#tablemate original

[rottendeadpan]

hello! I'm saving up art to post something that isn't just scribbles, but until then I wanted to (finally) share this little Tagalong I'd drawn/designed a bit ago

She's a will-be-adopted white bunny girl twisted off Tagalong from Robin Hood that comes into Deuce & Faure's life when they're much older. Say... 'would have been on post-school career path for a couple years to stabilize as adults', years older. I won't be using her much (especially since I still haven't chosen a Proper name yet), but I wanted to introduce here about as properly as I could given what details are missing. In these pictures, she'd be 7 or 8

Small facts! - Was set up for foster care when she was super little, and she was happy just Spadepiano Foster until she decided for herself this is her Family now - Still in touch with birth family and on good terms; she was the youngest baby who her mom needed extra help with. Spade's soft heart for single moms had him stepping in before he could fully work out How they were gonna do this (Faure was 100% okay with it, nonblood families are commonplace with him) - She has a very Strong personality, and tries to be the leader of most situations. Despite wanting to be leader, she's quick to "let" others do things for her instead. In a spooky situation, she'd be the type to say "Yeah lets do it! You go first." - Her bunny-bag is designed after a softtoy her birthmother gave her as a baby. The original plush still exists in her bedroom, the purse is just a custom the Chantelles had made for her. - Dylla has not stopped being excited that of any child her son could've adopted, he managed to land on a White Rabbit. - Kind of a copycat; she'll watch the older kids or her parents/parents' friends do things and try to mimic it. It makes her great at the dinner table, as long as her tablemate has manners, but it can also be a problem if one of those friends happens to do something 'dangerous', cause she'll still want to follow right along.

[jo-harrington]

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 22 - Alternate Universe

Summary: It's a dark and stormy night, and a certain musician is looking to get out of the rain.

Word Count: 993

Rating: T

Warnings/Themes: DnD References, DnD AU, Fantasy/Adventure AU, Origin Story

Check Out the Main Post for @corrodedcoffinfest here! Even if you didn’t start on Day 1, you can still join!

Tagging: @the-unforgivenn at her request.

You can find my masterlist here.

Please do not interact if you are not 18+.

Enjoy!

Adventures always started in taverns, didn't they?

That was the thought that crossed Geoff's mind as he escaped the downpour and ducked into the Tinkering Toad.

Of course, adventure should be the last thing on his mind; all he truly desired was a feather bed, a tankard of mead, and some warm food if there was any to be had. If he didn't have enough funds for the three, surely he could rely on his trusty mandolin to help him earn the rest.

But the tavern was full of weary travelers who'd sought refuge from the storm, and the hulking, bald barkeep seemed too busy to be bothered at the moment to be questioned.

Geoff instead looked around for place to sit at the very least, and was lucky as he spotted a small table by the roaring hearth with only two of the four chairs occupied.

He crossed the distance and sheepishly bothered the two souls who were chattering and rolling dice.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I join you?" he asked. "Seems busy tonight."

He was taken aback by the hunched half-orc who snarled, "over my dead body," and then went back to his dice.

His table-mate--a halfling male with fluffy brown curls and a rather...overwhelming war hammer propped beside him--admonished him and then welcomed Geoff to the table.

"The more the merrier," he greeted and gestured to one of the empty chairs. "Dav's just sour because he's losing. Terribly, if I might add."

Dav then cheered as his next roll proved favorable and he grabbed for one of the carved wooden markers from the halfling's pile.

"I believe my luck is about to change, Garrett. Prepare to lose."

Dav's mood improved the more he won, and even more still when Beni the Barkeep strode over with ale and bowls of stew for the two, and then offered the same to the newcomer.

Geoff counted out his coins for the meal and then inquired about a room, happily offering to play for the crowd and raise their spirits if he would have a place to rest his head for the night. Beni agreed and welcomed him to begin whenever he finished his meal.

"I'm no bard," Garrett mentioned through mouthful of stew, "but I'm not a bad musician. I can carry a beat, if you need accompaniment."

"I was about to say, I'd never heard of a singing barbarian before," Geoff laughed heartily. "But I won't say no to any stomps or claps."

Once their meals were finished, he performed and the tavern-goers roused slightly, spirits lifted. They ordered drinks and one couple even danced, and Geoff earned enough coins for a small room upstairs. Relieved knowing he had a place to rest, he got a round for his tablemates.

They shared stories of their journeys over their drinks.

Dav, a ranger, had rescued Garrett from a traveling freakshow. He'd been kept against his will as their resident strongman, and Dav had sworn an oath to see him back to the shire he called home.

"Not hard to pick the little guy up and shove him into a bag as long as he doesn't have that hammer in his hands," Dav teased, earning a pout and clenched fists from Garrett.

Meanwhile Geoff was heading to the capitol to audition for the King and make a name for himself as the greatest performer in the land.

They realized that they'd all be traveling along the Kingsroad for quite some time and although they were relative strangers to one another, they agreed there would be safety in numbers and that traveling together would be the safest.

The company on such a long journey wouldn't be unwelcome either.

"Excuse me," a dulcet, purring voice sounded from the table beside them. The three of them turned to find a hooded figure hunched over his own bowl of stew. A pipe rested beside him on the table, remnants of smoke still emanating from the bowl.

"I couldn't help but overhear," the stranger continued, "that you're planning to travel the Kingsroad. I'd have to warn you, there are many thieves and ne'er-do-wells on the road."

"We'll be safe enough," Garrett dismissed, but the stranger let out a sly chuckle that had Geoff shiver with worry.

"Will you?" the stranger questioned and then turned to glance over his shoulder, revealing a tuft of dark hair and the tip of a pink nose. "Will you really?"

"You speak as though you have some experience sir," Geoff offered. "Do you plan to rob us on the kingsroad?"

The stranger turned fully now, hood of his cloak pushing back to reveal twitching, pointed ears, whiskers, a sly smile with sharp teeth, and golden-brown eyes with pupils so narrow they were just slits.

"Perhaps I am," the tabaxi purred condescendingly. "Or perhaps I'm simply trying to offer...hmmm...you might say guidance or maybe protection...to keep you aware of the more obvious traps and possible ambushes along the road."

Dav grumbled and made to lunge for the stranger to get him to scram and leave them alone, but the tabaxi was too quick, standing toe to toe with him, a sharp knife pressed into Dav's ribs.

"I might also be looking to head toward the Capitol myself," he glanced to Geoff. "Offer my services to the king as well. Maybe pay some...outstanding debts to the Thieve's Guild."

"And what services could you offer to the king?" Garrett snarked. "Rat catcher?"

"Spymaster would be ideal." He let up on the pressure of his knife and then sheathed it faster than any of their eyes could detect.

He turned to Geoff now and offered gloved paw.

"The name is Eddy," he introduced. "And I'm at your service, if you'll have me."

Geoff looked at his other companions.

What a strange group they'd make...maybe adventures did start in taverns after all...

He clapped his hand into Eddy's.

"Welcome to the party."

[misscammiedawn]

would love to hear more about the twist hidden in the character playlist!!

Okay. Out of respect for the privacy of my tablemates who are no longer in my life I've decided to only discuss my portion of the campaign and not link to any art. Which is a shame as there's a lot of really good art.

The too long didn't read version is "the lyric says "oceans away from the dawn, oceans away from who we really are" and was picked to foreshadow we would cross an ocean into Arcadia and be confronted by the original version of the character, Tyler Dawn.

Also. Why not. Let's make this a story time, if only to see if I can still do Tyler's character voice. (CW: fake American accent - also we are WAY out of practice for it and when we try to unsuccessfully switch to Honoria voice our grip on it falls apart)

"Hello, my name is Tyler and welcome to "Ask Tyler", question today is "what was the hidden twist in your character playlist?"

Okay. Well. Our first campaign was a Mage The Awakening campaign that lasted about 4 years of weekly sessions. Three player characters and a GM. There's another story time segment that gives the full story here but the original plan was to play a female character named Camden Dawn but due to spouse veto we went with her younger brother, Tyler instead.

This is the Tyler voice, by the way. I sometimes like to joke that he transitioned after the campaign to become Taylor Dawn.

Religion plays a big part in his backstory being raised by strict catholic parents in a rural town but I want to skip the small details for now.

