of love from that historical tale.)

Did Gg get Dd’s message then, the love and care packaged in those peeled, sweet fruit awaiting his bite? Yes, but not without a little more fight! “Eat eat eat, (I’ll eat) until you go bankrupt” is a literal translation of his final line. Tonally, I can see the following as being an alternative translation: 

“Fine fine fine. I’ll eat, it’s not like I can bankrupt you by eating anyway!”

If it sounded a little sulky, that’s because it did ... a little sulky AND fiery. As expected from our favourite Chongqing Big Pepper 😂😂😂 (Poor Gg).

Dd smiled at that, needless to say. He won!!! He got Gg to eat!! The world shall rejoice!! 

p5. “Showtime”

There’s a show coming up for Dd (the YH concert maybe?), and Gg offered suggestions. 

The sweet point of this segment is about half-way down the conversation, in the piece of paper 📄 Gg gave to Dd (after “This is for you.”). Dd took the paper, noted the many words on it, and started saying 我把我整個靈魂, translated as “I bring my entire soul”.

c-Turtles have, based on these words, hypothesised that Dd was about to read out a quote that Gg had written on the paper, with the list of items Gg thought Dd should take, before Gg stopped him with a call of his name (“WYB”). The quote was included on the translation (”I give you my entire soul...only, a little good, love you.”) I have also talked about the same quote, in more detail, here.

I’m equally stumped on the final line of this segment. (Sorry!!)

p6. “Found Family”

It’s a heartwarming segment. While LRLG had previously noted that the TTXS bros had communicated with Gg, this segment made clear that they care for him like they do for Dd ~ as family.

* dls mailed Gg a lot of fruit for sharing with the film crew. “Family member needs to be impressive” is a rough translation, but this line does defy simple translation because 排面 a highly cultural concept that has much to do with the equally complex, Chinese concept of face (which this article explains... somewhat adequately). The message to take home is that dls cared enough about Gg that he wanted to make sure Gg wouldn’t lose face in front of the film crew; that, by having enough gifts (fruits) for everyone, Gg wouldn’t be viewed as cheap or inadequate or stingy, or whatever adjective that wouldn’t befit his top idol status. Because dls saw Gg as a member of his family. 

* The prescription from hg had been mentioned in a previous LRLG rumour. 方子 is a Chinese medicine prescription, which, unlike Western formulations, is individualised both to the discomfort / ailment and to the “body constitution” of the person who'll take it, the latter deciding the kind of ailments the person is susceptible to, and which ingredients are expected to be more effective. Chinese medicine also places a strong emphasises on long-term conditioning, whether it’s for recovery from a certain condition or for general good health. A good 方子 is therefore a far more complex and personal thing than, say, a scribble of “paracetamol” / “acetaminophen” on a piece of paper. :D

* fg’s gift for Gg (xx) is something for the waist. A brace support, maybe? For example?

My favourite line in this segment is when hg asked what will Gg and Dd do when they reach hg’s age. Given that the last two items (the prescription and xx) were health-related, I interpreted it as hg worrying about Gg and Dd’s health when they grow old... with all the health problems they already have. It’s the kind of thing a worried parent say to their children ~ my mom has said the same thing to me as well. 😢

p6. “The Cat Paw”

Not quite sure what’s happening here ... not sure what the cat paw is. (Sorry!!) But that é in the translation is Dd’s signature laugh (collection here), which is written as 鵝 (”Goose”) in Chinese 😂.

p7. “The Cat Toy”

Dd appeared to be shopping for a cat’s toy (something that can “hook the cat” in the translation, such that the cat can entertain itself and not rely on human companionship as much). Gg had already bought the toy though and sounded quite proud of it, told Dd to return the toy. The implied cat was, of course, Nut (堅果 Jianguo)... which had been repeatedly referred to in LRLG’s posts as Gg’s daughter.

p7. “Cool vs Cute”

Gg is often viewed as cute, and Dd as cool. Did Dd dislike Gg taking cute pictures for public consumption? Were they scheming an exchange of image? :D

And that’s it for this issue! Ooh, this took unexpectedly long ... I apologise for the ridiculous delay between the original post and this commentary! 

(I wrote half of it, then RL struck and I forgot about it.) (I’m hopeless.) (I need a 方子 for poor memory!!)

[egg-on-the-run]

I got my first proper request and I literally accidentally deleted it. Am I stupid? Yes. Did I immediately panic? Yes. Do I remember what was on it?........ mostly.

Haha anon I hope you see this I'm so sorry but ily.

The turtles s/o who's usually very calm but just bursts into anger.

Notes: swearing :) I think it's funny

Leonardo:

He's used to a very calm s/o, you like to meditate together, he's always been good with helping you with breathing exercises.

You both like to keep arguments to a minimum, and even when fights do take place there isn't a lot of yelling

But when your mother came to visit :) that was just :) a lot of pressure :)

And she stayed in your apartment :) for a week :) everything was fine :)

Leonardo hadn't seen you for an entire week, not an overly long time, but certainly not pleasant. And he knew that you got stressed when you couldn't see him often. So as soon as you texted saying you had dropped your mother off at the airport, he immediately came round.

You were already screaming the moment you walked in the door.

"Oh she has some nerve! Some nerve! Speaking to me like that!"

"I'm guessing you're car ride went smoothly."

"She's been bugging me all week! When are you getting married? When are you have kids? I want some grand babies before I die! Ugh! She's obsessed with maintaining this perfect image all because her friend's kids are married and making babies like rabbits!"

He stayed quiet, not exactly sure how to comfort you. It wasn't like he could provide you with these things, and by the sounds of it, your mother would never approve of your huge turtle boyfriend.

"She just can't get that I'm happy! I have my own life and it's perfect the way I want it to be! I have a perfect boyfriend! You're a fucking delight! She–she's just so obsessed with her image that she'd never get that!"

"You... You think so?"

"I know so! She's too stubborn and she'll never get how fucking great you are and it just— UGH! It fries my brain."

"Even though I... I can't give you all those things... I can't legally marry you, we can't have kids."

"Even if you could give me a mansion and a diamond ring, or if all you could give me was a-a fucking walnut! I love you Leonardo, not that prim and proper white satin wedding she's made a thousand Pinterest boards for. I love you, I just wish she would get it."

Leonardo leaned down and kissed your cheek

"I love you too."

He believed in dealing with anger appropriately, but seeing you defend him with such passion made him feel so much more secure.

Raphael:

He's seen you angry before, he encouraged it. He's all about helping you with your confidence, teaching you to not be afraid to take up space and stand up for yourself.

But holy cow. You were mad that night.

