#there are a million ways to spell Bridget

[ayumitsuu]

FE4 Character Impressions 3 (Blond(e) Edition): Aideen, Bridget, Claude, Dew, Beowulf, Holyn, Eldigan, Lachesis

- Noish had to be with Alec so he’s not here

- Sorry, the brainrot is real so it got a bit crowded… hopefully you can read it OK

- I’ll post the main drawings by themselves later

[georgi-girl]

Babble: Track Three

Continuing my half-asked crossover.

Every night I lie I bed

The brightest colors fill my head

A million dreams are keeping me awake

I think of what the world could be

A vision of the one I see

A million dreams are all it’s going to take

Zodiac spoke on and on; “There are worlds within worlds. And in some worlds, music is magic, whether you’re a super or not. Trolls originated in a world like that. Many stories about them were spread by trolls themselves to scare off predators. And Trolls are a genus by the way, not a species.”

“And you think they have something to do with this?” Miguel raised an eyebrow.

“It explains why we’ve been hearing random songs in our head every day.” 

“Why?” Riley asked.

“Because trolls love music! They practically embody it.” They looked between the two interns. “You don’t believe us…”

“Oh, it’s, it’s not that…” Miguel stammered.

“We’re just…” Rileys’ voice trailed off.

Zodiac drummed their fingers on the table, thinking.

“Here’s a spell to help you see invisible things. Close your left eye and say “Secrets to see, show them to me.” Then close your right eye and open your left eye. You’ll see everything on the astral plane for as long as you keep your right eye shut.” 

“What if it doesn’t work?” Miguel asked. 

“Then you can forget about us and never talk to us again.” Zodiac cracked their neck. “Either way it’s no loss to you.” 

When they left the room, the guard took them aside for a moment.

“Be careful of that one. They say he stabbed one of the people trying to rescue him.” 

@@@@ 

They tried the spell the next day, at the “session”. Through their left eyes, they saw something float out of Renee’s body, like a ghost that looked just like her. 

The ghost of Renee floated down to Riley and took her hand. Riley saw herself float out of her own body and dance with the spectral girl. The world around them blurred, and in a flash, they were dancing in a meadow filled with giant flowers. Then the world blurred again, and they were underwater surrounded by coral. Then they were in a desert that looked like a quilt. Then they were on a mountain made of gold. All the time there was a beautiful song being played a different way everywhere they danced.

Miguel watched the ghost girls float away and fade away. Then he saw hundreds of colorful people dance between the listeners; seemingly unaware of them, or him. One dancer, a woman with pink skin, a magenta ponytale and wearing a short blue dress, brushed right past him. 

@@@@

After the session, everyone got back to work. The janitor Bridget cut her finger in front of Renee. Renee took her finger and sucked on the wound. Then she walked back to the Chief.

“Why did she do that?” Bridget asked Miguel during dinner.

“I think she wanted to reach out to you.” He smiled at the retreating woman.

While they talked, “King” Gristle passed them. Bridget watched him sit at a table. “Isn’t he so handsome?” she smiled.

“Do you want to talk to him?” 

“Oh I couldn’t. He’s so... And I’m... You know?” 

“Come on. I’ll help you through it.” He took her hand and led her to where Gristle was sitting. 

“Hey Gristle,” he said. “Have you met Bridget?” He tried gesturing to the little woman, who in turn tried to hide behind him. “She was just telling me how nice you look today.”

Gristle puffed up with pride at the complement. “Why thank you! I did brush my hair extra hard.”

Bridget timidly came up and held out her hand. “Ha-ha-ha-hi…” Gristle happily took her hand.

As his fingers brushed the cut in Bridgets’ finger, they both felt a pleasant shiver run up their spines. And while there wasn’t any music playing, they both had a beautiful melody in their heads. 

All Miguel noticed was that they both had dreamy, silly smiles on their faces. “I’ll leave you to it…” he said and went back to his meal.

@@@@ 

That night, Riley told Zodiac what happened, and asked them: “Are you a Super?” 

“Something like that. There’s a limiter placed on us, so we don’t know the full extent of our skills. Aside from spells and mind games, we’re pretty good at transmutation, that’s fancy alchemical speak for transforming stuff, and…” They showed Riley the sketch they drew. It was an illustration of Riley and Renee dancing together. “The longer were around someone, the more information we absorb from them.”  Riley gazed at the picture. Then, against her better judgment, asked Zodiac “Why is it that you were brought here?” Zodiac frowned, and told her.

