#yikes that was longer than anticipated

[ew-selfish-art]

Dpx Dc AU: Ectoplasm is required for Ghosts to be visible to the human eye- And Danny creates his own ectoplasm.

Danny is visiting Jazz in Gotham and its weird how friendly everyone is. Like, the city gets a really bad rapport, everywhere he goes there is someone trying to strike up a conversation or answer his questions about getting around to the tourist spots. A few people even pointed out restaurants and ways to find off the beaten path gems! Jazz seems to role her eyes at him, but when he brings up her 'roommate' being kind of cute she flat out laughs.

Danny then comes to understand the Jazz doesn't have a roommate and that Ghosts in Gotham don't move far from their haunts- He's just been inadvertently turning these undead folks visible by accident of generating abnormal amounts of ectoplasm.

Which, is comforting in a way, he's never walking this dangerous city alone and really, most of the ghosts have been really friendly! They disappear once he's a few blocks away from them anyway.

---

Tim Drake is having a horrible day.

He'd been given intel that one of Black Mask's guys was going to snitch but that he'd died before given the opportunity to reach out to the GCPD. He tracks down the guy's last know whereabouts and yikes. Its next to the Theater. Tim was often grateful for his childhood obsessions, this time it backfired.

Tim and Bruce get into an argument about trust and respect and, worst of all, mental health. And even though Tim was vehemently against Batman accompanying Red Robin to the alleyway - that's exactly what happens.

They arrive and Bruce is closing up faster than a clam in the contaminated Gotham Bay- Clearly being in the Alley bothers him. No fucking shit. RR gets started on collecting evidence, there are a few extra blood splatters and a single left shoe... When a kid walks into the Alley.

"Uh, sorry to intrude-" The kid looks scared shitless, and runs away. And then, all of a sudden, Batman and Robin aren't alone in the Alley.

Tim can hardly believe his eyes as the dead man appears and quickly blabs Black Mask's bank passwords and what the plan had been- and While he's over joyed to have that closure, he turns around to Batman weeping in the arms of his parents.

The ghosts fade, and the emotions are certainly charged as this was never something Bruce or Tim would have ever dreamed of happening. Ghosts in Gotham. Talking, floating, granting closure.

"RR, Bats, come in." Oracle calls into their ears.

"Reporting in, but, uh, we need a minute."

"A minute? We have a case on 4th and-"

"O, we just saw the ghosts of the Waynes. It's going to be a minute."

"...Lots of Ghost reports lately then. Any chance you saw a kid looking like he could be adopted?"

"Yeah, actually, black hair and blue eyes. He was super polite before he ran away."

"We have work to do. Oracle, lets prioritize finding our person of interest and divert Nightwing and Robin to the case on 4th." Batman cut between them on the comms and he sounded... calmer than either of them anticipated.

---

Jazz is no longer laughing when Batman appears at her door explaining that he's looking for Danny (Who already flew away from town to get a good night's sleep before class on Monday). Turns out Danny reunited the man with his dead parents just briefly- and then the second guy appears and mentions how Danny had also given a guy who'd been murdered by a Mob enough time to explain the ongoing threats the city faced.

Jazz just rolls her eyes and says that it's not like the ghosts are going anywhere anytime soon and Danny will visit in another month. When pressed, she just explains that her brother is a weirdo. No of course he doesn't have powers. Gaslight and Girlbosses her way out.

And Jazz thinks that the game is up for at least another month, obviously when Danny visits more shit will stir up, but then this new guy appears.

Unlike the other Bats who are keen on watching her from a distance, the Red Hood knocks on her door. Are her eyebrows all the way into her hairline when Red Hood asks her to send his thanks along to Danny because somehow this whole situation led to his Dad expressing remorse for his actions and apologizing? Yes, yes they are.

But Jazz can smell Dissertation Data off of these vigilantes- Who is she to send them away? Jazz welcomes Red Hood into her place for a cup of tea and a small chat.

The story then devolves into Jazz getting shit done, Danny being cute by proximity and also bringing ghosts to the party, and the Bats having trauma resolve between them.

[legobiwan]

Hey @mostthingskenobi!!! I'm on a hiatus from Star Wars fics at the moment, but still suffering at my laptop in the SMB-verse. Since I'm online for the next 15 minutes or so, here's a snippet of what I've been trying to bang out all morning.

~~

Probable title: jet whistle

~~

“I’m guessing you went alone?” Mario asks, receiving a shallow nod in response. 

“Dio, Luigi.” He had a feeling that’s what happened, but to get confirmation - what in the world was his brother thinking? “Please tell me you brought the Poltergust with you.”

That comment elicits a wet, humorless laugh from Luigi, who regards him with a mixture of pity and chagrin. “Mario, they wouldn’t have let me within five miles of the place if I had brought any weapons with me.”

Rules: Make a new post and post your latest line from your WIP & tag as many people as there are words.

Thank you for the tag @ladyzirkonia

The truth is…if I share the last sentence that I wrote I will literally give the whole ending of my fic away LOL!!! So I’m going to go back a chapter or 2 and use one of those lines.

This is from Cassian’s Reckoning

The floor beneath their feet burst, followed by a huge ball of fire and steam.

I don’t know if I have 15 people I can tag 😐 Here are some no pressure tags: @jedimasteradam @jurnaaa @legobiwan @starwarsite oh my god I legit can’t think of anymore accounts I follow that have writers…so if you’re a writer, please feel free to play along and tag me so I can see what you post 💜

[anakinskywalker97]

Trash Compactor pt. 2

Anakin x Padawan Reader

Part One

Summary: the reader struggles to find a way to reach that same level of pleasure and release, with no other option she returns to her master for help. Anakin's POV - if this does well I'll do another part from the reader's pov where she loses her virginity. I also love how this turned into a smut slow burn - 3063 words yikes

Warnings: orgasms, blow jobs, fingering, kissing - Anakin has trauma from a toxic relationship implied abuse -( reader is legal and only a few years younger than Anakin)

Anakin could feel your body trying to cope over the next few days. During the day you were your usual determined and ambitious self - at night, however, he could feel your desire. Burning heat surrounding you, he could feel it reach towards him brushing the edges of his mind before you would be overcome with frustration and your mind would shut down. Your thoughts seemed to gravitate only towards him as you tried to pleasure yourself. A thought that forced his hard cock into his hand as he lay in bed trying to sleep. 

It took you three nights like this before the episode was followed by a knock at his door. He opened it not moving from his spot in his bed. He stayed focused on the data pad in his hands knowing perfectly well why you were here. 

He wanted it to be about something else. That you had nightmares or doubts about the war, something within his boundaries of being your master. 

The door shut and you walked through his compartment. The feeling in your stomach moved from hopeful to embarrassment and shame. Something hot twisted in his chest at the thought of treating you that way. 

He looked up at your flushed face and wet eyes and he immediately wanted to help. 

He put the datapad down on his side table and crossed his arms, studying you closely. He knew you hated it when he did that, he didn't want you to feel the way he was made to feel so often but he also needed it to come from you. You needed to ask and pursue him, he wouldn't invite this out of his respect for you. 

Please 

Please what? 