He'd warned you not to take the trash out at night, wait to the morning — or better yet, he'll take it out for you when he came to visit after patrol.

But you are Raphael's girl. You are stubborn.

So you take the trash out, and some absolute creep decides that "flirting" in a dark alleyway in the key to a girl's heart.

Raphael swooped in, told the man to scram. But bold and drunk, the man spits back with a "Oh yeah? And would she want anything to do with a freak like you? What are you gonna do? Hit me? Aw, big angry turtle, you're gonna scare your girlfriend away."

It was two of his biggest insecurities. His appearance and his rage, especially in regards to scaring you away. It was a low blow, Raphael should have known to just walk away.

But he clammed up, he'd never admit when his anxiety got the best of him and you don't blame him.

"Oh go fuck yourself. If a vile man like you doesn't scare me, why the hell do you think a good man like him would?"

"A good man? He's not a fucking man! He's some freaky turtle thing, a pretty little thing like you deserves a real man."

"And are you a real man?"

"More real than your little pet."

The next thing you knew, the man was on the ground. You assumed Raphael knocked him out, but Raph's standing behind you and you're the one with your hand in a fist.

"Oh my god. Oh–Oh Raphie I knocked him out! O-Oh my god!"

"Holy shit Y/N! You probably broke his nose!" Raphael is grinning, shaking your shoulders.

"I didn't mean to hurt him."

"He deserves a broken nose at the least for messing with you! He was an asshole and he needed someone like you to set him straight!"

"I, um, well, I suppose he did! Saying such horrible things about you, I-I guess he did need someone to put him in his place."

Raphael ruffled your hair, "Thank you, my knight in shining armour."

"That make you my Prince?"

"Your Prince who was right about not taking the trash out at night."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

He appreciated you standing up for him more than you could imagine. And he found it mighty hot how hard you hit that guy. Seriously! He must be a good self defence teacher.

Donatello:

Donatello loves you so much, loves holding you and hugging you whenever he can. He adores it when you sit on his lap while he works.

But do you like to cuddle when you sleep? Tough luck. Getting him to bed is like trying to lick your own elbow: near impossible.

Regardless, you try. Because every once in a while Donatello is too tired to fight and he will go to bed.

Tonight is not one of those nights.

"Baby, please, just come to bed. Everyone's already asleep."

"I'll be there in a minute, just go on without me."

You sigh, not really seeing the point in fighting. Instead you return to his bed, trying to keep yourself awake playing games on your phone. When half an hour passes, you go back and try again.

"Donnie come on, aren't you tired? I just want to cuddle."

"I just need to put some stuff on a hard drive, April's writing a new article, she needs it for tomorrow."

You sigh once more, "Promise you'll come to bed right after?"

"I promise."

Donatello's bed is comfortable, but it's more comfortable with him in. You force yourself to stay awake; despite your exhaustion you're determined to cuddle tonight. It's all you want.

But it did not take an hour to put some documents onto a hard drive. And he's being awfully loud for just typing away on a computer.

"Are you fucking joking right now?!"

He jumps, almost dropping the box of beakers in his arms, "Hey love... Can't sleep?"

"You're rearranging your lab?! Why are you—since when do you rearrange things, huh? What the hell?!"

"I just y'know, thought things needed a change..?"

"Oh, and now is the time to change things, really? Of all the times to move your fucking beakers you decide to do it in the middle of the night after I specifically asked you to come to bed? Seriously?"

He gives a nervous grin, the kind that usually made you smile in return. But it was late — rather it was early at this point — and you were cranky.

"You can sleep without me, you're a big girl." He teased.

"I want to sleep with my boyfriend! I want to cuddle! Is that so much to ask for?!"

Donatello blinked, "You're right, I'm sorry, but I swear, I promise, I'll be ten minutes, honest."

"You can finish this tomorrow. If you're not in bed in the next ten seconds, I am going to scream and wake everyone else up."

"Don't be ridiculous—"

"Ten."

Donatello jumped, quickly moving to shove supplies in cupboards a little recklessly. You continued to count down from ten, storming off back to his bed for hopefully the finally time this night.

By the time you got to the very firm "Three... Two... One..." Donatello was racing to bed, dived in beside you, crashing and knocking your heads together.

He'd never tell you, for fear you'd let it get to your head, but he kind of liked it when you got bossy.

Michelangelo:

Anger and Michelangelo just don't mix. They just don't. He's the king of communication, he's tries his hardest to avoid fights at any and all costs. You've always appreciated his determination to talk things out with you.

But with his brothers? He shuts down, he goes quiet and just accepts whatever blame they put on him: he knows they don't mean it, they only say mean things when they're angry.

But it hurts, hearing his big brothers tell him he's stupid, that he's childish, that he's lackadaisical.

"What kind of word even is that?! I swear Donnie must read a thesaurus as a bedtime story.."

So he's allowed to complain, and you let him ramble when he comes to visit. He sits on your bed and the words just tumble out of his mouth, lets you move around the room tidying up while he rants.

"I just—Raph keeps calling me stupid. And I just—I-I just—You know, sometimes I believe it."

You freeze, sweater only half folded and turn to him, "But you're not stupid. Just because you're not some brainiac like Donatello doesn't make you stupid. If that was the case, then I'm stupid, Raph's stupid, April, Leo, Splinter is stupid. Do you think we're all stupid?"

"Well—no, but—"

"But what?"

"But I... I am a little stupid."

"No you're not! Mikey, how many times has you out of the box thinking saved the day? Y-You were the one who suggested playing friggen buck-buck to take down Shredder! Y-Your skateboarding—hoverboarding skills saved the world. You think your brothers could do that?"

Mikey scrunched his nose up, "That's not smart though. They're right. My-my focus is all over the place, I-I could never come up with a plan like Leo, I could never have half the brains Donnie has, and Raph just—he gets things that I don't and I-I am stupid!"

"I need to have a word with your brothers—"

"And that's another thing! Everyone still treats me like I'm some kid! I don't need you to have a word with them! You're not my mom."

"Then you have a word with them! But sitting here and complaining about things that just aren't true isn't going to change anything!"

He's taken aback. Much like himself, you hardly ever yell, never ever raise your voice at him.

"I am not going to stand here and let them insult you day in and day out! Either you do something about it, or I will!"

He blinks at you, you're aggressively folding the sweater in your arms and grumbling about how you could definitely take Raphael in a fist fight if need be. You mumble something about how nobody gets to speak to your boyfriend like that, and it finally clicks with Mikey.

"Alright. I'm going to talk to them," He's mostly talking to himself, "I'm going to show them that I'm not some stupid, ditzy, lackadaisical kid anymore. I'm your boyfriend, and nobody gets to speak with me that way!"

