#~but she’s super protective of her gargoyles

[feraecor]

I need to stop myself from making an entire society of gargoyles. I already have three but hot diggity damn do they like making themselves know

[chiscribbs]

[***NOTE: Leo's design here is no longer accurate, link to the updated version.]

I know there are already a lot of "the brothers are separated at a young age and raised by different people" AUs floating around, so this isn't especially original, but- I've yet to see one with this particular parent-child arrangement, so...

Here’s some rough concept art for what I’m calling the “Grown Apart AU”  Which I've also been affectionately referring to as the "Everyone's a Disney Protagonist" AU for quite some time... you'll see why.

Here’s the gist: Basically, Splinter is only able to save Mikey and Leo from the lab explosion - Raph is immediately picked up by Huginn and Muninn and handed back over to Draxum; Donnie is lost mid-escape and later found by Big Mama's goons, who show up for Lou but bring Don back with them instead when Lou is nowhere to be found.

Details of each turtles’ upbringings (as well as how/when they meet April) below the cut:  

RAPH

Draxum raised Raph to be everything he originally intended the turtles to be: a ruthless, obedient super soldier whose sole purpose in life is to protect the Yokai by eliminating the human threat. Draxum taught him to hate humankind and trained him up to be virtually undefeatable in battle. However...because Draxum isn't the most attentive parent, most of the caretaking for Raph was actually provided by Huginn and Muninn. And the two little well-meaning gargoyles - mostly unintentionally and outside of their master's knowledge - wound up nurturing a much softer and friendlier side to their supposedly bloodthirsty warrior-in-the-making. As a result, Raph has essentially been living a double-life under Draxum’s ownership; playing the part of a perfect soldier for his father/general, who he's determined not to disappoint, and only feeling free to be himself when he's alone (or with H&M.)

Raph has always known that there were supposed to be other mutants like himself but grew up believing that he's the only one who survived the experiment, making him the only one left in existence (until Draxum’s oozesquitos create more, that is). Even though he had H&M to keep him company, being an only child could still be pretty lonely sometimes, so Raph would often imagine what having brothers - other mutants like himself that he could have grown up alongside - would have been like.

Raph is the only one of the turtles that knows his human DNA comes from Lou Jitsu - just like Draxum, though, he has no idea that Splinter is actually Lou Jitsu.

DONNIE

Donnie had a posh and cushy upbringing in Big Mama's hotel - she raised him as her own son(unaware that he’s actually Lou’s)/apprentice and uses his technological talents to aid her multiple businesses: he supplies new weapons and battlegrounds for the Battle Nexus, as well as automated assistants and security for her hotel, and even pitches in with her more off-the-record dealings that last one being without Donnie’s knowledge. Big Mama's kept him pretty much wrapped around her little finger; praising him for his intelligence and usefulness whenever he does a good job or makes her nice things. When he hasn’t, however, she’s a less-than-affectionate mother. Donnie will do absolutely anything it takes to impress and earn approval from her.

Donnie is largely sheltered and knows very little about the world outside of the hotel - especially the human world, about which most of his knowledge comes from what he finds on the internet. He doesn't even know that he's a mutant, believing himself to be just some uncommon type of yokai, since that's all he knows. He’s not allowed to fraternize freely with the hotel guests and has a somewhat contentious relationship with Big Mama’s assistant, whom he’s always viewed as competition for her affection. The closest thing he's had to a friend is S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N, whom Donnie built to have someone to talk to (besides Big Mama's boring, no-nonsense henchmen).

Don finally met April when he was about 11 yrs old; he secretly sent one of his spy bots out to explore the human city and she intercepted it. The two have been best friends and stayed in-touch with each other online ever since - April being unaware that Donnie isn't human.

Donnie knows of Lou Jitsu purely because he was Big Mama’s favorite champion in the history of the Battle Nexus - he idolizes him, having watched recordings of many of his fights, and dreams of one day fighting in the Battle Nexus himself (if Big Mama would allow that).

Leo & Mikey

Leo and Mikey were still rescued by Lou/Splinter and brought up in the NY sewers. Splinter felt extremely guilty for not managing to save the other two baby turtles and, for the first few years following the incident, spent much of his time searching for them. Once Leo was old enough, Splinter would start leaving him and Mikey in the Lair while he searched. He eventually gave up his search, presuming them both dead or lost for good, and resigned to keeping the remaining two as safe as possible - teaching them how to defend themselves and warning them never to leave the sewers unless he was with them.

Leo and Mikey were inseparable as kids - they would do everything together, refusing to even sleep in separate rooms until they were too big to fit in one bed anymore. Leo took his job as Mikey's big brother very seriously and always tried his best to protect him, even when they were simply playing games with each other. As they got older, though, the two brothers began to drift apart - Leo started to feel a little smothered; craving more freedom to do what he wanted when he wanted, without the older sibling responsibilities hanging over him 24/7. And Mikey started feeling like he couldn't go/do anything without his brother's judgement or approval, resenting the idea that he needed constant protection.

Finally, when he was about 13, Leo secretly snuck out of the lair one night to check out the city by himself and get a little taste of independence. After that one trip, it quickly became a habit and he soon began making regular “secret” trips into the city.

Somewhere along the way, his innocent quests for freedom and fun grew into opportunities to stir up some trouble - Leo eventually met and became involved with a group of yokai teens with whom he would pull pranks and play jokes on the city's human occupants (harmless ones...usually. They just enjoy causing a little mischief.)

Mikey, having to figure out other ways to keep himself occupied since his brother is usually by himself or busy with his new friends, has picked up a multitude of different skills and hobbies, trying absolutely everything he can get his hands on. His main hobby is spray-painting, which he uses to spruce any wall he can find with his own personal touch. By the time he's 13, much of underground New York has been covered by his handiwork.  Mikey eventually finds out about Leo’s secret outings and follows him when he leaves one night - the two end up meeting April, who's never seen mutants before (having only talked to Donnie online and not seen his face) and promptly freaks out before realizing they're not dangerous. The three soon become friends, too, and April starts making plans to introduce the boys to Donnie - knowing he could use more friends besides S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. and herself.

The four brothers' fates finally collide with one another when an escapee from Draxum's lab - Mayhem - shows up out of the blue and catapults Mikey and Leo to the Hidden City, where they have an unexpected reunion with their eldest brother.

[sunnyie-eve]

52 | Tattoo

Series: Unexpected

Paring: Matt Sturniolo x OFC Brock!

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: Tara knows secret, fans being annoying

| MASTERLIST |

"Should we prank Dani?" Matt asks Nick and Chris while they were live on Twitch, "Like do something to her room?"

Chris looks down at his phone to see Dani texting him, who was at Tara's place watching them, "Oh Dani says... If any of us go into her room... She will..." Chris reads the texts.

"Of course she's watching us right now." Matt looks at Nick.

"But she said she will kill us if we pass through her doorway." Chris finishes reading the text, "Her room is off limits. If we don't listen to her, we're gonna regret it big big big time. So she says listen to her." He tells the two.

"Don't worry Dani." Nick smiles, "I'll listen to you. I stay out of your room when you're home. Unlike these two, mainly Matt."

Chris looks down at his phone and it was Dani telling him that the food he asked for was arriving, "I'll be right back." Chris leaves to go get his food.

As Matt tries to read chat he laughs saying he thinks he needs glasses while Nick reads so too, "Dani was in a Loony Tunes photoshoot."

"Lola Bunny." Matt says making Nick look at him, "What?"

"Stop."

"What? That's who she was in that shoot." Matt says then goes back to reading chat and they start talking about tattoos, "Matt, tattoo tour."

"Give them one." Nick tells him, "You only have this one arm tattooed right?"

"Yeah, there's two I've never shown people."

"Which ones?" Nick leans in to hear him.

"I can show them." Matt laughs.

"Matching set?"

"No, I'm not showing that one off and I have to take my shirt off to do so." Matt explains.

"So you're showing only this one?" Nick looks at the tattoo, "I think they've seen it."

"No, they've tried too. They've almost seen it. They've taken guesses."

"I think they've seen it." Nick sticks to it so Matt shakes his heads.

"Nope, never seen it." Matt turns to try to show it off.

"Dani wants one similar." Nick says, as Matt has trouble showing it off.

"It's a gargoyle." Matt finally shows it, "And then the back of my shoulder has the matching set."

"Same spot as Dani." Nick adds.

"I'm not showing it off because I just don't want to. It's super meaningful to me." Matt explains to chat as Chris comes back.

"Did you show them the matching set?" He asks him.

"What are you about to eat?" Nick looks at his food.

"Dani order what I wanted." Chris shrugs, "But did you show the matching set off?" Chris asks again.

"No, I told chat I wasn't going to."

"Why?" Chris asks curious because Dani doesn't try to hide hers from being seen.

"Because I personally don't want to show it off. As I said, it's super meaningful to me. I will say that mine is the moon while Dani has the sun but I'm still not showing it off."

"I kind of get it since some people like to get matching tattoos with people they're fans of and yours is meaningful to you." Nick speaks up and they see some of the chat saying why is it so meaningful if it's just with a friend.

"It's just with a friend..." Matt reads and can't help but roll his eyes, "Not just any friend, guys. It's with Dani and she's family now. Plus she designed our tattoos so they are personal to us." Matt explains.

"She did? I didn't even know that." Chris was surprised and Nick was too.

"Yeah, that's why it's my favorite tattoo."

"Wow, more than our matching set." Nick plays around.

"Way more. The tattoo is like my baby that I'm protective of." Matt laughs, and Dani, who was still watching them laughs as well with Tara.

"Someone said matching tattoos is something to be serious about." Nick reads and rolls his eyes a bit as well. Yeah, that was true with most people but not   Matt and Dani.

