#the second they say “this will be a totally normal adventure--I mean vacation/school year�� | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

carriagelamp · 4 years ago

Photo

~ Queer Lit 30 Day Book Challenge ~

I decided to do this challenge I came across for June! Originally it was designed as a “day-by-day” thing, but my June was way too hectic to do a write up every single day… so I decided to make a nice compilation for the end of the month instead!

This is perhaps not the “purest” form of the challenge but I wanted it to be personal for me. Growing up when I did and where I did, I had very little exposure to queer books, especially age-appropriate queer books. That being said, there’s some books on this list that are really only “queer” by technically, or through a secondary character rather than the main character. I debated whether to include these but finally decided that, yes, I would. I owe it to myself. Even though some of these books that aren’t “as queer” as other, they were (or are) really important to me as a queer person and my journey is understanding that, so I wanted to acknowledge them!

More info about the books and the challenge under the cut!

Day One: First Queer Book You Remember Reading

Color by Taishi Zaou and Eiki Eiki

Remember how I mentioned a lack of available, age-appropriate queer books? I was one of those kids who was definitely exposed (probably too young) to queer manga/yaoi. It wasn’t necessarily what I wanted, especially as a wee ace teen, but it was the best I had at the time and it meant the world to me at the time, to see same-sex relationships even if looking back on them is very “YIKES”.

I’m sure I read others before this, but Color is one of the first that I really remember and which I a) actually owned and which b) wasn’t completely repellent in hindsight! I haven’t reread it in probably over a decade so I have no idea how it stands up, but at the time it read like a much more “realistic” account of two teenagers developing a crush and starting a relationship and as a questioning teenager it really helped me realize that this was a real, viable option.

Day Two: Queer Book That Reminds You Of Home

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

I hummed and hawed about this one for a long time because honestly I tend to read books that make me feel far from home. I decided to go with The Witch Boy though because it’s a story that challenges gender norms and stars a large family out in the woods, running wild and exploring magic, and honestly it gives me vibes that remind me of vacationing with my extended family. We’re also partially ginger and inclined to run wild in the woods. If we knew magic we’d have used it for sure.

This book is about 13 year old Aster, who lives in a family where the women all become witches and the men all become shifters. Aster, however, has no interest in shapeshifting and instead finds ways to study magic and learn the arts of witchcraft while constantly being pushed out by his female relatives… though everything might change when a new danger, that may or may not be connected to Aster studying magic, begins to appear.

Day Three: Queer Book That Has Been On Your TBR Too Long

Beneath The Citadel by Destiny Soria

That was an easy choice, this has been sitting on my bookshelf for months, staring at me accusingly every time I enter my room. I’m really excited to read it (Magical heist? Rebellion? With an asexual protagonist? Yes please) but for some reason I have not gotten around to it. Some day, baby, some day.

Day Four: Queer Book With A Name Or Number In The Title

George by Alex Gino

George is an absolutely charming middle grade novel about a child named George who the world perceives as male… but who knows she’s definitely a girl. The novel begins when her class decided to put on a play about the novel they had just read: Charlotte’s Web. George is desperate to play Charlotte, her favourite character, but isn’t even allowed to try out because it’s a “girl’s role”. George and her best friend struggle with how to handle this problem and manage George’s secret amid elementary school and home drama.

This book is really adorable – it was a nice, easy, cozy read for an adult, and would also make a great read aloud to elementary-age children if you want to introduce them to transgender characters.

Day Five: Queer Book Where The Protag Has A Fun Job

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

Not actually a queer protagnoist, but a queer side character who plays a major role in the series. Mister Vernon, one of Leila’s fathers, has arguable the coolest job: he’s a retired stage magician turn magic shop owner, which is complete with large rabbit, hidden room, and tons of fascinating gadgets to help a young practical magician learn their trade. He is hands down one of the neatest character in the series and is a major catalyst throughout the series.

The first book follows Carter, a runaway orphan who practices street magic to get by, as he runs away from his horrible uncle and winds up meeting a gang of magic-loving friends in a small town. Hiding from his uncle is only the beginning though, and the mysteries surrounding the town and Mister Vernon become thicker and thicker as the series goes on.

Day Six: Favourite Queer Graphic Novel

Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu

There’s lots of fantastic queer graphic novels out there, but I have to name Check, Please! as my favourite (and not just because I’m Canadian and am legally obligated to at least show interest in a hockey story). Check, Please! is the friggin cutest story about Eric “Bitty” Bittle, former figure skater and avid baker, who joins the Samwell University hockey team. The story is told in the form of Bitty’s vlog as he recounts the bizarre quirks of the Samwell hockey team, his struggle to overcome his fear of checking, and his growing crush on the team captain, Jack. Seriously guys, this is cavity-inducing sweetness and you can read it all online for free, here on tumblr @omgcheckplease or at its own website, checkpleasecomic.

Day Seven: Queer Book You Often Reread

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Another book I haven’t reread in years, but this was the first queer novel I ever read (and owned!) so I read it obsessively, first the copy from the high school library and then my own copy (which is, let us say, well-thumbed by this point). It was pure fluff, in an aggressively diverse, relentlessly accepting, rainbow-coloured high school and it was exactly what I wanted in high school, and it still makes me happy whenever I remember it. It’s a straight-up high school romance, pretty traditional to the genre, but it has the most delightful supporting cast you could ever ask for. Maybe I should reread it again this summer…

Day Eight: Queer Book With A Happy Ending

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

This was a bit more of a “yeah it was fine” book for me, but honestly… queer people deserve some average, run-of-the-mill YA fantasies. As far as my normal reading preferences go, run-of-the-mill YA fantasies are my bread and butter. And this one has a cute sapphic romance to go with it. It’s about Denna, a princess with a dangerous secret: she has a magical Affinity for fire, despite being betrothed to the prince of a kingdom that aggressively prosecutes and fears magic-users. So now Denna is in a strange land, trying to hide her increasingly volatile magic, solve an assassination that rocked the kingdom, and deal with the growing connection between her and the prince’s wild sister, Mare. It has court intrigue, a murder mystery, horses, and lots of confused sapphic pining so it’s totally worth picking up if you want a light summer fantasy adventure.

Day Nine: Queer Book With (Over) 100 Pages

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

I decided to try to get as close to 100 pages as possible! River of Teeth is a 114-page novella that I haven’t quite finished (work and covid stress happened) but which I am fucking losing my mind for. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s peak alternative history, about queer hippopotamus-riding cowboys in Louisiana during the early 20th (late 19th?) century. Like… I don’t know how to emphasize how unbelievably cool this book is. Genderqueer demolition expert with a giant crush and a penance for making things blow up and attempting to poison guests when they’re bored?? Check. Gay gunslinging hippo-riding cowboy with an angsty backstory (and also a giant crush)? Check. Sexy, fat, badass lady con artist with an albino hippo that she spoils? Check. Like damn guys. I’m not done the book and I’ve already bought the sequel because I know the second I pick it back up I’m not gonna stop until I’ve ploughed through it all. This book is the epitome of “refuge in audacity” and “rule of cool”. Is it over the fucking top? Absolutely but that’s the point.

Day Ten: Favourite Queer Genre Novel

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

I’ll be honest, I’m a little shaky on what counts as a genre novel (isn’t… everything… a genre??) so I decided to interpret it as “slightly trashy YA supernatural fantasy” because that sure is a hella specific genre I’m weak for.

I really thought I was done with the Shadowhunter novels, I thought they were a goofy series I left behind in teenagerhood that I could look back on with amused indulgence. And then I found out that there was a novel specifically about Alec and Magnus and! Oh no! Ding dong I was wrong. I fell back in hard because listen… I love them. They were one of the first canonical same-sex relationships I ever read about in an actual novel, they meant a lot to me then and still mean a lot to me now. I have nothing to say to defend myself here except that this book wrecked me and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Day Eleven: Queer Book You Love In A Genre You Don’t Read

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connel

I am very rarely a slice-of-life / romance genre sort of person. I like my stories cut with a heavy dose of fantasy, scifi, action-adventure… something. So a graphic novel that’s not only a romance, but one about an unhealthy relationship and infidelity is like… super outside my usual range of reading material. But it was very much worth the read! The art was stunning, and the complicated emotions it tapped into really touched me. I’m very happy to have read it, and was so damn satisfied by the end.

Day Twelve: Queer Book With A Strong Sense Of Place

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller

Linsey Miller is one author I very actively follow, I love her works and they always have very distinct, complicated worlds with unique societies and magic systems. Belle Révolte was her latest book and followed a prince-and-the-pauper type of story, in which wealthy Emilie des Marais is determined to learn noonday (magical) arts in order to become a physician, someone who can actually work to make her home a better place… but this is not something a proper lady would ever be allowed to do. So she flees her finishing school and meets poor, but magically gifted, Annette Boucher and offers her the chance to switch places. Annette goes back to school as “Emilie” and gets to hone her skills at the midnight arts while Emilie will use her name to sneak into medical school and fight her way up the ranks to physician. This is a challenging enough task, with rebellion roiling just beneath the surface and the country about to slip into a arrogant war that threatens the lives of hundreds…

Day Thirteen: Queer Book That Really Made You Think

Our Dreams At Dusk by Yuhki Kamatani

This is a four book manga series that is completely breath-taking. It’s touched by magical-realism and completely drowned in visually stunning metaphors and symbolism. Seriously, I’ve reread these books multiples times trying to digest how the wide variety of symbols overlap and contradict and compliment and challenge each other. I still haven’t really gotten a solid handle on it, it’s very fluid, so yeah… definitely makes me think.

The story starts with Tasuku Kaname who believes he may have just been outed as gay by a high school friend, and feels like he’s watching his entire world crumble around him. He is seriously considering taking his own life, when he runs into the mysterious woman “Someone-san” and winds up leading him to a drop-in center that’s run by a local non-profit, and is also a hub for a number of queer people in the community. The books follow Tasuku as he grows, learns, makes mistakes, and confronts his feelings, along with a number of other members at the drop-in center. It is completely beautiful, optimistic, but also quite stark and harsh at its look at homophobia and transphobia in modern Japanese society and how it can effect people in different ways. I just bought book four and can’t wait to read it and see how everything ends.

Day Fourteen: Queer Book That Made You Cry

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Holy shit guys. Listen. Listen. If you don’t read any other book on this list, please consider reading The Marrow Thieves. It is hands down the best book I’ve read so far this year. Another book that doesn’t have a queer character as the protag, but as one of the main supporting characters and listen, his story fucking destroyed me as a person. That romance just… aaaaaaah. AAAAAAAAH.

Anyway. The Marrow Thieves is a Canadian dystopian novel. It takes place in a post-climate change world in which society has been ravaged – partially due to the wildly different and extreme weather patterns, but also through a strange disease that has spread through the population that has left people completely incapable of dreaming. Now unable to rest, process their lives, and dream of a future, people are being driven insane and only one group appears to be immune: North America’s First Nations people appear to be unaffected. And so they begin to be harvested, rounded up and collected in “school” in order for people to suck the marrow out of them to give to white people afflicted by this disease. The Marrow Thieves follows a First Nations boy named Frenchie as he flees the recruiters and tries his best to survive in this post-apocalyptic like wilderness, banding together with other First Nations people who are heading north, where they hope to find communities of their own people with whom they can shelter and start to rebuild their lives.

It’s a YA level novel, not very long, and such an insanely good read. I cannot emphasize enough PLEASE GO READ THIS BOOK.

Day Fifteen: Queer Book That Made You LOL

Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Welcome to Nightvale always makes me laugh and it was a lot of fun to get to read the transcripts of the episodes. I’m a sucker for novelizations/transcripts of shows. It was a nice nostalgia trip and gave me an excuse to go back and relisten to some of my favourite episodes too! If you’ve never gotten into Nightvale… hey, it’s a classic! Podcast is fucking stunning if you’re into podcasts, and if you’re not but would enjoy a weird, queer, eldritch horror comedy then try the book! It’s the first “season” compiled in text form, exactly how it’s heard in the show.

Day Sixteen: Queer Book That Is Really Personal To You

Jughead volume 1 by Chip Zdarsky et al

Including this one because gee golly it sure did make me want to fight a lot of people for quite a while. It was one of the first stories I ever found/read that had an explicitly asexual main character… (and a character I already really loved! Which I now got to feel an even stronger connection to! It was so fun and validating!) so it was super awesome how like half of tumblr decided for a year there that this was apparently a cardinal sin. Imagine… one single version of old, long standing comic series deciding to retcon a character to represent a heavily under-represented community… imagine being so fucking angry about that that you decide to start a hate campaign on the internet. So much fun to live through that as an ace person. Anyway, these comics were nothing amazing but I sure do love them aggressively out of pure spite, even now that the aphobia on tumblr has died back down I will hold this to my chest and adore it.

Day Seventeen: Favourite Queer Book Sequel or Spin Off

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Honestly do I even need to say anything here? Is there any queer person who hasn’t read Mackenzi Lee’s The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue series? If you are someone who hasn’t read it yet… go do that?? Absolutely stunning, one of my all-time favourite book series. It’s the perfect combination of hilarious and goofy, intense action, heartfelt character development, and a dash of “wait was that supernatural or??” This sequel was fantastic, this time focusing on Felicity, Monty’s sister, and her quest to become a physician despite being a woman in the 18th century. Awesome look at femininity, feminism, asexuality, and race. (Also… OT3? OT3.)

Day Eighteen: Favourite Queer Book By A Favourite Author

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

One of those “ehh is this technically queer? Not really but close enough, it is in my heart” books. It was one of the books I read as a teenager when I was still beginning to seek out and try to explore queer lit in so much as I could.

Terry Pratchett is, hands down, my favourite author, and though he doesn’t tend to write explicitly queer literature, his exploration of gender through allegory is top fucking tier. Everything to do with the dwarves in his series is fascinating, and a really great challenge/critique/exploration of gender, and this is the book that takes it to the next level (and brings in at least implicitly queer characters). It’s about Polly Perks, who lives in a small, war torn nation, choosing to join the army in order to find out what happened to her brother. However, as tradition dictates, she can’t join as a girl… so she disguises herself as Ozzer, a young man. There’s a lot of twists and turns, and as always Pratchett delivers fantastic humour and just absolutely delicious satire.

Day Nineteen: Queer Book That Changed Your Life

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

This was the book that made me realize that I, as a queer teacher, could have queer kid lit in my future classroom. Maybe a comparatively small revelation, but a really important one to me. It made me realize that this didn’t need to be something I kept a secret in my professional life and which could really positively influence children, especially queer children. It was the first queer children’s book I ever bought.

Day Twenty: Favourite Queer Book Series

Candy Color Paradox by Isaku Natsume

Alright… I’ll admit it, this isn’t actually my favourite series, but I’ve used my favourites in other spots. And this is a good one! Definitely more of an actual “yaoi” than the other manga I’ve included (here there be sex) but it has a very different vibe that what I’m used to from that type of manga. The main pair are actually both capable, mature adults, with careers they actively care about, and who get together in the first volume!

The rest of the series is less about them angst-ily toeing around their relationship, and much more about them learning to grow as a couple and balance their work and relationship and society. It’s funny and sweet, and I really enjoy these two losers. It’s a very low-stakes enemy-to-friends-to-lovers story, in which Onoe (a reporter) and Kaburagi (a photographer) are paired up on a news story they’re supposed to dig into together. What starts as a bickering rivalry gradually becomes respect, friendship, and love~ Onoe is a gremlin of a protag, so he’s a treat to follow.

Day Twenty-One: Queer Book That You Recommend A Lot

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller

To repeat myself: Linsey Miller is awesome! This is my favourite book of hers, the first of a duology. It’s kind of like an intense, edgy Tamora Pierce novel with murder. In this world, the Queen has a team of assassins known as the Left Hand. They’re an elite group that keeps the Queen safe and does the dirty work that needs to be done to protect the kingdom and keep the encroaching nations at bay. When the assassin Opal is killed, a contest is announced to find the new Opal. People from all over come to complete for the honour of being one of the Queen’s royal assassins, including gender-fluid thief Sallot Leon. Sal has some deep motivations to become Opal that go beyond a loyalty to their kingdom, but they’re going to have to survive their competitors if they even wants a chance at it… (Sal generally goes by either she or he in the books, but I’m using they in this instance since it’s in a more general sense.)

Day Twenty-Two: Queer Book That Made You Take Action

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

Uhh, I don’t really have any books that made me take action per se, but this one sure gave me a lot to think about. It’s about deep sea mermaids who originated from the pregnant slave women tossed into the ocean to drown during passage to North America. From those dying women, this race was born and were taken in by whales, raised and protected until they could descend into the deep ocean waters, to form their own safe society. Their collective past is so painful though that as a species they’ve developed a very short term memory. But a people can’t live without any ties to their roots and so one of them, the Historian, holds all the memories for their entire species and shares it with everyone once a year so that the community can be connected to their ancestors before once again returning the memories to the Historian for safe keeping. Yetu, the current Historian, is so overwhelmed by these memories, that she can no longer take it – she flees her people, her responsibilities, and her pain and escapes to the surface instead...

Day Twenty-Three: Queer Book By An Author Who I Killed Is Dead

Cybersix by Carlos Trillo

I cannot emphasize enough, this is not actually a queer comic, it is in fact a very homophobic, transphobic and sexist comic written by a horrible person.

That being said, he’s dead and I own it now the TV series was essentially about a genderqueer superhero and a very confused bi biology professor who has a crush on both personas. I had a passionate crush on both personas as a child, and I will cherrypick this comic until I die in order to enjoy the only kickass genderqueer/genderfluid noir antihero I’ve come across. I am valid and I am not open to debate or discussion. Do not read this comic it’s horrible (but consider watching the show).

Day Twenty-Four: Queer Book You Wish You’d Read When Younger

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

This is such an incredibly soft story with the nicest art. There’s so much understanding and compassion in it and its exploration of gender and self-confidence and being true to yourself would have been very reassuring to me as a child, especially by late elementary/middle school.

Day Twenty-Five: Queer Book In A Historical Setting

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A retelling of Achilles’ and Patroclus’ relationship from childhood to the Trojan war. So yeah, you can imagine that this was also a candidate for Day 14 :’) I haven’t read this one in years but god it was lovely and emotionally destroyed me as a person.

Day Twenty-Six: Queer Superhero Book or Comic

Overwatch: Reflections by Michael Chu and Miki Montillo

I don’t really read superhero stories very often (the comics have always driven me a little bonkers, trying to find a way to enter the totally unapproachable Marvel/DC canons, and the MCU burnt me out years ago for every other sort of superhero story) so this is the closest I can get. Tracer’s a superhero yeah? Anyway, I, like every other queer person in the Overwatch fandom, lost my fucking mind when this dropped for Christmas a few years back and officially declared Lena Oxton not only the face of the entire franchise but also a lesbian. It’s an adorable little comic and Tracer’s girlfriend is a sweetheart.

Day Twenty-Seven: Favourite Queer Children’s Picture Book

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

There’s a number of sweet queer children’s books that are popping up these days, but this is my favourite just because it’s less about “explaining the gays to children” (though those books also have their place) and more of a cute little fantasy adventure in which the actual protagonist is gay. It’s about a prince who sets out to find himself a bride who can help rule by his side, but it quickly becomes clear that he isn’t interested in any of the girls. Instead, when a fire breathing dragon threatens his kingdom, he meets a brave knight who fights along side him. It’s very supportive and the art is lovely.

Day Twenty-Eight: Queer Book That Made You Feel Uncomfortable

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

This is a book with an asexual protagonist that I was originally really excited for. I know there are a lot of people out there who really enjoy this book and connected with it, but it didn’t do it for me. Maybe because my expectations were too high, but the protagonist’s experience with asexuality was vastly different than my own and the narrative voice ended up rubbing me wrong (and let’s be honest, slice-of-life romance is NOT my usual genre at all). So it’s not “made me uncomfortable because it’s Bad And Wrong” more just… totally vibed wrong with me. Maybe the perfect book for other people but definitely not for me, I had to return this one unfinished because it’s portrayal of asexuality just made me so deeply uncomfortable.

Day Twenty-Nine: Queer Book That Made You Want To Fall In Love

The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice And Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

This book had to make it on here somewhere, and honestly it could have gone in a lot of different spots, but I chose to put it here because the relationship between Monty and Percy is so incredibly sweet and authentic it really does make you want something like that. TGGTVAV (for anyone who has somehow not heard of it) takes place in the 18th century, and is about Monty, his best friend (and crush) Percy, and his sister Felicity going on a final “hurrah” tour of Europe before Monty's father finally tries to pin him down in England and force every part of Monty that’s deemed “unacceptable” out of him. So Monty intends to live this summer up… until everything goes off the rail and the three of them are suddenly fleeing across the continent with assassins at their heels and a strange, stolen artifact in their possession.

Monty has a lot of growing to do in this novel, and that’s one of my favourite things about it. For his and Percy’s relationship to ever have a chance, Monty needs to learn and change and actually communicate with other people, and it makes the relationship feel strong. Not a fluffy, surface level romance that often happens in YA but something built from the ground up by two friends who really want to make it work. Ahh, it’s lovely. One of my favourite novels.

Day Thirty: Queer Book With Your Favourite Ending

My Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh Tagame

A two-book manga series that was completely stunning. It deals with queer relationships and homophobia in a very stark, real-world manner that you don’t often get in manga, while still being incredibly loving and sympathetic. The book is about Yaichi, a single father whose estranged brother (Ryoji) recently died. One day, a Canadian named Mike arrives, introducing himself as Ryoji’s widower. Mike had come hoping to visit his late husband’s homeland to try to get some closure, and Yaichi ends up inviting Mike to stay. The whole story looks Japan’s societal biases, through Mike’s experiences, Yaichi’s thoughts, feelings and prejudices, and those of his daughter who adores Mike.

Seriously, this is one of the kindest, most earnest looks I’ve ever seen to internal prejudices that critiques them without demonizing the person who feels them. Instead it lovingly embraces grief, growth, and love. This series made me cry multiple times, was good enough that even my straight brother practically ordered me to go out and buy the second book when he finished the first, and the ending was just *chef’s kiss*

Honourable Mentions

A few books I really wanted to fit on my list somehow but couldn’t quite manage it, so here: All Out an anthology of historical fiction short stories about queer teens. The Tea Dragon Society series and Princess Princess Ever After, graphic novels by the amazingly talented Katie O’Neill. Heartstopper a webcomic turn graphic novel by Alice Oseman about a pair of rugby players. The Different Dragon a cute picture book in which the boy has two moms and which is about accepting different ways of being. And Lady Knight a part of Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small series because because Kel is word-of-god aro(and/or ace) and I’ve adored that series and Kel since I was about thirteen so by god I’ll take it.

Now for those that wanted to do their own challenge, I found it on @gailcarriger’s blog.

57 notes · View notes

ohwereusingourmadeupnames · 4 years ago

Note

roommates AU!! Maybe one where young Tony has had a string of awful roommates (ie. they bully him for his age, etc.). The housing office transfers him one last time and tells him to give it a week. If this one still doesn't work out, then they'll let him room alone. At first, Tony just wants the week to be over, but of course his new roommate is the sweet Peter Parker. Cue pining!Tony, oblivious!Peter and a fluffy resolution... Just my rambles, but always excited to see what you come up with!

do the thing - send in all the prompts.

Nonnie, this was a lovely prompt - thank you so much for the idea! I aged Tony up a little bit to make sure there wasn’t anything underage, but I hope I hit all the things you were looking for!

Tony always figured flying through school would be a breeze. And for the most part – it was. The class material turned out to be easier than even he anticipated; he could’ve easily gotten through high school with his eyes closed. At 16, the concept of winning was the only thing that registered to him – what he was winning, he didn’t really know; but beating out his peers around him always made him feel just a bit better about how ridiculously brainy he really was.

Of course, the social aspect of school wasn’t nearly as easy. Most people didn’t understand what it was like to be the son of Howard Stark – Tony knew the inside of a lab before the age of 4 and attended dinners with some of the world’s figure heads on a consistent basis. As one of the youngest people in the entire room always, Tony struggled to fit in. Being smart wasn’t the piece of school that people admired, especially when the age gap was already so substantial. To say he was picked on was putting it mildly.

He assumed getting to college would end all of the bullying that came pre-packaged in the high school experience. Why would people in the pursuit of a degree in higher education care how old anyone was? The shocking reality of how wrong he was came when his very first roommate locked him out of the dorm for a full 48-hours. Tony didn’t like to throw around the weight of his name, but he hadn’t showered and needed textbooks to get to some of his classes. Needless to say, his roommate did not remain in the room for much longer.

Tony’s next roommate at least lasted for the rest of the year – he was an asshole at all points in time, but he didn’t lock him out of the room or touch his shit. There wasn’t enough of a connection to ask him back as a roommate – so Tony put his name back on the list for a roommate and went about his summer vacation.

