#who am I going to tell story’s about my crazy mother to? huh?

[borkborkheresadork]

Me when I haven’t seen my emotional support middle aged man with questionable ethics in 3 whole months 🥲

[imnameimswrld]

ㅤㅤⵌ ׄ ۪ 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 ⁰⁰ ׄ ⑅ CEW ‌˖ ֺ ᰮ

— DESCRIPTION ੭ in which they learn about the woman mr cha eunwoo bagged... and she's far more than just the owner of south korea's hottest club.

— PAIRING ੭ cha eunwoo x fem!aston!driver.

— FILE ੭ social media au.

— SERIES ੭ "WAIT...THEY MAKE SENSE !?"

— WARNINGS ੭ language.

— FACE CLAIM ੭ lisa of BLACKPINK.

❪ main masterlist | kpop masterlist | f1 masterlist ❫

━━━━━━━━━━❪ 🖤 ❫━━━━━━━━━━

eunwoo.o_c

📍 Club Seoular, Seoul, South Korea

liked by ddana_yoon, mj_7.7.7, and 1 232 222 others

eunwoo.o_c 🕺.

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mj_7.7.7 no one ask me anything.

↳ user LMAO BRO HAS BEEN SWORN TO SECRECY

user AYO...HUH

user lee dongmin, a damn explanation would be nice 😭... what happened to hello, how are you ?

user I ain't no sheldon genius kid but, I am a y/n l/n stan, and THAT people, looks like my girlie.

↳ user dude...Y/N AND EUNWOO !?!? like, like, like, Y/N L/N AND CHA EUNWOO !?

↳ user lol who tf is this girl ?

↳ user who- "WHO" !? daaawwggg, u got me lmao in public rn

↳ user you're telling me there are people who don't know who Y/N L/N IS !?!? nah das crazy.

↳ user guys, we can't just assume that's y/n just because it's her club, u literally can't see shit on the picture 😭

ddana_yoon where's my pic creds ???

ddana_yoon no ? okay.

ddana_yoon ynusername, tell eunwoo hyung to give me creds or I'll expose ur relationship.

ddana_yoon oh- oopsies 🤭

↳ ynusername i don't even have the words...

↳ eunwoo.o_c i- you- I'm coming for you.

↳ user OKAY NAH SANA U WRONG FOR THAT (thank u pookie) !!!

ynusername added to their story ! • 1hr

seen by eunwoo.o_c, fernandoalo_official, and 1 222 242 others

user replied to your story !

OH U TELL 'EM QUEEN

user replied to your story !

EUNYN RAAARRRRR !!!!!

oh okay 😭

MOTHER !?

astonmartinf1

liked by ynusername, eunwoo.o_c, and 1 924 332 others

astonmartinf1 and that's p1 in miami !!! all hail the aston princess, because she's done it again 💚👑 (btw, have u checked out ClubSeoular_official yet ???)

#Y/nL/n #MiamiGP #F1 #AstonMartinF1

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ynusername let's gooooo !!! 💚

user l/n has literally scored p1 for five years IN A ROW in Miami, that track is her bitch and no one can convince me otherwise ✋[ liked by ynusername ]

eunwoo.o_c 😍😍😍

user WAIT DID YA'LL SEE EUNWOO AT THE RACE 😭

↳ user giiiirrlll, not only did he look HELLA (he's he's much taller in person holy shit), he was literally attached to y/n's side whenever he could be it was so cute 😭

↳ user omg yes and this was ALL week too !

↳ user ALL WEEK !?!? you mean to tell me he was there for sprints AND quali and I NEVER NOTICED 😀😃

ynusername added to their story ! • 1hr

seen by p_rocky, ast_jinjin, and 2 024 923 others

eunwoo.o_c

liked by fernandoalo_official, ynusername, and 1 989 232 others

eunwoo.o_c so incredibly proud of you my love, i always am 💚

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user excuse me while I go cry in that cold and dark corner for a sec

ynusername my whole support system, I love you so much chacha 💋

↳ eunwoo.o_c I love you more princess 🥰

↳ user chacha ??? nah that's actually really cute 😭

user they're literally both the most randomest, and adorable couple of the century.

comments have been limited under this post

𔘓. 𔘓. 𔘓.

taglist: @minkyungseokie @dreamyzhou @treehouse-mouse

[harrysmmm]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧

Fanfiction: The Relics of Hogwarts (CLICK THE LINK BEFORE READING THIS)

Draco malfoy x Y/N Riddle (f!reader)

A/N: First chapter of the fanfic! It took me a whole week to write this, and a whole week to create the plot of the story. This chapter sets the tone for what is to come - more draco and the reader's interactions will happen in the following chapters. I am beyond excited to be posting this, I hope you guys enjoy it - I really had the best time writing it (it helps me deal with reality which I very much thank). Also, two things before you go and read it: one, my mother tongue is not English, once again, so forgive me for any mistake or wrong word that I might've used; two, every paragraph or conversation that is written in italic is a flashback (I think it was clear but just to be hella clear). That's everything for me to say... also you don't know the amount of research I've had to do in order to be precise on every description, family line, Hogwarts system... it's crazy the number of tabs I've opened during the creation of all of it. Last thing, I have never done this before but if you'd like to be on the taglist for each time I post a new chapter, put it in the comments or write me an inbox and I'll gladly do it! I'm going to try to do my best and post a chapter every week - two would be ideal. I tend to write pretty long chapters so it takes me a lot of time to finish them. I'm going to stop writing, this is becoming addictive. Love you, this fic is for all of you out there.

W/C: 4.3K

masterlist here

Summer was about to come to an end. It was pouring rain in the Scottish mountain range; a wild, twisted, ravaging storm that left a lifeless valley at its steps. Someone was rushing through the vast hallways, crackling footsteps as he was approaching the stone gargoyle. He whispered in a low, hoarse voice: “Cockroach clusters”. A stoned spiraled staircase revealed itself behind the statue, he marched them upstairs.

At the top, a wooden door was slightly opened revealing at its gap a dim light and an overwhelming heat. Under this particular weather, there was a need of a fireplace.

The professor stepped in the headmaster’s office.

“Severus,” Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the Wizarding School, Hogwarts, greeted the man, “what can I do for you in this, rather hectic evening?”

“I –” he stopped, having been interrupted by a loud thunder, “have some news from You Know Who.”

Dumbledore froze for a moment. “Ah!” he uttered, heading towards his centered desk, and sitting down. “Tell me what you know.”

“You Know Who’s daughter is supposedly coming to Hogwarts this year.”

“How is that possible?” Dumbledore seemed confused.

“He has gotten back in contact with her, after seventeen years,” Snape said in a monotone voice of his range. “I have been told to keep an eye on her.”

The storm was heavily attacking the gleaming windows.

“This is no coincidence - I suppose you know that, Severus.”

“I… assumed.”

“Voldemort has something in mind – something that involves the school – or Potter.”

“The child has always been in his sight, why would it be that now he is looking to get to him by sending his abandoned daughter off to school while she has a cursed bloodline herself, it seems a little…odd… from my perspective, Professor.”

“You’re right, Severus - but we need to be en garde.” Dumbledore was looking all around his desk seeming to try to dismantle this new information. “Does the girl know why she’s coming?”

“It seems like she does.”

“U-huh,” he replied. “Well, the link between Draco’s commended mission to kill me and the arrival of Voldemort’s daughter is evident; he’s trying to gain some presence within the school.”

“And,” he continued, “the girl and Draco have known each other merely from birth, they’ve grown up together as siblings, haven’t they, Severus?”

“I wouldn’t use the word siblings, Professor – as far as I know, they roughly consider each other cousins.”

“Right, right, cousins…”

“Professor,” uttered Snape.

“Huh?”

“What should I do?”

“Well,” Dumbledore got up and walked towards the animal that was gripping a stand cage. It was an elegant phoenix; he had crimson feathers covering his entire body and a long golden tail resembling that of a peacock. His name was Fawkes. Dumbledore caressed the animal as he continued, “you have no choice – she will have to attend this year at Hogwarts. In fact, she will directly be put into Slytherin, that way your task will be eased.”

“If I may, I don’t think she would’ve been sorted into any other house, giving her lineage, Professor.”

“Right, descendant of Salazar Slytherin, right…” Dumbledore didn’t seem to be there, his thoughts spiraling up, trying to find the connecting factor.

“I see you… pensive” said Snape in return.

Dumbledore moved from the bird to the East of the room and stood next to the recollection of memories bottled up in glass jars.

“We both know, Severus, that Voldemort doesn’t hold any sort of affection towards his daughter; he’s incapable of it.” He frenetically moved to the West of the room. “That girl has been raised by Druella Black, mother of the living Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy. The girl has never had any contact with her father, nor her mother for that matter.”

“If I may ask… what happened to the mother?”

“Well, no one knows what happened to her; no one even knows who she is. Voldemort hasn’t had any known-of partner in his life.”

“Right,” replied Snape. “Although the girl has, so it seems, a tight relation with the Diggory family.”

“The Diggorys… Cedric Diggory? The boy that Voldemort killed during the Triwizard Tournament?” inquired Dumbledore.

“Indeed. She’s presumably close to his father, Amos Diggory, who works in the Ministry of Magic.” completed Snape.

“How?”

“I don’t know, but she will come to the school as his niece, omitting her last name Riddle.”

“A façade.” Dumbledore had a lost look.

“Yes.”

“There’s a lot of things that we can’t grasp, Severus. You will keep an eye on her, I will deal with the rest.”

“As you wish.”

Snape turned around, swinging his cape as he moved to the door.

“Severus,” Dumbledore called him, before he could walk away, “Hogwarts is, once again, being threatened. This time, it might be the last time”. He looked at his hand, a black dark magic had scattered through most of it.

Snape understood his words but didn’t reply.

A black figure made his way down the enchanted staircase.

ྀ࿔

The hallways were full of students. Bustling chatter about summertime and vacations was spreading around the walls of the entrance hall. First years were arriving in canoes through the Great Lake that surrounded Hogwarts while upper years were progressively making an entrance, after getting off the Hogwarts Express.

She noticed the attunes of most students. Black robes seemed to be the official uniform, with varying colors on the hood, sleeves and the edge of the front depending on the student who was wearing it. At the front of it, there was a patch in accordance with the colors of the robe – she assumed it was the house patch of the student. She particularly laid her eyes on the green one, the one who seemed to have a snake in the middle. She knew that Father had attended the school – and even if she was mostly ignorant about the school system and supposed houses, she knew her father had been a green-robed student.

Snape started to climb up the Grand Stairs, she followed him. Various students and professors were hectically going up and down the stairs, making her have to pay attention to not brush shoulders with any of them. Snape was not looking back at her, swinging from side to side as if he knew seconds ahead who was going to go up or down.

Her mind wondered back to the reason why she was there; to the mission Father had commended her to do. She had heard about Wizarding Schools, Hogwarts in particular, since nearly her birth. However, Druella never wanted her to get mingled with academic wizards and witches, fearing for her life as a Riddle. That last name did not follow any welcoming reception in the Wizarding World. But after Father’s come back, things have changed all around.

She couldn’t help but travel back to the moment it all started.

“F-father?” she called him, pitch black consuming the entire room of the Malfoy Manor.

She could hear him moving. Hollow wooden floorboards slowly crackling at his steps. She could also hear his snake hissing - that’s how she knew he was standing in front of her.

“Child,” he finally said with a whispery, throaty voice, “I missed you.”

She felt two arms making their way to her ribs while slowly tangling behind her on what seemed to be a hug. She didn’t move, shivering of horror.

“My daughter.” She felt the air of his voice in her ear, making her swift breathing be noticed.

She understood that he knew she was afraid.

His arms were no longer wrapping her, and she felt how he was circling her by the crackling wood yet again.

“How have the Blacks been treating you?”

She gasped.

“Fair enough…Father.”

He seemed to have moved to the other side of the room.

“And the Malfoys? The young boy, Draco, is he nice to you?”

She tried to relax her breathing.

“He is - they all have always treated me as one of their own.”

“But you’re not one of them, are you?”. He moved closer to her again, as she felt his snake sliding next to her foot.

“I-I guess I’m not.” She could’ve sworn she saw a monster in front of her. She closed her eyes tightly.

“Your stay with them might’ve been enjoyable, but I’m afraid you must leave.”

Something in her stopped when she heard those words.

“Where?” she inquired.

“To the Diggorys.”

“I don’t know who they are.”

He was standing in front of her. She could sense it.

“They are nice people that will take you under their roof – now, I need you to befriend them, become one of them. You will need to take on their last name.”

She didn’t say a word and let him continue.

“I need some things that lay within the walls of Hogwarts; some things that someone wants to steal.”

“Harry Potter,” she whispered, not being able to contain herself.

“Do not mention his name!” he raised his voice, and she could feel his face almost touching hers.

She nearly started sobbing.

“You don’t get to say his name in front of me, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He leaned back some inches from her. “Some objects that are in the castle belong to me. I hid them so they would be safe - but it has come to my attention that they might be in danger.”

She kept listening.

“When the time comes, I will need you to go to Hogwarts as a Diggory and bring those objects back to me. You will be fully awarded for the act,” he paused, “and gain your place by my side.”

She heavily breathed when she heard that. After all those years, her father was offering her a chance to make him proud, to honor her last name, to have a family.

“What are these objects?”

“You’ll must bring me the cup of Helga Hufflepuff, the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw, the locket of Salazar Slytherin and the sword of Godric Gryffindor. All of them make the Relics of Hogwarts.”

“Now,” he continued, “you will leave to the Diggorys tomorrow morning. I will be back to tell you when you will attend Hogwarts.” He paused. “I’m afraid I must leave you now, dear girl.”

“Father?” She needed to ask.

“Yes?”

“Who is my mother?” she asked away. She figured that now that he needed her, he couldn’t hurt her for asking.

The seconds that lasted the silence lingered in her like a death sentence.

“Your mother ran away as she had the chance. I would be tarnishing your name by speaking of her.”

She knew that wasn’t the truth; she sensed it in his voice.

“Did you love her?”

He breathed heavily; he was getting tired of this conversation. He swiftly approached her once again.

“Love does not exist. Don’t let them bewitch your mind.”

And just like that, he vanished through dark smoke.

ྀ࿔

“Hogwarts. What a pathetic excuse for a school,” Draco snapped. “I’d pitch myself off the Astronomy Tower if I had to continue for another two years.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Pansy Parkinson, close friend of Draco, replied.

“Let’s just say, I don’t think you’ll see me wasting my time in Charms class next year.”

Draco, Pansy and Blaise were sitting down in a wagon of the Hogwarts Express. Draco knew it was his last time returning to Hogwarts. He also knew his biggest stress this year was not going to be about returning good grades home or beating Potter in the Quidditch finals. The Dark Lord had commended him a very important mission, and now that his father was facing sentence in Azkaban, he had to bear with the responsibility of the family’s loyalty towards the Dark plan.

Blaise blurted out a small chuckle to Draco’s words.

“Amused, Blaise?” the blonde boy replied. “We’ll see just who’s laughing in the end.”

Draco heard a noise coming from the rack above their seats and saw his bag having slightly been moved. Someone was eavesdropping on the conversation through an invisibility spell, and he bet on bloody Potter. He didn’t talk much after knowing the conversation was not confidential. In what twisted pathetic adventure was Potter trying to be the hero on this time? His blood was boiling by just having to pretend not knowing he was there. That tosser that everyone always praised – he wouldn’t last two days in his position. After all, life was not about heroic acts, corny speeches, and lucky fate – some people had been given a family name to respect, an expectation to be met. He thought, once again, about the mission that had been commended to him by the Dark Lord; how his wand would have to end the life of the greatest wizard alive; how he would go onto History as the man who assassinated Albus Dumbledore. He realized his hands were sweaty and his heartbeat higher than normal. He tried to keep his composure in front of everyone in the wagon and fixed his gaze on the rich green Scottish fields – clouds welcoming him to a thunderstorm.

ྀ࿔

“Ah! Y/N Diggory! Come in, come in…” Dumbledore greeted the girl in his office.

“Thank you,” she replied, following Snape. She didn’t take too much time to have a look at the curious, but glamorous place.

“Do you fancy my office? I must admit I am really fond of collecting peculiar objects,” he approached a table where all sorts of outlandish things were scattered. She noticed the blackness of his hand when he grabbed one of the objects, “I don’t always know what they do but I find them really unique as room decoration, don’t you think?”

“I’m sure being the headmaster has its advantages when it comes to decorating.”

“Oh, being the headmaster has plenty of advantages, Miss. Diggory,” he replied in a whispery tone.

“Now, you, as a new Hogwarts student, have also a lot of advantages;” he continued, “First of all, you are skipping from year one to year six, so you won’t have to bear first years’ Potions on how to make a cure for boils or first year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts on how to cast an Expelliermus.”

You simply nodded.

“Then, Professor Snape has told me that you’ve already passed through the Sorting Hat and you have been assigned to Slytherin, is that correct, Severus?”

“It is.”

It was not correct. She hadn’t gone through any house assignation, but she understood that Dumbledore didn’t know about it, and that Snape had probably settled her in Slytherin for a reason – therefore, she didn’t question it.

“Wonderful. An ambitious, clever girl, I see”.

She smirked at him. She bet he was not by any means a Slytherin himself.

“Lastly, I assume you have all this year’s textbooks, ingredients, plants, constellation maps, perhaps? Oh! I assume you have a pet by now! And a wand…”

She looked at Snape, knowing that she hadn’t bought any of those things herself. Except for the wand that she got at Ollivanders when she was eleven, after Druella had told her she would get a private tutor to teach her magic.

“She has,” Snape simply replied, without giving her any look back.

