#these are an in universe mystery box item

[enthusiastic-nimrod]

Pink Taffy' bedroom!!! I loved drawing this- bedrooms are so much fun because you can put so much character into them!

One of the things I knew I wanted was for her to have a platform in her room, and I thought the fence would be a fun add on. I think my favorite prop in her room is the cotton candy lamp! I just think it's cute.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Mystical Items & Objects

Examples in Mythology and Literature

Pandora's Box

The god Prometheus stole fire from heaven to give to the human race, which originally consisted only of men

To punish humanity, the other gods created the first woman, the beautiful Pandora

As a gift, Zeus gave her a box, which she was told never to open

However, as soon as he was out of sight she took off the lid, and out swarmed all the troubles of the world, never to be recaptured

Only Hope was left in the box, stuck under the lid

Anything that looks ordinary but may produce unpredictable harmful results can thus be called a Pandora's box

Hermes' Winged Sandals

Also called the Talaria of Mercury

Are winged sandals, a symbol of the Greek messenger god Hermes (Mercury)

They were said to be made by the god Hephaestus of imperishable gold and they flew the god as swift as any bird

Cintamani Stone

Also referred to as the Chintamani

A wish-fulfilling stone that features across both Hindu and Buddhist religions

The stone features as one of many Mani Jewel (i.e., several gems that are mentioned prominently in Buddhist literature) images that can be found in the scripture of Buddhism

In Hinduism, the stone is connected to the gods Ganesha and Vishnu

Usually, it is depicted as a jewel in Vishnu’s possession known as the Kaustubha

The Kaustubha acts as a sign of divine authority

Arcane Artifacts & Objects

Offer a gateway between time past and time present, bringing layers of ancient history and new-world intrigue to a narrative

Such items are typically represented in fiction as works of long-lost knowledge, primordial features or landmarks, and curious objects of mysterious origin

Often lying dormant until the pivotal moment of discovery, these items invite characters and readers alike into a dance with the unknown

Examples: Necronomicon, Genie's Bottle

Necronomicon

Also referred to as the Book of the Dead

It appears in stories by H.P. Lovecraft

A dark grimoire (i.e., a magician's manual for invoking demons and the spirits of the dead) of forbidden knowledge

Used to open gateways of unearthly powers and cosmic horrors

Genie's Bottle

The classic magical item from mythology, also featured in Aladdin

A vessel of wish fulfillment that often leads to dramatic and unexpected consequences

Doorways & Portals

Doorways in fiction serve as gateways between worlds, dimensions, or states of reality, providing characters with universe-hopping capabilities and genre-defying journeys

These portals, whether physical structures or fantastical mechanisms, open up limitless storytelling possibilities, allowing for sudden shifts in setting and introducing elements of surprise and surrealism

Examples:

C.S. Lewis' wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia serves as a secret portal to a fantasy world, bridging the mundane with the fantastical

The eponymous board game in Jumanji transports its players into a wild and perilous jungle adventure, wrenching them from the safety of their living room

Jewelry, Gems, and Garments

Along with other various accessories, these serve several narrative functions, from symbolizing power and status to bestowing unique abilities upon their wearers

These items can act as plot catalysts (i.e. MacGuffins), embody character traits, or hold deep cultural or magical significance within a story’s world

Example: The Amulet of Mara in Skyrim not only reduces the cost of Restoration spells but also unlocks marriage options for the player, integrating gameplay with the narrative

Legendary Objects of Power

Carry with them stories of grandeur and lore, passed down through generations and intertwined with the fates of those who wield them

These are the objects that make or break worlds, bestow immense strength, and are frequently considered among the most powerful items in fiction

Example: Though it's never actually been seen, the Kusanagi Sword from Japanese folklore is a fabled sword that represents valor, said to be endowed with divine powers

Machinery and Technologies

Stretch the boundaries of physics and logic to offer a glimpse into what could be possible in alternate or future universes

These innovations, whether grounded in current science or verging on the fantastical, propel narratives forward and deepen the complexity of the story’s world

Writers can leverage these technological wonders to enhance their storytelling, using them to explore themes of power, ethics, and the human relationship with technology

Example: The body shields in Dune generate a protective forcefield around the wearer—advanced technology that current militaries can only dream of

Mundane Everyday Items

Possess extraordinary storytelling potential to transform the unassuming into the unforgettable

Seemingly ordinary, these objects can surprise both characters and readers, unveiling hidden depths and abilities when least expected

These seemingly mundane objects could fall into unsuspecting hands and create chaos or catalyze a hero’s journey

Additionally, they might only reveal their true nature to those worthy or capable of wielding their power, which can set the stage for narratives that are centered around discovery and mastery

Example: Oscar Wilde’s Portrait of Dorian Grey presents art as a vessel for dark magic, encapsulating the protagonist’s sins while he remains untouched by time

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ Writing Notes & References

[babygirlbdubs]

Hello Technoblade voters!

So, your guy lost to the GoodTimes. Maybe you don’t know who to vote for now. I mean, if Technoblade isn’t immune to the good times… who is?

I propose to you: Ethoslab.

Now, if you don’t know who Etho is, lemme give you a rundown.

he’s one of THE og minecraft letsplayers. your favorite minecraft youtuber? yeah, etho is probably one of the reasons they got into mcyt. etho is your favorite mcyt’s favorite mcyt

he’s faceless, and has been for his entire 12+ year youtube career

he has only changed his skin once or twice in those 12 years, and the most recent one was to remove the extra face on his torso because he didn’t know how previously

that skin is literally just kakashi naruto

etho is a god at redstone. he basically invented half the redstone that’s used today. hopper clock? that’s etho’s. i mean… he’s invented a storage system that lets you search for a specific item. it’s called the googler because it’s basically a search engine.

he is an absolute NERD (/aff) and insanely smart

he is genuinely kind to his friends, and has a very sweet yet mischievous demeanor. though, even his friends will call him mysterious

he’s canadian so like… arctic/antarctic solidarity… right?

he has spent many many MANY years perfecting a PVP arena game called Battle Bane. look it up. it’s insane.

actually, all the minigames he’s made are pretty insane. and most of them involve death. i mean. he had one called Hurtin’ Hermits where the whole goal was to kill the other hermits as much as possible and enact chaos

I could go on and on about Etho and what he’s like. HOWEVER. I think it’s more interesting to tell you how he’s portrayed by the fandom.

etho tends to be portrayed as a quiet, broody, mysterious guy despite actually being a bit of a goofball

he’s drawn not as kakashi naruto, but more often, a hot twink that can range from sad puppy to sexy dude covered in blood in the span of a single post

some people headcanon him to be as old as the universe, and tied to the void

he has multiple popular animal traits, from catboy to bunny to most commonly arctic fox

there’s etho titty tuesday. there’s. i mean. there’s etho titty tuesday.

i mean really, just… go into the ethoslab tag and you can see all the ways he’s portrayed.

And if that’s not convincing enough, here are some things he’s done in canon to hopefully sway you.

in season 7 of hermitcraft, he had a shop called Shade-E-E’s, where people could sign other people up to basically get harassed (/lh) by Etho’s shenanigans. “Free Glass” meant panes of light grey glass hidden in all your chests so you couldn’t put things into the chest. “Gardening” meant beehives hidden throughout your base so you would hear buzzing at random. “Pest Relocation” meant spawning endermites in your home.

also in season 7, he had the shop Sneak-E-E’s, which was a secret popup shop where he undercut prices or sold rare item overstock. you could only buy while it existed, and only when you could find it. the first time it was built was up in the sky, all out of shulker boxes so it wouldn’t render in until you got close. the second time was in the unused floor of Mayor GoodTimesWithScar’s shop. scar had no idea for. a while.

in last life, he scammed scar out of a life to give to bdubs, and then promptly killed scar and stole the enchanter. oh yeah, he did it with a fishing rod, too.

in season 9, he moved into bdubs’ basement without telling bdubs

in season 9, he also started late. so, in order to catch up, he exiled himself to a place untouched by the other hermits and wouldn’t let himself come back until he was able to defeat a full raid on his own. it didn’t take him long.

in double life, he and joel were paired, and were the most chaotic duo on the server. they hunted people for sport (notably, grian and scar) and burned things down for fun. “the ship burns everything burns” chanted as they set the entire map on fire

in last life, he went around trying to intimidate people into giving him gifts and he would spare their life. pretty much everyone was instantly afraid of him.

actually, most of the hermits are pretty intimidated by etho. including goodtimeswithscar.

also, most of the hermits are ethogirls.

etho and scar end up on opposing sides in pretty much everything, especially the life series (which is a funky lil hardcore battle royale). they are traditionally enemies. they pick fights with each other for fun.

If you want vengeance for Technoblade— blood for the blood god— vote Ethoslab.

Sincerely, Ethogirls

[wrightingdungeon]

SDV Bachelorettes' reactions to birthday gifts

Some love for the ladies as well

Abigail: Whenever you came home from Robin's you always stopped to look at the monster's grave sight, your mind falling back to that day Abigail had saved YOU. She had grown a lot as a person, You had caught up with her many times in the mines and enjoyed her coming with you, watching your back. That's what helped you plan what to get her for her birthday, Clint just needed her measurements. Getting Emily to help was quite easy you just had to dip into the “Wife Snacks” and hand over a few amethysts and rubies. Waking up with Abigail you both had a wonderful breakfast and sat for a bit looking at the TV to see the Luck of the day, it was just your luck that it was a lucky day. “Look! My birthday is lucky!” Abigail laughed pointing at the TV. “It's a great time to head to the mines if you'd like to join me. Maybe pick up a few treats for you?” You joked going to poke her, but Abigail was already getting up to head out. “Heck yeah, going with you is fun!” She had become so outgoing after getting out from under her father's thumb, and you liked the confidence she was starting to show. “Hold on, you gotta open your gift first.” Going to the bedroom and pulling out a large wrapped item. “I get a gift already?” She asked from the living room, you chuckled bringing the wrapped item back to her. Watching her unwrap the gift made you bite your lip hoping you had made the right choice in not going with the sword. “Its…A Breastplate?” She held up the armor looking over the details, looking at the purple crystals embedded into it, the large A embossed in the middle of the chest. “I know you go alone sometimes…I may not be able to save you from the bats again.” You teased as you leaned over kissing her cheek. “Hey that's not fair, I saved you from getting attacked.” She was smiling when she said it kissing you back. “I love it… It's like you will always be protecting me when I wear it.” Heading out Abigail's head was held high, her new breastplate shimmering in the sun, she insisted you walked past her father's shop while heading to the mines.

Emily: Emily was so creative, you loved that about her, she made your wedding clothes, and she helped the town figure out their styles. You thought of a few ideas maybe a body form that she could move the measurements, or maybe see if Sandy could find her some rare fabric… no Sandy would make rare fabric her gift. Looking at sewing machines you got a thought, did they make sewing machine and serger combos? You knew she had been complaining about how the cut was too close to the seams on her last project and that a serger would have made it easier, but you also knew her sewing machine had been starting to catch more and more. Leaving a key to your home and a card with Haley, you took Emily out to the desert to spend time with Sandy, you were right and Sandy did get Emily a bunch of fancy rare fabrics. Returning home that evening there was a pretty wrapped box on the kitchen table, Haley had placed the card up next to it. “OOOOH!” Emily squealed and ran to the box ripping it open. Looking at the shiny new sewing machine - serger combo, she screamed and jumped up and down “It's PERFECT!!!” A blur of blue and red runs into you, knocking you over. “I guess you like like your gift?” You chuckled propping up on an elbow being battered by kisses. “Yes, It's perfect!!! I love it! I love you!”  Once Emily got off you she was reading the card out loud. “In the garden of love, where roses bloom bright, There dances a maiden, a radiant light. Emily, fair Emily, with grace in her stride, In her eyes, the universe, so vast and wide. Her laughter, a melody, sweeter than a song, In her presence, all worries, they seem to be gone. Like a parrot, she chirps, with wit so keen, In her company, every moment's a dream. With each flutter of lashes, a tale untold, In her heart, mysteries, a treasure to behold. Oh, Emily, fairest among the rest, In your essence, love finds its nest. So let me be your parrot, by your side I'll perch, In your love, my heart, will forever search. For in you, Emily, my dreams take flight, Together, we'll soar, in love's endless light.” Her face was red as she looked up at you. “You wrote this?” Scratching behind your head you chucked softly. “Yes and no…Elliot did most of it….I wrote it down?” Your face is red at her laughter. “Still I love it, thank you, Farmer.”