Coming back from Italy, Tony was refreshed and more than ready to get through the next year as quickly as possible. He’d turned 17 over the summer and was one step closer to being on the cusp of independence. Then, people couldn’t judge him for his age. Tony walked into the year with a positive attitude – that was quickly bat down by the homophobic bigot they stuck him with. Tony still didn’t like the way faggot sat on the surface of his skin.

The struggle to keep a roommate brought him in front of housing for what felt like the hundredth time – all he wanted was some peace to get through school and maybe enjoy some of it. The notoriety of the university kept the supply of single rooms scarce, but he figured if push really came to shove, he could find a way to get one for himself. Cindy, who’d been dealing with him since his first gem of a roommate screwed the pooch, looked at him with a mixture of pity and concern. “I need you to give it a go one more time, for at least a week. There aren’t any singles available and I’m certain that this person will be suitable for you. In the meantime, I’ll see what I can do if all else fails.”

A barely concealed scoff left his mouth, but he nodded, anyway. After the stream of lectures he got from his father when the initial trouble started, Tony was determined to settle the situation by his own means, even if that meant trying to stomach one more person for 7 days. All of his other roommates proved how terrible they were right from the get-go, so he figured he could make it – the other side held the key to his single and a little bit of peace from the boring monotony of societal norms.

A couple of days later, a knock on the door drew Tony from the book in front of him – he’d been balls deep in the chapter on electrical energy conversion. Standing up from his seated position, Tony realized how long he’d been sitting when his feet felt a little numb. The break was obviously needed.

Pulling the door open, Tony let a soft gasp leave his lips – the person standing there was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. Long legs led to a torso that was covered with a white and purple striped shirt and flight jacket. The length of this person’s neck held a head covered in dark brown, curly hair. Tony took a couple of steps back on instinct, his brain going haywire.

“Are you Tony?”

In an attempt to speak, Tony opened his mouth – no words followed, however. Blushing, he chose to nod instead. He opened the door a little bit wider, his hand swinging in a ‘come in gesture’. His lips were quirked into an involuntary smile, everything about his body he could usually control now running on instinct and the overwhelming hormones that coursed through him.

A soft chuckle left the other’s mouth, the sound like music to his ears. Why did it take this long to deliver someone like this to his door? More than anything, Tony hoped that handsome person walking into the dorm that must be his new roommate wasn’t a total piece of shit – he wanted to be able to hold out a little hope.

“I’m Peter – Peter Parker. I just transferred here,” the man, Peter, said – his eyes wandering around the modest fixtures that Tony kept around the shared space. “Is that really a big-screen TV?” Peter’s plumps lips formed a roguish grin, coffee-colored eyes flashing with genuine excitement. “I never thought I’d see one of those in a college dorm room.”

Tony watched him trace a hand across the top, his fingers fiddling with the wiring at the back of it. “And it has HDMI capability. We can get both of my systems set up on this thing.” Peter’s excitement took him by surprise, everyone else who walked through the door didn’t care about the cool shit he brought with him – just the differences between them; his age, the sexuality he refused to hide – his academic abilities, even.

Not Peter, though – he went on to explain that he was getting a degree in Electrical Engineering and didn’t get to have some of the newer appliances growing up. It was weird, to see someone so excited about the nerdy stuff Tony liked, too. They heartily discussed the best way to get both the Xbox and PlayStation set up through the tv without bogging down the cable setup already existing in the room.

By the time they were both happy with how Peter’s things mixed into the fixtures of the room, Tony figured he was already head over heels for the guy – for the first time in his life, someone took him at face value and didn’t hate what they saw.

----

The rest of the year with Peter went by seamlessly. During the spring semester, they planned to have a class together, both of them still needing to take some of the basic engineering classes. There wouldn’t be a lot of cross over later in their degrees, so they took advantage. It was different, having someone he could rely on sitting in class next to him, and then being there at home later on, too. Tony never got to experience the sort of camaraderie that Peter so freely gave to him.

Mornings were filled with the two of them trying to make breakfast on the little hot plate Peter brought from home. It was always an adventure, trying to get everything cooked all the way through and evenly – at least, Tony enjoyed watching Peter puzzle it all together. Their day started together and as the time passed, it ended together, too. Peter liked to spend time in their shared space, so Tony found excuses to be out there, too.

Tony found himself seeking out Peter’s company all the time, if he were being honest. Peter was the most interesting person – he didn’t care about the normal things; he wanted to learn and explore, he wanted to see what the world had to offer. Best of all, he seemed to want to include Tony in the things he wanted to know more about.

A couple of months into their second semester living together, Tony looked up to find Peter staring at him. “What’s your middle name?” Peter asked, a smirk slipping across his lips. “Are you an Anthony, or just Tony?”

Putting his pen down in the book he’d been reading to keep his place, Tony shifted a bit and gave Peter his full attention. “My full name is Anthony Edward Stark. No one but my mom calls me Anthony, though.” Tony tried to keep the blush he couldn’t help under cover, but his ears were warm – there was no escaping it. “What about you? Are you a junior, or something?”

The exchange went on a for a while, Peter talking a bit about his family in Queens and the Brainiac’s team he left behind when he graduated and came to Cambridge. Tony soaked up the information and attempted to be open about pieces of himself, too – he talked about his dad and the weird relationship they had and about Dum-E and the never-ending tweaks and adjustments he made to better him.

It was a little easier after that conversation, both of them felt a little more comfortable and for Tony, he felt closer to Peter than any other person in his life. He hoped it wasn’t obvious, how much Peter meant to him. There were stars in his eyes constantly – so he kind of doubted it.

Even his mom noticed how things shifted for him – he wasn’t his normally surly self when he went home over spring break. Maria looked at him with a weird smile – Tony didn’t think he’d ever seen the look on her face before. “School okay, Tony?” she questioned, her hands brushing through the hair by his ear. He figured she missed the little kid he used to be – he would sit for hours and let her pet him like that back then.

Grinning, Tony nodded – his teenage hormones making it hard to keep himself calm, cool, and collected. “Yes, it’s okay. I’m doing well and really enjoying Differential Equations this semester.” He kept his answer brief, his inability to talk to her still in place despite the weightless feeling that accompanied him. “I’m thinking about picking up a class in the summer and sticking around.”

He didn’t tell her that Peter was involved in a work study program and would need to be on campus all summer working. It seemed silly to give up his bedroom in the place that was now his home simply because summer came around.

Tony didn’t want to miss a single second of time he could be around Peter – no matter how weirdly pathetic that probably was. Later, when he left the kitchen and headed towards his room, Tony missed the smile his mom beamed his way.

Their end of the semester project was due a couple of weeks after they got back from spring break, so Tony and Peter spent a lot of time together when they got back from visiting their respective families. It was a little like the time away from each other strengthened the need for the bond between them. Peter spent more time in the dorm and when he couldn’t be there, Tony pestered him at work, the help desk more than familiar with him after all the time he spent there.

The closer they got; the more Tony wondered if Peter felt the same way that he did. Tony knew he was still young, his 18th birthday creeping slowly toward him. There were tons of great looking people on campus, people that were closer to Peter’s age – but he hoped, he crossed his fingers and looked up in search of a person he didn’t believe in just to send up a little wish into the atmosphere.

Tony tried to gage things between them a couple of weeks before the end of the semester – he wanted the summer to go off without a hitch and knew his useless pinning would be more of a burden than anything if he didn’t at least try and find out if he stood any chances. He wasn’t completely sure of how he’d try to fish out the truth, but he needed to – the probable thought of exploding crossing his mind frequently.

A perfect opportunity presented itself when Peter came home a little tipsy from a party that Friday night, his face split into a loose smile, eyes shining with the blaze of alcohol and something simmering just below the surface. Tony paused the round of Tekken he’d been playing, his hand patting the cushion next to him. “Have a good night?” Tony asked curiously, his lips slipping into a smile when Peter threw himself carelessly down onto the couch. Their shoulders brushed, that little bit of contact sending a torrent of happiness through him.

“I definitely drank enough to make it feel like it was a good night,” Peter replied, the alcohol letting the words fall easily from loose lips. “MJ brought 151 in a little flask – it doesn’t taste like shoe cleaner, so it was easy to drink a little bit too much.” He smiled and leaned further into Tony’s side. “Glad to be back, though.”

A nose brushed the side of his neck, Tony holding his breath to stop the gasp that tried to escape from the confines of his chest. He put the controller down on the arm of the couch and sat more fully on the couch – his arm going around the back of it. “I’m glad that you’re back, too,” Tony admitted, his hand moving inch by inch until his fingertips were just barely fumbling with the sleeve of Peter’s black t-shirt.

“What are you doing, Tony?” Peter asked from his place against Tony’s shoulder, his breath tickling his skin, the sensation distracting. He drew his bottom lip between his teeth and absorbed he warmth while he could – Peter nestled in the space Tony wanted him the most might never happen again.

“I – don’t know. I – “ Tony started to speak, but the common problem of getting a little tongue-tied around Peter coming back with a vengeance. “I think I was trying to put my arm around you.” He felt his face flush even further – his cheeks and ears the same colors as Peter’s without the influence of alcohol and its properties.

While he didn’t actually move away, Tony felt Peter stiffen. Sucking in a hurt breath, Tony froze, too – he must’ve read the room wrong. “Oh,” he heard Peter say, the word muffled by Tony’s skin still. He gulped, then extracted himself from the tangle of longer arms and warm skin – his eyes already starting to burn with tears he wouldn’t be able to control for much long.

“Sorry – I didn’t, I mean. I – sorry, Pete.” Tony babbled, the inability to speak in full sentences hitting him double time now that embarrassment coated the nervousness that threatened to overcome him. How stupid could he be? Turning before he could embarrass himself further, Tony made a quick beeline to his room and shut the door. He slumped back against it, sliding down to the floor.

----

Tony avoided Peter as much as he could leading up to the end of the semester, and subsequently, Tony’s birthday. He’d already made the commitment to stay over the summer, and he steeled himself for the awkwardness that would more than likely settle between them. The soft ‘oh’ Peter mumbled that night still played in his mind – his voice just as confused as the rigid posture of his body.

Either way, he needed to find a way to get over it – Peter was the best roommate he ever had, and he still had at least one more year of school to get through. It felt good to finish a semester and he did his best to focus on that instead of the weird ache in his chest. No wonder so many people were so wrecked by the love thing – when it didn’t work out, it hurt like an absolute bitch.

The two weeks before finals and Tony’s birthday followed much of the same pattern – Tony stayed in his room until he couldn’t stop the rumble in his stomach; he did his best to time his ventures into the shared space of the dorm when he thought Peter wouldn’t be there. It was easier to just ignore the situation and hope it past.

His birthday rolled around without much fanfare – he was glad to be 18 and didn’t need the huge party his parents wanted to throw him. They were never about him, anyway. Tony figured he’d spend the day watching the TV in his room and making his way through the couple different cartons of ice cream he put in the freezer the day before.

A knock on the door around 10AM had him muting the TV to answer it, his eyebrows furrowing when he saw Peter on the other side of the door. “Hey. Happy Birthday, Tony,” Peter started, the card in his hand being thrust forward into Tony’s chest without much finesse. The hand he could feel against him shook; Peter obviously nervous for some reason.

“Actually – that’s not why I’m here. I thought maybe you’d be more willing to open the door when there was something to celebrate.” Peter shrugged, his legs crossing in front of him. “Tony, that night – I wasn’t… upset, or anything. About what you said. I was surprised. I didn’t have any idea that you felt like that. It was a shock – I’d been crushing on you for months at that point and there you were, adorably trying to put your arm around me. You were gone before the ability to think started to work again.”

He reached out and traced Tony’s cheekbone with a soft finger, the caress barely there. “I like you, Tony – I want you to like me, too.” The fingers trailed along Tony’s soft skin and into his hair, the entirety of his hand palming the back of his neck when it got there. “And I think you do.”

“I do, Pete. I do. I really, really do.” Tony let both of his hands drift to the bare skin of Peter’s forearm, his fingers gripping the grounding warmth there. “Will you kiss me?” Tony asked the question so sweetly, the blazing in his eyes a sharp contrast

Peter used his lips to answer, the hand on the back of his head pulling Tony close enough to press their lips together. A gasp left Tony’s lips, the touch like an electric shock. In an attempt to keep his feet on the ground, Tony fisted Peter’s shirt in his hands, the move bringing them closer still.

The need for air had them pulling apart, Tony’s eyes opening wide to take in the look on Peter’s face – he figured the loopy smile there mirrored the happiness etched into his own cheeks.

“Want to go out with me, Tony?” Peter mumbled, his face breaking into a beaming smile.

Laughing, Tony used the grip on Peter’s shirt to pull him back in for a chaste kiss, his entire being thrumming with life.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

#starker #ironspider #au prompts #bobbie writes #nonnie #anonymous #college/university au

32 notes · View notes

hermitcraftheadcanons · 5 years ago

Text

To Do List:

What's up, my Herd of Nerds?

Anyway, as you can tell, tomorrow is AU Sunday. But, because it's one after a 'my input' one, it's a follower input AU day! Yay!

So, send me your AUs and I'll put all of em in a hat to pick one randomly. The winner is picked and posted and we'll all try and make headcanons about your AU.

Done:

Zombie Apocalypse AU :: (https://hermitcraftheadcanons.tumblr.com/post/618314308275863552/zombie-apocalypse-au-masterpost)

Pirate AU ::

Currently In The Raffle:

-Toy Story AU.

-Ever After High/Descendants/Vaguely 'nex gen priness' AU.

-Eldritch Horror AU :: Or if that's a bit too out there, a more normal Monster AU. I don't care, but in my heart, I know Cleo is some kind of eldritch horror. Zombie is far too easy.

-Eldritch Monster AU! Hermits are all Lovecraftian horrors who all individually decided that they wanted to pretend to be normal and are all trying to hide their otherworldliness. I also feel like Mumbo or X or someone as the one actually "normal" player on the server would work well. Most hermits don't know that everyone else isn't normal either, but some find out about friends maybe.

-Rabid Debate Club AU :: Random weird au idea where it's basic hs/uni au but like two of them try to start a debate club, then invite some friends just so there's enough people; cut to like two months later, it's all the hermits just fighting over whether or not pineapple should go on pizza or not lol it isn't very good i'm sorry but ya know rabid debate club AU.

-Animal/shapeshifting AU :: (Suggested Twice.) Every hermit can shapeshift into one token animal. (If it's something like "dog," they can only turn into one breed and color of dog, EXAMPLE: doc can shift into a black sable belgian malinois, but not anything else.)

-Wedding Planners AU :: Hermits work in various unrelated businesses such as a bakery, flower shop, etc., but see each other semi-often bc they're semi-often called upon to work together by another hermit's wedding planning business (obvs if you couldn't tell i know absolutely nothing abt wedding planning & businesses n shit lol but it's the /concept/ of it yannknow)

-Avatar: The Last Air Bender AU. (Suggested Thrice.)

-Fusion AU :: (Also suggested by Anon.) (Suggested Twice.) What if Hermits could fuse with each other? (Viva and Jumbo fused into MumboJumbo.)

-SCP AU :: The hermits have spooky powers and are kept locked up bc of it (or they have to keep the world safe from monsters and cursed objects!)

-RPG AU :: I feel like someone already thought of that but I am just wondering about it lately :p -🍋

-Adventure Time AU :: The hermits live in a post-apocalyptic world and the Lich (bad guy) is making everything decay. They need to gather all the gems (belt colours) to unlock the Enchiridion (a book) and have one wish each granted from Prismo (multiverse wish granting dude) before the Lich does. Only 4 elements can enter the multiverse: Slime (The Lich & Jevin), Redstone (Tango or Mumbo?), Ice (Stress), and Dirt (Grian, much to his dismay). Only the elementals can see the book. Grian's the protagonist with his sidekick Scar. He originally started collecting the belts because they were shiny but eventually decided to read the book and find out what they were for when Scar said he didn't see it. Doc, False, and Iskall are major obstacles because they don't believe the book exists.</p>

-Total Drama Island AU.

-Magical Girl AU :: Zedaph's the lead magical girl and rounds up a bunch of other magical girl hermits.

-Pokeman AU :: What are the Hermit's roles in this world? Who's the Champion, Elite Four. Are they scientists? Trainers? Do they compete in competitions, do they specialize in types? Who's everyone's starter? Has anyone encountered any legendaries?

-College AU

-High School AU

-Wizard101 AU :: I (🦊) recently got this AU idea and recently started going off somewhere with it in terms of writing, but, like, Hermitcraft meets Wizard101. Tons and tons of magical shenanigans, monster hunting, and idk what else.

-Magic AU

-My Hero Academia AU :: Headcanons can be about which hermits would have what quirks and occupations based on them.

-So I'm writing an AU where there's a second game of Demise but 5 years later. So far the first 2 hermits (Joe and Xisuma) have died, and their dead forms are cracked with an arrow in his chest (Xisuma) and cyborg (Joe). So since it's Saturday, I'm looking for what some skins would look for.

-City AU :: I mean this is really just a normal everyday AU.

-School AU.

-Terraria-Minecraft Fusion AU :: Who chooses what class? what events do each hermit prefer? how to they deal with the world infections? preferred biomes? Favourite NPCS? It has potentiallllll.

-70s/80s Teen Horror AU :: (like Stranger Things, Carreie, The Lost Boys, Halloween, etc.) -🦇

-Demi-God AU :: Sort of like percy jackson (everyone being the children of different gods from all different cultures.)

-Supernatural AU

-Marching Band AU :: Xisuma is the band major and all the show music is the remixes. I need to come up with some ideas for uniforms. Outfits and flags for the colorguard too.

-Different Eras AU :: (Suggested Twice.) All the hermits are from different time periods or eras. Like Wels is from the mediveal/dark era, Mumbo is from 1890-1920's, Iskall is from 2030, TFC is from 2020(?), Cleo is from 2130, etc!!! Like the mobs/animals became feused with humans, is when the mob players came from.

-Star Trek AU :: Like maybe they could be on one ship and each have different roles like engineers or doctors? I don’t know if this has been suggested but hope you enjoy! - 🐦

-House Mates AU :: ApartmentAU but scaled down?

-Atlantis AU :: (Could be merged with Mermaid AU???)

-Fighting Game AU :: Some influences would be Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Ultra Instinct, that kind of stuff.

-Time loop AU :: The hermits each have to deal with their own time loop.

(All those above in red are from our community's lovely Anons!)

-Superhero/superpower AU :: They each have a unique power/powerset that is in some way connected to their personality. (ie Mumbo *could* control electricity because of his love of redstone) Some Hermits may even choose to be "villains" and prank their other servermates. If you need power ideas, I've got a couple. (12u3ie)

-Daycare AU :: The recap peeps are the caretakers :P (-@tikauniverse.)

-Incredibly Long Cross Country Train Ride AU :: they all are in the same train car, telling stories of where they’re going, backstories.)

-Stuck In An Airport AU :: pretty similar to train au but they can be going diff places.

-Doctors AU :: they’re all doctors working at the same hospital.)

-Circus AU (Also suggested by an Anon.) (Suggested Twice.)

-Spy AU (Also suggested by @shadeswiftdraws.) (Suggested Twice.)

-Runaways AU :: The hermits are all teenagers who have run away from home, they all live on the streets until TFC takes them in. Head canons can be about backstories, living on the streets, or when they’re with TFC.

-Criminals and Police Officers AU

(-@lookitsspacekween)

-Dancer AU :: I mean, I already got a list kind of planned out, but headcanons for why specific styles are chosen would be appreciated! :) (usedtobelucythefallenangel)

-Broadway/Musicals Hermits AU :: The hermits are all casts of various musicals and when this newly-built theater opens up they all fight for which musical gets to play in it first (they have a riff-off maybe?) musicals mainly included are Hamilton, BMC, DEH, SiX, Beetlejuice, etc (feel free to add more!) (-@heyitsroby.)

-DnD AU (Also suggested by Anon.) (Suggested twice.)

-Mermaid AU :: In honor of the end of Mermay

-Space exploration AU :: There could be different ships, command centers, aliens.... Maybe someone could even get stranded/crash on a new planet? Who knows, could be fun.

-Paranormal/ghost hunter AU :: A couple Hermits could be the ghost hunters going to haunted locations to prove/disprove their hauntedness, others could be camera crew, owners of haunted buildings, or even the ghosts themselves.

-Camping/Vacation AU.

-Summer Cottage AU :: They all spend summers/weekends along the same shoreline and do different summer activities together. Outdoor fun and shenanigans!

-Space AU :: like star trek or similar.

-I would say evil clone au but I think that's pretty much the entire Hermitcraft tumblr right now lol. (Suggested twice.)

(-@shadeswiftdraws.)

-Magic AU :: Magic exists and all the hermits have powers. They can also summon a weapon but what that weapon is depends on the hermit. I'm thinking it'll take place in a sort-of Demise 2 in S7 with a big war. So far I've got: Grian - Cloning himself to his different personas (each has a different power). Xisuma - Making barriers, teleporting, and transforming into different mobs. Scar - Making mutant plants & boosting other hermits' attack & health. (-@datsaltyperson.)

-Demon AU :: Something enters the overworld and turns into a supernatural style-demon through Dimentional Distortion. Who gets posessed first, who goes crazy, and who actually kills it? Honestly I think that, if anything, Tango would know how to gank it, for obvious reasons. (-@fireflower-dusk.)

-High Street AU :: Everyone owns a different shop on the same street or some run a shop together (-@violets-arepurple.)

-Cat AU :: Either they're were always cats, or Hels turned everyone, including himself, into a cat, and they have to survive and overcome challenges in the Season 7 world. An example of a challenge would be Cub's a Sand Cat(the cats that always look like kittens no matter how old they are and live in deserts), and everyone's not sure if he can actually swim, so they have to find a way for him to get around without involving water. (-@scp10000.)

-How about a secret AU.. Every hermit has their big secrets and when Grian joined. He doesn't really know anything about those secrets even till season 7. Not many hermits talked to him in S6 anyway.. Mumbo was the closest to him so they would have regular chats For Iskall is mostly business related things Grian wants to know why so he set out on a quest to force the others to at least talk to him so he wouldn't be lonely. (-@babylightstudentbiscuit.)

-Hermit Family AU :: Xisuma is very busy dad but when he isnt busy the kids and younger hermits annoying the hell out of him. Grian once asked to use Xisuma's computer and crashed the whole thing trying to download illegal gamesites and get money off the internet. Mumbo and his trains run through the entire house and Xisuma trips on them daily. (-@gamerutx.)

-College AU!! But they are not students. THEY ARE THE TEACHERS (-@ivi-prism.)

Ones I planned to do anyway but Hermitblr Hivemind and all that:

Battle of The Bands AU: i believe u once mentioned a bands/ battle of the bands au... thats my jam... (Anon.)

#hcraft #hermitcraftheadcanons #raffle day #notaheadcanon #masterpost #au to do list

42 notes · View notes

wendip-week · 4 years ago

Text

What If: Quicksand

It had been roughly seven years since that fateful summer in Gravity Falls when the second-generation of the appropriately-named Mystery Twins visited the town for the first time. For the next couple of summers, Dipper and Mabel Pines would visit their true-home at their Grunkle Stan’s infamous Mystery Shack and have plenty of grand and minor adventures.

A few years after the events of Bill Cipher being annihilated, Dipper and Mabel would come to an arrangement with their parents, allowing them to live and continue their education in Gravity Falls (an arrangement the two had kind of wished they had thought of on their first summer). They could live with the people and weird-elements that really helped them to thrive. After graduating high-school, the extended-family would continue their fun, dangerous adventures while pursuing their futures. Mabel would become a growing social-media personality. Dipper would finally begin his full-time apprenticeship under his great-uncle Ford. But before that, he’d make another endeavor, arguably harder than his pursuit of paranormal-science: Dipper would ask out his best friend and long-time crush, Wendy.

Yes, she shot him down when he was twelve, making it clear she wanted a platonic-relationship. However, over the years, things began to change. Puberty had been good to Dipper, making him much taller and far less scrawny than he had been. At the age of sixteen, having grown closer to the girl he never completely got over, he finally found the confidence to officially ask her on a real date. That time, she agreed. They’d been an item since.

Now, Dipper and Mabel were nineteen, Wendy was twenty-two, Soos was twenty-nine, and the Stans were old (they refused to give an exact-age at this point). Mabel was an online-college student and making a few bucks online, as well, while Dipper was in the middle of his studies. Wendy was enjoying being out of college, having gotten an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, and free to offer her assistance to the Pines-family whenever adventure called (or anything fun in general).

Currently, the family was doing a little of both. After the events of Weirdmageddon, Stan and Ford took to traveling across the globe and investigating paranormal mysteries outside of the valley surrounding Gravity Falls. If at all possible, they liked to travel by sea, like they’d planned on since they were young. Besides their investigations, it also presented opportunities to look for lost treasure or check out sea-babes (though they were cautious to avoid Sirens…).

Through some contacts of theirs, Stan and Ford had found out of a small, unmarked pocket of weirdness out somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. While they typically took a couple months of planning, this seemed doable without such extra preparations, especially since they had quite a few extra hands who were more than willing to come along. Of course, some only volunteered after they found out a certain arrangement had been made.