"It is, that's exactly why we got them. Thank you for worrying. I know exactly what I was doing. It was my idea and she designed it."

Tara can't help but laugh muting the live for a second to look at Dani, "Why did he want to get a tattoo with you?"

"At the time he said he wanted to make our bond stronger and permanent so he came up with the idea of a matching tattoo." Dani explains to her then unmutes the live.

At the moment the topic slightly changed but she was still the main focus of chat. "Dani's a pick me." Nick reads, "I'm gonna start banning people like you. If I or any decent person sees hate towards Dani will ban who said it."

"Do you even know the definition of pick me?" Chris asks, "She has never seeking our attention. It's actually the opposite. We seek her attention." Chris laughs making the girls laugh as well.

"As we've said in the past... Dani isn't going anywhere so love her as well or leave. Because she's really not going anywhere at the moment and I don't plan on it either." Matt tells chat and Tara screams startling Dani.

"YOU GUYS ARE SECRETLY DATING!" Tara jumps up and down screaming. "That was such a dead giveaway to me. At the moment! He doesn't plan on it either! AHHHHH!"

Dani watches Tara run around the room happily, "Are you done yet?" Dani laughs at her.

"AND YOU AREN'T DENYING IT! AHHH YES!!!!" Tara rushes over grabbing her by the shoulders shaking her, "I'M SO HAPPY!"

Dani just laughs at her, "I can tell."

"How long? Tell me everything!"

"Late March, I slipped up and he asked me out. I told him that if maybe he asked me instead of Chris, my answer would've be different." Dani tells her and Tara screams.

"THREE MONTHS! Who all knows?"

"Marylou, Justin, Madison, and you now. I think we're getting to the point where me might tell certain people like Nick, Chris, Sam, my family, Jimmy, and their friend Nate. I just really don't want to tell Colby, you know." Dani turns off the live.

"Well, he's gonna have to get over it. I know he likes Matt but only dislikes him when you're around. Out of anyone, Matt is someone he doesn't have to worry about dating you. Matt is so sweet and truly cares for you."

"Honestly, I haven't spoken to Colby since our fight we had. And no, I don't want to get into it right now." Dani leans back on the couch.

"I'm sure once he sees you two as a couple it will finally hit him that Matt makes you happy and feel loved." Tara smiles, "Anything else you wanna tell me?" Tara gives her a look.

"Hey, knock it off." Dani laughs, "You don't need to know all the details of my relationship with especially private stuff."

"I know, I know." Tara laughs then types in chat hoping the guys will see it and they don't but fans let them know Tara said hi.

"I don't trust you Tara." Matt looks right into the camera so Dani texts him she knows as well now.

"Dani!" He shouts then leans closer to the camera, "What the hell?" He asks so she calls him.

"Oh look, she's calling." He shows the camera his phone and her poster for when she calls was her giving Trevor a kiss as they sat on his bed back home and her name also had a heart after it.

Most people wouldn't care about the picture but some had pointed out she was in his room, wearing his shirt, and tiny boyshorts.

"What do you want?" He answers the phone.

"Why are you yelling at me through a livestream?" She asks him and he laughs before putting her in speaker.

"Hi Dani, Hi Tara." Nick waves.

"HIIII!" Tara yells then sees some of the comments, "Guys, Dani's name in my phone also has a heart after her name. It's not a big deal." She adds leaning closer to Dani's phone to be heard.

"Look." Nick grabs his phone to show he also had a heart next to Dani's name as well, "It's nothing."

"Chat, even in my phone each brother has their favorite color heart next to their name." Dani ;ets them know, "Okay, I'm turning y'all off so we can watch a movie. Love you guys." Dani says then hangs up then turns off the live.

"Some fans are so annoying." Tara rolls her eyes.

"I know and you deal with a lot with you still being close friends with Jake."

[cressidagrey]

Glorious Sunrise - Chapter 10

Summary:

So what happens after the mating bond snaps?

Well-meaning interfering family members, deep conversations and nights spent brooding on the roof like some kind of gargoyle…this one has it all.

Warnings:

Definitely NSFW

(thanks to @cafekitsune for the super pretty dividers!)

It was beautiful. Roomy, but not massive. And it felt like home. Somehow, that house felt like home, even when the furniture was nothing that Galena herself would have picked out…even when she had never been there. 

Somehow it still felt like home. 

Somehow it was…

“Did you use to have a room here?” she asked as Azriel led her through an enormous kitchen, showing her the back garden…maybe there would even be enough space for a greenhouse…she would need to think on that for a little while. Wonder what would be the most practical for her, to keep the plants that needed her attention the most in her Aunt’s garden or take them with her when she moved with Azriel…

“I did,” he agreed. “Do you want to see it? I need to warn you though, it’s not terribly interesting,” he told her. Still she grinned, holding onto his hand just a little bit tighter, feeling her ring, (Her Ring. She had a ring! She had a ring given to her by Azriel, by her mate. To say that she was a giddy mess was an understatement.), press against her hand and she nodded. 

He let her up the staircase, wide enough that even she wouldn’t have any problems navigating it…carpeted as well, which made everything easier as far as she was concerned…and then it was down a hall and through one of the identical wooden doors. 

He had been right. Nothing in that space screamed Azriel…seemingly no private things that he had left behind…there was a landscape painting on one wall that was quite pretty, and a massive bed, much bigger than hers, that probably made it much easier for him with his wings…

His wings…

They were resting against his back now, easily folded in and she bit her lips when she remembered Cassian’s words…about Azriel ripping off his head if Galena started to fondle his wings. She hadn’t yet dared to bring it up, not when Azriel seemed fiercely protective about them. 

“What are you thinking?” he asked and she shook herself out of her thoughts

“About the room?” she asked, lightly. Or at least she tried to make it sound light. It probably wasn’t. She probably failed horribly about that. It was…

Well. 

“You weren’t thinking about the room at all, were you?” Azriel teased her, as he stepped closer and she just shrugged, not hesitating for a moment to throw her arms around his neck…she needed him to keep her balance, sue her. He made it easier for her as he ducked down because otherwise, she would have trouble even reaching that far up, to be completely honest. 

“What were you thinking, Lena?” he asked her softly and she buried her face against his chest, breathing in cedar and mist, and safety and love and everything she had ever wanted and never thought that she would actually get it.“Tell me.”

“I was thinking…” she started and he hummed his agreement. “That we are alone…and we don’t need to worry about any silencing runes…” she said softly. Not the whole truth. Not a complete lie either. 

“Oh, so you have plans,” Azriel said and she grinned. “What do you have in mind?” he asked her, sounding curious. 

In answer, she pulled him down to kiss her. Two steps back and the backs of her legs hit the mattress. Before she could even try to scale it with absolutely no elegance, his hands were on her waist and he lifted her like she weighed nothing. 

She supposed to him, she did. 

“I am jealous,” she told him breathlessly, making him laugh as she kicked off her shoes and then pulled him to join her, hands fisting in the leathers he wore. Her mouth opened on its own accord, her heart beating in her chest as he kissed her properly.  

“I love this,” she whispered as he pulled back and smiled, the sight so beautiful that she nearly couldn’t...couldn’t stand it.

“I love this too,” he replied and she kissed him again, unbuckling the buckles that kept the leather closed around his body, and he moved to help her, pulling it over, bearing acres of tattoos and olive skin to her gaze. 

Every ripple, every spiderweb of scars…he was so gorgeous. 

“Lena,” he growled as she pressed an openmouthed kiss right there over one of these tattoos and she smiled against his skin, her tongue darting out to catch the taste of him, of skin and salt and…

“I want you,” she said, pulling back to meet his eyes.

And she did. 

The decision was made in her mind just as she said the words. And it was so easy to say it. Because she was here with Azriel and as long as Azriel was there, she was safe. 

If she could trust nothing in her life, she knew that she could trust him. 

He cupped her cheek, somehow understanding what she meant even if she didn’t spell it out. 

Met her gaze with his. 

“Are you sure?” he asked her gently. 

“I am,” she promised. “I am sure.”

“We haven’t…we haven’t talked about that. About how you want this…what you want…” Azriel, Azriel who never stuttered…he did it now. 

“I want you,” she repeated calmly. 

“That’s not an answer, Lena,” he told her drily and she grinned at him. 

“Anything you have ever done to me…I loved it all. Why should this be any different?” she asked him. 

It was the most natural thing in the world. Why should it…why should she be scared? If Azriel was there she knew she could trust him as surely as he had ever trusted anybody. There was just one…worry.  “Though…maybe we’ll need to see if…what position works best. You aren’t particularly…small,” she told him, biting her lip. 

He caught it with his thumb, rubbing the pad across her lip, looking at her with dark, heady eyes. 

“We’ll make it fit,” he promised her, his voice silken.

Somehow she didn’t doubt that for a minute. 

And then he caught her mouth again with his, and she moaned in his mouth, the arousal hanging cloyingly in the air surrounding them. 

She should probably consider herself lucky that he didn’t outright shred any of the clothing she wore, though it was a near thing, especially with the thin silk of her underwear, that he pulled from her body, nearly reverently. 

And she clung to him, pulling off his clothing as well, finally getting him naked and bare before him as he crawled to join her on the bed, one massive wing stretching out to pull her closer to him. 

with a husky hand, she reached out hesitantly… giving him enough time to pull away from her touch if he couldn’t stand it for some reason…

But he didn’t. 

And so she trailed a hand hesitantly over the dark expanse of them, feeling the wing shudder and twitch against her fingertips…so dark and threatening and also so very much safe…because this was Azriel. It belonged to Azriel just as surely as the scars covering his hands did…

Like her scars belonged to her. 

She watched his throat bob as she kept up her soft, hesitant caresses, listened to the broken moans that escaped him…and then he caught her hand in his, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. 

“This is going to be over before we even start if you continue this.”