So Tyler starts the campaign as a career student wannabe fantasy author who is kidnapped by a high society mage who runs a tass empire. He likes to claim newly awoken mages and lock them in his mansion under the guise of teaching them sheltered from the world that would do them harm. His true intention is to curate their education and grow dependency upon him so when they are brought out into the supernal Fallen World they'll remain loyal to him.

There's more to it than that but that's not my story to tell.

During their captivity some former apprentices who have a grudge against him try to make contact when our party are out on missions and use us as moles to get to the big man himself. Which leads to Tyler being selected to pose as a tass dealer from Wisconsin. She's designed to look like someone from the teacher's past. The goal is to seduce him and earn his trust.

This leads to Tyler being given the disguise of Honoria. The day we played Honoria for the first time was an eye opening experience for everyone at the table. I legitimately don't know if the rest of the story was planned prior to that or not.

But after Tyler gained Honoria as a cover he got to go on dates with the teacher that lead to a gala being held by the Vampire Prince of Chicago (circa 2012) in which Queen Titania of the Seelie Court of the Fae showed up and instantly saw through Tyler's glamour and decided to play a prank on him.

Titania would end up becoming Tyler's "nemesis" character, every player character had a god tier villain assigned to them outside of the campaign villain.

As part of Titania's prank and payment for a poorly worded agreement Tyler made before understanding how Fae Contracts work, she took Honoria out of Tyler's heart. Stole her away to Arcadia.

Glossing over a lot but the season ends with a huge dungeon event and part of the event has the teacher, who Tyler and another PC are deeply fond of by this point, being claimed by Titania for reasons that escape me.

By the way, Tyler has a REALLY bad memory. His sister, Camden, is in the story as a therapist who is worried about him and a lot of Tyler's connection to his childhood comes from her reminding him of things. She gets him to write constantly in a journal. Something I adapted well enough that I have detailed notes of most of the campaign on my hard drive.

Anyway.

After season 1 we get our image CD.

I do not have the jewel case with the explanations any longer but these are the songs.

More Than Fine by Switchfoot was the song with the spoiler in it.

More than oceans away from the dawn More than oceans away from the dawn More than oceans away from who we are More than oceans, more than oceans, yeah

So. Season 2 required the party to travel to Arcadia to get our teacher back. In trying to meet with the Changeling community of Chicago to get information on how to find The Hedge Tyler starts scaring some people and Changelings are either skittish or hostile towards us. Though some take pity on Tyler in specific. Especially if he mentions what happened with Honoria.

The spoiler is that Tyler is a Changeling. The real Tyler Dawn is "oceans away" in Arcadia and being held as a chess piece on the board (chess was a big motif). He was kidnapped from his bed by Titania herself when Tyler was just a child, replaced with a version of him who was a little bit off and would have act like a fox at times.

Camden, who witnessed the kidnapping but is not attuned to the supernal world, rejects the truth of what she sees enough that she is convinced her brother suffers a severe dissociative disorder and that what she witnessed was likely obfuscating a darker truth that she gets a headache if she thinks about too hard.

But that's only a part of the truth.

Tyler is a Changeling. That much is true. But he is also a prison for a Fae. A fox king who once held the title of Good King of Arcadia. Titles in World of Darkness (at least as we played it) are entirely separate characters created from legend. They can occupy the same body or be split, though splitting power divides the Fae's ability. The big thing is that by adding a human into the mix there is a division of soul that goes into it. Tyler has the ability to feel emotion (rather than emulate it) and can create. Honoria has this whole thing about learning to write and cook while in Arcadia and managing to gain a lot of clout and thus power by doing so.

Over the course of the campaign Tyler gains a few different titles including Sionnach the Fox King, Good King of Arcadia, Mr. Fahrenheit, Captain Sionnach and of course Honoria (Baker of the Rising Dawn). Honoria herself has a few of her own titles but we're way off topic.

The reveal of Tyler being a Changeling or Fae was a big deal in season 2 and though heavily foreshadowed it did not really get revealed until we reached the White Queen's palace and found Original Tyler waiting for us, desperate to get his life back from us. He was a blot of ink with the word "REVENGE" appearing all over his body.

Anyway. I think the question has been answered by now. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway.

[breannasfluff]

Pokki is there, as is Pritana and Nellie. One drink turns into two, and then three. Wind ends up with something alcoholic at some point and points it out, loudly, until it’s taken away.

Hyrule giggles at everything. Time sips his drink slowly, but he loosens up and laughs at some of the jokes circling the table. Warriors tells a highly inappropriate story about a handsome gentleman he met in the military, which has Sky choking and clapping his hands over Wind’s ears. The sailor shoves him off the bench in retaliation.

At some point between drinks, Wild squints at the empty spot halfway down the table. “Where’s Sky?”

Wind frowns at his absent tablemate. “He went…out.” He waves vaguely, motioning toward the door of the canteen. “Said he’d be back.”

The champion considers this for a long moment, blinking slowly as he turns the situation over in his head. “Wars—Warriors.”

“Eh?” The captain jerks up from where he was slumping on an elbow, entertaining Hyrule with another story of dubious origins. It seemed to have a lot of explosions involved.

Wild gestures at the empty spot. “Sky’s…gone.”

He looks at the empty spot, then out the door when Wind helpfully points. “Want me to get ‘em?”

But Wild loses interest, turning back to Pokki as she comes by.

Four vanishes to play cards with the Gerudo at another table, but he shows up again with a pile of rupees and seems pleased.

“Hey, can you pick me up?”

Wild squints and focuses on the conversation between Time and some of the Gerduo women.

“Of course, but…why?”

“For a dare!”

Time considers his hands and the lady in front of him, then carefully grabs her waist and lifts her. She laughs as he puts her back down.

“Can you do two of us?”

“No, three!”

The old man’s face is scrunched as he considers them. “I’m married, ladies.”

They giggle and coo. “Oh, we don’t want that . Just a show of strength!” One of them smirks and picks up her neighbor. “See?”

Time takes another sip of his drink, then stands and brushes his hands off. “Okay, can two of you pick up a third and hold her? I bet I can get all of you then.”

Wild cheers along with the others as he picks up three, then laughs when a fourth sends him to the ground. “Someone lend me your power bracelets!”

“That’s cheating, old man!”

Read the rest here!

[aheckinmess]

Don't Lie Over Spilt Milk (Dad Nanami)

(Part 3 of Season of Serendipity.)

Read on AO3.

Tags: Dad Nanami, Child Yuji, Child Yuuji, Original Female Character(s), Original Child Character(s), Ryomen Sukuna, Ryoumen Sukuna, Nanami Kento, Yuji Itadori, Yuuji Itadori, Besu Sukuna, Parental Nanami, Dad Sukuna, Soft Sukuna, Protective Sukuna, Canon Divergence - AU, Sukuna Has a Daughter, Yuji is Nanami's Son, I Merged Two of My Series, Yuji Itadori is a Good Friend, OC Gets Picked On, Yuji is Protective and Determined to Help Her Feel Better, Sukuna is a Good Dad, In His Own Way, OC is His Little Princess, Fluff with Angst Sprinkled In, Fluff and Angst

Word Count: 3, 267 words

Summary: Yuji and Besu become fast friends in Pre-K, but when a group of classmates tell Yuji they won't sit with Besu because they think her dad is cursed, Yuji is determined to prove them wrong.

Author's Note: This took so long to write and went on longer than expected, but it was so much fun! I don't really know where this series is going, but it's adorable and I'm not stopping any time soon.

Yuji and Besu were inseparable. For one of the most extroverted kids in class, Yuji could be found almost exclusively by Besu’s side. For one of the quietest kids in class, Besu talked Yuji’s ear off anytime they were together. 

When Ms. Chotto chose their partners instead of letting them pick this morning, Yuji gave Besu a smile and went to find his group, instantly relaxing into a conversation. He didn’t worry about Besu until Kia and Kai both stepped over to his table and sat down.

Which was odd because they were the only other two in Besu’s group.

“Can we sit with you?” Kia wrinkled her face into a frown.

“Yeah. We don’t want to be in her group.” Kai matched her expression.

Yuji looked over to see Besu staring at her table, her coloring page already finished. He tried to see her face, but her pink hair created a veil between them. When he turned back to the twins, Fuyuki and Yuto were already ushering them over with smiles.