Help me with this - even when speaking through the bond your voice was desperate. He could feel how overwhelmed you were and it hurt his heart to see you that way. 

“Alright. Come here” He motioned for you to come onto the bed. You wasted no time. You climbed on the bed straddling his hips. His arms wrapped around you and he let you use his body to grind against. You were so overcome with need that you had no shame. His cock ached painfully under your hips. He would lose his control if this kept up for much longer. 

Let me show you

He pushed you down into the bed next to him. Something flashed in your eyes and he wanted more than anything to be rough with you. See how far he could push you. He pushed those thoughts from his mind and tried to focus on teaching you what you needed so they could move past this. 

He lay on his side with his arm propping up his head. His other hand moved to your stomach. He brushed his fingers across the flesh above the top of your Pajama shorts. 

Can I touch you? 

You nodded, the tension in your body was unlike anything Anakin had ever seen before. He dipped his fingers under the waistband of your shorts. He could feel your anticipation deep in his own gut. Your breath was shaky and your eyes closed. He parted your folds and slipped his index finger over your swollen clit. The bond between you was inescapable. Your pleasure ran through him. He brushed against your clit in a rhythmic motion, letting it build up inside you. When he could feel what you wanted getting closer, your body shaking again, he stopped. 

Now you do it

You shook your head. He hated it when you were difficult in training. This was a million times worse. He needed you to do this to preserve what was between them. He got up on his knees and pulled your shorts off. You clamped your legs together in embarrassment and he pulled them apart, moving between your legs. He looked down at your core and moaned. 

Touch yourself - he ordered you harshly and he watched how that only made you slip away further. You knew from training that he would hold you there until you did what he wanted. 

He watched your slender fingers move down into the wet mess on display for him. Your fingers moved along your clit and he watched as your jaw clenched and your legs tensed. He could see you trying but something was preventing your body from releasing. 

Good girl. - He praised you and watched the words ripple through your body and mind. - Let go for me, you can do it 

I cant 

He could feel that you genuinely wanted to but couldn't finish. He let out a heavy sigh. His fingers pushed yours out of the way and the pleasure bond between them grew taught again. His fingers brushed your clit with rhythmic precision and he watched your legs clamp around him. You held your breath on and off and he wondered if you would enjoy his hand around your throat. When your hips began to buck he pushed your legs open even farther. If he couldn't be in you, he could at least watch the show. 

Your body finally found release at his touch and you put on a beautiful display for him. Your hole clenching around nothing, back arched, chest heaving. He kept touching you until tears filled your eyes and your hand grabbed his trying to pull it away. 

Better? - He wondered if you would have a moment of clarity on the situation. You only cried, he could tell it was not from negative feelings or pain. It was just the release working its way through your tightly wound body. He could hardly send you back to your room like this, he couldn't stand the thought of being away from you when you cried. Where Obi-Wan would leave him to soothe his own emotions he always wanted to run at yours head first, like his presence could make their passage through your body easier. 

He got up and felt the fear rip through you. He used the force to press you back into the bed, his presence calming you. He came back with a warm washcloth and carefully washed you. He would also probably need a few minutes in the bathroom to take care of the ache in his cock, but he could feel how badly you wanted him at your side. He sighed and got them both settled into bed. Sleep found you quickly tucked against his side. Knowing he could sense when you were awake he used his free hand to stroke himself into a release, cleaning it off with the used washcloth. 

_______________________

Anakin figured you would be set. You knew where to touch and what worked for you. He could resume his job, although haunted by the images he now had burned into his mind. You were smart and they continued on as they normally did throughout the day. Training was hard as it required close proximity and occasional touches. He watched you push it down and focus. 

It took you two nights before he felt you move down the hall to his room. No shame this time, only need. He sat down on the edge of the bed facing the window, he felt you come sit next to him. 

“I don’t want to hurt you, but we can’t keep going like this.” He said seriously, scanning you for every emotion. 

“I know, I feel like if we don’t do more I’m going to lose myself in it.” You whispered looking out the window. “I get why it’s frowned upon. Every thought I have is secondary to you. You're constantly on my mind.” 

“If we do more, it will only get worse.” 

“Master, I’m not sure this is the usual way people feel.” Your cheeks turned pink.

“It’s the force bond.” He said. “You and I have always felt things in unison.” 

“I’m not so sure of that either. There is no information on force relationships. But the force just keeps driving me towards you. I think it’s beyond us or The Order.” 

He thought about your words for a long while. He knew it was eating you just as badly as it was him. He had no one to ask, so he laid back on the bed and cleared his mind. Once he left the attachments of the world behind him he could feel everything pulling him towards you. He groaned. He felt your fingers brush along the muscles of his abdomen. He grabbed your wrist and moved your hand away. Rejection pulsed through you and he felt suffocated by all these emotions. 

“I won’t take from you.” The words were out of his mouth before he had fully realized what they meant. Still holding your hand he let you in on his stream of thought. The feeling that was holding him back crashed over him as he realized where it had originated from. Padme. She would take whatever she wanted from him whenever she wanted it. He liked finally feeling wanted and needed. The Jedi had been so cold to him, and Obi-Wan often sided with them. She didn’t want him to be the chosen one, she just wanted his body and he was young enough to think it was love. Pain coursed through his chest before he felt your love press against him. He wouldn't treat you that way, he wouldn't abuse someone younger and less powerful than he was. 

You would never- Your voice rang through his head with an eerie and cold tone. He felt the faith you had in him and it gripped him tightly. But you didn't know in which all the ways he wanted you.

Please - your eyes got wide as you begged and he sighed knowing that he would never be strong enough to turn you away. 

Yes - Once the thought had reached you he felt a weight lift off his chest. He would let you touch him, but nothing more than that till he figured things out. He felt your hands pull down the waistband of his boxers. He laid on his back and put his arms behind his head. He wouldn't walk you through this, he would simply enjoy what you wanted to give him. 

You cautiously weighed his cock in your hands. Pleasure ripped through him when you loosely dragged your fingertips along the dark purple vein running along the bottom. He wondered how you both would even manage to have sex. 

You kicked off your clothes and he watched feeling already like this might be heading a step farther than he wanted to go. You sat on your knees at the side of his hip and continued to stroke him. It took you a while to get it but eventually, your fingers loosely curled around him and ran up and down slowly. 

He relaxed into the feeling and could feel the content pride radiating off of you. Your touch started to break apart his argument, you were only three years younger than him. You were 25 and while innocent he certainly couldn't manipulate you without you feeling it. Everything between you was shared and he didn't feel anything evil. 

A wet sensation pulled him from his thoughts and he pushed himself up onto his forearms. You’d taken the head of his cock in your mouth, the heat and texture alone made him want to cum. He was going to pull you off but he could feel your curiosity and didn't want to shame you. You tried to fit more and more of him into your mouth, and he trailed his hand along the curve of your ass. Despite being able to feel your emotions he ran his fingers down your slit to see if you were enjoying yourself. 

You gasped and choked on him. The sensation was blissful and he watched your flushed face recover and try again. He laid back and enjoyed the added pleasure he felt from the bond as he stroked your folds. You were wet and swollen, he avoided your clit thinking you probably had enough going on at the moment. You tried to sort out what you wanted to do with his cock in your mouth, you gave a suck and his hips bucked involuntarily. 