Haley: Haley was always so cute when she helped care for the animals, baby talking the cows and baby dinos, talking gossip with the sheep when she helped sheer them, Your home filled with pictures of the animals. You had been thinking about what to get her for her birthday, looking around to see if you could find cow and pig-sized costumes, having to ask Emily if she could help make a costume for your dinosaur. The hardest thing was hiding the camera you had bought, Haley had a birthday outfit she bought coming in around the same time as her gift, luckily you could sneak out of bed before she woke up. Just your luck you caught it because in the mailbox were both packages, taking the camera in you hid it, waiting for the right time to take it out. Later when Haley headed out for a walk, you pulled out the camera and the animal's costumes, preparing yourself to fight a cow into a tutu.  Haley came back home looking at the scene in front of your home, you were covered in a few bruises, but you had successfully set up the new camera on the tripod and got a few of her ‘Babies’ in cute little costumes. “Baby~ What is this!” She giggled walking over softly and kissing the bruise on your cheek. “I thought you would want to do a birthday photo shoot.” You said with a chuckle knowing it was a silly idea. “Wait that's not my camera…” She said slowly connecting the dots. “Wait you got me a camera!” She hugged you tightly, giving a soft sorry when you let out a pained groan, before running over to look at its settings. “Baby this has a changeable lens!!!” She was a camera wizard, she already had most of the settings figured out in a few minutes and ran inside to get dressed. Yoba, she was pretty coming out in a cute ruffly pink dress, and one of your cowboy hats. The photos came out perfect, Haley spent all night gushing about how cute they were and how she couldn't wait to get them developed what kind of scrap she would want to put them in, how she'd be showing her sister in the morning. “I can't wait to use this camera more, thank you, heart.”

Leah: You swore you'd never paint again after trying to paint Marnie, Leah only laughed at you saying. “It's not that bad baby.” Refusing to let you take it off the wall. “It's your first try, it's never good, I want to keep it because you tried your hardest.” The painting of Marnie mocked you with its sideways glance and coy smile, no, you would not let the cursed painting stop you. Under the guise of trying different paint for the shed to explain the paint stains that covered you, it wasn't making art, it was war, and the paint was out for you. After about two months Leah was getting suspicious that the shed was not painted and she knew you liked the ‘aesthetic’ of your farm, but you never took longer than a week or two to pick what you wanted. Walking over to the work shed where you had been hiding out she heard maniacal laughter coming threw the door, peaking in she saw you with your hands up in the air laughing, surrounded by different paints. “I did it! I’m Done!” Walking in she cleared her throat. “Honey, are you ok? Do I need to get Harvey?” She joked walking closer. “Wait! Leah! Hey baby, what's up!” You whipped around trying to cover her eyesight from behind you. “What have you been doing, I know it's not painting the shed.” Her hand finds her hip looking at you with a cocked brow. “You have to wait!... it's a gift…for your birthday.” You said sheepishly, but still standing strong so she wouldn't see. “My birthday is a good two weeks away baby?” You nodded and chuckled. “I know but you know I'm horrible at paint-” You slapped a hand over your mouth not wanting to give it up. “You painted?” She couldn't help but try to peek around you to see what you had painted. “No! Nope! Out, out, out!” You had rushed her out making her promise to wait. On her birthday she got to see it, not a masterpiece, but it was her and it was beautiful. “Oh Farmer, I love it.” She said kissing you softly before hanging her portrait next to Marnie’s. 

Maru: Maru was hard to get anything for, if she needed it or wanted it, she’d make it or get it herself. You spent hours looking to see if anything was happening with the night sky the day of her birthday, nothing. Maybe seeing if there was a convention coming to Zuzu city, one for pickle enthusiasts, that would land you in the dog house. Just looking around at the city map trying to find out what she would like, wanting to get her out of town. “Huh…” It was the oddest idea, but you thought you had found the perfect place to take her. Maru was so confused when you said she’d need to bring along her tools and dress very casually, she brought them with thinking maybe you had an errand that you needed to run before you went out, who would bring tools to a date? Walking with you Maru looked around confused as to why you where in an industrial area. “Farmer, what are we doing?” She asked looking at you while gesturing around. “I know it's not conventional, but I wanted to do something you would like, so….I’m taking you to a scrap yard.” A scrap yard…full of unwanted but still useable parts, and you said they have a ‘as long as you can carry it, you can have it, for five dollars a person’ policy she was pushing you to hurry up and show her this holy land. You both spent hours there, looking at cars, Maru confusing you when she pulled out something and got excited about it. “It’s a Bell Housing! It keeps Oil and stuff from getting on the clutch assembly! I have been needing one of these to help keep my next build clean!” Oh, Maru was so happy it was like she won the jackpot, while you held all her winnings. “Baby these brake calipers are perfect!!!” you had no idea what a brake caliper was but happily listened as she went on about how it helped the breaks and how she could use it. On the bus ride home, she was leaning on your shoulder yawning quietly. “Have too much fun sweet heart?” You asked looking at her. “This was one of the best birthdays I have had.”

Penny: You really wanted to give Penny a great birthday, she worked hard with the kids, and she had surprised you with the night at the spa. You were thinking on the beach when it hit you, why not use what you had. Penny was giggling as you led her around with a blindfold on her. “Come on! Let me know!” She giggled playfully reaching up. “Just a bit longer come on!” You couldn't help just loving her more, she just brought a light to the whole town. Having Penny stop and making sure she was good you stood back. “Ok baby, you can take it off.” Penny took off the blindfold blinking a bit kind of blinded by the sunset, but before her was a beautiful sight. You had spread rose petals and poppies around the beach at your farm, a table with a beautiful spread of her favorite foods and drinks, with a lit candle. Penny held her face with her hands trying to hide the red that exploded across her face. “Farmer… You shouldn't have…” You smiled pulling her in for a kiss, brushing her bangs slightly fixing them from the blindfold. “I should have, You deserve more honestly.” Carefully pulling her towards the table, helping her sit, and pushing her in. “A kind and beautiful soul has to be treated correctly.” You teased kissing her cheek. Penny was a blushing mess, barely able to hold your gaze, but as the night went on the the moon rising, the candle slowly burning out, she grew more comfortable. “Is it silly to say I honestly don't want this to end?” She asked sheepishly. “Why? We are together, I love you, it won't end.” That got her blushing again, a sight you loved to see. “You are a flirt!!” She playfully threw her napkin at you. “I love you too though.”

[godsfavdarling]

01 new beginnings

list of chapters, also available on wattpad and Ao3, my masterlist pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!oc summary: After nearly two decades with the FBI, Dr. Spencer Reid makes a career shift to teaching at Georgetown University. There, he shares an office with Dr. Brittany Reed, a sociologist. warnings: none for this chapter words: 3,9k

Spencer stood amidst the scattered boxes in the office, meticulously arranging his belongings on his new desk. The scent of fresh paint mingled with the faint aroma of coffee, signaling the start of a new chapter in his life. His gaze wandered to the other desk in the room, its pristine surface a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding him.

The desk was neatly organized, adorned with a half-finished iced latte, stacks of glossy women's magazines, and an array of black pens. A closed laptop sat at the center, flanked by notebooks and a sleek black purse resting nearby. Spencer couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity as he surveyed the items, each one offering a glimpse into the personality of his mysterious officemate.

Lost in thought, Spencer was startled by the sound of the door opening. He turned to see a woman entering the room, her presence commanding attention. She was tall and elegant, with long black hair cascading over her shoulders and piercing gray eyes framed by black-rimmed glasses. Dressed in a chic black blouse and wide-legged suit pants, she exuded confidence and poise.

The soft lighting of the office accentuated the delicate features of her face—the slight curve of her lips, the subtle arch of her eyebrows, and the gentle contours of her cheeks. Her long black hair framed her face like a cascading waterfall, adding to her allure.

"Dr. Brittany Reed, I presume?" Spencer said, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

The woman flashed him a warm smile as she approached. "That's me. And you must be Dr. Spencer Reid," she replied, extending her hand.

Spencer shook her hand, feeling a surge of awkwardness at the physical contact. "Yes, that's correct. It's nice to meet you, Dr. Reed."

Brittany chuckled, her laughter filling the room. "Call me Brittany. And isn't it funny how our last names sound so similar? Reed and Reid!"

Spencer couldn't help but smile at the coincidence, though his mind was still racing with thoughts and observations. He watched as Brittany settled into her desk, effortlessly navigating the space with a grace he could only admire from afar.

"I hope you don't mind my mess," Brittany said. "They're doing some renovations in the department, so we'll have to make do with sharing for now."

"No problem at all," Spencer replied as he sat down, trying to sound more relaxed than he felt. He couldn't help but observe Brittany. She had an easy going demeanor, and her laughter filled the room as they kept talking.

"So, Spencer, what made you decide to leave the FBI and join us here at Georgetown?"

Spencer shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his mind racing to find the right words. "Well, it's... it's a long story. I suppose I just needed a change of pace, a new challenge."

Brittany nodded understandingly, her gaze curious but non-intrusive. "I can imagine. It must be quite a transition."

"Yeah, it definitely is," Spencer admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm still trying to find my footing, to be honest."

She chuckled and said, "Well, at least you won't have to worry about any serial killers lurking in the halls. Just your typical college students—though some of them could probably use a session or two with a therapist!"

"Actually, statistically speaking, there's quite a bit to consider regarding the prevalence of certain behaviors among college-aged individuals," Spencer began, his tone becoming more animated as he delved into his area of expertise. "For instance, did you know that approximately 10% of college students admit to engaging in some form of criminal activity?"

Brittany's eyebrows raised in interest, encouraging Spencer to continue.

"And when we look at specific types of crimes, the numbers are even more alarming," Spencer continued, his words picking up speed as he delved into his analysis. "According to recent studies, nearly 20% of college students report having committed acts of vandalism, while over 30% admit to underage drinking, and approximately 20% acknowledge using illicit substances."

He paused, taking a moment to gauge Brittany's reaction. To his surprise, she was listening intently, her eyes fixed on him with genuine curiosity.

"But it's not just about the crimes themselves," Spencer continued, his voice gaining momentum. "We also have to consider the underlying factors that contribute to this behavior. Academic stress, peer pressure, and socioeconomic disparities all play a significant role in shaping the choices students make."

As Spencer delved deeper into his analysis, he couldn't help but notice Brittany's attentive demeanor. She didn't interrupt him or try to redirect the conversation—instead, she seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say.

"And when you factor in the influence of social media and online communities," Spencer added, his mind racing with data and statistics, "the potential for criminal behavior among college students becomes even more complex. It's a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and societal trends... But you probably know about that because you are an expert in how technology influences society..."

He stared at her in awe, struck by her patience and genuine interest in his ramblings.

"Sorry, I started rambling," Spencer said, his voice filled awkwradness.

Brittany smiled warmly, her gray eyes meeting his with understanding. "No need to apologize, Spencer. I found what you had to say incredibly insightful!"

"Thank you," Spencer said, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude as he turned his gaze away from her. Despite his efforts to maintain composure, he couldn't shake the sheepish feeling that crept over him.

"Have there been any studies on the prevalence of criminal behavior among professors?" she asked him, as she walked over to his desk and sat on the edge, her thigh now partially resting on the wood.

Spencer couldn't help but notice the change in perspective, her presence suddenly more pronounced. From this angle, she looked even more captivating, and Spencer found himself momentarily distracted by her proximity.

"Um, well, criminal tendencies among professors are... um..." Spencer's words trailed off as he struggled to maintain his train of thought, his gaze inadvertently drawn to Brittany's intent expression. He could feel her eyes on him, watching him closely as he stumbled over his words.

"Sorry, I, uh..." Spencer felt a flush of embarrassment color his cheeks. He cleared his throat and continued.

