#stillwater: event

[stillwaterca]

The time is 8:00 PM and guests have been invited into the ballroom for cocktails and dancing. Lord Reginald Thornton (Mayor Weston) has made an introductory toast, welcoming the guests into his home for an evening to remember.

During Lord Reginald's speech, CHARLES FITZROY (Noah Leveson) is seen scowling in the corner with disinterest. MRS. AGNES MURPHY (Mariposa Ortiz) has been busy collecting empty glasses from party-goers and cleaning up after the guests. A curious ARTHUR DAWSON (Josh Levin) has been seen eavesdropping on conversations, eager to find a story for his next article.

[dee-voss]

"Dude." Dee took a heavy, haggard lean back against the boardwalk timbers at the side of Benny's stall - which was mercifully empty, as they finished setting up for day two of all this. He hadn't been as much help as he'd wanted to be; just as much help as he could be, still sore from the night before, that set he hadn't expected. And all that staying out and up with Elly, after...

And. Today. Tomorrow. He had those other gigs, now. Just a few; any was wild, though. Seemed like it was a hell of a lot easier to misplace a guitarist than he'd ever figured. But - rolling his neck, carefully, Dee bit down hard on a wince. Then tried to finish that thought he'd had. "How - how strong do you make those special orders? Like..." He straightened a little, shoulders squaring. "Say I -" need, "- could use some mellowing out." Sounded better than hurting less. "But I've got shit to do, later. I don't wanna get totally knocked down, just..." he wavered, his bad hand, what'd been his good hand, before, circling in the air like the right words might be drifting by on that seabreeze. "It'd be real nice, to sand some of the edges off. You know?"

@bellstrom

[stillwaterstandard]

ISSUE: 001 — THE STILLWATER STANDARD (psd credit: cavalierfou)

EVENT LISTING

Enjoy a weekend of performances from:

DAY 1

Donna and the Dynamos • The Split Lips • Ten Inch Monkeys Dogrose • Arthur's Midnight English People • Red Revival

DAY 2

Lord of the Rock Weasels • The Stains • Pink Slip • The Beats Alan Ashwood • Blue Floyd • The Ladybugs

DAY 3

Dewey Finn • King • The Smashing Gourds • Dark Web Def Tiger • Dread Zeppelin • Stevie Kicks

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

BIRCH BAY TRAVELODGE

Avoid traffic by staying local! Accommodations will be available all weekend at festival exclusive rates. Show your ticket or proof of purchase when booking or select one of their special entry-included room packages!

BENNY'S BAKED GOODS

Ruby's very own baker, Benny Hellström, will be selling a variety of baked goods to hungry festival goers. From cookies and brownies, to pastries and cakes, there's something for everyone to enjoy! ...They call them BAKED goods for a reason, right?

GROOVES RECORDS

Like what you hear? Pick up a record to spin at home or sport a new tee to support your favorite artist! Exclusive festival merchandise will also be sold here.

KROQ 98.9

Stop by their tent to pick up some free merchandise from the local radio station or enter one of their contests! They will be giving away tickets to the festival all weekend long, as well as access to a grand prize meet and greet with the artist of your choosing!

THE RABBIT HOLE

This exclusive pop up will provide attendees with the opportunity to score a new festival look! Shop your favorite secondhand store while listening to the music you love.

READINGS WITH MARJORIE

Have you ever wondered what your future holds? Marjorie Dennison has all the answers! Stop by for a reading or shop a variety of crystals, handmade jewelry and trinkets.

TASTEE-FREEZ

A Birch Bay staple! Beat the heat with a cold ice cream cone or sundae. Festival exclusive flavour, Goodbye Sprinkle Fest, available for a limited time!

[dee-voss]

Dee hooked Elly's little finger with his own, making their promises just like they had for forever. Or just about, anyway. "Deal." Yeah, breakfast in bed had got her good. He'd head out early - God knew he'd be awake, as if he made it through a night solid - to pick up a few things, as the stores opened. Make sure it was the big deal it oughta be. Would anywhere still have sunflowers? Maybe. He'd find out.

And if his smirk tilted towards smug at that bit about bait, well. Who could blame him? Looking at Elly, with that smile of hers; cheek still just about sparking from that kiss, like they hadn't been all over each other since he got home. Home, with her, at long fucking last. "Hook, line, and sinker, yeah. Lucky me, hey? Hell of a catch." She sure was. God, they could get back to actually planning their day, now, the wedding they'd done so much waiting on - finally, her family be damned. Just like they'd sworn, after his number got called. "Just gotta survive the rest of the whole murder mystery, first," he teased, leaned in tight to her side, eyes closing like that'd settle the dizzy, sore spin his head was slipping into as the evening went on, his back stiffening up moment by moment under that suit jacket. Still - as nights went, he'd had worse. So much fucking worse. "Like our chances..."

Eloise might be grumbly about it, but she was still nodding in agreement as she tucked further into him. She had to admit, she didn't feel great and she'd like to feel better instead of consistently feeling like crap. If that meant taking a day or two and actually dragging herself to the doctor, so be it. ....Or so she was saying now. She might be singing a different tune come morning if she still felt gross, but she'd already given him full permission to nag her into compliance. "Cross my heart," she agreed with an over-exaggerated roll of the eyes (paired with a smile, at least, before she ducked in to kiss his cheek). "Provided I'm not feeling better, we'll go to the doctor tomorrow." Because, well, if she had to go she was dragging him along with her, especially since he'd already offered to drive. "After breakfast, in bed, because you've already bribed and I took the bait."

[bellstrum]

. » benny hellström as "samuel o'malley" ...the mansion's enigmatic groundskeeper

[rachelzeglerstyle]

Rachel out in Texas || March 8th, 2024.

Rachel Zegler wore the Aritzia ‘Evie Midi Dress’ ($148) and her Greige Stillwater ‘Kai Sherpa Denim Jacket’ ($59). She may have also been wearing the Aquazzura ‘Olie Plateau sandals’ (Sold Out).