Sorry - But he could feel you take his momentary lapse of control as a personal victory. You tried to suck while taking him deeper, the head of his cock flirting with your gag reflex. 

He pushed his fingers a little deeper and found your entrance. He teased the opening with the tp of his index finger, he could feel you try to will the force to pull him inside you. He forgot himself for a moment and landed a hard slap on your ass. Pleasure ran through you and you pulled off him to lay your head on his stomach for a moment, breathing heavily. He waited for your response but you just tried even harder to get him down your throat. 

He found your hole again and pressed against the flesh barrier he vowed not to take. He would try to keep that promise, at least until they have themselves a bit more sorted out. He couldn't survive being something you regretted. He pressed the tip of his finger inside you, then began to push farther. There was a darkness in him that enjoyed the fact that he was the only one to touch you here. His body was the first to enter yours. He was the only person to bring you pleasure. 

He pressed his finger inside you, finally all the way in. Your walls fluttered at the intrusion then clamped around him tightly when he curled his finger to find the spot he was looking for. 

He felt his cock push into your throat and he fought hard to keep still. You really shouldn't be pushing yourself this hard. All that radiated off of you was bliss so he let the more selfish parts of him win. 

He stroked that part inside you, eventually making you stretch around two fingers. Your throat and pussy would constrict at the same time, pushing more of your wetness dripping down his hand and wrist. 

You were learning how to breathe, and how to manage a rhythm without choking yourself. He groaned again and the sound shook through you. He could feel that you were close so he pressed on, wanting to bring you over the edge. You still wouldn't give up his cock, pushing him deep inside you, gagging and pulsing around him. When your body started to tense up around his fingers, your orgasm pulled him in. He lost all control with you and felt himself cum down your throat. You blacked out for a moment and he pulled your head up. You started to cough hard and he gave you the glass of water from the side table. He ran a hand through his hair, hoping you weren't injured. The last thing he wanted was to try and explain why his Padawan had a bruised esophagus at 3am. 

You looked at him with bright, hazy eyes. You were still so wrapped up in pleasure, so vulnerable in his lap. He carried you into the bathroom and sat you on the toilet while he looked for an extra toothbrush. You were so unbelievably pliable and obedient like this. You brushed your teeth and did as he wanted you to. 

They got into bed and he pulled you in against his chest tightly. 

Master? 

Yes? - He should have known it wouldn't be that easy. 

Will you kiss me? - Your words hit him like a starfighter blast. He hadn't seriously let you blow him without ever kissing you. His guilt ran through him, and thoughts of being compared to his former lover started to eat him. 

Please? - those eyes were back. 

I’m sorry that I - He was at a loss for words. 

Please never apologize for the stuff we do - You stretched against him clearly enjoying the feeling of your released muscles. His hand gripped the back of your neck and your eyes flared. 

Look at me like that and we won’t ever leave the bed 

Good 

He brushed his lips against yours softly. Your pulse quickened and you tried to kiss him back the best you could. 

I think I’ll have to practice - he felt your embarrassment radiate off of you and he laughed. 

Best kiss of my life. Don’t worry I’ll help you get the hang of it. - He let you kiss him till you were tired out. Then you both clung to the few hours of sleep left available before the day started.

[theres-a-body-here]

Yikes I am about to expose myself with this…

Could I get a prompt with an absolutely touch starved (but also incredibly horny) reader and König?

Basically reader is super touch starved and all shy, but is absolutely ready to burst within minutes, but also can’t get enough of this feeling and wants more, eventually getting overstimulated? And König is all shy but obliges? Not self projecting onto reader I promise <3

-Pillow Prince anon (I have more unhinged ones, but let’s start off light…)

König x Male!reader

As you lay naked on the bed, your hard cock throbbing with desire, you couldn't help but feel amused by your predicament. König stood above you, completely clothed in his military gear, looking like he wanted nothing more than to disappear into thin air. His anxiety was palpable as he fidgeted awkwardly, unsure how to proceed.

You decided that it was time for you to take charge since poor König seemed too scared to make any moves. With a nervous smile of your own, you grabbed hold of his wrist and slowly guided his hand towards your twitching member.

As König's trembling hand wrapped around your cock, you let out a soft moan. The sensation sent waves of heat coursing through your body, making every nerve ending tingle with anticipation. Encouraged by your reaction, König slowly began stroking you, his fingers gliding along your length with growing confidence.

You could see the determination in König's eyes now; he wanted to please you, even if it meant stepping outside of his comfort zone.

It was both endearing and incredibly hot to watch him try so hard to give you pleasure.

"Ich.. I don't know if ich am doing zis right," König stammered, his accent thickening under pressure. "Fühlt sich das gut an?"

"Mmmm, yes…" you panted, arching your hips off the mattress as König continued to stroke you. "You're doing great, just keep going."

"Oh Gott, danke," König breathed, visibly relieved by your reassurance. With renewed vigour, he sped up his movements, running his thumb across the sensitive head of your cock.

Unable to contain yourself any longer, you brought your own hand to your mouth, biting down on your knuckles to stifle a loud cry of ecstasy. König seemed taken aback by your reaction but didn't stop.

Using one hand to tease the slit of your throbbing erection, he used the other to maintain a steady rhythm along your length.

The stimulation had you reduced to a whiny mess beneath him, unable to control the needy sounds escaping your lips. It was clear that König enjoyed watching you lose control, his breath coming faster as he worked you closer and closer to the edge.

"Oh God, König! Please...please, please!" you cried out, your words muddled with lust.

In a low, husky voice, he replied, "Schh, alles wird gut sein. Sei still und genieße es."

As if on cue, König picked up speed once again, using his free hand to massage your balls. The combination of sensations proved too much for you to bear, and suddenly, you were arching off the bed as you came violently all over König's.

Panting heavily from exertion, you collapsed onto the bed, feeling spent. König followed suit, lying beside you and using his sticky fingers to rub your chest, spreading your cum across your skin. The coolness of your seed contrasted sharply with the heat radiating from your flushed body, causing you to shiver involuntarily.

Without saying a word, König reached for a nearby towel and gently cleaned up the mess.

Once cleaned up, he moved closer, resting his heavy head on your shoulder and wrapping an arm around your waist. Despite his initial nervousness, it seemed that König craved you just as much as you craved him.

[mercymaker]

𝑾𝑰𝑷 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓

i was tagged by the lovely @katsigian & @ruinbringer to drop some of my WIPs here and surprise surprise i am actually working on things!!!

i am tagging all the lovelies to nudge nudge them: @everlong1997 @kelemvorr @grymforge @voerman @rigaudon @visceralwit @lord-woolsley @yaviyavadoo @dameaylin @vinghen-tmblr @mrdekarios @dameayliins @alistairs & a bunch of people i absolutely forgot but brain's melting as you'll see.

