#wish i could find more about them but hey the tunes are great so

[starrysharks]

proud to be one of the 6 fans of this awesome dead band

[theonceandfuturequeenoftarts]

Harry really should’ve expected something like this, but he’s still bewildered.

(And more than a little pissed off.)

Of course some bastard managed to enter him as the fifth champion in the Triwizard Tournament.

...Well. There are four schools participating, but “Quadwizard Tournament” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

There are several people shouting at each other and him in a variety of languages, and while he has no idea what they’re saying, he gets the gist of it: how did this scrawny fifth year have the audacity to trick the Goblet of Fire and enter the prestigious (and deadly) tournament?

He wishes they’d ask him so he could clear up that he hadn’t done that, and he doesn’t want to take part in this tournament, and they’re all being world-class prats right now.

Well. Except for Cedric Diggory. He just looks a bit confused, bless him.

Dumbledore asks him if he put his name in, and he says no, and maybe he overestimated these people because pretty much all of them scoff and don’t believe him. 

The Koldovstoretz champion’s voice cuts through the hullabaloo and says, in barely accented English, “If he is required to participate, why not let him forfeit?”

Thank Merlin, there’s a voice of reason in all this idiocy.

All eyes turn to the tall young man – Tom Riddle, Harry’d heard the name said by his love-struck peers enough times since the other schools arrived to remember it – who looks politely disinterested in the chaos around him.

“That sounds good to me,” Harry says, hoping that’ll be the end of it.

But of course it isn’t. 

The Durmstrang headmaster sneers something that sounds awfully rude at Riddle in a language Harry doesn’t recognise, which makes the boy tense and darkens his eyes. And then the shouting starts up again.

For all that the gathered headmistresses and headmasters and students were arguing against his participation before, they’re now demanding that he take responsibility and not besmirch the tournament’s prestigious history nor the Goblet’s choice by bowing out. Harry is once again of the opinion that there is no continuity or logic in the thinking of magical people, so he zones out like he does when Uncle Vernon wants to rant at him.

As the group finally quiets down and Dumbledore explains what the next steps are for the champions, Harry tunes back in to listen with half an ear. The other schools’ representatives send him dark looks as they depart, while Cedric gives him a pensive frown. Dumbledore ignores Harry’s attempts to catch his eye and disappears as soon as the discussion ends.

Well that’s just great.

Harry decides to head back to the Gryffindor common room – he needs to vent his anger at this madness to his friends, who will hopefully have his back.

(Though, the look on Ron’s face when Harry’s name had been called… No. Ron knows him better than that.)

Before he gets too far, he hears a voice call, “Harry Potter.”

He turns reluctantly, hoping it’s not another person ready to call him an attention-seeker or cheat, to find Tom Riddle.

Feeling his shoulders lower from his ears where they’d risen in pre-emptive defensiveness, Harry manages a half-hearted smile for the older boy. “Hey. Thanks for trying to help, back there.”

Riddle shrugs and somehow makes the motion elegant. “It was obvious you did not want to be chosen." 

Harry thought so, but apparently they're the only two of that opinion. “What did the Durmstrang headmaster say to you?”

“Nothing I didn’t expect,” Riddle says dismissively. When Harry doesn’t relent, he clarifies, “Igor Karkaroff rejected my application to Durmstrang because I’m not a pureblood. I’m sure you can imagine his opinion of me – and my blood – hasn’t changed in the intervening years.”

Harry can feel his hackles rise. Yes, he can imagine – he’s heard what the pureblood bigots have said about Hermione and the other muggleborn students over the years.

“Well, there’s only one thing to do, isn’t there?” Harry says, grinning sharply. “We’ll both just have to–” absolutely crush them all “–prove them all wrong.”

Riddle’s eyebrows rise slightly and one side of his mouth twitches. “I suppose we will.”

Harry holds out a hand. “May the best champion win.”

Riddle accepts the handshake. “Indeed. I’m glad to have your support.” 

Delivered in a perfect deadpan, it takes Harry a couple moments to realise the other boy is making a joke. He laughs, and Riddle finally lets his face break into a grin.

—

When Riddle uses parseltongue to get past the Peruvian Vipertooth (“What were they thinking, including a human-eating dragon?” Hermione demands when Harry first sees her after the first task) and retrieves the egg in less than two minutes, it causes an uproar. How did someone with Slytherin’s gift, who was born on British soil, not end up going to Hogwarts? The details of Riddle’s first introduction to magic and meeting with Professor Dumbledore are splashed across the front page of the Daily Prophet the following day.

Needless to say, the headmaster is in a bit of hot water with the Hogwarts board of trustees and the pureblood crowd.

(Karkaroff is looking decidedly pale, too.)

Harry thinks he’s the only one who sees the vengeful grin on Riddle’s face while everyone else is staring at Dumbledore getting dressed down. When Harry congratulates Riddle later that day, he knows the older boy understands it’s for more than just retrieving the egg the fastest.

(As for his performance in the first task, Harry’s content with how he did against the Hungarian Horntail, even if he’d gotten a little singed. He might be in second place, but he’s nipping at Riddle’s heels.)

[fatuismooches]

Allow me to feed you more brainrot!!

Hey! I saw that you liked my writing about the ending where the Fragile!reader doesn’t make it in time, so why not give you some thoughts of mine on what sort of habits or tendencies the ill reader has gained? This is supposedly a few centuries into it, though no time is specified really. (Note : Let me see what I can cook in a few days with the ‘broken heart’s ending. Stay tuned!)

1.The desk is [name]’s bed now. As many years have gone by, the duties of the second harbinger has been mostly assigned to you as you are(were?) the lover to II Dottore. The sparrow tended to work on paperwork’s until their hands felt numb, shaky handwriting only stabilized with a use of a machine or primarily writing with a typewriter. The sparrow goes on missions, though internally craving to stay near and only focus on the revival of the fallen crow. The desk is where they tended to spend most of their time at, either for research or paperwork when they were free. Though the sparrow was treated with some sympathy, their unhealthy habits haunting them to the point they passed out on the desk or even harbinger meetings. Their fragile and porcelain like body was beyond pushed to their limit, but they will not stop. Though around their fellow allies such as the dove, they will ease on it to ensure that the sparrow’s allies are not overly concerned. The sparrow does not want anyone to be concerned more than the sparrow had pushed them away. Even by the time when no Fatus under the Fatui Harbingers command no longer recognize the name of the Doctor, only to recognize yours instead, you never take credit for the work you’ve done yourself. You always stated that the work you have done should be credited to II Dottore himself—The research and notes he had left behind was the starting foundation to your own search, afterall.

2.Dragged to rest. By the time the sparrow is remotely close to finding something that would give the first major step to the resurrection to the great II Dottore, they had taken supplements, no matter how bitter, to force back and silence their illness though it only ever managed to be temporarily. The rare nights where one of the harbingers that were your friends were free to check you from their busy nights—wether it be the Damsellette, the Regrator, or Tartaglia, you’d be dragged to your bed even with how much of your mental stubbornness would try and argue back. Your physical stubbornness is not well due to how your fragile body is, already at a melting point with how you are treating your body, the rebellion of yours falls into silence as the harbinger pulls a blanket over you as they give a light threat that they better not see them snooping around to study. Your body agrees even though your mind is exactly the opposite, but you wish them a goodnight’s rest as you close your eyes. That night, you ended up passing out for little more over 12 hours.

13.Flinch at sudden contact, and protectiveness. With your lover dead, the sensation of touch has become almost unbearing. Especially to your now scarred body from your experiments, anyone who dares to even tap your shoulder might become the next test subject to see if they could be resurrected with the next concoction you create for the sake of the unmoving frozen corpse of the Doctor. Your face is the most vulnerable—most possessive of the mask your lover once wore every day, almost every hour of the night. So you keep it close, it is important as your life and you’d defend it till the very end. With the cause of the Crow’s death, the fox-fur wearing Sparrow has taken a distaste to anyone who may pose a threat to the Crow. Especially with the Golden Comet, now you have become the underlying term of ‘overprotective’. Overprotective to someone who wasn’t even breathing anymore, safely encased in permafrost in the hidden depths of the lab. If any word of something or someone that can end up harming your lover ends up getting into the sparrow’s ears, be prepared for the threat to be wiped from existance in record time. Such thing shall not exist anymore under the sparrow’s gaze, and they will not escape it.

4.To ramble to something inanimate. With the death of the segments and Prime himself, [name] had gotten the habits to ramble off in one of the segments’ rooms or snuggle in the bed of Prime’s. How you spoke and rambled away as if they were still with you, perhaps maybe they were. Somewhere, someway, you could even bring the segments back. Though your primarily focus was on Prime, you still mourned for each copy and clone there ever was of Dottore. The Sparrow loved each and every version of the Crow there was to offer, from the small hatchling Zandy to the original Zandik. Omega, Beta just to name a few.. it was not too uncommon for a Fatui Harbinger or Fatus for business just to see the lover of the Doctor ramble against a object that one segment may have owned, or them snuggling into a clothing they may have wore.

(Should I write some ideas if Dottore did eventually get resurrected?? Perhaps your thoughts on it would be great. I also think when Dottore does get resurrected, Dottore might also be frail because your body sort of just weakens from a lack of use and he was dead for a while too.. so now you got Frail!Reader and Frail!Dottore just collapsing together, PFT.)

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 01x06 - Palmon's Angry Evolution! / Togemon in Toy Town

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Deep inside the Factory of Redundancy Factory, our new zapping bug pal bug-zapped the bugs out of Robocop. Also we may not be on Earth anymore, something the American team already knew but they don't get to be smug because they spent twenty minutes panicking about being in an unlocked room.

Now Andromon's guided us into the sewers, which he insists will help us but I'm half-convinced it's just a more civil way of flushing the intruders away like waste.

The kids pass the time in the sewers by playing a singing game I'm not quite familiar with. They're divided into two teams: One team of children and the other team of Digimon. They sing a couple verses then pass to the other team, who has to start their verses on the same sound that the previous team left off on.

Agumon briefly stumps Team Kids by ending on an 'e' sound, though Mimi chimes in with a curious little tune.

Jou: What is that? Mimi: It's Enka! My Dad sang this in karaoke a lot.

But since nobody knows the tune, they can't follow her. Koushiro's able to find one they know, and soon they're back to marching and singing.

The dub doesn't preserve the game, but it keeps the singing. The kids are singing a song Agumon wrote for them. Then Agumon singles out Mimi and asks her to do a solo performance. She sings a verse of Home on the Range off-key.

Mimi: ~Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam! Joe: ~Avoiding your drone! Mimi: Hey, come on! I had singing lessons for three years! T.K.: Oh, you did? Did it help? Izzy: Mimi, you should get a refund, that's what I think. Sora: Then let's sing as a group.

Dub Sora defuses yet another round of Dunking On Mimi by bringing us back to the group song, and the kids march on.

Suddenly, Sora lets out a shriek.

Water dripping on her from the ceiling freaked out her. Another drop lands on her shirt. The dub puts a fruit squish sound effect jere, like you'd hear when a tomato or watermelon or something gets crushed, which doesn't seem like the right sound.

The grossness of the moment sends the kids spiraling, starting with Sora lamenting that she wants to do laundry. This opens up the rest to fantasizing about what they wish they could be doing right now.

Sora: I want to do laundry. Taichi: I want to relax in the bath. Takeru: I.... (pantomimes playing video games) Yamato: Takeru, this isn't the time to be thinking about video games, Ahahaha!

Yamato laughs at Takeru for that, but concerned looks from the rest of the group bring out the sincerity in him.

Yamato: I guess I can't laugh at him. What I want right now is sizzling barbecue. I want to eat until I'm stuffed! Jou: Don't laugh, but I miss studying. I want to do loads of homework! Mimi: That's weird. I want to drink ice-cold Cola! Takeru: Mimi-san, that sounds great! I want that too! Koushiro: I want to send emails back and forth with my friends.

Each of their wishes comes with a fantasy sequence, where we get to see what the kids want most visualized onscreen.

In the dub, Sora skips over wanting to do laundry because of gross sewer water on her clothes and ties the singing into her homesickness instead.

Sora: I used to sing at home. I used to sing to myself all the time when I would do my chores. Especially when I'd hang clothes to dry outside, I'd sing really loud 'cause nobody could hear me then. Agumon: (offscreen) It's okay to miss your home, Sora. What do you miss, Tai?

Which then sets the dub kids down Reminiscence Alley.

Tai: I miss playing sports and then taking a nice hot bath. T.K.: Games. My games. I wasn't far from beating Matt on my video games! Matt: Beating me, T.K.? I don't think so. Maybe in your dreams, kiddo!

This is what Matt laughs about in the dub. Unlike the original, where silent stares from the rest of the group make him feel self-conscious, the conversation just continues on from there.

Agumon: (offscreen) So you don't miss anything from home, Matt? Matt: Well, actually, now that you mention it... I've been dreaming about Sunday, when Mom grilled us steaks! Mmm, makes my mouth water! Joe: I miss doing my homework. If I fall too far behind, I might have to go to a junior college! Mimi: I don't miss school, but I do miss going on vacation! Nothing beats having a cool drink on a summer day at the beach! I just love the ocean air! T.K.: Wowee, that sounds like fun, Mimi! Mimi: It is! Izzy: *angrily* Get a grip! *calmly* I miss accessing satellites to look at the stars and planets.

It's mostly the same, with some added detail to fill dialogue space during the fantasy sequences. Except for Izzy, whose internet activities are questionable and who also snaps at Mimi for no reason. Because being mean to Mimi is everyone's favorite pastime in the dub.

Suddenly, the kids hear a sound. A scuffling sound in the sewer tunnels that sets the Digimon on edge. Gabumon ID's the sound as Numemon.

The Digimon explain that Numemon are weak, disgusting creatures who enjoy dark, slimy places. They're the most loathed Digimon in "Digimon Kai", or the Digimon World - A terminology we have officially begun to use as of this episode, since Koushiro made that discovery back at the factory.

At the Digimon's behest, the kids run for it. Taichi doesn't understand why they're running from weak Digimon, but he gets his answer shortly.

The narrator chimes in to explain. Numemon are Adult-stage Data-type mollusk Digimon who attack with their own droppings. His typically stoic voice falters and he sounds incredibly distressed to have to explain that they throw poop.

Mimi takes over narration for this one in the dub, explaining that they throw "Nume Sludge" and have bad breath. "Nume Sludge" is probably the dub's attempt at plausible deniability. It's not poop if it's Nume Sludge! Even though it's clearly poop and uses stock cartoon poop sound effects.

Running for their sanitary wellbeing, the kids take a side passage and emerge from the sewers.

The Numemon stop following as soon as they see daylight, instead retreating back into the sewers. Agumon explains that Numemon can't stand sunlight, just in case that wasn't clear.

Which it wasn't; Like, they could have been freaking out because we crossed into some really dangerous Digimon's territory or something. So I appreciate the clarification.

Back above ground, the kids get to walking again. In time, they come upon another strange anomaly of the Digimon World.

You know, there are worse things we've run into out here than a metric fuckton of vending machines. Maybe this is where vending machines go to reproduce or something, IDK.

You know what that means, though. You know what they have in vending machines? You know who specifically wanted what they have in vending machines?