Seven weeks ago…

The town of Lone Moose was setting up for the holiday season. The Tobin family was chopping wood when the father saw an injured person stumble out of the woods and collapse in the snow. The father called the hospital while his children rushed to help the stranger into the house. When the stranger woke up, they panicked and grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter. The family members tried to calm them down. The daughter was particularly soothing. 

“It’s okay. It’s okay. Whoever you are, you’re in a safe place, and among friends.”

The stranger began to settle. Then the floor creaked, they started, nobody noticed but their eyes flickered yellow, and they lunged at the girl, sticking her with the knife. The oldest son and his wife tackled them, pinned them down, and wrestled the knife out of their hands. The ambulances arrived. The stranger was sedated, and the girl received stitches in her abdomen.

Riley stared slack jawed as Zodiac finished their story.

“Why’d, why, why did you, Why?” She edged backwards, struggling to find the right words.

Zodiac stared at their sketches. “We wish we had a good reason for doing that. Or that we blacked out and don’t remember. But the truth is that we wanted to get out of that house so much, that we didn’t care who we hurt.”

Riley took a deep breath. “Well thank for telling me. That was brave of you. My mom says an ugly truth is better than a beautiful lie.”

Zodiac smiled sadly.

“One of us knew someone who said truth by its very nature, can never be ugly. But it can be painful. That’s why people are so afraid of it. 

 @@@@

Bridget and Gristle met in a supply closet. They could hear the Trolls’ songs as they kanoodled. 

Everybody, move your hair and feel united. / Here I am! / One more time! 

“Yes” Bridget cried.

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee. / I feel you I feel you. / Turn our hearts into leather.

“Yes!” Gristle cried. 

Donde estas mi gente. / Beat beat beat beat. / What can make me feel this way? / Pom Pom Pom!

A hundred different melodies

A thousand different voices

A million different lyrics

Blending into a single, unending song.

“Yes!” They cried together. 

“Yes! Yes! YES!!!!!!!!!”

[chill-that-ur-inmyhead]

1. Who was the last person you held hands with? yao

2. Are you outgoing or shy? depends how I feel and the situation usually lean towards outgoing but I have my moments of shyness

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing? my friends and my mum

4. Are you easy to get along with? I like to think so

5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? I don’t like anyone but I’m sure my friends would

6. What kind of people are you attracted to?                                                charming and witty

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? doubt it

8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? Jesus......???? haha no one

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? nah it is perfectly natural

10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? yao

11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? “Yeah it’s insane”

12. What are your 5 favourite songs right now? Taylor Swift - betty                                                                                              Taylor Swift - The last great american dynasty                                                    The Heads and the Heart - Rivers and Roads                                              Rusted Root - Send Me On My Way                                                                  Machine Gun Kelly & Halsey - forget me too

13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? eh sometimes it can be nice sometimes I can only think about dirty hands on my hair

14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? yeah sure

15. What good thing happened this summer? I finally started my driving lessons and overcame my fear

16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? eh if it happens it happens but if not I’ll live

17. Do you think there is life on other planets? I hope so

18. Do you still talk to your first crush? nope

19. Do you like bubble baths? yep

20. Do you like your neighbours? yep they’re chill

21. What are your bad habits? nosiness

22. Where would you like to travel? Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, America, Canada literally EVERYWHERE!!! 

23. Do you have trust issues? ehhhh I have issues but idk if trust is my main one

24. Favourite part of your daily routine? making lunch and a smoothie yum

25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? my hips and thighs like why are you so big!!!!

26. What do you do when you wake up? check my phone for the time

27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? just a lil tan wouldn’t hurt... a nice golden glow yenno

28. Who are you most comfortable around? myself

29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? nope! whoops haha

30. Do you ever want to get married? possibly

31. Is your hair long enough for a pony tail? yes 32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with? Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet 

33. Spell your name with your chin. bnzrerejketr (no where near)

34. Do you play sports? What sports? netball

35. Would you rather live without TV or music? surprisingly tv... music has been a solace in the pandemic and can’t give it up

36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? ofc

37. What do you say during awkward silences? nothing just let the awkwardness seep in 

38. Describe your dream girl/guy? thinks I am witty and charming ahah

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? asos... I guess I shop on instead of in

40. What do you want to do after high school? go to uni. check! now what? who knows

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? depends if there are people waiting for their first

42. If you’re being extremely quiet what does it mean? I’m daydreaming

43. Do you smile at strangers? more like I try to have a neutral face

44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? ocean forever

45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning? daylight

46. What are you paranoid about? being boring

47. Have you ever been high? yep

48. Have you ever been drunk? yep

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? no???