"To answer your question, there have been studies that suggest... um, criminal tendencies within academia have been the subject of numerous studies over the years. While it's true that the vast majority of professors uphold the highest ethical standards, there have been instances where individuals within the academic community have been implicated in criminal activities."

He paused briefly, glancing at Brittany before continuing, captivated by her attentive gaze.

"But it's mostly cases of academic fraud, research misconduct, and even instances of embezzlement within universities," Spencer explained, his words flowing effortlessly as he delved into the nuances of the topic. "The pressures of academia, combined with the temptation of personal gain, can sometimes lead individuals down a dangerous path."

As he spoke, Spencer couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Brittany's genuine interest in the subject. Her unwavering attention fueled his confidence, allowing him to articulate his thoughts with clarity and precision.

"And while these cases are relatively rare, they serve as a reminder that no profession is immune to the influence of criminal behavior," he reiterated, his voice filled with conviction. "It's a complex issue that warrants further examination, both from a societal and institutional perspective."

He paused, his eyes lingering on Brittany for a moment longer before a playful glint sparked in them. "But not many serial killers," he added with a hint of amusement, a small smile playing on his lips.

Brittany chuckled softly, her own smile mirroring Spencer's. "Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that here," she replied, her tone light and teasing.

She gracefully turned and walked back to her desk. Spencer couldn't tear his gaze away, mesmerized by the effortless sway of her hips with each step she took. He found himself captivated by the fluidity of her movements, the subtle elegance that seemed to exude from every gesture.

Unconsciously, Spencer leaned back in his chair, his eyes tracing the contours of Brittany's figure as she moved across the room. He felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks, his pulse quickening at the sight before him.

Once Brittany settled back into her chair, Spencer quickly averted his gaze, focusing intently on the papers scattered across his desk. He could feel the heat still lingering in his cheeks from his earlier observation, and he silently chastised himself for allowing his thoughts to wander.

Her effortless confidence and poise were a stark contrast to Spencer's own awkwardness, and in her presence, he felt acutely aware of his own shortcomings. Her warmth and charisma seemed to draw him in, yet at the same time, they left him feeling vulnerable and exposed.

He busied himself with arranging the papers on his desk, his movements slightly fumbled as he tried to regain his composure.

Despite his best efforts to mask his unease, he couldn't shake the feeling of being out of his depth. It was as if her mere presence had a way of unraveling the carefully constructed walls he had built around himself.

But even as he struggled to find his footing, Spencer couldn't deny the strange allure of Brittany's presence. There was something captivating about her confidence and poise, something that drew him in despite his own insecurities.

As Spencer busied himself with organizing his desk, he felt the weight of Brittany's gaze upon him. Every so often, he would steal a glance in her direction, only to find her looking back at him with a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

It was as if she could see right through him, could sense the flutter of nerves in his chest and the slight flush that colored his cheeks whenever she glanced his way. Despite his attempts to appear composed, Brittany's perceptive gaze seemed to unravel him with ease.

Spencer couldn't help but feel a mixture of embarrassment and intrigue at the way Brittany seemed to effortlessly read him like an open book.

After a while of engrossed work, a knock on the door interrupted their quiet concentration. Spencer and Brittany exchanged glances before Brittany rose to answer it.

Opening the door, Brittany greeted the woman with a warm smile. "Maya! Come in," she exclaimed, gesturing for the red-haired woman to enter.

Maya stepped into the office with a bright grin. "Hey, Brittany! How's your first day going?" she asked cheerfully, glancing around the room.

Brittany motioned towards Spencer. "Maya, this is Dr. Spencer Reid. He's our new colleague here at our department. And this is Dr. Maya Cooper, her office's next to ours and she's my friend!" she introduced.

Spencer offered a polite smile, feeling a bit self-conscious "Nice to meet you, Dr. Cooper," he greeted.

"Hello Dr. Reid. That's funny you guys share an office... You know... with the names..."

Maya's gaze shifted between Spencer and Brittany before she turned back to Brittany with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Hey, so I was thinking... Since it's the start of the academic year and all, how about we all go out for drinks later? A little professor integration, if you will," she suggested, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Brittany's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "That sounds like a fantastic idea! What do you say, Spencer? Would you like to join us?" she asked, her gaze lingering on him with a hopeful smile.

Spencer hesitated for a moment, feeling the familiar tug of apprehension in his chest. The idea of going out for drinks with his new colleagues made him feel slightly uneasy. But as he glanced at Brittany, her warm smile and genuine invitation softened his resolve.

"Um, sure, I... I'd be up for it," Spencer replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

The girls' faces lit up with delight at his acceptance, and Maya clapped her hands together excitedly. "Great! It's settled then. Adam and Carly are also coming! Oh, and Brittany, don't forget to ask Lawrence to come along. The more, the merrier!" she exclaimed before turning to leave.

Spencer fidgeted with a pen on his desk, his mind swirling with thoughts about the upcoming gathering.

"Do you and Lawrence know Maya well?" Spencer ventured cautiously, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

"Yeah, we've known each other for a while," Brittany replied with a smile, sensing Spencer's apprehension.

"It's nice that you include him and spend time with both him and your work colleagues," Spencer remarked, hoping to steer the conversation in a casual direction.

Brittany chuckled softly at Spencer's assumption, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Oh my god? Do you think that Lawrence is my boyfriend?" she replied, amusement evident in her voice.

Spencer's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized his mistake. "Oh, I, uh... I see, I'm sorry. I just thought..." he stammered, feeling relieved yet still unsure of himself.

Brittany's laughter filled the air, her amusement contagious. "Don't worry, Spencer. It's okay. Also Lawrence is very much unavailable... in that way, at least," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Spencer's confusion deepened at Brittany's cryptic remark, but before he could inquire further, she offered a reassuring smile. "He's gay, Spencer. Very gay! And he's my neighbor and my best friend!" she clarified with a playful wink.

Understanding dawned on Spencer, and he couldn't help but join in Brittany's laughter. "Got it," he replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Brittany asked teasingly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What? No, of course not. Why would I..." Spencer started to reply, his voice trailing off as he realized Brittany was joking.

She laughed, the sound light and playful. "I'm joking!" she exclaimed, shaking her head at Spencer's earnest response.

Brittany continued to laugh, finding the idea of Lawrence being her boyfriend utterly hilarious. Spencer couldn't help but laugh along with her, grateful for her easy going nature.

After their classes concluded, Brittany and Spencer made their way to the metro station together, sharing casual conversation along the journey. The excitment of the evening's gathering filled the air as they rode the train to the bar where their colleagues were waiting.

As they arrived at the bar, Spencer took in the ambiance of the place. It was a cozy establishment with dim lighting, exposed brick walls adorned with vintage posters, and a lively atmosphere. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the soft melody of background music.

Brittany and Spencer found their colleagues gathered around a table in the corner of the bar. Maya and Lawrence were already seated, engaged in animated conversation. Two other individuals, Adam and Carly, joined them, completing the group.

Brittany intoduced Spencer with a warm smile as they approached the table, gesturing for him to take a seat beside her. Lawrence, a tall black man dressed in a bright dress shirt and colorful pants, flashed a friendly grin as they sat down.

"Spencer, this is Lawrence," Brittany introduced, her tone light and playful. "Lawrence, meet Spencer. He thought you were my boyfriend!"

Lawrence's eyes widened in mock horror, and he feigned a dramatic gasp. "Oh no, not another one!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I might just have to throw up if I hear that again."

Spencer chuckled nervously, feeling a pang of embarrassment at Lawrence's jest. He glanced at Brittany, who was smiling mischievously, clearly enjoying the exchange.

As Brittany turned to Spencer, her voice laced with amusement, she asked, "So, what'll it be? I'm heading to the bar."

Spencer quickly rose from his seat, a determined look in his eyes as he replied, "I'll order for us."

Brittany raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by Spencer's sudden assertiveness. "Oh, really?" she quipped, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Quit the gentleman act, Spencer. I'm perfectly capable of buying drinks. You can buy me coffee some day. Now, what are you having?"

Spencer hesitated for a moment, then replied simply, "Water."

Brittany's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of incredulity in her voice as she repeated, "Water?"

"Yes," Spencer confirmed, nodding firmly.

"You'll have water?" Brittany pressed, unable to hide her amusement.

"Yes," Spencer repeated, his tone unwavering.

"Okay," Brittany said, shaking her head with a laugh. "One water for Spencer."

As she made her way to the bar, Spencer couldn't help but smile at Brittany's playful teasing.

They sat at the table, enjoying their drinks and conversation and Brittany sipped on her second beer, the lively atmosphere of the bar enveloping them.

Spencer couldn't help but notice the way Brittany's hand wrapped around the cold glass of beer, her long coffin-shaped nails painted in a subtle beige hue. The soft clinking of her gold rings against the glass created a gentle melody that resonated in the air

Suddenly, one of the bartenders approached, placing a colorful drink before Brittany and pointing to a guy at the bar, indicating that it was from him.

Brittany looked at the drink with a mixture of surprise and mild disgust, then glanced over at the guy at the bar. "Oh my god," she exclaimed, her expression incredulous.

Maya and Lawrence burst into laughter at Brittany's reaction. "Why would he even buy me a drink? I'm drinking beer. Is he blind?" Brittany wondered aloud, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well, it's not very ladylike of you. He knew better what you'd like!" Lawrence teased, a playful smirk on his lips.

"Yeah, how could you know what you should drink? He's here to tell you!" Carly added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Spencer watched the whole interaction unfold, intrigued by the dynamics of Brittany's friendship group. Brittany continued to stare at the drink, seemingly at a loss for what to do with it.

"What am I supposed to do with that?" she mused aloud, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Go to him and say thank you. He's not that bad looking," Lawrence suggested with a mischievous grin, eliciting laughter from the group.

"I'll take it!" Maya declared enthusiastically, already enjoying a similar drink of her own. Brittany pushed the glass towards her friend with a grateful smile, relieved to be rid of the unexpected gesture.

As they left the bar, Brittany lit up a cigarette, the glow casting a warm light on her face as they continued their conversation. They debated which way to go home, their voices mingling with the sounds of the city streets.

Suddenly, the guy from the bar approached Brittany, catching her attention. "Hey..." he started, but Brittany turned to him with a polite smile, saying hi.

"So, I was thinking..." he began, but Brittany swiftly interrupted him, her hand reaching out to grasp Spencer's arm as she came up with a quick solution to rid themselves of the unwanted attention.

"Sorry," she interjected, her tone firm but friendly. "I'm here with my boyfriend."

As Brittany's hand gently closed around Spencer's arm, a rush of warmth spread through him, unexpected but not unwelcome. Her touch, though brief, sent a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins, stirring something deep within him. 

And when she casually referred to him as her boyfriend, a small thrill ran down his spine, igniting a flicker of excitement in his chest. Though he didn't say anything in response, the subtle shift in his demeanor didn't go unnoticed.

The guy's expression shifted, his eyes widening in realization. "Oh, right! Sorry, man! I didn't know. Have a great night!" he exclaimed, before quickly turning and disappearing into the night.

"Okay, we have to go. Bye guys," Carly said quickly, her voice cutting through the chatter as she and Maya and Adam hurriedly hailed a taxi that had just arrived.

Lawrence also chimed in, "I gotta go the other way... I might... have a date..." With a wave, he disappeared into the bustling city streets.

Suddenly, Spencer and Brittany found themselves alone, the noise of the city enveloping them once more. Brittany turned to Spencer, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry for what I said back there... I didn't mean to imply..."

Spencer nodded understandingly, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's okay, Brittany. I understand," he reassured her, grateful for her quick thinking in diffusing the situation.

Brittany sighed, her shoulders relaxing as she visibly eased into the conversation. "You know, sometimes guys just let go easier when there's a threat of a boyfriend," she explained, a hint of frustration in her voice. "It's like they can't take no for an answer unless they think you're taken."

Spencer nodded in agreement, glanced at her ciggarete and remarked, "6 minutes."

Brittany furrowed her brow in confusion. "What?" she asked

"That's what I used to tell my mom when she'd light a cigarette," Spencer explained, a wistful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "A cigarette takes 6 minutes of your life, so every time she smoked one, I'd tell her that it's 6 minutes less I get to spend with her."