She just grinned unrepentantly at him, not sorry in the slightest. 

Galena wasn’t quite sure what to expect…maybe she had thought that if she gave Azriel the agreement to go further, that was going to be the only thing he would suddenly be interested in. Maybe that had been a worry somewhere in her brain, regardless of how ridiculous it was…

But for the start… for the start of it was no different than any other time…as he did everything in his power to please her. And every thought flew through her brain as she was reduced to a moaning and writhing mess. 

Still, he was gentle with her, touching her nearly reverently, even when just the simple touch of his mouth was seemingly setting her on fire, her hands curling into his hair and holding on as she gasped, her fingers clenched so tightly that her hands were tingling from lack of circulation.

Even if she had tried to talk, she would have failed, the only thing pouring out of her mouth being moans and gasps, even as he pressed a finger inside her…then two. 

Even just that already felt like he was impaling her, felt too much, a near burning sensation…and she fell over that cliff with a shriek. 

Azriel let off her with a soft laugh, the vibrations making her shudder, as she tried and failed to catch her breathe. She was never going to get used to that, was she? She didn’t want to if she was being honest. 

Not when it meant that she would feel this pleasure again. 

Azriel slipped to lay beside her, folding her into his arms, her back to his chest and she relaxed into that, letting the strong warmth of him soothe her trembling heart. 

“Alright?” he asked her softly, checking in, and she hummed her agreement, grounding back against him, gasping when she felt the hard line of him…the rock-hard arousal of him press against her body. 

He growled in warning maybe, which just made her do it again, gasping. 

“Tell me how you want me,” Azriel whispered in her ear and she shivered. 

“I read that you spooning me would make it easier for my body to adapt,” she said, biting her lip. She had read that. There had been more options, but she felt like this…this was something she could…This was something she wanted. Him surrounding her, making her feel safe…

She could just close her eyes and lean back into him and forget anything but Azriel. That would be…

“You did your research,” he teased her slightly, just as one strong hand caught her knee and she gasped quietly as he led it back over his own leg, opening her up to his touch. 

She hadn’t thought this through, she realised. The arm of the side he laid on slipped underneath her, and then went straight to comfortably hold her and also tweak her nipples gently…the other hand had free range to spread her open, his thumb ghosting over that bundle of nerves that made her shiver….

Galena was opened up and completely at his mercy. 

And she loved every second of it. 

She craned her head and he pressed a kiss to her lips, gently pressing closer to her back…holding her gently…

“Good, Lena?” he asked her once again and she nodded, her nerves suddenly started to catch up with her…just as his cock pressed against her and then it was all forgotten. 

He rubbed his cock through her wetness a few times, obviously waiting for her to relax, for her body to give in to him. 

“Just relax, Lena,” he coaxed her softly. “You’ll take this so well…” She shouldn’t like this as much as she did…the idea that she took him so well..that she….that she took him so perfectly. 

“I’ll take it slow,” he continued softly, his cock notching at her entrance and she shuddered as she felt the whole breadth of him there. He was going to split her in two. She just knew it. 

“Take a deep breath for me,” he continued, and she did just that…and the moment she shakily started to exhale…there he was. He pressed inside her slow, like dripping honey, one finger gently circling that bundle of nerves, doing his best to keep her as aroused as possible, as relaxed even when Galena…

Her whole body seemingly shook at the intrusion. 

She didn’t know what to expect, because she had never done it before. Books had spoked of a sharp searing pain…but only for a moment….

But Azriel…Azriel felt like he was cleaving in two…and she loved it. 

He was so massive…her body needed to make room for him, her walls clinging to him, rippling with tension, seemingly trying and utterly failing to push him back out. 

It felt like she couldn’t breathe, like he was making it impossible for her like there was no more room for air anywhere inside her…a harsh gasp escaped her. She whimpered as he pressed deeper, her back arching…too much, too…

He immediately retreated. Adjusted the angle…and pressed even deeper inside her. 

No more pain. Just a sense of opening as more and more of him pressed inside her until suddenly he hit a place inside her that made her gasp. 

Oh.

“There you are, Lena. Taking me so well,” he cooed and she gasped as his hand travelled from her breast down over her belly…and then he pressed down just slightly…she shuddered, blinking down where she could see him resting within her. 

Oh. 

She was so slight that that was easily able to be seen, her so stuffed full with him that…

The arousal that shot through her, made her clench down against him, making Azriel groan and hiss, and then settle in for a slow, grinding push and pull…

She couldn’t stop the moans from falling from her mouth, she just could utterly and completely surrender to him. 

She let him push himself inside her again and again, her whole body readying itself toward a release and she just held on…let him work her body over because he knew exactly what she liked, every touch, and she shuddered with it. 

It didn't hold long. Not long before she could just whimper and then felt her body contract around him, her body milking his intrusion and she gasped at that feeling. 

“I have you,” he promised softly. “I have you, Lena,” he promised her. 

And that was all she needed. She let herself fall, trusting Azriel to catch her as she came around him, her body clenching around his. 

That was all he needed as well, as he swelled inside her, molten heat filling her, and she shuddered in his arms as he groaned, dropping his forehead to her neck, his hands on her body tightening.  

It was so difficult to even think straight as she could feel him grow soft inside her, as she leaned back against him, both their breaths coming in gasps. 

Only then, only then she felt a few tendrils of shadows shifting over her body and she smiled, not bothering to open her eyes, feeling perfectly safe and content for the moment. 

Still, she should have known that his shadows weren’t just there to keep her company.  She couldn’t help but laugh at what they unceremoniously dropped into her hand. 

“What?” Azriel asked her, curiously, but she ignored him. 

“Thank you. You are very helpful,” she told the shadows, a grin covering her face. They disappeared again. Their job clearly done. 

And then Galena twisted around and lifted the chocolate the shadows had just given her to Azriel’s lips. 

“Eat,” she whispered. 

And he did.

[theflowerofthecommonwealth]

Power Armor Punch Part Sixty Eight

Masterlist

Teshteal: *hides behind Gardio suddenly, sniffing the air to see if this person's friend or foe*

Gardio: *not sure why he's hiding suddenly since he knows the smaller man can easily kill a horde of super mutants*

Joyce: (Immediately notices and turns to face Teshteal, worry on her face) “Teshteal….?”

Donovan: (To the crew member) “Safe trip?” (Extends his hand for a handshake)

Crew Member: (Grips Donny’s arm with hers, flashing a friendly smile) “The waters got a little rough, but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle.” (Gestures behind her at the rest of the crew members who are starting to unload) “We’ve got everything on the list- along with some gifts from friends.”

Donovan: (Begins walking closer to the boat) “Is that so?”

Teshteal: *eyeing up and down the crew member. So far he smells the sea and the typical smell of gun powder that many a caravan person has. Hisses* Gifts? *listening and sniffing for anything that could be a bomb or a trojan crate*

Gardio: *notices Joyce's concerned look and extends a reassuring hand* He's likely on guard because it's a new person... *To crew member after adjusting his hat* Mind if I and my associate inspect the crates?

Lucille: *quietly blinks into the water as the lullaby ends, not sure how to handle her now relaxed and still state*

Ma: (Softly, like a mother speaking to her downhearted child) “Something on your mind, love?”

Lucille: Just not used to being this relaxed. *shrugs*

Ma: (Grabs some conditioner and a comb) “Is that so? You’re on the road a lot I take it?”

Joyce: (Inches closer to Teshteal, holding out her hand to him) “It’s okay- they are good friends of ours….” (Glances back at the boat) “Really good friends….”

Crew Member: (So confused about the glowing ghoul and the strange hissy gremlin behind him) “Uh…..” (Turns to Donny with wide eyes)

Donovan: (Shrugs his shoulders) “I mean…. It ain’t like they're hiding anything.” (Gestures at the crew members who are beginning to unload the boat onto the dock) “We’ve known these guys all their lives- their parents and even grandparents too.”

Boat Captain: (Waves to Donny from the top of the deck)

Donovan: (Smiles and waves back) “Yo Trenton! Ya didn’t happen to pack a bomb on the boat, hm?”

Trenton: (Shakes his head) “And hurt dear old Mama Evie? You think I’m trying to get my head to be served on a platter?”

Goats: (Bleat from inside the boat as if confirming the captains words)

Lucille: *nods* Very. I have settlements to maintain- *tenses up, remembering all the work she has to do on quite a few settlements* I need to get back to work soon-

Ma: (Frowns slightly hearing that) “Honey, remember what I said about slowing down to give yourself time?”

Teshteal: *slowly eases out from behind the large glowing one detective with extreme caution*

Gardio: *to the crew* If you say so. *still watching warily like the gargoyle he is*

Joyce: (Reaches to take her boyfriends hand, looking between both him and Gardio) “….Is something wrong?”

Crew Member: (Still looking at Donny nervously as she rushes to follow him) “Protective much?” (Gestures at the two newcomers who seems extra wary and cautious) “Are they…..?”

Donovan: (Shakes his head as he takes a crate from a crew member that hands it to him) “Nah, but you guys didn’t hire anyone new- right?”

Crew Member: (Also shakes her head) “Nope. Some old sea dogs as it’s always been.”

Donovan: “Good.” (Motions with his chin to a spot on the ground) “Just leave the crates and boxes there- and I’ll bring ‘em inside. You know how Ma likes everything organized.”

Crew Member: “You’re sure Donny…? We can help with the sorting?”

Donovan: (Remembering Jasmine and how jumpy she is) “Nawh- I’ve got it. Besides, don’t you guys have other places to be?”

Teshteal: New people. I need to be careful that they aren't vault operatives or that I don't hurt innocent people.

Gardio: *to Teshteal* They seem like decent people-

Teshteal: *shakes his head* Not just that, I sense... something off out here. Hard to place right now. *tail twitches anxiously*

Lucille: *quietly* This isn't enough time...?

