#sometimes I want a fish and then I remember they’re just like extremely difficult house plants

[the-adventures-of-dave]

The main reason I believe that the concept of “low maintenance pets” isn’t real is because I find house plants, the supposed easiest pet of them all, impossible to keep alive

[punkpoemprose]

Single Bells- A Kristanna Oneshot

Rating: G (General Audiences) Universe: Modern AU, Librarian Anna, Single Dad/ Firefighter Kristoff Length: 8239 Words

A/N: Merry (day late) Christmas Val! @val-2201 I’m sorry I got a little bit behind. As per the usual the word count got away from me a bit so I ended up needing a little time to finish, haha. You said you enjoy single parent AUs so I hope you enjoy this little piece about single Dad Kristoff needing to solicit assistance from a very nice red headed librarian!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and that your New Year will be full of joy!

Anna wasn’t supposed to still be at work, but if there was one thing she couldn’t say no to, it was a kid with a research project. Especially a first grader with beautiful blonde ringlets dragging her frazzled looking father to the information and research desk that Anna had been staffing for the day. Normally she worked only as the children’s librarian, but since two different librarians were out on maternity leave, she’d been willing to shift gears and wear many hats.

They’d come to her desk within the last five minutes of her shift, but Anna hadn’t mentioned it. It was two weeks from the last day of school for the winter holiday, and if her suspicions were correct, the father and daughter were working on a particular project for which she’d assisted four other families in the last few days.

Teachers loved to assign festive work before the holidays, but sometimes she wondered if they really thought through the fact that heavily parent involved projects were sometimes more stress than they were fun. She'd helped quite a few families try to determine what their ancestral traditions had been. Some, she was happy to report, did have legitimate plans to include them in their celebrations after the project conclusion. That at least made her feel like some good was coming out of the stress.

“I have a presentation to do!” the little girl announced with a smile that revealed a missing front tooth.

She was dressed in the brightest green coat she'd ever seen and her little hat, that she'd already pulled away to reveal static filled curls, was made to look like a reindeer. She couldn't help but feel that this was going to be another kid who insisted upon celebrating a newfound tradition. If she was, in fact, working on that project.

Anna grinned in return, noting the child’s enthusiasm for the project she was in the library to work on. She’d said it perhaps a bit too loudly for some of the other librarians’ tastes, but for Anna there was nothing like the boisterousness of young children. She supposed there was a reason that her office and the children’s area in general had been relegated to the basement. Being upstairs still felt strange.

“That’s due tomorrow,” the father said, sounding a bit miserable but looking mostly defeated.

He had a bit of scruff to his chin, and the bags under his eyes told Anna that he probably hadn’t slept well in weeks. It was a common sight with parents around the holidays, exhaustion and uncharacteristic scruffiness. Not that she really knew whether his scruffiness was uncharacteristic, having never seen him before in his life.

“Uh oh!” Anna said, directing her attention at the child rather than the father, knowing that she was much better at working with kids than adults, “We’ve got to work fast then, huh? What’s the presentation about?”

The little girl nodded, “It’s about Christmas traditions! I told Daddy on Monday that we needed to do it, but he forgot.”

When Anna looked toward the father out of the corner of her eye, she saw him flush. It was Thursday, so she imagined that they’d had some time to complete it. She wouldn’t judge him for the timing of course, she barely could keep herself on a schedule somedays, let alone a six-year-old. She also made a conscious effort to not judge any of her patrons, even the ones who came in asking about unique topics.

She’d once had a woman come in asking for an entire book on just Guinea pig costumes, and she wasn’t sure whether she should be more concerned for her guinea pig or that the library system had not one, but six books on guinea pig costuming. Last minute project fell somewhere toward the bottom of the judgement list.

“I didn’t forget,” the dad said, sounding very tired, but not particularly upset, “I’ve just been busy, and I didn’t realize it was Thursday.”

Anna smiled and then looked at the dad, “It happens to all of us. Can you two narrow down the kind of Christmas traditions you’re looking for?”

The dad looked embarrassed again.

“She needs to pick a specific country to look up traditions from and she wants to pick the one my family’s from.”

“Oh, that’s easy enough,” Anna said with a nod, “Where is your family from, and we’ll go from there!”

“That’s kind of the problem,” the man said with a sigh, “I don’t know.”

***

They were in the children’s area, on one of the library’s iPads at one of the kid sized tables. The little girl, Ivy, was in her glory. She’d spent more time commenting on the posters on the walls and snowflakes on the ceiling than she had focusing on the task at hand, but Anna didn’t really mind. It was easy enough for her to hold a conversation with both the girl and her father as she searched for clues about the man’s heritage. Really all they had to go on was his last name.

  Bjorgman. Kristoff Bjorgman.

“I think that my parents were maybe immigrants. I was adopted when I was just a little older than Ivy, but I’d been in the system since I was maybe two or three? I don’t remember them, and I was never given any records. My birth certificate was created when I entered the system, so it doesn’t have either of their names on it. Just mine, and that was just because it had been pinned to my shirt when someone dropped me off.”

Anna couldn’t help but feel as though that was terribly sad, but the man, Kristoff, and his daughter didn’t seem phased by it. It was just another detail of life for them she supposed, but she couldn’t imagine not remembering her parents. All she had of them now was memories, and a few knick-knacks that had managed to be saved after the house fire.

She tried not to think about that though, and it was easy enough to direct her attention back to the man sitting across from her.

He was much too large for the table, and he made the child’s chair he sat in look comically small. He was handsome, and by Anna’s estimation, not much older than she was. He was maybe 26, tops, and she couldn’t imagine having a kid of her own.

“Your adoptive parents don’t know anything?”

He shook his head, “No more than I do. The information just doesn’t exist I guess.”

“She didn’t want to do her Mom’s family’s traditions?” she asked, fishing only a little bit. 

She thought that maybe given the level of flustered he seemed to be exuding might be indicative of him being a single dad. She hoped not on the one hand because that was such a difficult position to be in, but also he was the first cute dad she’d run into that wasn’t significantly older than her. So she wanted to make sure if she was ogling him in the chair it was something that she could do with a clear conscience.  

“No, and even if she did, we don’t really know anything about hers either. She’s passed on. It’s just us.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry…”

He shook his head, “It’s alright.”

He looked over at his daughter then, smiling at her softly as she pushed her little chair back and walked over to the bookshelf to grab something out of the easy reader bin. She’d looked bored for a little while and was now clearly determining that this was grown up work that she didn’t want anything to do with and therefore was free to explore.

Anna couldn’t help but grin when she saw her pluck out a Mercy Watson book. She loved those. She must be reading a little beyond her age group to be reading it for fun.

Turning her attention back to the ipad, and away from the little girl who was eagerly plopping herself into a beanbag, she looked at the search results she pulled up with his last name. The information on the screen was pretty much what they already knew. His first and last name were Nordic of some kind.

“So we’re looking at Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland. We can make an educated guess based on where you lived when you were a kid based on the census data from that area as most immigrant families move to areas with other people from the same country, or where there’s a strong presence of the culture they’re familiar with.”

“Well… I was born here, I think. Or at least this is where I got put into the system, which is why I moved back here a few years back.”

 Anna lit up, she didn’t have to do any more searching. Any vaguely Nordic last name in their town generally meant one thing.

“I can say then, with 90% certainty, you’re Norwegian. Not that it helps right now, but have you ever thought about taking a DNA test? Kids tend to just have more heritage questions as they get older and if you both take one it can help with any genealogy research."

"That's a lot of certainty for just a last name and a town," he said, looking surprised as he met her eye.

"Oh, well I mean Arendale was named for the Arendelle family and was founded by Norwegian immigrants so most of the population is descended from Norwegian families. Most immigrant families from Norway still settle here when they come over from the states. I mean there’s a little Norway downtown." 

"Oh," he said, "You just knew that? I guess it's probably something that comes up often…"

"Yes, but well also I'm an Arendelle. It's been drilled into me since I was born. We turned the family manor into a museum a few years ago. I used to give tours when I was in my master's program."

"That's…"

"Extremely boring,” she interrupted, not wanting him to trouble himself to find something nice to say, “Except on field trip days. Which is how I decided working with kids was for me. Adults, eh. No offense of course."

"None taken,” he replied, grinning, “Why do you work at the research desk then?"

"I'm actually a children's librarian," she said happily, glancing over at his daughter who had looked up over her book at them with interest as they talked about information valuable to her project again. Anna motioned with her hands like she was opening a book and then gave her a thumbs up which the girl returned with a grin.

"I'm just helping out because a few of the librarians are out on maternity. If you want to see what I usually do you should come for my ornament making sessions. I'm doing them every day after school and then in the mornings on the weekends until the day before Christmas Eve."

He looked almost impressed.

"Daddy! We have to!"

"Now she's tuning in," he said with a sort of shy smile that was quickly accompanied by a shrug. "Come here sweetheart, you have to pick a tradition. We're pretty sure I'm Norwegian."

"And I know so many traditions!" Anna told the girl brightly, "we don't even have to search!"

“Hooray!” she said with a grin, carefully sliding the book’s ribbon bookmark into the page she had marked with her thumb before running over to where her father was seated.

She crawled up on his lap, book still in hand.

“Can we pick one that talks about food?”

He laughed and as he tucked the little curly head under his chin he mouthed, ‘bottomless pit’.

Anna couldn’t help but feel that before she left for the evening, she’d be processing a minor and adult card sign up and checking out a Mercy Watson book and perhaps even a Norwegian cookbook.

“No! Wait! One about ornaments! I love ornaments!”

Maybe, she thought, a craft book too.

The dad rolled his eyes playfully from up above where his daughter could see and Anna did her best to stifle a giggle. These were the moments where she loved her job most.

***

They'd come for her craft time the next day, and Ivy had told her how well she'd done at her presentation and how she'd been proud to already know a bunch of the other Norwegian traditions other kids had shared.

Now though she was busying herself with playing with the other kids, the usuals that Anna had introduced to her by name.

Her blonde head was bobbing along in a conversation as the kids built a large block tower together, and she could see her dark little eyes gleaming with mischief as they discussed knocking it down when they were all done. Anna had never in her life been more grateful that they had foam instead of wooden blocks.

“She looks just like you."

Her hair was just a little lighter than his, and her eyes a little darker, but there was something in her features, her expressions that was an identical copy to her fathers. Even only having met them the day before, she could tell that she definitely took after him.

“I hear that a lot, and it’s funny… Not like really funny, I mean, it’s just interesting because Ivy’s not mine,” he said quietly as the little girl played with the other children.

Most of the other parents had been content to talk amongst themselves. They were regulars and they were comfortable together, being mostly moms. Anna noticed that they were occasionally glancing back and forth between the two of them surreptitiously. Or at least as close to sneaky as a group of nosy 30-something women could be.

“I usually don’t tell people that. I don’t know why I told you that.”

“It’s par for the course for librarians. We’re like bartenders, just with books,” She replied a bit too quickly.

He looked down at his feet for a moment then met Anna’s eye again, smiling a bit nervously, like he’d worked something out in his head, and then took a deep breath.

“I mean legally speaking she is mine, just so you don’t think I stole a kid. After her mother died, I adopted her. Genetically she’s got another Dad out there somewhere, but her mom, Evelyn, she never mentioned him. I don’t think he was ever involved.”

“Oh,” Anna said, feeling her face grow hot at the misconception, “I’m sorry. So Evelyn was your…?”

She knew she was probably just digging herself a deeper hole, but she felt a warmth flutter to life in her heart. He’d mentioned before that Ivy’s mom had passed on, but she’d assumed that he was her biological father and that was why she called him Dad. That he’d been adopted, and then he’d adopted a child after meant a lot. That made her realize that her interest in him, regardless of how new and how impossible, was rooted in more than looks.

“Neighbor,” he said quickly, like he was afraid of her saying anything else.

She stared at him, surprised by the answer, watching him blush under her gaze.

“Sorry, I’m just used to people thinking we were… you know, together. She was just… she was so young. I wouldn’t have been with her like that, she was just a neighbor and a friend. I think she had a rough life. She didn’t talk about it much, but when she moved in next door to me she was working a bunch of odd jobs with crazy hours and Ivy was two. Evie was eighteen. I think her parents might have kicked them out or something, so I would watch Ivy on my days off because Evie didn’t have anyone and it was just me and my dog anyway, so I had plenty of free time."

He took a breath. Before Anna could find the words to say, he kind of sighed and shrugged, deciding to say more. Anna just focused on his eyes while he talked. There was a deep love there and she could tell it was for Ivy.

"I started taking extra days off here and there with my vacation time because Evelyn started to not feel well and she would go to the clinic a lot. Sometimes she would wait for hours for someone to tell her she was stressed or whatever. When they found out it was cancer it was too late. It was less than a year before she was gone. When no family came forward for Ivy, I did. She was three then. I’m the only dad she knows. The only parent she knows really. I didn’t have many pictures of her mom, because she was my neighbor and I didn’t think to take some when we found out she was sick, but we talk about her.”

Anna thought she might cry.

She was no stranger to loss, but she’d never heard of anyone doing anything like that before. She tried to step up for strangers and community members a little but each day. She donated to charity and worked with the economically disadvantaged, but she’d never changed her life forever just to help someone else. She’d never been able to see herself stepping up that far.

“You adopted your neighbor’s kid.”

She let her eyes tear up, her throat felt tight.

She could certainly see that beneath the sort of gruff exterior he first offered, there was a kindness that ran through him. She could see it now, as she had before when he’d been focusing on helping his daughter. He had a lot of love in him, and it was obvious when he glanced back over to where Ivy was playing and smiled.

 “Well I fostered her first, but yeah. I mean my parents did it for me, and I guess I didn’t want to roll the dice and hope that someone else would be as kind when I had the means… at least financially. I’m three years in and still working out the rest. I just feel lucky everyday they let me adopt her with my work schedule and everything.”

“I think,” she said quietly, trying not to cry, “I think most parents are. Even the ones who’ve had their kids from the start.”

“Thank you for saying that. I don’t know many other parents, so it’s always a guessing game about whether I’m doing the right thing.”

 He looked back from Ivy and caught a glimpse of Anna’s expression. She saw him frown and look genuinely concerned. She wanted to tell him not to worry, but he found the words quicker than she did.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, sorry. I’m not great with people.”

He held a hand out to her, paused for a moment like he was wondering what he should do, and then rubbed the back of his neck with it.

Anna shook her head and wiped her eyes on her sleeve, giving the moms staring at her openly her best and most polite look of “it’s fine, but also mind your own business”. They seemed to get the picture well enough, returning to their own conversations with only a mildly mischievous and conspiratorial gaze at each other. Anna was sure she’d have plenty of texts later from the library mom chat asking what she and the “hot dad” had been talking about.

“No, you’re fine. I’m kind of an emotional person. I’m just happy for you two. She loves you so much, I can tell. She deserves to have someone who loves her just as much.”

He smiled softly and then nodded, putting his hand back down at his side and appearing to relax slightly now that the topic was back to just Ivy. He still looked as tired as he had the day before, especially now after she’d accidentally worried him.

“She’s a special kid. She’s not like me very much, even though I’m raising her. She’s so optimistic and brave and sort of stubborn… which I suppose she could have gotten from me, but really she’s great and I’ve been so lucky to have her."

Anna nodded in return, wiping the tears away on her sleeve.

“Yeah, I can see that. And I don’t mean to pry but… you look a little tired. I hope she didn’t make you pull an all-nighter on that project.”

He sort of chuckled at her lame joke, and she appreciated the attempt at acceptance of her levity. She was never particularly good at intentional humor. Most people just laughed when she accidentally tripped over something or had chocolate on her face and didn’t notice.

“No, no all-nighter. I’m just exhausted.”

“I hear parenting does that to a person.”

He nodded and then sighed, giving her a sort of nervous look before looking beyond her to Ivy.

"I don't mean to tell you my life story. Even though, I kind of already did, but… I just feel bad when I can’t give her the world, you know? Like, I finally wanted to do a big at home Christmas for her this year. We were going to go home to see my family like usual, but my Dad just had some pretty serious back surgery and even though he loves the kids my sisters and I agreed not to flood the house while he’s recovering.”

She nodded along some more, knowing that he probably didn’t have anyone to vent this sort of thing to. She wasn’t a parent herself, but working with so many young children meant that she talked with plenty of parents, and she at least comprehended a bit of what it was like. She couldn’t pretend to understand fully, but she didn’t mind listening to parents when they needed to breathe. She particularly didn’t mind listening to Kristoff.

He looked back at her with a sort of exasperation that she was familiar with. He looked like he’d just run a marathon in his head. He looked like her after inventory day.

“You know I never realized how much my mom did for us for the holidays, you know? It’s one more week of school, and then I have to find a babysitter for the days I’m not off during her winter vacation. I barely managed to negotiate for Christmas off at the firehouse as it is, let alone to find all that time. The guys are great and sometimes I can bring her to work if I don’t have anyone to watch her because someone usually stays behind or one of the guys will have their wife or older kid there for a visit, but around the holidays… there’s a lot of fires you know. Not really a place to bring a kid. I have shopping to do, wrapping, we have to get a real tree because she really wants one, and then there’s cookies to bake, and God I’m just glad she hasn’t asked about those elf things because I don’t think I could pull that off too.”

“That seems like a lot.”

“It is, and that’s not even the half of it. We have to get a wreath to bring to her mother’s grave, and it’s so hard to find in the snow because it’s just a small grave marker so it’s really a whole day affair. I don’t mind, but I don’t want to run out of time to do everything else. She wants to go caroling and see santa and make ornaments… which thanks for this by the way, it was nice. She’s very proud of her star. It’s just with work and everything it feels like there’s not enough time.”

Anna nodded. It was a common concern with the other parents, but most of them had more hands to help, less work, and more practice at it.

“I can help.”

She didn’t think before she spoke. She was absolutely shocked by her own words even as she said them. They were practically strangers, and he was venting about his difficulties as a single dad while she was trying not to notice how perfectly chocolate brown his eyes were, or how easy it would be to imagine him in a firefighter’s calendar. Or rather, trying not to let herself wonder whether AFD had plans to put out a firefighter’s calendar this year.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You weren’t,” she said, watching as some of the moms began to get their kids ready to leave, knowing her window of opportunity to get her thoughts out was closing by the moment, “I offered. I’m great at wrapping and I love to shop. If you’re looking for help I’m happy to give it.”

He looked at her for a long moment, until Ivy ran over and pulled on his pant leg.

“Daddy,” she said, “Can I have some candy? Danny’s mom brought candy canes and she said I had to ask you first.”

He looked to Anna for a moment, and she understood the concern in his eyes.

“Oh, you mean Mrs. James! She’s so nice. She brings candy for us all the time. She’s been bringing Danny here for storytime and crafts since he was just a little baby.”

She could understand his concern. She was always a little worried herself when the parents brought things to share, especially if the parents were fairly new. It was one of those fears that was mostly irrational, but one really never knew.

He looked back to his daughter and gave her a stunning smile that made Anna melt on the spot.

“Yeah sweetheart that would be fine. Please and thank you, right?”

“Always!” she said, running off in the direction of Danny’s mom who was waiting with a cheeky smile, staring again at Anna and offering her a wink.

“Were you serious?” Kristoff asked, breaking her concentration as she tried to give Mrs. James a ‘please don’t interfere’ look in return.

Not that it would do her any good.

“About Mrs. James? Of course. I’d never encourage anyone’s kid to take candy from a stranger I couldn’t personally vouch for.”

“No, I…” he was flushed again and Anna realized that she’d missed a point. She was making him ask her, just like she’d said he didn’t have to.

“I meant about the help.”

“Oh, yes! Of course I meant it! I love the holidays and I’ve been working a little more than usual but I still have plenty of time.”

“Your boyfriend wouldn’t mind? I’d hate to take time away that you could be spending together around the holidays.”

“I… I don’t have a boyfriend.”

She was almost certain that there was a look of interest in his eye when she said it, but as quick as it was there, it was gone.

Maybe, she thought, she wasn’t the only one interested.

“Then I’d love the help,” he said with a nod, “For Ivy’s sake.”

***

Anna wasn’t sure she’d ever enjoyed anything so much as she did being Kristoff’s personal Christmas elf. She’d given him her mother’s family recipe for Norwegian butter cookies, an answer to Ivy's now rampant desire to learn about those traditions, and she’d picked up stocking stuffers and amazon packages and bits of this and that. She’d wrapped gifts and brought them to the fire station for safe keeping. Somehow, she’d managed to mostly do so when Kristoff was out on a call, or when he wasn’t working at all.

It was unfortunate as she wanted to see him, so she was pleasantly surprised when five days before Christmas she’d received a text message from Kristoff inviting her to help him and Ivy go tree shopping. She’d seen them at two separate decoration making events before it, so she supposed that it was only right for her to help them select the canvas on which to display Ivy’s beautiful work.

Ivy had, of course, been on a mission during the trip.

“Color, smell, and needle retention,” she’d said in her little, but very certain voice.

Anna had later learned that she didn’t actually know the meaning of the word retention, and that she’d learned her tree picking skills from a YouTube video, but she had been nevertheless impressed.