One enemy-turned-ally of the Mystery Crew (and a member of the failed Zodiac) was Pacifica Northwest, rich heiress of the semi-disgraced Northwest-family. After graduating high-school, she was immediately called to help her family restore their currently-meager fortune. Inexperienced though she was, she was still a Northwest, so she had some innate-talent for finding lucrative business-opportunities. In this case, she found out about this little trip from her ex-boyfriend, Dipper Pines, with whom she was still on good terms. Knowing that there was a small island in that area that was going to be explored, Pacifica saw an opportunity.

Her family had been forced to liquidate a number of assets (property, business-shares, etc.) to still live in relative-comfort, invest in the future, and not have to get day-jobs like most of their neighbors. One particular asset was that island that they had originally used as both a summer-home and a potential-means of business (if there was any oil or valuable-minerals). Unfortunately, they had not been able to sell or rent it for some odd reason. Most interested parties never even really got back to them after going to check it out. However, seeing as though she had connections in the form of paranormal-scientists and investigators, she might be able to turn this around.

That’s why the Mystery Crew were currently on an island. Pacifica offered to let them use it as a base-of-operations in exchange for a quick sweep of the area, just to check if there was anything wrong with it. Of course, there was other uses for it. It did, after all, have a beach and a well-furnished house (with plenty of natural power-sources for electric-appliances) not far from it. It would be an opportunity for a mini-vacation for both sets of twins, Wendy, and even Soos, who left the Mystery Shack in the capable-hands of his Abuelita.

Back at in Gravity Falls, the Mystery Shack was currently open, and boy, was business booming! Melody and her grandmother-in-law were at the register, making sales left-and-right while trying to keep the seemingly endless crowd of customers in order.

“Wow, Abuelita!” Melody stated, handing a customer the Shack’s newest piece of merchandise. “Who would have guessed tourists were such fans of your hand-made doilies?”

“Is gift of mine,” Abuelita replied. “Tomorrow, we sell pot-holders.”

For Dipper, however, this presented another opportunity…

Now, here they all were, relaxing on a small beach far from human-civilation. Soos was building a sandcastle, or rather, a sand-replica of the Mystery Shack. Stan and Ford were making plans near their anchored boat. Mabel and Wendy were hitting a beach ball back-and-forth in the water (and staying withing reasonable distance, as there was no lifeguards). And Dipper was recording their fun on his phone.

Well, he was mostly video-recording Wendy’s fun. He had always been crazy about her. How could he resist when she was clad in a bikini? After watching her splash a bit, the nerd decided he should probably make it look like he was interested in other things going on (which wasn’t entirely untrue). He came over to Stan and Ford, sporting tropical shirts and sun hats.

“Hey, guys,” Dipper said, pointing the camera to face his great-uncles. “So how are things looking?”

“Great!” Stan replied with a grin. “According to Pointdexter, the source of weirdness might actually be sunken treasure, after all. We’re gonna be rich!”

“Perhaps, Stanley. But bear in mind that we might not yet have the resources to retrieve such an item (if it is, in fact, treasure). It could require a submarine, of all things. And there’s the possibility of it being cursed. However, we can for sure locate it. And depending on the circumstances, even if we can’t clear out the weirdness here right now, we can still establish a safe travel-route for sailors everywhere.”

Stan groaned. “I’m just gonna say that it’s treasure,” he muttered.

After a bit of back-and-forth, Dipper decided he wanted to check out more of his girlfriend, who was laying back on an innertube, floating around with a pair of sunglasses (and an extra coat of sunscreen, considering she was a pale-redhead and a bit easier to burn). Dipper stood back at a reasonable distance, watching and recording. He was so fixated that he didn’t notice a body just beneath the surface of the water approach and slowly rise out of the water.

Before he could sense another presence, the young adventurer suddenly found himself splashed hard from behind. He turned and shouted in surprise: “MABEL!”

His excitable twin gasped in faux-shock. “My goodness! Do my ears deceive me? Does my doofus-brother realize there’s other people on the island besides him and his not-subtle crush?” she asked with a smirk.

“Mabel, you made me drop my phone!” Dipper said in irritation. He looked around for a second before finally finding it in the water. He groaned, before turning back to Mabel, eyes rather cross. “And she’s my girlfriend. I don’t have to be subtle!” As he said this, he subtly patted the pocket on his trunks, making sure a certain object was still there.

“Yeah, Mabes,” Wendy said, as she approached, now out of her tube. “He doesn’t have to insert how much he loves me under his breath in our conversations. Now he can just say it in his normal voice.” Dipper blushed. “Hey, is your phone okay?”

Dipper looked at his wet phone. “I… think it still works? Oh, better turn off that recording!”

Wendy whistled. “You’re lucky, dude. I so hate waiting for my phones to dry in rice! It takes forever and there’s no guarantee it solves the problem.”

Dipper nodded. “True.”

“Hey, I’m kind of thirsty. Let’s go back to the house. I think we forgot the cooler,” Wendy told her boyfriend.

“Sounds good.” The young-adult couple, leaving Mabel behind. “Hey, I’m still here, you know!”

“Leave them be, Hambone,” Soos said, walking over to Mabel. “Let them enjoy this while they can. One day, they’ll probably be married. And after the honeymoon, it’s work-work-work.”

“… You say this from experience, don’t you?” Mabel asked.

“Yes, I do,” Soos told her. “And it’s totally worth it.”

Mabel just blew a raspberry. “Oh, Soos! That doesn’t make any sense.”

Sure enough, Dipper and Wendy found the large cooler on the porch. After lugging it to the beach, the two cracked open a couple of cold Pitt Colas.

“Mmm… I pity the rest of the world. They don’t have access to this kind of soda,” Wendy said with a burp. “Excuse me.”

“Tell me about it,” Dipper agreed. “Of course, the occasional pit inside the can might be a bit of a turn-off for some people.”

The tall redheaded adult shrugged. “Whatever. So, what do you wanna do now?” she asked after finishing her soda.

Dipper smiled. This was his chance. “Want to go on a walk along the beach; just the two of us?”

“That sounds awesome, dude. Let’s just dump our trash first.”

The young couple dropped their now-empty cans into the trash bag the family brought along, and let Stan and Ford know what they were doing.

“Okay, but be careful,” Ford told them. “We haven’t scanned for potential threats like Ms. Northwest requested. Don’t go out too far.”

Wendy nodded. “You got it, Professor Pines. We’ll keep our eyes peeled. Come on, man,” she said, leading Dipper away.

Stan chuckled. “Ah, to be young and in love, then cheated out of your winnings… Think we still got a chance in such a game, Sixer?”

Ford looked at his brother. “I’d say our chances are very slim, Stanley (at least in this dimension). Even more unlikely is the possibility of kids. On the other hand, I don’t think that’s ever stopped you before…”

“Darn right, it hasn’t!”

Dipper and Wendy walked slowly along the beach’s shoreline, just enjoying the scenery around them, as well as each other’s company.

Wendy sighed. “I tell you, between twelve and fifteen, I would never have seen myself somewhere like this, at best, maybe a dirty, local beach. And between fifteen to eighteen, I could only see myself getting somewhere this nice by running away from home and hopping cars and trains for a while. I love how life surprises us…”

“I know,” Dipper replied, putting his arm around her. “I always imagined myself as an adventurer, but before Gravity Falls, I thought that would just stay a fun daydream. Now here I am, on a mysterious island with my family and the coolest, most-beautiful girl I have ever seen.”

“Oh, dude!” Wendy made a face. “That’s so mushy!”

“Sorry…”

“I didn’t say stop, though,” she said, grinning.

Dipper returned that expression, albeit blushing as he did so. After a moment he got bashful and looked forward. “Man, that is such a beautiful sunset, isn’t it?” he said, trying to change the subject.

“Hold it. Are you going to go with the ‘not as beautiful as you’ line? Okay, as much as I love cheesy romantic-talk in an ironic way, please don’t say that, of all things.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Dipper replied. “Even though it’s true. I was going to say that it reminds me of the moment I first really realized I was crushing on you. It was on the Mystery Shack roof.”

“That sounds about right, dude,” Wendy said thoughtfully. “Points for that line.” Wendy looked at the horizon, with the sun’s reflection across the water, the clouds and light across the sky making resemble an abstract canvas of orange and purple. “It is beautiful, though.” Wendy laid her head on her dork’s shoulder, admiring the view.

“We shouldn’t waste this opportunity,” Dipper said after a few minutes.

“Oh? What did you have in mind?” Wendy responded.

Dipper smiled. “Let’s get some selfies. We want to remember this moment, don’t we?”

“Yeah, let’s do it. And if Tambry reposts it online, practically half-the-world can see us and be totally jealous.”

Dipper pulled his phone back out and turned on the camera. He and Wendy got into position and Dipper started snapping away as they made various poses ranging from classic romance to fun summer-cruise themed ones.

They had just gotten into snuggle position and were about to take another pic when they felt the sand under their feet shift.

Dipper looked down, finding his feet had sunk beneath the sand. “What the-”

The couple let out a yelp as they suddenly began to sink rapidly beneath the sand. They were now up to their knees. It was so quick that Dipper lost his balance and dropped his phone. He was about to fall over into the sinking sand, too. Fortunately, Wendy was there.

“I’ve got you!” she shouted, holding his arm. “What is this? Quicksand?”

“I don’t know! The ground was relatively steady a second ago! I don’t think we moved too much while taking pictures!” he replied, rather worried.

“Dude, can you move your legs?” Wendy asked.

“No, I’m stuck!” He said, wiggling about. “What about you?”

“No good!” she told him. They were now nearly at their waists. “Wait! What if I-?” Wendy reached out (holding onto Dipper to avoid falling and going under), trying grab a stable patch of sand. Everywhere she reached, her hand just sank. “Drat! Dipper, you try!”

The young academic tried what his girlfriend did. He got about the same result. “This isn’t working. I don’t get it! What’s going on here?!”

“I’m what’s going on here!” a deep voice said out of nowhere.

Dipper and Wendy turned and discovered a humanoid-figure rising out of the sand… and was made out of sand, apparently.

“Who the heck are you?” Wendy asked the newcomer.

“Who am I? Why, I’m the Sandman! What else would I be called?”

“The guy who comes when people try to sleep?” Dipper asked.

The two of them, now up to their stomachs in sand, suddenly stopped sinking.

“No! (Why does everyone guess that)? I’m not that Sandman!”

“Oh, so you’re the bad guy from that movie with the Spider-guy, right?” Wendy asked.

“I remember that,” Dipper interjected. “It was like one of our B-movies, but with half-decent effects.”

“I know, right?”

“Yeah. Come to think of it, I wish there’d be a movie or show with the guy with the gas mask. He was a cool hero,” Dipper thought out loud.

“Huh?” Wendy replied. “What’s that got to do with sand?”

“I’m not either of those guys!” the so-called Sandman shouted. “I hide in the sand, waiting for creatures to come to my island. Then I slowly drag them under and feed on them slowly over the course of a thousand years! Of course, I don’t know that it’s a thousand years, but that sounds pretty ominous.”

“So, it’s like that monster from that movie?” Dipper asked.

“The one with the blind worms, dude? As far as PG-13 horror-flicks go, I kind of hate that series.”

“No-no! The scif-fi one. Remember? The third one from the original trilogy?”

“Eh, kind of…?”

“Hey, I’m talking here!” that monster yelled, grabbing their attention again. “Look, bottom-line: I’m the Sandman! I’m gonna suck you into the sand, and I’m gonna eat you slowly! Now, let’s get it over with before you start rambling again.”

Before Dipper and Wendy could respond, they found themselves sinking much faster than before.

“AAAAHHHH!!!” they shouted.

“BLEHEHEHEHEAUGH!!!” the Sandman cackled.

The young man and woman were now at their necks, looking utterly terrified. Dipper turned to look at the love of his life. It was now or never. “Wendy, I was planning on asking you this after we finished taking pictures, but if we happen to survive somehow… WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

“Yes! Dude, yes! I will… if we don’t get eaten, anyway!” Tears were in the girls’ eyes. They were happy tears, mostly.

“Wendy! I love-” Dipper didn’t get to finish his sentence, as they had finally gone under…

“Well, that was fun,” the Sandman said. “Time to sample the fresh stuff.”

He didn’t get a chance to do so. A concentrated blast of energy suddenly hit the Sandman square in the chest, leaving a gaping hole in his chest.

“Augh!” the Sandman cried out. “Was that from a gun? Those aren’t supposed to hurt me-AUGH!” Another blast hit, taking most of his sandy-shoulder. “Where is that coming fro-?” This time, a heavy-volley of laser-blast hit the Sandman in rapid-succession, reducing him to a pile of sand before he could think of way to escape.

In the distance, an angry Stan and Ford were holding smoking proton-rifles and pistols, waiting for the Sandman to move again. When they saw no sign, Stan shouted back behind himself: “NOW! HURRY!”

Mabel raced past them, holding a shovel tied to a rope. Soos wasn’t far behind. He was holding the majority of said rope. When she got close enough, she threw the shovel into the loose sand where Dipper and Wendy just were. It sank in fairly quickly as Soos approached.

Not long after, he felt a strong tug on the rope and began pulling it back up. After a few hand-over-hands, the shovel came back up. Attached to it was a very dirty Dipper, who was desperately trying to suck in air. A moment later, it was revealed that in his other hand was his redheaded beloved. With one more tug, Soos pulled the gasping and coughing couple from out of the sand-pit.

The two were laid flat on their backs as Stan and Ford approached. Mabel hugged the two of them. “You guys are alive!”

“Yeah… Thanks to you all,” Dipper said between coughs.

“Got that… right,” Wendy added. “How’d you… find us?”

“Didn’t you guys know you were live-streaming?” Mabel asked them.

“Wait, what?” Dipper asked.

“Soos was looking at hilarious cat-videos when he saw you guys post.”

Soos nodded. “Good thing I wasn’t looking at one of the better ones.”

Stan chuckled. “We saw you lovebirds making all kinds of weird poses before you dropped your phone.”

“EEEE!” Mabel squealed. “I’m gonna have a sister soon!”

“And then we saw what might have been the reason nobody ever comes to this island come after you,” Ford added. “Kind of a shame we had to destroy it (or him?); I would have liked to have studied such a creature. I’m just glad my assumption about these guns against it was accurate.”

“Nah. I’m glad he’s gone-for-good. I mean, he was eating people,” Stan replied to his twin.

“Ergh…” Some of the sand started coming together, reforming parts of what vaguely resembled a human.

“AH!” Stan shouted, shooting his laser-pistol in response. The Sandman disintegrated again, and this time, he didn’t reform.

“Uh, back on topic…” Dipper started. “…Since when are we live-streaming?”

Soos brought Dipper his phone. “You still are, dawg,” he said in response.

“Seriously?” Dipper pressed a couple of buttons on his touch screen, only to get no response. “What’s going on?”

“Let me see,” Wendy took Dipper’s phone and tried to fiddle with it. “Oh… Here’s the problem: there’s water behind the screen. It must have actually been messed up after Mabel splashed you earlier.”

Dipper thought for a moment. “… So, when I tried to press the camera-app, it must not have registered right.”

Wendy shrugged. “Could be.”

Ford looked thoughtful for a moment. “Say, Stanley. Didn’t the Sandman say on the video that he devours living people over the course of a thousand years? I think the Northwests have had people on this island over the last half-decade or so. You know what that means?”

Stan groaned. “We have more work to do than a routine-sweep? That’s just great…”

Back at the beach-house, Dipper and Wendy were cleaned and patched up; now sitting together on the porch.

“Some day, huh?” Wendy asked.

“Tell me about it. It was not how I was hoping the afternoon would go,” Dipper said, shaking his head. “Still up for marrying me? I know it was kind of sudden, but…”

“Dude, I said yes twice. I think I’m sure,” Wendy replied with a smirk.

“Well, in that case…” Dipper reached into his pocket and produced a ring with a large diamond. Bordering the diamond was some kind of stone that resembled flannel.

“Wow… Dip! It’s beautiful! Where did you get this?” Wendy exclaimed.

“The, uh, diamond was from some time-travel adventure Mabel and I had with Blendin. Suffice to say, we’re secretly kind of rich… Oh, and the ring was actually crafted by some goblins that sort of owed me a favor.”

“Well, I love it. And not just because it’s unique.”

“I was hoping you would.”

“By the way, that reminds me…” Wendy punched Dipper on the shoulder.

“Ow! What was that for?” Dipper asked, rubbing his shoulder.

“For choosing a life-or-death situation to propose. I’d prefer a fancy restaurant, personally. It was also for proposing to me on your ex-girlfriend’s island, dude. Did you ever check to see who all saw that live-recording?”

“I… didn’t. Oh, boy…” Dipper rubbed his temple, realizing the worst-case-scenario.

“Ah, cheer up. You still got a fiancé, don’t you? Now, do me a favor and put that ring on my finger.”

“With pleasure.” Dipper took Wendy’s hand and slid it down her ring finger. He looked up, only to get a mouthful of his beautiful bride-to-be’s own mouth.

They stayed like that for a while.

#wendip #Wendy Corduroy #Dipper Pines #Gravity Falls #WenDipWeek #fanfic #older!Wendip #older!Dipper #older!Wendy #quicksand #submission

12 notes · View notes

mellz117 · 5 years ago

Text

Hello all and welcome to part 4 of my playthrough of KH2 on the PS2. If you haven't seen the previous entries please go do that.

[ _1_ ] [ _2_ ] [ _3_ ]

To recap: The Wonders of Twilight Town are boring as hell. We spoke to Namine again, Roxas finally realizes his life this week is a lie and starts to remember his life in the Organization. DiZ is racist against Nobodies but we already knew that. Roxas and Axel fight, I wanted to cry. Roxas meets Sora in his sleeping pod before disappearing, I wanted to cry.

And the adventure continues

I wanna know how Sora wakes up in the real world when Roxas merges with him in the virtual one. How in CoM does Sora go to sleep in Castle Oblivion, the whole-ass chamber and then some get transferred to Twilight Town, Roxas meets him in a virtual version of the mansion, and Sora wakes up in the real mansion in KH2? Nomura please explain this series. Is Final Fantasy ever this convoluted?

Donald and Goofy call out to Sora and we're once again reminded this is a Disney game. I don’t know why but the fact that Disney owns the original Kingdom Hearts characters bothers me. It means, unless DISNEY gives the OK, Sora will never be in Smash Bros. and that makes me sad.

I don't know much about comas but after a year of total inactivity, wouldn't your muscles atrophy like, A BUNCH? At least is wasn’t 7... OR VENTUS WITH A WHOLE DECADE WTF?

Again WHY COULDN'T JIMINY JUST KEEP EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN CHAIN OF MEMORIES WRITTEN DOWN IN HIS JOURNAL INSTEAD OF A CRYPTIC MEMO TO THANK NAMINE?

The trinity trio wanders out of the mansion, loot some chests, and find their way to the back alleys of town.

Hayner is rude RIGHT outta the gate, wow. Ok I remember that Pence actually met Roxas in Days, and so to me he seems to recognize Sora through his memories of Roxas despite the two sharing like, one visual similarly: blue eyes. But KH3 to my understanding reveals that the virtual versions of characters affect the real version so I dunno!! WHAT IS THIS SERIES?

"Have you finished the summer homework yet?" Olette asks Sora and his two ANIMAL COMPANIONS as if seeing two anthropomorphic animals is fucking normal in a town comprised entirely of humans and exactly one moogle.

Sora doesn't have any homework. For over a year he's been away from home and his mom couldn't make him go to school. I wonder how she's doing? Does she miss her son? Kingdom Hearts and parents don't gel.

I like how.. When Pence describes this cloaked figure who was looking for the trinity trio, as having big, round ears, they have to think about who it could possibly be. They’re not too bright.

Why is “sofa” capitalized? Also they weren't even sitting on it, neither of them were!

HAYNER IS A RUDE BOY! He tells us so ask Seifer about the town, as we are new. Bruh, if you’re this rude to us I’m sure how much worse Seifer and his posse are.

Seifer is immediately confrontational. “You here to pick a fight with us?” and Sora’s all like “No, we’re new here.” and DONALD FUCKING DUCK! INSULTS SEIFER AND NOW EVERYONE’S READY TO THROW DOWN! THANKS TO THIS DUMB FUCK DUCK!

But thank Christ big chungus appears out of nowhere and stops the children and two adult furries from causing a scene.

This dude is WAY too into the Struggle tournament. Seifer has an unwanted faaaaan! Bro, go away, you’re creeping on a teenager.

I wanna fight Seifer.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

I'm not working on this like I should be. I'm going on vacation soon and since we're all in quarantine I can't really do anything fun so this is the opportune time to catch up.

Moving on! We make our way to the train station and oh no, we're ambushed by Dusks! Because of COURSE we are. Who could've seen THAT coming? /s

I- I like how, even after hearing his voice, and seeing his fucking mousey silhouette, the gang STILL might not be sure this is their stupid rat king. One brain cell between the three of them, I swear, and Goofy is the primary carrier, and it only sometimes works.

Why do we need to purchase tickets to travel on a magical train embarking to an ethereal plane of existence? I guess it's the principal of it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED TO HUG THIS BOY. LOOK, HE'S CRYING!

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Pence is so cute. I didn't care much for him when I was younger but he's such a cutie.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED TO HUG THIS BOY. LOOK, HE'S SAD!

……………………………………………………………………………………………

It's fat cat Pete. For like ever, I had no idea he was a cat. Wonder what Maleficent saw in him to ally with him.

The trinity trio laughing about killing (or at least taking part in killing) Maleficent. "She's toast!" this sure is early 2000's dialogue...

Heartless everywhere! "You mean the worlds aren't at peace after all" well, no sweetie. It takes time for things to recover from horrible events. *looks at current state of the real world*

So like, I had no idea Yen Sid was a Keyblade warrior??? I had read about that in his Wiki page when I googled if any Keyblade warriors were left handed. (Ven might be, but more likely ambidextrous) But I guess being Mickey's teacher would imply his Keyblade wielder roots but whatever, I didn't pay attention when I was a teenager.

Yen Sid's decor is baffling. What are these bookshelves? What are these BOOKS? They're huge!

Good on Yen Sid for using singular “they” pronouns in 2005.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

On to our change of wardrobe. Without a doubt Sora's best look in the whole series, in my humble opinion. Lookit my handsome boy.

And Sora learns about drive forms, blah, blah, blah, powerful forms, gotta sacrifice something like in Duel Monsters, in this case an ally.

Yen Sid is so boring.

All seriousness and tension is just broken as soon as Goofy’s name is uttered, at least Sora and Donald have normal names wtf.

It’s interesting how like, 15 years later, Union X explains how Maleficent was able to return after her defeat. Something about, as long as someone from your original time remembers you and you have a physical object to represent you you’re able to basically some back from the dead. Right? Am I right on that? I haven’t played it but I’m hanging by a thread on this loop.

Sora’s hard work down the drain...

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Hollow Bastion! And of course there’s trouble. Heartless, Nobodies, and Yuffie, oh my!

A problem sequels have to work around is when the protagonist needs to relearn their abilities. KH does a well and good job with this one. In CoM, it’s a different battle style, in KH2 Sora’s been asleep for a hear prior.

Also, Merlin “leant” Sora some magic spells? How does that work? Like, once you learn it you can’t just... give that knowledge back...?

……………………………………………………………………………………………

How old is Leon? He has no right being this pretty.

Another ambush by Nobodies. Give it a rest, would ya? Battle ensues, Leon deals the final blow against an enemy, and as the camera usually does, zooms in on the victor and we get a nice slow-mo crotch shot of Leon. Thanks, game... Then, Xemnas’s very sexy, very manly voice echoes across town and the organization appears before our protagonists. I’m weak.

Demyx’s laugh, dude. I love it. Sora is ready to throw hands with anyone in his way. Honey, you’re barely out of a magic coma and this dude is like, two whole feet taller than you. Not to mention very fit.

I’m done thirsting over Xemnas...

After a few taunting words, the new villains depart, Donald attempts to give chase somehow? Where you gonna go? They disappeared behind dark corridors. It seems Goofy is still holding onto that shared brain cell.

The Bastard

I like the majority of the Organization. Xigbar is definitely one of my favorites based on this next scene alone. He’s so snarky and full of shit. I love it. He’s great. He was definitely a stoner at some point.

I’m confused though. “He used to give me that same exact look!” the Wiki says Xigbar’s talking about Ven but I always thought he was referring to Roxas? Did Braig and Ven have a history? That’s implied in Days (which released before BbS) IDK dude. I’m surprised I’ve gone this long without spoiling myself too much on BbS. Like, a few story beats here and there but a lot of it isn’t gonna be known until I play it.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The dialogue for KH2 was so different from the first game. It dates itself so much in comparison.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Xiggy stands like this for 7 whole seconds parting with a condescending “Be a good boy now!” before disappearing. I love this fucker.

