#you elegant giraffe

[anotherdescentintomadness]

Happy Debut Anniversary, Xiao Zhan!

I cannot overstate how much my life has changed since discovering this man’s existence and the existence of his amazing work. Thank you, Xiao Zhan, for sharing your wonderful art with us.

Get Prints Here

[driverlando]

✧.* WILD HEARTS

synopsis: In which Oscar takes you on a zoo date for your birthday (Oscar Piastri x fem!reader who’s basically lilli)

authors note- this is a little something I wrote for @maxlarens for her birthday!! I hope you enjoy it Lilli, happy birthday, have the best day ever xx

You had always loved the zoo, so it was no surprise when Oscar took you to one for your birthday.

The summer sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the winding paths. The air was filled with the earthy scent of leaves and the distant sounds of animals. Your heart felt light, your fingers interlaced with Oscar’s as you walked. His touch was warm and reassuring, grounding you in the present moment.

You wandered through the lush pathways, your pace leisurely as you took in the sights and sounds around you. At the penguin exhibit, your eyes lit up at the sight of the little creatures waddling about. Oscar’s laughter, rich and contagious, filled the air as he narrated the penguins’ imagined conversations.

“That one over there,” he said, pointing to a particularly energetic penguin, “is clearly the ringleader. Look at him bossing everyone around!”

You giggled, leaning into him. “And the one over there is definitely the mischief-maker,” you added, nodding towards a penguin attempting to steal a fish from another. The two of you stood close, your shoulders brushing, as you watched the penguins splash into the water and swim with surprising speed.

From there, you strolled into the aviary, where vibrant birds flitted about in a burst of colours. The air was alive with the sounds of chirping and the rustle of wings. Oscar paused to snap a few pictures, capturing your awestruck expression as you marvelled at a parrot that had landed nearby, its feathers a dazzling display of blues and greens.

“I think it likes you,” Oscar observed, his tone playful. He tucked his phone back into his pocket, a grin spreading across his face.

You glanced at him, a smile playing on your lips. “Maybe it can sense I’m a good person.”

“Or maybe it’s just hoping for a snack,” he teased, making you laugh. “But honestly, I could watch you all day. You’re even more mesmerising than these birds.”

A blush crept up your cheeks. “Says the F1 driver,” you replied, rolling your eyes affectionately. Oscar chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Your next stop was the big cat enclosure. The lions and tigers lounged in the shade, their movements languid and powerful. The sight of these majestic creatures exuded an aura of regal authority. As you stood by the enclosure, watching a lioness stretch lazily, Oscar leaned in close, his breath warm against your ear.

“I think if I were an animal, I’d want to be a lion,” he mused, his voice low and thoughtful. “What about you?”

You thought for a moment, your eyes twinkling. “I think I’d be a swan. Elegant, graceful, and serene.”

Oscar chuckled, squeezing your hand gently. “That suits you perfectly,” he said, his voice filled with affection.

As you made your way towards the giraffe enclosure, Oscar led you to a secluded spot with a perfect view. Your breath caught as you noticed a checkered blanket spread out on the grass, complete with a basket full of your favourite treats. The setting was idyllic, the tall giraffes grazing peacefully in the background.

“You did all this for me?” You asked, your voice barely above a whisper, touched by the thoughtful gesture.

Oscar’s eyes softened as he looked at you. “Of course,” he replied, a tender smile playing on his lips. “I wanted to make your birthday special.”

You settled down on the blanket, the golden afternoon sun casting a warm glow over you. You shared sandwiches, fresh fruit, and sweet pastries, your conversation flowing effortlessly. You felt a deep sense of peace as you leant back against Oscar, your head resting on his shoulder. You watched the giraffes amble gracefully, their long necks swaying gently as they moved.

“You know,” you said softly, your eyes fixed on the majestic animals, “this is one of the best days I’ve ever had.”

Oscar wrapped his arm around you, pulling you closer. “Me too. Happy birthday, my love.”

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, you felt a profound sense of contentment. The zoo around you seemed to quieten down, the day’s end bringing a serene calm.

In that perfect moment, surrounded by the beauty of the zoo and the love of your life, you knew this day would be a cherished memory forever. It was a celebration not just of your birthday, but of the love you shared and the simple, joyful moments that made life truly special.

[platinumaspiration]

4t2 EA's SP31 Decor to the Max

It's no joke, here is the completed SP31 Décor to the Max. Only things left out were the taller versions of the wainscoting which I don't think anyone will mind.

This does include an updated Collection file + Shadow File + Walls & Floors courtesy of @lordcrumps (you only need 1 shadow file). It also includes @tvickiesims' Collage of Personality painting + Plushly Bold Rug.

Note: The Warmly Chromatic Fireplace requires the text list to be installed in Program Files: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Double Deluxe\Base\TSData\Res\Catalog\Scripts\fireplaces I would suggest to use Scriptorium

Download - LC | SFS *If you downloaded early from LordCrumps.com, please redownload!

@sims4t2bb - thank you for all you do!

details under the cut:

Warmly Chromatic Fireplace | 12 recs | build > fireplace | functional | 742 faces The Luxurious Divide | 9 recs | deco > misc | 1960 faces Truly Fearless Wainscoting | 12 recs | deco > misc | 184 faces Geometric Giraffes | 12 recs | deco > sculpture | 381 faces Stately Plumage Sculpt | 12 recs | deco > sculpture | 840 faces Panels of Self Mirror | 9 recs | deco > mirror | 228 faces Circle of Infinity | 10 recs | deco > painting | 230 faces Explosion of Light Fixture | 12 recs | lights > ceiling | 429 faces Fringe of Elegance Light | 9 recs | lights > floor | 822 faces Maximalists Dream Sofa | 12 recs | seating > sofa | 5136 faces Sumptuous Throne for Everyday Living | 12 recs | surfaces > coffee table | 562 faces A Balanced Place for Coffee | 9 recs | seating > living chair | 744 faces A Regal Stand | 12 recs | surfaces > end table | 438 faces Bold Indulgence Hallway Table | 12 recs | surfaces > misc | 816 faces

[wosemi-sama]

and the crowd went mild 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 also no chara dividers im lazy rn

these r so short id add more but im rushing rn sorry lmfao 😭😭😭

intended lowercase!

misc. obm hcs

LUCIFER

wakes up at the ass crack of dawn every single morning.

wears those old man pjs. with the long hat and fuzzy slippers and gown. you know the one.

most bitter coffee you've ever had in your life how he can drink it is astonishing.

his bed, his mattress, his pillows are all as hard as rock how does this man SLEEP.

sleeps like hes the corpse at the funeral hes that one image

MAMMON

will pull you into a headlock and call it a hug.