Wish granted!

Of course, since the dub changed Mimi's lamentation to wanting to go on vacation rather than wanting an ice-cold Cola, this doesn't connect as well. They're forced to generalize it with a bit of extra dialogue.

Mimi: I bet there's enough snacks to last us a lifetime, at least. Tai: Mimi, they probably don't work. Don't you remember the phone booths? Palmon: Hey, that could be. I bet it's a trick, Mimi! Mimi: I won't accept that!

They don't have to write too far out of their way to make it work, but it's nonetheless a solution to a problem created by earlier writing choices removing points of characterization that later scenes were going to do something with.

As Mimi races to the vending machines, I want to call special attention to this exchange.

Taichi: Mataku... (general expression of annoyance) Sora: It can't be helped. She's still just a kid.

And its English counterpart.

Tai: Mimi! Sora: You can't stop her. She's so stubborn!

Mm.

Mimi descends into the nesting grounds of vending machines and picks out one she licks. Then she inserts a coin. Rather than dispensing cola, however, the front of the machine falls off and nearly crushes her.

Oh, I suddenly regret not being crushed to death. Can I have a do-over?

The Numemon immediately hits on Mimi, but she aggressively shoots him down and calls him a lowlife. Dub Mimi goes even farther, calling him a "short, slimy, sewer-sliding sludge-slinger!"

(Probably a good time to remind everyone that Mimi is 10 years old. So. Y'know. Fuck this guy.)

Mimi's response is so blunt, in fact, that Palmon worries about Mimi upsetting him. However, Mimi points out that the bright sunlight means he can't do shit to th--

Oh. Well.

Fuck.

Numemon Chase, Round Two begins as not only that Numemon attacks, but all of the vending machines open up and pour Numemon out into the plains, who descend upon the kids slinging even more poop.

(A fairly accurate metaphor for being hit on in public. "Why can't women just say no directly?" Because this is what happens when they do.)

Yamato suggests splitting up, and the kids break off individually with their Digimon Partners.

(Surprisingly, Yamato does not try to stay with Takeru; Instead, they go completely opposite directions.)

Palmon tries to fight off the Numemon with her signature move, Poison Ivy. But before she can even attack, the Numemon freak out and flee for their lives. Mimi initially credits this to how cool Palmon is, but the true source of their terror quickly becomes apparent.

The narrator introduces us to Monzaemon, a Perfect-stage Vaccine-type Digimon.

Narrator: Although he looks like a stuffed animal, he's actually a Perfect-stage Digimon. His special attack, Lovely Attack, even makes his enemies happy!

For her part, Dub Mimi's narrative has this to say.

Mimi (V.O.): Monzaemon looked like a cute big ol' teddy bear, but he wasn't very cuddly!

But this is only for our benefit. For her part, Palmon has to explain Monzaemon to Mimi too. He's the Mayor of Toy Town and a lot stronger than he looks. She assures Mimi that he is a good Digimon.

Monzaemon immediately opens fire with eye lasers while rambling out salutations.

Monzaemon: We've been waiting for you, Miss. *fires* Enjoy yourselves! *fires* It's an honor to meet you!

Like Meramon, he just sounds like he's spitting out words senselessly. Dub Monzaemon comes off just slightly more coherent.

Monzaemon: I must say, so pleased to make your acquaintance! *fires* Please, come spend a fun night at Toy Town with me! *fires* Why are you running? Did I startle you? Sorry!

Dub Monzaemon seems at least to some degree cognizant of what's happening around him, but the vibe is about the same.

Forming an unlikely alliance, a Numemon offers Mimi and Palmon shelter from Monzaemon.

As soon as he's passed, Palmon wonders aloud if something's happened to Toy Town. Numemon presses his luck by asking Mimi to go on a date with him at Toy Town. She rejects him immediately, and then she and Palmon crawl out of the trench to go check out what's going on in Toy Town without him.

No sooner do they arrive than they find the rest of the group that split up earlier. The other kids are here in Toy Town, being played with by the toys. Forced to run around and pretend they're having fun. Emotionlessly regurgitating sentiments like "This is fun" or "Banzai" or "I'm so happy", but visibly exhausted.

Their Partner Digimon, on the other hand, are nowhere to be found. Though a bit of poking around quickly reveals what's become of them.

Oh, they're locked in a chest. That was easy. Entering the warehouse, Palmon confirms with Agumon that the rest are in there with him. Agumon then recaps the story of how they got here.

It's exactly what you'd expect. Monzaemon came after each of them, and they were powerless to defend themselves against him.

The bubbly hearts from his Lovely Attack - or Hearts Attack in the dub - scooped up each of the kids and their Digimon, then whisked them away to Toy Town. The Digimon were imprisoned in the chest, and we've seen what became of the kids.

An interesting note: When the kids split up, Yamato and Sora departed off the left side of the screen while Jou, Koushiro, and Takeru left from the right side. Taichi and Mimi went straight down, though they clearly got separated from each other.

However, when Monzaemon attacks, he takes Taichi alone, Sora alone, and then takes Yamato, Jou, Koushiro, and Takeru together. This implies that Yamato realized he fucked up and doubled back for Takeru.

Once he's collected his prizes, he issues his decrees for the fates of his prisoners.

Monzaemon: The Digimon will go in the Toy Box. The children will have their emotions erased and serve as toys for the toys!

Dub Monzaemon has... a bit more confusing of instructions.

Monzaemon: So all of you will now serve us! You're all going into our community Toy Box! Our Toy Box is only filled with children!

...no, the Digimon are in the Toy Box. Also, what do you mean, "Our Toy Box is only filled with children!" That implies that you regularly put children in the Toy Box, but there are no humans in the Digital World outside of our Isekai'd kids.

Absolutely butchered that set of lines.

The Digimon don't know how Mimi and Palmon can get them out of the Toy Box, but they don't want them worrying about it; The other kids being played with to exhaustion are the priority right now. In order to save them, Palmon and Mimi will have to do the impossible and defeat the Perfect-stage Monzaemon.

Leaving the warehouse, Mimi and Palmon talk shop. Palmon doesn't understand what's happening; Lovely Attack is supposed to be a happy move, not to do all of this.

Then the toys find them. A monkey with cymbals starts clapping his cymbals together in Mimi's direction, as if trying to make her play. Mimi stomps on the toy instead.

Just then, Monzaemon arrives, stomping around the corner to greet Mimi.

Mimi lets him have it.

Mimi: Be quiet! I don't know what happened to you but you can't just take away my friends' feelings! Give them back!

His answer is eye lasers.

(On the one hand, it's not fair that everyone else gets Lovely Attack but Mimi keeps getting eye lasers. Man, even both versions of Corrupted Monzaemon are mean to Mimi! But on the other hand, given what we've seen Lovely Attack do to people, it's probably for the best.)

Suddenly, the Numemon swarm appear to fight Monzaemon and defend Mimi.

It does not go well. He stomps and swipes his way through the swarm. Mimi is genuinely touched by the sight of the Numemon.

Mimi: The Numemon are fighting for me... Even though they can't to anything but throw poop....

Dub Mimi doesn't quite convey the same emotional sincerity.

Mimi: Well, Palmon, what can I say? When you've got it, you've got it! ...oh no, I don't think the Nume Sludge is working!

Yeah, not really capturing the touching emotional moment there.

Palmon joins in the fight, attempting to entangle Monzaemon with her signature move, Poison Ivy.

But he's too strong and easily throws her off.

Finally, Monzaemon goes for his Lovely Attack. However, the Numemon form a wall, blocking his hearts from reaching Mimi and Palmon, and getting captured themselves in her place.

Palmon: They're useless and cowardly, but the Numemon are desperately trying to protect Mimi!

Again, the emotional sincerity of this moment gets lost in the dub, where Palmon just shouts a battle cry.

Palmon: Time to take it to the next level! I may be a lady, but I am not a pushover!

The sight of the Numemon sacrificing themselves provides Mimi and Palmon's trigger for evolution. Palmon SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Palmon's evolved form is Togemon, an Adult-stage Data-type Digimon. "Toge" or 棘 is the Japanese word for "thorn"; She's Thornmon. An appropriate name, given both her prickly exterior and her signature move Chiku-Chiku Bang Bang, which the dub calls Needle Spray.

Despite Monzaemon being Perfect-stage, Togemon's able to overpower him in this fight. Showering him in needles, she hits him hard enough to send him hurtling to the ground, and to dislodge the Black Gear from him.

(It helps that she has Type Advantage, as a Data-type against a Vaccine-type.)

With Monzaemon defeated, he unpacks what was going through his head with the kids.

Monzaemon: When people get tired of their toys, they break them readily, without a single thought. I couldn't forgive that. That's why, as Mayor of Toy Town, I wanted to raise the social status of the toys. Mimi: "The social status of the toys"? Jou: I think he means making us realize the importance of toys. Monzaemon: That's right. Toys shouldn't be toyed with, but played with. Taichi: So that's why you made us play with the toys! Monzaemon: I'm sorry. I got carried away with myself.

As the kids watch the Black Gear disintegrate, the sight of it fills in the rest of the explanation for Monzaemon's behavior. They're familiar with this concept by now. Dub Tai remarks, "Y'know, I'm beginning to take this whole Black Gear thing a little personally!" which is a line I really like.

Once he's finished apologizing, Monzaemon offers up his ultimate apology: A true and proper Lovely Attack, bathing the kids in pure concentrated happiness.

Briefly interrupted by one more person, ready and eager to receive his reward.

It was nice of the Numemon to put up a defensive wall against Monzaemon and stuff but, like, nobody asked them to do that. We close on a straight-up riff on romantic entitlement.

(Ten. Years. Old.)

Assessment: As with the other kids, this episode serves as our proper introduction to Mimi's distinctive qualities. Mimi is open, honest, and direct. She wears her heart on her sleeve, speaks her mind, and doesn't think about the consequences of her actions. She knows what she wants and she reaches for it without hesitation. There are both positives and negatives to that way of being, but that's who she is.

Mimi is closely associated with a childlike innocence, which is why hers was the episode that featured something as juvenile as Toy Town. As Sora said, Mimi's still just a kid - even compared to the rest of the group, who are still kids themselves.

So far as the dub goes, some questionable decisions were certainly made. They make extra work for themselves in the sewers when they remove Mimi's desire for Cola, and they butcher a few parts of the third act in Toy Town. Also, of course, a Mimi-centric episode is a perfect time for the dub to bully Mimi some more.

But there's some parts I really liked. Mimi's extended version of her insult to the Numemon is great, and the actress's delivery when she realizes the sun isn't protecting her anymore is perfect. Tai taking personal offense to the Black Gears is also funny, especially given where this arc is going with that.

This episode probably isn't the best of the character introduction episodes. But it is Mimi's episode, and she was my relatable character from when I was her age, so that automatically makes it the best by default. Sorry, I don't make the rules. Take it up with the Fandom Parliament.

[jupiterwrites99]

You're On Your Own, Kid -- Chapter 14

“Are you sure this is--” Jacob started to ask as he pulled up to the homey cottage. She had convinced him to let her see Josh, to tell him where she had been. Sage need to rid herself of the guilt of the lie Sam and Paul had made her tell.

“Joel,” Sage jumped out of the car before Jacob had even put it in park. “Oh, my god,” She said in disbelief as she ran towards the boy on the porch, “What are you doing here?!”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I figured you’d be here.” Joel answered, grinning as he took her in. He picked up her braid as if mesmerised by how long her hair had gotten before dropping it,  “I was clearly wrong, but Josh let me know you called so I figured I’d stick around and eventually you’d show up.”

“I missed you so much,” Sage murmured softly before hugging him tightly. She let him go to introduce him to Jacob before her new friend got the wrong impression, “Jacob, this is Joel. He’s a friend from home.”

“Your old pack,” Jacob countered.

“Yeah,”She nodded, confirming that Joel was a wolf too. Looking back at her old packmate she asked gently,   “How bad was it?”

“Alec lost it when you left.” Joel admitted, “I get why you did it, but I wish you had told me. I would have come with you.”

“I didn't want them finding out.” She frowned, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all good.” Joel waved her off, before mentioning, “Laila and Charlie want out too.”

“What's so bad about this pack?” Jacob intervened with the two friends at the mention of two more wolves wanting to leave the pack Sage had left on her own at seventeen. “You never mentioned.”

“They have this allegiance to these royal vampires or something.” Joel explained,  “We’ve never met them, but there's rumours that they only want wolves strong enough to continue their legacy.”

“Wolves with enhanced abilities.” Sage added,  “Like my hearing and speed, I can use both to evade, well, everybody.”

“So I’ve noticed.”Jacob chuckled, as if it were still fresh in his mind how she evaded Sam's pack with a broken leg for nearly an hour before being cornered by Quil, “You’re all like that?”

“Yeah, we do a series of tests when we’re young. If you don’t pass, you get sent away. Never to be heard of again.”

“I have a brother.” Sage spoke solemnly,  “I haven't seen him since I was ten. He was only four years older than me,”

Jacob looked at her with sympathy, like she was a never ending list of lost things, “And who are these royal vampires?”

“The Volts or something.” Joel shrugged.

“I think I know who you are talking about,” Jacobs face hardened “We’ve got to talk to Sam, Sage.”

“No way, he’d never believe it.”

“Who's Sam?” Joel asked, cutting off Jacobs next statement.

“His alpha.” She said with the roll of her eyes “He kicked me out, literally.”

“Sounds great.” He snickered

“Sage?” A deep voice came from the direction of the cottage. She knew it well.

Sage couldn’t help the smile on her face as she turned to see the one person who let her be in tune with her humanity. She took off running towards him and quickly latched on to the older man in a hug, “I’ve missed you so much, Josh.”

“You don’t look a day over seventeen,” He spoke with a big grin on his face as he took a step back to really take her in. Josh was the only human she was allowed to see. Once a week she would visit him at his cottage by the lake so he could teach her fishing or how to start a bonfire. Her parents told her the only reason they allowed it was so that she could learn to take care of herself as a human, being the runt meant she would never really be involved in the pack long term. She had always been afraid she would be sent away, but the day never came. “Hey, Joel. Jacob.”

Sage looked up at Josh in confusion, “You know him?”

“Mr. Uley.” Jacob started sarcastically, “Haven’t had time to stop by Sams?”

“I’ve been a bit busy, looking for Sage.” Josh stated, pinching her cheek with a toothy smile, She couldn't help but smile back, she had missed him so much.

Jacob scoffed at the older mans statement, “Right,”

“Okay, what's going on?” She demanded, her hands placed on her hips as she furiously looked between Jacob and Josh. Sage trusted Jacob, but the way he was speaking to Josh made it seem like there was bad blood between them. Joel slung his arm over her shoulders and looked at her with a grin.

“Don’t you just love drama?”

----

“If he yells at me I’m leaving,” Sage stated as the car pulled up to the old cottage she had called home for the past four months. Her wolf was already whining about the fact that they would see Paul again. Two weeks apart had been near torture. Despite the feeling of betrayal she had originally felt, she knew he didn’t have a choice in any of what had happened.  He had tried to stop her from hitting Jacob, but she didn't listen.  Though she did want an explanation as to why he had gone to see Rachel, yet told her he was going to work.