Leon, who’s been sitting on the sidelines this whole time, joins Sora and the others after the real threat is gone. We chitchat for a little bit and say our goodbyes. It’s time to leave this place and move on to one of two available worlds.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

At the Beast's Castle. After fighting a hoard of Shadows, the least intimidating enemy in the series (although the demon tower in kh3 is quite frightening nlg), the Beast himself makes his appearance, takes out the Heartless that suddenly stop multiplying upon his arrival, disgracefully shoves his supposed friends aside, and takes his precious rose to the west wing, which is where it SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. ADAM WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

……………………………………………………………………………………………

No joke one of the funniest actual gags in the whole series is:

*Donald Duck manhandling Cogsworth*

Cut to Sora saying "I'm glad you're OK." to Lumiere

……………………………………………………………………………………………

OK the minigame where you gotta light the magic torches, why do we have to make sure Cogsworth has enough strength to keep the lever down when we have two perfectly capable companions that can hold it down instead? I remember this sequence being a lot more annoying when I was a teen.

Xaldin's voice makes me feel things. Ahhh he sounds so tired lol. He peaces out and we fight the Beast. I remember getting him to calm down being harder.

"Xaldin used my anger to control me!" Says Beast. He angers very easily so this must have been a cinch. Xaldin's been obsessed with him since Days so I would imagine this intel would come in handy.

More fodder to fight and on to the boss. Phase one is just an angrier version of the Darkball Heartless. Phase two is just skinny Ganon. I like its design though.

“Belle, I’m sorry. I wasn’t myself, being all rude and overall kind of a jackass to you and my servants” Except that’s kinda how you’ve always been lmao. Just because you couldn’t choose not to be an ass here doesn’t change that this IS in character. Still gotta work on that a bit.

“You don’t have to apologize” No, no he still does.

They all reconcile and the Trinity Trio departs until Xaldin shows up again to wreak more havoc.

Time to move on to the next world.

#mellz plays kh2 #Kingdom Hearts series #Kingdom Hearts 2 #square enix #disney #PlayStation 2

1 note · View note

upontheshelfreviews · 6 years ago

Text

As a lifelong Disney fan I can’t understate how much of an impact Mickey Mouse has had on me. In childhood, he was an icon and friend – instantly recognizable, a source of joy and entertainment, a hero and a role model. I know this is making me sound like one of those cheesy sponsors reading off a cue card, but when you’re talking about a mouse, expect plenty of cheese to be involved.

In the spirit of Mickey celebrating his 90th birthday, I’d like to share with you my 20 favorite shorts he starred in. Why 20? Because I couldn’t narrow it down to ten and I like to go nine steps beyond as opposed to one.

There were only two rules I set while making this list:

Mickey is the main focus, or at the very least he must be given as much to do as the other characters he shares the cartoon with. There’s a lot of great shorts out there that has Mickey’s name in the title – Mickey’s Parrot, Mickey’s Circus, Mickey’s Birthday, Mickey and the Seal, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, etc. – or has his face in the intro that advertises it as his adventure, but upon watching you find they’re really about Donald, Goofy or Pluto or literally anyone else but him.

Shorts only, no segments from full-length films or direct-to-video works. This means no Mickey and the Beanstalk from Fun and Fancy Free or various bits from Mickey’s Once/Twice Upon A Christmas, but sadly no Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia. I thought of excluding any short that ran over the usual length of five to seven minutes to about twenty, but that made my job even harder.

Now before we get to the countdown, here are a few Honorable Mentions:

Mickey, Donald and Goofy in The Three Musketeers – If I were including full-length films on the list, this would be in the top five, bar none.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia – It would easily take the number one spot if it didn’t overlap with the #2 rule.

Plane Crazy – The mouse’s first appearance on the silver screen, though he wouldn’t make as quite a splash until his sound debut in Steamboat Willie a few years later

Orphan’s Benefit – One of my favorites as a kid. It made me laugh something fierce and still does, though a large part of it has to do with Donald and Goofy’s segments, hence why it’s only an honorable mention. Also, did you know that the color one we’re mostly familiar with is actually a remake of an earlier black and white version?

Mickey’s Delayed Date – Pluto and Mickey tussle for attention in this outing.

Haunted House – Spooky and atmospheric. Classic Disney nightmare fuel.

The Gorilla Mystery – Mickey plays Minnie’s white knight yet again as he goes to-to-toe with a dangerous gorilla.

Two-Gun Mickey – An American Tail: Mickey Goes West.

Mickey’s Surprise Party – After Minnie’s dog spoils the cookies she was making for Mickey, he saves the day with some shockingly transparent corporate sponsorship. At least I take comfort in the fact that Mickey’s favorite cookies are the same as mine.

Hansel and Gretel – Mickey and Minnie stumble upon a treacherous witch to the ominous strains of Danse Macabre.

Mickey’s Cabin – Mickey outwits Pete and his dimwitted cousin with a little reverse psychology when they hold him hostage in his winter cabin. Hilarity ensues.

Croissant – Mickey’s first short in the modern style proved you can’t keep a mouse on a mission down.

Yodelberg – Continuing with the previous short, it’s modern Mickey at its most fast-paced and stylish fun.

Shanghaied – It’s up to Mickey to save the day and Minnie again, this time from Pete and his dastardly crew of pirates.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol – Mickey’s first cartoon in 30 years has him slightly out of the spotlight, but still got him back in the public eye for good.

20. Mickey’s Trailer

This gets the lowest spot because the first half mainly focuses on jokes surrounding Donald and Goofy in their cool little mechanical trailer. But when it reaches the second half? That’s when things really kick into high gear. Goofy obliviously unhitches the trailer as they’re traveling through a perilous mountain pass and it’s up to Mickey to keep his vacation from reaching an untimely end. It’s amazingly suspenseful, with plenty of close calls from oncoming vehicles, trains and cliff sides. They still manage to sneak in a few decent moments of slapstick, but not at the cost of any of the tension. My only wish is that we could have seen Mickey and Donald’s response to Goofy’s cheerful “Well, I brought ya down safe and sound, a-hyuck!” at the very end. No doubt it would have been hilariously karmic.

19. Mickey’s Mechanical House

Coming from the Mickey’s Mouse Works/House of Mouse era of cartoons, we get a whimsical story in Seuss-esque rhyme, narrated by John Cleese no less. Sick of the inconveniences of his old abode, Mickey moves into a sleek totally automated house. He quickly learns, however, that easy modern conveniences aren’t what make a good home. Unlike the other cartoons made in this time, the art style goes for a 50’s retro look that pays homage to the likes of UPA. I especially appreciate the cameo from the iconic Mars robot from the famous Disneyland episode Mars and Beyond. That’s how you know this short was made by real old-school Disney fans. The story is charming, the gags are clever, and it earns this spot on the countdown.

18. Giantland/Gulliver Mickey

Yes, I know I’m cheating here due to this being a tie, but I found these two shorts to be similar enough that I felt they were both worthy of the same place on the list. Each one begins with Mickey telling a story to his…younger counterparts? Nieces and nephews? Godchildren? They all refer to him as “Uncle Mickey” and they all look like him so maybe they’re really…no, best not to think of the implications.

Anyway, Mickey makes himself the hero of each tale, firstly in the role of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk (no doubt somewhat inspiring his future gigantic adventures in The Brave Little Tailor and Fun and Fancy Free), then of him being the giant washed up on the shores of Lilliput. There’s some good action all around, and plenty of creativity in showing the giant’s world, Mickey’s storytelling and how the Lilliputians attempt to subdue their captive.

17. Magician Mickey

Mickey’s putting on a magic show, but he’s constantly heckled by a disbelieving Donald. Little does the duck realize he’s messing with the Sorcerer’s Apprentice himself, and Mickey uses all his mystic powers to troll back at him. Even though it’s arguably Donald’s short as much as it is Mickey’s, he does provide the main source of the conflict, and Mickey does not hold back when providing some good old magical vengeance. He remains the perfect showman throughout, and the tricks he plays to get back at Donald are inventive and hilarious. I admit, I still crack up at the running gag where Donald attempts to go in one of his unintelligible tirades and spits out an entire deck of cards. Just goes to show you don’t mess with the mouse, especially when he’s in magician mode.

16. Steamboat Willie

Ah, the one that started it all. Well, technically it was Plane Crazy and The Galloping Gaucho, but Steamboat Willie was what really thrust Mickey into the limelight. It may be simplistic by today’s standards, but this short is nothing…short of iconic. It establishes everything you need to know about the character of Mickey Mouse – inventive, friendly, helpful, but not without a strong mischievous streak. Being one of the first cartoons to have fully synchronized sound certainly helps. It not only pushed the popularity of “talkies” but introduced the world to what would become one of the most recognizable characters of all time. How could I not include it on the list? I already wrote an entire article on its significance, so if you want to know more, feel free to go read it.

15. The Mad Doctor

When people talk about the darkest moments in Disney animation, there’s a reason why this short is often brought up. The Mad Doctor goes for straight-up horror, and pulls no punches. Mickey must work his way through a creepy castle to save his beloved dog Pluto before he becomes the next victim of the titular doctor’s dangerous experiments. There’s lots of shadows, spooky living skeletons, and booby traps galore that threaten Mickey along the way. It’s perfect fare for Halloween.

Without giving away the ending, it’s the kind I’d normally call a bit of a cop out, but I don’t see how they could have worked their way around it. This short was deemed so scary upon release that it was banned not only in the UK, but in Nazi Germany, which really says something. It didn’t frighten me that much when I was a kid, but there’s a pervading sense of dread that makes it unlike any other Mickey Mouse cartoon ever made. Its impact on the canon was strong enough that the Mad Doctor was made one of the main antagonists of the Epic Mickey video game. And getting to take him out after all these years is one of the most satisfying game moments you’ll ever experience.

14. Around the World in 80 Days

Now for something a bit lighter. Some of the best shorts made for Mickey’s Mouse Works and House of Mouse were the “Mouse Tales”, two-part adaptations of classic novels with Mickey and the gang filling in the roles. This is a simplified but still fun take on Jules Verne’s famous globetrotting adventure. Instead of a wager between high society gentlemen and a robbery caper mixup however, Mickey must circumnavigate the globe in order to claim an inheritance and save his orphanage. Goofy and a rescued native princess-turned-love interest Minnie (there’s no way around some of the more dated aspects of this story, is there?) help him along the way, but they also have to deal with a meddling Scrooge McDuck, who’d do anything to get his feathers on the fortune. They manage to squeeze in some great jokes, usually involving Mickey’s deadpan reactions to Goofy’s cluelessness. It’s a decent retelling that hits all the beats and will probably get kids interested in checking out the original story.

13. Ye Olden Days

Nothing like a good old-fashioned medieval romance to warm your heart. Humble minstrel Mickey attempts to rescue fair damsel Minnie when she refuses to marry foppish Prince Dippy Dawg – that’s Goofy’s early moniker to those not fluent in early Disney – and winds up engaging in a joust for her hand. Mickey and Minnie may not be the most fascinating couple in film history, but their earnest devotion to each other shows why their relationship has stood the test of time.

When I was rewatching this to see if it deserved a spot on this list, I was particularly impressed by how spirited Minnie was – she does not take her arranged marriage lying down, slapping the self-absorbed prince in the face while declaring “Never!” and fighting her captors every step of the way as she’s dragged to the tower as punishment. Plus, it’s her intervening on Mickey’s behalf that saves him from the guillotine and allows him to engage in trial by combat. Mickey, ever the underdog, uses his size and cleverness to his advantage, outdoing the prince in all his regalia with nothing but a spear, a suit of armor fashioned from a potbelly stove, and an intrepid donkey. I really don’t have anything to say other than this short’s simplicity and sweetness never fails to win me over.

12. The Pointer

An expertly animated adventure for Mickey and his loyal canine, even if the idea of the Mouse going hunting wouldn’t fly today. I just love Mickey and Pluto’s interactions; they remind me so much of me and my dog and the time we spent together (though let it go on record that I never have or most likely will engage in hunting for sport). This isn’t a case of the pet being smarter than the master like in future shorts, either. Those always aggravated me because of how they really dumbed down Mickey. Both are on equal footing here, and both get into equal amounts of trouble.

The moment where Mickey tries to talk his way out of an encounter with an angry bear is equal parts tense and humorous. It’s also one of the rare times I can recall Mickey attempting to use his own popularity to escape from a jam (“Well I’m, uh, Mickey Mouse! You know, Mickey Mouse? I hope you’ve heard of me…I hope.”) According to Andreas Deja, animator Frank Thomas incorporated a bit of Walt’s own actions while recording the lines for this scene, giving it a superb bit of what Thomas would call “the illusion of life”.

11. Lonesome Ghosts

Here we have another Mickey-Donald-Goofy venture with shenanigans surrounding the last two, but there’s enough of Mickey in there to make it count. Now tell me if this sounds familiar: a trio of oddballs, one smart if in way over his head, one irascible and sarcastic, and one delightfully naive, go into business capturing ghosts. And yes, at one point one of them says “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts”. It’s a shame Disney wasn’t able to capitalize on this fifty years later apart from syncing this short to the Ghostbusters theme in the DTV Halloween special. Lonesome Ghosts is a spooky jaunt where half the fun comes from the various ways the titular quartet of specters tease our hapless heroes. How the protagonists manage to send them packing kind of confuses me, but it still makes for a good chuckle. Steeped in atmosphere and loaded with laughs, Lonesome Ghosts is a ghoulish good time.

10. Mickey’s Good Deed

It’s Christmas Eve, and Mickey and Pluto are out in the cold with nothing but a bass fiddle that earns them barely enough to eat. A bratty rich half-pint sets his sights on Pluto and goes Veruca Salt on his father, leading to him offering Mickey a fair bit of dough in exchange for the dog. Mickey refuses, until he spies a poor widow and her many children even worse off than he is. This leads to him making a heartwrenching sacrifice to ensure they have a merry Christmas. It’s a short that runs the gamut of emotions. You feel for Mickey every second as he either loses everything he owns or willingly gives it up for a greater good, and there’s plenty of joy to be had when he gets his reward in the end (as well as when that terrible child is given his due punishment). I love watching this every Christmastime, and it exemplifies the giving spirit of the season.

9. Runaway Brain

You wanna know where that infamous image of a demonic Mickey came from? Well here ya go. Fast-paced, frightening and hilarious, Runaway Brain is a wild ride from start to finish. In some ways it feels more akin to a Looney Tunes short than a Disney one. The comic and story beats come right after another, yet leave room for sight gags and references a plenty. There’s even a brief shot that visibly homages The Exorcist. IN A DISNEY SHORT.

Borrowing from The Mad Doctor’s playbook, this time it’s Mickey who’s in a mad scientist’s sights after taking an offer for “a mindless day’s work” at face value, just so he could earn some vacation cash for Minnie. Said mad scientist, Dr. Frankenollie (love the nod there), voiced by Sideshow Bob himself Kelsey Grammar, switches Mickey’s brain with that of his King Kong/Frankenstein-esque creation Julius, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Pete. When the doctor is zapped into ashes by his own experiment – onscreen, mind you – Mickey, now trapped in Julius’ body, must find a way to get back to normal and stop Julius, stuck in Mickey’s form but no less monstrous, from pursuing Minnie. As I said before, the jokes come at you fast and hard. The climax in particular is especially rollicking, with some amazing lighting and coloring choices that pump up the action. As always, Mickey saves the day in the most entertaining – and in this case, bizarre – way possible.

8. The Band Concert

Mickey makes his technicolor debut in one of the first shorts that pits him against a troublesome Donald. All our stalwart conductor wants to do is perform a bit of William Tell for some music lovers in the park, but he’s consistently interrupted by Donald wanting to get in on the action with Turkey In The Straw and an improbable supply of easily breakable flutes. Still, you’ve got to admire both of them for their determination. I’d say nothing short of a cyclone could stop them, but that’s exactly what happens; the climax has them playing through the gale even as they’re hurled through the air! Considering the music they’re performing is appropriately stormy sounding, one has to wonder if they picked up their instruments from Hyrule. The Band Concert is a testament to Mickey’s unflappable perseverance and affinity for music.

7. The Little Whirlwind

Lured to Minnie’s by the promise of cake, Mickey agrees to give her yard a good cleanup in exchange for some dessert. Unfortunately, a playful sentient cyclone has other plans. I’ve never been bothered by Mickey’s voice, but this short shows how he works just as well silently. Much of the action is largely in mime with no dialogue. The slapstick is fun all around. I always did feel a bit bad that Mickey got the short end of the stick in this cartoon; after being tormented by the hellion hurricane, he’s pursued by a giant momma tornado who assumes her offspring was bullied for no reason, and when Minnie checks on his progress he’s blamed for the disaster area that was formerly her garden. I don’t know what the hell she was doing in the kitchen to not hear the two cyclones roaring through her yard but I hope it was worth it. At least Mickey ends up getting the cake – though not in a way he was certainly expecting.

6. Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip

Once more we witness Mickey’s loyalty to his equally devoted canine companion. A simple train trip to Pomona goes off the rails when Mickey must shield Pluto from dog-hating conductor Pete and both find themselves on the run from him. There’s disguises and mishaps galore, and it’s a constant back and forth to see who’s one step ahead of the other. Interesting fact: this short is also the source of the only known footage of Walt Disney recording his lines as Mickey.

youtube

5. Symphony Hour

A spiritual sequel to The Band Concert, Mickey once again plays conductor for a classical orchestra made up of his friends. Unfortunately someone thought it was a good idea to leave all the instruments in Goofy’s hands before their big debut, and they’re quickly destroyed. Now poor Mickey has to keep everything together as the concert falls to pieces and their sponsor Pete fumes from his viewing box.

This short… it’s hysterical. There’s no other word for it. Everything from the animation to the music – which sounds like a precursor to Spike Jones – cracks me up. Mickey is pushed to the limits of his endurance as his show crumbles around him. Not helping matters is the attitude of the performers. Sure, Goofy, Horace Horsecollar and the like soldier on admirably, but Donald threatens to up and leave several times. Yet Mickey isn’t afraid to stoop to any level to ensure the show, no matter how terrible, will indeed go on. And the worse it gets for them, the better it gets for us.

4. Thru the Mirror

After falling asleep while reading Alice Through the Looking Glass, Mickey dreams of entering his bedroom mirror and exploring the bizzarro version of his world on the other side. Living furniture, card battles and jazzy dance sequences ensue. Out of all the Mickey shorts on this list, this is probably the best animated. The scenes stick out in your mind long after the cartoon has ended. The size-changing walnuts, the catchy tap dance starting with a game of jump rope with a telephone cord that evolves into a Busby Berkeley homage with playing cards, and the escape from said cards while traversing the dangers of a literal living room? It’s golden age Disney at its finest. There’s not much in the way of story, but that’s not the point of this short. It’s just great animation fueled by years of practice and boundless imagination.

3. Get a Horse!

I remember hearing way back when this short was announced that it was supposedly one from Walt’s heyday which was lost to the ages and recently unearthed. Little could we have realized that it was merely a smokescreen – instead of an old cartoon, we were getting the first new theatrical Mickey Mouse short since Runaway Brain, one that paid tribute to the classic Mickey cartoons of old.

Since I watched Frozen more than once during its theatrical run, I had the privilege of experiencing Get A Horse as it should be: in a big dark movie theater with eye-popping 3D. It gives the perfect illusion that this crazy cartoon with characters jumping in and out and running around the theater really is happening right in front of you. Mickey and friends play around with the screen and the dimensions contained within and with-out in a way not seen since Chuck Jones’ masterpiece Duck Amuck. And having seen many, MANY classic Disney shorts before (if this list hadn’t already indicated), I could even tell where many of the sound bites used for the characters’ dialogue were lifted from. I simply don’t get it when people dismiss this short for “mocking” old school Disney when in reality it does anything but. I think this short is the epitome of what Disney is doing now with their animation, blending the best of the old with the technology and promise of the new. Also, Oswald cameo for the win!

2. The Prince and the Pauper

Talk about nostalgia. I watched this short with the same frequency as my favorite Disney movies on VHS. In fact, due to having no sense of time when I was younger, I thought this twenty minute short was about the same length as those films; it certainly flies by at the same speed. Mark Twain’s tale of royal identity switching has seen its fair share of adaptations, but this one will always be my favorite. We’ve got riveting action and phenomenal voice acting (Wayne Allwine, you were the best Mickey outside of Walt and Brett Iwan can’t hold a candle to you).

It’s also one of the most dramatic shorts in the Disney canon. Pete is at his most menacing outside of Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Scenes like where Mickey attends to the king in his final moments and the prince learns of his father’s passing carry so much weight to them. They’re framed cinematically and let you take in the gravitas. Still, that’s not to say there isn’t any comedy to be found. The Prince and the Pauper has plenty of moments that still make me laugh twenty-eight years later. It’s a short that has everything. Easily one of Mickey’s finest moments.

1. The Brave Little Tailor

If I were to point to one short that summed up everything I love about Mickey Mouse, all you need to know about him, and why he’s so great, The Brave Little Tailor would be it.

Due to a simple misunderstanding, Mickey is thrust into the role of reluctant hero, one who must face down a killer giant no less. But if most of what the previously mentioned shorts have shown, Mickey’s nothing more or less than the perfect underdog. And when he gets into action, he’s like a cartoon blend of Chaplin, Keaton and Fairbanks – not a coincidence as the former two were big influences on early Mickey. Scared though he is, he rarely panics. Instead he relies on his greatest strengths to save the day – his quick thinking, nimbleness from his diminutive stature, and his loyal, caring heart. There’s a reason why I chose this particular thumbnail for this entry. No matter how many times I see this enamored incarnation of Minnie shower her champion with kisses, making him stumble around dizzily and cheerfully cry “Whoopee! I’ll cut ‘im down to my size!” I always, always go “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwww”. It’s just too adorable for words. When you’ve got someone who loves you like Minnie does, you feel like you can take on the world.

I could go on about how the scene where he’s telling the story of how he killed seven with one blow (that’s flies, by the way, not giants) has been studied by animation students and enthusiasts to the point where Junction Point Studios aspired to recreate that level of expression and fluidity when creating Epic Mickey, or how Mickey defeats the giant has been homaged in other shorts as well as the airport fight from Captain America:Civil War, or just that wonderful storybook golden age Disney feel it has from start to finish, but I won’t. By all means, seek out the short and see it all for yourself.

No matter how many times the corporate side of Disney has airbrushed Mickey’s foibles to present him as the bland, perfect company mascot, Mickey’s bravery, kindness, and penchant for attracting trouble has never been fully scrubbed away. Different voice actors, animators, story writers and financial visionaries have come and gone throughout the years, and each has presented their own unique take on the character, but there’s no mistaking the world’s most famous mouse, the one who started it all.

Happy Birthday, Mickey. Here’s to 90 more.

youtube

Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Mickey Mouse shorts? Share them in the comments and be sure to follow and check out my Patreon if you want to read more!

My Top 20 Favorite Mickey Mouse Shorts As a lifelong Disney fan I can't understate how much of an impact Mickey Mouse has had on me.

7 notes · View notes

just-breathe-fight-cf · 6 years ago

Text

FIVE FEET APART

Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

Summary: Seventeen-year-olds Stella and Will, both suffering from cystic fibrosis, realize the only way to stay alive is to stay apart, but their love for each other is slowly pushing the boundaries of physical and emotional safety.

For Alyson

--R. L.

We dedicate this book, and the movie, to all the patients, families, medical staff, and loved ones who bravely fight the battle against cystic fibrosis every day. We hope the story of Stella and Will helps to bring awareness to this disease and, one day, a cure.

--M. D. and T. I.

________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 1 - STELLA

I trace the outline of my sister’s drawing, lungs molded from a sea of flowers. Petals burst out from every edge of the twin ovals in soft pinks, deep whites, even heather blues, but somehow each one has a uniqueness, a vibrancy that feels like it’ll bloom forever. Some of the flowers haven’t blossomed yet, and I can feel the promise of life just waiting to unfold from the tiny buds under the weight of my finger. Those are my favorites.

I wonder, all too often, what it would be like to have lungs this healthy. This alive. I take a deep breath, feeling the air fight its way in and out of my body.

Slipping off the last petal of the last flower, my hand sinks, fingers dragging through the background of stars, each pinpoint of light that Abby drew a separate attempt to capture infinity. I clear my throat, pulling my hand away, and lean over to grab a picture of us from off my bed. Identical smiles peek out from underneath thick wool scarves, the holiday lights at the park down the street twinkling above our heads just like the stars in her drawing.

There was something magical about it. The soft glow of the lampposts in the park, the white snow clinging to the branches of the trees, the quiet stillness of it all. We nearly froze our butts off for that picture last year, but it was our tradition. Me and Abby, braving the cold to go see the holiday lights together.

This photo always makes me remember that feeling. The feeling of going on an adventure with my sister, just the two of, us, the world expanding like an open book.

