#was going to have way more clutter in this but also I have like twelve more pictures to fucking GOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[activatingaggro]

Churning through ball pictures, so first up: Liyiji and Marduk, being dweebs, because college taught me that at any party, you will have at least three people sitting on the ground somewhere, in a corner, ignoring the perfectly good couches nearby.

Liyiji’s armour is a duplicate of one of Sayiid’s generals. It’s historical, he says. He’s being humble, he says, when the truth of the matter is that his ancestor’s boots are literally just too big to fill in.

[quibbs126]

Hello! If you don’t mind if you can make Pure vanilla x white lily fan kid?

Alright, I’ve mentioned him long enough, time to introduce you all to Witch Hazel Cookie, formerly known as Vanilla Lily Cookie 

So I chose the name Witch Hazel because it’s a yellow flower, and his design was predominantly going to be yellow. Also, White Lily’s a flower and Pure Vanilla is yellow. But also I kind of liked the name because of White Lily’s ties to witches

Witch hazel:

So I’ll admit, Witch Hazel’s design is a bit simple, but I think it’s fine enough. I decided early on that his colors would be yellow with pink accents, so I just stuck with that

I had made a design for him back in July, but I couldn’t get it to work. From what I remember of that design, I was going to use more green, and that he’d have hair closer to Blue Lily. I think she was a major inspiration for that early design

Though I do also feel like I didn’t capture his height. Hazel’s supposed to be pretty tall, he towers over PV and probably White Lily (I don’t have an idea of how tall she is in my head)

Also, this is completely random, but after finishing the sketch I couldn’t help but feel like Witch Hazel looks like a lesbian. I don’t know why, he just looked like a witch who was also a lesbian. Which was not my intent at all. And frankly I don’t think the name helps. But it’s his design, so you know

Oh also I intentionally kept his left eye covered. We’ll get into it later but he can’t see out of it anymore

So anyways, let’s get into his character, because as I’ve alluded to, I have stuff to say about it

So generally he comes off as a serene and calm individual, similar to his father. He also uses plant based magic with his branch staff

The idea is that some time before the Dark Flour War, he went off somewhere and hasn’t been seen since by any of the Ancients, and they didn’t know what happened to him. Not sure where he went, but maybe he went to take the Twelve Trials of the Sugar Free Road like Pure Vanilla did

I have this idea that some time in present day (as in during the game’s events), Witch Hazel shows up at the Vanilla Kingdom again after he heard of its return, and is welcomed with open arms by his father, as well as likely being received well by the other Ancients (maybe he shows up in Odyssey? I’m not sure, might be too cluttered having both him and the Creme Republic show up with their own separate plots)

However, there are some things off about him. For one, he’s…rather intense when it comes to dragons. He clearly dislikes them, but more so than a normal Cookie, and in a way that implies he has some beef with them. I think another present member at the Vanilla Kingdom in that original idea was Pitaya, and Hazel didn’t make it entirely hidden that he didn’t like them. Another is that despite his serene demeanor, he occasionally showed cracks in his persona, sometimes muttering backtalk under his breath, or his eye twitching when he acts like this for long enough, or being dodgy about what he’s been up to in the past decades

Well, as alluded to in the sketch, it’s because it’s all fake. Not just his demeanor, but his appearance as well, and what he really looks like being partially shown in the sketch (though it’s just a quick sketch, not necessarily the final design). He uses magic to hide his true appearance 

In truth, he’s an angry, bitter and spiteful person with serious temper issues and a pure hatred of dragons. However, his hostile demeanor is more his response to his trauma, lashing out at the world for what happened, but also he finds himself very lonely

His backstory is that sometime after he left the Vanilla Kingdom, he was attacked by a dragon. He tried to fight it with his magic, but it didn’t do much against the beast, and he ended up getting horribly burned by its fire, with it disfiguring his face and body, as well as causing him to lose sight in one of his eyes. In a long, exhausting fight of sheer terror and survival, Witch Hazel eventually killed the dragon, but it was by no means a triumphant defeat. After winning, he took the dragon’s gem and afterwards was able to use dragon fire with it, that being the shape in his real staff, which is made up of a charred old branch. His body is still horribly scarred after the event, especially his face, hence why I kept it obscured. He was never the same after the event, eventually becoming the spiteful person he is today

I think this backstory was inspired by a video I had watched around the same time, in which in talking about the Hobbit movies, the reviewers talk about how Desolation of Smaug implies that Thranduil fought dragons in his youth and that he’s using some sort of glamour to hide his disfigured appearance. I remembered it and then incorporated that into the purelily kid as an idea, which eventually culminated in Vanilly here

Going back to him interacting with other Ancients, I imagine at a point where he snaps, he lashes out at them, saying they don’t know dragon fire like he does, saying that Hollyberry has her magic shield, she’s never actually in danger of it, and Dark Cacao’s dragons don’t even spit fire. His disguise might slip for a bit, with some of his scars on his face showing as he rants about the pain that dragon fire brings

Though at the same time, while he’s afraid of dragon fire, he can be a bit of a maniac when it comes to using his own fire, sometimes getting carried away and burning more than necessary 

Okay, I don’t really know how to exactly describe him. I know who he is, and he’s fun to act out in my head, but I don’t know how to describe his personality. I’m bad at describing things. I just know he’s got a lot of issues

However despite how he acts, he wouldn’t join the Cookies of Darkness or anything. I imagine he might consider it when he learns Dark Enchantress is his mother, but he wouldn’t join

There’s no malicious intent in him coming to the Vanilla Kingdom in disguise. In truth, he really did come to the kingdom because he heard it appeared again and that his father was alive. The reason he came in disguise and acted the way he did is because he was terrified that with how he was, both in appearance and demeanor, his father would reject him, so he put on a fake look with what he imagined his father would like, determined to keep that facade for as long as it takes, never breaking character so that he never faces that rejection. He desperately wants to tell Pure Vanilla about everything he’s been through and to be honest with him, but his fear wins out and he keeps the facade

I want to talk more about the idea I have with Witch Hazel showing up in the Vanilla Kingdom, but I feel like maybe that should be its own post. But I may as well talk about Pure Vanilla in this story

So Pure Vanilla is overjoyed to see his son again, and he’s willing to overlook oddities in his behavior because of it. But when others bring up his odd behavior (and I think Pitaya notes that he’s clearly using magic to hide his appearance), and even he can’t ignore it, he becomes more and more concerned, wanting to assume the best but also aware things aren’t what they seem with Witch Hazel. I also imagine a scene with the two, in which Pure Vanilla goes to talk with Witch Hazel in the room he’s staying in, and the room is completely dark, and Witch Hazel is in his true form, though we (and Pure Vanilla) don’t see it since this is before his reveal. Witch Hazel insists the lights stay off, which only off puts PV more, and he tries to confront Witch Hazel about his suspicious behavior, but Witch Hazel shuts down his concerns, trying to make everything sound fine. Pure Vanilla agrees to leave him alone for now, and at the end of this conversation, Witch Hazel hesitates and almost wants to let Pure Vanilla see his face, but he stops himself before he can

I really want to talk more about the whole storyline, but this is already very long and I explained it better in my notes, so I might as well just post those notes in another post. But for now, I’ll say that Witch Hazel does eventually snap and its revealed what he looks and acts like, and drama happens and I don’t know what exactly goes down, but by the end of it Pure Vanilla does accept him as he truly is despite everything 

I don’t really have much on his relationship with his mother though, I was more focused on Pure Vanilla since he’s actually there

All right, I think I’m gonna stop now, but yeah, that’s Witch Hazel, I really hope you guys like him

[ash5monster01]

Getaway Camp : Eleven

Pairing: Charlie Dalton x FemReader

Warnings: 18+, mentions of smut, dirty talk, slight foreplay, minor angst, language, mentions of death, fluff, lots of teasing.

Summary: Charlie and Valerie get away for the weekend, enjoying every second alone they get together. When Charlie comes back, he finds a surprise waiting for him.

word count: 3.1k

Masterlist

Ten ←→ Twelve

July 9th 1961

It’s hot when Charlie wakes up. The sun’s rays shining through the fabric above him and getting trapped inside. It’s immediately uncomfortable but Charlie ignores it as he reaches to his side, the blanket falling low on his bare hips. Yet his hand just meets sleeping bag. His eyes open to find the spot beside him empty and he sighs until he hears the clutter of a pan outside the tent walls. Sitting up he discovers his clothes from last night are gone and he has no choice but to pull on the green shirt and khakis he had packed with him.

Ever since the Fourth of July, Charlie and Valerie couldn’t get enough of each other. As predicted the great cabin shuffle was hard to recreate so the pair had to get creative. The boat house had become a common destination since Charlie knew there was a cot in there from rowing. When it came to the weekend, the couple was quick to pack everything they had and hike to the spot where they had their first date. A whole weekend that was just the two of them, in a tent, with nothing but woods around. Charlie would like to say he had connected with nature while out here but if he was being honest, he spent more time connected to Valerie than anything else.

“Morning handsome” Valerie smiles from her campfire set up, scrambled eggs in a pan. They seemed to be sticking to the pan more than actually edible but Charlie didn’t have it in him to mind. Especially since the girl sat in his blue shirt from the night before and only the blue shirt.

“Smells good” he tells her, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her lips, his hand grazing along the back of her head and to the base of her neck. Now that the pair had explored each other’s bodies she had found Charlie’s kisses to be less shy and more demanding. He had no issue positioning her anyway he wanted when his mouth met her own.

“You look cute” she says when he pulls back and despite the light blush on his cheeks he can’t help but laugh at the comment.

“I guess I should’ve packed more camp friendly clothes” he suggests, moving to sit in the seat across from her own and Valerie smiles, scooping some eggs on a plate and passing them his way.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind. I plan on taking them off of you anyway” and Charlie grins a wide and devilish smile. He was not foreign to hooking up with a girl before but this was not that. He simply couldn’t get enough of Valerie which hadn’t ever happened to him before. Each time he found himself trying to out pour his appreciation for her. By the third time around he discovered he had been making love, not hooking up. The thought scared him, but he was obsessed with her more.

“Like you did last night?” Charlie suggests, eyebrows jumping at the reminder of how they had tried to eat dinner in this very spot last night. Yet Charlie had ended up with his pants pooled around his ankles and Valerie’s pretty lips wrapped around his cock as he watched the waterfall. Maybe he could convince her to leave civilization and stay with him in these woods forever.

“Anything’s a possibility” she tells him, sipping from her glass of water as he digs into the eggs. There is barely any taste but he eats them anyway, smiling at her, and wishing they didn’t have to head back to camp so soon. He hated meeting her in the boat house and then having to go sleep separately. Yet for Nate and Levi, that was their one time thing hooking up with those girls. Charlie knew Levi wasn’t mean about it in the way Nate was. Mia just happened to be a casual hookup that they both wanted to keep casual. Who would have thought? It also made Chrissy extra whiny and impossible to escape. Charlie officially felt Valerie’s pain when it came to her roommate for the summer season.

“You keep me hostage in these woods any longer and Ezra might send out a search party for me” Charlie tells her after a while and Valerie giggles, aware of how Charlie had been favoring her over anyone else these days. She had been doing the same, ditching Levi because she only had a taste for Charlie.

“I’ll make it up to him, I think he’ll understand though. I have a very attractive boyfriend” Valerie says but almost instantaneously after the label leaves her lips, the tops of her ears burn red. “I mean, friend-boy. Guy I date-“

She’s cut off by Charlie’s bellowing laughter, his hand falling to his chest as he tries to calm down. Yet his amusement hasn’t stopped yet, the cute and panicked look on her face making him laugh more. When it finally calms he gives a wide and comforting smile as he reaches for her hand across their mini pop up table. “I’m your boyfriend V. At least I better be cause I’d be pissed if you tried dating someone else”

“Same Ace” Valerie says with a shy smile, her cheeks still a soft pink from the conversation she hadn’t expected to have.

“I don’t have eyes for anyone else. Well I still favor Miss December but-” and Valerie is launching a piece of bread from her plate at the boy, Charlie laughing as he dodges it. He still had the centerfold of Miss December, his first ever read poem written on the back of it. Yet he found himself reading the words more than looking at the picture these days.