“Why don’t you want to be in Bechan’s group?” Yuji interrupted them, feeling fire heating up his chest. “She’s really nice. And she doesn’t copy your work.”

“Don’t you know who her dad is?”

“My mommy told me that he’s really mean.”

“Yeah! I saw him in car line and he’s really scary!”

Yuji stared at his tablemates, dumbfounded. He’d met Mr. Sukuna plenty of times! Often, Otouchan would speak with him to give Yuji more time to play with Besu after school. And if Otouchan was friends with him, there was no way he could be mean!

“There’s nothing wrong with him. Otouchan talks to him all the time.”

The entire table gasped and shoved their chairs away from the table. The commotion led Ms. Chotto over to see what the issue was, and Kai immediately pointed at Yuji.

“Yuji’s dad is cursed!” 

“He speaks with Mr. Sukuna!”

Ms. Chotto sighed and shook her head, kneeling at the table full of children.

“Those are not very nice things to say. People are not cursed just for talking to others.”

“But Kai’s right! My momma said that Mr. Sukuna is a cursed man!” Fuyuki explains. “And he’s got tattoos!”

“Mr. Sukuna has given no one any reason to believe he’s mean or cursed. And that should be no reason for you to leave Besu to do all of her work alone.” Ms. Chotto said sternly. “Now, go over there and apologize. And finish your work!”

. . . . .

Yuji sat by Besu during recess as she filled a yellow bucket with sand. Yuji felt bad for her and decided to be her tunnel digger. He knew she liked mixing together the sand. Besu quietly and methodically filled her shovel and poured it into the bucket. Shovel, pour, mix. Shovel, pour, mix.

“Do you think I’m cursed, Yuji-kun?” Besu broke the silence as she flipped her bucket over, patting the bottom and revealing the beginning of a sandcastle.

“Don’t listen to Kia and Kai, Bechan. You’re not cursed, and your dad is great! He gives you the best snacks.” 

She nodded, but Yuji didn’t think she really believed him. The burning fire in his stomach returned, but this time he felt sick, too. Frowns didn’t look right on Besu’s face.

“We’ll show them. I’ll ask Otouchan if I can go over to your house! And then they’ll see that there’s nothing scary about your dad!” Yuji said, pausing to pick out a tiny pebble caked under his nail.

Besu lifted her head minutely, seeming unsure, but when she heard her father’s voice across the playground she waved to Yuji and rushed over to crawl up into his arms. She buried her face in his neck and squeezed him tight without sparing another glance to Yuji.

Yuji watched her go, and when his dad came into view he shot over to him like a rocket.

“Otouchan, can I go to Bechan’s house this weekend?” He asked, grabbing Nanami’s hand as he looked up at him.

“Mm?” Nanami quirked a brow. “I guess we’d have to ask her father first, Yuji-kun. We don’t have any plans. Are you sure you don’t want to invite her over to our house?”

“No! It has to be her house!”

That got Nanami to raise a brow.

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Fuyuki’s mom said Mr. Sukuna is a cursed man. And I’m gonna go over there so they know he’s not!” Yuji stated matter-of-factly as Nanami walked him down the street.

“I see.” Nanami squeezed Yuji’s hand and led him home. “I’ll see what I can do, Yuji-kun.”

. . . . .

When Nanami drove Yuji over to Besu’s house that weekend, Yuji readied himself with all the essentials. He stashed his detective hat in his overnight bag, along with a flashlight for late night searching. A magnifying glass and a toy laser shooter joined their company. 

Nanami even let him bring a disposable camera! He was ready to prove to those kids that there was nothing wrong with Besu or Mr. Sukuna!

“Now, you know what number to call if you need me, Yuji-kun?” 

“Yep!”

“And if you can’t remember it, do you know where to find it?”

“On the tag in my bookbag!” Yuji patted his bag and unclipped the belt to his car seat in seconds. “Come on, Otocuhan!”

“Wait, Yuji-kun,” Nanami chuckled and a moment later he helped him out of the car. 

Yuji saw Mr. Sukuna at the end of the long driveway with a hand in his pocket. Besu hid beside him hugging his other arm.

“Hi, Bechan!” Yuji’s pace doubled as he pulled Nanami along with him. “Guess what? I brought my magnifying glass and my hat so we can play Detective!”

“I have a hat I can use too!” Besu brightened and Yuji smiled.

“Come on! Let’s go–”

“Yuji-kun, aren’t you going to say goodbye?” Nanami called from the doorway.

“Oh!” Yuji giggled and rushed back over to him. He barreled into Nanami and squeezed him tight. “I love you, Otouchan! See you tomorrow!”

“Be good, Yuji. Try not to cause much trouble.”

“Okay!” Yuji grinned, bumping into Mr. Sukuna as he stepped back. “Sorry, ‘scuse me!”

He flew around the large man back to Besu as Nanami shook his head with amusement, making a few final comments to Sukuna about bedtime and dietary needs. 

“Just make sure he doesn’t have any sugar before bed. I’m sure you can see, he fires on all cylinders without sugar as it is.” Nanami chuckled.

“Otouchaaann!” Yuji whined, pouting as he turned around.

“Okay, okay.” Nanami turned with a wave. “Have fun, Yuji-kun.”

“Let’s play Detective, Bechan!” Yuji had his bookbag open in seconds, shuffling through clothes and toys before a large hand settled over his.

“I’m glad to see you’re excited to play, Yuji. But why don’t you let Besu show you where you’re staying so you can keep your stuff in one place?” Sukuna suggested, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay!” Yuji nodded, turning back to Besu, who giggled and tugged his arm.

“I told Daddy that we’ll stay in the upstairs! There’s a window where you can see all the stars, and I made us a blanket fort!” Besu rattled on, hiking up the stairs two at a time in her excitement. “And he’s making us sushi for dinner! Oops, wait…I wasn’t supposed to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. Um…pretend we’re having meatballs!” 

Yuji liked this Besu much better. Ever since Kia and Kai said Mr. Sukuna was cursed, she’d lost her smile. Yuji could feel bright light flooding his chest as he watched the corners of her mouth reach her ears.

“Meatballs, got it!” He agreed easily, and then his mouth hung open as he set his bag at the door. “Woooww. Is this your room?!” 

“Mhmm!” She beamed. “And look! Daddy had Mr. Mokuzai build a shelf in my wall. Now I can keep all my books here!” She hopped onto her bed and started pointing out all of the pretty colors. “And there’s a big window! That’s where we’ll sleep so we can see the stars. See? I told you I made a fort!” She pulled him inside and Yuji laid on his back and stared at the sunset through her large picture window.

“Wow!” Yuji gaped again, eyes twinkling with the reflection of sunlight before he remembered his bag. “Oh, yeah! Come on, Bechan, let’s play Detective!”

While Yuji loved playing with Besu in general, he was determined during this sleepover to get plenty of evidence that Mr. Sukuna was not cursed! He took her exploring through the house with his magnifying glass, looking for proof of Mr. Sukuna’s not cursed-ness. 

“Why is Daddy’s dreamcatcher going to help show Kia and Kai that he’s not cursed?” Besu whispered as she stood guard at her father’s door. 

“It catches his dreams so he can’t have cursed dreams!” Yuji said.

“Oh! What about this, then?” She pointed up at some green pieces of glass hanging from strings against Mr. Sukuna’s door. 

“Won’t that hurt us? It looks like glass.”

“It’s seaglass. Daddy says it helps him see ghosts so he can make sure they don’t hurt me!” 

“Ooo, yeah! Grab that too!”

By the time they’d compiled a large group of items meant to serve as proof, a knock sounded at Besu’s door.

“Besu? Yuji?” Sukuna called, and chuckled when the two of them poked their heads out of the fort. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Oh, boy!” Yuji exclaimed, before remembering he wasn’t supposed to know what dinner was. “Are we having meatballs?” He covered quickly.

Sukuna smirked and Yuji thought he’d been discovered, but he merely waved for them to follow down the stairs.

“No. But Besu wanted dinner to be a surprise, so why don’t you come see what we’re having?” He offered.

Yuji flushed at Besu, who giggled and raced him down the stairs to the dining table. Once both were set, they wiggled eagerly in their seats. Sukuna placed their plates down and Yuji beamed as sushi served with sides of ohitashi and edamame made him salivate.

“What would you two like to drink?” 