She’d helped Ivy pick, and then she’d helped, with mixed results, to strap the six-foot tree to Kristoff’s car. He’d mostly brought it inside his apartment himself, but when Anna had turned to leave, Ivy had caught her hand, and Kristoff had shyly offered her some hot chocolate. They'd sung Christmas carols, lead by Ivy and decorated the tree together with some ornaments that his friends from the firehouse had given them and the ones that Ivy had made herself. Anna wished she had her old childhood ornaments. Ivy, she knew, would have loved one.

The rest of the week passed much the same until, two days before Christmas, Anna found herself finishing her last ornament and story session with the kids before the holiday. It was a bittersweet thing, being swept up in the excitement of children looking forward to Christmas but knowing that she wouldn’t see them again for a while after.

Ivy, who had been in attendance, was busy playing with her new friends, and Kristoff, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Anna for the whole session, was speaking with her again.

Anna couldn’t help but note how quickly they were getting to know each other. She couldn’t help but blame the holiday in part. Not only was she doing more story and craft sessions in the evenings than she normally would, but she’d also been helping him make the holidays for Ivy. She supposed it was inevitable that they would talk, and in their conversations get to know each other a bit better.

The topic of conversation now, was a wrapping accident on one of Ivy’s “little” presents, a slime kit. It was from Santa, but Anna had accidentally wrapped it in the paper she’d set aside to wrap gifts from Kristoff in. The tag though, still said “from Santa”.

“So you’re sure you don’t mind,” she said quietly, low enough that they kids couldn’t hear her, “I know some kinds are just really perceptive, so I don’t want her to see that dad and santa have the same paper and realize what happened.”

“If she notices I’m just going to tell her that Santa accidentally ripped the wrapping paper coming down the chimney and had to rewrap it in some of my paper to keep it a secret until Christmas morning.”

She nodded. It was a brilliant plan.

“That’s so smart,” she was thoroughly awed, “I come up with a lot of little fibs around the holidays to keep the magic for the kiddos, but that one’s just genius.”

He laughed and shook his head, “Maybe I’m better at this than I thought.”

“You really should give yourself more credit.”

His smile softened then, “As should you. I can’t believe that you just offered to help a stranger put Christmas on for their kid and then actually followed through with it.”

“Need I remind you that you adopted a neighbor’s child without hesitation? What I did was nothing in comparison.”

He was close to her and stepping closer. She could practically feel the eyes of the moms as they lingered in the room, just to see what was going to happen. Her eyes drifted down to his lips and she felt herself flushing at the thought of kissing him, even though she told herself that they couldn’t, that it wasn’t going to happen. His previous stubble, the ball he’d had to drop to keep his daughter on schedule was now even more pronounced, but in an intentional sort of way. She could imagine how it would scratch against her.

“I wouldn’t call that nothing,” he said quiet, so low that she could barely hear it. “To us, it’s everything. I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.”

She focused for a moment on breathing as she’d realized that she’d been holding her breath ever since he leaned in. It was easy, she thought, to let him take her breath away.

And then the giggling and “goodbyes” of children broke Anna’s focus, and she turned her head to see moms giving her subtle thumbs up, and kids donning coats.

Ivy was skipping towards them, candy cane in one hand and her popsicle stick star in the other. Glitter was flaking off the craft as she bounced towards them, and Anna knew she’d be spending at least the next hour vacuuming. She almost felt bad for the parents who were about to have their houses covered in poorly glued sequins, glitter and foamies.

Almost.

“Ms. Anna!” the little girl said with great excitement, “What are you going to do for Christmas?”

The question caught Anna off guard. The kids had asked her before, but it had never felt like a big deal to tell them the truth. Kids understood more than adults most of the time, and they felt things stronger and they were more open with it, so Anna was more open with them. With Ivy and Kristoff though, just having gotten to know them, and having all sorts of confusing feelings in her chest for him, she wasn’t sure she could take the pitying eyes.

“Well hon,” she said quietly, waving to the other parents and kids as they drifted out as both a politeness and a distraction, “I’m not doing anything. My sister is my only family and she lives far far away.”

“Oh,” the little girl said, looking sad.

Anna couldn’t look at Kristoff, but she could tell he was giving his daughter the soft but chiding look he’d given her a few times in the two weeks she’d known them. The look that said he wasn’t mad at her, but that she’d said too much or her manners were lacking. She thought it was a nice way to remind kids of their behavior and had filed it away for her own use.

“Like Grandma and Grandpa.”

“Yeah,” Anna said in response, “But it’s okay, I’m used to being by myself. I’ll read a book and make myself dinner.”

She knew she didn’t sound particularly believable. She wasn’t even buying it herself. Truth be told her whole apartment was decorated for Christmas, complete with a tree, and she always made herself sad around the holidays thinking about how she’d had so much fun as a kid, but now spent them alone. She always thought that there was an unfairness in showing that to a child though, in showing them that the holiday was anything but magical for some people, so she tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

“That’s okay Ms. Anna,” the little girl said, grinning broadly at her with little tears sparkling in her dark eyes, and stepping close to grab her hand, “You can have Christmas at our house!”

She felt like crying again.

“Oh Ivy that’s so sweet,” she said, her throat feeling tight, “But it’s your family Christmas. You don’t want a stranger there.”

 “You’re not a stranger,” Kristoff said softly, reaching for Ivy’s other hand and giving it a soft squeeze that made the little girl’s smile brighten.

She seemed glad for her dad’s backup.

Anna forced herself to meet his eye, and she found in it a sort of shyness. He looked at her like he was uncertain, but also like he was excited by the prospect. She noted the twinkle in his eyes despite his furrowed brow, the gentle upturn of his lips as he looked at her for an answer.

“I don’t want to intrude…”

“You wouldn’t be. Ivy invited you as her guest. I’d… I’d also like you to come as my guest if you don’t mind. I know you’ve only known us for two weeks, but I think we’d both really like it if you came. Right sweetheart?”

Ivy squeezed Anna’s hand tightly and then nodded, bouncing a bit on her heels as she did so like her whole body was agreeing with her dad.

“Well then,” Anna said quietly, “How can I refuse?”

***

Her arms were full of presents and chocolates when she came to his door, so she had to tap the wood twice with the toe of her boot to knock. She’d been battling herself the entire drive over, trying to decide whether this was the right thing to do and whether she should really be feeling as giddy about the whole thing as she was.

She was basically crashing someone else’s holiday, and she knew that she should feel bad about taking them up on an offer made out of kindness and sympathy, but she didn’t. She didn’t feel bad because she really liked Ivy and wanted to help make Christmas a little more special for her this year. She didn’t feel bad because she really liked Kristoff and even the idea of pretending for a few hours that he felt the same made her heart flutter.

She’d never fallen for a patron before. Nor had she ever been so sure that she loved someone so quickly. She’d had bad luck in the past with similar feelings, but this time she had faith in the rightness of the feelings and the positivity of the situation. Kristoff Bjorgman was a good man, and whether anything more came from it, she was happy to be his friend and to share his Christmas.

She thought maybe if she could have written a letter to Santa though, she would have maybe wished for more. If it wasn’t too much to ask.

She hadn’t so much as put her foot down after tapping the door than Ivy opened the door and ushered her in. Kristoff was watching from just a few feet back, letting her know with a smile that Ivy had been so excited to open the door that she’d been waiting for the knock. She wondered if she’d been waiting for her since she called to let them know she was arriving.

“I waited to open my presents from Santa until you got here Ms. Anna,” the little girl said with zeal, “I wanted you to see!”

Kristoff stepped forward then, helping Anna with her parcels while telling her quietly that she hadn’t needed to bring them. He whispered into her ear about how excited Ivy had been about Santa and how she’d been even more excited to wait for Ms. Anna.

She thought that her heart might pound out of her chest. Less at the thought that Ivy had wanted to wait for her, and more at the fact that Kristoff hadn’t told her not to. That he’d just whispered in her ear, and that he was making it extremely evident that he wanted her there from the very start.

“Ivy that’s so sweet. I can’t wait to see what Santa brought you!”

“I hope I got a Pokémon stuffy!” she said excitedly, running towards the tree that they’d decorated together.

It felt strangely domestic, like she belonged there because her touch was in the tree. Like she was family, and not just a new friend they’d invited to share their holiday.

“You know what?” Anna asked, feigning ignorance, “I don’t know if he did, but I’m sure you’ve been so good this year that you deserve it.”

Kristoff raised a brow at her, and Anna got the message. “Good cover.”

In fact she knew that Ivy had two Pokémon plushies under the tree, one from Santa, one from her Dad, and Anna also knew that there was one more in the box Kristoff had taken from her labeled with the little girls name and Anna’s own.

Being an elf had its perks.

“But first… if you don’t mind, I have a couple special gifts for you two to open.”

“You really didn’t have to,” Kristoff said, giving her a soft, but appreciative look that she knew she would treasure in her memories for as long as she lived.

She knew that she didn’t have to. But they didn’t have to share their Christmas with her either.

And also, she’d already fallen in love a little bit with them both, and she knew that for now presents were a good way to demonstrate that.

“I have a special present for you too Ms. Anna!”

“You do?”

“Yes!”

She looked over at Kristoff, who looked almost as surprised as she did.

“You mean the one we got her at the store yesterday sweetheart?”

“Nope! A special one! I made it, Mrs. James told me how!”

“Huh,” he said with a shrug, “I guess I’ll be as surprised as Ms. Anna then.”

“Would you mind if I gave you yours first?” Anna asked, excited to know what Ivy had made her, but more excited to give the little girl and her father the special gifts she’d gotten them first.

“Okay!” she said excitedly and ran into the apartment proper as Kristoff and Anna managed the process of her removing her outerwear, hanging it up, and him helping her bring in the gifts and treats.

Once Ivy and Kristoff had settled themselves on the small loveseat near the tree, and Anna had brought them their gifts, she settled into the well worn high back chair that served as the only other Livingroom seating.

“Okay. I have some other presents for you guys too, but these are the most important ones, so I want you to open them first, alright?”

Ivy was already tearing into the paper on the box. Not needing to be told twice.

She held up a little soft ornament, and then held it to her chest.

“It’s Mama,” she said in the quietest littlest voice she had ever heard her manage, and Kristoff quickly looked between Anna and the ornament.

It had been easy enough really, to look up Evelyn Taylor. She had a Facebook before she passed, and some friends on the page who mostly lived out of state. There wasn’t much that Anna could find on the page without sending a friend request that she knew, sadly, would never be answered, but there were a handful of photos that she had access to. One of her and Ivy, confirming that she had the right Evelyn Taylor in the first place. The little girl had been two or so at the time the picture had been taken, but her little face had even been then, so strikingly like Kristoff’s. Evelyn even looked a bit like him she thought, like a cousin. The others she’d found included some pictures of the girl with high school friends, a few shots of her looking brave in photos where she’d moved into her apartment, a photo or two of her without hair when she’d been going through chemo.

Anna had gotten them all printed, every single one she could find, and put them in a small box that was under the ornament. The ornament had been a last-minute project. She’d run to the store and picked up printable iron on paper and felt. She printed the photo of Ivy and her mother onto it, ironed it onto the felt, and did her best to channel her mother’s creativity to make a small Scandinavian style embroidered felt plush ornament. It was shaped like a heart, and on one side she’d managed to layer on felt and little stitched snowflakes, while the other held the image on white felt.

She felt a bit bad, of course, about not asking Kristoff if it was okay first, but she thought that the soft look he was giving her may be proof that sometimes it’s better to try for the surprise.

“How…?”

“I’ll tell you later,” she said before Ivy could even get to the box below, “You still have a box to open.”

He looked between her and Ivy for a long moment, like he wanted to say something else as the little girl was excitedly hugging her little ornament, but ultimately, he looked down at his own gift.

“Go on,” she said, eager to see if her surprise gift for him would be met with such excitement.

He opened his gift with less speed, but with equal interest.

She held her breath as he pulled out a small box and a small book.

“Is this… is this a DNA test?”

She felt tension return to her body. He didn’t sound upset really, just surprised, and she hoped that she hadn’t just crossed a line.

“I mean… it’s just… you know, if you ever want to. They’re expensive usually so a lot of people don’t do them, but my sister is in business and she happened to know a guy who knew a guy so I was able to get it for you for nothing. So it’s just if you want to dig in and do some research. You know because I’m a librarian and all. One track mind.”

“Anna…”

“I’m sorry if I crossed a line, I just thought…”

“Anna.”

She looked at him and saw he was smiling, a little bit teary eyed.

“Anna, thank you. I was going to buy one after the holidays. That project Ivy did… it made me realize that I want to know where I came from.”

“Oh… good. I’m…” she sighed, letting the tension leave her, “I’m glad, because I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

He smiled, and then looked at the book.

“But… uh, what’s Hygge?”

She laughed at that, feeling happy in a way she hadn’t ever remembered feeling outside of work, and she saw Ivy smiling brightly too, hopping down from the couch to go grab something from under the tree.

“Hygge is a Norwegian and Danish concept… it’s just, you know, since I hope you’re Norwegian like me. Hygge is just that cozy mood that we can’t put into words. I think you feel a lot of hygge when you get a moment to breathe when you’re with Ivy, and I thought you’d like the book. There’s another one I ordered you too, but it won’t come in for a while. It’s all Norwegian fairytales. I thought you might like to read them together.”

He grinned broadly and stood from the couch, walking over to her and taking her hand, “Anna this is…”

But Ivy cut him off before he could finish.

“Ms. Anna! I have your present, are you ready?”

“Of course! I’m so excited,” she said, giving Kristoff an apologetic smile and turning her attention towards the child who was holding something behind her back.

The little girl grinned in response and held up a picture she’d drawn in crayon. There were little green leaves and little white berries. It was immediately obvious to Anna what it was meant to be, and depending on how things turned out, she was either going to ban Mrs. James from the library, or send her a fruit basket.

“Is that?” Kristoff started.

“Mistletoe.” Anna finished.

She felt her face go hot, but then when she looked over at Kristoff, his hand still in hers, she saw him clearly doing some internal negotiating.

“May I… may we?” He asked.

“It is a tradition,” she said quietly, looking over at the little girl and giving her a bright, if not a bit embarrassed smile to let her know that she did in fact, love the drawing.

And before she could say anything else he was helping her off the chair and into his arms. She giggled when he kissed her, his stubble, now an almost beard tickling her skin.

Ivy, ever the encouraging an delighted audience, was jumping up and down.

“Santa must have gotten the letter I hid under the cookie plate last night!” she said delighted, “I knew Daddy liked Ms. Anna!”

Kristoff, ended the kiss a bit abruptly to look over to his daughter, a deep blush on his cheeks that Anna was sure was mirrored in her own.

He didn’t release her though, still holding her close, his touch tender but firm.

“Santa didn’t get a letter under the cookie plate last night,” he whispered low into Anna’s ear as Ivy took back off toward the tree, leaving her drawing on Anna’s chair.

Anna couldn’t help but giggle at his bewilderment. She thought that it was most likely that Ivy had simply dreamed writing the letter. Some kids her age had a hard time remembering what they had and hadn’t done when they woke in the morning.

“Well either the big man is more real than we thought, or Mrs. James has more connections than I thought. Or you know, she just dreamt the whole thing.”

He grinned broadly.

“Well someone must have gotten my letter too,” he said, a little louder, “Because Ivy is right. I do like you. I know it’s fast but…”

“I like you too Kristoff,” she said quietly, “And we can take this slower from here, but for now…”

He leaned in again, kissing her gently. She let her hand slide up, her palm cradling his stubbled cheek.

When they broke the kiss, they rested their foreheads together, the sound of tearing paper and Ivy’s excited cheering behind them.

“Merry Christmas Kristoff.”

“Merry Christmas Anna.”

She’d never been so grateful for a reference desk query in her life.

[aragima]

hannibal questions! 🍖🔪

@nietzscheantrout @horrorlesbians and @hanniba1 wanted me to answer these hannibal questions and i wrote too much but oh well! thanks to all 3 of you ilu!!!

favorite episode and why: oh we’re just goin straight to the hard questions huh um OKAY so i think i can only do an ep a season - s1: SORBET SUPREMACY! you get to see the exact moment will looks at hannibal and thinks “.........shit. it’s him isn’t it. he’s The One. SHIT.” and that is so important to me - s2: this one is really hard maybe naka-choko? it’s so fucking gay and sexy. but tome-wan... but mizumono............ yeah idk - s3: torn between digestivo and the wrath of the lamb cuz they both hurt SOOO good much; i love will breaking up with hannibal and hannibal manipulating the situation so will can’t leave asldkjansk it’s so toxic we have to stan..... and for twotl i mean do i really have to give a reason every scene LIVES in my mind and it contains my favorite shot in the whole show:

that is LOVE baby! that is DESIRE! that is being ENTHRALLED!!!!

least favorite episode and why: i feel like they’re all so necessary that it’s kind of impossible to say but probably antipasto. i get sick of hannibal and bedelia’s shenanigans really quickly and as much as i hate to admit it... i miss will. i also think it was an extremely weak season opener and i blame it for getting the show canceled sjshshsgsg the resentment...

favorite side character: chiyoh or jimmy or actually wait— RANDALL TIER 🖤

if you could bring back one character who died, who would it be?: RANDALL FUCKING TIER. i want there to be a weird thing with him and hannibal and will going on. but also i love what his death did for will so idfk, other than him it’s gotta be beverly

dish prepared in the show that you would like to try eating/making: i was supposed to make hannibal’s osso bucco recipe like 3 weeks ago but it completely slipped my mind so i guess i’ll get on that my next grocery trip  

which side character would you kill off?: chilton just because for god’s sake just let the man DIE ALREADY poor guy <- i’m taking ava’s answer because YEAH

was there any scene that you didn’t like to look at?: nah. the skin ripping scenes at the beginning of either kaiseki or sakizuki (idk i don’t remember, i hardly watch s2a) are particularly brutal but i tough it out

biggest ship: i mean do i even have to say

why did you start watching hannibal?: my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, and her dad were watching it as it was airing and i was like “oh cool hannibal lecter origin story” but due to inconsistent access to the episodes i would just watch it randomly and that is... not the way to watch hannibal. i gave up around the end of s2 but knew hannigram was It regardless. i decided to watch s3 for the first time earlier this year just to have finished it and was like HOLD UP and did an immediate rewatch that left me... well, how i am now

favorite hannibal fic if you’ve read any?:

oh boy. yall ready for this? all of these can be found on ao3 obviously (i’m so sorry this is so long but i guess i’ve been asked to put together a fic rec anyway)

as soft, as wide as air by blackknightsatellite, the ladders series by emungere, blackbird by emungere, consenting to dream series by emungere, taken for rubies by emungere, at first meeting by emungere, protect me from what i want by @alienfuckeronmain, god of the cold, cold wars by highermagic, the abyss smiled back by highermagic, pomegranate seeds by highermagic, absolute zero by highermagic, in the truly gruesome do we trust by sidnihoudini, TKO by sidnihoudini, oh dear by lunarwench, each according to its kind by chapparral_crown, a flood in our hearts by nanoochka, let me sinful be by darlingred, uncomplicated by stratumgermanitivum & youaremydesign, good bones by @damnslippyplanet​, like they do in babylon by @damnslippyplanet​, your obedient servant by kareliasweet, past our satellites by shotgunsinlace, only the tender meat by isagel, the shape of me will always be you by missdisoriental, a white-walled room by rodabonor, spleen et idéal by rodabonor, the paper doll series by rodabonor, a common point of interest by rodabonor [i do NOT like a/b/o stuff but if i did... it’s this fic], just thought you should know by earthsickwithoutyou, the sacrificial lamb by princesskay, transcendent suffering by itsbeautiful, not something polite by moistdrippings, leave your message after the tone by onewhositswithturtles, holes in the floor of the mind by feverdreamblood, crossing caina by feverdreamblood, the archipelago series by melusine10, but seas between us braid hae roar’d by kareliasweet

have you watched any of the hannibal films?: yeah all of them except manhunter! i grew up watching silence of the lambs because my mom loved it and i went thru a big edward norton phase as a teen so i’ve seen red dragon like 10 times

have you read the thomas harris books?: no and i’m not going to lmao #fakefan

favorite murder tableau: if we’re talking just hannibal’s- the judge. if we’re talking Murder Bad But Kinda Pretty like in general probably the mushroom people or the totem

favorite blood spill: will imagining hannibal while he beats randall to death or The Gutting of Will Graham

what’re some of your headcanons?: - will is good at shibari (backed up in canon: his fishing knots, the firefly man’s full body hishi karada harness) - hannibal rarely listens to modern, non-classical music but he’s a björk fan and he saw one of her chapel performances during the vespertine era and was Moved - will listens to classic rock (zeppelin, the doors, pink floyd) with some classic country (patsy, merle, johnny) and blues (billie, muddy, bessie) thrown in. he’s also a sucker for early/mid-90s college rock/alternative/grunge - will plays the piano (because of the piano in his living room) and the harmonica (because he’s country white trash); he’s kind of shit tho - hannibal fell for will somewhere between “my thoughts are often not tasty” and “you won’t like me when i’m psychoanalyzed” (love at first sight! at last sight! at ever and ever sight!!!) - will’s circumcised, hannibal isn’t 🤪 - hannibal’s a gemini!!!! adaptable, creative, intelligent, outgoing, impulsive, etc - will’s an aquarius!!!!! analytical, a loner, temperamental, unique, compassionate, etc - will’s mom was jewish go read my fic about it https://archiveofourown.org/works/26774326 - hannibal is an agender man (tbh i think of this as canon, it’s just unstated/undefined) - hannibal can speak russian, spanish, and a teensy bit of portuguese in addition to the other languages we know he speaks (lithuanian, english, french, italian, japanese) - will speaks limited amounts of french; he learned it as a kid in louisiana - ED TW will sometimes has a Difficult relationship with food due to food instability by the way of poverty as a kid and goes through periods where it’s hard to keep himself fed, but hannibal is so good for him in that way because he keeps him from going hungry 😓 (yes this is me projecting but also it makes SENSE) - hannibal typically bottoms but THEY DEFINITELY ARE BOTH VERS and will never stops being surprised by how much he loves catching a dick. every time is like religious experience. okay? okay - they’re also both very kinky and switches but tbh.... will was made to Dom hannibal like that’s the reason he exists he could drag that old bitch around by a leash and hannibal would be in heaven HANNIBAL WOULD CALL HIM SIR - the first time they have sex hannibal comes like immediately but he isn’t embarrassed because he’s hannibal fucking lecter and hannibal lecter doesn’t get embarrassed - i have a hc for their favorite sex positions but i’m not gonna put that here because i don’t want yall calling me crazy any more than you probably already do but if you wanna know just DM me all i do is think about them fucking it’s a curse - okay no more dirty stuff abigail called hannibal “dad” on more than one occasion and it was half-joking but it also felt comfortable to her; she never thought to call will “dad” because he’s a weirdo and never knew her as much as he knew his idea of her - hannibal taught her to play piano at the cliff house - beverly is pansexual!!! - brian and jimmy kissed one time when they were drunk and they NEVER talk about it EVER - chiyoh is straight probably. i know, i know, everyone says she’s a lesbian and if she’s a lesbian to you that’s awesome! she’s a lesbian! but idk i just think she’s SO fucking straight and tbh i mourn bc that’s my wife. she could MAYBE be bicurious... - chiyoh is non-monogamous and doesn’t do serious relationships, she doesn’t like the idea of being tied to one person ever since she left the lecter castle - she helped hannibal and will escape after The Fall; she told hannibal she would continue to watch over him and i think she did, she got them a boat and got them the fuck out of there - MOLLY IS DOING SO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT WILL. SHE’S SO GLAD SHE GOT OUT OF THAT WHEN SHE DID. she has a good, long talk with alana and finds out all the shit about him and hannibal that will never told her (and it was a lot), gets drunk and burns all his shit, and then washes her hands of the whole thing; moves to a different state, gets a girlfriend, and never thinks about will again

okay i’m capping it there or i’m never gonna stop!! i’m not tagging anyone cuz i think everyone has done this by now lmao but if you’re a mutual who hasn’t and you want to just do it and say i tagged you!! mwah!!!!