“I have better boobs than Miss December” Valerie claims and Charlie smirks, eyes dropping to her chest. How her nipples are peaked through the blue fabric of his shirt, the outline of her curves pulling the button in that spot taught. Valerie’s aren’t nearly as big as Miss December’s, than again is anyone’s? Even Charlie knew the image was unrealistic. Valerie was still big chested in all the ways that mattered and turned him on. He always had been a boob guy.

“Yeah they are, plus I’ve actually felt them before” Charlie wiggles his eyebrows and Valerie giggles, Charlie’s hand tugging her own, and indicating she join him on his side of the table. When she obeys and sits in his lap, Charlie discovers there truly is nothing under his shirt as his hand settles on her ass. It’s no surprise to either of them he’s already hardening beneath her.

“What, you trying to get me over here to grope my chest or something?” she teases but Charlie pretends to take it seriously. Fingers tracing through the fabric of his shirt on her form, slowly moving until his hand grazes inside, fingers brushing under her breast before cupping it gently in his hand. The perfect fit.

“Maybe” he grins and Valerie just rolls her eyes before kissing him. It’s not anything sexual but her tongue ends up in his mouth anyway and she wished they didn’t have to pack up so soon to make it in time for her afternoon shift.

“You gonna see Ezra tonight?” she asks once she breaks away from his lips. She loved the taste of him.

“Yeah, if I don’t I’ll go crazy alone in my cabin without you” Charlie tells her, the hand once placed on her chest now tucked gently against her thigh and holding her in place.

“Cabin fever huh?” she asks and Charlie chuckles before giving her a genuine look.

“That must explain it, because I go crazy whenever I’m without you” and Valerie feels the words settle on her lips, yet they don’t come out. Her heart thrumming quickly in her chest because those three words may be simple but for her they hold so much weight. She had always been different from other girls, felt excluded in ways she couldn’t understand. She was used to boys, the careless and reckless ways they lived their lives. It was no surprise to her when she viewed them more as brothers than love interests. Love was never an option, and now suddenly it was everything.

“Then let’s hope summer never ends” Charlie’s affectionate smile quickly falls into a frown, not expecting such a harsh reality to be thrown his way. They had never had a conversation but he knew there was a timeline. He just hadn’t expected to put his feelings out there and suddenly find out Valerie has no interest in continuing this after camp was done. A harsh reality he was hoping to ignore for a little longer.

“Yeah, let’s hope” he agrees and she misses the sad tone of his voice as she lifts from his lap and begins to pick up their things. Charlie can’t even bring himself to admire the curve of her ass that’s been revealed to him or playfully slap it. Instead he finally feels sad knowing it’s not just him that feels there’s an expiration date to what the both of them have.

It only takes about an hour to pack up camp, the giant backpacks on both of their backs filled to the brim. The hike had gotten easier for Charlie too. Once he discovered it was worse saying goodbye to Valerie when they got back it felt like the walk wasn’t the worst thing he had to go through. He had kissed her goodbye for nearly twenty minutes before she finally pulled away because she would be late if she didn’t. Sometimes he wished she wasn’t so punctual.

Slowly he makes the short walk back to his cabin, uninterested in the rest of the day, until he eyes the small mail box nailed to the side of the cabin. It hadn’t ever changed since he got here, a layer of rust on the side, a bit crooked against the wood. Yet today the lid was propped open and the smallest corner of a yellowing envelope peaked out from inside. In a scramble he’s digging in, freeing the three letters addressed to him. He can’t help the way his stomach clenches as he reads the familiar return sender names on each. Suddenly he can’t get inside the cabin fast enough.

Quickly he plops down in the chair of the desk, shoving aside a few liquor bottles to make space for him to read. Not even bothering to find a letter opener, he’s tearing the seal open with is finger. Eagerly freeing the letter inside, the familiar chicken scratch making his heart leap. It had been so long, so long since he had seen any of them in person. Suddenly he wanted to cry, the yearning for his friends deepening inside him. In this moment he promises himself he will visit them soon, not waste another shared moment between them. Especially with how long it took to send letters back and forth from camp.

Dear Charlie,

It is absolutely no surprise that you’ve become king of the camp. Yet for some reason it’s hard to picture you sleeping in a cabin and swatting away mosquitoes. The same guy who used to have all his shirts pressed and the finest liquors hidden under your floorboards. Then again I’m sure you’ve found a supply to keep you occupied. Or maybe you’ve changed from the boy I once knew and now you’re embracing nature and all it has to offer.

The image of you on waterski’s will be enough to keep me going until the next time I see you. Even better the idea of you falling. After I made sure you didn’t get hurt of course. I’m sure you’re making the most of this summer lifestyle. This girl Valerie sounds like she makes it all worth it. Then again you always worshipped any girl you could find. Yet the way you refer to her leads me to believe you’ve finally found a soft spot. I would love to meet the lady who finally tames the wild and reckless Charlie Dalton.

Please write me back soon, no feeling in the world compares to the one I get when I see Charlie Daltons name written on the side of an envelope.

Love, Todd Anderson

Charlie chuckles, hugging the letter close to his chest, thankful Todd hadn’t lost that part of him. The confidence he found right before Neil had died. Neil was Charlie’s best friend but to Todd, Neil was his person. The one that changes the entire trajectory of your life. One that suddenly means everything and then gets ripped from you just as quick as you got him. It wasn’t fair then and it wasn’t fair now. Then again, nothing in life really was. You just had to make the most of what you got while you had it.

Charlie,

When I had heard you were to work at a summer camp I’m pretty sure I had to be resuscitated. Picturing you in a cabin, possibly with a roommate like Cameron, seems like the purest form of hell you’d ever endure. Then again I’m sure it’s nice to finally be away from your parents. What doesn’t surprise me is that you’ve found yourself a girl. This Valerie sounds like a real charmer, especially if she happened to lock down you.

I go to Harvard Law in the Fall and Chris is staying back at community college. I am already dreading when the day comes so I can’t imagine how you feel when the same happens for you.

What I can tell you is to fight for her. When I had read your letter it was the first time I saw a glimpse of the Charlie I knew before Neil had died. I’ve been waiting a really long time to have him back. Plus I’m sure Neil would’ve kicked my ass if he knew I encouraged you to let go of the first girl to ever get Charlie Dalton to settle down.

I miss you buddy, please keep in touch.

Love, Knoxious

Charlie shorts a laugh at the letter, eager to tell him that so far his roommate had been pretty cool. He should’ve expected the sentiment though. It was the romantic in Knox. Knox would beg him to stay with any girl if Charlie had even slightly mentioned her. It’s because as much as Charlie talks about girls there was never the idea of one.

Charlie,

It doesn’t shock me you’re working at a summer camp. In fact, I always had a feeling you’d give up on civilization and become one with the trees. Real life was never really meant for you. You’ve always been wild and free, I figure you fit right in. Probably friends with the animals and wiping your ass with a leaf. It makes sense.

Next week me and Pitts start early admission at Yale. Feels kind of crazy the days of college are already here when that’s all we used to talk about. Pitts says hi by the way, he agrees summer camp was meant for you. He saw no point in writing you since you’d probably be annoyed with his non legible handwriting anyway.

Charlie this is Pitts, I am happy to write you but Steven is a control freak who thinks it’s easier to send our letter combined. Miss you.

Anyway Charles, we miss you a lot. Come visit us at Yale someday, or maybe we’ll get curious enough to come visit the city. Please write soon.

Love Steven Meeks & Gerard Pitts

Charlie laughs loudly at the last one, his chest aching. He misses his friends, he misses the cave, he misses study group, he misses Welton. God he can’t believe he misses a place he hates so much. The very place he still blamed for every traumatic moment in his life, but it was where he belonged. Where he should’ve been for that last year and a half. He had missed out on so much but then he felt guilty knowing Neil was going to miss out on everything.

So Charlie gets to work, writing a handwritten letter back to each, and finally finding himself not consumed with thoughts about Valerie. He tells them about everything he’s done and everything that’s coming up. How Valerie is his girl despite the end of summer looming above them. He doesn’t leave a detail out because for once he wants to be there for them even if it’s only through a pen and paper.

It’s dark by the time Valerie makes her return. Charlie’s laid up in his bed, a book in his hand, while Andy lays on his own and listens to the radio. She doesn’t bother knocking, smiling at both of them before making her way to Charlie. Shes still in her red bathing suit, indicating she came right after her shift, and Charlie disposes the book as he welcomes her into his arms instead.

“Hey baby, how was work?” he asks, pressing a kiss against the top of her head.

“Fine, some thirteen year old boys wouldn’t stop staring and flirting with me though. I just wasn’t in the mood” she tells him and Charlie chuckles, remembering being thirteen and having way too many hormones to know how to handle. A pretty girl would’ve made him malfunction, especially one that looked like Valerie.

“I’m sorry honey, want me to beat them up?” he asks and this time it’s Andy snorting from his side of the cabin.

“You two make me sick” he teases and Charlie rolls his eyes, tightening his hold on the girl against him.

“Says you. I watched you beg Alice to stay for twenty minutes. It was starting to get weird and not just for me” Charlie calls him out and Valerie giggles against his chest, warming him over completely.

“I think it’s sweet Andy” she tells the boy and he tries to hide the smile that crosses his face when it comes to the girl he finally got to go out with him.

“Thanks Val, I like you more than Charlie” Andy says and Charlie quickly flips him off, Valerie laughing at their antics and the relationship neither of them will call a friendship yet. Dare she say they were each other’s best friends.

“Most people do” Valerie responds and Charlie gasps, pointing a shocked look her way and she smiles, wiping it off with a kiss to his lips.

“I’m hurt” Charlie pouts when she pulls away and Valerie smiles, lying back down against his chest, and wishing she didn’t have to go back to her own cabin. Wishing she didn’t have to go anywhere ever again.

“It’s okay Ace, I like you more than anyone”

Taglist: @eden-punk @octaviasdread @pursuedbyamemoryy @poetsinnyc @linmichea1

Comment if you want to be added to the taglist :))

[josiebelladonna]

i am going to begin the process of cross posting the stories/fics i care most about (i.e., the fics i’ve downloaded since the election) over to squidgeworld and i frankly don’t give two fucks if it’s called squidgeworld—besides, something like that, that has a ridiculous name, is bound to be good 😂 i think i’ll be doing that all the way to new year’s, especially now that i’m on radio silence with instagram—and let me tell you, it’s actually been kind of nice not getting notifications all the time. i can wake up in the morning and not get an uneasy stomach thinking that the next post will be about alex with whatsername.

i just can’t help but think ahead with this terms of service update on ao3. they don’t harvest your data, sure (mainly because they don’t have an algorithm… in case you needed any more proof of that), and they will protect you, and in fact, that’s their whole raison d’être, but… there’s something about the way it’s presented, though, telling you that they’ll hand you over to the authorities if you’re doing something illegal and we know that trump’s government is going to be… what it is, it’s easy to put two and two together and assume these things. it’s admittedly got me spooked.

squidgeworld, from what i can gather, is made out from the same software ao3 runs on (it’s open source software, so you can do that), created by a guy and his team, squidge. in other words, it’s like all of these new social media platforms that keep cropping up (bluesky, mastodon, threads) except it’s a fanfic + original writing site, it’s an archive (read: no godforsaken algorithm), and it’s a fraction of the size of ao3, which is huge now compared to what it was when i first joined 5 years ago. i like it. it’s quiet. it’s not as cluttered. it kind of feels like moving to a cabin in the woods overlooking the ocean and away from the insanity of the world (i live in the mountains; i’m going to the beach). it also takes the pressure off ao3 which, depending on the fandom, is completely overrun with the tiktok crowd.

i saw a post earlier while i was prepping my queue for this week, saying something like “i’ll tear a book limb from limb but i would nEvEr do that to fanfic,” and… you know what. i’m just gonna say it. fuck off with this. you heard me.

this attitude is why there is so much shovelware shit on ao3 now. this attitude is why you have the exact same fanfics over and over and over and over and OVER!!! again in for example, the metallica, fall out boy, mcr, and 21 pilots tags. this attitude is why there is a surplus of “fics” on there tagged like tumblr posts or tiktok posts and they range from fucking awful to literally nothing. what was once a sentiment that made perfect sense because it is painful to see as an amateur, you are now letting the low-hanging fruit have a run of the place with this. honestly, i feel like people just say this anymore to hear themselves talk.

in fact, i almost didn’t want to write this up because squidgeworld is a smol babe and i want it to stay that way. in fact, i’m going to enjoy the smallness while it lasts.

i’m using my real name, hannah_christine, over there, and i’ve already posted quarter after twelve and my shorts/poetry collection black lake. the other benefit of this is finishing some wips i’ve put on the back burner and just let simmer (xenon dreams, the dead of night, eerie inhabitants, etc.). everything will stay downloaded/archived, and my ao3 will still be here. but decentralization is the way forward and i’m an artist: i need to dodge bullets somehow.