"That's sweet... I'm still gonna smoke. I only smoke when I drink. I don't know why..." Brittany trailed off, her voice carrying a hint of resignation.

Spencer interrupted her gently, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Actually, there's a psychological explanation for that," he began, his tone measured as he launched into an explanation.

"You see, smoking and drinking often go hand in hand because they both activate the brain's reward system. When you drink alcohol, it increases the levels of dopamine in your brain, which makes you feel good. Smoking can have a similar effect, releasing dopamine and other neurotransmitters that produce feelings of pleasure and relaxation."

Brittany listened intently as Spencer continued to explain, his words weaving a fascinating narrative about the intricate workings of the brain and its response to certain stimuli.

"Additionally, there's also the social aspect to consider," Spencer added. "Smoking is often associated with socializing and relaxation, so when you're out with friends and having a few drinks, the urge to smoke can be especially strong."

Brittany nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Spencer's words with interest. "That makes sense," she mused, a newfound understanding dawning in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's all about the brain's response to different stimuli and the associations we make with certain behaviors," he concluded, his voice warm with enthusiasm.

He smiled as Brittany hummed in response, the sound of her exhaling smoke mingling with the cool evening air. He watched her for a moment, noticing the way her features softened in contemplation, her gray eyes reflecting the glow of the streetlights.

As they continued walking, the realization slowly dawned on them that they were both heading in the same direction. Spencer cleared his throat, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

"So, uh, which way are you headed?" he asked, his tone casual but tinged with curiosity.

Brittany glanced at him, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Funny enough, I live just a few blocks from here," she replied, her voice warm with surprise.

Spencer's eyes widened in realization. "Really? Me too," he exclaimed, a sense of serendipity settling over him.

Brittany chuckled softly, a twinkle in her eye. "Looks like we're neighbors then," she remarked, her tone light and playful.

"Yeah, it seems that way," he replied.

[kit-williams]

IKEA bookshelf

Male Lead(s): Your Iron Warrior & Your parents Imperial Fist Universe/AU: Warhammer 40k/Space Marine Husbandry Sentience Canon Status: ???

Note: Sorry for being late I'm a mom first then a writer second

I had finally moved out on my own. Finally getting a place of my own and also a tag along of my own... a Iron Warrior whom wasn't giving me a name. Was unsure if this was a bond or just a small curiosity... but either way he just helped moved me in and took some food as payment like most astartes.

"Ferrox you better not be eating the cookies!" I say as Ferrox was like a cat sometimes when it was quiet it meant he was getting up to something. I've had to scold him as since he was being very non committal with me I wasn't going to let him tinker in my house. And besides I had to get everything ready for my parents to visit.

"Ferrox no you can't thinker with that." I say as I see him pull the boxes of Ikea furniture into the main room. He says something I don't understand... I'm not bothering with learning Gothic until he decides to stay with me or not. But I can see his frown as if he is asking why he can't help with that. "My parents are visiting." You say and he just responds back not wanting to listen.

Before I can try to get him out the doorbell rings and I head over opening the door. "Mom, Dad, Kester!"

Ferrox paused as he could hear the unmistakable gait of another space marine.

I could hear Ferrox walk up behind me as I was giving Kester a hug and then I could hear Ferrox growling... like legitimately growling. "No No no!" I say as Kester moves between my parents and me and Ferrox. Kester was out of armor while Ferrox was in armor so if a fight went down Kester would be at a disadvantage.

"You should have told us you got an Iron Warrior." My dad says a little disappointedly.

"Yeah well he comes and goes as he pleases I don't even know if we're bonded and I just happened to be the current person who has been taking care of the local feral Iron Warrior." I say as I jostle to get around the wall that is Kester.

"BOYS!" I shout causing both of them to look at me. "Okay either you have to leave Ferrox or you both have to get along. So stop growling at Kestor... now." I say glaring up at the Iron Warrior who to my surprise acquiesces. I move inside as he is frowning at the furniture now knowing why I got it.

Lucky for me I bring the piece of furniture to the spare room which has several boxes. I give Ferrox some of those cookies he was eying as he broods. I'm far too busy to notice how he slips away into the room Kestor is in... I'm too busy drinking wine with my mom and dad to notice the two spaces marines slip out of the apartment to only return with spare lumber and paint... and a lot of other items that should have all been found inside of the Ikea boxes.

I pause coming out of the bathroom as I hear both Kestor and Ferrox in the room and go to open the door before Ferrox pushes the door closed.

"What is it little one?" Kestor says slowly through the door.

"Was just making sure you two are getting along... are you enjoying building the furniture?"

"Yes little one we have come to a truce. We are fo- um we are working together." Kestor says switching his words after a mysterious thump. I was worried about what they were getting up to.

"You're not building like a bug out shelter or something are you?" I feel the need to ask.

"No." I hear two voices rumble and I just nod to myself.

"So what are the boys up to." My dad asks.

"Building. Seems they formed a truce and are working together... which means I have no idea what the room is going to look like afterwards." I say with a sigh as I don't hear any powertools or anything so maybe they are just building the furniture.

Eventually the two come out of the room and seem a bit more friendly with each other but Ferrox is keeping me out from looking as Kestor allows my parents to look but not me.

"Alright sweetheart we're going to go back to the hotel." My dad says before kissing my cheek as I give them both a hug and kiss and doing the same for Kestor.

Once they are all gone I look at Ferrox whom this is the first time he's stayed so long. "Alright show me what you two did."

I open up the guest room door holding my breath as I look at the room. The furniture looks wildly different from what I had gotten... I don't think a single piece was built in the way it was suppose to be but it was all laid out so very nicely... I don't remember buying a book self... I'm pretty sure there were dressers... I raise an eyebrow as I realize they brought in outside wood and pieces. I chuckle softly.

I lean against him and do my best to wrap an arm around his waist, "Thank you Ferrox. What you and Kestor did means a lot to me." Of course Ferrox preens under my praise. And does more preening as I walk around the room looking at each piece of furniture.

Fluffuary Tag list: @bispecsual @the-californicationist @egrets-not-regrets @libraryshadow @bleedingichorhearts @liar-anubiass-blog

[exo-levi]

Timeless

Title: Timeless Reference: AoT, Taylor Swift's Timeless (parts of it) Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Fem!Reader Universe: Reincarnation!AU, Canonverse Period: AoT Season 4 and Postwar Warning(s): Small amount of spoilers from the manga ahead Theme: Fluff & angst Word count: 1.5k words

Disclaimer: - AoT Universe belongs to Isayama Hajime. - Song used belongs to Taylor Swift

Summary: Haunted by vivid dreams of a past life, she embarks on a quest to uncover the mysteries behind her connection to Levi and a world plagued by Titans. As she delves deeper into the past, she encounters a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Levi, leading to a profound realization that their love is truly timeless.

It was a tranquil day, perfect for a leisurely stroll through town. The streets were dotted with neighbors engaged in pleasant conversations, relishing the beautiful weather at the park, and the joyful sounds of children playing filled the air. This picturesque scene was a rarity, particularly for her.

Normally confined to her apartment on weekends, she had ventured out today in an attempt to escape the relentless headache that had plagued her for the past two days. It wasn't an illness but rather a persistent sleeplessness that had left her head throbbing.

For nearly a month, she had been experiencing peculiar dreams that seemed almost like vivid memories. Some were nightmarish, inducing terror capable of jolting her awake, while others were warm and filled with longing—for something, for someone.

The previous night was no exception, with her headache intensifying. So, she had chosen to take a walk to clear her mind of the unsettling dream she had just experienced.

"Stay with me," a deep voice had echoed in her dream.

Although everything appeared blurred, the voices were crystal clear. Cries and screams reverberated, creating a cacophony of chaos.

"Levi…"

Who is this Levi?

The eerie feeling of familiarity that accompanied the name lingered, as if she had met him somewhere before. Dismissing it, she continued her walk. Whoever Levi was, she resolved to deal with him—or forget about him—later.

A few steps later, she abruptly halted, inexplicably drawn to an antique shop she had never entered before. While she often passed by it on her way to work, she had never ventured inside. Yet today, an inner impulse guided her through its doors.

As she explored the store, her eyes danced over an array of beautifully preserved items—pottery, vintage furniture, memorabilia, and more. It was remarkable how these artifacts from bygone eras still retained their original charm and pristine condition.

Guided by an unseen force, she eventually reached the counter where a slightly worn-out box captured her attention. In bold marker, it read, "25 cents each." Curiosity piqued, she peeked inside and found it filled with a multitude of old photographs.

"See anything you like, dear?" the shop owner inquired.

"Just looking, Ma'am," she replied with a warm smile.

The owner nodded, "Feel free to browse at your leisure."

Thanking her, she selected two photographs. The first depicted a young woman, radiant in her wedding dress, while the other captured the same woman and a military man sharing an affectionate smile. The love evident in their eyes was undeniable.

Leafing through the stack, she couldn't help but smile at the love story that unfolded before her. These photographs painted a tale of a couple's romance from the 1940s, evoking dreams of an enduring love. The images strangely reminded her of Levi.

…Levi?

That enigmatic name returned, flooding her thoughts once more.

***

"I love you," he whispered in her dream, his eyes locked onto hers in the dim light of their surroundings. Her fingers tenderly brushed through his hair, gently tucking it behind his ear. "I love you too," she replied breathlessly, the aftermath of their passionate encounter still lingering in the air.

Tomorrow marked the day they would reclaim Wall Maria, and they had seized this precious moment to be together before the impending battle.

The memory from her dream played on a loop in her mind, and she couldn't help but be unsettled by the persistent presence of this man named Levi. She had never encountered anyone with raven hair and a stern yet handsome countenance—certainly not in her waking life.

***

"Levi…" she murmured incredulously.

The rain poured relentlessly, drenching her surroundings. There he lay, her beloved, covered in blood and surrounded by shards of wood from a nearby explosion. He looked lifeless. Kneeling beside him, she cradled his head and drew him close, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Would you look at that, our biggest threat is covered in his own blood," Floch muttered from behind. "Let's shoot him in the head," another soldier suggested.

"He's dead," Hange declared. Her eyes met Hange's, and the unspoken understanding between them led her to maintain her silence, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Levi.

"He was caught in a Thunder Spear explosion at point-blank range. Internally, he's in pieces," the soldiers explained. Floch insisted on checking Levi's pulse, but both she and Hange remained quiet. Before Hange could respond, a nearby Titan began to steam, revealing Zeke beneath it. The soldiers' attention quickly shifted, providing an opportunity for her, Hange, and Levi to slip away. They escaped, rescuing him from the brink of death.

***

"I have brought all the reports from Captain Levi, Ma'am," a cadet reported.

"Thank you, cadet. You're dismissed," the co-captain acknowledged.

With a salute, the cadet left, and the co-captain delved into the files, diligently tending to her captain's duties. Amidst the paperwork, a small folded paper slipped from one of the folders and landed on the floor.

She picked it up and unfolded it, revealing a heartfelt message. A soft smile graced her lips as she recognized the familiar handwriting.

"Don't overwork yourself and always stay hydrated.

I love you.

Levi."

It was the little gestures, the sweet notes, and loving sentiments that Levi conveyed that never failed to warm her heart and rekindle her love for him. She placed the love letter aside, alongside the other letters Levi had written, with the intention of showering him with affection after a long day. He unquestionably deserved it.

***

"Do you ever think about what you'd do when this is all over?" she asked Levi one day.

Levi was taken aback by the genuine question, pausing to contemplate his response. "Hmm," he began, "I'd like to build a Tea Shop."

"A Tea Shop?" she quizzically inquired.

"Yes," he replied, his gaze fixed on her, his voice a soft whisper, "and you'll be there."

Her eyes widened in slight astonishment at his sweet declaration, and then she smiled. She reached out, her fingers gently combing through his hair before caressing his soft cheek. "I'd like that, Levi," she whispered back. She leaned in for a kiss, and as they parted, she continued, "And we'll have a garden outside the Tea Shop, so customers can dine there too. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

Levi chuckled softly at her unexpected enthusiasm. "It does," he concurred. He reached for her hands, bringing them to his lips and planting a tender kiss on her knuckles, his thumbs gently rubbing them. "We'll end this war, and we'll live in peace, together."

