#we'll see how cora goes

[emmasaviorswan]

Current muses 💖

🦢 Emma Swan

💋 Ruby Lucas/Red Riding Hood

💙 Cinderella/Ashley but Lily James FC

❤️ Cora Mills/Queen of hearts

[takaraphoenix]

Camping & Bonding (Part 5)

Tags: m/m, Erica Lives, Boyd Lives, Jackson Doesn't Leave, Pack Mom Stiles, Pack Feels, True Mates, fluff, hurt/comfort, camping, mutual pining, m/f

Main Pairing: Derek/Stiles

Side Pairings: Scott/Allison, Boyd/Erica, Jackson/Lydia

Teen Wolf Characters: Mieczysław 'Stiles' Stilinski, Derek Hale, Erica Reyes, Vernon Boyd III, Isaac Lahey, Jackson Whittemore, Lydia Martin, Cora Hale, Scott McCall, Allison Argent

@writersmonth Prompts Part 5: glow + lake

Summary: Stiles thinks the pack should go camping, as a bonding exercise. Much to his surprise, Derek agrees with his plan. So the pack goes off into the mountains to camp together.

This Fic on AO3 | This Fic on FFNet

Stiles Summer Stories 2024

–

Part 5: The End

Going to bed that night was just a little more awkward than the night before, somehow. Snuggling with his crush was one thing, but snuggling with his new boyfriend of literally less than one day? Stiles was so flustered when he got changed, his eyes flitting over to Derek all the time.

"Stiles," Derek growled softly, near reassuring somehow. "It's okay. We're just… going to bed. If… If it makes you uncomfortable, we can sleep apart-"

"No," Stiles wiggled his nose, blushing even harder. "I do like the cuddling I just… I have never cuddled with a boyfriend before. Much less a mate."

A small noise came from Derek that sounded wondrous. "Okay. You know that we will figure all of this out together, right? I mean all of it. I don't exactly have a track-record of well-going, healthy relationships either so I don't have… that much more experience than you either, honestly…"

Stiles blinked as he took in how sheepish and awkward Derek looked. Sometimes, when Derek was being all growly, bossy and confident, it was easy to forget that Derek wasn't that much older than Stiles either and that he has had two relationships that had both ended in absolute disaster. Reaching out, Stiles rested his hand on Derek's, caressing it gently and squeezing it in reassurance.

"We'll figure it out together," Stiles grinned and pecked Derek's cheek.

He got a rare smile from Derek. The kind that made Stiles feel soft and like jelly. Heaving a sigh, Stiles collapsed against Derek's chest, forcing the werewolf down onto the ground – well, more like suggesting it and Derek went along with it to humor him.

"I love you," Derek's voice was muffled by Stiles' hair as he had his nose buried in it. "I never expected you, or anyone like you. But you are… my compliment."

"Shut up," Stiles' voice was muffled by Derek's chest.

He had his face buried in it, rubbing his nose along Derek's collarbone. Derek was his boyfriend now. Derek was his mate now. Stiles huffed out a small laugh that got him a curious noise from Derek. The Alpha's hands were running over Stiles' back, gentle and soothing.

"It's just…" Stiles tilted his head up to look at Derek. "I kind of did plan this camping trip to confront you about a few things, in a moment of peace like… right now. I have been growing more and more suspicious of the betas' behavior. How they listen to me, how they behave around me. I just… I really didn't see it, huh. I mean, I know about pack dynamics. I read up on them. I taught most of the betas about them. How did I not see that I'm the Alpha Mate."

"Because you didn't expect it?" Derek suggested after a moment. "You're good at picking up clues, most of the time you pick them up before you even know what they could mean. Your instincts are great. But you don't have all of the answers either, Stiles."

Stiles grumbled at that with a slight pout. "Still. I know what the Alpha Mate does. I should have been able to put the evidence into context."

"You're… cute… when you're frustrated," Derek grinned ever so slightly.

When Stiles glared at him, Derek kissed him so softly that it melted the glare. Derek was probably right. Stiles had not seen any reality where Derek might love him, much less him being Derek's mate and that was kind of the whole point of the Alpha Mate. Still, it bugged him that he didn't figure this out on his own. Curling together, Stiles got more comfortable on top of Derek's chest.

"Did you have any plans for tomorrow?" Derek asked after a stretch of silence.

"Mhmh," Stiles started to feel too sleepy for talking. "Swimming. Lake."

Derek huffed at the lack of sentences and pressed a kiss to the top of Stiles' head. Accepting that that was it for tonight. They both relaxed in each other's arms and drifted off to sleep.

/break\

After yet another successful breakfast, the pack headed toward the lake where the creek led to, all dressed in bathing suits and swim-trunks. Stiles could not take his eyes off of Derek. Shirtless Derek was one of his favorite things to look at. He licked his lips.

"You are disgusting, Stilinski," Jackson commented. "Stop drooling over our Alpha."

The comment was lacking any heat. If anything, the look on Jackson's face was more that of a kid who wanted his parents to stop the PDA, which just cracked Stiles up so hard. Just to piss the beta off, Stiles walked over to Derek and pulled him into a kiss, his hands sprawled out on Derek's chest. Erica was whistling in the background, Cora and Jackson were gagging.

"Your betas are a bunch of children," Stiles commented dryly. "You deserve it, for turning teenagers. I, however, truly do not deserve this."

Derek huffed out a laugh and wrapped his arms around Stiles' waist to keep him in place, keep him close. The weather today was surprisingly warm for an autumn day, which made it perfect. The first one to jump into the lake was Isaac, closely followed by the other boys and Erica. Lydia and Allison opted to sunbathe, now that there was some actual sun out. And Cora simply walked into the water instead of jumping off the cliff. Stiles sat down with Scott and Allison for a bit, watching how Derek went to jump in after his betas, after some teasing comments about a 'chicken Alpha'.

"You look happy," Allison smiled, nudging Stiles.

"I… am," Stiles whispered, his own smile very soft.

And it wasn't just about Derek. Yes, he loved Derek and he couldn't believe that Derek was his now, but it was about so much more. Being the squishy pack human had, at times, given him self-doubt. Sure, he contributed a lot with his research alone, but when it came to a physical fight? The werewolves always worried so much about keeping him and Lydia safe, it made him feel guilty. Lydia was taking self-defense lessons too, as tired of this as Stiles, and even Lydia had her Banshee powers to aid in a fight if push came to shove. The Alpha Mate though, that was… that was special. He had a special place in the pack, he wasn't just the human that needed protection.

"You look so pretty in that bikini," Scott had a dopey grin on his face as he walked over to them and collapsed right behind Allison, pulling her close. "This trip was an awesome idea."

Allison smiled and leaned back against her mate's chest, relaxing. "Yeah, it was."

Stiles preened a little at the praise of his idea. He relaxed and laid down, taking out the book he'd brought to read at the lake. At least until the betas grew more demanding and Isaac and Scott grabbed him by the wrists to pull him up and toward the lake. Stiles made half-hearted protests and let himself be pushed into the water. It was freezing cold and he shuddered and gasped when he resurfaced. A smile spread over his lips as he saw the entire pack in the water, playing and laughing. It made his heart feel weirdly full. They had each other, they were a pack, a real pack.

They stayed at the lake until it was late evening and the setting sun bathed the water in a soft orange glow that seemed to fit the autumn atmosphere. It was the perfect ending to their trip.

/break\

"This was fun," Boyd's voice was a soft whisper, his knee bumping against Stiles'. "We should do it more often, going on a camping trip somewhere. Maybe just weekends."

"Yeah," Stiles turned to grin at him. "Yeah, we should."

Erica was on Boyd's other side, having fallen asleep after dinner, leaning heavily against her mate. Boyd's arm was around her, holding her close and making sure she didn't fall over. They'd made dinner and eaten together and gathered around the bonfire one last time, all of them. Telling stories and laughing with each other and a part of Stiles didn't want it to end, ever. So the idea of doing it more often, yeah, he really liked that.

/break\

Very early the next morning, they packed everything up and filed back into the cars in the same constellations as they had driven there. There was so much comfort in the air as they drove home, everyone seemed more subdued than when they had arrived, but it was a comfortable kind.