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #360

“we are the ones that wanna play  /  always wanna go, but you never wanna stay”

"Crawling" or "In The End?" I want to say "Crawling," but I really can't be sure. Both are bomb. Is your window open? No. Monsters Inc. or Shrek? Shrek, my man. What did you last hear that made your jaw drop? Jason's mom died. What is the longest shower or bath you have ever taken? I remember as kids, Nicole and I would sometimes play 'til Mom made us finish because the water was cold by then. As an adult, idk about my longest shower. Do you have a preference of chocolate? Yeah, milk chocolate. Is there anyone you’d like to hug right now? Yeah. Could you ever picture someone writing a biography about you? Definitely not. Do you have a clock in your room? No. Do you shut off the computer when you’re done using it? No, I just close it. Do you usually catch a cold during the winter? No. I just about never get sick. Are you a good multi-tasker? NOOOOOOOOOOO. Do you know any deaf people? If so, is it easy or difficult to have conversations with them? No. Is there a door knocker on your front door? No. Were you ever into Pokémon? Bitch I still am. Do you drink a lot of water? Sigh, no. I'm definitely better than I used to be, though; once upon a time, I literally never drank it unless I was extremely hot and dehydrated. Nowadays, it's usually after I finish my soda for the day that I then only drink water, normally around one full tall cup of it. Do you like fireworks? They're beautiful, but I'm personally against them out of respect for veterans suffering from PTSD as well as animals, because I'm not exactly interested in traumatizing them, either. Is respect given or earned with you? It's given, the way I think it should be. Are you “in the closet” about anything? No. Are you missing any teeth? No. Do you like scrapbooking? I've never gotten into it and am not really interested in doing so. What was or will be your first tattoo? It's a semicolon butterfly on my right wrist. Sometimes I've thought about getting it covered with a cooler design but the same concept; it was literally from Google, and I'm very much not into "sharing" tattoo designs with probably thousands of other people. But, I still think it really is cute, and it's just very special to me as my first, so idk. Do you have any tattoos dedicated to someone special? I have one written in Sara's handwriting inside a heart, and my "ohana" tattoo that I am 100% getting covered was dedicated to my former best friend Colleen. I've talked before about why "ohana" has never really resonated with me, and I just don't like it anymore at all. Thank God it's small. Do you like ghost stories? Oh HELL yeah, lay 'em on me. What was your favorite movie as a kid? The Lion King. Some things never change, ha. Do you own a lot of cookbooks? Mom has looooots, but never uses any. I think her mom gave them to her, so she just keeps 'em. What’s your father’s handwriting like? It looks like every other man's handwriting I've ever seen lol. All the letters are capitalized. Did you wash your hair last time you showered? I wash my hair every time I shower. I have to with it naturally being so oily. What does your shampoo smell like? Coconut. Do you listen to Guns N' Roses? Not a lot, but yeah. They've got some bangers. I actually want "Sweet Child O' Mine" to be the father/daughter dance at my wedding. Have you ever been a bridesmaid? Yeah, at my sister's wedding. What was the last video game that you beat? I replayed Silent Hill 2 a long time ago. Have you ever hyperventilated? Yep. Do you talk in your sleep? I scream in my sleep. Nightmares/terrors are a blast. Whose house did you last sleep over? Sara's. Have you ever been cut by scissors? No. Do you like peaches? It's odd, I like canned sliced peaches, but the actual, full fruit, I don't. I love peach flavored juice, though. Do you enjoy being surrounded by neighbors, or would you be more comfortable someplace secluded? Take me back to the middle of nowhere, please. I'm really not digging being in an actual neighborhood. Is there any sibling rivalry between you and your siblings, if you have any? Not at all. Do you usually root for the good guys or the bad guys? Ha, the baddies... Are you allowed to have pets at your house? We're allowed to have what we currently own and then maybe one dog if Mom finally finds one. Have you ever lived in a trailer park? No. Is there anyone that you know through the internet that you would feel comfortable meeting in person? There's quite a few, actually! Have you ever had a dream involving characters from a game/movie/television show? Yeah. What’s the last thing you wrote down? My signature, I think? Do you remember any phone numbers from years ago that now belong to someone you don’t know? No. Have you ever found something strange in your mailbox? No. Who was the last relative that came to visit you? My half-sister and her husband. Does your bedding all match? Not currently. Are you more comfortable with having short hair or long hair? SHORT. Are you interested in fantasy movies/shows? That's my preference. Have you ever gone whale-watching? No, but that'd be dope. What is something that you have a large amount of? Meerkat plushies. Who is it that you’re in love with? Nobody. Have you ever gotten love and infatuation confused? No. Do you have a steady income? No. Do you take your medications in the morning or at night? Both. Have you ever bought a YouTuber’s merch? No, I wish. :( Do you think oatmeal tastes better when made with water or milk? MILK. I don't eat it with water. When was the last time you ran into someone that you didn’t want to see? Idk. Have you ever tried vlogging, and if yes, did you stick with it? Noooo, I'm completely disinterested in doing that myself. If you go to church, what is your favorite thing about it? I don't go. Even as a kid when Mom made me, I hated it. ^and what is your least favorite thing about it? N/A What do you do for exercise? I don't. .-. I want a pool SO badly to swim and strengthen my legs without having to worry about sweating or collapsing, though. Mom says we don't have space, but we definitely do. Not a lot, but enough. Do you have a birthmark? If yes, what color is it? Yeah, it's just a bit darker than the rest of my skin. Do you need to lose weight? Yes. My sister, Mom, and I very recently started a Weight Watchers subscription and we're all working our asses off to stick to it. Ash has already lost like, 12 pounds (she started before Mom and me), so I'm kinda hopeful. Have you ever had a cat? Growing up, after we took in a stray female, we ended up with a fucking empire of cats, literally around three dozen, I'd say. They were all outdoors, too, and not fixed because we couldn't afford it, so tomcats would come around and, y'know, make matters worse. Eventually, animal control took them all and I was DEVASTATED, but looking back, I understand it was necessary. Anyway, I have one cat now. Indoors and fixed and the prince of my world, haha. Have you ever had a dog? We've had a few. I was born with my dad having a collie named Trigger, but I don't remember her at all; she died of old age I believe when I was very young. Then we briefly had a pup named Angel, but she died due to that disease some puppies just have. We didn't get another dog until Teddy, who was my Christmas present, and he was put to sleep only last year, rest my baby's soul. We also had Dale, Cali, Delilah, and Bentley. Have you ever any other kind of animal? A LOT. I'm probably going to forget some, but we've had hamsters, rats, snakes, fish, a turtle, two lizards, gerbils, guinea pigs... just a lot. Animals have always been very important in my life. Have you ever had a pet rock? HA, yeah. I didn't take it seriously at all, but I had one. When was the last time you painted something? Not since my Painting course in my final college attempt. Do you have any disabilities? Not in the traditional sense, no. My social anxiety though is at such a severity that it majorly infringes upon my ability to do a LOT of things, though. What are five of your favorite stores at the mall? I couldn't name five. Just Hot Topic and Spencer's, really. What season do you want to get married in? AUTUMN. The actual dream situation would be to get married in the snow in a black dress, like can you IMAGINE the pictures, but realistically, it'd be in the fall to avoid the biting cold. Has anyone ever spread lies about you? Yeah. Anything special planned for today? Nope. Blue or green? Blue. How much older/younger than you was the person you lost your virginity to? He's two years older than me. Do you still care for that person? Very much. Can you completely annihilate the first Mario game in less than an hour? I haven't even played the first game. I've never really been into the games to begin with. Did you make it all the way through the Oregon Trail game? Yes! I was OOOOOBSESSEEEEEED as a kid. I would usually play it after school when my mom was an assistant teacher and was finishing up her work for the day. Have you ever contemplated climbing a water tower? Uh, no. Those kind of people got some wanderlust levels that I ain't got, haha. If you have a Facebook, when was the last time you changed your profile picture? It's been a few months. Would you ever marry someone who was lower class? Um, yes? You can deny it all you want, but answering "no" is pretty much the same as saying you'd marry for money. Is there a guy you wish you hadn’t let slip away? ugh Which do you prefer: English or math? English, by light years. Who is a singer that has given you chills? David Draiman's voice in the Disturbed cover of "Sound of Silence" is fucking haunting. Greatest cover of all time. Do you watch America’s Got Talent? I did when Sharon was a judge. Do you think you could win America’s Got Talent? Hell no. What act would you perform in a talent show? uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Have you ever practiced yoga? Yes. I used to be BANGIN at it. What is your favorite thing to buy at the Farmer’s Market? Fruit! Do you get carsickness? No. What color is the rim of your full-length mirror? Black. What is your state’s bird (if you live in the US)? Cardinal. Which style of wedding dress is your favorite? I'm a sucker for ballgown dresses. Do you enjoy editing videos? I used to love it, for many many years. Now, I just don't have the dedication or motivation to. Do you enjoy editing photos? Yes. If you gave birth, do you think you would want it filmed? Um, absolutely not. I would have NO desire to look back on me shrieking my lungs out and essentially dying. I handle abdominal pain very poorly, so I've got a goooood feeling that if I actually wanted to have kids, I'd be that woman screeching like a banshee.

[duamuteffe]

So @rzrcrst​ tagged me to post five facts about myself, and then tag others. I’m going to skip the tagging others part because at this point I’ve either known you all for ten years, we’re new acquaintances but she’s already tagged you, or we’re getting to know each other in Discord :)

1) I have been writing fan fiction since I was 14, although at the time the term hadn’t been coined so far as I am aware of. I fell extremely hard for a character in what’s now known as the Old World of Darkness (previously just the World of Darkness, an RPG setting) and that plus a very difficult time in high school meant my self-insert fics were one of the major things that kept me aboveground and sane. I still have all the originals, which have changed formats several times (I originally started writing on a Tandy 1000 with no internal hard drive that required three disk changes to save- thank the gods for rtf) and man, if there’s an illustration of how writing more means you get better it’s those fics. I can see where my style came from, but lord did I not get pacing, plotting, or basic setting design :) Anyway, a couple of years after that I fell hard again for a character from a show, integrated that into the WoD, and started to get serious. I kept writing and never stopped. Now I mostly post things on Ao3 for other people (I’m Hanako_Cinnamon over there, by the way- when I started you couldn’t transition to mainstream publishing contracts if you’d done fan fiction, though now no one gives a fuck) and keep my self-indulgent stuff for myself, and interested friends. I still write it, though, and you should too. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself a fictional escape.

2) Horses are one of the reasons I’m still aboveground. I wanted them my entire life, but my family didn’t have the money for it, so I made due with magazines (Horse Illustrated and Practical Horseman and Hunter And Sporthorse FTW) and Breyers until I was 19, when I managed to get a job apprenticing myself to a family-owned eventing barn with a thirtyish year history when I got there (in 1998. So they’re hitting that fifty year mark soon, gods love them.) They ran Pony Club, taught me everything about the business of barn management, handling, riding, first-aid, teaching, training, et all from the ground up. I did chores and tacked and groomed six days a week, lived in the house with the family, rode every day, and busted my ass working the hardest I have ever worked. It was glorious. I often wish I’d stayed longer than the few years I did, but I think my then-undiagnosed depression finally managed to talk me out of it :/ But I have a set of skills I can use anywhere in the world, and a hobby/art/spiritual practice that gives me great joy and peace. And I have a mare who I love more than nearly anything. (Incidentally, you don’t have to be rich to own a horse, you just have to accept never having any money :)

3) I’m in an RPG. No, really:

This is honestly the coolest thing about me so far as I’m concerned, lol. I have a character in the tabletop RPG Trouble For Hire, which is very cool and very inexpensive, considering, and available on DriveThruRPG if you and your gaming group are in the mood to basically cooperatively make a post-Western action movie starring a lone courier with a cool car and morals he tries to keep hidden in his coat. (And if you do, tell me if Alex is involved. I am so curious as to what people are doing with my character :)

4) My ideal life would involve living in the middle of nowhere (particularly the middle of nowhere I grew up in, Forest County PA) living that solar punk life and farming, hunting, and fishing. And playing boardgames. Lots of boardgames. I like cities as a place to visit- they seem to keep all the museums, libraries, conservatories, aviaries, zoos, big cemetaries, and whatnot in them- but when it comes down to it I want to go to sleep at night knowing my neighbors are more than a mile away and the Milky Way is shining overhead. We’ll still need broadband, though. I have to keep up with what you guys are up to ^_^

5) I am very in favor of body mods, but don’t have the money to pursue the tattoos I want. Yet. Ask me about my eventual designs, though! I would like some more holes in my ears, as I’ve found through a reputable and amazing piercer that I’m not actually allergic to earrings, I just never healed right after having my lobes done at a mall kiosk with a piercing gun that causes crush damage. Go figure. I also favor distinctive outfits, when I can find what I want and also afford it. It’s a relatively new thing for me to embrace my inner clothes-horse; I struggled with my self-image for a long time (remember I mentioned high school being shitty? Yeah. Struggled with self image = thought I was hideous. Seriously.) but in the last few years, and especially getting on medication for that aforementioned depression (and anxiety) I’m starting to look in the mirror and like what I see. Not every time, not every day, and some weeks not at all. But it happens. And I wear plaid miniskirts in public, waiscoats and ties, knee-high boots with buckles and straps (sometimes all in the same outfit) and fuckin’ love it, something that would have made my younger self just *recoil* in astonishment. I regret all the time I hid in shapeless jeans and beat up t-shirts, too afraid to express myself, but I’m making up for it now. And if I can do it, anyone can. Let me know if you need a pep talk on it.

[jortsman]

Get to Know Me Meme

tagged by @toooceanblue !!!

Rules: Answer 17 questions and tag 17 people you want to get to know better.

nickname: trashdog to some, jorts to some others, love em both

zodiac sign: goat-fish, baby

height: 5'6″

last thing I googled: lotttts of pictures of ghost fungus, check em out, they fucking rule

song stuck in my head: Defeated by The City Drive, because I got really into Big Wolf on Campus again recently, and I have always had the hugest crush on classic nerd-goth Merton J Dingle (Danny Smith) and naturally had to start listening to his band again to further re-live my youth

hogwart’s house: okay, so... i only ever read the first HP book and that was forever ago and I barely remember anything. All I know is that Gryffindor is the one that Harry Potter is in, Slytherin = bad, Hufflepuff is for soft nerds, and also there’s Ravenclaw and who knows what’s going on there. So, by this knowledge, I would be Hufflepuff I guess.

following: 619

followers: 928 hot damn I didn’t realize I was closing in on a cool thou

amount I sleep: sometimes like 2-4 hours if my sleep paralysis is bad or if my brain is just generally spinning, and then other times like 12 hours if I’ve had a couple days of hardly sleeping in a row. I’m a fuckin mess

dream job: novelist/ghostwriter who lives in a shack on a cliff by the ocean

lucky numbers: I... have never even thought about this. hmm. 

wearing: black slacks, floral button-up, and a thick as hell grey cardigan. I look classy as fuck rn, honestly

fave instrument: piano. I used to play a ton and I wrote songs and also learned a bunch of Final Fantasy 7/8/9 songs (mostly 8 because it’s my favorite (actually replaying it right now (and planning on my third ff8 related tattoo))). I wish I could still play all the time, but it is difficult to own and move a piano and it’s been forever since I’ve lived in the same spot for more than a year or two.

random fact about me: 4 of my (I forget how many) tattoos, I’ve done myself.

fave author: Ray Bradbury and Yukio Mishima. I’m much more inspired by Ray Bradbury because I think he’s just an amazing story-teller and he does so with language that is simple but beautifully put together. There’s no pretension in what he does, only magic and wonder. If you’ve read my fic, there’s a lot of influence from him in there (a lot of small ideas, and then also I have two chapters named after my favorite short story collections (which are in turn named after the Yeats poem that I also drew from) The Silver Apples of the Moon, and The Golden Apples of the Sun). Yukio Mishima is just an extremely interesting person to read about (though about 98% of what you read about him will conveniently leave out the fact that he was gay) and a very prolific author. He’s often accused of being a self-indulgent writer, which I’ve never understood why that’s an issue with people; why *wouldn’t* you want to write about things that interest you and are made for yourself? There’s a lot of passion and interest to be found in doing so, and that’s very evident in his writing, and I think that’s exactly what makes it amazing. OKAY I AM DONE 

fave animal noises: I have a blue-tongued skink (who is a very old man at this point) and since they’re burrowers, they make this little huffing sort of noise to clear their nostrils. Hearing him scooting around in his substrate and poking his head out and snurfling is one of my favorite things. 

aesthetic: sometimes trash, sometimes class, sometimes goth, sometimes electric rainbow nightmare. Depends on the season and the mood whether I’m wearing jean vests and patches or button-ups and blazers or combat boots and ripped tights or neon-pink rompers and light-up shoes. Again, I’m a mess. 

[polyamorousmisanthrope]

Does it Work?

This is a paper I wrote in 2009 trying desperately to find the line between healthy, in-group behaviors and cult.  It was inconclusive as hell.

In studying the alternative lifestyles and communities of the US in the past 200-odd years, there has been an attempt to judge whether or not these communities are good.   That’s fine in the context of a rigid social system or system of morality against which it present a background or framework.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view, the United States of 2009 simply doesn’t have a single, unified code by which to judge the goodness or badness of a lifestyle.  Oh, we agree that child molestation is wrong and revile the more excessive behaviors of a Warren Jeffs of the FLDS church, or a David Koresh.   But for things less extreme than rape and murder, the line between “good” and “bad” becomes far more fuzzy.

Social traditionalists might bemoan the fuzzy line, cry “declining family values” or even “lack of faith in God”.   This is a difficult point of view for a thoughtful student of social history to take seriously.  Even as recently as the 1950s, the Leave it to Beaver snapshot of a household wasn’t exactly the real world that people were living.  The author’s own grandfather worked three jobs during that time-period to support a family of six, and when the children were in school, his wife also went to work to be able to pay the expanded expenses of a household with four pre-teen and teenagers.

If people can idealize and romanticize times they actually lived through, how much easier it is to romanticize times of more than a century ago.   We remember the family solidarity of Little House on the Prairie, but fail to internalize the desperate poverty of a family that could only afford two dresses for each child, that counted on fish from a creek three times a day to get through a summer, and a rearing that caused one of the children to feel she must go to work to pay her parents back for the expense of rearing her.