1. First is mal/astarion fic that's sucking all of my soul out (in a good way) and the first few times i sat down to write it i ended up with tears in my eyes. it's sweet and hurty at the same time. i haven't touched it with neither proofreading nor editing so it might be a bit yikes but it is what it is:

“I was never very good with a bow,” Maleane sighed as soon as the arrow jumped away from the string, flying straight past the tree, through the branches, to land in an embarrassing thud on the ground.

Her father had tried to teach her when she was little, lining up a row of sacks filled with hay along the edge of a fence. Yet no matter how hard Mal tried, no matter how many hours she poured into loosing arrows into the targets, the bow proved as unyielding as it had been the first time she’d tried. While the drow followed instructions better now that she was older, Astarion’s efforts proved to be just as futile as those of her father’s.

Yet, the spawn’s intentions didn’t come from the same altruistic need that Lathorien had been known for. He didn’t approach her with the clever proposition to actually teach Maleane some of his fine archery tricks. It was an entirely different set of skills that he intended on using, a technique much more covert and insidious, the rest of the performance was nothing but a decoy. Astarion wanted to get close to her, and as she stood there, bow in hand, fingers pulling on the string, he swiftly shifted behind her. Just another one of those games they used to play with each other. Lies, manipulation, guile. The rogue adjusted her hold on the metal grip, his other hand pulling her hips to the side. He thought himself so subtle and clever. Yet, as Astarion moved away to give her enough space for a shot, something inside him shifted uncomfortably. A notion that sent worry down his esophagus, to fall into the pit of his stomach with an unsettling thump. He didn’t want to let go.

(he's such a boyfail to mal's girlfail lmao)

2. i am still working on those little moodboards, although very slowly. they are taking me much longer than i'd anticipated somehow. but mal's folder is getting there.

3. i have the layout of this gif set that's been sitting in my wip folder since early september, but in order to get the footage for it, i need to finish the game. it's an uh.. possible ending for my sweet lil bun maleane

[datrbdumpster]

Got them stitches removed yesterday!

That process was surprisingly a lot less painful than i expected it to be but certainly a lot longer than i anticipated. I thought i had like 6 stitches but turned out i actually had 10, which... Yikes.

Also a week ago they replaced an initial cast with a custom-made plastic brace that's A TON more comfortable and allows for better mobility due to being lightweight.

I can finally sleep on my side again, i missed it so much!

All in all, so far the recovery goes as smoothly as can be, with pain being slowly replaced with itchiness and only spiking if i do some uncareful movement. Honestly, each time that happens my brain just goes into a blue screen mode for a while. But that should disappear when tissues heal a bit more.

4 more weeks to go without movement!

[battle-of-alberta]

Comic about walking in Greater / Victoria (not so much about downtown and more about residential areas). Honestly you're lucky if even one side of a road has a sidewalk at all here.

It is also so dark here at night it's frightening, I nearly took a spill like this today in the dark which is Worse.

I've been walking a lot, like 8km a day on average (yikes) and in rain boots which is not good on my feet so I'm going to try to quit it until I get better shoes ;~; Its looking likely I will be here longer than anticipated (again) so I'd better start looking. In positive news, I guess, it means some more culture shock comics about BC? Haha.

As always Victoria belongs to the lovely and talented @orcanadian-blog

[vitaminseetarot]

Hey there 🦋

I've finallyfinally finally reached the end of all the requests for July's game. I'm extremely thankful for your patience in waiting for my response. I had some fun in planning this game out and doing your readings. With that said, however, I just so happened to pick one of the most energetically crazy times to actually start the game, yikes.

The week of doing the game readings was… insane. Not just because of what's happening news-wise, but because too many close call disasters in a very short span of time in my personal sphere. The Mars-Uranus conjunction was no joke! It did a number on me and as a result I had to take some time off to just breathe. My original plan was to have everyone answered within the week, but the wheels on the momentum bus came screeching to a complete halt around the full moon, where I was forced to stop and spend time away from the computer to attend to external matters. From there, I was able to post just a few answers at a time until now. It took me longer than anticipated to finish everyone's readings and I sincerely apologize for all the hang ups.

My goal was to start paid reading immediately after; with Mercury Retrograde coming right up, and with needing to still recover from the past couple weeks, I've decided it may be a better idea to put it off for one more month. My reason for doing this, and why I didn't start earlier this year, is because when I do open up paid services, I want you to get your readings as soon as possible and not have to wait well over a week. Which means I have to be in the right mental health space and life set-up to meet that requirement.

(And as an extra note, I'm only on tumblr and not on other social media platforms, and this is my only account. Please don't get scammed by solicitors pretending to be me!)

I'll be posting a Mercury Rx themed PAC in August because the idea is still sitting fresh in my mind, but I will likely post my menu later after this period transits through. This Elements Game, as fun as it was, ended up exhausting my psychic reserves in a way that the March aura game somehow didn't, and I need to use up the rest of the summer sun to recuperate and regroup. I don't know if I will have another game planned for this year, but if I consider it, I'll keep you updated in advance.

This hasn't been the first time my blog has had to slow to a near halt. I made this account several months before anything could even get posted which was frustrating at first but eventually worked itself out. So far, I've had a great time making these PACs and Game readings for you, but I'm re-realizing that passion alone can't assuage one's health needs. It can't replace food, and sleep, and walks outside, and time for stillness and reflection. And pushing too hard to get everything done actually results in things slowing down too much.

I really hope y'all take care of yourselves this summer. Enjoy what downtime you can get on the weekends, and in your days before the next school semester starts. Don't let the panic of the news completely tune out all the good things this season can offer. Go out and get ice cream with friends. Spend time at the beach. Play a fun new game. And most importantly… Drink your water!! It's very cliche to say but it's literally the biggest message I have for everyone this season, above all. (Dehydration issues are not a joke, ppl, it's scary! 😭)

Drink… and breathe.

Peace ✌🍊

[thecheckeredchaser]

Ch 7

Insured Gains

Chapter 8- Exceeding Expectations

Alexis approached the bars with the mantra, "nothing heavy", scanning the many choices. She was ecstatic with how the afternoon was going. For someone absolutely brand new to her interest, she felt he was playing his role perfectly. She didn't want it to end but didn't suspect he could go much longer. She was sure he was more stuffed than he was letting on, but she admired him for his pretending. There were certain signals that she couldn't ignore. She could see him giving the side of his belly, on the side closer to the wall, a gentle rub during his second helping. He'd shifted around looking for a more comfortable position to sit. She could see him playing with his belt, considering if he actually had to let a notch or two out to finish his meal. All things that encouraged her to keep it all up.

She was absolutely swimming in their banter. taunting and teasing with Jake was like playing battleship. They'd go back and forth and a ship was sunk when the other could not take the heat. They would get zinged too good to zip one back. She felt like she was thriving on it.

She returned quickly, in hopes of not giving Jake too much time to realize he was already beyond stuffed. She put the food in front of him, running her hands on his shoulder and grazing his expansive side, before sitting herself. She had caught the eye of the waiter, who had clocked her caress and seemingly took note that she was not eating herself. She offered him a raised brow and returned her attention to Jake.

"I think you might have misheard me. I'd consider a dripping alfredo pasta, with cheese stuffed meatloaf slabs and garlic bread a touch heavy," he said preparing a bite. Alexis tussled her hair, giggling.