"Good night, guys," Stiles grinned as he dropped Scott and Allison off.

Because Scott wanted to say proper goodbye to his mate so he decided to walk the rest of the way to his own home after getting some alone-time with Allison, after Stiles had once again so 'rudely' separated them to avoid lengthy make-out sessions. He'd already dropped Lydia off at home, meaning it was time to get home himself. He heaved a soft sigh when he noticed the lights were out and his dad's car wasn't there. Something about the past few days left him longing for company. It had been such a high to be with them all like that, the soft, warm sense of pack. To come home to a cold, empty house with nobody to talk to or be tactile with was… jarring.

Making his way upstairs, he sulked just a little bit. When he opened his bedroom door, he let out a startled screech at the moving shape on his bed. His heart was still hammering hard in his chest when he turned on the light. A glare etched into his features.

"Door! We have a door! Why do you-" Stiles huffed and threw his hands up. "Windows are not special werewolf doors, you are going to give me a heart-attack one of these days!"

Derek, sprawled out on his bed, looked mostly annoyed that Stiles had turned on the light. Rude asshole. Why did Stiles love this bastard. Glaring one last time, Stiles dumped his bag in a corner and the shrugged out of his jeans before collapsing on his bed, right next to Derek.

"Why are you even here?" Stiles asked softly. "We saw each other three hours ago."

"Mh," Derek looked displeased. "Went home. Bed too… not smelling like you."

Oh. Right. Mates that just got together. Wolves had a high draw to their mate and after having spent the last couple nights cuddled up to each other, it must be jarring for Derek to go back to his house that only moderately smelt like Stiles and his bedroom that absolutely did not smell like Stiles at all because Stiles had never been in there, he wasn't crazy enough to go into an unmated wolf's bedroom, he knew how territorial they were. A small smile spread over his lips as he realized his Sourwolf had been pining and had then decided to come to his house, because that was where all of that good Stiles scent was stored. Rubbing his cheek against Derek's, Stiles snuggled close.

"If you want, I could come over tomorrow to roll around in your bed."

"Don't make fun of me, Stiles," Derek growled annoyed.

"I'm not. It's a genuine offer," Stiles chuckled. "I know about werewolf instincts. So, if you want me to make your room smell more like me, I could come over."

The Alpha blinked a couple times, staring at his mate. He made a pleased rumbling noise in his chest, nosing at Stiles' neck. Affectionate, giant puppy. Stiles huffed fondly, running his fingers through Derek's hair. This was definitely a side of the Alpha that he liked seeing.

"Thank you," Derek's voice sounded gruff and was muffled by the pillow as they were both squished into the bed. "I think this get-away was exactly what the pack needed."

A proud smile spread over Stiles' lips at that and he tightened his arms around the werewolf. "That's what the Alpha Mate does. Take care of the pack and help out their fearless, strong, capable leader."

Derek squinted at him. "There's sarcasm in there. It's subtle but I can still hear it."

Stiles smirked teasingly at Derek and kissed his boyfriend's cheek, because he now could kiss his boyfriend because Derek was his boyfriend. He tried not to gloat, but honestly, why shouldn't he. Closing his eyes, he nuzzled into Derek's chest and got more comfortable. He was glad that Derek had come here tonight because he hadn't wanted to be alone either.

~*~ The End ~*~

[adriswrld]

LA Knight x Fem! Wrestler Reader

plot: reader gets hurt during her Wargames match and her ex boyfriend, Shaun (irl name) immediately gets concerned for her and goes to check on her trope: exes to lovers with LA Knight/ Eli Drake/ Max Dupri whatever u wanna call him pairings: wrestler reader x LA Knight / reader x (platonic) Carmelo Hayes a.n: Y/N replaces Cora Jade in the match (2021 wargames)

Y/N was standing on the top of the cage ready to perform the Swanton Bomb onto Jacy Jayne who laid on the table and let out a shaky breath. Y/N did insane and risky moves all the time but it still made her nervous because you never knew what could happen. "Wargames baby!" Y/N grinned, diving off the cage onto Jacy with a Swanton Bomb as Kay Lee Ray and Io Shirai held Jacy in place, breaking through the table. Y/N clenched her jaw and held in her scream as she felt her shoulder pop completely out of place. Y/N immediately cradled it and rolled off of Jacy as the crowd chanted 'HOLY SHIT!' for the move she just did.

Kay Lee had immediately kneeled down to Y/N, seeing her clutching her shoulder and it didn't look like selling. "What's wrong? You okay?" Kay Lee asked, helping Y/N lean into the corner as Io made her way over in concern. "It's dislocated. I gotta pop it back in place, then I can keep going," Y/N explained silently so the cameras and mics didn't pick up on it. "Alright, get on that, we'll improvise without you," Kay Lee said, walking to the other ring to continue to wrestle with Dakota Kai as they had to keep the match going.

Y/N had looked around hoping to find someway to pop it back in as it was now literally hanging off. "What the hell are you guys doing standing there?! Get out there! Get her out!" Shaun shouted at the medical team which made Shawn Michaels immediately go over to calm him down. Triple H got the medical team out there immediately as Shawn tried to calm down Knight. "Relax, she's gonna be fine," Shawn said. This didn't calm Knight down though as he paced back in forth, watching the monitors.

Y/N walked down to the door where medical attention was, gesturing her over so they could check on her. "I'm fine, it's alright. I can keep going," Y/N said, they didn't agree with this but they had no choice but to listen to her. She did have a lot of power backstage and if she refused help during a match then so be it. Y/N was known for always finishing a match no matter what happened. Y/N stood up and clenched her jaw, ramming her shoulder into the ring post as the crowd winced.

"Oh my god what the hell is wrong with her," Knight muttered. He hated how he still loved her despite how crazy stupid she was being. HBK managed to get him to calm down and head backstage so he could get dressed in his gear for later that night as he also had a Wargames match.

Y/N rammed her shoulder into it one more time, the crowd winced and Y/N let out a sigh of relief, the second time popping her shoulder back in place. Y/N leaned against the cage and nodded at Io and Kay Lee telling them that she could keep going. They still looked at her like she was crazy but she only smirked and gave them a wink. Y/N went on the finish and win the match for her team, pinning Jacy Jayne for the win. She had told them they needed to go after her shoulder to make it more realistic and so they did, it hurt like a bitch but it made the match more memorable and that's all Y/N cared about. Was that the fans had fun.

Immediately when they got backstage, the medical team rushed over to her but she brushed them off wanting to talk with Triple H and Shawn Michaels. "I'm alright, I can go a few minutes without medics," Y/N said, making them back off but follow her just incase she didn't faint or anything. Unfortunately for Y/N she was getting very drowsy. "Ay Y/N you good?" Carmelo asked, making his way over to her. Y/N and Carmelo were very close as Y/N helped train him in the PC. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine-" Y/N breathed just before going unconscious but Carmelo caught her and they had him carry her to the trainers room.

Carmelo pulled out his phone and shot a quick text to Knight.

Carmelo Hayes

Ay yo girl in the trainers room rn, she fainted. I think it's bc she took way too much hits on the shoulder, it's damaged real bad. Might wanna get her asap.

LA Knight

yeah on my way

Carmelo sat down in the corner as medics examined her bruised up shoulder. Knight rushed in and immediately walked over to Y/N's body laid down on the table. "Yo, you should probably wake her up." Carmelo said. Knight nodded and gently patted Y/N's face, causing her to slowly open her eyes with a groan as she felt the pain in her shoulder. "Oh god, you should've let me stay unconscious," Y/N muttered, looking at Knight with squinted eyes, not expecting to wake up and immediately see her ex boyfriend looking at her. "Ouch, Y/N. That hurt," Knight said sarcastically and Y/N glared at him.

"This is why I dumped you. You're such an a-" Y/N was cut off when Carmelo quickly cut her off before she could say anything she would regret. "All right, well before this turns into a rage room we should probably check to see if you're actually able to move your arm." Carmelo said, looking down at her brusied up shoulder that honestly looked so bad it's like it was broken or something. "Considering all the damage you took, even after popping it back in, it looks like you're gonna be out of action for quite sometime. In fact, I'm gonna say maybe two months to play it safe," the doctor said.