“Milk!” 

“Me too!”

“Okay, but you both have to drink your green tea afterwards.” Sukuna warned.

As both children hastily agreed, the room grew quiet as Yuji stuffed his mouth with food and the only sound between the three of them for a good ten minutes was the clink of silverware.

“So, Bechan, I see you and Yuji have been going through the things in my room.” Sukuna hummed as he reclined. “What’s all that about?”

“We’re gonna show Kia and Kai–” Yuji began, but Besu cut him off.

“We were playing detective and those were our clues.” Besu said, her eyes focused on her plate.

Yuji tilted his head at her curiously. Sukuna made a low rumbling noise in his throat.

“Is that so?” He said. The way he said it made Yuji frown into his sushi, stuffing a big piece in his mouth so he wouldn’t have to say anything. “So what was all of that about cursed dreams then?”

Besu didn’t say anything, but Yuji was practically combusting from the need to explain the situation. He wanted her to look at him so he could figure out why she wasn’t telling her dad about Kia and Kai, but her hair hid her face from view as she continued staring at her plate.

“We were talking about your dreamcatcher.” Her voice was soft and scared, like the first day Yuji met her. “It keeps you from having cursed dreams.”

“Besu, what aren’t you telling me?” 

Yuji couldn’t help himself.

“Mr. Sukuna, it was–” But as Yuji reached out his hand, it sent his milk glass tumbling over. “Oh! I’m sorry!”

Sukuna’s reflexes were quick as he ran over to a roll of napkins and he soaked up Yuji’s drink. By the time they cleaned it up, Besu’s lip quivered and tears ran down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sukuna. I didn’t mean to.” Yuji apologized.

“You’re not in trouble, Yuji.” A pause settled between the three of them. “And neither are you, Besu. But I want to know what you’re so scared to tell me.” 

“Do you want me to tell him, Bechan?” Yuji asked.

“I appreciate your attempt at honesty, Yuji, but this is something I need to hear from Besu.” 

Yuji watched Besu sniffle in silence for a minute or two before she wiped her eyes and looked up at her father.

“Some kids at school said that you were cursed, so Yuji-kun and I were trying to play detective so we could find stuff to prove you weren’t.” She whispered.

“It was Kia and Kai!” Yuji adds, feeling a pressure off his chest now that he could talk about it. “They wouldn’t sit with Bechan because they said you’re mean and cursed! Fuyuki and Yuto thought so too! But I told them that you can’t be cursed because Otouchan talks with you all the time, and Otouchan says you’re a good man. But Fuyuki said her mom thinks you’re cursed because you have tattoos and so we were getting stuff and taking pictures so we can show them you’re not!”

“Besu, is that true?”

She nodded, and Yuji shoved one more piece of sushi in his mouth while the two spoke. His hands clenched into fists at his sides when he heard her sniff. Yuji watched Mr. Sukuna set his chopsticks aside and glided over to kneel by her chair. He moved her pink hair out of her face, and Yuji thought he looked a lot like Otouchan did when he tried to help Yuji during a crying fit.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Princess?” He cooed.

“I-I didn’t…” She choked on her words for a few minutes, and he pulled her into a pair of strong arms. Yuji couldn’t help himself. He toddled over to them and threw his arms around Besu. “I didn’t want you…to be sad…be-because they said you were bad.”

A beat of quiet got interrupted as Sukuna suddenly burst into laughter and squeezed Yuji and Besu together.

“Oh, my little princess, you’re too sweet for your own good. Too sweet to be mine.” He sighed and smiled, before ruffling Yuji’s hair. “But you’re good at picking friends. You’re a good kid, Yuji.”

 Yuji beamed and then asked if there was any more sushi.

. . . . .

For the rest of the evening, Yuji and Besu continued their trek through their house with Sukuna’s blessing. Besu also swore he’d left extra items out for them when they circled back to the living room to find an old gold piece hiding under a magazine.

“We might have just missed it the first time.” Yuji reminded her.

“No. Daddy definitely put it there.” Besu giggled.

By the time they’d amassed enough evidence of Mr. Sukuna’s non-cursedness, it was time for bed.

“Besu! Yuji! Time to get ready for bed!” Sukuna called up the stairs. “Be ready in ten or I’ll pick off all your toes and eat them for breakfast!”

Yuji’s eyes widened at Besu, who only laughed as she grabbed her clothes.

“He just means he’ll tickle us if we don’t get ready fast.” She explained, and ducked into the bathroom to change. 

Both of them were ready well within the ten minute range, but that didn’t stop Sukuna from coming in and pulling Besu into his arms to tickle and torment her with raspberries against her cheek. Yuji rocked onto his back with a boyish giggle before the moment ended and Sukuna tucked them into their sleeping bags under the blanket fort.

“Now, you’re sure you don’t want to sleep on your bed, Princess?”

“I’m sure. I’m gonna show Yuji the stars!”

“Okay. Well, you sleep well. If you stay up late behind my back, make sure you’re asleep before dawn.” He pinched her cheek.

“Okay.” She smiled.

“And you sleep well, too, Yuji.” Sukuna said, ruffling his hair.

Yuji grinned, but chewed at his lips when a question came to mind. 

“Mr. Sukuna, why do you think Kia and Kai think you’re cursed?”

“Hmm,” Sukuna rumbled, looking between the two of them before sighing and resituating his long legs. “I have a theory, but it’s a bit of a long story.”

“Will you tell us? Please?” Besu sat up, eyes sparkling in the evening light. 

“Yeah! If you tell us then we can definitely prove Kia and Kai are wrong!” Yuji agreed.

“Very well.” Sukuna shook his head as they both turned their attention to him. “Besu, when you were just a girl, your mother grew very ill and died. I’ve told you the story, yes?” When Besu nodded, he continued. “Well, before your mother died, and you were still a baby, we moved into this house. At the time, and even still, it was rumored to be haunted.”

“Haunted? But we’ve never seen any ghosts!” Besu gasped. 

“That’s because it’s not actually haunted.” Sukuna chuckled and patted her head. “But because it hadn’t been lived in and was abandoned for a while, people thought it was. Some men who weren’t very nice stopped your mother while I was paying for groceries one afternoon and when I walked out, they were crowding around her, threatening her for staying in the old Juju house and calling her a…well, some not nice words.” When he paused, Yuji watched him put a hand over his mouth for a moment before his hand settled into a fist on his knee. “Well, I couldn’t let them hurt you or your mother. I beat the bastards…shit, that’s a curse word. Damn!” He facepalmed and Yuji giggled. “Anyway, I beat them up for messing with the two of you and was put in prison for it. The neighborhood we stay in is bad about gossip, so the whole neighborhood knew that I’d been in prison and they stayed away from us and told your mother to leave me or she’d be cursed.”

“Why didn’t you tell them about the bad men?” Yuji asked.

“Her mother tried, but sometimes adults can be very closed-minded.” He pulled Besu into his side to kiss the top of her head. “Like I was, before I met your mother.”

“Then what happened, Daddy?” 

“Well, your mother didn’t leave me. She was pure of heart, much like you, so she stayed by my side until the very end. Unfortunately, it was shortly after that that she became sick, and only a little while after that she died. That seemed to solidify to everyone that she was cursed, and by extension, me.”

“So, if we show them what we found, maybe they’ll see that you’re not cursed!” Besu said, hugging her father’s arm. “Right?”

“Well, Princess,” Mr. Sukuna sighed. “People don’t always work that way. Sometimes when they’ve made up their mind, they’re set on it.”

“But we can still try, right?” She pressed, face determined.

“Yeah! Since we played detective, we can show them you’re not cursed!” Yuji added.

“Heh,” Sukuna looked between the two of them and tickled both of their necks before he stood. “Maybe you’re right, kiddos. Sweet dreams, then.”

When he left the room, Besu suddenly tackled Yuji into a tight hug.

“Thank you for helping me, Yuji-kun.”

Yuji could only squeeze her back before they relaxed on their sleeping bags on the floor. And Besu told Yuji all about the stars and their stories, just as her father had told her growing up.

Their eyes closed just before the sun began to rise.

[taffybuns]

Hi Taffybuns! Thank you for being you and artist that has passion to make. My brother told me that he bought two shirts out of it and he loved it, i was surprised you were the artist drew design! (the pokemon ones!)