You beam at him, anger disappearing within the second with his newfound confidence, "Hell yeah! Nobody insults my boyfriend!"

"Your boyfriend!"

"My boyfriend!"

"Your boyfriend!"

His brothers' version of a wake up call is to point out his weaknesses, tell him what needs to be corrected. But you much prefer to build him up, point out his strengths.

But jeez, he does not like your angry face.

[chicchanmooshy]

Shades of grey, chapter 18 - Christmas at Usagi’s, part 1 (Preparations)

Sometimes live happens.. in my case in a good way. I’m sorry it took so long before I posted this chapter, but here it is. I wanted to better it, but it took forever to finish that and I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

@leosgirl82 @thelaundrybitch @roxosupreme @mysticboombox @turtle-babe83 @sewerninno @angelcatlowyn @raisin-shell 

warnings: mention tcest, 18+, lemon, nsfw

Ishtar woke up next to Michaelangelo. They had spend the night together in his bed. With the night crimes increasing again, the brothers were also more often gone during the night. Thinking they might appreciate their bed rest and Mickey being … needy... she had made the suggestion to sleep in his room, which he gladly accepted. Sleeping further down the hall, Ishtar and Mickey also didn't need to worry about the noise they were making during that night.

Still sleepy Ishtar moaned a little and snuggled closer to Mickey's chest. He responded with closing his arms tighter around her.

A knock on the door, but they didn't hear it. A few minutes later another knock, but this one went also unnoticed by the two. Then the door opened, Donnie came in, turned on the lights and said, “come on rabbits, waky waky, eggs and beacky!”

Ishtar groaned “sweet goddess, Donnie, it's still too early, five more minutes please?” At the first sign of the bright lights Mickey had shoved his head under the pillow, mumbling something unrecognizable.

“Hey, I'm just the messenger”, said Donnie. “You got thirty minutes before training starts. It's up to you if you still want to shower and have breakfast”, he announced very happy and with that he left.

Ishtar groaned again, yawned and tried to get up, only Mickey was still holding on to her. “Come on, Mike, let me go. I do need to shower before I can train .. and so do you!”

She left him in bed and took a shower. The warm water didn't wake her up and she forget about training, arriving just on time in the dojo, but without Mickey.

“Where is Michaelangelo?” asked Leonardo.

“In bed or in the kitchen, I don't know. I'm not his mother”, she said and yawned again.

“Excuse me?” Leo asked appalled by her answer. 'Why would she react in that way, without any respect?'

“I don't know where Mickey is now”, Ishtar sighed. “But I'm not responsible for him. I told him to get a shower and then left”, she shrugged.

“Okay, I'll talk to him later. Go do your thing.”

“Yeah, I know the drill”, she said and got to her work out.

After training and another shower she walked to the lab to do some work. Donatello followed her, but continued on his own projects. Hours later Leonardo popped his head in and said, “hey workaholics, dinner is ready. And I have something to tell all of you. You coming?”

“Aaah... aaahh... I'm coming Leo!” Ishtar fake moaned.

Leo looked at her, “don't start something you can't finish, sweetheart”, he said with a raised brow.

She tried to smile innocently but failed. Grinning she winked, “I'll finish this one pad and will join you then.”

Even though they haven't made love after that one whole day, she found it difficult to go back to being more submissive, realizing she actually wasn't submissive anymore. Maybe she never was.. Her character was usually calm and sweet. Sometimes she could react fiercely if someone got too close. But now that she'd tasted that alpha energy, a whole new world opened up for her. Of course she didn't try to defy Leonardo, but she just couldn't manage to make herself smaller to please him. That made their interaction a bit more difficult, given that they could collide a bit faster, like this morning in the dojo. And in the meantime when they were in each others presence, they had all kinds of sparks coming off them.

Just imagine; meditating together and feeling that he is super horny in that moment, she can almost feel what he wants to do with her. Gonna do to her, if she just give him a signal. But she haven't done that yet. This was her way of testing how long he can last without her in his bed.

She started to see more and more signs that it wouldn't be long now. She now had to decide to give him the signal, or wait for him to really loose it and go all crazy out on her. And both options excited her greatly. Especially considering the Leonardo hadn't shared himself with his brothers either. Maybe she should tell him he can made his needs known to her. But then she also had to take in account that he could jump her there and then. And what would he do to her? Would he still let her walk to his room? Or throw her over his shoulder, or even drag her? Or would he tear the clothes off her on the spot and fuck her hard against the wall? Gosh, now that she thought about it, she really had a thing for walls..

“Can I have your attention, please?” asked Leonardo at the dinner table. “As you all know, we will be leaving in a few days on our trip to Usagi's world to celebrate Christmas there. So I would like to ask you to make your things ready these days. And don't forget to pack your Christmas presents as well. Dad, will you be joining us? It's a warm climate there, this time of year.”

“Yes, I will join you this time. I would like to see Usagi and his family again”, Splinter said happily. “And I'm looking forward to the warm weather.”

Ishtar raised her hand, “uhm, I didn't know this trip was coming up. And as much as I like to come with you, I cannot..”

“And why is that?” asked Leonardo a little concerned.

“Er, I've got to finish my work. I wanted to celebrate the Winter Solstice here.. and.. er.. this is really embarrassing.. I haven't bought you any presents.. “ she said with a flushed face. “We.. er.. didn't celebrate Christmas with gifts, so.. I'm not used to that..”

“Hey, that's alright babycakes” said Michaelangelo cheerfully, placing an arm around her shoulders. “We only want you for Christmas”.

It wasn't even that difficult to make an earlier appointment to bring the stuff and collect her payment. They were very happy she could deliver earlier. During the holiday season their store always emptied faster, so the new stock was very welcome. Leonardo decided that Raphael would stay with Ishtar in the lair until the delivery was made. Raphael could protect her topside, keep her company the coming days and Raph also knew how and where to travel to Usagi's world.

Still embarrassed she barely dared to look at Leonardo. But he got up and walked to her. Cupping her face in his hands he said “call it corny or romantic, it is still the truth, we don't care about the presents, we only want you. But if you really want to buy us something, we can give you a list?” To seal the message he kissed her deeply. Almost leaving her breathless he then asked, “you said something about work? Can't that wait until we get back?”

“No, I have to deliver in two weeks. And I still have several days work to do. I can speed it up and call them to ask if I can bring it sooner. But it will still take me three of four days to finish it.. Is it okay if I travel to you after I delivered the work?”

“Hmm.. make your call first with them, see what is possible. We talk when we know more about it” he said reassuring. He then sat down on his haunches while thinking about something else. “Will you accept my sincere apologies for forgetting to tell you about this trip?”

