#up in my Eureka feels for the past few days

[midnightwinterhawk]

Me: People are still in the Eureka fandom and writing fics in this, the year of our lord 2023?

Also me, ten minutes earlier: *casually wandering through the devil's sacrament while trawling the Jack Carter/Nathan Stark tag*

[chaoticly-shy-dragon]

I'm back with more demigod dead boy detectives (parts one and two for those interested)! In short, Edwin is a son of Athena (born at the turn of the 20th century) who spent seventy years in the fields of punishment by accident - after he escaped it was 1989 and most of the gods had moved to America of all places.

And despite all that, St Hilarion was still functioning as a demigod heaven. Edwin is not happy. At all.

Charles on the other hand is having an interesting time all around. The backstory for him that I came up with starts from before he was born. The OG pjo au that I read had his father be Ares and yes?! I adore the Frank Zang of him?

But his mom and Ares didn't click in my mind until I realized that Ares is in an on-and-off relationship with Aphrodite - who is cutting and sharp and tough but also soft and ditsy and a bit shallow. His past lovers don't all need to be veterans or kickboxers. It was an eureka moment, to be honest.

Charles' mom (name still in the works) met Ares in a museum showcasing ancient pottery and jewelry - some of them Greek - most of which depicted old heroic tales or bore the scars of the years. They started talking completely by chance - Aphrodite had stood Ares up and he didn't feel like going back to what he was doing. He decided to check this collection out - to reminisce or to try and remember fallen friends. Or just to sulk. Either way, he was there.

Charles's future mom sees him and the conflicting aesthetic of his clothing and the display he was looking at makes her want to talk with him. They hit it off. He asks to see her again and the rest is history.

They are together for four months before she gets pregnant. As expected from a god, Ares disappears from her life with only a few words. Charles's mom is left alone with a baby, in a shitty apartment with no family in the country.

It sucks. Like a lot.

Then she meets Paul Richard Rowland.

(I'm sorry but I can't do Paul's name dirty in a pjo au, I just can't. Although the irony was amusing enough to make me consider it for a whole second.)

They hit it off even with the occasionally crying baby in the next room. Soon they are engaged to be married - and married soon afterward. Charles's last name is changed and would you look at that - a happy family.

Not.

Charles is a charming and athletic boy with a love for ska and a bit of a temper. His dad is a cunt and his mom is quiet. That's fine until it isn't.

In an argument, it gets out that Richard isn't Charles's actual father (he is 14 when that happens). Stuff gets progressively worse after that (both with Richard and with the monsters - Richard's whole "something is wrong with you" really drives in the "I am different" mindset you really don't want in an untrained demigod) until Charles' mom gets desperate and contacts the boarding school - Ares had assured her that it would always have a spot for Charles.

(The phone number is that of the school board of all the still functioning demigod establishments. Had Charles been a girl they would have referred the mom to one of the all-girls or mixed schools. It's a system run by descendants, wind spirits and satyrs.)

((It's not as efficient as say sending satyrs to schools, but they only have so many satyrs. They do the guardian routine! Honest!))

Fast forward and Charles has been to St Hil for almost a year and a half. He is a semi-full-year camper in the sense he went home once for one summer and then only for two to three days a year.

He gets along with his siblings and the cricket team. He is friendly and nice but 80s racism and classist bullshit exist - he can't be too vocal with his thoughts and opinions less he is ostracized by his peers, he has to play a role he only has half the script of. The demigod thing isn't always a blessing.

He is a deft hand with daggers and knives, he is skilled with a sword - but he would prefer to play cricket or go to concerts. No magical barrier means nightly patrols and the occasional monster attack.

Cue the death scene. It plays like canon but with weapons. He is chased into the freezing lake by his siblings and his former mates. (And Charles had been so excited about having siblings - but this - they - he couldn't call brothers.)

There aren't any naiads during the winter - or they are sleeping deep into it. No one intervenes. He manages to escape his pursuers by going deeper into the woods until he comes across an old shed.

Charles goes in.

(He didn't hear the sharp snap of twigs and branches in the other direction of the one he was going. He didn't notice the second pair of footsteps shadowing his own.)

((He does see the lantern.))

And they finally meet. Isn't it grand? (TBC)

[wesleysniperking]

Usopp isn’t an Underdog (TL;DR)

If we really take the time to look at it, in a very practical way. An a**pull isn’t really an a**pull. Or whatever way powerscalers like to get red in the face for.

I think a lot of people and One Piece fans have been going about Usopp in the wrong way. If you feel you haven’t, that’s fine. But for the past couple of weeks when on my break, I came to the realization after reading a book (I’ll give the title later) that when considering the genre One Piece falls under and who it’s catered to, it has indeed been a hindrance for Usopp, and even the writer, Oda. Why? Because Oda is as predictable as he is unpredictable. The same can be said for Usopp.

What do I mean by that?

Before I even get into how smart and great Usopp is, I want to state a point. A lot of people are right, Usopp is inevitably a target. Forget about the Sanji v Zoro rap sessions, or Gear 5's overpowered characteristics. Because copium or not, what Oda is doing to Usopp is intentional. When people say that Oda intended for Usopp to always be the weakest it sometimes bothered me. Not because I want him to be crazy f**kin strong. Or that my expectations are aimless. But that statement always bothered me because it seemed like those people were trying to make it a point to say that there’s nothing left for Usopp. He’s regressed and is fodder. Those two years spent on that island, Boin, with his quirky mentor Heracles was all for naught. Everyone else got these nice trainers, and Usopp’s wasn’t as nearly cool. This pained me to even just think about it. And all this shade is something I'm quoting, I don't believe any of these bad things said about Usopp. I stress this.

But I’m actually starting to embrace this aspect. No, the haters didn’t cause me to resign to their stupid agenda or hate bon*r. But they made me realize (including the book I just read), that Oda is writing Usopp perfectly. I kid you not. It took a whole analysis on David and Goliath to really make me think.

For starters, in general, us mortals (or humans) have a really twisted way of looking at the odds, or the underdog. We often think that the Goliaths are these powerful beings. We think that when we find ourselves up against these stronger people we’re at a disadvantage. Despite the One Piece fandom having a vague idea of what Usopp’s underdog status represents and how Shonen grades “weak characters”, I think this brings forward that fact. Therefore, Usopp is a weak little a**hole no one gives a shit about, and if they do, it’s to prove a point (very passionately indeed) that he’s nothing but fodder and Oda has forgotten about him. But wait. Due to our twisted way of thinking, this is where Oda is challenging us. From the start we were at first under the idea that Luffy was at a disadvantage a few times when he was up against certain villains like Arlong or Crocodile, but Oda and Luffy proved to us a few times afterwards that this small Strawhat had what it took. He had balls.

But Usopp’s journey is much more unique and complex.

I must admit, the Usopp haters sometimes get to me. I’m human. It happens. But after reading the book and a eureka moment happened, I understood that Oda was baiting the haters, HE IS BAITING THE HATERS. He’s baiting his audience. For the last three weeks, it was as though everyone couldn’t stop trash-talking Usopp, I started to go crazy. I spent 5 days straight arguing with this a**hole on YouTube who just wanted to prove and beat into my f**cking head that Usopp is “the butt” of the crew. “He’ll never be as strong as Luffy”, “He spent two years on an island and suffered from Obesity. A joke my friend”, and “Nami’s even stronger than him. He’s useless and disloyal”. Ugh!!! Anywho, I understood after reading the book that a**hats like him are what Oda wants. He’s making fun of and light-heartedly taking advantage of Usopp getting sh*tted upon. One Piece is a Shonen manga, baby! But Oda isn’t a conventional writer (that’s what makes One Piece the GOAT).

So, Oda is taking into consideration how flawed humans are in thinking what a powerful person is. He knows we think the Goliaths are the ones who have a chance of winning, when in fact, the Davids are just as formidable. If he had Usopp “take a back seat” in Wano, it was intentional.

When David stepped out behind that protective barrier to defend his people, King Saul stopped him and said “Dude, there’s no way you’re winning this.” Saul was wrong because he thought Goliath had this fight in the bag. And we know who really had the fight in the bag. And if there’s one thing to very strongly note, one thing to consider in the David and Goliath battle is that David was a projectile fighter fighting an infantryman. David was so talented with a sling that he could’ve shot that pebble through Goliath's head so deep it was practically a hot bullet—the stone/pebble David used equated to a bullet during biblical times. And he did "stun" Goliath. The worst opponent for an infantry fighter is in fact a projectile fighter because infantry fighters require making close contact to land multiple blows on an enemy. But projectile fighters can counteract that quickly with just one shot. Therefore, Usopp is at an advantage more than we think due to Usopp’s quick thinking and ammo as well. He just needs to position himself correctly up against the right opponent, and bang!

So, in this 20+ years journey, Oda has taken advantage of Usopp’s character. He wants US to undermine Usopp so badly. So that when Usopp has his biggest moment, it’ll break the fandom.

“No way! How could Usopp win that?!” “OMG. What a major a**pull!” “Damn, he one shot the hell outta [insert future adversary]!”

That finicky little word, a**pull made its appearance again. But nah, it wasn’t an a**pull.

Why?

Because David was never at a disadvantage when he fought Goliath.

Related Link 1 (more similarities between Usopp and David are discussed here)

Related Link 2

Related Link 3

Usopp fan club (join if you’d like)

photo link credit

Work Cited:

Gladwell, M. (2013). David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. Little, Brown and Company.

[ftm-radio]

My gender is 4 years old

...and four days, as of April 15th. This post is a bit late. 😅

Four years ago, all the confusing little puzzle pieces I'd been collecting came together in a genuine eureka! moment and I realized I was transgender. It was exhilarating and terrifying and it undeniably changed my life for the better.

The last few years have felt pretty damn slow and I've had to scramble over a few frustrating obstacles (never changing my name AGAIN, lmao, that was annoying as fuck) but it's all been worth it and now it feels like I'm really making headway.

I started testosterone this past year! I did that! I'm almost 7 months on T now! Currently on a dose of two pumps of gel, which I have only missed applying once in all that time because I was literally sick. The changes are gradual but they are real and they have already brought me so much joy and made me so much happier in my humble flesh prison. 💗

The most anticipated change for me (and for a lot of transmasc folks, I imagine) is my voice, and BOY (heh) am I happy to share this data comparison with you:

[ LEFT: A screenshot from the Voice Pitch Analyzer app, dated November 3rd, 2021. It shows that OP's voice registers fully within the female voice range. RIGHT: Another screenshot from the app, dated April 12th, 2024. This one shows that OP's voice registers mostly between the Androgynous and Male voice ranges. ]

My voice is so different now. It sounds different, it feels different, and in just the last week or so I swear it has gotten a little rougher and raspier and I am LIVING. I could not be happier!!!

...okay, fine, I could be happier lmao.

I'm adjusting to my deeper voice and still learning how to use it in a way I like & that feels best to me, so I'm starting to do some casual at-home voice training again after basically forgetting about the concept completely since 2021. (Whoops.) But I am already so much happier and more content with my voice than I have ever been in my life, so it's only getting better from here, lads. <3

I've also had to go to a lot of appointments and answer a ton of phone calls about said appts recently because I kinda fucked up my eyeball (it's better now, don't worry! and be gentle to your eyes, they are delicate and eye drops are so fucking annoying when you're doing them seven times a day, jfc) and my voice has reached a point where I was a lot more comfortable interacting with strangers and I also didn't notice any surprise or confusion when I introduced myself with a male name! It was kind of amazing.

Also singing is even more fun now. I love love LOVE singing along with a male vocalist and feeling the way my voice kinda rumbles through my chest. 10/10 sensory experience.

Other changes aren't nearly as exciting or obvious as my voice, but here's a quick (?) rundown, for those who are curious:

Mood — Gotta be honest, I don't think I've really noticed any significant change in my day-to-day mood, though I may not be the best judge for this because I have trouble figuring out what/how I'm feeling in general, tbh. But I think I have certainly gotten more comfortable and content with myself and I'd even go so far as to say I feel a little more confident these days. It's nice, I appreciate it.

Acne — I definitely noticed a change in how my acne presents itself on my face. I wouldn't say it's worse than before (I've had very bad acne since I was a young teenager and only got medication for it like, last year which has helped immensely) but I think it's different. More little red spots and roughness than the unpleasant and painful pimples I'm used to. I don't even mind it, really. Oddly affirming.