LEVIATHAN

guy who had mountain dew and cheeto dust in his veins instead of blood. guy who marinates in his room for two months straight. guy who- (i am immediately shot dead).

did a collab with the anti-lucifer league to create a 100k words dialuci fic to piss off lucifer (dont worry about him he got paid in anime and tsl merch).

TRULY believes he is the #1 tsl fan. and also #1 ruri fan.

wimp who VOLUNTARILY makes you cosplays if you are a cosplayer or even if you aren't. it will happen.

vtuber fan. he was like "hey i wanna be a streamer but i dont wanna show my face but i also want to be an anime boy! wait-" and now hes a vtuber.

has accidentally referred to all of his brothers as "chat" at least once. hes never recovering from that btw.

SATAN

cannot stop annotating books he reads for the life of him.

all of his books are just filled to the brim with sticky notes because all he does is annotate.

once he has a crush he will start imagining him and them in the same scenarios as the characters in romance novels he read. (loser alert!!)

sneaking a new cat into hol like once a week (he never succeeds btw).

ASMODEUS

oh boy his room REEKS of perfume and body spray.

"i sprayed my new perfume in every nook and cranny! smells so floral and elegant, don't you think?" (it smells like a bath and body works threw up.)

surprisingly plays the trumpet and BOY is he loud. bro is absolutely blasting those notes.

worst driver ever btw.

BEELZEBUB

freckles all over!! like a lot. *im not beating the insane allegations*

ate like 27 family size dorito bags, 30 dollars worth of taco bell, and four sprites in one sitting and he still hasnt recovered.

sleeps. like a lot. not as much as belphie but enough to be considered an eepy guy.

BELPHEGOR

will randomly grab every blanket and pillow he can get his hands on and make a nest in the common room if he's up to it. and then have everyone make a dog pile in it just so they can hang out and be silly.

will NOT clean it up afterwards. lucifer will tell him to and his only response will be "im tired..."

freckles like beel too i think theyre silly.

9829364 cow plushies. (theyre all from lucifer)

SOLOMON

will randomly gaslight people for no reason

"hey did you do the homework"

homework? what homework? there was homework? my, what even is homework? never heard of that.

"hey, i heard of this animal from the human world called a giraffe! can i see a picture?"

what? what's a giraffe? oh, those!! yeah, they're just myths. they're not real. purely fiction!!

yk that one post about tumblr funnyman solomon. he is a tumblr funnyman to me. he confidently posts his exploded spaghetti and gets 10k notes i think.

SIMEON

has a book club with satan and solomon. :)

probably writes oneshots of the brothers on tumblr idfk man (sorry to the simeon fans i write like nothing on this guy bro).

LUKE

bodily six ("but didnt the devs say hes ten?" shut up. /j)

along with that, also shorter than in canon. (since hes. yk. a first grader. that BOY is not five foot hes one sauce packet long dude.)

favorite store in the human world is walmart. i like to think his human world outfit is all exclusively from walmart bc thats funny i think.

DIAVOLO

hands of STEEL. he tries to grab your wrist and he nearly crushes it by accident.

ice cream!! he loves it :) his favorite is strawberry btw.

also this boy is NOT a himbo hes a smart man.

needs like a hug and some sleep and also a friend this boy works too much!!

BARBATOS

short. like really short. especially according to devildom standards since most demons are super tall.

"but isn't he six feet?" not in my heart.

somehow always making tea for some reason?? if he's not making tea then he's making pastries.

my boy does not SLEEP. hasn't slept since the sun has been birthed and doesn't plan on ever doing it.

[yeahthatsonearthdipshit000]

things that I didn't expect in each Lockood & Co. episode

E.1: This Will Be Us:

The intro is fucking sick

THE DOOR ON THE LANDING IS IN THE INTROOOOO

The Locket was changed to a ring?!????

Everything else was insanely accurate

"Lockwood's a dick"

E.2: Let Go Of Me:

Ghost-lock is like...a really big issue??

"Yeah, she can be a bit...quirky,"

Lockwood didn't use his smiley giraffe toy mobile😭

Uh Lucy was literally possessed~

LOCKWOOD'S RED SOCKSSS

"He's a little shit, sir."

The boys freaking out at the end when they find out Lucy had the ring the whole time

E.3: Doubt Thou The Stars:

"You've got a real hard-on for him, haven't you?" "Well, if you want to put it like that."

Combe Carrey Hall is ELEGANT

THE GOGGLES ARE SO GOOFY LOOKING OML

They got "arrested"???

Penelope Fittes just trotting up to them at the Fitte's boy's funeral??

LUCY GETTING HER FOURTH GRADE

LUCY JUST FUCKING PASSING OUT AT THE END???

E.4: Sweet Dreams:

Lucy wasn't at the wraith cemetery at the beginning of the whispering skull😭

"And you just wanna watch him...die."

JOPLIN IS A WOMANNNNNN💅💅💪💅😭

Kensel Green was owned by the Bickerstaffs and their son - Edmund - was caught digging up corpses uhhhhh

Lucy's mental breakdown in kensel green

Bickerstaffs ghost being so fucking huge and like disintegrating lucy's rapier

The skull's voice being like warped and so fucking creepy oml

"and it proves that I am like-" "clinically insane?" "REALLY FUCKIN POWERFUL"

"I know I look like Anthony Lockwood, but I'm not. I'm actually a fully qualified doctor."

The episode went by insanely quick??? Like?

E.5: Death Is Coming:

The Tendy's badge??

Joplin is giving....pedophile

Also is her actor the same one who plays molly in sherlock????

MRS WINKMAN IS A FUCKIN BADASS

Nahhh cuz winkman's freaking voice-

LOCKWOOD WAS IN AN ELECTRIC CHAIR THE WHOLE TIME LMAO

ALSO WHY IS WINKMAN SO VIOLENT ISN'T HE SUPPOSED TO CARESS LOCKY'S HAND AND TELL HIM TO GO AWAY??

Leopold was abused😭😭😭😭😭

E.6: You Never Asked:

The ghosts of bickerstaff's patients like that was so creepy

The Golden Blade's manbun💅

Salt sprinklers instead of water sprinklers??? And they're gorgeous??!???