50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore? pink

51. Ever wished you were someone else? Jane Fonda

52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? my metabolism, it is so slow

53. Favourite makeup brand? nars and urban decay

54. Favourite store? asos

55. Favourite blog? ?????

56. Favourite colour? red

57. Favourite food? chinese

58. Last thing you ate? chocolate covered raisins

59. First thing you ate this morning? fish finger wrap

60. Ever won a competition? For what? yes!!! I won tickets to see hamilton in 2018 for my friend and I (!!!!!!) when I got the notification that I won I was shaking with excitement

61. Been suspended/expelled? For what? nope

62. Been arrested? For what? nope

63. Ever been in love? I have loved, but in love? who knows

64. Tell us the story of your first kiss? I don’t remember it tbh haha

65. Are you hungry right now? I’m chilling

66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? nope

67. Facebook or Twitter? Twitter

68. Twitter or Tumblr? Twitter

69. Are you watching tv right now? nope

70. Names of your pets (If any)? used to have rabbits called, bonnie, pip and Barnaby but the first two past away and we had to re house the latter

71. Craving something? What? nah

72. What colour are your towels? sandy brown and pink

72. How many pillows do you sleep with? uno

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? nope

74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? i used to have around 20 but now they’re down to 5 kept in a memory box

75. Favourite animal? dolphin

76. What colour is your underwear? black

77. Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate

78. Favourite ice cream flavour? coffee

79. What colour shirt are you wearing?                                                              pink

80. What colour pants? navy blue

81. Favourite tv show? gilmore girls, grace and frankie and the office (us)

82. Favourite movie? Bridget Jones’s Diary

83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2? Mean Girls

84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street? Mean Girls

85. Favourite character from Mean Girls? Kevin G haha

86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo? Bruce

87. First person you talked to today? padre

88. Last person you talked to today? padre

89. Name a person you hate? my old estate agent

90. Name a person you love? family

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? nope

92. In a fight with someone? nope

93. How many sweatpants do you have? one purple pair and they’re so baggy and comfy I love them

94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have? 2 - first is pink from glossier and the second is purple from hilfiger 

95. Last movie you watched? easy a

96. Favourite actress? saoirse ronan

97. Favourite actor? timothee chalamet

98. Do you tan a lot? not as much as I’d like

99. Have any pets? only fish

100. How are you feeling? sleepy

101. Do you type fast? ish

102. Do you regret anything from your past? that I didn’t learn to drive at 17

103. Can you spell well? I like to think so

104. Do you miss anyone from your past? nah

105. Ever been to a bonfire party? hmmm don’t think so

106. Ever broken someone’s heart? maybe

107. Have you ever been on a horse? yes

108. What should you be doing? sleeping

109. Is something irritating you right now? my back

110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? yes

111. Do you have a full length mirror in your room? yes

112. Who was the last person you cried in front of? my family probably

113. What was your childhood nickname? H

114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? yep

115. Do you play the Wii? not anymore

116. Are you listening to music right now? yep - Taylor Swift, the archer

117. Do you like chicken noodle soup? yep

118. Do you like Chinese food? love

119. Favourite book? Ian McEwan Atonement

120. Are you afraid of the dark? not anymore

121. Are you mean? I try not to be

122. Is cheating ever okay? nah

123. Can you keep white shoes clean? yep

124. Do you believe in love at first sight? no more like lust at first sight

125. Do you believe in true love? for sure

126. Are you currently bored? ofc

127. What makes you happy? socialising, shopping, drinking

128. Would you change your name? probably not

129. What your zodiac sign? aquarius

130. Do you like subway? yep 

131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? he wouldn’t, he is 110% gay

132. Who’s the last person you called? Betty but she didn’t answer 

133. Favourite lyrics right now? “I’m only 17, I don’t know anything but I know I miss you” - betty, Taylor Swift

134. Can you count to one million? nope and I wouldn’t care to try

135. Dumbest lie you ever told? that I owned a horse, no I didn’t, I just went riding

136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? closed

137. How tall are you? 5′5

138. Curly or Straight hair? wavy

139. Brunette or Blonde? blonde

140. Summer or Winter? winter

141. Night or Day? night

142. Favourite month? september

143. Are you a vegetarian? nope

144. Dark, milk or white chocolate? dark

145. Tea or Coffee? tea

146. Was today a good day? it was average

147. Mars or Snickers? snickers

148. What’s your favourite quote? “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay then it’s not the end” - Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie

149. Do you believe in ghosts? nah

150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page? “Two years later, in spite of her doctor’s warnings, mother took a final stab at having a son” My Life So Far, Jane Fonda 

[blythewonder]

Clearing the Smoke || Bridget, Brett, and Roger [chatzy]

Further investigation into the smoke monster leads to discoveries.

