#waiting for deuce’s to be released so i can made a fool of when his hoodie isn’t actually blue lol

[catboyidia]

ace and deuce having matching hoodies but deuce’s hoodie was actually the red one and ace’s was the blue one so this whole time they’ve been discreetly wearing each other’s hoodies and no ones the wiser

[waiting-on-a-dream]

Xenon's nicknames for canon characters

Which tarot cards would best fit each of the canon twst cast? 🤔 Tbh, I don't take care to know everything about the characters' backstories, actions, and thoughts, so these takes probably aren't as accurate as they could be. There's a lot of content that I'm missing out on, but I don't want to force myself to do so much homework just to assign tarot kins to the twst cast. But anyway, enjoy~!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Riddle Rosehearts: Hierophant

UPRIGHT: Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions REVERSED: Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo

The Hierophant is like a messenger from the heavens. He is experienced in spirituality and guidance, and his job is to bring these lessons down to us here in the real world. When The Hierophant comes up in your Tarot reading, you're encouraged to follow the rules, and to find a spiritual perspective on your current situation.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Trey Clover: Hanged man

UPRIGHT: Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives REVERSED: Delays, resistance, stalling, indecision

The Hanged Man is a card that comes up when you are in limbo. He tells you that sometimes small sacrifices must be made in order to benefit the bigger picture. When The Hanged Man arises in your reading, you likely want to make a move, but don't even know where to begin. Begin by letting go. Lightening your grip on something that's no longer working for you or detaching from the outcome of your situation can help you release yourself.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Cater Diamond: Devil

UPRIGHT: Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality REVERSED: Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment

The Devil card carries heavy feelings of restraint and powerlessness. When he comes up in your Tarot reading, you are likely feeling like you have no control and are stuck in a situation you don't want to be in. The Devil has convinced you that you have no options, but this couldn't be further from the truth. You are not being trapped by external forces, but by your own limitations or unwillingness to move forward. You hold the keys to your own freedom, but it's up to you to open the lock.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Ace Trappola: Fool

UPRIGHT: Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit REVERSED: Holding back, recklessness, risk-taking

The fool has not yet experienced the ups and downs of life, leaving him unaware of the magnitude of life's challenges, and the strength and potential he holds. When The Fool comes up in a Tarot reading, you are encouraged to take on his open, willing energy and embrace all that lies ahead of you without worry.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Deuce Spade: Chariot

UPRIGHT: Control, willpower, success, action, determination REVERSED: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction

The Chariot card is connected to your natural drive and determination, and can indicate an upcoming victory. This card reminds you that your greatest successes won't come through limited thinking. When you combine the knowledge of your mind with that of your heart and spirit, you are an unstoppable force.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Leona Kingscholar: Magician

UPRIGHT: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action REVERSED: Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents

The Magician card is a reminder that you are a unique being, and have many gifts that others do not hold. These skills set you apart from the crowd, and can help you begin new projects or overcome adversity. When The Magician comes up in your Tarot reading, it's a reminder that you needn't wait, you already hold everything you need to move forward and accomplish what you've set out to do.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Ruggie Bucchi: Strength

UPRIGHT: Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion REVERSED: Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion

One of the most obviously named cards in a Tarot deck, Strength is most definitely a card about strength, but not physical strength. The Strength card represents the fortitude of your heart, your level of courage, and your ability to withstand anything life hands you. If this card arises in your Tarot reading, you are reminded that you are strong enough to handle whatever you are facing, and will come out of it with even more power than you had before.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Jack Howl: Chariot

UPRIGHT: Control, willpower, success, action, determination REVERSED: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction

The Chariot card is connected to your natural drive and determination, and can indicate an upcoming victory. This card reminds you that your greatest successes won't come through limited thinking. When you combine the knowledge of your mind with that of your heart and spirit, you are an unstoppable force.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Azul Ashengrotto: Death

UPRIGHT: Endings, change, transformation, transition REVERSED: Resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging

The Death card speaks of cycles. Endings, yes, but beginnings too, and is a reminder that all things must pass. Hanging on to relationships, feelings, fears, or situations from the past will hinder you from allowing new, better things to enter your life. Take comfort in knowing that in every ending lies a chance for a new beginning.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Jade Leech: Magician

UPRIGHT: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action REVERSED: Manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents

The Magician card is a reminder that you are a unique being, and have many gifts that others do not hold. These skills set you apart from the crowd, and can help you begin new projects or overcome adversity. When The Magician comes up in your Tarot reading, it's a reminder that you needn't wait, you already hold everything you need to move forward and accomplish what you've set out to do.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Floyd Leech: Lover

UPRIGHT: Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices REVERSED: Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values

It's no surprise The Lovers card represents the close relationships in your life. If it comes up in your Tarot reading, your love life is in need of extra focus and attention. However, this is just as much a card about your values and decisions. You may find The Lovers come up when you are at a crossroads, and must consider all the possible consequences of your choices.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Kalim Al-Asim: Star

UPRIGHT: Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality REVERSED: Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection

The Star is the embodiment of hope and healing. She is a calming influence that brings messages of renewal, optimism, and inspiration. When The Star comes up in your Tarot reading, she reminds you that the universe is working in your favor, and encourages you to have faith in where you are being taken.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Jamil Viper: Emperor

UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility

The Emperor is a card of leadership and power. He is an authoritative force who has been through many experiences to achieve this status. He represents structure and solidity, and reminds you that you, too, hold immense amounts of power over your own life, and what happens to it.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Vil Schoenheit: Strength

UPRIGHT: Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion REVERSED: Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion

One of the most obviously named cards in a Tarot deck, Strength is most definitely a card about strength, but not physical strength. The Strength card represents the fortitude of your heart, your level of courage, and your ability to withstand anything life hands you. If this card arises in your Tarot reading, you are reminded that you are strong enough to handle whatever you are facing, and will come out of it with even more power than you had before.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Rook Hunt: Sun

UPRIGHT: Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality REVERSED: Inner child, feeling down, overly optimistic

The Sun is an uplifting card, representing happiness, joy, vitality, and optimism. When it comes up in your Tarot reading, it is an positive sign that things are working well for you and that you're moving in the right direction. Lift your head and realize all the good situations and people that are surrounding you now and always. 

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Epel Felmier: Chariot

UPRIGHT: Control, willpower, success, action, determination REVERSED: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction

The Chariot card is connected to your natural drive and determination, and can indicate an upcoming victory. This card reminds you that your greatest successes won't come through limited thinking. When you combine the knowledge of your mind with that of your heart and spirit, you are an unstoppable force.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Idia Shroud: Tower

UPRIGHT: Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening REVERSED: Personal transformation, fear of change, averting disaster

Perhaps the most dreaded card in a Tarot deck, The Tower is a representation of destruction. The Tower often comes up when everything in your life feels like its crumbling, and you have no way of stopping it. The message of this card is to just let it fall. The weakest parts of your life must be torn down in order to build something strong and sturdy in their place. Something that can last a lifetime.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Ortho Shroud: World

UPRIGHT: Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel REVERSED: Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays

The World represents completion, success, and fulfillment. When she arises in your Tarot Reading, The World shows you that you are exactly where you are meant to be on your path. You have a greater understanding of who you are after all you've been through, and you're ready for the next phase of your journey.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Malleus Draconia: Emperor

UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility

The Emperor is a card of leadership and power. He is an authoritative force who has been through many experiences to achieve this status. He represents structure and solidity, and reminds you that you, too, hold immense amounts of power over your own life, and what happens to it.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Lilia Vanrouge: Wheel of fortune

UPRIGHT: Good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point REVERSED: Bad luck, resistance to change, breaking cycles

The Wheel of Fortune is constantly revolving. Sometimes you will be at the top, and sometimes you will be at the bottom. It reminds you that nothing is permanent, and, good or bad, you must cherish the lessons that this moment is bringing you.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Silver: Chariot

UPRIGHT: Control, willpower, success, action, determination REVERSED: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction

The Chariot card is connected to your natural drive and determination, and can indicate an upcoming victory. This card reminds you that your greatest successes won't come through limited thinking. When you combine the knowledge of your mind with that of your heart and spirit, you are an unstoppable force.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Sebek Zigvolt: Judgement

UPRIGHT: Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution REVERSED: Self-doubt, inner critic, ignoring the call

Judgment is a card where your past and your future come together. You are being called on to review your decisions and your actions until now, to ensure they are in-line with where you ultimately want to go. The Judgment card reminds you that your future is not set in stone, and that it's never too late to make a change for the better.