[softsnzstuff]

thinking about Wayne picking up a small cold at work and not thinking much of it cuz it only lasts a couple days until Eddie (in his true dramatic fashion) gets is 10 times worse (like total feverish sneezy mess) and he doesn’t want to bother Wayne but also all he wants is to be taken care of

First of all I Love this prompt! I’m so weak for the Munsons and this is such a them thing. Have some CanonVerse Munson action. ~KB

*****

Sunday

You could say Wayne Munson was old school. Growing up in the early 40’s, he was accustomed to a hard days’ work, even on the bad days.

In his lifetime, he’d had to work through snowstorms, heat waves, strained wrists, and so much more. So it comes as no surprise to Eddie that his uncle is still go go go when he wakes up one morning with a cold.

The 20 year old had been living with his uncle for the last 12 years. They sometimes joked that they knew each other better than they knew themselves.

One thing Eddie knew was that Wayne was always awake by noon. His uncle worked nights at the plant, would come home around 5am and sleep until twelve. He’d get up, have his coffee, and usually they’d work on fixing up parts of the car if Eddie wasn’t in school.

So when 12:30pm rolled around and Wayne was just starting to wake up, Eddie knew something was up. It was Sunday, so he was at home making himself some lunch. Apart from the sizzling of the grilled cheese in the pan, the only other noise came from the older man on the pullout.

“H’RUSSHew!”

Eddie looked over his shoulder, “Bless you!”

Wayne groaned, the mattress squeaking as he sat up and cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

Eddie tried not to let the concern be heard in his voice as he spoke, “I’m making grilled cheese. You want one?”

The man shook his head as he headed towards the shared bathroom to brush his teeth. Eddie frowned slightly, plating his grilled cheese and turning off the burner.

He was leaned against the counter, eating his sandwich when his uncle emerged from the bathroom, looking slightly more awake. He was pouring his coffee when Eddie decided to address the elephant in the room.

“Feeling alright?”

Wayne sighed, of course Eddie could tell, “Feeling a bit under the weather, Ed.”

“I’ll live, son.” He added for good measure, chuckling at the panic on Eddie’s face. “Probably gonna rest before my shift tonight.”

Eddie didn’t think he should have to be at work, but he was glad his uncle was taking the day to rest instead of working on the car. “I uh rented a new movie the other day. Wanna watch together?”

“Sure, put it on.” Wayne smiled as he took the coffee and sat back down on the pullout in the living room.

Eddie was fiddling with the tv before he made himself comfortable on the couch.

***

Tuesday Night

Eddie’s alone at the trailer after Wayne leaves for his shift at the plant. He’d just performed a small gig at the Hideout and had just gotten home. The last few days were filled with his uncle resting or watching tv.

The 20 year old has been trying to keep things in order while Wayne was down - dishes, attempting laundry and other things like that. The living room was pretty messy now, so he took it upon himself to clean the clutter - picking up tissues and binning them, putting the medicine back on the shelf, making Wayne’s bed look nice.

By the time he’d finished, he was exhausted. He went to lie down on his bed and fell asleep.

***

Thursday Morning

The alarm came way too early. How was it only Thursday? The long haired man peeled himself out of bed and shivered slightly as the air hit him. He pulled on jeans, socks and his leather jacket before he went to brush his teeth and tame his hair.

Wayne knocked on the open door and poked his head in.

“What’re you doing awake?” Eddie asked.

“Just wanted to say thanks for being a help the last week. I took tonight off. Wanted to see if you want to work on the car after school?”

“Yeah sure!” Eddie smiled.

Wayne nodded and padded off to go back to sleep. Eddie’s nose was buzzing. He scrunched it up and rubbed at it to try and quell the tickle. Not wanting to wake up Wayne, he slipped on his shoes, grabbed his backpack and keys and hurried off to the van.

He sat in the drivers seat and allowed the tickle to bloom now that he was alone. His elbow hovered in front of his face as he squinted, nostrils flaring slightly.

“H’yisSSHuhew! T’CHiew! …hh - H’eKSHTT!”

He groaned as he pulled back, mess clinging to the crook of his leather jacket sleeve. He reached over to grab some tissues from the glove compartment, first wiping off his arm, then blowing his nose. He could feel the congestion settle and swore under his breath.

He definitely caught Wayne’s cold.

***

Thursday Afternoon

Today sucked. Eddie was already the “freak” of Hawkins High and hated drawing unwanted attention to himself. So of course his cold had decided that it would turn him into a sneezy, germy mess.

The first couple classes he could get away with asking to go to the bathroom to cough or blow his nose in private, but by the end half of the day, his nose was running so much, he couldn’t ask to go every couple of minutes.

He sank into his chair in the back of Ms.O’Donnell’s class, silently wiping his nose on his bandana every few minutes, sniffling. Robin had the desk next to him and kept glancing over at him and shooting him a glance of concern. He wanted to reassure her, but he was too busy fighting off the tickle buzzing in his left nostril.

He managed to fight it off for about 25 minutes, but towards the end of class it was too strong. He brought the bandana up to his nose and tried his best to be quiet.

“H’xxT! ii’xtch! X’T’chew!”

“Bless you.” Robin whispered.

He nodded and rolled his eyes, trying to blow his nose discreetly, blowing his cover when a thick gurgle came out instead. Fuck.

A few of the popular kids turned around and stared at him with a look of disgust, his cheeks crimson with embarrassment. Once the bell rang signaling school was over, he all but bolted from the classroom.

Robin grabbed her notebook and bag and jogged after him, walking towards the parking lot. “Are you okay Eddie?”

“Yeah Robin, I’b fucki’g peachy.” He coughed to himself before stopping and turning to her. “Sorry. That was m’bean. I have the whhh worst - Heh!”

He brought the crumpled, damp bandana back up to his face.

“H’ixxTCHU! N’Gshuh! … H’aKSHT’iew! Ughhhh I have the worst fucki’g cold.”

Robin bit her lip, not sure how to fix it. She dug around in her backpack and pulled out a travel pack of tissues.

“Well sneezing into the same wet bandana probably isn’t helping. You can take these. I usually hang onto them for Steve but I have loads at the house.”

Eddie pocketed the bandana and took the tissues from Robin, “Thanks Birdie.”

She nodded before turning towards her ride home, “Feel better!”

Eddie smiled before turning on his heels and muttering “I hope so…”

***

He’d all but spaced out on the drive home, mentally taking note on how shitty he felt. Headache? Yes. Sore throat? Yep. Sneezing his head off? 100%. He could not wait to get back to the trailer, shower and climb into be-

Shit.

As he pulled up to the trailer, Wayne smiled and waved. He was outside, hood of the car open and he was wiping his hands off on a dirty rag. Fuck he totally forgot they were going to work on the car today. That could take hours.

As he turned the van off, Eddie took a deep breath and put on his best ‘everything’s fine’ act, finally stepping out of the vehicle.

“Hey kid, how was school?”

Eddie’s brain quickly scanned for a response that didn’t involve M’s or N’s.

“It was uh… it was good. Snfff”

Wayne noted the boy’s posture. His usually full-of-energy nephew looked like he could about collapse, and his nose was tinged pink, as were his cheeks.

He knew immediately that Eddie was sick and that he would try to deny it so he could hang out with him. He quirked an eyebrow. Two could play this game. He’d been doing it for 12 years.

“Great! Why don’t you put your bag down and we can work on fixing up the engine?”

This was a test. Eddie seemed stumped for a minute, trying to come up with an excuse to go inside first because he had to sneeze again.

“Yeah, let m’be just uhh phhh put this hh away?”

“You can just set it on the porch for now. I got the car all set up for your magic touch.” Wayne clapped a hand on Eddie’s shoulder.

Eddie panicked, trying to turn to keep his uncle out of the spray zone. He brought the collar of his shirt up to his face just in time.

“Okay holdonIgotta.. H’eKSHTiew! T’shew! iigSHUh! … H’eSHiyue!”

Wayne sighed, “Bless you, Ed.”

“Sorry those uh SNF sn’duck up on m’be…” Eddie lied, wiping his nose on the back of his wrist and sniffling thickly.

“Mmhmm.” Wayne nodded sarcastically, not buying his nephews act for one second, “Eddie, go march you and that terrible cold of yours into bed.”

Eddie nodded and sniffled again against his wrist as he headed up the porch steps to the front door.

“And blow your nose!” Wayne called after him, as he closed the hood of the car.

“Yes sir! Ah’yeSHuhew! Ughhhhh”

***

After a nice shower and changing into pajamas and a sweatshirt, Eddie retreated to his bed, a box of tissues in clutch, one pressed to his nose.

Wayne popped in shortly after with a bowl of soup on a tray, “Brought you dinner! Don’t want you at school tomorrow, so just try and rest okay?”

Eddie nodded taking the tray.

“Didn’t mean for you to get sick too. Sorry kid.”

“It’s okay Wayne, this is’t the first time and it wo’t be the last.”

The two of them laughed, knowing Eddie was referencing the time two years ago that he gave Wayne bronchitis.

“Get some rest Eddie. Drink all that broth.”

The 20 year old nodded, setting aside his Hellfire binder so he could eat the soup. Being sick sucked but it definitely sucked less having Wayne to take care of him.

[ray-writes-n-shit]

can we have an oc tour?

OMG???? YES OF COURSE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME RAMBLE DHGEGSV🖤

lol, okay now for my characters. like I said in my pinned post, I only have one WIP (thank god) so I only have a few OCs from there, so I’ll give a little explanation of who they are and their place in the story

this is essentially their basic info and backgrounds, stuff that affects their character arcs no matter where i end up going with this story (this will be SO cluttered I’m sorry😭) (also I decided on just doing the siblings + Ally because I have TOO many things to say about these mfs)

tw: csa, substance abuse, child abuse, implication of pedophilia and incest

. . .

Alejandra: Alejandra is the main protagonist and my baby girl❤️ She’s sixteen, making her the youngest in the family and earning her a lot of room to be disrespected. She’s often told she acts “grown” or “fast” but really she just wants to be tough. She wants to scare people and keep them away so they don’t hurt her. She’s loud, arrogant, and loves a good fight. But she struggles with self-harm as well as anger issues, causing her to be expelled from school on more than one occasion despite her intelligence. She’d been in and out of mental facilities and therapists’ offices since her family found out she had been assaulted at twelve-years-old. Rumors spread about the assault around town and in her school, to which she was bullied. She was also often harassed about who the perpetrator was. She pretended for the longest time that she didn’t know who it was, not wanting to get her father in trouble. But since losing her memories, she’s really forgotten.

Her whole deal is that, after a long life of traumatic experiences with her dad, she has enough and starts using drugs to make it go away, getting addicted in the process. However, the drugs she uses only cause her memories to open up further, and through them she discovers she has some weird abilities relating to emotions and memories where she can feel what someone else is feeling if their emotions are strong enough. She can do many other things such as enter other’s minds or her own. But one day, she wakes up without her memories. At least, not the bad ones. At once, the story becomes something of a quest to get them all back. (We’re kinda playing by Life Is Strange rules here where the abilities aren’t really explained but are more of a literary/story device)

Little Ally: “Ally” is who gets the plot rolling along. She’s the eight-year-old version of Alejandra, as well as the exact opposite of her. She’s sweet, soft-spoken, and so painfully meek. When Alejandra’s childhood began to crumble, Ally was able to retreat back into a little peaceful corner of Alejandra’s mind where she could rest eternally. But now that Alejandra’s memories are gone, Ally’s all that’s left, and she just wants to go back. She appears only to Alejandra and serves to offer advice and help in recovering Alejandra’s memories as best as she can. She disappears or hides when Alejandra is with her father.