E.7: Mesmerised

LOCKWOOD HYPERVENTILATING AT THE AUCTION AND HIM AND LUCY HOLDING EACH OTHER AND THE "NOW PLEASE PLEASE GET BACK TO BEING A FLIPPANT DICKGEAD AND GET US OUT OF HERE"😭😭😭

Golden blade snapping Lockwood's rapier and then lucy hoping up behind him and absolutely annihilating his fucking back

Lockwood was wearing blue socks this time

"You me and herons, let's do it" AHSHSVSH I'VE ALWAYS SHIPPED GEORGE AND FLO ITS FINALLY HAPPENINGBKAJDBD

LOCKWOOD HELPING LUCY OF THE GROUND AND THEM LOOKING AT EACH OTHER LIKE THEY'RE GONNA KISS AND THEN LUCY SHOVING LOCKY AND StRuTtInG AWAY

E.8: Not The Eternal:

All of the circles George drew on the thinking cloth

Winkman taking his jacket off like a baddie💅💪

"And I'm Anthony bloody Lockwood"

Kipps having a panic attack and totally crying in the catacombs😭

Kat godwin being so fucking sexy with her rapier

"To save my friends." 🏃‍♂️"And Kipps."🏃‍♂️

Golden Blade shooting Lockwood and yeeting him down into the catacombs

Luce using the skull to look at the bone glass????

Lockwood in his normal clothes at the end and all of them bustling around like a little family😭😭😭😭😭😭

"Lockwood almost died a thousand times, but I think he's decided he's better off alive. Which is really good"

LUCY SHOVING A DONUT IN GEORGE'S MOUTH LMAOOO

AND LOCKY WASN'T WEARING SHOES

IN CONCLUSION I AM READY FOR THE HOLLOW BOY

[gmax-centiskorch]

Mainline Pokémon Games Based on How Buggy They Are: A Thread

Red, Blue, & Yellow

Pretty buggy. The Butterfree line set the stage for regional bugs and emotional trauma. Everybody loves Scyther. Inspired use of Cordyceps when designing the Parasect line. Kabuto and Kabutops should have been Bug to honor trilobites for founding Arthropoda. 8/10.

Gold, Silver, & Crystal

Yes, we had Scyther, but what about second Scyther? Scizor, Heracross, and Shuckle are legends. Game Freak decided to invite arachnids (Spinarak and Ariados) to the party, truly redefining what it means to be buggy. 9/10.

Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald

This generation is loaded with bugs! Game Freak realized their mistake in not giving the Kabutops line Bug typing, making up for it with Anorith and Armaldo (who are based on Anomalocaris). They fumble the recovery, however, in not only depriving the Flygon line of Bug typing, but forever making them second fiddle to the Salamence line. The Beautifly, Dustox, and Ninjask lines introduce some interesting approaches to Bug-type evolution. Volbeat and Illumise are there. 7.8/10.

Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum

DELELELELELEWHOOOOOOP! A smaller collection of bugs this gen, but a well-rounded one. Vespiquen slays. Scorpions get some love via Skorupi, Drapion, and Gliscor. Writing this post is making me realize that slugs, snails, and nudibranchs like the Magcargo and Gastrodon lines aren’t bugs. We grew up thinking snails were bugs, right? Anyway, Yanmega rules. 8/10.

Black, White, Black 2, White 2

Game Freak’s magna opera. Truly the buggiest games there are. While you have to wait until Pinwheel Forest to encounter your first bugs, you’re rewarded upon arrival with Sewaddle and Venipede, the larvae of the Leavanny and Scolipede lines. From there, you encounter the Crustle, Galvantula, and Volcarona lines. Game Freak has some more fun with Bug evolutions, having Karrablast steal Shelmet’s armor as they evolve into Escavalier and Accelgor (inspired by the real-world interactions between the ground beetle family Carabidae and the gastropods they feed on). Durant is our first proper ant, and we get our first (and only . . . ) legendary / mythical Bug in Genesect. These games made Bug my favorite type. 10/10.

X & Y

A big step down from the previous generation. This game hardly has any bugs. Do you like butterflies? You get a butterfly. Vivillon is a lovely butterfly that comes in all sorts of colors, but SURELY there are more bugs than that in France. 6/10.

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon

Giant isopods! Diving bell spiders! Giraffe stag beetles! A true return to form. While the native bugs of Alola are great, we are also introduced to the ultra beasts, two of which (Buzzwole and Pheromosa) are really cool bugs. It seems they were going for wasps and bee flies when designing the Naganadel and Ribombee lines, but they don’t really work for me. Faint blemishes on an otherwise buggy generation. 8.5/10.

Sword & Shield

Centiskorch is the greatest Pokémon ever made. I have them tattooed on my arm. Blipbug is the worst Pokémon ever made. I see them in my nightmares. Interesting that they’re both Bug Pokémon, and that Game Freak really min-maxed with them. Fortunately, Blipbug evolves into Dottler and Orbeetle, who are great. Snom has a place in everyone’s heart, and Frosmoth is elegant as can be. 9.5/10.

Scarlet & Violet

I love Rellor and Rabsca! I . . . don’t really love the rest! Iron Moth and Slither Wing are great, but they’re nepo babies. Tarountula and Nymble are nice, but Spidops and Lokix leave something to be desired. Orthworm is a a big worm. At the end of the day, these games would be alright if they weren’t so wonkily coded and glitchy. Wish there was a better word for that. 7/10.

[animesmolbean]

A World of Pure Imagination

Author's Note: WONKA was officially released on DVD today! Whoo!!

This chapter was so much fun to write! I had the whole scene for the song thought out for weeks! I hope you enjoy it! ♥️

Chapter 5: Just For A Moment

The trio walked through the zoo with flashlights. Yin and Noodle gazed around at all the animals, entranced, then Noodle frowned as they passed a lake filled with flamingos.

"Why don't they fly away?" She asked.

Willy shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps they haven't thought of it." He replied.

"You're kidding." Noodle said.

"I don't think he is." Yin jumped into the conversation.

Wonka turned around as he walked to look at the two. "Yin's right. I'm serious. That's the thing about flamingos. They're flock animals. They need someone to show them the way."

'I know someone who could.' Yin thought to himself as he looked at Wonka.

They skip into a backstage corridor. Various doors open onto different enclosures. Willy looks for one marked "Giraffe."