Facial Hair — I've got facial hair. I really do!!! Not clickbait!!! It's not much, not enough for me to be brave and take my dad up on his offer of shaving lessons quite yet, but it has grown in enough that I don't feel silly including it in self portraits! 🤭🧔🏻 Got a little bit of a mustache happening, a little bit at the sides of my face, some fuzz on my chin (with one LONG hair that I can only assume has been greedy and stealing his brothers' growth), and a frankly surprising lil patch of hair under my jaw. On a semi-related note, not sure if my brows have gotten much darker/thicker. They might have? idk.

my new discord icon, hehe... 👁💜🪓

Body Hair — I have gotten a little more hair on my forearms, and it may have gotten a little darker too! I have a tattoo on my arm just below my left wrist and it's been surprisingly helpful for measuring arm hair growth because for years my tattoo was not covered by hair at all but the left side of it's a little fuzzy now... 😏 I've gotten more noticeable hair growth on my upper arms, which were basically hairless before (free gender euphoria every time I put on my T) and on my thighs. Don't think my lower legs have gotten much hairier, and I'm a little impatient about it lmao. I want to get hairy enough to rival my brother.

Energy/Appetite — Can't say I've really noticed any differences here? I am not a very active person and I already struggled with appetite and getting myself to eat before I started T (thank you adhd & poor eating habits 🥲💀), so I can't quite tell if I'm ignoring more hunger signals than usual. 😅 I am hoping to get more active and start doing more physical activity now that it's starting to get warmer outside again, so hopefully that will help me see these sorts of changes and also get me into some better eating habits as I expend more energy and work up a proper appetite! (Also, since we're on the topic... a reminder for all of us that taking care of yourself and feeding the body you live in is a million times more important than aesthetics and numbers on a scale. ❤)

Menstruation — I am still getting my period right on schedule, but I am happy to say it is considerably lighter than it was before I started testosterone! My period has begun getting shorter, too. It lasted for roughly 7–9 days before, but I was bleeding for exactly 7 days last month, and only 6 days this month. I'm not sure if this trend will continue at such a dramatic rate, but if my next round is only 5 days I will be very excited about it, lol. My uterus can retire any day now, please...

Bottom Growth — if any of my friends read this part, don't speak to me about it lmao — Yeah... there's a little bit of something happening down there. Not a lot, and I haven't really noticed any pain or sensitivity, but there's a Difference. Aaaaand I like it. 😌 I am looking forward to any and all future developments. 😏👉🏻👉🏻

Okay! I think that's it, really.

I know I haven't been super active on this blog for quite a while now (I have really gotten into fandom blogging on my main lmao, and also discord is my favorite thing right now, it's where 90% of my friends live) so I hope this nice, long, ramble-y post makes up for that a little bit. <3

Not gonna make any promises that I'll post here more often, but y'know. I might. It could happen. Definitely not leaving this blog to sit and gather dust, that's for sure. I'll still be reblogging stuff semi-frequently, even if I'm not writing up my own posts.

So goodbye for now, and thanks for tuning in! 👋🏻📻💖💙✨️

[pushing500]

The Ship

It's been a long time coming, but it's time for us to say goodbye to The Animist Alliance and the story of Eureka. Who would have thought that a colony I started because I was feeling sick and uncomfortable one day would grow into something so fun? I've had a grand time sharing this story with you all, and I hope you've had fun following the adventure.

Speaking of stories, I tried my hand at writing one for the ending! It's a bit long, so I'll stick it under a break, but I hope you like it. Thank you to everybody who's enjoyed my art and my colony, I've had so much fun making these posts. I can't wait to do more!

So, without further ado...

Tap, tap, tap.

Irwin’s pencil bumped against the clipboard in a thoughtful rhythm as he scowled at the list before him.

“There are twenty-nine people in this colony.” He said, his voice cutting through the silence, “Twenty-nine people, eighty animals, but only eighteen cryptosleep caskets. At the very least, eleven people will have to stay behind.”

“More than that, if we want any of the animals to make it off this planet!” Kawoo piped up, “It would be a shame to leave them all behind after we’ve been through so much together. Anybody with a bonded animal should be allowed to take them on the ship, don’t you think?”

“If there’s room.” Irwin stopped tapping the pencil for a moment to scribble something on the clipboard, “Here, I’ve narrowed the choice down.” He looked up, scanning the gathered colonists until he found who he was looking for— the small group of uncertain newcomers huddled towards the back of the crowd, “Gracie, Hot Minute, Grump, Kelorul, and Jesse. You’ll be staying behind.”

“What?!” 

Predictably, it was Grump who exploded. She had a hair-trigger temper, and when she wasn’t trying to destroy the technology around the colony, she could be found trying to pick a fight with one of the men. Irwin seemed to be a favourite target of hers, perhaps due to his powerful position as the Moral Guide of the Path of Animism. “Why do we have to stay behind? Who do you think you are to make us sit down and watch as the rest of you all get to leave this steaming pile of—”

Irwin’s gaze snapped toward her, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He rolled the pencil back and forth between his fingertips for a few long moments, and Grump calmed herself quickly as she recognised the all-too-familiar expression. 

Irwin only looked at people like that before he reached underneath his duster for the sturdy grip of his persona zeushammer, Xanxalbur.

“You’re staying behind because I don’t like you,” He told her, making no effort to soften the impact of his words. He never did. “You’re all newcomers. None of you have earned a place on the ship.”

“We got the AI Core, didn’t we?” said Hot Minute indignantly, “You never would have finished the ship without us! Well, without Grump, Gracie, Kelorul and me.” Grump, Gracie and Kelorul murmured in agreement. 

“No, I suppose not.” Irwin shrugged and tapped the pencil against the clipboard again.

Tap, tap, tap.

“So… Can we go on the ship?” Gracie asked finally, after several moments of silence broken only by the pencil tapping against the clipboard.

“No.” Irwin squinted at the clipboard and crossed something else out, “Eva, you can’t go either.”

“I can’t?” Eva looked up from the tray of nutrient paste she had been quietly eating, “What’s wrong with me specifically?”

“We’re not convinced you’re human, that’s what’s wrong.” Albina stepped up beside Irwin and peered at the list in his hands, “That does narrow our choices down, but there’s still so many of us.”

“I’ll narrow it some more!” Debby stomped over and linked arms with Eva, “I don’t care if you think she’s a mime! I’m staying with her! I don’t want to go on your stupid ship!”

“Alright, then. Suit yourself.” Irwin made a note on his clipboard, and Albina nodded her approval.

“Irwin, if Debby is staying…” Brennan slunk forward, her eyes rimmed with dark circles. It was clear she hadn’t been sleeping well since her abrupt divorce, “May I claim the first spot on the ship? I… I don’t think I can stand to stay here. Not with…” She glanced over her shoulder to where Debby and Eva stood side-by-side, “Not with some people. Please let me leave.”

“This ship wouldn’t have been possible without you, Brennan. If anybody deserves a spot, it’s you.” Irwin offered her one of his rare smiles, “Alright. Seventeen cryptosleep caskets left.”

“Well, then, let me say something.” Zonovo shoved past Hazrov and Vu to glare at Irwin, “Either that thing leaves on the ship, or I do!” As he delivered his ultimatum, he pointed accusingly at the pulmonoscorpius skittering around by the kitchen. 

Frisbee was one of Kawoo’s beloved pets, but it was a well-known fact around Eureka that Zonovo could not stand the sight of the giant scorpion. His shrieks of terror were such a regular occurrence that nobody batted an eyelid anymore.

Irwin and Albina exchanged glances, and Irwin’s pencil returned to its nervous tapping.

Tap, tap, tap.

“If he wants to go on the ship, I won’t stop him.”  said Albina after a moment, “Some people go to such extreme measures to run from their fears.”

“How can any of you stand to live in such close proximity to that monstrous—” Zonovo began to bristle with anger, but a hand on his arm stopped him before he could start a social fight.

“If Zonovo is going, I’m going.” Baz squeezed his husband’s shoulder and grinned, “You wouldn’t break up marriages over this ship, would you?”

“We wouldn’t dream of it. Irwin, put their names down next to each other. They can have adjacent caskets.” Albina watched Irwin take his notes, then glanced up, “Speaking of marriages… Wookshys, do you want a spot on the ship?” 

“You’ll have a spot if you want one.” Irwin promised, “It’s the least we can do, especially considering how you’ve been treated around here.”

“I’ll follow wherever Albina goes.” Wookshys’ laugh was deep and rich, and it rumbled in his chest as he shook his head and wagged his tail cheerfully, “If she stays, I’ll stay. If she goes, I’ll go. I only want to be with her.” He caught Albina’s eye and winked at her.

“Up to you, then, our fearless leader. Do you want to leave?” Irwin’s pencil hovered over the list of names as he looked at Albina. She hesitated, then lifted her head and stared across the colony to where she could see the faintest glimmer of light where the Anima tree stood. 

Albina spent the majority of her time by the Anima tree. She spoke of it like it was a beloved sister, and she smiled as she looked at it now.

“No.” She murmured, “No, I think I’ll stay. I can’t bear the idea of leaving the tree behind.”

“Excellent!” beamed Wookshys, “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to cope on a spaceship anyway. There's not much fishing to be done in a vacuum, from what I’ve heard. I’d much prefer to stay here.”

“Yes, I think you’ll find more joy here than drifting in the void.” agreed Irwin, “So, that’s three spots gone already. Brennan, Zonovo, and Baz. Fifteen caskets left. Any takers?”

“I’d like to humbly request a spot, please.” Candlelight raised one hand and smiled, “I have very much enjoyed my time here, but I miss being among my own people. This looks like the best chance I’ll get at returning to them, so I’d like to take the chance before it’s gone.”

Irwin nodded as he made the necessary notes, then glanced back up as someone blew a low whistle.

“Well…” Wendy sighed and cracked the knuckles on her right hand, the one which wasn’t bionic, then smiled at her wife, “I reckon Tamarind probably feels the same way about the Anima tree that Albina does, hey? I’m happy to stay here with her. I’ve died once on this planet, and it only seems right that I stay until the day it gets to keep me forever.”

“I’ll stay, but I’d like you to refrain from dying for as long as possible.” Tamarind playfully jabbed Wendy in the ribs, and the two women chuckled before glancing back at Irwin, who was watching them with a quirked eyebrow, “Cross us off the list, please. We’ll stay here.”

“There’s enough room for everyone else, then.” Irwin looked ready to wrap it up, but a cry of distress stopped him before he lay the clipboard aside.

“Wait, wait!” exclaimed Fafo, “I… I don’t want to go. I want to stay here. There are… My… I have… I have my robots!” She gestured helplessly to where Gadget, her small constructoid, was working to rebuild some power conduits while her centipede gunner Hero watched impassively, “I’ve only scratched the surface of my abilities as a mechanitor! Please, don’t be upset, but I don’t want to go!” She addressed this last comment to her husband, Kaz, standing nearby with their son, Ro.

“I’m not upset,” Kaz reassured. He absent-mindedly ruffled Ro’s hair, frowning as he considered, “In all honesty… I prefer the idea of staying, too. I helped build most of this colony. I fell in love and got married here. My son was born here. I think I’d like to stay to raise my family here.” He smiled and glanced at Wendy and Tamarind, “Besides, I’ve still got nine fingers left in case Wendy does anything stupid again and needs to be resurrected. Someone responsible ought to keep an eye on her.” 

Irwin shook his head, but it didn’t hide the grin that crept across his face as he crossed the three Kaznove names off the list.

“I’ll stay, too.” Another voice called out, and Barghest stepped forward, “I know I mostly just sweep the floors here, and nobody would miss me if I left, but this place is good. I like my room. I like my chores. I like the weather here.” He rubbed his beard, then added as if it were an afterthought, “I don’t like the idea of being blown up in a ship and dying in the void without ever knowing what happened.”

“That’s certainly a risk we’ll be taking.” Irwin agreed, “Anybody else having second thoughts? Connie?”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take as long as we’re both on board.” Connie folded her arms and stuck her nose in the air, “I’m sick to death of this place! I just want to go to a nice glitterworld somewhere and get pampered! Is that too much to ask? Besides, you built the ship, dear. I have full faith in it.”

“Make sure I’m in a casket near her!” called Emerald, “We’re sisters, after all. I don’t want to be separated again.” 

Irwin dutifully noted the names of his wife and sister-in-law alongside his own.

“That means there’s room for some of us to go!” blurted Kelorul, “If so many people are staying back, we can—”

“No. Not happening.” Irwin silenced him with a glare, “None of you are welcome on our ship. You’re staying right here. Build your own ship for all I care.” When Kelorul opened his mouth to object, Irwin’s glare intensified, “Don’t make me get Xanxalbur. It’s got the kill-happy trait, and it’s been waiting a long time without satisfaction.”

“Fine,” Kelorul said sulkily before he turned to tramp away with Gracie, Hot Minute, and Grump following in his footsteps. Nearby, Jesse inclined his head and watched his fellow space battle survivors leave, then strolled towards the farms at a leisurely pace, apparently content to stay behind amongst the flowers and trees of the temperate forest rather than fighting for a spot on the ship.