Ma: (Smiles sadly down at her, gently squeezing her hand that she never let go of) “No my dear- three days is not enough for what you went through and neither is one soothing bath.”

Lucille: That's what worked in the past. I don't see why it doesn't work now. *shrugs*

Joyce: (Looks around at the people helping with unloading the cargo) “But what’s wrong about this?”

Trenton: (Comes out with a small bundle- too small to be a baby but it’s some sort of little creature) “Joyce? Sweetheart- look who’s here.”

Joyce: (Eyes widen as she begins to approach the boat captain instead, carefully taking the bundle from him)

Donovan: (Stopped helping with unloading the crates just to watch, smiling at his little sister)

Joyce: (Squeals with excitement as she beams down at the little bundle) “Ohhhhhhh!!!! She’s adorable!!!”

Teshteal: *ears perk up and and curiosity gets the best of him so he carefully approaches Joyce to see what... or rather who she's holding. He completely forgot her question already*

Joyce: (Beams up at her boyfriend, leaning towards him to show her little bundle of joy)

The Bundle: (Contains the tiny wiggly form of a baby panda ferret who’s no older than eight weeks old)

Joyce: (Squeals as she coos down at the little noodle, scratching under its chin) “Isn’t she just the cutest!?!?”

Trenton: (Smiles at Joyce and backs off to talk with Donovan, his face getting slightly more serious)

Ma: (Tenderly as she pets Lucille’s hair) “Oh honey- that ain’t a good way to function. It is like I said before- you’re human and it’s not fair to treat yourself as less. You need rest, for both your mental and physical health.”

Lucille: That's lovely and all but I have people who depend on me. They need supplies- Defenses! I can't just lay around for a week when they're waiting on materials that could very well save their lives!

Ma: (Raises a brow at this) “Huh, If I didn’t know any better I would say you sound like you’re raising a bunch of orphaned children. Are that weak and helpless? Isn’t there someone else who can give them a hand? You’re just one person, sweetheart. You can’t do it all.” (Fearful that Lucille will crumble again under more pressure)

Teshteal: *eyes go big- as large as saucers- at the teeny little panda noodle. He resists the urge to pick her up and lifts her up above his head in awe* A little baby panoodle...! *cupping both sides of his face, trying to contain his joy. He forgets about his apprehension completely thanks to the precious little ferret*

Joyce: “Panoodle!!!!!” (Looks like she’s attempting to contain her joy just as much as Teshteal, giving a bunch of little kisses down to her new baby)

Pirate: (Running and jumping around to greet everyone as if they were old friends, tail wagging like crazy)

Trenton: (Beckons Donovan to follow him while Joyce is distracted, picking up a crate of food that is meant to go inside)

Donovan: (Gives one quick look to his little sister as he also picks up a crate to carry inside, following the captain) “What’s up?”

Trenton: “I’ve got something for ya….”

Lucille: *purses her lips in thought and goes silent in thought for a moment. Quietly* Who's going to build the defenses...? The walls...? No one else does it but me... *head spins as she begins to spiral from how much the Commonwealth depends on solely her*

Ma: (Squeezes Lucille’s hand again as even more worry floods her face) “My sweet…..” (Gently cups Lucille’s cheek with her other hand to try and get her attention before she loses the young woman) “Lucille, look at me please.”

Lucille: ... *looks up ever so slightly, her mismatched eyes trying to focus on Ma despite her spiraling thoughts on all the responsibility thrown on her*

Ma: (Gently strokes Lucille’s cheek with her thumb, her face soft and comforting) “Are you with me, sweetie?”

Teshteal: *cooing at the tiny panda noodle. Doesn't believe he's seen anything so cute in his life*

Joyce: (Moves to huddle in closer to her boyfriend again so he can get a better look at the little wiggly gal) “She’s so little!!!” (Slightly holds the bundle out so Teshteal can hold the baby if he wants)

Donovan: “Good or bad?”

Trenton: “Wish I could say good news- but sadly it ain’t…..”

Donovan: (Feels a weight of dread and exhaustion build up in his chest at that) “Oh…..”

Teshteal: *takes the baby panoodle into his arms and gently nuzzles her soft fur with his nose* So soft and sweet! *stops for a moment, admiring the adorable ball of fluff* What are you going to name her?

Joyce: (Proudly) “Gertie!!! She’s from the same mother as Gilbert!!!”

Gertie: (Gives a very tiny lick on the gremlins nose, her little paws poking out of the swaddle she’s in)

Donovan: (Sets the crate down on the kitchen counter, walking over to check on the slowly simmering pot of broth)

Trenton: (Looks like he’s dreading to bare whatever news he has to the ghoul)

Jasmine: (Whimpers ever so slightly in her sleep, also feeling a heavy load start to weigh down on her shoulders and ropes snag at her ankles- trying to pull her down in her dreams once more….. But she can also feel something else…. Something she can’t quit put her finger on…. But it’s present)

Teshteal: *giggles at the tiny ferret kiss* Awe! He's got a little sister now! *gently holds one of her tiny paws in his fingers* Wook at her wittle hands!

Joyce: (Practically shining brighter than the sun itself) “She’s so stinking cute that imma die!!!”

Gertie: (Looking between the two squealers curiously, so confused on what’s going on)

Crew Members: (Keep unloading all the goods and eventually they stroll on out with a half dozen or so sheep and goats with their young, the creatures bleating as the clamor along)

Jasmine: (Attempts to free herself from the chains that are tying and pulling her down as she feels the crushing weight of the world on bare down on her shoulders- partly recognizing that she’s dreaming and her troubles are manifesting themselves into it. She struggles for a bit, tears forming on her waterline and she’s about to scream with frustration but then she feels like what seems to be a gentle kiss on her head from behind and she freezes- hearing a low hum in the distance of her dreamworld)

Teshteal: *blinks for a moment, tail twitching upward when he realizes something. Whispers* I think we might be scaring her with all our cooing. *to the baby ferret as quietly as he possibly can* Sorry.

Joyce: (Hums lowly as her emerald eyes widen) “Ooops…..” (Reaches out to gently stroke her new baby’s face again) “Sorry Gertie….”

Gertie: (Also licks Joyce’s fingers with her tiny tongue when she can)

Lucille: Trying to be... *thoughts race on what settlement still needs what resource and how many turrets she needs to assign to another and so on...* Hard to stop when it's all you've been able to think about for the last year and a half....

Ma: (Softly) “And you do it all completely on your own? For over a year and a half now?”

Lucille: *nods grimly* No one helps...

Ma: (Heart just about snaps all over again and she has half a mind to go down to these settlements and give them an earful because poor Lucille seems to have enough trouble as it is) “It really is no wonder that you’re so overworked. But I’m sure we can work something out that doesn’t involve you trudging all around to try and fix everyone’s problems.”

Jasmine: (Her hands that were once firmly clasping Nicks shirt start to move a bit to grope behind him despise nothing being there) “Mhmmm……”

Dogmeat: (Sniffs the girl when she does this, whining softly)

Jasmine: (Eyes sparkle in her dream world as the humming gets closer and it’s unmistakeable of what it is to her) “Mamá…..” (And just like that- the weight starts to get lifted off her shoulders and her ties start to become undone)

Nick: *to dogmeat calmly* I see it, boy. Problem is- I don't want to wake her. *senses the presence himself, though for him it's more like an unknown source of heat or warmth other than the sun*

Gardio: *observing from the distance. From the sound of things, the goods involve livestock and he doesn't want to risk contaminating them with his radiation*

Teshteal: *gentle smile, or as gentle as it can be with his sharp teeth at Gertie*

Lucille: Good luck getting people to listen... If it's not farming or guard duty or some other slightly menial task, then it's all on me to keep up these places.

Ma: (Huffs slightly when she hears that) “Well that sounds to me plain unfair on your side. They cannot really expect one woman to help now can they?”

Gertie: (Licks her nose as she gazes up between Joyce and Teshteal, seemingly unbothered by Teshteal appearance since he’s friendly)

Joyce: (Nose scrunches slightly) “I think Gilbert isn’t going to be too happy- he’s spoiled that way.”

Jasmine: (Shakes off her remaining shackles in her dream and looks around with wide kitten eyes) “Mamá!!!!” (She listens for the humming, but it sounds like it’s coming from all directions so she picks one and starts running) “Mami!!!!!” (She feels another soft breath and kiss on the back of her neck this time as she runs- fueling her determination. She misses her mother so damn much….)

Dogmeat: (Noses his way on in closer to the teen as she continues to try and grab something behind Nick while kicking her feet)

Nick: Oh- Hold on, doll... *wraps his arms around her to keep her from knocking the both of them off of the lounge chair and starts rubbing her back to soothe her excitement*

Teshteal: *quiet huff* What is Gilbert to do? She'll have to live in the same house. *emphatically raises his hands, as if performing a fool in a play shrugging off a joke or a jab*

Joyce: (Giggles at Teshteal, squeezing Gertie’s bundle slightly) “You’re right. He’ll have to grow to love his little sister. Besides- I’m sure she smells like their mother.” (Sniffs the little noodle to confirm her thoughts- Gertie smelling exactly like baby Gilbert when she first got him)

Lucille: *shrugs in defeat* Apparently, they can... Doesn't matter. I like building-

Ma: (Shakes her head in disapproval at these people as she mutters something under her breath, tapping the bottom of Lucille’s chin) “I’m sure you do honey- but too much strain on one person will cause them to crumble. So no- they can’t be asking you to do everything for them. You have your own life to manage too.”

Jasmine: (Somewhat feels Nicks gentle rubs in her sleep, but she cannot really contain herself as she feels the softest of touches caress the side of her face and she runs even faster towards a bright beacon of light in the distance. Behind her she can almost hear and feels her troubles calling out to her, but the light is driving it all away for her) “Mamá!!!”