"No way, I can't take off two months. I have a championship match, that I'm supposed to win. I'm supposed to be champion. I can't let that go," Y/N said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I'm sorry but you have no choice. If you continue to wrestle then you can permanently damage your shoulder which is far worse," they said. Y/N licked her lips and sighed, "Can I be alone please?" She requested, they nodded and left the room immediately. Shaun and Melo immediately went to leave as well but Y/N reached out and grabbed Shaun's hand, "Melo, can you let Dakota and Kay Lee know I'm alright please?"

Melo gave her nod and walked out, shutting the door so the two could have some privacy. "Why are you here? Why do you care about me so much after how I treated you?" Y/N asked, letting his hand go to hold the ice up to her brusied shoulder, clenching her jaw slightly at the pain. "I would say the breakup was fifty-fifty," Shaun mumbled, leaning on the counter and Y/N rolled her eyes with a small chuckle. "I just can't seem to let you go, ya know? I seen you get hurt and I was just so worried about you. Like a million things ran through my mind about what could've went wrong. I don't know, I just know that I hate seeing you get hurt," he explained.

"I get it. I'm not exactly over you either. I never was, I just overreacted when you said you loved you. It was just, I was going through a lot with my sister so I didn't really believe you loved me which is why I pushed you away. Truth is, I do love you. Probably more than anyone I've ever been with in the past. I was just scared of admitting it." Y/N looked down, biting her lip and not making eye contact with him but he was already looking at her the entire time. "Y/N, look at me," He said, causing her to slowly look up at him, scared that he might be harsh after the way their breakup happened.

"I love you, Y/N." She smiled to herself and looked down but he used her hand to raise her chin and press their lips together softly. Pulling away for breath, Y/N smiled and sighed, "Do you wanna move in with me?" Y/N asked, knowing it was a risky question but she would understand he didn't say yes. Shaun grinned and Y/N's eyes widened, "Don't you dare do it!"

"Yeahhhh!!!!"

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Yes, donut shenanigans with Luffy, Katakuri, and...Pierre of all people. We also do see Gan Fall in casual clothes which makes the Master Roshi vibes waaaaaay more on point. That's where the story goes from last week. There's a super cool donut, Barto went and got it for Luffy-senpai, Pierre steals it, Luffy and Katakuri scramble for it. Get involved with Dr. Indigo from Strong World with a giant bear and I think Jack? This one was a friggin' fever dream to be honest and I mean that in the best way.

Ends with an iconic homage really just condensing Katakuri's story. He wins the scramble for the donut, but gives it to Luffy out of respect for his efforts. Luffy says he'll split it...then gives Kat only a relatively small piece because Luffy's a gremlin. Who we all love for it. You get the pretty quick flashback with Brulee and it ends on the ruminating about Luffy being a problem for Mama down the line.

Fun chapter that told a self-contained story. We tend to get at least one between bigger "arcs" in this universe. Though with the scrambled New World thing going on...leaving Cora/Doffy behind to give us Kat/Brulee is intriguing because in canon One Piece I'm all about how The Man Who Can See the Future uses that particular dynamic to set up core themes for The Girl Out of Time in Okiku.

That said, given how we had her come in after Yamato for a change in Academy...could just be doing that with Whole Cake and setting Katakuri as a quasi-ally up first. Though I do see the value in making it quick and kicking it out if say, you have insider knowledge we'll be in an Elbaf that makes the conflict a lil Payback War of the Charlotte's own in a few months of mainline releases.

[aro-pancake-writes]

I finished it!

(almost) everything I wanted to say to Lillian. It's finally done!

Happening during Matters of the Hart, so some mild spoilers for it.

Tw: violence, deadnaming, language.

Truths to the Heart

"We don't have time to ask for backup." Lillian says, and Charlie gets up from their seat in a rage.

From the first time Sam told them about her, Charlie knew they wouldn't like her, but they put up their good face and deflect the subject.

But this is the end of their patience for that woman.

Cora stands at the door to the bridge, ready to butt in on Sam and Lillian's argument. Charlie sees her, and goes straight to her.

"Here kiddo, take this, go to my quarters and close the doors." They give her a music player and send her off. There's no argument as she understands that things are about to get ugly here.

They wait for the door to the bridge to close before stepping between Sam and Lillian.

"Enough." Charlie says, pushing Lillian away from Sam. "You, shut your hypocrite hole." They point at Lillian, anger stewing in their voice. "Sam, darling," they turn to him, calm and with a gentle smile, "I love you, and please don't be mad at me."

He looks at them confused for a second, as Charlie turns back to Lillian.

"Lils, dearest," they make their best overly sweet voice and put on a large smile, "don't you fucking dare to say shit."

"What do you know?" She scowls at them, crossing her arms ready for a fight. "And you can't call me that."

"It's my ship. I'll call you whatever the fuck I want to call you." It's becoming harder to maintain the smile. "If you want to not call backup, as per your own sayings, we'll drop Cora by at New Atlantis."

"We don't have the time! The Syndicate will–" Charlie cuts her off by raising a finger, smile dying as they stand up taller.

"Then you won't ever again bother us for taking Cora along. You won't ever again say anything about her tagging along. Ever." Lillian opens and closes her mouth like a fish. "You'll shut up until I drop you off back on Neon, so you can try to gaslight and bullshit your way out of any future trouble you get yourself into, but not in my ship."

"Who are you to say anything about how I parent? Do you have any ideas of the sacrifices I've made for her?" Charlie laughs. A good hearty laugh, like Lillian just told them the funniest joke ever.

"Sacrifices? Parenting?" They manage to say between laughs. "You don't know the meaning of the words."

"I was called out for reading Dumas by my colleagues, for heaven's sake." She tries, and Charlie manages to stop laughing.

"A sacrifice is stopping my own deep cover work to get rid of the Crimson Fleet to come and save your ass from the small fry, because Cora asked me to." They say, taking a step towards her. "A sacrifice is having you here because Cora was worried about you. I've been with her for less than a month, and I've been her parent more than you ever bothered to be in twelve years." There's a snarl, and Lillian looks terrified.

"Charlie, please, that's enough." Sam places a hand on their shoulder, making them stop. "She heard enough."

"No." Lillian says, bearing that cocky smile that Charlie wants to punch out of her face. "Let's hear what your new sweetheart has to say, Sammy."

How much more shit can come out of one person's mouth?

"What about the fact that you claim to want a professional distance from your coworkers, to the point where Jaylen doesn't know your daughter's name, but he knows everything about me and my accomplishments, that were sent to you by Cora?" They remember the way Sam was treated at the Neon Ranger post.

"What are you talking about? I talk plenty about my kid!" She tries, but Charlie ain't buying. "And so what I mentioned the stranger my daughter seems to like more than me? It's embarrassing!"

"EMBARRASSING?" Charlie shouts, anger taking over their senses. "Embarrassing is claiming you put your neck out to save someone, but doing it for your own selfish purposes. Is bailing on your daughter every time she tries to see you and then complaining that she likes someone else, who is actually there for her, better than you."

Lillian jumps at Charlie, going for a hit on their stomach. They manage to dodge and she slips, but doesn't fall.

"You just got here, Charlotte!" She screams, turning to come back at Charlie and hitting a punch to their face. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"

"I know what is going on." They smile, ignoring the blatant use of their given name and cleaning out blood from their nose. "Your priorities are anywhere but where they actually should be." Lillian turns for another punch, and Charlie lets her hit. "You're scared of accepting that you fucked up, so you hide behind your work!"

The third punch has them falling on their butt. Lillian jumps at the opportunity to sit on their waist and hold them down.

Sam's frozen in the back, unsure if he should try to remove Lillian from Charlie and draw the fire to himself or let Charlie deal with the situation, as he's well aware that they can. No one calls them “Charlotte” and gets away unpunished. Be it ignoring Walter until he uses Charlie, or leaving a good bruise if the person still insists on the name. But Lillian using the name makes him worry. They're already throwing fists. And Lillian's use was deliberate. With the intent of insulting and hurting them.