“I want to stay here.” Laurie drew Irwin’s attention back to the main group as she glanced sideways at Debby and Eva, “Maybe I… Maybe… Fall in love again.” Eva poked her tongue out at Laurie, but Debby winked, and Laurie flushed bright red and turned to shuffle away.

“I’m not staying here. There are adventures to have and people to kill! A whole galaxy of them!” Hazrov clenched and unclenched her fists. Her expression was hidden behind the skull mask she wore, but it was easy to imagine the sadistic glee in her eyes.

“I was going to stay, but… If Hazrov is brave enough to board that ship, so am I!” Vu stuffed her hands into her hoodie pocket, “M-mostly. I am a bit worried. It looks awfully rickety, doesn’t it? Like it would break in space.”

“We’ll find out.” Irwin shrugged.

“Will the ship break in space?” Andy, only seven years old, turned to stare at his parents with eyes as big as saucers. Kawoo knelt to gather her son into her arms.

“Of course not!” She reassured, “Your father helped build it, you know. It’s the best one I’ve ever seen! Besides, we’ll be with you the whole way, even if we’re in separate caskets.”

“I built the ship as sturdy as they come, kiddo. Don’t you worry.” Andrei patted Andy’s head. For a moment, Andy still looked troubled, but then his eyes lit up, and he pulled away from Kawoo. He hurried over to the edge of the group and caught one of Henry’s hands in his own.

“You’re coming too, aren’t you?” He said breathlessly, “I’ll be brave if you’re there, Henry. I won’t have to worry about anything hurting us! Not even space could beat you in a fight!” 

“You’re crazy.” Henry did not quite manage a smile, but he clapped Andy on the shoulder in the crisp, parade-ground manner that seemed far too grown up for his small frame, “I won’t leave you for a second. I was engineered as a soldier, and I’ll be damned if I don’t use that engineering to protect the people who have protected me.”

“Language, Henry.” Irwin chided, but he was smiling as he wrote the last few names down. “Let me see… Brennan, Zonovo, Baz, Candlelight, Connie, Emerald, me, Hazrov, Vu, Kawoo, Andrei, Andy, and Henry. That leaves five cryptosleep caskets that we need to fill.”

“We could be really funny and bring the scorpion.” Connie gestured towards Frisbee, but the white-hot glare that Zonovo shot at her was enough to shut her up.

“Tempting, but we should probably use those caskets for any bonded animals. Andrei, Kawoo, you two work with animals the most. Do you want to bring any?”

“Oh, I’d be extremely grateful if we could make room for Pharaoh!” Kawoo perked up at once, “He’s big and strong, but he’s very gentle. I’d love to take him to a glitterworld and show him off! He’s a majestic creature and definitely worthy to be a space explorer. I’d feel better knowing he was close by.”

“The thrumbos are very majestic.” Irwin wrote Pharaoh’s name next to Kawoo’s on his list, “What about you, Andrei? Any animals you’re particularly close to?”

“Well, keeping on the thrumbo theme…” Andrei wrung his hands, “I’m pretty fond of Bellboy. I’ve helped raise him from birth. He’s only young, but… He could grow into something amazing. He’s trained so well. Is there room for him?”

“We have more caskets. We can fit more thrumbos.” Irwin reassured.

“If I may interject, I… I happen to be particularly close with that enormous fluffy cave bear.” Candlelight spoke up, “Witch, you know? She follows me when I go hunting. She’s very affectionate for something with such huge teeth and claws that could– and do– tear raiders to pieces. Her protection and devotion were not easily earned, and I would hate to leave her behind.”

“Two thrumbos and a cave bear. Is there anyone else we need?” Irwin jotted down a few more notes, “We have two caskets left to fill. Suggestions?”

“Brandi and Big Dipper!” Andy exclaimed, “Pharaoh would be lonely if we took him but not his wife and Brandi is pregnant anyway, so it’s like two thrumbos in one go! And they can’t leave without Big Dipper because he was their first baby, and he can keep his little brother Bellboy company.”

“Good idea, Andy.” Irwin nodded his agreement, “You’re a genius. I’m glad you’re coming with us. You too, Henry.” He checked over the clipboard one final time, tapping the pencil as he did.

Tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Looks good.” He said at last, and tucked the pencil and the clipboard away in the pockets of his duster, “That was easy enough to sort out. Now, all that’s left to do is take off.”

So there you have it! It's both exhilarating and heartbreaking to see the end.

On the one hand, I finished a game of RimWorld for the first time!! Woo! On the other hand, I'd really grown to love Eureka and all the colonists it had. Well, I mean, almost all of them. I could take or leave Grump, Hot Minute, Gracie, and Kelorul.

Thank you again to everyone who followed along with this story. I appreciate it so much. I'm definitely going to play more RimWorld in the future, so please feel free to look forward to that! <3 <3 <3

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The Children of Ecthuctu

A Mechanitor's Message

[neospokenworld]

SPRING ANIME 2024 FINAL THOUGHTS

So just like I did months ago with my first impressions post, here are my final thoughts on every anime I started watching that was ongoing this season. I'm gonna list them as they end to be more organized and not have it jump around, so before we start, here's a quick section about the anime I dropped:

Astro Note: I forgot it existed past the first episode not gonna lie lol, I'll probably resume it in the future since it was a fun first episode but other than that nothing else to say

High Speed Etoilé: I wanted to like this so badly, the story could've been interesting but from what I saw it never hooked me at all, plus the 3d was very rigid so overall it wasn't as good to continue

Spice & Wolf: This is one I'll surely resume in the future, I was liking what I was seeing but one day I just lost track of it and never returned. What I saw left me with a very good taste so this is one that I have to resume someday

Okay, now we can begin:

DUNGEON MESHI

Started watching this one when it was at episode 18 and caught up to it really quickly. I honestly wasn't expecting to like it for some reason but as soon as I started it I knew it was gonna be a fun ride altogether. Nice characters, a good story, excellent animation (I mean it's Trigger but this is like my 2nd anime from them) and food that I would 100% eat if it was real lol. I'm glad it's getting a 2nd season because I really wanna see how it continues

BARTENDER: KAMI NO GLASS

This was beautiful, what else can I say? I mean I knew that this anime would be different after watching the first episode, even joking to myself while watching it ''This is premium anime'' lol. Everything from start to finish had this soothing vibe to it that I absolutely enjoyed and not gonna lie I think from episode 6 onward it knew how to push the right buttons on me to make me more and more emotional, by the time I finished the final episode I was on tears of happiness hearing the credits. I don't know how the original was but I think this is a gem of an anime that surely deserves to be talked about more

YORU NO KURAGE WA OYOGENAI

It never stopped delivering peak, back when the first episode aired I knew it would be something special, and while it felt just a little aimless past the episode of their first concert, I think in the end it wrapped up the main points kinda nicely. This is a show that got me feeling emotional on a near weekly basis and always knew how to share banger episodes. Even if it wasn't yuri in the end it was still a beauty of an anime in my opinion, it only needs to polish a few small things here and there to be basically a masterpiece imo and hopefully the manga that is coming along with it can do it

SHUUMATSU TRAIN DOKO E IKU?

This was such a fun ride overall, I gotta admit back on the first episodes I had a feeling this would be something that would break me when they were close to Ikebukuro, but even if in the end it didn't it was still a really good ride from beginning to end. One thing I liked was how the conversations between the girls were a bit faster than in most anime out there, I don't know but that made them feel more natural to me, it was cool to see all of them interact with the weirdness of the world and ngl this finale actually moved me a little lol. Not the best but still a pretty good one all in all

PS: Both the Opening and Ending here are severely underrated, Ga-Ton Go-Ton is on my top 3 for OPs this season and Eureka is easily my favorite ED for the season, both of them are just so good both visually and musically it's surprising to say the least

Part 2 will come when the other 4 end, so probably early next week

[raisindave]

[Chapter 67] Seeing the World Through Ballistic-Tinted Glasses

"I have an idea," you started, feeling the corner of your lip twitch into a smile at the absurdity. "What if we give the terrorists orders?"

Maybe your words had entirely stunned the room into silence, or maybe your buzzing thoughts drowned out the sound of the ensuing conversation. Ideas started to click into place in a way that they hadn't before; it felt like a breakthrough. After days of infuriating stagnation, your spinning mind gained traction at this crucial discovery.

"From how they have to be set up for this communication method to work, both sides are already working with a list of keys. They have to," you started pacing, making use of idle hands by hastily acting out your words. "The sender dispatches in a message, and the receiver aligns their existing keys to decode the message. It's the most secure way for them to use a one-time pad."

"They already have the keys… So, in a way, the message is the key as well," the Korvettenkapitän's face dropped as she caught onto your train of thought.

"If we get our hands on a message and the key before it reaches the terrorists, we can alter the text," your eureka moment must've made you look crazed, as Price, Soap, Gaz and Laswell all had stoney expressions. "It'll look entirely indistinguishable from orders that would be coming from the oracle!"

"We can use the seal from the stolen message to make our new message look official," Kraus added, pointing the tip of his pen at you.

"Why don't we just order them to release the hostages and surrender?" Gaz lifted himself from leaning on the side of a table, folding his arms.

"An outright order for unconditional surrender could come off as suspicious. We only have one shot at this," your hands cupped your face as you spoke, nearly tripping over Soap's extended legs.

"And there might be some kind of killswitch message for when the Oracle is compromised. We have to be strategic." KKpt's words could have been interpreted as a jab at Gaz, but he didn't seem phased.

"A-and if we happen to apprehend the right person and if this is the right trail, how can we convince her to send in a message that undoes everything they've been working towards?" Professor Kraus’ conviction faded, and pragmatism made him shudder.

"It'll be pretty hard to say no if Ghost is peeling your fingernails off," Soap shrugged, reclining and folding his hands behind his head.

After a few moments of your manic pacing, you recognized the awkward silence that had just filled the room at Soap's words, just in time for the man himself to walk in. Speak of the Devil. Ghost must've been called in my Price while your mind was spinning with possibilities; he ducked past the glass door, clearly just relieved from his overwatch duties. His presence and Soap's words made Kraus' face pale, and KKpt's tracking gaze honed on his menacing company. Kraus made a point of positioning himself with Soap as a barrier from Ghost's presence, hovering timidly by Soap's lounging in your hijacked seat.

"It's a joke. That was a joke," Laswell clarified with a polite chuckle, an outright lie.

The lie seemed to put Professor Kraus entirely at peace as all tension in his wrinkled expression immediately settled. If he only knew the half of it.

"Either way, 141 can be pretty persuasive when they need to be. We need to start thinking about how we'll craft the message," you posited to the other linguists, manifesting your most commanding tone.

"The hostages are the number one priority. Not some, not most, all of them," KKpt reaffirmed her assertive tone, commanding the humour out of the situation.

"We can't even approach the situation until we know it's safe. We have to start with the explosives," Laswell argued.

"On top of explosives, we can expect armed contact with five tangos," Gaz chimed in from beside you, looming over the dogeared blueprints. "They can make or break this whole mission."

"Five tangos? Piece a' cake," Soap quipped as his mouth twisted into a grin, Kraus bellowed a hearty laugh.

"141, this is capture, not kill. We've been given orders to bring these people to trial," Laswell barked. "But I can't speak for the German military."

With so many possibilities up in the air and so little time, it's a wonder that the room became silent. Every soul in that room was raking their mind for logic, seeking past experiences and wisdom to make sense of this change in tempo. You realized your hands were shaking, but you hid them under your folded arms as you paced further. That decadent chocolate cake the boys had bought you couldn't look less appealing right now, about as appetizing as a leather boot. Your nervous stomach couldn't handle the sight. Ghost's eyes in your direction caught your attention, his presence and intensity were apparent. When your eyes swam to dare to catch his gaze, he didn't relent. Brown eyes bored into you with a lingering agitation that made your gut feel like a canon ball had been dropped into it. What's his problem?

"There's too much press," Price sniffed, scratching at his beard. "We can't go in loud, it's too urban. Plainclothes, no armoured vehicles, no kits. Ghost and Soap will infiltrate the apartment and get this Oracle to comply. Gaz and I will be secondary clearance on the ground. Cricket, we'll get you what you need."

He nodded at you, sharing a glance with your colleagues as well. That's working on a hearty assumption that you'll know what to do with the intel they gather. It's also working with a hearty assumption that you're on the right trail to begin with.

"When can we begin?" Soap sat forward in his seat, resting his forearms on his knees.

"What time is it right now?" Price scoffed.

They all move as one. Not a word, no additional clarifications. Laswell gathered her intel in her arms again and slipped out, sparing a nod your way. Once again, just as quickly as they all manifested, they all shuffled out. Soap rose from your seat, Price and Gaz babbled ever so casually about a recent soccer match, and their distant voices trailed into oblivion. Price and co. were headed to the armoury or wherever, the barrel of Ghost's rifle disappearing last from view. Explosive commotion from behind you made the world blur, and suddenly you were being pulled into a giddy embrace. A wall of scratchy blue cotton with gold buttons pressed into your cheek, glancing over to padded shoulders to see the professor bounding over. Surrendering to the crashing relief, you joined your peers in a giddy group hug, squeezing out the deafening tension that's gripped you three for days. Korvettenkapitän Wolf was belting praises, and the explosion of movement sent the professor into a brief coughing fit.