Nick: *confused- she's usually only this active in her sleep when she's having a nightmare and yet, she doesn't seem distressed*

Teshteal: *sniffs* She does smell kind of similar to the little guy...

Gardio: *still still as a statue. One would assume he is one*

Joyce: (Takes in a deep inhale of Gertie, rocking back and forth happily) “Baby ferret smell!!!”

Lucille: *mutters quietly* What life... I had a life before the war and now what? I blew up the institute- but that's all I'll ever be known for.... *splashes the water in a fit of frustration* The one who obliterated the boogeyman of the commonwealth while graciously giving homes to those who need them.

Ma: “Correct me if I am wrong- but I believe that ‘your life’ consists of the same people who helped talk you out of ending it so soon and have taken care of you.” (Tenderly rakes her fingers through Lucille’s purple hair) “They make up your life and you make up theirs in turn. That is what family is. You take care of one another and watch each others hearts and wellbeing.”

Lucille: *eyes sting with tears. She tries to hide it by averting her gaze. She doesn't know if she has the strength to return the favor to the people who do care... And now she wonders if she's failed each and every one of them, now*

Jasmine: (Hums along with the song the voice of her mother is singing- recognizing it immediately as one of the many lullabies she’d sing. It twists her heartstrings a bit, but she cannot help the smile on her face) “Mami….” (She stops running but doesn’t stop squirming to escape in real life, closing her eyes to bask in the warmth she’s feeling throughout her body)

Nick: *still holding his squirming daughter as still as he can. He keeps petting her back to comfort her*

Ma: (Smiles kindly down at the young woman) “You know- people often ask me why I do what I do. Why I devote everything I am to being a caretaker and mother when I seemingly get little in return for walking sometime walking into a blaze that could leave me with less than what I had before. What they don’t understand is that I do get something in return each and every time. I get the irreplaceable joy of seeing my babies and loved ones flourish and glow over time even in the tiniest ways. That will fill me up more than gold and glory ever wil even if it’s in the tiniest of ways like a simple glitter in their eyes in the morning at breakfast or the peaceful look on their face as they sleep in comfort.” (Gently taps the bottom of Lucille’s chin once more before she moves her hand up to tuck her short hair behind her ears even if there isn’t much to do so) “That’s what any good parent wants from their kid. I can say that your father is no different. And if I end up with taking a hard loss or a couple of hits, well then so be it. Love is the sacrifices we make for each other anyways. And if you’re wondering what you’re sacrificing here for this love- it’s that little piece of you that you keep trying to hide away from everyone. That little piece of you that’s human, tired and just wants peace and rest. Yes, that piece of you that you think is unwanted and not worth it is still precious because it’s a part of you, my love.”

Teshteal: *eyes sparkle at how loving his girlfriend is over this small creature*

Joyce: (Bounces and pats her little bundle of joy- then glances back at the house) “I wonder how we should play this out with Gilbert….”

Jasmine: (Mumbling hoarsely as she paws midair) “Mamá…. Come back…. Please….” (Kicks her feet a bit harder) “Lo siento Mami, lo mucho siento. Por favor….. Don’t leave me alone- you know I hate it….”

Translation: “I’m sorry Mommy, I’m very sorry. Please.”

Dogmeat: (Sniffles the squirming girl some more with big puppy eyes of confusion and concern because she’s making strange sounds)

The Voice: (Whispers ever so softly and comfortingly into the broken teens ear, wrapping her up in a hug of warmth and security) “Chiquilla bonita. Llegaste del cielo en un tren del amor. Tu alegre sonrisa. Me enseña en la vida, el camino mejor….”

Translation: “Pretty girly. You arrived from heaven on a train of love. You’re happy smile. It teaches me the better things in life.”

Jasmine: (Feels her heart both flood with overwhelming joy and crack into a million little pieces when she registers that- having not understood why her mother had been so adamant on singing that song to her during her prewar days…. But now it’s just becoming clear. She has to find her mother- she has to say sorry) “I’m sorry Mamá…..” (She hugs her dream self tightly and rocks back and forth on her feet, taking a couple of slow steps to follow the voice but once again it’s coming from all directions)

Nick: *whispers* What's going on in that pretty little head of yours...?

Teshteal: Hrm... Slowly? Like a cat?

Gardio: *nods*

Lucille: *lips tremble before burying her face in her hands. She wishes she COULD rest but the consequences of that feel too great*

Ma: (Softly) “Whatcha thinking about, my sweet?” (Gently allows her hand to rest on Lucille’s shoulder, looking on at the young woman with concern and understanding)

Lucille: *voice cracks as she cries into her hands* I... I can't just drop everything to rest-! I can't- There's so much I need to do- people could die without me- *sobs, deep down wanting to rest but it seems like an impossible task*

Joyce: (Glances between Gardio and Teshteal) “I suppose so- but knowing my little stinker he’ll come running the moment he senses someone else taking up my attention then throw a tantrum.”

Teshteal: So then we show him immediately-!

Gardio: Carefully-

Teshteal: We carefully show him immediately! *Beaming from ear to ear*

Jasmine: (Mewls like a lost kitten looking for their mother because she essentially is, her dream self wandering aimlessly through an empty field to find a dead woman whom she swears she can feel in her heart and hear in the distance. She smiles despite being lost- because she knows that her mother is close by and wouldn’t allow anyone to lay a finger on her child) “Where are you?”

Lucille: *voice cracks as she cries into her hands* I... I can't just drop everything to rest-! I can't- There's so much I need to do- people could die without me- *sobs, deep down wanting to rest but it seems like an impossible task*

Ma: “Oh cariño…” (Her mother instincts take ahold and she immediately drops to her knees besides the poor young woman, gently draping her arm around Lucille’s shoulder to pull her into a hug that she can easily pull out of if she desires) “Sssssh, it’s gonna be alright. We’ll figure things out all together. You can only shoulder so much on your own until you crack and crumble- but that’s what your family is here for.”

Teshteal: So then we show him immediately-!

Gardio: Carefully-

Teshteal: We carefully show him immediately! *Beaming from ear to ear*

Joyce: (Turns back to the lighthouse in thought, then back down at the tiny kit once more) “Well- he’s gonna have to at least tolerate her. Hopefully he quickly learns that there’s plenty of love to go around. Plus it’s not good for ferrets to be alone.”

Teshteal: *making kissy faces and baby noises at the baby ferret... his ears pick up a rustling noise in the distance of the woods but the size tells him it might be a wild animal of some kind*

Jasmine: (Suddenly perks upright from Nicks chest as if she was summoned, her hands firmly planted on his shoulders so she can steady herself as her big magical doe eyes scan the area expectingly. They gloss over both Nick and Dogmeat as if they weren’t there- obviously she’s looking for something else) “Mamá…..” (She can still feel the warmth in her heart and the prickle of a ghostly kiss on the back of her head….. But where is her mother?)

Nick: *looks where she is. His sensors pick up a faint impression of... something but it's hard to get a reading. He briefly considers heading to Acadia for calibration if not for Jasmine's behavior. Kindly, out of confusion* What about her, doll?

Lucille: *sobs into the older woman's arms*

Ma: (Locks Lucille into her strong and comforting embrace that many people had sought solace in before) “Sssshh, it’s okay. Just let it all out.”

Jasmine: (Pouts a bit when she can’t find her mother, then she tilts her head at another prickle on her cheek. She then makes grabby hands up in the air while leaning over the side of the chair, almost like she’s trying to leap out of her fathers arms)

Nick: Woah, hold on there... *pulls her back a little, unsure exactly why she's trying to leap out of the seat at nothing. Granted, it seems better than the wild thrashing from before, but it doesn't make him any less concerned about her current behavior*

Gardio: *decides that the two lovebirds should be fine so he walks back to the lighthouse to try and be of some help. He approaches the two men* If there's any cargo that isn't food or livestock to haul in or set up, I'd be willing to help.

Donovan: (Looks frazzled about something but slowly nods his head, a bottle of broth in hand) “Yeah…. Yeah, that would be nice thank you….” (He walks over to the other ghoul, holding out the bottle to him) “Give this to Detective Valentine before you go, please.”

Trenton: (Leaning against the wall, looking down in deep thought, staring Donny’s expression of worry)

Gardio: Will do. *gives an affirming nod then gives Donny a reassuring but heavy pat on the shoulder, giving him just a little radiation as a boost to help ease his frazzled nerves before he heads on up to the roof*

Donovan: (Gives a weak smile at Gardio as he leaves, then sighs heavily)

Joyce: (Goes back to squealing happily over the little one) “Oooooh, she’s too perfect!!! I can’t get enough of her sweet little face!!!”

Gertie: (Gazes up at Teshteal and Joyce, licking her nose some more)

Teshteal: *licks his own nose with his long tongue to mimic Gertie*

Gertie: (Seems fascinated by the two people in front of her, especially by the strange gremlin man mimicking her by licking his own nose)

Joyce: (Giggles some more, this time at her boyfriend) “Ack, you’re cute as well!!!”

Jasmine: (Whines when she’s kept from leaping into the air but she doesn’t seem too upset, just tries to do it again while still making grabby hands at nothing)

Nick: *sighs, knowing if he tries to snap her out of it, she'll just grow more distressed* I can't just let you go- you might hurt yourself... Maybe your mama will come closer to hold you.

Gardio: *walks up the stairs to the roof and raises an eyebrow in confusion at the girl making grabby hands in the air. It's a stark contrast to the screaming and thrashing from before. He very carefully approaches and speaks calmly so he doesn't spook her* I have broth for her.