. . .

Cinthia: Cinthia is the eldest daughter (twenty-one-years-old) and Alejandra’s favorite sibling. She’s cool, mature, witty, although distant. Cinthia is also known for her often selfish behavior, but in her mind she’s simply looking out for number one. She grew up looking after her siblings while the adults in the house were dealing with their own issues. At a young age, she fell into prostitution to try and support herself as well as her siblings. And these days, she plans on keeping her earnings. She wanted to stop, but she just couldn’t find a way to escape it. Upon realizing she’d never find relief of her situation, she turned to alcohol. She often pulls dangerous stunts like bringing over clients to the house, or will be gone for days at a time.

Her father was verbally abusive since she was little, telling her how she wasn’t pretty enough or good enough to do anything meaningful with her life. All she’d ever wanted was for someone to tell her she was doing enough, or to be told even pitifully that, yes, she was beautiful. That she didn’t have to listen to her father’s cruel words any longer. But she never did get that.

. . .

Elias: Elias is the middle sibling (eighteen-years-old), and—as if that wasn’t bad enough—possibly the most emotionally stunted out of the entire family. He’s sensitive, but he’d do whatever it takes to hide that side of himself. He wants to be the “man of the house” so to speak. Brave, confident, take no bullshit (or responsibility)—he wants to be a leader. But he finds the overwhelming guilt in his heart turning him rather soft. But that softness hardens once more into a stone wall of resentment and frustration. As well as fear. Elias finds himself taking out this fear and anger on Alejandra. After being blamed for so long by his father for not protecting her from the assault, he began to internalize it. He wants so badly to keep her safe now, but his overprotective nature blurs the line between love and tyranny.

. . .

holy shit this is so long lmfao

ughhh I feel like I did so bad on this one I’m so sorry I got this out so late!!

I promise you my actual writing is not this cluttered I swear😭

anyways feel free to share ur thoughts on them!!

[demoncatapologist]

Got carried away when making another random headcanon posts so have some Spriggan 12 room headcanons:

- The Spriggans' rooms are structured more or less like an one-person deluxe apartment, minus the kitchen and washing machine.

- Wall's room looks more or less like a warehouse-lab. He doesn't see the point with the decors (more exactly, the humans' taste in decors), and he doesn't need much more than a beanbag chair to lie his body down and power himself off for the night once every couple of days. He likes it for some reason. So his room is cluttered with his smaller creations (he ordered to turn the two rooms next to him into a large storage room for his bigger creations and puppets) half-finished experimental designs, scraps, and whatnot.

- Invel's room is full of the carpets he "rescued" from Wall's default room after hearing that they were gonna burn all of those off because they don't like carpets. It's a miracle the royal interior designer still managed to fit all of them stylishly in his room.

- (He is not exactly part of the Spriggan Twelve himself but I have to do this) Despite having the most comfortable king-sized bed you will ever lie your back down on, Zeref still prefers sleeping on a hammock on his balcony. How is his neck and spine okay

- Irene asked to build a balcony even bigger than Zeref's on purpose.

- Since his room is on the ground floor, Neinhart has a door in his room that opens into his garden. They have to make it a secret door on purpose because she is just that extra.

- Invel is the only Spriggan to have a self-heating sunken bathtub in his room. Dimaria is jealous, but her bathroom was too small for that and she doesn't want to go through paperwork and approvals to rebuild it so she just sticks to making fun of Invel for it instead. "That's just an overglorified swimming pool."

- Everyone secretly pitched in to add sound-proofing to God Serena's room because nobody likes to hear his shower singing.

- Bloodman's room is underground, really dark as he rarely turns any lights on except for occasional candles, and has mostly dark furniture. He can see in total darkness anyways so it is not much of a problem with him, plus too much sunlight is irritating for him anyways. On the upside he is pretty close to the wine cellars. Larcade lives right above him and is very smug about it, even when it doesn't matter to both of them.

- Bloodman also has the largest room out of any Spriggans, as in standard Spriggan-sized room and two extra rooms; mostly because Larcade likes to crash in whenever he decided that he is done with living like a human for the day, and Wall likes to borrow his room for a bit to run some experiments which requires pitch darkness and Bloodman wants to see what the funny robot man is coming up with.

- Jacob was the first Spriggan to have a walk-in closet, followed by God Serena. God Serena is also the only Spriggan to know about Jacob's walk-in closet.

- During daytime, August's room and office is the brightest out of every Spriggan's, with his large one-way windows. It proves to be hell for Invel's photosensitivity though, since magical shades that appears as regular glasses can only do so much, thus August keeps his office's curtains closed most of the time after Invel started living in the Palace.

- Ajeel's room basically gives grandfather room vibes, and unsurprisingly, have several cactus plants around the place. Because they are pretty much the only plants that can survive him aimlessly messing around with his magic. One of these cacti is half an inch away from touching the ceiling. He has no idea what to do next about that.

[trashboatprince]

Doctor Who spoilers about the TARDIS.

I keep seeing people hating on the new TARDIS interior, and honestly? I personally love the hell out of it.

It's very clearly an homage to the classic eras where the TARDIS was white with the round things, with a more simple, yet still cluttered, console with all sorts of switches and levers. It's simplistic in design, just like it had been for the classic who era, and yet this new one is also massive, complicated in ways, a lot like what you see in nuwho.

It's got the dome-like shape going on, it's huge with ramps going every which way, and part of the console honestly reminds me greatly of Eleven's second interior and Twelve's.

It's a lovely, beautiful blend of old and new, just like how Fourteen's screwdriver has elements of former sonic devices (both screwdriver and laser), and even the outside of the TARDIS still hints to the past as it is clearly Thirteen's version!

I know people love the more cluttered, crazy looking versions we got in nuwho, from the corals of Nine and Ten's, to the shiny chrome and glass of Eleven and Twelve's, to whatever the hell cool-ass Meow Wolf looking thing Thirteen had going on, but I LOVE the classic who TARDIS look we have going on now.

It's retro and yet done in a futuristic way in this new interior, bringing the 60s-80s into the 2020s, with little bits and bobs of the 2000's and 2010's sprinkled in. It's perfect for a Doctor who we are watching through specials specifically meant to give us a fun set of adventures during the 60th anniversary. This is a celebration of the past and future of the show, and we need to acknowledge that Doctor Who is sixty years old, it didn't just start in 2005 with Nine after all.

But that's just my opinion, I dunno. I still stand by it, it's a beautiful design and I honestly can't wait to see what Fifteen's will be like. <3 I hope he gets the roundales as well. :D

[thenamesblurrito]

some asks that tungle wouldn’t let me answer in actual ask format 🙃

i will admit it took me a good long while to realize what the heck this meant lol. i'm using cygate and skygate to refer to them, i just don't know which is more fitting when in this canon it means the same thing... i also constantly forget that tags are like. a public searchable thing instead of just blog organization and i don't want to upset somebody following the cygate tag for non-Skywarpified cygate

no, as a matter of fact, much to Tailgate's disappointment once he gets over the shock and fear! ultimately it's a good thing though i don't think Skywarp has the composure to stay steady way up high supporting the both of them if Tailgate sprung a snog on him. safer with all pedes on the ground. don't worry, Tailgate gets his chance. later. after a lot of uh. big stuff happens

i... hm. i know this is a joke and i definitely don't know enough about altitude and distance measurement, but he could probably see the lights from his hometown?? they're flying directly over Iacon, and Tailgate was forged and raised in the community around the Rivets Field hotspot, near Staniz. comparatively not super far!

(it's something of an oddity for mecha to be raised where they were forged, since obviously with there being only twelve fertile hotspots on the entire planet, some distribution of newsparks is required after they're harvested. but sparklings who aren't adopted out from the creches by parents or traveling group home patrons are simply sent to compacts in the local community. coming to the JAAT is probably the farthest Tailgate has traveled his whole life!)

actually mecha, unlike humans, are really good at keeping their orbital zone clear! they have specific satellites and space stations, and defined flightpaths for flightframes, spacers, ships, and other spacefaring things, so there's very little clutter and regular cleaning sweeps by spacer flightframes. not unlike roadside litter crews, just in space! turns out it's pretty important to keep an area clear if you have regular traffic going through, especially vessels as carefully maintained as spaceships

so aside from local satellites or Lunas 1 and 2 (which are preeeeetty far out from them by a huge margin!) there's not really anything? they're still in the atmosphere, they couldn't talk otherwise. and i'm actually still not sure how/when they end up getting married post-SNAP. it takes awhile, i know that, and Tailgate marries Whirl as his Amica before Skywarp becomes his Conjunx. there's some twists and turns (nothing, like, horrible, don't worry. Hot Rod and Deadlock have the worst of it bc they're stupid 🙄) but they'll get there eventually. just gotta work out how

[blackquillchillin]

Got home from work today and realized I never posted the jailbirds new house! screenshots below, It's a long post of a large Sim house, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

First, Junie and Thena's room!

I picked out dark blue wallpaper cause it seems fun but also restful, you know? and picked out a pink bed, chairs, and rug to contrast, and because I think Junie would love it. They've got photos of friends, Junie's pet fish, and some flowers from their wedding! let me know if ya'll wanna see wedding photos by the by, I took plenty.

Next up, Thena's Work Room!

The missing wall just has a few pictures on it, nothing special. Thena's got her posters, her hard drives, her nice couch, her speaker, and all of the figures Junie's been collecting for her! everything she needs for her programming Job, and a cute little bookshelf and chair that came with the house!

Quick break to see the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, since we're right next to one of them anyway.

Don't mind the puddle, mostly just made the bathrooms look lived in, though I did give them a more modern tub upstairs, as well as add lighting. does no one in the sims have a well lit home?

Next up, Simon's Room!

Inside we have his lovely furniture, a double bed this time, an upgrade from his last room, which he shared with Fulbright, and didn't have room for two doubles. :(

It also has his writing corner, and an easel! he's writing still, but I think it would be neat if he had another hobby, just for fun! also, a space rock, just for fun. quick look at the missing wall, bookshelf and all.

Next, Bobby's room!

Bobby where are you going.

That's Simon's room, you have your own!

Bobby's odd choices aside, I think he'd be the kind to have a liiittle bit dated wallpaper, and not replace his computer (It's still good!) despite the fact that it is, in fact, Thena's old computer from when they lived in the dinky little starter home, and were not making several thousand a day.

It just feels right.

Lastly for the upper floor, work out room!

Before they had a treadmill in Thena's room and a punching bag in her workroom, but no more! the original house just had a weird corner, so I turned it into a room!

The upstairs hall has some fossils in it, but isn't that interesting, so we'll have a quick look downstairs instead. Living room ahoy!

Frankly, this space is a little too big, Ended up splitting it into two spaces. This is why I don't really like open floor plans, but in the last house it was really nice? maybe I'm just bad at space. here's a quick look at their last living room for comparison:

Double living room and dining space, which I liked. If you guys have any advice for better using the space, let me know. Maybe add some rugs?

Speaking of dining rooms, quick look at their dining room and kitchen, nothing special!

Mostly unchanged from the base, though I did bring the nice fridge and stove with. they didn't survive at least twelve kitchen fires to miss out on their unbreakable stove and fridge now. It is smaller then the last kitchen, but not enough so to be really notable. Maybe sometimes I'll extend the building, we'll see. I also added some clutter and things, since no base house in this game ever looks even vaguely lived in.

Oh, and the sculpture on the table bobby made! it was a wedding present for Thena and Junie.

One last living space, and then a quick look outside!

That's Simon's pet fish, a Rainbow one lives in there! also Simon's print, from examining all of Junie's fossils. She has so many. Still looking for places for some of them. Maybe the bathroom? not sure. Kinda hate that they don't fit on any of the shelves. Any way to put them on top of the bookshelves? I feel like that'd be a great place.

Overlook at Junies Garden, and a quick peak at Metis's resting place, and then we're done!

Yes, they did move that gravestone from the last house, and yeah, that has implications, but it's finnneee. No worries.

Thank you so much for reading this! here's a bonus ghost for your trouble, and goodnight!