Charlie lets Lillian punch them, barely defending themselves. It's almost like they want the punishment for everything they're saying.

"You know that you lost Sam the moment Cora was born." Charlie continues, despite Lillian's barrage at them. "You lost your hold on him. The idea of love that you gave him. And now, that he's moving on, that someone else wants what you didn't want, you're angry. Because if you can't have him, no one can." They had enough of her, so they activate their powers, canceling gravity where they stand.

They watch as Lillian floats helplessly, while they're still grounded.

"How in the blazes–" the effect ends before she can finish her question, and she falls flat on the floor.

"Lillian, leave. Go find something else to do." Sam says, helping Charlie to their chair. He's cold, holding his own anger back. Lillian may have been offended, but it still didn't justify her attack on Charlie.

"I'm not leaving until we get to the Syndicate hideout." Lillian gets up, cleaning her jacket and standing there as if she didn't just beat someone up.

"Leave us alone." He says again, and she finally gets the message, grumbling all the way out of the bridge.

"It looks worse than it is." Sam kneels before Charlie, picking up a first aid kit and making them look up so he can see the injuries. There'll be some light bruising, but nothing a medpack can't fix. "But you didn't have to push that much, Charlie. Not if it ends up with you getting hurt like this."

"I had to." They say, licking at where their lip broke and a drop of blood spills out. "I couldn't stand the way she talked to you. Or how she thinks that the minimum effort is a massive sacrifice. For you and Cora."

"And that last thing you said?" He offers them a light smile. "You want me?"

Charlie looks everywhere but at him. If their face wasn't hurting so much, they'd probably be all smiles and blushes.

"Only if you want to try." Too late to not tell the truth. "I've been interested since we got that Artifact."

"Charlie," he takes a deep breath, cleaning a bad wound on their temple and adding a bandage, "why didn't you say anything before?"

They can't hold back the tears, not anymore. It's been something that they kept bubbling up since Akila.

"Because you only ever talked about her." Charlie gathers the courage and looks at his eyes. "I was there, flirting, trying to hide away that it bothered me. And every other word you said was about her. Praising her at every turn. I said it the first time that I was jealous, and it was true." They take his hand, making him stop.

"She's a good–"

"A good ranger, I know." Charlie tries to remain calm. "But she's an awful person, Sam. I'm not changing my mind on that. You said it yourself that she dismissed you, your feelings. And now that we're getting close, that I'm close to Cora, she wants back in. Even if not… romantically, if you don't feel the same way I do." That last part hurts, but it has to be said.

"I'll put an end to it, for good." He leans closer to them, cupping their face with his calloused hands. Charlie wants to feel safe, confident in his promise. "No more talking of Lillian. We'll finish this, get rid of her, and we can talk, ok?"

They nod lightly, taking a medpack that he offers them to get rid of the worse of the bruising.

Maybe, Charlie thinks, there's still hope for them to be together.

[ladyarrowhead]

Rena (Re-)Watches Downton Abbey: Ep.5

I have about 2h of free time which means I finally can watch a new episode - today it's all about the flowers of courtshhip and actual flowers within a garden! Let's find out which member of thhe Granthams will violate privacy laws this time!

The Episode

Daisy is still having flashbacks about seeing Mary move Mr. Pamuk's (RIP, you chauvinist) body - she's skittish, still nervous. O'Brien and Thomas Barrow both crowd her, trying to find out what Daisy knows. I love how Daisy decides to keep quiet for now! O'Brien, scheming queen, decides to tell her "concerns" about Daisy to Edith, fully knowing that Edith will use whatever she can to harm Mary's pride. Edith knows how to coax the truth out of Daisy much easier, telling her how much she thinks this weight should not be on Daisy's shoulders. It's sending a shiver down my spine!

Aunt Rosamund is mentioned for the first time, informing her brother Robert of the newest London gossip. Robert finds himself at a loss and Cora suggest Anthony Strallan as an option (who I remember being a really cool old guy, we'll see?). It also leads Cora to inform Mary that her standing in society has changed quite drastly and she is now seen as "damaged goods".

Sybil has organized a new opportunity for Gwen to interview for a position as secretary. She even decides to drive her herself in the governess carriage! Sadly, the horse is losing a shoe and Sybil and Gwen are somewhat stranded, which brings the members of Downton Household both upstairs and downstairs into great worries. Still, they make it back by the evening. Gwen does not get the job, but Sybil is still quite positive.

A flower show is happening! Moseley takes some time off to help his father. We also find out that Lady Violet is winning since she's competing as nobody dares to insult her to her face. Isobel feels very eager to tell Lady Violet, making her aware that she does not "usually win, but always win". It's so heartweaming when the Dowager Countess (?) decides that Moseley is supposed to win! I love Old Man Moseley so much.

Thomas Barrow is shown to sweet some wine - Carson has noticed during inventory that the wine bottles do not correspond with the numbers - so this was nicely set up! He's also still pretty chill at making William's life hell. He and fellow-schemer O'Brien are having a talk of him only writing about Mary to a friend - O'Brien, who knows how to keep a secret, berates him that the friend's employer is known to be a gossip - but encouraes him of getting rid of Mr. Bates, who spotted Thomas stealing. COINCIDENTALLY Lord Grantham is missing one of his snuff boxes, and KINDLY O'Brien openly says in front of everyone how unfortunate this is, given that only Mr. Bates goes into Lord Grantham's room. Anna realizes the snuff box has probably been planted in Bate's room. They both suggest to Carson to search the rooms, watching with glee how worried O'Brien and Barrow rush to their rooms. Anna also hints to Bates that his feelings are reciprocated, confessing her feelings to him.

Lastly, Mrs. Patmore's is getting some attention as Cora asks her to prepare an apple charlotte pudding for Sir Anthony Strallan, insisting she cannot read from a new receipt. I like this a lot as sicne the first episode we have Mrs. Patmore sometimes being unable to see ingredients on the table and sweet Daisy helping her out. She also drops the chicken later on and the servants, after wiping it, still serve it upstairs - what else are they supposed to do? The dining experience turns into an utter desaster when, presuming it to be sugar, Mrs. Patmore accidentally throws heaps of salt on the raspberry meringue. Carson has a really lovely talk with her which shows a bit of a softer side in him, leading to her opening up that she has not gone to the doctor yet.

We're ending on a cliffhanger, oooooooooh, with Edith writing a letter to dramatical violing music to the Turkish Embassy.

The Characters

Things are still UGH on the "Does my Dad love me?"-front between Mary and Robert. Mary and Matthew are still flirting but not owning up to things. Edith is pushed to the side. Water is wet. Still, the talk between Cora and Mary is really nice because they both so disagree with each other but affirm it.

Edith - everyone always pities her, we also are now confirmed that she was in love with Mr. Patrick, the man supposed to marry Mary. When she also overhears Mary insisting Cora should focus on Edith and that Edith as "fewer advantages" than Mary - but man ,she's so cute? Is it her being the second daughter? Probably, right ,given Downton's shaky future? Additionally, while here maybe in order to appeal to Strallan, over the course of the series, Edith's interest in machinery will increasingly be explored - I think she even learns hhow to drive. My heart hurts when she is overlooked by everyone in the room.

O'Brien, you scheming queen. I remember loving to see just how she works - what an incredible manipulator. I remember disliking her a lot during the first watch until stuff happens but by now I really like her.

Anna and Bates are just pure sugar this episode - but man, we are just five eps in and we are speaking of love? Darlings! This is a British show, we have so much time! But the confession? "You are a lady to me and I never kenw a finer one?" UGH MY HEART.

Mary vs. Edith Awfulness Score

Not sure if it counts here because this is my interpretation of camera angles - but while Sybil mentions her sympathy for Aunt Rosamund's living circumstances of bein alone in a big house, Mary mentions there is nothing to dislike, with exchanging glances at Edith. Whil Mary usually finds herself surrounded by suitors, Edith is - as we will later see- by far not as desired. I am not sure if this counts as a jab though, given that we, as a first-time-viewer, might not know this yet? This counts given two minutes later we have Isobel spell this out for the viewer. Point for Mary!