Teshteal: *turns to her and licks his nose like he's some sort of big cat then makes a tiny chirping noise with his mouth- being the silliest of sillies to make his angel laugh*

Joyce: (Shrieks with laughter at her goofball of a boyfriend, putting a hand over her mouth to try and muffle her laughter that can be heard across the ocean)

Teshteal: *grins at how much that simple noise made her happy* I could gobble her and Gilbert up like a couple of extra big noodles! *Playfully licks his lips*

Jasmine: (Looks over at Gardio when she hears his voice and blinks slowly, then turns to her father, then back to the space up in the area she was looking at) “Mamá….” (She wiggles in her dads arms, patting on his shoulder to try and make her let go, then makes her grabby hands to be picked up by whatever she’s looking at)

Dogmeat: (Whines with confusion, trying to lick the girl)

Gardio: *finally next to the chair. He sets the bottle down next to Nick* Here... Do you think she'll drink it in this state?

Nick: I haven't a clue... *to Jasmine* Hey, kitten. Do you think your Mama would be happy if you drank this broth? *picks up the bottle and holds it up* I think she would. *gently smiling at her*

Jasmine: “Mamá….” (Takes her eyes off the air with a wistful and somber, deep longing look in her eyes, letting her hands rest back on her Dads shoulders as she turns to look at him. She tilts her head to one side, then seems to register that it’s him and she breaks out into a warm smile)

Nick: *smiles just as warmly back, relieved to se that she's isn't suffering for once* It's good to see that smile. Would you like some broth? *Offers it to her once more to see if she'll take it or not*

Gardio: *amazed that the girl looks so at peace. He glances over at the spector she was making grabby hands at a second ago*

Nick: *thinks to himself* So he can see it, too? Well that means it's not a simple calibration issue...

Jasmine: (Softly) “Daddy….” (Gently presses her forehead to his while putting a hand on his cheek, sighing softly, not acknowledging what he’s offering her)

The Object: (Appears to be a misty ball of white light up in the sky, now fading out so it’s almost completely transparent)

Nick: *sighs and sets the bottle down* I suppose not... *Reaches up with his bad hand and strokes her cheek, then attempts to brush a stray hair from her face* Hey, kiddo.

Gardio: *watching as it disappears, wondering what or who that could have been... Whatever it was seemed to have a calming effect on the girl. Quietly he turns to and starts for the stairs* I'm going to help Donny. I promised him that I'd help.

Jasmine: (Hums happily in greeting, sighing as she slinks down to rest her head against Nicks chest, listening to the soothing sounds of his inner workings while the sun shines over them. She’s still tired, like her body is light years away from being fully recharged)

Joyce: “Oooohhh- I so hope they get along well!!! I would love to have a ferret snuggle session!!!”

Teshteal: *looks up and notices Gardio's left* We should... Probably go back. Dio left- *slight panic enters his voice* Why did he leave-?

Joyce: (Looks around) “Hm, I don’t know. Maybe he went to help Donny with the stuff.”

Teshteal: Yeah... *Shaking a little. He can feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end again* I don't feel safe out here, though... Let's head back. *Turns to the lighthouse*

Joyce: (Seems concerned but she follows along) “Errrrrm…. Okay then. But can I ask, why don’t you feel safe?”

Teshteal: *glances at the ship* I don't know those people. I don't know if they're from that hellish place. *Already walking along*

Joyce: (Walks alongside him, confused) “What place? These our Ma and Donny’s friends, they’ve known them for a long time.”

Donovan: (Already putting away some of the stuff he brought in, raising his head when Gardio pokes his head in) “Handed it off?”

Gardio: As good as done. She still seemed sleepy though... *Fully steps into the kitchen* What do you need help with bringing in?

Donovan: (Rubs his forehead for a moment, then starts walking to the door past Gardio) “The stuff with the storage labels go into the basement, the kitchen labels go the kitchen, and the rest into the living room. Mama will sort them out later.”

Jasmine: (Her eyes click up to her father as she rests, lifting a hand to gently touch the side of his neck where there’s a large gash, humming a bit sadly and with concern)

@lucilleandherrobots

[hersaladdeer]

Chapter 3: Downpour

An ongoing ProHero Hitoshi x F!OC fanfic.

"Beggars can't be choosers." Takara grinned at the pair of sweatpants the man sported, the gemstones of the word "Juicy" shining in the rooms lighting. "Hilarious." Hitoshi muttered as Ash engaged in battle with the drawstrings. Takara shrugged. "You're free to take them off."

"You can't just substitute one ingredient for another without proper trials." Takara sighed, annoyed at having to have this conversation again. The rain outside her window was a welcome backdrop to the conversation, the pattering drops entertaining Ash as he chased them down the glass pane. It had started up suddenly and was quickly becoming a heavy downpour. "I know, I know, but there shouldn't be any-"

"Shouldn't and aren't don't mean the same thing Miro." Takara chastised. "Do the pilot trial tomorrow. Let's just be sure-" A faint tapping on her window pulled her attention away from the meeting, the sound following by a confused chirp from Ash. On her windowsill, fully drenched, knelt Mindjack. Takara was shocked into silence by the unexpected sight before throwing her hands up in exasperation at him. He mocked the gesture right back to her.

"Takara?" Miro's voice came through her speakers as Hitoshi gestured to the latch on the window, as though he was asking to be let it. "I think you're losing connection."

"I'm not." Takara walked closer to the window with her arms crossed, not reaching for the latch. His eyes pleaded with her. He looked like a cat caught in the rain, his hair clinging to his forehead as rain drops dripped from his nose. "Do the pilot trial tomorrow. Call me when you have results, okay?" Takara called over to the laptop. Takara flipped the latch, walking away so that Mindjack could open the window himself. "Don't let anyone bully you into signing off on it before you have all the information." At the sound of her window opening Takara sat back in front of the laptop she had been speaking into. "I've got to go, Miro. Send me an email if you need anything."

"I will. You know, no one would be upset if you took some time off-" Takara ended the call before looking up at the dripping hero who had crawled through her window.

"Thank-you." Mindjack said as he shut the window, stepping out of the torrential downpour. Ash ran up to him to engage in battling the wet cord draped around the man's neck. Hitoshi scooped the kitten into his arms, attempting to pet the top of his head but only meeting gnashing teeth.

"So how's the roof?" Takara's voice was teasing as she examined the man who was dripping rain water onto the floor. "I'm surprised you didn't slip. It looks wet."

"This downpour came out of nowhere. I just need a minute or two to wait out the worst of it." Takara looked at him with a mocking smirk on her face. "You'd think you'd have proper weather protection for your super official hero business." Her tone was teasing as she leaned back in her chair, cradling a mug of tea. "Speaking of, since you're not on official hero business, I'm not using your hero name. What should I call you?"

Hitoshi was too busy looking around the room to respond. There were various botany posters coupled with what he recognized as circuitry diagrams plastered around the room "I think we got off on the wrong foot." Shinso suddenly looked sheepish under the woman's gaze as he rubbed the back of his head. "You're right, I lied. It's not official. But that doesn't mean it's not important."

Takara stood up, opening her bedroom door and disappearing into the hallway. She returned with a few towels that she flung at Hitoshi. He caught them with ease. "Gargoyle it is." Hitoshi's brow furrowed, not understanding what she was getting at. "You're getting water everywhere and I really don't want to be avoiding puddles all night." Takara mumbled as she began rummaging through her luggage. A few seconds later Shinso was pelted with a pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt. A garbage bag followed shortly after. "Put your wet clothes in that so they don't leak everywhere."

Hitoshi was frozen, looking between the woman who was sitting back down to her computer and the clothing pile he was left holding. "I'm not going to change in front of you."

Tamaka paused, letting her eyes roam the figure before her. He was well muscled - the wet shirt clinging to his broad chest highlighted that. His face covering had been removed and placed on one of her shelves to dry. He was cute underneath it. He looked exhausted, but cute. "That's a shame." She finally said, shrugging with a smirk as she met his eyes. "But there is a bathroom." Takara pointed to the open door before taking a sip from her mug of tea. "Grandma is at her book club tonight, so no need to be secretive."

"I thought she wasn't speaking."

"Correct."

"Aren't book clubs to discuss books?"

"You're welcome to ask her the particulars yourself in a few weeks." Takara repeated the gesture towards the bathroom. "If you're not going to give me a show, at least change so you're not dripping on my floor." Hitoshi raised his eyebrow at the woman, not accustomed to being openly flirted with. He began making his way down the hall, still slightly confused.

A ding alerted Takara to check her phone.

Kiyoko will be spending the night here - I can't send her out in this weather and the rain is letting up anytime soon. She says she left you food in the fridge.

One of her grandmother's friends had sent her a message. Kiyoko had extended her vow of silence to include her phone for reasons that were beyond Takara's understanding.

Thanks for letting me know.

"Do you have any other sweatpants?" Takara giggled to herself as her uninvited guests annoyed request echoed down the hall.

"Nope." Takara called down the hall, not hiding the amusement in her voice. She heard the bathroom door open and the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. "Beggars can't be choosers." Takara grinned at the pair of sweatpants the man sported, the gemstones of the word "Juicy" shining in the rooms lighting. "Hilarious." Hitoshi muttered as Ash engaged in battle with the drawstrings. Takara shrugged. "You're free to take them off."

"And wear what, exactly?" Takara turned in the chair she had been sitting in to face the hero, examining the blush on his face. "My guess would be... Boxer briefs." Takara tilted her head slightly as she looked him over. "Boxers would be too loose. Briefs... I don't think that would work if you were exerting yourself. So the hybrid."

"They're wet."

"Then I guess your answer is nothing, Gargoyle." Takara grinned at the man as the blush darkened. Hitoshi turned to watch the water fall through the window, unsure of what to say. "The worst of it should be over soon." Takara wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her, or himself. From a quick glance at the window the rain only seemed to get heavier.