[the-tiger-with-a-computer]

Twisted Wonderland NoSleep Au

Heartslabyul Part 3

Recap: After getting the chestnuts needed to make the apology tart the group now meets up with Trey in the kitchen.

Grim: We got the chestnuts. Now we can make a delicious tart.

Trey: We still have to peel them you know. It will be a challenge, but I know we can do it.

After peeling all the chestnuts Trey tricked basically everyone but Yuu and Cater into thinking that oyster sauce was needed for the tart. Then Trey released that he made to much marrow paste. So it was up to Yuu, Grim, and Deuce to go to the school store to buy the ingredients to make more whipped cream. The following happens:

Deuce: Wow, this place is amazing. Do you think this place actually sells the items we need?

Yuu: I believe so. I mean, back home it was pretty common for all types of stores to carry items like protection charms, bleach, scrubbers, and especially religious items.

Deuce: I can kinda understand the charms and religious items part. But why carry bleach and scrubbers?

Yuu: In case someone gets killed.

Deuce was about to ask Yuu to elaborate when Sam, the owner of the school store, came in to welcome Deuce and Yuu.

Sam: Hey, my lost little demons, how goes it? Welcome to Mr.S ‘s Mystery Shop. What can I do for you today? A charm for uncharted lands? Mummy of an ancient king? Or how about some cursed tarot cards?

Deuce: We’d like the things written here.

Grim: And some cans of tuna.

Yuu: We have enough tuna back at the dorm, we don’t need anymore anytime soon. Anyway, got any protection charms?

Deuce: No. No tuna or protection charms. Let’s just get the things we came here to get.

Sam: What what? Whipped cream, eggs… Oh! A nice sweet line-up. Ok! Coming right up.

Deuce: Wow, he really does have them.

Yuu: Well, the school store does need to have everything a student would need. And then some.

Sam: Sorry ‘bout the wait. It’s a bit heavy, you got it? If you order now you can get a 1/100 size floating platter to carry your purchases for 30% off.

Grim: What’s that? Sounds cool!

Deuce: We’re good. Thank you. It’s time to go.

Grim: But I wanna hang around more.

Yuu: If we hurry, Trey might let us eat something sweet.

Grim: Then what are we waiting for! Let’s get a move on!

Sam: Make sure to come by again!

*However as Yuu left with Deuce and Grim Sam couldn’t help but wonder about the new student. After what he has heard about their homeworld from Crowley sparked curiosity in both him and his friends. If what he thinks is true. Then Yuu might have come from a much darker world then his friends.*

On the way back to the kitchen Deuce offered to carry Yuu’s bag for them. When Yuu said that it was all right Deuce insisted saying that he was used to carrying heavy things as he would help his mom carry groceries. And since he was the only boy, he would be stuck doing anything requiring strength.

Deuce: Ah, I’ve just been talking about myself.

Yuu: Well I think that helping your family is a wonderful thing. Where I’m from, family is very important and to betray their trust would be to go against everything that both monsters and humans believe in. Helping your family, and anyone you see as family, is considered a very honorable thing to do. To do them harm is considered one of the worst things a human can do.

Deuce: Wow. You must miss them very much then. But, the thing is…. I always made my mom…

Before Deuce could finish his sentence he bumped into someone, breaking some eggs in the process.

Grim: Ahh! The eggs!

Deuce: $h*t, half of the eggs are destroyed! There’s egg all over the bag!

Delinquent A: Hey you! Watch where you’re… wait… You’re the fools who wreaked the egg in my carbonara earlier.

Delinquent B: It’s you guys again. You can’t catch a break!

Deuce: You were the ones who jumped out from behind the corner. At lunch, it wasn’t like you couldn’t eat the egg anymore but you still came to pick a fight… Just now, you destroyed half our eggs.

Grim: Yeah, that’s right.

Delinquent A: And? You sayin’ it’s our fault?

*Yuu, knowing that this will not end well, and with no way to defuse the situation stepped away from them. But at the same time they were ready to step in and help Deuce if it came to that.*

Deuce: Yes. Please pay for the eggs. And please apologize to the chickens too.

Delinquent B: Hmmm? You’re getting all worked up over eggs.

Delinquent A: They didn’t hit the ground right? Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Delinquent B: We saved you the trouble of breaking them.

Yuu could stand by no longer and decided to step in. After all, they had enough of these two boys nonsense.

Yuu: Well, you did damage what we payed for. I expect to at least be paid back in the amount the broken eggs cost. Think you can do that?

Delinquent A: Don’t think you can boss us around, just because we broke a few eggs!

Yuu: This is more than just about a few eggs. As I recall you two have been causing quite a bit of trouble as of late. Would be a shame if the principal knew of your antics.

*This was very much true as Yuu had used the ghost camera to take pictures of both the good and the bad. Let’s just say that Yuu had quite a bit of dirt on these two in particular*

Delinquent B: Is that a threat I hear?

Yuu: A warning actually.

Delinquent A: Looks like we need to teach these two a lesson.

Deuce: HEY! You don’t get to make decisions for us! These eggs… instead of becoming a chick they were gonna make us a delicious tart!! And you sure as he!! wouldn’t EVER hurt my friends! You get it! Huh!?

Delinquent B: What’s this guy’s problem all the sudden!?

Deuce: If you don’t wanna pay for the six eggs you broke… I’ll just punch you six times instead.

Delinquent A: Whaaaaa!?

Yuu: Time to fight!

Deuce: Grit your teeth a$$ho!e$!!

Let’s just say that the two never stood a chance. With Deuce’s experience in fights and Yuu’s self-defense training, they wiped the floor with the two delinquents.

Delinquent A: T-these two are straight-up mad! That wasn’t just six hits! Lair!

Yuu: OH! So you want some more huh!?

Delinquent B: Let’s get the he!! out of here! I’m sorry to all chickens!

Deuce: Apologize 100 times next you eat eggs! Dumb@$$e$!!

Grim: Wow!

Deuce: Huff, huff… Ugh!!

Grim: What just happened?

Deuce: …I screwed up… I vowed that I would definitely be a honor student this time…! In middle school, all I ever did was screw around… I constantly skipped school and spent my day getting into fights. I disrespected my teachers, hung around sketchy upperclassman, and bleached my hair to death. Even ran around all over the place riding a magical wheel. I was a terrible person that went as far as to use magic to lord over those that couldn’t.

Grim: Just now you went full on bad boy on those guys!

Deuce: Then one night... I saw my mom hiding away in tears as she called my grandma. "Was the I raised him wrong? Would it have been better if he had both parents?" She was wrong. Mom never did anything wrong. It was all me! So when the carriage from Night Raven College came to get me... My mom was so happy and I don't want to make her cry again. This time. I'm going to be an honor student my mom can be proud of. Then I do this... $hit!

Grim: But, y'know... Does being an honor student mean you have to grin and bare everything?

Deuce: Huh?

Grim: Those delinquents deserved another 10 punches if you ask me! You and Yuu fought them off before I could, though.

Yuu: I think that your mom would be proud that you are trying to be a better student. In my eyes, you are doing a lot better than back then.

Deuce: You guys...

Yuu: Even honor students get mad too.

Deuce: Really? ...Heh heh. May those baby chicks rest in peace.

Yuu: There is something that I need to tell you.

Deuce: What do you mean?

Yuu: The eggs that we bought will never turn into chicks as they were never fertilized.

Deuce: WHAT?!? You've gotta be kidding!?

Back at the kitchen, they gave the ingredients to Trey who then proceeded to finish making the tart. Which turned out to be amazing and looked really good.

Ace: Did something happen while you were out shopping?

Yuu: Chick shock...

Deuce: For 16 years... I believed that...

Ace: Making sweets takes so much time. I'm exhausted...

Cater: Good work! Is the tart finished? The decorations look super cute! It's totally magicam-gramble! Let me take a pic.