"Where are we? Giraffe.... giraffe... Ah! Giraffe!"

Yin's eyes widened. "Wait, no, no, no!"

He opens a door clearly marked "TIGER" - and is immediately confronted by a snarling beast who charges at him. Yin, thinking fast but not too clearly, runs to Willy and gets in front of him, protecting him from the striped cat. Noodle slams the door in a nick of time. Yin sighed in relief.

"You have got to learn how to read!" Noodle said, a bit panicked from the experience. Yin turned to look at Willy and nodded in agreement.

"Why?"

"You were nearly eaten by a tiger!" Noodle exclaimed.

"Nearly" is the key word there, Noodle. I've nearly been eaten by a lot of things. And none of them got more than a nibble." Willy said a bit crazed.

Yin snorted at Willy's words and covered his mouth with his hand, blushing lightly when he realized how loud it was.

Willy smiled amusingly at the adorable boy. Noodle shook her head and opened the door marked "Giraffe."

"Giraffe." She pointed out.

Willy walked into the stall, Noodle and Yin a pace behind. They look up at the great and elegant creature. Willy doffs his hat.

"Good evening, um..."

Yin read a sign. "Abigail."

"Abigail." Willy finished.

The giraffe starts to make a scene, not liking intruders. Noodle is alarmed, Yin was calm.

"Whoa there! Easy now. I've brought acacia mints." Willy pulled out a handful of mints. The giraffe reaches down inquisitively and sniffles the handful of mints. Noodle and Yin watched, enchanted, as Willy started to scratch Abigail under her chin.

"Giraffes are just crazy about my acacia mints. Love them more than anything else. Except being scratched under the chin. See?"

Abigail did indeed look like she was enjoying the experience.

"Want to give it a go?" Willy asked the two.

Yin nodded, and Willy guided him to Abigail.

"Hi Abigail. My name is Yin. My, you're a beautiful lady." He spoke softly to the majestic creature. He started to scratch underneath her chin. Abigail, in response, nuzzled her head against Yin's face. Yin giggled and nuzzled his forehead against her snout.

Willy was impressed and enchanted by Yin handling Abigail so gently. Yin spoke so softly and sweetly to the creature and even did something he never did. He was formal and treated her with so much care, and she responded in kind, letting her guard down. 'He's so perfect.' He thought to himself.

"Wanna try Noodle?" Willy asked, after snapping out of his trance.

"Okay...." Noodle was hesitant at first, but after Abigail responded positively to her scratches, she smiled broadly. Abigail reached forward and licked Noodle appreciatively. Willy and Yin both chuckled.

"I think she likes you." Willy told her. Then he turned back to the giraffe. "Now, Miss Abigail, if my colleague here gives you a good scratch, could you possibly spare us a pint or two of your milk?"

(Mini Time Skip)

After setting up, Willy stands his cane magically on the ground. He pushes a button, and the arms of a coat hanger flip out from the side. He hangs his coat over it. But, instead of hanging his hat there too, he placed it on top of Yin's head.

Yin laughs and adjusts the hat on his head. As he did, he caught Willy staring at him, a curious look on his face. Yin felt a blush rise onto his cheeks as the gorgeous chocolatier moved closer and looked at him. After a few seconds, he pulled away and smiled widely.

"It looks good on you, Yin." He complimented. Yin blushed hard but laughed. "Thank you, Willy, but you look the best with it." He said, smiling shyly. Willy only hummed and went over to Abigail to start the task. Yin took off the top hat and hung it on the cane.

He went over to the wall behind the cane and leaned against it. He watched Willy starting to milk the giraffe while Noodle was up on a rickety step ladder scratching its chin - and enjoying it.

"Have you done this before?" Noodle asked.

"Once. In Africa. Magnificent beast." Willy replied.

"Was she wild?" Yin asked.

Willy laughed. "Wild? She was absolutely furious! But once my hands warmed up, I think she kind of liked it."

Yin and Noodle smile fondly.

"You sure can be silly, Willy." Noodle told him.

"I suppose that's true-dle Noodle."

"True-dle?" Noodle was confused. Yin laughed.

"That doesn't work, does it? But nothing rhymes with Noodle. Where'd you get that name anyway?" Willy asked.

Noodle frowned. "Doesn't matter."

Before Yin could retort, Willy encouraged her, "Go on."

Noodle showed Willy an amber and gold ring that she kept on a string around her neck. The letter "N" engraved in the middle.

"It's all I have from my parents. See? 'N' for Noodle. Or Nora, or Nina - or nothing at all." Noodle continued.

"Noodle." Yin gently scolded.

"Can't you trace the owner?" Willy asked. This time, Yin replied, "I've tried. I've been to every jewelry store in the city." Willy looked at Yin as he told him before he looked back at Noodle, feeling for her. Noodle turns back to Abigail. After a moment, she regained courage and spoke again.

"When I was a kid, I always hoped I'd find my parents. They'd live in this beautiful old building full of books. And my mom would be waiting for me at the door and I'd run into her arms and she's give me this big hig like she wouldn't ever let me go. But then I realized it was just a stupid dream."

Willy looked at Noodle, feeling deeply moved.

Yin felt his eyes well up with tears. He remembered when Noodle first told him that he was almost moved to tears. He wished he could see his family again. Give them the biggest hugs and never leave them. He walked closer to the pair and Abigail.

"There's nothing stupid about it. I've told you, Noodle. There's nothing wrong with dreams." Yin told Noodle.

Willy agreed. "What about you, Yin? What's your dream?"

Yin looked down at his boots. After a few moments, he found the courage to speak.

"I always dreamed about being with my family again. We lived in a beautiful home close to where the Gallery Gourmet is. They were always supportive of me. When I wanted to try something new, they encouraged me to do it." Yin spoke softly but still loud enough to be heard.

"But one day, I came home from school and saw police there. They told me that... my parents were gone."

Willy looked at the boy with sadness in his eyes. Tears were welling up in his eyes, too. "Do you know... how they died?" He asked carefully.

"Mom got sick, I think it was a virus of some sorts. Dad died shortly after her. Of a heart attack. But not from stress. I think it was a broken heart." Yin replied.

Willy was deeply saddened by the story. "Yin, I'm so sorry." He whispered. Yin smiled faintly at Willy. "It's all right. They're in a better place."

"I know things haven't been easy for you two. But they're going to get better. Noodle, I'm not going to let you rot in that wash house forever. And Yin, I won't let you wander off alone anymore."