I take a thumbtack and hang the picture next to the drawing before sitting down on my bed and grabbing my pocket notebook and pencil off my bedside table. My eyes travel down the long to-do list I made for myself this morning, starting with “#1: Plan to-do list,” which I’ve already put a satisfying line through, and going all the way down to “#22: Contemplate the afterlife.”

Number 22 was probably just a little ambitious for a Friday afternoon, but at least for now I can cross off number 17, “Decorate walls.” I look around the formerly stark room I’ve spent the better part of the morning making my own, once again, the wall now filled with the artwork Abby’s given me through the years, bits of color and life jumping out from clinical white walls, each once a product of a different trip to the hospital.

Me with an IV drip in my arm, the bag bursting with butterflies of different shapes and colors and sizes. Me wearing a nose cannula, the cable twisting to form an infinity sign. Me with my nebulizer, the vapor pouring out of it forming a cloudy halo. Then there’s the most delicate one, a faded tornado of stars that she drew my very first time here.

It’s not as polished as her later stuff, but somehow that make me like it more.

And right underneath all that vibrancy is…my pile of medical equipment, sitting right next to a hideous green faux-leather hospital chair that comes standard for every room here at Saint Grace’s. I eye the empty IV pole warily, knowing my first of many rounds of antibiotics over the next month is exactly and hour and nine minutes away. Lucky me.

“Here it is!” a voice calls from just outside my room. I look up as the door slowly creaks open and two familiar faces appear in the small crack of the doorway. Camila and Mya have visited me here a million times in the past decade, and they still can’t get from the lobby to my room without asking every person in the building for directions.

“Wrong room,” I say, grinning as a look of pure relief washes over them.

Mya laughs, pushing the door open the rest of the way. “It honestly could’ve been. This place is still a freaking maze.”

“Are you guys excited?” I say, hopping up to give them both hugs.

Camila pulls away to look at me, pouting, her dark-brown hair practically drooping along with her. “Second trip in a row without you.”

It’s true. This isn’t the first time my cystic fibrosis has taken me out of the running for some class trip or sunny vacation or school event. About 70 percent of the time, things are pretty normal for me. I go to school, I hang out with Camila and Mya, I work on my app. I just do it all with low-functioning lungs. But for the remaining 30 percent of my time, CF controls my life. Meaning when I need to return to the hospital for a tune-up, I miss out on things like a class trip to the art museum or now our senior trip to Cabo.

This particular tune-up just happens to be centered around the fact that I need to be pumped with antibiotics to finally get rid of a sore throat and a fever that won’t go away.

That, and my lung function is tanking.

Mya plunks down on my bed, sighing dramatically as she lies back. “It’s only two weeks. Are you sure you can’t come? It’s our senior trip, Stella!”

“I’m sure,” I say firmly, and they know I mean it. We’ve been friends since middle school, and they know by now that when it comes to plans, my CF gets the final say.

It’s not like I don’t want to go. It’s just, quite literally, a matter of life or death. I can’t go off to Cabo, or anywhere for that matter, and risk not coming back. I can’t do that to my parents. Not now.

“You were the head of the planning committee this year, though! Can’t you get them to move your treatments? We don’t want you to be stuck here,” Camila says, gesturing to the hospital room I so carefully decorated.

I shake my head. “We still have spring break together! And I haven’t missed a spring break ‘Besties Weekend’ since eighth grade, when I got that cold!” I say, smiling hopefully and looking back and forth between Camila and Mya. Neither of them returns my smile, though, and both opt to continue looking like I killed their family pets.

I notice they’re both holding the bags of bathing suits I told them to bring, so I grab Camila’s out of her hand in a desperate attempt to change the subject. “Ooh, suit options! We have to pick out the best ones!” Since I’m not going to be basking in the warm Cabo sun in a bathing suit of my choice, I figure I can at least live a little vicariously through my friends by picking out theirs with them.

This perks them both up. We eagerly dump their bags out on my bed, creating a mishmash of florals and polka dots and fluorescents.

I scan Camila’s pile of bathing suits, grabbing a red one that falls somewhere between a bikini bottom and a single piece of thread, which I know without a doubt is a hand-me-down from her older sister, Megan.

I toss it to her. “This one. It’s very you.”

Her eyes widen, and she holds it up to her waist, fixing her wire-frame glasses in surprise. “I mean, the tan lines would be pretty great--“

“Camila,” I say, grabbing a white-and-blue-striped bikini that I can tell will fit her like a glove. “I’m kidding. This one’s perfect.”

She looks relieved, grabbing the bikini from me. I turn my attention to Mya’s pile, but she’s busy texting away from the green hospital chair in the corner, a big smile plastered on her face.

I dig out a one-piece that she’s had since swim class in sixth grade, holding it up to her with a smirk. “How’s this, Mya?”

“Love it! Looks great!” she says, typing furiously.

Camila snorts, putting her suits back in the bag and giving me a sly smile. “Mason and Brooke called it quits,” she says in explanation.

“Oh my god. They did not!” I say. This is news. Amazing news.

Well, not for Brooke. But Mya has been crushing on Mason since Mrs. Wilson’s English class sophomore year, so this trip is her chance to finally make a move.

It bums me out I won’t be there to help her make a killer ten-step “Whirlwind Cabo Romance with Mason” plan.

Mya puts her phone away and shrugs casually, standing and pretending to look at some of the artwork on the walls. “No big deal. We’re going to meet him and Taylor at the airport tomorrow morning.”

I give her a look and she breaks out into a huge smile. “Okay, it’s a little bit of a big deal!”

We all squeal with excitement, and I hold up an adorable polka-dot one-piece that is super vintage, and right up her alley. She nods, grabbing it and holding it up to her body. “I was totally hoping you’d pick this one.”

I look over to see Camila glancing at her watch nervously, which is no surprise. She’s a champion procrastinator and probably hasn’t packed a single thing for Cabo yet.

Besides the bikini, of course.

She sees me notice her checking her watch and grins sheepishly. “I still need to buy a beach towel for tomorrow.”

Classic Camila.

I stand up, my heart sinking in my chest at the thought of them leaving, but I don’t want to hold them up. “You guys have to get going, then! Your plane is at, like, the ass crack of dawn tomorrow.”

Mya looks around the room sadly while Camila twists her bag of suits dejectedly around her hand. The two of them are making this even harder that I thought it would be. I swallow the guilt and annoyance that come bubbling up. It’s not like they’re the ones missing their senior trip to Cabo. At least they’ll be together.

I give them both big smiles, practically pulling them to the door with me. My cheeks hurt from all this fake positivity, but I don’t want to ruin it for them.

“We’ll send you a bunch of pictures, okay?” Camila says, giving me a hug.

“You’d better! Photoshop me into a few,” I say to Mya, who is a wizard at Adobe. “You won’t even know I wasn’t there!”

They linger in the doorway, and I give them an exaggerated eye roll, playfully shoving them out into the hallway. “Get outta here. Go have a great trip.”

“Love you, Stella!” they call as they walk down the hallway. I watch them go, waving until Mya’s bouncing curls are completely out of sight, suddenly wanting nothing more than to be walking out with them, off to pack instead of unpack.

My smile fades as I close the door and see the old family pictures pinned carefully to the back of my door.

It was taken a few summers ago on the front porch of our house during a Fourth of July barbecue. Me, Abby, Mom, and Dad, goofy smiles on all our faces as the camera captures the moment. I feel a swell of homesickness as I hear the sound of the worn, rickety wood of that front step, creaking underneath us as we laugh and get close for the picture. I miss that feeling. All of us together, happy and healthy. For the most part.

This isn’t helping. Singing, I pull myself away, looking over at the medicine cart.

In all honesty, I like it here. It’s been my home away from home since I was six, so I usually don’t mind coming. I get my treatments, I take my medicine, I drink my body weight in milk shakes, I get to see Barb and Julie, I leave until my next flare-up. Simple as that. But this time I feel anxious, restless even. Because instead of just wanting to get healthy, I need to get healthy. For my parent’s sake.

Because they’ve gone and messed up everything by getting divorced. And after losing each other, they won’t be able to handle losing me, too. I know it.

If I can get better, maybe…

One step at a time. I head over to the wall oxygen, double-checking the flowmeter is set properly, and listen for the steady hiss of the oxygen coming out of it before I pull the tube around my ears and slide the prongs of the cannula into my nose. Sighing, I sink down onto the familiarly uncomfortable hospital mattress, and take a deep breath.

I reach for my pocket notebook to read the next thing on my to-do list and keep myself preoccupied-- “#18: Record a video.”

I grab my pencil and bite it thoughtfully as I stare at the words I wrote earlier. Oddly enough, contemplating the afterlife seems easier right now.

But the list is the list, so, exhaling, I reach over to my bedside table to get my laptop, sitting cross-legged on the new floral comforter I picked out yesterday at Target while Camila and Mya were buying clothes for Cabo. I didn’t even need the comforter, but they were so enthusiastic in helping my pick something out for my trip to the hospital, I felt bad not getting it. At least it sort of matches my walls now, bright and vibrant and colorful.

I drum my fingers anxiously on the keyboard, and squint at my reflection in the screen while my computer starts up. I frown at the mess of long brown hair and try to smooth it down, running my fingers through it over and over. Frustrated, I pull my hair tie off my wrist and resort to a messy bun in an attempt to look halfway decent for this video. I grab my copy of Java Coding for Android Phones off my bedside table and put my laptop on top of it, so I don’t show some serious under chin, and can have a shot that’s remotely flattering.

Logging on to my YouTube Live account, I adjust the webcam, making sure you can see Abby’s lung drawing directly behind me.

It’s the perfect backdrop.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, hearing the familiar wheeze of my lungs trying desperately to fill with air through the sea of mucus. Exhaling slowly, I slap a big Hallmark-greeting-card smile on my face before opening my eyes and pressing the enter key to go live.

“Hey guys. Is everyone having a good Black Friday? I waited for snow that never came!”

I glance into the corner of my screen as I turn the camera toward the hospital window, the sky a cloudy gray, the trees on the other side of the glass completely barren. I smile as my livestream count goes steadily past 1K, a fraction of the 23,940 YouTube subscribers who tune in to see how my battle with cystic fibrosis is going.

“So, I could be getting ready to go on a plane to Cabo for my school’s senior trip, but instead I’ll be spending this holiday at my home away from home, thanks to a mild sore throat.”

Plus, a raging fever. I think back to when I got my temperature taken on intake this morning, the flashing numbers on the thermometer blaring out a strong 102. I don’t want to mention it in the video, though, because my parents will definitely be watching this later.

As far as they know, I just have a nagging cold.

“Who needs two whole weeks of sunshine and blue skies and beaches when you can have a month of luxury right in your own backyard?”

I rattle off the amenities, counting them on my fingers. “Let’s see. I’ve got a full-time concierge, unlimited chocolate pudding, and laundry services. Oh, and Barb talked Dr. Hamid into letting me keep all my meds and treatments in my room this time! Check it out!”

I turn the webcam to the pile of medical equipment and then to the medicine cart next to me, which I’ve already perfectly organized into alphabetical and chronological order by the scheduled dosage time I plugged into the app I made. It’s finally ready for a test run!

That was number 14 on today’s to-do list, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.

My computer dings as comments begin rolling in. I see one mentioning Barb’s name with some heart emoji’s. She’s a crowd favorite just as much as she’s my favorite. Ever since I first came to the hospital more than ten years ago, she’s been the respiratory therapist here, slipping candy to me and the other CFers, like my partner in crime Poe. She holds our hand through even the most bone-crushing grips of pain like it’s nothing.

I’ve been making YouTube videos for about half that time to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis. Through the years more people that I could have ever imagined began following my surgeries and my treatments and my visits to Saint Grace’s, sticking with me through my awkward braces phase and everything.

“My lung function is down to thirty-five percent,” I say as I turn the camera back to me. “Dr. Hamid says I’m steadily climbing to the top of the transplant list now, so I’ll be here for a month, taking antibiotics, sticking to my regimen…” My eyes travel to the drawing behind me, the healthy lungs looming over my head, just out of reach.

I shake my head and smile, leaning over to grab a bottle from the medicine cart. “That means taking my medications on time, wearing my AffloVest to break up that mucus, and” -- I hold up the bottle -- “a whole lot of this liquid nutrition through my G-tube every night. If any ladies out there are wishing they could eat five thousand calories a day and still have a Cabo-ready beach body, I’m up for a trade.”

My computer dings away, messages pouring in one after another. Reading a few, I let the positivity push away all the negativity I felt going into this.

Hang in there, Stella! We love you.

Marry me!

“New lungs can come in at any moment, so I’ve got to be ready!” I say the words like I believe them wholeheartedly. Though after all these years I’ve learned to not get my hopes up too much.

DING! Another message.

I’ve got CF and you remind me to always stay positive. XOXO.

My heart warms, and I have a final big smile for the camera, for that person fighting the same fight that I am. This time it’s genuine. “All right, guys, thanks for watching! Gotta double-check my afternoon and evening meds now. You know how anal I am. I hope everyone has a great week. Bye!”

I end the live video and exhale slowly, closing the browser to see the smiling, winter-formal-ready faces on my desktop background. Me, Camila, and Mya, arm in arm, all in the same deep-red lipstick we’d picked out together at Sephora. Camila had wanted a bright pink, but Mya had convinced us that red was the color we NEEDED in our life. I’m still not convinced that was true.

Lying back, I pick up the worn panda resting on my pillows and wrap my arms tightly around him. Patches, my sister, Abby, named him. And what a fitting name that became. The years of coming in and out of the hospital with me have certainly taken their toll on him. Multicolored patches are sewn over spots where he ripped open, his stuffing pouring out when I squeezed too hard during the most painful of my treatments.

There’s a knock on my door, and it flies open not even a second later as Barb busts in holding an armful of pudding cups for me to make my medication with. “I’m back! Delivery!”

When it comes to Barb, not much has changed in the past six months, or the past ten years for that matter; she’s still the best. The same short, curly hair. The same colorful scrubs. The same smile that lights up the entire room.

But then an extremely pregnant Julie trails behind her, carrying an IV drip.

Now that’s a big change from six months ago.

I swallow my surprise and grin at Barb as she places the pudding at the edge of my bed for me to sort onto my medicine cart, then pulls out a list to double-check that the cart has everything I need on it.

“What would I do without you?” I ask.

She winks. “You’d die.”

Julie hangs the IV bag of antibiotics next to me, her belly brushing up against my arm. Why didn’t she tell me she’s pregnant? I go rigid, smiling thinly, as I eye her baby bump and try to subtly move away from it. “A lot’s changed in the past six months!”

She rubs her belly, blue eyes shining brightly as she gives me a big smile. “You want to feel her kick?”

“No,” I say, a little too quickly. I feel bad when she looks slightly taken aback at my bluntness, her blonde eyebrows arching up in surprise. But I don’t want any of my bad juju near that perfect, healthy baby.

Luckily, her eyes travel to my desktop background. “Are those your winter formal pics? I saw a bunch on Insta!” she says, excited. “How was it?”

“Super fun!” I say with a ton of enthusiasm as the awkwardness melts away. I open a folder on my desktop filled with pictures. “Crushed it on the dance floor for a solid three songs. Got to ride in a limo. The food didn’t suck. Plus, I made it to ten thirty before I got tired, which was way better than expected! Who needs a curfew when your body does it for you, right?”

I show her and Barb some pictures we all took at Mya’s house before the dance while she hooks me up to the IV drip and tests my blood pressure and O2 reading. I remember I used to be afraid of needles, but with every blood draw and IV drip, that fear slowly drifted away. Now I don’t even flinch. It makes me feel strong every time I get poked or prodded. Like I can overcome anything.

“All righty,” Barb says when they get all my vitals and finish oohing and aahing over my sparkly, silver A-line gown and my white rose corsage. Camila, Mya, and I decided to swap corsages when we went stag to the formal. I didn’t want to take a date, not that anybody asked me anyway. It was super possible that I would need to bail the day of, or wouldn’t feel well halfway through the dance, which wouldn’t have been fair to whomever I could’ve gone with. The two of them didn’t want me to feel left out, so instead of getting dates of their own, they decided we’d all go together. Because of the Mason developments, though, that doesn’t seem super likely for prom.

Barb nods to the filled medicine cart, resting a hand on her hip. “I’ll still monitor you, but you’re pretty much good to go.” She holds up a pill bottle. “Remember, you have to take this one with food,” she says, putting it carefully back and holding up another one. “And make sure you don’t--“

“I got it Barb,” I say. She’s just being her usual motherly self, but she holds up her hands in surrender. Deep down she knows that I’ll be absolutely fine.

I wave good-bye as they both head towards the door, using the remote next to my bed to sit it up a little more.

“By the way,” Barb says slowly as Julie ducks out of the room. Her eyes narrow at me and she gives me a gentle warning look. “I want you to finish your IV drip first, but Poe’s just checking in to room 310.”

“What? Really?” I say, my eyes widening as I move to launch myself out of bed to find him. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me he’d be here!

Barb steps forward, grabbing my shoulders and pushing me gently back down onto the bed before I can fully stand. “What part of ‘I want you to finish your IV drip first’ did you not get?”

I smile sheepishly at her, but how could she blame me? Poe was the first friend I made when I came to the hospital. He’s the only one who really gets it. We’ve fought CF together for a freaking decade. We’ll, together from a safe distance, anyway.

We can’t get too close to each other. For cystic fibrosis patients, cross-infection from certain bacteria strains is a huge risk. One touch between two CFers can literally kill both of them.

Her serious frown gives way to a gentle smile. “Settle in. Relax. Take a chill pill.” She eyes the medicine cart, jokingly. “Not literally.”

I nod, a real laugh spilling out, as a fresh wave of relief fills me at the news of Poe being here too.

“I’ll stop by later to help you with your AffloVest,” Barb says over her shoulder as she leaves. Grabbing my phone, I settle for a quick text message instead of a mad dash down the hall to room 310.

You’re here? Me too. Tune-up.

Not even a second goes by and my screen lights up with his replay: Bronchitis. Just happened. I’ll live. Come by and wave at me later. Gonna crash now.

I lean back on the bed, exhaling long and slow.

Truth is, I’m nervous about this visit.

My lung function fell to 35 percent so quickly: And now, even more than the fever and the sore throat, being here in the hospital for the next month doing treatment after treatment to stem the tide while my friends are far away is freaking me out. A lot. Thirty-five percent is a number that keeps my mom up at night. She doesn’t say it, but her computer does. Search after search about lung transplants and lung-function percentages, new combinations and phrasing but always the same idea. How to get more time. It makes me more afraid than I’ve even been before. But not for me. When you have CF, you sort of get used to the idea of dying young. No, I’m terrified for my parents. And what will become of them if the worst does happen, now that they don’t have each other.

But with Poe here, someone who understands, I can get through it. Once I’m actually allowed to see him.

The rest of the afternoon goes by slowly.

I work on my app, double-checking that I worked out the programming error that kept coming up when I tried to run it on my phone. I put some Fucidin on the sore skin around my G-tube in an attempt to make it less fire-engine red and more of a summer-sunset pink. I check and double-check my “At Bedtime” pile of bottles and pills. I reply to my parents’ every-hour-on-the-hour texts. I gaze out the window as the afternoon fades and see a couple about my age, laughing and kissing as they walk into the hospital. It’s not every day you see a happy couple coming into a hospital. Watching them holding hands and exchanging longing glances, I wonder what it would be like to have somebody look at me like that. People are always looking at my cannula, my scars, my G-tube, not at me.

It doesn’t make guys want to line up by my locker.

I “dated” Tyler Paul my freshman year of high school, but that lasted all of a month, until I came down with an infection and needed to go to the hospital for a few weeks. Even just a few days in, his texts started to get further and further apart, and I decided to break up with him. Besides, it was nothing like that couple out in the courtyard. Tyler’s palms were sweaty when we held hands, and he wore so much Axe body spray, I would go into coughing fits every time we hugged.

This thought process is not exactly a helpful distraction, so I even give number 22, “Contemplate the afterlife,” on my to-do list a try, and read some of Life, Death, and Immortality: The Journey of the Soul.

But pretty soon, I opt to just lie on my bed, looking up at the ceiling and listening to the wheezing sound of my breathing. I can hear the air struggling to get past the mucus that takes up space in my lungs. Rolling over, I crack open a vial of Flovent to give my lungs a helping hand. I pour the liquid into a nebulizer by my bed, the small machine humming to life as vapors pour from the mouthpiece.

I sit, staring at the drawing of the lungs while I breathe in and out.

And in and out.

And in and…out.

I hope when my parents come to visit over the next few days, my breathing is a little less labored. I told them both that the other one was taking me to the hospital this morning, but I actually just took an Uber here from the corner a street over from my mom’s new place. I don’t want either of them to have to face seeing me here again, at least until I’m looking better.

My mom was already giving me troubled looks when I needed to put my portable oxygen on just to pack.

There’s a knock on my door, and I look over from the wall I’m staring at, hoping it’s Poe stopping by to wave at me. I pull the mouthpiece off as Barb pops her head in. She drops a surgical face mask and latex gloves onto a table next to my door.

“New one upstairs. Meet me in fifteen?”

My heart leaps.

I nod, and she gives me a big smile before ducking out of the room. I grab the mouthpiece and take one more quick hit of the Flovent, letting the vapor fill my lungs the best I can before I’m up and moving. Shutting the nebulizer off, I pick up my portable oxygen concentrator from where it’s been charging next to my bed, press the circular button in the center to turn it on, and pull the strap over my shoulder. After I put the cannula in, I head over to the door, pulling on the blue latex gloves and wrapping the strings of the face mask around my ears.

Sliding into my Converse, I push my door open then squeeze out into the whitewashed corridor, deciding to go the long way so I can walk past Poe’s room.

I pass the nurses’ station in the center of the floor, waving hello to a young nurse’s assistance named Sarah, who is smiling over the top of the new, sleek metal cubicle.

They replaced that before my last visit six months ago. It’s the same height, but it used to be made of this worn wood that had probably been around since the hospital was founded sixty-some years ago. I remember when I was small enough to sneak past to whatever room Poe was in, my head still a good few inches from clearing the desk.

Now it comes up to my elbow.

Heading down the hallway, I grin as I see a small Colombian flag taped on the outside of a half-open door, an overturned skateboard keeping it propped slightly open.

I peer inside to see Poe fast asleep on his bed, curled into a surprisingly tiny ball underneath his plaid comforter, a suave Gordon Ramsay poster, positioned directly over his bed, keeping watch over him.

I draw a heart on the dry-erase board he’s stuck to the outside of his door to let him know I’ve been there, before moving off down the hallway toward the wooden double doors that will take me to the main part of the hospital, up and elevator, down C Wing, across the bridge into Building 2, and straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

One of the perks of coming here or more than a decade is that I know the hospital just as well as I knew the house I grew up in. every winding corridor, or hidden staircase, or secret shortcut, exploring over and over again.

But before I can open the double doors, a room door swings open next to me, and I turn my head in surprise to see the profile of a tall, thin boy I’ve never seen before. He’s standing in the doorway of room 315, holding a sketchbook in one hand and a charcoal pencil in the other, a white hospital bracelet like mine wrapped around his wrist.

I stop dead.

His tousled, dark-chocolate-brown hair is perfectly unruly, like he just popped out of a Teen Vogue and landed smack in the middle of Saint Grace’s Hospital. His eyes are a deep blue, the corners crinkling as he talks.

But it’s his smile that catches my eye more than anything else. It’s lopsided, and charming, and it has a magnetic warmth to it.

He’s so cute, my lung function feels like it dropped another 10 percent.

It’s a good thing this mask is covering half my face, because I did not plan for cute guys on my floor this hospital stay.

“I’ve clocked their schedules,” he says as he puts the pencil casually behind his ear. I shift slightly to the left and see that he’s grinning at the couple I saw coming into the hospital earlier. “So, unless you plant your ass on the call button, no one’s going to bother you for at least an hour. And don’t forget. I gotta sleep in that bed, dude.”

“Way ahead of you.” I watch as the girl unzips the duffel bag she’s holding to show him blankets.

Wait. What?

Cute guy whistles. “Look at that. A regular Girl Scout.”

“We’re no animals, man,” her boyfriend say to him, giving him a big, dude-to-dude smile.

Oh my god. Gross. He’s letting his friends do it in his room, like it’s a motel.

I grimace and resume walking down the hallway to the exit doors, putting as much space as possible between me and whatever scheme is going on in there.

So much for cute.

#cysticfibrosis #Cystic Fibrosis Awareness #cystic fibrosis #advocacy #Cystic #Fibrosis #book #five feet apart #five #feet #apart #Rachael

3 notes · View notes

thebandicoot · 7 years ago

Text

Oh, The Places You’ll Go

College Roadtrip AU Heavy on the the Bumbleby Rated: M I apologize for the repost. If FFN ever fixes itself the link will be here. Until then, here you go.

Yang leans towards Blake with a smile. “We are all going to die.” She says cheerfully.