“Then everything seems to be settled. How are you feeling, Miss. Diggory?” Dumbledore deeply stared at her. This time, she felt like he really wanted to know the answer.

“Really honored to join the school, Sir.”

“My door is always open for any visits. Never underestimate the magic of being listened, Miss. Diggory.”

She nodded and followed Snape downstairs, thinking she was probably never going to step into that office again.

Snape and Y/N arrived at the dungeons of the school, where the Slytherin dormitories could be found. Snape turned around to talk to Y/N.

“All of your things are in your dorm, number 3, all the schedule and times are also in your dorm, the password to the common room is pure-blood… don’t want you sneaking after ten p.m. or you could get… into trouble.” His intimidating black eyes were on hers. He turned around with a swing of his cape.

“Oh,” He turned towards her again, “supper starts at six.”

She was alone in the castle for the first time. She uttered the password on a low voice and a bare stretch of stone wall opened, leading her to a corridor. Once she walked through it, only lightened by torches hang up on the stone walls, she arrived at the common room. It was a high ceiling, ample room; dark green shades flickering from the multiple windows. Low backed black and dark green button-tufted, leather sofas were placed all around the room; skulls on top of tables; and dark wood cupboards. Tapestries of numerous medieval figures decorated the walls. Y/N noticed the highlighted portrait of an old man that she recognized to be Salazar Slytherin, founder of the Slytherin house and one of the four founders of Hogwarts. She knew this because she was a distant relative of his, through her father of course. She noticed she was alone and headed directly to her dorm.

Her dorm was a five-bed room with one bathroom. She recognized her bag next to one of the beds. On the side table, she found a pile of textbooks; she started leafing through some of the books: Advanced Potion-Making, A Guide To Advanced Transfiguration, Flesh-Eating Trees Of The World… Her eyes wondered to the parchment at the right where her schedule and attending courses were shown. She started to read through the different school norms and times when she felt something brushing her leg. She startled at the contact when she saw a small black kitten going under her bed. She kneeled and grabbed it, putting it on the bed. The kitten had big emerald eyes that were looking into hers, as if it had some sort of human spirit inside.

“You must be my pet, huh?” She grabbed it again and looked to confirm the sex. “A Miss… Should give you a name, shouldn’t I?” She laid down on her bed caressing the kitten on her chest, thinking of a name for her. She realized that it was the first time she let herself sink down and relax since her arrival. A lot of thoughts were constantly crossing her mind telling her to focus on everything, to plan everything, to think about everything – it was exhausting. Exhausting… she came up with something.

“Your name is Exhonia. What do you think?” she asked the kitten as if she was going to reply. The kitten was scratching her jumper.

“Okay Exhonia, don’t get too ahead on yourself.” She grabbed the rather turbulent cat and placed it next to her on the bed.

The only time she had ever dealt with a cat was a the Diggory’s house, near Ottery St Catchpole. Cedric’s pet had been a brown and white cat, a rather upset one she might add, especially when Cedric was not around anymore. She had gone to the Diggory’s a month after the boy’s death when Father had asked her to.

“What can I do for you, dear?” a middle-aged man, short and plump opened the door of the cottage.

“My name is Y/N, Sir – is this the Diggory’s house?”

“Yes, yes… what is it that you want?” he wouldn’t entirely open the front door, as if he didn’t trust the world outside.

“I came to talk to you. I was really close to Cedric.”

The man seemed to freeze.

“And I was hoping to come and meet you since you would’ve been my father-in-law”.

And that is how she managed to spend a year living under the roof of the Diggorys. Amos Diggory fully believed her when she told him the story of how she was supposed to marry Cedric once he would end the Triwizard Tournament; how they had wanted to wait until the end of it to tell his parents. She told him, through a little bit of sobbing, how her parents had dropped dead on a car accident, being herself a muggle-born, and that the only family she had left was the Diggorys – even if she had never met them before. Amos and his wife found in her a beam of light; the spirit of Cedric in a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl. They never questioned the story, nor her intentions and adopted her as a Diggory that had always belonged in the family. It was not until one year later that Y/N shared with them her dream of attending Hogwarts, as Father had contacted her back and told her it was time she fulfilled her mission. They accepted with little objection, happy that they could spoil a girl as they once did to Cedric. Y/N, as a sign of gratitude, asked them if she could inherit their last name, to which they happily agreed. She became Y/N Diggory, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, as she told them it would be more appropriate taking into consideration that no one knew about her planned marriage with Cedric. Even if Y/N didn’t really want to get mingled in the Diggorys life, she knew they were living in delusion, desperately looking to fill the void of their son’s death – which Y/N, in a way, managed to do. They were in need of a miracle, she offered them the fairiest of fairy tales… who cared if it was all a script of lies at the end of the day?

Her thoughts came back to the present moment when she heard a bell chiming the hour. Six, so she counted. She decided to go down for supper, still curious that no students had yet come to the common room.

She walked up the stairs and dived through the hallways, meeting no one on the way. When she started to hear some familiar voice she recognized as to Dumbledore’s, she followed it, understanding she was somehow late to some sort of first day speech. But in the middle of her wanderings, an old-wrinkled man with a cat yelled at her.

“And what do you think you’re doing lurking in the hallways?” He firmly grabbed her by the arm.

“I was looking for the Great H- let go of me!” she replied, trying to get rid of his grip.

“The headmaster will hear about your wanderings, young lady!” He dragged her towards the doors of the Great Hall. Both doors slammed open when he pushed them with his bare hand. Dumbledore’s speech was immediately interrupted. Hundreds of eyes turned towards the old man’ and Y/N’s direction.

“Headmaster, sorry to provoke such an entrance but I found this girl wandering around the castle, missing the opening ceremony” he gave her away to everyone in the room. He pushed her forward so everyone could see who he was screaming about.

She stood at the beginning of the corridor between the students’ tables. She looked ahead, Dumbledore standing up in a podium, several professors sitting down behind him and, of course, a few inches away from her, long tables filled with students of different ages, different houses, staring at her like she was the most bizarre specimen. She decided to say something.

“Sir, I-“

“There’s no need, Miss. Diggory,” after her last name had been dropped, all students started to look at each other, mumbles starting to form, “you can join your table with the other Slytherin students.”

She didn’t reply, hearing how the room had become a cloud of voices at this point.

“Thank you Argus for the help. But, Miss. Diggory was just lost, being this her first day at Hogwarts.” The voices intensified. “Now, while it is always very joyful to welcome new students, I must ask you to stop the chatter.” Students seemed to listen to him, and seconds later there was little to no sound.

Y/N sat down on the first free seat at the Slytherin table, still feeling like half of the students’ gazes were settled on her. Once Dumbledore had proceeded with his speech, she discretely took a look on the people that surrounded her. Four large tables divided the Great Hall, one for each house. Her gaze wondered through the Gryffindor table, looking for a certain scared-boy. She of course knew about the prophecy, as well as she knew the history between him and her father. She had thought about eventually meeting Harry Potter but never really figured how she would react to his presence. Should she hate him, pity him, fear him? The boy was her age – which didn’t leave a lot of room for fear. But she was still curious to see how they would react to one another, even if the boy was unaware of who her father was, as well as everyone. She guessed she would eventually meet the chosen one during class.

Her eyes turned back to Dumbledore, who was finishing talking, when someone pulled their arm towards her.

“They are calling you from there,” a dark-haired boy told her, while pointing to the other side of the long table.

She switched her focus to look for the person who was calling her. A blonde boy tilted his head down to meet her gaze. He playfully tilted his eyebrows while a smirk made its way to his face. She smiled at him while slowly shaking her head. It was no other than the heir of the Malfoys himself. He stared deep into her eyes a little longer, then shifted his gaze back to some Professor that had started talking. She looked at him a little longer, letting herself feel for no more than five seconds the accelerated heartbeat that she was still unfamiliar with. She eventually switched her gaze back to the Professor too. The Slytherin heir was back at Hogwarts, and this time, she had the Prince of Slytherin by her side.

part two

[vampiric-succulent]

OUAW EP 53:

Spoiler warning!!! I’m being so serious right now as this is a pretty lore heavy episode. This contains spoilers.

Also, I am losing my MIND.

When they are in the Beneath and giving their stories to the Oracle: will Torbek ever get that back???????? That’s so important, it’s the entire reason he’s here, I actually don’t think this story will go on if Torbek is unable to remember the inspiration for why he’s on this journey.

Plot-wise I am WORRIED.

Does this mean that the other is just gone??????

This is so consequential like there are so many consequences for these actions YOU GUYS

also Frost’s story was SO SAD to have lost like that was so cool

Other notes: Nikkie is ofc the biggest Coalecroux shipper I love it, also there’s so much good chaos

This episode is a great mix of chaos and LORE

THE WOOD ELF—-

I. Forgot about the Speech Bubble effect that Torbek has. Holy shiiiiiiit. Andy you genius.

Frost being a proud nudist and Gricko’s legs being fused together is hilarious

“I TRIP AND LAND IN FROSTY’S LAP”

THE DUKE????????? DUKE?????????

Good god this is crazy. They all forgot the the goddamn Torbek lore and now they have to catch up but they’re NOT catching up and it’s so ANNOYING

Wait how much do they still know/remember????? UGH THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING

Knowing Rich, Kremy is going to tell a really emotionally important story relating to Gideon and then Kremy’s gonna forget it. Goddamn.

Ouch. Gideon doesn’t remember his dad anymore. Yikes. Can the Feywild stop stealing memories??

A hesitation about taking this memory? What, the other ones weren’t enough to warrant hesitation?

“Get on it, fanfiction” WILD

Something coming to the Inn at the End of the Road? Or just a scene of comfort OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT HOLY FUCK OH MY GOD

TWIG IS BABA YAGA????? AND THE INN AT THE END OF THE ROAD IS BABA YAGA’S HUT???????? AND THE CAULDRON IS RIGHT THERE????????????????

WOAH. WOAH. WOAH. BABA YAGA STILLS THE HAND

Also does the fact that it’s a PUMPKIN tart mean anything????? Is the connection im making to the guy they took this quest from (Madrick Roslov, I think his name was) a valid one to make??????????

Twig is an agent of, or maybe is herself, Baba Yaga. This was foreshadowed? or shown? when they visited Morgana (the version of Zybilna that is stuck in time) and she “fixed” the Twig doll and told the party that it was made by her Grandmother, who was revealed to be Baba Yaga. I didn’t pick up on that.

Nikkie is SO GOOD at storytelling oh my LORD

Damn, Gricko. Damn.

OPERA TIME!!!!!! That’s where Burly is!!

Ohhhh. Opening Night. Mother of Puppets.

ONE MORE TO GO NO GUYS COME ON!!!!! ONE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Level 6 is death, you guys would only be at level 4!!!!

YEAH THERE WE GO MEET CUTE STORY TIME— oh. Oh no he’s. He’s gonna forget it isn’t he. Fuck. RICHIE STOP

“But yknow friends to lovers is also really good” 😏😏

Oh I thought this was gonna be Coalecroux, but wow this works too

REMI GAROU / BARON SAMEDI IS DESCRIBED MIGHTY SIMILAR TO MR GIDEON COAL

TWIN BRAIN COMING IN CLUTCH RN

That was perfect. Thank god that it’s not a Coalecroux thing he’s gonna forget.

They’re all so GOOD at STORYTELLING ffs I’m going to lose my MIND

THE RED AND WHITE WAR AND THE JABBERWOCK 😮🫵‼️‼️ OPE nvm I was wrong

PEGASUS???? THE BARN OWL??????? 13???????

HUH NO COME BACK WHAT DO YOU MEAN

Wait. Okay. So the Barn Owl is of the King of Hearts (if I remember right, that’s what he turned into after the party first met him). The unicorn became Pegasus became the barn owl. The lightning storm, which we now know was an illusion, was involved. Red and White are here again, and we know the Red and White War happened. This is probably larger Dungeons and Dragons lore that I don’t know. I am REELING.

Goddamnit I promised myself I would do things at the end of this episode!!!!! I can’t just go straight to the next one but oh god do I want to

[swiftieblyth]

Y/N Crane: No I’m Not

Warning list-

hunger games warning, abusive family, mother died in childbirth with the twins, Arachne, Coriolanus Snow, Dr. Gaul, violence, and murder.

I think that’s all, let me know if there’s more!

Word count- 2153

Please like and reblog thank you!

The train came to a stop and Y/N quickly got up, grabbing her things. She snuck out of the train and was met with the smell of coal and dust. She looked around and got scared of the looks the angry miners were giving her. She made herself small, holding her injured arm as she quickly made her way to the woods where she could stay for a bit. She wished more than anything that she had Coryo there with her. To hold her, to tell her that everything was going to be okay. That she was safe and that no one would hurt her as long as he was there. But he’s not here, and now everyone and everything could and will hurt her.

 Y/N was almost to the woods when she felt like someone was following her. She spared a glance and saw a guy covered in coal following her. She was scared for her life and started running to the woods.

When she got there she ran deep trying to hide away, losing him the further she got.

She was just about to give up when she heard a familiar voice.

“Lucy Gray?” she whispered to herself. She got closer and the voice got more clear, making her run to it.

“Lucy Gray!” She yelled, running up to her. “Lucy Gray!”

“Y/N?” Lucy Gray asked, putting her guitar down, and getting up walking towards Y/N who slowed her running. “Y/N?” She asked again as Y/N came to a stop, tears staining her face as she panted.

“I’m so happy to see you.” Y/N cried, looking at Lucy Gray.

“Y/N? What… What happened? What are you doing here?”

“It’s a long story.”

“What happened to your arm?”

“My father got mad at me and broke it. I had no choice but to run away. He was going to kill me.”

“Why couldn’t Coryo do anything?” “Coryo got sent away to basic training for 20 years.” Y/N cried.

It had been a month and you were staying with Lucy Gray and the Covey. You missed your brother and the Snows. But most of all she missed Coryo.

Her arm had healed along with her other injuries she got during the games. But nothing could heal the heart that was broken inside of her. The only thing that could was Coryo, but she would never see him again.

She was out in the fields alone with one of Lucy Gray’s guitars thinking about the last time she played hers. She was sitting in Coryo’s bed, just started a new song. One she never got to finish, one that her boyfriend loved.

She strummed along as she thought of the moment, playing that song as she cried.

“Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned

Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"

I'm having his baby

No, I'm not, but you should see your faces

I'm telling him to floor it through the fences

No, I'm not coming to my senses

I know he's crazy but he's the one I want”

“Y/N, you ready?” Lucy Gray asked.

“Yeah.” Y/N sighed, getting up and walking with Lucy Gray to perform with her and the Covey at the Hobb for the first time.

“Is it hot in here?” Maude Ivory asked as the crowd cheered. “‘Cause we’re plannin’ on heating it up a set more. The one, the only, Lucy Gray Baird!”

The crowd cheered as Lucy Gray made it to the stage as Maude Ivory left, making Coryo smile to see Lucy Gray was doing okay. 

“Well, hey there, District 12, did you miss me?” Lucy Gray asked. “I bet you never expected to lay eyes on me again. And, let me tell you, that goes both ways. But I’m back. I sure am back!” She smiled as someone handed her a bottle. “Oh! Is that bottle there for me? Oh, come on y’all. You know, I gave up drinkin’ when I was 12.” She explained taking a sip, then tossing the bottle. “It’s to clear my pipes, y’all. To clear my pipes. Now, how about a song, huh?

Can’t take my past

Can’t take my history

You could take my pa

But his name’s a mystery

Nothing you could take from me 

Was ever worth keepin’ 

Oh, nothing you can take Was ever worth keepin’

Can’t take my charm Can’t take my humor 

You could take my wealth

‘Cause it’s just a rumor

Nothing you can take was ever worth keepin’ 

Oh, nothing you can take was ever worth keepin’ 

Thinkin’ you’re so fine 

Thinkin’ you’re in contro

lThinkin’ you’ll change me 

Maybe rearrange me

Think again if that’s your goal.”

As Lucy Gray was singing she met eyes with Coryo, making her smile wide, thinking about what her friend is going to do when she sees him and finds out he’s here. “All right, all right,” She let out, settling down the crowd. “Thank you very much. I sure did miss you! But tonight we have a very special guest with us,” she smiled looking at Coryo. “We have a very good friend of mine here with us tonight. And she’s going to play a song for us tonight. One that she wrote for a special someone.”

Coryo watched very intently waiting for the next person to come on stage. But who he saw was something he was not expecting. It was Y/N. He felt his heart clench and skip a few beats. Y/N was alive. The love of his life was okay and alive. She looked a little then, but otherwise she looked healthy again. Coryo was ecstatic to see that the love of his life was alive, and here in 12 with him. But not just that, that she was in the same room as him again.

Y/N got out on the stage with the guitar and got to the microphone starting to play.

“I forget how the West was won

I forget if this was ever fun

I just learned these people only raise you to cage you

Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best

Clutching their pearls, sighing "What a mess"

I just learned these people try and save you

... cause they hate you

Too high a horse

For a simple girl to rise above it

They slammed the door on my whole world

The one thing I wanted

Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned

Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"

I'm having his baby

No, I'm not, but you should see your faces

I'm telling him to floor it through the fences

No, I'm not coming to my senses

I know he's crazy but he's the one I want

Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid

Tendrils tucked into a woven braid

Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all

He was chaos, he was revelry

Bedroom eyes like a remedy

Soon enough the elders had convened

Down at the city hall

"Stay away from her"

The saboteurs protested too much

Lord knows the words we never heard

Just screeching tires and true love

And now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned

Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"

I'm having his baby

No, I'm not, but you should see your faces

I'm telling him to floor it through the fences

No, I'm not coming to my senses

I know he's crazy but he's the one I want

I'll tell you something right now

I'd rather burn my whole life down

Than listen to one more second of all this griping and moaning

I'll tell you something about my good name

It's mine alone to disgrace

I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing

God save the most judgmental creeps

Who say they want what's best for me

Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I'll never see

Thinking it can change the beat

Of my heart when he touches me

And counteract the chemistry

And undo the destiny

You ain't gotta pray for me

Me and my wild boy

And all this wild joy

If all you want is gray for me

Then it's just white noise

And it's just my choice

There's a lot of people in town that I

Bestow upon my fakest smiles

Scandal does funny things to pride

But brings lovers closer

We came back when the heat died down

Went to my parents and they came around

All the wine moms are still holding out

But it's over.

