#sorry for the salt today but people on the internet will just say anything huh

[infinitelystrangemachinex]

also i think that justifying "magic systems" by claiming that they make it easier to avoid committing a faux pas in your own story, thus avoiding breaking the suspension of disbelief, simply reveals that there's too much emphasis being placed on mechanics rather than craft, and that the "magic system" is probably disjointed from theme and character and you're spilling all kinds of ink just trying and trying to argue for the existence of this worldbuilding on its own merits, because you're not using it to support character or conflict or setting or plot and vice versa. all this concern over avoiding deus ex machina is a nonissue because that is not the result of bad worldbuilding, it is the result of bad storycraft

also nothing breaks my suspension of disbelief faster than having a character infodump the carefully outlined rulebook of this rpg i am suddenly a part of in the middle of your high fantasy novel

[lunaastoir]

Heyhey! May I request a childe x reader where the reader simps for him but he doesn’t know? Like what if she was online best friends with the tsaritsa but the reader doesn’t know the tsaritsa is the tsaritsa so she constantly simps for childe to her. Like “OMG HE’S SO CUTE.” AND STUFF LIKE THAT. So since she’s like besties with the tsaritsa the cry archon decides to set her up? Thank you :>>>>

AAAAA NONNIE holds your hands gently this is so cute i love it :,) 

genshin doesn’t have internet/technology but for the sake of this ask shhhhhh we’re gonna pretend they do

i hope i interpreted your ask correctly, if i didn’t just lmk <3 

crack, fluFF- LOTS OF IT???

the tsaritsa’s meddling

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

all you wanted were groceries. that was all you wanted. you were standing in line behind the stall as you counted the items you needed to get. salt, milk, sugar, fowl, what else? you were lost in thought as you prayed that you had enough mora to buy everything - god knows how hard eating is as an adventurer. which was why, when you dropped your precious mora, your mind immediately went into panic mode. not now, not now, please don’t let the line move, you begged internally. in hindsight maybe if your mora hadn’t dropped, maybe if you weren’t at your wits end as a broke adventurer, maybe if you had just bought those damn ingredients sooner, you wouldn’t be in this position. as you breathed a sigh of relief after collecting your money and returned your gaze back to the stall, the only thing you could do was stare. where...did everyone go? instead of simply turning around and fleeing which should’ve been your first instinct considering how deserted the place was, you stood there trying to process the information. that was, until you saw a head of auburn hair peak up out of the stall. startled, you almost dropped your mora again. as the tuft of hair gave way to a very tall, handsome, blue eyed man, your brain short circuited. 

oh god how you wished you had run when you had the chance. you imagined you must have looked quite comical; mouth hanging slightly open, the list of ingredients fisted in your hands while mora was hanging precariously from your fingers. after what seemed like an eternity, the man seemed to finally notice you. 

“oh hey, you must not have noticed but this stall is sold out for the fatui” 

the sentence accompanied with his signature smile practically brought you to your knees. that smile? aimed at you? you would be surprised if you weren’t drooling. 

determined to not look like an absolute idiot you flashed him a smile of your own before saying, “sorry my bad, i must not have been paying attention” while doing what little you can to get some semblance of balance. tuck the mora here, try to balance your list more gracefully, move that piece of hair from your face. 

his eyes surveyed your undoubtedly disheveled appearance, before making a quick decision. 

“what items do you want, i’m sure i can spare a few ingredients for someone as pretty as you” 

one blink. another blink. did he just call you pretty? oh my- 

“oh no, it’s really ok, i can just get these later - it’s not that important anyway” you lied through your teeth. you needed those ingredients or you were most likely going to starve on the road but he didn’t need to know that. 

“don’t worry about it, as a harbinger i’m sure my subordinates can overlook a few missing ingredients” he smoothly said before gesturing you towards him. 

“i’m childe by the way, if you didn’t know” his eyes flicked up to meet yours.

“y/n” you offered while handing him the list. 

as he looked over what you needed, you tried your best to keep your breathing steady while your mind raced. if you didn’t know? of course you knew who he was, who didn’t? you would know better than most considering how often you thirsted about him to your mutual. if anything, you should’ve been the one saying that line to him. as an adventurer, you tend to not spend much time in liyue harbor, chasing down ruin guards and running errands was how you would rather keep yourself busy. however, ever since you saw childe in liyue, sharing a pot of tea with zhongli of all people, you started swinging by the harbor more often. fascination was what kept you seeking him out wherever you went. you had heard about the infamous eleventh harbinger, supposedly the youngest of them, all while being quite easy on the eyes. you had brushed off all the talk you had heard to just that - talk. international affairs wasn’t something you cared for and if anything, seeing the fatui made you wary. however, your curiosity grew after seeing him whenever you were in town. you chalked up your eyes subconsciously seeking out his figure to the fact that he was just an interesting guy. nothing wrong with wondering about a peculiar fellow, right?  you went through excuses upon excuses until finally, you had concluded that perhaps, maybe, you had a little crush on him. tiny, you assured yourself. just a tiny crush on a very attractive man. 

that crush then trickled over to your time spent talking to your mutual. it started off with little hints of “oh there’s this guy i saw and i thought he was kinda cute” to full blown hysteria of “PLS SEND HELP HE LOOKED SO GOOD TODAY.” @cryogoddess definitely had a lot of patience putting up with your thirsts over a man she didn’t even have the name of. you felt horrible sometimes since more than half of your conversation was about the newest detail you had noticed about childe - however your protests on boring her were met with reassurances about how no, you weren’t boring her, and yes, this is the most lighthearted talk she’s had her entire day so please keep going. you weren’t exactly sure what this woman did, or even how old she was. all you knew was she was someone who was constantly stressed (maybe a fellow adventurer?) and she was quite honest (which you happened to appreciate). despite how busy she was, she seemed to always make time for your texts which made you feel like you could trust her with anything.

“is that all? do you need anything else?” childe’s voice interrupted your mental tirade as you owlishly looked at him. 

“oh! yes that’s fine thank you” you smiled before taking the bag from him. grabbing the mora, you rushed to hand out the correct amount before he stopped you. 

“don’t worry about it, it’s on the house” he laughed slightly before waving your mora away. 

it’s on the- excuse me? did he just give you all this for free? is this what fatui hospitality is like?  

rushing to close your mouth, you quickly recovered while slurring out a quick “thank you so much” before shouldering your bag. your brain was currently running on fumes and you were very sure that if you stayed there any longer you might just combust. 

“well, i’ll be off then, thank you again” you shot him another smile before quickly scurrying away. 

without turning back to look at his expression, you moved as fast as humanly possible while trying not to seem like you were about to jump out of your skin. you didn’t know what was more embarrassing, your thumping heart or the dopey smile on your face. there was no way you were ever going to get over this, not with the way he looked at you the entire time. sighing, you put your bag down near a bench and pulled out your phone. at least you had an update for your friend that consisted of something other than just mindless thirsts. 

your mind was still reeling over from what happened as you texted her with shaking hands. the reply was immediate: “wow, you finally got up the courage to talk to him huh.” you rolled your eyes playfully at her blunt message. “bY ACCIDENT- IT HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT,,, guess he couldn’t keep himself away from this sexiness 😩” another blunt reply: “right.” smiling softly, you responded: “thanks for hyping me up bestie i really appreciate it <3 ok but maybe childe and i belong together??? is this a sign from the archons???” you stared waiting for her reply, however you were met with a read 8:45 pm. you’re lucky i love you bestie, leaving me on read during my crisis you whispered to yourself as you shouldered your bag once again to head home. at least you won’t be starving tomorrow on your commissions. 

as soon as you entered your house, your phone lit up. “wait. as in childe, eleventh of the fatui harbingers, also known as tartaglia, feared by many on the battle field, currently stationed in liyue, major pain in the ass, and is currently ignoring some of his paperwork???” - @cryogoddess. your eyebrows furrowed as you read her message, “yes that’s him but why do you sound so freaked out and how do you know sm abt him?” another notification: “i can’t believe you’ve been thirsting to me abt CHILDE.” you: “KDJKSFJ YOU DIDNT ANSWER MY QUESTION - also??? i thought i told you his name did i not??? 😀” her: “no??? wow this definitely is...interesting” you: “BESTIE ANSWER MY QUESTION DO YOU KNOW HIM???” her: “i’ve gotta go, work is calling.” 

you sighed in frustration as you tossed your phone on your bed. why was she so freaked out? you weren’t dumb, you knew there was something she wasn’t telling you but you trusted her enough to know she’ll let you know if it was important. you wondered as you pulled the covers over your head, if you’ll meet childe in your dreams and if you do, hopefully, in a less embarrassing scenario. 

the next morning, you awoke to a barrage of texts from none other than @cryogoddess. they were all along the lines of you should go to bubu pharmacy and stock up on medication this evening (i heard they’re having a sale). you responded back with a maybe, if you had time today after your commissions and if xiangling didn’t stop by with some food. however, your mutual made you promise you would visit in the evening, even if it’s just for a few minutes. you gave in because a) you never could say no and b) she made it sound like it was urgent so maybe she was obsessed with medicine? hmmm you would have to figure out where she lived so you could send some to her. 

you walked toward bubu pharmacy while tiredly sheathing your weapon, loosely taking in your surroundings. kids playing near the pond, teenagers chatting at the steps, adults keeping a watchful eye over their kids while laughing about the day’s events. your eyes studied the sign outside of bubu pharmacy. sale? what sale? there doesn’t seem to be anything regarding a sale?