Usually, it’s safe to trust Ruby’s decisions. For a hyperactive nineteen-year-old, she’s got a good head on her shoulders and Blake has always found her to be surprisingly wise. But as she stands in front of the vibrating young woman dominating the living room of their campus side apartment, Blake thinks that maybe, just maybe, Ruby has finally lost it.

“Let me get this straight. You want to plan a vacation to the Vytal Festival this summer?” Blake asks for the second time, partly because she can think of at least ten ways this could go poorly and partly because it’s too much fun to watch her roommate agonize over Blake’s feigned indecision. “And you think the best way to get to Mistral, which is across an ocean, by the way, is for the four of us to go on a road trip?”

“I’ve already found cheap ferry tickets. And there will be eight of us.” Weiss chime in, craning her head over the bar that separates their small living room from the kitchen. “Pyrrha and company will be joining us.”

“Yes, but we will be taking two cars, so four of us.” Ruby interjects quickly.

The young woman is practically bouncing on the balls of her feet and it’s becoming increasingly harder for Blake not to smile. Instead, she rolls her eyes, “My point still stands. You really think it’s a good idea for the four of us to take one car halfway across Remnant.” She asks dryly, “The four of us who can’t even go to trivia night without being kicked out before the game actually starts?” At this Blake sends a pointed look at Weiss who has the audacity to look offended.

“Hey! I’ll remind you, that it was Yang who let those Flaming Pumpkin Shots get out of control. I merely-”

Ruby shushes Weiss with an exasperated wave of her hand. “Yes, but if Weiss annoys us we can just stick her in Jaune’s car.”

Blake arches an eyebrow. “And how did Ruby even get you on board with this, Weiss? Aren’t you usually the one opposed to these sorts of things?” Weiss doesn’t dignify her with a response and instead returns to scrubbing dishes.

Ruby waits for half a beat and then leans forward conspiratorially, “I made a binder,” She whispers, “Told her she could plan the whole thing.”

Blake can’t help but feel a little awed, there were only a few ways to reel in a Schnee after all. “You sneaky little shit.” Her voice is grudgingly respectful and they share a grin. “And Yang is okay with this?” There’s usually a student-athlete conference at the Festival and she knows Yang’s soccer team will be attending this year. “Didn’t the school buy the team plane tickets?”

Sensing Blake is about to give in, Ruby achieves lift-off, clapping her hands together. “Of course she is! She said she’d much rather travel with us than be stuck on a plane with Coach Port.”

“Can’t blame her there. Alright, count me in.” Blake concedes as if she’d ever really been opposed to the idea. Only years of familiarity prepare her for what comes next. She braces herself an instant before Ruby launches at Blake, wrapping her arms around her middle in a hug so fierce, they would have toppled onto the couch if Blake hadn’t centered her weight.

“This is going to be the most fun ever, I promise!”

“Tell me that again when we’re all rotting in a jail cell,” Blake says even as a laugh escapes her lips.

“Who’s going to jail?” Blake cranes her head around Ruby to see Yang standing in the hallway that opens up from the kitchen into the living room, a brown bag clutched in one hand, a carrier of drinks in the other. “Because I’d like to say, for the record, that I am innocent of all charges.”

Ruby detaches herself from Blake with a cry of, YANG, and bounces towards her sister. Yang brandishes the drink carrier in front of her like a shield, effectively stopping the hug that would have sent their dinner flying. “Give me a hand sis.” Ruby stumbles mid-leap before taking the drink container with a pout, setting it on the counter.

“I come baring sandwiches.” She declares to the rest of the house as the brown bag follows the assortment of drinks.

Blake studies her through narrowed eyes, “I know you had something to do with this.” She says, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips, “You owe me way more than a tuna sandwich.”

“Which is why I also brought fries.” Yang begins pulling the food from the bag, sorting it into piles in front of her, “And an unsweetened tea.”

“That will do it then.” Blake responds, her ears twitching as the smell of the food fills their small apartment. She darts forward quickly snagging a container of fries from Yang’s grip.

“So, what does Coach Port think of you showing up to the conference with an entourage?” She asks when she and Yang are settled on the couch, their food spread across the coffee table before them.

“He’s used to it at this point.” Yang says through a mouthful of sandwich, “There’s always a Yang Gang lining the field at practice.” Blake rolls her eyes, digging her elbow into Yang’s ribs. Yang laughs. “Once he found out Pyrrha was coming with, he didn’t have any issues. Figured she’d make sure we all made it in time, I guess.”

“He’s clearly underestimated us.”

“Probably.” Yang agrees leaning into Blake’s side. “But I’ll take that risk if it means having you in Mistral with me.”

“You’re such a sap.” She presses a fond kiss to Yang’s hair.

“And you love it.”

“I tolerate it.” Blake says dryly even as she grins at her girlfriend “And you.”

“I love you too.”

It takes less than a week for their cross-country plans to circulate through their group and Blake is unsurprised when Sun corners her outside of her History final on Thursday.

“So.” Sun begins with that earnest smile Blake knows means trouble. “Heard about your little adventure. Got room for two more?”

Blake eyes him carefully. Sun is on the men’s soccer team and is supposed to be at the same conference, but his coach isn’t nearly as flexible as Coach Port. “I doubt Ironwood is going to let you and Neptune skip your flight Sun.” She says and continues walking.

“Under normal circumstances, I’d have to agree with you.” Sun falls into step beside Blake as they exit the building that houses the majority of Beacon University’s classrooms. “But we told him Pyrrha was planning the trip, so we’re down to boogie.”

“Of course you are.” Blake rolls her eyes, “Leave it to Pyrrha to be the pillar of trust in this community.”

“Her word is as good as gold.” Sun agrees. “So I’ll take that as a yes?”

“Take it up with Weiss, she’s the one doing the actual planning. I’m just along for the ride.”

Sun gives an exaggerated wink. “I’m sure you are.”

Blake feels her face burn but she doesn’t argue. “How’d you even find out about the trip?”

He shrugs, “The walls between the locker rooms are thin.” Blake arches an eyebrow. “I heard Yang telling Ilia about it.” He amends quickly, throwing his arm around Blake’s shoulder. “Figured it wouldn’t be a party without the Trifecta of Faunus Perfection.”

“Please stop calling us that.”

“But it fits.” He insists, “You’re, like, the smartest girl on campus. I’m pretty sure Ilia knows twenty ways to kill a man with a spoon, and my abs are world-renown.”

“It’s thirty ways actually.” Blake rolls her eyes and leans into his side as they cross the quad towards the edge of campus.

Sun beams down at her triumphantly and launches into all the possibilities that Mistral has to offer. As he went to Haven for high school, Blake takes his word on it and allows him to ramble on. By the time they’ve crossed into the housing district lining the campus, he’s practically dancing in excitement. “And the beaches in Anima!” He rubs his cheeks as if he can’t wrap his mind around the idea. “Just think of all the ladies in bikinis.” He eyes her with a grin as they round a corner onto Blake’s block. “Speaking of, you still got that little black number of yours you bought freshman year? Yang’s gonna love the way that one-”

“She does.” Comes a voice from behind them. “And I can’t wait to see her in it.” Sun’s grin widens and he spins in place, his tail wrapping around Blake’s middle to drag her about with him. He greets Yang with a high five as Blake looks on mortified. “Now, if you’re done hitting on my girlfriend for me, we’ve got some packing to do.”

“Sure, sure.” Sun agrees amicably. “Nep and I should probably do the same, but first, you want to catch a few rounds on that new fighting game?”

“The only thing you’ll be catching are these hands.” Yang declares as she punches the air animatedly in front of her.

Sun folds his arms across his chest and flicks Yang with his tail. “Whatever Xiao Long, your reign of terror ends today!”

Blake buries her face in her hands. “Oh my god, could you two be any more embarrassing?”

She feels Yang’s arm slip around her middle and she looks up into her girlfriend’s wide smile. “Totally.” She says as they reach the steps of their apartment. “But you love us.” Sun chimes in, his timing well practiced and as Blake buries her head in Yang’s shoulder with a groan she can’t find it in her to disagree.

Blake lets Yang and Sun lead the way through their apartment, jostling each other all the way to the living room. The dining room sits in a corner, wedged between the living room and the bar that separates the kitchen and when Blake sees Ruby and Weiss huddled over a map at their tiny dining table, she takes the opportunity to detach from the showboating duo to join them.

Weiss looks up as they enter and narrows her eyes at Sun. “Well, there goes our quiet afternoon.”

“Better get used to it.” Blake says, “Sun and Neptune will be joining our caravan.” Weiss whips her head around to stare at Sun.

Sun perks up from the spot he’s claimed on the couch and gives Weiss what he believes is a winning smile. “If that’s okay of course. We were going to hitch a ride with Ilia.”

Weiss sniffs but Blake gets the feeling her attitude is all for show. “Ilia is riding with us, but I suppose we can make room for you in Jaune’s car.”

“Very gracious of you,” Blake says dryly as the sound of Yang’s gaming console fills the apartment.

“I’m sure Pyrrha won’t mind.”

“Pyrrha wouldn’t tell you even if she did.” Ruby points out, taking advantage of the moment to slip a few pamphlets into Weiss’ binder.

“Precisely.” Weiss declares as she returns her attention from the living room to the plans spread out before them. “Everybody wins. Now, where were we?”

“We were looking at detours,” Ruby says innocently.

“Oh of course.” Weiss opens the binder with a flourish, “I’ve printed a number of pamphlets for us to consider.” She begins laying them out one by one and Ruby catches Blake’s eye. She winks and Blake grins as Weiss sorts through them one by one.

They pour over the detours for what feels like hours, sorting them into piles of their most likely to least likely of destinations. Around five, Neptune shows up with a peace offering of pizza and it’s enough to draw Blake and Yang away from their game. They crowd around the small table, sharing slices of pizza and discussing their plans. The boys turn out to be a godsend for Weiss. Neptune is a Mistral native and offers to help book a few of the hotels and Sun adds a number of lesser-known destinations to their list. By the time Weiss begins folding her maps away, she’s smiling so widely Blake thinks her face may split in two.

“I will finalize these plans with Pyrrha in the morning and have itineraries to you all by tomorrow evening.” She declares as they walk Sun and Neptune to the door. “Don’t forget, we leave at nine o'clock on Sunday. Not a second later.” They promise her they won’t forget and head off into the night. Weiss shuts the door with a flourish and turns her attention to her housemates. “Time to pack!” She claps her hands together excitedly. “Who wants to help me sort through my dresses?” Her gaze flickers between Ruby and Yang and the two exchange horrified looks.

“I would…” Yang begins, fumbling for Blake’s hand, “But we’ve got our own packing to do.” She doesn’t wait for a response before she’s tugging Blake towards the stairs.

“Traitor.” Blake hears Ruby mutter under her breath.

Yang’s already up the stairs and around the corner, but Blake hangs back. She stops before the wall obscures her from Weiss’ sight and looks back at her friend. “Hey, Weiss.” She calls, leaning against the corner of the wall. “Thank you for planning this.” Weiss looks up at her the expectant look on her face melts into a small smile. She looks so genuinely pleased that Blake can’t help but backtrack and pull her into a hug.

“It’s my pleasure.” Weiss says into her shoulder, “I just hope I’ve got a wide enough variety of stops to make everyone happy.”

Blake pulls away, resting her hands on Weiss’s shoulders. “It’ll be perfect, everyone knows you’ve got us all in mind.” Weiss hugs her again more fiercely this time and Blake can feel the thank you even as her ribs ache from the intensity of the embrace.

They detach and Blake moves back up the stairs after Yang. There are only two bedrooms on the top floor and Blake turns to the left door, opening it to a sight of utter chaos. What feels like the entirety of their closet is strewn across the floor in haphazard piles.

As she enters Yang peaks her head around a stack of shirts and holds up a pair of identical tube tops for Blake to inspect. “Which one goes better with my new jeans?” Blake doesn’t bother to reply as she takes a seat on the bed to supervise “I’ll take that as a both.” She says and stuffs them into a large yellow suitcase.

“So I heard you invited Ilia.” Blake hedges as she refolds a shirt she manages to save from Yang’s suitcase. She and Ilia had grown up in Menagerie together and had been close until a falling out in high school. It was only when Ilia had transferred to Beacon University in the Fall that they had begun to repair their relationship.

“Of course. She’s part of the team after all. Couldn’t let Port and his stories bore her to death.” Blake knows her better than that. When Blake had told her girlfriend about Ilia, Yang had gone out of her way to make sure the girl had felt welcome on and off the soccer field. It was just like Yang to make sure Ilia was included in their trip and Blake feels gratitude blossom in her chest. Every time she feels like she couldn’t be more in love with Yang Xiao Long, the woman proves her wrong.

She catches Yang’s hand and tugs her up from the floor for a kiss. “Thank you.” She says against Yang’s lips and she can feel her girlfriend smile.

“Don’t be fooled,” Yang says when they break apart. “I’m only nice to her because it means more kisses from you.”

“Liar.” Blake curls her hands in the front of Yang’s shirt, drawing her closer. “You’re a big old softie Yang Xiao Long.”

Yang allows herself to be pulled up before pressing Blake back into the bed. “Don’t tell anyone, you’ll ruin my reputation.”

Blake rolls her eyes. “And what reputation is that?” She asks stroking the side of Yang’s face with a coy smile.

Yang wiggles her eyebrows comically and Blake laughs. The laugh is cut short when Yang leans down for a kiss that sets butterflies loose in Blake’s heart. “Let me show you.”

They don’t get much packing done after that, but the next day when Weiss is scolding them over breakfast, Yang plays footsie with her beneath the table and Blake can’t bring herself to care

Blake doesn’t exactly mean to invite Velvet, but she runs into the girl as they are turning in their journalism project on Friday. They are discussing the finer points of Velvets senior photography project and when she remarks on how amazing it would have been to fill her portfolio with pictures from across Remnant, Blake can’t help herself.

“I’ll talk to CoCo about it tonight.” Velvet says her rabbit ears twitching excitedly as they enter the main hub. “She’ll love the idea. We were looking for something to do as a group before we have to head into the adult world. You’re sure no one will mind having us around?”

Blake picks Yang out of the crowd, lounging in one of the many armchairs spread throughout the hubs common area. She motions Velvet to follow her and drops on to the arm of Yang’s chair. “I’m sure.” She says as Yang looks up at them from the game on her phone. “Right Yang?”

Yang doesn’t miss a beat, “Of course babe.” She glances between the two of them and recognition dawns in her eyes. “You joining our trip across Remnant Velvet?”

Always so perceptive, her Yang. Blake beams down at her and nods. “I was just telling her how much we’d love to have our favorite seniors along.”

“In that case most definitely. Promise to get a few good pics of me on the beach and I’ll even make sure we stop at the best Vegan places in Mistral.”

Velvet laughs. “Of course. The camera loves you, Yang.”

Blake rolls her eyes and lets her head fall back, “Please do not encourage her.”

“Too late.” Yang singsongs, “I already know I’m picture perfect.” She aims a wink at Velvet who laughs again.

“Well, I better be off. I’ll text you when I talk to CoCo.”

Velvet waves and as she leaves Yang tugs Blake down into her lap, burying her face in Blake’s neck. “Weiss is going to kill you.” She says cheerfully, “You know Velvet and CoCo mean Yatsuhashi and Fox too.”

Blake sighs and disentangles herself from Yang’s lap and gets to her feet. She offers Yang her hand and pulls her girlfriend up after her. “I’ll take my chances. Besides, Velvet will keep me sane when the rest of you end up killing each other.”

It’s Yang’s turn to roll her eyes. “There won’t be time for that. It’s not on Weiss’ itinerary.” Blake hums in response and Yang laughs. “I brought my wife today, you want a ride home?” She offers her arm to Blake who takes it automatically.

“Sometimes I think you love that bike more than you love me.” She lets Yang lead them out of the Hub and down to the student parking lot where Yang’s motorcycle is waiting for them.

Yang just grins and gives an easy shrug, “Me and Bumblebee go way back, She’s my ride or die.” They reach the bike and Yang spins, leaning against the seat with her arms thrown wide. “Plus she lets me sing to her.”

“That’s because she can’t hear how atrocious your singing is,” Blake says dryly as she steps into the embrace, her hands falling to Yang’s hips. Yang pouts and Blake leans up to kiss the corner of her lips.

Yang’s arms wrap around her middle. “And this is why I like her better. She’s so much nicer than you.”

Blake laughs, curling into Yang’s front. “Jokes on Bumblebee then. I get you for a whole month while she has to rot here in Vale.”

Yang pulls away looking affronted. “What do you mean?”

Blake studies her girlfriend carefully, to see if she’s joking. When she realizes she’s not she shakes her head. “Yang, you can’t take your motorcycle on a road trip.”

“Says who?”

“Weiss probably.” Blake begins. “And Coach Port.” Yang hands her the spare helmet scowling fiercely as she secures her own over her mane of golden hair “And most likely Pyrrha. Want me to keep going?”

“Nope,” Yang says, swinging her leg over her motorcycle. “We’ll see what Weiss has to say when we get home.”

“Looks like I’m not the only one signing their death warrant today,” Blake says as she climbs up behind Yang, wrapping her arms around her middle.

“We will see about that.” Yang reiterates and Blake spends the short ride back to their apart, with her face pressed to Yang’s back. It’s a beautiful day out made even more so by Yang’s presence against her and as they turn the corner onto their street, Blake files the moment into the back of her mind, cataloging it with all the memories that have defined Blake’s existence since this beautiful woman barged her way into her life.

As it turns out, Weiss does attempt to kill them both. Blake manages to avoid the binder as it flies at her head and Yang catches it deftly. “You did what?!” She shouts, her hands on her hips, as Yang passes the binder off to her sister. Weiss rounds on her at once. “And you. You are not taking that death contraption along.” Yang opens her mouth to protest but Weiss cuts her off. “No, just no.”

Blake tries to take advantage of the situation to dart up the stairs but Weiss stops her in her tracks. “We are going to have to rebook all of our hotels to accommodate an additional four people… And Velvet is a vegan, do you know how hard it is to find restaurants vegan menus?”

“Most of them, it is the twenty-first century.” Caught, Blake turns back around and leans against the railing. “Weiss, Neptune is helping with the hotels and Velvet is an adult. She’s been doing this Vegan thing for a long time, she knows how to make the most out of any menu. It will be fine.”

Weiss blusters about. “If it’s not I am holding you personally responsible Blake Belladonna. She says brandishing her finger at Blake like a dagger.

“Technically, this trip was all Ruby’s idea.” Blake offers.

“Please leave me out of this.” Ruby squeaks attempting to disappear behind the road maps spread across their dining table.

“Well, she’s not wrong.” Weiss whirls on Ruby but Yang puts an arm around her shoulder.

“Blake is right,” Yang begins with that motherly voice Blake knows is usually reserved for Ruby. “Everything is going to be fine.” Her voice is so gentle that even Blake feels calmed. “I know you’re just trying to make sure everything is perfect, but you have to accept that with our crew, that’s not realistic. Whatever happens, we’ll make the most of it and when we’re all enjoying the Vytal Festival, we will have you to thank.”

Blake watches as the fight leaves Weiss and she sinks into Yang’s embrace. “You’re right of course.” She says, her voice watery as the tension thins in the room. “But I’m still not letting you bring that bike along.”

Yang looks like she wants to protest but she settles for a smile and squeezes Weiss’ shoulder. “We’ll just leave it open for later discussions then.”

“We will not.”

Blake eases herself back down the stairs. She joins Yang on the opposite side of Weiss and slips her own arm around the smaller girl’s waist. “Do you need help with the route?” Blake offers as together they lead Weiss to the table.

“We’re almost done,” Weiss admits as they take their seats next to Ruby. “But we’re still trying to figure how to fit in a few of Ruby’s more, eccentric, detours in before we catch the ferry into Anima.” Ruby looks at the three of them with a guilty smile.

From out of the folds of the roadmaps, Weiss produces a checklist. “And once we are done with that we can adjust our itinerary to accommodate our new guests.” She shoots a pointed look at Blake. “I’d like to have that done so we can get it out to everyone tonight. Then we can focus on the rest of our packing.” This time her glare is aimed at Ruby, who pretends not to notice.

“We still need to finalize our snack list.” Ruby reminds.

“Oh don’t worry sis.” Yang says, “I’ve got the cooler covered.” Weiss eyes her suspiciously for a moment but nods and Yang claps her hands excitedly.

“Which leaves…”

“I’ve got the tunes covered. I’ve got enough audiobooks to last us a month in the car.” Blake gives the table a hopeful smile but is unsurprised when they shoot her down. Her ears fold down dejectedly, “Fine, I’ll work on a driving schedule.” Everything goes smoothly after that and by the time they all drift to bed, they’ve got the route secured and the itineraries emailed out.

Saturday feels like a blur, time slips through Blake’s fingers as their friends mill in and out of their apartment. Fine details are set, worries assuaged, and by the time Neptune drops off a Hotel list at the end of the evening Blake feels entirely exhausted. She stumbles upstairs around ten, following Yang into their room.

“I’m so tired.” Yang groans as she toppled backward into their bed. “All this preparation is so boring.”

Blake collapses on top of her. “It’s the worst.” She agrees as Yang’s arms wrap around her. “And we still have a few things left to pack.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Blake lifts herself up on her elbows and peers down at Yang with a crooked smile. “Well, if you’re too tired to pack.” She says leaning down to kiss the tip of Yang’s nose. “I guess we should get some sleep.”

“Or we could not.” Yang offers, a hopeful smile on her face. She always looks at Blake like she’s the light of her world and Blake wonders if she knows it’s really the other way around.

Blake’s ears flick as she pretends to consider the option. “We won’t have much alone time in the future.” She concedes slowly.

“We won’t.” Yang agrees.

Blake smooths away the bangs from Yang’s forehead and wills her heartbeat to steady. She’s already bone tired and they can’t afford to snooze their alarms in the morning. “Tomorrow is a big day.” She says finally, feeling guilty for her abrupt change in mood. “Is it okay if you just hold me tonight?”

Yang’s smile only softens. “Of course.” She breathes out as Blake settles into her side. “I’ll hold you as long as you want me to.”

Blake rests her head against Yang’s chest and twines their fingers together. “Forever then.” She says and Yang echoes the word. When Blake falls asleep, she dreams of sunshine smiles and hopes the feeling in her heart never fades.

It doesn’t fade. The memory of Yang’s arms around her keeps Blake light all through the Sunday morning scramble. When everything is ready, she helps pack their bags into Weiss’ SUV. She leans against the vehicle, watching as Yang loads the cooler into the trunk with an appreciative grin.

“Nice to know all those hours in the gym weren’t wasted.”

“No such thing.” Yang steps away from the car and flexes. “Gotta work hard to look this good.”

“Your gains are weak!” A voice shouts, cracking through the quiet of the morning, and they both look up to see Jaune’s ancient minivan rolling towards them. Nora Valkyrie sticks out of the passenger side window a thermos in hand and a shit-eating grin on her face. “You losers ready to party!?”

Yang leans towards Blake with a smile. “We are all going to die.” She says cheerfully.

Blake laughs recalling her conversation with Ruby, “Maybe. But it will be the most fun ever.”

#using tumblr until the dang link is fixed

7 notes · View notes

star-nova · 5 years ago

Text

The Lives of the RiffRaff: Vergil Cho-Far From Home

Previous chapters here.

The library's open on Saturdays from ten until three, but IT only runs on Monday through Friday. Saturdays belong to me and Tracy, and Saturdays are usually spent taking our weekly checks out into Stonesville for a movie followed by Dave and Buster's.

By the 4th of July weekend, Tracy and I had seen all of the summer blockbusters worth seeing: Avengers: Endgame, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Aladdin, MIB: International, and Toy Story 4, and now all that was left before Crawl was Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Having had my fill of Disney by this point in the summer, I was excited for another superhero flick. I never cared for Disney, but supported Tracy's love of it. She's the kind of fan that dresses up in Disneybound to see every movie. She wants me to dress up with her, but I'm just not creative enough.

Spider-Man Saturday is special for two reasons: the first is that it's on the long 4th of July weekend, which begins for me and Tracy on the holiday itself and ends the following Monday. The second is that it falls on Anna Ming's birthday. Anna and her husband, Mamoru, are the biggest movie buffs I know, and superhero flicks are their favorites after monster movies.

We're doing something a little different than Dave and Buster's tonight. Tracy and I go out to Party Fair and come back with Spider-Man partyware and three shiny Mylar balloons—one blue, one “Happy Birthday,” and one with Spider-Man's face. We stop at the Costco to get a cake, and spend the hour and a half before the five-thirty show setting up a nice little spread in the kitchen. And even though it isn't technically a Disney movie, Tracy dons her Spider-Man costume tee with her red beanie in honor of the occasion.