Now it was her turn to cup his face in her hands. “Yes Leonardo, I accept your apologies and I forgive you.”

On the morning Donatello, Michaelangelo, Master Splinter and Leonardo were leaving, Raphael and Ishtar said their temporary goodbyes. Leo really hated it to leave her – and Raph -  behind. Especially during wintertime he preferred his family close by. Ishtar saw the sadness in his eyes and hugged him tight. “I know you don't like it, but I made a commitment with that company. And my sense of honor tells me to keep that promise.”

Leo nodded. Honor was something he knows really well, it was a part of him and his training.

“And of course I understand that you and me need to better communicate about our activities.” She could feel him tremble a little.

“You know Leo? It's alright to feel the things you feel now. Don't push it aside. These feelings have a right to be here. Feel them and learn from them, what it means to you. As long as those feelings don't control you, there's  nothing to worry about.”

Pulling apart from their hug he looked in wonder at her, “when did you become so wise?”

“Through live experience. Okay now, off you go. We will see you guys in three or four days. Safe travels!”

'Wow, his feelings move around fast! Big highs and deep lows. Time to lift his spirits again. Hopefully he can keep that energy up', she thought. “What? And leave all the sexy work to you? Shell no! I'll have plenty of energy left for you!”

When the portal closed Raphael turned to Ishtar, saying “a whole lair just for our selves! This is a rare treat! And I get to spend it with you, Ishtar. Do you have any idea how happy I am right now?”

Ishtar chuckled, “I have an inkling. Sooo.. what are you going to do now?”

“I was thinking to devour you..” he said needy.

“Oh sure you can..”

Raph hadn't expected that, “really?” and came at her with grasping hands. Ishtar easily avoided him and said “I'm all yours every night. But during the day, I have to work. Otherwise it will take too much time to finish..”

'Is she fucking kidding me?' His pout was just too cute, although she didn't tell him. She didn't want to hurt his pride.

“So, that's it, huh? Eat, work, sleep and repeat?” he asked gruffly.

“Most part, yes. But I won't forget the quality time I get to spend with you. And there is of course the sexy, devour time as well..” and winked at him.

Growling, Raph asked, “why not now? You know you want it too..”

“You damn well know why, Red. Because when you start with me, you won't be able to stop until we're both a spend mess, and I won't have energy left for hours, that's why! Soo.. during the day, I have to work.”

Again that pouty face of him, gosh he looked so adorable.

“Will you even have energy left during the night?” he asked disappointed.

Raphael was the sweetheart who called her for lunch and dinner. He'd even made a delicious soup to keep them both warm in the cold lair. That small gesture touched her deeply, it even touched deeper feelings she never knew she had for him. Realizing that she didn't just see him as a lover, but something more. It was a feeling she couldn't define yet. But trusting on her life experience, she knew there would be a definition for it soon.

Looking up at his face she saw so much longing in those beautiful eyes of his. 'Phew, how can I steer him in the right direction without him suddenly jumping me?' She pulled him down by his mask tails, kissing him long and deep. She put her forehead against his and said, “there are things I have to deal with in the next few days, and there are things I want to do that will keep me sane. And you are a big part of that” she ended in a whisper.

“Am I..?”

“Yes, you are Red. I need you, be close with me, preferable during night time” and kissed him again, leaving him purring.

Finally she could leave him there without worrying about his feelings, needs and the consequences. So she went to the lab to work, not wanting to think about the many hours she had to put into it today. It was a good thing she really liked doing this kind of work.

Their first night alone in the lair was... interesting. Ishtar had worked the whole day, but kept true to her word, she still had some physical energy left. But mentally she was exhausted. Raphael had of course noticed this. Again being a sweetheart he lay her in bed next to him and just let her sleep.

Somewhere around five Ishtar woke up refreshed. Knowing already too well to NOT wake Raphael up at such an early hour, she let him sleep. She used this free time to meditate. So she pulled a blanket around her shoulders and got comfortable at the end of the bed. She set a soft alarm for thirty minutes, though she wondered if she could last longer than that.

Within the hour Raphael started to wake slowly, searching the bed for Ishtar with his hand. When he only found a cold spot next to him, he was awake immediately. “Ishtar!” he shouted.

“Good morning Raphael, I'm right here”, she answered.

“Why did you leave the bed? And what time is it?”

“You don't wanna know the time. I woke up a while ago and have been meditating since. But now that you are awake..” she said crawling towards him, “I believe you will be hungry.. Shall I make you some breakfast in the kitchen, or would you like me for breakfast in bed?”

churr “Don't you have work to do?”

“Yes, but I need some sanity as well. Now, come here and devour me!”

Hours later Ishtar stumbled to the kitchen, desperate in need for some food. Raphael walked behind her, very proud of himself to see her walk this way, knowing it was of his doing.

“Shall I cook tonight?” she asked.

“Do you got time for that?”

“I'll make time. Do you like a curry?”

“Don't know, probably do.”

“Good, 'cause I like it.”

Ishtar didn't wanted to take any changes with this. While she sat in the lab she dismissed Raphael, because “it would spoil the surprise” and “this is worth the wait”. So she explained her plan in minimum words to April - because Raph was probably still listening in – and asked her to literally come pick up her list. Explaining to April when she asked if you could not just text the stuff, “because it's Raph's phone and he can read the text. And I made it easier for you, I already wrote some stores down, where to find all the presents. And the day after tomorrow I can pay you back in cash.”

They sat at the kitchen table, or at least, Raph sat on a chair. Ishtar was pulled on his lap. Eating was a bit difficult like this, because she blocked the view to his bowl of cereals. But Raphael wouldn't want it any other way. When the whole family was present,  this kind of intimacy wasn't possible.

While Ishtar chewed on her sandwich, Raph caressed her lower back. She really liked that and planted a kiss on his head. Suddenly she inhaled sharply, pulling her head up.

“What is it?” asked Raph surprised. “Did I hurt you? Was I too rough in bed?”

She smiled and reassured him. “No, I'm fine. You were amazing in bed. I just thought of the most perfect Christmas presents for you and your brothers. Even one for Master Splinter. Can I use your phone? I hope April can help me with this.”

“Yeah sure, babe, it's in my room. I'll get it for you after breakfast.”

When April arrived and looked at Ishtar's note she smiled approvingly at her. Ishtar quickly put a finger to her mouth to make sure April wouldn't say anything. “I'm sorry to ask you to do my Christmas shopping. I'm not used to it yet..”

April reassured Ishtar it wasn't a problem. This gave her inspiration as well, to do with Casey too. Smirking Ishtar replied, “Casey is one lucky guy. Should we exchange pictures of each other after the holidays of our gifts?”