Though I am curious and i hope you'll able to respond, do you have advice to make my art for merchandise in the future? I don't mind if you want to simplified explaination, a tumblr posts, or dropping a youtube link video; since you're busy with conventions.

I'm picky when it comes youtube art videos that are always give me the vibes of elitism, clickbait videos or others. You're the first artist I wanted to ask, so i hope it's fine if you can reply or not.

Sending my best regards to you. Take care and love your art as always. (I hope i can buy your pokemon hawaiin shirt!)

hello! thanks so much for the sweet message!!

apologies for the confusion, though! the pokemon shirts arent mine! i share a joint storefront with my friend and tablemate, you can view all his designs here! we have our store bio set to say we are two artists, but it's hard to see on the shopee site format, haha. i'll pass this message along to him, and i hope you can buy his shirts in the future too, they're very well made! i'm glad your brother enjoys them!

(if anyone is reading this, he also has them listed internationally on Etsy! my items aren't here though, sorry!!)

i assume you're PH based aswell if your brother got our shirts, so i'm gonna link some resources and basic advice under the cut-

i'd be glad to help where i can, though my basic advice is to just start.. i began selling merch with dann (friend who made the pokemon shirts) when we were just classmates in college, and we started at small anime events selling small prints with our table falling apart hahajkfghjk.. but even back then everyone was so friendly, so it was very encouraging !! the art community is very sweet and there is a lot of support for you !!

first, you'll want to find your market! this will determine what conventions you want to apply to and what kind of merch you want to make. do you want to make fanart, or original art? are you doing mostly stickers, tote bags, or anime merch? or do you just want to sell online?

second, what is your budget for merch production? starting out is expensive, personally my funds always circulate between profit and spending on restocks again. this will determine what kind of merch you can make, and then you expand later! i started out with only stickers and art prints, then keychains, and then bags and t-shirts later on!

if you're into original art, some events i recommend for beginners are Patrons of the Arts, Buzzart, Komiket. they have regular events throughout the year. if you're into stickers, there's Stickercon and Sticky Expo!

if you're into fan art, you can try ozinefest (sales are slower but table cost is cheaper), or if you have enough money, split for cosplay ph events

of course these aren't the only events, though they're the ones i regularly attend! if you have a more specialized market, there are dedicated cons like philifur, the grand lason, pokecon, etc. for all of these events you'll either have to keep your eyes peeled for table openings on their pages (rare), or email them to be added to their mailing list so you'll be told when they're open

if you don't have any suppliers yet, you can apply to join Artist Alley Group Order on facebook ! people regularly post about suppliers for all kinds of merchandise that you can look up. if you want any recommendations you can message me off-anon!

as for the merchandise itself, this varies person to person. my market is more obscure fanart that other people don't sell, and cutesy original art! i sell big illustrations as prints, though other people report on having a hard time selling prints. it depends on the content and art style. you'll have to experiment and see, or look around other shops to see what sells! visiting art markets yourself is also a huge help, to see the market, make friends in the artph community, and support artists!

i'd recommend starting out with stickers and prints- they're the cheapest to produce, and people often buy stickers because of their low price at cons. when you get more familiar with the market you can try going onto more expensive things to reproduce!

again if you want details, let me know! this is very vague and general advice, if u have any specific questions i'll do my best if i'm not busy! don't be afraid to surf thru some videos too, a lot are very helpful n not too elitist!

gl and take care aswell anon!

[karmicbias]

Ghoul Week part 2!

What a night!

As before, unmasked ghouls below 👇

I hopped on a train to Manhattan early this morning. We're lucky enough to have a direct line and it really only takes a couple hours longer than driving, with the benefit of not having to pay for tolls or gas, you don't have to find somewhere to park, and you get to listen to music and nap the whole way there. Pretty much perfect.

I was a little worried about unforseen delays as Amtrak is sometimes unpredictable, but fortunately we rolled into the city pretty much exactly on time. I made this trip last year as well, and had a better idea of my orientation to the grid this time upon emerging into midtown.

Had just enough time to check in to my hotel, put my luggage down, run a washcloth over the important bits, change into my show 'fit, and catch a train uptown.

The subway was one billion degrees and we were packed in like sardines even more than usual, I think, but thankfully I was only going a couple stops. Ascended from the steamy depths, made a quick wrong turn and correction, and got to 54 Below pretty much exactly on time.

The first thing I noticed when I got inside is that Ashley (you know, of changing Papa's shoes onstage infamy) is running merch. Neat!

I get seated and say hi to my tablemates who are all Patrons, I think, or students of either Mad/Dylan or Sophie. The place was pretty full and my seat was absolutely excellent!

I snagged a couple things from the merch table, made awkward conversation with Ashley (she mentioned she designed Mad's costume for the night), and then got back to my seat to order a drink and dinner - both of which were absolutely fantastic.

The show itself was lovely! Both ladies, as we already know, have powerhouse vocals. They sang together and individually and did a mix of original songs and covers. Lots of fun and that costume did not disappoint, holy cow.

Because the venue had a second show, there was an after-party a couple blocks away. I meandered over, yapping about Ghost and Drag Talk and musicals with some new friends, and we got settled into the reserved space while waiting for the guests of honor to arrive.

Long story short eventually I got to chat with both of them (as well as with Ashley a little more)! Sophie did a really amazing cover of She Used to be Mine from Waitress that I absolutely had to tell her how incredible it was. I didn't manage to get a photo with her, but did chat with Mad for a while and got a very silly series with her that delights me greatly.

Now I gotta hydrate and get some sleep. Tattoo tomorrow!

[lgcjino]

RE: AND THE “BEST SHOULDER GANGSTER” GOES TO … — as a new faces winning awardee who is probably talking too much and thanking 1 too many people and is 0.2 seconds from receiving the boot

the one thing jino is ... is humble, or so he'd like to believe.

because the way he strides up to the podium, all smiles — a walking disaster of debonair and tom ford cologne that seunghyun had gifted him — practically beaming in self-assurance and charisma, would say otherwise. the following bouts of applause and laughter only cement the idea that he … in no other words, is as shameless as he pretends not to be. a hand waved up as he picks up the award and gives it a once over, clicking his tongue as he brushes away an unshed tear.

“wow — it’d be a lie if i said i wasn’t hoping for this award.” he smiles, finally turning to the crowd — adjusting the award to show it in the same frame as his face as he pointedly beams towards the camera; smiling even brighter, if that was even possible. “first and foremost, i’d like to thank my parents. without them, i wouldn’t have the shoulders necessary to receive such a prestigious award. but as that is the case — i should also thank my grandpa because that’s where i originally got my shoulders from, look 할아버지! i won an award and it’s all thanks to you and your swimmer shoulders! i’d also like to thank my grandma for marrying my grandpa and then having my mom because then i was able to be born. it’s all thanks to you guys, i wouldn’t be here — with these strong shoulders, truly … it’s because of you, i am here at the new faces awards showing off my talents.” he raises an arm, flexing beneath the bulk of his suit and laughing when he feels the restraint. “ah, if i knew i was going to receive such an award i probably wouldn’t have worn such a form-fitting tux.”

“really, i had so much fun on new faces — spending time with my peers, with many actors and actresses who i’ve previously only seen on screen or quickly in the halls; with friends that i haven’t gotten to see in a while. getting to know everyone has been fun. and through our hard work, we were able to create an enjoyable atmosphere where our bellies were full of maybe a little too much bitter tea and our cheeks hurt from laughing too much. oh right, you thought i forgot to mention you, huh? jiah 누나, look i won my first award! you’ll buy me meat, now right?”

“and i can’t finish off my thanks without thanking the one who really helped me really bring my shoulders to light this week — seona-씨, i know it was rough there and i was probably biting off more than i could chew but i want to thank you for trusting me and my ridiculous ideas; for trusting that i would catch any and all your falls — it’s what these shoulders are for. remember, whether it’s flying or falling with style, i’m here for you! thank you again.” he says, hand to his heart — knowing he probably had a tenfold of embarrassment to pay for what he had put seona through. 

he laughs off the last of his speech, “thank you so much for this award and for the many memories we made these past few days. they are truly unforgettable and will remain in my heart forever now, thank you.” stepping to the side, the boisterous and high-energy fades as he bow deeply, feeling his smile breaking even fast once he straightens and regards the crowd one last time with a wink before departing; fisting his award in the air as he departs the stairs, overjoyed, practically skipping to his seat to show his tablemates — as if they hadn't just been subjected to his tirade of a speech.

sure, it was just some silly award for a variety show — but jino already had an idea of just where he was going to show off such an award, in all its glory: right next to his first son, moo’s fish bowl.