Now I'm dancing in my dress in the sun and

Even my daddy just loves him

I'm his lady, and oh my God

You should see your faces

Time, doesn't it give some perspective

No, you can't come to the wedding

I know he's crazy but he's the one I want

I'll tell you something right now you ain't gotta pray for me

Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy

He was chaos, he was revelry

If all you want is gray for me

Then it's just white noise, and it's my choice

Screaming "But Daddy I love him!"

I'm having his baby

No, I'm not! But you –

Should see your faces

But oh my God you should see your faces”

As Y/N started his heart fluttered when he recognized the song, but then when she said ‘I’m having his baby, no I’m not,’ confusion only grew. But it didn’t last long. Before he knew it, she made eye contact with him, and his eyes held so much love as her whole face lit up with life and hope as she looked at him. 

He saw the tears in her eyes as she longed to be with him again, to hear him, to be held by him, to kiss him stupid. And he couldn’t wait for that, but for now they would have to enjoy each other from a distance, as it seems that that is all that they can do.

“I love you,” he mouthed, making her smile, and nod as she sang.

As Y/N was singing she willed herself to look around the crowd after a while. And as she was looking around she was met with the most magical, and wonderful sight. The love of her love.

There. Right there, only a few feet in front of her. He was there, and he was real. He had a buzzcut, and had bulked up a little bit, but he was there. 

She felt the life come back to her body as the tears welled in her eyes as she longed to be with him again, to hear him, to be held by him, to kiss him stupid.

“I love you,” Coryo mouthed, making Y/N smile, as she tried not to cry while she sang a song she wrote about him.

The crowd applauded when she finished, but she paid no attention to them, too busy smiling at the love of her life. As long as she was looking at him, everyone and everything else disappeared to nothing. 

 “Great job pretty girl!” Someone yelled, knocking Y/N and Coryo out of their moment to look at him. “You’re such a pretty girl,” he explained, slithering his way up to her. She recognized him as the guy from the mines and fear grew in her eyes.

“Billy Taupe!” Someone yelled, but Y/N didn’t know who, too scared by the guy heading towards her. “Billy! Billy!” 

The guy made his way to her, and put his hands on her, making her flinch in fear. “Oh you don’t need to be scared of me, sweetheart. I just want to play with you.”

“Get….. Get off of me!”

Coryo saw red as this guy was scaring his girl. Before he knew it, he was heading to him and punching him in the face, knocking him down and away from his girl. 

“Stay away from my girl!” Coryo yelled, beating the guy to a pulp.

“Coryo!” Y/N cried.

“Don’t worry baby, he’s not going to hurt you!” Coryo explained, punching the guy over and over again, as the whole place started to break out into a fight. “Get off of my girl! You’re scaring her!” Coryo yelled.

“Coryo!” Y/N yelled, as Coryo turned all his attention to her.

He cupped her face in his hands, making her melt into his touch. The touch she’s craved for so long.

“Did he hurt you baby?” Coryo asked, a softness in his voice, concern in his eyes.

Y/N shook her head, and looked at him as a tear fell. “I missed you. I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too, baby. I missed you too, so much!” Coryo was about to say more but the fight in the bar was getting worse, and Sejanus came to pull him away.

“Come on. We gotta get outta here.”

tag list here

Tag list: @uglyfish3rman, @Edb954, @joyfulyouthlover, @Warlike-morning, @melodyoflove99, @thatgurljen, @winter-solstice24, @Phoward89, @shadowolf993, @clearpoetryobservation-blog @mizuki80 @jacesvelaryons @mimitoupe01

[small-tragedies]

(Click on pictures for better quality)

Lisa Simpson lay on the rooftop of the Simpson house, gazing up at the starry night sky. The cool breeze rustled her hair as she sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. She had always found solace in the stars, but tonight, even their twinkling beauty couldn’t lift her spirits.

Suddenly, a strange, triangular figure materialized above her. Bill Cipher, with his single, glowing, and mischievous eye, floated in the air. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” he said in a voice dripping with curiosity. “A troubled mind seeking answers in the cosmos?”

Lisa sat up, startled but not entirely surprised. She had encountered many oddities in her young life but was still weary. “Who are you?” She asked, her voice steady despite her surprise.

“I’m Bill Cipher, a muse of sorts,” he cheerfully replied, tipping his top hat. “There’s a crazy amount of ‘weird’ energy surrounding this place, and I thought I would check it out.”

Lisa gave the one-eyed little creature a flat look. “And why did you appear in front of me then?”

“I’ve been watching you for a while, kid, and I think out of all these meatsacks here, you’re the most interesting one.” He said as he gave her a wink—but since he only had one eye, it honestly just looked like he blinked as if he had something in it.

Lisa grimaced. Well, that was creepy. She was pretty sure he was trying to be flattering toward her, but she didn’t quite think he understood social cues.

“So if you’re some kind of ‘muse’ then what makes me so special?” She asked while she crossed her arms over her chest in skepticism.

A fascinated glimmer twinkled in his eye. “Ooh, skeptical, huh? I like it!” His one lone eye looked around, seemingly lost in thought. “Well, then let me tell you why I’m here~ I appear to those who are troubled, those who think outside the box.” He said while spreading his arms out before pointing at Lisa. “And you, Lisa Simpson, are quite the outside thinker.”

Lisa raised a brow, slightly concerned with him knowing her full name, but responded with a flat. “Uh-huh.” Well, that was a first, since not a lot of people commend her for her ‘outside thinking’.

Bill floated closer, his eye narrowing in a conspiratorial manner. “Kid, I don’t know if you know this, but you got a lot of inner turmoil going on. You’re at a crossroads, aren’t you? Something about college and your mother giving you a hard time?” He said sounding not unlike a mentalist—whom Lisa knew more than not—could be con artists. 

Lisa’s shoulders slumped as he hit the nail on the head. She sighed. “Yeah. I don’t really want to go to college. I feel like it’s not the right path for me, but my mom... she just doesn’t understand. She thinks it’s the only way for me to succeed.”

Bill chuckled softly. “Ah, college-schmollege, who needs it?!” He said it with a wave of his hand. He sobered up a little, becoming slightly serious. “You see, Lisa, you and I aren’t so different. Let me tell you a little story. I came from a place called Euclydia, a flat world with flat minds and flat dreams. I was different, always thinking beyond the confines of my dimension. My ideas made me an outcast, but they also made me who I am.”

Lisa listened intently, an unsure light reflecting in her eyes. “...Why… Why are you telling me all of this?”

Bill said, his voice growing more animated. “Because your outside-the-box thinking is what makes you special~ College isn’t the only path to success. You have the potential to carve your own way, like I did. Stick with me, kid, we’ll go places.” He winked, “I’ll make it worth your while~”

Lisa looked at him and commented dryly. “‘Worth my while,’ huh? Maybe I should go to college.”

Bill’s eye narrowed just a smidge. “Well, I can see you need time to think about it.” He floated down, reached into his non-existent pocket, pulled out a crisp one-dollar bill, and placed it into the palm of her hand, using his much smaller hands to close her fingers around it. “If you ever want to see me again,” Bill continued, his single eye narrowing playfully, “just hold this bill up to the light. You’ll see the color-shifting ink and some other strange symbols. It’s a little trick of mine~”

Lisa examined the bill, noticing the intricate details and a pyramid with an eye on it. She looked back up at Bill, who was already starting to fade away.

Bill tipped his hat once more. “Until then, I’ll be watching you.” He said in a chipper tone. “Always watching~ And remember, reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy crypto, bye!” With that, he vanished into the night, leaving Lisa alone with her thoughts and the twinkling stars above.

****

Notes:

(Whatever is blue and underlined is a link)

The two manips were made by my sister, @twisting-echo Thank you, sis. They look fantastic!

So... I'm not going to lie, I've secretly shipped Older!Lisa Simpson with Bill Cipher ever since I watched the Bill Cipher cameo in the Bart's in Jail! episode back on October 3rd of 2021, and in light of "The Book of Bill" and BillFord craze that's sweeping the internet, I thought that I'd share my mini-fic idea of how Bill and Lisa met based on the events of the Mother and Child Reunion episode.

The reason I ship them is because Lisa is often portrayed as an outcast in Springfield due to her outside-the-box thinking and intellectual pursuits. Her interests in science, literature, and social issues frequently set her apart from her peers and even her family. Her struggles to fit in due to her progressive views and high intelligence make her similar to Ford Pines in a lot of ways. And Bill’s attraction to Ford Pines was primarily driven by Ford’s intelligence and curiosity. Ford was a brilliant scientist and researcher, which made him an ideal partner for Bill’s plans. Bill saw Ford as someone who could help him unlock the mysteries of the universe and achieve his own goals.

🚫IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THIS SHIP, PLEASE DON'T COMMENT OR REBLOG🚫 🚫PLEASE DO NOT STEAL OR REPOST MY SISTER'S EDITS🚫

[winterlynightlystories]

The two sides of the same coin

Pt.1

Tw; mention of murder, gang activities

Do not copy or steal my work please

Fraternal Takemichi/twin brother, future Mikey/Male!reader

Summary; Takemichi learns he has a twin brother who was abandoned at birth. What a surprise when his brother can see in the future, but is also the leader of another gang. And his total opposite.

Note; The good old cliché of the good and evil twin! Making the title pretty literal. I love all those myths and legends about twins so here it is! (also sōchō = leader :)

This story might be around 3 or 4 chapters because I am a potato 🥔 and this story is becoming waaaaay too big to be posted in one part. Because This is just an “introduction” and yet it's almost 2000 words.