This mysterious ghost-but-not-actually-g​host-black-smoke-thing was a mess of a creature. ​Bridget​ paced around outside of Roger's office door. She was going to be of help, again. Even though she still hadn't totally figured out why Ashkent was a magical hub, she'd done enough research throughout her year and a bit of living here that gave her some knowledge to at least ​talk​ about the issues at hand. So, with another deep breath and a pressing down on the skirt of her dress, she walked up to the door of Roger's office and gave it a sharp knock. "I'm here, as requested!" She called out. "Can I come in?"

Roger looked up from the many tomes in front of him, struggling. This was the one thing he couldn't fake. He simply wasn't familiar with the texts in this place, the system, anything. He had no idea where even to begin looking, and just brute forcing it wasn't going to work in a building with over a million books and even more scrolls, letters, randomly assorted files. Their database needed serious upgrading, too, even with the digitisation that was in process, it just didn't have any answers. The closest he'd come was a Brollochan, which was scary as shit, but it didn't have the glowing white eyes he was looking for, nor the shadows of claws and teeth. "Of course, Blythe, come in." At least it made sense that, theoretically, Roger Hawthorne couldn't possibly know everything there was to know. It just wasn't feasible. "Given the descriptions we've gotten, it's rather hard to pinpoint. I've gathered these texts I think may be relevant." He gestured at the pile as tall as him that covered everything.

Bridget opened the door and came in, making her way over to Roger's desk. "Well," she chirped, peering to see what the book on the top of the stack, "that's quite the number of relevant texts. Ha." She bit her lip. "It also doesn't seem to be targeting any specific type of individual, far as I know. But I don't think it's like that dreamscape I ended up in many months ago. One, there was no specific creature that lead to that ordeal, and two, we're not in the gosh darn Herculean Labours any longer. The eyes are the part that's stumping me the most, if I'm to be honest. But it's not the eyes that cause the -- whatever's going on -- the creature seems to have to touch the individuals for something to happen."

A creature made of smoke. Certainly something to get the mind rolling. Part of ​Brett​ wondered whether it was linked to the disappearing and switching towns. Could it be something form that other town that had found it's way into theirs? It was certainly not too far removed to be the case. With Roger personally messaging him, something that had been quite out of the ordinary as normally Brett was the one messaging him first, he decided it might be wise to actually figure this out with Roger. He certainly would be the most qualified in this building to help him out. With his folder tucked under one arm of all the research he had on Ashford River, he made his way to the door and was just about to knock when he found the door already open and with Bridget in there. Oh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. He took a deep breath and stepped into the doorway, catching the end of her sentence. "Maybe it's feeding on something then." He shut the door behind him. "I'm really sorry but the door was open..."

Roger nodded, his eyes quickly flicking to the door as another figure stepped in. He waved Brett's apology away, unconcerned. Whatever bigotry Hawthorne held towards Tharp was mostly unfounded and entirely irrelevant to the situation. "Feeding on what? Confusion, perhaps? I considered Brain Biters briefly, but I haven't heard of any mentions of anyone losing their memories, only gaining them." He looked back to Bridget. "I agree. It does, but it's hardly an attack. We also need to consider that this is not something we have in our records because it may be from Ashford."

"Also Brain Biters don't look like what those I've talked do have described." ​Bridget​ chimed in, glancing over to Brett. "Unless there's a breed of them that can turn into black smoke." She rubbed her fingers against the bridge of her nose. "They could be feeding on confusion, concern, worry... or something else entirely, should that be the case." She bit her lip. "It's quite possible that it could be from Ashford, but it also could easily be from here and using the confusion all of us seem to be experiencing about Ashford to take the time to arrive and do what it's doing, now." She gave a shrug. "Someone who I talked to about it was very explicit about how what they saw couldn't have been real, so I doubt it's causing some sort of 'wish-to-have-beens' or whatever. It seems wholly separate from that. Especially since it's not all sunshine and perfection."