When we meet up with Anna and Mamoru at their place, neither one of us says anything about what we have planned. For me, this is easy, since I don't normally say anything at all. In Tanager, remaining silent means you think you're too good to talk to people, or else you've got something to hide. In the eyes of the Others, both of these applied to me. But those who knew me just knew how bad I was at coming up with anything to say. I'm more of a thinker than a talker, and right now I'm thinking about Spider-Man and birthday surprises, chocolate cake with Oreos on top, and Tracy's two long braids hanging down from her red beanie.

Far From Home wasn't the best Spider-Man movie I'd ever seen, but it definitely wasn't the worst either.

On the way back to the house, Mamoru, Anna, and Tracy chatter on about the original Spider-Man trilogy, while I focus on driving and ruminate in a private corner of my mind about how Marvel might incorporate the new Venom into the Spider-Man films. My thoughts are interrupted when Anna announces that she and Mamoru have big news. “The biggest news,” she adds on, “the best news.”

“What is it?” Tracy asks immediately.

“You'll see,” Anna says with a smug grin, which is the only answer I could ever expect out of Anna Ming. She likes to bust balls.

I forget about Spider-Man and Venom for a second and come up with all sorts of speculations: maybe Mamoru got promoted to foreman at the electrician's firm, maybe they're going on some amazing vacation to Hawaii or the Carribbean or somewhere else exotic, maybe someone dropped a monumental birthday gift. For just a second, a spooky feeling crosses my mind that they might be moving away, but I dismiss it almost instantly; Tanager was a hick town at the best of times and a total shitshow at the worst, but it was home. The RiffRaff were home, and you didn't just go and leave them behind.

When we get to the house, the first thing Tracy says is, “Okay, so what's your big news?”

Mamoru and Anna exchange smug grins. I fold my arms and give them my best “I'm waiting” look.

“We'll tell you,” Mamoru says with a smirk, “when we're good and ready.”

Tracy stands in front of the front door. “I'm not lettin' you in till you tell.”

“Oh gosh!” Anna laughs. There's no way out. She nudges Mamoru with an elbow. “You tell them, Mamoru.”

“You do it,” Mamoru says. “It's more your news than mine.”

“We need a table, you guys,” Anna tells us. “We gotta armwrestle for it. Sorry, Trace, but you gotta let us in.”

“You guys are the worst,” Tracy says lightheartedly, but she opens the door. “We'll go to the kitchen,” she says, shooting me a conspiratorial little smile that I return. She damn well knows that she's just as much of a ball-buster as the two of them are.

When we get to the kitchen and they find our set-up, with the chocolate-Oreo birthday cake right in the center, Anna says, “Oh gosh!” again. “You guys...” She looks at me and Tracy, then pulls us both into hugs, which we both return.

Tracy orders pizza from Castellano's, Mamoru and I set up 7 Wonders, and Tracy asks again, “So, what's your news?”

Mamoru and Anna look at eachother again, silently exchanging the big secret between their smiles. Then Anna says, “All right, we'll quit trolling and tell you now. Mamoru and I are going to have a baby.”

Holy crap! This is more than I ever could have expected.

“Oh! Oh my gosh!” Tracy practically dives at the both of them with her hugs. “Oh, congratulations! This is awesome!” As usual, I have no idea what to say, but I hug them too. “Congratulations,” I tell them. Really, what else can I say?

“When did you guys find out?” Tracy asks, her eyes glittering with the excitement of it all.

“Just before the 4th,” Anna says, “but we wanted to keep the announcement intimate. We'd rather gradually spread the word around than shout it to a whole party full of people.”

I ask Mamoru, “Do you think you're ready now?” For a while, I had doubts that Mamoru would ever be ready for a kid. His reluctance had gotten him in trouble with his ex-wife.

“Well...” Mamoru fiddles with his 7 Wonders cards. “Between Anna and little Gojira himself, I'm going to have one hell of a team on my side. This is gonna be an adventure for all three of us. Yeah, I think I'm ready.”

Tracy laughs. “Are you really going to name him Gojira?”

“Oh, no!” Anna says, laughing too. “Gojira's just what we're calling it until we know if it's a boy or a girl. If it's a boy, his name will be Raleigh Mamoru Hayagawa.”

“And if it's a girl,” Mamoru says, “she'll be Mako Anna Hayagawa.”

Pacific Rim names. The two of them join hands and exchange another secret between their grins. They must be thinking about their wedding nearly three years ago, which had been four days before Halloween. They'd gotten married dressed in Pacific Rim suits. I had been a groomsman, and Tracy was a bridesmaid.

As we start up the game, I expect Tracy to be full of chatter—exchanging fantasies of babysitting and all of the games she plans to teach them, and all of future birthday parties and Christmas presents. But she's surprisingly silent. I figure that she must've gotten all of the excitement out of her system and so she has to wait while a new batch of it generates. Anyway, nobody's talking about the baby anymore. We're talking about the cards we draft and the structures we build. But Tracy isn't talking about anything at all, and that's disturbingly out of character for her.

I give her a little nudge. “Tracy? You all right?”

“'Course I'm all right,” Tracy says, “why wouldn't I be all right?”

“You're awfully quiet,” I point out.

“I'm just thinking, Verg,” she says, and she doesn't say anything else. I leave her to it, though I can't say it doesn't concern me. It concerns me so much more when the pizza gets here and she walks out the door.

“Tracy?” I ask. “Where are you going?”

“I'm gonna go get us some sodas,” she says, and shuts the door behind her before I can ask if she wants me to come with.

Within the span of a few minutes, something has changed Tracy Kwan. It scares me because I don't know what it is.

Anna completes the game's frirst wonder, we're all on our second and third slices of pizza, and there's still no sign of Tracy. The sun's gone down now except for a tiny sliver, and the cicadas that wouldn't shut up all day have finally gone mute. She didn't go out to get sodas...

My first instinct is to get up and go after her, but I don't. She isn't the nerdy little girl I have to protect from the mean girls at school anymore. Besides, out here all we have are the Whisperers and the Hecklers. The Whisperers are easy as hell to just ignore, and the Hecklers are just kids. There's Talia Santiago, but she doesn't go after RiffRaff.

Still, it doesn't feel right without Tracy around, without knowing where she is. It's even worse knowing that something secret is bothering her. All of our lives, Tracy has never kept a secret from me. Her joy was my joy, her pain my pain, her triumphs my triumphs, and vice-versa. If something was eating at her I was always the first one to know.

I can't lie and say we've never spent any time away from one-another. We've been apart for what amounted to much more than slipping out of the house. But we always kept tabs on one-another. I could be gone all day, but Tracy would always know where I am, and vice-versa. To go out on some secret nightly mission with some flimsy alibi like “going to get sodas” was something we just didn't do. Nobody took thirty-five minutes to get sodas in a place like this.

A spooky ass feeling settles over me. I know Tracy doesn't need to be protected, but not knowing where she is is beginning to make me feel like something awful is about to happen, or already did. I can't focus on the game anymore. There's just too many questions. Where did you go for real, Trace? Are you close by or are you far away? How far from home are you? Far from home—what an ironic choice of words.

“Vergil,” Mamoru says, breaking into my thoughts, “it's your turn.”

“Mhm.” I play a resource card. What's going on with you, Tracy? I know you're not all right. This isn't “all right” for you. Just tell me what it is...

Anna asks, “Is something up?”

I look at the clock on the cable box. It's been forty minutes. The sun is just about all the way down. It seems much darker than it is.

I get up. “I'm going out to find Tracy.”

They don't stop me. They know they can't. With Tracy far from home, so am I. Tracy is home.

When Tracy doesn't answer my call or my texts, my worst suspicions are all but confirmed. She went out on foot, so I'll stay on foot too. It would feel a little bit invasive to go chasing her down in a car.

I don't call out for her. I just make my way into the night, watching for a Spider-Man t-shirt and a bright red beanie. I pass by Paige's place, Ramona's, Jager's, and John's. Paige and John are home. Should I go and ask them if they've seen her? No, Vergil, you dope, of course they've seen her. She had to pass by here to go out to the stores.

The stores. She'd said she was going out to the stores, and though I know now it was just a front, there's no reason she couldn't be out near there. I send her another text, “Are you at the Sun-Mart? Or the 7-11?” When I reach the end of the next block, passing by Kammie's lit-up house, she still hasn't answered.

That nasty feeling is close to overpowering me. I'm not a guy who cries, but I feel like I might start up now. At the heart of everything, Tracy is all I have. If something were to happen to her, I don't know what the hell I'd do. The truth is that without Tracy, I don't feel like Vergil. My earliest memories are of the two of us in the summer that we were three and four years old, sipping grape juice out of sippy cups and dribbling it down our astronaut and dinosaur t-shirts. We started preschool that September and walked in holding eachother's hands, scared of the strange new world ahead of us. I've known Tracy longer than I've known how to read.

My heart starts to race. Without thinking about it, I'm making my way up Kammie's front porch steps. I ring the bell. I feel a cold sweat as I wait for her to answer. Maybe she's not home, she just left her lights on...

“Vergil?” Kammie looks surprised to see me at her door. “What's up, man?”

I swallow back a burst of air. “Kammie,” I say, trying my damnedest to keep my cool, “did Tracy come by here a while ago? Did you see her?”

“I haven't seen her,” Kammie says. “Why? Did she go off somewhere?” Her concern is the best possible comfort. RiffRaff look out for one-another.

“She stepped out about forty-five minutes ago to 'get sodas,'” I say, trying and failing to keep the frenzy out of my voice. “We were in the middle of a game with Anna and Mamoru. She won't answer her phone, she won't answer her texts...” I'm starting to shake. Between that and my frantic, raving voice, Kammie can't stay uninvolved. “We'll drive around,” she says. “Hang on.” Yes, we'll drive around. It's become necessary. Tracy wouldn't be ghosting me unless something really happened. I text Mamoru, “Going with Kammie Redrun to look for Tracy. Will be back. Sorry.” I feel like a jackass for leaving them alone in my house on Anna's birthday. But Mamoru understands, as RiffRaff do. He texts back, “OK.” It means Tracy's been ghosting them too, and that she still hasn't come back...

There's no sign of Tracy at any of the stores.

Kammie pulls into the parking lot of the closed deli, and we check the 7-11, the Sun-Mart, and then hop a few blocks over to where the grocery store sits beside Castellano's and the China Wok. No Tracy. We get back in the car and head out to the library, which is also closed by now on a Saturday. I walk around the entryway garden, check the reading benches situated along the sides of the building, and go around to the back to search the smoking area and lounge. Tracy isn't there. A woman—an Other—calls to me from her safe place on the block across the grass. “Young man, what are you doing scuttling around back there?” Young man. I'm twenty-fucking-five. I don't give her an answer, just make my way back to the car.

“Do I have to call the police?” she hollers after me.

Yeah, go ahead and call them. They won't find anything when they get here. Still, I don't answer her. It finally hits me that I should ask her if she's seen Tracy. I turn back around, but she's already off on her way. She doesn't care about Tracy anyway. If she had seen her or not, her answer would be the same: And why are you chasing that woman around town? The Others pretend to know what they're talking about. In actuality, they know jack shit.

I climb back into Kammie's car and I'm about to suggest McEvoy's, if anything because there's likely to be a strong RiffRaff presence there. I didn't want to leave our familiar haunts and end up in territory that belonged entirely to the Others. The Others would want to know what I'm doing running around looking for her. They'd want to know what motivated a woman to take off into the middle of the night and not come back. They'd start up about how we were a man and woman living together unmarried—a cardinal sin, for sure—and then they'd hyper-focus on that and only that, before making up their own stupid explanations for her disappearance that they'd take as the only fact. I'm not about to put up with that shit right now. Oh, Tracy. I sink down into the naugahyde seat. You see what I have to deal with when you go and leave me alone like this? I must look like a sight, because Kammie eyes me for a good long while. I definitely don't look, or feel, like Vergil Cho.

Kammie puts her arm around me and pats my back. “Let's check the park,” she says.

Of course. The park. It's Tracy's favorite place in town, and why didn't I think to check there before? Because I'm not thinking at all, that's why. That spooky feeling that had me before comes back even stronger now that I remember that the only people who come out to the park at night are the junkies and the boozers. Sometimes we hold our games of manhunt out there just after dusk, but it was getting late even for those. Oh, please, I plead, please let Bex or Ramona or anybody be out there playing manhunt right now.

“Vergil!” Kammie nudges me and points. “Look, Vergil!”

She's pointing at a cherry tree in one of the roadside gardens leading out to Cricket Road, an Others street. She shines her headlights on it. There it is, the form of red and blue perched up there on a middle branch like Spider-Man himself.

“Pull over!” I cry, and Kammie does.

I nearly fly out of the car door, and I have to remember that I can't climb for shit to stop myself from scrambling up that tree. Tracy doesn't look at me. She's looking out towards the distant mountains and doesn't even see that I'm here.

I call out, “Tracy!”

“Vergil?” Tracy looks down and finds me standing there at the base of the tree. “You came out all this way?”

“I had help,” I say. “Kammie's here. What are you doing up there?”

“Nothing,” she says. “Thinking.”

“About?”

“Things.”

“You had to come all the way down to Cricket Road and climb up in a tree to think about things?” I try to hold back the edge in my voice. I'm scared, not mad. “Trace, why don't you come on down now?” I hold out my arms for her. “Come on. Come down.”

She makes her way down, and I scoop her up the moment she touches ground. In that moment, Tracy Grace Kwan is the single most precious human being alive. Tracy. My Tracy. Without thinking about it, I give her a swift little kiss. She pulls back in surprise My god, I've crossed a line...

“Vergil...”

“Tracy, I'm...” I look down at the ground and her red Converse sneakers.

“Vergil, you're crying.” She catches me by my shoulders. Her dark eyes look so big behind her hipster glasses.

“I am?” I put a finger to my cheek. It's wet with tears. I'm as shocked as she is.

“It's okay, Verg.” Now it's Tracy's turn to take me up in her arms. “I'm all right. I'm so sorry, Vergil.”

“Why'd you take off, kid?” I ask, without letting her go.

“I'm sorry,” Tracy says again. “I know I shouldn't have. But I guess...well...I needed to think, Vergil.”

“Think about what?” I ask.

“The kid,” Tracy says, finally releasing me, “little Gojira—Anna and Mamoru becoming a mom and a dad. Vergil, what happens when RiffRaff have a kid?”

“Anthony has Melinda,” I remind her. “And Kane has Mara. I know they're both grown, but...”

“It's different,” Tracy says. “They weren't born into it, Vergil.”

She's right. “But this kid will be,” I say.

“It's never happened before,” Tracy says.

“If a kid is born to RiffRaff,” I go on, “is the kid already RiffRaff, or do they have to earn it, like Melinda?” Knowing the Others, I feel like I already know the answer.

Tracy sighs, and turns away for a second. “Little Gojira will be born into a world of Others,” she says. It's a depressing thought. I think about all of the crap we've had to put up with from the Others in our past four years as RiffRaff; the whispers and the heckles, the rumors treated as gospel by people who can't keep their mouths shut, the isolation of a little hamlet where people come up with their own reasons why you'll never really belong. But all the same...

“He'll also be born into a world of RiffRaff,” I say. “He'll have one hell of a team.”

She turns to me. “Like we do,” she says.

“Exactly.” My hand makes its way into hers, and without any sort of thought behind it, I kiss her again. This time she doesn't move. I pat the top of that red beanie. “Kammie's taking us home, kid. Let's go.”

“We left Anna and Mamoru...” Tracy says uncertainly.

“They're fine,” I say. I reach for my phone and shoot Mamoru a text right now: “We found her. She's all right. So am I.”

#Fiction by Me #The Lives of the RiffRaff #writing #work in progress

0 notes

marianogilchrist-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Relationships Can I Create My Other Half Affection Me Again?

Among the wonderful enigmas worrying bible revelation and completion opportunities is the national identity from the Antichrist. This is often generally a possibility to exposure in the real-life functions within the designated career road of the intern or even extern. I socialized with individuals who consumed alcohol excessive, did great deals of medications, as well as misused every last cent on suspicious automobile alterations. Financial institutions frequently give excellent perks, consisting of good health insurance, spent unwell opportunity, vacation, and also paid holidays. Like Scarlett Johansson's Samantha in Her, McMullen sees Compatibility as a form of girl in your cell phone; a friend to maintain you provider throughout the time. If I am actually the one embracing people and they're normally simply close buddies and also family members, I don't mind embracing. Your primarily saying the reverse from just what he is. Alexander Pushkin was actually a white person that had a black fantastic grandpa. After a solid efficiency in Q1, South america experienced bad all natural growth in the second one-fourth. Affection gives individuals a better life, profession provides an intense future. Your family could be a wonderful help through presenting you the passion and support you need to have so extremely at this essential time. Andrew Gardner, lead scientist for Amnesty's report, informs the tale of Irmak, a transgendered individual birthed guy from Diyarbakir, Turkey, which experienced unrelenting whippings at the hands of her bro after confessing to her family that she experienced herself to become women and drew in to men.

Pull out a book and also read - when you experience tired, don't give in. Attempt to remain awake provided that feasible till your body only refuses to abide by. But each one of your family and friends inform you to ignore him as well as let him go. Even the info you continue reading the World wide web and also in publications are going to point out that disregarding him is the most effective means to get him back. Folks are commonly bewildered through brand new changes specifically pertaining to occupation as well as lifestyle job counseling in the landscape area from India stretches the whole entire crucial assistance which boosts the attitude and also infuses the confidence to deal with all possibilities that occur the way.

In Conclusion, while white colored individuals are actually mixed when that pertains to the appropriate answer to which color black people prefer and are going to perhaps never ever be actually specific. Break laws and meth regulations are 2 good ways to present along with bad black and white individuals just how big sentences on each group in other medicines with harsher than typical legislations.

You know damn properly no one is trying to reduce your key human right to totally free speech, and its marginal offensive to folks which have actually possessed their freedom of expression limited to also propose therefore. Individuals which mention this also often tend to be actually the type of people which sob regarding there certainly not being actually a Straight Satisfaction Procession or even a White Past History Month. At times they function as a result of the preservatives added to the grapefruit seed removes to keep that from going bad (stated preservatives are actually generally not on the product tag), but do not rely on these items to keep your own from coming to be home to nests of bacteria as well as fungis. So his team pulled the action they knew absolute best: They scurried a saving airplane and also picked him up in an elementary school parking area near his home. From http://eric-sport-blog.info/nuds-mais-aussi-les-Orteils-en-griffe-chaussures-a-talons-que-Cela-soit-possible my several years from company adventure, I can inform you that quite folks take this challenge as well as volunteer for extra job. I have actually already consulted with numerous MPs requesting their deal to participate in the APPG and also join the crucial conference of the APPG on Park Residences that will occur from 9.30 gone on Wednesday 13th September in Room U at Portcullis Residence.

0 notes

annoyingcherryblossomnight-blog1 · 7 years ago

Text

The Portuguese Language

Usually when individuals discuss worldwide trip locations, Portugal is one nation that they by no means think of. Little do they know what they are missing out on. With it is stunning landscape, culture and buildings, Portugal needs to be one of many must-see nations in your holiday itinerary. Lagos now has a totally pedestrianised centre throughout the outdated city that's surrounded by the fort walls. Custom amongst Spanish Jews dates the existence of Jewish communities from the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 12 months 70 CE, while some date the existence of communities back the interval of the Babylonian exile. Thailand is just not a dangerous nation to journey in, nonetheless, there are some minor annoyances which are fairly common in certain locations, especially Bangkok. This improvement has included every thing from luxurious housing developments to vacation communities that have attracted guests and traders from throughout Europe and certainly much of the world. In lower than some 20 years the entire of the Iberian penisular that is both Spain and Portugal had fallen. Alternatively, you could take to the water of the rivers or coast for a rafting or kayaking adventure. Take note that you'll not have access to that portion of your account for 24 hours to 14 days, depending on the automotive rental firm. It was full of backpackers, which made it a very good place to meet people and exchange warfare stories. Drive out to the village of Marmallate or climb to the top of the mountain the place you may absorb views of the whole of the Algarve shoreline and enjoy the refreshing cool mountain air. One can even jog or take a stroll in its lengthy sandy beaches. The primary metropolis and capital is Bridgetown but tourist looking for seashores who want flexibility you experience with holiday villas in Barbados and avoid paying costly hotel prices. These reservations could also be created from forty five days as much as nine months in advance of the try date. Spain is title holder, before that the Spaniards had a fourth place as greatest end result. This is a beautiful plaza that can be found in Lisbon and is a must-see in this metropolis. Porto gained its place as a city of tradition, science, work, and leisure. Within the extra remoted countryside of Jap Europe particularly, many people choose to "free camp". Your visit to Portugal won't be complete in the event you don't try their greatest wine, plus their national dishes lathered by pine nuts and olive oil. If worth is essential then go for a destination the place rental accommodation is extra inexpensive. To experience the pleasure of dwelling in an Algarve Portugal seaside house on a secluded seaside with miles of golden sand to stretch out on, you have to discover the seashore of Barril, on an island instantly reverse Tavira in Jap Algarve. In the Western Mediterranean you can discover the normal white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample the world-famous Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and go to the cultural hub of Europe in the form of Barcelona,earlier than travelling onwards to the French Riviera. Nonetheless the rapidly rising dollar of the early 1990's made other destinations attainable. 5. Dubai Dubai is a fascinating beach vacation destination and sparkling metropolis that will amaze you and remodel your dream vacation ideas forever. cheap hotels deals As has usually happened in Historical past the invited Army take total control and then divides and conquers. By the way, on Deserta Grande, the most important outcrop within the Ilhas Desertas, you can find the only toxic animal that inhabits the Madeira Archipelago. With out regulation of uniform accessories, nonetheless inconsequential it could appear, college students would inevitably reap the benefits of the opportunity to put on objects which can be inconsistent with the varsity uniform coverage. They have been in the country from 711 to 1031 some 320 years and from 756 until 1031 say some 280 years life appears to have been moderately progressive and helpful for the population of the country. Cruz and Peniche (Supertubos seashore and Lagide seaside) are the locations for surf lovers. Loads of foreigners have seek to find their own place in this country and some are planning to remain for good as they were entice by the fantastic thing about the land. Lastly, if need to be with the ‘occurring' crowd, then take a trip to the beach of Ancão, between Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, two of the finest resorts in the Algarve. For example, some affiliated resorts positioned in southwest Florida have been initially bought as fixed week timeshares. Lagos Algarve holidays present a healthful experience of residing in traditional Algarve villas and reliving historical past. Nevertheless, being flatter, Porto Santo can also be extra windy than Madeira. Yep, it's cheap and a very good destination for funds vacationers. As a result of very good weather conditions Portugal has many events that retains the vacationers coming again to see yr after year. As a result of owners get an extended reservation window at their residence resort, it's usually a good suggestion to purchase on the resort you imagine you will use most frequently, within the unit and season that finest meets your future plans. From the tall tower blocks of the cities to the white washed old coastal fishing towns and the hidden, sun-soaked mountain villages, staying in the Algarve is a real and cozy experience. On lately temperatures can drop considerably to around 14 degrees Celsius although it's going to really feel much warmer when the Sun makes an look. All these international locations besides Norway and Iceland are European Union members. Indeed, the method actually includes finishing what is in actuality a quite simple kind and submitting it to the local Tax Workplace where it may be processed very quickly in anyway. I have been touring most of my life and Portugal is unquestionably one of my favorite destinations, not solely due to the wealthy historic background but additionally because of the fantastic thing about the country itself. Lovely heat sandy seashores make the Algarve an ideal vacation spot for gamers and travelers. This vibrant city is the nation's capital and one of the most stunning locations in Europe. Nevertheless, the national bus or coach service offers probably the most cheap means of touring within Spain. As soon as Portugal had a sea route around the Horn of Africa, Ferdinand and Isabella had to discover a path to the East so as to hold their competitor from grabbing the lion share of the market. Fashionable with divers are the dark golden sands of Tres Irmaos. Other than its natural topography, Portugal is well known for its hospitality and is taken into account to be a safe travel destination. Another option to get round is on horseback, on a using vacation. There are lots of interesting excursions obtainable in your discount holidays to Oporto, together with those to seaside towns, small fishing villages, small cities and villages where you can explore old monasteries, churches, castles, forts and bridges. Alfama is the previous part of Lisbon, nonetheless superbly picturesque with narrow, winding streets and previous, overhanging buildings. Impressed by the magical rhythms and melodies of the Baka people, British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart founded Baka Beyond in 1993 after they'd visited the tribal people. Gavin Evans is a full time internet marketer and writer of the Euro Tens of millions Lotto article and lives available in the market city of Cowbridge in South Wales, UK. Gavin is also a number one associate for the model new international ability video games enterprise, uVme. The Belgians completed just outdoors the medals in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, neither earlier than nor after they have performed better. For places to stay there may be plenty to select from, with Algarve villas ranging from the normal types to the up to date and all the time close to the seashore for your water sports based mostly holiday. Popular with surfers the beaches at low tide have waves that collapse on themselves time and again and sitting on the seaside on a sunny afternoon undisturbed by the trendy world listening to the roar within the background whereas looking into the abyss one can see how sailors had been captivated to venture forth to discover what lay beyond. Eventually nevertheless the time period was used for Spain, and hence Sephardim displays Jews who were or descend from Jewish communities living in Spain and Portugal. As in olden instances, the city is entered through the southern gate of Santa Maria, embellished with eighteenth-century azulejo ornament. This would inevitably remove wardrobe battles along with your youngsters regarding the precise clothes to put on to school, save time getting ready for college in the morning and make your procuring experience for school apparel a a lot easier and fewer anxious course of. Funchal is the capital city and it is located subsequent to a natural deep water bay, nestling in a pure amphitheatre of surrounding mountains on the south coast. • Effectively, though a lot of the countries are a mixture of all and superb in their own ways, if you're going there for the first time then a travel maker or tourism companies may very well be extra prolific. Read extra about the Historical past of World Cup Soccer on , where you discover this article and way more including articles about FA Cup Soccer. The espada fish is ideally tailored to the ocean terrain around Madeira and the one different place on the planet that this eel-like fish is found is off the coast of Japan. Rural Portugal has confirmed to be a fertile area in which many individuals from other European nations (and from a great share of different nations from around the world) are taking to constructing second properties, beautiful and enjoyable retreats tucked away from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life. The Silver Coast stretches from Porto all the way down to Portugal's capital Lisbon and hugs the North Atlantic shoreline; it is home to lovely seashores, wonderful cliffs, quaint fishing villages, lush rolling countryside and a few of the most fascinating historic sites in Portugal. Also the indigenous people had been in all probability more nervous of the war like Franks who lived above the Pyrenees than they have been of the Berbers from North Africa whom they'd recognized for a few years as buying and selling companions and folks of commerce. At the moment's Perspective: The political winds modified, causing earnings to be curtailed from a sole supply supplier with no other geographic location capable of provide appropriate replacements. Another nice household time out is an tour to the Monchique Mountains the place you can discover the wonderful forests, valleys and aromatic orange groves. The development in the direction of shopping for houses along the coastal areas of the country has been quick paced for almost a decade. They design your trip and know what people like as a result of they are in the enterprise for long, until you are an explorer who likes to make his own method. You will also discover an enchanting rationalization about this title and its seeming recognition. In 2001, this city was named the European Capital of Tradition. And, the thrill of occurring a holiday, the sheer pleasure of getting away, and the reminiscences of fine occasions is what journey is all about. An attention-grabbing function of the preliminary contract in Portugal is the fact that if the customer decides to walk away from the contract, the client is obliged to pay to the vendor a penalty in the quantity of twice the deposit positioned by the client in the first occasion.