“Yes, if we get a change to make a picture of it at all, we should!” April laughed.

Raphael really like the curry Ishtar made. After dinner Raph went watching a game on the television and Ishtar sat next to him on the couch. But instead of watching the game with him, she let her mind wander while working on her crochet project. 'What kind of Winter Solstice celebration should I have this time?' she thought. She made a list of all the things she knew about Yule. But of all the things she knew about it, she just thought of a Norse tale and mistletoe.

After she said her thanks again and goodbyes, Ishtar went to work again. She was happy she worked her ass off yesterday, she finished half of the work already. If she planned it right, it would leave her some time to perform a Winter Solstice ritual and crochet her present for Splinter. That present was something she couldn't keep from Raphael. When she took a break and worked on that, Raphael was curious of what she was making and she explained it. “Wow”, he responded. “Why didn't I think of that before? That is really the perfect gift, especially now during winter. How did ya come up with this idea?”

“I saw it online and instantly knew I had to make it.”

One story goes that mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love and the mother of Balder, the god of summer sun. Balder had a dream of death which greatly alarmed his mother, for should he die, all life on earth would end. In an attempt to keep this from happening, Frigga went at once to air, fire, water, earth and every animal and plant seeking a promise that no harm would come to her son. Balder now could not be hurt by anything on earth or under the earth. But Balder had one enemy, Loki, god of evil and he knew of one plant that Frigga had overlooked in her quest to keep her son safe. It grew neither on earth nor under the earth, but on apple or oak trees. It was lowly mistletoe. So Loki made an arrow tip of the mistletoe, gave it to the blind god of winter Hodr, who shot it, striking Balder dead. The sky paled and all things in earth and heaven wept for the sun god. For three days each element tried to bring back Balder to life. He was finally restored by Frigga. It is said the tears she shed for her son turned into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant and in her joy Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which it grew. The story ends with a degree that who should ever stand under the humble mistletoe, no harm should befall them, only a kiss, a token of love.

Reading this story of the Norse gods was already a part of Ishtar's ritual. She decided to keep it small, due to the lack of preparation time and not able to celebrate it in the cold with her new family. So instead she found a small spell / poem she recited that evening before bedtime.

May the longest night and the shortest day

bring rest to your soul and mind, I pray

May you find guidance and may you find peace

as the cycle of light ill slowly increase

Embrace the magic that the darkness bears

breath deep in the chill and shift in the air

May you always be blessed with the light from within

and may well-being be yours as the new cycle begins.

[spaceorphan18]

99 Perspectives on a Single Love Story #57

A/N: The Story of Kurt and Blaine told through the eyes of everyone else but them. Each chapter is a different perspective in the ongoing tale of their love story.

I started something like this a while back - and now I’m taking the idea and really running with it. Each chapter is a ficlet of a different character at a different point in Kurt and Blaine’s life - documenting their love story. This starts in Audition, and each chapter will be paired with a different episode until reaching Dreams Come True.

[Ao3]

***

The Sycophants (Diva) 

“Guess what I just found out.” Patrick sets his venti extra shot, white chocolate mocha made with oat milk, with sweet cream, whipped cream, and extra caramel drizzle down on the cafe table.  NYADA’s Corner Cafe is quieter than usual, leaving it a nice place for him to gossip with his BFF and on-again, off-again boyfriend, Bernard.  “Looks like Turtle-Face has actually, and O.M.G. did he actually, challenge Rachel Berry, the Rachel Berry to a Midnight Madness Duel.”

“What, no?!” Bernard looks scandalized as Patrick takes his seat opposite him.  “Does he really think that since he wowed a few people at Winter Showcase he can just waltz right in here and take the place over? She will eat him alive.”

“Totally eat him alive.  I cannot wait to see her demolish him.”  

“It’ll do his inflated ego some good.”

Patrick nods, as he takes a long sip of his drink, over to the counter where their current subject, one Kurt Hummel is chatting away with Adam Crawford as they order.  Their backs are turned, no reason not to continue their little conversation.  

“Looks like someone’s getting a little chummy there,” Patrick notes as they watch Adam hand over a coffee to Kurt.  “And it didn’t take Kurt very long to join the Apples.  They have got to be fucking.  I mean, you just know Kurt Hummel probably gives head to get ahead.”  He laughs at his own joke.  

Bernard hand waves at him.  “Oh, please, Adam is so pathetic to get people to join his little club, he probably put out just to get Kurt to join.”

“It’s terribly pathetic any way you look at it,” Patrick says, with an air of disgust.  “My god, the people they let into this school.  You’d think as legendary as Carmen Tibideaux is, she’d be better at picking her students.  But this year’s batch of freshmen, besides the fully overqualified Rachel Berry, are just a bunch of duds.”

“Oh, exactly,” Bernard says.  Then something strikes him.  “Oh, I just realized -- I have some actual hot goss concerning Kurt Hummel that I’d bet you’d love to hear!”

Bernard is such a tease.  “Please, do tell,” Patrick says.  “You know how I love a titillating story.”

“So,” Bernard says, “I was doing a little digging on the social meeds, whatever don’t judge me for this I happened to be congratulating Rachel Berry on her flying remarks for one of her vocal technique classes, and I ended up going down a rabbit hole of Kurt Hummel’s instagram.  Mostly, it’s pictures of his tacky and, frankly, quite ridiculous fashion choices, but I did find out that before he was sticking it to Adam he had a very serious boyfriend.”

“I knew he was just using Adam,” Patrick rolls his eyes.  “Clearly, he’s trying to better his prospects for whatever limited career he’s trying to achieve.”

“Clearly,” Bernard easily agrees. “But there’s more.  I recognized the boyfriend’s name.  Blaine Anderson.”

Patrick gives him a confused look.  “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

“Not yet,” Bernard says, excitedly.  “But you probably will in about a year.  Remember when I had to go talk with Carmen Tibideaux about a class conflict? Well, while I was in her office, she got called away.  And on her desk were applicants for next year.  And one of them was from a Blaine Anderson.  That’s, like, god to be the same person.  I mean, what are the chances?”

Patrick’s eyes light up with delight.  “Nooooooo.”

“Yeeeeesss, honey, we are gonna have ourselves some kind of love triangle drama next year, and my god is it gonna get good,” Bernard snaps his fingers.  “I mean, that’s assuming Adam doesn’t graduate, and sticks around another year cause he so sadly has no other prospects than his lame show choir.”

“I am totally looking this guy up,” Patrick says, whipping out his phone in record time.  It doesn’t take much of a Google search to find Blaine Anderson from nowhere Ohio.  “What the hell is a Warbler?” he asks, as he pushes play on a video - setting the phone in the center of the table so they can both watch.  