Brett moved over to the desk, peering at the books on there before he sat his folder down. "Then maybe it's memories, but not... exactly their memories," Brett mused, taking some of the photos out of his folder. "Ashford River and Ashkent Creek have been changing places, right? So, these memories, what if they are memories from the other town? If this creature has come from Ashford, then what if it's giving memories of this other town? What was the exact memories this person you spoke to was having? If buildings can switch, surely memories could too? Maybe I'm thinking too much into this... but it could be this."

"Obviously, but it isn't unheard of for the magically inclined to cast glamours on creatures in order to cause chaos." ​Roger​ said thoughtfully, flicking through the book in front of him. Thank fuck for the image to text ratio, it was so much easier to flick through if he didn't have to read the description. He listened to their deductions, sticking to his completely in character lie that he wasn't experiencing this. The guy had literally lied about being on the verge of death to his colleagues. "Possibly. It could be more than memories. Has anyone reported any changes in personality?" It was definitely one of his nagging concerns. "There isn't any simple creature in our bestiary that can traverse dimensions in that way. Not to mention, we've had one report of someone from Ashford River experiencing this too, and while the buildings have gone to Ashford, nothing has come back."

"Yes of course." ​Bridget​ said, breezing through her comment. "But still, seems doubtful. There's no memory-swapping going on, just getting memories that aren't their own." She fiddled with her necklace (the one benefit of the pageant she'd sooner forget), and looked between the two of them. "No, not as far as I can tell." She took a few more steps forward and picked up one of the books from the pile. "Yes, there doesn't seem to be an exchange of buildings. They go and are gone forever, or show up and don't seem to have any hope of switching back to what used to be." She turned to Brett. "It's not my place to disclose the exact memories, privacy and all, but they were remembering a different family structure than they can have here, and behaviors that are highly uncharacteristic of how they normally act."

"But they were having memories of themselves? Memories that aren't theirs but... are of them." ​Brett​ frowned, reaching for his notebook and starting to jot down notes. "It could well be some sort of glamour but I don't know. It depends on whether the being is purposely doing it or accidentally as well. It could be a side effect, not the actual cause of what's happening." He made sure to note down everything that had been said so far by them all. "It sounds like the two towns are blending then. Not switching, but blending. As in, what's happening is permanent. Which could be a spell." He bit down on the end of his pen, tugging at his hair. "What if this being is giving memories of the person they are in the other town? Their 'what if' selves?"

Roger listened to the two theorizing wordlessly, waiting for them to catch up. It wasn’t their fault they were from Ashkent, they didn’t have any inside experience, so didn’t realise how very disorientating finding yourself in another universe was. "I would disagree, we can't establish that anything is permanent yet. The Horrors were reversible. That said..." He drummed his fingers on his desk. "We've been looking at creatures. This creature could indeed be a spell." But at least it seemed they didn’t think people were changing. Roger wasnt ready to be a boring old sod yet.

"It might be reversible but, I dunno, it could still be some other self." It would make sense, at least somewhat. Why Effie saw some sort of creature neither she nor Bridget could place. Why there wasn't a wholly clear sort of logic to it all. "So a creature that's the side-effect or intended-effect of a spell, you mean?" She bit her lip. She could message Cece about it, should such a thing be needed. She knew a witch now, a real and proper one! But now wasn't the time to offer that up. "I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but some of the visions, or memories, or what-have-yous folks have been experiencing seem, shall we say, less than ideal. As I said, not something they'd dream up for themselves, at least not in full."

"That we haven't thought about..." It could be the side-effect of a spell certainly. Magic tended to leave a trace and what if that's what this was? "If this is a spell, then the being, whatever it is, could potentially be the lesser of two evils, as it were. If this is from a spell, someone must have done the spell to create it, and if that's the case, is it even possible to undo what has been done if the spell is in Ashford?" He tugged on his hair a little more. "Maybe we need to look at spells more, not creatures. Spells that can create something out of nothing maybe? Do we know if the memories can be stopped too? If they can, then that might help us figure out this being."

Roger nodded at Bridget's assertion, closing the book in front of him and reaching for a nearby theory of magic book. These got agonisingly technical, with spinning diagrams - bubble diagrams? - that he'd once seen in the physics books that he'd stumbled across in Cincinatti. "I have no doubt that the memories are memories, just concerned that it may not be the only thing spilling over." He looked at Brett and nodded there too. "The spell is leaking over, and it's still possible that these are the consequences we were warned of last summer. It may well be reversible. But this creature is new, so something has changed." He started flicking through the new text, gesturing at where the other two could find others. "I haven't heard of anyone who specialises in mental magic successfully undoing the memories, but I wouldn't discredit the possibility."