[tales-from-elysivm]

Jinx x f!reader and their first kiss, date, time, fight, all that couple stuff short little pieces of girlies being cute

★。／ get jinxed ＼。★

pairing: jinx x f!reader

fandom: arcane

word count: 1,612

tw: canon typical swearing/slang, some light spoiler warnings, and some suggestive/NSFW content! MDNI!

notes: this is a fic i am really excited for! Thank you again for the request anon! It was really fun to write, and i got through it pretty quickly to be perfectly honest because of that haha. Not proofread because im tired, and i have no shame :D enjoy!

! be sure to like and reblog if you enjoyed !

➼ first date with jinx 

You worked under Silco delivering shimmer across Zaun. Of course, you knew you shouldn’t have been doing this, it could get you arrested without question and you’d find yourself in Stillwater. But it paid well, and working so closely with the Eye of Zaun meant you didn’t have to worry as much about danger in Zaun. People saw you as a god-send, you gave them their weekly hit, if anything, the danger made them respect you. 

It was during this time that you met Jinx, while picking up your next delivery of shimmer from Silco’s warehouse. She had been there to speak with him privately about some arson issue that happened in Piltover. You had heard briefly about a lanky, blue-haired girl that would build bombs in the open space beneath the warehouse, but it was rare that anyone had ever seen her. But you managed. Somehow.

She intercepts you on your trade route, setting bombs off in the street just across from one of your clients. Jinx claims to recognise you from skulking around the warehouse. And at some point her chaotic energy and her strange inability to sit still seems to lull you into some sense of security. She’s just the perfect idea of unpredictability that you needed in your otherwise boring Zaunite lifestyle. (Though you were very lucky, all things considered.)

Your first date is a simple diner one. At first, you didn’t even know it was a date, just that she wanted to do something fun with you. She takes you in to meet her favourite bartender Chuck, who seems to almost slink beneath the counter when she drags you in. I feel like Jinx would give you a little monkey bomb as a gift for your first date - though it isn’t set, it’s pretty harmless. Other than that she bombards you with strange bursts of Jinx-aligned humour, and rambles at length about her various inventions, promising to take you down to her workshop to show you everything, while tightly gripping your fingers with chipped blue nails. 

And something in those bright, blue eyes makes you think that maybe this unpredictability could be quite fun. 

‘Don’t ya get bored frownin’ like that?’ jinx drums her nails on her glass, the clinking echoing throughout the empty bar. It was quite odd, you reckon, for it to be this quiet, but maybe its just jinx. 

In her own way of trying to get a smile out of you she starts spouting some random jokes. Tries telling her own funny stories. They all mostly revolve around bombs or explosive presentations she’s organised at piltover events. Mainly the absurdity of it all gets a laugh out of you, or you just smile at the giddy, child-like happiness you see in her eyes. Something that seems so pure (ignoring the fact that she’s probably an arsonist and on several watchlists)

‘There ya go!’ she cheers, grabbing onto your hands and interlacing your fingers. You think maybe you should paint your nails too to match her, see if it makes her happy. ‘You look so much prettier with a smile, trinket’

➼ first kiss with jinx 

It was after your third or fourth date that you ended up spending your free time in the warehouse. Jinx begins showing you all the new inventions she’s making, and all her designs for cartoony monkey bombs, you even help her draw out a few, including a cutesy little cat one that she isn’t as fond of, but she still makes one for you. 

Most of your relationship consists of Jinx making you little trinkets, like keychains, safe bombs, little bracelets and rings, and strange, misshapen sculptures made of leftover metal pieces. 

She loves you, in a very Jinx-way. She’s touchy but never very pushy. Long hugs, cuddles on a couch that she has balancing on a metal propellor in her warehouse, letting you braid her hair when she’s tired (please brush her hair, she will melt, and she needs some softness), holding hands in Zaun or dragging you to her private meetings with Silco. Whether you like it or not, you have the Eye of Zaun as an adopted father figure now. He isn’t quite sure what to think about it either. 

It is one of those cuddle sessions, after she is plagued by the voices that taunt her, that you end up just holding her face into your neck and sitting with her. These are the most important to her, like she can feel safe for once. 

‘Thank ya toots,’ she curls around you, straddling your lap and looking down on you with an innocent pout on her face. You don’t have to ask what she’s thanking you for, this has become a pretty regular occurrence. 

In her moment of calmed silence, you untie one of her braids and begin to brush through her long, blue locks with your fingers. She immediately melts into your hands, leaning forward to lean into your chest, gazing up at you. 

‘I feel like ya deserve somethin,’ she says absently, tapping her chin with one nail. Then a mischievous smile crosses her lips. ‘C’mere!’

She eagerly grabs your cheeks, barely giving you a second to register what’s happening before she smushes your faces together. Her lips are chapped, but her kiss is so enthusiastic that you have to take a moment before returning it. Your hand grips her hair in between tight fingers. 

The rest of your cuddle sesh is spent with soft, hurried kisses.

➼ first fight with jinx 

You don’t often fight with Jinx, you don’t like to yell at her or be upset, and watch her usually gleeful expression drop into that of a kicked puppy. But you were worried about her this time. 

She had gone up to piltover against Silco’s wishes again, most likely to stir up trouble, so he decided to send you after her to drag her back to Zaun. When you had gotten there however, you found only the debris of her explosions, the spraypaint she loved, clouds of coloured smoke, and guards everywhere. 

And no Jinx.

No sign of her or where she could be, you had no choice but to return to Zaun before you got dragged into the oncoming investigation, empty-handed. You spend the rest of the day worrying over where she might be in her workshop, sitting with your head in your hands on the couch. Is she hurt? Captured? She could be dead for all you know.

So when she shows up again, seemingly ignorant to how long she has been gone or the stress she has caused, you can’t help but raise your voice, crying about how you had expected the worst. You scream back and forth for a bit before she leaves you to burn off her energy.

‘Hey trinket,’ the door to her warehouse screeches open, and she stands in the entrance, looking at you as you sit on the couch, barely even looking at her. ‘Ya still mad at me?’

She sighs when she doesn’t get a response, coming close to wipe at the dried tear-stains on your cheeks, setting down her tools and her guns to favour your face between her hands. Jinx makes sure you can see only her.

‘I’m sorry i vanished, i didnt mean to scare ya, honest.’ she pulls you down to lean into her shoulder, still stroking your cheeks with her fingers. ‘Can ya forgive me, trinket? I’ll make it up to ya, i promise.’