“y/n?” a mildly familiar voice called your name. you whipped around looking for whoever uttered those words before your eyes fell on none other than one blue eyed harbinger. he was holding a few silk flowers in his hand as he stared at you with a sheepish smile. 

“hi” you stuttered out. your mind was blank, what was happening? 

“oh sorry, these are for you. i don’t mean to make you uncomfortable but i heard that you might be interested in me? you caught my eye at the stall yesterday, so i was wondering if you would want to grab lunch from the third-round knockout and then go watch the sunset at mt. tianheng? there’s this really cool trick i can do with my hydro vision where i can make the sunlight dance across the waypoint.” 

you stared at him as you wordlessly took the silk flowers from his hands. the golden light of the setting sun cast his face in a beautiful sheen, softly showing off the gentle blush on his cheeks and the brilliant blue of his eyes. his auburn hair seemed to grow alive at the touch of the fiery light and all you could do was stare. 

childe’s confidence seemed to wane with every passing second that you gazed at him, open mouthed, so he decided to save himself the embarrassment before hesitantly opening his own mouth. 

“yes, i would love to” you quickly said. you smiled gently up at him. 

“i would love to watch the sunset with you” 

you felt your cheeks burning up as you looked at him with soft eyes. when he returned your expression with a dazzling smile of your own, you could feel yourself relax. yes, your heart rate was off the chart right now, but you were content. the sunset, childe, and the silk flowers was something you never knew you needed, but were glad you got. you had enough time later to worry about the oncoming mortification of how he found out you liked him. 

a single notification appeared in your phone as the two of you walked laughing towards the mountain. 

“you’re welcome <3″

BONUS: 

“i know i’m too sexy for you to not fall in love with me” childe sighed dramatically as he leaned against you for support as the two of you went up the stairs. 

you promptly rolled your eyes and pushed him down the steps as you walked ahead with his protests falling on deaf ears. 

[prettywarriors]

Fate The Winx Commentary

Good morning internet! Today is the drop of Winx: Riverdale edition! I sure hope you're ready for my aggressive and unnecessary commentary, because it is coming for you either way!

The netflix landing page lets us know:

Fate The Winx Saga

6 episodes, 48-53 minutes each

"Genres: Fantasy TV Shows, Teen TV Shows, Italian TV Shows"

"This show is: Emotional"

As mentioned elsewhere, my Winx knowledge is limited, so I will be coming into this fairly fresh and will try to be unbiased. As I have seen trailers, the keyword here is Try.

Episode 1

'To the Waters and the Wild'

CW: Animal Death, Swears, Implied Child Death, Blood, Implied Teen Sex, Burns, Weed, Fatphobia, Whatever the term pussie falls under

Episode 1 TL;DR: We meet everyone, learn their dynamics, have the basics of the magic system beat into us, meet our monsters, and name drop Harry Potter. Standard first episode stuff.

I do want it on record before we start that I got about halfway into the first season of Riverdale, and the first season of Netflix Sabrina. They were, well, bland and boring imo? I did get through a few seasons of Teen Wolf, but that's because it was capable of Fun and Jokes. My current expectations are a few unintentionally funny lines, maybe some almost decent magic effects, and because it's 2021, one whole gay character (I did hear one of the boys (there are boys?) is bi, but also an asshole so I'm hoping for some wlw)

TV-MA LANGUAGE AND SMOKING OH FUCKING BOY Almost full moon (waxing) in opening shot- I Will be tracking moon inconsistencies if it keeps showing up that is a pet peeve but hey look a bunch of sheep That's a good start (it's ominous though. don't hurt the sheep) Swears count: Feckin' 2 Mystical portal barrier. Oh yeah s5 of the magicians is on netflix now WELP THOSE ARE SHEEP GUTS RIGHT OUT THE GATE HUH For CW it's up a tree, and the dripping blood is a good warning of what's about to be seen :( oh and then the man who was looking for the sheep dies offscreen save for a spray of blood. THIS ISN'T YOUR CHILD'S WINX CLUB it seems to say. I assume. How much blood was in the original winx because this is already at least a full cup. (Also the monster noises for whatever was chasing the man (werewolf it was a werewolf trailers are bad guys) were not very good)

Opening credit scene is 5-6 different blooming elemental wings. They're pretty, but it's unclear if the last one is secret 6th member wings (because the second to last ones are fire which is the main character's element right?) so maybe we'll get a late 6th addition? (I am in I.T. please give me the most relatable character you cowards)

KIDS IN THE CORNER BY AMBER VAN DAY PLAYING I like where they shot this but that might just be european woods pretty. The opening location was nice and mossy save for the sheep blood Fancy big stone school establishing shots (it's nice, and huge) and we land on a red head who seems less than pleased to be here Courtyard shot of... whatever the name of the replacment plant girl is, holding a tray of various potted plants for an older man (father? first day of school send off maybe?) Aisha(?) walks by, not talking to anyone, Stella(?) is taking Magical!Selfies with at least 3 other girls, Musa(?) has a suitcase and headphones and smiles at a passing girl Oh boy a boy with a pocketknife doing little tricks with it! Nothing says edgy like an actual knife edge. Gonna take this moment to point out I have some level of face blindness and while the girls all look fairly different from one another, if there is more than one tall blonde white boy as I fear there may be, I WILL NOT be able to tell them apart. Not through maliciousness, just general incompetence, so anything I say about the boy characters (I want to say they're the knights to the girl's faeries? is that right? this whole thing smacks of gender) should be taken with a heap of salt I've come to accept tv just. displaying text messages on screen as a storytelling method. It's never my favorite but it just Is a modern story element. Also Bloom needs to meet stella at the alfea gates Alfea I presume is the school- does the name mean something? It sure feels like the word elf and therefore fae but I don't feel like googling anything this early in Oh look two more blondish tall white boys. Pocketknife was wearing something else i think, one guy has a brown jacket and pink shirt (bad combo), the other looks old even by tv highschool/college standards and his jacket has a jock vibe. Jock jacket also has an earring? Is this the bi character who is an asshole? From this one second of him, only in profile, I will assume yes, he is an asshole I like Bloom's backpack Pink shirt looks at Bloom from across the quad. I am already tired of this romance Cool he walks up to someone he has identified as lost, and is 'impressed with [her] confidence in the face of complete ignorance' COMING OUT OF THE GATE WITH A NEGG HUH PINKY He even states he wasn't offering help Then Why Are You Talking To Her Jackass Subs are going with the fairy spelling, and Bloom confirms she is a fairy and we confirm this is College. Unless this is a european thing where they call schools different things. I think that's just for public and private? And maybe just england? I'm American all they teach us is 1492-ww1 over and over for like. 10 years sorry Rest of the World 'What Realm are you from?' 'California' Speaking of ameri-centric, I'm gonna Guess that original Winx, the italian cartoon, didn't have their main character be from cali usa? I am presuming this is a side effect of making this property for a more global distribution than I'm guessing winx was originally conceived as back in the early 00s The Otherworld. I assume this is the fairy realm and whatnot? And the magic school. Seems to be located behind a magical barrier in the earth realm?? If that's right it seems weird if basically everyone who goes to the school is from the otherworld Pinky doubles down on his rudeness but in a Fun and Cute way because :/ and the Specialist hall is Very Pretty, oh and there's a fairy hall. Are specialists the boy...things? magi knights? bros of the blade? guys who wear those 'here come a special boy' sneakers from that one comic? Stella sees this conversation which is great because they drop the term mansplain. why would otherworlders know that term even??? Edgey(?) sees Pinky and they hug it out Stella knows Americans are the type to wander off so I guess there's a lot of inter-world connections?