"I looked up the ten of wands." Hitoshi's confession burst from him, filling the silence that had grown between them as they watched the rain.

"Oh?"

"I'm still not sure I get it."

Takara grinned before standing from her seat. "I thought you didn't believe in the occult." She teased. She walked over to the drawer where she kept her tarot decks, grabbing an index book for the man. Takara tossed the book towards him, narrowly missing Ash as he made an attempted mid air interception. An annoyed chirp let her know he wanted another go at it.

"I said I didn't mess with it. But I drew a card, and now I'm trying to figure it out. Making the unknown known or so I heard a pervert say." Hitoshi laid back on her bed, his hair blending in with the comforter. "Your hair is wet!" She protested, sitting next to him on the bed.

"Too late now." Shinso said as he began flipping through the book, enjoying the bit of revenge he could take. "So what does it mean to you?"

"Burdens." Takara answered shortly. "Overwhelm, stress, exhaustion. Taking on too much."

"What kind of burdens?" Shinso pressed as Ash began playing with his wet purple locks, the flying book forgotten. "It depends." Hitoshi tsked at the response. "That seems vague and unhelpful." Hitoshi commented, turning another page of the book. "Why go by Mindjack?" Tamaka asked, leaning back on her bed to stare at her bedroom ceiling, laying down next to the man. "It's an odd name even by hero standards." She quickly added, hoping not to offend him.

"My quirk." He said, after a long pause, not looking away from the book as he examined the images of each card. "Brainwashing." The silence felt heavier this time as Takara debated whether she should be concerned by this revelation.

"That's useful." She said after a moment of consideration. "But I prefer thinking of you as Gargoyle." If the man had wanted to brainwash her, he would have by now. But she didn't feel any different and there were no lapses in her memory.

"Most people are more wary of me when they hear that for the first time." Hitoshi confessed. Takara shrugged, their shoulders touching as she did so. "Gargoyle's are protectors." Takara's voice sounded oddly peaceful as she said it.

"Call me Hitoshi. Mindjack is... My official, working name." Takara smiled as she turned her face to his. "I'm Takara."

"I remember." Hitoshi smiled at her, but Takara only caught a brief glimpse of it before the lights went out.

I have been working on these first three chapters for a bit and I think they just need to be posted or I'll edit them forever.

Link to Chapter index.

Link to chapter four.

[chronicmusicnerd]

On the mediocrity of Harry Potter

*NOTE!! This is not an attack to HP fans. I also enjoy reading/watching HP, but I can simultaneously bring light to why it isn’t perfect or even very good*

enjoy and pls reblog i’d really appreciate it

I should hope we all know that JK Rowling (JKR) isn’t a very great person. She’s a blazing transphobe, borderline Holocaust denier, and she isn’t this wonderful feminist either. In fact, it’s quite clear that she dislikes women in general.

On that, the first obvious bit of evidence pointing to HP not being super duper brilliant is how JKR writes girls/women. First off, it’s clear that to JKR, the perfect role for a woman is a mother that sacrifices herself (physically or otherwise) for her child(ren). Take Narcissa Malfoy, for example. She makes the unbreakable vow with Snape to protect her son, as she’s certain Draco cannot at the moment kill Dumbledore. To refresh your memory, if the unbreakable vow is broken, the members in the vow die.

Another example is Lily Potter, Harry’s mum. While as an isolated incident, her death and protection of Harry via love would be fine and dandy, however, coupled with how nearly every other woman is written, it seems in very poor taste.

May I note now that out of the top 100 HP characters by mention, only 28 are women. Those 28 include, but are not limited to, Pansy Parkinson, Olympe Maxime, and the corpse of Bathilda Bagshot. These characters are still barely mentioned, except for influxes in singular books. Take that all in, in the top 100 characters by mention in HP, only 28 are women.

Now, we can move to the “shoving under the carpet” of our beloved MC’s trauma. It’s obvious that Harry would have loads upon loads of trauma based on his parents deaths, the literal war he fought in, one of the most evil wizards constantly hunting him down each year, witnessing his friend (Cedric) die via an unforgivable curse, living with the Dursley’s in a cabinet under the stairs, I could go on. However, Harry seems to be mostly fine. Sure, he was spooked after Cedric’s death, and sure, he has his scar pulsing and hurting whenever Voldemort is near, but he seems to have virtually no trauma expressed in the books. Now, this was the 90’s, but still. However, the next bit is truly insane.

Finally, we can get to the goblins. The goblins, that run Gringotts wizarding bank, are hook-nosed, greedy, and not to be trusted. In history, the cruel caricatures of Jewish people are also hook-nosed, greedy, gargoyles and evil creatures alike.

Many watchers of HP expressed shock when they say the goblins on screen, some thinking along the lines of, “Did they really just put these guys in the underground bank??” and the die-hard defenders simply said, “It’s fantasy. It’s wizards.”

However, being fantastical and based around wizards gives no one the right to put harmful stereotypes against the jewish people into children’s, or any, media. In fact, it was mostly adults who picked up on the antisemitic values of the goblin’s portrayal. Racism is not something one is born with, it is something one is taught. The kids who saw the HP movies may have seen the goblins and thought, “Ew, those guys suck,” and then later in life meet a jewish person who has the features of the goblins and say, “Ew, these people are real? You all suck.”

Racial stereotypes are never okay, and paired with JKR’s borderline Holocaust denial, make for a very suspicious situation.

Finally, the writing is mid at best. The most interesting character (from a writing standpoint) is Dumbledore, which is insane. He’s got the most depth, as a truly morally grey character. Most of the characters serve one purpose and then are killed off, or are just extremely flat. The plot is a copy-paste YA line, which is fine, but it makes one visualize a connection between these over-used plots in YA and the over-used tropes and characters in modern “dark romance” (which now, is mostly badly written smut).

Again, this is not an attack to anyone who likes HP or dark romance or popular tropes/character personalities/plotlines. Personally, I love the grumpy x sunshine trope, or friends to lovers. However, HP is a bit more controversial than a trope, and while I enjoy it and it is nostalgic, we have to tear down and really look at these flaws and moral wrongs in the story.

To truly eradicate these stereotypes and bring in more awareness to writing, we have to talk about them. They cannot be shoved under any rugs (like Harry’s trauma) and have to be slowly unraveled from writing and the world altogether.

Summary, JKR bad writer don’t use racial stereotypes on characters and try not to write mid stories that don’t like women.

PS I wrote this in one go after talking about why HP is mid with a friend and it inspired me so this is just the convo with less emojis and more backstory 🤑 pls reblog or like or comment gangalang

[rose-of-oz]

𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦

So, after posting my fancast the other day, we have finally arrived at the OCs that go with it!! Honestly, I’m so excited to share these babies with you guys; Monster High was one of my first hyperfixations ever, and despite how long it’s been since I properly interacted with it, I’ve never stopped loving it. So without further ado, please observe my beautiful freaky babies!!

(Also gonna tag my beloveds @manyfandomocs and @ginevrastilinski-ocs, because I know they’ve been waiting for this!! <3)

Nyx Darkfeather, a fallen angel, Jackson/Holt ship. The daughter of two angels who fell from Heaven. A new student at Monster High because her parents homeschooled her for a long time, scared of her being hurt for what she is since fallen angels are so rare. Very stone-faced, blunt, and closed-off, but eventually gets pulled into Frankie’s friend group after they make it their mission to befriend her, and winds up slowly being endeared by Jackson and Holt. Pretty powerful as the child of two angels, with umbrakinesis and some psychic powers, but she doesn’t use them very often. Also becomes besties with Twyla, since they’re both very used to the shadows.

Aiko Inoue, daughter of the Slit-Mouthed Women, Deuce ship. An exchange student from Japan who eventually decides to stay and learn at Monster High. Kind of has a bad reputation at first because of her mother and how quiet she is, but eventually people start to warm up to her. Gets close to Deuce after she gets assigned to tutor him in History of the Undead shortly after he and Cleo break up, and they eventually wind up becoming a super cute couple. Intensely shy and awkward and often uses her spirit powers to turn invisible or disappear for long periods of time, but also very caring and loyal. Becomes really good friends with the hybrids, especially Neighthan and Serena.

Chester Hoppington, a wererabbit, Gil ship. Only attends Monster High in person part-time because he cares for his eight younger siblings while his parents work. An incredible artist who meets Gil when he decides to go swimming in the school pool while Chester is there doing a drawing of the water. Incredibly sweet and caring as a result of having to be a babysitter so often, but also surprisingly stubborn and never afraid to speak out for the people he cares about. Has bunny ears and a little tail, and also has a habit of rapidly tapping his feet when he’s frustrated or angry. Eventually gets pulled into the ghouls’ friendship, and even becomes really good friends with Lagoona despite her and Gil being exes.

Matthew Steam, a robot, Frankie ship. Robecca’s “twin” brother since Hezekiah built them at the same time, and got dismantled shortly after her when he tried to confront the Gargoyles about what they did to her. A lot more socially awkward than his sister, but surprisingly adjusts to modern life a lot easier because he was always more interested in science and mechanics and he gets incredibly excited about all the new advancements. A total nerd who goes on a lot of excited rants about his interests, which Frankie is only too happy to listen to. Also an iconic sibling duo with Robecca.

Bonita Calaveras, a skeleton, Heath ship. Skelita’s older sister by eleven months, so they’ve always been in the same school year. Does the transfer with her sister and Jinafire, because she’s always seen it as her job to protect Skelita. Tries to keep Heath away from Skelita when she learns how much of a flirt he is, but just winds up falling for him instead. Fiercely loving and protective of those she cares about, but also sometimes forgets to take care of herself. The best sibling duo with Skelita, and also comes really good friends with Jinafire because they enjoy judging people together.