His sudden displays of affection never failed to melt her heart and renew her love for him.

"Together."

"Always."

***

"Connie!"

Before Connie could turn to see who had called his name, a powerful shove from behind propelled him out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding an imminent Titan attack he hadn't seen coming. The young woman who had saved him was not so fortunate, as the Titan's teeth sank into her leg during her heroic act. She lost her balance, and in her fall, a claw sliced through her side, causing further injury.

As she plummeted to the ground, Levi caught her, having swiftly moved from a distant part of the battlefield. Gently laying her down, he assessed the extent of her injuries.

"Stay with me," his deep voice echoed.

Although her vision blurred, the voices were clear and distinct. Cries and screams surrounded them, creating a scene of utter chaos.

"Levi…" she whispered weakly, her lifeblood staining the earth beneath her.

In response, he knelt beside her, his expression a mask of concern and fear. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her. "I've got you. I'll bandage your wounds and get you out of the combat zone," he promised, his voice trembling.

"Levi…"

She interrupted him, prompting him to meet her gaze. His breath caught in his throat, and his heart raced. He couldn't lose her, not now. "Wrapping my wounds will take time. You need to go back out there and help the others," she insisted, her voice strained. "I'll make it quick. Don't worry."

"Don't."

She interrupted him once more. "Please, Levi, let me go."

He whispered her name, his voice choked with emotion. "I can't lose you like this. We're on the brink of ending this war," he pleaded.

"You won't lose me. We'll find each other in another life," she assured him with a sad smile. Her hand reached up to wipe away a tear that he hadn't realized had fallen. He was silently weeping.

"I love you," she whispered.

He couldn't accept this. They were so close to victory, and he couldn't fathom a life without her. This wasn't what either of them wanted, but if it was the hand fate had dealt them, there was little they could do.

"I love you too."

"Finish this war without me. I have faith in all of you."

Levi leaned down and pressed his forehead on her own, tears escaped the moment his closed his eyes tight. His lover leaned to him closer to kiss him passionately.

"I'll see you later," she whispered.

***

Her heart ached as much as her head did as different memories kept flooding in her mind. She closed her eyes tight for a second to recover herself and realized she's been staring at the same box for who knows how long. She returned the photos in the box and went out of the shop.

Enough of this.

The young woman sighed. Hopefully, she'll find an answer.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, yet the ache in her heart remained. She resumed her normal life, following her mundane routine, but it felt as though a part of her was missing. Her dreams, those memories from a different time and place, haunted her relentlessly.

One evening, as she gazed out of her window at the setting sun, an overwhelming restlessness consumed her. The need for answers had grown too strong to ignore. The strange connection she felt to the name "Levi" and the vivid memories that felt so real could no longer be dismissed.

Taking a deep breath, she resolved to embark on a quest to unearth the truth behind these haunting memories. She threw herself into research, scouring old books and articles, desperately searching for any mention of a Levi who might have lived during the time of her dreams. It was a long shot, and the odds were against her, but an unshakeable feeling told her that this was important.

Weeks stretched into months as she painstakingly combed through historical records. One day, she stumbled upon a faded photograph in an ancient journal—a black and white image of a group of soldiers. In the center of the photograph stood a man who sent shivers down her spine.

"Levi," she whispered his name aloud, as if to confirm his existence. The man in the photograph possessed the same raven hair and stern yet striking countenance she had seen in her dreams. It couldn't be a coincidence. The journal provided some details about a group of soldiers who had fought in a war against colossal humanoid creatures called Titans. It was a war that had occurred over a century ago, and most of the soldiers had perished.

Delving deeper into her research, she discovered that the war against the Titans had taken place in a world vastly different from her own. A world where humanity lived within colossal walls to protect themselves from these monstrous entities. It was a world that should have had no connection to her, yet the memories and emotions she experienced were undeniably real.

With newfound determination, she decided to seek out a local historian who specialized in that era. Perhaps this historian could provide more information about the soldiers who had fought in the Titan War, particularly the mysterious Levi.

The historian's office was a cluttered treasure trove of ancient documents and maps, a testament to his lifelong dedication to his field. He listened attentively as she recounted her dreams and the inexplicable connection she felt to a past life.

After a long pause, the historian finally spoke. "What you're describing is known as reincarnation memories—a phenomenon where individuals recall events and emotions from their past lives. It's rare but documented."

"But why do I have these memories, and why do I feel so connected to this Levi?" she implored, her desperation palpable.

The historian leaned forward, his gaze a mix of curiosity and sympathy. "It's possible that your soul carries the memories of a previous life, and for some reason, they've resurfaced in this lifetime. As for your connection to Levi, it's a mystery. Perhaps you were deeply entwined in that past life, and your souls remain bound in some way."

Leaving the historian's office with more questions than answers, she knew she couldn't stop now. The memories of her past life were like fragments of a puzzle begging to be pieced together. The sensation of her connection to Levi felt more than mere happenstance.

The following day, she decided to visit a teashop she had never frequented. It was a small, charming establishment with an atmosphere of tranquility—an ideal setting to collect her thoughts and attempt to make sense of her experiences. As she entered and settled into a corner table, an inexplicable sense of déjà vu washed over her.

Ordering her favorite tea, she watched as steam curled from the cup, her thoughts drifting back to the memories of love, war, and sacrifice that had played out in her dreams. It was almost as if she could hear Levi's voice softly murmuring, "Together, always."

Lost in her thoughts, the teashop's door swung open, and a man entered. With raven hair and a stern, yet striking countenance, their eyes locked. Time seemed to stand still as recognition flooded over them both.

"Levi?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he made his way toward her table. "I… I don't know how, but I remember you," he said, his voice filled with equal parts incredulity and longing.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached out to touch his hand, and he covered it with his own. In that moment, the inexplicable connection between their souls became undeniably real.

"I love you," she whispered, just as she had in her dreams.

"I love you too," he replied, their love transcending time and space.

As they sat together in that small teashop, hand in hand, they knew that their reunion was no mere coincidence. Their love had endured through the ages, a love that was truly timeless.

About. Masterlist. Taglist.

Yours truly,

Rowan.

[toadtowngazette]

Every Country in the Mario Universe (so far)

I wanted to make a "little" compilation of all the different Kingdoms, Lands, and other countries within the Super Mario franchise that have been shown or mentioned, so here is is! This is mainly meant to be an informational post for anyone researching Mario stuff. Only the video game locations will be mentioned, as well as only things canonically within the Mario universe, meaning I will not include crossover material or real life locations, although some of the names of locations may originate from external material, and is only added for clarity. Anyways, here we go!

Countries

In order of introduction:

Metro Kingdom (Donkey Kong) - Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Bros.) - Subcon (Super Mario Bros. 2), Grass Land, Desert Land, Water Land, Giant Land, Sky Land, Ice Land, Pipe Land, Dark Land (Super Mario Bros. 3) - Sarasaland which contains: Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom, Easton Kingdom, Chai Kingdom (Super Mario Land) - Mario Land (Super Mario Land 2) - Jewelry Land (Yoshi's Safari) - Dinosaur Land (Super Mario World) - Jungle Kingdom (Donkey Kong Country) - Koopa Kingdom (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island) - Lethal Lava Land, Shifting Sand Land, Water Land (painting world), Snowman's Land, Tiny People Country/Giant People Country (Super Mario 64) - Nimbus Land (Super Mario RPG) - Sherbet Land (Mario Kart 64) - Banana Fairy Kingdom (Donkey Kong 64) Pirate Land, Western Land, Space Land, Mystery Land, Horror Land, Bowser Land (Mario Party 2) - Dry Dry Kingdom (Paper Mario) - Cheese Land, Snow Land (Mario Kart: Super Circuit) - Cookie Land (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) - Beanbean Kingdom (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga) - Waffle Kingdom (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door) -

Banana Kingdom, Orange Kingdom, Watermelon Kingdom, Apple Kingdom, Strawberry Kingdom, Pineapple Kingdom, Lemon Kingdom, Grape Kingdom, Cherry Kingdom, Peach Kingdom, Melon Kingdom, Durian Kingdom, Pear Kingdom, Lychee Kingdom, Chili Pepper Kingdom, Star Fruit Kingdom (Donkey Kong Jungle Beat) - Squirpia, Flora Kingdom, Sammer's Kingdom (Super Paper Mario) Honeyhive Kingdom (Super Mario Galaxy) - Baseball Kingdom (Mario Super Sluggers) - Pi'illo Kingdom (Mario & Luigi: Dream Team) - Sprixie Kingdom (Super Mario 3D World) - Item Castle Land (Mario Party: Island Tour) - Sweet Sweet Kingdom (Mario Kart 8) - Cap Kingdom, Cascade Kingdom, Sand Kingdom, Lake Kingdom, Wooded Kingdom, Cloud Kingdom, Lost Kingdom, Snow Kingdom, Seaside Kingdom, Luncheon Kingdom, Ruined Kingdom, Bowser's Kingdom, Moon Kingdom, Dark Side, Darker Side (Super Mario Odyssey) - Kingdom of Bask (Mario Tennis Aces) - Remote Kingdom, Boost Kingdom (Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit) - Cat Kingdom (Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury) - Flower Kingdom (Super Mario Bros. Wonder) - Concordia (Mario & Luigi: Brothership)

I'm pretty sure that's all of them, but if you think I missed any, drop a message in the submissions box!

Notes

Bowser seems to have at least 4 distinct kingdoms in the games: Dark Land, Koopa Kingdom, Bowser Land and Bowser's Kingdom. I will still count these as separate countries since nothing in-game states they are part of the same domain, despite being ruled by the same individual.

Although there are many "king" characters in the Mario series, many are not shown to have their own kingdoms in-game, so none of those were included, as it is merely speculative.

Some locations listed are depicted as small areas within spin-off games (Mario Kart courses and Mario Party boards), and may not be actual countries in-universe. I listed them anyways because it is still technically possible, and the names of these locations in other languages use the terms "country" and "kingdom" as well.

The "Cat Kingdom" is the Korean name of Lake Lapcat in Bowser's Fury, so that was included as well as "Tiny People Country, Giant People Country" as they are the Chinese name for Tiny Huge Island from Super Mario 64. Additionally, "Water Land" is used as the name of World 3 in Super Mario Bros. 3 as well as the Japanese name of Dire, Dire Docks, and the painting worlds are stated to be separate from the regular world in the Mario series, so I listed both as distinct countries.

The "Jungle Kingdom" was the name given to Donkey Kong's domain in the Super Mario Bros. Movie. While the film is not canon, I included the name as the term for his region, as Donkey Kong is known as "King of the Jungle" in multiple games.

Credit goes to Nintendo and all affiliated parties, and to the Super Mario Wiki for most of this information.

[vup]

I'm sorry to bring more suffering to the side story readers. But I will not bear this cursed knowledge alone!

KDJ's fragments all have the power of OD to maintain the universe(s).

It means LHH also had that power.

In the side story, all of his abandoned settings/drafts become reality.

Cult of Life, pattern of Dark Keeper, second black(random items) box…

Side story happened because in his unconscious, his OD part dreams about this world.

Just look back to the main story!!!! 

When we first met him.

When he first met YJH.

a legendary tale of those authors who mysteriously vanished from the world, only to triumphantly return with stunning epics in tow. The tale of incredible luck that only a select handful of writers are blessed with. Lee Hak-Hyeon realized what kind of a situation this was, and his shoulders began trembling. 'I-i-is this the chosen author cliché??' If all the webnovels he had read so far had some dose of reality in them, then that black coat-wearing man should take Lee Hak-Hyeon into the world of a novel. And then, he'd ask the latter to fix the conclusion written by another writer. The latter would utilize his brain honed by clichés to its fullest extent and go on to perform truly fantastical feats. "Yes, yes! I know how to do it! I shall change your world's future!"

[artificial-transmutations]

Max’ Journey - Prologue

It was one of the more boring days in Max's lab. Maxwell Stone was a researcher at Infinite Horizons Laboratories, a cutting edge high-tech developer. Max was a bright young man, recently graduated from the countries best university with the highest grades - just what Infinite Horizons was looking for. He was currently researching ways to make the chips they produced even more powerful, when he stumbled upon an interesting entry in the company database. Apparently, there was a theory on nano-mechanics that could prove most useful for his research.