[kiastirling-fanfic]

Happy Friday!

From the 'Incorrect Quotes' list:  "i’m a nice person, but i’m about to start throwing rocks at people. ❞ For Hamin and the companion of your choice :)

Thank you!!! Here's Hamin and Sera's first meeting. @dadrunkwriting

Rating: idk T? CW: none

The Inquisition’s latest acquisition threw herself into the seat across from me, a proverbial storm cloud over her head as she cradled her ale. Hair that looked like she’d cut it with a dull spade, clothes in artful disrepair, dainty pointed ears and a scowl that could sour milk, and she sat next to me, flowers in my hair and all.

“Hey, you sing, right?” Interesting first words. Her accent was distinctly Ferelden, but beyond that who knew? All I’d caught of her before she took the seat was that she was tall for an elf, perhaps more so even than Circle elves typically were. Her clothes may be in poor repair but she clearly hadn’t known hunger often in her growing years.

‘Red’ was all the ghost said, which, yes, her clothes were red. The tunic anyway. Not much help.

“I do.” Cautious in he face of her grumpiness, I eased my way into whatever this was. “I’m done for tonight though, so if you had a request you should talk to Maryden or wait for another day.” I wasn’t the official tavern entertainment after all. For all I’d sung in the Singing Maiden many a time, I just did it for spare coin when the mood struck me.

“Request? As if. The only request I’ve got is that she stop singing about me.” It took me a moment to figure it out, but as another round of Sera was never an agreeable girl started up for the third time that night, and my tablemate sank further into her seat, I got the idea. “Andraste’s tits, again?”

“The people like it.” Not that I was inclined to defend the song. Maryden had whipped it out suspiciously quickly once the Herald’s party returned from Val Royeaux, and any bard - Orlesian or otherwise - as unlikely to quit singing an original just because the subject took issue. “You would have better luck shouting the Breach closed. Best get used to it. At least this way the troops and scouts will all think you’re a nice person?” It wasn’t an uncomplimentary song, at least.

“Oh, I’m a nice person, but I’m about to start throwing rocks at people.” She paused for a second. “Or bees. His Heraldiness said he’s getting me bees.”

[shortfictionweeklychallenge]

Short Fiction Weekly Challenge

Time for a new prompt from the Short Fiction Weekly Challenge, tumblr edition.  Let it spark your imagination.  Any character, any fandom, any original world.   Reblogs welcome!

Post your story to your blog and send the link to Short Fiction Weekly Challenge!  We’ll send the link out to all our followers to enjoy.

This time the Month of Meta from Short Fiction Weekly Challenge is: Environments! The environment can be setting, worldbuilding, complication, or straight-up antagonist, depending on its role in the story. 

This week’s SFWC prompt:

Week of March 15, 2024

Ocean, Lake, or Coast:  Underwater might be a hostile environment, but people have sailed on or lived near bodies of water for ages. Boats and coasts--freshwater or saltwater--are unique environments with their own unique dangers and beauties. Storms, tsunamis, solid or broken ice--but also sunrises and sunsets, sandy beaches, and surf. Fishing! Swimming! Consider the borders of water this week. 

Feel free to continue submitting stories for any prompt.  A masterpiece missed the deadline?  Don’t let it gather electronic dust.  Submit it anyway and Short Fiction Weekly Challenge will publish it.  

This week’s featured previous prompts are: 

Trolls: Not the bridge-dwelling kind, though just as troublesome. In modern parlance, trolls troll. They argue and take opposing positions to make others angry.  We automatically think internet, but trolls need not be so impersonal. Has your character worn something explicitly because another hated it? Picked a food to antagonize a squeamish tablemate? Argued a point they didn't care about because someone else did? When has your character engaged in trolling?

Ship of Fools: The colloquial meaning is that of one wise person surrounded by idiots, but the original allegory has everyone on the ship unable to navigate it, all the while vying for the chance or to influence the one currently botching the job. Regardless, the ship goes nowhere, often with recriminations all around. When has your character sailed on a ship of fools? Were they the wise one dealing with incompetence? Or just as clueless but putting up a better front than the rest?

Got an idea for a prompt?  Submit it here.

[whitefangz]

my villain origin story was when i was 17 and in Magical Realism class (english elective) and my friend at the time and my 2 other tablemates were going on and on about some male character or some man in real life idr which and i said something like oh well i think hes stupid. And my friend looked at me and said so pointedly Well You Don’t Get An Opinion. in a way that suggested it was cause im Gay and this was right after them and my other friend had like pressured me into coming out to them. it was so like awkward and strange but in hindsight so fucking funny like okay. whatever that means. i cant have an opinion on any man ever on account of the lesbianism

[pareidoliaonthemove]

Regulations

Notes:

The standard disclaimers, I do not own Captain Scarlet, either the Original Series, or The New Adventures Series. (Although I do own copies on DVD.)

I’d explain where this came from, but, honestly? I have no freaking clue.

And if the idea of male public nudity upsets you, don’t read. Not explicit, but very naked.

There were times when Charles Grey regretted taking on the responsibility of Spectrum and the mantle of Colonel White.

Mealtimes were the worst.

Whenever he entered the main commissary, conversation invariably stuttered, some halting. He was watched from all corners, and though the senior staff frequently joined him – or, more commonly, he joined them – but they, while more relaxed than any other tablemates would be, were still more formal and less free than they would otherwise be.

Of course, the exception to all this was Doctor Fawn, who resolutely refused to defer to anyone beyond their professional capabilities. This was in part due to his position within Spectrum: needing to have rapport with, and the trust of, every member of the organisation from the lowliest of the maintenance staff to the Commander-in-Chief himself. But it was mostly due to the man himself, the physician was fond of pointing out that beneath the skin, everyone was built along the same lines.

As White settled himself at a small unobtrusive table, he wished for the little Doctor’s company today. But Fawn was as busy as White himself; possibly even more so, if White was to be completely honest.

Eyeing the occupants of the commissary White looked for indications of possible trouble. The only thing that seemed to be of interest was a collection of large plastic containers stacked up against the far wall, and two young technicians – whom White recognised from a delegation for permission to hold a charity fundraiser – looking somewhat guilty, frequently glancing at the containers.

White spared them little thought. They had probably understated their intent to decorate in their submission, and were worried he would show an interest in their activities.

Halfway through his main course, the two off-duty Angels, Melody and Rhapsody, entered accompanied by Blue, Grey, Scarlet and Ochre. All six collected their meals and set up camp at a table as far from the rest of the occupants as they could get, and sat, eating, occasionally glaring at the fundraisers.

Interesting.

One of the young lieutenants assigned to Magenta’s team of assistants scurried into the commissary, hurried up to the fundraisers, had a hurried sotto voce conversation, and handed an envelope over, before being given two of the containers which he started pushing out of the commissary.

The discontent from the senior staff intensified.

This warranted official investigation. Which could not be done over his dinner.

Halfway through his dessert, the door opened once again, and glancing up disinterestedly, White found himself frozen in shock.

Doctor Fawn strode in purposefully, zeroing in on the fundraisers as all conversation slammed to stunned silence as the entire population of the commissary stared in disbelief.

Fawn was as naked as the day he was born.

And seemingly oblivious of the fact.

The doctor stood tall, and walked with a confident stride, not making any attempt to cover himself.

A numb part of his brain noted that Fawn was better built that White would have expected for a man who had been working for many years primarily as an administrator. The interesting collection of scars the doctor was sporting put further lie to that assumption, particularly a large angry looking red mark slashing his abdomen under the ribcage.

Fawn came to a halt in front of the two technicians.

“I’ve come to claim my possessions.” The Doctor’s quiet voice was pitched perfectly to carry to every corner of the silent commissary.

The two young men just stared in response.

Fawn flourished a piece of paper that White hadn’t noticed him carrying. “Per your ‘organisation’s note, I could send a proxy from my staff with payment, or I could come myself, no payment required.”

The silence continued.