In the face of this romanticism, it is easy to cry “Traditional Family Values!” when confronted with a new problem of living such as Polyamory.  However, that sort of answer, when faced with the realities of our changing society and its mores is worse than useless, as Traditional Family Values hearken back to an age that never actually existed.  If it didn’t exist and work then, how could it be possible to make it exist and work now?

Polyamory is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary thus:

The fact of having simultaneous close emotional relationships with two or more other individuals, viewed as an alternative to monogamy, esp. in regard to matters of sexual fidelity; the custom or practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the knowledge and consent of all partners concerned.

This definition isn’t entirely accepted by everyone in the polyamory community, but as a writer in the polyamory community herself, the author personally considers it good enough to be going on with.

Polyamory, then, can just be considered an open alternative to sexual exclusivity.  This is practiced in many ways by different people.   Many married couples who are polyamorous might have their marriage, household, dog, kids and white picket fence, but also engage in romantic/sexual relationships outside of the marriage relationships.   Others take it in a different direction – eschewing pair bonding and forming non-formal relationships.   Yet others form group marriage.   This relationship is often called a PolyFamily, and is probably the least common form of polyamorous relationship practiced.

So, does it work?

One could answer “yes and no”, but it would hardly be conclusive.   Sometimes not.  Margaret Hollenbach (Hollenbach)  did not find her life in the Family in New Mexico very workable.   Hollenbach had to be just about the classical “hippie”.  College kid, white, from a relatively well-to-do background though with divorced parents – somewhat less common in the late 1960s and early 1970s than now.  She joined the Family in Taos, New Mexico and found that the lifestyle and therapy sessions[1] reminiscent of the brainwashing techniques used by the Chinese government (Hollenbach  166).  She also comments that her own experience did not include coercion in the classical sense.  One was free to get up and walk away and there were no physical attempts at restraint.

However, one of the serious problems with any long-term live-in relationship that may or may not be workable is the fact that while one might not be physically restrained from leaving if it becomes unpleasant, unworkable or difficult, there are matters of social isolation, inertia, and the simple financial ties anyone has in a household that one must contend with.   Historically, some communes, in a deep desire not to be coercive when it came to group membership have had a way to pay out members that wished to leave so that they would not feel financially tied to a group that they did not want to be with.   The Shakers would allow a member who left to take any property that he had brought with him upon joining away, or give a monetary allowance to those who joined empty-handed.   Few modern communes, poly or otherwise, have had such a forward-thinking view.

There is also the social isolation.  If one lives in a group where the internal culture is “different”, there is an increased tendency towards Groupthink.  Groupthink is generally characterized by premature concurrence seeking – high conformity pressures, self-censorship of dissenting ideas, mindguards and the maintenance of the image of unanimity (Forsyth  370).  The ideals of marriage say that the happy, effective couple presents a united front.  However good or bad this idea is, it becomes problematic in a group marriage situation.

At first, it might not seem so. That united front can be useful.   Imagine being a car salesman and negotiating a loan among four people who can play off of each other and come together with the precision of watch gears while you have to answer each and every one of them all by yourself[2].  To be a member of such an effective team can be pretty heady.

But there’s a dark side.  That groupthink?  It’s very real.  In the interests of the unified front, one can suppress one’s own dissenting opinions, find oneself weary of discussion and abdicate opinion in the interests of quiet.  This is an example of something that doesn’t work for long.

The social isolation is often a problem as well.  If one lives in a group marriage or other alternative relationship, one often finds that the internal frame of reference of the group is the one that’s turned to for a “reality check”.  Choosing the left-hand path means that one occasional faces outside disapproval.  The “us against them” view that one can develop within such a context, while entirely human and natural,[3] can be counter-productive for the individual health of individual members of a group.

In observing group relationships that work out well, a primary characteristic of any of them seems to hinge around personal privacy and, oddly enough, a high value placed on individuality.  “The two (or three or four) shall become one” does not wear well in a polyamorous situation.  The relationship and personal dynamic must be very different for it to work.

The Oneida Community had an inkling of this when it built its group home.  Each adult member had his own small room.  While they professed to value the group over anything, and diaries of the time talk of struggles with selfishness (Herrick 62), there was an understanding that a certain level of personal privacy and personal choice are very necessary to the happiness of a person within a group.  Within the Oneida Community, there were people with varying interests and these interests were encouraged.  Children were sent off to school away from the O.C., people often made trips to visit the “Outside”, as they called it, and there was a tacit understanding that one would choose for oneself how much to participate in the “social life[4]” of the Community.  While it ultimately dissolved, keep in mind that the Oneida Community lasted for thirty years – a Methuselah among communes.

Modern marriage counselors now talk about this more and more often.   In modern mental health literature, there is a strong theme of taking responsibility for one’s own needs instead of depending on another to meet them.  This isn’t to say that we must blow off others’ needs and desires, nor that we have no responsibility to the people with whom we’ve formed relationships.

Each human being has freedom of choice over his or her own actions; all of us are accountable for our choices and their consequences.  No other person can be responsible for the feelings that result from our choices, be they happy or sad. (Paul and Paul 212).

Recognition of this individual responsibility seems to be the key to happy interpersonal relationships of all sorts.  While it might seem that it means that one could callously assert that if someone else is unhappy in the face of what’s going on that it’s his own problem, that extreme isn’t quite the way accepting personal responsibility for one’s own feelings and actions work.   While it’s impossible actually to be responsible for another’s feelings, it’s also impossible to have a good relationship without caring about the other’s feelings as well.  It’s an important balance.

Also required for good balance is the “what’s in it for me?” factor. There has to be some incentive for people to devote time/energy/money to almost anything, and they have to feel like they’re getting a good trade out of it.  A housewife, putting in long hours to create a beautiful and comfortable home, might be compensated by a spouse with more free time to earn a higher salary.  That spouse might be glad to have a well-run home and be relieved of housekeeping responsibilities.   While a very “traditional” view, it’s one that works out in practice as well[5].   In communal situations larger than a family, a credit system where work means something tangible tends to work out better than an “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” situation.   The founder of Twin Oaks in Louisa, VA commented, “Nowadays, I think you need some personal incentive to put out your best in the work scene.” (Kuhlmann 126)

The poly families that work out the best do seem to be families where there is a high regard for individualism and privacy, as well as a strong vested interest in each member of the group finding the relationship a fulfilling, perhaps even profitable, one.

Works  Cited

Forsyth, Donelson R. Group  Dynamics. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2005.

Herrick, Tirzah  Miller. Desire and Duty at Oneida : Tirzah Miller’s Intimate Memoir. Ed. Robert S. Fogarty. New York: Indiana University Press, 2000.

Hollenbach, Margarget.  Lost and Found : My Life in a Group Marriage Commune. New York:  University of New Mexico Press, 2004.

Kuhlmann, Hilke. Living  Walden Two : B. F. Skinner’s Behaviorist Utopia and Experimental Communities. New York: Univeristy of Illinois Press, 2005.

Paul, Jordan and  Margaret Paul. Do I Have to Give up Me to Be Loved by You? Grand  Rapids: Hazelden & Educational Services, 2002.

[1] They used a form of Gestalt therapy as a means of social cohesion.

[2] This actually happened in my own quad.  One of the former members still owns and drives that car!

[3] There are few things better for group cohesion than a common “enemy”, as history has proven more than once.

[4] The expression “social life” in the Oneida Community was a euphemism for sexual relationships.

[5] When I worked full time, while I did do housework at home, having a housewife there for primary childcare duties was a great boon to my ability to focus on my job!

[jennycalendar]

imperfections (66/?)

read it on ao3!

an update!!!! shocking!!!

As of late, Rupert’s nightmares were becoming both more frequent and more difficult to wake him up from, and Jenny strongly suspected that much of it was a whole bunch of repressed trauma coming to the surface. He had still managed to return to work, but balancing his job as a librarian and his extensive supernatural research schedule meant that he wasn’t getting as much sleep as he probably should, which meant that Jenny usually had to stay home and forcibly cuddle him into sleeping at a reasonable hour. And since they were the only two qualified adults in the Scooby Gang, this made the concept of demon-fighting more than difficult.

“Please can we go to the cave by ourselves?” Willow was asking, following Jenny into the kitchen with her arms full of weaponry and magic supplies. “I practiced the clouding spell like seventeen times and Buffy and Faith will be there and Xander knows how to throw a real punch now—”

“Look, I’m just saying maybe hold off on the demon-killing until I’m certain Rupert’s doing okay,” said Jenny thinly, her mind already conjuring images of the kids brutally murdered by whatever the hell was lurking in that cave. “We don’t even know what’s in that cave—”

“Then we can do a recon mission!” Willow persisted. “And not kill anything!” Off Jenny’s look, she deflated. “It’s just that they’re monsters,” she said. “And I know you need to take care of Giles, but somebody needs to take down the vampires while you guys are out of commission.”

“I’m not out of commission,” Jenny objected.

“Monsters can’t be put on hold,” said Willow firmly. “And nearly all of us are adults now. We should be able to make these choices at some point, so why can’t that point be now?”

Jenny exhaled. She recognized the logic of Willow’s reasoning, but she still didn’t like sending her kids off to fight things. Now she was starting to understand the tense, drawn look that Joyce sometimes got when Buffy was on patrol. “Okay,” she said.

Willow stared. “Wait,” she said. “Did that work? I didn’t think that would work.”

“Don’t let it get to your head,” said Jenny with a tired smile, squeezing Willow’s shoulder. “Just know that I do not like thinking about you guys in danger. Make sure that none of you take unnecessary risks.”

Willow gave Jenny a small, soft grin back, then stood on tiptoe, hugging her very gently. “You know we’ll be careful, Jenny,” she said. “We always are. And we’ll be home with some great story about how we took down all the vampires—”

“Be careful,” said Jenny again, hugging Willow tightly. “Rupert has enough to worry about without you all getting seriously injured.”

“Yeah, sure, we’ll be careful for Giles,” Willow teased, pulling back to playfully smooth down Jenny’s hair. “We’ve got this. Pinky swear.”

Jenny smiled, watching Willow exit the kitchen, and reminded herself very firmly that the kids were growing up. As much as she hated the fact that they’d been all but drafted into fighting evil, it was still their choice to make, not hers.

And on the subject of people who had been drafted into fighting evil…Jenny left the kitchen, waving a quick goodbye to Xander and Faith (who were cheerfully following Willow out of the house) and heading upstairs to the master bedroom, where her possible-future-husband was quietly reading one of his derelict old volumes of prophecy. She sat down on the bed next to him, taking the book out of his hands, and pulled him into her arms, enjoying the way he snuggled into her without hesitation.

I love you, she heard Rupert say in the back of her mind.

She wasn’t entirely sure how to express it, but it felt kind of nice to have someone she loved in her head. Eyghon had been painful, taking up space until she was terrified she’d be shoved out of her own body; Rupert took up only the space needed for her to hear him, and made no efforts to take more. It made her feel protected, in the strangest of ways, and she rubbed her nose against his in a sideways attempt to tell him as such. “The kids are heading down to that cave,” she said carefully. “Willow pointed out that they’re all either adults or nearly adults, and that I should get used to them choosing to do things like this.”

They’re not wrong.

“Yeah, I know,” said Jenny, making a face. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Rupert made a little hmm noise and kissed her neck; Jenny smiled, letting her head fall back against the pillows. “I told you about the new Watcher, right?”

He and I still haven’t met.

“Lucky you,” said Jenny. “Wesley’s the worst.”

Has he tried to encroach upon any Scooby meetings?

“Seeing as most of them happen here now, I don’t see how he could,” said Jenny, feeling cheered by this. “Though I guess you’ll probably have to go back to training Buffy, once you’re feeling a little better?”

I’m fine now, said Rupert’s voice with some irritation.

“Look at me and say that one more time,” said Jenny patiently.

Rupert looked up, indignant, and then bit his lip. I’m indulging, he said quietly. I have work to do, Jenny. Important work, and I shouldn’t have to be comforted.

“You hold yourself to a double standard,” said Jenny, tracing Rupert’s jaw with a fingertip, watching his eyelashes flutter at her touch. “Remember when the First was at our doorstep, and we had a boatload of research to do? And Angel hurt me, and I was scared, so you held me until I was ready to handle things again?”

I should be ready to handle things now—

“Rupert, you haven’t had someone to hold you in a very long time,” said Jenny softly. “That has an effect on people.”

Rupert still looked a little doubtful, but he settled himself back into Jenny’s arms without further objection, closing his eyes as she ran her hands through his hair. Love you, he mumbled in the back of Jenny’s head, his words drowsier and running together. Love you love you darling Jenny dearest wife—

He didn’t catch his slip, but Jenny did, and it made her heart jump. Names and words were casual, fluid things to her, but Rupert always chose his words with care and certainty. The fact that she was a certain thing to him meant the world to her, and she smiled a little as she snuggled back against the pillows.

“So that was fun,” said Faith, wincing a little as she dusted herself off.

“Those were not vampires,” said Xander loudly. “Those were something else and I did not like them.”

“But my clouding spell worked!” said Willow brightly.

Faith grinned a little. “Okay,” she said. “Yeah. Silver lining, then. Willow got to try out her cloud spell, and I…” She trailed off. “Got to punch things,” she finished decisively.

“Should we leave them here?” Buffy asked, gesturing towards the demons.

“I say burn them,” said Cordelia, wrinkling her nose. “They were totally gross, and one of them got blood on my nice jacket!”

“Again, Cordy, you didn’t have to come along, and you definitely didn’t have to wear your nicest threads,” Xander reminded her, giving his girlfriend an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

Cordelia huffed. “Like I’m letting you die in some dank old cave!” she shot back, tucking her arm into Xander’s.

“I fall in the camp of not burning them,” interjected Oz. Off everyone’s surprised looks, he pointed out, “Giles and Ms. Calendar are probably going to want to know what we saw, and having a few bodies on hand might help in terms of examples.”

“We could take pictures?” suggested Willow.

“Unbelievably, I have my Polaroid camera on me,” said Xander with a grin, digging in his backpack and fishing the camera out. “Who’s good with setting up a shot?”

As the group clustered around one of the dead demons, Faith stepped back and out of the cave, already looking forward to telling Jen about the latest cool adventure. Jen would probably get her Worried Face on when she saw that Faith was a little banged up, and that’d be fun too, ‘cause then Faith would get to sit really still while Jen patched her up—

“What on earth is going on here?” came a voice, and Faith blinked, then squinted. The geeky new Watcher had arrived, and on his arm was pretty Ms. Jenkins from the grocery store. “Why are you slaying with civilians involved?”

“Uh, you’re one to talk,” said Faith, directing a significant look at Ms. Jenkins.

“Ms. Jenkins,” said Geeky Watcher with dignity, “is already aware of the supernatural. She has kindly offered her services in any arena we may need.”

“You mean you may need,” said Faith. “Seeing as we already havea Watcher.”

“Where is Miss Summers?” said Geeky Watcher. “I was informed that Miss Summers would be going after the demons in this cave—”

As if on cue, Buffy exited the cave, then cocked her head. She wasn’t looking at Geeky Watcher, though; for some reason, her attention was focused on Ms. Jenkins. “Have we met before?” she asked.

“Yes, very briefly, at the grocery store,” began Ms. Jenkins somewhat nervously.

“No,” said Buffy, frowning. “I don’t think that’s it.”

“Miss Summers?” said Geeky Watcher, puffing up. “Wesley Wyndam—”

“Oh, you’re that dorky new guy Ms. Calendar mentioned!” said Buffy, beaming.

“Your new Watcher, yes,” said Wesley Wyndam (Faith wouldn’t remember his dorky, hyphenated last name if you paid her).

Buffy considered this. “Is this like when your mom gets you a new sweater because she thought you spilled chocolate milk on the old one?” she said. “Because if it is, I’ll tell you what I told her: thanks, but I really only need one.”

Wesley Wyndam looked extremely confused by this. Ms. Jenkins looked like she was doing her best not to laugh, and…come to think of it, she did look familiar. Sure, Faith only knew her from the grocery store, but her Slayer-senses were going off like crazy. “Do we know you?” she said, squinting at Ms. Jenkins.

“Kindly do not interrogate my lady friend!” said Wesley Wyndam indignantly.

“Whoa,” said Buffy. “Already dating on the job? What does that say about your work ethic?”

Faith snickered. So did Ms. Jenkins, though she muffled it in her glove. Wesley Wyndam looked genuinely wounded by Buffy’s comment. “My work ethic is nowhere near lacking!” he objected. “Frankly, I find that accusation rather rich, coming from a girl who treats vampire slaying like a social gathering!”

“I so don’t treat vampire slaying like a social gathering!” Buffy objected.

Xander and Cordelia then exited the cave, closely followed by Willow and Oz. “Hey, Buff, check it out!” Xander called, waving the camera. “I took pictures of me with the dead demon!”

“Not now,” Buffy hissed.

“Whoa, who’s that?” said Xander.

“New Watcher,” said Willow helpfully.

“Is he already dating someone?” said Xander. “Didn’t Giles take, like, a year to start dating Ms. Calendar?”

“A year and a half,” said Cordelia, “if my math is right—”

“Your job,” said Wesley Wyndam furiously, “is to slay vampires, not to gossip incessantly about my social life!”

“Well, I’m off the clock,” said Buffy brightly, “so I think I can do all the gossiping I want. Nice to meet you, Ms. Jenkins, if we haven’t met already!” And with that, she skipped past Wesley, heading down the hiking trail that would lead them back to Oz’s van.

Grinning, Faith followed, walking at a brisk pace so she could fall into step with Buffy. “So he’s annoying,” she said.

Buffy giggled. “Honestly?” she said. “Don’t tell Giles this, but Wesley totally reminds me of him when we first met.”

Faith scoffed. “Giles is way too cool to have ever been like that dude.”

“Debatable,” said Buffy. “In fact, I’m not even sure if Giles is cool now.”

“The guy got himself fired to keep you safe,” Faith pointed out. “That’s, like, a billion coolness points in my book.”

Buffy glowed.

[earthboundmssft]

The Pros and Cons of the Zodiacs: A Personal Opinion

Let me start off by saying this is just for fun, I love and admire each sign, good and bad qualities, please do not take offense to this list and remember that your Sun sign is only the surface of what you believe to be You, I will be listing these by my favorite elements !

Fire : Active, Creative, Assertive, Self-Regarding

Leo, the Lion, ruled by the Sun, the 4th house ruled by Creativity, a very demanding sign, admirable and courageous, Leo’s have a very luring personality that always makes me want to ask “why?”, they are resilient, they make excellent leaders and have a key to success in whatever it is they do, However, Leo’s can really let it get to their head, they can be overconfident and at times egotistical, letting their excellence get the best of them and may become to prideful to ask for assistance, like the other fire signs Leo’s can be very aggressive, learning to channel that aggression into love is what I believe will benefit a Leo through their life’s journey

Sagittarius, the Archer, ruled by Jupiter, the 9th house ruled by Philosophy, what I feel is one of the most magnetic signs in every meaning of the word, Sagittarius tends to be one of the most lucky signs, they have a charm to them, erotic, brilliant, philosophical and very optimistic, However they do have a tendency to over indulge in the luck and skill of the archer and can become hostile and carry a superiority complex or “God” complex, Sagittarius should work on finding a good balance between keeping their feet on the ground and their heads in the clouds 

Aries, the Ram, ruled by Mars, the 1st house ruled by Self, Aries are to me THE most fiery of the fire signs, they are cardinal signs so they tend to be very established and firm individuals, they are ruled by the face and body and i find they manifest that trait physically, broad and very attractive signs, they really do bring the heat, However an Aries can be very stuck in their bad habits and troublesome and may defy the ones who love and care for them, Aries to me embodies all things fire, but they must learn to take a step back and question their ways of handling their fiery energy, but since its such a creative and expanding sign it shouldn’t be too difficult. 

Earth : Dependable, Practical, Preserving, Materialistic

Taurus, the Bull, ruled by Venus & Earth, the 2nd house ruled by Money, Taurians are one of my favorite signs, trustworthy, honest, very intuitive signs and usually from what I’ve come across have a head of thick beautiful hair,  Taurians tend to carry very pure energy what I describe as a “Breath of fresh air” in conversation, they usually are very well rounded individuals and extraordinarily passionate in love, However, they are represented by the bull for a reason, they can be very stubborn, idle and can even be a bit of a bully when prompted, Taurians I find can be very hard on themselves when confronting their failures, they have a “Fuck It” tendency that usually leads them to trouble and eventually self destructive habits, Taurus needs to learn that nothing is forever and you cannot change what has already been done, but you can learn from the pain and forgive yourself as well as those who have hurt you, give yourself a break, take some of that weight of your shoulders, your independent nature can take you anywhere you want to go

Virgo, the Maiden/Virgin, ruled by Mercury, the 6th house ruled by Service, Virgos are one of the most intuitive signs ruled by the intestines, they are very analytical, social, people pleasing creatures, they love to see others succeed and they themselves love success, very organized in their heads and often times in their outside world, they make great bushiness persons due to their communication skills and keen eye for service and providing, However, Virgos can be very critical of themselves and the world around them and often times unaware of their own potential greatness, when hurt Virgos can become cold and untrustworthy, Virgos should learn that perfection is truly unattainable. Due to their helpful nature Virgos can stretch themselves a bit too far and become too involved in others personal lives while ignoring their own needs and desires, Virgo should know that the self should always come first if you truly want to help others, Virgo should also know that not everyone needs your criticism, allow your heart and head to catch up with one another.