He sighed. Apparently, it wasn't scanned yet and he had to get the actual book from the archive. It wasn't that much work to go down to the archives, but Max found it always easier to do things digitally, if he had the chance. Besides, Max was a really clean guy and didn't like to get dirty. But, no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't avoid going to the archives every now and then.

The archives were located deep inside the laboratory complex, in a room that was separated by several layers of security systems. While the rest of the lab was very clean and organized, down there was chaos and dust. It was kind of like visiting the catacombs of some ancient civilization, where everything was buried in the dirt.

Max arrived in front of the door leading into the archives. His keycard opened the heavy door for him, and under the white ceiling light began his search for the book. Careful not to breathe in too much dust or getting his hands too dirty, he began to sift through the bookcases. It proved harder to find than Max originally hoped, sending him deeper and deeper into the labyrinth that was the archive. As he had reached the back wall, where, judging by the layers of dust, nobody had been in a quite a while, an item in one of the shelves caught his gaze. It looked like a black box, about 20 centimeters in size, without any visible chinks or screws. Where it not for the one singular green button on the top, the device would have looked like a smooth block of dark metal. There were two reasons that Max felt curious about it: First, it was completely dust-free, which was weird considering everything else here was covered by a dense layer of dust. And secondly, there was a post-it note attached to it. On it were just two words, written in unsteady handwriting, like someone who was writing with his left hand or a child that was trying their first letters. It said: "Please help!"

Max reached for the device, carefully avoiding the dust. He hesitated for a moment before curiosity got the better of him and he pressed the button. With a faint whirring noise, a crackle and flash of light filled the room. Right there, in front of him, a whirling vortex of yellow energy had formed in the air, around man-sized, although the size varied slightly. Being a gamer himself, his immediate first thought was: That was a portal. Was he supposed to step through? Or maybe, press the button again to close it?

"Uh... hi?" Max called out, feeling somewhat unsure of himself. Receiving no answer, he slowly approached the bright energy vortex. When he was within a few meters, he stopped. This was the strangest thing he had ever seen, and it did seem a little dangerous.

"Hello?" Max called out again. "I'm ... trying to help." He said, as he remembered the note. Still, no answer.

Max walked closer until he was standing right next to the portal. There was no way to look into it, but the glowing yellow energy seemed to be coming from all sides. He wondered where this thing led to. It was an invitation, so much was sure, but one ripped right from a science fiction novel.

"Hey! Can you hear me?" Max yelled again, trying to sound a little more commanding. Again, no answer. Max pondered for a moment. If he stepped through the portal, he would probably end up somewhere else. It was a risk, but... how often do you get a mysterious yellow energy portal right in front of you? He would hate himself forever, if he didn't see this through, so with a gulp and a quick step, Max stepped right into the middle of the energy vortex.

Authors note: This is the prologue to a series (with lots of transformative content, but none in the prologue yet, sorry!)

Read the next part here

[tainoidiot]

Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings.

Jervis Tetch X FoodServer!reader

NOTES: Based on this dumb post I made about a rogue falling for a worker, but instead of a psychiatrist or doctor it's the fucking food service people. (Maybe I'll even open up my requests soon OoooOooO)

----------

Mornings, Afternoons, and Evenings.

That's when he saw you.

Jervis awoke in his small holding room. It's white. A blinding white. He's tired of the bland exterior, where is the color and whimsy of wonderland when he needs it the most? Not to mention he wore this ugly shade of teal as his robes. Any longer and he'd lose it... more.

Jervis was given small privileges by the staff here and there. He wasn't a high risk patient anymore, so that meant he could have a phone in his room. Sure, he couldn't call anyone outside the asylum and he really only used it to ask for the menu items of the day but it's the thought that counts! Oh, and he has all the paper he could ask for! What for? Um...

Okay maybe he didn't have that many privileges. Really all he does is design hats and color anyway.

7:13 am, the phone rings, startling the middle aged man out of his hat creating zone. He hesitated at first, he never had the phone call HIM. So, curiously, he picked up the phone. "Hello?" Jervis asked.

...

Oh, they're just asking for his breakfast order.

BREAKFAST

The man's hungry. "Oh, where is that o-"

Three knocks interrupt his train of thought, and then the door swings open. "Food service! May I come in?" A sing songy voice asks. He's impressed, was the universe listening to him?

"Er, yes. Come in, dear." He stumbled with his words. The nurses usually gave him a light styrofoam type tray for his food. He must be getting better then.

In walks in a worker Jervis had never seen before. The grey work polo, the black pants and shoes, a dangling ID. It wasn't the appearance that got him curious. It was the voice. He needed to know more.

--------

You walk into the room, tray in your arms as you smiled at the man. "Good morning! Hope I didn't wake you up." You chuckle placing the tray on a nearby table. Truly, your customer service voice got people calm. They trusted you. YOU, however, only got paid 17 an hour. Could you give more of a shit? Maybe if you were given 20 an hour instead.

"Oh, not at all.. um.." The man replied, looking at you with soft eyes. "I thought the nurses delivered our trays?" He asked, looking at the breakfast with a smile. You just shrugged "We have a list of patients who we can't serve to physically, but looks like you're not on it anymore." You nod and pump the hand sanitizer bottle before stepping out of the room.

"Wait!" Cried Jervis. You turned your head curiously "Anything else I can do for you?"

"What's your name?"

-------

LUNCH

Jervis couldn't stop thinking about the delivery person he spoke with. Alice wouldn't work a 9-5, er.. 6-7:30, right? Wonderland is a strange place, however. Nothing is impossible. After only two weeks, Him and that mysterious server seemed to hit it off too. They talked about the mess the styrofoam trays make, especially considering how flimsy they are, how some of the doctors got on their nerves, and the exhaustion that was walking around Arkham. During their chat, they explained that they only really serve the box tea to the patients. "BUT if you ask nicely, I can sneak you some different kinds I find in the storage room." The server joked. Jervis hated the unsweetened tea, it was always cold. Who the fuck serves tea COLD?!

After sending in his lunch order, he prayed he'd see you again. They could talk about literature, as you mentioned you hadn't really been reading much as of late. It was obvious what he'd recommend, but it's the thought that counts. Your eyes, your voice, how you for some reason always smelled like mustard. (Apparently that's just how the kitchen smells)

Knock Knock Knock..

Jervis's ears perked up. Watching the door swing open made his heart flutter. Oh, to see your beautiful face, though half covered in a mask with hair tucked away into a hairnet, he didn't care. All he smiled for was that you were here. "Yes, yes! Come in, dear."

As he finally got a good look at the figure opening his door, he noticed.. wait, that's not you. That's someone else entirely. How cruel the universe was! "Um.. You're not.."

They look up at the man and sighed "Understaffed today. One called out sick, another just quit." Jervis was perplexed. Which one were you? Sick? Oh, he wishes he was there to hold you. You must be miserable, poor dear. Or did you had quit? Did you need a friendly ear to lend? Was today that bad?

The server placed the tray on the table and left. Jervis was left alone with his thoughts again, leg bouncing with anxiety. Did you need help? Did.. you need him? Hid heart ached just thinking about it. Maybe it was too soon, and this was the universes way of saying "slow down there." But he couldn't ignore how he felt.

----------

DINNER

Two weeks.

Two WHOLE WEEKS.

Jervis had been released from Arkham. He hid his true feelings of obsession worry from doctors and psychiatrists taking notes in their little booklets. It wasn't fair! You and him didn't even get to say a proper goodbye! And here he is, angrily huffing about as he steps into the thrift store.

He can't really afford nice things, but the tea cups here were truly pretty enough to catch his eye. Sure they looked a bit scattered when one cup had flowers and kittens and another pictures from nature, but that's Wonderland baby! Scattered and strange. Plus, retail therapy was always good.

As he walked through the kitchen ware aisle, he scanned his surroundings for new tea sets or perhaps a kettle. Not many people entered the thrift store on a Thursday evening, they usually come for the Monday sale. But every once in a while, he'd see someone in the same aisle as him.

And God is he thankful he turned his head. Because there you were. In all your glory.

His breath hitched, heart pounding as his cheeks flushed. It was you, wasn't it? His mind wasn't playing tricks, was it? You turned to face him and stopped.

"... Jervis Tetch?"

He gulped. "Y-Yes?"

"I KNEW IT WAS YOU!" Your smile widened as you walked closer to the man. "Holy crap man, you're out already? I figured you would've been, nice to see you!"

Jervis wanted to take your hand into his warm gloved one. God, he couldn't hold back. But he must. "Aha! Yes, yes.. It's good to see you. I didn't get to say goodbye, what happened?" He asked.

You raised an eyebrow in confusion, then remember what he meant "Oh! Yeah, had some stuff to take care of.. and by that I mean I called off "Sick"!" You giggled. Oh, you silly little rabbit. Jervis sighed in relief. You were safe.

"I'm glad to see you're safe.. could we grab a cup of tea perhaps?"

The store was about to close anyway. What else is there to do for dinner?

[ineffableigh]

Timeline of Suspicious Events Brain Dump - PART 3

You know the drill at this point. Off we goooo! [Part 1][Part 2]

"Maggie and Nina are depending on me!" Azi's really drunk his own Kool-aid at this point, or he's putting on a complicated show to pretend this is a serious endeavor. Giving away a valuable book just to trick Heaven? Something's really not adding up.

Another weird noise for the logs: A bassy 'whoosh/boom' noise right after Mutt says he has anniversary dinner with his beloved spouse and the camera pans to Crowley. Not sure it means anything, but it did stand out to me lol.

Something that stands out to me a lot as well, assuming it was done deliberately (I don't know the actor) - Mutt seems to be having an awfully hard time handling the cards he's currently sorting. Like, after he says 'no' at first, I cannot figure out what he's trying to do with his right hand.

Also of note: The mysterious Bird Box is nowhere to be seen in the shop, even though MANY of the set items are identical to the 1941 scene. Where that bird at??

"Under no circumstances can I there be for tonight." ... what? This has to be on purpose, right? I'm digging, I know, but that's what we do here lol.

Big sad empty warehouse for the Demon Legions. Why on earth (or in Hell) is Hell so short staffed? Where them demons at?

DANGER...osity!

"I can only be there 'til 7" so that's a half hour window for the meeting, at least for Justine. Fair, she can only handle so much of Azi's painful French lol.

The metal barrier just outside the cafe is... awfully snake-y isn't it?

"Looking where the furniture isn't..." is definitely going to be VERY important. Crowley absolutely knows something about losing AND regaining memories and it's been telegraphed all season.

Michael has eye earrings! This feels like a huge tie-in with Maggie's all seeing eye necklace.

Skimming through the rest since I've gone through it multiple times through other posts, but quick takeaways include...

Ms Cheng looking at the Pub before she goes in. Suspicious given we know that's the Hellevator, but have no reason to believe she'd be looking for someone else coming from that direction as the cafe AND record store are the other way.

Mr Brown has to be suspicious because we HEAR him getting mulched by demons when he's taken, but he survives? WEIRD.

Maggie's main character moment as I mentioned in my 'Thoughts about Maggie' post.

Azi seems very genuine when explaining the Coffee Shop Love Plot to Nina, so maybe he really did believe he was helping. I don't get why they steamrolled past her already having a partner, both the lads knew it. It's weird for that much.

Maggie blankly standing by the open window in range of trash is weird, especially since she like Activates and Becomes Brave right after.

I do wonder... how does Shax know Maggie couldn't pay the rent? That seems awfully specific. Like REALLY specific.

Throne, Dominion or Higher Crowley - what a way to drop that info! That moment hits so hard lol.

"Institutional Problem" I wonder if we'll learn more about The Fall next season. What was it that actually triggered it (in this universe)?

I love that the archangels clearly interact with each other SO LITTLE that no one even knows if Gabriel actually has his own bloody desk lol. Talk about isolation.

Huh. I wonder why Shax didn't get discorporated by the Exploding Halo...