Ace: Ah! What'd you come here for?

Cater: I came by to check on my cute underclassmen, working so hard. Ahaha, you look beat!

Trey: Things you aren't used to tire you out quick. So when you're tired you need to eat something sweet. Go ahead and try the mont blanc we made.

Everyone: Yay!

Yuu: Are you sure?

Trey: It's fine.

Ace: Cater, you did come here just in time to eat the tart!

Yuu: Almost like you planned it.

Cater: Just a coincidence I promise.

Grim: Waaahaaa... It smells so deliciously sweet. The chestnuts on top are glossy while the cream underneath is so fluffy! Let's eat!

Yuu: Please don't eat it all. We still need a tart for the Unbirthday Party.

Grim: I know

Ace: Ah! Holy crap!

Cater: So good!

Deuce: Amazing... It's like what you get in stores.

Grim: It's not overly sweet but still has a richness to it! It's like a garden of chestnuts in my mouth!

Yuu: It's amazing! I definitely think that Riddle will love this.

Trey: Thank you.

Cater: Oh yeah. Hey Trey, do the thing.

Trey: The thing? ...Oh, that. So what are your favorite foods?

Ace: Mine's cherry pie and hamburgers.

Grim: My number one is canned tuna. And cheese omurice, and grilled meat, and pudding!

Deuce: If I have to pick, omurice, I guess.

Yuu: Mine would have to be breaded shrimp.

Cater: And mine is grilled lamb with diablo sauce.

Trey: Alright here we go, ... Doodle Suit!

There was a sound, a flash, and then nothing.

Deuce: ...? This is?

Trey: Now take another bite of the mont blanc.

Ace: Hm? Hmmmmm? This is... mont blanc but it tastes like cherry pie!

Grim: It tastes like canned tuna! *Chomp chomp* Ohh, now it's cheese omurice! And grilled chicken, *munch munch*, and pudding!

Yuu: Wow! It really does taste like breaded shrimp!

Cater: Isn't it fun? If you did this while having tea with a girl, they'd be super impressed!

Deuce: It's amazing. Is changing the flavor of food your unique magic, Trey?

Trey: Actually, it's magic that "overwrites a component". So not just taste, but I can also overwrite the color or scent or really anything. The overwrite only lasts a short time so that's why it's like a doodle or scribble. That's why I've named this magic "doodle" since it's not permanent.

Grim: With your "Doodle Suit" my dream of all you can eat canned tuna isn't just a dream. It's so much better than the magic Riddle uses to bully people.

Trey: No... My magic is nothing more than child's play when compared to Riddle's He's on a different level. ...It's getting late. Let's go home and give Riddle the tart tomorrow. Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. Don't be late.

Yuu: Hang on. Do you have a book of the rules?

Trey: Yeah, why?

Yuu: I want to make sure that there is nothing against a mont blanc at an Unbirthday Party.

Cater: Good thinking Yuu.

Ace: So, did you find anything Yuu?

Yuu: Here we are. Rule Number 562: Refrain from bringing marron tarts for the Unbirthday Party."

Trey: Wow, I almost missed that one. Good thing Yuu double-checked the rules.

Yuu: It's kinda a talent of mine. Knowing the rules and when a rule applies to a situation or not. It's weird, I know.

Cater: Far from it. If you hadn't checked then Riddle would have most likely been furious.

Ace: Yuu, I owe you one.

Yuu: Then I think that we should keep the tart in the kitchen, explain ourselves to Riddle and hope that he takes the collar off of Ace.

Ace: One more thing. Yuu, can you let me sleep over again? My cruel upperclassmen aren't going to let me in the dorm!

Cater: Wow. So prickly!

Deuce: Ace, don't force Yuu to spoil you too much.

Grim: Yeah! You gotta pay to stay! 10 cans of tuna!

Ace: What! Are you telling me to sleep outside?

Yuu: No, no. Ace, you can stay but now you owe me two favors.

Ace: Fine by me! Thank Yuu!

Trey: Deuce, why don't you stay in their dorm to keep an eye on Ace? As the vice dorm leader, I give you permission.

Cater: Trey, aren't you spoiling the newbies. I'm jelly. Yuu, can I go too?

Yuu: I don't think so. The dorm needs some intense TLC and I'm pretty sure that you're needed in the dorm.

Cater: Tch. Bringin' me down.

Trey: Yuu, I'm sorry about forcing those two on you. We're counting on you tomorrow.

Yuu: It's fine and I will be sure that they are on their best behavior tomorrow.

Ace: Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. This damn collar is definitely coming off! Just you watch, Riddle.

As Yuu, Ace, Grim, and Deuce made their way to the dorm Yuu coudn't help but feel as if something was very wrong in the dorm. And that Riddle was in great danger, but from what?

That is where I will end this chapter and the next will continue to the morning of the Unbirthday Party. Until then, hope everyone is doing ok.

[zoomsbatty]

(Repost because I had to delete my old account)

Adventures Of The Terrible Bird

Marco had overworked himself again. Hunched over his desk as he completed another stack of paperwork, and maps that needed to be done. Yet, no matter how many hours he poured in it always seemed to just increase in size. Witchcraft, he swore. 

At the late hours of the night he finally decides to turn it in. Sluggishly making his way down the quiet halls, and stretching his poor sore muscles. Stiff limbs popping loudly as the noise bounced across the wooden walls. He needed a chiropractor, but that would have to wait until morning. He fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, but it wasn't Marco who had woken up. 

It was the phoenix. 

The moment the sunlight shone through the small window the phoenix had awoken. Moving his small head from where it was sitting snugly inside his wing, and gracefully stretching his long neck. With a ruffle of his blue feathers he had realized something incredibly wrong. He was in a place he did not like. The phoenix was angry, and he was going to make it everyone’s problem. 

“YOI!” With a screech, and a flap of his wings he had declared war! He burst from his spot on the bed, and flew right to where the light was coming from. The sun was there, so that must mean it was a way outside. Yes! He will get to sun, and find his captors. Evil humans will pay! Except, that didn't happen. As he just flew face first into the window at full speed. He stopped, and hopped back to his feet like a blue feathery tornado. 

What was that? He craned his long neck to the one that hurt him. Staring at the strange, invisible, barrier that had dared to stop his escape. One peck spooking the bird as he screamed, and flapped his feathers in anger. It was magic! He sent a hiss its way. 

“What in the world? Marco, what are you doing in here?” His neck straightened up when he heard the voice. A human! Or in other terms, the phoenix’s next victim. The door slowly opened, and the poor soul then peaked in. Confused eyes scanning the room for any sign of the first commander. Instead, they sadly were met with a face full of blue feathers. 

“YOI! YOI!” He cried in victory as he knocked puny human down. He stood on their (not actually) dead body as he flapped his wings as a show of dominance! No one can stop the phoenix! He was unstoppable! With his new found freedom he made a run for it. Talons hitting wood as he ran across the halls at top speed. Top speed being however fast a waddling goose could go at a given time. He was free, and now he may smite all the fools who had dared try to contain him! 

“YYYOOOIII!” The moment he had found himself on deck he yelled. Wings flapping, and talons stomping on the wooden floor as all eyes turned to his form. A few faces growing pale at the sight of the blue monstrosity in their presence. 

“Oh god, please no.” 

“Not again. Did Marco overwork himself last night?” 

“I hope he’s just messing with us here.” 

Yes! They were trembling beneath his mighty form! Shake in fear tiny humans! He will show no mercy, and shall get his revenge! 

“Ok funky goose get your ass over here.” He squawked in shock when all of the sudden he was lifted from the ground. Long neck swinging back, and forth as he tried to find the source of this preposterous situation. Who dared remove him from his war path!? 

“Geez, I told you to get some rest earlier! When will you learn Marco?” Finally the phoenix’s head moved so he could stare his captor eye to eye. There was a man with strange brown hair styled up like a balloon, and the phoenix had the urge to nest within it as he stared. The human sighed, and then shook his head in disappointment. Hey! He should be pleased to be touching him! If anyone was supposed to be disappointed it should be the phoenix! He was just an ugly human after all! 