When Mary mentions she would not have gotten down from a horse, no matter how lame it was, Edith immediately replies "No, I don't believe you would", indicating once again Mary's pride as her greatest weakness. (Is pride as greatest weakness also arrogance? I am not sure!) Point for Edith!

While Mary openly mentions to her mother that she thinks Edith has none advantages, she does not tell Edith to her face yet. I'll overlook this.

Does it also not count that Edith very much goes for Strallan when Edith goes for Matthew anyway? I would say yes, given that she also rubs it into Mary's face and knows how her position has gotten much worse. Point for Edith!

Mary decides to tell Edith to her face that MATTHEW told her how much the thing with Edith is not something he is into. The hurt doubles given that Mary knows this is Matthew's opinion. Point for Mary.

Also, a point for both in now openly challenging each other with Mary saying she's quite capable of catching Strallan's attention.

Another point for Mary for immediately doing so by showing Strallan a book he might be interested in the moment Edith wants to speak to the man. Man we are having points here, it's raining!

It is kinda satisfying for Edith rub Matthew's sudden "disinterest" under Mary's nose. Still, point for you, Edith.

Current score 6:7, Edith is stil leading but man, look how this jumped up!

Other Things

I have to say, I always love the scenes where they are eating. It reminds me a bit of Little Lord Fauntleroy with Alec Guiness - I am always super keen to see what kind of food is served. I am also 1000% sure there is Downton Abbey cookbook. (Just, checked, there is, but after my 3 Jane Austen Tea Time and Cooking Books, I really shouldn't buy that one. Apple Charlotte is NOT in the cookbook)

Why are the subtitles calling her Rosamond? Netflix subtitles are so dumb sometimes.

A really nice detail is how, once Mr. Carson (and tus I suppose Mrs. Hugghes) are both out of the house, a lot of rules among the staff seem to be more lax. O'Brien is doing handiwork at the dining table, William is polishing a chandelier and Thomas is even smoking inside of the house!

...that Little Women comment about raising daughters by Cora. Ifykyn.

Those are some nice roses but my grandpa's roses are the nicest!

Mary always looks so wonderful in scarlet. Gives me Pathologic 2 Maria Kaina vibes.

What was that weird monologue by Edith? It felt so unfitting with the rest of the show - but oh well.

Quotes

"You know what they say about old Savident. Not so much an open mind as an open mouth."

"It's easy to be generous if you have nothing to loose."

"OH? Judas was only trying to help, I guess, when he brought the Roman Soldiers to the Garden!"

[1000sunnygo]

Minions: Joker you brat! How dare you...!

Doflamingo: Fufufu...!

*clack*

Luffy: Whaa!? omg I'm just noticing he grabbed that meat few panels ago

Cora: That's an ability of Doffy's ito ito fruit! He's controlling their bodies with threads!

Doflamingo: The thing called peace...

... is boring.

People fear violence, oftentimes they hate it. But...they praise the same thing when it saves them.

Humans are drawn to violence!

You think you're different? Fufufu... You're just afraid to accept it... the beast that sleeps in you that wakes at the sight of blood!

Doflamingo: Blood is entertainment.

All I'm doing is bringing a little more joy to this boring town!

Zoro: You sure he's not already far down in the dark?

Cora:...

Doflamingo: Kaido is itching to fight Whitebeard of New World Middle School.

If I confirm my negotiation with these guys and give Kaido some of their military support, it'll heat up the rivalry between the two schools and peak the fun.

But even that plan..

Doflamingo: Ruined because of you.

Cora: The peaceful days are not boring.

Doflamingo: It goes in parallel.

Well..

you'll see soon. A human's...

.... True Nature!!!

*slices table*

Minions: Wah!

Lu Feld: Tch!!! We'll leave!

*BLANG* *BLANG*

Lu Feld: Make sure to crush Joker and the kids!

Usopp: GYAAHH!! I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE SO MANY OF THEM!!

Luffy: *crunch*

[End, part 2 on Feb 16th!]

[chapter translation index]

One Piece Academy chapter 42: My Only Little Brother, part 1 (Quick translation)

source | previous chapter | index

Cover note: Is chilling on the rooftop also a part of training... ?

"Wh....

WHO THE HECK ARE THEY??!?"

Trebol: Corazon with Law!? And Straw hat!?

Lu Feld: Aren't these the students of New World Middle school?

Background #1: They gotta be Joker's minions!

Background #2: Whoever they are, if there's a slim chance that Joker betrayed us...

Not a single soul will leave this place alive!

Usopp: *whisper* Calm down~~! Don't say something stupid. Let's pose as newbie thugs who came here to play bingo with Doflamingo senpai, and then...

Luffy: I'm Luffy! And that's Mingo's brother Corao! You guys better not make Mingo do bad things.. I'll kick your asses!!

Usopp: OOOOOI~!!

Minions: Joker, You!!!

Sanji: Not letting Doflamingo become friends with the guys from the dark world..

So, is the mission complete?

Doflamingo: First time since that day, eh? Corazon...

Why don't we discuss this first?

Betraying me, disappearing, and now tagging along the kids from worst generation...

What are you here for?

Cora: Student Code 01746, Rosinante..

...I have been investigating your activities since that day.

I'm here to stop you, New World Middle School 3rd Year Class 10 Doflamingo, from entering the Dark World.

Cora: Let's leave this place with us, Doffy!

The meaning of Tsuru sensei coming there that day...

[Flashback

Tsuru: Stop it! Doflamingo!]

Cora: You get it, don't you?

Doflamingo: *clicks gun*

Man: Yiiiek!!

!!

Doflamingo: I wondered what you have to say, you disappoint me again.

As soon as I pull the trigger, the contract is set. And after that...

Law: No. You won't pull the trigger.

Doflamingo:

What makes you think that?

Doflamingo: Law.

Trebol: Law, why are you hangin' with the Straw hat? You forgot we adored you?!

Law: Firstly, that man at your gunpoint,

Trebol: Don't ignore me you shitty brat!

Law: ...He's a minion of those guys at the back. It makes no sense that you'd be the one to punish him.

Secondly...

Law: You have no plan to do what they say, or to become pals with them.

You make sure to get what you want without giving up on control.

Doflamingo: Fufufufu....!

Good job, Law.

You're correct.

Continues in Reblog ⬇️

[vagarysims-old]

Echo: So tell me... what brings you to this world?

Cora: Uh...

Echo: I take it you're not from around here? So I am guessing you came here for a reason, and not simply to skate.

Cora: Well... sure. Right now this is taking my focus, though.

Echo: So you find this a worthwhile activity? Not a mere distraction?

Cora: Distractions can be worthwhile once in a while.

Echo: Ah, so you are trying to get your mind off of something?

Cora goes silent as they continue skating, and as the other fey gets more caught up in the activity as well, she takes the opportunity to observe him more. Watching the way he moves somewhat clumsily across the ice, it is easy to imagine he is innocuous enough, yet she can feel his words seeping under her skin. And the memory from before is still playing through her mind. Why is she reminded of this right now? Taking a human woman to the hospital?

Perhaps it is the meeting with the clone that is the original trigger, as this fey seems to bear a curious resemblance to herself. However, it is the second part of the memory that lingers.

He asks her again, "so why did you come to this planet?"

She considers. How much does she want to tell him? "Well, you could say my old life was at a dead end, and so I wished to see the stars, see if I could find some other life out there."

Echo: So how long do you think you'll be staying here?

Cora: We'll see....

[imbeccablee]

[The Kids are on carpet demanding a scary story]



Young Yakko, Young Wakko, Baby Dot, Young Cora, Young Katie Kaboom, Baby Skippy, and Baby Zubi: (chanting) Scary story! Scary story! Scary story!



Slappy: So! You don't think I can tell a story that'll scare the pants off ya, huh? Here we go! Once upon a time there were seven rotten kids! Real stinkers... in lederhosen! [The kids' costumes turn into lederhosen clothes, much to their dismay] And they loved to steal pie! They stole from everyone. The butcher.



Butcher: Hey!



Slappy: The baker. The candlestick maker. No pie was safe. Whole town was in an uproar.



Villagers: Uproar!



Slappy: But the kids were too clever to be caught.