“He won’t,” Jacob reassured, bringing her out of her thoughts before getting out. She hadn’t even realised he had put the car in park.

Looking back at Joel to make sure he was still onboard, she was met with a wide grin, “Where's this mate of yours?”

“Shut up,” She groaned. Sage knew Joel would just push Paul's already limited patience. She did too, and the two of them together were a cause for chaos. “Lets get this over with,”

The young she wolf stepped out of the car and could instantly feel the stir of her inner wolf at the familiar scent of cologne. He was here. This was happening.

Oh my god, I am going to phase. No.No.No.

“Sage?” Jared questioned from his spot on the porch steps, a young woman sat in his lap. Sage couldn't put a name to her face but from the look on both of their faces as they glanced at each other, she knew it was his mate.

Sage took a deep breath before opening her mouth to speak, “Where’s--”

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, turning her quickly, causing her to stumble into a rock solid chest with a gasp. If his scent didn't make her feel dizzy, she would have panicked, but the safety of the arms around her small frame relaxed her frigid body, melting into him as he held her head to his chest. Though the anger in his voice scent a shiver down her spine as he gritted out, “Don’t ever do that again,”

“I’m sorry,” Sage murmured, pulling back slightly to look up at him, “I broke my promise,”

“I don't care,” Paul muttered, before kissing her forehead gently. He let his lips linger as he took a deep breath. She felt as her mate physically relaxed and softened in front of her, allowing her own worries to subside. Sage had remembered what he said about being a ticking time bomb of anger, and had secretly worried that she had set him off by leaving. With a small stroke down her spine, Paul quietly asked, “Are you okay?”

“No,” She shook her head.

The older wolf unwrapped his arms from around her, placing his large hands on her shoulders as he looked her over, looking for signs of any injuries she may have gained in her time away, “What's wrong?”

 Sage grabbed his hands from her shoulders and intertwined their fingers, “Did you know Sam is my brother?”

“I found out while you were gone.” Paul admitted tentatively. He was clearly wary of her reaction, and Sage couldn't help but frown at the new information. Sam knew and he still kicked her out like a bad puppy. “He was trying to get in contact with Josh, he figured that's where you were going.”

She shook her head with tears filling in her eyes and he hugged her tightly. Sam quickly proved her fears to be correct, he wasn’t much better than the pack she had left behind. The only thing worth sticking around for was Paul, who had his own faults, but those came from Sam. He was just obedient, Sage would never hold that against him.

“Who’s this?” Sage heard Sam's voice ask from behind Paul. It was as unwelcoming as it could be, and Sage wondered if he would have had the same reaction had he not known Paul had imprinted on her.

“Joel,” Her friend said confidently, looking Sam up and down in the process, “You must be the alpha,”

The eldest wolf nodded. He crossed his arms and puffed out his chest before gruffly speaking his own name, “Sam,”

“Ahuh,” Joel acknowledged before crossing his arms to mirror the older wolf. Joel was a fighter, he would never back down from a challenge thrown at him. That's why their old alpha liked him so much, he was strong and loyal. Though, it seems that he wasn’t exactly loyal to who Sage assumed he was. Joel walked to where Sage and Paul stood, nearly mirroring her mates stance. Both hulking wolves flanked her sides, partially shielding her from Sam.

“We need to talk,” Jacob spoke up, rolling his eyes at the way Sam and Joel were having a standoff “All of us,”

Sam took his eyes off of Joel to look at Jacob, “About?”

“The Volturi.” Jacob announced, leading the Uley pack to all turn rigid. Paul's hand had tightened around her so hard she thought he'd break a bone.

“You all know them?” Joel asked for both of them. Paul looked down at her, and the only thing she could see swirling around his mocha brown eyes was pure rage.

[animehouse-moe]

June 2023 Collection Update: The Iceberg

You know the comparison I'm making here. You start at the tip of the iceberg, and think it's not too bad, then you continue working your way down.... and it just keeps going, never seeming to stop. Well, I think I've made it past the surface of the iceberg, and am staring down the absolute scale of what remains submerged. So yeah, Mt. Everest is left to climb still, but I've also got a pretty sizeable hill behind me to share.

I'll start with a haul that came in today (and one I picked up yesterday). Used manga and light novels has been a gold mine for me lately, though you do have to be careful with some listings as you might get volumes in worse conditions than they appear (though most of the time not something sandpaper can't fix).

The No Game No Life was just sorta a bonus to the Is This A Zombie?, but it actually helped bring down the cost per volume thanks to a deal I made (always try and barter for a few dollars here and there through stuff like FB Marketplace and Mercari and the like). I'd been looking for Is This A Zombie? for a while though, and was incredibly excited to come across a completed set. Though I do wish they'd bring the light novels over.

Following this up, or I guess coming before it(?), was this very interesting manga haul which is best explained as a story.

Originally, I had found a dirt cheap Rosario to Vampire manga box set on Facebook Marketplace (to the tune of 90CAD), and asked about getting more pictures because the only image was of the outside of the box set. Seller doesn't respond for a week, and then sends the image out of nowhere. I talk about going through with the sale and getting a shipping label sorted out (cause even with shipping it'd be crazy cheap). They don't respond, at least not until Thursday of last week which was about another week's wait. They say "hey, I'm going to be in your city on Sunday, are you good to meet me to pick up the set?". Immediately, I feel like I'm either going to get scammed or mugged, but it was neither. They show up with the 90 dollar box set and I leave with all my organs and my wallet alongside the box set.

Now, onto a bit of explanation. As you could tell from the images above, I'm kinda running out of space. I know, I need to get another bookshelf to store it all on, but finding the right spot for it and getting a cheaper Billy is a PITA, so instead I've been putting that focus and effort into finding more and more cool sets and series.

Like this Reiko The Zombie Shop. It's an older Josei horror series which I thought was super cool, and when I found a listing for it for just around 10CAD a vol I jumped on it. It's a very interesting piece of history to have from Dark Horse as they only printed it to the halfway point, though it's also a very intriguing read. Leans very heavy into gore and that very "serious but not all that great" story.

Equal parts crazy and cool though, this Empty Box and Zeroth Maria set. If memory serves, it was less than 10CAD a volume for such a hard to find set. Unbelievably happy to have such a well maintained set in my collection, and am 100% going to be sharing the love/set with friends.

Just a side note, the seller I got it from was super cool, as I got a partial set of Konosuba from them as well for the same price. Once more, Facebook Marketplace, so if you're looking for good deals on used series, I can't recommend checking out what's around you enough.

The good deals just keep on coming, huh. Hit the jackpot with this Rose of Versailles set. I was just going to bide my time until the end of year Indigo hardcover sale, and see if I could try my luck on finding them in store at a good price, but came across this listing for 100CAD and immediately jumped on it, since it works out to be massively cheaper than the Indigo 30% off hardcovers they do at year's end.

And I have to say, Udon hardcovers are outstanding. The Rose of Versailles of course stands at the top with it's wonderfully intricate cover design and heavy and glossy paper, but their other titles are no slouches either.

Just take a look at this Summertime Rendering (and Darling In The Franxx) set. Sometimes you'll come across things you just can't refuse. This listing was one of them. Summertime Rendering and DiTF for less than the retail of Summertime Rendering. Good deal, especially when you factor in that DiTF is still sealed, and that the seller never read Summertime Rendering.

But at the same time, getting books in conditions like this feels a bit sad almost. The seller was getting rid of their collection because they needed to repay students loans, so a lot of it was untouched and at very cheap prices. If I were to go back and do it again, I probably would have just sent money to them rather than purchased the sets, as I feel somewhat guilty having these when I'm able to pay retail for them no problem. But I can't revisit the past, so at the very least I'm glad I had the humility to not try and work them down on price, and will certainly be reading them over and over (DiTF is still on the TBR list right now though).

And last but not least for the used hauls, this super weird set. I got the whole thing for 5CAD a volume, which is a pretty great deal, and includes a lot of interesting things. Hidamari Sketch (I refuse to call it Sunshine Sketch), GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class and Bamboo Blade (not shown), and this very odd helping of loose stuff that includes an old style Seven Seas LN, a child's manga, and a very unique volume from a defunct publisher.

I couldn't help but go for it when I saw the oddities and old series that were within. Hidamari Sketch in particular is a headache and a half to collect, and I'd never even seen a volume of Iono-Sama Fanatics before. Very cool stuff, and definitely things I wanted to share. I never even knew Seven Seas used to print light novels so small, and seeing the difference in paper quality circa Spring 2010 was very interesting as well.

Now, last but not least, Jojos. I waited a very long time to buy these at retail, and am incredibly sad that the box for Jojoveller came crumpled in that one corner (already talked it out with support, and got a refund on it), but thankfully the books inside are intact. But man, these things are cool as all hell, I'll absolutely be sharing a post of them (alongside Jojo 6521) down the road.

And that's where I am, collecting an insane number of series and art books, and continuing to realize just how wide this world of manga is that I've immersed myself in. It's incredibly daunting thinking about the numbers I'm racking up, but at the same time it's such an amazing hobby that I'm able to support. There's a world of stuff out there, and I want to experience that all.

[mikka-minns]

Opinions on characters: Kiryuu Nanami, Saionji Kyouichi, Tatsuki Shiori

Thank you for the ask! Im guessing its for the ask game(the general opinion is included so yeah) Sorry i didnt answer until now😅

Kiryuu Nanami

General opinion: She is everything to me. Her mere existance confirme half of my theories about Anthy and Akio.

She is a queen. She didnt deserve this.

The reason she isnt in the movie is because she realised the truth about Ohtori in time and when things started to go back to their bad nature she was able to leave.

She is the perfect first character to find out about Akio's abuse because she lived with one of his victims, he ruined her life in-directly and was about to make her another one of his victims. Her character and story are perfect, i would change nothing about her.

(i have a big post about her, Anthy and Shadow Girls to write so stay tuned for that)

A ship i love: i cant decide if i like the idea that Nanami is aromantic or a lesbian(so probably both) and i dont have a ship with her i realy love. I like Nanami x Kozue a bit, mostly for the parrallels, but i have my own problems with Kozue(which is its own topic), so im not sure how much i actualy ship it. But then again, most of my Rgu Ships go under "after 15 years of therapy they can actualy date", so... Who know.

A non-romantic relationship i love: her friendship with Utena and Anthy and her friendship with Saionji. I wish she got a chance to apologize to Anthy once they were both in a good place and far away from their brothers. For Saionji, i hope they got to meet after he left Ohtori with Juri and Miki. If he grew as a person(which is necessery for escapong Ohtori) he would be a great big brother. Also, the egg episode realy sells me the idea he is her brother figure. "No appreciation for brotherly advice".

A NOTP: Nanami x Touga and Nanami x Akio(OBVIOUSLY). I havent seen anyone ship it and GOOD. That is a one way ticket to hell. I Also dont like Nanami x Saionji, but thats mostly personal opinion cuz i see them as siblings. Might Also be the age gap but idk.

My biggest headcanon about them: as i said, SHE LEFT THE OHTORI NOT LONG AFTER THE SERIES FINALE! She is also an animal person but is not used to them because of her family(cats trigger he trauma too). Once she and Anthy make up, BECAUSE THEY WILL, Anthy  lets her spend time with her animal friends, maybe even helps her adopt an animal of her own.

An idea for fanfiction: Nanami meeting with everyone from Ohtori after they escape, exploring their relationships once they arent under control of their abusers.

(this one is in my WIPs, i Just have to finish it) Weed bride. Anthy and Nanami smoke blunts together along with everyone else. They Also take over Ohtori. I dont wanna spoil anything.

Something that makes me think of them:

Songs "Oh no!" and "Family jewels" by Marina and the diamonds, "allies or Enemies"(about her and Touga) and "Take me to War" by crane wives. And a few more but this is on the top of my mind.

Kyouichi Saionji

General opinion: He was the perfect first antagonists for the series. He is so pathetic, no one takes him seriusly, which is a perfect foil to Akio being adored and trusted by many characters.

He most likely isn pure evil as he is still a child, but he should defenetly be taken responsible for his actions(abuse of Anthy).

A ship i love: touga x Saionji but ONLY AFTER 20, NO, 40 YEARS OF THERAPY! They both hurt each other, they should solve their problems. I wish we saw Saionji's Thoughts about Touga in the movie, but hey, we cant have everything.

A non-romantic relationship that i love: as i said, he would make a great brother to Nanami. As i doubt either of them will ever see Touga again, they could help each other with the trauma. Saionji defenetly has family problems, everyone does in Ohtori.

I also like his friendship with Wakaba, i dont ship them tbh. I feel like she can put him in his place with ease(she beat Utena up as a petty joke).

Not realy a positive relationship, but his rivalry with Utena is very intresting. He is like a trashy version of her. Their straight love intrests are each other's real crushes, but they project. This would all be solved if the world wasnt homophobic. I want them to fight, middle-school-girl style cuz Saionji would get his ass handed to him.

A NOTP: saionji x Akio (OBVIOUSLY) and Saionji x Nanami (again, its just my personal preference)

My biggest headcanon about them: he projected Touga onto Anthy. Thats what kinda stings about how he treated her. Its obvious that relationship was going nowhere, but he never even liked her for her and so it was Just cruel.

He feels as if he isnt good enough for people around him and was at some point jealous about Touga's relationship with Akio cuz it seemed like Touga was so much more mature that he was getting attention of another adult.(angsty i know, but its based on reality)

A fanfic idea: him and Nanami meeting again(as you can see, im very normal a out them)

Maybe an AU where he and Touga dont go so off the edge ti become the pricks they are in the canon and instead Run away with Nanami and live as a little family(THIS SHOW HURT ME, OKAY)

In weed bride, Anthy wrecks his shit cuz he was with Touga and she was about to end Touga so obviously he will get some too. (that fic is Just pure crack)

Tatsuki Shiori

Something that Reminds me of them: tbh i cant think of anything right now.

General opinion: gurlfailiure. I love her. Just another child in a cruel world. She only had the worst adults to look up to and so she hurt the Ones she loved the most. She has room to grow and redeemed herself, she is only a child after all.

I think her place in the movie was great because of that. (i think her role was methaphore for what happend after the series finale, Just like with everyone else)

A ship that i love: i like Juri x Shiori and kinda Shiori x Kozue(both girls are disasters) but i wouldnt say i love either of those. Again, years of therapy, then they can get bitches.

A non-romantic relationship i love: not sure

Maybe her relationship with Touga cuz i dont see it as a real romance. I like it for the narrative(its not realy healthy) and how we found out a lot about Touga trough it.

I think her relationship with Ruka was a perfect example of an older guy messing with a younger girl. Toxic and cruel.

A NOTP: Shiori x Akio (look i have to make sure its known i do not unde any circumstances support these Ships) and Shiori x Ruka(he is an abusive asshole. A mini Akio, if you will)

My biggest headcanon about them: she is queer and full of internalised homophobia. She loved Juri but she is Just another pawn in Akio's game and so she could do nothing but hurt her. I dont think they made up after the end of the movie, im not even sure Shiori escaped, so idk if they even met after.

She liked Touga less because he is a prince and more because he is like a rose bride(like her, in a way) but is not a girl so its fiiine(side eye).