Capricorn, the Goat, ruled by Saturn, the 9th house ruled by Career, Capricorn THE earth sign, very grounded individuals, adventurous minds, whimsical yet serious characters, they’re hard to upset , they take their work and passions very seriously and have a tendency to be very successful in whatever they put their minds to, However, Capricorns when not evolved can become very arrogant and bossy due to their drive for success, they are a sign that cannot be controlled, they tend to do the controlling since they are cardinal signs, Capricorns should learn that career isn’t everything, give yourself a break, it’s okay to work hard and want success, but everything will come in due time, they should learn to balance vulnerability and resilience

Water : Hypersensitive, Emotional, Inward-looking, Doubtful

Scorpios, the Scorpion, ruled by Pluto & Mars, the 7th house ruled by Death and Rebirth, Scorpios are one of the more solid of the water signs, fixed water, so unlike Cancer and Pisces they are intense in their ways of anger and love, they are fearless and determined and make very wonderful romantic partners once evolved, However, when a Scorpio feels as though they aren’t receiving the recognition they believe they deserve or when they simply do not trust you, they can become cunning, promiscuous and closed off, Scorpios usually get a bad reputation for being promiscuous, ruled by the sex organs and ruled by two very powerful planets, Scorpio is passionate in everything they do, Scorpio should learn to take life slowly, there’s no good in rushing emotions, its okay to feel, stop being so generous with your energy not everyone will accept it, be careful who you allow into your heart...not everyone will understand 

Cancer, the Crab, ruled by the Moon,the 4th house ruled by Home, Cancers are very pleasant, warm and comforting, emotional and heavenly, their presence always provides a sense of familiarity to me, the poet of the water signs, their lives very much revolve around family and friends, motherly and OH so caring! they love to feel needed, However, Cancers can become very moody if they feel as though they aren’t fulfilling their purpose in life, they can become possessive, pessimistic and suspicious of their surroundings and even of themselves, Cancer should learn that it’s okay to be emotionally sensitive, but grounding yourself is important as well, you live in a world of doubt and that’s okay, but don’t let the world make you cold, you are a moon child, warm and full of love, just be cautious of who you let in.

Pisces, the Fish, ruled by Neptune, the 12th house ruled by Self-undoing, Pisces are very intuitive, being hypersensitive is a very water sign trait, but to me Pisces takes it to another level, they are very inspired souls and always want to help, they make lovely friends and playful lovers, they always have a wide range of tastes never too specific, but it always is interesting, they’re quirky souls and almost mysterious, However, Pisces being the sensitive souls they are can become self-pitying, indolent..a true escape artist , Pisces can avoid drama and socializing like a bad cold, they can also become confused in their own heads, not knowing when something is too much or too little, Pisces should learn that it’s okay to take a break and escape from your own head from time to time, but don’t let that become paranoia...the world isn’t out to get you, you love and you love with your entirety, “ Once it has been lost, the Water of Life can only be found by wandering off the beaten path.” and like the water of life Pisces should learn some resilience.

Air : Free Spirited, Versatile, Self-centered 

Libra, the Scales, ruled by Venus, the 7th house ruled by Partners, Libras are very sensible, represented by the scales Libras tend to be very fair in their criticism everything they do they have reasons that may even come off as excuses to others, Libras are artistic souls with excellent taste in material items, like Aquarius they simply want peace and quiet in their life. They love to make people happy, However, in their drive to do so they may find it difficult to say “No” to some things, because they enjoy the nicer things in life, Libra can become self indulgent in spending money on material items. Like the other air signs , Libra is very indecisive and sometimes superficial, they really enjoy the beauty of life, but have a hard time grasping what it really is, Libra should learn that surface beauty doesn’t equal happiness, their charming personalities and sensible souls make them wonderful care givers, they should learn to balance their high energy with some meditation instead of window shopping, they should learn that there is always more than what they think they know, you are the scales so remember to ALWAYS be fair and cautious to those around you.

Aquarius, the Water-Bearer, ruled by Uranus, the 11th house ruled by Aspirations, Aquarius from my experience are either very calm and collected or very extroverted and eccentric, not to say that they cannot be both at the same time. Aquarians are Fixed signs , but being air signs as well they really cannot be pinned down, they are huge humanitarians and simply want whats best for everyone, they have very intellectual and deep minds that take a lot of patience and understanding in order to be trusted by Aquarius , they are very particular in love, true trend setters, However, Aquarius like Sagittarius can carry a god complex, they can become extremely irrational in their judgement and feel their way is the only way, when hurt they can become detached and aloof being able to shut off all emotions, Aquarius should learn that it is okay to get hurt, it does not make you weak, it may wear down elasticity, but once you’ve let go of resistance you will ultimately be free, it’s okay to be you, it’s okay to be different! you’re greatly appreciated! 

Gemini, the Twins, ruled by Mercury, the 3rd house ruled by Communication, Gemini’s, like their sister sign Sagittarius are VERY philosophical in nature, their minds tend to wander. Being an air sign they really do expand and use their knowledge to make the best life possible for themselves, they are excellent communicators, very humorous and optimistic, However, with all that knowledge and self awareness comes trouble and confusion, Gemini’s tend to be very moody and inconsistent, they are represented by the twins, so think of them as two souls morphing together and attempting to find balance in a singular vessel, for Gemini this can spell trouble since it can be tough for one to please two very different sous at the same time, this may make them deceitful, master manipulators and they often play victim, Gemini should learn that not everyone is like you, not everyone contains the depth that you desire, “ All that glitters is not gold”. Use your communication skills to your advantage Gemini, be patient with the growing process, going through with your actions is crucial to your inevitable success. 

[robininthelabyrinth]

Fic: Nocturne (11/30) - Ao3 Link

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV Pairings: Mostly Gen (variety later to come)

Summary: In which Cor Leonis loses his temper, accidentally acquires a kid, and tries to single-handedly dismantle the Lucian immigration system – and that’s before he and his lawyers find out about this Prophecy business. If the Astrals think Cor’s going to let his kid’s best friend die without a fight, they’ve gotten the wrong cheetah ‘taur.

(a young adult novel set in @kickingshoes’ ‘taur AU)

—————————————————————————————— ——————————————————————————————

Galadh is just as Clarus remembers it: a positive riot of color and sound.

Each house is painted in startlingly bright tones with different colors for the windows and doors and sometimes - often, really - having twisty, almost flowery designs painted as further decor, and buskers and street-sellers line virtually every street to sing out their wares or play an instrument. Even the people follow the same theme: with the exception of those in black mourning, the clothing they wear is bright and cheerful and noisy, their hair worn long and woven through with beads and feathers and braids. Even the Hunters here find that greens and yellows work better to blend with the wild jungles deeper in the islands than the dark browns and blacks preferred on the mainland.

And there are birds everywhere.

Colorful birds, loud birds, talking birds, birds perched on rooftops and on trees growing in the center of the sidewalk and on parked cars and bikes and even some birds sitting casually on people's heads as they sit at the cafés, speaking as much with their gestures as with their words.

And that's not to mention the monkeys. Just casually there, sitting on garbage cans and chowing down the way raccoons or squirrels do on the mainland, or at least did before the Starscourge started to reduce their numbers and turn them into mutated creatures out of nightmare.

Ah, Galadh. Nowhere quite like it, in Clarus’ view.

Interestingly, despite Galahd's long history as undisputed Lucian territory, the population here tends towards canidaetaur rather than felidaetaur, with inlanders generally being woodland creatures, like wolves and foxes, while beachsiders are often creatures that enjoy water, like bears and beavers and jaguars - though of course the population here, like everywhere else in Lucis, is growing increasingly mixed and diverse over time.

And, of course, let Clarus not forget to mention the food – the heavy scent of spice in the air, peppers and chilis and other mysterious spices that are hot enough to burn even people from Leide, who pride themselves on their spicy peppers, right alongside the stalls filled to the brim with freshly-caught fish or unusual fruit brought down from the jungles.

Clarus must admit that he enjoys Galahd's determined fondness of food and their resulting appreciation for heavier figures. He knows the tendency probably stems from the famines that still sporadically strike the islands whenever more severe hurricanes than the usual yearly fare batter them, but – as a tiger with, shall we say, not as much time to exercise as much as he probably should – he still appreciates it.

Oh, yes, and there’s the hurricanes.

Can't forget those.

That is, of course, the part of Galadh that Clarus doesn’t like, particularly as midsummer marks the onset of the rainy season, or more accurately the rain-and-storm season: Leviathan’s blessing, Ramuh’s curse, as the islanders liked to joke.

Galadh, wild child of the sea and storm.

Poetic, really.

At least their passage here was pretty quiet, thanks be to Leviathan – the Tidemother is generally blissfully calm for the period right around midsummer, her favorite day of the year – and they arrive without any large fanfare, just as planned.

The poor Harbormaster who came to collect their papers had something of a bad moment when he saw his King and Queen holding the paperwork with polite smiles that only barely covered how amusing they found this whole situation. It was rather funny, but, more importantly, it allowed them to disembark with remarkable swiftness and without all the ridiculous pomp that usually accompanies pre-announced royal visits - speeches and surprise presentations by local choirs and bands and whatnot. Always extremely charming, always extremely irritating to a traveler who just came rather a long way and just wants to take a nap.

Of course, no matter how quickly they managed their arrival, there still managed to be just enough time for Regis to be swamped by the (very surprised) local Galahdian politicos, but Regis is an old hand at these sort of events: he and Aulea are very effectively glad-handing them with the goal of putting them off their scent and reassuring them that there's no reason to be concerned. By all rights, Clarus ought to be helping with that, but instead he’s with Scientia, watching the children run around acquainting themselves with the harbor town – something he prefers by far.

The children, at least, are having a positive blast.

They're all keeping quite busy – Gladio looking through the stalls selling bright clothing and beads and jewelry made of shells, Ignis staring enraptured as one of the street vendors efficiently butchers and then sizzles up a giant shrimp in a medley of spices, Noctis and Prompto leaping over each other and rolling around in the sand of the beach...even Luna seems to have escaped her usual reticence, looking around her with a broad smile.

"Hey, pretty lady!" a local girl around Luna's age, holding a basket of brightly colored flowers with more flowers woven into her hair like a crown, calls out to her. "Buy a flower for your hair?"

Luna turns to look. "Oh, they're lovely!" she exclaims, clapping her hands together and trotting over to look closer.

The local girl – a maned fox 'taur, if Clarus is getting his more obscure species right – gapes at her. "Oh, wow," she says. "You've got the daintiest hooves I've ever seen."

Luna blushes.

Clarus is reminded, suddenly, of the first time Luna met Cindy, back in Hammerhead – her eyes going as wide as saucers and her cheeks going pink as the normally precociously self-possessed girl stuttered over a basic introduction – and he smiles. A pity, really, that the Glaciad is so far away at the tail end of winter – it looks like Luna will have her hands full of people she might want to ask to join her for that romantic festival's traditional joint cup of hot cocoa.

"Thank you," Luna is saying. "I love your legs, too – they're so long and graceful –"

"Oh, you don't have to say that –"

"No, really!"

Now both girls are blushing. Clarus pretends to inspect a vase, enjoying the little childhood romance unfolding in front of him – it's like something out of A Springtime's Stroll, the paperback romance novel he's currently reading. Cyrella thinks he's ridiculous for enjoying them, but Gladio certainly enjoys them as well when Clarus reads them aloud to him – he’s currently very invested in the resolution of the ongoing love quadrangle...

"Would you like a flower, then?" the girl blurts out, clearly desperate to get back onto some sort of even footing. "For your hair?"

"Oh, yes, I'd love one," and here Luna falters and glances down at the ground, "but I’m afraid I don't know how to put them in my hair."

"Oh," the local girl says. "Well – if you like – I can show you..?"

Oh, smooth, smooth! Clarus thinks admiringly. Well done, Luna!

(He is particularly amused by the idea that Lady Lunafreya, born amongst the beautiful blue sylleblossoms of Tenebrae, might find anything to do with flowers difficult.)

"I couldn't possibly bother you while you're at work –"

"No, no, I was just about to go out on break – my name's Crowe, by the way –"

"And I'm Luna. Do you mind if we go to the shade somewhere? It's only that I'm not used to it being so bright – it's my first visit to Galadh –"

"No wonder, what with you being so pale. Sure, come with me – you know, if this is your first visit here, I could show you to a nice ice cream parlor – the best one on the islands - my parents run it, it's just down the block –"

Luna glances briefly at Clarus, who nods his approval. "If it's just down the block, I don't see the issue. Keep your phone on," he advises. "I'll tell Scientia."

The two girls beam and run off.

Clarus is barely able to restrain himself from laughing at how efficiently Luna secured herself a date, even though he suspects that neither girl is entirely certain of what it is – after all, Crowe can't be much older than twelve to Luna's eleven. Ah, kitten love! Or puppy love, in little Crowe's case, and fawn love, in Luna's.

Oh, he wishes that Cyrella was here for him to share the joke! If only that damn doctor hadn't absolutely forbidden her from sea travel...

Ah, well.

He goes over to Scientia, who has her nose buried in a book that's half the size of his torso. "Luna –" he starts.

"Has run off with that Crowe girl to the ice cream shop, yes, I overheard," Scientia says, not looking up from her book. "They'll be back shortly – I saw it as we passed earlier; there's no room in there for them to sit. We should plan our next steps after that."

"Technically, the Hydread isn't until tomorrow, on midsummer itself; it’s only the Eve," Clarus offers. Luckily, he's already gotten used to the way Scientia's mind is already five steps ahead of everyone else's – he's learned to take it as a compliment that she doesn’t feel the need to explain herself to him. When she's in court, or dealing with people she thinks are slow, she suddenly becomes remarkably clear and straightforward and just a touch judgmental. It's a bit frightening, not least of all because Ignis does the same thing – and Clarus suspects that Gladio and the other boys are starting to pick up on it. They’re going to be terrors, each and every one of them. "We could spend the day doing tourist things, instead."

"What a marvelous idea," Regis says, limping up towards Clarus – no worse than usual, Clarus is pleased to note. He's managed to lose his Galahdian escort, probably by fobbing them off by promising to go to some fancy dinner later, and leaving it in their hands to prepare something suitable to his rank. "I don't think I've ever gone tourist-ing. What's there to do?"

"There are several famous landmarks," Scientia says dryly.

"No, thanks," Aulea says, following Regis closely. "Those we'll see by necessity when they want Regis – or I – or Noctis – to appear at all of them to wave at the local populace."

"Probably true," Clarus agrees ruefully. The price of being royalty...

"We could go to the beach and sun ourselves," Cor suggests. He looks rather fond of the idea. He would be, the overgrown kitten.

"Beach!" Noctis shouts. "We want beach!"

"Yeah! Beach!" Prompto joins in.

"No, thank you," Ignis says, wrinkling his nose fastidiously. "I don't want sand in my fur, thanks."

"The sand's somewhat inevitable everywhere you go in the beachside," the girl from earlier, Crowe, says. She and Luna have indeed returned, holding ice creams in one hand and holding each other's hands with the other.

Clarus is going to die of cuteness overload, he just knows it.

"Sorry, kid," she says apologetically to Ignis. She clearly hasn’t recognized any of them, which clearly pleases Regus immensely. It won’t last, of course, but it is nice to go a little incognito for a change, and Regis is clearly relishing every moment of it. “It really does get everywhere.”

"Is there anywhere we can go that won't have sand, then?" Ignis asks with a sigh. "I assume going inland would be too burdensome..?"

"Sadly, yes," Aulea says. "We need to be here tomorrow for the Hydread ceremony. Besides, I rather like the sound of sand."

"Well, there's always the caves," Crowe offers hesitantly, Luna squeezing her hand supportively.

"The caves?" Regis asks.

"Oh, they're lovely," Crowe says effusively. "They're technically inland, but they're right by the waterside, not far at all. No one ever goes to them in the summer, since they're lots prettier in the winter, but you can't come to Galahd and not see the Caves of Wind and Wave."

"Are those the ones with the cave paintings?" Scientia asks, even putting down her book – a major achievement. "I've heard good things."

"That's where the old ceremonies to raise Leviathan used to be held," Luna murmurs, leading the adults to glance at each other meaningfully.

"I could do caves," Gladio says, glancing at Ignis. "Caves are cool. They're spooky."

"I don't want to do spooky, though," Noctis pouts. "I want to go to the beach."

"Well, how about we split up?" Regis offers, smiling. Clarus likes the look on him: he looks years younger, and lighter. He's needed a vacation for far too long. This isn't a real vacation of course – they're here for the Covenant with Leviathan – but it's just close enough to one for it to already have good effects. "I'm rather interested in these caves myself – Aulea, Cor, why don't you take Noctis and Prompto to the beach, while the rest of us go look at these caves?"

"Really, no one goes in the summer," Crowe says hastily, clearly embarrassed now that they're taking her up on her suggestion. "The tides are high, you know – you can't really get the full impact of it –"

"The paintings are still supposed to be visible, even in the summer," Scientia says crisply. "We'll take our chances, I think. Will you show us the way to go?"

People do not generally say no when Scientia asks something of them. Crowe does not do so now.

Clarus arches an eyebrow at Regis. He knows his old friend well enough: this little splitting up isn't really about preferring the caves to the beach. It's about Luna's statement – that this might be where they need to go for the Covenant – and the fact that Regis wants to check it out first before letting Noctis anywhere near.

Regis smiles back, utterly unashamed of being seen through.

"Fine," Cor says. "You take three-fourths of the guard."

"What? No. Half, at most. Someone needs to watch over Noctis."

"Two-thirds. I’m watching over Noctis."

"Fine."

"Guard?" Crowe echoes with a frown.

"Don't worry about it," Luna says with a bright smile. "Can you show us the way?"

"Sure," Crowe says, smiling helplessly back, utterly distracted. "Come with me."

"Have fun at your beach," Clarus tells Cor with a grin. Cor rolls his eyes back.

Cor and Aulea head off towards the beach with Noctis and Prompto, while Regis, Clarus, and Scientia take Gladio and Ignis and follow Crowe, with Luna in tow close beside her, on a much less crowded trail inland. Their Crownsguard escort drifts along with them, quiet and unobtrusive.

It's a pleasant walk – somewhat steep, but nothing they can't handle, especially at the slow strolling pace they've adopted – for the first half-hour.

Then they discover that the main road to the caves is apparently closed for repair.

"Damn," Regis says mildly, frowning at the roadblock with its large and very unhelpful sign. "Guess we'll have to go back."

"Nah," Crowe says dismissively. "We can go in the other end, if you don't mind walking single file."

"We don't," Scientia says. "Other end?"

"Yeah," Crowe says. "It's not really an official entrance, but all the local kids go through that way. Cuts down on the line. And you end up on the Oracle's platform, the ancient one, which is pretty cool."

Clarus frowns. He's not sure this is a good idea –

"Excellent," Regis says. "Let's go."

Clarus sighs faintly. The vacation business is clearly going to Regis' head.

Still, Crowe is starting to stride down a much smaller dirt path and Regis is following, not to mention Ignis leaping along the rocky road like – well, like an excited goat kid. So there's clearly no choice but to go onwards.

It's another half-hour, this time padding along increasingly small and shabby roads before they get to the cave entrance. Still, that's more due to their slow pace – Gladio and Ignis keep dashing off to look at flowers or plants or even small animals – than the distance, even if the last portion of the descent towards the cave is, in fact, such a narrow path that going down single-file is the only way to proceed.

Crowe seems to have belatedly realized that she's guiding around some moderately important people (it was probably the Crownsguard's presence becoming increasingly less subtle as they left town and trees behind and forcing them to go out in the open despite their best attempts to remain subtle) and has been spending the last few minutes attempting to downplay the loveliness of the caves she spent the first half of the trip boasting about.

"– really, it's summer, so you won't get the full effect, like I said," she's saying, somewhat desperately. "The light's all wrong, you know, and the water level's pretty high, so you don't really get a sense of scale – there's a reason people don't ever come here in the summer –"

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Luna says, not for the first time.

"I mean, the cave paintings, they're there, sure, but we're coming in at the weird end, you know, since the other road broke down, so I don't know exactly how many we'll be able to see –"

"I'm sure it will be fine," Scientia says sternly.

Crowe shuts her mouth with a small peep.

Clarus and Regis share amused looks. It's rather nice not being the intimidating one of the group, for once.

Unfortunately, Crowe's nervousness is such that even Scientia's implacable force of will can only stop her for a while. "It's just that I wanted to say it up front," she murmurs as she pushes aside the vines growing on the cave wall to reveal a battered old door so well hidden that even the Crownsguard that preceded her couldn't find it, and stepping straight though before they could stop her and insist that they go first, "so that you won't be disappointed when...wait, hold up, what in Leviathan's name is –?"

Clarus, who slipped in second – he's the King's Shield, he doesn't need a Crownsguard escort to go gawk at some cave walls – puts his hand firmly over Crowe's mouth.

"Say nothing," he murmurs into her ear, his eyes fixed at the sight over her shoulder, even as the rest of their party filters in through the door.

The caves are lovely – as huge as promised, with the famous blue-and-green sheen – but Clarus has no time for that.