Miss Dowling- is this teacher going to be like the pedo in riverdale who got *checks notes* killed off by one of multiple serial killers later on? Dowling is the headmistress, gotta keep the otherworld a secret from earthers, time and place for portal making. all standard fantasy stuff so far, nothing to make this stand out Stella has a gateway ring, and frankly isn't too nice? all the backgrounders clothing is Bland and very normal 7 realms of the otherworld, Solaria is where Alfea is, i like magic globe Incase you forgot this was a modern tale, people update their insta stories here. 'I was kindof bummed I didn't see a single pair of wings' YOU AND ME BOTH BLOOM 'We had wings in the past, transformation was lost, tinkerbell was an air fairy' This is either a cop out for your glittery cowardice, or a set up for the main girls re-finding transformation magic later. I did like the Tink bit Bloom is a fire fairy and the subtext of this conversation is that bloom's magic did Something bad. I hope it was burn down her old school's gym a la buffy movie I like miss Dowling but in the I wouldn't Be Surprised if you turned out to be Evil way, and I guess Alfea is a very privileged upper crust school. What types of college do normal fairies go to then huh? damn privileged fairies 'our students have gone on to do amazing things like re-discover long lost magics' We Get It. You will give me Wings, but Only If I'm Patient Dowling throws a jab at Bloom about power control, but I like her necklace so It's Fine

Bloom video calls her parents while unpacking in the dorm, which may have come pre-fit with a heck ton of board games? Love it. Or new plant girl brought them along with her many plants Stella has a fancy mirror and lots of jewelry and fashion photos and makeup, Musa has a laptop and apparently not much else, gotta get those establishing personalities down I guess 'Ladies of the Flies honey don't be sexist' Bloom's dad for feminist of the year (these jokes are bad but i guess we can call it a dad joke as justification) Asiha gives Bloom a look and saves her from the call with her parents- yay friendship step one achieved Blooms parents think she's in the alps because magic secrets and what not Aisha asks bloom if she's never read harry potter and I guess Bloom is a potterhead (that's the term right?). Is this self awareness that all magical school fantasy series have the same basic bricks?  Bloom is a ravenclaw sometimes slytherin, Aisha is a Gryffindor Stella is changing because she's the fashion one and has a fun pastel rainbow skirt, and uses magic to make a real aggressive lamp. She's also a mentor (maybe older than the others by a bit?) I am assuming Stella here is something along the lines of a diplomats daughter the way she talks about appearances. She better get down and dirty later on to show her growth about how some things are more important than looks yada yada Fairy magic powered by strong emotions, i am waiting for bloom's backstory to be movie x-men rogue style tragedy Terra! Which. Of course is the Plant Fairy's name. Stella is a little mean to her about the plants and she takes it with a smile and some subtle snark back using classic literature Oh that's fun Terra points out the name-plant thing, and name drops her cousin Flora. That's. The one they replaced with Terra right? Terra's dad works in the greenhouse at the school which explains earlier (and her mum is named rose) Stella is indeed a second year and Musa's eyes change for. Lie detecting magic? and loves her headphones (Overstimulation?) Aisha wants somewhere to swim and we cut to a 'pond' by specialist training. Assuming she wants to sim because she's a water fairy, why Don't they have a pool? also this pond looks. Unpleasant for swimming

Girl specialist! Does that mean we have boy fairies? Boys. Fighting. Talking about girls. All gingers are nuts. Thanks edgelord AMAZING SHAGS THOUGH 'I didn't realize your hand was a red-head' it's not truly edge if we don't talk about sex every 10 minutes Subtitles earlier only said boy 1 boy 2 but now pinky or edgy is Riv Edgy smokes weed, and pinky is a big brother figure to him, and the head? of the special boys doesn't like edgy. Me neither older guy Bit of swordplay, more girls, every specialist has black training outfits, very military Pinky is Sky who is son of Guy of Place. an important lad. without context this is meaningless to me There's a giggly boy who laughs at the idea of a war in the future and gets a talking to. I suspect this boy will be re-occurring enough to die- he has those tertiary character elements with his intro and such (and he's black so I am prepared for your standard racist murder choices) Burned Ones exist outside the barrier, which makes me wonder if dead shepard was in the otherworld? There was nothing establishing that he was in any type of Other place but :/ Oh look edgey is having a smoke cross the barrier while we learn about the creatures that live beyond it. Time to find out these creatures no one young has ever seen are still kicking Specialist leader had to kill his own pa after a burned one got him. They also. Used a shotgun when trying to fight it. Do specialists even have powers or are they just good with weapons? Edgey finds the shepards corpse. Mostly blood 'it's been 16 years since the last sighting' 'Rosalind killed all the burned ones' ahh magical creature genocide hey when is abarat 4 coming out. and is rosalind hot?

School, gossip, Aisha and Musa are snarking at Tera for thinking the guy died of natural causes because we need to have these characters not actually like each other to make it stand out when they do Aisha talks about how she eats a lot and if she didn't swim she'd be massive and we cut to the plus sized tera looking uncomfortable are we really doing this? Tera points out that Musa was ignoring her earlier and it's all just uncomfortable and not great character conflict (but I thought I saw Musa holding an honest to god ipod? it's blue but it could be a phone case. Her hand is in the way) tera and dad interaction is nice, i'm also convinced they couldn't afford more than 3 magic adults

Girl with braids and metal in her hair! There were witches in winx right? Like 3 minor antagonist girls? I assume this is one of them. Because she has alternative fashion and is therefore evil /s Beatrix. Names in this series leave something to be desired (that something is subtly. I get it, they're carry overs from a series for a younger audience, she-ra had the same issue, but i can still poke fun) Swear count: Arsehole 2 Bollocks 1 Shit 1 She's a weird ass kissing with clearly ulterior motives

Bloom is Studying and her notebook is just FAIRY MAGIC POWER = EMOTIONS LOVE FEAR? HARTED? FIRE FAIRY CONTROL? in case you weren't paying attention Oh a flashback already to the magic triggering event? Her mother had pointed out she's an introvert, and past!Bloom doesn't Party. She goes Antiquing and is a Weird Loner (her 'basic bitch' of a mom's words) Swear count: Bitch 1 Bad daughter count: 1 Bad mother count: 1 Magic glowy eyes for Bloom: 1

Bloom Hates Parties and asks Pinky I mean Sky where she can be Away from People and he fears he'll be Mansplaing to her to. vague that it's dangerous outside instead of saying 'hey there's monsters and someone was just killed by possible one of them stay in the barrier' Stella wants to talk to Sky because they have History. I did hear there was a love triangle between these three. I am bored and everyone at this party is a nosey bitch who is watching their tense conversation. Also Something? Happens when Stella gets upset [mystical warbling] Random magic effects in the (very pretty) forest Bloom is trying to practice her magic on her own, and to do that she's gotta look at sad teen pics. And look, her burnt bedroom from her first power usage The fire magic is pretty good. I think fire is like. the opposite of water when it comes to cg where it almost always looks pretty good, while I swear i've seen the actual ocean look like a shitty render Magic out of control, bloom can't control her emotions, Aisha can stop her with water magic which makes some nice steam Bloom is angry at aisha for saving her. So far 3 of the 5 girls are abrasive at best remember when people made characters likeable? Swear count: Shit 1 (but it doubles as the literal meaning because of flooded toilets) Swear count: Bitch 1 Ass 1 Taking away your teen's door is. Really shitty. Not almost burn down your house worthy but damn cheerleader mom I do not understand sleep shirts with buttons. That seems painful if you lie the wrong way? Her mom was seriously burnt by first magic usage that's a backstory Shit count +1 Main character aspect time: dormant fairy blood line? awfully strong magic for that. baby who died day after it was born and now she's here? ...I was going to say changeling thanks aisha A Barbaric practice loving hints at long term world lore Hell is a bad word for kids!! Cutting to headmistress and her secret passage after finding out bloom is secret pureblood? this really is a harry potter thing

edgelord offers giggly some booze, and says pussies twice because he's Edgey and does peer pressure Tera calls him out and knows he's a sad nerd in disguise not a 'badass' and he says she's 'three people in disguise' because fatphobia shit +1 arehole +1 tera. chokes out edgelord with a vine because she's had enough of this shit. good for her edgelord is Riv, and he lived