Also, the reader can see in the future (24 hours in the future, all the possible outcomes), unlike Takemichi who travels in the past from the future. They are literal opposites.

~~~~~~

Takemichi’s hands shook as he held the picture he just found in one of the cardboard boxes filled with memories of his childhood. The Time traveller felt like going crazy. Because his world was now falling apart. All that he believed was put in question with that simple picture.

It was the day of his birth. Such a simple, classic picture. Except he wasn't the only baby. There in the arms of his mother slept two newborns. On one of the bracelets, Takemichi found his name, but it was the second which stole all his attention.

His mother had found him and immediately screamed at him when she realized what he had in hand. The dispute turned sour when she refused to answer Takemichi’s questions and tried to take the picture back. Too blinded by his anger, Takemichi hit her before running away. He didn't stop until he found Mikey and Draken at the dojo. There, all the captains and more members sat in the steps and all around the place, talking.

The second Takemichi saw his friends, all traces of anger vanished, replaced by a broken heart and a hole in his chest.

- “Mikey! Draken!” screamed the teen, catching their attention.

- “Hey, Takemitchy!” screamed back Mikey, getting off the steps and waving at him.

Takemichi saw Chifuyu rise to his feet, saying something he could not hear, but the next second the three of them ran to meet him. Unable to contain his tears anymore, Takemichi broke down crying and fell on his knees.

- “Oi! Takemitchy, what's wrong?” asked Draken, grabbing the teen by the shoulders

- “I... I have a brother.” sobbed Takamichi, showing the picture. “They all lied to me and my mother refused to tell me anything!”

Mikey took the picture and they all looked at it, at the newborns holding hands and sleeping peacefully.

- “Holy shit, dude! You're a twin too?” exclaimed Angry before his brother slapped him behind the head. “I mean... It must be a shock, right?”

- “And where is your brother now?” asked Mikey, his eyes not leaving the picture.

- “I don't know. The only thing she said about him was about how he was a demon’s son and a delinquent,” answered Takemichi, drying his eyes.

- “Well, if he is in any gang, we will find him. C’mon Takemitchy, get on your feet man.” said Draken, grabbing the teen and forcing him up. “We are going to give you a hand.”

- “R-really?” asked the blond, eyes tearing up again.

- “Of course! Right Mikey?” cheered Smiley.

But their leader said nothing, eyes focused on the picture. Mikey seemed lost in his thoughts and probably didn't hear them. But the expression of worry in his eyes said another story.

- “Hey Mikey, you good?” asked Draken

- “His name is Y/n... Right, Takemitchy?” questioned Mikey, ignoring his best friend

- “Huh, yeah? Why?”

- “Because there is a gang leader known as The Spider whose name is Y/n. And you two do share some resemblance.”

There was a heavy silence that Takemichi didn't understand. Hope filled his heart and eyes before he seized Mikey’s arm.

- “Do you think it could be him? Really him, I mean?”

- “Say, ‘mitchy? Did you ever heard of Tokyo’s Oni?” asked the young leader, turning his head toward his friend.

- “Huh, no?” replied Takemichi, at lost.

- “Wait, Mikey! You can't be serious? That guy could be our Takemitchy’s twin?” gasped Draken

Mikey only nodded before putting a hand on Takemichi’s.

- “Tokyo’s Oni is a pretty violent gang. They have a lot of blood on their hands and are said to be affiliated with the Yakuza. They use to have little groups everywhere in Tokyo. They recently got a new leader. Most people refer to him as The Spider.” explained Mikey.

- “It's said no one can touch him!” added Angry

- “Almost as if he knew your moves before you even decided them.” added Smiley.

- “Didn't they retract in Ginza?” asked Chifuyu

- “Last I heard, yes,” replied Mikey.

Takemichi almost stopped listening to the conversation when he heard the twins describe his possible brother. Could it be? Maybe... It was almost impossible, because what would be the chance that you two were time travellers?

Takemichi also had no memories of your supposed gang. Naoto also didn't mention them. But he needed to find you. Maybe it would be a mistake or maybe you could help him make things right. Especially after Baji's death, Takemichi realized he needed more help.

- “Mikey? Does it mean...” began Takamichi, but was interrupted by his friend.

- “Let me see if we can find their true location, then we will go find your brother Takemitchy!” exclaimed Mikey, giving him his biggest smile.

Naturally, Takemichi jumped at Mikey, hugging his friend and crying on his shoulder.

Sitting in the backroom of a bar, you listened to the music playing. Eyes closes, you still kept your attention on your Captains' gambling. The smell of cigarettes mixed awfully with the one from their drinks. You felt a headache coming your way if you stayed longer. Yet, you had nowhere else to be and preferred keeping an eye on those fools. You didn't want any of them jumping on the others.

- “Hey Sōchō! Did you hear of the latest news?” asked your First captain, making you sigh

- “What now? Surprise me Akemi”

- “There was a huge gang fight last week between the Tokyo Manji Gang and Valhalla!”

- “And why should it interest me, Akemi? I never heard about any of them.”

- “Because there are rumours about the Tokyo Manji Gang. They say their leader wants to rule the whole of Tokyo! And you want the best part? His gang barely got one or two hundred people!”

Everyone laughed and you slowly opened your eyes. You stared at your ten Captains, waiting for them to calm down. You were unimpressed by the announcement, not even slightly worried. What could a hundred thugs do against the few thousands of yours? You had enough members to probably restore all the bases around the city but didn't want to.

Not now.

No, you still needed to be fully accepted and destroy all attempts at betrayal. It would take time and patience and some showtime too.

- “I must admit, this sound absolutely ridiculous. A single gang, ruling Tokyo? Not even the Yakuza can do it.” you scoffed, rolling your eyes.

- “Isn't their leader the same age as our Sōchō?” asked a woman, Aneko.

- “Think so.” replied her sister Hanae, finishing her glass. “I think one of his friends died during the confrontation with Valhalla. What I do know is how his older brother was the founder of the Black Dragon gang. Dude died a few years ago in his bike shop.”

- “Wasn’t his name Shin, or something like that?” asked Akemi.

The name rang a bell in your head, but you could not replace it or put a face on it. It was frustrating because you knew that name.

- “Yes! It's the short version but who cares?” replied Hanae. “I also know, from good sources, that Toman, that their surname, absorbed Valhalla after beating them. So they must have won another few hundred or so members.” she chuckled

- “Oh! I smell backstabbing!” shouted Akemi.

You smirked. It was so obvious! This was a mistake they should not make, especially with how small their gang was. It was a great opportunity for revenge or a free kill.

- “Hey, sōchō! What do you think about all of it?” asked Akemi

- “I say; let them try. We will show them what a real gang is!” you replied and they all cheered, raising their glass in your direction.

A soft knocking interrupted your discussion. With a simple ‘enter’ from Akemi the door opened, revealing Hanae's vice-captain. Bowing low, the young man excused himself.

- “Mah! What is it again? Can't we have a peaceful meeting?” complained Hanae.

- “I’m sorry Hanae-Taichō, but this is important information!” urged the newcomer

You shared a look with your Captains before turning your eyes to the young man.

- “Then go on. What information do you bring me?” you asked, curious.

- “Members of the Tokyo Manji Gang have been seen in and around Ginza asking about our location and... And about you Sōchō. Their own leader has been seen doing the same with his vice-leader.”

A heavy silence fell in the room as you slowly rose from your chair. Rage flooded your veins and in anger, you slammed your fists on the wooden table. All captains flinched, staring at you.

- “They dare?” you asked, coldly. “They win a child fight and now come for the big fish? Answer me! What do they want from us?”

- “I...I don't know Sōchō! Apparently, their leader, Mikey wishes for a meeting with you. I swear it's all I know!” trembled the vice-captain.

- “Hanae-chan, take your whole division with you and go find that Mikey. Do not engage in a fight, but get me the whole story. You have my permission to scare them.” you ordered, not leaving your eyes off her vice-captain. “You go with your Taichō and will report to me the second they talk.”

Bowing again, the vice-captain left the room, followed by his captain.

With a deep breath, you calmed yourself before adding;

- “Keep an eye out for them. If they search for trouble, you all know what to do. I want a clean job and nothing left behind.” after they all silently agreed to, you dismissed them. “Same time tomorrow. Hopefully, we shall all have more information and will discuss what to do next.”

Once you were alone, you sat back in your chair and closed your eyes. After calming yourself enough, you Activate the visions.

Almost like a curse, you could see up to twenty-four hours in the future and all its possibilities. You only had yourself to blame for that. You should have believed the old homeless man and not killed him. But it was so useful! You finally had a roof above your head, money and now power. You were only a teen and yet you controlled the future of those around you! You enjoyed the fear and respect they all had for you.

The first image appeared before your eyes; schools, homework, meeting and nothing useful. Over and over the same path appeared, barely different. Then, you hit the jackpot.

Hanae and her vice-captain bowed to you and her words had you shocked. So much that the vision stopped and vanished.

- “I have a brother” you gasped, hands gripping your head. “I have a twin.”

[treasar]

Hiii ( to anyone idk haha ) I am quite new to this app and came to know that there are many writers here and so are readers. I just want to upload a story, which writes out of boredom coz I want to know it is good or bad I mean like I know my writing is suck but, can't help :) I would be over the moon if you do give me your feedback an honest one of course! enjoyy! :)

A twisted tale

Prologue

“ and every time he leaves me lone “

“ he always tells me he misses it “ 

“ he wanna- “ 

“ Sweety, you’ve been listening to it for about three hours. “ Her mother suddenly burst into her room, startling the smiley girl. 

“ You scared me, Mom! I thought you were going grocery? “ The girl titles her head in confusion. 

“ Well, I was about to go but remembered that I have to cook for Grandma. “ Her mother says, taking out something from her drawer. ‘ That means… she is there all the time. Oh god, please tell me she didn’t hear my voice. ‘ she widens her eyes. 

“ It’s a new song, Mom. “ She awkwardly blurs out, receiving a nod from her mom. “ Where did I put my gloves? “ her mom whispers and then, leaves. 

“ That was close. I will instead read Webtoon now. “ She sighs, jumping on the soft mattress while opening her laptop. As soon as it’s opened, she gets a notification, saying 

A new chapter of DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR is up.

view / later

_

“ Wah, the chapter is shorter day by day and the drama is getting interesting. Why can’t Hybe release a film of that so that we can watch it all in one go? “ She dramatically cries and pouts.

She is about to close her laptop but, a certain something catches her attention.  

Click to download DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR

The girl frowns, feeling confused. ‘ Is it a virus? I have never seen this link in other chapters before. Am I seeing things right now? ‘ 

‘ Should I? ‘ She is debating whether she should click that link or not. In the end, her curiosity wins and would probably be grinning if it had a face. 

processing…

Please wait for a moment…

//////////  45%

“ Sweety, time to go to bed! Don’t make me come to you. You have school tomorrow. “ Her mother shouts from the kitchen. “ I will, Mom. I am downloading something. After that, I will go, Mom, “ she shouts back. 

She turns back to her phone and is met with a black screen. ‘ Huh? ‘ 

She immediately clicks the phone screen, thinking that the virus is already in her laptop. A young boy appears on her home screen, her favourite idol automatically a smile appears.

Without thinking twice, she taps the app and scrolls down. Strangely, it’s completely fine and there is no link at the end of the chapter. ‘ Okie, that’s strange. ‘ She thinks.

‘ Maybe I read Wattpad too much this morning that I am seeing things now?  ‘ She sighs. “ I swear I will be gone crazy if their concert also continues like this. “ She mumbles, switching off her lamp, and preparing to sleep.

“ Good night, world. A great tomorrow is waiting for me. I love myself. “ She whispers before falling into a deep sleep due to her tiredness. 

Just then, 

Your installation is completed!

100 %

Taps to view

_

“ Good morning, teacher. “ she greets the teacher, who she meets at the school gate. “ Morning, Yon. “ The teacher smiles in reply. 

“ Yon shiiii, “ someone calls her and she recognises the voice immediately, it’s her best friend, Sojo. “ Hey, Soju, “ She greets back but, meets with a welcome slap on her shoulder. “Yeah, how many times do I have to tell you that it’s Sojo! Not Soju! “ 

Instead of getting a reply from Yon, the other girl gets a giggle from her. “ Yeah! “ Sojo pouts. “ Sorry, no sorry it’s suited you well, Soju shiii, “ Yon says before running for her life. 

“ Euntae, help me, “ Yon says with a really wide grin, hiding behind that girl. “ What happened- “ 

“ YON!! “ Euntae facepalms after hearing a certain someone’s shout, feeling not surprised but disappointed. “ Not again. “ she mumbles under her breath. 

Not too long, an angry yet annoyed Soju-I mean Sojo appears, ready to attack her sweet friend yet enemy while Yon is using Euntae as a shield as if they both are about to start world war three.

Ring Ring

Well, this time, the bell saves the not-so-scared girl, named Yon. “ You better give strawberry smoothie not else say goodbye to your plushie. “ Sojo grins evilly. “ Noooo! Not my Layla, “ Yon dramatically cries. 

“ Fine, I will get you one. But, no tiger plushie then, “ Yon sticks her tongue, then walks into her classroom without seeing Sojo’s reaction. 

She doesn’t need to see them since she’s been friends with them for five years. Correction, best friends.   

“ Noooo- “ Sojo doesn’t have time to be dramatic since Euntae is dragging her. “ Let’s go! We are going to be late. “

_

    “ Alright, don’t forget to review this for tomorrow's quiz. I wouldn’t like to see one of my students didn’t pass it. I want all pass, okie? “ All students groan in reply. 

“ Alright, class is dismissed. “The teacher says while gathering all of her things. 

 “ Finally, lunch timeeeee! “ someone shouts with joy despite the teacher still there and then, one by one disappear into the cafeteria. Yon is the only one left in the classroom along with her class teacher.

She is also about to go grab her lunch. “ Yon? “ 

“ Yes, Miss Kim? “ her class teacher suddenly calls her, startling the girl a little. “ Can you take this to the library? “ She says while handing a thick yet old book to the girl. 

“ Of course, Miss Kim. What should I say or maybe where should I put it? “ The girl takes the book and carefully embraces it.

 “ Just give it to Miss Jang and tell her it’s from me. “ The girl nods in reply. “ Please excuse me, Miss Kim, “ she bows before she leaves. 

As soon as she opens the door, she is met with really familiar faces, who are no other than Sojo and Euntae. It’s normal for her because they always wait for her to go get lunch together. 

“ Let’s go? “ Sojo says and the girl shakes her head as a no. “ Sorry, I have to give it to Miss Jang. I’ll catch you up later. Don’t wait for me. “ She says, feeling a bit sorry. 

“ Okiee, you better hurry or else your food is mine. “ Sojo sticks her tongue in a teasing tone. “ We’ll wait for you there. See ya, “ Euntae drags the childish friend for the second time. She nods in approval. 

They all part away to go to their respective destination. It didn’t take long for her since the library is just four rooms away from her classroom.

Just as she is told to do, she goes straight to Miss Jang’s desk. But, she is not there. 

‘ She must be having lunch right now. ‘ She thinks. She places the book carefully on her desk and looks for someone to hand a message to. As expectedly, no one is here.

She gets a yellow sticky note and writes a message before sticking it on the desk. When she is about to join her friends, a sudden thing caught her attention. It’s her laptop. 

‘ I thought I handed it to Miss Kim? ‘ She frowns. It isn’t like that laptop is not allowed at school here. It is allowed only when it comes to computer science classes. But, it goes the opposite when it is a phone.

If they are not allowed to use laptops, they have to give them to their room teacher so that they can focus on their lessons without distraction.

Ding!

“ I thought I switched it off too…? Wait, I was seeing things last night and now hearing things? “ She whispers, feeling more confused.

Without her knowing, she grabs it and opens it, wanting to check whether she is really imagining things or not. Much to her surprise, there is no sign of an opening laptop.

Just then, her laptop’s screen is glitching. It gives her goosebumps. Its glitching noise becomes louder and louder, causing her to cover her ears. 

Everything around her is shaking non-stop as if there is an earthquake. She immediately reacts to it and hides under a desk with a laptop in her hand. 

When everything is calmed down, a message appears on her screen.

Unknown

Be careful, dear! 

Ding   

Unknown

Watch your surrounding.

She tilted her head in confusion. ‘ What? ‘ ‘ What is that? ‘ ‘ Is it a virus? ‘ Many questions are popping up in her mind. But, a loud noise snaps her out of her thought. 

Her head immediately turns to it. “ Who is there? Miss Jang? Is that you? “ She shouts, letting her guard up. She waits for a reply but, she gets none.

She stands up slowly not letting her guard down. She feels like someone has passed behind her. “ Who is there? “ 

No reply again. 

“ Who is it? Please show up or else I am reporting it to the principal. “ She tries to threaten although she is scared. Her leg is trembling so badly.  

Her eyes are wandering around, hoping to spot that person. Much to her surprise, she spots a book, that lying on the ground in an opening position. 

Despite being afraid and scared that she will get hurt, she takes a step slowly toward it, using all her strength. 

It's a leather book with golden decoration and seems like it’s an old book due to its old papers. 

She carefully picks it up and looks up at its place. But, there is no blank space strangely if it falls from the bookshelf while shaking. 

Just then, she spots a black shadow in the corner of her eyes. “ Who are you? “ She approaches slowly yet quietly. But, it disappears quickly. Yon doesn’t let it go this time. She chases after it. 

Without her notice, she reaches the middle of the bookshelves and still, there is no trace of that person. Her doe eyes scan around the room, but still no hints. 

Much to her surprise, a pair of hands pull her, covering her mouth, giving her no time to react. That is when a light flashes in front of her eyes and then, a thick black fog covers her. 

She feels like someone is choking her as she is struggling to breathe. Suddenly, she has been pulled again as if her soul and body are connected to their original place.

She grasped for air, unable to balance herself. When her breathing rate is normal, she looks up and meets with a familiar yet unfamiliar person.

A woman in her twenties looks at her confusedly. She appears to be kind and gentle. Her green suit along with the white soft scarf makes a perfect match with her hazel eyes. 

“ Are you okay, Alex? “ The woman spoke up in concern. ‘ Alex? ‘ The girl thinks. ‘ She is familiar. Where did I see her? ‘ The girl glances beside her. The place looks like a school but not her school and it’s oddly familiar.

“ Alex? “ A woman’s call snaps her out of her thoughts. “ Yes, ma’am? “ She answers with hesitation. “ What happened? Are you not feeling well? “ 

“ I am fine, ma’am. “ The girl smiles, assuring her. A woman checks her from head to toe, trying to find something wrong. But, none. “ Alright, I have told you what you have to know. Here, it’s your class timetable. “ She says while handing the girl a paper. 

“ Thank you, ma’am, “ she bows despite feeling confused. “ This will be your room, Alex. “ Both of them are in front of a certain door. Yon nods in reply. “ Alright, that’s all, I guess. Hope you will do your best here. “ 

“ Welcome to Decelis Academy, Alex, “ she smiles before walking away. The girl is so shocked due to a familiar world that the book and paper, she is holding are dropped to the ground. 

‘ Decelis? It can’t be… ‘

plz I must be out of my mind thinking people will read this and like this- I am so delulu-

To read next chapter \^o^/

[yourlocalartsonist]

ROTTMNT Moths Fly In Packs - Chapter Eight