A fanfic idea: i dont have any right now

Maybe exploring her movie role and/or her mindset trough a fanfic?

Something that Reminds me of them: again, not sure.

[illleavemymessageinmysong]

same love hey diddle the mess name and address playboy to a man i’m carrying San ferry anne if you wanna love in song struggle arrow through me the other me no more lonely nights twice in a lifetime write away this one my brave face footprints secret friend I do the lovers that never were so like candy demons dance turned out lifelong passion anyway looking at her souvenir long-tailed winter bird only love remains sixty second street hosanna nothing too much just out of sight off the ground hope of deliverance say say say getting closer to you get enough beware my love cage 4th of july

So many songs about, or more often, addressed to, an ex. Of course , some, from before John’s death, might be messages to him, under the cover of a relationship song format. Not included here but I think ‘Coming Up’ is a John song. ‘Call Me Back Again’, if it’s about anybody, might be John. Linda, of course, is a massive presence in his songs. Some of them here might well be about contemporary events with Heather, Nancy. Some, of course, might just be words to fit a tune.

It’s the accumulation, though. Also, I think, a sense of distance: distance in time and in place from the person being addressed.

Yet, in all the articles and blogs written about Paul, many of which are great, this is not addressed at all. As someone commented on a YouTube video of one of these songs: “Sometimes I don’t know how people don’t pick up on what Paul is putting down”. There are, of course, people here and there who have picked up on this and whose thoughts have influenced my own on this subject.

Within these songs, there are some recurring themes that we can go on to have a look at. In the meantime, a lyrics jumble:

If I give my love again to you, will it be the same love that we once thought was true….hey diddle, I want you back.. I wouldn't make her her wooden table, I wouldn't care…. you sailed away one night in June..the mess I’m in…. you packed a bag, and like a birdie flew away, meanwhile, I'm sitting here, I'm getting in a mess…. you had your own way one too many times and now you’re going to find out what it`s like, just what it`s like, now you`re a mess….

by dawn’s first light I’ll come back to your room again..ah, long time no see baby sure has been a while…. your little man brings you trinkets when he can, but he can't stay, dear…. If you wanna love me again, I’ll take you for a ride in my Cadillac….my heart cries out for love..I can see the places that we used to go to now….want to get you in my heart again, want to love you once more..we can work it out together, we'll get through this somehow….

you couldn't have done a worse thing to me if you'da taken an arrow and run it right through me…. I know I was a crazy fool for treating you the way I did.. I wish that I could take it back..and if you let me try again, I'll have a better attitude…. I can wait another day until I call you.. and I won't go away until you tell me so, no I'll never go away…. once in a lifetime I'm a lucky man If I can find the kind of love that’s gonna last for me, twice in a lifetime is one of those unspoken dreams we usually reserve for fantasy…. you need love, write a letter, you need love write away..hey Cinderella, did you need that other fella…. did I ever take you in my arms, look you in the eye, tell you that I do?….

ever since you went away, i’ve had this sentimental inclination not to change a single thing.. ever since you left I have been trying to compose a 'baby will you please come home' note meant for you…. but his heart keeps aching in the same old way, he can't help feeling that she might come back someday….

here we are, where are we, cast adrift on some uncharted sea..I know we'll find our way, i know we'll reach the end if you will say you'll be my secret friend…. please remember this, after a time it's through and nevermore will there be days for me and you…. I hang patiently on every word you send, will we ever be much more than just friends?.. and I know dear, how much it's going to hurt, If you still refuse to get your hands dirty, so you, you must tell me something... I love you, say goodbye or anything…. what did I do to make her go, why must she be the one that I have to love so….

I can't wait much longer till you tell me baby, there’s some chance we'll get together maybe sooner or later, I'll be in with half a chance.. exorcise my demons, cast them out today, only you can do it, make them go away…. if you don't mind some stormy weather, we’ll be together in our fantasy..looking back it didn't hurt me, it did something for my soul, it taught me when you find a love don’t break it…. step into the misty mountains with your hair like ambered honey..give me love, be my lifelong passion…. If you love me, won't you call me, I’ve been waiting, waiting too long..in my soul is constant yearning, always singing, singing this song…. she’s good, she's kind, she's so refined but me, I'm losing my mind..though she haunts me like the sound of the rain, or a river running down to the ocean, I hate to complain, but it's happening again….

If you want me, tell me now, if I can be of any help, tell me how, let me love you like a friend, everything is gonna come right in the end…. do you, do-do, do you miss me? Do you, do-do, do you feel me?…. and if you take your love away from me, I’m only going to want it back.. to bring a happy ending to our song, I’ll carry on believing in a love…. well you could make my life complete, if you say that we could meet,for a minute on sixty second street…. come now lady don't you do me wrong.I fell for you and now it wont be long, before I hold you in my arms, before I take you to my heart again…. I said I love you I thought you knew, the last thing to do was to try to betray me, the new morning light, I'll never forget it….

there must have been a lot of heartache for you to sink so low.. I need loving, you need loving too..wouldn’t take a lot to get off the ground…. I will always be hoping, hoping you will always be holding my heart in your hand…. all alone I sit home by the phone waiting for you baby..through the years how can you stand to hear my pleading for you dear?…. when will you see me, my salamander..now don't try to tell me, oh no, don't answer, oh no, I’m getting closer, I’m getting closer to your heart….

well if the same thing happened to you, will you still put me through what you put me through?…. it was a time when we walked by the docks, I told you, "I need you all of my life" and watching the tugs rolling by together, do you remember?..do you remember the lights on the shore, how they reflected the rain on the road? I believed that you love me alone, it was real, do you remember?.. get enough, girlI can't get enough, enough of you…. I have to leave and when I'm gone, I’ll leave my message in my song…. emotional moments, you left in a rage, but if you could love me now I wouldn’t be in a cage..dramatic performance, direct from the stage but if you could get me out, I wouldn’t be in a cage….sunset’s painting up the sky, there’s something in my eye, why am I crying, it’s the 4th of july.. could it have something to do with the fact that I've been feeling blue since friday..you came in with him again and, suddenly, I knew it wasn't my day..why am I crying, it’s the fourth of July….

[bbbrianjones]

lovely emmi. can I ask what your ranking of the mental as anything albums is?

ok so you said ranking and i’m gonna turn this into a review of each album because... it’s me <3 i’m only ranking the albums from 1979-1987 because those are the ones i have time for but GOD this was so hard.

6. espresso bongo [1980]

i feel like this is pretty popular opinion. it has some great moments on the album but it just feels kinda dead, it’s just lacking the “quirkiness” that appeared on the last album. it suffers from the dreaded “second album syndrome” where they are recording songs they have only worked on for a week ago due to time, which might explain why a lot of the songs feel rushed or underdeveloped. there’s obviously some good songs on the album. martin certainly shines on here, i love the song cannibal <33 there’s just something quite sweet about - ‘if i were a cannibal you’d be the first to go // or would i miss you too much?’ who would really think about writing something like that?!?!?! also the little harmonica lyric after the chorus just add the nice country twang to the song. ‘come around’ is also such a banger, love greedy’s keyboard solo in the middle <33 also i love ‘won’t let me drive’ - greedy coming through as a fellow non-driver about wanting to see his girlfriend but has no way of getting there, very cute and very greedy <33 also insect liberation with some BANGING keyboards and some lyrics about how insects are taking over the planet. overall it’s a pretty good. overall i think it’s a very good album, good range of songs by everyone. just a shame it wasn’t given the time for it the be properly developed but hey, it was the 80s!

highlighted songs: cannibal, come around, won’t let me drive 

5. cats & dogs [1981]

this is such a banging album. i feel like it’s the first album that is truely “their’s”. i mean they’re still finding their feet but it just has their sound with the niche little songs and i just fucKING love it so much!!! again everyone just shines here with all of their songs - especially martin again girl !!!! fuck it up !!!! i mean ‘if you leave me, can i come too?’ is such an iconic song. it’s just so them. from the cheeky lyrics to greedy’s little keyboards throughout the song. i mean what else is there to say - great song! also love ‘let’s cook’, you would think with how simple and repetitive it is you’d get bored of it but you just can’t! again greedy and his keyboards, this man had it going on!!!!! find it so bizarre they actually performed this song live. idk why. and the growl that martin does is honestly a bit weird. this was technically the first song i heard by them because they did a version with the wiggles which surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) is kinda their best song. ‘too many times’ is an actual tune, hella annoying because it gets stuck in my head all the time but that’s sorta the point??? again greedy back at it again with the keyboards (and also harmonica!!!!!) love the bouncy “jumpy” music against the really dark and depressing lyrics. love the way greedy sings “doctor that i went to couldn't do any good // he gave me pills for sleeping i took more than i should” like he’s guiltily confessing to it. BERSERK WARRIORS !!!!!!!! WHAT A FUCKING BANGER !!! WE NEED MORE SONGS ABOUT ABBA WITHOUT REALLY BEING ABOUT ABBA BUT A STILL ABOUT ABBA !!!!! i just love it. you can literally not go wrong with a gregorian chant and honestly we need more of them nowadays. i really want to like this album more but the other songs are just kinda lacking :/// like the most popular songs are excellent and then the deep cuts are.... well deep cuts. 

highlighted songs; berserk warriors, too many times, if you leave me, can i come too?

4. creatures of leisure [1983]

now THIS is literally a classic. LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCH !!!! wish i could say it’s not because of spirit got lost but i would lying through my fucking teeth. can’t even lie spirit got lost is one of those songs that you just have to hear to believe it - honestly have no idea what my guy is singing about but i love the horror and darkness that it has. i mean that bass is just so sexy and the constant thud it makes throughout the songs, but especially in the verses, just adds literally so much to the song. and the instrumental - look greedy and his keyboards i mean what can is say?? it just sounds like bones being rattled together and i have no idea what that actually sounds like but i’m gonna assume it’s that. and i mean nothing fucking takes me out like ‘there’ll always be a chair for you in the corner of my heart’ like WHAT?? FUCKING WHAT ??? OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKKKK. THAT SHIT IS GOING ON MY GRAVESTONE!!! i swear is that not one of the greatest lyrics of all fucking time??? AND RIGHT AFTER THE INSTRUMENTAL AS WELL??? greedy... honey.... i know it’s credited to mombassa/smith but i’ll be fucking DAMNED if you did not write that line. anyway there’s other songs i love on this album. close again is one of the sweetest song ever. a very greedy song not written by greedy. i love the chill mellowness of it. literally i played this song with my brother in the car and he went ‘what’s this hippie shit?’ which was a little bit rude considering i love this song but i get what he means. there’s just something sorta hawaiian shirt about it but like in a good way. also brain brain is a genius song - i love how the songs transitions from verse and chorus. it’s very dissociated and causes an uneasy feeling which i think reflects the mood of the song. fiona is an underrated bop, bit of a country guitar side which gets me moving! drinking from her lips as well is a really good song. this album is very chill suburban album that just shows the potential they were capable of achieving with their next album (hint hint hint!) 

highlighted songs: spirit got lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just go listen to it pls <3, close again, drinking from her lips

3. get wet! [1979]

where it all begins!!! you know that post where it goes ‘i love debut albums because it shows raw and realness” well baby if that does not perfectly describe this album i have no idea what does! considering there were like four main songwriters in the band, all of the songs are pretty consistent yet still show off the different sounds of each member. martin and reg SHINE here. i love spanish gardener, interesting lyrics and rhyming (been watching you for some time // while i eat my pie at lunch time) and again, greedy’s keyboards with that slight fuzz mixed with the sharpness of the guitars just cut through like a knife! it makes the song quite funky and cool <3 love the song sheilah as well. most of the songs are just. so keyboard that you almost get whiplash wearing this song, it���s just so guitar-driven that it gives an edge to the album. i love business and pleasure as well, there is something quite raw and real about it, just the sorta tongue in cheek mocking of the music business (threads and licks and jokes and pretty lights too). also talk to baby jesus - i would have loved to be at a gig when they started playing this song, the place would’ve gone fucking oFF! greedy’s two songs are another man’s sitting in my kitchen, which is about him peaking through the window of his old house to find (guess what!) another man’s sitting in my kitchen with his ex girlfriend and insurance man, which is about how he would die if his girlfriend left him and he’d like to put a claim on his life. and im sure you can deduce what greedy’s toxic traits were (he’s a capricorn it’s forgiven). can’t even lie but i would die on the hill for insurance man, the way the guitar goes from quiet to loud while also becoming more manic just adds such a foreboding and horror note to a song which could be deemed quite spooky. this album also has the classic ‘the nips are getting bigger’ which i love asking what people think the nips are in the songs. i remember hearing about the title first before the song and just being amazed that it would have even be allowed to play because i thought they were talking about nipples. now i am sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to literally anyone. i feel like this album is a bit of a hit or miss but i love it. love it so much. 

highlighted songs: insurance man, spanish gardener, business and pleasure

2. fundamental (or fundamental as anything) [1985]

MY BOY HITTING THE BIG TIME!!!! this is where greedy literally popped off as a songwriter. like it started with spirit got lost and then only got better and better as the albums kept coming out. i’m really sorry for the other guys on this album because i only really know the singles off and they just so happen to be by greedy. like i’m sure there’s some other great songs i just haven’t listened to them yet :// my bad! this is by far their most popular album because it has live it up on it, which i mean if that was the only song it would still make the top three on my list. live it up is just a certified classic bop by everyone who has ever listened to it. from the keyboards at the start to grab our attention to greedy’s country twang vocals singing about comforting someone depressed over some stupid man. i have listened to this song in times of crisis because it just instantly makes me feel so much better about everything going on around me. i have both sung and cried along with this song because it just feels like such a warm hug. i mean it literally opens with ‘how can you see looking through those tears? // don’t you know you’re worth your weight in gold?’ like what the fuck greedy. i’m cured. and of course ‘hey yeah you with the sad face come up to my place and live it up // you besides the dance floor what do you cry for let’s live it up’ how can you not see those lyrics and just be immediately filled with love and hope. it just made me realise how powerful music is and what it can do to impact a person’s life or feelings. anyway thank u greedy !! thank you for this one song, thank you for making my life just that little bit better <3 i miss you so much <33 anyway ‘you’re so strong’ is also a very sweet song, greedy said he wrote it as a feminist anthem which is certainly an interesting way of describing it but whatever you say lil guy. there is an endearing quality about it though, as well as very addicting. i hear this song and then it’s pretty much all i hear for the next three days. and of course date with destiny <3333 love this song so much, whenever i hear that keyboard and drum machine i literally get so PUMPED! and it includes ‘me loving her was always meant to me to make my life complete’ like you are seriously going to find me floating face first into a fucking lake soon!!!! it is slowly killing me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! overall i do like this album for the shallow reason of i believe those last three songs were written about me but they sorta secretly are so it’s ok <3

highlighted songs: live it up, you’re so strong, date with destiny 

1. mouth to mouth [1987]

and here we are, literally the best album ever made. again greedy, literally the king <3 but every song on this album is just a bop, no flops allowed here. 

don’t tell me now - what a fucking opener. love the 80s saxophone and drum machine. 

my door is always open to you - best song ever written (and underrated!) why does this song get overlooked when it comes to this band?? you know why does this band get overlooked all the fucking time in the first place?? i just love the beatnik sorta vibe to the sound with the flicking of fingers and that bass and then how it goes through verse to chorus of going quiet before soaring up !!! i feel like i’ve heard this song somewhere else but i honestly have no idea where. anyway time for the lyrics that makes me lose my marbles - ‘don’t stand outside in the cold // you’re a sight for sore eyes’ i mean does that not want to make you melt!!!!  

put me back - reminds me of something very depeche mode if depeche mode was allowed to have guitars. 

let’s go to paradise - best song ever written. there is a sorta conga feel to it which again might explain why it gets stuck in my head for four years whenever i hear it. and of course “don’t you wonder bout the time that you’ve spent wasting your own when you could be wasting mine?” again fucking what? that line is so real it almost could have come from shakespeare or austen but nope. that’s from my fucking king in sydney <3 

the mad king - i have no idea why this song goes so hard but it does. the fucking vocals are just so fucking funny to me. i love it. 

he’s just no good for you - best song ever written. considering the subject matter this song is pretty ahead of its time. i mean for real he’s just no good for you .... why are you going back .... you deserve a whole lot better than that. greedy was honestly our biggest ally. 

thinking out loud - tune. 

stay at home girl - again harmonica fucking slap. 

mouth to mouth - literally how i imagine cocaine to feel like. 

i’m glad - nearly died when i first heard this song. i’m glad i’m with you too greedy !!! 

ruby baby - i am in a bahamas with a margarita and you will not change me. 

wandering through heavens - mentions the devil being let out of a cage. how can you not?

overall they ended their golden period what can only be described as their best album and i’m so glad they did this album for me and i would kiss them all on the cheek. except for greedy, he can get a kiss on the mou- *GETS GUN DOWNED*

[nikki-pondtheauthor]

The Side of Princeton

[A College AU where Jazz and Jason are forced to be roommates together. A "Coming-of-Age" fic.] Jazz watched as snow continued to fall around her, so soundlessly in the middle of the night. The campus was mostly empty, with students and faculty members all going home for the holidays, leaving Jazz here to stare and enjoy this beautiful scenery.