He screamed, and then began to nip at the offending hands. He will murder this human for his treason against the mighty phoenix! Hissing in joy when he saw a little blood come off the terrible human’s finger! 

“Geez Marco! Calm down. You're such a little shit when you go full bird.” Once the pain got too bad he released the furious ball of blue feathers. Watching with distaste as he strutted and screamed at all the watching eyes of their brothers. Though the phoenix had no idea these were his brothers at the moment in time. 

“Ok, where's the bird time out bag!?” Now the human had made a mistake at this point. He had turned his back to the phoenix! He shall enact his punishment for the human’s mistreatment of him! He slowly inched forward, neck elongated as he prepared himself for his attack. And then, he pounced. Nipping the man right on his butt before running in the opposite direction, and away from the angry yells of the strange balloon man. The man has felt his wrath, and he had no plans in stopping! Chirping happily as a few pirates flinched the moment he ran past them. Yes! He was god! 

“You should have seen me Deuce! The way I blasted that guy away!” The phoenix was pulled away by the sound of a new voice. Who was that? Now the phoenix normally could care less, but the moment he saw something shiny he decided it was all his business. 

He hissed, and then crouched down so he could expertly make his way to where the man was standing. Orange hat perched on his head that acted like a beacon for the bird. Then, in a blink of an eye he bursted forth. Grabbing a hold of the shiny dagger, and pulling with all his might. This was his dagger! HIS! The human should just give it up right now! 

“M-Marco!? What are you doing!? Hey! Let go!” No! Human should let go! Not the phoenix! This was his shiny now! With one last tug he pulled it off the guy’s hip, and ran with his treasure to a special secret spot. Or, better known as, behind a cluster of barrels that the phoenix now claimed as his nest. 

“Thatch! What's wrong with him!?” Nothing was wrong with phoenix! Phoenix was king! 

“Sometimes when he overworks himself he defaults to the natural bird brain of the phoenix. We don't know how that works, it just happens. He’ll be back to normal tomorrow at least.” Phoenix was normal! How dare this Thatch say otherwise! He sent a hiss in their direction, and glared as they just stared at him with tired eyes. “Well, hopefully he's his normal self tomorrow.” 

Everything seemed to have returned to some normalcy. Pirates running about, and the bright blue ball of feathers enjoying his spot away from it all. Beak chewing happily on the little diamonds as he basked in his new treasure. Yes, his shiny. He liked this shiny. Though now he wants more shinies. Enough shinies to populate his nest like a treasure wonderland. 

“Yoi!” He peeked his head out. Neck working like a telescope as he tried to spot his next victim. A few seemed to have noticed, and scurried away quickly to avoid the gaze of the terrible bird. Everyone knew to avoid Marco when he was like. All but the bird himself of course.

That's when he saw him, Deuce. The blue haired man leaning against a nearby railing and trying to scribble something within his tiny journal. To the Whitebeards it was a normal sight, but to the phoenix it was an opening. 

He flew up to the top of the barrels, and glared down the unsuspecting victim. The blue man had a shiny pen, and he wanted the shiny pen. With the confidence of a king he strutted across the deck. Eyes trained onto the only thing going through his tiny little walnut brain. He stopped, and stared up at the man. Not thinking for a second of what will even happen if he tried to take such a thing. 

“Yoi!” Quickly he jumped up, and grabbed the pen in between his beak. Wings flapping, and feathers flying all over the place as he secured his newest treasure. Yes! His shiny! His pen! His his his! 

“H-Hey! Give that back!” No! Give to him! He flapped his wings at him in a threatening way, and stomped his feet as a sign for the dumb human to back off! No one touches treasure once the phoenix has it! No siree! He claimed it! 

“Give it up. He isn't ever going to let that go now.” With a huff the bird made a run for it. Feet hitting the hard wood like a jackhammer as he made his way to hide the new wonder in his nest. Carefully tucking it next to the dagger with care, and practice. Cozy pen! Good pen! He liked this pen! He scratched the floor happily, and marked his territory so no other bird will dare to land in his vicinity. 

Now he just needed some nesting material. 

He left his cave. Neck swinging from side to side as he searched for precious soft materials to build upon. Only the best! Though he did not see any soft things. No fuzzies? He wanted fuzzies for nest! With an annoyed chortle he began to move deeper across the deck. Eyes on the lookout for the perfect piece, and wanting more than anything to build the best nest he possibly could. Bird was king! And king needed the best! 

While he was walking he had found himself within the dining hall. Its wooden walls, and floors giving it a monochromatic look that the bird did not care about whatsoever. Instead, he zoned completely on a nice sound that was wafting through the room. Singing? Not bird singing. Bird singing was better! Phoenix sang much better than human! 

He waddled to where the noise was, and peeked through a pair of double doors to see the weird hair human dancing about the kitchen. Singing a sea shanty, and preparing something on the stove that the phoenix couldn't discern. He didn't care what it was to exact, but it did smell nice. Yet, that isn't what had caught his attention the most. 

Eggs! There were eggs within the big box! Large, and white like ones the phoenix can eat and lay on. He wanted to lay on those eggs! His eggs! He wanted eggs! With a happy screech he ran to the box. Wings flapping as his eyes scanned each uniform little orb in wonder. He liked these eggs. Very good eggs! 

“Yoi yoi!” With lightning fast reflexes he grabbed an egg, and swallowed it whole. Very good egg! He shall grab more! 

“H-Hey! You put those down!” Thatch had finally noticed his little escapade, spoon in his hand waving about as he tried to force the annoying bird away from the merchandise. The phoenix just growled at him. Holding several eggs within his beak, and cheeks as he did so. How dare he! His eggs! “Drop them!” The man had lunged for him, but the bird easily dodged. Feathers now all over the kitchen floor, and tables. Marking so the world could see he was there. 

He bolted right away. Like a roadrunner getting away from a predator he was fast, and gone in a blink of an eye. Pride filled the bird as he escaped with his eggs without even a scratch on him. Yes! His eggs! With a happy chirp he gently dropped them next to his other treasures. The nest was starting to look good! Yes, good nest! Perfect for king! 

“Well! You're having a good time my son.” A shadow then swallowed the entire deck whole. Blocking the sun, and any source of light that the bird could make out. His feathers ruffling, and standing on their ends as instincts ran wild. Darkness meant storm, and storm was bad. Instead he found his feet dangling beneath him, and hands on his body. Out of everything he could have done he decided he was going to scream. 

“Yoooiii! YOI!” he kicked, and used his beak to nip at the offending hands that had trapped him. No one traps the phoenix! That is punishable by death! The bird only got angrier as the one imprisoning him refused to release his form. Only for him to stop in his tracks as a booming laughter shook him to his feathers. 

“I’m glad you still have your spirit Marco! That's my boy!” When the phoenix finally craned his long neck to see who could create such a noise he was in absolutely shock. That was a big human! Large crescent mustache, and giant face seemed like a predator to him. One big finger then reached down to pet the bird, causing a happy little chirp to reverberate in his throat. He liked this human! Good human! Big human can protect him! Very good servant! 

“Yoi!” He flapped his wings until he was finally placed down. Puffing out his chest, and glaring up at the large man that held his hostage. He can be good slave to the phoenix, but that did not mean he could touch him! No touching! 

“Alright alright. How about you go back to your nest.” The large finger patted him on the head again, and the bird just sent a nip his way in annoyance. No touching! Bad human! “I’m sorry, you never let your old man pet you though. Here, a little gift for my boy.” Something glittered in the corner of his eye, and when the boy turned he screamed in joy. Yes! A shiny! Golden treasure! 

“Yoi!” He grabbed the glittering ring with his beak, and waddled off to where his nest was starting to form. He had decided now he liked this human, but he will probably forget such a thing in a few minutes anyway. 

“Pops! Stop spoiling him! Now he’ll think it's ok to steal from us!” Bird ignored insignificant humans. Those humans were just slaves to the phoenix! Bird was better than them! 

“Now, making him happy doesn't hurt anyone.” He hurt all, and bird enjoyed it! All bow to him! A loud snore then snapped him away from his nest, and forced his neck to stare at a nearby body that had parked itself near his area. Bad human! He marked this territory! 