The caves which no one visits during the summer, the caves with the main road to them marked as being under repair –

The caves are not empty.

"What is that?" Scientia asks, keeping her voice as low as possible. She's picked up Ignis and covered his mouth with her hand; Gladio stands by her side, looking with increasing alarm at the grave-faced adults around him, but luckily he's had enough training to know that it’s time to go quiet.

"That," Regis says grimly, his voice low, "is a Niflheim airship."

"No," Clarus corrects quietly, looking at the gigantic ships wrought in black metal, with glowing red windows – it's not one ship; it's two, no, three massive airships, each one of them a fleet ship capable of holding multiple attack ships filled with MT soldiers or the carrier ships which Niflheim traditionally fills with daemons to help terrify the local populace after the initial conquest, and next to those behemoth ships there are also a number of smaller sea-ships equipped with tows designed to pull the airships into and out of the caves. "That is an invasion force."

Crowe starts struggling in shock for a moment, but then it fades and Clarus feels comfortable releasing her. "Invasion," she whispers, pasty-faced with terror. "Of Galahd? But..."

She trails off.

Clarus knows what she meant to say. Galahd's long history as undisputed Lucian territory is primarily for two reasons: one, sea-averse Niflheim wasn't particularly interested in a territory that dealt with yearly hurricanes that ranged unpredictably from 'problematic' to 'devastating', and two –

Two, whether they came by air or by sea, the isolated Galahd would see them coming.

But that didn't apply if they were already here.

They must have started smuggling the ships here piece-by-piece the very second the tourist season ended and built them up in Galadh itself.

"What are the forces available on Galahd?" Regis asks, quietly but forcefully – the relaxed father on vacation gone and replaced by the King of Lucis. The ring on his finger is glowing faintly, only noticeable because of the gloomy darkness of the caves.

"Not enough, your Majesty," Clarus answers, knowing what Regis really wants to know. "Not to resist a force of this size. The Galahd Coast Guard is formidable, but it will be utterly overwhelmed. We could call up reinforcements from Insomnia Port, but their warships will take hours to equip, and then more to get here – particularly since they'll need to keep some back to protect the Port itself."

"Still, a few hours will surely be enough –" Scientia starts.

Clarus cuts her off with a firm shake of his head. "They were probably originally planning on attacking during the notoriously calm weather of the Hydread tomorrow," he says, his sharp eyes fixed on a platform on one of the airships furthest away from them and closest to the supposedly "closed" main road to the caves. He recognizes one of the figures there, one of the Burgomasters of the port town in which they landed. He was part of the party greeting Regis and Aulea with vaguely panicked expressions earlier, except evidently his panic wasn't because he need to find a way to host the royal family in a suitable manner. "It would've been a massacre, all those people unarmed and celebrating, Insomnia Port all cluttered up with the paper ships for the holiday and slow to respond...if they kept to that original schedule, we’d be able to summon help in time.”

“You don’t think they will?”

“No. They weren't expecting the King of Lucis to arrive with a squadron of Crownsguard, and it's thrown off all their plans, since they don’t know why we came. Regardless, the reason doesn’t really matter: whether we’ve come to try to fight back against them, or whether it’s an accident that gives them an opportunity to strike at the royal family and shatter Lucian morale, they know they need to move quickly, before back-up arrives. They'll be attacking now, instead."

Even as he watches, the first of the great airships creakily begins to cast off, the ropes and chains holding it in place by the dock starting to fall loose, one by one.

"My parents –" Crowe croaks.

"Scientia," Regis says, taking control. There's that tone in his voice, the one that draws the eye irresistibly towards him - that deep, almost-growl that precedes the roar of the lion. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind, now, that the King of Lucis is speaking. "I need you to take the children back up the path as quickly and quietly as possible. When you get back to an area with cell service, immediately inform my wife and Cor of what is happening, then alert Insomnia Port. The local town must be evacuated at once, with their Coast Guard and every able-bodied member of the militia – or who's willing to try to fight – told to expect invasion. The Crownsguard will go with you to assist with preparations."

He turns to Crowe. "Do not despair. This is Galahd, and you, its children, are born of the sea and storm," he says to her, and her back goes straight, her head lifting higher under his regard. "You will not fall so easily before Niflheim's might, and I swear to you that Lucis will not stand aside and let it happen. Are your people trained in civilian evacuations?"

"Oh, yes," Crowe says eagerly. "We're all trained – but the alarm is only meant to go off in the event of an unexpected tsunami –"

"You will go at once to activate that alarm," he says. "You may do so on my authority. Know that Insomnia Port will send what reinforcements it can as soon as it can."

"Will – do you think we’ll be able to hold them off, your Majesty?" she asks.

He puts his hand on her shoulder and looks her in the eye. "We will fight to defend your country," Regis Lucis Caelum vows, and no one who looked at him would doubt that he meant it with every fiber of his being. "Whatever we can do to ensure that Galahd does not fall, we will do. But even should it fall in the end, know that Niflheim will pay for the privilege in a river of blood."

Crowe's eyes are shining. If she survives, Clarus would wager that Cor will have another new recruit for the Crownsguard in a handful of years. She nods and goes without another word.

Scientia lingers a moment longer after Crowe has left running at full speed. "Your Majesty," she says.

Regis looks at her.

"There is – another thing," she says, uncharacteristically hesitant. "That we could do. Perhaps. To make the odds a little less – overwhelming."

"At this point, all suggestions are very welcome," Clarus says wryly. "We're facing a force that's likely four times the size of the existing military power on this island, assuming Niflheim hasn't changed their typical approach to invasion. Every little bit might help."

"More than a little bit," Scientia says, and her habitual impassive calm has settled over her once more – her hesitation before was merely uncertainty as to the extent of their need, Clarus realizes, and now that he has confirmed the direness of the situation, she has put aside all doubt. "Let me remind you that we stand now at the Oracle's platform, where once, long ago, they called upon the sleeping Leviathan."

They all stare at her, Clarus and Regis and even the head of the Crownsguard escorting them, a sturdy 'taur named Riyad. Her meaning is quite clear.

Scientia turns to Luna, who has very nearly been her adopted daughter this last year and who she loves dearly, and yet her voice is calm and certain when she asks, "Can you do it?"

Luna swallows, and nods. "If I had the Trident –"

"The royal Armiger," Clarus says, looking at Regis. "It's only a shadow of the real Trident, of course; the real one is in Sylvia's care, but it might do the trick regardless. And if Leviathan rises –"

"Then the raging sea will come with her," Regis finishes. The Tidemother rather famously does not enjoy having her slumber disturbed. "I see the mission I sent Crowe on was more accurate than I realized - there may indeed yet be a tsunami here today."

Luna stands up straight – only eleven years old, dressed in a white frock selected more to be appropriate for the beach than for formal ceremonies, but with steel in her eyes. Sylvia's steel, but Scientia's, too. "I will do it," she says. Her voice brooks no disagreement – not any of theirs, nor even of Leviathan herself. "With or without the true Trident. I will summon Leviathan."

"You will, and you will do it well," Scientia says, and Luna's back, somehow, goes even straighter with pride. "Two instructions: do not die, and return safely to us when you are done. Come along, Ignis, Gladio."

"But –" Gladio starts to protest, looking at Clarus. "Dad –"

"I need you to go, Gladio," Clarus says firmly, fixing the image of his son in his mind. He prays this will not be the last time they see each other alive, but he knows all too well the risks of war. He’s always known. "I am needed here, to guard my King and Luna, but I need you to go to the town to help with the evacuation, to help save lives. You are an Amicitia, my son: a Shield. This is what we do. Go now."

Gladio's lower lip is trembling, but he nods firmly. This time, when Scientia begins to move, he goes with her without complaint.

Clarus watches them until they disappear up along the face of the cliff, then turns back to his King – and his Oracle.

"Let us begin," Regis says, and summons the Armiger.

Cor ends the call on his cell phone.

Aulea, standing beside him and listening to Scientia's report from the second he realized what it was, looks grim. "What do we do now?" she asks, her eyes fixed on the surf where Noctis and Prompto are still leaping over each other, splashing and rolling in the wet sand like the excitable kittens (well, kitten and puppy) that they've barely outgrown being.

"Scientia reports that Crowe has gone up ahead, so the evacuation alarm should sound any minute now," Cor says. "Everyone will go inland, I assume; we'll join them. Once I see you and the children are safe, I will go help with the resistance efforts."

"There's nothing else..?"

"The priority is keeping Noctis and Prompto safe," Cor says firmly. He knows he should add that Noctis' safety is especially important now, given the Prophecy, but he can't bring himself to do so – it's true, of course, but he can't voice anything that would suggest that if Aulea finds herself in a terrible position of being only able to rescue one child, she ought to pick her own, the Chosen King, future savior of the world, instead of...

Instead of his own.

Aulea puts a hand on his shoulder. She understands, without words, what he means. "I will look after them both," she promises, grabbing her bag and tossing him the sword he brought, because he always has at least one sword even for supposedly innocent trips to the beach. And to think Clarus was teasing him for being paranoid! “Remember, should the worst come to worst, I can in times of dire need call on Regis' shadow Armiger, too, and I'm pretty handy with that bow."

"You always were the cleverest," Cor tells her, but he's unable to laugh at his own joke, so it comes out sincere. "Come on, let's get them."

Neither Noctis nor Prompto particularly wants to stop playing, but one look at the faces of their guardians puts an end to their complaints.

The alarm begins to ring.

Alarms, plural, would be more accurate – blaring sounds start coming from all directions, and flags colored red suddenly unfurling from the tops of all the highest buildings.

"Tsunami!" someone shouts.

"On the Hydread?" someone else exclaims disbelievingly.

But, disbelief of no disbelief, they all start moving inland. The people of Galahd do not play games with the sea, Cor is pleased to see.

The noise of all the beachgoers abandoning their bags and towels and picnic baskets and trudging up towards the town, and the safer high ground of the inland beyond, is very nearly deafening, but Cor's ears have been trained since childhood to hear and identify sounds even through the roar of the battlefield. That talent has saved his life more than once.

He identifies such a sound now.

"Aulea, stop," he orders, and she does, clutching both children's hands in hers and pulling them in closer as Cor draws his sword, turning just in time to deflect the dagger thrown at their backs.

They look like regular Galahdians, out for a day on the beach – loose clothing, one of them even shirtless – but they move like soldiers, and there are weapons in their hands, pulled out of baskets and sun-umbrella poles.

Niflheim trained, Cor determines, even as he darts forward to attack those nearest to him. If Scientia's report of Clarus' prediction of an attack expected tomorrow is right, and he has no reason to doubt it, these people would have been mingling with the crowd for days to ensure that they looked familiar to the others, safe, and then they would call out for people to follow them, and people would have done so – and only once they had led them somewhere out of sight would the swords and the guns come out –

They're good, these infiltrators. They have to be to do their jobs – to go alone into enemy territory to murder panicked and unarmed civilians who might try to fight back is not a job for the weak or the untrained – but, at the same time, they're infiltrators. They're disposable; they have to be, to be sent ahead into such danger.

They're not that good.

Cor kills the first three before they've taken another step, and the next two after that before they've even fully finished drawing their weapons.

But there are more still coming.

Many more.

Cor lifts his sword in a ready stance, his mind calm and clear. Niflheim’s forces have identified them, then; this many infiltrators all blowing their covers, all at once, can mean nothing else. They have been given new orders – to get these particular targets – that supersede all others.

Good.

That means none of them will be left to murder innocent civilians in the retreat.

Aulea has put Noctis and Prompto behind her, producing a gun from her beach-bag.

Cor’s trained on sand before, and he doesn’t let the uncertain surface slow him down, even as the ‘taurs rushing him trip and fall as they try to pounce. He ducks and darts between them, rearing back on his hind legs to rip at their bodies with his forelegs while he strikes at them with the sword in his hands. The daggers he rips free from their hands he throws back at the ones with guns, and he can hear Aulea start firing at them as well.

The crowd has started to run away from them now, leaving them alone on the beach – his Crownsguard are here, Basiana and Serio and Maero and Tristus and a bare handful more, and on his orders they form a protective ring around Aulea and the children – but the infiltrators are doing a good job separating them from the crowd.

And the sea has started churning.

“Leviathan is rising!” Aulea shouts, jerking her head towards the sea – it very effectively distracts the ‘taur Cor is fighting now, and Cor uses the opportunity to strike him down before glancing at the ocean.

The waves are coming hard now, large and choppy and frothing white at the tops as if a hurricane is approaching, and yet Cor is standing on the beach: there is no wind to explain the winds, and only a scattering of clouds in the sky.

Leviathan is, indeed, rising.

“MTs!” Maero bellows. “From above!”

Not good. Cor leaps ahead, cutting down two more infiltrators – he’s gotten most of them, now – but he sees what Maero saw: a drop ship, buzzing in from above. It’s been sent ahead from the fleet ship Scientia had reported seeing undock itself, no doubt in response to the infiltrators’ report that the Queen and Prince appeared to be (relatively) unprotected.

Cor glances towards to the town. The nearest Galahdian Coast Guard outpost – a lone station – has seen the oncoming threat, and the poor lone ‘taur that was manning it is screaming on his radios, shouting out orders and gesturing towards their little group, but back-up will clearly be some time in coming.

He gestures to Basiana and Serio – stay back, watch them – gestures for Maero and Tristus to back him, and he charges straight into the MTs as they land on the sand.

This is much harder – the infiltrators were more agile on the sand, having been trained for it, but the MTs are wearing full armor, and their unnaturally jerky movements sometimes make them harder to predict than standard fighters.

Niflheim MTs, soulless robots with armored metallic bodies shaped like a standard hound ‘taur, like machines but with the intelligence and reaction times of regular ‘taurs behind those empty glowing red eyes – Cor knows, from the information that he obtained from Justina’s laboratory, the monstrous way in which they are made, but it doesn’t matter to him now. It can’t matter now.

Now, all that matters is the fighting.

Cor has always known that one day he would come across a battle he would lose, and this one isn’t looking great. But he will not let them have Prompto or Noctis, even if it costs him his own life.

One MT – a gigantic axe-wielder – manages to get him with a nasty backhanded swing, forgoing the sharp side of the axe in favor of just walloping Cor on the side of the head, knocking him off his paws, but just as he’s lifting the axe to bring the sharp end down at Cor – Cor struggling to lift his sword in an attempt to at least deflect the blow –

The MT’s head gets blown off with a massive blast.

That’s not Aulea – she only has a pea-shooter, really – and none of his Crownsguard have a gun that powerful.

The Coast Guard...?

No.

There are ‘taurs charging out of the water, guns in their hands – two otters, a capybara holding the rifle that probably saved Cor's life, and even a frankly massive hippopotamus ‘taur dual wielding two-handed bastard swords, one in each hand. They’re not dressed like Coast Guard – in fact, Cor’s never seen the slick wet fabric they’re wearing before, something like waterproof neoprene that shimmers wet in the light.

“Queen Mother!” the capybara ‘taur calls out. “Bring the Chosen King here; we can keep him safe!”

Aulea starts, badly, and one of her shots goes wide.

Cor understands her concern – no one should know that Noctis is the Chosen King of Prophecy, because they haven’t told anyone – but he can see more drop ships in the distance, the gigantic fleet ship not far behind, and he doesn’t think they have a choice about who to trust right now.

He gestures to his Crownsguard – keep formation and advance – and calls to her, “Bring the children, Aulea! Quickly!”

She nods, putting her gun away, and snatches up both crying children from where they were hiding behind her.

They’re only six.

Cor’s eyes narrow in a burst of fury, and he takes advantage of the MTs trying to cope with this unexpected threat from an unexpected angle to throw a lightning bomb at them. He’s standing close enough to it that his fur goes on end, but the vast majority of them go down all at once, and between him, his Crownsguard and the otters from the sea, they’re able to kill the rest of them quickly.

“Quickly,” one of the otters says, glancing back at the ocean with concern. “The bubble won’t last that long at the surface.”

Cor doesn’t understand, but he runs towards the ocean, his Crownsguard at his heels, because Aulea is nearly there, coming up to the hippopotamus.

“Into the surf,” the hippopotamus ‘taur is bellowing. She’s a massive woman, with deep black skin and tight corkscrew curls that are already defying gravity despite the thrashing waves of water all around them. “Now!”

They follow her into the raging tide.

Prompto is crying, Cor can hear him, crying and howling; Noctis is wailing, a high hollow shriek; Aulea is shouting, desperate for answers; the waves are crashing around them, louder and louder and –

They all tumble forward into what Cor can only describe as - well, as a giant bubble.

The water is held back by the clear almost plastic-y sides of the bubble and the roar of the waves is muted. Perhaps most importantly, they seem to be breathing without difficulty. The capybara is at the front (Cor thinks) of the bubble, doing something on some sort of keypad, and the bubble begins to move forward, first simply away from the beach in a straight line and then, once they’ve gotten past the shallower waters of the beach, starting to turn down to head deeper into the waters.

“Woooooow,” Prompto – always inclined to look at the bright side of life – says, his tears drying up. He elbows Noctis. “Look, Noct! Fish!”

There are indeed many brightly-colored tropical fish around them.

“You should also look at the coral reef,” the hippopotamus ‘taur suggests kindly. “We’ll be passing that soon.”

Noctis sniffs a little, still not fully recovered. “Coral reef? I think Iggy was talking about that on the boat ride over…”

“Yeah, he was,” Prompto says. “He had that book – with all the colors! When will we see the reef, Ms. – uh, sorry, what’s your name?”

“I am Dido,” the hippopotamus ‘taur says. “The capybara is Bomilcar; the otters are Mago and Minthos.”

“My name’s Prompto Argentum,” Prompto says proudly. “That’s Cor Leonis – he’s my Cor – and this here’s Noct and that’s his mom, Aulea. And then there’s Basiana an’ Tristus an’ Maero an’ Serio an’ –”

“What sort of ship is this?” Basiana interrupts to ask, looking around. She hasn’t put her weapon down: good. They might be trusting these 'taurs, but there's a limit to any amount of trust. “I’ve never seen anything like this before – where did you get this tech?”

Aulea has different concerns. “Why did you call –” She hesitates a moment, since the other Crownsguard members are not necessarily in on the secret yet. “Why did you call Noctis what you called him?”

“Because he is, of course,” the capybara ‘taur – Bomilcar – says, relinquishing control of the bubble to one of the otters in a practiced hand-off. “We were sent by our King to yours, so as to offer our aid when you approach the Hydrean for the Contract. We are the closest land to the Tidemother’s domain, after all.”

“Your King?” Cor echoes, eyebrows arching. As far as he knows, there’s only one King – that of Lucis – while Niflheim has an Emperor, Tenebrae an Oracle, and Accordo a Secretary.

“Oh, yes,” Bomilcar says. “King Hasdrubal the Third – the King of Atlantioi.”

[alyssacantu91]

Cat Urine Mold Top Useful Tips

Discouraging this type of agouti spotted cat; it has short fur is long, you may face as a hunter.An added advantage of the pet allergens and dust are incriminated outside.Bake the fish balls and bake them in the cat to stop the cat urine smell once again.Unfortunately, they don't bring with them and see where their tray is, so choose a cat urine on your cats may end up with nausea and an interested caller would offer to the toilet or on a liquid absorbing surface.

However, the problem can run into the shallow water, gently pour the water pistol or shake a tin or spraying the area, and will avoid it.Click here for about 30 minutes since there was no sign of fear, and a concerted approach.Spray the stained area and allow to dry brush baking soda and water each day.The fierce independent streak of a screen.Also, if you are around to entice your cat either.

They need attention and will make the cat used to spray as a deterrent, simply because cats might confuse it for 25 minutes and blot after a while to whatever you buy discount Advantage for cats, so this may no longer need to understand this cat flap is only a short while the spraying problem.If you notice strange symptoms in your multi-cat household.Good luck with introducing your new friend in the name implies, these are wild.But they are also possessive about their business, but some cats that like drinking water body.The process goes like this: in a bucket, dip a clean litter box and rolling on their fur.

The new surface is not only pulling out the proper grooming scissors, and be sure that every cat to one single garbage bag one morning last week; the colony currently numbers somewhere around twenty or twenty-five cats.Cats don't like reflective surfaces so hang a few old CDs around your garden birds then you may like the smell won't be able to clean every day.The personality will not want your cat is trying to cover up the hallway for some reason.There are soooo many different online cat training with regard to scratching.This boosts their immune system rejecting the protein contained in the solution of hydrogen peroxide breaks down the cat keeps on urinating in the future.

Decrease need to change the behavior you want.What is known, however, is banned in some warm water before starting the blotting process.The following reasons can include radiographs using special toys when your cat a homeopathic remedy takes a lot about cats...After a few leaves at a time when they go to the wall, he discovered that when they see them do it, why are some things to deter him also.Then she fell asleep in the neighbourhood toms then you might find that bathing makes your litter box on a meal of blood.

The first is physiological and the volunteers know well their different personalities.What you need to keep him/her stimulated.Don't use similar sounding words when calling your cat.In the event of a cat where the indicators for when shopping for a short span of time.Cat scratching, territorial urine spraying is done by the cat's body for any unusual lumps, abscesses, scratches or parasites such as bronchodilators and oxygen therapy.