"Yikes. Did I do that?" She said slyly. "I figured you were testing me."

"It is certainly you attempting to test me. Good thing I test myself here plenty. And I love this pasta and the meatloaf."

"It shows. Definitely got a pasta and stuffed meatloaf kind of look to ya."

"I look that fit?" he asked, humorously. The waiter came and refilled their drinks, and gave Jake a reminding look. When he left Jake looked at Alexis, debating how he wanted to play his card. He took a drink of his fresh and extra cold beverage. He sighed at its refreshing quality with a smack of his lips. He could see Lexi watching him, with an effort to come off casual, but reading to Jake as desperate. He took a deep breath, and watched how she leaned in slightly in anticipation to see a pig on display. He exhaled cautiously and smiled at her, her disappointed frustration all too obvious. "Everything ok?" He said, continuing to eat.

"Mmhmm," she confirmed, watching him closely. The sexual tension in her was building, as she assumed was the pressure in Jake's gut. He wasn't playing fair, but she didn't want to encourage him to mercilessly tease her for her desires. She knew, if she was patient enough, he'd give her what she wanted. The gas building inside of him would become too uncomfortable and he'd be trying to desperately conceal his piggish sounds. However, she had been playing the patient slow game for months and preferred to have what she wanted. And she wanted to hear and see Jake be a complete slob.

"I forgot to mention," he stared, suspending her fixation for a moment. "The waiter said they have a dessert special for us. Whenever we're ready for it." This was a successful distraction. Her brain started running with the information and decided to let Jake in on her musings.

"Wonder what kind of dessert the chef thought was perfect for a pig like you? And is it really responsible of them? Do you really need extra sugars and carbs after putting a sizable dent in their buffet line? Look at how big your bloated belly looks." Jake glanced down and gently rubbed it to truly gauge the size. He almost burped but kept it back, reminding Alexis where she was mentally, before Jake's misdirection. He appeared to dodge her eyes and put another forkful to his lips. Despite working on it consistently, the pasta seemed to maintain its space on the plate. "They are probably hoping this dessert will push you over the edge, and you'll roll yourself out one more time, too full to ever return." Jake was bright red.

"Geez," he exclaimed. "Do you practice that? Or are they the thoughts you have all the time?" He shifted in his seat again. She smiled at him, flattered.

"Not comfy?" She asked, maliciously. "Belt starting to cut in?" Jake looked at her, playfully annoyed. "I believe you said things would have to loosen up. I think it's time for el cinturón." He looked at her funny. "Your belt, big boy," she said, simultaneously slipping her nylon covered and shoeless foot onto his lap from under the table, reveling in the sensation of his belly heavily pushing into his lap, the warmth, and the tantalized and surprised look on her boss' face. He took her foot into his hand and rubbed it and pressed it to the side of his belly, as he loosened his belt a few notches, punctuated by a heavy sigh, sending his belly out a little further. He watched for Alexis' expression, which was thick with desire. She flexed her foot, pressing deeper into his belly. She could feel how absolutely tight he was.

"Ugh," she heard him grunt and watched his eyes close with pleasure. "Burrgrgrp." Alexis squirmed, her foot retracting back to the floor in excessive stimulation. He burped again, discreetly, but making eye contact. "I'm stuffed Lexi," he confessed. He still had a bit left. Alexis looked at the older man sympathetically, putting aside the absolute throbbing she felt. She would not hold him to his goal if he truly couldn't take it. He had done pretty good.

"I thought you were. I was too ambitious. You were totally scrumptious, Jake."

"Don't sound so conclusive," he said, letting out another stuffed burp. "I thought your type was supposed to help. This is where you either feed me or encourage me, unless I'm mistaken." He paused. "And I doubt that." Alexis was well surprised by his response, but slid the plate to the center. She put as much pasta and meat as would fit on the fork and slowly put it to his lips. He took the bite and made a 'mmm' sound. "Absolutely delicious. And so fattening." Alexis set up another forkful and watched Jake desperately. He swallowed and she went at him again, understanding his ability to finish was dependent on many factors, time being a major one. She felt Jake's hand brush her knee, calling her foot back to massage his belly while she fed him. Alexis didn't feel in control anymore. She kept sending the fork to Jake, who greedily took its contents, despite being a stuffed pig. Or was it because of that. She had started to reach the last bite across to him, but pulled back when she saw the waiter returning. Jake's hand squeezed her foot, and she heard him make the kind of grunt that a parent might make to their child should they be caught doing something they shouldn't. She wasn't sure if he was trying to embarrass her or himself, or if he was completely unaware of the staff member's approach. She leaned into him, following orders and pushed it into his mouth just as the waiter returned. She wiped some sauce from his lip and cleaned it off her own finger before looking at the waiter who, bless him truly, was taking in the scene with as much professionalism as he could. He clearly was taken aback by Jake, and she had to admit potentially herself.

At this point it had to be clear they were not just having an innocent and indulgent lunch. She read Jake's face, which appeared to be a bit surprised by the writer's arrival, but intrigued. She had the upper hand again. She turned back to the waiter, sending a wry smile to Jake.

"I heard there was an offer for dessert? Do you think you can handle it big boy?" Jake's face flushed, but not harder than the waiter's. Jake shrugged sheepishly. "He's got room," she said to the waiter, whose eyebrows could not go higher. He gulped hard before following up.

"One for each of you?" he asked. Alexis looked at Jake, and could sense them both playing out the scene. Order one for each. Jake eats both. But she genuinely looked at him, putting her own hunger aside. He looked like he was approaching a hard wall. She swirled her big toe on his belly flirtatiously.

"You know what," she paused, reading his tag for the first time, "Max, you have been absolutely fantastic. It's very generous, but," she said looking at Jake, who looked on the edge of his seat. "I think one to split would be perfect. We are watching our calories. Might have gone over," she said looking at Jake, offering him to play.

"Eh. I wasn't keeping track today," he said, casually, wiping his mouth with the cloth napkin. Alexis bit her lip."But something sweet would be perfect. Might regret not getting your own, darling," he said, not being able to stop the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Max, I trust you to set our dessert fate. But could I trouble you for a chocolate shake?" She could feel Max quivering under her gaze, which she had not expected. She was completely under Jake's spell and had forgotten that a lot of men found her attractive, and frankly that they existed outside of the capacity to facilitate her time with Jake. She smiled and returned her attention to Jake Andrews. Max hurriedly walked away.

"You're bold," he said, breathing out as if he too had been holding his breath.

"You're not?"

"I'm nothing but fat and full right now," he sighed. "I am still amazed that this is something people really do."

"Jake, we're doing it. You planned it."

"I did. Guilty," he admitted. Max returned with the milkshake and a large slice of chocolate cake, dripping in a fudge and cherry sauce. "Oh Max. That looks amazing." Max said he'd pass it onto the chef and left them to their dessert. Jake gave a steadying huff and picked up his fork, eyeing hers. "You wouldn't pass on the opportunity to actually share it with me, would you?" Alexis felt a rush, as lust was surpassed by her craving for romance. Love even. She smiled sweetly at him and picked up her fork.