With an angry growl he stomped right up to the human. Orange hat over his eyes, and messy black hair all over the place. Bad human! Terrible human! The phoenix used his beak to nip at the boy’s skin, but instead found an incredible discovery. He was oozing a nice, comforting, heat. He rubbed his head against the man’s stomach, and purred in delight at the cozy feeling. Better than nest! Very safe, and nice! 

“Yoi!” He jumped up onto the man’s stomach, and walked in a few circles before settling down. Tucking his head into his wing as he cooed in delight. The warmth spreading throughout his body, and making his feathers tingle in joy. This human was nice, and he liked this human. And he was sure to not forget that this time.

[sapphiewrites-twst]

A Moment of Silence

Couldn’t decide if I should post this or not. I probably stressed over this for the good part of a month. Enjoy!

YOU could do nothing but cry, evident of your distress leaving shiny trails of tears on your face. His voice still echoed in your head. Darling, you know what would happen if anyone else was to hear about this, right?

I’ll make sure the whole school knows your every. Little. Secret.

It was never supposed to be like this. For all you knew, he was just a kind upperclassman, offering to help you when you didn’t know how to complete your given assignments, taking you out for sweets at the Mostro Lounge, and comforting you when your test scores left room for improvement.

How naive you were to believe that, despite the fact you were the only girl at an all boy school, you could somehow become friends with some cool upperclassmen. But now you understood perfectly. A male and a female can never have a purely platonic friendship.

You can even catch your two close friends, Ace and Deuce, eyeing you sometimes. It’s all in good spirit, you understood and forgave it. They were teenage boys, after all. But this, this is going too far.

Currently, you were curled into a ball, hidden among brooms and mops in one of the supply closets in the prestigious school. Prestigious, huh? You thought bitterly. Seems like even prestigious schools have their share of bottom dwellers.

There are so many people trying to get into this prestigious school but they let in guys like that, Deuce’s words echoed in your ears. At the thought of your blue-haired friend, your heart squeezed painfully.

You wanted desperately to leap into your friends’ embraces, spilling everything he had been telling you, doing to you. Deep down, you understood the weight of your actions. If you told anyone about his threats and actions, nothing good would come out of it for anyone.

At least no one else would get hurt if I stay quiet.

Something moved outside of the supply closet. You choked back a sob, dread sinking into the pit of your stomach. Covering your mouth to soothe the hitching of your breath, you waited, the prospect of being found terrifying.

What would you say? Um, yeah, I’m fine. I just felt the need to hide in this dark supply closet and cry my heart out. That would arouse suspicions and inevitably yield the same outcome as the previous option. You could pick up the clicking of heels. The door creaked open, letting light spill in.

You flinched away from the light, eyes raw from crying. Vaguely, you could make out a silhouette looming in the doorway of the supply closet, although you couldn’t quite tell who it was.

As suddenly as it opened, the door closed, engulfing you in darkness.

What if it’s him? The thought of being trapped in this closet accompanied by only him sent shivers down your spine. Unfortunately, your trembling body knocked down a mop, the clatter of it hitting the ground ear-piercing in the continuous silence.

Frozen with horror, you tensed up, listening and watching desperately for any sign of movement.

Nothing. After a minute of silence, you relaxed, letting out the shaking breath you had been holding in.

“Boo.”

Crimson orbs glowed in the dark, inches away from your face. Before you could scream, a leather-clad hand covered your mouth, muffling your whimpers of fear. The musky, dust-filled scent of the closet was replaced by a mixture of clean linen and sweet vanilla.

The scent was calming and unlike the acrid, musky scent he had.

The man with glowing red eyes let a frivolous chuckle as he released you from his hold. “I didn’t frighten you too badly now, did I?” Even though he spoke right by your ear, you couldn’t distinguish who it was.

“N-no,” you stuttered, breath hitching, “W-who are you?” He didn’t reply, humming in understanding and disappeared from your touch. A moment later, dim light filled the small, dusty closet.

You found yourself staring at your senpai and the vice dorm leader of Diasomnia, Lilia Vanrouge.

Eyes widening, you attempted to cover up your tear stained face. It was bad that someone discovered you, but the vice dorm leader of Diasomnia? Frantically, you searched your mind for a reasonable excuse.

“I failed my test,” you muttered quickly, speaking before Lilia could get a word in.

“Is that so?” His voice contained no trace of doubt, just mild curiosity and maybe, just maybe a hint of concern. You nodded furiously, wiping away the remnants of your tears, waiting for Lilia to exit the closet.

Instead of leaving, Lilia meandered his way over to you, plopping down lightly beside your huddled form.

The third year said nothing, merely gazing at you languidly. Feeling hot under Lilia’s continuous gaze, you murmured, “Why are you here, Senpai?”

You watched in confused fascination as his lips quirked up into a knowing smile. Ignoring your question, Lilia asked lightly, “Why hide away by yourself, little one? I’m certain your friends are more than happy to console you.”

His presence delivered contradicting emotions. On one hand, you were nervous to be talking to such an important member who was not only your senior, but the vice dorm leader of the mysterious Diasomnia dorm.

On the other hand, Lilia’s calm presence soothed your frazzled nerves, as if encouraging you to speak your mind. It helped that the soft scents of fresh laundry and fragrant vanilla enveloped your senses, easing your tightly bunched muscles.

Before you could relax completely, a flash of his horrendous smile reappeared in your head. Fear and suspicion seized your windpipe, robbing you of the precious comfort you needed in this moment of vulnerability.

Hesitantly, you peered at the dark-haired fae, unsure of his intentions. Why would such an important figure bother with an inconspicuous little girl crying in one of the many supply closets in the unnecessarily large school?

Catching your gaze, Lilia merely smiled, reaching out to pat your head. “Whatever the matter may be, I’ll be glad to lend an ear if you need someone to confide in,” as an afterthought, your senpai winked at you playfully. “Won’t you tell your good ‘ol Lilia-senpai what’s troubling you?”

You couldn’t help but giggle tearfully at Lilia’s antics. It was hard not to laugh when he phrases his words like someone much, much older than your crimson-eyed upperclassman appeared.

However, one thing was still nagging at you. You chewed your lips nervously, not wishing to destroy the warm atmosphere Lilia had unintentionally (maybe? You weren’t exactly sure what his motive was) created.

Lilia seemed to catch on, shifting into a more comfortable position before giving you an encouraging grin that showed off his two abnormally sharp canines. It made you realize you are far, far away from actually knowing the mysterious vice dorm leader of the equally mystifying Diasomnia.

“Lilia-senpai,” you started timidly, debating whether to breach the subject or not, “Can I ask you a question?” With Lilia’s hum of acknowledgement, you swallowed your hesitation.

“Why?” You asked, fiddling with your hands. You couldn’t quite put your thoughts into words. You wanted to ask why he bothered to stop by, why he took his time to make you feel better about the situation despite barely having known who you were.

Above all, you wanted to know why Lilia cared, and if that was true, why did he take time out of his day for you, who was just another human that happened to go to this school with him?

Lilia seemed to understand everything you could not put into words, his measured gaze of contemplation washing over you. You studied your hands, waiting for his answer.

At last, your senpai spoke, a hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “Everyone needs someone to be there for them at any moment, whether they realize it or not.”

Lilia’s words drove itself deep within your heart as tears formed in your eyes once more, for a different reason this time. Your lips trembled and his eyes widened a tad, immediately crinkling at the edges with worry.

“Oh, dear, have I said something—?” Interrupting him with a small wail, you closed the distance between the two of you, burying your head in the crook of his neck.

“Th-thank you, Lilia-senpai,” you cried, shaking with gratitude. “No one’s ever said anything like that to me.”

He remained silent but hugged you back, hand stroking your back comfortingly. You couldn’t see it, but the ancient fae’s lips curled into a fond smile, eyes half-lidded as he observed your form.

Who in this world would ever want to harm someone as adorable as you are? Someone stupid, apparently. Lilia’s crimson eyes narrowed with that thought. He’d better have a little… chat with whoever decided to ruin your mood.

—

“I need a word with you.”

The male paused in his steps, squinting into the shadows. “Who’s there?”

A figure shifted forward into the light. Blood-red eyes glinted dangerously. The male took a step back, the feeling of unease enveloped his senses. “Lilia-san?”