“If we could please hurry this along,” there was an edge to Fawn’s voice now. “I don’t find this room particularly warm at the best of times, and this,” he gestured to encompass his whole body, “is hardly the best of times.”

“… pretty good scenery, though …” White caught the whisper at the very edge of his hearing. A quick scan of the room identified the speaker, an older female engineer, now blushing bright red with her hands clasped over her mouth in mortification as a titter of nervous laughter rippled through the room.

Fawn feigned ignorance, but the sound was enough to break the paralysis of the technicians who scrambled to shove two of the plastic containers towards Fawn. “Thank you kindly,” Fawn said, dragging the containers to a nearby empty table, and, opening the first, began going systematically through the contents.

The situation became clearer as Fawn pulled socks, undershirt, and underpants out and sat them on the table, before closing the first container and opening the second. The remainder of his uniform were deposited on the table (boots beside it) before Fawn nodded, satisfied, and closed the box.

He then began to dress.

Starting with his watch.

White gritted his teeth, as Fawn slowly and methodically dressed, very publicly, in front of a largely appreciative audience.

That Fawn apparently had an exhibitionist streak was a revelation.

There were noises of approval as Fawn bent to put on his socks, murmurs of disappointment as the first the undershirt and then the underpants went on. And the disappointment wasn’t only from female staff, White was amused to note.

Fawn made fleeting eye contact with White, before electing to pull on his trousers, at which point White felt able to intervene.

He stood. “Doctor Fawn.”

Fawn turned to face him properly. “Colonel.” They might have been passing in the hall from Fawn’s tone of voice.

White somehow managed to school his face into a stern expression. “You’re out of uniform,” he said, disapprovingly.

“A regrettable situation, that I am currently rectifying.”

Sniggers rose all over the room.

“If you could explain how this ‘regrettable situation’ came to be, Doctor?”

Fawn calmly walked over to him, and offered the piece of paper he had brought with him.

White read it quickly. It was as Fawn had said. The ‘ransom’ payment listed was quite substantial – it was no wonder the other senior staff was so unhappy, only the independently wealthy Blue could have easily summoned that much money. And it was issued in the name of the charity fundraising team.

White turned to face the two technicians. “Gentlemen. You will return the remainder of the possessions to the rightful owners. And you and all your confederates will report to my office in one hour with all the monies you have collected, and the details of from whom it was collected. You will also have a very good explanation for your conduct, and how it relates to the request put before me. Dismissed.”

The stammered “Yes, Colonel”s and hastily offered salutes heralded a frantic grab at containers as the hapless men evacuated the commissary.

White turned his attention to the rest of the commissary. “Anyone else who has been,” he paused, hunting for the appropriate word, “affected by this misguided attempt to raise monies, please make yourselves known to me.”

Unsurprisingly, the six Senior Staff all stood. “Sir.”

White nodded. “Please present yourselves at my office, with written statements in,” a quick calculation, “two hours.”

Salutes and “Yes, Colonel” this time proceeded the officers retaking their seats, if not resuming their meals. Presumably they had already prepared written statements. They clearly had harboured intentions of exacting personal retribution, thankfully, Fawn’s actions had circumvented any such attempts.

White grimaced, and speaking of the doctor …

“Doctor Fawn, you will, likewise, report to my office in two hours with your written statement. I suggest you give very good thought to how you will explain your course of action.”

Fawn smiled angelically. “I have no need to consider after the fact, Colonel. Spectrum regulations allowed me no other course of action.”

Across the room, Ochre choked on an ill-advised mouthful of drink.

White sympathised with his shock. “I … fail to understand your reasoning, Doctor.”

The smile intensified. “As per the Spectrum Charter, ratified by World President Younger, and confirmed by the Congress of World Government, Spectrum and it’s employees are expressly forbidden from acceding to demands of blackmail and ransom.”

White frowned, “That still doesn’t explain your … display. You could have reported the situation without parading yourself in front of all and sundry.”

“I could. But according to the Personal Code of Conduct, personnel must make ‘all possible attempts’” – there were air quotes – “to resolve personal problems before involving Spectrum. Therefore, I had to make an effort to retrieve my clothing before making a report.”

White gritted his teeth. “You could have sent one of your staff on your behalf.”

“I refer you to the note. Only by providing payment – and therefore ceding to the ransom demands – could my staff retrieve my effects. Also, as the effects involved are of a personal nature, it would be an abuse of Spectrum resources to officially send any of my staff to retrieve them.” Fawn was downright smug.

White thought he had found a loophole in the logic. “As your Spectrum uniform is among the, uh, affected effects, surely that warrants the use of Spectrum resources.” He was not going to lose an argument on regulations with the Doctor in front of half of Cloudbase.

Fawn’s smile was now that of a predator anticipating a kill. “However, the Terms of Contract that all Spectrum Operatives are required to acknowledge and endorse, clearly state that all items of uniform and equipment issued become the personal property and responsibility of the operative – not including laundering and routine maintenance. The operative is responsible for safekeep of all said uniform and equipment, and therefore it was my personal responsibly to retrieve said items.”

White gritted his teeth. Dammit, he was going to lose an argument on regulations in front of half of Cloudbase. No. He had lost the argument. Very publicly. With a half-dressed man, to boot.

He sighed. “Very well, Doctor. Return your possessions to your quarters, and report as instructed, with your written statement, outlining your reasoning.”

He was not going to be able to touch Fawn. No doubt the man had made sure he was not on duty, so he could not be disciplined for being out of uniform. And Fawn was respected and popular enough – and, if the reaction of the commissary was anything to go by, attractive enough – that he doubted there would be any complaints levelled for lewd behaviour, unless White himself cared to raise it himself.

And after that public exchange, it would be tantamount to political suicide to do so. It would be seen as a petty response to losing a debate.

White glanced regretfully at the remains of his dessert. He no longer had time to finish it, there was much to do in preparation for his upcoming interviews. Including verifying the regulations Fawn had quoted, and figuring out how to excuse those who had paid up.

But starting with confirming the whereabouts of his own clothes.

As White left the commissary, the remainder of the Senior Staff followed him out. As they trailed him up the corridor, White heard Scarlet’s stunned whisper, “Bloody hell. Fawn waltzed the entire length of Cloudbase stark-bollock naked, and we’re going to be the ones done for breaking regulations.”

Melody giggled. “I wouldn’t’ve missed that scene for anything. The other girls are sure gonna be sore they missed it.”

White sighed, entered an elevator, and collapsed against the wall as the door closed behind him, leaving him alone.

Today, he intensely regretted taking on the responsibility of Spectrum.

[fathomlessbabbling]

Smile - Charak fic

This is my first fic in over a decade! Hope you enjoy! It is also posted on A03 here.

This is meant to be a slow burn that eventually will lead to some spicy time. No major warnings. Just some beginning fluff.

Chapter 1

"Perfect! We will see you in a few months to start filming!" the producer smiled and shook hands with Tarak with a warm smile on his face. The restaurant where the meeting took place was crowded but was situated enough to provide some semblance of privacy for the movie star and the executives to handle their business. Tarak shared a similar smirk as he shook hands with his tablemates before they began gathering their belongings to depart. He slowly rose from his chair and put on his stylish blazer.

"If you don't mind me asking, is everything alright?" Tarak heard from one of the producer's assistants next to him. He had fallen behind the rest of his entourage it seemed.

"Of course! This is all very exciting!" Tarak lied, putting on his best smile but knowing it didn't reach his eyes. The assistant took the expression in for a moment before smiling and moving to catch up with their boss. Once he was left alone, the movie star felt his smile falter before the somewhat emotionally vacant expression returned.

This strange weight on Tarak's emotions was a new development. He originally thought it was maybe exhaustion. The experience of the Golden Globes followed by a historic Oscar win for RRR took a toll on him. It all felt like a blur. However, after three months had passed it became clear there was something else at work. Tarak did just sign on to star in two movies pretty much the moment the dust settled. He remembered hearing about the films while working on RRR and felt the thrill and excitement of further work coming down the line. Now that the work was here though he found it difficult to enjoy it. The movie star wasn't sure what it meant, but he found he had been sad lately.