A/N: I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG OH MY GOD. I genuinely didn’t expect it to, chapter 8 was supposed to be way shorter but uh yk my brain didn’t like that apparatnly. So now it’s uh 10K words. I think it’s genuinely worth the wait and read tho so hey, alls well that ends well or something. I’m gonna try to be faster with updates now. I’m FAIRLY CERTAIN chapter nine will be much shorter or at least nothing crazy like 8 or 10k. But what I can guarantee is chapters 10-13 will most definitely be short and lead up to the grand arc finale of chapter 14. We’re getting pretty close to it and I’m literally vibrating from excitement but no spoilers. Anyway enjoy the chapter! :D

Credit to: @sweaterrat and @yosajaeofficial for being my beloved beta readers! This story wouldn’t be able to have the quality it does without them so please give them some love and check out their ROTTMNT stories too!

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Chapter One

Disclaimer: Chapter involves depressive thoughts, mentions of bullying, depressed behavior, mentions of Kr*ng, PTSD behavior, violence, very lightly graphic description of injuries, blood, and curse words. If you’re sensitive to that stuff, scroll past and stay safe!

Outside the window, you can make out a bird’s nest sat in one of the trees. It’s been here for a week now, perfectly timed with when I got back to a consistent school life. But lately, the mother’s been staying at the nest more often. I’m guessing they’ve got babies on the way, she’s probably incubating her eggs right now. I think I’ve gotten attached to them, that small family of robins. The parents are so dedicated, aren’t they? The mother especially, never leaving the nest unless absolutely necessary. 

On the contrary to my peaceful view, the classroom is noisy, hectic, and cluttered. No real science work for today so everyone’s just doing their own thing. Very loudly. Jaiden and Zane are chatting and laughing with each other next to me. I think things are better between us, I still don’t really know where Jaiden and I stand right now but at least Zane seems fine with me. Though I won’t lie, I’ve been feeling more and more like a third wheel around them. 

“Dude! I’m telling you, we have to play this game together! We’d have so much fun!” 

“I already said I would, Jaiden! Man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh like this. Shame you’re letting such a pretty smile go to waste.”

“Yeah? Let’s hang out more often then and maybe I won’t do that.”  

Like right now.

Lowkey, I’ve been feeling invisible around those two. Jaiden barely pays any attention to me, it’s as if Zane was their best friend instead of me! I mean, I know friends can drift apart, I definitely know. But still, I never imagined it would happen to us. I still don’t wanna believe that’s what’s happening. I wanna keep hope.

“And ironically, you’re being pretty quiet today, Salena. Did you two switch personalities or something?” 

“You are weirdly quiet, actually. What’s up?”

Oh lookie, I’ve been acknowledged. “Nah, you guys don’t have to worry about me. Just lower on energy than usual.” 

I went back to my routine of staring out the window like the main character in a music video. In the reflection, Zane was still watching me. With the way his eyes lingered, I had a feeling he’s not falling for my excuse. 

Seems like Jaiden’s not too worried, though. “Oh, Zane! You wanna hear about this new skate park I found?” Just went right back at it with Zane. Who’s weirdly still staring at me.

“…Actually, I’m kinda hungry. Jaiden, you mind getting me a snack from the vending machine?”

“Huh? But I wouldn’t know what to get you. N-not that I don’t pay attention to what you like! But, you know… Salena has better taste in these things! She should go-”

“She always goes.”

“‘Cause she knows what she’s doing.”

“Jaiden.”

“Guys, it’s fine! It’s fine. I’ve got this.” I didn’t want them to fight again so I got up from my seat. “Be back soon.”

Jaiden gave me their most gleeful smile I’ve seen them make in a while. I think seeing them smile makes this gesture worthwhile. Even if it’s just for a little bit.

The walk to the vending machine shouldn’t have been long, it’s not super far away. But my legs dragged on forcing each step to be slower than the last. I feel guilty thinking like this but a part of me wants this dumb walk to go on forever. I can’t stand being near them and I don’t know why! It’s not like we’ve got bad blood, they’ve both been normal towards me since I came back. So why am I acting like this? I’m seriously starting to doubt Splinter’s theory of me not being the problem here…

I approached the machine, stopping as I heard a struggling voice in front of me. 

“Argh! How’d she say these things worked again?” 

His finger pressed against the glass, tracing the code for the snack he wanted. He tapped the buttons on the screen. Nothing happened. Scratching his head, he leaned forward to read the next instructions. Finally, he pulled out a dollar bill.

…Before proceeding to insert it in the wrong way. And taking it out. And inserting it back in. And repeating the process. I can feel my soul exiting my body from second-hand embarrassment. 

I recognized the fluffy black hair. With a crooked smile, I pulled out my own wallet.

“You’re supposed to put it in this way.” I slid my bill into the slot, the granola bar he selected successfully being pushed down soon after. “Good to see you again.”

“Woah, cool!” He stared at the giant food box almost with a childlike wonder, pausing for a few minutes before turning to me. “And hey! Yeah, it’s really nice seeing you again, too.” His eyes remained locked for a while before he scrambled to hand me the bill he had. “Here! Let me pay you back-“

“No, no, no, don’t worry about it! Really! Consider it my apology for, um, last time.” 

“Apology? I mean, you weren’t the one doing anything weird so I don’t think you’ve gotta apologize.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Casey Jones Jr. I was gonna introduce myself the first time we met but, you know.”

“Salena Moni! So, how’s everything holding up? You joined pretty late in the year so if you need any help reviewing stuff I’m more than happy to.”

 

“Oh, don’t worry! It’s actually going alright. Still technically my first time going to a real school, so it’s a little bit of a challenge but I already knew most of the material anyways. I didn’t have to catch up on much.”  

“Wow, that is… remarkably impressive.” If only I handled transferring as well as this guy. “Wait, hold up, real school? Were you homeschooled?”

“You could… say that. My uncle taught me everything, he was the smartest person I knew! Just turns out it was literally everything.”

“Cool! I guess we can check grades off the box, then! So, is everyone being nice? Made any friends?”

I bit my lip as I received my answer in the form of his face freezing mid-speech. “W-well uh…”

Oh, you poor thing…

I guess he could read my face since he immediately tried reassuring me, as if he wasn’t the victim in this scenario. “I-I mean it’s not awful! A couple people were nice to me, including you! Sure, some are a little… hostile. But it’ll get better eventually.” 

“Y-yeah! It definitely… definitely will.”

And cue the classic awkward silence that stars in any first conversation. A little overdue for this one now that I’m thinking about it. 

I’m so conflicted. I know damn well he’s not gonna have the high school dream he’s probably imagining right now. No one does. I may not have been at this school for long, but I’ve been here long enough to know how the people are. April told me it gets even worse every year as cliques start getting established and people grow past the initial politeness. I’m glad she did, she never kept anything about high school from me no matter how bad it was. Nothing was in my control but at least I knew it was coming.

And here I am playing the exact opposite role for Casey. I hate giving people false hope, I hate it with a passion! But I’m supposed to, I think. In a situation like this I’m supposed to hype him up. Ignorance is bliss! Wouldn’t it just ruin his spirits if I broke the glass? 

“Anyway, it was nice to meet you! I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Y-yep! Hope things get better for you soon!” 

“Me too.”

Ugh, the guilt is eating me up! I’m acting like I’ve never told a lie in my life but it’s not that. It’s his pure mindset that’s completely fucking with my morality! 

I know to keep my mouth shut, I do. I don’t want him to hate me like everyone else does. I haven’t met someone who’s been so nice to me in this stupid ass school before, I don’t want to ruin this chance now that I finally got it. Plus, he might not even believe me…

I watched him turn to walk away. 

Fuck it, social norms are for losers!

“W-wait! Casey?” He turned back around and I nearly shit myself from fear. “So, don’t be mad but I may have um… lied about something?” 

“Uh, sorry?”

I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “Well, here’s the deal. Things aren’t really gonna get better, sorry. Or, actually! I don’t mean that extremely literally, I guess...” 

Focus on your hands, it’ll be okay. “Just… People here are mean. Really, really mean. You’re homeschooled, you’re new, and you’re nice. It’s a recipe for disaster here whether it’s today or even a year after you’ve settled in!”

I can’t even read his expression and get an idea of his reaction. He’s got a scary good poker face, I’m curious which relative taught him that one.

“Casey, please don’t take this the wrong way. I-I’m not saying any of it is your fault! Or that you need to change or do anything. I’m only saying this so you don’t have any… unrealistic expectations so to speak.” 

God, his silence is more terrifying than anticipated.

So much so I couldn’t help letting out a quiet breath of relief when he finally did speak. “You know, you’re the first person here who’s told me that.”

“…Is that bad?”

“Not at all. All my family, they never got the chance to go to school. Hell, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity. But here I am! First time in a new building with weird people and absolutely no clue what to expect. I’m usually good with surprises but this one is just so… different. Different is scary, you know?” 

I nodded. I most definitely did know.

“Anyway, you’re right that people are just mean here. I don’t even know why, I mean, I’ve met my fair share of dicks before but at least they had good reasons! We were under so much stress… But that’s not what I hate. It’s the fact that any time I tell an adult, they say the same thing over and over again!” 

“Let me guess.” I cleared my throat and enhanced the performance with my intoxicated Mrs. Doubtfire voice. “Just ignore them and give it time and it’ll magically fix itself ‘cause boredom beats bullies or some shit, right?”

“Yeah, exactly!” His laugh is like holding your parent’s hand when you’re getting the flu shot, it’s magical! “They say that to everyone, don’t they? God, what’s up with that? I’m so not used to adults lying to me.”

“Dude, what? You’re kidding, your whole community’s gotta be amazing if you’ve never been lied to by an adult.” 

“Eh, more or less… Anyway, um, thank you. For telling me the truth. And the granola bar. I seriously owe you for this.”

…I take it back, Splinter might’ve actually been onto something.

I mean, he’s a little strange, I won’t lie about that. This is the first time I’ve heard someone actually be grateful for me telling the truth. In the past it either got me isolated or in huge trouble, depending on who I was honest with. Maybe this is why I’m so used to lying. I hate it but I’ve had to do it so much. I’ve never met someone who finally lets me relax about it, not until Casey Jr it seems.

Maybe he deserves me being a little braver for a change. 

“Well, here’s a way you can repay me. By us being friends!”

…

This was a lot more epic in my head without his speechless pause. Maybe I got the vibe wrong-

“REALLY!? OMIGOSH! That would be so cool! I’ve literally been thinking about asking you the same thing ‘cause I keep wanting to talk to you but never run into you but now we can talk whenever we want, IT’LL BE GREAT!!!” Spoke too soon, he is literally shaking me by the shoulders. It feels unnatural not being on the other side of this scenario. 

“Casey, my stomach doesn’t approve of this-“

“Sorry, sorry!” He finally stopped and allowed me to remember the pleasant feeling of absolute stillness. “I just can’t believe you actually wanna be friends with me!” 

Still, his surprising enthusiasm gave me a good laugh. “Dude, it’s alright! It’s kinda more surprising you wanna be friends with me.”  

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met in my entire life, anyone who’s friends with you is lucky to have you!” 

Lucky to have me?

Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, unexpected compliments go burn in a fire but also don’t leave, it actually feels really nice. 

“Salena, are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”

“N-no, I mean, all I did was buy you a snack and tell you people are jerks. I’m not too sure I should be receiving the title of the ‘kindest person you’ve ever met’ and stuff.”

“O-oh yeah, you have a point.” He got a little flustered at that, despite it really being my fault for not being able to take compliments. “I don’t know, I mean, I still think you’re really cool. I’m just so happy you wanna be friends with me!” 

He looked like a child on Christmas morning as I tippy-tapped my number into his phone. Come to think of it, I know I’ve definitely reacted excitedly towards certain people - or turtles, I should say - but having someone do it to me? Feels kinda nice.

I looked up at the clock. “Shit. We should probably head back to class before we get in trouble.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. But hey,” his eyes closed as the corners delightfully wrinkled “it was great running into you again! Fate really wants us to be friends.”

He has a really nice smile. 

“Funny how life works, ay?”

I skipped my way back to class, mind too deep in thought to realize how fast I went.

This guy, Casey Jones, he’s giving me certain vibes. I don’t mean the creepy, stalkerish, "I need to get the hell outta here” vibes. More like deja-vu. I can’t pin what exactly, but something about him feels so… foreign yet familiar. Homey, if you may. Like a nice, warm fire in mid-winter night. It’s really soothing. 

And immediately I’m thrown into emotional whiplash as I went back inside the annoying ass classroom of teenage chaos. So much for soothing vibes. I plopped back in my desk as Zane slowly scanned me.

“You took a while. Did you get my snack?…”

…Fuck. “Sorry! I completely forgot!”

“How did you forget when it’s the literal reason you even left?” Jaiden doesn’t seem as chipper as before.

“I know, I’m so sorry. I got a bit distracted. Gimmie a sec, I’ll be right back-”

“No, wait! It’s fine, I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Really? Okay, suit yourself.” I shrugged, getting settled in again. He leaned closer to me, both confused and concerned.

“You seem happier right now. Did something good happen?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess! Just ran into a new friend.”

His face scrunched up, going back to chatting with Jaiden. I have no clue why he glared when I said that, I don’t think I said anything wrong or alarming. Honestly, bro has worse mood swings than I do. It's seriously annoying sometimes but whatever, they’ve gone back to their little bubble now so I shall go back to mine.

I pulled out my phone, greeted with Casey’s excited text already.

CJ: Hey! Not really doing anything in class so if you’re free too, text me back :D

Smiling, I let myself get engrossed in my phone, happily typing away. He’s a fun guy to talk to. His enthusiasm and bubbliness is a little surprising considering how borderline timid he seemed at first. Goes to show, never judge a book by its cover! I felt my mood lifting, less gloomier than before.

Until I remembered something he said.

“My uncle taught me everything, he was the smartest person I knew!”

Was?...

***

Ah, midnight. A time when the mentally sane and emotionally stable would be sleeping. Turns out I’m neither of those folks, I’ve got better things to do. I have weapons now but I’ve gotta actually practice using them if I don’t wanna render them useless. Besides, in bed or out here, I’m not falling asleep either way. At least this serves as a good distraction! And won’t give me a headache like my phone will.

The blades cut through the air as I twirled them, striking at an imaginary enemy soon after. 

I try not to think about life when I’m training, it distracts me too much. Sometimes I feel like Casey’s the only thing making school bearable anymore. We don’t share any classes so we text more than talk but I don’t have to do any mental gymnastics to figure out how he views me. I’m still confused as hell if Jaiden likes me or hates me and have no damn clue what Zane’s deal is anymore. He keeps staring at me. More than usual. Sure, I could always sit there and ponder for hours on end what the fuck is going on, but I doubt even that’d get any results.

The sickles, however, do show results. They feel lighter, smoother, easier to duel. I’m getting faster with them and my arms don’t feel as broken after training anymore! It’s something I can lose myself in, track the improvement. It’s so much simpler than everything else.

It keeps my mind occupied. If I focus on them, I don’t think about anyone from school or anything bad that’s happening! Or at least, I usually don't. I guess I’m thinking about it now, though…

“Someone’s training hard.”

“AHH!!!”

Immediately I jerked to turn and held up a blade in defense. However, it turned out to be a false alarm as instead of some midnight mugger I expected to see, I’m greeted with a smirking blue idiot standing in front of me.

“Woah, hey! I come in peace!” The stupid bitch held his hands up, mocking me with his fake fear. “Been a while, huh?” 

“Leo? Oh god, you scared me! Where did you even come from?” 

“The better question would be: Where did you disappear to? We haven’t gone out in like a week! You kept leaving me on read when I texted you but seemed fine in the group chat. What gives?” 

“…I forgor?”

“Really?” I could tell he wasn’t satisfied by my answer. “You just forgot to respond to me? Every single time?”

“W-well sorta. I mean, it’s nothing you did so please don’t take it personally! It’s with everyone. I’ve just been a little bad at responding to dms…” My social battery’s been so low lately I question if it’s even charged at all. “That’s entirely on me, though! I’m so sorry.”

He crossed his arms and looked me up and down. He’s doing that nonchalant poker face again, the one he does when he doesn’t wanna be read, otherwise he’s an open book. 

“You know you can tell me if something’s up, right?”

I guess he also does that face when he’s trying to read someone else. “Yeah, I know. I’m alright. It’s just… I dunno, things are a little weird but it’s fine. It’s really nothing to worry about.”

He hummed in response. I don’t really think he bought it but his eyes eventually drifted to my weapons, dropping the topic regardless. He must not wanna push it.

“Sooo, sick weapons! Where’d you get ‘em?”

“Oh, these? Draxum gave them to me!”

He gagged, interrupting me. “You met Draxum? The sheep guy? Oh, poor you! Was he awful to deal with? I bet he was! You know, like always.” 

“Oh come on, he wasn’t that bad! A little grouchy at first but in his defense, I caught him in the middle of his shift, so.”

“Please, sheep bitch doesn’t need a reason to be a jerk! He’s just an old cranky loser who spends his days yelling at kids and smuggling whatever mystic bullshit of the week he found from the Hidden City! It’s giving Oscar the Grouch, just missing the lemon. Oh wait, that’s ‘cause unlike Oscar, he doesn’t even have one single thing that makes him uncharacteristically happy!” 

“Wow, angry aren’t we?” It’s rude to laugh, but I can’t help myself around this dork. He looks like a kid who got denied an Xbox when he crosses his arms like that. “Leo, be real. This is because he threw you off a roof, isn’t it?”

“You know!? I mean-“ He laughed, trying to hide his poorly made lie. “What? Of course not… Maybe just a little but that’s not important.” 

Leo grumbled on with some incoherent noises for a minute, before cooling down and moving on from the “sheep bitch”. 

“Ugh, well anyway, if you got it from that moron, they’re definitely mystic or something, right?”

“Oh, absolutely! They’re actually super cool, I mean-“ For a good five minutes I kept blabbering on and on about the sickles and how they function and all my progress that I didn’t notice Leo - bless his heart - trying and horrifically failing to pay attention. He doesn’t really hide it well when he spaces out.

“And they- Uh, Leo, you good?” 

“…Would you be mad if I said I got like, none of that?” 

I sighed but gave a gentle smile. I knew he had a short attention span so I can’t really act like it’s his fault I forgot about that. 

“Actually, do you want me to just like… act it out instead? I think I’ve gotten pretty good at using these so I don’t mind showing instead of telling!”

He shrugged “Nothin’s stopping you. Go on, impress me!” 

Well, nothing except my nerves. But hey, it’s just Leo. If I mess up, he’ll laugh with me a bit and then I’ll just retry. No real pressure around him. I could use a progress check right now, anyway.

“Aight, so we only know two out of who knows how many powers for these things, they’re the only two I’ve been practicing. First up!”

 

I spun them around, careful to not mess up my handling. My goal is to form blades strong enough to crack a dent through the concrete edge of this building. So the sickles need to be made out of metal or steel. I usually go with metal but I do actually wanna impress him and steel’s stronger. I aimed at the edge and swung my arm forward, the sickle shot through the air and sliced through the concrete like a knife to a cake.

“OH SHIT!”