Jinx cuddles with you on the couch for the rest of the day, showering you in kisses at your request. Safe to say, you can’t stay mad at her for very long at all.

|| ! mdni content below ! ||

➼ first time with jinx 

Jinx has always loved touching you, whether it’s a hand on your knee, an arm around your shoulder, or a hug from behind. She just loves to be close to you. But when you begin talking about the idea of sex with her she immediately jumps on the idea (and probably jumps on you as soon as you bring it up, you only barely manage to drag her somewhere private)

She’s an enthusiastic lover in all things, of course. Fucking you isn’t going to be any different. But she’s gentle the first time, despite it all, she doesn’t really know what she’s doing, i don’t think Silco really prepared her for intimate relationships. 

But still, having sex with Jinx is amusing, its not serious, always cracking little jokes or tickling each other and finding little ways to be comfortable with the process. You can’t really find it in you to be nervous. 

She’d start slowly with you though, if you wanted, just to make you comfortable <3 

‘God trinket, ya look s’ pretty like this for me,’ she’s already slightly breathless, skirting her hands and dragging her chipped nails over your ribs. She lays you down on the couch in her warehouse, sitting between your thighs, looking up at you with half-lidded eyes.

‘Ya feel alright?’ she checks in occasionally, just to be sure. 

But she lets her hands wander at the same time, she can tell you aren’t going to say no just by the look in your eyes, urging her to continue. She lets her hands travel over your stomach and down in between your thighs, but she doesn’t hurry where you need her. No, she prefers to tease you. Just a little bit to get you squirming. 

When she does finally reach your core, dipping her fingers in between your folds, does she finally let up and give you what you want.

[b-lossm]

•+*Wilshire

FWB vi x reader hcs

Suggestive 18+

Synopsis: Your energy matched

•You and Vi met when Caitlyn Introduced you two, it was after she got out of stillwater and Cait realized that she left something vital to her case with you

•It was already late so you offered to let them stay at your place, you cooked a small dinner for the three of you and you and Vi just.. clicked, basically eye-fucking cross the table

•Next thing you know she's going down on you and poor Caitlyn Kiramman catches you

•That marked the start of yours and Vi's weird friendship

•You two where insanely close, sleeping together whenever you could, and when you weren't you where just together, enjoying each others company, she even took you on a handful of dates.

•You guys spent about two weeks together, only skipping like one day

•The day the explosion happened you where terrified, terrified that you wouldn't see two of your best friends ever again

•When you see Cait and Vi again everything is different, Vi suddenly didn't know what to talk about at all, only being able to recount the events of that night

•One night Vi visits you again but things are different, she tells you that you might not see each other agian

•you where obviously a mess, you and her had such complicated feelings about her but you always thought they would end with you two getting together by the time this whole jinx issue resolves

•After a week or so, Caitlyn comes back with no Vi?

•She tells you that Vi is somewhere in the underground and that she was too busy for her bullshit

•So you set off to go and find her

•Eventually, you find that she became a Pitfighter, and a good one at that, at least at the beginning

•You get enough money too attend one of her fights, when she got into the ring ouh, she looked stressed, the kind of stressed you knew exactly how to take care of

•and follow her to a bar afterwards, she almost spits out her drink when she sees you, swallowing her swig and leans in to feverishly make out with you and take her to her little apartment.

•yk what happens after....Dogtooth

———————————————————————

Tbh I only named it Wilshire because i kinda felt like it went with my idea of love at first sight but having to keep it fwb but also i hate cheaters so I'm not gonna write a fanfic about it.

[stillwaterca]

The time is 12:00 AM and guests have all submitted their ballots to DETECTIVE MORGAN. The ballroom is quiet as suspense fills the room, eager party-goers ready to claim their prize.

Finally, the detective opens the envelope, turning his attention to the crowd for pause before revealing that the killer is none other than...

Miss Clara Beaumont

Clara (Nour El Farouk) was seeking to secure her future by marrying into the Thornton family. Originally, she was just after the money, but genuinely fell for their son. When Harvey proposed, Reginald threatened to cut him off for marrying beneath their status. Despite being in love, Clara knew that they couldn't live without the wealth Harvey was accustomed to, so she murdered his father, knowing that if he died, they would be able to marry in peace and collect on his inheritance.

"Which means that we have two winners, Oliver Nielson (Louis René Janvier) and Charlotte Walton (Eloise Meadows), who will both receive our date night prize pack, including movie tickets to a show at Valley Oak Drive-In, free dinner at the restaurant of their choosing, and wine vouchers for The Mint." After announcing the winners of the contest, DETECTIVE MORGAN returns to the corn maze to invite SIR REGINALD THORNTON (Mayor Weston) inside and let him know that the game is over. Only when he reaches out to touch the man's shoulder, he's completely unresponsive. And uh oh... Is he breathing??

[dee-voss]

Shit, the Boardwalk was just about standing room only; which was usually a good sign, but. Dee could feel all the standing, yeah, and heaving, and lifting, and so on he'd done already today. This week. That's why he'd stopped in at this whole festival deal early - early, seeing as Elly wouldn't be done with work and ready to meet him for a while yet. He'd wanted to feel it a bit less. And if he was gonna stay and listen, he was gonna have a drink. Obviously. Just a Jack and coke - he had to drive back to Willowdale, at some point. That in hand, Dee... glanced through the crush of buzzed, beaming faces, checking the precious few seats he'd clocked on his way to the stage. Feeling it, yeah: the sharpening of that so-far dullish ache cutting around and under all those insensible streaks and knots of scar, knee to neck. He started on his drink, already regretting that he'd made it a single. Force of habit.

Sidling, stiffly, through the slow between-set churn of the crowd, Dee came up alongside a bench somebody else had half-claimed, the red of her long hair copper-bright in the sunset. "Hey, uh - you mind?" He'd pointed out the space, then, quick, did his best to brush aside the sorta things she might've thought. "I'm just here for the bar and the music, man. No bullshit. Promise."