"You promise?" The two asked.

"I can do better than that." Willy went over to Noodle and held out his pinky. "I Pinkie Promise. And that's the most solemn vow there is."

Touched by his concern, Noodle Pinkie promised Willy. Willy then looked at Yin. "And I Pinkie Promise that you will never be alone again." Yin smiled softly, and the two Pinkie Promised.

"Now, get back to scratching Noodle. We don't have long until the guard comes to-dle Noodle." Willy beamed. "To-dle!"

"It's not a word." Noodle corrected.

"I'll keep working on it." Willy replied.

Yin chuckled softly as he watched. Then, he heard Noodle starting to sing.

🎵For a moment

Life doesn't seem quite so bad

For a moment

I kind of forgot to be sad

He turns night to day

But don't get carried away

Never let down your guard

Let them into your heart for a moment

Not for a moment🎵

Yin listened to her voice, swaying his head along with the rhythm. Then, he saw Willy stand up. He had finished milking Abigail. He turned to Noodle.

"Care to dance?"

Noodle shook her head. "No, thank you." She said, but Yin could tell she thought it was fun.

Yin thought Willy would ask him, but instead, he spoke, "I got it, Noodle! Listen to this," as he turned to where his cane stood, his coat and hat hanging from it like a shop mannequin. He picks up the cane and dances with it as if dancing with himself as he starts to sing.

🎵Noodle, Noodle,

Apple Streudel

Some people don't

And some people do-dle

Snakes, flamingos,

Bears and poodles

Singing this song

Will improve your moodle

Noodle-dee-dee, Noodle-dee-dum

We're having oodles and oodles of fun🎵

The two laughed at Willy as he goofed around. At one point, Willy looked at Yin and gave him a playful smirk, making him blush.

'Is he trying to tease me?!'

Willy puts his coat and hat on and spins the ladder Noodle was on. She squealed and leaped off, catching the lantern as she did. She is lowered to the ground and the trio race out together.

"Thanks, Abigail!"

The trio danced through the zoo.

(A/N: Willy: Purple

Noodle: Green

Yin: Blue)

🎵For a moment (Noodle, Noodle, apple streudel)

My life has turned upside-down (Some people don't and some people do-dle)🎵

Willy grabbed a bouquet of helium balloons from a stall. He wrapped his free arm around Yin, and instinctively, Yin wrapped his arm around him while wrapping the other around Noodle. Noodle wrapped both arms around Yin.

🎵For a moment (snakes, flamingos, bears, and poodles)

I can't keep my feet on the ground (Singing this song will improve your moodle)

The lift from the balloons makes them almost weightless. They ran across the flamingo lake, their feet barely making contact with the surface of the water. The flamingos wake as they pass and watch, astonished, as the trio rise from the water floating up and over the wall of the zoo. Inspired, the flamingos follow them.

He's the one good thing (Noodle-dee-dee, Noodle-dee-dum)

That's ever happened to me (We're having oodles and oodles of fun)🎵

The trio landed on the glass roof of the Galleria, and they started to dance. Yin grabbed Noodle's hands, and the two started a slow dance of just swaying back and forth. Yin then picked Noodle up and spun in a circle. Noodle laughed as Yin placed her back on the roof. In a flourish, Noodle spun Yin and gently pushed him towards Willy.

Willy took Yin's hands and started to properly waltz dance with him, one hand holding his, with the balloons. The other hand was on Yin's waist. Yin blushed as he placed his free hand on Willy's shoulder. The balloons gave the dance a light feeling, like it was aiding them.

Then, Willy stepped back and spun into the air with the balloons. The other two laughed and did cartwheels as Willy landed in front of them. He then gave Noodle the balloons, making her float up, and he grabbed her ankles as they started to walk. Yin stood in front of them, walking backward in rhythm with them, before spinning elegantly as Willy spun before spinning Noodle into the air.

Willy then grabbed Yin's hand as he ran to the tallest part of the Galleria, grabbed the pole, and started to walk in a circle. Yin smiled widely as he walked along with Willy, grabbing Noodle's hand, making her join the fun as she floated. Noodle was also smiling. Then, like magic, Willy started to walk on air as he walked in a circle, making the other two follow.

Eventually, a gust of wind takes a few of the balloons, breaking the spell , and they were blown off the roof. They float down and land in front of the frozen fountain. Noodle let go first and watched as the boys landed. Willy placed his free hand on Yin's waist, just like earlier, as Yin placed his free hand on Willy's shoulder. He looked into the beautiful chocolatier's eyes. 'They're hazel.' He thought to himself as he sung.

🎵For a moment

Life doesn't seem quite so bad

And for a moment

I kind of forgot to be sad🎵

Willy looked at Yin, his features soft as he listened to Yin sing. His voice was so soft but filled with emotion. 'He's so beautiful.' He thought to himself.

Yin looked at Willy. 'This man has brought so much joy into my life in the two days I've known him. He's kind, passionate, motivated, and... so beautiful.' He thought to himself.

'I think I love him.' The two thought together.

The two boys looked into each other's eyes, leaning closer and closer. Their foreheads touched, and their noses brushed against each other's. But just before their lips could touch-

*RING*

[ametistacollinsworld]

♥ N x Worker drone Reader Dance hcs ♥

My 26 request! Hope you like!

━━━━━「●」━━━━━

Yay! Time to dance Buds!-

Well, as we all know N is too tall- And if you're a worker drone that means constantly looking up to see his face. (You smol baby)

N would constantly want to change clothes before you guys dance because in his words "this has to be a special moment" even though you and he done this over a million times-

N would love to dance slow romantic songs with you, where he would wrap one of your legs carefully with his tail, plus at the end he would tilt your head up with one of his hands, and kiss you slowly and lovingly.

But of course, N would also love to dance to upbeat songs with you, where he would spin you around, and at the end make you into a leaning position, where he would kiss you very lovingly too.

N and you would definitely dance every ballroom dance in existence together, like Tango or Salsa-

It would be so funny if you tried to lead the dance lmao- You would have to constantly stretch your arms out to hold him- Like- In ''romantic'' dances instead of you holding his neck you would have to settle for holding N waist lmao- (This guy is a giraffe-)

N wouldn't compliment you on how well you dance.. and how good you look every 5 minutes-

He would absolutely love to pick you up at the end to almost every dance, he says he does this because he likes to admire your face more closely, giving you little kisses on the cheek and maybe lips.(Baby ^w^)

N would love to learn ballet with you! He thinks it's a very elegant and beautiful type of dance! (Image N wearing a tutu- Omg so cute-)

If N wanted to dance in the ice with you, it would take some time for you two to dance in a decent way really- But with time and practice you guys would be pretty decent.