"I couldn't Jake," she said warmly. He smiled at her and took another bite.

"This was fun," he said, confidently reaching for her milkshake. He took a long sip and stared at the cup astonished. "Wow. Truly amazing."

"More than fun," she agreed. They chatted and went bite for bite until Jake gave a heavy sigh, paired with a gravelly belch. Jake simultaneously cringed and laughed.

"I don't know if I can finish this," he said, placing his hand under his belly. "Uuurp."

"You've more than reached your goal. You are unbelievably sexy," she cooed.

"Am I?" he said, taking the milkshake again, with lowered eyes.

Ch 9

"You know you are. You have been driving me absolutely wild. I can't believe how much you packed away today. A genuine pig Jake. You must be so stuffed." She watched him finish the shake, feeling herself get excited thinking of how it was filling the gaps in his belly, if there were any at all. She snorted at him, and he responded with a long burp.

"I'm beyond stuffed," he said looking at the hunger in Alexis' eyes. He glanced down at the last two bites, with inspired drive. He took a forkful into his mouth, noting the tension of Alexis' fingers on the table. She was going to lose her grip on reality if she didn't hold the table tight. He finished the last bite and dropped the fork with a clatter. He leaned to one side and took out his wallet, with a slightly pained groan. Before Alexis could gain the nerve to speak and think again, Jake had paid, and made his way to his feet, with the help of morr grunting. "Lexi, I'd like to get to another location pretty soon," he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder. He pulled her to her feet and adjusted his jacket when her eyes became glued to his distended belly.

"My goodness. I hope it's to bed," she said dreamily.

"Glad you agree."

Ch 9

[frozenjokes]

Finished (probably) Chapter 2/2 (19k words)

Summary: Jimmy is violently woken after his discussion with Scar by Martyn at the front door, demanding he be let in. Jimmy wants to mend Martyn and Scar’s relationship, and he thinks he might be able to do it, but admitting to Martyn that he can also Listen is so much harder than he anticipated. Meanwhile, the rest of the server realizes they can no longer log out; that they are trapped in the Third Life world. Jimmy has a feeling he knows who is responsible, but Scar refuses to give any information up easily.

snippet time

***

Martyn gave Jimmy a long look, but the gentle kind, the one that wanted to ask a question but didn’t know how. It was like the second Scar was gone from the picture, every part of him relaxed enough to be a person again, rather than a soldier. Martyn was afraid. Of Scar and for Grian.

Martyn wasn’t going to ask, giving Jimmy the gift of revealing as much as what was comfortable. All or nothing. He settled somewhere in between.

“I know.”

“Ah. Okay.”

The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but the kind of ‘not uncomfortable’ where you have to say ‘not uncomfortable’ because it's not comfortable either, and in fact, it’s quite awkward, but ‘uncomfortable’ is a little harsh, yeah? Jimmy was not about to break it though, and Martyn seemed to understand after a while, speaking for him.

“Did he.. Hurt..” Martyn struggled with the words, but was unable to find something better, “You look really tired, Jimmy. You’ve been so quiet. It’s hard to know what you’re thinking.”

Jimmy took a deep breath. “Scar was in bad shape after he died in the ravine. He, uh,” Jimmy gestured vaguely with his hand, but still couldn’t force the confession forward, couldn’t tell the truth to the only other person on the server who knew exactly what he’d been going through, “His back was gone. It was full of eyes.”

Martyn blinked, then again, rapidly, “Oh,” he said, a smile forming at his own awkwardness, “Yikes.” Jimmy couldn’t help but laugh, and Martyn joined him, a mostly silent thing, but a hint of joy all the same. The moment was killed for Jimmy when the Watchers began relaying every word of their conversation back to Scar, but Martyn gave no indication he noticed. Maybe he was used to it?

“It was freaky.”

“I bet.”

“I think that’s how Grian found him.”

Silence. A long silence, long and certifiably uncomfortable this time, yup, Jimmy didn’t like this one at all. He’d go as far as to say it was unpleasant actually, the way it kept going and going and-

“He didn’t hurt me, Martyn,” Jimmy breathed, his chest tight, “I offered to.. he’s starving. Maybe not as bad now as he was on Hermitcraft, but he needed help. He needed to eat. He won’t- he won’t tell anyone he’s starving! If he was just honest with his needs, he wouldn’t have to suffer like this! He just won’t. He just won’t.”

Martyn stared, gaping.

“You let him.. shit, Jimmy, you really shouldn’t- that’s really dangerous, I don’t think you understand how dangerous that could be.” Martyn didn’t comment on the last sentiment, but Jimmy got the sense he knew what Martyn would say, and honestly, Jimmy didn’t really want to hear it.

“He’s not an animal, Martyn.”

“Did he tell you that?”

“I’m serious. If he didn’t have any self control, he’d have done a lot more damage to me and everyone else he’s befriended over the course of his life. He’s trying as hard as he can to keep the people around him as comfortable as possible at his own expense. This whole thing only happened because he isn’t taking care of himself. He needs to understand people won’t hate him if they know what he is.”

Martyn frowned. “I wouldn’t say that. I’m sorry, Jimmy, but you don’t have the full story. Scar has been nothing but hostile, even to Ren! He completely bit his head off the other day when Ren was being nothing but kind, trying to help just like you were, and Ren’s still upset. He’s spying on me 24/7, threatening me, he lies constantly about Grian’s condition to us AND Grian, and he’s planning on turning the entire server against me if I do anything about it! I heard what he did to Grian, Jimmy. The Watchers tortured him for over an hour by the time Scar was finished with him. You saw what shape Grian was in. It’s bad. And we don’t know what else Scar’s doing behind the scenes. I need help getting Grian out of there so we can help him properly and get him away from the person who did that to him. He might not remember what happened, but he clearly has some sort of unconscious fear of Scar. He looked like he was on the verge of panicking for a minute there! Did that entire thing really not phase you?”

“I know I don’t know everything, Martyn, but I just don’t think it’s as simple as ‘Scar is evil and bad period.’ If we’re going to figure this out peacefully, Scar can’t feel like the entire world is against him. I agree that he’s done some bad things and I really don’t like the way he talks to you, but I don’t think the solution is to ostracize him completely!”

“You have no idea how much power Scar has over me. Over all of us.”

Jimmy thought he had a pretty good idea, but Scar’s return from over the hill silenced any more conversation. The Watchers were still speaking, but Martyn gave no sign he cared, focus zeroed in on Scar. The Watchers used both of their voices to signify who was speaking, and Jimmy didn’t think he’d ever get used to them using his. Miserably, he wondered if they would stop if they asked him to. They’d be following him now, surely, reporting on his every move just like they did for Martyn. His stomach turned.

[hecking-heavy]

Hello again wandering! I apologize i haven't been able to speak with you in a while, Turns out, quite a lot of crazy things are happening out in different parallel worlds, There's this one that's been especially active, i actually ended up helping them out with a certain... Problem, they've been dealing with. It took a bit longer than i anticipated.

But anyhow, How have you been?

WM: H- hi... You sort of of caught me at a b-bad time...

Iff you're so keen as to wh-what's happening over here... to put it straight, I collapsed? That's what I'm able to g-gather from the logs...