@psychedelicsunflwr

[dee-voss]

Should've been sooner, but. Dee half-nodded through that prickle of guilt. He'd needed a little longer than he'd figured to find his way to some kinda privacy; there should've been plenty. (Who needed a house this size? Christ.) But the whole damn town had turned out, seemed like, and so he'd had to go hunting. Toking in a bathroom was too damn high school - that was the kind of smoke he'd needed, though. Just a couple drags to quiet the way all those singed nerve endings had got to buzzing, like white-hot filaments about to burst inside a bulb. Then a minute, two, in the night. Just to air out. Soak it in.

And come back better. If a touch out of it. That Dee? He blinked, about as surprised as Nour. "Guess so? Wouldn't've figured there were too many of us to choose from," he grinned, starting on the glass of champagne he'd snagged on his way back in. No, he'd... never met another, come to think of it. "Yeah, we -" Dee paused, trying to think of how best to put that. How they'd met, already. Elly didn't need the details; the first time, that'd been a private sort of thing. Breaking down, like that, it always was. He wasn't gonna embarrass Nour any by bringing it up. Or - or get into what'd taken him to the post office, for their second meeting. Seeing as he hadn't solved any of that, anyway...

"We have." There. Enough. "That's sweet, man," he added, veering towards what Elly'd said about who Nour was, to her. One of my best friends. Cool. God knew he'd needed plenty of friends, over there. Of course Elly would've, too. "I'm just - I'm glad you had some more people around, for everything." That smile curled high enough to scatter crow's feet around his tired eyes, sliding from Nour to Eloise; always, back to Eloise. "Elly's as good as it gets, hey? Best friend anybody could ever hope for," he went on, smiling through a soft kiss to Elly's temple. His best friend, and then some.

@nourfk

I just need to find him. Nour smiled, but she was sure Elly was too wrapped up in finding Dee to figure that her eyes said otherwise. As she started looking amongst the crowd, Nour began panicking. Every fiber in her being was begging her to escape. She started to reason that Elly would understand if she told her she wasn't feeling well. That they always had 'next time.' As far as she knew, Nour was as excited to meet Dee as much as Elly wanted them to meet. She had to be happy. But she wasn't— and she knew she'd feel this way, one way or another, but she never imagined it'd be this soon. It was a silly thought, of course. Nour had known Dee for a few months now, but she supposed it was her own delusion that protected her from what was real. And now, it was coming to bite her in the ass.

She spotted him almost the same time Elly did. She immediately looks away, hoping he wouldn't spot her right away. Nour turns off to the side as he makes his way closer, fixing her hair and outfit nervously. She heaves a deep breath as they start speaking, turning slowly with a pressed grin. Their eyes meet and Nour responds by raising her brows in an effort to seem surprised. She was a good liar, but that only proved to be true in letters and over the phone when she'd talk to her parents. She didn't really know if that was also true in person. "Oh!" she pulls back, pointing at him. Her heart starts beating fast, but she ignores it. Or, at least, she tries. "Dee? —Wait, you're that Dee?" Every line made her stomach churn, her smile falling every time she didn't have to speak. @eloisemeadows

[stillwaterstandard]

ISSUE: 002 — THE STILLWATER STANDARD (psd credit: cavalierfou)

Mayor David Weston has died. In a chilling turn of events at the annual Halloween Party at the picturesque, historic Merill Branch Estate, Mayor Weston, who had been portraying the murder victim in the murder mystery game, "A Murder at Merrill Branch Manor," met a truly grim fate last night. What began as an evening of spooky fun and intrigue quickly escalated into a night of real horror when the game's fictitious crime scene became all too real. The murder mystery game, a tradition cherished by the town, was set to unfold in the sprawling Merrill Branch Manor. Eager partygoers had donned their 19th century best, ready to immerse themselves in a tale of deception, suspense, and, ultimately, discovery. Mayor Weston, known for his enthusiastic participation in community events, took on the role of the ill-fated victim. As the evening progressed, tensions rose within the confines of Merrill Branch Manor, and excitement reached its peak. Then, amidst gasps and startled whispers, a chilling scream filled the air. What was initially thought to be a part of the game turned into a grim reality when it was discovered that Mayor Weston had been genuinely, and tragically, murdered. The Stillwater Police Department swiftly cordoned off the area and initiated a thorough investigation. At this time, details surrounding the murder are scarce, and authorities remain tight-lipped about potential suspects. Detectives are reportedly combing through clues, witnesses' statements, and any evidence that might shed light on this unexpected tragedy. Town residents, friends, and colleagues of Mayor Weston have expressed their shock and sorrow, remembering him as a dedicated public servant and a beloved figure in the community. The abrupt end to this Halloween night has cast a somber pall over the usually festive occasion, leaving the community in disbelief.

Anyone with information about the murder is encouraged to contact the Stillwater Police Department.

[venomwrites]

I’d love to see a Caitvi fic that explores Vi’s trauma. Maybe her time in stillwater or the events of s2

Warnings: Season 2, Act 2 spoilers. Takes place pre-act 3. Mentions Stillwater trauma, panic attacks and injuries.

“I thought you might be here.”

The rasp of Caitlyn’s voice makes her insides twist, even though Vi clings desperately to the idea that it’s the least of what Caitlyn deserves. The Kiramman banners are hanging all around them like some sick joke. Vi knows she’s ripped these ones in particular down several times. She wants to do it again. 

She can’t stand seeing the Kiramman Crest dangling near Vander’s face. 

“Someone kept tearing down the banners here and setting them on fire,” Caitlyn continues. 

“Couldn’t take the hint then, can’t take it now,” Vi says, clinging to the dull ache of her anger to turn around. Caitlyn’s wrapped herself in a blanket to hide her face, “you forget your dictator cloak?”

Caitlyn immediately looks offended which is borderline funny, considering she looks more like a drowned rat than a dictator or even an Enforcer. She looks like a dumb Topsider. Like everything Vi wanted her to be these past months. Something in Vi curls in shame at the thought but she beats it back. This is how it is. 

“We need to get inside,” she says. 

“I’m good, thanks,” Vi retorts, turning back to the statute. 

She’d heard rumors of it when she was in Stillwater. People protected it, it was where you went after a long night so your friends could scrape you off the sidewalk. It was safe. If you found Vander, you were safe. The thought makes her throat burn as she tries to shove out the sound of that roar. 

She doesn’t even hear Caitlyn coming until her hand lands on her shoulder. 