Bridget gave a nod. "It's a fair concern, I agree." She bit her lip. "I -- so if there's alternate places and possible alternate selves, like Brett said, does that make Ashford on another plane of existence or...?" She trailed off, shaking her head, before giving an involuntary cough at mental magic. Flashbacks to that gosh darn pageant that wouldn't let go. She had half a mind to pull the 'Don't you know Bruce? Can't he do something?' card, but now wasn't the time for bringing up times when she'd felt unsafe or uncomfortable, not if they wanted to solve this. "The memories seemed to only start with the arrival of this being, so maybe if we get rid of it, they'll go away? I'm not sure if they're permanent or not."

"So far, we don't know of anyone changing personalities but that could in theory be the next stage of whatever is happening now. As silly as it may seem, it might be wise to see if we can find it, at least so we can get a clearer picture of what we are dealing with." Not the brightest idea when it came to supernatural beings, but if they knew exactly what it looked like, it might be easier to identify. "Ashford could be an alternative dimension. A divergence of a path the town once took." He reached for one of the books, flicking through. "So the spell may have been newly performed then so it could be someone who's in Ashkent right now. That at least might help us find the source and yes, maybe if the being left, it would help stop the memories developing at the very least."

Neither of them could see it, but ​Dodge​ was cackling on the inside, listening to them speculating about his own very existence. He kept the face of studious curiosity. "Mirror dimensions. We have evidence of dimensions that are completely unlike our on, but the theory of universes that are this similar has never been supported by such compelling evidence as now." It was the one thing outside of himself that Roger had researched so studiously, looking for loophole after loophole. "I suggest that we focus our intentions on the being for now, though, it being the immediate threat."

Bridget couldn't help but grin. Well, at least they both seemed to support some of her ideas. Which wasn't totally abnormal, she was able to get some to listen to her when she didn't talk about her particular area of expertise, but it was still nice. "Yup. Plus, what with other towns that follow the pattern of our own existing, having a semi-replica of our own town existing in some parallel or pseudo-parallel world doesn't seem to far off." She dropped the book she'd been paging through on Roger's desk. "Perhaps in researching the being we'll find out more about Ashford and perhaps why it has started to bleed into Ashkent."

"Certainly." ​Brett​ agreed with Roger on that. They had to focus on the memory changer first and then they could focus on Ashkent and Ashford. It could be that they end up with them ending up in Ashford before they got a chance to figure this all out so the sooner, the better. "Does it seem to be going after certain people or is at complete random? Is there any pattern? If there's a pattern, that could help too."

Bridget truly was one for attention. Perhaps not the fierce red head Marley had known, but she seemed thrilled just by their agreements. He was almost worried for her in getting close to Marley, she was far too easy to manipulate. "Exactly, that would be my hope." Every day it felt like the possibility of getting back was growing slimmer, but he could hardly dwell on that now. "It seems to be completely random so far. Hopefully we'll find-" He paused, as the page he turned on seemed obvious. "What about this? It should have hit me sooner." He turned the book to them. Thaumogenesis.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" ​Bridget​ chirped. "But yeah-huh, it's my hope too." She pursed her lips as Roger continued to talk, rising up on her tippie-toes as he turned the book over to them. "Oh!" She practically yelped, before sucking in a breath of air. "A being created as a by-product of a spell. Side-effect, right?" She glanced at the page Roger had opened to, skimming over the words as quickly as she could. "You think this is our thing?"

Brett stared down at the book that Roger showed to them, reading over the information. Oh, if it was going to be anything, that seemed to be it. "I think that could very likely be what we're looking for. Now, we just need to figure out a way of getting it to stop affecting people, or, reverse the spell..." He reached for his notebook, writing down the details. "That definitely seems like it could be it..."

Roger smirked, proud of himself. He could bullshit the research after all. "Black, white eyed, and it would make sense that a spell of this magnitude would result in something like this, and it certainly explains the effects." ​Blood exploded from the man's entire body, coating him and Cecelia in blood from head to toe. Sanguinode, he knew it.​ Roger clenched his teeth, but otherwise gave no recognition to that vividly gruesome memory. He spun the book back towards him, curiously. "We'll need to look elsewhere for that, there are no details of how to stop it in here." Just one sentence caught his eye. Destroying it may undo the spell. Dodge couldn't help the quirk of his lips at that. He might go home.