“I got it!” He teleported to catch the flying solo sickle and came right back within a matter of seconds. Oh, what I’d give to experience never having to walk again. 

“Sorry about that! They’ve never broken the edge like that before!”

“Sorry!? You’re not allowed to be sorry, that was so cool! It went clean through!” I’ve never seen him gush about something this way. I’ve gotta admit, it’s kind of adorable. “Okay, I’m hooked! What’s the other thing it can do?”

“Invisibility! But I can’t do it for long, at least not yet. I made progress, though! Went from only three seconds to five!”

“Wait, actually, back up a bit. I get that Baron Ass told you how the sickles work and blah blah blah, but how’d you learn how to fight with ‘em? Ya know, the non-mystic aspects.” 

“Oh, YouTube tutorials at first. But honestly, sickle fighting is mid so I did a lot of improv, really.”

He chuckled and eventually lost to his giggles as if me saying that wasn’t completely justified. “Did you just call an ancient form of martial arts mid?” 

“Stop judging me, I’m right! Sickles were improvised weapons. They’re good for the last resort, not the first choice!”

“I’m not judging, I’m not judging! Promise! I respect it, even!” He leaned against the roof’s edge, gradually collecting himself. “But if they’re that bad, why didn’t you ask for a different weapon? One that’s cooler and not ‘the last resort’?”

Oh boy, where to begin?

I then explained how I essentially found myself wrapped in some “chosen one” bullshit through the sickles. They still don’t work any time Barry touches them but are perfectly fine in my hands. It’d be pretty dumb to pass up these weapons for a different one, even if sickles aren’t the coolest thing to own. Although, he’s definitely acting like they are judging by how intensely his eyes are staring at them. They’re sparkling brighter than I thought eyes realistically could. 

“Well, now I’m offended! Mystic mystery sickles that do all kinds of glowy stuff for you specifically? How could you not tell me about these sooner!? They’re so amazing!”

“I know, I’m real sorry, Leon.” He’s joking around, his tone’s too light to be mad. But I do still feel bad for accidentally ignoring him like that. “Anything I can do for you as an apology?”

“Well…” His smirk revealed that thing was the main reason he came here in the first place. “We could make up for the lost time and go on a run together tonight. It is a weekend so you’d still have tomorrow and the day after to rest up. But hey, that’s just an idea…”

It's Friday again. Just like the first time we did this.

He held out his hand as an offer and I took it with a grin. “You make a convincing argument.”

And off we went, dashing through the night. It’s a bit humid today so the wind from sprinting so fast is greatly appreciated. Not to mention my speed is so much better than before! 

The daily restrictions of civil life can go suck my dick and feed my liver to their uncles ‘cause oh my god nothing beats this feeling! No one else is here, no one who could stop us! Sure, jumping off roofs isn’t the safest way to have fun, but everything else in my life is already so safe! I’m allowed to have this one thing, this one moment to be free.

I’m so distracted that I didn’t realize I’m actually giving Leo a run for his money this time! Hehe, run. God, I’m so funny.

“Looks like you can actually keep up with me now!”

“I know, right!? It feels fucking amazing!” 

Judging from his mischievous ass face, I probably should’ve kept my mouth shut. “I don’t mean to burst your bubble but…”

 A blue light appeared as a hole ripped in the sky and the lovely piece of shit went right through, appearing again somewhere way ahead of me. “I’m still faster!~”

“Hey! No portals allowed!”

“Uh, last time I checked, portalling is totally allowed.”

“Says who!?”

“Says me and I’m leader! Whatever leader says goes!”

To add insult to injury, he doesn’t just portal himself. As I’m trying to catch up to him mid-jump, the jackass opens a portal right under me, sending me back even further than I already was with no time to recover. 

“Leo, you cheat!”

Bro’s giggling his ass off as he blinked in and out of sight. I’m no different with how sore my face is, so I can’t even pretend to be mad. 

Instead, all I can do is try my best to speed up and catch up, plotting my revenge in the meantime. Easier said than done, that dude’s faster than the Flash right now since he’s, ya know, portalling. Doesn’t help that he keeps appearing right next to me every few minutes just to taunt me and disappear again.

A few minutes into our little cat and mouse game though, I lost track of him and he hadn’t shown up in a while to pester me. So, I started calling out his name, trying to look for him. You’d think it’d be easier to find a 5’5” giant, green turtle man but I guess they wouldn’t be ninjas if that were the case.

“Leo? Leo!? Le- Huh?”

I finally found him. But instead of the shit-eating grin he gave me earlier, he’s silent and still behind the edge of a roof, his back facing me. It’s starting to freak me out a little, he looks like he’s going fucking Blair Witch mode. No words, no witty remarks, nothing. Just ghostly staring at whatever the view is. Only thing I can see from here is a museum. 

“Hey, Leon, you okay?”

“Shh!”

With his eyes still fixed up ahead, Leo took my hand and guided me forward. He eventually looked at me and nodded towards the street below us. Gazing in that direction, I saw a large purple truck with the logo of that one weird shoe store I browsed a few years ago. From what I’ve gathered these past few weeks, big trucks mean bad news. 

But maybe that’s not what I should be focused on. Standing near the truck were two people, their skin an unnatural shade of purple. One’s large and brutish, the other tall and slender. They’ve got foot marks on their faces and flames on their bald heads. Exactly how Mikey described…

“The Foot Clan.”

He nodded. “I don’t understand, those guys were all turned into Krang during the invasion.”

Sorry, what? “You’re sure it was those two specifically? I haven’t heard about any cures or vaccines for the Krang victims on the news. It’d make headlines if there were.” I haven’t heard anything about them for a while now that I think about it.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He leaned closer to the edge, as close as he could get without getting caught. “They’re parked a street away from a museum, the hell are they up to now?” 

I mimicked his actions, trying to hear the Foot people better. The slender one’s on the phone, sounding frustrated. He’s doing that whisper-yelling thing people do when they wanna be mad quietly to avoid societal shame. 

“Yeesh, someone’s having a bad day.”

“You can hear them?” Why does he look so confused?

“Yeah, can’t you?”

Leo shook his head. “Whatever, what are they saying?” 

I cocked my head to the side, spying in on their conversation.

His voice is scratchy, a little sore on my ears. “What do you mean you can’t get it off? Just bring the whole thing and hurry! We can’t risk alerting anyone!” Neither of us can tell what he’s referring to, unfortunately. The Foot dude avoids naming it. 

I looked back at Leo scanning around for any clues. He stared at the back of the museum for a minute before his eyes widened. “I know where we are. It’s the Historical Society Museum. Donnie mentioned wanting to come here once.” 

“I think I’ve heard of it. Isn’t there a lot of ancient stuff in there? Like, from centuries back?”

Nodded again. He’s being unnervingly quiet, considering it’s Leo. He stared at the clan, then at the museum, then back at the clan. He looked… scared. Scared in a way I’ve never seen him before. I felt my hand being subconsciously squeezed. I didn’t even notice he hadn’t let go in the first place.

…I have to help him.

I readied myself for whatever his idea was, no matter how outlandish or risky it may seem. “Alrighty, what’s the plan?” 

“Right.” He hesitated, before gripping his katanas and turning back. “…The plan is for me to portal you home, kick some Foot ass, and pick you up so we can continue our run.” 

WHAT!?

“What do you mean ‘portal me home!? I’m not leaving!” I was prepared for anything, but this!? “We just stumbled across the Foot Clan who are for some reason not freaky alien zombies and messing with ancient artifacts that do who knows what!”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m sending you home before your adrenaline junkie ass can do something stupid.”

“And what makes you think I’d do that!?”

He held up my scarred left arm and stared at me unimpressed.  

“…Okay, that’s a low blow even for you.” 

Though as much as I hate to admit it, he kind of has a point. I sighed. “Alright, tell me. If I leave, will you at least call your brothers to help you out?”

“Yes!”

“Leo.”

“Fine, I lied.” The steel fucking balls of- “But still! I’ll be okay! I’ve gone against them plenty of times before.”

“Doesn’t mean you’re invincible!”

Before I could say anything more, I heard the sound of a truck starting up. I looked down and Leo followed my line of sight to see the Foot getting ready to drive. 

Shit, they’re getting away!

“Okay, okay! Listen, I promise, I promise I won’t run off on my own and do something dumb this time. Anything the leader says goes! Just please let me join!” I can’t leave him alone!

I could sense him debating on what to do. His eyes look so conflicted, there’s definitely more than what he’s telling me. Nevertheless, I’m not budging. I don’t wanna sit at home being useless and worry the entire time.

He took a deep breath in, and let out a loud sigh. He looked at me with a defeated smile. “I’m not getting rid of you, am I?”

“Nope.”

“Alright, fine, but you’re sticking close.”

Before I could celebrate too much, I felt the ground beneath me disappear into bright blue light. Not anything sudden, more gentle really. Even then, I felt disoriented with my feet going from firmly grounded to touching the air! Not to mention how light my whole body felt. Gravity did a complete 180 and I got flipped around, landing under the truck. 

I nearly lost my grip but a hand on my back kept me in place long enough for me to recollect myself. Leo portalled us here.Well, obviously he did, it just caught me off guard again. It’s not really too bad going through his portals but it sure is a fucking trip when it’s unexpected. Either way, it got the job done. 

They drove for quite a damn while. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience having to cling on to the bottom of a moving truck as the only scents to breathe in were that of oil and gasoline, but we probably looked super cool! My ears disagreed but oh well. They parked in front of a mall this time. Not just any mall, the fucking World Trade Center! We’re literally on the other side of the city, what on Earth could they need here?

I wanted to follow them in but Leo was against it. He said it’d be safer for us to spy from a distance for now so we went to the roof of a neighboring building, looking in at them. The Foot are on one of the higher floors, almost seeming like they’re scavenging for something. 

Leo’s trying to figure out another way in for us. I still don’t understand why we didn’t just follow them. I know Leo’s not a total reckless nutcase or anything, but being this cautious felt a little unlike him. 

“Hey, look, I don’t mean to shoot your own words back at you or anything. But you know you can tell me if something’s up, right?” 

For a split second, he looked different. His eyes were dead, his lips shut and neutral. He stared at me but he looked so… lost. Empty. 

And then his smile returned, face back to normal. Or at least what he convinced me was normal. I’m not so sure anymore. He flicked my forehead again. Even softer than the first time he did it. “Stop worrying so much! You’re gonna give yourself a chasm worse than Raph’s.”

I didn’t know how to take it from there. So I just watched him.

He eventually decided on portalling us into the building’s vent system. It’s a little cramped but was the only place we can eavesdrop without being immediately spotted. Though honestly, I don’t mind this one bit! I’m controlling the impulsive adrenaline ,however, he didn’t say shit about internal adrenaline! I can’t help it if stealth makes me giddy!

“Hehe! It’s like we’re in a movie!”

“Love your enthusiasm as always but remember to not get too caught up in it.”

I momentarily shoved my excitement to the side as we both tried listening in on the Foot Clan. The skinny dude, who I now know to be the Lieutenant, is barking orders at the rest of the soldiers scouting around while talking to the giant Brute. 

“You disabled the cameras, correct? You know we can’t make it any harder for them!”

“Of course I did, it’s a no-brainer! Why’d ya have to ask it like that?” Woah, villain or not, his New Yorker accent is one to admire! “You know, sometimes I feel like you think I’m just stupid and nothin’ more.”

“Oh, don’t start now. Focus on finding good metal. The sooner we finish this the better.”

Hearing his raspy voice makes my own throat itch a little. I lightly clawed at it, trying to not make too much noise as I moved. 

I leaned a little closer to Leo “What do you think they need metal for?” 

“Not sure. Could be to make more soldiers or something? It’d be a cool upgrade from their paper soldiers.”

Leo’s tone seems a little lighter than before, I’m glad to hear him joke around again. “They could make paper soldiers?”

“Yeah! And they’re completely sentient, one of them even became besties with Raph! Anyway,” he pointed down at a handful of soldiers collecting metal artifacts “they’re probably trying to make those origami soldiers again with something stronger.”

“But how would you fold metal?”

“Beats me, Mikey would know more on this. He’s figuring out how to recreate whatever spell they used so we could get some help with patrolling. Word of advice though, salami origami does not work as a substitute.”

“No shit. Who’s bright idea was that?”

“...You don’t know him.” His guilty face says it all.

We were giggling a little too loudly, I suppose. One of the Foot dudes stopped and started listening for our voices again. He shrugged and moved on soon enough. I didn’t realize I was covering my mouth till I let myself breathe again.

“We should probably be a little quieter and take this stealth thing more seriously.”

I nodded in agreement. He’s not upset, honestly he’s struggling just as much as I am to choke down more giggles. It’s like we’re hiding under a blanket during a sleepover pretending we’re not awake in front of the parents and not in a likely life or death situation spying on the black-magic cult. I’m trying my best but it’s already hard enough to keep my adrenaline addiction in check and Leo being here makes it worse in the best ways possible. 

Still, I don’t wanna know what happens if we get cau- What was that creaking sound?

CLANG! 

It would seem those were not really sturdy vents. 

You know that moment from the Ice Age sequel when the vultures surround the main cast with hungry, devilish eyes ready to feast on them at any given moment? Yeah, let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if the Foot Clan randomly bursts into song about “glorious food” full on broadway musical style.

“Uh… Hey, fellas! Long time no see, am I right?” Despite his demeanor, I caught the real reason he raised his hands. I reached back for mine as well.

A sheath of metal filled the air as Leo took his katanas out their case, perfectly timed with the Lieutenant’s new orders.

“GET THEM!” 

“Run, hide first then get the stolen thingie if you can. I’ll keep ‘em busy!” Leo charged into the fight, holding them off to make sure they couldn’t get to me.

Unfortunately, there’s like a bajillion of them that can easily outnumber us. I’ve learned to be quite a slippery sprinter but even then two already managed to block my path.

Now would be a good time to turn invisible!

“Come on, come on!” I could barely get the sparks to even start spreading. Turns out stress is a huge fucking factor I neglected in my training. 

I wouldn’t have minded if it just took a few seconds to work but the real issue was I couldn’t keep it working. I didn’t even really go invisible, just sorta flashed in and out of transparency for a few seconds! The only reason I haven’t gotten caught yet is ‘cause these two morons are too busy laughing at me.

“Is that really the best you can do!? Whoever you are, little girl, you’ve got your work cut out for you!” 

“Oh no! She’s… she’s… blinking like an old flashlight!! We’re so scared!”

…BITC-

Resorted to traditional methods. I made the sickles the consistency of a metal pot and threw it at one of their heads, knocking them down. The other I kicked straight in the chest while they were distracted by their idiot teammate, also knocking them down. I’d love nothing more than to give some extra special attention to them but this old flashlight’s gotta run for the shadows while they’ve got an open chance. 

A blue portal opened in front of me. “Hey Salena, so this fight’s a little more intense than I expected and I wanted to quickly check if you’re really sure about-”

“Leo, I’m fine! I’m not leaving mid-battle!”

“No, no, that’s fine! That’s great! Just a reminder there’s no shame in calling it- DUCK!”

 

Without hesitance, I dropped to the ground right as his sword swung above me to block one of the soldier’s attacks. Maybe I should let Leo handle this guy since I can’t really do much while laying on the floor. Then again, doesn't mean I can’t do anything. And also I don’t have good impulse control.

“OW!!! WHAT THE FUCK!?”

I bit on to his ankle as hard as I desired despite his pleading cries. I didn’t let go until Leo broke out of his shock and finally punched him unconscious. Fighting might actually be a really good way to get out my urges.

“Why-“

“Don’t. If it works, it works.”

I flashed a grin, got back on my feet, and bounced away. I need a better vantage point if I wanna find the stolen item, especially with the chaos over here. I quickly made my way up to the indoor balcony thingie. Terrance? The second floor? Whatever the fuck it is. I’ll have to admit, despite how absolutely pumped I’m feeling right now, it kinda feels nice getting away from the clusterfuck for a bit. I heard Leo still spamming all his dialogue options to keep the main two creeps occupied. Actually, I’m pretty sure I can see them from up here, too. 

“So, you guys are looking great! Never thought I’d say this, but I am loving the old look making a return.” His hands did more tricks than usual, keeping his swords flowing like an intricate dance. There are multiple soldiers practically hounding him yet he’s fending them off almost gracefully.

“Can’t you stupid children stay out of our way for one night! There’s great evil being put on the hold right now for your antics!”

“Hey, speaking of evil, what’s with the normal amount of eyes? Not that I’m missing the other option but- GAH!”

And yet, even with Leo’s skilled moves, he’s struggling to keep up with the two leaders specifically. I deadass would’ve been slaughtered by now if I didn’t listen to him about hiding. 

“We got some outside help. Now, stop askin’ annoying questions and maybe we’ll go easier on ya!” He swung his axe again, thankfully missing Leo.

I gotta wonder, from Mikey’s stories, they’ve fought the Foot Clan with ease several times in the past. Leo was doing fine just now, too. So why does it look like this could be his first time facing off the Lieutenant and Brute? Nobody’s perfect but I don’t think either of us expected him to lose his grace and become borderline clumsy against them.

Wait, no! Distractions! Leo can handle himself, I need to focus on my own task. Stolen thingie! But where the hell is it?

Just as I was about to think they left it in the truck like common sense would dictate, a soft, reflective red glow caught my eye. The moon was on my side tonight.

“There she is!”

Or maybe I was being too optimistic. In fairness, I should’ve known I couldn’t stay here for long.

It would be really fucking nice to turn invisible now. Sickles? No? Oh, okay, fuck me then I guess.

I hopped off the edge before they could reach me and slinked to the other side of the room, following the red gleam. Despite the sickles betraying me with horrific timing twice tonight, I got them to cover me long enough to reach the ruby ring the glow came from. The light bled past the folds of the drape covering their stolen prize. I lifted it to find a… weird mannequin bust? With arms. Decorated with several ornaments and jewelry including the ring. What the fuck are they using this for, a fashion show? 

I flinched to the sound of a loud thud paired with Leo’s groan. Flipping my head behind me, I saw him cornered against a wall, swords shielding him from the Brute’s axes.

“Okay, either you two got a lot stronger or my body isn’t what it used to be.”

I gotta calm myself down, Leo’s a trained ninja and will likely be completely and totally fine! A tiny slip doesn’t mean inevitable doom!

 

…I hope.

I turned my attention back to the mannequin thing to mentally measure its size. I’m fairly certain it’ll fit inside my backpack, it’s not too big. Just gotta get it in now.

Another sound interrupted me. This time, it was loud metallic clanking off the floor. Leo’s katanas…

“On second thought, maybe it’s both.” His weapons were away from him, too far out of reach. His voice sounded weaker, arms wrapped around his torso.

Oh no.

Neither of them were holding back. As soon as he was down, they were practically hammering at him. His arms were up, defensively blocking his head. I’m supposed to stay away from this. I’m supposed to listen and focus on my task. But I can’t stop my body from turning when I see something like this happening. 

He’s in the air now. I need to move. He’s being swung. I need to be faster. 