What if N wanted to dance hip-hop? Well- You two sure would get dirty with a lot of snow lol- But he'll get better don't worry! (He would ask Thad to help him lol-)

Overall he just likes to do anything with you.

[viktheviking1]

@julieczyras I have been summoned twice, and so I'll play the game twice

(finding songs that start with the letter V is harder than you'd think, let alone songs that I like lol)

Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional

If we have each other by Alec Benjamin

Kill your heroes by AWOLNATION

Toxic thoughts by Faith Marie

Honeybee by Steam Powered Giraffe

Evergreen by pekoe

Victim of nostalgia by Mxmtoon

I'll stop by half.alive

Not your way by Mister wives

Growing Pains by Maria mena

16/04/16 (Jack's song) by Cavetown

I forgot to tag people lol @dramamines @nottapossum @diamondkat @stearleart @threefingeredpencil @chaifootsteps @beelzebleh @fizziifrxg @fizzierolli @storm89 @mysticalflowerblaze @soupsstan1 @marvelousmugs @i-like-pink-lolzz @oddball-artz @102ebon45

Victoria's Secret by Jax

I'll be good by Jaymes Young

King by Lauren Aqualina

The end of love by Florence and the Machine

Here by Ancient Magus Bride translation by Amalee

Everything stays by adventure time ft. Olivia Olson

Vanilla Twilight by Owl City

I'll make cereal by Cavetown

Kids in the dark by All time Low

Inner demons by Julia Brennan

Noise in my head by spookyghostboy

Gravity by Sara bareilles

[anotherdescentintomadness]

Sunshine Soft-Boy Xiao Zhan

XIAO ZHAN WHAT

Get prints here

[adobe-outdesign]

I'm loving all the neopets posts, would you ever consider reviewing my not very popular favorite the ogrin?

Ogrin have a reputation for being an "ugly" Neopet, but in all honesty I don't really get why. I can get why they're not super popular, as they're not overly cute nor elegant, and they don't really have a distinct visual hook compared to some Neopets—but ugly? Not so much. There are a few things that could be tweaked, but I still like Ogrins as a whole.

Visually, they're kind of like an okapi of sorts, in that they're ungulate-like and have stripes only on the back part of their bodies. However, they also have a few unique features, such as having paws instead of hooves. I like this, as it makes for a more interesting creature design.

The body is broken up pretty well into three shades of the same color—darker accents for the fur, the base color, and tints for the face, underbelly, and paws. This helps with contrast and readability. I also feel like the stripes could've been the same color as the fur.

As a whole, the stripes are the one issue I have with the design—they feel a little cluttered in such a small space and they already have a lot going on with the rest of their bodies. They're interesting, but I feel like they would've looked a little stronger without them.

Ogrins were released not too terribly long before customization, so they look about the same other than the markings not quite reaching the tuft of fur on their cheeks in the customized version and a wider stance.

Favorite Colours:

Robot: Robot Ogrins have a really neat look, giving them an incredibly intense expression and some really slick plating over their bodies. I do think they're a smidge too detailed—the weird blades on their forearms, extra lights on the tail and haunch, and head light could've all been dropped—but it's still neat looking. I do wish it had a mane-like structure on it though, as it doesn't read much like an Ogrin without it.

The uncased version is also interesting, with fun spring-like horns and a neat looking jaw. However, it doesn't really look like it goes under the cased version at all, and between the two, the cased is the stronger design.

Tyrannian: Ogrins already have a pretty prehistoric look to them in a sense, so the Tyrannian Ogrin works out well. I like how the stripes have been increased to be longer and cover more of the leg (once again, very okapi-like), and details like the spots on the fur, claws, and a longer beard. However, I do take a bit of issue with the head—the mohawk should've also been spotted for consistency, and the face needed a far more grumpy, more caveman-like look to it.

Chocolate: My favorite part of this design are the little chocolate shavings that form the mane, which is a fun concept that works really well. It also sports a nice white chocolate drizzle for the stripes, whipped cream fur, and has a nice drippy look around the base of the paws. It's cohesive and looks really good (and delicious).

BONUS: Unsurprisingly, I also have to give a shout-out to the giraffe design with the spotted Ogrin. It's super simple but looks very nice, and the spots feel a bit more cohesive than the stripes did on the original design.

[fixaidea]

What is this? Silly standalone? Pilot episode to a much longer (and potentially much darker) longfic I may never get around to writing? Who knows. Anyway, ex-agents Reid and Morgan go on a nice overseas vacation. All they want to do is relax but Crime is running rampant at the resort.

‘We should say something.’

Even without looking Morgan could tell Reid was fidgeting. They were both leaning against the balustrade of the resort’s terrace, trying their best to keep an eye on a young lady who was sunning herself by the pool without looking like they were ogling her.

‘We’ve been over this. None of our business, kid.’

‘But if she keeps doing it…’

‘It’s two forks.’

‘Three forks, two spoons, four butter knives and a salt shaker.’

Morgan shot his friend and ex-colleague a sideways glance.

‘Cheers. I didn’t see anything.’

‘Sure, YOU didn’t see anything and I didn’t see anything but the waiters will, eventually, and then she’ll get in trouble.’

Morgan quietly debated the merits of stressing his argument about how none of this was any of their business when a new voice spoke up right by his left side, nearly making him jump out of his skin.

‘I was thinking of slipping her a note.’

The speaker was a short, middle-aged man. He was also leaning on the railing, eyeing the lady with a mix of exasperation and concern. He shook his head with a soft ‘tsk’ and went on.

‘Almost went through with it, but it would just creep her out, wouldn’t it? She’d think someone’s gonna blackmail her over lifting some cutlery. Aigoo but she’s so bad at it!’

‘Is this about the kleptomaniac?’

This was yet another man who just stepped out onto the terrace to join them, taller and much younger than the first stranger. Reid pulled himself up to his full height and gestured triumphantly at him.

‘See? HE also thinks it’s kleptomania!’

The newcomer raised one elegant eyebrow at Morgan.

‘Why else would she do it?’

Morgan shrugged.

‘She seems to be some sort of an influencer. Could be doing it on some weird new trend or it could be that she’s nowhere near as well-off as she portrays herself as.’