For now, this mission is out of your hands. It's not your field. You're no strategist. Ideas you might bring to the table have probably been long since dissected by the experts, dismissed, as you'd expect. If someone came into your field of expertise and told you what to do, you’d feel pretty irritated too. Laswell will get back to you with the most carefully worded message you can deliver, curated by senior intelligence and coordinated with the ground crews. This feels like the inverse of the desperate hope they instilled in you. It's funny how the tables have turned, and the weight of the mission is now on their shoulders. It feels good. Looking down your nose at them, rolling your eyes if they don't immediately have a solution. The feeling won't last long, but it's worth savouring. Like a game of Red Light, Green Light, you'll be expected to act soon enough.

"We fucking did it," you cried, the words ringing as false in your reeling mind.

"The hard part's done, but there's still more to do," KKpt tempered the energy in the room, a message that was only partly received.

"What's the one with the," Kraus raised his hand to gesture to the top of his head, "hair."

The professor seemed eager to keep the electric atmosphere alight, an opposing energy to the Korvettenkapitän. He stood a lot closer than you were used to him too, pale cheeks alight with life, a flush you'd assumed had been drawn from the success. This aloof professor was now bouncing on his toes in his frumpy brown blazer.

"Oh, that's Soap," you answered casually, slowly catching onto his lingering smile. "Why?"

"I like him," he could barely contain his smile, tapping fidgeting fingers on his styrofoam cup of tea. He looked like he was about to say more.

"Can we focus, please?" KKpt barked in that brash drill-sergeant tone that made the professor quiver in his houndstooth suit.

"Right… Once the task force gets the oracle in custody, we'll have to work fast," you uttered, trying to fight the urge to continue the previous conversation.

"We'll have to get the key, decrypt the original orders, then write the new orders into the key and send it out like new," she continued.

"It's important to remember that we're working with a character limit in this medium," Kraus grumbled, shaking away his fluster. "Once we know what the new orders will be, we'll have to tailor our message within a few short lines of text."

"There's also the issue of internal dog whistles. There might be some secret keyword or omission of keywords that signal infiltration," KKpt pressed a balled fist to her tight mouth.

"You have a skeptical mind," Kraus huffed, flopping back into a chair with a squealing creak.

"We should have one of us creating the new message with the existing key, one person to read through the old orders to see if there are any consistencies, and another person to make sure we're not fucking it up," you ordered.

Immediately leaping into action, you gathered your things, preparing for anything. A pen, a notebook, and crumpling up the rest. Wads of discarded papers sat like shovelled snow in corners and under tables, forcing yourself to take a long drag of coffee to fuel whatever's to come. The rest of them caught the message, following with the same energetic preparation. For what? Who knows. Preemptiveness, more like. Pieces are in motion, and the energy can't go unused. It's like when you send a risky text to someone you fancy and start frantically cleaning your entire house for reasons you'll never grasp. Almost on queue, the door creaked open again, and a glimpse of blonde bangs corresponded with the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"The boys are about to head out," Laswell tapped her hand on the doorframe, only halfway through the door. "We'll be watching in the van. You should come join me."

"Yes, ma'am," you unfold your tight arms, letting them fall to your side.

You nodded for the others to follow, almost as if they were waiting for your approval to follow this random woman with skeptical brows. Daylight was blinding, and that blonde silhouette was the only distinguishable figure in the early noon sunlight. It makes you realize how much of a cave that restaurant has become. Your two peers followed at your heels, each armed with a laptop and a fistful of loose papers. The grey cityscape manifested once your eyes adjusted and you found your footing on the uneven sidewalk. A maze of vans and tents and floodlights, this tourist center has become a military encampment, armed to the teeth with cops and soldiers.

Your colleagues, the task force ones, swam into your field of view from across the street. There's something so unsettling about seeing these guys without their full kits and camo. Ghost had a blue and yellow sweatshirt with some sports team's logo on the front, unquestionably not one from his personal wardrobe. A black medical mask and a baseball cap made him look like any other commuter on a bus, backpack over one shoulder and all. On the other hand, Soap looked like at least a dozen other people you'd seen at the gym before, with a grey hoodie with ripped-off sleeves and running shorts. If you close your eyes and imagine a jock, that image of Soap is precisely what you'd see. He looks like a retired quarterback that peaked in Highschool. Even though they're not supposed to see them, you could barely see the bulletproof vests under their clothes. Not nearly as high of an armour level as in their usual kits, but could save their life nonetheless.

The rest of them wore jeans, almost like Soap was the one who didn't get the memo, even though his disguise was by far the best. There's Price, no hat, Gaz neither. It's such a rare, once-in-a-lifetime sighting that feels so unsettling, like you've just drawn a sword from a stone. Except after this mission, you probably won't be crowned King of Angleland. Even though it might feel like you deserve it.

Your staring was interrupted, and Laswell ushered you into the butterfly doors of a white van. Laswell seemed somewhat preoccupied, doing sound checks with dinky headphone pads that she pressed to her ears. She'd set up the interior with a wall filled with screens and graphs, a handful of CCTV angles, and an LED display that listed 141's Bravo signs. Those Bravo signs came online one by one, and Laswell, now 'Watcher,' settled in for her role in this mess. KKpt and Kraus joined you on the bench beside you; he goggled at every flashing light while she was stoic and severe.

Suddenly, everything was so official. So real. This is happening, and your half-baked scheme based on at least a dozen assumptions is about to send your colleagues into certain combat. Worst of all, if it fucks up, it all falls back on you. Apprehension caught up to you, and your forehead prickled with sweat. Every decision you've made with certainty descends onto your mind like a cold mist, sowing doubt. They're already on their way, picking up on a camera on the corner of an intersection headed further into the city. All 21 of those hostages and four of your comrades, all flying on your dodgy conclusion. It's all or nothing now.

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Master List

[modernvictories]

In Blossom, Episode 13:

I think Episode 12 and 13 are the strongest episodes of the series yet (Episode 12 being superior in my opinion, but only slightly), and the writing considerably tightens in these episodes.

More below the cut. Spoilers included, obviously; proceed at your own risk.

I found myself irrepressibly charmed by the interaction between our second male lead and our first male lead in the beginning, and the insight into Pan Yue's past (the wounds on his heart finally revealed) was appropriately heart-wrenching; the mystery still isn't the best, but the investigative writing in this episode (12) is by far the most impressive of the things shared so far (in no small part due to the fact that they're investigating themselves, and not just interviewing people who coincidentally have the answers they're looking for and then going Eureka! while staring at scrolls or randomly thinking). I think it's no secret that In Blossom doesn't have the tightest writing when it comes to actually being a mystery, so the focus on the character aspects instead makes it a much more compelling story.

Our female lead continues to be the weakest point in the show to me (including her writing): I think her chemistry and compatibility with Pan Yue and Jiang is pleasant and much improved since she first met them, but her writing is inconsistent when it comes to her own character and her interactions with other characters, plus I think the lack of cohesion between how the two actresses portrayed Yang Caiwei doesn't do her any favors either. I'm liking Jiang more than I thought I would, too: his personality is playful, fun, and boyish, and I wonder if he's going to end up as an item with Yang Caiwei's other friend instead? They have very cute interactions and it does seem to be set up that way: I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up as an item.

I previously said I was glad Pan Yue's father didn't look to be an abusive monster (just a bad dad) during a previous episode discussion, but I'll have to take that back now: apparently I was too optimistic about historical fathers with illegitimate sons. My bad! For all I think that it's a tired trope, though, I was hoping for more angst, and it definitely delivered. It's so fascinating that Pan Yue's father doesn't seem to care for Pan Yue's mother or back up Pan Yue when he stood up for her despite his illegitimate birth and instead reprimands him when he refuses to apologize for defending his mother, because you notice that Pan Yue doesn't care about what other people say about him at all: but that temper and violence lashes out whenever people speak badly about people he cares about (like Yang Caiwei).

I also love how Pan Yue's propensity for violence isn't something that he manifested late in life because of Yang Caiwei's death: his method of defending the women he cares about in both past and present is strangling people who speak badly of them with his bare hands.

Again, though, I wish that Yang Caiwei was allowed more complexity: I love Pan Yue grappling with his trauma, his guilt, his suspicion, and his burgeoning feelings of affection towards "Shangguan Zhi" while still grieving, but Yang Caiwei's portrayal is widely inconsistent; she uncovers Pan Yue's grief before she clears him of suspicion (like finding their portrait in his locked box with a key he keeps on him, then saying that he probably did it to fool the public[??]), but once she realizes he's not the killer, she doesn't really think about it afterwards: I expected some more emotional impact from her figuring out he buried her where she wanted because he loved her, or some more grief about her affection for him after she decided not to tell him who she was because she thinks he's in love with the princess, but apart from that initial melancholy, she seems to be giggly, upbeat, and inquisitive around him. I anticipated some shock or emotional response from her: they only reunited for a few days, so she couldn't have known how deep his love ran; but now that she knows he genuinely cared for her, it's just unfortunate that she doesn't figure out the reason for his white hair or have any response to what she found out previously.

Various notes:

I hope Shangguan Zhi and Pan Yue's servants don't become an item; they're cute together, but I'm so tired of the trope where the main characters' second-in-commands/servants get together! It's basically in every drama I've seen.

That moment when Shangguan Zhi almost tells him who she is! And I can't believe that a traumatized, coughing, poisoned(?), still-injured-from-wolves, ill Pan Yue manages to smash a wall with his bare hands, carry Shangguan Zhi out of the dungeons, grieve his dead wife, and flirt with his close friend's sister while laying under the stars: the level of multi-tasking is insane.

The reveal of what the princess actually wants from him was also fascinating: I love that the princess isn't the obsessive female lead type that we're familiar with (see: Shangguan Zhi) but instead has a vested interest in protecting the natural interest.

And when is Pan Yue going to fire that coroner? There doesn't seem to be any point in him being there since he hasn't been able to do his job on multiple occasions.

[alicesadventuresinffxiv]

FFxivWrite2024 #15 (Free) / #wolkrileweek #2

Title: A Nostalgic Adventure 

Wordcount: 552

Spoilers through: Eureka, Shadowbringers

Alternate Universe: WoL!Fordola

Relationships & Characters: Krile (Azem)

Summary: Krile finds a strange crystal in Galuf’s office.

(Sunday was the free day for FFxivWrite, and meanwhile I'd been thinking about Krile ideas because of #wolkrileweek... so I woke up this morning and a weird fusion of both fell out of my brain. ^^;)

.

Krile puttered about the board room, straightening books, cleaning up dust and debris. Eureka was no more, but more importantly Eijika, Fordola, and the whole team of adventurers were safe, thank goodness. 

The past few moons had been quite the adventure! Far more excitement than Krile preferred, to be honest.

And yet… risking her life, battling strange beasts, exploring the unknown… there was something about it that had felt uncannily familiar. As impossible as it could be. Krile was a creature of comfort and academia. However much she ached to do more to help the Scions, her talents and personality were best suited for support. 

Take now, for example. Ejika’s stunt (not to mention the revelations of the final fate of her grandfather) had left her feeling rattled. Something about the whole encounter, the horrible explanation for the isle’s fate, still nagged at her even as she refused to look away from its truth. And so she cleaned and she wandered, as though putting the room back the way it had been could also restore her broken, grieving heart to the way it had been.

Krile idly shuffled through the books on Grandfather’s desk. It felt uncomfortable to touch them - as though he would appear at any moment to gently scold his nosy little bundle of trouble for going through his things the way she did his thoughts - but the books belonged on the shelves and leaving them scattered about did naught for no one.

Then she froze.

Underneath the parchment that contained Galuf’s final words was a curious orange crystal. And the aether pulsating from it… ah, that was why she hadn’t noticed it before. It was incredibly strong, but not elementally aspected as she’d been on guard for.

An artifact like this… whatever it was, it was dangerous. Every instinct that made Krile, Krile, screamed at her not to touch it. Let someone who actually understood cursed objects handle it!

And yet, when she picked it up, it felt right in her hand.

Even as it felt as though the floor lurched out from under her and she was falling, falling, falling into the memory.

Krile remembered. Galuf’s hurried preparations. His confrontation with the Ascian. The way the monster in the black robe had laughed as she’d drawn Krile’s limp body out of the dark portal.

(Of course she hadn’t made it to the harbor. She’d never had the chance.)