“Let this be a lesson, turtle. Our battles have drastically changed.”

The window shattered from the force of his body.

“LEO!”

I don’t remember ever sprinting this fast, but I was out the window right after through the very hole he created. The height couldn’t scare me if it tried. My arm outstretched, I caught him with one hand and had my sickle in the other. Careful to not dare mess up my timing, it snatched onto a power line just as my blades turned to rubber, thick enough to not get us shocked from the voltage. 

“N-nice… nice catch.”

“Thanks.” It’s harder to talk when I’m panting like a dog and trying to limit my shaking limbs.

His weight felt like it would rip my arms apart. I didn’t expect a giant muscular turtle to be light but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Still, some-fucking-how, I’m able to keep us both hanging from the wire, comprehending the fact that we’re not dead. Thank fuck for Raph forcing me to work out sessions.

“You, uh, you doing good up there? You’re breathing kinda heavily. Hey, heavily! Didn’t even mean to make that one!”

“Leo I will drop you.”

He convinced me to suffer a little longer and try to swing him, giving enough momentum for him to catch onto the side of the neighboring building. Then, I swung myself, Leo catching me to soften the landing. We scampered up to the roof, coincidentally the same one we were on a while ago. 

“And literally back to square one. Fantastic.” He sighed, clearly annoyed by our failure. His attention quickly shifted once he noticed me rubbing my sore arms. “Hey, you okay? Want me to take a look at you?”

“Me? Take a look at yourself first, idiot!” 

I’m not gonna pretend I’m not in pain, but it’s nothing close to the tragedies on his body currently. His arms are bruised and cut from the fight. One was actively bleeding with bits of glass still stuck in some places. Luckily it was the only fleshy place he took damage on, everything else was protected, albeit a little cracked.

“It’s… It’s fine. My shell took most of the hit, anyway.” This bitch. “Besides, I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

Despite his condition, he started walking to the edge of the roof, heading back towards the WTC.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“To get my katanas back.”

“Oh, no, no, no, you are not going back in there! Can’t you just make new swords or something?”

“And help the foot by practically gifting them Hamato weapons?”

“You said they’re made from your magic! Shouldn’t that protect them from other people trying to use them?”

“I don’t know, we only learned about this ninpo stuff, like, last year! I don’t know enough to be sure nothing will happen if I leave them with the Foot. I’m not doing that.”

“Well, I can’t let you go back.” I stood in front of him to block his path. “We can figure something else out but you are not going back in there! Look at you, it’d be crazy!”

“I was crazy once-” My hand shut his stupid, smug mouth before he could complete the ritual. 

“Leo, you were thrown out a window! You’re hurt!”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay! I’ve been through worse! I’m just gonna get my swords back, that’s all.” He put a hand on my shoulder and threw on a fake smile to comfort me. The blood is literally dripping down his arm as he did, defeating the point. I looked back at his eyes, not bothering to hide how furiously concerned I am. If I’m reading him right, he’s not oblivious to reality. He’s a medic, he knows it better than I do.

He took a shaky breath in. “Fine, you’re right that I’m a little hurt. But we can’t waste time patching me up, I need to get my swords! Rule number one of basic survival is never let the Foot come into possession with highly mystic material ever.”

“Then I’ll go while you take care of yourself.” 

“NO!” His head perked up as his eyes grew wider. He tried saving his initial reaction. “No way, not happening. It’s a safer plan if I go in, I’m more used to them” Safer for us or for just me. 

“And yet, you got beaten to a pulp, isolated from your weapons, thrown out a window, and are now bleeding with shards of glass sticking out your body. Did I miss anything?” He’s neglected himself all night being overly cocky and confident nothing bad would happen to him. That’s what’s led to him turning out like this! “They didn’t exactly go easy on you, Leo-”

“Then imagine what they’d do to you!”

His brows knit together, staring at me, not blinking. I guess my wish was granted since he finally stopped disguising his true fear.

“Salena, please. Stay here, I’m going in.”

I almost let him go. Almost.

Too bad for him, I yanked him by the mask tails and pulled his stunned face back to face me. 

“Hey, wh-”

“Alright, listen. I know whoever these guys are, they’re dangerous as fuck. I know I’m nowhere near as skilled of a fighter as you and I probably never will be. And I know I am way in over my head about this. But none of that matters to me.” 

He kept quiet. So I continued. “What matters is that I’m your friend. Friends don’t let each other jump into losing battles, okay? You’re hurt, Leo. Please, just let me help you.”

I looked up at the sky. The clouds are covering the moon now and should stay that way for a little while. I could take advantage of the newfound darkness. 

I stood on the ledge, mentally preparing myself to reignite the flames. Sure, I talked big about being able to handle myself and whatnot but I’m just trying to fool myself into thinking I’m not scared. If I can keep myself level-headed and use my sickles, I’ll be able to stay invisible for a short bit. If I play my cards right, that should be all I need.

I felt a hand grab my wrist. Turning around, I readied myself to once again reassure Leo I’d be fine but stopped when he put something in my palm. I recognize them, they’re tanto knives.

“Hey.” His smile is forced but not disingenuous. 

“You’ve got this.”

So off I went with the last little push I needed. The cool night air feels fantastically refreshing on my skin. Every leap leaves me more confident I’ll succeed. I have to. He needs someone he knows he can depend on. 

I scouted around and found an open window to sneak back in through. Judging by how crazy strong these guys are, my best bet is the element of surprise and for these oversized lethal boomerangs to actually work in my favor. Which they hadn’t before. But nothing’s ever hopeless. The reflection off the moon was their main source of light, with the clouds hiding it now and my knowledge of the floor’s layout, I think I might have a working plan this time.

I rushed over to the balcony I was at previously, this time being more cautious of any look-outs. There were three of them up here so I’m glad I didn’t choose the reckless route. I took my sickles out my backpack, breathed in, and turned invisible. A little harder to do since my nerves haven’t completely disappeared but it’s going smoother than before. 

I snuck up to the soldier at the back of the trio, covering his mouth and dragging him to the dark, knocking him out shortly after. His two buddies were a piece of cake after that, hit one with a blunt-force sickle and take the other by hand at the same time. No one noticed a thing. 

With the balcony cleared, I reclaimed my little sighting spot and looked over the entire floor, making note of every nook and cranny I could hide in. The clan’s focus changed since last time, they’re trying to get out as fast as possible. Seems like they’re taking Leo’s katanas with them since Lieutenant Itchy McSore-Throat was holding onto them.

“All of you hurry up! We must get out of here!”

I spotted the stolen mannequin in the distance. It’s actually not too far and surprisingly not removed. The two leaders seem distracted by someone. Perfect timing. I crept down and started taking out some more soldiers, listening in to the conversation at the same time. 

“What about getting all the mystic metal we can?” That’s a new voice.

“Forget the metal, we’ve got enough for today. We need to leave or that turtle will bring reinforcements!” 

“Yeah, sure, whatever makes ya happy, boss.” 

“You better not be questioning my authority.”

“Our authority, he means. We’ve had your type before, and they grew to be traitors. I suggest you don’t test the patience of the Foot ‘cause it’s growin’ thin.”

“Nice phrasing! Even if you shouldn’t have interrupted me.” I can’t tell if these two have workplace tension or workplace bromance anymore. “But he’s right. You’d do well to remember your place, rookie.” 

“Hey, I wasn’t tryna question anything guys. Just sayin’ maybe we should’ve planned this better in case we got caught.”

“So you may be right. We’ll keep it in mind but work on your delivery when it comes to criticism. Now quickly, go join the others.”

“Can I at least hold the magic swords?”

“No.”

She grumbled and left through the door, likely exiting the building. Her attitude was a pleasant surprise. I’ll admit, I kinda assumed all the Foot soldiers had brain-numbing levels of obedience. 

The clouds were clearing up, though. The moonlight brightened the room back up, I can’t use the darkness for cover much longer. Alas, if only I knew how to use my literal invisibility powers for longer than a few seconds but you know what? This is genuinely perfectly okay. I’ve taken out enough of them to only leave a few left standing, not to mention the majority of them are already out the building. I gotta take these freaks head on if I wanna get Leo’s swords. No more hide and seek.

I let the light illuminate me. 

“Hey guys!~” I waved gleefully as the Foot idiots finally noticed my presence. “Remember me? Hope it hasn’t been too long.”

“You!” The Brute turned to me first. “You’re the Hamato ally from earlier!”

“What are you doing here! Why have you returned!”

“You sure have a way of asking questions that makes them feel like statements. Anyway, I’m here to collect something you stole from my friend.”

He gripped the swords as he scowled at me. I held my own sickles tighter.

“You foolish child! You leave us no choice but take you out permanently.”

“Oh, really now? You and what army.”

I scoffed when I caught his expression change. Everyone looked at each other, noting how very few of them are suddenly in the room. So distracted they barely noticed me going for my first blow. 

He quickly got ready to block me with Leo’s weapon, absolutely bewildered when I only zoomed past him and sliced at the leg of another soldier behind him. It wasn’t too deep but poor guy was still rendered useless. I dashed to my left at another soldier, dodging his attack and punching right up his chin. 

“What’s going on!? Those sickles were dull the last time she used ‘em!”

 

“They must be mystic…” 

“Right you are, Lieutenant! I kept them dull on purpose, my mistake.” 

I threw a tanto at a cultist’s shoulder. 

“You threw Leo out a window. I think you can bear to see some blood.”

One by one, I went around the room, sprinting past anyone chasing after me and immobilizing anyone with their guard down. I got in a groove good enough to keep myself progressing along while getting out my rage. I wasn’t kidding before, I would’ve kept my blades dull again. I’m still careful to not do anything fatal but I’m not gonna be exactly merciful, either. They deserve this.

Fighting felt like dancing, gliding across the room in an energetic fashion. I’m not crazy enough to go for the Lieutenant or Brute which ended up being a plus for me. They was more than ready to protect themselves, but not their team. At last, I got them all exactly where I needed them. 

Alright, stay calm. Turn invisible no matter what.

My sickles shone with a pink glow, allowing me to disappear from their sight. I scampered past them, reaching the bejeweled mannequin behind them. It feels a little different? But there isn’t any concrete proof for this so my brain’s just tricking me. Whatever, no time to lose. I shoved it in my bag, getting myself used to the weight, and aimed a sickle at his arm.

 

“Where’d she go!?”

“Stay alert! Don’t let her catch you off guard!” 

A bit late for that buddy. 

My blade sliced through, leaving a massive gash on his arm. He screamed and dropped Leo’s sword. I ran through, catching it just as I became visible again. I snatched the other one as quickly as possible and sprinted to create some distance.

I held my arm up to my face, making good use of the wraps’ built-in comms. “Leo! Heads up!”

I threw a katana out the window, smashing the glass as it flew outside. I stopped in my tracks with a smirk. I knew we won.

I dodged the last attacks of the night, accelerating faster than I realized I could go. “Well folks, this was quite a fun match! Hope to never see you again!” Blue light sparked across my body. I leapt in the air, gave a quick peace sign purely to piss ‘em off, and bid my farewell.

“Toodles~”

Teleportation isn’t actually too bad if you know it’s coming.

The cool night air returned on my skin. I was floating for a few seconds before crashing to the roof on my knees. I didn’t even care about the pain, I was too busy enjoying the hug I received for my success! 

“I DID IT! I FUCKING DID IT! WOOHOO!!!”

“Celebrations later, escaping now! Come on!” 

Leo dragged me up and pulled us through another portal.

***

“We are the champions!~

“Gone with the losers ‘cause we are the champions!” 

I handed another slice of pizza to Leo, half the box pepperoni for him and the other half plain cheese for me. We already dropped off the mannequin back to the museum and I gave an anonymous tip to 911 so now we’re simply chilling on the roof singing to celebrate our victorious night. I’m honestly still hyper as hell over it.

“I can’t believe we actually did it! I can’t believe I actually did it! Salena one, Foot Clan NONE BABY, FUCK YEA!”

“Man, I am so happy you came out okay. You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw you again.” He bit into the cheese, the least stressed I’ve seen him all night.

I couldn’t realize it earlier but that hug he gave wasn’t for my success. It’s clear to me now.

“Leo?”

“Hm?” He looked towards me as he bit into the cheese.

“Thanks for trusting me.”

He mirrored my smile. “Hey, we’re friends, right? That’s what I’m here for.”

The spring breeze feels so sweet. The view of the city is rewarding as always. A safe city, a safe night. I can see why they’re so into this whole hero gig. Everything about this moment feels absolutely perfect.

Buzz! Buzz!

I swear to god if my fucking phone’s gonna ruin it again. I quickly checked the notif to see if it was anything important. To my surprise, it’s Jaiden.

They sent me a text. The first one in weeks. It’s a dumb meme I saw earlier today.

We used to do this a lot in the past. Whenever we got into a fight, it’d be our way of ending it. We could never stay mad at each other for more than a day. In the past at least.

I guess this means they’re not mad at me anymore.

“Everything okay?” Leo stared at me, probably concerned by my change in demeanor. 

I double tapped to like Jaiden’s meme and put my phone away, going back to normal.

“It’s nothing important. Just, uh, highschool stuff. You wouldn’t get it.”

He laughed “Oh, okay, well. I know I’m too fabulous to be the average, uncool, normal teen guy doing normal teen things like going to highschool that you want right now but…”

“If you ever need someone to lend a shoulder, you know who to call.”

He’s an idiot, but a very sweet one when he wants to be. 

“Thanks, Leo, but I mean it this time. It’s nothing.” I raised up my slice to request a toast of some sorts. “Let’s go back to celebrating, shall we?”

He let out a satisfied chuckle, returning my toast. I didn’t wanna let anything ruin the way I felt tonight, even if their text tainted the vibe a bit. But hey, it’s technically a win, too! I got my confirmation that Jaiden and I are indeed still friends.

Though I gotta admit, I’m not as happy as I thought I’d be.

Next Chapter

[achillesmonochrome]

They had never done MJ justice, huh...

I don't really consider myself a comic-book fan, in the last few months I had been buying issues and following some comics, but I feel I had read is a drop on a sea of stories.

I doubt anyone would be too interested in my opinion, specially since I feel the comic community is bigger in twitter than tumblr (and fuck twitter, honestly,) but I wanted to share some thoughts.

And honestly? I feel bad for what they had done with MJ in the movie adaptation, this girl is a riot!

(TRIGGER WARNING: Abusive husband, child abuse.)

Just as I don't consider myself a comic-book fan, I can't say I am much of a spider-man fan either. I grew up with the Sam Raimi movies, The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008) TV show was one of my favourites shows as a kid, but other than that? Not much else, I was more familiar with the character than any other super hero, but that wasn't saying much.

So I may be shooting myself in the foot and saying nonsense while saying this, but something tells me the big screen wouldn't had liked risking it, and honestly? I am upset to how much personality MJ has that has somehow just stuck to the comics.

The reason why I pasted the image of that book, is that it was one I recently purchased from my favourite comic-book store, since I had recently been on a kick of reading Mary Jane/Jackpot Comics (which I still adore, despite while I will say later,) and I am surprised to the personality she originally has.

Is nothing to go crazy, nor the most complex thing out there, but MJ has a lot more going on that what I had seen in other adaptations.

(The amazing spider-man: Parallel Lives.)

She is messy! She likes to pretend to be a happy go-lucky girl who doesn't care about anything because that's the best she can do with her circumstances! She was problems not running away from problems, sticking around to people, after being afraid they may hurt her, like her dad did. Mary Jane wants to pursue her dreams, not letting people weight her down.

And that means she will do some fuck ups! She abandoned her sister, she was wishy washy with Peter because of her fears of compromise (specially considering how her mother and sister got fucked after the got married.) But she has a good heart, and does the right thing.

Again, I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps there was some adaptation that showed this side of her, but on the mainstream? I feel they just present her as this good, nice girl (I definitely remember how in the Sam Raimi movies, she was the only person defending Peter. Nice- but not much for personality.)

To be honest, I feel this way with how she is portrayed in modern comics. Don't get me grow, I can see her growing up and maturing, specially after meeting Peter and realizing she can't just run away and be the lift of the party forever, but I feel that messy side of her has been stripped away in some form.

Not saying I love characters who would leave their love ones on the dust when they need them, but I feel it is more interesting seeing her like this, than just being a "nice girl."

Anyway, I definitely recommend this book, not just because we can see a side of Mary Jane that we normally don't see in the big screen, but I feel is SO interesting to see some of the earlier comics, and their portrayals.

(The slang is so weird- apparently calling people dad was part of the slang of the 60s/70s? Colour me surprise.)

[mercseven7]

💫🐾🥦 < ok y'all I shouldn't be saying shit about what's going on in my house but like

SO MY GODMOTHER WAS FEEDING HER CRACKHEAD BOYFRIEND THE FOOD MY MOTHER HAD MADE AND MY MOM GOT MAD CUZ MY GODMOTHER DON'T CONTRIBUTE TO SHIT SO FAST FORWARD A FEW HOURS LATER MY GODMOTHER GOES OUTSIDE FOR SOME REASON AND MY MOTHER TELLS ME TO RUN DOWNSTAIRS AND LOCK THE DOOR AND I'M LIKE "ok lol" BECAUSE IT'S NIGHT AND WE LIVE IN THE HOOD SO WE WANNA BE SAFE.. TURNS OUT, MY GODMOTHER JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE OUTSIDE AND I ONLY REALISED BECAUSE MY STEP SISTER UNLOCKED THE DOOR FOR HER. I'M LIKE "HUH WHAT A COINCIDENCE" AND THEN I PUT A FEW THINGS TOGETHER AND I REALIZE. MY MOTHER WAS TRYNA LOCK HER OUT!!!!! I REALLY DON'T GAF TBH CUS I GOT BEEF WITH HER TOO. SO I TEXT MY MOMMA THAT MY STEPSISTER LET HER BACK IN AND MY MOMMA GOT MAD AND SSAID THAT NEXT TIME SHE CAN GO OUT THERE WITH HER (this isn't her biological child this is my godmothers child) AND MY GODMOTHER JUST CAME IN HERE AND SAID SMTH ABOUT "yo momma tryna do something, she tryna get under my skin" (like why would you say some shit like that to someone about their mother.... like yeah she get on my fuckin nerves alot of the time but we basically grew up together bru) AND LIKE DAWG 😭😭😭 I KNOW THE WHOLE STORY. WHO DO YOU THINK I AM???????????

sorry for info dumping hard as shit i just thought this was crazy and I HAD to share it with someone

UPDATE ON 3 NOTES?!?!?!? /hj

[forasgaard]

Salvation

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

Part 8

The injury on Neteyam's finger wasn't as bad as it had looked before. I had cleaned it and put a simple plaster over it to cover it from dirt. Neteyam had mustered it with a suspicious look on his face.

In the evening, the Sullys (mostly Neteyam) had invited to to dinner. The whole family sat around a campfire and the sun had just disappeared behind the gas planet.

We just had ended our meal and I sat there with crossed legs. Neteyam sat pretty close to me, our knees only inches away and every time someone moved, they touched. This weird feeling I had on the glade today just didn't leave me alone. It was like I had formed a connection to him. A subconscious, magical connection. I felt so close to him at that moment, just like we've always been friends. I couldn't put it into words. Maybe it was Eywa's influence or the enchantment or the forest. Or I was just going crazy out here.

Suddenly, Jakes voice brought me our of my thoughts. "So, who wanna tell a story tonight?"