OBLIGATORY GOOGLE SEARCH FOR THE TERM CHANGELING REMEMBER BELLA'S VAMPIRE GOOGLE GOD I LOVE TEEN FANTASY AND THEIR INSTANCE ON GOOGLING COMMON FANTASY TERMS OH hey the lamp bloom brought with her is the one she was fixing at home that's a nice touch Stella bonds with Bloom about homesickness, and the takes a selfie Musa is a mind fairy. So she. Is a telepath with purple eye magic? Oh there's types of 'connections' Memory, thought (others but i am cut off from the lore) Stella did Something to someone who Talked To Her Man last year and now lent Bloom her teleportation ring to send her some because miss mentor really cares more about her shitty man then helping the girls she's in charge of First World- earth Old Cemetery? Very Sexy. and bloom sweetie don't leave a mystical gateway open, and how will you explain to your parents how you're back so fast Wait she's only 16? SO this really is some european college where that's a funny way of saying High School Fire guilt, bad feelings about life shattering revelations, better connection with mother. I gotta say I have low expectations of this show carrying the family connection through the rest of this. That conversation felt more like a Hey We Made These Movements Onto Other Stuff Now

Lighting choices are interesting, with green, orange and purple for creepy warehouse. THE Creepy Warehouse where she would sleep without her parent's knowledge wow right that GIRL DROPS THE DAMN RING AT THE FIRST SIGN OF burned one looked more alien than werewolf-y here Decent Horror movie looks, and dude stole her ring. Rude. Saved by the headmistress, and tera/aisha/musa are here to great her Stella can't be here though because she has to greet a half naked freshly showered sky because life is suffering and producers insist people like to see teens half naked (who. Who?) shit +1 and she dumped him. pity part of one and using it to try to get your bone on. HEY A SONG I KNOW. IT'S WHATSITCALLED FROM THE BAYONETTA COMMERCIALS WAY BACK WHEN. in for the kill la roux. I do wish netflix would either commit to telling you what song was playing or didn't tell you at all

Riv offers Beatrix a hit from his joint because what Is a Bad Kid hasn't changed in like 70 years Blowing pot smoke into someone's mouth isn't as sexy as ya'll seem to think it is Musa has cute sleep socks with little pom poms, and I love Tera's floral jammies Tera offers a bluetooth speaker so they can listen to music together Musa also calls out Tera's fake happiness this is the good shit character interaction i live for Musa Empath Mind Fairy 'somber indie music'

If you kill a burned one in the human world Something? Extra bad happens? So the headmistress knows Bloom's a changeling, and ohhh that's the last time a burned one was spotted. Is Rosalind the famed Monster Slayer the birth mother of Bloom? Tera text flirts with Giggly who IS NAMED DANE and has a thing for. Sky? Riv? I told you these boys all look the same to me so if it's a half naked pic on fairy insta i'm out of context clues. Crymeariv is the insta name that answers that. Is this the slow burn enemies to lover mlm i can't finish this sentence i don't care riv is a dick Stella and Sky are in a bed and she doesn't seem to have a top on so Implied sexy times? MYSTERIOUS HOODED AND ROBED FIGURE CROSSES THROUGH THE BARRIAR AND SHOOTS THE BURNED ONE WITH LIGHTNING MAGIC OH IT'S beatrix

alt-J – Adeline as an ending song

[mysticprofessoralienhumanoid]

Turning down the akuma pt. 1

*feel free to add*

So, I've been seeing a lot of miraculous salt about Lila and class turning against Marinette lately and I've thought: wouldn't it be hilarious to see Hawkmoth try to akumatize Marinette and fail miserably?

I know it looks like it has nothing to do with this salt, but hear me out:

Marinette, like any other day, comes to school, just a little earlier than usual (to everyone's surprise), only to see her whole class looking at her with anger and accusing her of something terrible she did to their friend Li(e)la.

Which we (and Marinette) know is yet another Lila's lie.

They tell her how they cannot believe she could do something like this to their beloved classmate and how they can't have her as a class president anymore. Matter of fact, they don't even want to be friends with her anymore.

'Cause who in their right mind would want to be friends with a bully, am i right?

And well, Mari is pissed.

She just came to school! She came here to learn something new and fascinating about geometry and how interesting it is to watch some liquid change colors after adding some other as compelling substance to it.

Please, note her sarcasm.

And what she gets in return is some false accusations without any proof, may i add, and her, who she thought were real and trustworthy, friends to turn their backs against her and call her a bully. She just stepped into a classroom and drama already starts. Seriously, give her a break.

So she just stands in front of her whole class, raging in anger, pretty much trying to contain all the things and profanities she could say, that would only make the situation worse and she knows it.

Plus, it would still change nothing, 'cause her classmates are, from what she can see, blinded by Li(e)la.

And then, just like that, they all see a black butterfly flying towards Marinette and sinking into her purse, which then turns black.

They freeze and watch in horror how a purple, illuminating aureole forms around Marinette's kind and warm eyes turning them stone and cold.

Looks, like they know who is next Hawkmoth's victim...

Imagine their shock when they hear her say "No."

And now let's imagine how it was when Hawkie said his speech and all. 'Cause i like deatails, okay.

So i guess it was something like this:

"Ah, welcome, my Queen, it's a pleasure to finally meet you... I know how it feels to be betrayed by people who you thought knew you well enough not to make accusations like that. And that's why i grant you a power to get your sweet revenge on them. The only thing i want in return are Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculouses. So what do you say?"

And, as you probably figured out, she said no.

(The priceless look on Hawkmoth's face. I can't even- )

And from there it would only get better. I mean, imagine the conversation he and Marinette would have, while her class and ms. Bustier, who have arrived at some point, would only hear Marinette's answers, that would be totally out of context.

"Wha- Why?" Hawkmoth asks in a tone, like a kid, whom someone took his favorite toy from or said it's bad to play in mud.

And Marinette replies in a monotone tone, with a bored look on her face "Bitch, it's not the first time i hear this bullshit. I guess i just got used to it. You can't do anything about it, nor can i, so i just let it be. If they want to be on Lila's side and be fed with her lies, then that's what they gonna get, but when they'll come crying to me, I'm not even gonna move a finger to help them."

"Woah, that's kinda cold..."

She smiled a little and let me just tell you her class felt chills running down their spines. It was the scariest thing they've ever seen - Mari with a cold, crooked smirk playing on her lips. It was the first time they thought that their Marinette, their everyday Ladybug, could actually not be as innocent as she looks and that she has a dark side they've never seen before (and they don't really want to) "Aren't you suppose to be the evil one?" she teased him.

And then maybe he smiled a little to himself, maybe he was offended, who knows? "I see... Care to share the whole situation?" He just acts as some kind of her friend and they were on some coffe in a random café, gossiping. Actually he was genuinely curious and the whole situation amused him.

And that's how Marinette starts to rant about all Li(e)la's lies, explaining why each one of them is not true. She pretty much exposes her in front of her whole class, unaware of all the looks her classmates send Li(e)la when they start to notice holes in her lies and realize that Marinette was, in fact, right from the start.

Like, picture this:

"She once told them, she saved Jagged Stone's cat! A cat! He has never ever had a cat! Even better, he is allergic to cats, which he reaveled in an interview, so if they had done some research they would find out it's a fucking lie!"

That's when Alya send Li(e)la a quick glance. Marinette was right. Alya even watched this interview. Now she feels stupid.

"She told everyone she is a model. Then why she's not in any magazine, huh? Or in the internet? When i typed Lila Rossi i got nothing. Yet everyone believes her!"

She's right, Juleka thought. She has never seen her in any magazine Li(e)la claimed to had done a photoshoot for.

"Lila claims to be such good friends with the one and only Laydybug." that's when Marinette laughed and rolled her eyes, but as quick as it happened she turned into this cold version of herself "That's the biggest bullshit i have ever heard. Ladybug has never even said anything about her. She knows Lila only because she saved her from your akumas. Matter of fact, Lila hates Ladybug. I've caught her tearing a picture of LB and saying bad things about her and how much she hates the superheroine."