Krile remembered. Galuf’s terror and fury at seeing her so helpless. The Ascian’s cruel taunts. She’d never been after Eureka at all. What was a mere eikon to their cause, compared to finding her?

The Paragons would reward her handsomely for this.

Krile remembered. The look of resignation and sorrow on her grandfather’s face. His farewell and an apology. His last spell, and the light of the Mothercrystal into which he’d entrusted her.

It was a kinder fate than what the Ascian had intended for her. But even the best-laid plans of gods and men were wont to go awry. 

Krile gasped and clutched her head as she remembered. Wanderer. Adventurer. Not who she was now. But who she had once been.

Tear after tear poured down the lonely girl’s cheeks as her eyes took on an ancient, unearthly glow.

At the wrong time, in the wrong place… Azem remembered.

[clunelover]

In the past couple weeks I've gone from "I guess I have some autistic traits but there's so much overlap with ADHD and PTSD etc, it doesn't really matter" to "I'm convinced I have autism, and that my mom and sister (the one who was also born of mom) do too, and it explains so much!!!"

A few pieces just clicked into place all of a sudden. Seeing more ways in which I am similar to my autistic son. And reading some comment on r/raisedbynarcissists saying "undiagnosed autism and ADHD can turn into personality disorders later" and being like "that can't be true and makes no sense" - but then I ran it by BFF and she said "it's a good theory - a major factor in developing a personality disorder is having your needs unmet as a child, and that's something that commonly happens to undiagnosed/misunderstood neurodiverse kids."

I started thinking about how my personality-disordered mom (and all her siblings) were FOR SURE neglected as kids (always good to be ambivalent towards children and then have seven of them! Go Catholicism). My mom's stories about herself as a kid always cast her as a weird outcast loner (some of which was exacerbated by her mom's rules - like, her mom couldn't be washing laundry for 9 people changing clothes every day, so my mom and her siblings had school clothes and play clothes, and it was expected that, barring some major stain, they'd wear one set of school clothes for a whole week - but other kids will notice and tease you if you seem to always wear the same clothes!!). She had one particular story, about these imaginary creatures that she invented, and felt like she could see them and commune with them. They were called Beesies, and she would have to crouch down to be able to talk to them, and her parents were unkind about seeing her crouching and talking nonsense to things that weren't there. So, I think that speaks powerfully to both the neglect/loneliness, and perhaps the vivid fantasy life of an autistic person.

When I was in my 20s, my mom got diagnosed with ADD, and at the time I was very dismissive. I thought she had just scammed her way into a diagnosis so she could get adderall and use/abuse it for its appetite suppressant effects. But now I'm like, "no, she was thrilled about that side effect, but I think she did actually have ADD...and quite possibly autism, and actually I think I have both of those too."

Then last piece of this (sister piece) came into focus on 4th of July. I told my sister BYOB cause I'm off booze hopefully for good. She sent an oddly formal reply - something like "I know it's generally considered poor form and overly personal to ask someone why they're not drinking, but can I ask you anyway?" I thought, "okay, what in the rigidly-defined-communication-rules hell?!" I just said "hey you're my sister, you can ask stuff like that!" and then explained why. (Oh and there's a whole other post I could write about all three of us probably using alcohol to cope/mask symptoms...BUT ANYWAY). So then, during 4th of July, my stepdad/her dad tells this story about her as a kid, at one of her birthday parties, where he had set up pin the tail on the donkey for the kids to play, and my sister apparently just DID NOT get it - "why would I wear a blindfold to try to find out where to put the tail? I already know where to put the tail." And then people were trying to explain it to her - "see, it's funny, cause when you can't see, you put the tail somewhere else"...etc. And apparently she said, "why would it be funny to be wrong?" I either hadn't been at this party or didn't remember it, so hearing that was a real eureka moment - OH MY GOD, we're all fucking autistic!!

Oh also, she was a very serious baby who appeared to be puzzled or frowning often, and didn't really laugh, and we all just thought this was funny at the time...omg, more signs!

So anyway, this is totally recasting my thought about my sister's lack of emotional expansiveness, and how I am always getting my feelings hurt by it! We are possibly both autistic people, each with marked, but different and sometimes even conflicting, communication difficulties. No wonder there are so many misunderstandings and unsatisfied expectations, etc.

IDK I have so many more thoughts and memories I'm recontextualizing, I could go on, but in any case I'm very eager for my therapist to return from vacation in a couple weeks so we can discuss!!

[minti-tales]

10) finding their partner’s sex toy/toys and making them play with it in front of them for minti and krile

CW: Language, intercourse, consent between adults.

Sprout Safe! Ball's in your court, @ladyofvoss. I did what I could.

For the second time today, as it did every day in Pagos, snow blew past the wooden gates of Northpoint. The forecast called for more of the same, until a break in the afternoon for thunder, followed by a sudden heat wave, then a return to blizzards. The perfect weather to go looking for the voidsent slumbering at the center of the Isle of Val.

Only, today hadn't been a day for that. No, it was for something that could only come from the mind of a very sudsy blacksmith, Gerolt: strengthening the aether of a kettle, which would, in turn, strength the aether of an ancient Summoner spellbook.

Minti Chocolate, adventurer extraordinaire and loyal Gage Acquisitions employee, thought he was mad.

Gerolt, master blacksmith and crafter of relics, thought he was brilliant.

They agreed to disagree on the aethers of kettles and books, and went about their respective days far, far away from each other.

Minti, for her part, traveled about the southern slice of Pagos, narrowly avoiding two dragons, tangling with a mob of angry undead, and squashing a giant morbol that thought she looked delicious. There were bunnies, too, small ones that hopped this way and that, all the way towards treasure chests with gil and Eukrean potions.

Gerolt hammered away at his forge, stopping only occasionally to fill his beer stein with - what else - more beer. He'd be passed out near the lodges by the time Minti got back from her expedition, mumbling to himself and making little kissy noises that made the viera wrinkle her nose in disgust. "Oi, Rowena, I swear I'll come off the drink if only you'll have my hand in marriage. ...Truly? You meant that? Come an' kiss me...Twelve, that feels right.."

Thank the Twelve, indeed, that Minti wasn't going to see Gerolt, master blacksmith, for the rest of the day. She had plans.

---

In between trips to the four "forbidden lands" of the isle, Gage Acquisitions had constructed tents for their adventurers to use. Aside from Icepoint and Port Surgate, Pagos had the most comfortable of these, with dhamelskin leather for the outside, oak wood for the frame, and sheep's wool for a fluffy, warm innard. The tents had to be, given that the land was under the spell of blizzards and freezing cold bursts of wind most days of the year.

Most of GA had left Eureka for the season, gone off to parts unknown, promising to come back when "the weather got better." There was a voidsent and the rumors of a rogue Ascian on the isle, after all. Sadly, only a few had come back, leaving a circle of battered, empty tents out by Icepoint's walls and a firepit colder than Shiva's tits. Today, even the returners were gone off to Kugane, leaving only a single tent in use, with a swinging lantern on the outside to mark its occupancy.

The tent was shaking, but it wasn't due to the winter cold.

---

Minti Chocolate, adventurer extraordinaire, had her back arched against a soft pillow, her gear and smallclothes tossed off to the side. Her ankles were locked in black leather restraints, forcing her to lie down; her neck was in a frilly green "corset," making her look down; and her legs cradled an unassuming wooden model of Bismarck in flight.

On the opposite of her was Krile Baldesion, Student of Baldesion, adopted granddaughter of Galuf, and finder of the "stress relief" whale her partner brought along for the trip to Eureka. She, too, had stripped down, enough so that she could get up close to her bunny and emphasize just how much joy Minti brought her. How she needed Minti to obey.

How badly she needed to stop squirming.

"I can't help thinking that you're being a brat on purpose," Krile whispered into one of those big bunny ears, pushing Bismarck's "tail" into Minti. "Are you, dear?"

Minti moaned and shook her head.

"Good girl." The bunny got a little peck on her nose and cheeks, as a treat. "Big breath in-"

God, she's squirming. She likes this, right? Yes? Krile frowned and pulled the whale out, slightly. "More? You want more?"

The viera nodded.

"Alright, we'll do a little more. I'm so glad we found this in your bag. Aren't you glad, Minti dear?"

The books Krile needed for her trip could wait until the morning. Everything could wait.

Until tomorrow, there was a bunny to enjoy.

A Baldesion Happy Bunny.

[graha-stan-account]

Off The Hook: Day 4

Off The Hook: 1. idiomatic Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.

Present. Set in 6.35. G'raha gets invited to open the door to Eureka Orthos, but can't bring himself to leave. So he does some reminiscing at the Find.

Note: The lower half is straight memory, so italicized sentences are supposed to denote stream of conscience alongside his recollection.

FFXIVWrite 2023 Masterlist

- 

It was odd to be here once again. The familiar cots, the tents, the earthy smell of hippogryph stew... Traversing backward in time was not new to G'raha Tia, but this heady sensation wasn't quite that. It was merely the feeling of moving backward, as when a neighboring chocobo carriage pulls ahead of one's own. Illusion. Yes, he was supposed to be gone to Sharlayan now, long gone, as was supposed to be the camp at St. Coinach's Find. NOAH's expedition had concluded long ago, but when news reached Rammbroes that the true Noah, in the shape of Koh, had managed to secure the aid of the Warrior of Light, the ruins that had become of the Find sprung to life once more. And just as Rammbroes, Cid and the rest of the old crew could not be kept far from the wonders of the past, neither could G'raha. At least, that was the excuse he'd devised. 

In truth, as much as it was a homecoming after a fashion, he could not in good conscience leave J'napha behind. Open the door and then leave, heir of Allag, was G'raha's recollection of Noah's sentiments. He was off the hook, so to speak, but it hardly felt like relief. 

Because when last he found himself idle in this place, it was in a world where the Warrior of Light lived only in tales. Where none of these friends drew breath. Flesh of their flesh, perhaps, but not this Biggs and Wedge, first of their names, who laughed heartily at obscure jests about Magitek, and not this Cid, and certainly not this hanger-on Nero, or... 

But not all memories dredged up by this place were bittersweet. 

On that day, she had arrived a full sun earlier than expected. Biggs and Wedge were still tinkering with the particulars of their aetherometers, pending another descent into the labyrinth below the tower. A bit of dungeon-delving young G'raha was eager to do, though the Warrior of Light assured she had already cleared any source of impending doom from its corridors. Despite his hurry, the rest had made up their mind to wait until the morning for the exploratory mission. To see with fresh eyes, they said.

So that meant a kettle of Syele's special hippogryph stew, a few 40-onze bottles from the Seventh Heaven and a round of bawdy songs from Cid, half-remembered and half-invented, all to pass the time 'til morning. But by now, the night had devolved into tales, not quite of derring-do, but doing... something. 

"So I tell this lass I'll sit in, give her a few ins and outs, been around the tables a bit in my time – playing cards! I don't know a bloody thing about any mahjong. But how's she gonna know? It's worth a chance, I think." From there the tale turned to how Cid had near lost his shirt at the Gold Saucer. "The point is, a good crew's important! Without 'em the Enterprise would still be a right pile of scrap, the override keys would be no better than blunt weapons, and needless to say I'd be late for all my appointments!" He laughed. 

"Give Cid a few to drink and it really brings the Lominsan out of him, doesn't it?" G'raha had approached the group from behind, proffering a cup of stew in J'napha's direction. She turned around suddenly at his remark, eyes wide and face blank as though she had not heard much at all. "Cid," G'raha gestured with his other cup, the novelty of his little quip souring in his mouth as he spoke it a second time. "When he drinks, 'tis clear he'd get on well in Vylbrand." The jest had only aged more poorly over the years and he cringed recalling it.

J'napha took a sip of the stew broth, her face tightening for a moment before trying another polite taste.

"Oh, but he's a good laugh," she replied, a half-hearted smile fixed on her face. "This stew, did someone say it was a Sharlayan recipe?"

G'raha grimaced. "Certainly tastes of it." At the time, the irony was likely lost on her.

"An' this one!" Cid boomed. "Gods, never did the Ironworks feel more useful than in gettin' the impossible done!" Cid leaned in, flitting from his own story into their private conversation. "Ah, look at that face. So many accolades and still! So modest." Cid clapped J'napha on the shoulder, sending chunks of popoto flying from her cup.

"Cid, really," she said, glancing at him tentatively, as though loathe to draw further attention. She yet wore the polite smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Hide in yer cup then, but I'll tell it! Not only does she best the Black Wolf Van Baelsar himself, but she went toe-ta-toe with that magitek monstrosity too! 'Tis a blow the Empire won't soon forget, I'll tell you that! And I say cheers to that!" Cid clanked a bottle in a round to all he could reach from his seat. 

As he lowered his bottle, G'raha caught J'napha smiling again. It wasn't quite a full, hearty grin, but her eyes reflected the glow of the campfire. Not brimming with mirth, but something softer. Warmth. It seemed Cid's relief gave her relief.