When she twists to strike back Caitlyn’s other hand is there, easily blocking her. Anger ignites at the insulting ease of it. She doesn’t even fully think before she cracks her head into Caitlyn’s arrogant cheek. Whoever’s trained Caitlyn is good because she doesn’t reel back, she turns and twists and Vi has to sink to keep her feet on the ground. Her chest aches as it tears but she doesn’t give a shit. She’s had worse.

“Hey!” There’s a loud clap of a voice that makes them both freeze, “no fighting at Vander’s Statute!”

Caitlyn’s touch burns worse than her chest. Vi rips herself free and staggers back. The big hulking guy looks at her and his face contorts in confusion before it settles on a glare Vi would love to knock off. He folds his arms and waits to see what she’s going to do.

“Yeah we’re done,” Vi snarls.

“The rules—“

“I know the fucking rules! Fuck off!” 

“Melting bitch.”

Vi starts after him. Forget Caitlyn, forget the statute, it’s going to feel great to beat him until her knuckles split. And then beat the bag at home. Until she’s too exhausted to think straight and the ghosts can’t find her. It’ll be so fucking great. 

“Vi,” Caitlyn’s face swims in front of her like it always does when she’s about to make a good decision. 

“Move, fucking buzzkill,” she says, waiting for it to turn into someone else. 

Except Caitlyn doesn’t, she just clucks her tongue in a way that only actual Caitlyn manages to do. Vi realizes the guy is gone. It’s just her, Caitlyn and the stupid statute. There’s no fighting here but she can’t quite stop herself from jumping up, grabbing one of those stupid banners and yanking it down so it falls on top of Caitlyn’s stupid head. 

“That’s a great use of your time,” Caitlyn scolds, yanking the banner down, “you’re bleeding again.”

“Like I give a shit,” Vi snaps. 

“Well, I do,” Caitlyn says like it’s somehow easy to say that. Like that undoes the past months and all the shit that came before that.

“Well sucks to be you,” Vi snarls, “I’ve been down here for months. Wasn’t a problem for you then. So go back to the safe house or wherever you’re going and fuck off.”

Caitlyn doesn’t retort and Vi wishes she would. Vi knows how to fight. She’s good at fighting—at all of it. Including getting her ass kicked. She doesn’t want to be standing out here in the rain with Caitlyn and hear her sorry attempt at amends. She keeps staring at Vander’s statute and thinks abut his letter to Silco. About how things could have been so much different. 

Caitlyn is still there when she turns around. 

“Where’s the stupid safe house?”

She hates asking but her head is starting to swim. Caitlyn gives her a look and then turns. Thankfully not saying anything as she leads them down several alleyways. If it had been months ago Vi would have been mildly impressed. Now it just pisses her off. Caitlyn gets them indoors and discards her cloak as Vi tries to get her head to catch up with her feet. 

“You’re burning up,” Caitlyn mutters. 

“I’m fine,” Vi says, wishing her voice didn’t sound so breathless, “it’s just a cold—“ Caitlyn slaps her hand on the back of her forehead and fuck that feels good, “m’fine.”

Maybe if she’s agreeable Caitlyn will keep her perfect hand there. Just for a moment. But life’s not fair so it goes away leaving Vi reeling. A different hand presses against her chest and the ocean threatens to swallow her again. They’re going to hold her down, hold her against the chair—

“Vi,” Caitlyn’s face swims into view as the hand shifts to grip her shoulder, “we’re going to go to bed.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she says. 

Caitlyn rolls her eyes and Vi stays conscious just long enough to see the concern in them.

Next thing she knows, she wakes to the soft sound of sobbing. 

Vi pries an eye open to see Caitlyn sitting in the chair, face buried in her hands and shoulders shaking. She’s weeping in a way that feels like someone’s reached into Vi’s insides and knotted them. She tries to tell her to stop but her sandpaper mouth won’t let her form words. Just a thready sound that makes everything hurt worse.

“Vi?”

Well it’s fucking effective at least. 

Caitlyn ineffectively wipes her face and then one hand is under her neck and another is tipping water down her throat. She gently lays he head back and it makes that funny thing happen to Vi’s insides again. Caitlyn peers at her anxiously, which would be adorable if it wasn’t so fucking weird. Vi’s used to curling up in a dark hole when she’s sick, not having someone tipping water down her throat. 

The next time she opens her eyes she’s much clearer in the head. Caitlyn is by the table laying out things and jumps up when she sees Vi is awake. 

“That for me?”

“Yes, for your chest.”

Vi can’t stand the idea of laying down and makes her way over to where Caitlyn is standing.

Catilyn opens the bottle of antiseptic and it smells like safety. 

Caitlyn glances up at her and then immediately goes back to her chest. It stings like that shit always does but that’s a small price to pay. She barely hears Caitlyn mutter a swear with her still raspy throat, but it’s enough to make her glance down to see her eyes are full of tears. Again. 

“It’s not that bad,” Vi says, wishing she would stop, “this is nothing.”

Caitlyn drops the antiseptic like she’s been struck and gets up. 

“This is weird, even for you,” Vi says slowly, “Cupcake?” She tries. 

“I had to wave that bottle under your nose to get you to calm down,” Caitlyn says, “and I realized—“ she looks like she might be sick, “the infirmary was the only place that was safe for you.”

Vi’s mouth goes dry at the accusation and the truth. Caitlyn’s a crack shot and makes stupid choices and Vi’s been reminding herself how much she fucking sucks for the past few months. But Caitlyn figured out so much without even setting foot down here. She’s smart. In the same way Powder is, though Vi knows she’d get slapped by both of them for even thinking it. Smart in a way that Vi has never fully been able to comprehend. Though she’s got no problem comprehending how much she hates the look on Caitlyn’s face. 

“It’s in the past,” she says.

“Don’t—“

“Don’t what?” she demands, “talk about this with you? What do we have to say? You’re the one in charge here, you’ve got everything from Stillwater,” Caitlyn turns away. It’s a cold, awful feeling that Caitlyn probably now knows more about her time in Stillwater than even Vi does, “there’s nothing to talk about,” and because Caitlyn opens her mouth Vi throws in, “nothing to talk about with you.”