“Hey Jazz!” a familiar voice called out to her.

And it was her roommate. And probably her closest friend here at Princeton University.

You’d think for an Ivy League with its reputable background, its housing would be great. But Jazz begged to differ considering her roommate.

When she’d first arrived in Princeton, she had been surprised to find out that she was paired with a male roommate named Jason Todd, a freshman majoring in English—Not like she would ever change it now considering Jason has become one of her closest friends here in Princeton.

Jazz had first complained to the resident adviser about this and was immediately switched to a worse roommate than her first one. An obsessed Fortnite player and not even the Fenton earplugs could block the sounds of her roommate grinding the game in the middle of the night. And Jazz couldn’t even complain again since there were no available housings or rooms left except Jason’s.

And Jazz very much valued well night’s worth of sleep and quiet, thank you very much.

She’s surprised the resident adviser hasn’t caught onto them since opposite genders as roommates were against the dormitory’s policy, though Jason would say he’s got that cover, always leaving her with that particular glint in his eyes, whatever that meant. Jazz did not want to know. Plausible deniability was her best bet.

“Jazz,” he called out, and Jazz blinked in surprise as he stepped closer into her orbit, winding his arms around her.

Jazz let out a little breath and nodded, stepping closer and resting her head on his shoulder, her heart starting to pound madly in her ears. And if her face flushed red as her back faced against his chest, Jazz would forever deny and say it was the cold that was making her cheeks all red.

She was surprised when Jason started to sway their bodies together, humming in her ear, a familiar Christmas tune.

“What are you doing?” She let out a laugh, amused, trying to glance back at him but he only pressed closer to her.

“It’s snowing.”

“So?”

“Blame the holiday spirits. I’m in a mood for some cheers,” he grunted. And Jazz can’t tell whether he’s sarcastic or not. It wasn’t long before he went back to a familiar tune and Jazz couldn’t help but sing it on her head. 

I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need I don't care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true

She was just enjoying being lost in her thoughts while being surrounded by his warmth when Jason suddenly spoke up.

“You don’t have to like me back just because I confessed.” And Jazz tried not to tense. But of course, Jason noticed because he quickly added. “I know I made things awkward between us, ruining our roommate agreement and all that.”

“Yeah…” She won’t deny that.

“I’m not sorry for feeling that way,” he added. 

I don’t expect you to apologize for that, Jazz thought in her head.

“I’m a selfish bastard, I can’t help it. But…I AM sorry that I made you uncomfortable. And that I made things complicated between us.”

“I can’t love you back, Jason,” Jazz uttered after a moment of silence. There’s too much risk if I allow that. I like our little space. Our comforting bubble. Our routine together.

“I know,” he agreed quickly with a bit of heartbreak in his eyes.

She wished she could apologize. She wished she could take her words back if not to see her friend hurting before her, because of her, really, but it needed to be said. That she wasn’t in the right frame of mind to enter a romantic relationship.

Jazz sort of hated Jason for disrupting her equilibrium. She wished she could forget about Jason’s confession to her and just go back to the way they were. But she can’t, no matter how many times she played the oblivious card.

If someone asked Jazz to define her relationship with Jason, she would say:

Our friendship is like a treehouse. A secret ‘you and me’ house. A little escape, high above the world where imagination meets nature’s wonder. A galleon as cozy as can be. Our fort against the maddening world.

“Are you okay with that?” she asked, just to make sure.

“Yeah,” Jason let out a heavy sigh like he already accepted her decision even though it hurt him. “But Jazz…All that matters to me is that you act on how you truly feel.”

What was Jason talking about?

“If you ignore my texts, I’ll let myself be ignored. If you stand me up, I’ll let myself be stood up. And if you dump me, I’ll let myself be dumped. All of that is romance to me…because we’d be doing things together that I can’t do on my own.”

It wasn’t said with resignation. Nor defeated. The words fell from his lips easily as if they’d just been lying in wait for the right moment to make themselves known.

“…okay.”

And Jazz must be crazy for considering it. It’s only going to end with more heartbreaks down the road.

But perhaps Jason was right earlier, blame the holiday spirits, just this once, she’d allow this.

In the spirit of Christmas, I’ll allow it, that’s what Jazz kept telling herself. It was the only gift she could afford to give despite the guilt threatening to swallow her whole. 

His voice dipped with his chin as it pressed against her shoulder. “All I want for Christmas…is you.” he sang softly, sorrow in his tone. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52092610/chapters/131749261

❄️ Haunting Heroes DPxDC Winter Advent 2023 ❄️

The Haunting Heroes DPxDC Discord Server is happy to announce its first official event: Haunting Heroes Winter Advent 2023.

❄️ ABOUT THE EVENT ❄️

🔹 What is Winter Advent? A DPxDC (Danny Phantom and DC Comics crossover) winter event to celebrate the winter holidays and the end of the year. Each day has two prompts you can choose from, along with a total of 6 free days where you can create anything you want!

🔹 When? December 10th to December 31st (2023)

🔹 Where?

Tumblr: If you post on Tumblr, feel free to tag this blog @haunting-heroes-creative-games and use the tag #hauntingheroesadvent23 so we can find and reblog your submissions

AO3: You can submit to our AO3 collection. We'll close the collection on January 31st, so you have plenty of time to catch up.

Discord: You can share your work on our Haunting Heroes DPxDC (safe for work 18+) Discord server. To join, just send us an ask

🔹 What kind of submissions can we send?

We welcome all kinds of creations for this event: art, sketches, drabbles, one-shots, multi-chapter mania, you name it! You are free to combine or skip any days of your choosing. You don’t need to post every day in order to join! The most important thing is you have fun and enjoy these last few weeks of 2023.

We are so excited for this upcoming event, and we hope you can join us as we wrap up the end of the year and look forward to a thriving fandom in the next.

Thanks @disillusioneddanny for the calendar!! 🩵

[Full prompt list under the cut]

December 10: Free Day

December 11: Mistletoe // Snowman

December 12: Holiday Songs // Fireplace

December 13: Free Day

December 14: Candles // Winter Holiday

December 15: Stories // Hot Cocoa

December 16: Past/Present/Future // Sledding

December 17: Free Day

December 18: Stars // Gift Exchange

December 19: Workplace Holiday Party // Blankets

December 20: Free Day

December 21: The Grinch // Snowball Fight

December 22: Baking // Movie Night

December 23: Lights // Gingerbread House/Men

December 24: Free Day

December 25: Holiday Market // Cuddles

December 26: Family Time // Decorations

December 27: Free Day

December 28: Sleigh Rides // Love

December 29: Ice Skating // Money

December 30: Resolution // New Year’s Party

December 31: Year in Review

[t-n-tea]

Hello! I’m Tess and my daemon is Theron! Here’s a bit about us! This is supposed to be one question a day but that’s boring and takes too little long

30 ‘get to know us’ questions and answers below the cut

Day 1: What is your current form and why?

Theron: I’ve been settled as a ferret for a while now. It’s our aspirational form. Tess aspires to be more happy, extroverted, and energetic!

Day 2: What have you learned about yourself since discovering your daemon/form/etc?

Theron: We didn’t know why my form was a ferret until we did research on it so really, the whole reason why I’m a ferret was learned! Also, I have opinions that Tess does not have initially, but we realize some of these thoughts of mine are subconscious thoughts of Tess’s that we didn’t know about until we sat and talked.

Day 3: Why did you pursue daemonism in the first place? How have you benefited from getting in contact with your daemon?

Tess: My oldest sibling told me about daemons when I was…13? I admire my sibling and want(ed) to be like them. I perused at first simply because it was nice to have someone else here with me all the time, and that’s still true, but he’s just great company! Theron really helps me through tough times, helps me realize why I’m feeling what I am, and coaches me through life.

Day 4: How has your personality evolved since you met your daemon and began form-finding?

Tess: I’m more open with my communication, more in tune with my feelings, and generally happier <3

Day 5: Write about the day when you first met your daemon, as best you can remember it.

Tess: Alright! So my sibling (Em) and I shared a room as kids. We had bunk beds, and I remember us sitting on the floor facing our beds right before either dinner or bedtime. Em asked me if I ever imagine an animal running alongside the car while riding somewhere and I said of course! Em explains to me about Daemons as best as they could, and told me to look around the room and see if I can see my dæmon. I couldn’t see shit 😂 but I didn’t want to disappoint them, so I said I saw a toucan perched on the corner of the top bunk. (I’m not sure why he was a toucan, we should look into that more.) Em was exited for me and I figured, hey, why not have an imaginary animal companion? So he stuck around. I ended up telling my friends about daemons and as kids do, we played pretend our dae’s interacting. It wasn’t until I was older, around 16 maybe, that I realized he was there to stay and wasn’t really an imaginary friend. And it wasn’t until the last few years that we’ve made a real connection and are getting to know eachother more deeply.

Day 6: Is there a form that you used to think fit your personality but you've changed to the point where it no longer fits?

Theron: I’ve never settled on a form before I settled as a ferret so, no

Day 7: Daemons: What's your favorite form and why?

Theron: Being a Night Fury is cool! When Tess is driving I love to skydive

Day 8: Do you have forms you can only take on certain occasions?

Theron: There aren’t any reoccurring occasions in our life that require a specific form so, no again

Day 9: Daemons: What did you do before your human discovered you and made proper contact?

Theron: Floated around in his subconscious and nudged him towards the right direction/his homework answers occasionally

Day 10: Do you ever wish to switch daemons with someone on the forum?

Tess: No way! That just sounds awkward. We wouldn’t know eachother like Theron and I do.

Day 11: Would you tell future partners/future children about daemonism?

Tess: I’ve been contemplating telling my partner for a while now. While I think he’d be supportive, I don’t think he would understand and may think it’s kind of odd.

Theron: He’s a man of science. He wouldn’t get it.

Day 12: Daemons: What do you associate with your human?

Theron: personal growth, forest creature, a cool breeze, great music

Day 13: What is your daemon's color?

Tess: Not sure if this means physical color but the color I associate with him is Yellow!

Day 14: What do you always associate with your daemon?

Tess: Sun rays, a good tree to climb, joy, spontaneity

Day 15: Daemons: What do you wish your human would listen to you about?

Theron: I wish Tess would listen better when I tell them they need to have as much patience with themself as they have for others

Day 16: Describe your daemon in 5 words.

Bouncy, patient, (Theron: always right), warm, sassy

Day 17: Daemons: Have you ever given bad advice?

Theron: Never. 😤 Tess: Tbh our memory isn’t good enough to think of an instance but I’m sure there is one

Day 18: Do you and your daemon have a "theme song"? What about it makes you think of them?

We don’t but we should!

Day 19: Daemons: Pick a song for your human. Explain your choice.

Theron: Run Boy Run by Woodkid. Running away to disappear in the trees is very Tess, and it seems like a good trans anthem

Day 20: What do you love about your daemon?

Tess: I love his endless patience ❤️ No matter what, he is calm and patient and kind

Day 21: Daemons: What's one thing you like and dislike about your human?

Theron: Only one like? Ok, I like Tess’ connection with the Earth, it’s admirable and their love and respect for the world shows

Dislike: I’m not too fond of how quick he is to trust new people. It’s not a bad thing, but I fear it’ll end him up in trouble one of these days if he’s not careful about it

Day 22: What's your fondest memory together? Explain.

Tess: There’s no one specific memory but Theron pulls me through some shit and he does it so gracefully

Day 23: Daemons: Describe your human in 5 words.

Theron: Great vibes (idc that’s 2), cozy, smart, funny, talented

Day 24: What's one thing you like and dislike about your daemon?

Tess: I love his joyful mood! His default is ‘happy’ and it’s great!

I dislike that he’s slower to trust new people 😅

Day 25: Daemons: If you were a human, what would your fitting form be? Explain.

Theron: I’d be 5’10”, dark brown slightly curly hair, I’d be so fashionable but like, in a chill ‘I’m not even trying’ way, I’d probably skateboard because it looks really fun, and I’d paint my nails all sorts of fun patterns!

Day 26: What season do you associate your daemon with?

Summer 🔆

Day 27: Daemons: What tv/book/imaginary/fictional character could you compare your human to?

Theron: Aziraphale from Good Omens. Always seeing the good in others and wanting to do what’s right, caring for all the living creatures

Day 28: If you could only talk to your daemon one last time, what would you say to each other?

Tess: Oh that’s depressing… no, i don’t like thinking about that.

Theron: I’d give Tess my best advice and remind him to keep going. Think of me often

Day 29: Daemons: You get to decide what to do this day.

Theron: We’re gonna go out early in the morning and try and get some pictures of the local crows!

Tess: But not too early…

Day 30: Last day! Have fun: pick something random and daemon-y to do.

Theron: Set out around town with Tess’ camera and I’ll take the form of whatever they take a picture of!

[qqueenofhades]

One of my favourite Sandman lore pieces I absorbed via tumblr is how, when Dream is having great sex, all the dreamers get to have glorious lustful dreams. Dream really is getting laid and making it everybody else's problem. Magnificent.