What they see is astounding - a group of prep school boys dancing around in blazers.  Patrick can only guess that the guy singing lead is Blaine Anderson.  Oh this became delicious.  

“Are they jumping on furniture?” Bernard asks, in awe as they watch.

“Oh they most definitely are,” Patrick says. “And look at that face as he sings.  Good luck getting gigs with that face! Anyway, Kurt Hummel has a type - and clearly it’s male divas who have to be the center of their own show choirs.”

“No wonder the relationship didn’t work out,” Bernard snipes.  “Probably couldn’t agree as to who would be the bottom.”  

“Oh, c'mon, Turtle-Face is clearly the bottom,” Patrick says, with a cackle.  “Oh, I cannot wait for next year. I’ll have my popcorn bucket ready for what’s going to be a soapier ride than any daytime television show.”  

The two of them throw their heads back in maniacal laughter.  

[jackluvsdaniel]

Drabble Prompts

A post I just re-blogged about drabbles in the LJ days inspired me. It sounds hard as fuck, honestly. 100 words exactly? Sheesh. I've only been writing for a couple of months, so ya know...expectations on the floor, ok? Prompt list from @hobgoblinorbit

I'll work on the list on my own, but if anyone wants to send me an ask with a prompt from the list and a pairing, I'll give it a shot 😂

Any 9-1-1 pairing, McDanno, McShep, FrostIron, Drarry

Prompt List under cut, because it's long!

Completed prompts under #drabble challenge in a search of my blog

“Okay, just don’t hit me.” 

“In my defense, I forget about a lot of things.” 

“You need more stamina.” 

“You smash it and we’re done.” 

“I found it in the recycling bin.”  

“We bet, and you lost.”  

“Tattoos are permanent.” 

“Can you quit being so sassy?”

“Are you getting jealous?”  

“Quit flirting.”

“You complain too much.”  

“I may be an idiot, but I’m not stupid.” 

“I’m not sure if it’s a sexual thing or not.”

“This is a reality you need to accept now”

“Quit it or I’ll bite.” 

“Save some for me.” 

“Why do you only kiss me when I’m sleeping?” 

“How did you get in?”

“You got me fucked up”

“Good thing I didn’t ask for your opinion”

“Well now, that’s tragic isn’t it?”

“Why aren’t you scared of me?”

“Its probably something that shouldn’t be said out loud“

“I don’t know why you’d think I’d abduct people”

“Someone pinch me-no, not you”

“The doctor said its normal”

“Open this”

“Do I look like a fucking rabbit?”

“Suck my ass”

“Okay, fine, I won’t send you any more selfies/nudes/etc.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, quit nagging.” 

“Well that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” 

“We’re not going to talk about this now.”

“Did you just hiss at me?”

“Are you judging me?” 

“Don’t yell at me like I’m a child!!” 

“DON’T THROW SCISSORS!” 

“Here, take my blanket/jacket.” 

“I told you, I’m not cold.” *shivering* 

“Why are you awake right now?” 

“I want my best friend back.” 

“Kevin is over there.”

“H-how long have you been standing there?” 

“You’re lying, you’re blushing.” 

“Shut up, no I’m not!” 

“What do you have?” 

“Can you judge me harder?” 

“Please don’t leave me.” 

“I don’t want to go” 

“Babe, I’m sorry.”  

“Why are we whispering?” 

“Is it that time of the month?”

“There’s a strip club downtown.” 

“You weren’t supposed to hear that.” 

“Well, you shouldn’t be saying it then.” 

“It’s not mine, I swear.” 

“Take it off.” 

“Why’re you dressed like that?”   

“All I want is an apology.” 

“Well, this is awkward.” 

“Don’t touch me.” 

“I hate you.”  

“No, you don’t.” 

“Should I be worried?” 

“I’m your lock screen?!”   

“You weren’t supposed to see that.”

“If I asked, you’d say no.” 

“Seriously, the chimney?” 

“I’ll prove it!” 

“It’s just so little and adorable.” 

“That’s what she said.” 

“Game’s over, you son of a bitch!!” 

“I’ll smash it, I swear.” 

“Tell me what I can do to help.”   

“I bet it’s a boy.” 

“I bet it’s a turtle.” 

“Cuddle or leave.”

“You have two choices.”   

“That’s disgusting.”

“That’s my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.” 

“Well, kiss me so they see.”

“You’ve been replaced.”  

“Is that you being mean? AGAIN?” 

“You’re weird.”

“You’re just basic.”

“Why can’t you just believe me?”

“Because you lied about it before.”

“This is why we can’t do cute things”

Make up your own

Authors Choice

[pandawriterstuff]

Pinehallow Summary & Character List

This is my main WIP, if I'm complaining about characters doing whatever they want, this is them.

Pinehallow Summary-Monty, an eleven year old boy who has spent most of his life traveling from place to place with his in-demand lawyer mother, Irene, is sent to live at his uncle's horse ranch because she thinks he needs roots. Used to nearly everyone but his mother not being around long enough to get to know, Monty is more than a bit uncertain about this. But in scrambling to find his place in a town different to anything he's ever known, he finds friends, both human and animal, makes discoveries, and even manages to foil a plot against Pinehallow Ranch itself.

Character List

Monty (Montgomery) Cade Waller- Main character, 11, white. Monty is curious, bright, and more than a little awkward. He has a tendency to state the obvious, which can be endearing or annoying depending on your perspective. Big vocabulary and grown-up way of speaking because he’s spent more time around grown-ups than other kids. He’s quietly stubborn, particularly when it comes to being told he’s wrong when he knows he’s right. Insecure about socializing and friendships because of constant moving and traveling. Can’t hold a grudge for the life of him, even when he likely should. He likes bugs, birds and turtles, would rather read nonfiction than a story. Fills lonely afternoons with sketching, nature sketching on the ranch.

Irene Waller- Monty’s mother, 36, white. Irene is a powerful corporate lawyer, either full of energy or exhausted, never in between. She loves using words to sway minds and deciphering documents to find exactly what the opposition doesn’t want her to find. Sometimes Irene wishes she was using her skills in more meaningful ways, but also really likes the money, the traveling, and the competition. Has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of show tunes from musicals. She has a hard time letting people get close. Would stab someone for her baby, but knows it’s better to teach him to stab for himself. Only partially joking. Dolly Parton is her hero, and as much as she loves her music, it’s Dolly the business woman and Dolly the philanthropist that she strives to emulate.