This time Li(e)la definitely felt eyes on her. Yet she still tried to act like she knows nothing and is innocent. But in her head she cursed Marinette; Li(e)la knew she was screwed.

And that's just a few of many lies Marinette exposed this day.

She also said how Li(e)la harrased Adrien and his personal space. She said how she had seen Li(e)la taking some book from Adrien's bag and later lied about being Volpina. Which was the moment Hawkmoth furrowed his eyebrows. Could it be her who stole his book... Gabriel was not happy with the news. He didn't like how Miss Rossi treated his son. He swore to himself he's going to talk with the principal (aka the only time he acted like a real father). He actually pitied Marinette and what has she gone through.

"I'm sorry to hear it... Marinette." he hesitantly says. Was he actually nice to a person he was trying to akumatize? But he could feel what was she going through, he saw all those things, all those moments and the stress and many responsibilities she had. He definitely did not want to go through what she was going right now.

Marinette smiled a little "Thanks... Hawkmoth."

Hawkmoth sighed. Looks like today there won't be any akuma.

And just like that they were all watching a white butterfly flying away from Marinette's purse and then through the window.

Marinette woke up from her trance and was greeted with a silence from her whole class. The last thing she remembered were the accusations she heard about herself and how all her friends turned against her.

So, her eyes turned cold, something her class wished to never see again, and sat in the back of the class.

[love-msj]

out of character.

@angelwingsisme2 Thank you for welcoming me. Also thank you for sending me the link. It kept taking me to your page. I was however able to see the start or beginning. But if there is more that comes after Sam signed the contract it didn't open. But I thank you all the same.

So the reason I linked that to you is because my partner hadn’t technically reblogged the very ending to it. However you should have seen the entire thread. You maybe confusing yourself lol, because that’s the completed story I linked. However, I took the liberty of copying and pasting the entire thing within this post for you. It may make life easier if you actually followed the pages as well. But if you are new to tumblr, meaning freshly new, it takes tumblr 2-3 days to recognize your page so some things are limited. Either way the story is below for you and I hope this time it works out for you darling. If not, I could give you the gist of the ending. 

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes was actually running late, which she assumed was also apart of her crappy luck for the month. She’s been dodging public settings and burying herself in work, placing Yara Shahidi on this month’s cover sparked great controversy for the magazine not to mention the inspirational young woman’s interview that filled exactly five pages within the nearly two-hundred plus that were printed. She was getting the recognition she deserved for a job well done however, it was over-shadowed by her current deportation situation. As her driver came to a stop she lunge out the limo before the car could really come to a stop. Scurrying quickly all you heard was the clicking of heels and shuffling of feet as she all but ran and people moved out of the bosses way. She rushed to the elevator and pushed the up button feverishly, she watched as it moved slowly before she looked to the one next to it. She turned around and looked at the other two and when the bell dung she scurried to the other side jumping on. “I’m sorry Ms. Jones” a guy said climbing off the elevator “yeah, yeah, yeah” she said rushing him out before she pressed the buttons to close the door in his face. She had to interview the candidates that would play her husband for a time, so she could sort this big mess out. Once she reached her floor she stepped off to see it completely covered with candidates. Her eyes were wide taking the various men in, “damn” she said to herself. “Good morning” Amy said as she rushed up towards Mercedes grabbing the woman’s purse she handed over Mercedes books. “It’s a lot of men here” she said despite Mercedes having realized the obvious.

“I see” she said sighing, it would be a long day for her she was sure. Looking around she moved to the center of the room just standing there. She opened her journal to see a list of men names stapled that her assistant drew up. The chattering in the room was annoying her and making her already hurting head hurt more as she tried to imagine getting through them all. “Excuse me!” she said loudly “can I get some order in the room?” she asked the men. She untied the belt to her coat and removed it tossing it on Amy’s desk. Amy grabbed the coat putting it away properly. “There is one of me and about a hundred” she said flipping the pages “and fifty of you” she said. “I won’t strain my voice and I won’t repeat myself. You talk, you leave. You don’t answer truthfully, you leave. You don’t give me respect, you leave” she listed as she paced a bit looking to the list still. “You annoy me” she said looking up “you leave” she told them all looking around the room.

SAM EVANS

Sam kept a skeptical eye on the horde of men in the room. He nervously chewed on the corner of his fingernail, trying to decide if being a member of this cattle call was even worth it.  “You shouldn’t bite your nails you know. Penelope says It’s not civilized.” Addison commented casually, as her finger slid over the glass touchscreen of her tablet. Samuel glanced down to his hand, and spat out the piece of nail between his teeth.  With a resolved sigh he tucked his hand into his armpits and looked down at his sister, “Yeah, well, she would know.” He said crisply.  Addison idealized Penelope. It was the only reason the woman put up with Tom baby sitting the girl from time to time. Thus he tried not to speak ill about the woman in Addison’s hearing. “Mhm,” She said, nodding satisfied that her brother had conformed to her wishes. “She also says I should wear more dresses, so grain of salt.” She shrugged nonchalantly. Sam chest shook as he laughed at the smaller blond.  She laid her tablet down on her lap, and looked up to Sam liquid blue eyes intent. “We don’t have our apartment anymore. Do we?” Sam’s face fell, he ran his hand through his hair as he knelt down next to Addison.  He plucked her beany from her head and smooth down her blond locks.  “Umm, I’m going to find us a new home.  One where you have your own bedroom. You were to big for that place.”  Addison blinked huge old eyes at her brother.  He was lying. Whenever he ran his hand through his hair she knew he was about to lie to her. She nodded sadly, already missing there small studio apartment. “That’s why I haven’t been back to school yet, huh?” Sam began chewing on his fingernail again. “Yeah,” He agreed around his nail. “But next week. You’ll be back in school…”

Sam trailed off moving back to his feet as the mood in the room shifted. All the men were fixed on the center off the room, on something or someone he couldn’t see.  Addison noticed the change as well, and stood on her folding chair trying to get a better look. Sam followed suit going up on his tip toes.   Still their efforts were useless. A woman’s voice cut through the chatter, and Sam strained to make out what she was saying. He only caught snatches but the gist he gathered was, it wouldn’t take much for him or any of them to be dismissed. Dropping back down flat on his feet, he sighed and looked to Addy again. “Maybe we should go.  This is a long shot anyway.”  Addy jumped down off the chair, “So, I guess that lady with the accent is the boss, huh?” She smirked broadly at her older male twin.  “Yeah.” Sam said, grabbing her coat. Addison looked around at the office, it was nice and she was able to connect to the internet. “Let’s stay for a little while. This is the nicest place you’ve ever interviewed?” She stuck out her bottom lip and held up five small fingers.  He sighed and nodded draping her coat back on the chair. “You know one day that pout isn’t going to work right?” Sam mumbled leaning back against the wall. He didn’t have anything to lose, what harm could a few more minutes do?  Addy plopped back down in the chair, eyes going back to her tablet as she thought slyly.  But it worked today….

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes continued to look at the paper before her trying to understand how she’d go about this. Her brain working a mile a minute in the moment, before she looked up again. “Background checks?” Mercedes asked Amy looking to her licking her lips slowly as she did. Amy rushed over with said paper having organized them in categories, Mercedes skimmed the pages quickly looking for anything legal that stood out. “Davis, Sampson, Williams… Jamal and David, Jones, Davis…Terry Davis, Copeland, Foster….” she said listing off sixty different men who either have been to jail for anything from felonies or worst. “You are all dismissed, I guess I should’ve added in bold print on the ad. No criminals” she said watching the men leave one after the other. After that she looked to see how many ex-husbands and fathers there were, she truly didn’t need any of that in the mist of her grand scheme. She called out twenty men who have been divorced in the last five years or had more than one kid. “Okay, that’s that” she said licking her lips again. “Okay, I am going to group you guys together” she said getting their attention again. “Last name, A-E” she said “can you please move over here” she directed. “Last name, F-J. Right here” she pointed. “Last name, K-O. There” she said gesturing. “Last name, P-T” she pointed simply not saying anything more. “U-Y” she called out pointing, “Z” she finalized as she pointed.