"Yes, that does indeed explain the effects." ​Bridget​ gave a nod. She watched Roger carefully, as he briefly clenched his teeth. But it was probably nothing, or nothing more than general worry about fixing the town. "Okay. I'm down for trying to figure that out, if you'd like. We'll work this out in no time, I'm sure!"

Brett watched him a little curiously. Things were odd about Roger recently, especially the fact he had actively contacted him and was taking on board his advice. He hadn't been mean to him once or forceful. It was strange. But, he'd worry about that later. He nodded in agreement with Bridget, picking up his folder. "We'll figure this all out."

[elizabethcariasa]

Taxpayer Advocate not taking coronavirus payment cases

Millions of folks — around 152 million of us, by the Internal Revenue Service's latest count — have received COVID-19 economic impact payments, or EIPs as they are called in the acronym crazy federal government (and tax) world.

The payments of up to $1,200 per individual and $500 for each eligible child were created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The IRS began sending out EIPs in April.

But now, two months after the CARES Act became law on March 27, some EIP-eligible recipients are still waiting for direct deposit or a paper check or a debit card with their pandemic payment.

Others got checks, but are wondering why the amount wasn't what they expected. The IRS has some explanations, since the follow-up letter signed by Donald J. Trump doesn't go into details on how the amount was calculated.

And some of those anxiously checking their snail mail boxes or bank accounts or trying to figure out why they didn't get the max are getting more frantic.

They need that money. All of it. Now. Actually, they needed it weeks ago. Bills are overdue. Eviction notices have been stuck on doors.

Unfortunately for these folks, a program that seems like it was designed to deal with just this type of IRS-related economic hardship says it can't help.

Taxpayer Advocate Service employees have been told not to accept any cases that are solely about EIP problems.

Usual TAS assistance rules: The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) was created in 1996 to serve as an independent unit of the IRS to, in large part, help taxpayers with problems they've been unable to resolve through the agency's normal channels.

This doesn't mean the TAS takes on every problem. Note the normal channels specification.

But when that normal route runs into a roadblock, especially when the matter produces or contributes to a taxpayer's financial hardship, TAS usually steps in to lend a hand. In fact, economic burden is at the top of the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) section spelling out the criteria under which the TAS can take a case.

Economic burden cases, according to the IRM, are those involving a financial difficulty to the taxpayer; that is, an IRS action or inaction has caused or will cause negative financial consequences or have a long-term adverse impact on the taxpayer.

Sounds like what many who've not received or got minimal EIPs are now experiencing, right?

Wrong, according to a recent directive to TAS staff.

EIP not in TAS bailiwick: Bridget Roberts, Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate, alerted TAS employees in a May 14 memo that its case acceptance criteria has been revised. It now excludes situations that only involve coronavirus stimulus amounts.

The memo notes that another section of the IRM specifies that manual adjustments to a COVID-19 EIP are not currently allowed.

Plus, Roberts told TAS staff, the IRS has not set up processes to correct most EIP issues. Instead, the IRS currently is directing taxpayers to use its new online tools to update their information or, in the case of nonfilers, submit a simplified tax return to get an EIP.

Finally, where taxpayers did/do not get the full EIP amount, they will have an opportunity to claim the balance (based on where their 2020 adjusted gross income falls in the EIP eligibility range) when they file their tax return next year.

These options mean that taxpayers still have ways within the IRS system to deal with EIP problems. TAS therefore will following its mandate to get involved only after regular tax system channels prove ineffective.

"TAS assistance will not expedite or improve current EIP processing," notes Roberts. "Therefore, TAS will not accept cases related solely to EIP issues."

An exception and continued monitoring: TAS says it will, however, continue to monitor IRS developments in EIP processing. If the situation changes, the memo says TAS will re-evaluate its current decision to stay out of taxpayers' COVID-19 payment problems.

And TAS says there is one EIP exception.

Taxpayer Advocates still can help taxpayers where an EIP has been delayed because of problems stemming from return filed in 2018 or 2019. It is one of those two tax years that the IRS uses to determine the amount of EIP to issue now.

"These issues typically stop both the taxpayer's original refund and the EIP," wrote Roberts, and may include identity theft, duplicate returns and certain return verification issues.

"TAS will continue to work these cases normally," wrote Roberts. "If TAS is successful at resolving the problem with the return, it may result in the systemic release of the EIP."