The young man shrugged.

‘They rarely are. But if it’s not kleptomania, then a stupid Tiktok trend might just be it. These influencer types will supplement their income in any which way from running scams to indiscriminately shilling any and all product to offering companionship, but lifting cutlery? That seems counter-productive. If your income depends on portraying a lavish lifestyle, why would you risk being blacklisted over something so petty?’

‘Right, that’s it’ the older man said, pushing himself off the balustrade ‘I’ll go talk to her!’

…What his young friend said next Morgan couldn’t understand, but based on the delivery and the way he dove to grab the other’s collar it must have been some version of ‘LIKE HELL YOU WILL!’

Morgan nodded to himself and nudged Reid.

‘Alright, prettyboy, get on with it!’

‘…What?’

‘Go on and talk to her.’

Reid, who obviously didn’t think far enough in his calls for an intervention to come up with an actual action plan remined frozen to the spot, spluttering. To Morgan’s left, the older stranger made a subtle attempt to wriggle out of his companion’s grasp.

‘Aish, don’t make the poor boy do it if he doesn’t want to, I can just go and…’

‘Dongsik-ssi!’

Morgan held up a hand.

‘Nah, it was he who insisted we go say something, so he should do it. Besides, he’s the prettiest and least likely to get slapped.’

The older stranger (Dongsik? Was that his name or just another phrase for ‘You stop that right now’?) gave Reid a through, critical one-over, pointedly turned to look at his young friend and then back to Reid.

‘Debatable but I see your point.’ He said with a grin.

Eventually Reid made up his mind and left. Morgan and the man apparently called Dongsik practically hung over the balustrade as they watched him discreetly approach the lady (or at least as discreetly as someone with approximately 80% giraffe genetics was capable of doing anything). Throughout the whole interaction the young woman kept up an extremely theatrical air of wrongfully accused innocence, but Reid remained mercifully un-slapped and at least once his back was turned she had the decency to look somewhat sheepish.

The next day at breakfast Morgan noted that her cutlery remained intact. Those on the empty table right beside hers though? Not so much.

He sighed, lifted his head, shared a brief, half-amused, half-annoyed look with Lee Dongsik across the room and turned back to his breakfast.

Oh well. They tried.

[lifenconcepts]

SONGS I LIKE

because I have banger tunes in my head always. In no order at all!

Living in a Dream - Pseudo Echo

Waiting For the Ghost Train - Madness

People are strange - The Doors

Awake - Electric Guest

Chauffeur - Duran Duran

Elegant Aliens - Blood Culture

Opium Eaters - Madness

Cheek to Cheek - Taco

Enjoy The Silence - Depeche Mode

Destination Unknown - Pseudo Echo

Forever - Angels & Agony

Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

Struck By Lightning - Toto

Listening - Pseudo Echo

Rock You like a Hurricane - Scorpions

When dawn arrives - Madness

Grey Day - Madness

Come Back Down - Trevor Something

Avtomobili - Vesyoliye Rebyata

Mime’s song - VITAS

Romantica Megapolisa - Bioconstructor

Spam - Daiitye Tank

Zero - Kofe

Moi Adress sovetskii soyuz

Stranger In Me - Pseudo Echo

Voice - Ultravox

Daydream - Narvent

Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles (both of and strings only version)

First Woe - Ofdream

Devil’s Train - The Lab Rats

How Soon Is Now

King of lullaby - Eiffel 65

Come along now - Cosmo Sheldrake

Blue Monday - New Order

Orby - Cosmo Sheldrake

Oxygen - OSVISS

Stranger in town - Toto

Sub-Culture - New Order

Svet Ogneii - KODIZC

The Son of Flynn - Daft punk - Ki Theory

19 2000 - GORILLAZ

Dare - GORILLAZ

2000 miil’ - Chernobyl

Castor - Daft Punk

Acid Rain - Lorn

Counting Sheep - SAFIA

Crow - Forest Swords

Devil - Moon Walker

Lose Yourself - Eminem

My Ordinary Life

Love and Pain - Creeper

Donaukinder - Rammstein

HEAVEN SAYS - chart

Kletka - Molchat DomA

Krisha - bishkek

Vsyo Slozhno - Egorbez

Natural - Imagine dragons

Warriors - Imagine Dragons

People Eater - sodikken

Vladimirsky Central Prison - Chernikovskaya hata

London Goodbye - Car-man

Bez konkretiki - Byespokoinik

Chabged The Way You Kiss Me - Example

Freed from desire - GALA

Timezone - Sander van Doorn

Destination Calabria - Alex Gaudino

Everybody wants to rule the world - Tears for Fears

Be My Lover - La Bouche

Livin la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

Mr Vain - Culture Beats

Sunny - Boney M

Moves like Jagger - Maroon 5

We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool DCUP

Blind Spots - C418

Dry Hands - C418

Far - C418

Moog City - C418

Droopy likes your face - C418

Taswell - C418

Dombummel- spongebob music

stadium rave - spongebob

Waltzing flutes - same as above

Aloha oe -same

Chill out -same

Faraway - Eiffel 65

Happy Nation - Ace of Base

I’m OK - Little Big

High Hopes - Pink Floyd

The Other Side of Paradise - Glass Animals

Who is She - I monster

I ran so far away - a flock of seagulls

Alarm call - The Correspondents

Around the world - ATC

Stayin alive - Bee Gees

Don’t fear the reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Body Company - And One