It’s not like it’s the first time she’s patched herself up. Sure as hell won’t be the last. But it’s easier to focus on this than Caitlyn’s beautiful, stupid face. It’s just the first wrap that’s the hardest. And the weird trouble she’s having focusing isn’t making it any easier. When hands touch the bandages she has to remember the smell of antiseptic to remind herself she’s safe. 

“Hold still,” Caitlyn says, “this will be faster if I do it.”

Vi wishes she wasn’t right. But she stands still as Caitlyn winds the bandages around her chest. She tries not to touch her but it’s bandages and skin. Every time her nails brush her, Vi feels pinpricks. Like getting tattooed all over again. She can’t even imagine what the state of her tattoo is. She starts when Caitlyn brings the bandages over her shoulder. 

“What are you—“

“They won’t stay otherwise,” she says and Vi wishes she didn’t have a point. 

Even though she’s angry, it doesn’t feel bad to have Caitlyn behind her wrapping her up. It feels so not-bad that she almost starts talking when she feels her pull away. It’s for the best, the farther Caitlyn is away the less it’ll hurt when this inevitably happens again. 

“Here,” Caitlyn appears in front of her with a handful of cloth.

“What’s this?”

“A shirt.”

“I’m good,” Vi says.

Even red eyed and snot nosed, Caitlyn manages to look prim and offended at her refusal. 

“You cannot walk around wearing bandages for a shirt.”

“No,” Vi says, clinging to the spark of anger Caitlyn is so fucking good at igniting in her chest “you can’t tell me what to do.”

“You’re being ridiculous. You cannot shoot down everything I say because I am the one saying it,” Caitlyn says hotly and Vi wishes she would shut off that brilliant brain of hers for five seconds and let her have the win, “just wear the stupid shirt!”

“Make me!”

“You sound like a child!” Caitlyn erupts and there’s something viciously triumphant about managing to piss her off finally. 

“Well you killed enough of them to know!” 

“And who helped me?!” 

The next thing Vi knows they’re both on the ground. She’s straddling Caitlyn with her stupid precious shirt balled in one fist and the other is buried into the wood next to Caitlyn’s eye. Of course there’s already drops of blood on Caitlyn’s cheek but Vi knows it’s her own. She can barely feel the burning of her chest wound anymore through the fire in her veins. 

“Do it!” Caitlyn barks.

Gods Vi wants to. Caitlyn wants her to. She deserves it, she fucking does. But that thing in Vi’s chest that sounds like Vander and his regrets is screaming. And she just—she fucking can’t. Angry horror paints Caitlyn’s face when she drops her shirt and suddenly Vi finds herself on her back, Caitlyn on top of her panting. She looks down at her limp hands and a strangled, frustrated noice that Vi’s never heard comes out. 

“Come on damn you! Do it!” 

Caitlyn’s desperation is more cutting than anything Vi could have imagined. In her mind, Caitlyn is always laughing and towering over her. Always just out of reach of any punch she might throw. And every fucking time she throws one and her fist hits air or someone else, she feels something sickeningly close to relief. No, relief is the word for it, it’s what she feels with her fist aching from the wood instead of Caitlyn’s soft skin. Caitlyn makes a wordless, wounded noise of disappointment and goes to shove off her. 

And Vi doesn’t let her. 

For a moment Caitlyn looks hopeful Vi’s going to hit her but then she realizes she’s just not going to let her go. Yeah Caitlyn’s got her fancy Noxian training but she has yet to learn the thing that saved Vi’s life more times than she’s proud to admit. Dead weight. Her ear rings when Caitlyn yells again and she has just enough in her to clap her hand over her mouth. 

“You’re going to get us both killed,” she mutters and that at least kind of shuts Caitlyn up. 

“Get off me,” Caitlyn spits. 

“Not until you calm down,” Vi snaps. Caitlyn bucks and tries to shift her off but it’s useless. Finally she stops struggling and just lays there panting, “there, was that so hard?”

“You’re unbelievable,” Caitlyn spits, pushing herself up. 

“I’m not the one who was just begging to get punched,” Vi counters. 

“How am I supposed to make this right if you won’t even punch me?” Caitlyn demands. 

“You’re asking me?” Vi demands incredulously. Caitlyn rolls her eyes and it might be the first funny thing Vi’s heard in a long time. She doesn’t fully mean to laugh but she can’t quite help herself at the idea of Caitlyn asking her for advice on making things right, “you might as well ask me for dinner party advice.” 

That gets at least a slight smile out of Caitlyn and for some reason, that makes her laugh harder. Vi knows it’s not that funny but it actually is. Tear-inducing funny, actually, if the wetness from her eyes is any indication. And the way she can’t quite catch her breath. 

“I mean, I couldn’t even make things right with Powder and that was like the one thing that kept me going,” she says, “Powder found me. After all that—can you believe it? Isn’t that just the funniest fucking—“ 

Actually it’s so funny she might be sick. 

She thought she was off the ocean. 

“Vi,” Caitlyn’s voice swims to her from somewhere far away. Her fingertips are more calloused now as they brush under her cheekbones. It’s a lifeline, though it’s probably going to cut her hands open. But she grabs it, feeling air back in her lungs as long as she follows the breathing she can feel, “that’s it, come on, another one.” The smell of the infirmary hits her nose, she’s safe. Right, she’s safe, “that’s it.”

When she’s aware again Caitlyn is crouched in front of her, one hand on her cheek and the other with the bottle of antiseptic shoved under her nose. Vi jerks back and Caitlyn lets her. Right, they’re in the safe house. And she’s managed to rip open her chest again. The red matches the hair she sees swimming in her gaze.

“What happened to my hair?” 

Caitlyn seems to sag with relief but bristles under her accusatory glare. 

“Did you—“

“No!” Caitlyn says, “you didn’t dye it properly. It washed out.”

“Shit,” is all she can think to say, “hey I ‘dyed it properly’, the stuff was just crap. Fucking bartering.”

“Why didn’t you wait until you had money to do it properly?”

The anger almost ignites but it’s a dull, angry spark instead of the inferno that’s comforted her. Of course Caitlyn would think she was changing her look because of some reason like that. Probably what everyone thought.

“Everyone was looking for a red headed Enforcer,” she says. Caitlyn stares at her, “did that not occur to you when you left me there?”