She had once said no bards would see fit to sing of her deeds. That birds do not sing of blood and death. 

Perhaps of the birds it was so. But that, that relief, was a motif to course unbridled through bards' paeans if there ever was a worthy cause to sing. That was the kind of heroism t'would compel a scholar put pen to paper. The triumphant jubilation not of cities conquered or comeuppance had but clear skies, healthy children, bountiful harvests and family reunited.

Such songs were songs of hope. Such were songs which would ring throughout time. This he now knew.

In those early days, G'raha couldn't know - only suppose at length - how history would remember her or any other. But in the long slumber between then and now, the bards and songstresses and scribes of the age had brimmed over with gleeful strains and thrumming chords and fevered verse – all homage to the new beginnings transmuted from tragedy by the Warrior of Light's hand. But yet in the thick of her own epic, how could she know?

The mere thought made G'raha Tia himself want to sing. Perhaps then, she just might.

[theorist-influencer-untitled]

8.7.24 Wednesday

2:30 am

Still, have windblow.... Done, streaming in Tagged...

2:41 am

I have windblow...

I will always love you Garret....

3:07 am

Still, have windblow...

hi Garret...

7:53 am

Still,have windblow...

It is my laundry day today... I feel bitterish... I need a job but not on the chipay places like some places here in Cavite...

This biological mother is still fakers, she wanted me to work on a place here in Cavite, to be an accountant... Super cheap pinoy!

I hope Garret can save me but I have something in my mind. I wanna leave Cavite...

Hating my cousin white for being married...He can't save me here angels...

Call center is better or bank job or airline and better be on TV! Own my own Pet Store!.

I have something in my mind but I wanna leave Cavite...

9:03 am

Faithful Servant of Uncle DD, Uncle Jun?

10:10 am

Still,have windblow...

25 minutes ago or 20 minutes ago? I saw a shorty guy wearing a long sleeve with a claw bar tool on his left hand, just passed by our street. I didn't even know him here....

Who got them here???

This is the claw bar that the guy is holding awhile ago....

KC back me up and I will model your jewellry.... Don't be fool by the fools... They are fakers here KC! If not will not wear your ring anymore...

I have windblow... Did you spin already KC?

11:03 am

I have windblow...

I wanna leave this place coz there is no progress... A lil step is not acceptable in my world,that's the truth coz it's been 17 years...

Did Mitch give me these "simple battery"???

No,choice but to skip and walk and skip and walk...

I feel frustrated...

I feel super hurt!!!

2:22 pm

Still,have windblow...

I figure out something here in my washing machine Eureka "twin tub"... I'm seeing 2 holes one is for the water tube on the washer and the 2nd hole is for the Spinner dryer...

I just checked some videos on youtube that after the wash spin, you must transfer the clothes right away from the washer to the spinner then transfer as well the water tube but it is much more expensive on clothes conditioner and water as well and difficult to see if the clothes is already rinse well or out of laundry soap.

I think my way is short cut if you are on a thrift budgeting of soap and clothes conditioner.

I'm not transferring the water tube to the spinner dryer but I did wash everything from white to colored....Then, after everything I rinse them all then wash and drain and wash and drain a bit then spin dry....

3:28 pm

Still,have windblow...

I wanna leave Cavite....

They are here again Uncle DD and Aunt Karen and their 2 children Ivan and Crysette....Around 10 am they went out according to Crysette they will inquire in De La Salle coz she didn't receive any on-line exam....Supposed to be she will receive via mail.

When they arrived this afternoon here in the house 30 minutes ago Crysette told me she went to EAC coz De La Salle keeps them waiting for too long... Ivan went to Area G high school....

Uncle DD asked me about the eyedrops of Neko that I bought and told him I'm gonna be out of budget soon, he'll be the one to buy an eye drops for Neko. I said it is the maintenance of Neko her eyedrops... I just care coz from the past weeks it seems Neko's eyes will be damaged or probably Neko will go blind... As a good samaritan I bought her an eye drops then Uncle DD asked me to order on Lazadah but he will shoulder the payment...

8:17 pm

Still,have windblow..

On my last laundry, I tried transferring the washed clothes onto the spin dryer right away and transferring as well the water tube to the spin dryer... Then, after few minutes I just dropped the clothes conditioner... The clothes conditioner is really smells strong on the clothes... But if your are on a thrift just wash there and spin for rinse while in the wash tub, then transfer to spin dry for drying the clothes.

On the other angle of my life, I hope I can have my own yaya again... I wanna buy Starbucks everyday... Resting now then will take my shower...

Done, eating dinner and some fixing here....But I still need to get a job, I feel self-pity... I wanna travel in a way and I want my xfactor. I wanna do nose perfection.

I need to get a bf like Garret or my cousin white....

[rapha3liii]

Right here's my initial reaction to the album on my first sit down.

Seriously game changing. I could go on more but I literally need to take it all in lol

Nobody Escapes - WOW. go off show off !!!!!

To My Heart - Such a classic I love it

Explode - INSANEEEE!!!! Makes me feel like a wolf

Head Shrink - HOLY SHIT IM CRYINGGG. Go on. Make me shed tears why dont you.

Days - THE SWITCH?? damn holy !!! Its giving The Sticks!!! Holy shit the switch up!! Genuinely shocks you how good they are at seamlessly transitioning from one thing to another and its perfect

Forever - Holy shit I cant describe this. Please listen if you dont know

Normalise - A classic banger!!! Teased you with some elements and hid the experimental stuff hehe

Goddamn Staying Power - This etheral solo is AMAZING AND SO INSANE

The Matrix - Such an amazing spin on their classic style with such cool and grimey sounds to elevate it. The GUITARRRRR. The drop is on another level

Gods Plan - Insane semi spiritual like. Ironic take on the mysticism of life and religion. Its amazing. Second half has an amazing jazzy undertone?

End of Me - The insane distortion vibes??? Like im loving this scratchy record sound its so good. I feel like the musics being bended and twisted. Also animalistic vibes?it has such a funky cool beat!!

Grief Chapter - Yeah of course the album title song sounds like this. Its giving simplist yet immensly classy! Very reminicint of Ryans solo album GLDMTH. It almost feels like an alternative take on their other songs about family and difficult relationships. Very beautiful end of album song!

Overall Thoughts

I have to say this album has done an amazing job at absolutely taking you on a crazy journey. Like I cant explain how insane and cool listening to that first time was with no idea what was coming besides the few singles released. Even then I feel like the singles we got weren't as NEARLY experimental as the rest of the album - like a teaser lol.

But seriously, this album fully satisfied me. Not that I didn't have high expectations for this album, but regardless it absolutely blew whatever I had in mind out of the water. It was phenomenal. Another note, I'm so fucking glad that a lot of the songs in this album are longer than we usually get from the band. It really feels like they pushed themselves to their limits artistically. Like they just fully let go of any musical conventions during the making of this album and it WORKED SO WELL! the absolute amazing switch ups in near every song, I mean fuck some songs threw you for a loop 3 or 4 times in the span of 6 minutes. I can't even explain the artistry that goes behind this but it was so well done. This album truly feels like the peak of their career - and I mean that. They truly went to new heights with it and didn't hold back!

Thankyou Mother Mother for another album to define the next 4 years of my life!

On a serious note, its been an insane experience watching this band for the past decade. It's absolutely insane to say I'm still sitting here today obsessed with their music. The last 10 years have truly felt like a journey with this band. Every album ; Touch Up, Oh My Heart, Eureka, The Sticks, Very Good Bad Thing, No Culture, Dance and Cry, Inside , all of it has truly been like a backing track to my life! I can't even describe how much of an effect Mother Mother has had on my life. I'm continually shocked every time they release a new track and it manages to bring out new feelings in me. Thankyou for everything Mother Mother, I hope to keep growing with you!

Holy shit the new Mother Mother album is INSANE

I don't have the vocab to describe music technically but like.... Holy SHIT

[8bitscarlet]

Honeywine

Summary: Reminiscing about the past one night sends you into your future

Pairing: Wanda x Reader

Genre/Warnings: Fluff (mention of alcohol, alcohol consumption)

Count: 2284

A/N: Debated between dropping this fluffy one or dropping an angsty one. Thinking about the Black Widow movie made me need some fluff in my life. Happy reading!

*please do not repost or translate my material or claim as yours. reblogs,comments and likes are always appreciated! *

____________________________

Dropping your backpack at the door as you slide out of your boots, you take in a deep breath. You can practically feel the day’s stress roll off your back as you smell the faint smell of the lavender candle on the coffee table that wafts in with the dinner cooking in the kitchen, your home. Walking further into the house, you can see that Wanda had gotten around to the spring cleaning she had been putting off. Garbage bags full of old clothes and junk that you’d haul to Goodwill and the basket of cleaning supplies pushed out of Wanda’s walking path. Chuckling, you double check that it is indeed the middle of October.

Peeking underneath the condensation covered pan lid, you breath in the simmering bolognese sauce with a grin. There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by where Wanda’s cooking doesn’t fill you with the warmth of comfort.

Wanting to get the last remaining stress from your shoulders, you walk to the fridge, chewing on an unsauced noodle. Peering inside the fridge you frown, there’s no ice cold long necks or chilled cans with blue mountains in there. Holding off on calling Wanda to help, since you have a notorious habit of your eyes glossing over the thing you’re looking for, you open the liquor cabinet and see that most of the bottles are near empty. There’s nothing in there that could be mixed into something delicious. Did you all really go through that much liquor during the last BBQ? Given that you can’t really remember it, you decide the safe answer is yes.

“Bad news.” You hear from behind you and turn with a grin, resting your hands on your waist.

Wanda stands there with an apologetic smile. One sock falls halfway down her leg as she plays with the too long sleeves of the flannel she stole from you. She’s a sight to see. The strands of auburn hair that fall from her bun and frame her face. All of these years and you still wonder what she sees in someone like you. Stumbling into the Avengers Compound like some half-baked hero and unfortunately for Wanda, becoming tightly knit with Pietro and using every opportunity to tease.

Walking towards her, you wrap your arms around her and let out a groan as you lean back, your body pressing against her. Her hands rest on your arms, pressing a soft kiss beneath your chin. You let out a sigh, as you rest your eyes on those eyes that hold your whole world.

“Let me guess. You’re leaving me.” You say, biting against trembling lips that want to spread into a grin.

She makes a face at your comment, “We’re out of alcohol.”

“Oh no, honeywine. You’re mistaken, that’s horrible news.”

Rolling those emerald eyes, she shoves your face away from her as she slips from your arms and away from your kiss. Pinching her ass as you quickly make your escape to the garage. Dodging flying pillows meant for your face, you shout back to her,

“Don’t worry! I prepared for an event like this!”

As you spend a few minutes pushing aside boxes and scratching your head as to where it is. Wanda finishes the final seasonings of the sauce as you let out a ‘Eureka!’ that would put gold prospectors to shame. Her call to you is blocked by the garage door but you’re pretty sure she’s ensuring you’re still alive.

Clambering up the steps with a box that clinks, Wanda glances back at all of the ruckus as you place it on the dining table. Climbing up on her tiptoes to see what’s in it, her twinkling eyes look at you with disbelief painted on her face.

Pulling out one of the large bottles by it’s large handle, you blow away the years of dust and grime. Rubbing at the label, you grin as Wanda leans into you..

“Mead.” You say, “Or if you like, honeywine.”

Wanda takes another bottle out, shaking her head as you see the nostalgia run through her body. The nose scrunch sends warmth through your chest as she looks up at you, pressing a soft kiss to your lips.

“Oh my, I haven’t drank this since…”

“Since I gave you that name, honeywine.” You say, cracking the unbroken seal and pouring the honey-colored liquid into iced glasses.

Clinking the glasses together as Wanda looks at you with a coy look, a shiver runs through your body as you taste the sweet fermented wine. Laughing, the smell and taste nearly transports you back to three years ago.

Sitting around a fire pit at 3 am with empty beer cans and bottles of liquor surrounding the only two Avengers still awake after one of Tony’s party’s. A bar’s worth of liquor had been drunk that night and still, you and Wanda sat with your own bottles of mead. You had stolen the guitar Clint had brought out for the party when there were originally more people around that fire and when he wasn’t passed out on the other side of the lawn. You sang John Prine songs as Wanda held the harmony just out of key.

Glancing over to your left, you see that same woman who sat in front of that crackling fire three years ago. The woman you fell in love with on the night she got the best of you. She had clung to you that whole night, even before the mead was brought from its the back of the cabinet. The drink had just made you finally act on your feelings.

Wanda rests her hand on your arm, you glance down at her hand seeing the same turquoise ring she’s had settled on her finger all these years. Leaning your head down, you press a soft kiss atop her fingers. She lets out a quiet hum, giving your back a loving rub before raising her glass.