“I heard about your little… rendezvous with a certain student.” Lilia’s voice was light , but underneath the affable tone was something more obscure.

“She’s my girlfriend,” he answered without a hitch, a lie practiced so many times it came as naturally as breathing.

“Be wary with your words, child. I am not fooled as easily as others.” With the fae’s words, he appeared right in front of the petrified second year, his usually flippant personality all but gone.

“Take my words as a warning: stay away from her.”

He stiffened. You were his possession, he can’t simply let you go this easily! Besides, you wouldn’t have told anyone; he made sure of that.

Steeling his nerves, the male drew himself up, the advantage of height gaining him more confidence. “Or what? What are you gonna do about it,” the male hesitated, but couldn’t resist continuing, “Old man?”

Lilia’s eyes narrowed. “I see. Very well, we’ll have it your way. I have cautioned you, after all.”

—

A week later, an announcement was posted on the bulletin board right outside of the cafeteria, where the news could reach every student.

With regrets I inform you of the departure of one of our second years. Under compromising conditions, he had been expelled from Night Raven College. To protect the students involved, we will not disclose the names or the reason he was deported from school grounds.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Headmaster Crowley

By the way, I hate the formatting on the mobile version ver of Tumblr.

[superheroladies]

Who are your favourite Twisted Wonderland characters and why?

I had to stare at this for like 5 minutes cuz I can’t believe someone out there actually shows interest in this fixation I had for around 2 years now. Seeing that his design was the one that made me determined to keep my eye out on this game when the designs were first released, and my twitter is all nsfw of him, it’s Leona. This is one of the few times where my fav turns out to be the most popular (in Japanese fandom at least, I ignore the small western one for the most part).

I signed up for this game for trash, as they’re based on villains, so my rank goes up with the little bitch scale. Leona is still the most compelling and relatable, and I do hope he gets a bigger role in provoking Mal overblot seeing that his dorm provoked him, plus the intro song paralleling them. But this game has a habit of catching me off guard so Leona isn’t the sole fav. Azul is just, so lovable! His scheming and mind, the way he managed to blackmail the master of blackmail himself, Crowly, deserves an award. And ofc when he broke down in tears when defeated it just increased my love for him.

Jamil stole my heart with the way he played everyone for a fool. His manipulation and the way he was the nastiest baddie we faced so far. His manipulation and wicked mind and personality that’s even worse than Azul’s! His backstory also, and his true personality being revealed by the end. No villain reveal has ever had me as excited and happy as his, he truly is glorious. 

Idia man, and Ortho. Their stories and role in stories just endeared them so much to me. The realistic way Idia’s anxiety is depicted, and also his no filter mouth. I just love it when he goes into his fast-talking mode and his ability to manage to insult and offend literally everyone, but he’s still so sensitive that Mal managed to upset him even when the latter didn't mean it. Also he’s just funny and I love his smile and hair. I mean aside from Azul there’s a trend of beautiful long hair going on here. 

Tho the characters that really, really caught me off guard were the freshmen. When I first saw that our main companions are from a single dorm I was salty that they would get the focus and now I feel like a tool. My favorite freshmen is Deuce just cuz of how he subverts all the expectations his design and personality alludes to. He and Jack are best bois but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the rest just as much. I expected to dislike Sabek since poster boy dorm is my least favorite tbh, I find them too much of a spotlight stealing squad for my taste and they can easily fall into creator’s pet territory later on. 

Sabek really is even more misunderstood than Jack is. Deep down he’s a good kid, if an arrogant youngest child fae. Epel at first I was meh about now I’m just waiting for the feral baby to join. In general I love the freshmen for their personalities that are hidden under their facades. Ace acts friendly but is a dick (a lovable one but still) Jack acts tough but is a sweetheart, Deuce seems serious but is a dumb baby, Epel seems frail but has major anger issues, and Sabek seems arrogant but ultimately helpful. 

Grimm. Just Grimm. I love how he drives the plot, how active he is, and how kinder and wiser he’s been getting. Normally series mascots are static, but Grimm is showing major growth, and I find him very endearing and his design adorable. I also can’t wait for his backstory which I’m sure will pack a punch. Overall I find most of the cast likable if some I’m not interested in like the rest (Vil, Lillia, Mal at times) but with their chapters I’m sure bastard supreme energy will win me over!

[apirateslifeforme123]

15. Give us a snippet of something from your WiPs! @snowbryneich

I presume you wanted a norribeth WIP? :) Maybe this is a bit more than a snippet...but none of it made sense in shorter form... :) First chapter of courtship fic.

I.

Elizabeth felt some trepidation as she approached the Commodore’s office within Fort Charles. He would be frightfully busy, she knew, and probably not eager to accept visitors. Jack Sparrow and Will Turner had escaped Port Royal upon the Black Pearl yesterday, and James intended to take the Dauntless in pursuit in a matter of hours. It was inexplicable what had caused him to give them a day’s head start, except for the look on Elizabeth Swann’s face when Lieutenant Gilette had demanded “Orders, Sir?”

She was certain the military men stationed at Port Royal had a great deal to say about the state of Norrington’s command due to her influence. Thirty-seven marines and thirteen sailors dead at the Isle de Muerte. One sixth rate ship of the line at the bottom of the sea. And now pirates were being allowed to waltz away from the noose with a day’s head start…

It is possible that none of this would have bothered Elizabeth, seen as merely means to an end to ensure Will’s safety, had James’ haunted expression after she had accepted his proposal not played in her mind again and again as she’d tried to sleep the night previous. That look had been the first time James Norrington ever laid his emotions bare before her, and in that moment he’d looked as though she’d sentenced him to hang. James Norrington was no fool. He’d known it was all a means to an end, and she had watched his hopes for them die in his bottle-green eyes on the very deck of his ship.

Yet he’d gone anyway, helpless to her wishes and his desire to please her. A slave to the possibility that perhaps one day he really would call her his.

Beneath all that blue wool and gold braid and powdered white wig, there was a flesh and blood man. A man with desires and hopes. A man who loved her. A man she’d never imagined before. He hid it all so well, and yet she found herself restless with the thought that perhaps she could unravel him a little, to glimpse what lay inside.

The day before out the corner of her eye she had taken the opportunity to truly look at James Norrington, in a way she never had before. He was a dashing yet somewhat stuffy figure who had always been present in some capacity during her life in Port Royal. He had dined at their house countless times. He had always been kind to her, so very kind, and indulgent too, lending her maps and books filled with sea monsters and mariner’s tales. After much pestering he’d even taught her the rudiments of navigation. She had been closely acquainted with him half her life, and yet somehow she realized she did not really know him.

Even more surprising, she wanted to. Will was gone, and this was the man to whom her future was now intimately tied. She felt that familiar pique of curiosity, the urge to explore a subject knowing she would not rest until the mystery had been solved. She knew that some women of her station treated marriage as a trial to be endured, stoically and with saintly tolerance for something unpleasant, and yet she did not want that with James.

The marriage proposal had come as no surprise, really, but the fact that he loved her? Did he even really know her? Elizabeth found herself impossibly intrigued, and she could not rest until she had the answer she sought.

The Fort was in a tizzy, officers and soldiers rushing about in preparation to pursue the pirates. The Dauntless was a large ship, and truly it was quite an undertaking to provision her in so short a time. Elizabeth narrowly sidestepped Lieutenant Gillette as he tore from the Commodore’s office, and soundlessly she slipped in the door behind him. James was engrossed in some last minute paperwork upon his desk, a furrow in his brow as he regarded the troublesome papers before him.

“James?”

His head shot up, and she saw true surprise before it was masked by polite indifference. “Miss Swann. How…nice of you to stop by. I fear I am quite occupied at the moment and have little time for pleasantries.”

Though his words were immaculately polite, Elizabeth could not help but feel the chill in them. He was annoyed with her, to say the least, and she supposed she could not blame him. She had the damndest timing for executing a faint, that was sure. The fact that he’d called her Miss Swann stung more than she’d thought it would.

“I…just wanted to say farewell and good luck before you left.”