Keith Waller- Monty’s uncle, 34, white. Horse Rancher. Keith loves working hard and getting dirty, and if he’s not exhausted at the end of the day he’ll be looking for something else to push him there. Otherwise he gets antsy. Loves animals and absolutely will not tolerate anyone mistreating any of the animals on his ranch-ordinarily he’s very careful of his size and strength, in that situation, all bets are off. Times that by about ten for any of the ‘barn rats’ that help around the ranch for riding lessons/time. Loves romantic comedies and telanovas and doesn’t care who knows it. Keith doesn’t read a lot, it never came easy to him, but if he’s taking a long trip he’ll always check an audio book or two out of the library instead of just relying on the radio.

Juniper - Keith’s goddaughter, 15, white. She has a calm, confident personality with a smile for most everyone she meets. If she doesn’t have a smile for you and it isn’t because her head is in the clouds over a girl, you’ve probably earned her scorn and will be ignored as much as possible. Juniper raises rabbits and it’s taught her patience, and a lot about unfairness when a kit doesn’t make it. She helps out with riding lessons at the ranch in exchange for riding time of her own, and has become a fixture, spending more time there than she does at home, and when she can get away with it, school. Loves sunflowers and her sunflower comforter is probably her most prized possession.

Nell - Caretaker/cook for the ranch house(would cooking lunch for the workers still be a thing on a modern ranch?). 38, white(?). Not about to put up with nonsense. Will make you cookies if she doesn’t have to put up with nonsense. Please. At one point she wanted to be a chef and has a year of culinary school under her belt, but quickly decided the super fast paced and competitive environment wasn’t for her. Anything that was making her hate one of her favorite things that fast could not be good for a person. She intends to live a long, long life and that kind of stress can just walk right out of the door. Loves to go on long walks, often into the hills (BLM land) behind the ranch. (maybe she was taught/took a class on foraging, and teaches Monty to find wild onions and stuff? But this would mean *I* have to learn about foraging in Idaho.) This leads to a contented, if often silent, companionship between her and Monty, who desperately wants to explore/record/sketch everything about the natural world of his new home, particularly the parts that are off limits to him without an adult along.

Ray- Family Friend/Co-Owner of R & M General (designed to feel vintage, but shiny. Bit of a tourist stop now, they decided to lean into it.), 50, Black. He uses his background in chemistry to make amazing looking candies and chocolates, using that to deal with a time he used it in less pleasant ways when he was in the military. He never expected anybody outside of his small town, or maybe the folks at the county fair to make so much fuss over them. This might embarrass him, if he weren’t so delighted. A cheerful man with a dreamer’s heart, a magazine once referred to him as a small town Willy Wonka. He dotes on his wife, often making and gifting her small surprises. An amputee in honor of my Grandpa (missing left leg at the knee, possibly missing one arm as well, but I’m not sure how that would affect candy making.). Has certain parts of his past he just doesn’t talk about.

Mavis- Co-Owner of ____ with Ray, 48, Black. Fierce and kind in equal measures, Mavis believes in protecting what’s hers, and as far as she’s concerned the entire town of (oh my god, it needs a name) is included in that. Mavis is very selective about the battles she fights, but when she chooses one she throws herself in whole-heartedly. On several committees around town, she’d be on more, but then she wouldn’t have enough time to really get into the work of the ones she loves. She knits in her limited free time, often while listening to the news, but sometimes opera. Has started knitting stuffies in the shapes of the more unusual candies Ray makes, it’s silly, but fun, and tourists and the local kids love it. Still head over heels for Ray, even though his often dreaming about things for ages instead of just doing them is also still baffling to her.

Leanna - Juniper’s sort-of girlfriend, 15, Vietnamese. Quiet, a little cynical, but very empathetic. She avoids the news because it’s that or be mad and want to cry all the time-until she hears about something she can’t not research, and goes on a 24 hour google search and learns far more than is probably good for her about a species going extinct due to logging in prohibited areas, or genocide being covered up by claims of violent uprisings. She loves manga and comics. Leanna sometimes tries for a cottagecore* type aesthetic, but mostly thinks it's too much work. She’s starting to worry about what she’s going to do with her future, and people telling her that she’s only 15 and doesn’t have to worry about it yet is NOT HELPING.

*even though cottagecore isn’t a thing in the early-mid 2000s this is maybe/vaguely set in. Shh, let me have this. Anne of Green Gablesesque maybe?

Winnie - Leanna’s mom, 45, Vietnamese. Widow? A little ditzy, but a lot loving. Everyone in town is convinced she’s the stoner type of hippy, but no one minds as she’s someone who truly wants to know how you’re doing when she asks and strangely almost always has very spot on advice. She’s rarely on time anywhere, but that’s because she’ll have stopped to talk, and often to help, whoever she’s run into. Leanna and her bicker over this when she’s late picking her up. Always wears bright colors. Loves Agatha Christie books. Calls everyone, even people 50 years older than her, hon.

Logan - Juniper’s stepdad, 40, white. Kind of a jerk, but most of the jerky things he says are actually jokes that fall flat or have simply gotten old. Tries really hard, like *really* hard, but has a tendency to get annoyed if people don’t appreciate his efforts right away-more in his personal life than professional, possibly because of his profession. A contractor, hard worker, loyal, has worked for the same company since he was twenty even though they don’t often treat him right. Sometimes tries to buy people’s affections. Wants to have better communication with Juniper, but it’s gotten really hard the last few years and he’s never quite sure why.

Candice - Juniper’s Mom, 39, white, works at a nursery that sells seedlings and baby fruit trees, has a cheerful, calm personality, but a lot softer and more lowkey than Juniper’s version. Very house proud, but has a ‘maximalist’ approach to decorating-everything is in its place, but there are places for lots of things. Loves spending time outdoors, but would rather spend it tending her garden than hiking or riding, preferably with a cup of tea by her side. On the weekends, a fruity beer or wine instead. Wants to go on one of those train rides where you get to drink wine, eat canapes and try to solve a mystery, thinks Winnie might be a good candidate for someone to go with her.

Ura - a ‘barn rat’, 12 and a half, white(maybe a Czech immigrant? 2nd generation?) . A cheerful, rough and tumble boy who is always climbing things, and often being told to stop when he gets too high for other people's comfort. Ura is fearless when it comes to physical feats, but has a fear of ‘slimy’ things like worms and frogs. He has a thick layer of pudge and a big appetite, but is athletic and strong enough that anyone bullying him over it would be doing it at their own peril. Not that he’s the type to start fights, or even finish them most of the time. Doesn’t feel he quite fits in with his family, who are all more serious, reserved people. Redwood is his favorite of the horses, and Keith has all but given up on telling him that sitting on the floor of Red’s stall to talk to the horse isn’t exactly safe.