“No, God—“ Vi braces for more explanations and excuses. Maybe those will get the anger going and they can get back to rolling around on the floor, “I wasn’t thinking of anything,” Caitlyn looks queasy, “I was out of my mind.”

The anger’s not coming and the weariness is also back. It’s comfortable on the floor though, so she doesn’t try to move. Her fingers turn over the antiseptic bottle. It’s weird to think it’s the first time she’s ever held something that smells so comforting. It blows her mind to think how many bottles they probably went through. And even then wounds were underrated. 

“Not anymore.”

Shit, Vi realizes she must have said some of it aloud. She glances over at Caitlyn who is staring down at her hands. 

“What—“

“I ordered all prisoners to be treated promptly for everything,” she says and Vi can’t quite believe her ears, “I forbid anyone from using the bottom levels.”

The mention of them makes Vi’s breath catch. She focuses on the bottle, only the bottle and shoves those memories where they belong. She can usually keep herself out of the cell but she’s bad at keeping herself out of the hallway. And the jeering voices as she was dragged there over and over again. The idea of that corridor being silent is unfathomable. 

“You shut it down?” She says, not believing her ears, “why?”

“No-one belonged down there,” she says. Vi still finds it hard to wrap her head around what she’s saying, “Except Dr. Reveck.” 

The name makes Vi want to vomit. She doesn’t want to think about him or what he did to Vander. How Vander got from Vander to that—that thing. Because if she thinks about it, then she starts to feel like she’s going to cry. And she can’t fucking do that right now. 

“Good,” she says, scrubbing her face. She looks down at her chest, “can you—“

“Yes, yes of course.”

Caitlyn looks almost relieved at having something to do. Vi feels so spent, she knows she shouldn’t but she lets herself focus only on where Caitlyn’s hands brush her skin. Caitlyn’s too focused on what she’s doing anyway to notice. It feels—almost nice. Maybe she can just have this moment. Before she’s sure everything’s going to go to shit again. 

“Pass me the shirt,” she says finally. 

Caitlyn lets out a shaky breath and hands her the fabric. It was definitely cleaner however long ago that was, but it works. Of course it’s expensive, soft and feels nice against the skin. Vi wants to rally against it but it feels nice. And Caitlyn looks so fucking sad. So she just gives her a nod of thanks. 

“Let me see your throat.” 

Caitlyn’s head whips towards her. Vi rolls her eyes at the surprise on her face and motions when she opens her mouth. Caitlyn looks around as though struggling with the decision but ultimately relents. She walks over slowly and sits in font of her, reaching up and undoing the cravat band with a wince she thinks she hides. 

The bruises are spectacular, even by Vi’s standards. 

“Robo fingers did a number on you,” she says. Caitlyn shrugs as Vi gets up and over to the icebox. There’s little in there but there’s enough for her to toss some into a spare towel. She can see the objection on Caitlyn’s face.

“I’m—“

“It’ll make this all better,” she challenges.

Caitlyn goes red but takes the ice. Vi goes to the cabinets. 

“You’re going to use that a lot, aren’t you?” Caitlyn asks quietly. 

“Only when you’re being stupid,” Vi says. 

“I am—“

“I said being, not that you are,” she replies, “that’s what makes it so frustrating. Here.”

Caitlyn stares at the spoon of honey. Vi gives it a wiggle and Caitlyn huffs but takes it, putting the syrup into her mouth. Vi knows shit about taking care of people, but something feels not awful about Caitlyn sitting there with the spoon hanging out of her lips and the ice pack pressed to her neck. 

Despite everything she doesn’t want to see Caitlyn hurt. 

It’s an odd comfort but the truth of it seeps into her bones. Like a pulse. Like the thing Vander always used to say. Protect the family. Protect. For so long the only things Vi had to protect were herself and the hope that Powder was out there somewhere. Everything has gone upside down and then somehow back to that again and now to whatever this is. 

“The antiseptic thing was smart,” she says. She hears Caitlyn suck in a breath, “I don’t want to fight right now,” she looks around, “I’m—I’m going to Vander’s statue again.”

The air feels nice as she climbs up. It’s not raining anymore, just overcast. It’s almost nice. Vi hesitates for a moment and then realizes she’s waiting to hear if the door is going to open behind her. It’s so stupid. She shoves her hands into her pockets and glances around for landmarks before heading back out. Waiting was so stupid. 

Though not nearly as stupid as the relief she feels when she hears Caitlyn’s stumbling feet. 

“You still navigate this place like a Topsider.” 

“Shut up. It’s the blanket.” 

Vi can’t help the snort at the threadbare blanket Caitlyn’s using as a cloak. There’s a twitch of Caitlyn’s lips in response before she shakes her head and tightens the knot. It’d be safer for her to be back in the safe house. Or for Vi to be there with her. 

But they press on anyway and somehow, Vi thinks, the road ahead seems less daunting then it did a moment ago. 

The statute is harder to see in the daylight. But Vi forces herself to look. It’s hard to think that Vander is laying twisted somewhere far away. It makes this statute feel wrong somehow. And also right. Vi doesn’t understand if this is how she is supposed to remember him or should it be the beast below who recognized her. Who turned into that snarling, lava thing that roared and screamed and makes her head spin to think about it. 

The ripping sounds draws her attention. 

There would be something funny about this situation if it wasn’t so weird. Caitlyn doesn’t need to jump nearly as high to get the banner and rip it down. Vi watches as she yanks it down and balls it up. Now it looks like Vander is just tilting his head up, not looking at Caitlyn’s banner. 

“Thanks,” Vi says. Caitlyn nods, “they’re not as bad—“

“They’re horrible,” Caitlyn says, “I didn’t want them,” she elaborate, something mournful in her tone. 

“We’ll get them down,” Vi says. 

Caitlyn looks at her with surprise and Vi shrugs. Sure it might make more sense to keep lines drawn. But it’s one of the first things she’s said that she doesn’t want to immediately take back. Caitlyn opens her mouth and then closes it, nodding before Vi can prod an answer out of her. 

“Thank you.” 