SAM EVANS

Sam’s hand absently moved back up to his mouth. He gnawed his nail, as he waited on something to happen. “Hey hand me my folder will you.  The one I put in your bookbag.” Addy rolled her eyes, then slipped from the chair and unzipped her bag, pulling out his folder.  “Here.” She said roughly handing it to him.  “Thanks!” He said taking it from her fingers.  He looked to the front of the room as the woman with the accent began to speak again.  He squinted listening for his name intently.  Not hearing his name, he pushed off the wall preparing to leave, “Whelp.” He stopped short as she dismissed that entire batch of applicants.  His spirits lifted a bit. Maybe he had a chance after all. After another group of men were dismissed he smiled down at his sister. “So far so good.” He beamed, pursing his lips as Addy offered him  a halfhearted thumbs up. “Okay you stay put. you hear me?” he said, moving over to the “E” designated section of the room.

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes nibbled her lip watching as everyone moved to their set spot, she was nervous as hell for obvious reasons. “Resumes?” she asked holding her hand out as she moved towards the A-E line. The few that handed her one got a pleasant smile from her for the first time “okay, so those without one can exit” she said with another smile. She looked the men over before she walked away and moved to the next sections repeatedly asking for resumes until she condensed seventy men down to fifty. Satisfied she placed them on Amy’s desk, whom went missing abruptly, she shrugged that off before saying. “Who here has experience with memorization?” she asked broadly. “Let’s be truthful with our answers please. I don’t have much time to waste” she told them all. “I need someone who’s hands on, great with memorization, someone who is convincingly dedicate to this cause, someone who is dependable day and night, who can work along side me - at my beckoning call when I ask” she said as she looked to Amy as she walked back into the area with a little girl in hand. The little girl had a snack and cup of juice. “Who’s little girl?” she asked curiously.

SAM EVANS

Sam’s fingers fumbled as he removed his resume’ from the folder.  He waited, paper in hand, as the tiny, sculpted woman moved up the line. Though towering over her, his eyes were trained on her lips.  An old habit that he’d never managed to break.  He always felt that people could see his sins if he looked in to their eyes. He watched as her perfect lips formed into a smile.  His green eyes pushed there way up her face to hold her brown ones for the briefest of moments, before she was on to the next person in the line.

The woman, Amy, had offered her snacks, and  despite Sam’s warning, Addy couldn’t turn down that down.  She was 99% sure Amy didn’t own a pedo van. She bit into her bagel with cream cheese, smiling up at the nice lady, as they made there way back into the main room.  Addy’s eyes went saucers size at the woman’s words. She looked to Sam quickly, knowing she was in hot water.

Sam’s finger shot up at her question about memorization. When she piled on more requirements he noticed the hesitation in other so he raised his hand higher, the more she added. If the pay was right, he would be her foot stool.  Sam’s eyes followed the woman’s noting that something had caught her attention. His hand lowered slowly to his side as in trotted Addy with the woman’s assistant. “I told you not to move.” He mouthed lips tight, to a nervous looking Addison. He sighed, “Ummm, she’s my little sister. I’m sorry.” He apologized moving to collect his sister.

“I’m Addison Joy Evans.” She piped up, staring the woman directly in the eyes.  “You’re Mercedes Simone Jones. You’re the boss of Teen Vogue and you are the woman who is going to hire my big brother.”

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes continued to stare at the little girl before she noticed the gentlemen, when he spoke up she gave him her full and undivided attention. Her eyes darted from the man to the little girl as she spoke up. Mercedes folded her arms over her chest, letting her speak, she didn’t say anything and despite her weeding children out earlier she was very much a infatuated with children and family. “Am I?” Mercedes asked the little girl with a raised brow as they stared each other down. “How could you be so very sure?” she asked her next. The little girl intrigued Mercedes, though adding children into her plan was not apart of the equation at all, it was conflicting.

SAM EVANS

Addy leaned in and tilted her head, “Where is Trinidad?” She asked curiously, as Sam approached her. Sam placed his hands on her slight shoulders. “Sorry again. she spends to much time online.” He used her shoulders to guide her, back to her things. Addison planted her feet, and looked back to the brown eyed woman.  “Because he is strong, nice, and he has been taking care of me since my mother went to heaven.” She thought for moment before finishing. “That means he can do anything.” “Let’s go, Addy.” Sam’s face, was long and pained .  There wasn’t a job in the world that would hire you after they found out you brought a child with you to the interview.

MERCEDES JONES.

At the little girl’s question Mercedes eyebrows rose to her hairline, the nerve of the little thing to tell her her whole life history in her office. She was shocked, she never once thought as she dug up information on these men that they would in fact be doing the same. “Trinidad is southern most nation in the Caribbean, extremely close to Venezuela” she told the little girl matter-of-factually. Mercedes continued to watch the man gather his little sister and her things, she took in his entire in comparison to others, and she listened at his sister’s next statement. Looking to Amy for a moment, she sighed softly. The poor little girl had no mother, she couldn’t imagine her life having been the same. “You can stay” she said as she moved to collect the resumes. “Amy keep her entertained” she said as she moved to open her office doors “the first group can join me in here” she told them “I’ll be conducting group interviews” she told them. She looked to the men before she said “that means A-E, you move any slower you can slowly walk out of my building instead…” she told them before feet begin to shuffle.

SAM EVANS

“The Caribbean, wow. You grew up on an island? Cool.” Addison pursed her lips, hanging her head a bit as Sam scurried her away. “I’m sorry, but she asked.“ she told him putting on her jacket. She poked her head around Sam’s waist beaming, wiggling her eyebrows. “Good Luck!” Sam let out a relieved sigh when she said he could stay. Almost running to join the other men, “Be good for Amy.” He said pointing to the assistant as he quickly disappeared with the other men.

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes looked to the child again, a bit of a smirk at the corner of her mouth not to much to be noticeable but just enough. She closed the door behind the last man and she moved to her desk “I apologize for the lack of chairs. I didn’t really expect to see this many men, here” she told them honestly. “Anyhow, upfront I want to ask, if any of you have any governmental employment in your work history?” she said. “We here at Vogue doesn’t discriminate against our beloved government, however it would be a conflict of interest” she told him. when no one spoke up she said “great” before she moved to sit down. “First thing first, all your background checks cleared. Which is good. I don’t have any felons, divorcees, heavily populated offspring dwellers, or drug addicts on my hands thanks to the drug test that were performed ahead of time. Thank you for that” she said looking down her list of things. “So, this job pays very well. You couldn’t imagine how well. It comes with housing as well” she told them all. “However, I can only pick one man out of you and the other’s in there” she pointed. “Sell yourself to me. Each of you in 5 minutes to sell yourself. However you want, tell me whatever you need to. Better yet before we get there. If you had a choice between pitching to me yourself and a glass of water which would you choose?” she asked them all. “A few said water, of course” and she scanned the room looking to the blonde hoping he didn’t disappoint her by picking the wrong answer.

SAM EVANS

Sam’s nerves caused him to fidget as self doubt started to rear it’s self deprecating head. As she asked about Government jobs he locked his legs in place and prayed. Not to God but to his mother for courage. The prayer held until she asked them to sell themselves. Panic put his mind and body into a vice and began to squeeze. How was he supposed to do that?  He was poor, white, trash. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, the words ‘you ain’t shit’ sounding off in his head. Years of  mental punches given courtesy of his father. ‘you should just turned tricks like your mother.’ His hands clench in to fist by his side. He opened his eye anger, over coming his panic. Did she say water? He thought furrowing his brows. ‘Idiots,’ he thought. Shocked that anyone would choose water.  “I’d rather pitch.” He announced braking over the chatter in the room. He stepped around the man just in front of him, holding her gazed as he did. He had to say this before he lost his nerve. “I ain’t shit. I don’t have much, some would say I’m poor, white trash. I’m most likely unqualified for this job. Whatever it is.“ He said hurling his father’s words as if purging himself. “That said, I’m quick on my feet and have a sharp mind. Aside from that.”  He quieted and stared deep into her eyes. His soul shivered at being so exposed but he needed to know. Nodding, his decision made, “I promise you that as long as whatever this is doesn’t come between me and Addy.  You have my life, my loyalty and…” He added as an almost after thought, “And my complete confidence.”

MERCEDES JONES.