You know who else is wearing a damn turtleneck? SARAQUAEL. OOH. COVERT AGENT? HMMMM

No one looked at the damn box, I still can't believe it. Everyone was so busy Being In A Story that they didn't think of it lol.

Analysis of the last chunk of the episode has been done to death, so I'll finish by underlining that it's SO awfully convenient that Maggie INSISTED that she and Nina talk to "them" while Aziraphale was waylaid by the Metatron.

In fact, it's Very Fortunate that the Metatron made a point of going and sitting at JUSTINE'S CAFE out of sight of the bookshop AND Nina's Cafe. Otherwise Nina might have been like hey you, get in on this chat! Like he knew that was the plan...

Plus the fact that they do that even though Justine's cafe is clearly CLOSED. I doubt she'd be chill with that so I guess she's not around.

Anyway that's enough so here's the TLDR:

The Metatron pretty much just LETS Gabriel escape, knowing that the Archangels will go down and muddle about trying to investigate.

We still don't know why Michael thought they had the right to strike people from the Book of Life. The Metatron seems to think that's out of the question, so where did that idea come from in the first place? It was a major driver of the early plot this season.

It seems convenient that Maggie cried about Nina RIGHT before the Angels arrived to inspect the Jimbriel miracle, and then RIGHT AFTER THAT, Mr Brown (of Brown's World of Carpets) shows up to set up the venue. That alone, all happening in the span of maybe 15 minutes, is a LOT.

It really feels like much of the plot was specifically orchestrated to keep Aziraphale and Crowley apart and NOT TALKING to each other. They keep hiding shit from each other to protect each other, but just hamstring themselves.

[athletic-hotties3]

LAITH PT.2

Laith stood anxiously against the corner of a dirty bathroom stall door in the far back hall of the library. The lower walls and floor were covered in mystery stains and graphic drawings, a clear sign of the neglectful janitors of his university library. In truth not all bathrooms looked this seedy; causing Laith to wonder why his first assignment had chosen this one out of all of them.

He fumbled through the PACT app on his phone watching to time tick down to his arranged meetup through the dim shield of his motorcycle helmet visor. He checked the list once before he left making sure he wore all the correct items: his permitted motorcycle helmet, his riding leather jacket, the knee high socks he found pushed to the back of his drawer left by a previous hookup with a thing for socks, his converse sneakers, a pair of leather pants he bought on a whim one day to match his motorcycle jacket and finally his high school football team jockstrap under it all. He was surprised the jockstrap still fit after all these years, but not surprised by its smell. It was rank from sitting at the bottom of his dirty clothes bin for so long. Usually he would just throw it back into the laundry bin every time he had to wash clothes in fear that his flat mates would discover it in the dryer so it hadn’t been washed in a while. Still smelling of sweat and precum from his varsity days. Unpermitted by the app, he wore a red compression shirt he had gotten in the bottom of the app arrival box with the apps logo on it. It fit him well and showed off his physique so he figured it would go well with the rest of the shit they wanted him to wear. Plus there was no way he was gonna walk through campus in full leather with no shirt.

Lost in thought he hadn’t even noticed the man quietly swing open the bathroom door behind him. Before he heard him he felt the man’s large fingers slide over his shoulders and slowly find Laith’s nipples with a soft rub.

Laith jumped at the sudden touch letting out a small yelp.

“Shshshshhhh… it’s okay. Just stand there and be a good little slut for me.” The man said from behind Laith, pressing his body up against Laith’s back.

From what he could feel from the imprint slowly thrusting his waist into the ass of Laith, he could sense that the man was slightly shorter than him with a skinny yet toned frame. What he could feel the most was the monster hidden in his pants, its imprint sliding up and down the crack of Laith’s leather pants.

Laith, starved for touch after a few hours in chastity noticed his cock slightly chub up in his cage. The cage shortened his length even at flaccid making it a tight squeeze, so at erect there was no room to go. A warm swell of pain swam around Laith’s balls feeling his cock trying to escape from its cage. In response he let out a groan of pain and ecstasy.

“You’re a new one arn’t you…” the man said in a deep voice. “I can tell by the way you groan at your new cage and your refusal to follow dress code.”

Laith pushed off the man in confusion and quickly turned around. “What?!” He said angrily.

“Wait fuck. Are you the right guy? STUDENTATHLETE24? I swear if you’re not and the fucking fag blew me off I swear his rating is going to plummet.” The formally dressed man reached for the phone in his back pocket with frustration.

“No I am!” That’s me. STUDENTATHLETE24… see?” Laith held up his phone showing the identification card screen of the app. His app name and the photo of him in his cage large on the screen. His star rating not yet filled. “Sorry I just was confused I-…. You are right in new to this and to be honest I’m not one to take it up the ass dude. Plus I totally followed all of your dress code rules” Laith said dress code with air quotes mocking the stupidity of the entire thing.

“Yea. Your shirt. Not on the list so I’m afraid I might have to dock you a few points.” The man, which Laith remembered was named Cyphl from the app, slowly started to unbuckle his belt. “Unless you wanna make it up to me. I’m very forgiving.”

Laith studied the man, worried for what he might have to do next. The man looked in his mid 30s, porn mustache, stubble, dark salt and pepper hair. He wore dress pants, leather belt and shoes, a plaid dress shirt, glasses and a dark red tie. As Cyphl unbuttoned his pants furthering his naked agenda, Laith noticed the faculty badge swinging from the lanyard around his neck. Bingo. If he could let him know he was a student here maybe he might just wanna leave.

“So. You don’t like my shirt? Why don’t you come here and take it off me sport?” Laith said with a cringe under his visor, hearing some form of that line in a movie once and it working.

Cyphl’s pants his the floor exposing his cock. Like Laith had predicted earlier he seemed to be free balling, but what he hadn’t predicted was the size of it. He sensed it was large but nothing like what swung between Cyphl’s legs. Large, hairy, uncut and leaking precum.

Laith gulped nervously.

Cyphl walked over with a grin, his cock swinging between his legs as he did so, dripping white sticky fluid onto the floor. “So it seems like you’re more eager for my attention now that your stars are on the line. Judging by your current score im your first. I could condemn you to your cage right now if I wanted to.”

“Please don’t-“ Laith began to plead before Cyphl’s large hand aggressively cupped his crotch.

“Mmm they got you in a metal one too. Much more secure than the 3d printed ones they started out with.” Cyphl said with a grin on his face.

Laith let out a yelp, feeling the pain in his crotch swell up again. His cock forcefully pushed against the bars of its cage begging for the release of a full erection. His visor began to fog up with his hot nervous breath.

“I’ll let you keep your shirt on… your whole outfit on I quite like the whole college motorcyclist thing you got going on.” Cyphl said placing his hands on Laith’s shoulders. “Just get on your knees already.”

Laith felt Cyphl’s hands push down on his shoulders and with a gulp he felt the need to comply. He thought of the rating system on the app, needing to please the men he met with the hopes of getting out any time soon. Laith fell to his knees and looked up at the faculty member towering above him. He wasn’t used to being so out of power, so submissive. He gritted his teeth at the thought, his cock jumping at the sexual imagery.

“So you work here?” Laith said touching Cyphl’s faculty badge and examining the details. “Does it make you uncomfortable if I tell you I’m a student here?” Laith said grasping at ideas to make him turn away.

As the words slipped out of Laith’s mouth Cyphl’s cock grew larger and more erect, coming to a slow standstill pointing directly at Laith’s face.

“That’s why I use the app. I like knowing my students, other faculty, even some university higher up’s are just stupid cum sluts who can’t refuse serving me. There’s more than you think out there.” Cyphl grabbed the top ridges of Laith’s motorcycle helmet and firmly tilted his head back so that Laith was looking directly up to the ceiling. “You could be any one of my students, fuck I even found my TA on this app once. Shame that I had to rate him so low, but he made it up to me later after class.”

Laith’s body flushed red with embarrassment. He wasn’t a stupid cum slut like Cyphl was claiming he was. Fuck it he was more of a man than Cyphl would ever be. Taller, more muscular, probably fucked more people than Cyphl ever would.

“Let’s see if I recognize you…” Cyphl’s hand firmly gripped the bottom lip of Laith’s motorcar helmet visor.

“Wait I’m supposed to stay anonymous. You can’t see my face.” Laith pleaded swatting Cyphl’s hand away.

“You should have hopped on the other side of that glory hole in the stall your next to if you wanted to keep it that way sport. Yet your slut hole kept you in the open for exposure.” Cyphl with speed lifted up the visor on Laith’s helmet.

…

…

…

“Well. You’re not in any one of my classes.” Cyphl said with some displeasure in his tone.

“Sorry to disappoint I guess. What major you teach?” Laith said taking off his helmet fully and placing it on the ground next to him. His anonymous cover was already blown with this dick head so he might as well take the sweaty helmet off.

“Literary history.” Cyphl said his arms crossed. “You?”

“Pre med.” Laith said in relief.

Cyphl sat in his disappointment more than Laith did. Laith grinned seeing his way out.

“So are we done here? You don’t want me because I’m not one of your students?” Laith suggested motioning to the door.

“Yea umm… it’s a little disappointing.” Cyphl said with a sour face. “but I’m already here so why don’t you put those cock sucking lips around my cock before that cage gets locked on your junk forever.”

Laith slowly inched forward, his lips nervously parting for the well endowed man in front of him. Just a few days ago he would have pummeled some creep that wanted him to suck a cock but now he was on his knees in some dirty bathroom, lips kissing the cock head of some random faculty member.

His lips felt the raw and salty skin of Cyphl’s dick, opening wide to slide further down the head and onto the shaft. Laith felt the cock invade his mouth, filling up the space between his cheeks and pressing his tongue down to the fleshy floor of his saliva covered throat. He closed his eyes tight like he had just tasted something bad and continued pushing his head down the man’s long shaft. Just as he had thought he had gotten to the base, he opened his eyes to reveal he was only halfway there. With nerves in his eyes he looked up at Cyphl who had a confused expression on his face.

“Wow you really are new to this. Look i don’t got all day so I’ll just help you.” Cyphl grabbed Laith’s ears firmly and forcefully pulled in launching his cock down Laith’s throat.

Laith quickly gagged followed by the sound of spit in his throat before Cyphl pulled most of the way out, letting Laith catch his breath.

“Now we are gonna do that a couple more times got it?” Cyphl said with a demeaning tone.

Tears of shock ran down Laith’s cheeks. He could feel his nipples perk up and harden, his back slightly arch as he took a deep breath in.

“Good boy.” Cyphl said pulling on Laith’s ears and slamming his cock deep into Laith’s throat once more. This time he didn’t stop at the choking and gagging noises Laith made in response but kept drilling in and out of his wet mouth.

“You call that mouth a hole boy? Fucking work my cock!” Cyphl yelled

Laith closed his lips firmly around Cyphl’s cock and moved his tongue around his shaft.

“That’s it fuck face. You want to get an A in dick sucking your gonna have to work a little harder than that.” Cyphl moaned loudly, slapping Laith across the side of his face.

Laith let the man thrust down his throat, his cock causing saliva to drip from Laith’s lips.

With each thrust Laith found it harder to breath and with each thrust his mouth was impaled deeper and deeper onto Cyphl’s cock.

With the fear of losing consciousness in his mind Laith’s hands pushed against Cyphl’s waist.

“Not so fucking fast.” Cyphl said grabbing the back of Laith’s head and shoving his skull down onto his full length, planting Laith’s face into his pubes.

Laith’s throat contracted and spasmed against Cyphl’s large invading cock.

“Yea that’s right choke on my fucking fat cock. Your throat feels so good when you panic. Your almost there keep working it.” Cyphl said through gasps and moans.

Laith puckered his lips aggressively sucking on Cyphl’s cock. He had to get air soon. His throat couldn’t take any more cock.

Cyphl let out a loud groan letting go ow Laith’s ears and shoving him to the ground.

Laith fell back in shock, his body now a groaning mess on the dirty bathroom tile.

Unexpectedly Laith felt an absurd amount of liquid splatter onto his body. It first fell onto his hair, then his face and the rest of his clothes, covering his shirt, jacket, boots and pants. Then it continued in long bursts splattering across different parts of his body, staining each and every inch of his form.