[jeremy-ken-anderson]

The Fixes of Kings

Kings Call - no apostrophe because the game's horribly ported from Chinese - has some problems. Let's dig in:

Porting: Considering the kind of problem it is in Kings Call (a small pool of cards and effects that are simply overlooked and left in Chinese) I might attach a "visible text" tag to everything that shows text to the player, so that I can run a loop that captures all of that for the localization folks.

Monetization: The monetization is old. I'm not opposed to f2p titles that earn money for their developers, but there's a level of finesse required and frankly the standards for that level of finesse have risen since the 12ish years ago when Rise of Mythos (what has been rereleased as Kings Call) came out. You need to make it feel like everyone can get to the level of power that the whales reach eventually, like that number is reasonable, and like those methods are reliable. This is a tough balance, especially if you are selling in-game power outright. It requires you provide a period during which the whales can lord their purchased power over other players, but also a place where the f2players can compete on a more even footing.

I like the idea of a pvp option where f2players can take on the whales as if they were a raid boss, using something like the army value system from Warhammer et al. Even without that level of sophistication, you can handle things with rewards: Give something everyone wants as a reward for the "even footing" game mode, but give something that's more specifically precious to the f2player - such as ~50 cents worth of the real-money currency - for going into the arena with the monster players on a random queue. Sometimes the monsters will find each other (and a proper ladder system would help that too), but if I get trounced and I get a card pack out of it I'll generally consider that a good deal, you know?

Levels: There is, weirdly, a shortage of content. They ask you to do a lot of either waiting for the passive xp gain to unlock content for you or that you replay levels you already beat several times in order to speed the process along. It really needs a procedural generation system. And it has the framework that could make such a thing happen! It has values for the cards, so it can make a deck of ~X total power out of random cards. If they kept record of various decks' win/loss ratios internally, they could adjust the deck's total score in a way that functionally accounted for internal synergy - I guess this would be a little like an online version of KeyForge's modified difficulty?

Cleanup: Attached to the idea of the monetization is that there's a bunch of visual clutter. I get the idea of making sure people consistently see how cool things would be if they were spending money on the game, but this process of slapping billboards on practically everything makes the game feel trashy. Also, some of them are bad links, flashing at you and then leading you to an event you've already received the rewards for. This may be a matter of the game's age; Maybe one of these tabs was added every couple months of the game's original life cycle and that's why there are like twelve of them now...but it's a huge turn-off for new players. Keeping that new-player experience clean and snappy is important, whether you're unscrupulous and want to get them hooked or plenty scrupulous and just want them to have a good time.

[akinformation]

Page 288

21.Numbers Everywhere

I was deciphering the number twelve and wanted to bring your attention to this topic again. It is very important, so please hear me on this. You can’t just go ahead and google some articles and watch videos about the number twelve relating to its meaning, structure, and use in modern society: twelve months, twelve hours, twenty-four hours, etc. It is forbidden to read other people’s implications. It will just clutter your head. This is why people degenerate. They are fed disinformation, and their minds are all over the place. This is how the system works. If you want to grow like me and move towards the truth, then the right way to do it is by using my approach. I have noticed that this number can be divided into four groups. So here is what I usually do, and this is what you should do. Take a piece of paper and a pen and sit down to decipher like this. You start thinking, “Ok, there are twelve months. Ok, there are twelve apostles. Ok, there are twelve Labours of Hercules.” You just think about everything you know and compile a large list of everything where the number twelve is mentioned.

After that, you start dividing it into groups. Why groups? Take a look at the Bible as an example, the last revelation of the apocalypse. It describes twelve elders, twenty-four elders, and three gates in each cardinal direction. We need to decipher this but without any information from the outside. I have repeated it a thousand times already, but I will repeat it one more time so you remember. We need to analyze everything ourselves. These twelve months are divided into four groups. Twelve months are divided into seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each season has three months. Total twelve. Also, we know there are four zodiac signs, and they are also divided into four groups. What are they? They are forces of nature: fire, water, air and earth. I’ve used these simplest and most obvious examples so everyone will understand. Pay attention to which months belong to which groups, why there are three months in each group, and where else we see four groups. There are four cardinal points. Further, we need to think about twenty-four hours, twelve and twelve. Twenty-four is divided into two groups of twelve. We will analyze this later, but for now, I want you to puzzle your head over this. Furthermore, I will explain how you can understand

[squadrah]

What does everyone's apartment look like? Illuso is a maze of junk and Sorbet has plants in his (and Gelatos' cursed random objects) so what does everyone's general living situation. Also what does the 'common' room look like. You mentioned that they have a shared kitchen and a shared living room and that they live in an apartment block? Sorry just trying to get visuals!!!

Never be sorry for asking me fun things like this!

Okay so basically my headcanon is that rather than maintaining their own apartments or houses all across Naples and congregating to this one other place to hold meetings, it is simply easier and more economical for them to have a single apartment block that is just theirs, whether the Boss had granted it to them as their base or they saw an opportunity to evacuate a block and took it. I'm not so interested in that as I am in the idea that because they are a team and they own and share this one block, it is way easier for them to gather without raising suspicion in outsiders, and they get to use the space however they want, hence the following:

That team meeting room in the anime? I would put that in the basement; it feels like that one could be some chamber or garage space below ground where chances of them being overheard is greatly reduced.

Now, as pointed out by fans, you can actually find out the location of the hideout from the address given by Araki, and what I am seeing here is a yellow building with a ground floor plus five additional floors, which would give us at least twelve apartments, or two apartments per floor. I hope they have an elevator in there because if not, ouch.

To my mind, it would make sense for them to reserve the ground floor as the shared living area, meaning they would have basically opened up the apartments there so team members could freely come and go. Since the apartments are clustered together on each floor, it was probably no great feat to figure out with Metallica where walls were safe to demolish (no worries about the debris since Little Feet can just shrink it so they can dump it later), which would give them an open space to chill in, and if they were lucky, they might have managed to turn two separate kitchens into one with two sets of appliances to use. I also gave them a court yard opening from the ground floor; it just felt right for an apartment building to have something like that, and since there is some discrepancy between what we see in canon and what we see in real life, why not? Let's face it, they need a place where victims can go, and a court yard where they serve as fertilizer for Prosciutto's roses and Risotto's garden vegetables is still better than say, them having garages just full of ashes...

With this being an evacuated or "claimed" block, to my mind the apartments were for the most part nearly identical and individually furnished by previous owners and tenants, except for maybe a few that were empty to begin with, so I could see Risotto moving in with his handful of assassins at the beginning and them claiming an apartment each from the second floor up; this is very much a first come first served situation, though I could see Melone being moved to the first floor once he joined so his joints would be spared in the long run. From then on everyone is basically working with what was already there, and customizing their spaces on top of it, which leads us to...

Risotto living on the first floor, it is his prerogative after all, and his space is predictably full of metal furniture like shelves, wrought iron tables and chairs. They did some shuffling (again, Little Feet is just so useful, what a Stand, I love it) to get him the biggest possible armchairs and bed in the building because he needs all the space he can get. He uses his own kitchen regularly, but for big meals he will cook downstairs.

Formaggio's apartment is somewhat cluttered and messy because his preoccupation with appearances extends little further than his own personal looks. However, his apartment has some really fun features like a doll house and toy car ramps - gotta have some enrichment when you shrink -, and his living room is fairly neat because he likes to have pals over. If they want to watch movies but don't want to be cold in the basement, they go to his place.

Prosciutto went ahead and picked the most well-maintained apartment, and it is organized and clinically clean thanks to The Grateful Dead. He is the only one with nothing but fake plants in his place because those won't suffer from his fumigating the apartment. His office hours tend to take place in a room on the ground floor because he doesn't have people over if he can help it. His balcony is also full of fake plants to give it some color without risk.

Pesci's apartment is fairly messy on the regular, but he cleans up every weekend because he would not have Prosciutto think him a slob. He changed almost nothing from the original setup he found beyond removing some stuff to make way for his own, including his comic book collection; his living room is basically his own fun library. Doesn't use his kitchen but makes use of the cabinets and fridge for snacks and some cold milk (gotta mind the acid reflux).

Ghiaccio took one look at his own apartment and rearranged most of it to suit his own personal needs, and they did quite a bit of shuffling to get him furniture that he felt comfortable using (initially there were some offensive textures that really bothered him). His place is mostly used for sleep and working out, so his living room became his gym and includes a punching bag he was given as a welcome to the team gift (and because it was cheaper than finding him a therapist).

Melone was luckier than most of them because not only did they give him a first floor apartment, but Baby Face can reconfigure living things into any type for furniture, so the cops that sometimes came around to investigate? They are all in his apartment now serving as expensive looking furniture for the rest of time. Basically he customizes the most freely, and has asked for and received several glass case units to displace his own collections.

Illuso we have already touched upon in detail here, here, and here.

Sorbet and Gelato I will lump together because 1) they picked the same floor to be on, so their apartments are right next to each other, and 2) because this was apparently not enough, Gelato smashed what can only be described as a cave entrance into the wall separating their apartments so they can be together even more. He is very proud of having done this by himself with a sledgehammer on three shots of navy rum and without hitting any pipes, and Sorbet to his credit installed some bead curtains on his side of the thing to make it look more like a feature instead of a gaping hole in the wall. Not that he needed to, because going from one to the other is like dimension hopping from a DIY hellscape with a mini bar into a boheme jungle.

God this got long but I hope it was fun to read! :D

[lovely-jily]

potions and locked closets

hey!! sorry this is such a long fic BUT i just wanted to say that i’m also working on this same fic but from lily’s pov lmk if you’d want that:))) thanks and i love you all so freakin much <3

James tried to steady his breathing. His heart was already beating too quickly for his liking, and he hadn't even seen her yet. He was already surprised that she agreed to be his partner; they both know that it would likely be another hour of pointless bickering but nonetheless. Lily Evans had agreed to partner with James for their weekly project Slughorn had assigned. She finally said yes to something.

"Fine," she had said after he asked her, following it up with, "But I'll undoubtedly need help with Transfiguration this week, so if you swear to help me, then I suppose we can partner."

In all honesty, James wasn't having too much trouble with his Elixer to Induce Euphoria, but he just wanted an excuse for Lily to be with him. And maybe if she saw that he had matured at least a little bit, it would make her start to tolerate him.

If that were even possible.

The dungeons were decently empty, but Lily had intentionally reserved the potions room in advance so no one else would be around. Meaning they would be completely and totally alone.

When he walked into the room, she was fiddling with the size of the fire under the cauldron. She was at the desk she usually sat in, the second row to the left, with her back to him.

"Evening Evans," He said, setting his bag on the table and standing next to her, "I see you've started already."

"Well, I actually want a good score on this," She exhaled through her mouth and flipped through her Potions book, her dainty fingers lingering on the words "Elixer to Induce Euphoria".

"I'm right there with you," he said, rolling up his sleeves. He watched Lily's eyes dart from his arms back to her textbook. From what James could see, she already gathered the ingredients and had them neatly organised in front of them.

"Alright, you can start by skinning these then?" She said, swiftly handing him the Shrivelfigs.

"Got it," he noted the way her eyes darted up to his for a second when she was handing him the Shrivelfigs, their skin touching momentarily. While it was only a second, it was long enough to cause James to hitch his breath in an all too noticeable way.

He started skinning the flower, trying to ignore the way her perfume smelled or the curve of her jaw. She tied her hair up in a low ponytail, pulling out tiny wispy hairs that framed her face. He chastised himself for the dirty thoughts that followed, but, Jesus, he couldn't help his want to do the most unholy things to her when she did that.

She started working on porcupine quills as he attempted to pull himself together.

"I wish we got Amortentia."

James took a sharp inhale, resulting in him coughing on his own spit. She, Lily Evans, the same Lily Evans who insisted she hated every fibre of his being every day since they were twelve, wanted to make a love potion with him- James! James Potter! As in the same James Potter that she would shoot daggers at any excuse, the boy she would scold any second she could, the boy-

"It's just so much more of a challenge compared to this one," she finished.

Right. Of course. That's why Lily wanted to make that potion, no other reason, as much as James wanted there to be.