Come as you are - Nirvana

Brother - Stuck in the Sound

Get Lucky - Daft Punk

Centuries - Fall Out Boy

Dont stop me now - Queen

I DJ with the fire - Eiffel 65

My Generation - GORKY PARK

American Interior - Gruff Rhys

Hall of fame - the script

Chlorine - 21 pilots

I wanna rock - Twisted Sister

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

bulletproof - La Roux

Lenningradskiy Blues

Animals - Martin Garrix

Meet Me in the Woods - Lord Huron

Little Dark Age - MGMT

Counting Stars - OneRepublic

People of Tomorrow - Eiffel 65

Control - House of Harm

Ally or Enemy - T.P. And the Indians

Angel of Snow - PLAZMA

Brass Goggles - Steam powered giraffes

California Dreamin- The mamas and the papas

Cigarettes out the window - TV girl

Fish in a birdcage

Glasshouse - Germinator

Lovers rock - TV girl

We re not gonna take it - Twisted sister

Stressed out - 21 pilots

Keep your eyes peeled - ULTRA SUNN

Young Foxes - ULTRA SUNN

Tonight - The Correspondents

Tardigrade - Cosmo Sheldrake

Stupid MF - Mindless self indulgence

Sugar Pills - I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

Sadness is rebellion - Lebanon Hanover

Lonely - PLAZMA

Piece of your heart - MEDUZA, goodboys

Pink Elephants on parade

Wplf in sheep’s clothing - ft. William Beckett

White Room - Cream

Sol Seppy - Move

SNAP! - Rythm is a dancer

Bangarang - Skrillex

Shut me up - MSI

Test & Recognise - Seekae

Big Hoops - RVZZER, JANFRY

Rubber ring - The Smiths

Prescription - MSI

Pork Soda - Glass Animals

Embryo - Pink Floyd

achilles come down - gang of youth

Blue Canary

Strawberry fields forever - The Beatles

Shoplifters of the world unite - The Smiths

Show me the meaning of being lonely - Backstreet boys

West end girls - backstreet boys

Green Machine - Lightnin Harry Dee

Le silence - Hante

Heart of glass - Blondie

Cadillac - Buster Band

Crying just a little - Billy DeCole & Derriere

Errol - Australian Crawl

Dont go - Pseudo Echo

Heart of stone - David Lewis

Shadows of love - Jeff Hurd and the differents

The Miracle - Queen

Sneg - Aigel

AND THERES MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!

[ratsoh-writes]

Emerald is quite happy to be led wherever Ram wants to go. Of course she notices his odd mood, but she doesn't pry. Perhaps he's just excited about finally getting to fight in the amateur wrestling matches?

The last thing she expects is him to ask about giraffes, of all things. But then he nods over to the animal contest with its large exotics theme for this year, and the penny drops.

Her eyes widen in delight as she spies the tall, elegant animal flocked by admirers. Now she's the one excited.

"It's gorgeous!" she says with a smile, "Do you think the owner will let us feed it, too?"

Ram is more than happy to ask for emerald, and you two are lucky enough to get handed some leafy veggies to give to the animal

The giraffe, named socks for some odd reason, happily slurps up the greens in your hands. Ram laughs seeing its long tongue, and when you squeak as it takes your food.

Ram: aww y’ just a sweet ol’ thing aren’t ya?

The giraffe bats it’s eyelashes at you both clearly hoping for more food

[officeobject]

Something I wrote to someone about toys I've had and still have

You know, one of them, was not actually a lion, but I didn't notice until I took her home, and I ALSO didn't notice until I checked yet again, that she DOES have male genitalia (it's Schliech figures or however the fuck one spells it, so some of them have that), but I had been sure she was a female, because she had no mane (you know, because I thought she was a lion), and because she was so pretty and elegant and whatnot.

So yeah, trans lion.

Like, I seriously accidentally made a trans character again.

I've also had a Dalmatian (toy) which I thought was a female for years but turned out to be male, so she's technically trans too, and a giraffe (toy), which I thought was male, but turned out to be female, so he's ALSO trans.

Same goes for a generation 2 MLP toy, who I had insisted was a boy despite the eyelashes and feminine design (he was just a feminine boy who liked flowers and had a long mane), and got mad when people called him "she", and was like "can't they see he's a boy?!", but yeah, turns out, he was made to be a girl, so now he's a trans stallion, LOL.

[covenofthearticulate]

Louis / or & Daniel: "Come on, for old times' sake?"

Send a pairing and a starting line!

Louis can't tell whether or not Daniel is joking, which is...a frustratingly common occurrence, these days. Still, he finds himself in awe of the ease with which Daniel shuffles into the room, makes himself at home as he tugs his sweatshirt over his head until he's leaning against the arm of the sofa in a thin navy blue shirt.

This IS his home, he has to remind himself. Our home.

They're the only ones at home this evening, which should perhaps feel strange, though the awkwardness never does settle in the way either one of them might have expected it to. Armand had begged him, of course, to attend the symphony with he and Sybelle, and Louis had no decent excuse. The truth of it all is that that he feels prickly all over, even in his favorite threadbare sweater, and the leaky faucet on the third floor is driving him mad, and the mere thought of sitting amongst mortals— mortals who cough, and fidget, and breathe all too loudly— makes him want to sink into the floorboards.

He doesn't know how to admit any part of that out loud, but he doesn't have to; whether Armand picks the thoughts from his mind, or simply gathers as much from the pinched-up scowl on his face, he can't discern, but it doesn't matter either way.

"S'alright," he'd heard Daniel whisper on the front doorstep as he saw Armand off. "I'll make sure he's okay."

———

"What?” Is how Louis eventually answers the brash proposal, with all the elegance of a newborn giraffe (though, he would argue, if there ever was a proper way to respond to the proposition of taking blood from your lover’s lover, then it was not covered in his etiquette training).

Sometimes it strikes him, how little he knows about Daniel, despite the remarkable streak of fate threading the two of them together. Sometimes he forgets just how well Daniel knows him. And other times he wonders if Daniel even remembers that interview at all.

"It'll help. With the...y'know." He makes a vague sort of gesture with his hands.

"Don't be ridiculous." Louis says on instinct, and he can feel his shoulders hitch a little higher, his jaw clench a little tighter.

"I know it seems like it'll be too much,” Daniel continues, “but it gives you something to focus on. Trust me, it's like a hard reset. Sometimes you gotta overload the system in order to shut it down and reboot again."

"I am not a robot, Daniel."

"Could'a fooled me." Daniel shrugs, falls back onto the opposite side of the couch, pulls out his phone to check Facebook.

Louis prickles at the comment, frown deepening as he glowers at Daniel. Daniel, the reporter boy. Daniel, the Devil’s Minion. Daniel, who has waded through the depths of madness and somehow re-emerged, only to give Louis—Louis, of all people!—advice.

The audacity astounds him. It strikes him to the very core, if only because it speaks to some silent, dormant curiosity that has made a home in Louis' ribcage for some time now. He's always wondered certain things about Daniel. Are there any remnant threads of that sweet, human nectar in his veins? Does he taste like his maker? Or is he something new altogether, transfused with the strength of the ancient Marius?

"Daniel."

A car passes on the street outside, and it makes him want to tear his skin off.

Violet eyes fix upon him, not in judgment, but with a soft, simple knowing.

Louis takes a breath, moves closer.

"For old times' sake."