Laith stuggled to get up, groggily recovering from the throat fuck he endured. “What the-“

It was then a glob of salty white cum splatters itself across his face and into his questioning mouth.

Laith looked down in shock at the rosy of body covered in pools of sticky wet cum.

“I told you. Hyperspermia.” Cyphl said zipping up his pants and threading the leather belt he wore through the waist loops of his pants. He was utterly spotless.

Laith placed his hand over his face, trying to wipe off the extreme amounts of cum that had landed across his head.

With the click of a phone camera Laith had sensed Cyphl had just taken a photo of him.

“What the hell dude… anonymous.”

“Relax your face isn’t in it. Plus we always gotta upload a photo after the deed is done to leave reviews. I just sent you yours now.” Cyphl put his phone in his back pocket and headed to the door. “Your lucky in not a fucking dick. Hope to see you in a few months when you finally learn how to suck a dudes cock. Maybe put something up your ass too while you’re at it. Good luck idiot.”

Laith watched Cyphl disappear into the library as the door closed quietly and a loud bing chimed from his cum covered phone.

PACT APP: NEW REVIEW

POSTED BY: CYPHL

1.6 STARS

STUDENTATHLETE24 FIRST TIMER

This slut stud is a newcomer to the app and apparently sucking cock. Celebrated his new life by baptizing him today in the library bathroom. Not prone to following rules but takes it like a champ.

# hyperspermia # cumdump # newcomer

After several minutes of washing his leather cladded uniform Laith walked out from the secluded bathroom and into the main hall of the library he had to cross to leave the building. His helmet disguised his identity but his clothing revealed his true nature as a fag. He had attempted to wash the cum off his clothes but it had stained the leather causing white crusty spots to form all over his body in splatters and drips. He tried his best to ignore the stares and snickers as he got on his motorcycle and drove away.

[lunar1an]

the problem with the otherverse is that it's very much split between the desire to remain ambiguous and lacking in definitive truth, and in providing solid boundaries and labels so that it's an easily digestible setting with boxes to sort a given fan-practitioner/Other into and to make little tables to generate tabletop games with.

i think like...pact implies that labels aren't the end of the world, despite rose sr's little warning. we just have the perspective of blake who isn't reading the books. but rose does tell us what ghouls are, and talks about how a bloody mary is a whole subtype of Others following similar patterns. even mrs lewis is like "does this look like a faerie? yes? it probably is". but all of that is comparatively minor because the lore is used as a supplement to the story and it's more "tidbits to help blake out". the sense of mystery still holds and the setting manages to feel wide and open.

pale tries this, sometimes. it talks about outdated terminology, or how practitioner books can be biased or badly written. it has the 100YL mystery and implies avery doesnt have a perfect understanding of the universe. it sort of tries to quarantine its bullshit by implying different regions of the world handle things differently too.

except ultimately it fails because for every attempted nod towards ambiguity it has three lore dumps saying "these are the types of curses that exist" or "these are the types of cursed magic items that exist" or "these are the universal measurements for glamour". or bombshells like "Innocents retroactively rewrite history with science". a given practitioner/Other is often a spokesperson for their whole field and how everyone practices or views it rather than just...a guy who happens to use a particular system for understanding a world that's much bigger than them.

there's like...definitely a balance when it comes to lore. it's not that i don't like having things revealed to me. it's not like i don't enjoy having new information to use to generate new ideas. but at some point when the lore stops feeling like an organic part of a world and more like mandatory entries in a table/list it quickly becomes irritating.

[adventuretimetournament]

Adventure Time Skippable Episodes Tournament - Prequel

Welcome to what will be a tournament for the best "skippable" episode of Adventure Time! Before beginning, we need to decide which episodes count as skippable. There is a lot of debate about this, so I'd like some input before starting. This list came from Reddit user reapertuesday's reduced viewing guide and includes some episodes they marked as recommended.

The full list is under the cut. Before going over it, some Q&A:

Why call them skippable episodes? Why not filler or non-canon?

"Filler" refers to episodes that are made in order to prolong an adaptation of a source material. Adventure Time is an original creation, not based on a specific existing story, so there is no filler. In the same way, no episodes are "non-canon" unless specifically declared so by the crew.

So what defines a skippable episode?

To me, a skippable episode is any episode that does not:

Introduce a recurring character or item (e.g. Finn's various swords)*

Relate to a larger character development/arc/backstory or overarching plot point

Generally get a mention in any other episode

*A character introduced in one of these episodes may have a cameo in required episodes. However, if their presence isn't confusing even without watching their introduction episode, their intro episode may still be on the list. For example, Party God shows up at Prismo's party in S6 E1, but several other characters we don't know are also present, so it's not unusual even if you skipped his previous appearances.

Where are the Graybles, Fionna and Cake, and guest-animated episodes?

I consider these episodes to be kind of their own thing, contained in their own universe or singular episode. I know F&C have their own show now, but this list is specifically for watching Adventure Time proper, not any follow-up or spin-off material. Plus, at least one of the guest-animated episodes is considered genuinely non-canon, and I do want this list to have only canon episodes.

This episode isn't skippable, it's one of my favorites!

An episode being skippable doesn't mean it's not good - some of my favorite episodes are in this list. It just means that a first-time viewer can choose not to watch the episode and not be confused by anything later.

That being said, here is the list. Please reply in some form if you think an episode on here is required viewing (and explain why), or if you think I missed an episode. I'll give it one week before creating the bracket.

S1, E6: The Jiggler

S1, E8: Business Time

S1, E11: Wizard

S1, E13: City of Thieves

S1, E14: The Witch’s Garden

S1, E17: Wedding Bells Thaw

S1, E18: Dungeon

S1, E19: The Duke

S1, E21: Donny

S1, E23: Rainy Day Daydream

S1, E26: Gut Grinder

S2, E2: The Eyes

S2, E3: Loyalty to the King

S2, E4: Blood Under the Skin

S2, E5: Storytelling

S2, E6: Slow Love

S2, E7: Power Animal

S2, E9: The Other Tarts

S2, E13: The Pods

S2, E21: Belly of the Beast

S2, E26: Heat Signature

S3, E1: Conquest of Cuteness

S3, E4: Hitman

S3, E7: Still

S3, E13: From Bad to Worse

S3, E15: No One Can Hear You

S3, E16: Jake vs Me-Mow

S3, E17: Thank You

S3, E18: The New Frontier

S3, E21: Marceline’s Closet

S3, E22: Paper Pete

S3, E23: Another Way

S3, E24: Ghost Princess

S4, E3: Web Weirdos

S4, E8: Hug Wolf

S4, E9: Princess Monster Wife

S4, E11: Beyond this Earthly Realm

S4, E12: Gotcha!

S4, E14: Princess Cookie

S4, E17: BMO Noire

S4, E21: Who Would Win

S4, E23: The Hard Easy

S4, E24: Reign of Gunters

S5, E4: Up a Tree

S5, E5: All the Little People

S5, E7: Davey

S5, E8: Mystery Dungeon

S5, E10: Little Dude

S5, E17: BMO Lost

S5, E18: Princess Potluck

S5, E19: James Baxter the Horse

S5, E20: Shh!

S5, E21: The Suitor

S5, E22: The Party’s Over, Isla de Senorita

S5, E25: Candy Streets

S5, E27: Jake Suit

S5, E33: Time Sandwich

S5, E37: Box Prince

S5, E39: We Fixed a Truck

S5, E49: Bad Timing

S6, E5: Sad Face

S6, E8: Furniture & Meat

S6, E11: Little Brother

S6, E13: Thanks for the Crabapples, Giuseppe

S6, E14: Princess Day

S6, E15: Nemesis

S6, E17: Ghost Fly

S6, E18: Everything’s Jake

S6, E20: Jake the Brick

S6, E21: Dentist

S6, E31: Walnuts & Rain

S6, E32: Friends Forever

S6, E34: Chips & Ice Cream

S7, E4: Mama Said

S7, E5: Football

S7, E16: Angel Face

S7, E17: President Porpoise is Missing

S7, E18: Blank Eyed Girl

S7, E21: Scamps

S7, E25: The Thin Yellow Line

S8, E2: Don’t Look

S8, E18: Horse and Ball

[klarriel]

Nimrod

Summary:

Dean Winchester grapples with a relentless double life, working two jobs to make ends meet. In the small town of Smith Center, he keeps to himself, his father's words in his head a never-ending reminder of the past he'd rather forget.

When the mysterious musician Castiel Novak becomes his next-door neighbour, both men are sent on a journey to realise who they could truly be.

In 1979, at the cusp of a new decade, Dean will discover that some people will only stay if you dare to ask it of them.

Tags: Slow Burn, Fluff, Angst, Happy Ending, 1970s Musician Castiel, Mechanic Dean, Store Clerk Dean Winchester, Small Towns, Alternate Universe, Friends to Lovers, Character Death, not dean or cas but oh my god im so sorry don't hate me please, Repression, Childhood Trauma, Flashbacks of trauma, Homophobia, Religious Guilt, Past Sexual Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Recreational Drug Use, Past Torture, Sad with a Happy Ending, Dean Winchester Needs Therapy, So do I, But writing this is cheaper

WIP

Read Chapters 1-5/? now

Excerpt under the cut

As the door to Apartment 7 creaks open, he glances around. He’s never been inside another apartment in his building before - it’s kind of disturbing to see one near-exact to his that isn’t his. The identical shelves of the kitchen alcove on the left are packed with plates and boxes not yet stored away. A ratty maroon sofa bed sits to the left of the main room. A rolled-up rug leans against the far wall, between the two windows looking out onto the street below. The golden glow of the evening sun streams in, basking the floor in warmth. 

“You can just put them down wherever” Anna smiles, placing a box of records on the kitchen shelf, before calling out, “Cee! Our neighbours here!” 

Dean decides that, in the interests of not disturbing whatever decorating plans they’ve got going on, the spot next to the front door is probably the best bet for him to set down the items he’s carrying. He places them down carefully,  leaning them against the wall. Hearing a noise, he glances behind him towards the source of the rustling coming from the room to the right of the apartment - judging from the layout of Dean’s own apartment, the bedroom. The door is closed just enough that he can’t see who’s in there, but almost as soon as he looks, a figure steps out. 

The golden light filtering in through the bedroom window illuminates the figure from behind, casting a shadow over them so Dean can’t see their face. Golden tendrils dance around them, and if Dean didn’t know better, he’d say they were glowing. 

‘Oh, hello…? ” A gruff voice tinged with surprise.

“Dean!” Anna interjects, walking over to join the figure, “Dean, this is my brother Castiel.”

Castiel walks over, and Dean can make out his deep blue eyes, and the hints of stubble covering his jaw. His buttoned blue shirt pressed mauve trousers are a match in tone to his sister’s outfit - clean, presentable. He seems still in every way, apart from his mess of brown hair that is tousled wildly, and Dean wonders if it’s so messy because of the stress of moving, or if it always just sits like that. He holds Dean’s gaze, his expression not quite readable. Together, Castiel and Anna make their way over to him, Dean to nervous to invade anyone’s space to move. 

“Hello, Dean” Castiel says, smiling slightly before his eyes drop down to linger on the items on the floor next to Dean.

“Anna!” he scolds, turning to his sister, “Please tell me you have not shirked your responsibilities onto someone you’ve just met ?” 

“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet?” She offers, but at Castiel’s lack of reaction she wordlessly drops her gaze to the floor, guiltily scuffing her shoe on the wooden floorboards.

Dean could get mad, especially considering the guitar-to-head incident, but at this point he just doesn’t have the energy. Plus, the kid looks like she could use a break.

“It’s fine really, I was just walking in and she looked like she could use a hand,” Dean says, turning to meet Anna’s gaze, “No biggie.”

Castiel huffs out an annoyed breath, running his hand through his hair and furrowing his brow, but he smiles anyway.

“Well… thank you, very much.” he says, before rushing to pick up the items, “We really won’t keep you any longer.” 

Something niggles at the back of Dean’s head. He can’t define it, but it wasn’t there when he left work. Maybe the guitar induced more brain damage than he thought. 

He takes the opportunity and leaves with a wave, hearing a shouted “Thanks, Dean!” from Anna as he walks downstairs.