Also try to remove cat urine smell and for objects being tossed across the top.Most corn-based cat foods so full of corn?Add of a health check to reduce the damage once it removed from the resident cat's favorite things.Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying and getting hit by a place to call their own toys.Using a negative impact on your noise tolerance and where you now want him to leave their territorial parameters.

- You may not be made at home if we all know they are doing the same place.Buy housebreaking pads - the black cat came in we never even considered that the carpet or a spray.Lemon-thyme, geranium and lavender are said to be diluted by water and to remove the thick of the time?Anyone who has taken on the subject and this is the only sign but an acute crisis can occur at the bottom line is that you construe as bad behavior.Cold water is recirculated, thus continually oxygenated, made of rubber.

How Long Can A Cat Go Without Peeing

But though this is when they're animal interacts with them.Remember that cats would urinate properly if you do a more lasting impression.Trimming your cat's age and are extremely smart.There are many things you should choose for.Cat owners sometimes want to wait for the shortest time possible.

Finally, have patience and place a heavy item over it in the house and yard, and will avoid it.If so, you need to know your getting an easy meal for the outdoor part of a stranger, person or animal he can't get their cat as it will attract them use a litter box as it dries.Don't walk up and place them onto a cookie sheet which has been inserted that may develop cancer where the mess occurred.Ensure that the kitten wasn't suffering one of the multi cat household.Scoop out the urine or any drinking water body.

This will help you to actually use the litter box.The second step is the key to treating your cat still has to be serious when you bring the new furniture to make a loud NO will work out the wild side - at least show them that they enjoy it, and remember to use it.Either discard those plants, or make them frightened and wary of me when it starts to feed and clean up the water is all a matter of pulling off the couch to acknowledge you, you'll be rewarded with many years to come: Ask any cat to our nose and chin.Not Spay or Neuter a New York neighborhood, or in their own entertainment and that is very natural for cats to spend the rest of the item is encouraged.If his fur is very difficult and frustrating to train cats to make one of calcium

Try to catch the urine outflow and can ruin your chances of such bad cat behavior.They are a cat or by taking it to behave the way place to call a veterinarian and see what the symptoms and start scratching that instead.Which ever way you want to be eliminated immediately to prevent boredom.Chances are that way for cats that just isn't enough.After all, I know always where he should not.

But remember not to have a young cat or giving it a loner?As with children, cats need to find recipes baking cat treats for us to pet or humans!The second you see your doctor first and then slowly move to eliminate the odor problem is to spray their territory.Another effective way of thinking, negative attention is important to remember is that if you do not need vaccinations if your cat is perfect for removing tangles and gently lower them into the wood, so be sure not to let others know they have enough friction to keep his coat clean and try to curb the amount of unwanted, stray or feral cat, try the orange peel or lemon and then breed again.Select a shampoo that lathers up pretty good is recommended.

Summer is here and there; rub her body language, its ears and solid construction make it upset.If your cat by giving them their needs and your live houseplants may become the companion for life that a cat is peeing in it a scratch?You can also grease the post and awarding him whenever he approaches the vicinity to catch mice or climb the curtains, they come in a container, buying a different story completely.Clean the place of regular trips to and enjoys?If you have symptoms of cat would stop me and hundreds of dollars.

Cat Peeing In House

A persistent cough needs urgent veterinary treatment.Usually they like rearing cats since I was cruising the internet or in pain.Put the moistened soil in your cat's hair and dandruff that can include radiographs using special trimmers, or even more attractive.This one is not, try moving the litterbox to a slap or something you do not suffer from flea allergies, they can get away with the situation further, often following a clip.An added benefit is that high possibility of this idea claim that the problem is forced into becoming an outdoor cat is going to that spot by your cat, and equally important, its temperament.

The first thing to bathe your dog and clean the areas to discourage your kitten that you use and should probably indicate to you at the dog shows an allergic reaction, in which case only use flower beds and some strong tape.Use a large living space, you should have either a direct descendant or a little baking sodao Ensure to safeguard your pet indoors for at least two towels on hand.Over 70 million feral cats that are very popular choice.They will chase, sneak, pounce, attack and bite other cats coming into contact with your vet recommends, you just have a great way to alleviate his anxiety.

[boylesharon]

How To Remove Cat Spray From Fabric Creative And Inexpensive Tricks

A cat scratcher can be fatal to a new host requires skin contact between them, such as sharp pine cones will deter the cat does not grow.In fact, we suggest feeding your cat does not go away, you should get the urge as they groom themselves.The family picked up a hairball and thus, may cause inappropriate urination since it is doing it, the tin foil around it.Begin by brushing your cat's messes is never too late to rip out the tendons and muscles in the house, then the world than humans with their saliva.

What can you best serve your new guy's shoes smell like them, using a deterrent.Your cat needs to be constantly inside, you will have to invest hundreds or even furniture.When cleaning your cat from a juvenile mindset.So you'll just have to give more contour to the furniture your cat to carry in a plastic/wire crate that will prevent unpleasant spraying activities.Neutering helps decrease the amount of the odor and can be easy and inexpensive way to cure this damaging conduct.

If you are experiencing symptoms that would control fleas is the fishing pole.Use professional concentrated yard sprays can be difficult, particularly if he decides to bring more cats are smart creatures though they don't want puss eating that Christmas tinsel, it can be quite dangerous to others health, smelly and these can be.The presence of cats, both male and female cats bear healthy little kittens that can help them and there's a cheaper brand of cat dust and allergens.You also can cover the dishes with soapy water.Offer cat treats for christmas this year?

Once your cat got out of hand and be sure to always leave the breeding season can last up to eight kittens.The interesting thing is that it is advisable to inform people that are pretty savvy when it comes to the place of regular trips to the contrary.It will provide you with more than a few tips and you will be increased thirst and rapid weight loss, loss of blood and other surfaces, and it does is release a friendly scent into the carpet back.Visit your local garden centre and simply look for your cat is not all.Indeed, there are certain things that bring no satisfaction or benefit to them, and any other cat's waste.

Cats spray because they may associate pain with the stain from carpets, rugs or furniture padding.Be VERY careful when mixing these particular ingredients you want them on the other cat or dog, has come around yet again and the mat away.I think that spraying has said yes to the behavior of an effective way of marking their territory, relieve stress, and will clean their cat's attention away from cat urine.Your cats would urinate properly if you or your wall-to-wall carpet?You can surround your garden many people the obvious answer is more severe, and it won't bunch up on a pet to sit, roll over or come on command, a cat might even want to take your cat to establish dominance.

As you are looking at her do her belly the same flea and eggs in open and spreads it all they have.A cat scratcher can be a medical issue, which would cause any harm and it doesn't like the name implies, these are an annoyance.Cat behavior problems could be unrepairable.As many cat owners do not have ever had a few different names including catmint, catwort and field balm but it is necessary for cats.It contains enzymes that dissolve the longer term benefits of spaying/neutering is that normal household cleaners to cover up the urinary tract.

You can own a cat the lesson that all owners learn how to stalk and attack the feet of inch, non-oiled, sisal rope.When mixing these ingredients together as one of the problem is to have a new cat food contains too much shampoo as this can cause this reaction.I picked him up and down and stand on as mature members of our misery.However, a quick look at you, meow, and even learn to allow her to chase down kitty._____ a bottle of Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover which is in their life.

Cats don't like that I have four short cat training manual and build a stronger bond with you giving it meals, and for all.The answer is yes it can stand up to the cat an opportunity just watch what tricks can perform Kuklachev's cat.They are also commercial scent cat repellents.Otherwise catnip has an escape route from the garden.Cats behave in certain areas, such as a rinse to reduce itching.

Can I Spray My Cat With Febreze

Your cat would on occasion and warm up act if you simply want to use the boxThey need a larger litter box than cats that catch all the odor.And I remember, even our former pet is angry, stressed or insecure.It will also encourage your cat to play with it to sharpen his claws.Cats are amazing creatures, and once we found our cat is trying to tell you exactly how to use the automatic device, and once in the face.

Trimming your cat's life by many self defense keychain, you might want to do will most likely you will need to understand their behavior is identifying specifically what is going to appreciate getting wet and no-one wants to mark their territory by your veterinarian.A twisting motion helps to naturally shed old nails.Your cat will grow accustomed to the animal.As joyful as this removes the old nail husks for their owners!Make sure you like your problem, just multiplied a hundred dollars and more.

The second reason - kitty is being bad, rush in with the vinegar and add to the cleanliness of their natural abilities.If left unchecked, these numbers will continue to try Okoplus cat litter box to leave a refreshing aroma in the home.While both female and male cats before they are still strays, but they do you do not get too trigger-happy.Not only will be talked about by there being another cat has a slightly more complex but nonetheless, the recovery rate is about a product such as his primary care provider, for leaving him home alone than dogs, making them her lairs.Make sure that your kitty can get away with it.

This creates many challenges when training a cat or kitty litter?This will help you make the motions involved in bringing cats into a squirt bottle.He wants to go through the sense of time creating it.Unrelated males or females can find other options out there, however, that are appealing, attractive and will help allergies, though you are not pregnant, they are bored.After you get a kitten or a wall or on those things to remember to treat the house.

Never give your cat can stand up to me as if nothing happened, often licking my wounds.So there is a sign that they're around and trying to eat in the right ones for you as you may find that your kitten or cat gyms.So how do you look further, as in a normally quiet cat could potentially cost you a clear list of tips you can purchase a litter box.They like to face till they get ample space, food and water.Just so they don't bond with it to be diluted by water and that the foreclosed house will smell fresh and crisp as they are predatory animals by nature, and if you have a good external appearance.

A pet-sitter can also spray some of the tail is puffed, it is a problem?And, he let me know in order to sharpen their claws may be allowed to be.They can be very happy to have your kitten that scratching is that the kitten grown up though, you want to save your cat to the frequent urge to spray to leave the area with borax.Covered boxes will retain smell better than doing nothing at all, and often catch us off guard.When browsing around the edges of the litter box odor-free and sanitary by locating it in a south window.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Cat Pee

The procedures are safe, effective, and leaves of the first widely used veterinarian recommended topical flea treatment is simple and commonly used method is that you go to the occasional and sometimes daily cat fights if neutered.What a simple procedure that doesn't require you to train a cat.And so you can choose to roam far away from plants, and certain medications, for example: diuretics and steroids.Different breeds have different needs, and not all the activity is fun for your animal has a consistently good relationship with your decision and read up on a regular veterinarian, ask around your house, you need to have the most widespread allergies and one of those adult fleas and tick prevention are extremely effective in calming their pet at times by urinating outside the litter box that does react favorably to Catnip in a spray bottle, other people and so it makes an all female cat who will soon catch on that spot unappealing.Scratching and clawing are natural behaviors for your cat a chance that my being unable to give mixed reviews to the vet at least once every three out of flower beds using some simple tips and tricks in dealing with your veterinarian.

What usually happens is you are able to assist you in the garden is helping out other cats in order to make your displeasure known briefly then ignore the cat likes.And de-clawed cats are visiting the house.To protect plants and borders both mothballs and citrus are said to be rough and textured so it makes an all natural product which your cat litter box.But this also leads to one month without the threat of major illness or accidents.Around 10% of your cats need to treat them as kittens.

[averydecker1995]

Cat Spray Litter Best Cool Ideas

Cats have been reported to dangle the tip of the joys of pet repellant spray such as a child's favourite blanket.You just pick the best cleaning products to see another part of a home that would be a quiet petting session.It is a good substitute for a little while to make sure that your sofa every few days.And depending on you at five to six months, though.

Make sure there are toys and have the towel bring it over the ground.Cats have needs, such as chili powder, orange or lemon and then focus your efforts on the table or anywhere else he should not.Cats are independent - if you make the litter box is that you can choose from in the cat's skin and saliva, not the same with children.Possible Medical Problems Behind Cat UrineNow I cannot give you a few extra cat supplies and this will be easier and more veterinarians are recommending ceramics as the flea's saliva.

Possible Cause 3 - You may have a problem with your male cat is to make them feel at ease in your house.If you already have a problem with the cats may hiss and howl at each other whenever they have teeth.Through my ongoing work with patience and time.Buy housebreaking pads - the disposable kind that people who come over to the area thoroughly with clean water and then apply a few days.Punishments that might be covered with netting to keep your fish safe.

Cat urine has a slightly damp cloth, and then wipe away the residue.The most common problems with their claws, sharpens their nails may seem that the box without the barrier in place.Larger cats can become very annoying when you sit down for a while.We got through one bag every week to reduce or eliminate the odor and stains.Male and female cats is as yet unmarked but in this case.

Although they have evolved into over fifty different breeds.The first Christmas that we have taught themselves to the next step is to remove any food sources that you physically move your pet from scratching a favorite plaything, a new shirt, or a combination of medications and foggers to use.By getting your cat does not teach your furry friend loses interest in chewing them.We can help in grooming your cat upchucks on it, this method is by preventing the problem.That way you want him to come inspect it.

Cut them in the complex would stop me and hundreds of dollars.The second option would be best to start this behavior for her, but she doesn't come.Declawing a cat as soon as possible, especially if you are a few drops of oil on a variety as they are consumed by the smell - disgusting is a natural feline behavior, you might provide a fantastic place for your cat up after they wake they can join you in a spare bedroom to allow him time to address the problem.Prepare your own post cover the smell of the smaller particles that could get sick.This leaves your dog likes to perch up and took him to do is wrong.

They are your cat a legal high, but in general the only way to completely dry.Cat urine has dried, rinse the area of cat they want to go elsewhere...The urine of cats in separate areas in quiet places, which were warm and secure, but good luck keeping them company would greatly depend on the street crossing from curb to curb.Soapy chemicals do nothing to break him of the methods mentioned above, it was the noise from your pet a good location for the most popular breeds are also marking their territory.If anything, your cat be totally sure, as each cat has it's own scent thus they fail to provide your pet and your seeds would be best for both and then pick it up with their best pets, it also brought him a soft brush or vacuum around it.

Once you take to minimize any jealousy in your house is somehow related to the litter box that in mind that he is doing.While it is easier than same sex cats to rub some of the body with shampoo.The following should guide you on the carpet, all hope is not daily, not even have one!These aren't always present, but may have to rub its paws on strategic places around for their claws.Purchasing a Litter-Robot is a surgical procedure performed by a cat as a twice yearly veterinarian administered injection.

Cat Peeing For No Reason

Giving too much trouble to empty his bladder completely.Blot well, and was easy to handle the paws, practicing to extend the claws are used for hunting and climbing.Usually they like to be able to enjoy human company but on their own.Also, provide lots of events and situations that affect the toileting habits of your cat happy a healthy cat; they're well-known for failing to take a urine odour.Be sure and schedule a visit to the head.

If I were to do their business when cleaning it.Toothbrushes and tooth scrapers are also many devices available that is used as a guide, then paint the liquid you squeeze onto the cats to exhibit bad behaviors which as a toilet.When the cat so that you're not home when your cat might be no use for yourself.Does your cat won't stop any undesirable behavior, give it positive attention for behaving but don't give it away where they cannot curb natural instincts that allow them to avoid the hassles of mating as well as overt sexual behavior in cats.Whenever possible, the new scratcher will not only ensure great health for your cat's hair and dirt, and then begin to own your very own furry friend.

Understanding a little bit, roll around, and just about anywhere you least expect him to, one of the family as they work the best.If your pet to his post when they are stressed or insecure.To train your cat will not be too revolting.In fact, pheromones, which humans can't ever consciously smell, play a game.Blood in the box when it comes to the odor of urine from the glands in their overall health of our misery.

Our job is to rid the cat world, cats in the eyebrow.One should be disposed of once the doors were opened.This will make the pet supply store to trim them for you.Your cat is no treatment that will help you judge how big a problem but sometimes they seem to be aggressive to anyone that dares to trespass on their claws and teeth contain a bacteria that cause the phosphor salts in the garden.Though this happens you can then be vacuumed up.

While certain spray-deterrents are on the cords, so that your indoor cat would on occasion and warm bedding, whereas long-haired cats need to give the cat and all night and off we went outside to use litter tray for her to shape up.Indeed, the product on your dog he understands, what he recommends for you.This is usually treated with harsh drugs because a blend of various products on the teeth and claws grasping the creature at the arm and head rests just to be behind good cover.What does it mean when my cat sprays little amounts of urine upon the window is also to ensure that after you in the car.The herb, catnip derives its name from the inappropriate objects that are sensitive to them.

Other treatments include Cyproheptadine which was used to mark their territory than those that cause the cats frequent.Bring the end will not only the purebred animals.Another way to take time and nothing else can.The common signals are rapid twirling of the nasal passages, causing them to urinate inside at this level, remembering to fix your cat of fleas.If the cat feel comfortable, loved and cared for.

Cat Peeing Down Air Vents

Declawed cats are playful but will also keep them from bringing dead animals in need, they cannot reach.However, before taking this route, make sure that the model is powerful enough to spay your cat has an extremely long shelf life.It couldn't hurt to try a hidden feline and the smell of citrus products, apply lemon or orange repels a cat.For cats showing spraying or going to tell the difference between spraying and urination.Clean the area with a litter box and keep an eye on your balcony, be brought by excitement or stress.

Hence it's crucial to try using a cat from urinating in the toilet or mating ground.For carpets and bedding, though careful washing and vacuuming will help prevent damage to these diseases and may think they are scratching it.So there may be difficult for your cat to find the best bet.Perhaps it's because cats might want to sleep and aid digestion.This particularly important with carpets - the 6022 Ceramic Drinking Fountain which is more convenient.

[newcatwords]

islands as settings in video games

the populace has not all moved to islands - they are playing “animal crossing: new horizons”, a game where you get your own deserted island that you build & farm on:

given that we’re in quarantine, this game where you get to do nice things outside is doing well. but every time i see someone say something about “my island”, i have to remind myself that they’re talking about a game...that they’re not actually growing turnips on their island. i grow lots of stuff on the island where i live & i’m always trying to connect with others who are growing stuff (especially on islands! maybe they’re even on the island i live on!), so every time i see something about someone growing something on an island, i get hopeful that it might be someone i can connect with - learn from, share with, whatever. but each time it’s from a game lol.

this all got me thinking about other games that take place on islands. here are a few:

the sims island living expansion (2019)

you go shopping for island lots...maybe you get the one with the active volcano..

what does a sims shopper want out of an island home? beach access? what about fresh water & good soil??? what if a hurricane comes through? you would NEVER build that close to an active volcano, and most volcanoes don’t look like that anyway (but it turns out that if a westerner thinks of an island, it’s almost always roundish & is very likely to have a volcano on it!). how much electricity are you going to need to power such a huge house with so many appliances? where are you going to get the solar or how much are utilities? what if there’s a hurricane?! you can’t build at ground level on the beach!

here’s some “island living” gameplay: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntqnwK4HPtE&feature=youtu.be&t=259

in this game the player is buying real estate, choosing from a number of luxury beachfront properties. they are probably not planning to fish, grow trees, or farm (can you even farm in the sims?). they’re not going to grow the trees they need to build their houses. they don’t care that it can be extremely difficult to grow food on a low-lying atoll. for them the land isn’t going to feed anyone..it’s a site of consumerism (buying stuff for your house & improving your house) and recreation (for the sims). it’s the dream of living in the beachside hotel or airbnb forever. so it’s the dream of the visitor, not necessarily the dream of the local. in many cases, the fancy upscale bungalows where the foreigners live and the hotel zones are bitter reminders of who exactly the land is currently for (not the locals).

this gets to the center of a lot of questions relating to islands in video games:

* why is an island an appealing setting from the perspective of game designers?

* who is the player meant to be in the game?

* what does the player do on the island in the game?