“Don’t—“

Vi shuts up when she realizes it wasn’t her Caitlyn was talking to. She has no idea where Caitlyn got a candle from. Vi thinks for a moment that seeing fire near him is going to cripple her, but it doesn’t. It’s not the fire he died in. It’s like the fire he used to light their home. Or his pipe. No-one around here knows what happened except them. She watches as Caitlyn lights the candle and puts it near his feet, stepping back and lowering her head. 

Because Caitlyn met him. 

The realization brings her to the ground. All the shit that happened and the second Vi said she was there to protect her dad, Caitlyn was on board. When Caitlyn got those bruises she was protecting her dad. They met and somehow that means more to Vi than she can put into words. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—“

“No,” she cuts her off and tries to wipe her face away, “it’s nice. It’s—“ she doesn’t know how to say what she wants, “at least you got to meet him.”

“I’m so glad I did,” Caitlyn says and the sincerity in her voice unlocks something deep and yawning in her chest. 

“He wasn’t a monster.”

“I know,” Caitlyn assures her.

“They’re going to find him and think--“ she gasps, “Cait—“

“It’s alright,” Caitlyn’s voice is steady as she touches her face, “we’ll find him first.”

“But—“

“We’ll go back,” she says, “I’ll send out search parties and we’ll find him.”

“It’s too late—“ Vi starts, shaking her head. 

Something hardens across Caitlyn’s face and before Vi can stop her she shoves back her hood, sticks her fingers in her lip and lets out the loudest whistle Vi’s ever heard. Immediately two Enforcers are running at them and practically trip over themselves at the sight. 

“General Kiramman!” They both immediately salute. 

“We need immediate transportation topside,” she says, blocking Vi from them as she tries to scrape together something resembling control.

“Yes, General.”

“And assemble two garrisons for immediate dispatch,” she glances around, “and see these banners are removed from this square.”

There’s more Enforcers coming. Caitlyn can’t hide her forever. Vi looks up at Vander and his hope and the candle Caitlyn’s left. She finds her feet and steps besides Caitlyn. The confused look the Enforces give shouldn’t bug her nearly as much as it does. 

“General? What about her?”

“I’m with her,” Vi says.

Caitlyn stares at her for a moment and things seem to go soft and quiet. Again, Vi finds the words easier to say than she expects. They feel right. Even though she’s got snot coming out of her nose and Caitlyn is standing there making a blanket look like a fashion statement. Caitlyn ducks her head and then her eyes narrow. 

“What are you all staring at? You have your orders! Let’s move!”

So Vi lifts one foot and, with Caitlyn by her side, she moves. 

[nourfk]

When & Where: KROQ98.9 ... in the early afternoon! (Day 2)

📻 @swstarters

Nour never really considered herself to be the 'groupie' type. To even consider herself a 'fan' of someone was a far stretch. Everything seemed to change, however, when they announced that Pink Slip would be performing. Nour had stumbled upon the girl band by chance, immediately falling in love with them when she heard them on the radio. It was a wonder why she had never called herself a fan until now, considering how excited she was just to see their name on the lineup. Standing near the tent of KROQ98.9, Nour was determined to earn some merch —or, if the heavens wanted— a meet and greet! She had been waiting for the announcements for Day 2's contest for a good while now, anxiously watching the hosts replacing merch not for Pink Slip. She sighs, wondering if she'd have to wait for The Stains to finish their set before she got to hear anything about the band she's been waiting for. "Excuse me, were you here yesterday?" she asks the person nearest to her. "Do you happen to know when they're gonna announce the next contest?"

[mfniccals]

"Was it the accent or my impeccable British features?" The only thing that stands out besides the sickly skin color is his nose, which was probably once very prominent just like his fathers. If only it hadn't been broken eight times. "I'm from Stoke-on-Trent. You must be from the Cartoon Alterworld..."

He does NOT allow Danny a second to think about that.

"Like it? It's practically my whole life," he pats a hand on the case he's wheeling around. "I'm solo musician at the moment. Or I am trying to be...Bass, guitar, drum machine, banjo....you know someone looking? I'm trying to figure out...this thing"

He wheels the containers back and forth slightly. From the label attached to it, it's equipment for a bass and synthesizer. The Stillwater Pizza Incident is currently lacking someone to handle the Korg, though looking at this guy he's pretty sure that he isn't the same. Those hands look too soft, no strong callouses.

"Murdoc Niccals, you've never heard of me."

Well admittedly, he wasn't sure he'd ever seen a human like this. But hey, it took all types to make the world, right? Given his sensitive sense of smell, it wasn't... the most pleasant situation to be in. But it was a change from the constant chocolate, and strawberry of the malt shop, that was for sure. At least he hadn't ruined any equipment, thank goodness.

"Squirrel? I'm a cat, see?"

He emphasizes his tail, which isn't anywhere near as fluffy as a squirrel's would be. It's long, yes, but it's also thin, much like the rest of Danny's body. Did red squirrels look the way he did? He wasn't sure, back in Kokomo, the only squirrel he'd met was the owner of the repair shop, and he was a light brown squirrel. Pretty standard for the area.

Darker fur meant warmer insulation.

"I'm not sure, really. Y'see, I've only been here for about three weeks. But I'll be a big name someday! I'm gonna be a star, I've been singing and dancing since I was a kitten!"

The feline's face brightened up. If Murdoc was looking for exploitable targets, he'd just found one. This cat was still embarrassingly gullible when it came to other people. Probably because everyone back home was so genuine, he never had to develop the skill of avoiding manipulation.

"I take it you're not from around here either?"

His smile grows a bit nervous. Look how sharp those teeth are...

"Do you like music?"

[bellstrum]

When & Where: Benny's Baked Goods... late afternoon! (Day 1)

🍪 @swstarters

As a large crowd starts approaching Benny's booth, he starts up his speech again without much thought. "Cookies, sliced pies, chocolate-covered pretzels— we've got it all," he says loudly, pausing when he meets eyes with those that are listening. "Well, we might have it all." He then gestures to the samples placed before each bagged good; cookies cut into small pieces, pie, and brownie cubes displayed before them. "Take a sample— but only take one. I'm watching," he adds menacingly... though not intended. As a few start approaching him, Benny gives them a smile, feeling a presence at the end of the line. He briefly eyes them, looking back at the family circling around the cookies. "Interested in anything specific?" he asks, taking a moment before turning to them. Perhaps they were interested in something... specific.