Elliot - Ray and Mavis’s son, Black, 19 and a college student-maybe/probably at U of I. Lives on campus, but comes home at least a couple weekends a month. Has an older car that he and Ray fixed up together, that is his pride and joy. Quiet, with an irreverent sense of humor that he unleashes somewhat at random. Interested in robotics, engines and mechanics and generally has some project he’s working on, a piece of which may or may not be in his pocket. Often has oil, grease, or ink on his hands, either from working on or designing a new project. A bit of an overachiever, he can spread himself thin trying to live up to all his responsibilities at once. He’s best friends with Randy, a friendship his parents want to disapprove of, because the few times Elliot’s gotten into trouble not only was Randy there, but 99% of the time whatever it was is Randy’s idea, but never quite manage too.

Randy - Handyman at the ranch, mixed race Hispanic and white, 21. Technically head handyman, because the old head retired six months ago, and is a little young/inexperienced for the job, but he’s not the type to back away from a challenge and has risen to the occasion beautifully. Loves rock and metal music, and spends a lot of his free weekends at concerts, the ones crammed into little venues and bars where people are practically on top of each other and the beat is so loud and solid it throbs through you, connecting you to everyone even before you hit the mosh pit, are his preference. He’s been working at the ranch since he was 16, and feels like he has a claim on it, not afraid to speak up if he thinks a decision Keith is making isn’t right or that he isn’t taking something important into consideration. Can be a bit wild when he’s not being the responsible one, definitely doesn’t always think before he acts.

Alma - Local artist/worker at R & M’s, Hispanic, 25. Alma is a painter and poet, a confident young woman who’s figured out that half of surviving as an artist is being your own agent/a salesperson as well, and in addition to several shelves at the R & M that hold postcard prints of many of her pieces, both the coffee shop and cafe have some of her larger paintings displayed, and she always has a booth at the Saturday market, though the majority of her sales come from her website. Alma is cheerful, and likes to tease, and growing up the middle child of four brothers, is very able to hold her own in verbal sparring. She’s close with her family, still living with her parents, and while at first her father was dismayed at her choice of career, he now hands out her business card to basically everyone he talks to.

Miriam - Nell’s Mom, white, 71, a little deaf, speaks loudly, partially because of the deafness, partially because she spent too long letting other people push her around and when she hit about 50 decided she was going to be the one talking over people now. She’s earned it. Age has made her more delicate than she likes, bruising and scraping easily, but she’s determined to do most things for herself. Those that are beyond her she has no problem loudly ordering someone else to take care of. Volunteers a lot, often fosters kittens for the local animal shelter. Used to chain smoke, quit when Nell was a teenager because she kept leaving pictures of diseased lungs everywhere. Still uses the candy ones as a substitute.

Places

Unnamed Town- Somewhere in Latah County, Idaho, where there is not already a town in the way. Around 200 years old and has grown and shrunk and grown again, and currently has a population of about 12,000. Having grown out from a traditional mainstreet, _______ no longer has the western style boardwalk seen in old pictures, but it does have a large cluster of local businesses and ‘hot spots’ still along that old main street, a coffee shop, a diner, a combination bookshop and independent library, a hardware store, a bar, a few places I haven’t thought of yet, and of course R & M General. There is a historical barn half a mile or so away from mainstreet that has been converted into a theater/meeting hall/dance hall, and a community center was added onto it in the early 90’s. During the summer there is a farmer’s market on the property every Saturday. The elementary school and junior high are all on one property, several miles out of town, because the majority of families live on farms, ranches or small rural properties rather than in one of the neighborhood clusters in the town itself. The junior high is 7th, 8th and 9th graders, in a newer two story building, and the elementary school is divided into lower and upper elementary with the bracket shaped building basically being cut in half, K-3 on one side and 4-6 on the other. The high school is outside of town on the other side by several miles, and actually serves kids from another town(s) as well. There is also a trailer park with about forty units, not exactly sure where it is yet, but Miriam(Nell’s Mom) lives there. There is also an animal shelter, a vet’s office, a cemetery, and a couple churches, and I’m sure more things to come.

R & M General (working title?)- Ray and Mavis’s store, a general store with a candy focused twist. A vintage Pepsi sign, neon still bright, and a charming green glass juke-box filled with hits from the 1940’s onward grace the front porch of the R & M, along with a long bench that locals are encouraged to use for a spell or to listen to a couple songs, provided they can behave themselves (teenagers arguing over who their favorite member of the rat pack is might be amusing, considering they were already ‘mom and dad’, or at least older brother and sister, music by the time Mavis and Ray were teenagers, but when they get loud it also gets annoying.). The store itself still has the original wooden counter up front and built-in shelves along the walls, but all refinished and polished to a high shine. A mixture of display types going down the middle of the store, barrels and baskets filled with skeins of colorful yarn and cloth or Mavis’s knitted stuffies(and during winter sometimes socks and mittens), other sewing and craft supplies, display racks with local arts, postcards and carvings, sometimes wind up toys made by Elliot, and of course many, many displays of candies and chocolates. They also have a lot of dry goods, and some of the simpler candy types have little instruction booklets and the ingredients it takes to try out making them yourself stocked in the same display, drink coolers, and sometimes have local produce available. Basically, they have a bit of everything, except for building equipment/home repair supplies, and that’s because of the hardware store across the street.

Pinehallow Ranch-A sprawling 100 acre ranch in Latah County, Idaho where the Waller family has been doing something or other with horses for four generations now. Originally it was a horse breeding ranch, but Keith and Irene’s grandfather felt the money was in training horses, and offered boarding as well, and Keith has continued to build that up, offering lessons for a variety of styles, ages, and skill levels. Butting up against BLM land that allows additional grazing and trail riding, the ranch has four pastures, a large corral, a medium sized indoor arena and two horse barns, one for boarded horses and one for the ranch's own stock, and an equipment barn, an old bunkhouse that is mostly used to store feed-though Randy has slept there when in between places, mostly unbeknownst to Keith-and some smaller equipment sheds, placed where they’re needed. The main house is an L-shaped ranch house with a porch that goes around the entire long front of the house with a large herb/kitchen and rock garden arranged around that. There are treed pockets scattered here and there, left alone as the rest of the ranch was developed, but the creek Monty and Juniper sometimes hang out at is on BLM land, as is most of the forested area around the ranch.

Pinehallow Taglist @sleepysera @enchanted-lightning-aes @odysseywritings @thegreatobsesso @writing-is-a-martial-art and @hiitsolivia If anyone else wants to be added just interact with the post :) (My more advanced tumblr knowledge has led me to believe this is better than asking people to reblog/comment to be added, but if I'm wrong just let me know.)