Aboutt... 30 major-or cycles ago. Don't remember too much of it other than falling...

But I did override the taboo! I'm m-my own admni- adinim- administrator now! Yikes...

Uh... I'm thankful I was built with an emergency low-power mode; it's better than being shut down completely... but it kinda sucks in its own right.

So, uh, how's your multiverse avde- adventures going?

[plzu]

you get the hiccups one day. you don't fret over it, at first, but you rarely get the hiccups, and this one starts to last way longer than you think a hiccup should last.

it makes you miserable.

adrian notices, asks you what's wrong. you hiccup through your explanation, admit you're scared you'll get stuck like this (because wasn't there someone that had the hiccups for years?)

(he thinks he remembers hearing about that story. yikes!)

adrian vows to help you get rid of it, spends the day looking up remedies. he attempts nearly every solution he finds online: times you when you hold your breath; provides you with a paper bag to breath into; gives you water and tells you to pinch your nose while drinking it.

and, in between all of those, he tries scaring you. the element of surprise, and all that. except it doesn't work. you jump a couple of times but end up anticipating by the end of the day, and you hiccup dolefully into the evening.

that is, until adrian has to leave you to scout the night as vigilante. you step out for a late night snack run. on your walk towards to the store, you pass an alleyway. the sound of scuffling makes you pause. glance into the alley at the exact moment vigilante cuts open some guy's throat, your gasp bouncing off the brick walls of the buildings as rivulets of red spill down the dead man's front.

adrian notices you, apologizes profusely from behind his mask--he knows you don't have the stomach for this gore. but then you're laughing, and fuck fuck fuck, he definitely broke you. you're laughing kinda crazy.

"dude," you gasp, wiping a tear from the corner of your eye. "you did it. my hiccups are gone."

adrian is delighted; the next time you get the hiccups, you have to stop him from finding someone to murder in front of you.

[themovieblogonline]

Horizon Zero Dawn Netflix Series: Sony's Big Plan Hits a Snag

Hold onto your spears, Nora comrades! The dream of a live-action Horizon Zero Dawn series on Netflix seems to have vanished faster than a Scrapper scuttling into the tall grass. In a surprising turn of events, Netflix's highly anticipated live-action adaptation of "Horizon Zero Dawn" seems to have hit a major roadblock. Initially announced by Netflix and Sony, the series had fans eagerly waiting to see Aloy's post-apocalyptic world come to life on their screens. However, the project has reportedly been scrapped due to serious allegations against the planned showrunner, Steve Blackman, known for his work on "The Umbrella Academy." Remember all that hype last year? When Netflix and Sony first announced the "Horizon Zero Dawn" series, the excitement was palpable. Sony and Netflix were teaming up to bring Aloy's robot-battling adventures to life. We were picturing epic battles with Watchers and Thunderjaws, all rendered in glorious CGI. Well, buckle up for a plot twist more surprising than Sylens' latest scheme. The show, rumored to be titled Horizon 2074, has reportedly been scrapped. The game, developed by Guerrilla Games, has been a massive hit since its release in 2017, and its sequel, "Horizon Forbidden West," only increased its popularity. Steve Blackman's Downfall Why the sudden shutdown? Steve Blackman, who was supposed to helm the series, brought with him a significant pedigree, having successfully adapted "The Umbrella Academy" for Netflix. However, Rolling Stone's Cheyenne Roundtree reported that Blackman is facing multiple allegations of creating a toxic workplace. Yikes! Former staff members have accused Blackman of "bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior," which he has denied. We're talking about a "long history of bullying and manipulation" according to a dozen former staff members. Despite his denials, the controversy was enough for Netflix to pull the plug on the series, at least for now. Sony's Silence Sony, which owns the rights to the "Horizon Zero Dawn" franchise, has remained silent on the issue. There hasn't been any official comment from either Sony or Netflix about the future of the Horizon TV show. This silence leaves fans in limbo, wondering if they will ever see Aloy's adventures on the small screen. Guerrilla Games Keeps the Horizon Alive Despite the setback with the Netflix series, Guerrilla Games has assured fans that the "Horizon" universe is far from dead. The developers have big plans for the franchise. A Lego spin-off, "Lego Horizon Adventures," is set to release this year, which should provide some solace for fans. Additionally, Guerrilla Games is working on an online offshoot of the series, separate from the rumored Horizon MMO that has been in talks for years. The news of the "Horizon Zero Dawn" Netflix series being scrapped is undoubtedly disappointing for fans who were eagerly awaiting its release. The controversy surrounding Steve Blackman has thrown a wrench in the works, but the franchise's future still looks bright with various projects in the pipeline. While we may have to wait a bit longer to see Aloy on the small screen, there's plenty to look forward to in the "Horizon" universe. So, keep your Focus on the horizon (pun intended) because the adventures of Aloy are far from over. Whether through new games, Lego adventures, or maybe even a revived live-action series, the world of "Horizon Zero Dawn" will continue to captivate audiences. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, happy watching and gaming! (Source: Games Radar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikQzBN3pIOY

[comicgeekery]

Right now I'm on hold with the people who can give me disability benefits. I know from experience that I will likely stay on hold for over an hour before I speak to someone and they may have nothing useful to tell me when I do.

The hold music is interrupted every thirty seconds (I timed it) by a robot apologizing for the longer than anticipated wait. I may continue to hold, or try calling back at a later time. I am convinced this message was never meant to assure anyone. It's just to get me off the line so their call-wait times ultimately look better. It is a mild torture. I need to talk to someone because my benefits application was just denied and I am very sure it was denied because the office didn't receive the documents I sent them. Documents that I submitted at at my local benefits office. Twice. (The woman who helped me both times seemed confused but promised it would definitely go through this time.)

I need to talk to someone because I can't log in to the website my state desperately wants me to use. I don't know what my login info is. The website tells me to call the number I'm on hold with. I tried other numbers first. They all sent me to the same man's voicemail box. His voicemail message tells me to use the website, call X number (one of the ones that led me to him), or leave a message. His voicemail box is full. It has been for weeks. I woke up sad today. I do that pretty often. I imagined going on a vacation. I want to see the Grand Canyon. I want to experience something new, something I wouldn't even think to imagine. I, too, am sorry for the longer than anticipated wait. I don't think there would be a point to calling back at a later time.

"Just as despair can come to one from other human beings, HOPE, too, can be given to one only by other human beings." ~Elie Weisel

That quote isn't me trying to be profound or whatever. I just literally copied and pasted it from an email my government benefits support office sent me. Yikes.

My state lets you submit documents for benefits applications/recertification/etc online now, which is great and way more efficient and accessible than when you had to mail them, but they have it set up so that when you get a confirmation email about it, the sender field is just "help." All lower-case. Love to get a notification that says "help. We have received your documents." Yeah buddy that's how I feel about this whole process too.