Mercedes waited and she noticed the man in the back as he made his way forward, the blonde. He said he ‘wasn’t shit’ and her eyes squinted a bit at him, where in the hell was he going with this she didn’t know but it better had been good. As he continued she rested her hands on her desk top, letting him get it all out, he had 5 minutes after all. He was desperate that much she gathered, he had nothing and apparently no one but his little sister. But would he be stable enough to pull this off, she had doubts about that. But she asked him to sell himself and he was, at least he was trying. He wasn’t well put together, he could play the background which was the exact ting she told them that he did. Stayed in the background. But the kid added a curve ball to things because she didn’t mention her. Plus this guy didn’t look to be the kind of guy that could seduce and coax her into anything. He was a scruffy little fella. Nothing she pictured, but she had a heart, and the rest of the men there had better background then he did, she already picked him out when she searched the resumes earlier. “What is your name?” she asked him.

SAM EVANS

He couldn’t tell if he’d gotten through to her or not. But damn! He felt, somehow, better then he had in years.  He could leave with that if nothing else.  His chest heaved, and his eyes dropped down to her nose a bit. When she asked his name his eyes went back to hers, “Names, Samuel Levy Evans.” He said swallowing down a lump in his throat.

MERCEDES JONES.

“Well” Mercedes breathed as she held out her hand to him hesitantly “Mr. Evans, you just won yourself a job. I hope I can trust you. Please, don’t let me down” she told him serious as she shook his hand for a moment pulling it away. “Thanks gentle, I appreciate you being here” she told them. She hoped she made the right decision because if not she’d pay for it, abundantly. Parts of her were sure and other were not, he seemed so flaky but his honesty won her over. At least he was honest about that, it would her feel like he was honest about the rest. She stood up escorting the men towards her door and out of it. She looked to Amy and the same little girl she said “you can send the rest of them home, I’ve made my choice. Thanks again” she said in a somber tone. Her gut told her she was doing the right then, her mind was telling her she was going to fail. “Mr. Evans you can go with Amy she’ll lead you the rest of the way through” she said giving Amy a knowing look before she moved back into her office.

SAM EVANS

Sam watched her face as her hand extended towards him.  He didn’t believe in miracles, but this felt like one. He stepped to the desk’s edge and caught her hand in his.  “I won’t.” He said simply and honestly. He couldn’t.  He had only a passing thought about what she wanted him to do.  Somehow the idea of being a man servant kept popping into his head.  The idea seemed like a strong one. Live in, good memorization skills, while making good money. Sam Evans butler, wasn’t the life he’d seen for himself but it sure as hell beat being turned into a bitch. He moved to her nodding as she asked him to go with Amy. He stopped once level with his new employer.  “Thank you, again.” He said, before moving out of the room. His face lit up as he approached Addy, “I got the job!” He mouthed, opening his arms to his sister. Addy jumped into his arms, hugging his neck tightly.  “Told you.“ He shook his head against her neck. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know your psychic.” He held lowered her back to the floor, looking toward Amy, “What’s next?”

MERCEDES JONES.

Moved back into her office and released a loud breath as she stood with her back against her office doors. This would be the point in time when she knew she should just face the consequences to her own mistake. Why bring her assistant, a estranged man and his little sister in it? With the possibility of it not working shadowing her like a heavy burden. She swallowed hard as she exhaled again her chin quivering, she was going to lose everything and take three people down with her. It was selfish, but what would come of her being set back home and losing everything? She worked so hard, not just for herself but for her family. She built them a life beyond their wildest dreams, she couldn’t let them down, especially not her grandmother. The woman believed in her so much, she poured into Mercedes, it would just be a slap to the face if it would was flushed down the drain. She sniffled, quickly wiping a stray tear as she exhaled a third time.

Amy looked to Mercedes and then Mr. Evans, she honestly didn’t know what she was set to do next. They talked about it briefly but not enough to play along now. “Uh” she said looking to him as she tried to think of something quick. “I, uh” she stammered. “Well congratulations” she told him immediately. “Give me on second” she said lifting a finger as she moved to walk into Mercedes office knocking twice before she did. “With all do respect Ms. Jones, I have no clue what I am suppose to be doing right now” she whispered as she closed the door. “What is it that we are suppose to be doing right now?” she asked her.

Mercedes stood before her desk, sitting on it idly shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know” she said softly. “How do I tell someone, your job is to marry me to keep me in the states. This had to be the dumbest idea I’ve ever thought of” she told her. “I don’t know what’s next….”

SAM EVANS

“Thank you.” Sam said hesitantly.  “Do I need to do some paperwork or watch a video.“ He fidgeted for a moment before adding, “She mention something about housing” He said trying to help. As she moved towards Mercedes office, he turned Addy towards the chairs.  “Come on Addy, I guess we should go sit down.”

MERCEDES JONES.

“Well you have to do something because he’s out there, you promised him a job, and housing” Amy said seriously.

“Do you realize what you are doing?” Mercedes asked her “who could imagine what they would do to us if we get caught” she breathed out dropping her head back. “I didn’t think this through. I have completely lost my mind this will never work” she told her assistant.

“You know what I see that other people don’t?” Amy asked Mercedes seriously. “I see a hardworking woman, who diligently changed the face of one of the most important magazines in the World. You taught me the importance of being a strong woman in today’s society. In a male driven society, I’ve seen men bow at your feet and beg. You give to the poor. You feed the needy. You take your family on a vacation 3 times a year. You send as many cousins and family members, goods, clothing, whatever they need you give them. I don’t know much about island life but what I know is you are making their’s better each issue, each article, each ad at a time” she breathed. “Those men don’t see that, maybe the United States don’t see it but I do. I know the importance of you being here. I know what this all means to you. I am willing to give up a little piece of me to ensure you stay because I see all the good even when everyone else sees the bad” Amy told her. “We are here, it’s done, tell him what he’s here for. And honestly threaten his ass if he flakes” she said sternly before she covered her mouth with her hand slightly.

Mercedes looked to Amy folding her arms over her chest, her look was serious and off-putting but the more the girl talked the more her face fell. She was a private person but Amy would know her best, she never really realized how much she paid attention however. He family did mean the World to her and for the most part, she was doing it for them. So Amy was right, she needed to do this despite the guilt she felt at the moment. What was do, was already done and she couldn’t go back home. At her last statement Mercedes actually laughed, something that was foreign to the people around her. Under the hard shell and many layers was a bright and loving individual. “It seems I have no choice.”

SAM EVANS

Sam’s head laid back against the wall. He stared intently at the door behind which a portion of his future lay.  Or was this job to good to be true. Boy,It was starting to feel that way.  Amy was completely lost, she had no idea what to do with him, Why? Sitting up, his anger flared. “Addison, get your coat on.” he ordered. “What?” Addy shrieked.  “I don’t think there is a job.” He said, getting to his feet. He snatched up his sister’s book bag, holding if for her as she slowly shoved her arm in her jacket, wordlessly.

MERCEDES JONES.

Opening the door to her office Mercedes looked to the blonde, the little pathetic man her wife now depended on. “Going somewhere?” she asked him folding her arms over her chest again, for a woman who was ripping at the seams she tried her best to keep it together.

“I’ll go get those documents for you right now Ms. Jones, sorry about that hiccup” the girl lied scurrying off down the fall.

Mercedes looked to her nodding her as she played along, there were no damn documents. However she was sure Amy would come up with something, she was quick on her feet. “I thought I prepped her on everything, I didn’t so you get to spend this lovely evening with me” she said directing her office. “If you don’t touch a single thing little one you can sit at Amy’s desk…” Mercedes said looking to his sister.

SAM EVANS

Cold shock ran up his spine as her version of English rang out crisp in the air. He turned to face her, handing Addy her backpack, “Yeah I got the impression…” he was cut off by Amy apologizing and leaving the area at almost a dead run. “I’m sorry..  I made an assumption.” He confessed, green eyes bright, “My apologies.” He added, hoping his haste hadn’t cost him a job.

MERCEDES JONES.

“Apologies are nothing more but excuses I don’t care to hear either don’t apologize just correct yourself, and you are wasting my time doing so Mr. Evans. Get in my office or leave” she told him sternly. “Again, your sister can sit at Amy’s desk, I don’t like repeating myself so don’t make me do so” she told him. “You need a new wardrobe” she pointed out as she moved into her office, she paged the ever present Charlie. “I need a makeover, it’s a true task” she said looking back to Samuel. “Think Kid Rock… I need Josh Upshaw” she said and Charlie whistled on the other end. “I know, I owe you” she sighed. “Make it quick though” she warned as she hung up. “Make over, you’d have a lot of material to remember, by housing I meant rooming with me, you get close to six hundred thousand dollars from this job” she explained. “I need you to fake a marriage with me, it is very important” she told him. “You are basically all that I have at the moment to do this successfully. Amy is going to teach you everything about me, almost anything you could need to know” she told him.