“Aren’t you a sight to see,” Wanda raises her brows at you, giving the glass a little kiss. You watch the red glow from her eyes dissipate as she disconnects from your mind, your eyes watching her walk from you.

Three years with Wanda and you’ve learned a lot together. Learning the patience it takes for Wanda to love someone as stubborn as you. Learning that that patience can run thin and love takes work. Learning that every step with her is a step in the right direction. But most of all, you learned that Honeywine was all you needed.

Taking the plate Wanda hands you, you both make your way towards the living room and towards the dinner trays. Glancing back, you see the bottle that floats in a red mist after both of you. You grab it from the air, seeing Wanda plop on the couch with a sigh of relaxation. She’s no doubt been on her feet all day as she looks ready to fall asleep in those couch cushions.

Giving her thigh a loving squeeze while you hand her the remote for the nightly shows. As you shove food into your mouth, your stomach ready for nutrients, Wanda lets out an offhanded giggle as she scrolls through the channels. You glance over seeing nothing but an infomercial on the screen, pasta hanging halfway out of your mouth. Two sips of honey wine and she’s already off the deep end. Swallowing, you clench your brows,

“What’s going on with you?”

Waving at you for a moment as she catches her breath, she gently pats your thigh, “Remember the next day after that night?”

Cocking your head as you take another sip of that sharp honey wine, you watch as Wanda tries to contain another bout of laughter. Pulling in her legs as she adjusts her body to face you, you feel your eyes soften as those soft dimples press into her soft cheeks.

“We woke up with the worst migraines in the world, remember? You had to go downstairs with my cheap sunglasses.”

You nod quietly with a chuckle. Wanda was so drunk that night that you had to somehow carry her up to her room, while you were so drunk you tipped right over into her bed. Both of you promptly fell asleep and you were awoken by cold hands shaking your throbbing head awake. Wanda needed your help getting something from the top cabinet. Just now, you realize she could’ve just floated that platter down to herself.

Continuing, she grabs your hand while her eyes never leave yours, “You said you needed to make the coffee because no one puts enough grounds. Well, you put enough grounds in, remember?” Wanda leans forward, laughing into your arm as you shake your head.

“Yeah, yeah. And it would’ve been great coffee if I had-”

“Added water.” Wanda snorts the words out as you say them, breaking you down into a laughing fit.

The whole compound filled with the smell of burnt coffee for at least half the day. No one was at all thrilled to wake up half nauseous and probably still drunk to that smell. The only reason you weren’t kicked out was because Wanda said you made the expertly cooked pancakes. You can still see the look she gave you after you poured at the burnt grounds. It was the first time she followed a nose scrunch with a kiss.

“Hey,” she whispers, noticing you’ve gotten lost in your memories, “Were you planning something big with all those bottles?”

You chuckle, swirling your sweating glass as you listen to the clinking ice. There were another four bottles in that box, covered in the same layers of dust and grime. As far as you knew, you just picked them up when you saw them because they weren’t as common as beer or whiskey. But as you peer at this auburn haired woman whose hands run through your hair and caress the calluses on your hands, you realize you’ve always been planning for something. Clearing your throat as you move your tray away, watching the soft frown on her face as you leave her grasp.

Wanda sees the stress that fills your eyes and teases you, “Don’t tell me you have more.”

“No, no.” You say, sticking your hand in your hanging work jacket, glad she didn’t move it. Glancing back at Wanda, you wave for her to move her tray. She eyes you curiously but moves it nonetheless as you walk towards her.

Holding out your hand, she fills your empty palm with hers. Your thumb gently rubs the turquoise ring that is settled on her hand. Nodding to yourself, it seems about time for a trade in.

“Y/N, if that’s a layaway ticket for 100 more bottles, we might need to address the fact that you could have a problem.”

Chuckling, you give her hand a squeeze, “Three years ago you got the best of me, Wanda. Since then you’ve been my honeywine and you’ve been all I need. So,”

There’s a small crack in your joint that raises another nervous chuckle from your chest as you bend your knee. The moment you called Wanda by her actual name was enough to raise suspicion, now you’re kneeling in front of her. Her lips part, wanting to say something but you beat her to it.

“Honeywine, you’re the one for me.” Bringing your arm around from its hidden position behind your back, you show the diamond ring you pinch between your fingers. “Marry me?”

Picking your eyes up from your shaking hand, you glance expectantly into the misty green eyes that stare at you. If the mead hasn’t gotten to her head, this surely has as she tries to babble out an answer. Tongue tied, you watch in humor as she rips off that turquoise ring, throwing it off to the side and tackling you to the floor.

“Yes!” She cries out, “Yes yes yes yes!” Her arms wrap around your neck as you slam into the floor, her kisses peppering across your face as you laugh. Tears brim your eyes as she gently cups your face, the glow radiating off of her face.

This time, she gives you a proper kiss, pressing her lips against yours. Tasting those honey-coated lips, you fall into her all over again. Wrapping your arms around her waist, you hear her breathe in deeply before parting from you.

“I love you.” You say, pushing back the auburn hair that has nearly completely fallen from her tie.

Watching you slide that diamond ring on her finger would send you to the sky, but her words send you to stars, “And I love you.”

Resting your head back on the floor, Wanda sits atop of you, her hands resting on your chest. She chuckles, feeling your pounding heart beneath her hands as you gently rest your hands on her thighs. Her smile matches yours, crinkling the corners of her damp eyes, as she takes a glance back.

“We have a lot of bottles.”

You grin, gripping her legs as you slowly climb to your knees and finally to your feet. As she wraps her legs around your waist, you press another kiss to those lips that were and would always be yours. Walking towards the bedroom you give a wiggle to your eyebrows,

“We’ve got a lot of time to celebrate.” You say, giving her a wink as you let go of her legs.

Chuckling as she yelps out before bouncing onto the mattress, you fling forward and cover her body with laughter. As her hands hold your face, the love between you is as strong and as sweet as the honey wine you drank.

[ashrillvenheim]

Awakening Past Chapter 4

QUICK NOTE: THANKS YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

pairing: Ashley Graham x Leon S Kennedy.

Content: (+18) romance, angst, gore, erotic/suggestive themes at some point , slow burn, violence, action.

If you're a MINOR or feel unconfortable with any of this genres, please DON'T keep reading, thank you.

Word count: to much to count (minimum of 2k-3k) :3

About: Saddler is dead, and with him the threat that was hanging over the two survivors of the island. Leon and Ashley return home with the intention of getting their lives back on track, but it’s not going to be that easy. Two years have passed since they returned from that hell and it seems that everything is back to its place, but it seems that Spain was only the beginning.

A transition from RE4 Leon to ID Leon.

WORK LIST

MASTERLIST

prev / next

CHAPTER 4

The door to the large workshop opened slowly, letting in a tall woman accompanied by a young student.

“You can leave the reports on the table Sasha.” Professor Narsson told him, walking with a stack of books toward the bookshelves.

Sasha, a young boy with black hair and brown eyes. He had been Narsson's secretary since she had moved to Amherst College. He looked around, surprised not to see his blond companion.

“Ashley didn't come?”

Narsson put down her books noisily.

“I told her to come later, there's a meeting and I want her rested and looking her best.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow.

“I don't have any meetings on the agenda Enma.”

The woman smiled, snapping her fingers with a "eureka".

“Indeed my dear Watson. It was the only way to force her to sleep and get her have some self-care.”

The boy smiled picking up the messy table.

“I still find it hard to believe that she came with you to this university.”

Narsson smiled, remembering clearly her first encounter with the blonde. That time in one of their talks, after she had already seen her several times in them and she finally had the courage to ask her first question.

"Why are you doing this?" she had asked. When she met her eyes and saw the seriousness in them, she knew it wasn't a simple answer of "because I like it." No.

"There are many undiscovered mysteries in this world, mysteries that could, perhaps, help us in the future. If I don't do it myself I don't know if there will be others who will take my same steps, but what I do know is that I'm not going to sit around to find out."

She finished grouping the books with a smile and turned to Sasha.

“I look for mysteries to unravel, but I have to admit that Ashley alone is already an enigma that sometimes I can't decipher.”

The secretary turned to his boss.

“I thought you were close.”

Emma nodded.

“We are, but” she paused for a moment, looking at Graham's scribbled papers on the table “there are things about her that no one knows. Things she doesn't tell and I don't know if she ever will.”

The two were silent for a few long seconds as they finished organizing the files. Sasha raised his chocolate eyes to the skylight in one wing of the workshop roof and saw dark clouds approaching.

“Today, the day I leave my umbrella at home, it has to rain.”  he mumbled.

Narsson looked up and smiled playfully.

“We can ask Ashley to drive us home then.”

Sasha sighed.

“You like her chauffeuring you too much.”

The teacher let out a wicked chuckle.

“An apprentice has to make sure her master is safe, doesn't she?”

Sasha scoffed incredulously.

“I'm still wondering how you've survived without her so far.” he whispered.

“Did you say something?”

The boy smiled.

“That you take too much advantage.”

Narsson shook her head dismissively.

“I'm sure she likes to do it.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“How do you know that?”

The woman's smile grew faint and soft, remembering.

“You met her later, but I could see how much she struggled to be among so many people in Boston. I can tell she's more relaxed when she's alone with us.”

Sasha watched her carefully, listening to her words now with a more serious tinge, showing her more adult and observant side.

“I hadn't noticed.”

“And neither had I until the first time she asked me that question and I became more interested in her. She hides it very well, she seems to be trying very hard not to show that vulnerability.”

“Could it be shyness?”

Narsson denied.

“You are shy, she... There is something else behind that smile she always shows us, something before we met her. I don't know what kind of life the president's daughter has, but I have a feeling it's one where if you don't show you have teeth they go for your throat.”

“I guess that's why she has James and Maria around her all the time.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Sasha looked at his watch and picked up his work bag.

“I have to leave for the library and administration. Ashley should be here in an hour, please don't do anything dangerous in that time.”

Narsson looked offended.

£I'm a responsible adult, how can you doubt me?”

Sasha rolled his eyes.

“An adult I doubt, responsible definitely not.”

A ball of paper flew at him, dodging it as he walked out the door.

 “You're disrespectful to your elders!

“Says the one who needs a secretary to remember to eat and an apprentice to tow her around.”

“ALEKSEY!!!”

Sasha laughed closing the door and hurrying towards the library.

*

The smell of rain made her look up from her shoes. She had been able to get some more sleep after waking up twice. She still had that strange feeling in her body. She looked out the window for the fifth time that morning and still saw nothing.

She was convinced that the lack of sleep was taking its toll. Maybe she should talk to Katherine. She sighed, putting the notebooks in her backpack. She had been off the drugs for a long time and didn't like having to resort to them again, but when she ran out of options...she had no choice.

Sleeping with the dogs suited her, but she didn't want to spoil them to sleep with her, so she didn't abuse their company except on certain occasions.

She glanced at her watch, adjusted her bicep bracelet before pulling on a sweatshirt and prepared to walk out the door.

She stopped abruptly at the threshold.

She didn't know that smell.

And that wasn't good.

She had a mental library of the smells of her building and neighborhood. As strange as it sounded, she had no choice but to identify them so she wouldn't freak out at every slight change in the environment.

And that's why it worried her.

She closed the door and walked cautiously down the stairs, waving to the early morning neighbors. She stepped out into the doorway and sniffed the air.

The scent was gone.

She peered into the treetops, identifying the direction of the wind. 

Could it have been some passing wild animal? It might have been an unusual air current, was the most logical reasoning, but then... Why did she have that strange sense of familiarity?

With her senses alert she walked towards her 4x4. Anyone would call her paranoid, but as far as she was aware, being alert had kept her alive.

She started the engine and rolled down the windows. Maybe during the trip the smell would return and she could identify it.

She looked down the street and saw Maria coming out of the doorway. Ashley drove up to “Looks like we're going to have a storm today.” sighed the brunette.

Her protégé's golden orbs glanced out of the corner of her eye as she responded with a simple "uh-huh."

Maria turned to her.

“Is something wrong?”

Ashley adjusted her rearview mirror.

“Not at the moment, but there's a scent I'm not familiar with and I don't know where it came from.”

Maria tensed in the seat.

“Have you seen anyone?”

Ashley denied.

“Have you?”

“No.”

The two were silent until Maria put on her seatbelt and looked straight ahead.

“I'm going to call James. I'll be with you in the workshop today.”

Ashley turned to the woman.

“You don't need to go to such extremes.”

“Yeah well, you thought that two years ago too, and you were kidnapped.”

The two looked at each other seriously. She knew Maria was stubborn, but she didn't want her to overprotect her just because she had picked up an unidentified scent.

Ashley sighed.

But she was right. 

If it was nothing they would just go home like every day.

She just hoped it was nothing, after all she hadn't been sleeping well and it may have been because of her lack of sleep.