[thiefofstars16]

Right so I have a lot of Obi-Wan-centric ideas that will not leave me alone, but here's one that I wanted to write down the start of (and also Maz Kanata deserved more screen time):

Where Obi-Wan gets taught by Maz Kanata to deal with his overwhelming visions, questionably nice-ish Sith and frankly vicious Jedi holocrons, and somehow unexpectedly (or maybe predictably?) falls in love with Jango Fett, the future Mand'alor. Along the way, he royally fucks up the thousand-year-plan-to-rule-the-galaxy made by Darth Bane's idiots, saves the Haat Mando'ade and Mandalore as a whole, and gives the Jedi Order a collective kick in the ass to get their shit together.

----

Obi-Wan Falls while on Melida/Daan, and he's just...furious. Wants to rail at the injustice that he's suffered, at the injustice that the Young had faced, that he had faced on Bandomeer, on Phindar, at the Coruscant Temple itself, at his own Master who didn't even want him in the first place. But at his core, he's still the same even having Fallen, he knows this - he still wants to do good, still wants to help people. It's just...where does he go from here?

----

Obi-Wan Kenobi, cast out from the Order after the latest clusterfuck that was Melida/Daan, somehow ends up at Dex's Diner, alone, with no braid, no 'sabre, and honestly, no idea what to do next. He didn't even realize that he was in the diner that his Master - former Master - had taken him to in their brief time together.

Dex, though, sits across from this pint-sized former-Padawan, remembers that at one time the baby Jedi looked at him and decided that he'd save Dex because it was "the right thing to do " (the baby Jedi's words, not his). And Dex could not let this kid go out on his own, so he goes to his collection of interesting things - which was usually information - that included items which were supplied by a former pirate, who so happened to be quite knowledgeable in weird Force things.

Which is entirely the reason I'm entrusting Ol' Kanata with this kid, Dex thinks, a bit bemused, Though who's to say it's not Maz trusting me to lead Obi-Wan back to her? Considering she probably saw this coming in the first place.

So, he discreetly hands Obi-Wan the things he'd received from Maz for safe-keeping (who had given Dex a knowing look and said she'd be seeing these items again) - which, obviously, include a few holocrons (of slightly questionable nature), many spare credit chips, and (maybe not-so-suprisingly) two khyber and one adegan crystals that sing in the Force loudly enough to startle Obi-Wan from the daze he'd been in since he sat down.

"What's this?" Obi-Wan quietly asks, slightly wary, but intrigued at the hum of the crystals now in his hands.

Dex laughs. "Don't you worry, kid. I got all of this from a reputable source! In fact, that source could be your next stop, as from what I understand you ain't got no one to go back to?" Dex says, not unkindly.

A sharp sting of sorrow cuts Obi-Wan to the core, but he nods, somewhat confused.

"Well then, I can get you on a ship headed out to Takodana to stay with Ol' Kanata - she can get you settled real quick-like," he pauses, shrugs a little, "she'll also be able to help with any funny Force things that your kind get up to, Dark or Light."

The thing is, even only knowing Dex for a short while, Obi-Wan is one hundred percent sure that Dex knows an entirely illegal amount about what happened even if the larger populace remains unaware.

With this knowledge at the forefront of his mind, Obi-Wan is a bit wary. If he were a bit less numb, he'd probably be in tears at the suggestion that there might be someone actually able to help him deal with his recent trip into the well of the Dark. He knew that if someone were truly aware of how far he'd Fallen - because not even the Council knew the extent - then he would be in major karking shit.

But he counted Dex as a friend, and with a little questioning nudge to the Force, knew with certainty that Dex only wanted to help him, even if that meant skirting Republic law.

(He knew he Fell, he knew that he had killed people, though the memories of broken bodies and blood were so blurry that he couldn't remember their faces.

Their screams, on the other hand? Oh, he remembered those.

He couldn't stop remembering those.

A small part of him - the part that had raged at the Republic's refusal to get involved, at Master Jinn's own karking attachment to Master Tahl, at the Elders murdering each other, at the Elders killing their own damned children for the sake of war and death and blood - that part bared sharp teeth in savage triumph at the justice he had handed out and purred at the memory of those screams.)

Shaking himself from the direction his thoughts had taken, he looked at Dex and with a tremor in his voice, asked, "You think she could help me-help me get rid of my Darkness?"

The Besalisk sighed. "Kid, no one can ever truly get rid of their own Darkness. Hells, I know I'm not fully clean anymore and won't ever be," Obi-Wan slumped, and hastily wiped away the frustrated tears that had started to form; Dex leaned down to put one of his hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders, "But that doesn't mean she can't help you. Ol' Kanata knows a thing or two about Light and Dark, and she'll give you a space where you can sort things out for yourself, safely, and away from prying eyes. She knows quite a bit about staying off the Republic's radar, and she can give you a place where you can do all things you need to do. I know you, kid - I know that you won't want to stop helping people."

Dex paused, and said with warning, "It won't be easy, kid. There's all sorts hanging around her den - bounty hunters, smugglers, even Mandos - but she'll do right by you. And I have a sense that you need her. So. Whaddya say?"

The mention of those types of people, of Mandalorians, caused Obi-Wan to pale. But he frowned, opened himself up to the currents of the Force and tried to think this through, because really what choice did he have?

On some level he wanted to say no, to go crawling back to the Jedi Order and beg to be accepted again, to be a Jedi, he knew he was supposed to have been a Jedi Knight, he knew that war was on the horizon and that Darkness clouded the Force and that he needed to do something -

He stopped that thought in it's tracks. Because. Because...what was stopping him from doing something about what was coming? Truly? What was stopping him from being a Jedi? Yes, he wouldn't be a part of the Order, and maybe he wouldn't have a Master, but isn't the Code just a philosophy? Couldn't he strive to do good, to help others, to do as the Force willed on his own?

It was almost heretical. To be a Jedi that didn't bow to the Order. To be a Fallen Jedi that, that...that could work in the Dark to serve the Light.

He could do it, he mused. He could go to this 'Kanata', take the offer of shelter and learn from the artifacts given to him by Dex, learn from those who walked a different path. It would be dangerous, especially if there were Mandalorians involved. Though...if he did this, he wouldn't be a Jedi anymore, would he?

What else did he have to lose? He's already lost his chance at being part of the Order, at being a Padawan, at proving himself to the Masters that thought him too arrogant and brash and un-Jedi-like.

Well, Obi-Wan thought with a bit of self-reproach and no small amount of growing excitement, if I was already un-Jedi-like while actually being in the Jedi Order, then I suppose I really don't have anything to lose, do I?

With a nod of determination, a tight grip on the newly aquired items, and something of a new hope unfurling in is heart, he accepted Dex's offer of a haven with Maz Kanata and her possibly-not-so-legal den of wandering spacers.

Obi-Wan had no idea that in doing so, he changed the course of the galaxy.

(Somewhere, a bit later on, Palpatine feels a shiver of not-quite-unease crawl down his spine. But, he dismisses the absolute absurd idea that something had changed, that something had caused the galaxy to shift to the Light.

If he had looked into it, he would have found that one Maz Kanata, along with a former young Jedi by the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi, had a curious little run-in with the bounty hunter and Mand'alor Jaster Mereel.

Arrogance, as per usual, would be the downfall of the Sith of Bane's Line.)

[darks-ink]

Wordcount vs the amount of the planning it encompasses