SAM EVANS

“Noted.” Sam said emotionless, as she chastised him.  He stood for a second, jaw clenched as the flight option began to look appealing.

Addy placed both hands on her brother’s rear and gave him a hard shove. “Get going. You think to much.” She fussed, already moving  towards Amy’s desk.

Sam looked back at this sister, “Alright, you don’t have to push.” He chuckled. The truth was her bark was nothing. He was an uneducated member of the workforce, being bossed around was pare for the course. He looked down at his clothes as she mentioned makeover. ‘Yep’ he thought, ‘Man servant.’ He moved into her office, and stood behind the chair facing her desk, as she made her phone call.  He tried to imitate the butlers he had seen on TV as a child, standing hands behind his back, chin pointed up. His brows moved down his face a she so openly, berated his looks, however what did it matter, when did you ever see a butler look like him. His mouth hit the floor, “Did you just say? He moved around the chair dropping in the seat, mouth hanging open. Unblinking, his eyes were fixed on the woman’s nose.  “Let me get this straight.” He said hands going through his shaggy hair. “You are willing to give us room and board. /And/ a little over half a million dollars. For me to marry you? A” He hesitated snapping his fingers. “A green card marriage?”  

MERCEDES JONES.

The woman stared at him the least bit amused “first of all, don’t refer to it as such” she told him. “And I guess so…” she replied back to him. “Trust me this is the last thing I want to do, but I have to do it. So yes, room and board, a little over a half a million dollars, and I guess a few months of your time” she told him as she licked her lips. “If you don’t want to do it, I completely understand” she said seriously.

SAM EVANS

Sam’s eyes dropped to the carpet between his feet, as he sat hunched over in the chair.  What she offered was more then he’d seen in his life time. Even if, she wasn’t willing to name it? “No, I’ll do it. Can I ask for one additional thing? My sister’s school. Even once this partnership has dissolved, she remains in the school near your home.” he said eyes still on the ground.

MERCEDES JONES.

“You want her in a private school and want me to use my money and connections to get her there and keep her there?” she asked him curiously trying to follow his statement. She was still on the fence, it would take her a few days to really consider this all herself. “You aren’t even going to take time to think about this, you are just all in so easily?” she asked the man.

SAM EVANS

Sam sat back and rubbed his chin for a moment, considering her question. “I never thought about private school…“  He mumbled thinking out loud. “Private school, private school.. Could you use your connections to get her in? Access to an education like that… it could change her life.” Sam shrugged. This was still a game and at any point the rules could change. “You still have to actually show me the money. But as for the rest… I’ve already given you my word.  It’s you who has to do the considering. You have to trust a guy like me with your secrets, in your home. A woman like you?” I figure I’m on some kind of trial bases anyway.”

MERCEDES JONES.

“Why would I care you kept her in a public school nearby my home?” she asked the man curiously. He was going to be headache that she saw very clear now, very clear. “I could do something yes, by connections I mean my money. But however you word it…” she as she dropped her hands to her desk gripping it lightly. “You don’t think I have half a million dollars?” she questioned laughing at the man in his face. “You are question what I am good for?” she said as she stood upright. “Cash or check?” she asked him sarcastically. Who in the hell did this guy think he was talking to? “I don’t have time for a trail bases Mr. Evans. This is urgent if you haven’t noticed my career maybe even my sanity is on the line” she said as she rounded her desk. “I don’t have time for games and jokes” she added. “The most you’ll get from me today, fifty thousand of the pay out, a contract to sign, and the date and time you get to move into your new home. If you run with the money. Jokes on me. If you stay, you prove your word is your bond by memorizing everything you can about me and proving to be the best fake fiance you can be to get the rest of your money and your sister’s entrance into the best private school in the area. And I’ll do my best to keep up my part of the fantasy, learning everything about you though I don’t there is much I’d have to” she told him looking him up and down, there were no questions there. Only statements

SAM EVANS

“You are putting words in my mouth. I simply meant no money has changed hands yet.” Sam said, looking around the office face impassive. “You have all the power here. A blind man could see that.” The idea that he had offended her was laughable, he would lose if this charade didn’t work not her. He listened to her second lecture of the day, letting the words wash over him.  She took nearly everything he said out of context, or maybe he just didn’t have the proper words to communicate with someone on her level. It was of little importance though, a nail didn’t have to understand a hammer. He nodded, ear marking the important statements, fifty thousand up front, contract, date and time.  He smirk at her last dig, he was used to low blow comments like hers, he was raised on them. “Any thing else?” He asked getting to his feet. He didn’t care to be talked down to and looked down on at the same time. He would  have left her office. -Told her to keep her money. But he could see something he’d never dream of. A future where Addison could have an office like this one, money to spare.  A future where she didn’t get talked to like a nobody. He would endure every bruise this woman, or anyone else gave if it meant she never had to live in filth anymore. His fiance? Was a piece of work. he could see why she was hiring a husband. No man in his right mind would take on a woman like this.  “I can handle those terms. Like I said, you have my word.”

MERCEDES JONES.

“Hm” Mercedes said as he replied back to her, she didn’t like his tone. But she didn’t say too much she knew the woman she could become and she rather not be that person today. “Good” she said lowly “you can see Amy now, that’s who will turn out to be your best friend during all of this” she added as she moved to snatch up the folders from her desk. “I have things I have to get to” she told him “excuse me” she added as she walked out of the office completely. Meeting Amy at the door she looked to the child before she said “I’ll keep you posted, we may have to call some of those men back, hold on to those resumes and background checks” she told her discreetly as she walked away. “He’s all yours buttercup” she added sarcastically.

SAM EVANS

Sam wordlessly inclined his head as he moved to back out of the office.  He slowed though as she left ahead of him.  Scratching his head, was he supposed to leave or stay?  Finally he shrugged, she told him to go see Amy after all, and he was supposed to follow direction at once. He made it out of the room just as he was released to his handler? he looked down at Amy, moving to clear Mercedes path.  “Hi, I’m ready when you are.”

MERCEDES JONES.

Looking to Samuel, Amy handed over the contract “please sign this” she told him. “Here is the fifty grand” she said handing over the small tote bag “it’s in cash” she told him. “And I will meet you at this address on February twenty-first at exactly 3 pm” she told him. “You will move all your things in that day, if you need a mover let me know. Text me at this number” she pointed. “Once there I will tell you some things you need to know and get you situated in the apartment” she told him. “That is all” she said offering a slight but not too convincing smile.

SAM EVANS

Samuel scratched the side of his face then took the contracts from the lady. He flipped through the pages, only understand half of what it said. Turning back to the first page, everything finally clicked. “Prenup.” He mumbled, impressed by how clever this was.  He eyed the bag, letting it hang in the air for a moment, before he tucked the contract under his arm and slowly took the satchel. All of this had seemed like a joke, until the weight of fifty thousand was in his hands.  As she continued to speak he moved over to the desk and picked up a pen preparing to sign the papers. He hesitated, then flipped to the middle of the document. There it spelled out what he would get in the event of a divorce. All of it was there except the bit about Addy’s schooling. He read the passage over several times, then reread the whole document trying to commit it to memory.  “Cool,” he said, eyes going back to Amy.  "I need to be at this address at 3 pm on the 21st, check. He finally scribbled his name on the line provided. There wasn’t much cause for fear, this entire transaction was illegal. She had to depend on his word and he on hers. “Addy, get your things. It’s time to go.” he said, handing the paper work back to the woman. “Thank You.“ he said soberly, then took his sister’s hand. “Thank You Ms. Amy I have a blast.” Addy grinned, deciding that a hug would have been to much. Sam glanced toward his fiance’ door, then back to Amy, “We’ll be there.” he offered again before he moved to the elevators, pushing the down button.

MERCEDES JONES.

Amy watched the man, her hands clasped before her skirt as she waited for him to read the documents and sign them. “I hope it’s clear and straight forward” she told him. Amy nodded her head slowly “mhm” she told him as he repeated everything back to her. “Thank you and have a great day” Amy told Sam and she looked down at Addy, “so did I sweetheart” Amy said with a smile as Samuel set off to go. “See you then” she told Samuel as he moved for the elevator. The poor boy had no clue what he was getting himself into but with money involved she assumed people were willing to do just about anything.