[cut to Slappy's treehouse where the kids are cheering cause the story is getting of to a good start]



[cut back to the story]



Baby Zubi: Another great haul, gang! Let's dig in!



[The kids eat the pies]



Slappy: The kids ate and ate. Every day was the same. Nothing ever changed.



[cut to Slappy treehouse]



Baby Zubi: Yawn! Pies aren't scary.



Slappy: Until one day, a glorious scent came into their hideout. A sweet scent that tickled their fancy.



[The kids giggle]



Slappy:  It could only be...



Kids: Pie!



Slappy: 'Twas the most amazing pie they had ever seen. They had to have it!



Granny Hexobah: Pies for sale. Pies for sale.



Baby Zubi: That's some pie you have there, grandma. How much you want for that thing?



Granny Hexobah: Well, I...



Baby Zubi: Oh, wait. We ain't got no dough. What do you say? Seven finger discount? You're a good kid.



[The kids run off to their hide out with the pie]



Baby Zubi: All right, gang. Let's see if this pie tastes as good as it smells.



[The kids ate the pie]

Slappy: The rotten little swindlers were overjoyed to devour this delicious pie. Oh and it was delicious! Why, it was the greatest pie anyone had ever tasted.





Baby Zubi: I gotta have more! Guys, from now on it's nothing but granny's pies for us.



Baby Skippy: But we don't even know where she lives.



Slappy: Just then, the amazing pie scent returned. (the sent leads the kids into the forest) It lured them deep into the darkest wood. Enticing them every step of the way. They were possessed Unable to resist. It drew them deeper and deeper into the woods.



[The kids stop at a cottage]





Baby Zubi: I think this is it!



Slappy: They had reached the source of the scent, Grannie's cottage.



Baby Zubi: (knocks on the door) We came to pay you for the pie!



Granny Hexobah: (goes outside) Oh, how kind.



[The kids sneak inside and shuts the door]



Baby Zubi: Those pies are here somewhere. Everybody, split up! (The kids split up)



Pinky: Don't split up! Why do they always do that?



Slappy: The aroma drew them into dark places.



[Cora gets captured by the painting, The bookshelf turns and Katie Kaboom gets trapped, The stairs turned into a slide and Yakko, Dot, and Skippy slides into a trap door]



Slappy: And now only two kids remained.





Young Wakko: I think we better get out of here.





[the aroma comes back]





Baby Zubi: Wait, you smell that? It's pie! I think it's coming from down there. We'll grab 'em and run!



Voice: There is nowhere to run!



[The windows start closing and Wakko and Zubi runs, but Wakko gets captured in a void. Zubi continues to run]





Slappy: Zubi ran for her life!





[Zubi runs into the kitchen]





Baby Zubi: What do I do? I gotta find a way out of here! What is that? (she gasp, it was the pie!) The pie! But, my friends... The pie! (she eats the pie)



[Granny Hexobah comes in]



Granny Hexobah: Well, well, well. Are you enjoying my pie?You really should try one fresh out of the oven.



[Granny Hexobah opens the oven revealing the other kids made into pies]





Young Yakko: Hey, who turned off the lights?





Baby Zubi: (gasps)





Kids: Zubi? Zubi?





Granny Hexobah: (closes oven) Oh, not done yet. You must have guessed my secret ingredient.





Baby Zubi: Little kids?





Granny Hexobah: Oh, I don't just pick any little kids. I pick the most snot nosed, rotten little kids I can find! And you, Zubi, are the most rotten little kid I've come across! I have a nose for these things. (cackles as she turns into a witch) Let's bake some pies!



[Zubi runs away as the Witch Hexobah chases her. Zubi soons loses her]





Baby Zubi: I'm free!





[Witch Hexobah crawls underground and grabs Zubi]





Baby Zubi: No, no!





Slappy: There was no escape. Zubi had become her next pie!





[The kids and Pinky and Brain screams and rushes upstairs and hide under the covers]



Slappy: I knew I could tell a scary story. Another Halloween, successfully put to bed. You're welcome! Witches baking kids into pies scares 'em every time.



[Slappy opens the door where the Witch from her story is]





Witch Hexobah: Who wants pie?



[Slappy screams and rushes upstairs and gets into the bed]



Baby Skippy: That really was the ultimate scary story, Aunt Slappy.



Slappy: You want to hear another one?



All: No! (hides under the covers)



Slappy: Good, me neither! (hides under covers)



Nora: (Appears behind the witch) Uh, What's up with Slappy?



Angelina: (Takes off her witch mask) I don't know. Slappy usually loves my pie.



Nora: What kind of pie is it?



Angelina: Pumpkin.



Jack o Lanterns: Pumpkin!  (they scream in terror be the reponse and passed out with their lantern smoke spelling out "The End")

LMAO, what a wonderful story!!

[nastya-sokolova-2002]

[The Kids are on carpet demanding a scary story]



Young Yakko, Young Wakko, Baby Dot, Young Cora, Young Katie Kaboom, Baby Skippy, and Baby Zubi: (chanting) Scary story! Scary story! Scary story!



Slappy: So! You don't think I can tell a story that'll scare the pants off ya, huh? Here we go! Once upon a time there were seven rotten kids! Real stinkers... in lederhosen! [The kids' costumes turn into lederhosen clothes, much to their dismay] And they loved to steal pie! They stole from everyone. The butcher.



Butcher: Hey!



Slappy: The baker. The candlestick maker. No pie was safe. Whole town was in an uproar.



Villagers: Uproar!



Slappy: But the kids were too clever to be caught.



[cut to Slappy's treehouse where the kids are cheering cause the story is getting of to a good start]



[cut back to the story]



Baby Zubi: Another great haul, gang! Let's dig in!



[The kids eat the pies]



Slappy: The kids ate and ate. Every day was the same. Nothing ever changed.



[cut to Slappy treehouse]



Baby Zubi: Yawn! Pies aren't scary.



Slappy: Until one day, a glorious scent came into their hideout. A sweet scent that tickled their fancy.



[The kids giggle]



Slappy:  It could only be...



Kids: Pie!



Slappy: 'Twas the most amazing pie they had ever seen. They had to have it!



Granny Hexobah: Pies for sale. Pies for sale.



Baby Zubi: That's some pie you have there, grandma. How much you want for that thing?



Granny Hexobah: Well, I...



Baby Zubi: Oh, wait. We ain't got no dough. What do you say? Seven finger discount? You're a good kid.



[The kids run off to their hide out with the pie]



Baby Zubi: All right, gang. Let's see if this pie tastes as good as it smells.



[The kids ate the pie]

Slappy: The rotten little swindlers were overjoyed to devour this delicious pie. Oh and it was delicious! Why, it was the greatest pie anyone had ever tasted.





Baby Zubi: I gotta have more! Guys, from now on it's nothing but granny's pies for us.



Baby Skippy: But we don't even know where she lives.



Slappy: Just then, the amazing pie scent returned. (the sent leads the kids into the forest) It lured them deep into the darkest wood. Enticing them every step of the way. They were possessed Unable to resist. It drew them deeper and deeper into the woods.



[The kids stop at a cottage]





Baby Zubi: I think this is it!



Slappy: They had reached the source of the scent, Grannie's cottage.



Baby Zubi: (knocks on the door) We came to pay you for the pie!



Granny Hexobah: (goes outside) Oh, how kind.



[The kids sneak inside and shuts the door]



Baby Zubi: Those pies are here somewhere. Everybody, split up! (The kids split up)



Pinky: Don't split up! Why do they always do that?



Slappy: The aroma drew them into dark places.



[Cora gets captured by the painting, The bookshelf turns and Katie Kaboom gets trapped, The stairs turned into a slide and Yakko, Dot, and Skippy slides into a trap door]



Slappy: And now only two kids remained.





Young Wakko: I think we better get out of here.





[the aroma comes back]





Baby Zubi: Wait, you smell that? It's pie! I think it's coming from down there. We'll grab 'em and run!



Voice: There is nowhere to run!



[The windows start closing and Wakko and Zubi runs, but Wakko gets captured in a void. Zubi continues to run]





Slappy: Zubi ran for her life!