"You, Dad!", Lo'ak said enthusiastic. "You're stories are the best! Sorry, Sa'nok (Mother), yours are also good but Dad tells great war stories"

Neytiri just smiled. I reckoned that Jake told stories from his time when he was a Marine veteran. He laughed. "I told one yesterday!"

"Eva", Neteyam suddenly suggested, a mischievous smile on his face. I rolled my eyes, pretended to be annoyed. He did that on purpose! I didn't know any good stories.

"Can you sing a song from earth?", Tuk asked. Sing? Me!? But I couldn't resist Tuk's giant golden eyes.

"Oh yeah! And Jake has to guess which one it is!", Kiri called out. Jake raised his hands with a chuckle. "Hey, I am not that cultural. It's been a while since I left Earth."

"Come on" Neteyam nudged my elbow. I sighed. A song from earth, huh? But which one? It had to be an old one so Jake would know it. Then I had one in mind. It was really old but everyone knew it. So I began singing:

"Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River"

It didn't sound beautiful but I continued. Even after the first verse, Jake recognised it. "Argh, I know that! Wait wait wait..." He closed his eyes and tapped the melody with his fingers on his knee.

I saw how Lo'ak bit his lip in excitement. Then I sang the chorus.

"Country roads, take m home. To the place I belong..."

"WEST VIRGINIA!", Jake called out as loud as he could and joined my singing. "O Eywa! Dad!" Kiri laughed and pressed the hands on her hears.

We finished the whole song and Jake grinned from one ear to another. "Man, I almost forgot about this song!"

I laughed. "You're welcome"

"Now I'm gonna show you my favourite song from Earth", Jake announced. He suddenly seemed so many years younger.

"Oh no Dad please don't!", the children groaned and Neytiri started to laugh. "He sings this song all the time!", Kiri rolled her eyes.

"C'mon Kids, it's fun!", Jake wailed and started singing. His favourite song was Star Walkin' by Lil Nas X. It was ancient but I knew it and joined Jake in the chorus. Tuk jumped on her feet and danced around us.

The evening was wonderful. We sang songs and told stories. Neytiri sang a traditional Na'vi song and I didn't understand a single word because they were ancient words. But her voice sounded so beautiful. The Sullys offered me to stay overnight and I was really touched by their offer. I accepted it with thanks and when it was time to go to bed, I layed down next to them under a woven blanket. I listened to the sounds of the forest, could hear the animals and the quiet breathing of the Sullys. Now and then, Lo'ak muttered something in his sleep and I had to grin.

Through the entrance I could see the shadows of the trees and over them the night sky. It was inky black and sprinkled with stars. Suddenly a deep calmness spread over my entire body.

I felt light and timeless. Free. I've never felt something like that before. I heard the wind in the leaves and eventually it started to rain. Raindrops pattered onto the tent and I could smell the typical scent, which was the same here on Pandora as it was on Earth. And I suddelny knew that everything would be alright. Like a deep internal trust that everything would be fine. I would find the right plant and heal the Na'vi. Everything would be alright. I just had to trust Eywa.

[bylightofdawn]

So I don't know if I will emotionally, mentally or physically make i through episode 8 of Beyond Evil.

This episode has been a fucking EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER that has inflicted emotional damage on me.

Thoughts and spoiler cuts beneath the cut.

Oh my god everything with Kang Jin-muk makes my fucking skin crawl. The close up of him eating the noodles and the dutch angle just made it like 10,000 x more upsetting.

His smug smarmy and the taunting way he keeps trying to upset everyone and Dong-sik in particular. Just…OH MY GOD. Someone kill this man. He needs to die.

They fucking BROKE ME at the crematorium scene. Everything with that. Dong-sik needs a hug desperately. Someone give this man a hug and tell him it's going to be okay. Him torturing himself and imagining how he failed Kang Min-jeoeng in her final moments. The fucking shot of him standing on top of the place she was slowly suffocating to death right underneath him. The cinematography of that entire shot? Just mwah chef-kiss.

That is actual nightmare fuel personified there.

And then little Mr Sunshine Oh Ji-hoon just having a mental breakdown because he’s blaming himself for being there and not knowing she was in danger. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

The emotional damage of this episode.

And then they go and give us unhinged Dong-sik just grinning like an absolute feral madman when he taunts Kang Jin-muk into strangling him? So help me if fanficcers aren’t writing some absolutely FILTHY Dong-sik getting off to breathplay smut I WILL BE SO DISAPPOINTED IN YOU.

I also love that Han Ju-won just fucking shut down because he oops caught feelings and can’t handle the fact he was willing to murder a man for daring to touch his little Meow Meow. This man is so emotionally constipated he can’t even.

My mans really needed to take an emotional sabbatical because he caught the fee-fees.

And then this fucking show has the AUDACITY to hand us the fertile AU of rent-boy Ju-won and Donk-sik being his client with Dong-sik AS ALWAYS flirting like crazy with him and asking him what kind of flower boy he would be.

HOW DARE YOU. I also love the entire restaurant scene and Han Ju-won trying to be the edgelord that he is who hates icky things like feelings and friendships. Whilst he is TURNING HIMSELF INSIDE OUT EMOTIONALLY for a dead hooker he used as bait just because he doesn’t want her to lay in a ice box for months on end unloved and unclaimed.

And our king Dong-sik just calling him out on his bullshit as always.

Also? I hate to tell you this boo but YOU are the clingy one in that relationship. You and your mancrush obsessing over Dong-sik which was so strong you moved to a whole new city just to try and ‘catch’ him. Uh huh. You keep telling yourself that, boyo.

And Jeong-je and his awful mother. Please tell me this poor damaged manchild is not still living at home because that sadly would explain a lot about his Peter Pan syndrome and why an adult man is wearing a hideous hair cut like his. Pfffffft He is a poster child for arrested development. And is so emotionally fragile but my mans has a lot of rage in him and I'll be interested to see where his story heads.

But then it has to end with them finding Jae-i’s mother and just…fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck all over again.

I am exhausted after every episode of this show. And cannot binge it all at once because it makes me feel too many things

[juusauce]

Angel Baby (ft. Kurolisa) Pt. 3

Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. Names, characters, locations, and incidents are all made up by the author and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or people, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

If you hate my ship, please stop reading; I don’t want to block readers, so please be respectful.

Ⓒjuusauce - do not copy, paste, or translate my works anywhere.

border @saradika

Part 2

She was selected as the face of the famous clothing line, Emerald, and unfortunately, Kazuhito Hyakuzawa is one of the investors of that company. So I had to make an appearance, just in case, he would be there.

We went to the event together so we got everyone’s attention. A lot of reporters flocked and bugged her about me, asking if I’m her boyfriend but she quickly denied me. What the hell? I irritatedly looked at her while she was convincing them that we didn’t know each other, explaining to them what happened. 

I frowned at every word that she said during the interview. Everything she said was all lies. You’re a great liar. Tsk! Try harder, Haiba.

I clenched my jaw. She was getting on my nerves, huh? Like, who the fuck would dare to insist that they didn’t know me? Even those who were newly introduced to me would claim that we’re friends. But there she is, telling everyone that I was a stranger to her. Damn it!

I couldn’t stand it anymore and speak. “She’s with me tonight so please excuse us.” I snaked my arms around her waist. I saw how she bit her lip as she looked away from the gaze of the crowd. It seemed like she was ashamed of something.

When I asked her if she was ashamed of me, I felt so nervous while I waited for her answer.

She bit her lower lip before she spoke, explaining herself. But I wasn’t convinced. Why do I feel like she doesn’t have a plan to tell everyone about the truth? I believed she wanted to tell everyone that I was a stranger to her.

I don’t know what exactly I should feel right now. Angry? Happy? Sad? Damn it!

My patience was running out. Anyway, she has a lot of ways to test my patience. It seemed like she was too expert on how to annoy me, to get my attention and…to drive me crazy. Fuck! Maybe her day wouldn’t be complete without getting into my fucking nerves, huh?

“Why were you denying us?” I blurted out.

“Us?” she mumbled, confusedly looking at me. “There’s nothing between us.”

I was stunned for a while, her words unexpectedly hurt me. What the heck?!

When I was about to speak, she asked me if I’m courting her. For the second time, it stunned me. 

Me? Courting her? That’s impossible!

I never did consider courting anyone. Anyway, courting was not my style. But Alisa was asking me if I was courting her? I laughed my ass off at the thought of it. She lowered her head as she played with her fingers. I held her chin, seeing guilt and embarrassment on her face, which made me feel more pleased.

It’s too fun playing with her, huh?

Actually, I don’t court. I’m not bragging about this but even though I won’t lift a finger, there are still a lot of women willing to throw themselves at me. So why would I bother to court them, right?

And besides that, I have a lot of experience when it comes to women. I started hookups when I was around 2nd-year of high school and the first girl I had experience with also wanted to explore.

Usually, people who were in hookup relationships were either curious or just wanted the experience. And I am cool with it, that was more convenient. After all, what’s the fucking sense of commitment? In the end, lovers won’t stay loyal to their partners. Just like what my mother did to my father. 

So fuck and go. Less drama and less headache. Besides, I can’t tolerate women’s strange behaviors.

Well, I can’t deny it, I find some women I bedded with were attractive but it fades after sex. Attraction doesn’t last long, it disappears after the release. And that’s why fuck buddies always work.

So to ask me if I’m courting her was fucking ridiculous! Alisa is too innocent to ask me about that. She didn’t have any clue. Poor Alisa.

“I heard you’re in a serious relationship. Is that true?” Atsumu probed.

I frowned.

“I mean this raising model icon, Alisa Haiba.”

Crap! I’ve been going to a lot of events and most of them were all Alisa’s gigs. And we had dinner out together a couple of times. I never thought about the consequences of it. It’s not really a problem but I just don’t want people to assume that I have a girlfriend even though I don’t have one.

“Who told you about that ridiculous rumor?”

He burst out laughing while I was annoyed at how he reacted. He was getting on my nerves. 

“Did you know there is a famous proverb, news has wings, the ground has ears?” I frowned at what he said.

“That’s nonsense!”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Oh? So that was true?”

“It was just a rumor.” I languidly answered him, leaning my back on my chair.

“Aren’t you serious about her, are you?”

I shut my eyes and sighed before I opened my eyes, glaring at him. “Of course not!”

“Hmm?” He narrowed his eyes, keenly looking at me as I averted my eyes. He’s really prying something from me.

“But a lot of paparazzi saw you were with her.” When I was about to say something to defend myself, he immediately stopped me. “Don’t deny it, Tetsurou. Most of her events, you were there, so what could be the possible speculations people will think, right?”

I groaned. “Don’t make it a big deal, asshole!”

He laughed with humor, he looked so amused and I gritted my teeth as I thought of it. I wasn’t serious about her! Definitely, I wasn’t! I was just concerned about her, nothing more nothing less.

Part 4

[bibatbrat]

TMA Season 2

Ooooo spooky 👻

Jon said I am back at work before my doctor said it was ok and I am SO fucking scared

What If There Was A Band That Was So Fucking Bad

ACAB but I fucking love Basira and Daisy. Sue me.

I also love GERTRUDEEEE

It’s so fucking funny that Michael Crew tried to use Boneturner’s Tale to help him, it didn’t work, and then he’s like “oh well i’ll just take it to the library i guess”

The New Door feels very much like Hive and I love it

Gerard saving Andrea Numis from the Lonely by telling her to remember her mother when he’s on vacation right after being acquitted for his mom’s murder…. Gives me feelings

Tim canon bisexual 💙💜💖

Elias being a pothead in college is true character depth and development 10/10

Alexander Scaplehorn (the tax guy) is so fucking funny. Man cares so much about preventing money laundering that he survives the supernatural 🙏

Trevor the vampire killer canonically homophobic 😔

Jon finding out that Martin was lying about his qualifications and being so relieved bc 1) Martin probably did not kill Gertrude and 2) turns out that Martin is not an incompetent idiot, just a dropout

Not going to lie, I think I could’ve hacked it on Daedalus, but that’s just me

But also letting a private company shoot you into space to do isolation experiments is so incredibly dumb and Mr. Chilcott should’ve known better tbh

Agnes Montague saving Ronald Sinclair from Hilltop House via a searing kiss on the cheek… truly who is doing it like her?

We love a workplace intervention

The Buried coffin eats a cop so shoutout to the Buried I guess

Mary Keay and Gertrude have such a fun dynamic and I would kill for just a whole season of the two of them tbh

I think Binary might be my fave episode of this season. The statement itself is delightfully horrible, and the Tim/Jon fight at the end just makes it *chefs kiss* perfect

Jack Barnabas’s statement drives me crazy. Him saying he doesn’t think he has a destiny and Agnes saying, “That must be nice.” Him asking for a kiss and her crying after she gives it to him. Him losing everything after it, even though she dies.

The Book of the Dead is such a good concept.

A Long Way Down makes me sad ☹️ I’m a sucker for brother stories

The Kind Mother is fucked up. The aspect of Lucy having not even gotten along with her mother before NotThem replaced her makes me crazy

Jon is so fucking dumb. He listens to the statement about NotThem getting trapped in the table and is like “obviously I need to destroy this table” 😔

Jon telling Tim and Martin to take the next couple of days off fucks me up, especially after the time he spends listening to Sasha’s voice recordings. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else!!!

Tim and Martin going after him though 🥺

Also, oh my God, Tim and Martin just being silent for a full twenty seconds after the recording of Martin’s poetry gets played… truly awkward enough to make you forget about your friend who is maybe being hunted/killed

John worrying about conserving the tape to record himself being hunted and maybe killed… sir, that’s the Eye at work

Tim and Martin arguing about Tim being a dick and fighting all the time with John and Martin just wanting them to all be one big happy hostage family…. 🥺🥺🥺 they care about each other and I am dying

I fucking love the “taunt you into revealing your position” trope. NotThem telling Jon about how it hurt Sasha when she erased her and him yelling at them to shut up… yes!!!

NotThem about to kill Jon and him just whispering and apologizing over and over and over to Martin, Sasha, and Tim aghhhh

<rdj voice> there was a sewer man

Jurgen Leitner really lived in their basement huh

Leitner being a parallel to the Archivist and Jon being so disgusted w the way he uses and discards his assistants to horrible fates… sure hope that doesn’t come back to bite him in the future lol

“An angry goth” yo that’s my booooooy

Leitner is like, “I diagnose you with Voyuerism” and Jon is like, “This is so scary and I am gay and need to go cry brb”

Leitner talking to the recorder and telling Gertrude that she would’ve liked Jon 🥺

Elias said hello I am here to be evil and we have no choice but to stan

(Alternatively I am really glad I wasn’t on here during the peak bc Elias would’ve gotten sooooo annoying, but now I can enjoy my funny little murder man w no consequences 😈)

He <redacted> that old man 😳

Tim and Martin not seeing anything other than the body and just IMMEDIATELY assuming that Jon clubbed someone to death in his own office… can we get an F in the chat 😔

It’s 👁👄👁 time baby

[pluton514]

Chapter 6: Dreams

I feel at peace, but I don't know how this is possible. I'm asleep, so how am I able to stay conscious? Where am I? Everything is pitch black, and quiet. "You...you are special, boy. You remind me of someone. Someone from an era in which the Gods were unified and the world was at peace. It's as if there was a missing piece that was once lost. Yet, it has returned to finish it's puzzle. Oh I remember now, so it is you." Said a mysterious yet soothing voice. I replied with, "What? Who's there?" A speck of light appeared in the darkness, which then shined covering the entire area. Now, instead of pitch black, it's all white, but not to the point where it's blinding. It was just enough for me to see a tall man, with a black robe, blonde hair with silver stripes, pale skin, and blue eyes standing right in front of me. He then says, "Hello Pluto, it's been a while." Who is this man? How does he know my name? I then reply with, "How do you know me?" The man smirks, signals for me to follow him. So we make our way through the light, and as we walk a path starts to form beneath our feet. The light slowly starts to wear off and reveals a plain with tall grass filled with all sorts of animals and insects. The Sun and the Moon are on each ends of the sky. Half of the area is day, and other half is night. The side of the day has animals that are usually awake during daytime, and The night side has nocturnal animals. The man then stops and asks, "You really don't remember? None of this?" I look around and say, "No, I have no idea where I am, but it does feel like I've been here before.Anyways, you still haven't answered my question. Who are you?" The man sighs, and replies, " I am the God of dreams and Nightmares. I go by the name of Morpheus."

"Morpheus.." I mumbled. I then say, " No it doesn't really ring a bell, but I have heard stories about you. God of dreams and nightmares is it? I want you to answer me this. Why do you keep giving me that God awful nightmare about my mother dying?" Morpheus then replies with, " I don't give you the dreams nor the nightmares. Those are derived from the memories of your own experiences. I merely watch over them to make sure nothing goes wrong." I see, but why did he say that it's been a while? He acted as if he's known me for some time. I then ask, "Hey Mr Morpheus, why did you say that it had been a while?" Morpheus looks away and points to the moon. He then says, "There, that is the place where you would go to clear out your thoughts while you slept away from your sorrow." Wait what? I've been here before? I then say, "Uh, I don't ever recall being here. Are you sure you got the right guy?" Morpheus chuckle and says, "Oh right, you don't remember. I do though, I know who you are Pluto. I know why your parents died, and most importantly, I know why Zeus is targeting you."

What?! HE KNOWS WHY ZEUS IS TARGETING ME?! Wait, what does he mean by he knows who I am? Wait a minute, that old man with one hundred eyes said something similar back then too. He said something along the lines of, "You don't realize what you are,boy. Soon, everything you've ever loved will be taken away from you." That's crazy talk! I know who I am, right? Morpheus then puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "I can help you, if you'd like Pluto." I stare at his hand, and grab it. I tell him, "Morpheus, you can help me by telling who I am. Apparently people think that I don't know myself. So why don't you just go ahead and spit it out?"  Morpheus sighs, and with a tone of disappointment he says, "Pluto, I can't do that. You have to find that out on your own. The only thing that I can do is tap into your dreams and replay a different dream or nightmare every time you go to sleep. You'll see different memories each time you close your eyes." I can't believe that I actually don't know myself. I guess that explains the feelings of Déjà vu, huh? I then say, "Alright, I'll do that. I guess it's my best shot at figuring myself out." Morpheus then looks at me with a serious face and says, "Pluto, dreaming every single night will have its tole in your body. Doesn't matter who you are, but if you go into the land of dreams and nightmares every single night then your mind and consciousness will slowly start deteriorating. You will go mad. So you have to figure it out quick, got it? We're running out of time so you will start tomorrow." I reply with, "Got it." Morpheus then smiles and snaps his fingers. "See you tomorrow, Pluto." The dream land starts to disappear along with Morpheus. Shortly after that, I wake up to Amelia holding my head on her thighs, and Zephilious looking at something on the ground. Oh, I just realized that I forgot to ask Morpheus why Zeus is targeting me. GODDAMNIT IT!! I'll ask him tomorrow.