"At least we didn't get Felix Felicis. That takes a while," He ignored the feeling of his heart sinking and his stomach twisting as he finished up the Shrivelfigs. He should've known that was the reason, but he couldn't help but innocently jump to conclusions with her.

"What did Amortentia smell like for you?" She asked, causing James to start jumping to conclusions again.

How do I answer this honestly without giving away the fact that I smelled her?"

"Fresh bread, rain, and- uh- my mother's shampoo," He mentally kicked himself for bringing up his mother, but it was the quickest thing he could think of on the spot, "What about you?"

She sighed, stirring in the quills, "The ocean, my mum's hot chocolate and a cologne of some kind, but I couldn't place where that one was from."

A pang of jealousy beat along with James's heart as he thought about her smelling another lads cologne. Whoever he was, he was a prick.

She shook her head quickly as she seemed to panic for a moment, hastily saying, "Anyways, I'm sure it doesn't matter."

She fiddled with the ladle, brushing the few hairs out of her face. Her cheeks were bright red.

"You alright there, Evans?" He asked as he turned to look at her. He swallowed what felt like all his dignity and pride but was actually just the extra spit that always was around with Lily.

"Just fine," She cleared her throat and handed him the Sopophorous beans, not looking at him, "Would love it if you could start working on these, though."

"Got it," he mumbled as he started dicing the beans.

"No, Potter," His heart lightened a little at the sound of his name in her voice, even if it was to chastise him, "Those are far too small. They'll dissolve too quickly."

"What do you mean, this is how Slughorn does it-"

"Slughorn always cuts things too small, but he makes up for it by moving a little quicker-"

"Well, that's stupid. What kind of a teacher-"

"James," She looked up at him, sighing, and despite her exhausted expression, his lungs lifted immensely at the sound of his first name. She never used his first name.

"Yes, Evans?"

"Could you perhaps go find more in the Potions closet? I think it'll just make things a lot easier."

"Got it."

The closet was cluttered, full of misplaced ingredients from students whose first priority clearly wasn't organisation. After a solid minute of staring at the mess, he called her in to help him.

"What do you mean 'Can't find them'- I just saw them," she huffed, shoving herself next to him in the tight space. James would be lying if he said he didn't do this on purpose but let the boy live. He would take any excuse to be in close proximity to the girl.

"Not sure how anyone could find anything in here. I feel bad for the poor bloke who has to clean this during detention," He said, hands on his hips as she stood in front of him, green eyes scanning the shelves. The closet door closed behind her, and while they weren't any closer than they were by the desks, it almost felt like she was right on top of him. It was taking his total concentration to not think about shoving her against the door and having a long-awaited snog.

"It'll probably be Sirius," she said, glancing at him, a smirk on her face.

He chuckled as he looked at the messy shelves, suddenly shy from her eye contact, "Probably. Maybe we should leave him a note."

They faced each other, her back towards the door and his towards the shelves of messy ingredients. There was just enough room between them for her to fold her arms against her chest, her smile making James's lungs feel extra airy, "Or we can charm the Wolfsbane to fall off every time he tries to put it away."

James laughed, shaking his head as he looked down at her. Their faces were only inches apart, and his heart was beating so hard he was worried she could feel it.

"You know, for such a stickler for rules, you're quite creative with pranks."

She smirked, "I've learned that you can get away with a lot more if you aren't so obnoxious about it."

James let out a fake, dramatised gasp, "You?! A Prefect breaking rules?"

She just shrugged, a smirk still painted on her face. James took a second to look at her, feeling fortunate that not only was he was in the potions closet with her, but she had chosen to carry a conversation with him. This friendly banter was still a little rare, even though they had been getting a little closer lately. Since the incident at the end of fifth year, roughly nine months ago, James decided to get his act together. Mainly for the sake of Lily, but also the threat of war was becoming more than just rumours, and he knew that a war was no place for an immature bully like himself. He was not a person that he- or really anyone- was proud of, and he wasn't okay with that.

James was about to say something when her eyes lit up at something behind his head.

"There it is!" She said and reached her arm out to grab something just next to his ear.

Under normal circumstances, James would've been disappointed that she found it because it probably meant that his time in a closet with her, the girl he's wanted to shag since he had first laid eyes on her, was now over.

However, when Lily reached forward to grab whatever they were looking for (James had since forgotten. Other things had occupied his mind the past couple of minutes), she had subconsciously pressed her body up against his. In a panic, James put his hands on her waist. They both looked at each other with panicked eyes when they realised what was going on, faces close enough that James felt her heavy exhale as she attempted to catch her breath. Her eyes darted to his lips as he was suddenly aware of how naked they felt without hers on them. He instinctively bit them.

James cleared his throat and politely turned his head away from her, trying to reduce the awkwardness.

"Er-Um-Sorry," He said, taking his hands off her waist and shoving his hands into his pockets. Lily's hand was still grasping the beans behind him, and she was staring at him, seemingly debating something. Feeling shy and awkward as she studied his face, James was staring at her left earlobe, noticing the freckle resting next to her small pearl earring.

"Don't worry about it," She mindlessly whispered, still looking intently at him. She seemed to be deep in thought and was not thinking about the words she was saying.

James was just surprised she wasn't showing any signs of being uncomfortable. He would've guessed that she would be yelling at him by now.

"So-uh- I guess we should get-" James cleared his throat as he reached for the door handle behind her. He was nervous under Lily's stare and was having a hard time keeping composure. He wasn't sure what she was thinking, and that honestly bothered him more than if she was yelling at him. At least he knew how she felt then, but he was entirely in the dark right now, "We should get going. The potion's probably been simmering for too long."

Lily blinked and shook her head as if leaving a deep trance. Suddenly embarrassed and blushing, she nodded her head and cleared her throat.

"Right," She said as James tried the door handle.

It didn't move.

He tried it again.

Nothing.

"Well, shit," James said, trying to jiggle the door handle again with both hands despite knowing it wouldn't work. She probably thought he did this on purpose (Which wouldn't be a terribly bad idea if James wasn't so afraid of her), "It's locked."

Lily's eyes widened in a panic, and she promptly turned around, trying the door handle for herself. When it inevitably didn't work, she turned back around and sighed as she leaned against the door, looking up. She groaned and brushed the hair out of her face.

"I forgot that Slughorn keeps it locked," She said, still huffing, "Normally, it doesn't matter because he just keeps it open, but..."

James felt his pockets for his wand and remembered he left it on the desk, "You haven't got your wand, do you?"

Lily looked down as she felt her own pockets, looking back up as she shook her head.

It was then, at the sight of a dishevelled Lily Evans, that James realised that he was locked in a closet with her, and he had a hard time remembering why this was such a bad thing. He tried to shove out the thoughts that entered at the way she looked dishevelled and breathing heavily. The things he would do to be the one making her look like that...

"Sorry, Evans. I feel partially responsible for this predicament," He shook his head, trying to regain self-control. What was he thinking? This was Lily Evans he was thinking about. The girl who never failed to let him know just how much she wanted to strangle him at any given moment.

She said nothing, instead resumed studying his face. He sheepishly messed up his hair, unsure what to do with his body under her gaze.

"Oh, Christ, James," She said in annoyance, biting her lip softly.

"What did I do? I didn't know about the lock!" James said defensively, finding it odd that she was just now getting mad at him.

She rolled her eyes and just looked at him.

"Fuck it," She said, and before James could form a confused expression, her hands were pulling his neck forward, and her lips were being slammed against his.

"What the fuck?" James said, shock widening his eyes as he pulled away slightly. He clearly was baffled beyond logical thinking and reason because Lily would be shoved up against the door if he were thinking clearly. There was no way that Lily Evans, the same Lily Evans that swore she wouldn't ever go out with him not even nine months ago, had just kissed him. Passionately, at that.

"Are you complaining?" She asked, a soft smirk resting on the lips that James was just kissing.

"What-No? Of course not, I just-"

"Then shut up," She whispered, feeling her way from his neck to his tie, which she pulled him forward with so their faces were close again, "And give me a good snog."

"Yes, ma'am," James smirked and tilted his head, pushing her against the door and kissing her firmly without a second thought.

[leah-bobeea]

Magazine Girl; Steve Rogers

You ever start writing a fic about a journalist reader at two am who’s eventually gonna end up doing steeb, over his desk, biting down on his expensive leather belt?

❀ ❀ ❀

Warnings: CEO!Steve x Journalist!Reader, Angst, Steve’s a little mean, Bossy Steve, Shy/Anxious reader, Dom!steve, mentions spanking, oral (m receiving), unprotected sex, coercion (a little teensy bit), Bad writing lol

Word Count: 3.9k

A/N: Terrible writing w/ a terribly rushed ending. Written on my phone, in my notes app, not beta read, and barely proofread.

❀ ❀ ❀

Yes, your hands were busy. Not busy typing out a rough draft of this stupid article on Steve Rogers, not busy calling his secretary to set up a meeting with the man, or the closest to him you could get, not busy doing their job at all. They were busy tapping your pen against the glass tabletop of your desk, successfully annoying Wanda, who sent you an aggravated look from across the room.

“Seriously, Y/n?” Wanda moved from where she was at her desk, clearly not making a breakthrough on her article for this month's issue either. You could only shake your head in reply. Throwing your head back to stare at the ceiling, you starting explaining. “Maria gave me this huge article, Wanda. Cover! And, trust me, I know she’s testing me and doesn’t think I’ll actually be able to do it so she can fire me, or belittle me, or- or something! I don’t know what to do, help me, bestie.” As you finished rambling you looked up at her with your best puppy dog eyes, hoping for some of that amazing advice she gives.

Wanda laughed and pulled a chair over from an empty desk, sitting down and haphazardly throwing her feet on top of your cluttered tabletop. “She wouldn’t give you an article you couldn’t handle, she loves you, Y/n. If it’s truly as difficult as you’re making it out as that means that she knows you’re ready for it, and you’ll do amazing. Who’s it on anyway?”

She was doing such a good job at easing your nerves until she brought up the topic. You whined high in your throat and threw your head to the side before uttering, “Steven Rogers,” you turned your body back to Wanda, “What more do I need to say?” Her eyes widened just a little. “Sheesh...I’d start making phone calls, and praying, maybe?”

❀ ❀ ❀

“Hello, Miss. Carter, um- this is Y/n L/n with Shield Mag-“ “Please hold, dear.”

You pulled the phone away from your head and let it rest on your naked thigh, quickly pressing the speaker button. It was times like this when you were grateful that you let your grandma convince you to buy a house phone. Peggy Carter was the fifth person you’d contacted trying to get an interview with this man and she was the second lady that humored you enough to at least pretend like she’d get back to you.

She’s his main assistant so you might have better luck this time...

Thirty minutes later you had your head inches off the ground and your toes wiggling in the air. Humming the annoying hold music to yourself, you braided, unbraided, and re-braided a single strand of your hair. At thirty-nine minutes you were ready to give up until you heard a click on the other line.

You scrambled to turn off the speaker and press the phone back to your ear.

“Miss. Carter I was hoping to set up an interview with Mr. Rogers, over the phone, in person, or through email, if that’s possible?” You asked, hopeful that she wouldn’t shoot you down immediately like everyone else.

“Well, Magazine Girl, I only do in person. But I am a very busy man, so I need to know right away, what’s in it for me?” Your breath hitched and you almost fell and cracked your head open from how startled hearing his voice made you. Then, you nearly gave yourself a head rush from how fast you sat up.

“Well, um, Sir, you would get a headlining article, and uh, a cover on the June issue of Shield Magazine. That’s um, that’s if you want a cover- you don’t have to be on the cover if you don’t want to, just the interview would be mentioned on the cover, but-“ His chuckle was gritty and vivid, effective in stopping your babble. “I’ll see you Friday around noon. Goodbye Magazine Girl.” He hung up on you before you could even comprehend anything but that captivating laugh.

You rubbed at your eyes and grabbed your planner and pen. “Friday at noon...”

❀ ❀ ❀

The next day you were back in the office, sitting in Wanda’s stiff chair with twin caramel lattes sitting in front of you. That was the thing about you, you’d come to work early bearing gifts just to tell your closest friend your good news. You’re sweet like that.