Dr. Robert Gadling is whistling an extremely cheery tune as he unlocks his office door -- which, if you had had the night he did, you would be whistling too, or possibly even clicking your heels like a demented leprechaun and wishing top o' the morning to everyone who passed. He's not doing that, but he's definitely feeling extremely good, and he sails inside, pulls up the blinds, boots up his computer, and prepares to answer some emails while he waits to see if anyone's actually going to come to office hours. It's always hit or miss, and then four days later they send a panicked question at midnight that they could have just, you know, asked. In person, in a timely fashion, when he definitely will not bite. He will never understand undergraduates.

Hob keeps the door propped open as usual, thus to project a warm and welcoming attitude, and after he's trudged through the first tranche of emails, he glances up to see one of his students loitering in the hall as if she's about to come in -- then, catching sight of him, turning scarlet and racing off at top speed. This is bewildering, since she's usually among the more talkative of the bunch, but Hob writes it off. At least until he sees several more students hovering in the hallway, who all vamoose the instant he sticks his head out to see if they need anything. This is decidedly peculiar, and he sighs deeply, grabs his mug, and heads down the hall to the faculty lounge, thus to raid it for a cup of coffee. Even more emails (and oh joy, expense reports) await, and he could use the fortification.

When he steps inside, his colleagues Bryan (Economics and Politics in Modern Germany) and Amita (Women, Caste, and Religious Practice in Precolonial India) both immediately turn bright red, clear their throats, and engage in a slightly too-loud conversation about the weather (which, given as this is London, is exactly what you think it is). Hob eyes them curiously, since while bizarre behavior is understandable from students, it is somewhat less so from lecturers. "Hey, guys," he says. "Anything up?"

"Er." Bryan is staring fixedly at the floor, while Amita has become unaccountably fascinated by the raindrops rolling down the window. "Nope. No. Everything normal, Rob. Entirely usual."

"Right," Hob says slowly, having the feeling of a man who has walked into a cave and found something large and furry that he should try not to disturb. "That's just me going, then. If I could sneak past you for the coffee pot, that'd be great -- "

He pours himself some coffee, departs in haste, and almost bowls over Philippa, Head of Department, in the hallway outside. They spring backward like a pair of opposing magnets, he manages to avoid dousing her in boiling hot coffee, and as he apologizes, notices that she is likewise determinedly not looking him in the eye and addressing a spot in midair over his head as she insists that it's fine. What the actual hell. Has everyone in Goldsmiths lost their bloody minds?

The insanely weird character of Hob's day, and the fact that even the clerk at Superdrug seems to cough unaccountably while ringing him up, remains a mystery until he gets home, finds an eager Dream Lord waiting for him already, and they get extremely distracted even before Hob can make dinner. Afterward, as they're lying half-clothed and decadent on the bed, Hob murmurs, "Well, glad you at least can stand to look at me, love. Had a very odd time of it today."

Dream's expression assumes a furtive, guilty quality. He rolls onto his back, head still pillowed luxuriantly on Hob's stomach, and stares up at the ceiling. "Ah," he says, after a very long pause. "About that."

(Two minutes of a deeply humiliating explanation later, Hob screeches, "YOU BLOODY DID WHAT?" Dream apologizes profusely and promises not to do it again. Hob does, of course, have classes and commitments for the rest of the semester, but hopefully it's not too late to change his name, once more fake his death, and move to Australia. Except, of course, they dreamed of him there too. Horrible.)

[lynderman]

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐌𝐞? (Vance Hopper) Pt.3 (Final Chapter)

Pairing: Vance Hopper x Gn!Reader

Word Count: 2,265

Date Published 9/2/22

Description: Vance could break every girl’s heart and not bat an eye. So why was breaking yours so much harder for him?

(DEFINELTY OOC VANCE. Also, this part was only made because @crustlover commented. So y'all got them to thank.)

Part 1 -> Part 2

✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯

The following week was a living hell for Vance. Even more so than usual. After he received the soul crushing news, he broke down completely. His parents comforted him for a bit, before he excused himself from the house.

He walked to a large green pasture you had one shown him. It was on the edge of town, a typical place for the two of you to stargaze. He sat alone in the grass. Crying.

There were too many things going on in his head for him to tune in with reality. He sat there for what felt like an eternity. Until he heard the quiet sound of footsteps approaching him. He didn't bother to turn his head to face them.

"Hey Vance."

Quinn sat down next to him, looking up at the stars as well. This was great. Just another thing for Vance to worry about. How he was going to cope with this and still be with Quinn. How could he even do that? After all, he did choose her. Not you. The two sat in silence until she spoke. "I think it's best if we part ways."

He turned abruptly to face her. She sat there with a a sympathetic smile on her face; not seeming bothered in the slightest. "I'm sorry to hear about (Y/n). Truly, I am. I know how much they meant to you. And I know that they're the one you-" She let out a Half hearted chuckle.

"Look, I know we had going something on for a while. It was great for the both of us. But I know as well as you do, you love them. Not me." She put her hand over his, squeezing it slightly. Guilt crept upon his face. "I know this must be hard on you, harder than it is for anyone else. So that's why I think it's best we break up." Quinn looked down as she unclipped the necklace on her neck. The one with a guitar pick. She placed it into his hand before closing his fist around it.

"They'd want you to have it back." Vance began to cry again. "I didn't know them as well as you did. But I do know they'd want you to forgive yourself, Vance. I wish you the best." Quinn kissed his cheek before standing up and walking back the way she came.

Vance knew it was what was best for the both of them too. He appreciated her honesty, as much as it might've hurt. Btu what hurt worse was that he knew she was right. That your dad was right too. That despite everything that went on between the two of you, you wouldn't want him to forgive himself. Vance didn't believe he could ever fully do that.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

The news of the missing kids' spread quickly. Within the next day, all of the small town was in shock.

Apparently the night prior, a child was found banging on the doors of houses; screaming for someone to answer. Eventually, an elderly lady opened the door to find a bloodied and beaten child standing on her doorstep. She let the child in and asked what happened.

The child proceeded to tell her how they were taken to a basement of a house on the same street. How a masked man kidnapped and tortured them for weeks. Only a few minuets prior the child running down the street, they had killed their kidnapper. When the lady asked who the kidnapper was, the child could only say he had mask on. A long one with different expressions and horns of a devil.

Soon when the child was slightly calmed down, the lady called the police to inform them. When the child found out, they supposedly sprinted out the front door and back the way they came. The elderly woman couldn't do much as she watched the child run into the forest and disappear once more. This entire story was based on her testimony, and reports of the police.

When the police did show up, they checked Each house from the street.

They found one with a basement and the body of a dead man. Then another across the street with 5 other corpses buried beneath the house. Upon closer examination, the police concluded it to be the missing children. Although, the faces of some were unrecognizable. They also concluded the run away child was the most recent victim, and the other corpses were the bodies of the firsts'.

That was inevitably how they concluded (Y/n) (L/n) to be dead.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Vance had refused to go to school Monday - Thursday of the following week. The only reason he did show up was his mom forcing him to go; threatening expulsion from the principle.

When he did arrive go, he got stares from the other students as usual. Only this time they weren't of fear or terror. They were of sympathy. It baffled people to know that The Vance Hopper, had feelings too.

No one provoked him that day. It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell that he wasn't his usual self. He attended all his classes and didn't skip. He kept his head down and talked to no one.

Until lunch.

As vance sat at his usual table towards the back (your usual table), he saw a few people approach him. It consisted of Finney, Robin, Gwen, and Bruce. Vance and Bruce hadn't spoken since the party. Let alone make eye contact. Even if it was a whiles' ago.

Gwen asked if they could sit with him, to which he complied. It was complete silence for the most part. Each seemed to be upset by the loss of their friend. They all had their own way of grieving, but none of them would ever admit to that. Some could say they were each going through a stage of grief.

Robin was still in denial. He knew that (Y/n) was a fighter. There was no way they could be dead. They must've escaped and ran away somewhere. He refused to accept his boxing buddy was gone.

Gwen was angry. Beyond angry. She was livid. She couldn't understand why someone wanted to take children. Let alone (Y/n). The same (Y/n) who wouldn't hurt a fly. She couldn't wrap her head it.

Finney was bargaining with fate it seemed like. He was never religious to begin with. But he would make small comments about how if (Y/n) were to turn up again, he'd devote everything to god himself. Praying to something or someone out there to bring his lab partner back.

Vance was depressed. Anyone could see that. He hadn't gotten into any fights, considering he spent the past week in his room Locked up; crying every night. Blaming himself for the loss of his best friend.

Bruce seemed to be the only one to accept that (Y/n) was gone. It hurt him, sure. But he knew that wallowing in his sorrows wouldn't bring them back.

The group broke silence when Bruce asked if Vance was going to their friend's funeral on Sunday. Vance didn't confirm nor deny. Truthfully, he didn't want to go. Not because he didn't miss (Y/n). But because he couldn't compensate the fact they were gone. He didn't want to walk up to a casket to see the lifeless features of the one he loved most.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Luckily for Vance, the funeral was a closed casket one.

After the talk at lunch 2 days ago, he mustered up the courage to tell his mom he would be attending. The words that Quinn and Mr. (L/n) spoke to him hit like a brick. If he was going to forgive himself, he needed to start. And to start was to say goodbye.

Both parents of (Y/n) had asked Vance to give his own Eulogy for his friend. They knew it was a lot to ask of him, but they also knew no one better than to express the importance of their child. That's how he ended up where he was now. On the Podium. Well in front of over 100 people.

Vance had agreed to speak, on the condition he would be last. A local pastor had began with a processional. Vance blocked out everything for the most part.

The (L/n) family allowed him and his own to sit in the front rows with them. (Y/n)'s father spoke, as did their sibling. When Vance was called, he froze up. He knew he was going to cry, there was no doubt about it. But he didn't want people to judge 'Pinball Vance Hopper' for having emotions. Yet he pushed his selfish thoughts away and took the stand.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

"(Y/n) (L/n) was not just my best friend. They were my soulmate. So how am I supposed to live with half a soul left?" Vance's voice faded as he looked up from the microphone to the people before him.

The words Vance spoke in his 5 minuets brought more people to tears than the pastor had. Maybe it was how he spoke so fondly of (Y/n). How he wasn't yelling, but rather collected and breathless. Or the way he even let himself cry.

But no.

It brought people to tears knowing that someone like Vance Hopper could feel. How in this moment Vance chose to do this. Vance chose you. He chose to let his feelings out for once. He may have made the mistake of not choosing you over Quinn, but now he could make up for that. The impact that was created on Vance by (Y/n) was immense enough that everyone got a slight feel of it for themselves.

The funeral ended and Vance left the chapel to stay in the hallway. He only made his presence known once they announced they were going to the burial.

When everyone arrived, Vance was the third to last person to walk up to the casket. He looked down and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry (Y/n). I'm sorry that I couldn't save you."

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

It had been about a week and a half since the funeral. The headstone put in above the ground. Vance was currently sitting in front of it, despite the rain beginning to sprinkle.

He'd done this routine for a good 4 days now. After school everyday, he'd walk to the cemetery downtown and sit here; talking to you. He wished one day you'd miraculously just show up and it would all be some big dream. Luckily for him, his wish did come true.

"I hate that I have to remember you more than I've known you." Vance mumbled, fiddling with the guitar pick In his fingers. His daily grieving was cut short when he turned his head to the noise of rustling in the forest beside him.

Vance watched as a figure came into view from the tall trees. The person looked around, clearly dazed by the rain. It had begun to pour heavily. The person began to walk towards the cemetery, but tripped the process.

Standing up, he cautiously took a steps towards the person.

By now they had gotten off the wet grass and were standing in the middle of the few feet of open grass between the nearest gravestone and trees. Vance stopped in his tracks when he saw the shirt the person was wearing. It was a torn up crewneck. Way too big for the person who had it on. It was his shirt. Specifically, the one he had given to-

Vance ran towards the person, watching as they stood trying to make out who he was. He made it to the person in record time, throwing his arms around them.

After a moment he removed himself and looked down.

There you stood. Eyes clouded with tears as you gave him a smile. "You're alive?" They nodded. "But the cops- They said you were dead. They found your body in the basement with the others..And the only survivor was Kennedy since she was last to get taken- But then she ran away from that elderly lady cause-"

(Y/n) laughed and took Vance's hands in theirs. "No, dumbass. I was the one who talked to the old lady." Their smile faded. "When she told me she was calling the cops, I ran. I ran because I thought they'd put me in jail for killing him." The tone of their voice became quiet, the laugh fading. "I'm sorry."

(Y/n) looked up to him.

"For what?" His chest felt heavy as he bit the inside of his cheek. "For not being able to save you. For not getting you a gift. For bringing Quinn everywhere. For choosing her over-" He cut himself off before he would start crying again.

"The point is, is that I made a mistake. It should've been you. I should've spent more time with you. I should've taken you stargazing or on late night drives. Truthfully, I've been crying almost every-night for the past 3 weeks. And your dad said that you would forgive me because that's what you would've wanted but I still can't-"

"I do forgive you Vance."

Pulling him by his cheeks, (Y/n) cupped his face placing a small kiss onto his lips. Vance's face turned red as they let go. "You do?" They nodded. Now it was their turn to pull him into a hug. Vance smiled, placing his chin atop of their head.

"I'm glad you chose me, Vance."

Vance would choose (Y/n) in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, or in any very of reality he could find. He would choose them.

[trippingonthelight]

One Line Prompts #4: Danny - (“You make me feel safe” and “just tell me everything’s gonna be okay”)

an: okay so you ever have those almost-relationships that could be so great if they worked out but it’s so tense trying to get it to work out bc no one will admit their feelings for eachother so u just stand there like🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️waiting for the other person to speak up… yeah this is about when it works out <3

cw: this is kinda sort of a flashback in a way (if you squint), reader and Danny are both set in high school so underage drinking (but be honest who didn’t…), angst, mutual pining, Sam being an instigator, josh has literally no dialogue idk what to tell u he just didn’t have anything to say. Enjoy Danny lane <3

You could tell from the way your shoulder harshly smacked against the doorframe as you tried to shuffle past the partygoers and into the busy house that you made a mistake coming here tonight. At your friend’s house on the block where you grew up, they threw a graduation party for everyone who got their diplomas today. The party marked not just the end of school, but new beginnings for the graduates. A proper home-town sendoff into the real world… 

God you hated this part…  God you hated him right now… 

Childhood friends from the beginning, your summers were always filled with Danny’s presence. For days on end you would hang out till the sun went down, then with the other neighborhood kids (Kiszka’s always in tow) you would keep each other company in the dark woods where bonfires roared for hours into the languid summer evenings, cool fall nights, and frigid winters. As you grew up, time spent with him started to feel different. It started as an innocent connection of young souls trying to navigate growing up together, and finding joy wherever they can; whether it was going on adventures together in nature, shopping with the other kids at the mall, or just enjoying each other’s company while you sit on the docks and asked all the questions to each other that you were too scared to ask adults yet…

“hey y/n, what do you think being in love means…” 

“Danny, what do you do when you get scared… “

“what are we gonna go when we have to leave home?” “I dunno, guess we’ll figure it out together…” 

But as you got older, you started to see him. Really see him. His presence wasn’t just a constant comfort anymore. He changed, but in all the good ways. He got older and taller and grew out his hair. He became more introspective, reflective, soft spoken, though his loud laughter remained. Not too long after you met as kids, he started playing in a band with the Kiszka’s on the weekends and eventually every day after school. You remember the first day you were invited over to watch them practice. Jake was the loudest over everyone except for Josh, who in turn just tried to out-do Jake’s incredible volume. Sam hung back with Danny, keepers of the rhythm and the peace between the fiery twins. If they can mellow out a little and not physically fight each other on stage, you think they could really make it one day. 