James folded his long fingers upon his desk, his face unreadable. Finally, quietly he imparted, “I think we both know you do not wish me success in this endeavor.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips thoughtfully. This was not how she’d envisioned this interaction at all, and yet she found she liked it that James seemed to wish to speak on real terms with her, rather than exchange polite inanities. It is deuced hard to conduct a debate when a gentleman refuses to contradict a lady to her face. “I suppose it is hard to reconcile the demands of the law with the reality of punishing good men,” she admitted. “Men who saved my life, no less. Perhaps you can help me understand that?”

Though he did not offer, an extreme breach in manners for the usually stiflingly proper Commodore, Elizabeth took a seat in one of the velvet upholstered chairs before his desk.

James released a heavy sigh, his eyes cast down. “The fact that your life was spared due to their efforts is no little matter to me, Elizabeth. I am immensely grateful. And yet it is not in my power to grant a pardon for their other crimes, including but not limited to the theft and destruction of one of His Majesty’s finest ships of the line, and the slaughter of fifty of my men.”

“Jack did not kill your men,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “That was Barbossa and his ilk!”

James frowned for the familiarity Elizabeth paid the pirate. “That may be, but he certainly did not warn me of the curse, and just who do you think alerted them to the Dauntless waiting outside?”

Elizabeth knew that she too had failed to warn James of the curse, a fact of which he rather tactfully omitted. But the thought that Jack would purposefully set up that many men to die? She pressed a hand to her cheek, appalled by the thought, unwilling to believe it. “But Will was in that cavern too! Surely he would not have let Jack…”

And yet when had Will managed to outwit Jack in the entirety of their acquaintance? Not once, she feared. James watched at the gravity of these realizations settled upon Elizabeth, and he felt some pity for her, even if it was his rival whose innocence she mourned. “Oh God,” she finally said, pressing a hand over her chest. She felt impossibly short of breath, the most awful feeling of uneasiness curdling in her belly. “Jack planned it all along. He told you to lock me in your cabin because of a slight risk...” A cynical sound escaped her, which she attempted to quell with a delicate hand upon her mouth.

“Indeed. No doubt intending to take the Dauntless—and dare I say you—as his prizes after the slaughter was done.”

Elizabeth shook her head, but she saw it all too clearly now. “What a fool I have been,” she said quietly, almost to herself, though it did not escape James’ hearing.

The Commodore sighed. Despite everything, he hated to see Elizabeth in pain. It caused the most unsettling ache, just above his heart. “You are not a fool, Elizabeth,” he said softly. “Just young. So very young.”

Young or not, she felt quite ashamed. She thought of all the bodies—the men—that had been committed to sea on the voyage home. It had been a somber voyage, at best, despite their victories. She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “I am sorry, James. I fear I misjudged…everything. All those men!” She looked away, suddenly quite unable to meet his eyes.

Though James was glad she finally understood the true gravity of the events passed, he did not wish for the burden of the guilt for those fallen men to weigh upon her narrow shoulders. It was heavy enough for a seasoned officer to endure, much less a young lady.

“Please, you must not trouble yourself,” he insisted. “The truth is that if we had not engaged Barbossa at the Isle de Muerte it is possible he and his crew of miscreants would have slipped away, free to continue terrorizing the Caribbean. The deaths of my men were regrettable, but not in vain.”

“Perhaps not, though the number of them may have been greatly reduced.” Elizabeth shook her head, and James found that even in sorrow, she stole his breath away. This girl had manipulated him with Machiavellian mastery, and yet still he loved her, and hated to see her in pain. He had always known Elizabeth was a spirited girl, highly intelligent, perhaps a little spoilt and used to getting her way. But after this ordeal he’d been given a taste of what she was truly capable of when something stood in her path. It was a little frightening, really, to be engaged to wed such a creature. And yet James had never been a man to shrink from a challenge.

Though he was highly aware of the clock ticking away, knowing every second lost was distance Sparrow managed to put between the Pearl and the Dauntless, James rose from his desk to kneel before Elizabeth. He dared take her hand, something he’d never done before outside of a dance at a society ball. It was small and delicate, dwarfed in his own. “They did their duty and died with honor, Elizabeth. Please, I beg you to think of it no more.”

Pretty words, Elizabeth knew, but in truth they had died frightened and in pain. And now James would leave Port Royal in pursuit of more pirates. A pirate who as it turned out was not such a loveable clown after all, but was capable of terrible things in the name of securing his own freedom. For the first time ever, Elizabeth feared Jack Sparrow, and what might happen if James engaged him once more.

“I will think on it,” she insisted willfully, squeezing James’ hand in her own. It was large, with long elegant fingers, and possessed a surprising strength. She felt better with her hand in his, and found she didn’t want to let him go. “And I will think of you. Please come home to me safe and sound, James? And soon. Make it soon.”

This was the first time she had spoken in such a way to James, in reference to their lives entwined, together. In fact up until this point he had thought she rather preferred not to think of their impending nuptials, or what exactly that meant. Suddenly he felt as a star struck boy before her, his lips parted in surprise.

She studied him, and felt again as though she was seeing him for the first time ever. His eyes were a startling shade of green, bright as spring leaves. His features were regular and handsome, a firm jaw and a mouth that was all too often held in a straight line. If he would but smile, not his usual smirk or less oft displayed little quirk of lips but a true joyful smile, she felt certain he would be transformed. She realized she had never seen such a phenomenon on the face of the stoic Commodore Norrington, and found herself determined to bring the elusive beast about.

Just minutes ago James had been eager to get the Dauntless underway, and annoyed for the interruption. Now, all he wanted was to stay with Elizabeth indefinitely. How fitting, he thought with amusement, that he should be on his knees before her. It would not be the last time, he was certain.

He met her eyes, and felt as though he lost himself in those brown orbs. He did not have her charts, he did not yet really know how to plot a course within her waters. Brown was such a paltry word for the color of her irises. They gleamed like polished mahogany, if wood could simultaneously hold a fire inside it without immolating. Indeed, he felt as though he were the one set afire, with nary but a glance from this girl. She inspired such passion within him, passion which he was afraid to show her just yet. Yet it had a way of escaping at the most inopportune times, such as making him stumble over his words, or causing a tremor in his hands, like now as he lifted her dainty mitt to his lips.

Pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers, he promised, “I shall endeavor to do so, my lady.”

A long moment passed between them, in which it almost seemed as though Elizabeth leaned towards him, drawn like the tide, as though perhaps she meant to kiss him. The thought made him leap to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. “I thank you for visiting, but I really must get back to my duties, Elizabeth.”

She pursed her lips, perplexed by his sudden outburst, almost as though he was nervous. In fact she had thought to kiss him, even if only on the cheek, and having been denied ignited something willful within her. She suddenly very much wanted something more than a kiss upon her fingers. She wanted to speak with him a while longer, to unravel this man she was promised to marry. She wanted to know his favorite color and what he liked to read before bed and did he really love her? Perhaps exploring such things was something to be done gradually amidst the course of a marriage, but Elizabeth was not known for her patience.

And yet she knew he had a duty to uphold, and so she felt she could do nothing but rise from her chair, curtsying prettily. “Very well. Fair winds, James. I pray your absence will be short.”

He bowed his head, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, pleased that she genuinely seemed to wish for his speedy return. “As you command, Elizabeth.”

She laughed lightly at the thought of commanding such a powerful man, having little inkling of how true it was. James watched as she flounced out of his office, her full skirts swaying with her steps. The journey had not yet even begun, and already he was ready to return home.

[itsworn]

The Right Way to Tie Down Your Hot Rod for Towing

You know how it goes. Every now ’n’ then, poop happens. If and when it does we might find ourselves far away from our own trailers in need of roadside assistance. If by chance you’re a card-carrying member of a roadside-assistance insurance company, think twice or more before placing your trust—and your pride and joy—in the hands of the first driver your “club” dispatches. Those drivers are on rotation, meaning whichever towing company is up next is the one that gets the call—and some of those drivers are rough. If it’s your daily door-slammer, fine. If it’s your pride and joy hot rod, street rod, custom rod, call the shots and call a towing professional you’re comfortable with. Granted, that’s only possible where we know the players—like close to home, but, statistically, close to home is usually where poop happens anyway.