She released the brake and started off in the direction of the university while Maria contacted James.

*

15 minutes later they found the man waiting in the campus parking lot.

“Has there been a problem?” James asked worriedly.

Ashley got out of the car, denying.

“I just caught a whiff of a smell I don't know, nothing else, but Maria is capable of turning the whole university upside down for me to recognize it.”

James laughed.

“Well, it's not for nothing that she's the lynx of our security group.”

His partner rolled her eyes, adjusting her gun under her jacket.

“It's not illegal to be cautious.”

“It should be if it means clearing an entire hospital for a broken camera.”

The agent grunted under her breath, muttering curses that James was present that day.

“But it could have been something.”

Ashley laughed as she watched her two bodyguards bicker with glee as she pulled the bags out of the trunk.

“Well, now that it's the three of us, what do you thin–”

The wind changed direction and the young woman's pupils dilated violently. Her lungs filled and her heart produced adrenaline, tensing her muscles.

James and Maria noticed her sudden change and their smiles disappeared.

“Ashley, what's wrong?”

Their question was barely an echo. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she began to identify a jumble of scents that did not bode well.

And among them she smelled gunpowder.

*

He opened the library door and looked for a place to sit. He went to check out his notes when he saw that he had left a notebook in Narsson's workshop. Sasha sighed heavily and with a grunt retraced his steps.

*

Enma slid the pen swiftly over the documents. Four books lay open in front of her on different pages, writing notes in the margins. She still had to finish the paperwork from her last trip with Ashley to Australia. University paperwork was a headache, both before the trip and after. Ashley's transfer alone was hell.

She never thought Graham would take all the non-validating subjects at once in order to get ahead. It was something that hadn't been done, but after the meeting they had with the principal she agreed.

The deal?

She had to meet the requirements of 2 years in one, otherwise she would be expelled. The director thought it was fun to see if she was capable. The result was impressive and there she was now, finishing a degree in paleobiology and traveling with her on expeditions in search of secrets hidden underground.

A chiming sound in the skylight caused the teacher to look up and see the first drops falling on the glass. She turned on the speakers and let the soft ambient music accompany her along with the dancing rain.

*

“You stay in the car.”

“My ass.”

Maria frowned at the response.

“You can escape if James and I don't manage to find the suspect.”

Ashley tensed her muscles.

“And stand here with my arms crossed? We don't even know if it's a person.”

“All the more reason.” James interjected, placing his hand on the young woman's strong shoulder.

Graham looked at them defiantly.

“Sometimes I feel like you treat me like a child.”

“Don't be silly, you are The President's daughter, all caution is little after the previous incident.”

“I refuse to-”

An explosion made them react and take cover.

James and Maria drew their weapons and turned back to their area of cover, but something sped past them.

“ASHLEY!!!” they shouted in unison running after her.

Narsson and Sasha were in that direction.

Please let them be alright.

***

She coughed violently, trying to get the dust out of her throat. Her eyes burned and watered as her ears buzzed with ringing. She dragged her hands across the floor blindly, feeling pinpricks of tiny crystals embedding themselves in her palms.

“Hel–”

Coughing cut off her call for help, forcing her to try to catch her breath. She half-opened her eyes only to see a curtain of dust around her and then heard another person gasp.

She swallowed as much saliva as she could to clear her throat.

“Sasha!” she called in desperation, crawling on all fours through the dirt.

The other person continued to cough loudly, trying to answer the call, but without much success. 

The buzzing began to soften, but her head was spinning from the pounding against the ground.

“Prof…” the voice finally managed to get out of Sasha's throat, soothing the growing anguish that had arisen in Narsson. She looked around. What had happened? One second before she was writing at her desk and the next she was on the floor with a gash on her forehead and unable to move her leg properly. She grunted trying to get up, but the sound of glass breaking reached her. She turned toward the source only to be swept away by a hand that grabbed her by the hair. With a scream she felt it tugging at her, lifting her up. She kicked trying to get away from her assailant, but to no avail. A punch in her side made her gasp for air and cry out in pain. 

The curtain of dust began to dissipate.

“Emma!” Sasha shouted, trying to pull himself upright. Narsson grabbed the hand of his attacker, a stranger in a worn military suit. She delivered a kick to his knee, earning a furious snarl and tossed her around like a rag.

“LET HER GO!!!!” shouted the young man trying to get up and stand straight.

Narsson blanched as the man's free hand pulled out a gun.

He pointed it at Sasha and he froze.

His index finger tightened on the trigger.

Narsson screamed.

And fired.

A body stepped in, receiving the impact in the shoulder and before Emma could process what happened a shadow jumped up and kneed her assailant in the face. The man dropped the weapon and the teacher with a shriek of pain, falling to the ground.

“ARE YOU OKAY?!!!”

Narsson looked up to meet anguished golden eyes.

“ASHLEY!!!”

The man loaded the gun and took aim. Ashley reacted like lightning and lifted the heavy oak table before being shot. The roar echoed through the workshop racing the young woman's heart, filling her veins with adrenaline.

"Focus."

She counted the bullets and the instant the magazine was empty she leapt over the barricade.

The mercenary, too big to react to the woman's speed and confused by the force with which she hit him, felt his knee give way, split and his jaw unhinge from an upward elbow. All around him bullets whistled, her guards holding off the other two attackers accompanying him. She gritted her teeth knocking the man to the ground and tying him up quickly. A shudder ran through and she covered her head before taking a kick that sent her flying through the air.

But she was ready. She felt her cheek burn.

Not this time. 

She was no longer the coward of 2 years ago.

Her eyes flashed and to the second assailant's surprise she charged at him. She dodged the direction of the weapon and a chair hit him in the side, knocking him off balance. 

He had not expected that force, it was not what he had been told, one of them was not supposed to know how to fight, not like that.

A bullet hit him in the forearm, causing him to roar before he was punched twice in the temple and once in the nose. He rolled quickly and looked to the back of the room, where two agents were aiming at him without hesitation. He cursed under his breath and dropped a grenade from his belt.

Ashley saw the projectile and ran towards Narsson lifting her off the floor before impact. The wave threw her against the workshop doors, smashing through them and slamming into the corridor wall, knocking the wind out of her.

Dust filled the corridor quickly and soon the sirens of the fire department and police could be heard.

She coughed loudly and stood up with a pained grunt turning to her teacher.

“Are you... okay?” she gasped.

The woman on the floor sobbed in anguish, looking up at her apprentice. Ashley watched her in despair, her face streaked with sweat, blood and dust, her cheekbone reddened from the hook received from one of the assailants.

“I th...ink...yes.” she whispered with her body trembling and her eyes reddened with tears and pain.

The two stood up, Ashley towing the teacher, and turned to the rest of the group. Graham exclaimed as he saw James' bloody shoulder next to Sasha, splattered with the blood of his savior.

The man looked the young woman in the eye and smiled.

“Relax, it's a clean wound, it doesn't seem to have hit anything important.” He moved his arm only to regret his action.

The quick footsteps of the officers were heard approaching towards them. Maria and James covered Ashley and spoke to the officers. The EMTs quickly attended them, trying to focus on Ashley, but she refused, asking them to check James and Narsson first.

A short time later DSO officers came to talk to them and finally took away the assailant that Ashley had managed to knock down.

They studied her in detail, looking for any serious injuries, but she only had abrasions on her knuckles and bruises on her forearms and cheek. Suddenly her cell phone began to ring in her backpack, lying on the side of the hallway.

She picked it up, catching her breath.

“I'm fine, Dad.”

The man was left with the question in his mouth at the quick response.

“Are you hurt?”

“Just some bruises. James took a bullet and Professor Narsson may have broken her ribs and leg.”

There were a few long seconds of silence.

“Are you sure? Maybe it would be safer if you went home.”

“Dad I'm fine, Maria and James have been with me and they didn't come after me. We don't even know what their objective was.”

President Graham sighed pressing the bridge of his nose.

“I don't want to lose you again.”

“And you won’t. I'm fine and you know it could have happened to me in Boston or at home, but this time I'm not alone and I'm ready, okay? Can you give me a vote of confidence?”

The two were silent for a few long seconds until the president sighed again.

“Sorry, I trust you.”

Ashley smiled in relief.

“Thank you, I love you. I'll accompany Enma and I'll call you when things have calmed down, okay?”

“Okay, be careful.”

She hung up with her heart in her throat and sat down on the floor against the wall. 

She looked ahead, towards the workshop, where the firemen were examining the scene. She saw the bullet shells scattered on the floor and inhaled deeply, taking in the strong smell of gunpowder in the air. 

The rain was lashing hard against the windows and memories of the island soon came back to her.

But she could make out a tinge, a scent that was familiar but she couldn't quite figure out from what or where.

Classes were suspended that day and they proposed to postpone them for the rest of the week. Ashley and the others were questioned to try to understand why they had been attacked, but found no clues. The DSO took over the investigation by order of the president and they soon got down to work, although the investigation was secret even among their department members.

**

He took a deep breath after talking to his daughter for the second time. He was glad nothing had happened to her, but now he was in a dilemma.

James was out of action and Maria alone could not handle Ashley, Professor Narsson and Aleksey. Right now the DSO was limited in personnel between missions and guards. He didn't want to leave them in charge of just anyone, he needed someone he could trust.

The president rested his forehead against his clasped hands. He had to think of candidates to bolster her security, at least until the reason behind the attack was discovered. The FOS was already working on finding out where those mercenaries were coming from, but for now they had to wait first for the captured mercenary to wake up, until then everything was being handled under extreme confidentiality, after all, having information about the president's daughter being attacked circulating everywhere was not a good idea.

He sighed heavily. He had to think fast, there was no time.

**

The sound of the keys echoed in the room. The letters slid over Hunnigan's glasses. Sometimes she felt like strangling someone when she was notified about last-minute jobs. She had just received the report of a suspicious group that had attacked a college campus in Massachusetts, they still had to pass her more information, but that was all she had at the moment, no videos, no records...nothing, for now. She sighed heavily and a cup landed next to her. She looked up to meet ashen blue eyes. Patrick smiled, approaching her with the mug, which she silently accepted.

“Delays?”  the brunette asked, taking a sip of his drink as he stared at the screen. Hunnigan denied.

“Last minute report. They want me to investigate the origin of a man who I know nothing about.”

Johnson gave her a sidelong glance.

“I still have a shift to cover, I was going to go out for some dinner. Do you want anything? it's on me.”

Ingrid looked at him somewhat reluctantly at first, but realized it had been 6 hours since she had eaten anything.

“I'd like some chicken, thanks.”

“Bring me a drink too.”

They both turned to the third voice and saw Leon leaning against the door frame.

“Hadn't you already left?”

“And miss your invitation to a free dinner?”

Patrick frowned.

“I don't think I included you in the offer.”

Leon held out his arms.

“'Oh, come on, is that how you treat your friends?”

“Just like you don't wake up your friends on a workday after a bad night.”

Hunnigan looked from side to side at them, questioning.

“Did I miss something?”

Patrick hurried to finish his drink and walk to the door.

“Nothing important, I'll be back in 30 minutes.” He walked past Leon who smiled mischievously at him. “traitor.”

“I love you too.”

Patrick grunted and walked away.

Hunnigan looked at his partner questioningly, piercing him with her gaze. Leon shrugged his shoulders.

“What?”

“You've told him something.”

The man arched an eyebrow.

“Me? What have I told who?”

“Patrick is calmer than usual and brings me black coffee with three spoonfuls of sugar.”

Leon stared at her with a confused expression.

“Yeah? What's that got to do with me?”

“Well, you're the one he spends the most time with.”

“We're in charge of the president, of course we're going to be together.”

Hunnigan looked impatient.

“Leon..." she growled menacingly.

“I may have warned him about his hands.”

Ingrid's eyes widened.

“Did you tell him about that idiot?”

Leon denied.

“I've told him how the idiot ended up.”

Hunnigan looked at him, somewhat annoyed by the statement, but she didn't feel like arguing, so she let it go.

“How is everything with the president?”

Then he walked over to his partner's desk, plopping down in the nearest seat with a tired sigh.

“Sometimes I wish he would ask me to punch some of the assholes he meets with.”

“That bad?”

“Until being in his charge I never realized the shit he swallows, he has a patience that sometimes I wonder if there's a limit to it.”

“Only when it comes to Ashley.”

The name slid softly through his ears, shushing him for a few seconds.

“Yes, you're right.”

The cell phone vibrated in his pocket loudly.

“Speaking of the devil.”

*

He went over the last few reports before preparing to close the office for the day. He scribbled over other documents when someone knocked on the door. Graham couldn't help but sketch a lopsided smile before setting the pen down on the table.

“Come in.”

The knob turned and the door swung open to let in a young man with sapphire eyes.

“Did you call me, Mr. Graham?”