So if you're having EIP problems, right now you've got to try the IRS online options — or the National Taxpayer Advocate's own EIP eligibility tool — and, as hard as it is under such circumstances, be patient.

  Coronavirus Caveat & More Information In 2020, we're all dealing with extraordinary circumstances, both in our daily lives and when it comes to our taxes. The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce its transmission and protect ourselves and our families means that, for the most part, we're focusing on just getting through these trying days. But life as we knew it before the coronavirus will return, along with our mundane tax matters. Here's hoping that happens soon! In the meantime, you can find more on the virus and its effects on our taxes by clicking Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes.

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[characteresque]

Orientation

Bridget looked at the other tense faces around her during orientation, wondering what she had gotten herself in to. There were six of them, most from this region, all about to enter the last semester of University – herself and the only other female of the course were busy taking notes. The four square-jawed men sat ramrod straight, working at their teeth as they flexed their neck muscles involuntarily. As a cold sweat began to bead on her forehead, Bridget pushed her heavy glasses up to their proper place before they inched back down almost immediately. Underlined thrice on her notepad in carefully looped handwriting just at the top of the paper: Day 1 Above.

“The people up there should be considered dangerous unless they’ve gone through the rigors of the personality test – only trust the Abovegrounders inside of the Industry. Even then, handle them with care.”

A seasoned panel member walked the length of the swept clay floor in front of the small group of students, pacing as if to set the tone. Everyone knew him: a senior panelist by the name of Gregory Davis. He had been there when the Industries had first been built over thirty years ago, and whatever had happened up there – good or bad – he had witnessed. To Bridget, he was the last obstacle in the way between herself and a world she were both desperately wanting for and terrified of. His scarred cheeks bore the terrifying results of a raid long ago, and his appearance was a bit upsetting…but this man was doing good work. Work Bridget wanted to do someday.

“Do not think that your schooling will save you in a moment of action. Industry panel members have been mugged, beaten, raped – even killed out there. What you want to do is important, but dangerous. I want you all to spend your first week Above indoors at all times and partnered with the senior officers we have chosen for you. You are to remain silent until your partner feels it’s appropriate for you to speak. For the two months of screening Above, you will have no contact with friends and family: your partner is your friend. Your partner is your family. You will treat him as such.”

Bridget’s stomach fell as she thought about how angry her father would be at her after the trial, if she passed. He exploded with rage the night she came home from high school, announcing that she wanted to be a panel member. It would mean that her seat in her father’s cabinet would be empty, that all of his protection all those years from the horrors of the outside were null, and more importantly: despite his best wishes, he did in fact raise a bleeding heart humanitarian.

“And, before I open this door and send you bunch out into the world out there, we’re going to review last week’s work. The panel you’re going to be a part of after the end of these two months screens six thousand Abovegrounders a year. Only one hundred or less of them will make it into the Industry. Do you know what that means? Five thousand, nine hundred of the people you hold in your hands will be too violent, too desperate, too damaged, and too backwards to accept. Keep that in mind while you’re up there – “ Bridget stiffened in her chair as she felt his gaze land squarely on her “- we are not coming up here to ‘save the savages’. We are here to build a better future. In the long run, the filth will wipe itself out and only the top of the line will survive: all of us from the caverns, and those who should be skimmed from the top of the mess that’s going on outside. At the end of the trial period – in thirteen years for those of you who skipped class – the Industries will be re-evaluated to examine if it’s even worth our time this century. The work that you do, the people that you accept, guys, are going to be the people we examine. If we let in murderers, rapists, fiends – then it’ll surely spell death to everyone in the Industry that will need to be exterminated plus the millions that this project could save in the future. Do you understand?”

Bridget, along with the other five junior panel members, nodded sternly.

“Okay, this is it. It’s around two AM Above to save your retinas, but moonlight is much brighter than you may be accustomed to.” Gregory grunted as he pushed the metal lever to a large stone door that groaned to the right, letting in a ray of blue light brighter than anything Bridget had ever seen. She pulled air in through her teeth as she squinted, the other students behind her flexing their knuckles into a fist against the shock.

Gregory laughed boldly, not the good-natured quiet chuckle that a mild-mannered man down here might have. He squinted as he surveyed the newbies who were just then opening their eyes against the glow, and sucked his teeth in disapproval. Clearly they had all just failed an unexpected pop quiz.

“You know…” Gregory had to speak up as the class began to stand up, shuffling for the door of the cavern out into the unknown. “I have a bad feeling about you bunch.”

Bridget