When Wanda arrived it was fifteen minutes later and your latte was halfway gone. Hearing her black stilettos click on the glossy linoleum made you perk up immediately. As she approached, you stood, handing her the latte and wrapping your arms around her lithe body.

“I got an interview!” You squealed, rocking your bodies side to side. She stilled you and smiled. “Gosh, that’s great, Y/n. How’d you get it?”

“Well, I called, like everyone, and he picked up, Wanda! he picked up! I’m scheduled for Friday, and my Lord, Wanda, his laugh, it's like honey...” You trailed off, sighing at the thought of him. Your head was rested on her shoulder, a faint smile on your face. “You’ve got a crush on him!” Wanda exclaimed, grabbing your shoulders and holding you an arm's length away to get a good look at your bashful face.

You gasped, “No I do not! That would be totally unprofessional!” The cackle that erupted from her made her sound like the wicked witch of the west. And honestly, under her stare, you felt like Dorothy stuck under that house.

When Wanda was finally done laughing maliciously she let you go, plopping down in her desk chair and sipping her latte. She pointed over and your desk and gave you a look. “Better start drafting those questions... we wouldn’t want you to blank on your crush.” “Wanda!”

❀ ❀ ❀

The days leading up to Friday were excruciatingly long, yet the hours until twelve flew past all too quickly.

It seemed as if your wardrobe was never ending, full of clothes that you deemed inappropriate for a meeting with the CEO of American Enterprises. You threw yourself back onto the bed, hair and makeup done but body still wrapped in a fluffy white towel. “Oh Milky, what am I gonna wear?” The soft white kitty glared at you from the pillow she was perched on, meowing at you aggressively.

Ten thirty blinked on the clock and you sat up, glancing at all of the clothes that were scattered on the floor. “I guess this will do.” You picked up the same emerald blazer you had chosen originally and layered it over some basic Levi’s, and gray low cut blouse flowing over your form. A belt was necessary, so you grazed over your options. Brown wouldn’t go, even though it was your only fancy belt. The only black one you had was old, the leather cracked and worn, but it had to do. You slipped on some pretty black heels, lucky that you painted your toes a similar color to your blouse. After accessorizing you sprayed your signature perfume, the one that got you your first college-aged boyfriend, and the same one that you were wearing when you got your first real job.

By the time you were on the Metro, it was eleven o’ six, and you were worried. If you were late you’d lose this chance, and probably your job. The car stopped around eleven fifteen, giving you fifteen minutes to make your way to the building, check-in, and try to not seem so nervous.

Finding the building wasn’t difficult at all, after all, it is the second biggest building in New York City, competing with Stark Tower. The “A” at the top wasn’t illuminated, but it still stood out against the other buildings, cowering over them.

You found that the doors were heavy and if you denied Wanda of going to those burn boot camps you would have extreme difficulty prying them open. The inside was classy, just as you expected. The lamps had blue shades and the front desk lit up with a design that resembled the American Flag, but with less curved stripes and only one large star.

The receptionist was one of the women who shot you down immediately when you called and was a little surprised when you checked in. “Hello, I’m here for Mr. Rogers, twelve o’clock?” She searched for something on her computer, clearly trying to see if the appointment was legitimate. When you were proven correct, she handed you a temporary security badge and a sharpie to write your name on it. “Have a seat over there when you’re finished. I’ll call for you when Mr. Rogers is ready for you.” She smiled, it was fake, but it helped you feel more comfortable.

The red couch was stiff and small, clearly not meant for long periods of sitting. The badge was clipped onto your blouse, not your blazer, and the weight of it was pulling at the already low cut neckline. You thought about moving it, but your attention was quickly turned to the coffee table, where your magazine sat, opened to an article you wrote. Your hands were a little shaky as you went to close the magazine, but you were interrupted before you could grasp the bent pages.

“Miss. Y/n? Mr. Rogers is ready for your interview. Head up to floor thirty six, the door on the right.” Miss receptionist sounded bored, her eyes never left the monitor in front of her. “Thanks.”

Some of the others in the waiting area looked up to you after hearing where you were going, causing you to blush.

You felt lucky to get the elevator to yourself. Thirty-six floors is a long way to go, yet you got there in under three. In the elevator you adjusted your outfit and flattened your hair, hoping it wasn’t frizzy.

The door on the right was clearly not just a meeting room but an office, which you thought was odd. You also found it odd that no one was in the room, you expected to at least be met with his assistant or secretary, if not Steve himself.

Your eyes scanned the room to make sure it was completely empty before taking a seat on the leather chair on the opposite side of the big desk. You opened your notebook and got out your lucky rooster pen before going over your questions once again, hoping he didn’t think they were stupid.

You waited fifteen minutes for him, growing increasingly irked as the minutes built up. When he walked through the door you felt like your heart stopped.

Six-four build covered in a black suit and tie, white undershirt pristine. Blonde hair disheveled and a perfectly manicured beard. The door slammed shut and you heard the clinking sound of a glass being set down. Steve lifted his head and you snapped yours to the front, hoping he didn’t catch you checking him out.

The room was silent besides a rustling coming from behind you. You busied yourself with your notebook, highlighting the questions you wanted to ask most.

“You’re a very patient girl.” He observed. Steve made you wait on purpose. He knew from the first person you called that you wanted an interview, he was friends with Maria Hill after all. But he wanted some entertainment, and after looking into you, he knew you were the right girl. So far he’s made you wait an hour and fourteen minutes for just a smidge of his attention.

“Yes, Sir.” You mumbled, accidentally stopping the highlighter too soon, pressing it down, and letting the pink ink bleed to the next page. He hummed in approval as he rounded the corner, drink in his hand, coat jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up, first couple buttons loose. Finally, Steve sat in the big chair, keeping eye contact with you as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the mahogany table.

“Give me that.” Your eyebrows furrowed at his statement, “What?” You asked, putting your pen down on your lap. Steve motioned for your notebook, and you opened your mouth, starting to stumble over your words. “Oh? um- Okay?” You handed it over to him and he relaxed back into his chair. A question bubbled in your throat, but you didn’t let it escape. Instead, you watched as his eyes scanned the papers, blue cursive, and pink highlighter, little stars and flowers drawn in the corners. “Mr. Rogers, are you ready to start the interview?” You tapped your watch, twelve twenty four.

He nodded, “Yes, I’m ready.” You cleared your throat and went to ask for your notebook, but he beat you to it. “Miss. L/n, is there an achievement or something that you’ve contributed to me that you are most proud of?” Why was he asking you your own questions? “Sir, I-“ He cut you off once again. “Answer the question, doll.”

You huffed and crossed your arms over your chest. “I- um, no. I haven’t contributed anything to you that I should be proud of, Sir.”

“Is there a particular moment or memory of building this relationship that stands out to you?” He continued with the questions, tilting his head to the side. Why was he twisting the questions onto you? When you didn’t come up with an answer he chuckled, sounding sickly sweet like molasses dripping straight from the sugarcane. “Patience finally wearing thin, honey?” You nodded eyes staring at his chest, you couldn’t quite muster up the courage to look him in the eye.

He snapped your notebook closed and slid it towards your side of the grand desk. “You couldn’t answer my questions correctly, Y/n.” You nodded, eyes now downcast, admiring the pattern on the blue carpet. You felt like you were going to cry. This big scary man was mean and just wouldn’t let you conduct your interview and you didn’t know why. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

“I know you are, doll. But, if you can’t answer my questions how can I answer yours? You have nothing to offer me.” This was it, you were losing your chance. “Business wise, that is.” Your head shook, and your hands were clasped together, your left thumb rubbing your right nail back and forth. “I don’t understand, Sir.”

“I’m friends with Maria, Y/n. If you’re able to get this article done and get me on the cover you’re gonna get a promotion, you want that, right doll?” Your eyes went wide, “Yes, Sir.” Now, he stood, coming around to the front where you are and leaning against the desk. “She said to make it difficult, but I don’t care enough to do all that. So, doll, I’ll answer your questions. They’re quite good actually. And I’ll do a little photoshoot for the cover, but you’ll need to pay me back.” You gulped, hands suddenly sweaty, you felt like a little chihuahua, trembling under his gaze.

“How? Um, how do I pay you?” Gosh, even your voice was shaky. “Stand up. Lose the blazer.” Steve commanded, slowly unbuckling his belt. You could faintly tell from the buckle that it was Hermès. You stood and took off your blazer in a rush, folding it poorly and setting it on the arm of the chair. “Atta girl.”

He placed his hands on your shoulders and then ran them down to your hands, giving them a little squeeze before he hooked his index fingers into your belt loops, pulling you closer. So close that the tips of your shoes were touching. He leaned down to kiss your neck and you stiffened, but when he grazed his teeth over the bruised spot he just created you melted into him, your hands grasping at the pristine white button up, letting out a little whimper.

Steve pushed you back a little and took in your form, then he pulled the little security badge off, tossing it to the side. Like a little kid, he pulled at the neckline of your shirt. “Off.” You would’ve giggled at him if he didn’t look so scary right now. His blue eyes were piercing into yours, left hand so tight on your hip you thought he might leave bruises.

By the time your shirt hit the floor, he was pushing at your shoulders, hinting at you to go to your knees. “Sir, I don’t know-“

You started, knees hitting the carpet underneath you. He shushed you and guided your head to look up at him. “It's okay, baby, you don’t have to know how. I’ll do all the work, doll. Now, undo your bra.” As expected you did as he asked immediately, fumbling with the clasp until it fell down your arms. It ended up next to your thigh as you watched him pull his belt through the loops.

Steve walked around you and kneeled down, belt in his hands. “Put your hands behind your back.” You nodded immediately, so submissive, completely at his mercy. “Yes, Sir.” Steve loved how polite you were. He made quick work of restraining you, tying your hands to rest against your jean clad ass. The metal felt harsh against your skin and the soft, expensive leather snaked up your arms.

When he was back in front of you he sighed and shook his head. “I should’ve had you unzip me first.” Hearing Steve say that finally brought you to the reality of what was about to happen. You watched with big eyes as he undid the button and then the zipper, the sound making you tremble. His dress pants puddled on the floor and you were in awe as he massaged his bulge through his boxers. Slowly, he pulled them down to the middle of his thighs. His cock bounced up to hit his abdomen and he hissed as he stroked it a few times. “Open as wide as you can, honey.”

As always, you did as asked. Your tongue stuck out a little, wetting your bottom lip. He grasped the back of your head and leaned you forward a little, then you felt his blunt tip on your tongue. You gagged and spluttered when Steve was about halfway seated, he pulled out and leaned down, kissing you sloppily. “Breathe through your nose, baby. Don’t forget.” Then he was back at slowly entering your throat. “Fuck...” he grunted, finally fully seated in your throat, your nose pressed against his nicely groomed pubic hair. He caressed your throat then, rubbing the bulge in your throat, resisting the urge to press down and have you choke on his cock even more. “So good, Y/n.”

Steve started rocking into your throat, slowly fucking it as spit leaked from the corners of your mouth. After minutes of abusing your throat, he finally pulled out, adoring the way tears ran down your cheeks and how you hiccupped, wanting to desperately rub at your raw throat to soothe it. Your hands pulled at the belt and your eyes begged Steve to undo it. “Up, doll.”

He hoisted you up from your armpits and bent you over the desk. Steve pressed kisses down your back and reached in front of you, unbuckling your belt and throwing it somewhere to the left of you, then he unbuttoned and unzipped your pants, tugging them down with fervor.

Steve undid your restraints and left more kisses down your back until he reached your ass, spreading your cheeks to reveal your tight hole and glistening cunt. “I’d love to see this ass all bruised and red, but I’ll have to save that for another day.” His index and middle finger ran circles on your clit, your back arching to press into him more. “Sir, please!” You gasped, your hand flying out to the edge of the table and nearly knocking over the glass of whiskey he left on a coaster when Steve finally pushed two fingers into your aching hole.

“Gotta open you up first, doll, get you all sloppy and ready for my cock.” You cried out as he hooked his fingers, rubbing the magic spot inside of you. “Please, Steve, please.” He cooed at you, pulling his fingers out, and instead traced his name over your clit. “You gonna come, baby? Huh? You gonna drench my fingers, little girl?” You were moaning in wanton, hips humping his hand desperately. He brought his other hand down and started fingerfucking you again, giving you just enough to push you over the edge.