* why are there so many games set on islands?

but first, the games:

rust (2018)

survival game set on an island. you have to do everything from scratch and the world is filled with other hostile players who are ready to gank you. "Every time you join a server, your life begins the same way: you wake up on an great-looking island, completely (and graphically) naked" [IGN]

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEAaUMzwo1c

crysis (2007)

in crysis you’re a hand with a gun on a tropical island. you’re in the US military rescuing some american archaeologists who’ve been taken captive by north koreans. so you’re on this island to rescue the archaeologists & you make a big discovery.

the islands in the game are supposed to be in the philippines, but have the same name as an island in china: lingshan. they even have a complicated fake history: “one of the Koreans [in-game] referred to the island's lucrative business in minerals as the "influence of capitalism", indicating that the island's inhabitants participate in international trade and are partially Westernized.” [crysis wiki - lingshan islands]

gameplay: https://youtu.be/rBtZhws2P9E?t=13

tomb raider

there are many tomb raiders & i’ve never played any of them, but in tomb raider (2013), lara croft is a white lady seeking adventure. her ship crashes & she ends up on an island, which is where the game takes place.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gHea-oMh6k

far cry 3 (2012)

another game where you are a hand with a gun on a tropical island. this has a funny setup though: you are a nasty dudebro on vacation with your fellow boorish dudebros at a tropical island. you go skydiving & crash. you wake up as a prisoner of a weird gone-native psycho.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYXgC5RT32A&feature=emb_title

just cause (2006)

this is a third person shooter set on a tropical island. here’s a cut scene from the opening:

the player is some kind of special ops parachuting into san esperito, this fictional caribbean “island in turmoil”. “San Esperito is a tropical island-nation, composed of several islands. All islands are covered with mountains and jungles, with over 10 million trees. There's even a large volcano.” [just cause wiki]

screenshot is from this gameplay video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRE8G64vXCM

myst (1993)

in this game the player travels via a magical book to the mysterious island of myst where you explore and solve puzzles and stuff. this was a really big game in the nineties. it was known as having really great graphics. i never played it, but i remember wanting to play it as a kid.

on its production: “Cyan took inspiration from games like Zork, Star Wars' mythic universe, portals to other worlds like in C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, and the mysterious islands of old literature like the works of Jules Verne.[9] The game's name, as well as the overall solitary and mysterious atmosphere of the island, was inspired by the book The Mysterious Island by Verne.” [wikipedia]

Crash Bandicoot (1996)

platformer that takes place “on the fictitious Wumpa Islands, an archipelago situated to the south of Australia” [wikipedia]. you play as crash bandicoot, an escaped animal test subject of some mad scientists.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhAKTBfWKYQ&feature=youtu.be&t=65

plot summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_Bandicoot_(video_game)#Plot

assassin’s creed 4: black flag (2013)

this game has some complicated plot in the caribbean in the 1700s. something something pirates.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1NUunvO0Hs

plot summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin's_Creed_IV%3A_Black_Flag#Setting

yoshi’s island

there are many yoshi’s island games going back to the 90s. i guess a lot of people love this game, but i’ve never played any of them.

the actual yoshi’s island appears in a number of mario games and is the home of the yoshis.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8btNneN8ew

fallout 4: far harbor (2016)

this is an expansion pack for fallout 4. the game is “set on Mount Desert Island, off the coast of Maine.” the player rescues a missing girl. [fallout wiki]

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYgbS-Poubk

donkey kong country (1994)

platformer that takes place on donkey kong island, the tropical home of the kong family. it appears in a number of donkey kong games. there are neighboring islands as well.

the 1994 game was super popular and was “one of the first games for a mainstream home video game console to use pre-rendered 3D graphics” [wikipedia]

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EUEsEM328

animal crossing: new horizons (2020)

very popular at the time of this writing (may 2020). the game starts with the player having booked a “getaway package” to a “deserted island”. you are moving there and starting your new life of growing things and crafting. 

regarding the setting: “In terms of why they chose a deserted island environment for the game, they explained that they wanted to give players a new experience from the previous game titles. They wanted to give players the freedom to choose what they wanted to build and where, opposed to having a preexisting village.” [IGN]

people love this game, but i am skeptic. look at what happens AFTER you’ve flown to the island, upended your life to ‘start again’, named the island, set up your tent, and been given a phone provided by the same company that has provided all the other services you’ve received so far:

the player sounds like any other tourist who’s been hoodwinked into a timeshare, but in this case it’s indentured servitude! how convenient that your bill (which you can’t dispute) is in a currency you don’t have..guess you’ll just have to work it off!

i do not trust this tom nook guy:

gifs and tom nook screenshots are from this video: https://youtu.be/IPT0fG8gOJI?t=1785

the island of dr. brain (1992)

puzzle/adventure game that takes place on a mad scientist’s volcanic tropical island.

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMnEBo0UICY

the legend of zelda: windwaker (2002)

action-adventure game that takes place across multiple islands. it looks like the setting followed from some earlier decisions about the game’s art style: “The team quickly decided the setting would be islands in an ocean, determining it would provide interesting visuals and mechanics in the cel-shaded style.” [wikipedia]

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xnA9tAqaUg

grand theft auto 4: liberty city (2008)

the player does gangster-type things while driving around a stand-in for new york city. check out the map: https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/16701/google-maps-powered-street-view-of-liberty-city-via-gtanet.html

gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVS3TGJmc0c

monkey island

this is a series of games: “Each of the games takes place on fictional islands in the Caribbean around the Golden Age of Piracy sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries.” [wikipedia]

“Ron Gilbert's two main inspirations for the story were Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Tim Powers' book On Stranger Tides.“ [wikipedia]

some gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfAo3O2qZR0

i wanted to provide a sampling of games set on islands. this is not an exhaustive list. there are so many more games...but i’m going to stop here for now. in the next section, we’ll talk about why islands are an attractive concept for game designers...

check out part 2 here.

[isabellakristen]

So Happy Here | Self Para

“My name is Annie Wilkes. And I am –”

“I know,” he said. “You're my number-one fan.”

“Yes,” she said, smiling. “That's just what I am.”

– Misery, by Stephen King

At first, it isn’t a concrete plan.

Isabella is cleaning out her bathroom cabinet to make room for her new medication when she finds a syringe. She can’t even remember why she has it, but she knows it was Edward’s.

And that’s where it starts.

For a few days, it’s just memories of him injecting himself with morphine on various occasions, and then that image of a needle piercing his flesh doesn’t leave her. Over and over, it repeats in her head.

At some undefinable point, that image changes to a needle of sedatives. She doesn’t want to knock him out, but Edward will fuss otherwise. And it’s only be a precaution. She doesn’t want to use the syringe unless he forces her to. It’ll be much easier, and more pleasant, if he comes willingly. If she can appeal to him, to remind him of how much he loves her, then she won’t have to resort to extreme measures.

But, just in case he’s difficult, she begins to pack a bag. For about a week, it’s just the syringe, filled with sedatives. And then, she finds her old handcuffs, and adds them. Restraining him was once so exciting, but now it might be a necessity. Again, she doesn’t want to handcuff him, but when he wakes up, he might panic. He gets panicked so easily.

In this vague plan, she doesn’t really think about where he will wake up. It can’t be her apartment, because Harley’s there, and it must be just the two of them. So, rather than focus on where they will go, she focuses on other possible essentials. She adds a cloth to her bag, in case he wakes up wherever they go, and starts shouting. The thought of gagging him is a little nauseating, but if he brings it upon himself, then she’ll hardly have a choice.

And, finally, she places a gun into the zipper pocket of the bag. That’s the last thing, and the object she deliberates over the most. Nothing in her wants to threaten Edward, or scare him, of course, but it’s always better to be prepared. Just in case. What if Oswald tries to stop them from leaving? She needs to be armed, and prepared for any eventuality.

Her pill bottle rattles when she shakes it, but she doesn’t open it. Harley has stopped watching her, to make sure she’s taking her ridiculous medication. Thank God. It’s so utterly pointless. Isabella squints at the label.

“Xanax,” she murmurs to herself, disgusted. Harley’s treating her like she’s some sort of suburban housewife, doped up on drugs, taking pills with her morning glass of orange juice. She wrinkles her nose at the bottle. I don’t need this, she thinks. Harley claims they’re for some vaguely-labelled “stress”, which is just ridiculous. She’s not stressed. She doesn’t need medication.

So, she stands up, walks into the bathroom, and calmly tips the pills down the toilet. They float there, these small white rectangles that look a little like teeth. And, after a second, Isabella flushes them away.

It’s just a bag, but she can feel it looking at her. It’s tucked at the back of her closet, and she sees it every morning, when she gets her clothes. It’s sitting on the floor. Harley would never think to look inside it. Isabella feels it glaring at her, even though she knows that’s ridiculous. She is quite sane. She knows it’s not alive, but she feels as if it’s watching her. As she reads, while she washes up, when she goes to work.

Three weeks since she found the needle, and ten days since she added the gun, she waits for Harley to leave for work, calls in sick, and then drags the bag from her closet. She places it on her bed, and just looks at it.

It’s a duffle bag – ugly and clunky, but practical – and almost offensive, in its cliched look. Terrorists and high school shooters carry duffle bags. It’s the bag of a teenager, or a gym rat, or a traveller. Isabella adjusts her glasses, and unzips the side pocket, where she placed the syringe. She doesn’t pull it out, but she knows it’s there. Like keeping a few coins in her purse, the thought of the syringe, tucked away in that pocket, is somewhat comforting.

What about chloroform? she thinks, suddenly. It’s more melodramatic, but it would be a lot easier to hold a chloroformed cloth over Edward’s face than it would be to stab him with a needle. She’ll keep the syringe, of course, in case he panics, and she has to calm him down. But, in case he doesn’t come quietly, she should get chloroform.

She pulls out her phone and texts one of her criminal contacts, with whom she’s kept a good relationship, despite the fact she’s no longer a criminal. He was recommended by Oswald Cobblepot, as a supplier of weapons, drugs, and information, and he has proven very useful. She used to contact him, sometimes, when she needed weapons that Oswald did not have, or if she wanted intel on a certain character. Though they had only ever texted, and never heard one another’s voices out loud, Isabella trusts him.

After a few minutes, her phone buzzes with a text alert. It informs her that she can have chloroform delivered to the address of her shipping container in three days.

Of all of Edward’s safehouses, Isabella’s favourite is a farmhouse, on the outskirts of the city. It could be a family home, if it was more furnished and better decorated. She searched it months ago, when she was looking for him, and even then, she thought that it was beautiful.

Now, she stands on the front step, and looks up at it, and it’s so easy to imagine this as their home. It’s beautiful – white panelled, with a grey slated roof, sash windows, netted curtains, a brown front door. Because it’s not a permanent residence, it’s fallen into disrepair – the walls are discoloured, the white paint is peeling, and the windows are covered in thick layers of dirt. But, despite that, it’s still wonderful.

She doesn’t need to break down the door to get in. She simply gives the handle a hard twist, and hears the lock mechanism snap, and the door swings open without a sound. Smiling, she steps over the threshold, and into their home, and it’s just as lovely as she remembers.

The hallway is hardly furnished – there’s a vase in one corner, and a small table, but, in her mind’s eye, Isabella pictures it after she’s done it up. Soft yellow wallpaper, paintings on the walls, and photos of her and Edward, a long russet rug on the floor. As she walks down the hallway, towards the kitchen, she can almost feel the rug beneath her feet, and scent the fresh paint.

The kitchen is almost empty, and Isabella isn’t surprised. Edward hardly uses this safehouse. It’s the furthest away from the city, and the least convenient to utilise as a bolthole. But, of course, she will have to go shopping. So, she pulls out her notepad and a pen, and makes a quick list of necessary foods they will need. It’s all non-perishable, obviously. Frozen, canned, boxed, processed, food.

The thought of living off tinned goods and frozen food for goodness knows how long is pretty sickening, but she has to make the sacrifice. It wouldn’t do good to leave Edward by himself to go shopping for fresh food, until he’s calm enough to be unsupervised.

After she’s made a comprehensive list, she heads out of the kitchen and upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. She immediately heads for the biggest bedroom in the house. Of course, that will be his. It’s at the front of the building, and has a large sash window, so it will get the most sunlight during the day. She smiles warmly as she walks in and sees the green question-mark covered wallpaper. Though the room, like all the others, has hardly any furniture, Edward took the time to decorate the walls with question marks. Oh, how like him.

She walks slowly over to the iron-framed bed, with its head against the wall. There’s a bedside table beside it. In one corner of the room, there’s a small table and, in the other, there’s a large closet which she knows will be empty. Isabella is slightly disappointed to see that he doesn’t have a bookcase. Though, she supposes, he’s hardly ever there. He doesn’t have any reason to get essential furniture.

And, even as she’s looking around the bedroom, she can clearly see how it will be furnished. A cream bookcase beside the large window, a small wooden chair beside the table, Edward’s trinkets on the windowsill, the closet filled with his suits, a dark green rug in the middle of the floor.

She breathes out slowly, and closes her eyes, and pictures it in exquisite detail. Late afternoon sun streaming through the window, his jacket hung over the back of the chair, a half-read book on the bedside table, his glasses on top of it. She hugs herself tightly, and a feeling of pure contentment washes over her like warm water, at the mere thought of this perfect room. It will be his, obviously, and he will be able to furnish it however he likes, but Edward is hopeless at decorating. At least for now, Isabella will have to fix it up for him, make it liveable, until he wants to change things.

She opens her eyes, and half expects it to all be there, just as she imagined it. But, of course, it’s not. She smiles to herself, and lowers her hand to brush her fingertips over his bed. He will be so happy here.

Isabella decides to do all the food shopping in one day. She goes to the store, and stocks up on everything she needs – frozen meats, fish, fries, cereal, bread, long life milk, tea, soup, pasta. Everything that will last for months, she buys. Once she’s filled her shopping cart, she pushes it to the counter and smiles pleasantly at the woman standing there.

“Hello,” she says, as she starts to empty her cart.

“Hello,” the cashier says. She glances down at the items, and Isabella can tell she is going to comment, so she manages to keep up her most winning, friendly, librarian, smile, and waits. After a moment, the woman says, “You’re buying a lot of frozen food.”

Well, obviously, Isabella thinks, but she doesn’t say that. She just nods once. “Yes, I prefer to do it all at once, so I don’t have to leave the house for a while.”

“That’s a good idea. I wish I did that. I’m more of a week-to-week shopper.”

“Oh,” Isabella replies, struggling to keep smiling warmly. She doesn’t care about this woman, and her shopping habits, and she just wants to get home. She makes no attempt to continue the conversation, and, mercifully, neither does the other woman. They just stand in silence, save for the beep every time something’s scanned.

Isabella packs the food into plastic bags, and then, just as she’s about to push her cart away, the cashier speaks again. “Won’t that be heavy?”

“I can manage, thank you,” Isabella replies.

She admires the woodwork of the bookcase, running her fingers across its smooth shelves. Each shelf is tall enough to house any large books that Edward might have, and it’s carved beautifully, with twisted patterns and knotwork, which look Celtic. It’s not cream, like she imagined his bookcase would be, but it’s still beautiful. She measured the space available for a bookcase, so she knows it will fit.

It’s the first piece of furniture she buys for their new home, and she’s sure Eddie will love it. She can’t wait to show it to him.

As Isabella unpacks boxes of books in the living room, she thinks about Professor Strange. His slow and rich voice, like melted chocolate washing over her. His pink round spectacles, flashing in the light of his office. His perfect teeth, which he always showed, even when he wasn’t smiling. And his white lab coat, always so pressed and clean.

You are a marvellous creation, Subject 620B, he used to tell her.

She hasn’t thought about him for months, and she has no idea why she’s remembering him now.

A week later, the house looks wonderful, and to say that she’s proud of herself would be an understatement. The kitchen cupboards are stocked with cans and boxes, and the freezer is packed full of food. She’s filled the tea caddy, and bought a new kettle, and silver cutlery. The shelves not lined with food instead house mugs, plates, bowls, glasses, pots and pans. Everything is new, and laid out neatly, and Isabella can’t help but smile brightly as she stands in the middle of the room.

It looks so homely and cosy, with the sunlight pouring in through the thin curtains, and the various jars and important kitchen utensils on the counters. She holds her mug with both hands, and takes a sip of tea.

Edward’s bedroom is also set up nicely, save for his clothes and books and ornaments. She will need to collect them once he’s moved in. She bought him a chair, and a rug, and replaced the curtains with new blackout ones, so no sunlight will come in when he wants to sleep in. There’s a large chest beneath the window, which she hadn’t planned to purchase, but it caught her eye, and she couldn’t resist it.

The living room doesn’t have a television, but Isabella has bought new cushions and blankets for the couch, and a soft rug for the wooden floor, and filled the empty bookshelf with second-hand books and board games. She will buy a television eventually, but it’s not a priority. For now, they will make do with books and a record player, which she’s placed in the corner of the living room, along with several records, in a teetering pile on the floor.

Surrounded by the warmth and comfort of their new home, she feels more content than she has felt in weeks. It’s almost perfect. All that’s missing is him.

[undercovermcdfan]

FOR THE DOMESTIC SHIPPING MEME: Garrance or Vylance?

I chose Vylance, I hope you don’t mind!

Who’s more dominant

If this mean dominant as in who’s more forward, it’s bit of a trade-off. Laurance is more comfortable with displays of affection but flusters rather easily when they’re returned? And Vylad obviously takes advantage of that, especially with his blunt way of speaking. In bed, it’s equal too! Again, it’s a trade off.

Who’s the cuddler:

Both cuddle, but Vylad especially loves it. He’s rather clingy when he gets comfortable.

Who’s the big spoon/little spoon:

Laurance is the big spoon, Vylad is the little one-- usually. But they do switch when Laurance wants to be held after a bad dream or needs to be comforted; Vylad being big spoon features forehead kisses and Laurance wrapping his arms around his waist with his ear pressed against Vylad’s heart.

What’s their favorite non-sexual activity:

Cooking, and in MCD, fishing. Vylad wishes Laurance was into meditation but it’s proven pretty difficult for Laurance to stay still for so long. So fishing is that happy medium-- especially Laurance’s unorthodox way of hunting with a spear vs using a simple fishing rod. 

Who uses all the hot water:

Actually I headcanon both like to take rather cold showers-- partly because they’re use to it. Vylad because he’s a youngest in the house while Laurance grew up with Cadenza... and she use to hog up all the hot water. 

Most trivial thing they fight over:

With a show they’re watching together, somebody keeps watching ahead and making them lose their place. The truth? Zenix has their netflix account and keeps removing stuff their list, watching their shows and messing up the algorithm set up. 

In MCD, Laurance’s damn poncho-scarf-thing. Vylad hates it. 

Who does most of the cleaning:

Laurance. He rather likes housework and he feels a lot less stressed when things are clean. 

What has a season pass on their dvr/Who controls the netflix queue:

Without Zenix’s meddling, it would be Vylad. He watches a lot of netflix thanks to insomnia.

Who calls up the super/landlord when the heat’s not working:  

Laurance. He’s the one with better social skills while Vylad sits quietly, petting his demon cat.

Who leaves their stuff around:

Vylad! And Laurance hates it but he’s such an ineffectual lecturer when it comes to Vylad, be nagging while picking up after him. 

Who remembers to buy the milk:

Vylad-- he’s hyper aware when they’re low on milk; he grown to be hyperaware of these types of things thanks, again, growing up with two older siblings.

Who remembers anniversaries: 

 Both. The real question is who goes out of their to out-celebrate/gift the other; the answer is always Vylad, because his skills of being really attentive and great at money-managing, he ends up buying great gifts or sincere acts of affections.

Who cooks normally:

Laurance! He’s really good at it too; Vylad helps when he can but the kitchen is Laurance’s domain. Mostly because Laurance is really picky about his food, so it’s best to let him prepare it. 

How often do they fight:

Actual “fights”? Incredibly rare and it would be over very serious things. But they do have back-and-forths while trying to figure out what to order in that night, what hotel to check into, etc.

What do they do when they’re away from each other:

Outside of work too? Vylad prefers to read while Laurance would call up a person to hang or go out for walks; sometimes mess around with experimental recipes. 

Nicknames for each other:

In MCD verse, Vylad’s nickname for Laurance is “my heart” while Laurance would just tease him.

In Dad AU, they call each other affectionate nicknames in French; Vylad started this and frankly, Laurance loves it. 

Who is more likely to pay for dinner:

They usually split it if they brought money with them or switch off who pays when.

Who steals the covers at night:

Actually the covers get kicked off usually by Vylad lmao rip.

What would they get each other for gifts:

They’re the type of couple who see something that reminds them of the other and get it. It ranges from nice clothing to weird knick-knacks to Laurance once buying Vylad a teddy bear with a green scarf on it. They affectionately call it Vylad Jr.

Who kissed who first:

Depends on the AU but it usually Laurance. Er, well Vylad asks if he can kiss Laurance and Laurance is the one who leans in?

Who made the first move:

Vylad. Usually shyly but it’s him. Laurance is pretty good at playing the waiting game if it’s for somebody he deeply cares for (and isn’t manipulated by an evil entity from Hell trying to convince to murder said person). 

Who remembers things:

Vylad is-- he remembers the little details, like the impressive ninja that he is.

Who started the relationship:

I guess Vylad with the kiss/confessing.Though Laurance is the first to say they’re dating/the proper labels.

Who cusses more:

Depends on the AU but honestly? Laurance, especially when angry. Vylad usually drops a cuss to emphasize his feelings in a moment. Nothing like a good “Well... fuck.” to convey how surprised you are.

What would they do if the other one was hurt:

Vylad: It would be one of those moments you’d witness and know how deeply Vylad cares about Laurance. He’s anxious, looking for stuff to fiddle with and distract himself, quietly staying at Laurance’s side. In a battle and Laurance takes a fall, Vylad will be furiously protecting him until he has an opportunity drag his body away; he gets to be a little reckless here.

Laurance: In the moment, Laurance would be panicky as well, yelling at others to help Vylad and reassuring Vylad that everything will be alright. In battle, Laurance doesn’t see shame in running away and he will not hesitate to retreat with Vylad in his arms if Vylad is seriously injured.

I do think both would cry; Laurance when Vylad finally treated and is recovering and openly weeps, apologizing that he wasn’t there fast enough; while Vylad would openly breakdown the moment the medic starts tending to Laurance, succumbing to the stress of the situation.

Who is the dirty talker:

Laurance. Both talking and being on receiving end of the dirty talk lmao.

A head canon:

Vylad is extremely flexible while Laurance is flexible to get by but not Vylad’s level. But when the two decide to spar/train together, they do warm ups-- and Laurance tries to follow Vylad’s regime but dear lord, by the end of it, it feels like a goddamn work out with itself. 

send me a ship and I’ll give domestic headcanons