Now, I don’t exactly recall mentioning this here before, but years ago I was a tow-biz professional myself. With that bit of experience I solidly believe that I know what to look for at tow time. If it’s painted, plated, and/or polished, it doesn’t have to take a beating from a reckless slob with greasy J-hooks and a big ol’ paint-scratchin’ ring of keys hangin’ from a belt loop.

Around the tow yard and out on the streets we see dangerously sloppy performances by Brand-X tow services. Thinking back, one of the worst loading procedures I’ve personally witnessed involved a guy many of us know. When his Model A coupe cracked an axle housing, a call went out to his towing insurer. As requested, a driver arrived with a rollback, but his bed was coated with motor oil and antifreeze with a sprinkling of broken glass. I watched in horror as that driver lowered his bed to the asphalt and instructed the car’s owner to drive it up onto the truck. That’s nuts! A qualified driver would never relinquish control. From here let’s switch to positive; take a deep breath and relax as we watch a true tow pro in action.

For the purpose of illustration, let’s raise the hood of a car that’s not really broken down. Then let’s search for a payphone. Then let’s search for a payphone that works and call a towing company owned and operated by real hot-roddin’ car guys who get it. Yes, qualified tow truck drivers are out there—perhaps in your area too. Just a little homework, just ahead of tow time, can save you some grief. On that note, let’s begin with our dramatization. Granted, every situation is different. Granted, there’s more than one way to load a hot rod, but for the job at hand, this is how we do it in the city of Riverside, California.

Inevitably, when it happens, it’ll be in some scary place. Sure enough, this time it’s right here at home. At times like these it’s good to know who to call. In this instance it’s my tow-truckin’ friend who’d prefer to remain anonymous, Gary “Wizbang” Estee.

So, in tow terms, here’s a nylon bridal and a couple nylon D-ringed straps. These things are only the beginning of this particular loading procedure.

Whenever a job demands it, additional padding is affixed to the nylon D-ringed straps. Clean cloth diapers will work, but these days we pretty much prefer softer, microfiber toweling, like the kind we’d find at Harbor Freight.

So, here Estee begins his hookup. From a down-low perspective we can almost feel the pressure. That axle is ground smooth and painted as pretty as any topside part of this car. A more thoughtful builder might have incorporated tow-time hookup provisions, but this car’s builder (yours truly) didn’t think that far ahead.

Scrutinizing his hookup as he goes, Estee chooses to keep his nylon bridal straps clear from this car’s chrome-plated custom nerf bars. Once again the aforementioned microfiber toweling comes into play between nerf bars and a fairly proper length of 4×4-inch wood.

Estee’s truck positioning is spot-on. Two lengths of 4×6-inch wood are used to decrease the loading angle for the lower cars we haul. Around here we call ’em “approach ramps” and if your driver rolls up without, make another phone call.

With the initial front hookup completed, Estee operates his winch just enough to take up cable slack. This would be a good time to put your shifter in its neutral position and release the park brake partially. Why partially? Because we’re working on a slight downhill.

To this point we’ve witnessed a good amount of TLC toward the front end of this car, but what’s happening out back? Any tow pro should know to watch both ends while loading. If yours is draggin’ tailpipes, tell the fool to put your car down and make another phone call.

Back when I was towing, basket straps were not yet in vogue. According to Estee, these have gained popularity since new cars today don’t have much to hook to. Here in this hot rod application, securing tires rather than shiny, painted underpinnings makes sense too.

Once all four corners are secured via basket straps, the initial upfront hookup (cable, nylon bridal and padded D-ringed straps) can be loosened up a tad or two, as we won’t depend on cable tension while rolling down the road anyhow.

For positive security, two ratcheting safety straps are employed up front. These are now hooked into the same microfiber-padded D-ringed straps that our hookup all began with. If this were an actual emergency, we’d be just about ready to roll.

The preceding dramatization was only intended to illustrate safe ’n’ proper loading by a tow-biz professional who knows what he’s doing and cares. Although operators like Estee are the minority, you just might have one in your area. Go on, do your homework and get to know your local tow pro—before tow time.

Trailer Tips for Do-It-Yourselfers

“If you want it done right,” call the right towing company or do it yourself. In times of lesser emergency when we have our own way, it’s tough to beat the safety and security of our own trailers. During the course of most any homebased build, a project will likely be trailered from place to place for this or that. After the build we might still trailer a finished rod or custom, at least on occasion. In this instance, after a marathon detailing session, a little Deuce five-window is about to be loaded into an enclosed trailer for the Grand National Roadster Show.

This year once again we’ll borrow a friend’s enclosed trailer. The trailer is a nice one, but last year we struggled with our friend’s catchy ratchet straps. This time we’ll save some skin, as we’ve just received a shipment from Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs. For the job at hand we’ve chosen a Pro Pack, which is a popular Summit staple as well. Since our friend’s trailer is already equipped with floor-mount recessed D-rings, Mac’s fixed (direct hook) ratchet straps fit the bill. Next time we might use a trailer with E-tracks installed in its floor, so we’ve ordered additional bits for that application. Made right here in the U.S., this is high-end stuff, designed specifically for folks like us, by folks like us. From here let’s begin at the beginning. It’s time to load up.

Same as before, we’ll need to pay attention to changing ground clearances at both ends as we load. When loading a lowered-enough vehicle into and/or onto a trailer with a drop-down door or ramps, we’d best pay attention to the underside as well.

This time our tow vehicle is a 3/4-ton shop truck equipped with airbags, so we can raise its tail end to decrease the apex as necessary. Without the airbag option, Plan B might involve driving the truck’s rear wheels onto approach ramps, like the ones we saw used earlier by our tow truck driver.

So, here’s what we’ve just received from Mac’s. This Pro Pack consists of four 10,000-pound 2-inch-wide ratchet straps, four 10,000-pound axle straps, four strap wrap storage straps, four protective fleece sleeves, and a heavy-duty padded bag to boot. Also as a side order we have four E-track ratchets, which fit the bill for the other trailer.

Here’s a closer look at both ratchet styles we’ve ordered. The E-track style on the left is self-centering. The fixed (direct hook) style allows a close connection to trailer floor D-rings, which gives a nice advantage for loading a lowered rod, custom, and so on.

There really is a difference. If you visit Mac’s website you might see company founder Colin McLemore spinnin’ a ratchet’s hub. It’s an impressive demonstration, worth trying here and now. Let’s give this one a spin, and another, and another—just because we can.

While we’re playing with our new toys there’s a little Deuce five-window in the trailer just waiting to be tied down. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the sound of Velcro. On that note, let’s outfit Mac’s axle straps with Mac’s protective fleece sleeves.

The soft side is microfiber. Attached this way the sleeves will protect paint and plating. In addition, they’re easily detachable when not needed. At the ends of these ratchet straps, Mac’s unique snap hooks give another advantage, as their top-mounted thumb release feature is a skin saver as well.

A few extra wraps on any ratchet’s hub will help prevent slippage, so we’ll begin ratcheting with a little slack in the straps. Now this is where we notice another difference—the smooth and easy operation of Mac’s ratchet mechanisms.

At this stage our new tie-down hardware is only slightly snugged. This would be a good time to pull this tall gennie shifter into its Neutral position. Then we’ll make the rounds to each corner for a final tightening down.

In this instance our straps are fairly far extended to reach the outermost D-rings. Ordinarily we’d prefer to have the straps parallel with the vehicle’s frame, but this arrangement enables us to keep pressure off of Pete and Jakes’ chrome-plated shock absorbers.

For the rear hookup, the straps are straight but still fairly far extended, so there’s only a little over a foot’s worth of excess. For rolling down the road in an enclosed trailer this is fine. If we were using a regular flat trailer, however, we wouldn’t want our excess strap ends dangling loosely.

Now, let’s just imagine we’re using a regular flat trailer. Let’s also imagine we have a longer length of excess strap. We surely wouldn’t want that blowin’ in the breeze. In such situations we see knotted messes all the time. Here Mac’s dual-purpose strap wraps are a tidy alternative.

By the way, we did OK at the show, and while we were there we purchased a second Pro Pack to keep. For our needs, the Pro Pack is indeed the proper choice. For other applications, Mac’s offers plenty more, including custom applications.

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