[Zubi runs into the kitchen]





Baby Zubi: What do I do? I gotta find a way out of here! What is that? (she gasp, it was the pie!) The pie! But, my friends... The pie! (she eats the pie)



[Granny Hexobah comes in]



Granny Hexobah: Well, well, well. Are you enjoying my pie?You really should try one fresh out of the oven.



[Granny Hexobah opens the oven revealing the other kids made into pies]





Young Yakko: Hey, who turned off the lights?





Baby Zubi: (gasps)





Kids: Zubi? Zubi?





Granny Hexobah: (closes oven) Oh, not done yet. You must have guessed my secret ingredient.





Baby Zubi: Little kids?





Granny Hexobah: Oh, I don't just pick any little kids. I pick the most snot nosed, rotten little kids I can find! And you, Zubi, are the most rotten little kid I've come across! I have a nose for these things. (cackles as she turns into a witch) Let's bake some pies!



[Zubi runs away as the Witch Hexobah chases her. Zubi soons loses her]





Baby Zubi: I'm free!





[Witch Hexobah crawls underground and grabs Zubi]





Baby Zubi: No, no!





Slappy: There was no escape. Zubi had become her next pie!





[The kids and Pinky and Brain screams and rushes upstairs and hide under the covers]



Slappy: I knew I could tell a scary story. Another Halloween, successfully put to bed. You're welcome! Witches baking kids into pies scares 'em every time.



[Slappy opens the door where the Witch from her story is]





Witch Hexobah: Who wants pie?



[Slappy screams and rushes upstairs and gets into the bed]



Baby Skippy: That really was the ultimate scary story, Aunt Slappy.



Slappy: You want to hear another one?



All: No! (hides under the covers)



Slappy: Good, me neither! (hides under covers)



Nora: (Appears behind the witch) Uh, What's up with Slappy?



Angelina: (Takes off her witch mask) I don't know. Slappy usually loves my pie.



Nora: What kind of pie is it?



Angelina: Pumpkin.



Jack o Lanterns: Pumpkin!  (they scream in terror be the reponse and passed out with their lantern smoke spelling out "The End")

096:At the same time scary and very funny.

[andallthatmishigas]

So you may have posted about the DA movie but I did not see those posts so here are some questions:

What did you like best about it?

What did you like least about it?

Did it give you more fanfic ideas?

Do you think there will be more movies?

Oooooo okay I've not posted publicly about the new movie so thank you for the opportunity!

I liked that we got a little bit of focus on Cora and Robert instead of just on Mary and Tom and Edith and the downstairs characters, which is what we mostly had in the first movie. I loved the whole "am I the bastard son of a Frenchman" plot and as truly traumatizing as it was for me, the "Cora might have cancer" story was so good. And everything with Violet omg. AND WE GOT MARY DOING SINGING IN THE RAIN. That was really fun. I enjoyed that. The very best part of the whole film was obviously Molesley proposing to Baxter <3

I thought it was pretty chaotic in a lot of it. They did a good job of serving every character at one point or another, but I do think they did too much. And I think the overhead shots and harsh cuts were distracting.

I wrote one story but despite having seen the movie three times now, I don't know that I've been inspired for anything else. Not to say I won't be, but I've been so insanely busy and overwhelmed, my mind hasn't had time to ponder much of anything.

Honestly I think it's 50/50. I think if too much time goes by, the cast might not want to come back. And given covid and just the nature of films now, I don't know that the movie will make the money they're hoping for. I think the fans would love it, and I think there's plenty of other things they could do, story-wise. So we'll see. I only want more if they keep everyone happy, like they did for these two films, but I worry about how they can carry on without Violet and without Thomas, as they've both been so integral to the whole show from day one.

[pokemon-toxicologist]

Hello! This is just a get-to-know-me post, so here are some fun facts!

I grew up in Sinnoh and started out as a Pokemon trainer aiming to face the Champion, Cynthia, but along the way I fell in love with my team (they're the best!) and when we failed to beat Cythia, we sort of all realised it wasn't what we wanted to do anyway.

So we just explored the world and headed off to Alola for a while, where we made new friends and I realised how much I really ooved poison types.

My partners are:

Pip-Pip the Empoleon

He was my very first partner whom I received from Professor Rowan as a Piplup. He's as much as a poison nerd as I am, with the added bonus that he cannot be affected by any accidental inhalation of poison dust (as I am wont to do).

Rosin the Roselia

She was the first Pokemon I caught after meeting Pip. I met her as a budew and between her and Pip we made short work of the Orburgh Gym. After she evolved, she realised she didn't really want to change. She liked who she was and so we decided to forgo looking for a Shiny Stone. And she makes some lovely tea.

Crobar the Crobat (I'm lucky he shares my sense of humour, in fact, I'm lucky a lot of my Pokemon do).

I caught him near the beginning of my Sinnoh journey as a Zubat in Wayward Cave. We travelled for a while, but he was having a tough time in battles because he only knew leech life, but he really put his heart into it and found his stride (flap?). He evolved just before we faced the Ice-type gym leader and, to my surprise, evolved again right after into a Crobat. He didn't seem to like being a Golbat for those few hours, so I'm glad our friendship was enough to help him evolve.

Zazzle the Salandit

I ran into her the moment I stepped into the tall grass in Wala Volcano Park. She was really fiesty and came at Crobar with all she had. They both had tons of fun despite the gap in experience (I'm almost 100% sure Crow was humouring her to let her have her fun). But she just wouldn't stop following us after that! So I asked the rest of the guys and they were super enthusiastic to let her join the group. So she did, and after exploring the island a bit more, we returned to Hau'oli City. After all these months together, she seems to be getting really restless and it looks like she might want to evolve, so we'll see how that goes!

Cora the Mareanie

She joined my little group just after returning to Hau'oli City from Akala Island after Pip helped her free from being stuck between some rocks. She was really skittish for the first while until she realised he was immune to her poison spines. She was so excited after that that I had to introduce her to the rest of the team (who all adore her like the wee sprite she is).

Haze the Castform-Koffing hybrid

They were given to me to take care of by @alexanders-pokemon-adventure a little while ago. They're fairly quiet but also very friendly. They enjoy getting pets from anyone who will give them out but especially from Pip since he doesn't have to wear protective gear. They look up to Pip like a big brother and have made super fast friends with Cora!

Well, that's all of them, my most precious partners in the world! Feel free to ask about them or our journey together as well as any (poison) points of interest. I'm sorry if you don't like terrible puns, my friends have been trying to train it out of me but I'm unfortunately-for-them incorrigible!

[thephantomcasebook]

What is this Story? Why am I writing it? - Part II

1936

(Downton Abbey Small Library)

Cora: *Sweeps in to see Thomas and Ellis setting up tea. Then see's George sitting at Robert's desk, transcribing a very old scroll in a leather bound Journal*

Cora: *Walks up to George* Hello Darling ...

George: *Audibly Writing* Mmm?

Cora: *Rolls eyes after catching Thomas and Ellis look away with amusement* What are you doing?

George: *flatly* Transcribing ...

Cora: *Annoyed at the dismissal* What?

George: Scroll

Cora: *Trying to push down annoyance* I see that! Where did it come from?

George: *Without missing a beat* The Library of Alexandra

Cora: *nods* Oh ... new friend?

Thomas & Ellis: *falling china clinks in the background in shocked outrage*

George: *Flicks eyes up stoically*

Cora: It's a Joke.

George: *Pauses*

Cora: It's extraordinary though ...

George: What is?

Cora: I didn't even know you were friends with the head librarian in Alexandria.

George: *Slowly looks up waiting for the punchline*

Cora: *serious as Thomas's pending heart attack* When did you go there?

Thomas & Ellis: *Plates clatter with audible human noise in the distance*

Cora: *looks back slightly* Are you alright back there Barrow?

Ellis: He's fine your ladyship ... just a bit of a cramp. Long day.

Thomas: *in whispered despair* twenty years, Richard, Twenty years I've worked ...!

Ellis: I know ... I know. *Over Thomas's disgust* Tea is almost ready, Your Ladyship!

George: *With hard blink and a punch drunk shake of the head, he goes back to audibly writing*

Cora: *Glares at the reaction* So an old scroll?