Tarak blinked and snapped himself out of whatever stasis his mind was in, moving towards the door of the restaurant. As he moved he could see a gathering of fans just outside the doors and felt a light smile play across his face. No matter what, he always appreciated the support of his fans even when he was haunted by some mysterious sad mental state. Seeing his car parked on the street just outside, he pushed the doors open and did his best to interact with a few of the admirers before stepping into the backseat.

"Home, please," Tarak spoke, waving to the group of fans as the car pulled away from the restaurant. Once the vehicle was on the move, he felt his mind relax. The drive always helped him slip into a more relaxed state. Just as he was enjoying the ride, he felt his phone vibrate. Tarak's brows furrowed as he reached for the device,

RC - How did the meeting go? If it goes well, you are going to have a mountain of work to climb! That's very exciting!

For the briefest of moments, Tarak felt that weight on his mind lift as he saw Ram's name appear on his phone.

- It went well. Production is going to start in a couple of months. Two movies at the same time. I hope it works out.

RC - That's wonderful news! That matches up with something going on in the US. Some studios wanted to set up a meeting with me! I think your interview mentioning wanting to be in a Marvel movie had some impact. One meeting is with Feige.

His eyes widened at that message, a growing excitement in his mind that distracted him from whatever ailment he had suffered earlier. This was it. This was that moment that they dreamed of as an actor. The chance to work in Hollywood.

Tarak found it easy to forget about everything when it came to talking with his best friend. It seemed magical the way a simple conversation could melt away the stresses of the day that would cloud his mind.

- That is so exciting!! I wonder if RRR was finally the film to get their attention! I can’t wait to see your work on such projects!

RC - It is quite spectacular. I told them that you had to be a part of it too. I will keep you in the loop when the meeting is set up if you would like to come with me. I will message you later so we can go over the details. Go rest!

Tarak’s eyes widened at the message. Ram wants me to join him?! This sounded like the dream the both of them had shared. Working in the United States, in Hollywood, was the goal of any actor in the business. The very thought of this made Tarak’s heart swell with excitement. The man in the backseat felt a twinge of something in his heart. It was a very sweet, but almost dangerous feeling. Tarak had spent a lot of time and effort in perfecting his craft but always wanted to branch out away from the rivalries of the Indian studios. He operated under the assumption that the other proverbial shoe was going to drop at any moment. This moment, however, would not allow for that. He would get to spend more time with his anna. He remembered the final moments after the Oscars when the two of them would bid farewell. It made his heart ache, Ram had brought something out of him that he didn’t quite know was there in the first place. Tarak felt excitement in his whole chest.

After the car pulled into the driveway, Tarak excitedly thanked the driver and rushed inside, unsure of what to do with this excited and nervous energy that had built up inside. This was going to be different than before. Instead of the blur of meeting hundreds of Hollywood personalities, it was going to be a business trip. A business trip with Ram. Another chance to spend time with his best friend, his brother. As Tarak hung his blazer up, he felt that spark of something sweet in his heart again. He immediately made for his room to start looking at some of his professional outfits to have something ready to pack.

An hour of excited packing had gone by and the only thoughts that were going through Tarak’s mind were of looking good when standing next to Ram. Tarak knew that Ram had an amazing talent for looking stylish in pretty much anything he chose to wear so he felt that he should match that same level. Tarak had managed to gather enough to make a few outfits work but lingered on one particular jacket. The beautiful black jacket with the golden tiger emblazoned on the shoulder. As he reached out and felt the fabric, he thought of the look on Ram’s face when it was announced that RRR had officially become an Oscar-winning film. His eyes, his smile, the happy tears that were shed between the two of them. It was like he was feeling it play out in slow motion in his memory. Those few seconds forever burned into his mind. 

The moment it was announced, he reached for Ram to pull him into a hug just as Ram had done the same. Tarak remembered looking into those eyes filled with the same joy that he was experiencing. He remembered the feeling of Ram pulling him into that tight embrace and feeling the sturdy form underneath the lavish dark attire. He remembered feeling his beard rubbing against Ram’s cheek and the sweet smell of cologne. He remembered the embrace lasting for just a moment longer than one typically should. At that moment he remembered feeling the thumb on Ram’s right hand move back and forth in a caress as it was clasped against his back. Tarak remembered his eyes closing for just an instant in a moment of pure satisfaction in being in that close embrace with his brother. His anna. His Ram. Tarak wouldn’t admit it, but in that moment of remembrance, something stirred in between his legs for just a moment.

The buzzing and ringtone in Tarak’s pocket broke him off his trip down memory lane. He was honestly not sure how long he had been lost in thought as he retrieved his phone from his pocket to see that Ram was trying to Facetime him. He felt a tired smile spread as he answered the call. Ram’s excited face filled up the screen. He appeared was also preparing outfits for the trip. Ram’s face went from excitement to a hint of concern,

“Hey! Wait, did you get any rest when you arrived back home?”

“Haha! I tried, but when you mentioned Mr. Feige I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a second,” Tarak lied, unsure why.

“Well stop what you’re doing and eat some food! I just ordered some for myself,” Ram announced proudly,

“I’m jealous. You always know the best places to order from. I’m not sure I have enough here at the moment to cook something up.”

“I figured you would say that. That’s why I ordered extra. Come over! We should celebrate anyway!”

For a brief instant, Tarak found himself feeling weightless, “I’ll be on my way in a couple of minutes.”

Tarak wasn’t sure if Ram noticed the shift in his behavior. All he saw was that magical smile. That smile, Tarak grumbled to himself in his head. I would follow that smile anywhere.

“The food should be here in about a half hour. Hurry up!” Ram said with a cheerful tone before hanging up the video call.

Tarak did not move as a thought passed through his mind. The memory of that embrace once again flashed across his forethought. Somewhere deep and secreted away inside he wished he could feel his friend that close to him again. And unlike before when such thoughts would cross his mind, he did not shake them off. As Tarak finally readied himself and got into his car, he smiled excitedly as he would get to see his Ram.

My Ram... Why all of the sudden is that phrase in my head? He thought to himself as he drove off.

[flebdoodle]

You know what, yeah Jimmy Solidarity-core Random excerpt from the middle of the proposed fic: "Jimmy, wait up!" a voice called from behind him. The human turned to see the kid he was assigned to sit next to - Tangerine, wasn't it? "Yeah?" he said, wanting to get this conversation over with. Jimmy didn't really enjoy talking to the people who thought he was some sort of eldritch being, which was everyone in this school building. His tablemate placed their hands on their knees and bent over, breathing hard. "You... dropped this..." they said, handing Roberto Avocado the 27th to him. "Roberto Avocado! Oh, thank goodness..." Jimmy studied the monster in front of him. If he had to guess, he'd say they're of some type of Netheric origin, perhaps a magma cube? It was hard to tell. "Thank you for telling me, uh..." "Tango," they say, sticking their hand out for a shake. "He/him, pleasure to make your acquaintance." "Same here. On, uh, both accounts," the human stuttered out.

After mistakenly transfering to a high school for monsters, you try to tell them that you’re just a regular human. However, because of bizarre coincidences creating apparently inexplicable situations, the school population and teachers come to believe you’re actually an Eldritch Abomination

[min-pathologica]

my table got to hold and pet a bunny today!!!!!!! no one else came over so i guess us queer animal obsessed kids are too scary. originally there was some kind of rotation going on but then the bunny just…. forgot to include one of us so it only alternated between me and someone else. i was the first to discover it likes being pet behind the ears 😎 because i’m cool and my cats like their ears scratched so i did a bit of shall we say meandering in that area until i found out it likes that spot. which is incredibly soft so it’s a win-win. also i’m convinced it likes my deodorant for some reason cause it just loitered around near my elbow for a good how many minutes and i had to do the “pardon me sir please do not sniff my chest”. or i could be completely stupid but i’d like to think rabbits do like me lol

but we just took out the rabbit after animal care, for the actual thing we had the bearded dragon. who i got to watch over since my tablemates were actually doing things and the other one in our group doesn’t like the beardie. that’s usually the jobs we end up doing lollll. but anyway i decided i’d do a bit of studying while watching chubs and bro took a sudden interest in mathematics. he did the beardie air lick (treasured sign of curiosity and adventure) and climbed onto my keyboard to enthusiastically watch sal khan talk about trigonometry. bro wants to be gauss

[shoegasams]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: New! Vintage Sterilite Tablemates Bluebird Set Napkin Holder S&P Shaker Butter.