This was your routine for years. You were there with him through it all as they developed their sound, watched them all grow… One night you were over and you watched them play this new song they’re trying to work out. You can’t really remember the name, some sweet tune with a line about morning birds… But you’re watching him closely, a gentle curiosity with his every move. 

You saw him smiling and laughing with his best friends, the five of you in your own world in the Kiszka’s garage where all that matters is music and togetherness. It was undeniably your comfort place… 

You saw the way the dim work lamps they set up as makeshift stage lights casted a gentle glow on his features. He looks so soft, you think to yourself as you fiddle with the sleeves of your sweatshirt, wishing it was his hand instead you were grasping. It seemed like over a matter of months he went from this sweet boy you loved to hang out with to a kind young man who you still loved to hang out with, except now he makes you nervous. Because you like him… “like” doesn’t even seem right. “Liking” someone means you don’t really know them yet. You knew Danny well, better than most, actually… Your young heart didn’t want to admit it out of fear, but looking back on it now you would absolutely call it love. 

You saw the way he caught you staring, and grinned at you. He jokingly says, “you got a staring problem, sweetheart?” Sweetheart….. it makes your heart jump up in your throat. It made him just as nervous to say it, he doesn’t really know why it slipped out. Maybe the adrenaline of getting that new beat down perfectly, maybe the pride he felt performing in front of you, or just your presence in his favorite place…he loved having you here… loved spending time with you… loved you too, even if he couldn’t tell anyone else but Sam. Jake and Josh would be too practical, tell him to go for it. But the trepidation remained and Sam would tease him about it for years, “ya know one day Daniel, she’s just gonna slip through your fingers if ya don’t say something… but who am I to meddle in the affairs of young love…”

“Shut up, Sam…” 

Your feelings for each other raged on internally all throughout high school. You got to watch the band take off, got to watch them get more and more attention, got to watch them bloom… When Jake and Josh graduated they got really serious about the band, even signing contracts and planning recording sessions for a real album… You only had a year left of school yourself, and you had so much you wanted to accomplish. You would imagine life after graduation and how amazing it will all be, you and Danny finally free from the necessary evil of education and setting off into the world with a freedom you can’t even comprehend yet. You realized that high school isn’t forever, and life is out there waiting for you… 

But, you also came to the realization that when he gets that diploma in his hands, nothing would be left to tether him here anymore. Family, friends, holidays… sure he would come back. But it slowly settled upon you, the weight of  knowing he couldn’t stay. Not when the life he always dreamed of is right there waiting for him. Why would anyone stay when all that opportunity was just out there for the taking?

Earlier today as the graduates sat in anticipation of their diplomas, you sat with his family in the stands of the football field nervously bouncing your legs. Being here meant that you were acknowledging the end, welcoming it even, and that made your stomach turn. It pissed you off…

You had to leave the ceremony early. He wanted a picture with you on the football field, but tears had already stained your cheeks and your dress. He texted you, 

where’d you go? 

just had to run home real quick. I’ll see you later okay? 

okay! see you later :) 

never has simple punctuation hid so much emotion from the receiver. He puts his phone in his back pocket and tries to smile through more pictures with Sam. His mom snaps one of all four of the guys; he wishes you were there.

—

So yeah, it was a huge mistake coming to this party. And it was an even bigger mistake getting a little drunk beforehand, shotgunning a couple of beers your dad won’t miss from the fridge in the garage and hopping on your bike to head to the party. Your head felt swimmy and clouded, aware of the feeling of the alcohol snaking its way through your bloodstream but no longer aware of your sadness. The anger though… that was harder to get rid of. 

Even harder to do was reign it in. So when Danny saw you walk in he excitedly came over to you, hoping whatever happened earlier had worked itself out for the sake of tonight. He wanted to just forget about it, intending to grab you in a hug and take you to the corner the boys had co-opted for the evening and just be in each other's company.

You really didn’t mean to snap at him...

He gave you a big smile, “Hey!” reaching for your arm. When his fingers barely make contact with your heated skin, you flinch and pull away. His face drops. 

“What’s up Danny?” You try to sound casual, but your anger seeps through. You can’t say too many words to him without tears welling up again because you know he’s on could nine right now, with music and touring being the only things on his horizon. Except for you. To him, you were still there. If only you knew it.

But your own misery at the idea of him going away eclipsed all the pride and happiness you felt for him at the moment. You were happy for him. That’s what made this so hard.

You weren’t proud of yourself for it, but you rolled your eyes at him when he didn’t respond. To be honest he just didn’t have the words. Didn’t know what to say.

“Whatever…” You shrug him off and head to the kitchen. 

He looks back at the guys, silently asking them if they just saw that. Josh and Sam confirm that yeah, weirdly enough that just happened. Determined to know what’s wrong, he follows you to the kitchen and leans back against the island as you pour a generous shot. “Think that’s a little more than a standard pour there, kid…” 

Kid… He was one year older than you… Kid…. you say it over and over in your head and coat it in an extra layer of disdain and resentment every time. Kid… you start to fabricate another reason to be upset so you don’t have to face yourself. that’s all I’ll ever be… some kid he hung out with… 

“Yeah that’s the point, Daniel.” You throw the shot back, it burns your throat but quiets your head a little. A fair enough trade. You walk away from the island and kept your distance from him for the next hour, huddling with a group of girls you barely spoke to during school but with the performance you were putting on, they could have been your lifelong friends. You concoct the story in your head to make this all seem easier, justified even. He doesn’t even need me. He’s gonna go off and be so successful and forget this ever even happened… what a waste of time, you lie to yourself. Fuck him… 

You were angry, that much is true. But never at him.

You were angry at the clock, at the calendar, at the map… at the distance apart you’ll be from each other that will change every night for him as he goes on tour. At the hours you wasted mulling over in your mind how to tell him you loved him instead of just saying it. At yourself, for running out of time and for being mad right now. For every new realization like this that hit you it felt like the air became vaporized agony, each passing breath more shallow and painful than the last. You took a swig from what ever bottle they were passing around at the moment. What ever will make it stop… 

He had never seen you like this. Swaying a little where you stood and your laughter so hollow. Like you were laughing to respond to the group, to blend in, but nothing was funny. He saw it in your eyes, you were hurting, bad. He knew you better than anyone, he knows how you can be when hard stuff hits… It made him sad, what happened? He couldn’t watch you wince again after taking another pull from the bottle you had at the moment. 

He approaches the group of girls whom you tried to hide in all night. “Ladies, do you mind if I steal her for a sec?” The girls didn’t know any better and were all giggles and smirks when he asked that, pushing you forward to him in a way that made you feel like a lamb going to the slaughter. Truthfully, he made you feel safer than anyone else in any other circumstance. But now, you can feel the conversation you’ve been needing to have is imminent, and it scares you.

You grabbed the closest bottle in one hand behind your back as he took your other and led you away. Away from the music that beat against the inside of your head violently. The lights that flashed and changed in a way that made you feel sick. It started to settle in, the reality of your decisions. What if he hadn’t stood there all night with you… where would you have gone? The thought terrified you and the bottle you snagged on the way out of the kitchen clattered to the floor, thankful that it didn't shatter and that it was out of your hands.

You felt a little more sober when he pulled you both into the hallway bathroom. For the first time all day you were grateful to be near him. The noise quieted and the soft interior of the room made you feel a little safer, less on edge. A little nightlight was the only light source, but that’s all he needed to see you stiffen, cross your arms, and lean against the counter. He leans back against the door, drink still in hand. He takes a swig and a beat before saying, “so you wanna tell me about it?” 

No. You don’t, actually. You shake your head like a petulant child, eyes cast down at the floor with a knowing shame. This isn’t how this was supposed to happen……… the phrase repeated itself over and over in your mind. You’re just feeling too much. Guilt, anger at the situation, anger at yourself, anxiety about so many “what ifs” you lost count. You mumble the phrase out to yourself. Your voice is meek, but he heard you. He doesn’t press for you to speak up, just takes a step closer to you. 

“How what was supposed to happen?” His voice is gentle. He just wants to know what’s wrong, how he can help, not knowing he’s the problem.

“This… you and me…” You wave your hands between the both of you symbolizing your palpable connection and also inability to coherently speak. Your head was buzzing and you felt the spins about to set in from your heart rate going up. You try not to say much, because the more you speak, the more your emotions start to build up in your chest. Rising to your throat and settling behind your eyes. You feel frantic even though you’re standing completely still, feel like he can read it all over you face even though he has no idea. You feel a crack in the dam that’s holding your emotions back, the alcohol not making it any easier to contain them. Then he speaks…

“what about you and me? come on y/n just talk to me… please…” he gently takes your hands, holding them halfway down so he can grip your wrists. He’s just so worried. Worried about what he did, worried about what someone else did to you, worried about what you did to yourself, why you’re self medicating when you hate to drink around anyone but him and the guys. You’re so special to him and this was such an important day, he just wanted you around for it all. Wanted to tell you… so many things..

When you weren’t there he was upset. But he’s trying to be with you now, you’re just not letting him. His plea finally tipped you over the edge, begging you for an answer when you would rather never speak again than give it to him. All at once you give it up. The dam breaks.

“Please what, Danny…  tell you how I’m so mad at literally everything right now?” The words slur together at first but you take a breath when his eyes go wide. You continue, “tell you how I’m scared shitless about what I’m gonna do without you when you leave? About how I think about where you’re gonna go and if you’ll be safe? If the guys will be safe? How I’m already so anxious about having to be here without you and how I’m gonna miss you so much?? How I love you and I always have, and I’m so mad at myself for telling you all this now that you’re leaving? Is that what you wanna hear about? Because I don’t fucking feel like talking.” 

There it was… he couldn’t explain why he was shocked. It’s what he wanted to hear more than anything, “I love you and I always have,” he couldn’t have put it better himself, and now he wants to sell all his plane tickets. Wants to unpack all his kits and equipment, wants to tear up the contracts, wants to undo it all, for you. He guesses the shock he feels is that you actually said it, and he didn’t have to imagine what it would be like to hear it anymore. He can just replay the memory now… or maybe hear it again. Your voice snaps him out of his own thoughts. 

“just… just tell me everything’s gonna be okay…” your voice cracked on the last word as you hid your face in your hands. nothing’s gonna be okay now…. or so it felt. You wanted to stomp and yell and let your tears run hot and angry down your ruddy cheeks. “Tell me it’s gonna be okay when you’re gone…” A little sob breaks through.

He silently reaches for you and pulls you into his embrace. He says it when he has you, “honey, c’mere…” pulling you impossibly close to him. You can’t help but fall into it. It’s what you wanted all night. What you both wanted.

“I’m just really scared, Danny. Everything’s about to change and I’m just not ready…” You finally admit.

He gets it, and he gets why you tried to hide it, tried to numb the pain of the inevitable… he just wishes you’d let yourself feel it - the shitty part that he had to come to terms with too. The part of this that meant the times that you get to spend together will be further apart. The part that made him think about how he can’t just show up to your door anymore either when he feels lonely or just wants to see you. The part that hurt you both too much to talk about until now. 

“I’ll stay…” He says, knowing he can’t. 

But seeing you cry hurts too much he would do anything to stop it. You’re drunk so you laugh at that even through your tears, “Now that would just be silly.” He laughs a little too, tears welling up around his amber eyes. Of course she would say that… The moment required silence, the heavy knowing kind of silence that both of you can feel. He tried to keep his breaths deep and steady so you can match them, but they’re shaking a little in his chest. He didn’t want to feel this part either. 

But now that you have, it’s not so bad. It stings, the pain and the sadness. Nothing has changed, he still has to go. You still have to finish school and go after dreams of your own. But everything has shifted. He smooths over your hair and makes you look up at him. His voice is so soft, you haven’t heard him like this before. Been this close before…

“It’s gonna be okay, ya know.. it’s gonna suck. Absolutely..” that makes you giggle. He smiles at that, remembering you’re actually a very happy drunk. The last bonfire of the summer taught him that. He continues, “but it’s not forever. And I’ll be home more often than you think.” He taps the top of your nose with his finger, just wanting to coax a other giggle from you. It worked. So he keeps going,

“Maybe when you graduate we’ll have a world tour scheduled and I can take ya across the pond. There’s some gorgeous golf courses over there I want you to see.”

You’ve never heard anything more genuine. He’s not trying to sell you on this little vision of the future. It’s just what he wants. The sweet admission makes you feel like maybe doing it all together is still possible. At least it can be, right now. 

You finally relax into his arms and he leans his head on top of yours. You just stand there, letting him hold you. And you hug him back, no longer wanting to be away from him. It slips out of you so easily when you said it to him, “you make me feel safe…” Your protector, your best friend… He feels safe with you too, signaling this to you by gripping you tighter and rubbing his big gentle hand up and down your back. 

“I’m sorry I was being so mean.” You look up at him, chin resting on his chest as your eyes lift to meet his stare. He puts a hand on the top of your head and smooths over your hair. He understands why you did it, doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. “Apology accepted… but you can talk to me… about anything. You know that, baby..” 

Baby…. you just like the way it sounds in his voice. 

“I know I can. This is just….” 

“heavy…” he finishes the thought for you. He understands. “Yeah, heavy…” you confirm his suggestion as you mess with the necklace he wore. It’s one you gave him, a crystal wrapped in wire and strung on a leather cord. He wears it most days. He wore it today when he walked across the stage, was holding the stone as he looked around for you in the crowd. Makes him feel connected to you even when you’re not around. So he doesn’t hesitate to take it off and put it around your neck. He thinks that you can keep talking later, there’s still time before he has to leave. So he chooses to lighten the moment as he finishes tying the cord, 

“Just a little something to remember me by…” He grins and you giggle, playfully thumping your hand against his solid chest. You feel grounded by the stone you picked out for him, grounded by his hands on you, grounded by how he’s looking at you. He tips your chin up again and makes you look at him. He needs to know, “so, we gonna do this?” 

You know what he means, you try to let him out of this one more time, try to give him an escape hatch. “Well,” you start. “it’s gonna hurt sometimes…” You thought he might reconsider, might step back and walk away. But he doesn’t, he just says, “then let it…” 

You didn’t know what your first kiss with Danny would be like. You definitely didn’t expect it to be in the bathroom of your neighbor’s house. But when it happened you couldn’t wait for the next one. He threaded his fingers through your hair, holding the back of your head with such sweetness. It was so soft you could have missed it if you weren’t listening, “can i kiss you…” a hurried nod from you and his lips are on yours. The first contact was a little awkward, in the sweet way where both of you realized too late that you were kissing your best friend, leaving you smiling too hard to keep going. You laugh, feeling the alcohol again make your brain go all swirly… only this time it doesn’t hurt. This time there’s no fear. Just you and him, and whatever’s on the horizon. The next one lands just perfectly. The plush of your lips meeting the soft curves of his own, bumping noses together and grabbing at him in the way you’ve dreamed about for so many nights now. Getting to hold him, be intimate with him. Finally… you feel yourself relax even more. Especially when he pulls away, holding your face in his hands and says,

“Let’s get back out there before people start talkin’ huh?”