Your moans were breathy, your legs twitching, and you were panting by the time your orgasm faded. “I hope you know I’m not done with you yet, doll, I still haven’t come inside you.” That made you whine high in your throat and you tried, to no avail, to slam your legs shut around his hand.

Steve’s right hand fisted his cock a few times, making sure he’s rock hard and dripping with pre-cum, while his left kept your lips spread, showing him your gorgeous pussy. The blunt head at your entrance shocked you, and you yelped at the intrusion. “Sir!”

He leaned his head down and spit where you were joined, trying to make the glide even easier. “Shut up, doll.” He snapped after you cried out. Once he was as deep as possible inside of you he reached for his belt, looping it over as if he was going to spank you, and stuffed it into your mouth. “Bite down,” Steve demanded, a hand snaked around to the front of your neck where he was applying light pressure.

When you tried to push back against him he held your hips down against the wood steadily and started snapping his hips at a fast speed. Each thrust pushed you down onto the table, letting your clit rub against the mahogany wood.

Your vision felt spacey like you could black out any moment as he choked you. Your orgasm washed over you and you had to use all the strength you had in you to keep biting down on the belt. You didn’t want to know what would happen if you disobeyed his and let it go. Steve’s hips harshly snapped against your ass a few more times before he stilled inside of you, filling you with his spunk.

Before Steve cleaned you up and let you leave his office he had to finger his cum back inside of you, making sure none of it went to waste. Then, he made sure you had a way home, and a way to contact him, because, “Now you’re no longer Magazine Girl, but My Girl.”

@lo-bells

[morganayenneferburnham]

Have I Known You 20 Seconds or 20 Years? – Nikolai Lantsov Series

Chapter 1: Devils Roll the Dice, Angels Roll their Eyes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/33661984/chapters/83654680

A very short summary: Y/N has been working with the crows for a few years. Her life feels complete until she meets the insufferable Nikolai Lantsov. She finds herself forced to work with the King of Ravka on one of Kaz Brekker's crazy schemes.

Nikolai Lantsov. King of Ravka. He was privateer extraordinaire Sturmhond?

Word count: 2k

A/N:  So I wrote my first fic! Hopefully at least one person likes it! I just posted the first chapter today. The second one should follow somewhat soon ☺️I’m currently writing the third chapter!

Chapter 1: Devils Roll the Dice, Angels Roll their Eyes

Nikolai Lantsov. King of Ravka. He was privateer extraordinaire Sturmhond?

Y/N couldn’t quite believe it. She had been a fan of him for years. Asking for the latest news on the voyages of the Volkvolny and its captain every chance she got. They were legendary. When Kaz had told her a few days prior that Sturmhond was going to be with them for a job she had barely been able to contain her excitement. Now, she was mortified. How could she work with a king?

Had she not been standing next to Kaz during the meeting she’d never have believed it.

“How long have you known, Kaz? I mean, I know you’ve worked with him before but…” her voice trailed off in a question.

“I figured it out when we first met.” His mind traveled back to that day. Meeting the privateer by the Geldrenner hotel’s baths, just a few years ago. They had been trying to save Kuwei Yul-Bo, a Shu inferni who’d had the misfortune of being the son of the fabrikator who created Jurda Parem, making him the most valuable hostage in the world. They had auctioned him off, faked his death, and gotten revenge on Jan Van Eck all at the same time. “The king of Ravka wouldn’t just let anyone represent his country in important matters. The fact that he always travels with at least one member of the Triumvirate doesn’t help him keep his identity secret either.” He scoffed. “He really should stop doing that.” Kaz sounded almost… annoyed?

“I take it you’ve given him that particular piece of advice and he didn’t listen?” She smirked. “Though, you know, I’m glad Zoya Nazyalenski tagged along. She is even more gorgeous than I thought.”

“He never listens. Almost as stubborn as you.” He huffed. The glare he gave her would’ve been enough to scare most people, however, she was not most people. She considered Kaz family, and she knew that Kaz did too, in his own way. They had both lost siblings to the city after all. She had joined his crew a few months after they had lost Matthias and Nina had gone back to Ravka. He had needed a new corporalnik and she had made fast friends with Inej, Jesper, and Wylan. As much as Kaz had tried to keep the young tailor at arm’s length, she had found a way to worm herself into his cold guarded heart. His look softened before he continued. “You should steer clear of her. She’s just as icy as she appears. Wouldn’t want you to get your heart broken before the job.” That was his way of showing he cared.

“Don’t worry, Kaz, I’m not looking to marry her. Maybe she’d be open to a bit of fun?” She laughed, throwing her long auburn hair over her shoulder, and made her way back to Jesper and Wylan down the corridor.

---

A few days had passed since they’d met with Sturmhond. He and Zoya had temporarily moved into the slat. Kaz had been cooped up in his office, wearing his scheming face most of that time. Everyone could tell Kaz’s plan was going to involve multiple steps and deceptions.

Since they hadn’t been working any other jobs, the crows had been left to their own devices for the first time in months. Kaz occasionally called on them for their expertise, but they had a lot more downtime than they were used to. They had taken advantage of it to get to know their new teammates. Y/N had mostly struck out with Zoya, though she had managed to make her laugh a few times, to everyone’s surprise. Maybe with more time, she’d have a small chance with Zoya? The young grisha had also tried to wrap her head around the identity of her favourite privateer. She now found herself sitting in Kaz’s office, Jesper and Wylan on her right and Sturmhond and Zoya on her left. Kaz looked all business, so serious she feared he’d give himself an aneurysm.

“I need you to tailor him. Once you’re done, you’ll tailor yourself.” Kaz nodded in Sturmhond’s direction sitting behind his cluttered desk, hands resting on his crow’s head cane.

Y/N looked up at Inej who had been sitting at Kaz’s window. “May I ask why? Hasn’t he already been tailored?” She gestured to the privateer before returning her hand to her lap. “He doesn’t look like the king of Ravka.”

Kaz rolled his eyes. “Why must you always question me?” He sighed. “Yes, he has been tailored, nonetheless, he is too easily recognizable as Sturmhond. I need you both to look like rich Kaelish merchants. It shouldn’t be too hard for you?”

“Of course not. You know there’s nothing I can’t do, Brekker.” She replied in Kaelish. She softened her tone before continuing in Kerch. “I’m simply asking you to share your brilliant scheme with us mere mortals” Her voice was laced with sarcasm. Inej stifled a laugh. It looked like the Suli girl couldn’t help but smile at the other’s antics.

Kaz groaned. “Fine, I’ll share my plan for the job. It’d be easier if you just listened. I’ll explain it once so pay attention – Jesper!” Poor Jesper jumped on his chair. He’d been staring at Sturmhond since they’d all entered the office. Y/N couldn’t blame him. The privateer did have an inexplicable charm despite his tailored features.

“Yes, Boss!” Jesper straightened in his chair and sent an apologetic look to Wylan.

“Alright, to pull this one off we’ll need blueprints that can only be found in Gert Van Verent’s safe. He keeps his office under lock and key – ”

“Wait, you want us to break into a councilman’s house, again? Why can’t you do it Kaz? You’re the best at picking locks.”

“Well, if you hadn’t interrupted me” he was glaring daggers at her now, his eyes the hue of bitter coffee “you’d know that two guards are posted outside his office, at all times” he’d emphasized the last part and raised a hand to stop Y/N from interrupting him again “and his windows are protected behind steel bars.” Y/N nodded once slowly indicating she was willing to listen with no more interruptions.

“Van Verent is throwing a party in the hopes of finding his eldest daughter a husband. Being a devout Kerch merchant, he is also using the occasion to find new business ventures. The party is our window of opportunity. That-” he gestured to her and Sturmhond “is where you two come in. Ainsley and Eoin Ó Ceallaigh, newlyweds from the Wandering Isle, looking to extend your exporting business to Kerch. I already secured your invitation” Y/N felt her jaw drop. No sound came out. All she could do was stare at Kaz. He had finally lost it. He wanted her and the king of Ravka to assume false identities and pretend to be married? Dirtyhands had gone mad.

Wylan was the one who voiced her concern. “Kaz? I know Y/N’s a talented tailor and well she is Kaelish so that part’s covered but, well, um, no disrespect Sturm-, Sir? Your Highness? But, um, do you speak Kaelish?”

The king smiled. He looked amused at Wylan’s confusion. He replied in perfect unaccented Kaelish “Call me Nikolai, it will make for less confusing conversation. Of course, I speak Kaelish, I have been educated in 6 languages. I also had a fondness for Kaelish poetry in my youth.”

Everyone seemed to relax at that. However, Y/N could tell she was going to need Jesper’s help to undo the knots in her shoulders later that night. “Kaz? I don’t think I’m that great of an actress… You also haven’t told us how we’re supposed to get the plans if we do get in.”

“Don’t worry darling, I’m sure we’ll manage. I’m talented enough for the both of us” Nikolai winked at her. Nikolai, who just so happened to be the privateer she had admired for years. She felt her cheeks flush. Saints, she thought, this is going to be a nightmare.

“Jesper and Wylan have also been invited to the party thanks to Wylan’s new position on the merchant’s council.” She had never been more grateful to Kaz for overlooking the interruptions. “They’ll cause a distraction, with Nazyalenski’s help, to let you and Nikolai slip past the guards and break into Van Verent’s office.” He stopped and looked at Y/N. “I know you can pick the lock and crack the safe. I trained you myself after all.”

The discussions and planning continued well into the night. Y/N wasn’t convinced it was such a good plan, but everyone else seemed on board so she kept her mouth shut. All she could do now was make sure to memorize all she could before the job. The party was two days away, which didn’t give them much time to learn all they could about their characters. Kaz had instructed Nikolai and Y/N to spend every waking moment working together to make sure they made a believable couple.

Twelve hours in, Y/N was cursing herself for saying she wasn’t a great actress. If she’d only pretended to be confident in her acting abilities, she might have been allowed to take a break from the insufferable king. Well, insufferable might have been a little dramatic but the man loved himself way too much. They had memorized their stories in the first 8 hours and were now being quizzed by Wylan and Jesper while she started tailoring them both, yet the King would not stop flirting with her. He also made sure to touch her every chance he got. A brush of his fingers on her cheek, of his knuckles on hers, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. She knew it was just harmless fun for him. It was driving her completely mad. She just wanted him to take the job seriously.

“How did he propose?” Wylan asked for the third time in the past two hours.

Y/N sighed and moved her fingers through Nikolai’s hair to darken it. “It was incredibly romantic. He had planned a picnic by the lake where we met.” Her cheeks were already starting to hurt from the plastered smile on her face.

“I had all of her favourite foods, of course” Nikolai interjected, moving to softly caress the girl’s cheek.

Y/N had to restrain herself from slapping his hand away. “Yes, even strawberries, in winter! Can you believe it? Once the sun began to set, he dropped to one knee and pulled the ring from the picnic basket with a bouquet of winter roses. I’m so lucky to have fallen in love with such an attentive and caring man.” She turned to Kaz who had been observing them, leaning against the doorframe, and dropped the smile from her lips. “Was that satisfactory, Boss?”

Kaz shrugged. “It’d be better if you didn’t look like you wanted to stab him every time he touches you.”

Y/N released a breath. “Maybe if you’d let me take a break...” her tone was pleading.

Kaz smiled at that. He was finally wearing her down. Giving her a taste of what she’d put him through the last two years felt like sweet justice to him. He liked the girl well enough, but she had a way of getting on his nerves. He took no pity on her. “You’ll keep going until I actually believe you are in love with him.” He left the room with a pointed look at her.

Zoya released an amused laugh. “I’m just glad Nikolai found someone else to bother for a change.” She smiled smugly at Y/N. “Don’t worry, he’s mostly harmless. Just come find me if he gets too handsy, I’ll put him in his place for you.”

Y/N couldn’t believe it. Zoya had definitely sent her a wink before following behind Kaz. Maybe all her flirting had paid off?

“Sweetheart, I’m hurt, you are taking more interest in my general than in your own handsome husband.” Nikolai’s tone was toeing the line between mock hurt and amused.

She turned back to the three men in front of her. “Jesper, please, just shoot me.”