George: Ancient ...

Cora: *Reaches down to touch it*

Thomas and Ellis: *Eyebrows touch hairlines*

George: *without looking up* I wouldn't do that.

Cora: Why not?

George: It's not made out of paper.

Cora: Oh, I've read about these things when your Donk and I went to Egypt on our Honeymoon. It's made of Animal skin.

Cora: *Touches it anyway*

George: *Looks up and then back at Thomas and Ellis*

Thomas & Ellis: *Eyes wide in shock, hands on the back of their heads*

George: *Clearing throat* Yeah, technically ... I guess one might say we're, uh, all animals, Granny.

Cora: What's it about.

George: *Seriously* Necromancy

Cora: *Distracted by the softness of the "Animal" skin parchment* Oh, that's nice ... where did you get it?

George: *Watching his grandmother completely pretend to listen to him while being solely invested in petting an item of extreme evil black ritual* Dead Nazi.

Cora: How terrible, what happened?

George: Broke his neck.

Cora: Oh, how tragic, did he fall.

George: Eventually, when I punched him enough times.

Cora: That's nice, darling, you might want to clear out. I know you don't do "Tea Time" and the Ladies and I will be in here in ten minutes.

Cora: *Tries to rub George on the shoulder, but he stops her from touching him with the hand she touched the scroll with.*

Thomas & Ellis: *Avoid being touched by Cora as well*

(Cora Leaves the Library)

Ellis: Someone is going to tell her, right?

George: ...

Thomas: ...

George: *Goes back to transcribing* Nope ...

Thomas: *Shrugs and measures out trays*

Ellis: Really?! You know she just touched actual you know ... actual skin from a dead ...

Thomas: Listen, if a giant Egyptian Jackal of Anubis starts tearing through the manor ... we'll break it to Her Ladyship ... gently.

George & Thomas: *Go back to what they're doing*

Ellis: *Incredulously* You two spend entirely too much time together.

[imprisonedbybrokenmemories]

Alice was focused on the fight. One, two. One, two. The vorpal blade went through and through. She raised the blade to stab into the person, and her arms were grabbed, the other figure grinning widely like the cat from before. The two fought over the weapon before it was thrown to the side and Alice was whipped to the side. She hits a tree with a short scream, going limp. Her dark hair splayed out around her head like a halo, slowly turning white. Red moss spread out from where she lay, and her armor disappears, her blue dress being drained of color. Bandages appeared on her arms, blood staining the dress. She lifts her head, as she slowly gets to her feet.

Blood dripped down from her eyes and mouth, fair tanned skin taking on a pale hue. Her vorpal blade was also shifting as it flew back to her, waiting patiently for her to take it from the air. Bandages wrapped around the hilt, blade glowing, expectantly, it held a red hue instead of a blue hue. It was dripping in blood, quivering with excitement.

"How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate this condition is temporary. You're fortunate, too. Red eyes suit so few." The cat spoke from above, announcing his presence. He sounded nothing like the figure who'd cast her voice out around them.

Alice's head lifts, eyes locked on to the cloaked figure. Her beautiful emerald green eyes echoed pools of blood. She screams, sending out a powerful wave of energy. The cloaked person goes flying back as Alice grabs the vorpal blade, running over and tackling her as she got back up. She rips the cloak from the person's face, taking a single look and.. stopping herself from killing her. She had the opportunity to. But seeing her face..

The woman under the cloak was a near spitting image of Alice. This wasn't one she'd seen before in this wonderland. Peering into others.. "you.. you work for cora?.. you're going to tell me everything I want to know or I'll end your miserable life right now. Who are you and why are you wearing my face?" The other 'Alice' had flaking skin. Almost like a doll. Her eyes were black, and she smelled like a chimney. Like a burned husk. Like she'd given up. She was wearing a black dress, mirroring Alice's main blue one. It was like it was burned. The apron was singed, and her hair was wild. She looked like a wild animal. Whatever this Alice had gone through.. Alice was scared to let Cora have power for this reason. The damage that she could do to her.. The other Alice merely grins and vanished into darkness.

Alice takes a moment to breathe, and her outfit and appearance returns to normal. She stumbles a bit, falling to her knees. She was injured, that much was for certain. "Ow.. my body aches all over." She muttered, and looks to the Drink Me pool, and brings herself to her feet, limping over to it and placing her hands in the pool, feeling the liquid rush up her arms, soothing her injuries as it passed over her body.

"Cora has a version of me working for her.. I'm not too sure what the endgoal is, but i daresay that fight was a draw. Whatever Cora is planning.. it won't be pretty. We need to head to the pale realm at the first chance we get and at least try to assemble an army big enough to keep her at bay. I also need to check the Dollhouse. Given it's the home of the ruin monsters, she'll likely try to enlist their help in taking me down." She explains. "I don't know what this other me went through but we'll need to stop her to get anywhere close to Cora. I don't even know how we're going to do that but we'll have to try."

"The Dollhouse is home to some.. rather unsavory creatures. Most of my own creation, albeit unwillingly. It housed The Dollmaker.. He was a cruel, sadistic man. I killed him, to protect wonderland, and myself. Unfortunately, his monsters still run amuck within wonderland, and I've not had the ability to track them all down and kill them. The damage done to most of the domains is a constant reminder of what they'd done." She comments. "You'll see more about them the more we traverse Wonderland. Him and his real life counterpart.. which is.. infinitely worse. You think the Dollmaker himself is bad.. Wait until you see the real him." Alice held a dark tone as she explains.

"Anyway!" She was *very* quick to change the subject. "Shrinking has its benefits in wonderland. Such as, tunnels, usually hidden from sight. Keyholes. Or for evading attacks. I found it's very useful when sneaking into The Red Queen's castle. Unfortunately, she has eyes everywhere, so it wasn't long until she knew I was there. But I can sneak by her guards fine enough. They're as dumb as a bag of rocks."

"Just step into the fountain. It'll dry the second you leave the pool. Let it envelope you, then leave the pool. Think small. Forests for the trees, just the other way around. Shortsighted is more than a matter of perspective. You can also see writing on the wall." She points to a spot glittering on the wall. It wasn't visible now, but if shrunk, the shrunk person could see a drawing of a keyhole pointing to a spot hidden on the wall.

She notices something glittering on the ground nearby, and picks it up. A glowing syringe. She breaks it in her hand and a male's voice rang out around them. Highly amused. "Look how small she's become! All curled up, she's barely there! A vixen in her hidey hole!" Alice looked emotionless, as the surroundings blurred a bit. The smell of chemicals rushed through the air before the area flickered into that of a cell. Alice's gaze flickered with fear before it returned to normal. She shakes off the memory, shaking her head.

"What's the matter, Alice? you look like you've seen a ghost!" A female voice spoke from nearby, and Alice whipped around, hand flying to the sword sheathed at her hip. The voice was echoing around them. Mocking. "Or maybe, heard one.. Maybe you need a trip back down memory lane.." It was messing with her, cruel.

"Astarion, hurry up and douse yourself. We aren't alone. We are in danger." Alice spoke, drawing her sword, and readying herself for a fight. The voice chuckled, dark, before the owner was revealed. A cloaked figure in the treeline, radiating darkness. The figure vanished, with a wide, cheshire grin.

Suddenly, alice was tackled, and she struggles against her attacker, blood beginning to drip from her eyes and mouth, a visual warning of what was to come. She holds a hand out for her vorpal blade and it comes flying back, drastically shortening until it could be used in close combat. Alice slashes at her attacker, causing her to falter. She kicks her off of her, and gets to her feet.

The figure began speaking again. "Don't struggle, girl. Resistance hurts you more than me. The damage has been done. My master has won. She always wins. Dead enough. Mad enough. Do you see yourself? The seeds of your destruction were sown long ago, and now she will reap the harvest. She owns your mind; you've just been renting. You owe a debt and she will collect. You're already gone."

"Cora holds no part of me. I am not her slave. I will not obey. You can tell your master she'll have to drag me back kicking and screaming because I will not be going easy!" Alice spoke. With that, she began moving, lightning quick, attacking the person. Metal on metal. A deadly dance.