He leads you both out and you follow him.

You’ll follow him anywhere.

[stupidfatpenguin]

Grogu likes master Luke.

(Partially because he lets Grogu’s father come visit whenever he can, and partially because he lets Grogu keep a free reign of terror over the creatures in the pond outside the temple, but there are other reasons, too.)

Instinctively, from when they first met, from when Grogu first felt him, he had known that his master is someone special. Only someone very special could enter a place with so much fear and anger and despair and make the Force sing tunes of hope. There is a light in him, a place of good and wanting to do good that wells and overflows and makes the galaxy a little less dark of a place.

Master Luke is very different from the other masters—the ones Grogu can vaguely recall from a past that seems so far away now. His temple is different, too, and too large for the two Jedi it houses. But Grogu likes the training they do, likes the way he feels against his mind, assured and strong, and playful and exploring. Like he is learning with Grogu, rather than just departing a lesson.

He likes master’s flying, the acrobatics he’ll sometimes perform in his x-wing that makes Grogu’s stomach churn with excitement; he likes his astromech, and how he bickers and banters with it like they are family or very old friends, and how he convinces R2 to let Grogu ride on top of his dome head as they zoom around the halls; he likes how he asks Grogu to show him his favourite things and happiest memories, and how he ‘oh’s and ‘ah’s at the right parts when he shows him his adventures with father.

More than anything—more than sitting comfy in his master’s hood as they explore the jungle or getting to play in the pond until sundown, hunting down the largest and tastiest frogs with hunter-like determination that surely would make his father proud—he likes the understanding. Here, at the temple, there is no hiding anymore, and no suppressing what he hears and feels in the universe around him, no hiding what he can do. He is safe. With master Luke, here, he feels safe.

(He likes it even better when father is here because that means his father, too, is safe.)

His master is bright, and kind, and he listens, and he is all this even when Grogu does something he was not supposed to do. Whenever he reaches out for him, he reaches back, and he is warm, warm, warm.

So Grogu likes master Luke very much.

And, naturally, he wishes that he can make his master feel as safe and happy as Grogu is.

(Master Luke is not always happy. Often, he hides his pain and his own fears and loneliness, and Grogu knows because he had long done the same.)

There isn't much one can do when one is only very small, and his master is not as fond of the largest and tastiest frogs as Grogu is (even though he has shared with him memories of a time when he ate them often).

But there are some things Grogu can do.

The first time Grogu sees his master hurt is while they are out in the humid jungle, stacking stones and moving water with the Force. The stones come easy to him now, but the water is challenging in its formlessness. Master Luke is demonstrating a particularly difficult manoeuvre, creating fine, cooling mist out of pond-water.

There, where his shirt once covered his shoulders, Grogu sees the angry red and dark purpling of bruises. His ears flatten against his head, and he wonders how his master could have been made to suffer these injuries. He sometimes has them when he returns from off-world, from places that are probably dangerous—places he goes to so that they can all be safe.

This time, master has not been off-world, and these bruises are relatively small. The cause is likely the nasty, large mosquitos or meat-flies that sometimes find their way into the temple, if they’re not careful enough with the doors and windows.

Grogu vows to eat one the next time he sees one buzzing by.

He likes master Luke very much, after all.

Which is why it is so strange to Grogu when master Luke tries to stop him while he is healing his wounds.

“Grogu,” says his master, eyes wide in surprise and his own hand holding Grogu’s away from his neck—now back to its regular, healthy colour.

Grogu coos, askance. Not better?

“I—you didn’t have to…” master Luke pauses, turns a little, as if embarrassed for a moment. “Thank you, I mean. But I was doing just fine. You should save those powers for when they are truly needed, little one.”

Grogu’s head drops, and he feels unhappy for a moment. He had only meant to help.

His master must sense this, for he reaches out, warm and wonderful, and gives Grogu a brilliant smile.

“Some practice doesn't hurt, of course. But you don’t have to do that again.”

Grogu makes a sound of understanding, but he really doesn’t understand why his master would refuse to let Grogu heal him.

Some weeks the biting bugs are more vicious than others. Grogu makes good on his promise to exterminate every such creature he comes over, and even enlists R2 to his aid, incinerating the ones that Grogu misses.

Grogu luckily does not suffer so badly, and his father is so well protected that no insect could ever do him harm. Why are they so interested in master Luke? Perhaps some people, the ones that are good and powerful, like his master, simply taste better.

(Despite his master’s request that he doesn’t, Grogu sometimes, when seated conveniently in his hood or on his shoulder, can’t resist reaching out in focus, and watching in satisfaction as the skin there is healed and turned unblemished, even when master gives him very accusive stares when he discovers it later, although Grogu claims none of the credit.)

To Grogu’s great worry and frustration, the bruises keep returning.

It is only a day later, when father is holding him just after breakfast, and Grogu clearly spies more terrible bruises on master Luke—red and vicious and high on his neck. He reaches out, whines loudly. Perhaps father can help him convince his master to accept his help.

“Grogu? Hey, what’s wrong, kid?”

Master Luke immediately knows his intentions, but his face, inexplicably, slowly takes on a hue of red. To his father, he explains: “Ah, he… wants to heal me.”

“Are you hurt?” father asks urgently, and Grogu feels validated in his concern.

“No! No, I’m fine, he just, uh…” His face grows redder still. “The other day, he saw the… marks and… healed them. He thinks they’re hurting me.”

His father stares, eyes wide, and Grogu can feel his hand twitching and his body radiate a sort of embarrassment. “Maybe I should… stop doing that.”

Master laughs, smiles mischievously. “Maybe you should start leaving them lower.”

Grogu is suddenly confused. Had his father been the one to do this? Are his father and his master fighting? Hurting each other? He remembers that his father hadn’t been happy when he had tried protecting him when he had wrestled with Cara Dune, because she was “his friend”, but they had never wounded each other. Not like this. Were his father and master Luke, perhaps, not friends after all? None of this seemed to make sense. But he can’t allow them to hurt each other anymore.

So when his two most important people are suddenly standing a lot closer, and his father’s other hand touches his master’s neck exactly where he is hurt, Grogu gathers the Force around him and promptly pushes.

(And because Grogu likes master Luke and his father so very, very much, he is not that sad when he is not allowed frogs for dinner that night).

-

Tl;dr: Grogu wants to heal Luke’s injuries, but they are actually hickeys.

(This started as a ficlet about Grogu’s feelings on Luke, and suddenly became DinLuke whoops)

[hotchnerxo]

Under the Same Roof: Chapter 1

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x fem!reader Words: 1.8k Summary: Thank you to your friend Penelope Garcia's recommendation, you have moved to Quantico, Virginia to get a fresh start. Starting new is always rough when you know no one in the city, but Penny has made it her life mission to help you make new friends. And having an attractive neighbor sure doesn't hurt. Warning: None that I can think of A/N: AND THEY WERE NEIGHBORS trope has been living rent free in my brain for weeks now, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Chapter 1.

“Just leave the boxes wherever you can, I just want everything inside before it rains” you instruct the movers carrying the last few boxes inside your new apartment. It’s been a long day and you just wish for it to be over. You’re both excited and exhausted by the day, it is a new beginning, but being in a new city you don’t know and living on your own for the first time ever is pretty intimidating.

Since you moved out of your parents’ house, you’ve always had at least one roommate with you, for a few years you had 3 at a time. But the past 2 years you had lived with your now-ex-boyfriend, until it came crashing down a couple of months ago. And now you’re here by your friend’s recommendation. Strange.

After a couple of more trips down stairs, everything was inside. Perfect timing as it had just started raining. You thank all the helpers profoundly and tip them generously before you finally get to close your front door. You look around the apartment and can’t help but think how strange it is being in total silence. Only the biggest furniture had found their places, everything else was scattered everywhere in boxes and bags and more boxes.

As you go to your phone in order to put on some tunes, your friend texts you, asking if you want some help unboxing. How could you say no, especially since she said she’d bring take out with her. She promised to be over in an hour, so you decide to go ahead and empty a few boxes while you wait.

You’re filling up the kitchen cabinets with glasses as your doorbell rings. Finding your way to the door from the labyrinth of stuff on your way, you hear talking behind the door and recognize one of the voices being your friend.

“Oh it’s fine. I just forgot to check the forecast before going for a run” you hear a man’s voice echoing in the hallway. “Jack’s gonna get a kick out of it, so I’ll be alright”. You open the door to find your dear friend Penelope standing there with a bag of food in one hand and on the other a bright yellow umbrella dripping water all over the floor. You notice wet footprints going past your door to the left and peek in the same direction.

A tall man with wet black hair was about to turn his keys in the lock of his own apartment next to yours. He had a black t-shirt on, soaked as well. It was basically glued to his body, highlighting every muscle of his back and arms. He had black sweatpants on that made his butt look good, you couldn’t help but notice.

“There you are!” Penelope exclaimed as you had barely gotten the door open. “I’m so excited you’re here, did you get everything inside before the storm outside?” You nod in response, leaning in to hug the woman. “Oh, Aaron, this is my friend (y/n), they just moved in today” you hear her introducing you to the man.

He has a kind smile on his face as he waves from across the hall “Hey! Nice to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but I’m soaking, so I will keep my distance this time around”

For a moment you forgot that you’re able to speak too and fumble out words “um, thanks. You too” You’re tired and the man’s sincere smile caught you off guard.

“Alright, let’s get to work, shall we. And eat before the food gets cold” the blond woman hands you the bag and you lead the way inside. You hear the other door open too, the man, Aaron, going home too. “Send baby Jackers my love. And Jess too of course. Have a great weekend, sir!” Penelope tells the man and joins you inside of your apartment.

“Who was that?” you question as you raid the paper bag your friend had brought with her. “And why do you call him Sir?”

Penelope is taking a peek at your bedroom already, you’re not sure how she got all the way to the other side of the apartment so fast with all the stuff on the floor still. “That’s my captain, my liege” she explains, but you raise your eyebrow, asking for more details. “My boss, Hotch from the BAU. Great guy” she states and joins you in the kitchen, leaning on the island in the middle. “He has a son Jack that lives with him, the kid is an absolute joy, I tell you”.

The two of you enjoy your Chinese take out while Penelope goes over the agenda for the weekend. She’s going to show you around the town during the weekend and demands you to join for a girls night out tomorrow evening. You’re a bit hesitant and think that maybe you’ll just stay home and get everything sorted rather than go out on the second day with people you have never met before. The blond isn’t having it, but keeps demanding and begging you to join. “It will be so fun! I can’t wait for you to finally meet my ladies” She’s excited so you decide that maybe a night out wouldn’t be too bad. And who knows, maybe you’ll make some friends out there as well. Some new friends would definitely not hurt in a new town.

But as tomorrow comes around, your nerves start to kick in. Penelope has been showing you around the city all day, you went out to eat and then got coffee and went shopping. And even if it’s been a blast, you’re already exhausted. You stayed up late last night, trying to get as many boxes empty as possible.

You’re standing in front of the mirror, taking a final look at your outfit for the night and trying to gain your courage. Penelope had promised to pick you up from your apartment at 6pm and it’s only minutes away now. As you’re taking one last look in your purse, making sure you have everything that you need; keys, wallet, phone. Everything’s still there, after the last time you checked which was minutes ago.

The doorbell rings and you quickly throwback what was left of your wine and go to open the door. “Hey, just getting my shoes and I’m ready to go” you smile at the blond at your door. She looks amazing, as always. She has a black and white form fitting dress with geometrical patterns. Her blond hair is on a messy updo and with a colorful makeup, it all looks exactly on her brand.

“No rush, gorgeous!” she answers, taking a step inside. “Wow, you really did get stuff done last night!” Penelope says after a quick look around. There were only a couple of boxes left in the living room and the kitchen looked great already. “Looks amazing”.

“Thank you! Slowly it will come together, I’m sure” You strap in your heels and straighten back up. “Alright, I’m ready. Are we gonna meet the ladies at the bar, or?” you ask once you realize that more than just Garcia was supposed to be behind your door. You grab your jacket and lock your apartment as you’re heading out.

“They’re waiting for us outside”

For a moment you’re confused as to why they didn’t come inside, but as you reach the front door, you realize the reason they stayed behind. You notice a little boy being chased around the yard by a blond woman as a dark haired woman laughs at them beside the boy’s father. You recognize him to be the man you met the day before, this time he’s not in a wet t-shirt though. Although, his outfit still for sure highlights his broad figure. He’s wearing a blue quarter zip shirt and black sweatpants.

“Daddy, help me!” you hear the little boy squealing as he tries for his escape from the woman. He makes his way to him and his father scoops him in his arm and raises him on his shoulders. “Wow, look! I’m so tall!” the kid laughs, and you can’t help yourself from smiling.

The woman laughs with him as well. She takes a quick look at her black jumpsuit and heels to make sure everything’s clean before the group realizes that you and Penelope are standing behind you all. The man turns as well, holding his son up on his shoulders. “Sorry, didn’t mean to block the way” he smiles and takes a step back.

“Hey aunt Penelope!” the boy squeals again, waving at your friend.

“Hey there’s buddy. You’ve grown since I last saw you minutes ago! How did you do that?” she smirks, making the boy laugh. “Also, Jack, this is your new neighbor and our friend (Y/N)” she introduces you to the boy.

You wave at him “Hey there Jack. So awesome to meet you!” you tell him and the smile on the boy’s face warms your heart. You also feel his father’s eyes on you and can’t help but look back at him. His eyes looked dark in the evening and his lips were slightly curved upwards, making you blush.

Or maybe it’s just the wine.

“Hi (Y/N). Do you work with dad, too?” you notice him getting a bit shy talking to you, which you find adorable.

You notice the father now blushing a bit too. “Oh, no. I just moved into this building. I’ve been friends with Penelope for a while now” you explain, trying your best to keep your eyes on the boy, instead of the intriguing eyes of the man beneath him.

“Alright, buddy. Let’s go back to play for a moment longer before dinner. Let’s leave the ladies to enjoy their night” the man, Aaron puts his son down. Jack is quick to wave everyone goodbye and dashes to the soccer ball laying in the grass behind you all. “Was nice meeting you again” he tells you but you don’t get a chance to answer him, so you just smile. “Have a good night ladies” he smiles at the rest of you and runs back to his son who is impatiently waiting for him already.

“I told you, the boy’s an absolute joy” Penelope smirks, taking one last look at the boys already immersed in the game. “Oh, and of course, these are my ladies!” She introduces you to them and both of them hug you as if you’ve known them for ages already. You learn that the blond one is called Jennifer, JJ for short and the brunette is Emily. The four of you enter the uber and head for your night out.

Taglist: @ssahotchsbitch @mayasreadingnook @rousethemouse @averyhotchner @ssamorganhotchner @kajjaka @reidsbookmark @thenewnormalforensicator ( mention or message me if you want to be added)