0 notes

terencecopland6-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Examination Ordered As Russian River Turns Red.

A luxury cruise along this Globe well-known River Nile in Egypt is a holiday that you'll never forget. Which would certainly figure, due to the fact that Neymar has actually simply started Maidana from behind. From the previous experience I had running a KS campaign it's a common incident that orders will either obtain shed or delayed. For information call totally free on 0800 096 0092 or go to/ river-cruises. As well as always remember the fallen leaves - you could utilize them in soups or stews just as you would certainly spinach or kale, or fry them in a little oil with mustard seeds, garlic and also ginger. Free of charge wine, beer and also soft drinks are also available to finish the delicately loosened up cruise ships. The Amazon. If you cherished this short article and you would like to get more info with regards to http://netegitim.info/ kindly visit our web-page. com is a popular component on globally container listings and also Amazon cruises properly fulfill demand. Williams likewise noted that the return of riverboats to the Mississippi does greater than offer an one-of-a-kind travel experience - traveler brows through can likewise help the small river towns that have shed population as well as jobs.|Toms River, NJ - Mark Patrick Reduce weight Seminar With Hypnotherapy. Nile Musical Instrument + 2 Backstage passes to any type of Nile Task All Stars efficiency + kazoo + CD + DVD + Tshirt + water bottle + Meklit Hadero's On A Day Like This ... album download. Butte Education Office states the colleges will remain shut due to the required emptying and also the unsure duration for the return of evacuees".|TSUNAMI CAUTION: Sunken ship packed with dynamites in the Thames tidewater postures major risk. Although November to January is a popular time to head to places like the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera for the holiday weeks, there are other tropical locations that delight in low period throughout these months, appealing less crowds and more affordable costs. This Kickstarter job will certainly money the update and also redesign of the existing map, as well as the ink, paper, letterpress plates, and also time had to develop the hand published maps.|Mekong river cruise ship: Gyles Brandreth's river cruise vacation journey. The London Gatewat port can handle the globe's largest container ships. These river luxury yachts are not only the initial all new vessels under the Crystal River Cruises brand. The sun deck has actually been upgraded with high-end in mind, offering up more area as well as serenity for holidaying visitors. AUSTRALIA as well as NEW ZEALAND BACKERS go through higher shipping expenses than those noted. Many Avalon ships cruise Europe's rivers, yet it likewise has Avalon Myanmar on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar (Burma) as well as Avalon Sim Enjoy on the Mekong in Cambodia and also Vietnam with ships cruising the Amazon and also the Nile. Yet the most extreme procedure drifting about is one that can completely transform the city of Chicago, due to the fact that officials are considering blocking off the Chicago Sanitary as well as Ship Canal entirely.|Toms River, NJ - Mark Patrick Slim down Workshop With Hypnosis. Sign and also obtain tickets up for the newsletter at/ cruiseshow. . It is designed to mimic the look of a laptop at 176( W) x 81.9( D) x 26.7( H) mm as well as can be found in glossy red or black. From ₤ 1,299 per person leaving July 2017, consisting of Eurostar train travel (0333 122 8660; ). Currently we prepare to earn the ended up movie, as well as we'll require a couple of months of permanent modifying to place the film together as well as do post-production work.|The Thames is 'fluid history', states David Starkey. The Chief Executive Officer and also President of First Financial Bank, Issa Stephan, offers South Toms River Grade school with a look for $500. Full display introductory at the beginning and end of the film. I just wish, now the river has actually shed several of her innocence to business admirers, that the union will be a happy one, for various other suitors will definitely look for to exploit her appeals.|Saga Cruise ships charters resort barge Anacoluthe for unique brand-new French rivers vacations. There's still a great deal of job to be provided for the Yankees making the dive from edge challenger to World Collection threat, yet male, they are established actually well today. Even as this individual became a renowned writer throughout the later areas of his way of life, he complied with the requires of the Celebrity's composing style overview in regards to making use of straightforward sentences and paragraphs additionally, the usage of the English language.|Search Telegraph Travel's collection of European river cruise ships. As I said, we were on a weird road at night and every light that we saw we believed we went to the Inn, but finally we saw the bright and friendly lights of the Inn and examined in. As assured we were assigned to none besides Space 118 (seems familiar) With the exemption of 2 years that because of health reasons we were not able to find.|If you are considering taking place one of the Danube river cruise ships for vacation it is essential to know how you can load. As this post from Vox says: America's lead problem isn't really simply in Flint. The stunning Abbey of St Cyril in Goritsy - whose huge strongholds had resisted attack by Polish and Lithuanian troops - we found invaded by a crowd from six cruise ships. Incorporating satellite imagery with survey information, lead author Greg Asner and also his group of researchers located that land made use of for prohibited cash cow boosted by 400 percent between 1999 and also 2012, which deforestation rates have actually tripled considering that the 2008 global economic situation, when gold prices increased. . Congratulations to HSN ASR student Ethan Liou for putting Second in the American Water Functions Association Water Filter Contest. SEE ALSO: Outrageous drone video shows huge damages as well as flooding at The golden state's Oroville Dam. A lot of Ama's ships are in Europe, however, extensive with included adventures, a fleet of cost-free bikes to make use of and on-board social enjoyment. Once the job funds, all backers will obtain a very early accessibility variation in pdf. The Physical CD of the new cd 2 weeks before launch, along with the deluxe electronic download (with bonus offer tracks), hand-written thank you card as well as a commitment pen! We find out ways to resolve the challenging system in California to get the water relocated from point A to factor B," she claims. For the past 5 years he's worked throughout LA Area building landmark proficiency, motivating local stewardship and also empowering community voices of any ages in local watershed planning initiatives. William offers assistance for instructors from K to University by bringing a detailed river curriculum adhered to by a check out from FOLAR's mobile museum, the L.a River Rover to colleges and area events within the landmark. A complete year's digital subscription to Fiction River! If we believe that resources are limited which developing wealth means sacrificing an individual life, or that past difficulties will certainly avoid us from creating future joy, these ideas will certainly strain of our lives - although they are attempting constantly ahead in. Ridership (especially commuting) will certainly increase as the bridge attaches a number of midtown loft real estate projects with the smooth path system. On land, included trips absorb luxurious palaces and world-class art galleries; on the cruise, there will be vodka tastings and also a standard Russian tea event. We'll send this version to everybody who sustains the Fiction River registration drive at the $5 level or greater. They overfish it, reroute it for hydropower, as well as obstruct it with container ships. Currently through July 31, find bold brand-new handles renowned jobs-- and take home an item of Kickstarter Gold. Pre-order my following cd, Miss River, through kickstarter and come to be a part of the partnership! River travelling in general has actually exploded in popularity over the last few years, using an extra conventional method to experience travelling than the mass-market megaships that bring thousands of people as well as are loaded with attractions such as flights and also Broadway shows. She was pleased enough she wed me shortly after as well as we have been returning to Little River Inn and rooms in Van Damme Residence since, always over Christmas, in 2015 being our 20th return. LONDON'S Tower Bridge isn't just an around the world icon, it's additionally a port for luxury cruises. The rural federal government of Manitoba has backed calls for a nationwide query, as last month did a UN Committee in a report which implicated Canada of a severe offense" of Aboriginal females's civil liberties. Your choice of a non-editioned photograph made by among us, printed on 8x10 inch brilliancy paper (see options in the slide show listed below) + Your name in the thanks credits on our vehicle as well as on our website. For wine aficionados: Cruise to the Beaujolais region as well as appreciate a wine making demo as well as sampling on an eight-day Lyon as well as Provence cruise ship along the Rhône and the Saône. While we can not understand the exact last prices of whatever up until we know the number of individuals will go with which incentives, right here is a graph showing the approximate break down of exactly what the cash will go to if we get to the $2,000. A digital download of the Movie (for personal use), your name on the main Movie internet site, normal updates, and also an electronic thank you in the Movie's credit ratings! NEW ORLEANS-- European river cruise large Viking, currently getting a high account in the USA with its sponsorship of preferred PBS television shows, revealed Tuesday that it will certainly make New Orleans its first North American house port for Mississippi River cruise ships expected to begin by late 2017. Tauck (see listed below) includes a see to the Porsche Gallery on its Rhine, Swiss Alps as well as Amsterdam holiday.

0 notes

touristguidebuzz · 7 years ago

Text

How I Saved Money For Travel (You Don’t Need To Be Rich)

How to Save Money for Travel

Travel Tips

Want to travel the world for a while? Or just take an epic vacation? You don’t need to be rich, but you’ll need to get creative about saving money for travel. Here’s how I did it.

There’s a popular myth floating around that travel is an expensive hobby. Certainly people who travel a lot must have rich parents, lucrative lottery winnings, or work high paying jobs… right?

Normal people can’t afford to travel. It’s far too expensive for the rest of us…

Don’t worry, I understand where you’re coming from. I used to think that way too. As an American who didn’t even know what a hostel or GAP year was, I thought international travel was only for the rich and privileged.

But after traveling the world extensively for the past 6 years, I’m here to tell you world travel is possible for the rest of us too.

How To Save Money For Travel

After countless emails from readers asking about how I’m able to travel the world seemingly non-stop exploring incredible destinations, I wanted to share some useful tips about how I learned to save money for traveling.

Because I had to learn too — it didn’t come naturally. In fact I used to be horrible at saving money.

When I quit my job in 2010 to embark on a year long adventure in Central America, I wasn’t rich. I was living in South Florida earning $28,000 a year working as a photographer for used car dealerships and nightclubs in Miami.

Incredibly glamorous, I know…

Even with my very average (American) income, and living in a pretty expensive area of the country, I managed to save $7000 in 12 months by transforming my lifestyle and living below my means.

I learned how to spend less, save more, and earn extra cash on the side.

It wasn’t easy, and it required plenty of hard work and sacrifice, but if I could do it, I’m confident you could too. It doesn’t matter if you want to travel for two weeks or two years, the process is the same.

Here’s my simple formula that will help you save money for your next trip.

We All Want More Of This…

1: Become Financially Responsible

This isn’t intended to sound judgmental. We all start here. What did school really teach you about financial planning? For many of us, not much.

Money management is a learned skill – but most of us don’t master the basics until we’re adults — if ever. I was clueless for a long time.

If you want to save money for travel, now is a good time to revisit those basics, and maybe iron out a few of those bad financial habits we all acquire along the way.

Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

You are making a significant long-term commitment that’s sometimes going to be really hard to stick to. Saving up enough money for travel, or anything for that matter, is tough on the soul and demands sacrifice, which is why so few people succeed. The right mindset is everything!

How much do you want this? Because nobody else will do it for you. It’s your responsibility the whole way.

Equally importantly, how many times are you willing to try and fail until you’ve successfully learned all the habits and strategies that will put the required amount in the bank to get you traveling?

Good. I think you’re ready for this then! (Just don’t expect it to be easy.)

2: Track Your Spending

Money itself isn’t stressful. Neither is effective money management. Not knowing what your money is doing? Being afraid to check your bank balance? That’s where all the stress happens.

The solution to this is simple.

Put aside a day this weekend, buy your favorite bottle of wine (you’ll need it), and go through all your accounts to find out EXACTLY what your finances look like, down to the dollar.

Tracking expenses is an important part of learning where you can cut back, or even eliminate your spending.

I know, you’ve probably heard this before. But have you actually done it? On a regular basis? It’s a powerful way to identify how much money you piss away every month on random crap you don’t need.

Write it ALL down. How much do you spend on food each week? Don’t forget to include groceries, eating out, bottled water, and snacks. How much do you spend on entertainment? Movies, books, music, sports tickets, dates, etc.

What about vices like alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee?

What are your monthly bills? Rent, mortgage, utilities, car payment, insurance, credit card interest, cell phone service, gym membership, student loans, etc. Don’t forget miscellaneous shopping either. Video games, clothes, pet toys, etc.

Now, grit your teeth and look it all in the face. You may be surprised at how much you’re spending. Little things tend to add up. This isn’t an easy thing to do, I know. That’s why you might need that wine.

But it becomes a lot easier if you approach saving with the right attitude. You’re not here to judge yourself or wallow in regret. Take your feelings out of the equation because they’re not needed.

This is simply about awareness. You’re looking your financial situation right in the eye and saying, “OK – this is where I am. This is where I need to be.”

If you’re like me, building this kind of awareness, and tracking everything, takes time. That’s the nature of habits – you don’t suddenly change your behavior overnight.

Track your spending like a pro with this free expense tracking app from Mint.

Stick To Your Budget

3: Budget Ruthlessly

There are two types of budgeting you need to do here. The first is budgeting your trip. The second is budgeting your life.

First, you need to work out how much your trip is going to cost you. If you know what you’re doing, your travel budget can be as low as $50 a day.

The amount is going to vary wildly depending on where you want to travel, and how thrifty you are. But for long-term budget travel, I usually recommend planning to spend at least $1500 per month.

So that means to backpack around the world for 6 months, you should have at least $9000 in your bank account before you leave.

If you choose wisely, your accommodation can cost next to nothing. Cheap flights can be easy to find if you follow these simple tips – and so on.

If you want all my best advice for ways to save money on travel, start here.

You’ve got 16 months before you leave? Great! Your monthly savings goal is 1/16th of that total – and you need to budget successfully to put that amount aside every month, more or less, until you hit your target.

Now the big question becomes – how are you going to hit that target?

First step: create a running budget, assigning strict numbers to recurring expenses – and stick to it religiously. Some expenses are fixed, for example, your rent (although, keep reading below for one way to lower it).

Other expenses are flexible, like the money you spend on food every month, or socializing. The trick with these is to make sure you always know how much of your budget is left, so you’re not a victim of “phantom expenses” that nibble away your hard-earned savings without you being aware of them.

Going shopping? Decide in advance how much you can afford to spend, and use the calculator on your phone to total everything up as you walk round the aisles. Going out with friends? Withdraw cash, and leave your cards at home so you can’t blow your budget.

Budgeting effectively isn’t scary. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. When you have complete control of your money (and not the other way round), your confidence will soar – and you’ll work even harder towards your goal.

Check out this terrific set of free online budgeting classes to master the basics.

4: Reduce Unnecessary Spending

Grab a piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of it. At the top left, write “NEEDS” – and at the top right, write “WANTS”.

Now place everything you spend money on into one of these two columns.

Be as brutally honest as possible. Do you need Netflix right now? Do you need that cappuccino you always have on your lunch break? What about those beers on Friday night? How about new clothes?

Consult your spending diary that you’ve hopefully been using. How many of those daily entries were things you actually needed? Will your life end without them?

Once you’re finished, look at the “WANTS” column – and write down how much they cost, next to each item. Now total them up. That’s how much you can instantly start saving every month if you cut all these out.

The final step here is simply to stop buying those things you don’t need. I know, it’s harder than it sounds.

Our extremely effective and profitable marketing industry will try its best to convince you to buy that Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino. Don’t let them win. It’s time to take control of your finances right now.

I Cook A Mean Risotto…

5: Develop Habits That Save You Money

How about getting up a little earlier, skipping the bus and walking/riding a bike to work instead? Ever heard of ride-sharing? What other daily expenses can you replace with money-saving habits?

What skills can you learn that will cut your daily costs?

I’ll give an example. By cooking your meals instead of buying them prepared, you can save thousands of dollars every year. Which is exactly what I did when I was saving money for my own travel adventures.

You don’t have to give up excellent coffee and tasty avocado toast — just make them yourself and save money.

Cooking for yourself, especially lunch & dinner, can save somewhere between $6 and $11 per meal – so if you previously spent all your time eating out, you’d save between $125 and $230 every week just by cooking.

It’s a skill that puts decent money in your pocket. Plus, it’s fun too!

6: Cut Accommodation Costs

This is extreme – but also extremely effective. If the place you are renting (or own) costs a lot of money, how about taking on a roommate to share the rent and bills? What about two roommates?

If that’s not an option, and you’ve got a year or more before you hit the road – why not move into a smaller apartment, or a cheaper neighborhood? This is one way I was able to save money for my trip.

By moving into a cheaper neighborhood on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale in Florida, sharing a small house with 2 other roommates, I was able to save hundreds of dollars on accommodation every month rather than living in the much more expensive city of Miami.

Other travelers I know moved in with their parents for a few months to save money. Or they rent out their homes and move somewhere cheaper. Obviously these aren’t ideal situations, and may not even be options for everyone, but I just want to open your eyes to the possibilities.

Sometimes you need to think outside the box to make your dreams come true. And drastic measures can be uncomfortable, but effective.

Who Needs A Car?

7: Sell Your Crap

If it’s worth good money and you can’t travel with it, then is it really worth hanging onto? In my case, I took a long, hard look at my car one day, decided to sell it, and bought a used folding bicycle to replace it.

Instant injection of much-needed cash! Not only from the sale, but also from canceling my auto insurance and no longer needing to buy gas.

Instead, I purchased a public bus pass. Sure, my commute was longer. Riding my bike to the bus stop in the rain kinda sucked. But you know what? I was dedicated. I was determined. Wearing a poncho and riding in the rain isn’t the end of the world. Other people do it, why can’t I?

In addition to my car, I also sold my DJ turntables, sports equipment, and some furniture I really didn’t need. Everyone’s “crap” will be different. But we all collect it in one form or another.

Sites like Ebay & Craigslist can help you sell your stuff for extra cash to build up your travel fund.

8: Other Ways To Save

No, simply quitting avocado toast and frappuccinos isn’t going to pay for 6 months of travel. But, when combined with other money saving lifestyle changes, it all adds up to make a big difference.

Stop Going Out

Instead of spending too much money at a club or movie theater, invite friends over to your place for a movie night. Get outside and go on a hike.

Cook More

Now is a good time to learn the art of cooking. It’s entirely possible to buy low-cost, healthy ingredients, and cook your own tasty meals at home.

Shop Around

Did you compare prices while grocery shopping last week? Did you buy the cheapest toilet paper? Are you shopping at places like Costco & Amazon?

Cut Your Landline

I can’t remember the last time I used a landline. Cellphones work just fine. Switch to the cheapest provider, with the cheapest plan possible.

Ditch Your Cable

TV is a waste of time. Stop paying to live vicariously through shows, and make your own life more exciting. The internet is full of free entertainment!

Quit The Gym

No need for a gym membership when you can go running, hiking, or practice bodyweight exercise routines outside while enjoying nature!

Slash Your Shopping

No, you don’t need the latest smartphone. No, you don’t need new clothes every month. No, you don’t need 5 different shades of lipstick.

Reduce Utilities

Turn down your air conditioning and use a fan or wear a sweater. Unplug electronics when not in use. Take shorter showers.

Do You Have Any Talents You Can Sell?

9: Make More Money

Everyone wants to earn more money, right? Well it doesn’t grow on trees, but there are opportunities, even if you already have a full-time job.

Find part time work on the side. Maybe as a waiter, bartender, supermarket cashier, etc. I worked as a nightclub photographer 4 nights a week, putting up with drunk entitled assholes…

It doesn’t need to be an amazing job! Just something to boost your income. Do some research, and figure out what kinds of part-time positions match your skillset & talents.

Selling arts & crafts on Etsy. Stalking garage sales & re-selling on eBay. Walking dogs. Tutoring students. Babysitting. Audio transcription. Playing music.

The only limit is your imagination!

Check out Reddit’s Side Income Wiki for examples of how other people earn extra money.

10: Review Your Employment

Not earning enough money from your current job? Maybe it’s time to ask for a raise (as long as you can prove you actually deserve it). What makes you an important asset to the company?

Alternately, why not attempt to re-negotiate? Ask if there’s any way you can cut back your hours, or work from home a few days a week, so you can use that time you would normally spend commuting… on your side job.

If those aren’t options, you can start looking for another employer who pays more. Train in your spare time for something that pays better.

You’re not a slave to your job — if you don’t make enough, shop around and find a better place to work.

I know I’m making it sound easier than it is… but I never promised this would be easy. It’s not.

11: Earn As You Travel

This is a nice short-cut. If you can earn money as you travel, you won’t have to save quite as much. This is what I did. Before I began traveling, I’d built a small online business selling eBooks about topics I was knowledgeable on.

I managed to squeeze a money-making opportunity from my limited free time – which reduced the amount I needed to save for travel, as I could earn income on the road.

Because I was earning about $1500 per month from my online business, I left to backpack around Central America with only $7000 in the bank — confident I could continue working from my laptop.

Selling ebooks is no longer how I earn income. These days I make a good living from my travel blog. But that took a few years to accomplish.

How can you earn money online? Well there are all kinds of ways.

Affiliate marketing. Freelance writing. Graphic design. Computer programming. Becoming a virtual assistant. Language translation. I don’t know what skills & experience you have. But there are options.

For more details and ideas about how to earn money while traveling, make sure to check out my travel job guide.

Saving Money Won’t Be Easy!

Saving money doesn’t come naturally to most people. Nearly half of Americans don’t even have a $400 emergency fund.

The formula is simple. Live below your means, and save the rest.

Yet implementing this formula is not always easy. There are social pressures. We’re bombarded by marketing. Our willpower is lacking. We make excuses and lie to ourselves.

Others may have additional roadblocks — like obligations to support loved ones, student loans, debilitating injury, chronic disease, or a lack of job opportunities where they live.

If that’s the case, it may just take longer to reach your savings goal.

Following through is the difficult part. I know, I’ve been there. If this was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Resources To Get You There

To help you start saving money for travel, I’ve included some of my favorite resources below. These are useful tools for learning how to track your spending, budget your life, save money fast, or earn extra income.

YNAB – Excellent budgeting software & system to help you get out of debt and save money.

Mint – Popular free app for tracking your finances and managing your money.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich – My favorite book about becoming financially responsible & independent.

Remote Job Directory – Wonderful resource that lists websites for finding a location independent job.

The $100 Startup – Inspiring book that highlights 50 people who built their own businesses with minimum investment.

The 4-Hour Workweek – The book that convinced me to enter the world of online business and entrepreneurship.

One Last Piece Of Advice

As you’ll discover when you’re traveling, things rarely go exactly to plan.

The ability to think on your feet and adjust your trajectory on the fly is an important skill for travel, and life.

Expect many course corrections. Don’t be surprised when obstacles get in your way. Life is messy and the best-laid plans have a habit of fraying at the edges, or falling apart completely.

That shouldn’t matter though – you’re committed to this, right? You’ll find another way to get there. The specific plan you choose isn’t important… the destination is everything.

Best of luck – and I hope to see you out there! ★