Dabria Yelps, a zombie, Draculaura ship. Ghoulia’s younger sibling who uses they/she pronouns, and definitely the more creativity-minded of the two; an incredible writer who wants to publish romance novels one day. Also a hopeless lesbian who falls in love with Draculaura almost the moment they meet her, but it takes a while for them to get together because Draculaura still needs to get over her breakup with Clawd and Dabira is way too awkward to properly confess for the longest time. She’s also best friends with Howleen and Twyla, and kinda goes through it for a bit during the whole Shadow Genie ordeal.

Gaia Nature, child of Mother Nature, Abbey ship. Homeschooled in the forest for a good portion of their life, but finally allowed to attend Monster High because they’ve always wanted to meet more kids their age. A total and complete sweetheart because they’ve always been taught to be kind to all living creatures, but also tends to be kind of naïve and overly trusting because they haven’t really been around actual people very much. They and Abbey are a total opposites attract couple, but Abbey is very soft for them and also manages to toughen them up a bit, so they work very well together. Definitely besties with Rochelle, Robecca, and Venus, and frequently teams up with Venus on environment-saving endeavors.

Chord Nightingale, a siren, Manny ship. Head of the Monster High choir, which Manny is forced to join as a punishment from Headmistress Bloodgood after beating up another student. Totally outgoing and sunshiney, which doesn’t allow him to get long with Manny at first. Mostly confident but also scared of ever accidentally enchanting someone with his siren song after an incident that happened when he was a kid that he’s never told anyone about. Eventually grows close to Manny and the two of them start to open up to each other, until they finally get together. Doesn’t really have many friends despite being a social butterfly, but eventually becomes pretty close with the ghost crew - Operetta, Scarah, Serena, and Johnny Spirit - and they become kind of an iconic group.

[knoepfl]

Howl You Doin'?

Request: "some of your monster high shots and would love a request of clawdeen wolf! I have a feeling she'd be super protective of her friends if they got bullied or something so maybe a scenario where she stands up for them with that sass of hers lol" From: Anonymous ---

Hey thank you so much for your request^^ I'll try my best! Tbh I never did something for a girl so I don't know how this will turn out XD I hope I understood you correctly       I'm a bit worried you wanted a Reader added to the friends. In this it's only the original characters from Monster High. As   I'm writing it I started to notice  I have no idea on how they act. I'm from Germany and always watched it in German so I have no idea how they talk.XD I hope I still made it somewhat accurate.

If you wanted a Reader in this just tell me and I'll make a new one with the Reader. Anyways! I hope you enjoy it!

Characters:

1. Clawdeen Wolf

A bold and loyal werewolf who fiercely defends her friends.

2. Frankie Stein

A kind but self-conscious ghoul exploring her creativity.

3. Draculaura

A sweet vampire with a gentle personality, sensitive to criticism.

4. Toralei Stripe

A sarcastic werecat who often mocks others to cover her insecurities.

---

Trigger Warnings:

1. Bullying

Verbal mockery and targeting insecurities.

2. Public Humiliation

Characters face ridicule in front of a crowd.

3. Confrontation

Features a heated verbal exchange between characters.

---

Masterlist

Words: 705

---

It was lunchtime at Monster High, and the Creepateria buzzed with chatter, clattering trays, and the occasional squawk from a nearby gargoyle. Clawdeen Wolf sat at her usual table with her ghoulfriends, Frankie Stein and Draculaura, laughing over a particularly wild fashion idea Frankie was testing—a dress that glowed in the dark.

“Ghoul, that’s fierce,” Clawdeen said, eyeing Frankie’s sketches. “You gotta let me help you with the stitching. Glow-thread is so tricky.”

“Thanks, Clawdeen! I’ll definitely need your claws for this,” Frankie replied, beaming.

The moment of fun was interrupted by a loud, mocking voice from the next table over.

“Well, if it isn’t the ‘fearless’ freak trio,” sneered Toralei Stripe, leaning back in her chair, her claws tapping against the table. Her two lackeys, Purrsephone and Meowlody, snickered beside her. “You know, Frankie, maybe stick to assembling clocks instead of dresses. At least they don’t explode when someone touches them.”

Frankie’s bolts sparked slightly as her confidence dimmed. “I—I’m still learning…”

“And Draculaura,” Toralei continued, “Do you even eat anything, or is this just for show? You might as well give that blood fruit salad to someone who can actually enjoy it.”

Draculaura’s cheeks flushed pink as she pushed her tray away, looking down.

That was it. Clawdeen slammed her clawed hand on the table, her amber eyes glowing with a mix of rage and determination. She stood up, towering over Toralei’s table, her fur bristling as her pack instincts kicked in.

“Okay, first of all, Toralei, no one asked for your cheap opinions,” Clawdeen began, her voice dripping with sass and menace. “Second, if you’ve got time to tear down other ghouls, maybe you should spend it on getting a personality upgrade. Oh wait, they don’t sell those in bargain bins.”

The entire Creepateria went silent, all eyes turning toward the confrontation.

“Excuse me?” Toralei hissed, her ears flattening.

“You heard me,” Clawdeen shot back, flipping her purple-streaked hair. “Frankie is twice the ghoul you’ll ever be, and at least she’s doing something creative instead of sitting around acting like a knockoff villain. And Draculaura? She’s the sweetest ghoul I know. You could learn a thing or two from her about kindness—not that your cold, shriveled little heart could handle it.”

Draculaura let out a soft giggle, and Frankie’s bolts sparked brighter, this time with gratitude.

Toralei stood, trying to save face. “I was just joking.”

“Well, your jokes are about as funny as a werewolf in silver heels,” Clawdeen snapped. “Oh wait, that’s me, and I still pull it off better than you ever could.”

The Creepateria erupted in laughter, and Toralei scowled, grabbing her tray and storming off with her lackeys in tow.

Clawdeen wasn’t done, though. She turned to the rest of the ghouls watching. “Let this be a lesson to all of y’all. You mess with my friends, you mess with me. And trust me, you don’t want to mess with me.”

A chorus of cheers and applause broke out across the room. Even Headmistress Bloodgood peeked in, giving a small approving nod before continuing down the hall.

Frankie and Draculaura hugged Clawdeen tightly as she sat back down, the heat of the moment finally fading.

“Clawdeen, you’re amazing,” Draculaura said, her voice soft but full of admiration.

“No one’s ever stood up for me like that,” Frankie added, her voice sparking with excitement.

“Ghouls, I’ll always have your backs. That’s what pack is for,” Clawdeen replied, giving them each a grin. “Now, Frankie, let’s get back to that dress idea. We’re gonna make Toralei eat her words when you rock this design at the next Fright Dance.”

Draculaura’s mood brightened. “And I’ll make sure the photos go viral! Let everyone see how clawsome you are.”

“Exactly! And we’ll show that stripey menace she doesn’t stand a chance against us,” Clawdeen said, raising her drink cup. “To friends, to fierceness, and to shutting down bullies!”

Frankie and Draculaura raised theirs too, and they clinked them together, their laughter echoing through the Creepateria.

The rest of the day, Toralei kept her head down, and for once, no one dared mess with Clawdeen or her friends. The pack was stronger than ever, and Clawdeen made sure everyone knew it.

---

[theabsentmindedwriter]

The Summary and thoughts of the story, "The Town Of The Dead"

Oh boy, you people like fan fiction but just want a summary so you can catch up to current story events? No? Yes? Well frankly this post is going to be about my first Animal Crossing story that started it all. So if you want to read the story before being spoiled. Use the provided link though I must warn you that due to it being an early work of mine...it has early stage fan fiction writing. If you can withstand that then go ahead. If you just want a summary then continue the post.

Summary:

The story is about Nacho returning to his town after hearing news about disappearances and attacks by clone zombies. As bizzare as it sounded he made a rush to his town to help protect it. Only to be late and with a majority of the villagers being taken. Armed with a gun and his skills Nacho looked for anybody that could be left. Finding Booker, Harriet, and Ankha to which the latter hid out in the secret compartment of her house.

It was here the group is brought to Nacho's home and also the secret that their Mayor was originally an I.G.M.A.D.A agent who mainly fielded in the Monster Hunter world. Everybody armed up and Nacho recieved a briefing on dealing with the source of the zombie threat.

There is some personal drama between Nacho and Ankha from the relevation. However it's patched over fast. Interestingly there is a brief moment of flash back with Ankha's history. Which was a nightmare that Nacho comforted her on. To which afterwards she would contact Lucky. After some rest they would be picked up by a team from I.G.M.A.D.A who would aid them.

The group would land in the town considered the origin point of the zombie madness. There they fight off some of the monsters while saving Coco. Lucky would join them and together they would enter the nearby forest and make a small journey to the aptly named Town of The Dead.

There they would fight their way to the large mansion in the center. Some close calls the group would fight their way through the mansion. Running into Isabelle who managed to escape from a lab for a period. Until she was capture by a gargoyle monster and whisked away. Causing the group to double their efforts as they reached a library. There they discovered notes from one of the Scientists who created the mess. Before shortly being attacked by 'Chariot' to which they defeated the creature.

Onwards the group did take a moment to rest while Ankha has another flash back to her history with an old flame. Thinking to Nacho and maybe deciding to finally move on.

However things take a dive when they encounter the gargoyle beast on a stone bridge. Who of which damaged the bridge. Everyone but Nacho managed to escape the collapse. With him falling into the water below presumably being killed. However he did in fact survive but not without injury. Stuck with a broken arm and injured leg he somehow manages to work his way to follow the team.

Ankha would later fight the Hangman creature and execute him with extreme prejudice. More zombies and creatures will continue to get in their way along with the Hermit boss creature that they dispatch. Leading to the final area where they refight the boss creatures from before.

Later reaching the last room where Dr. Cadaver reveals the Magician creature as his ace in the hole that takes his life shortly after. Forcing a fight that Ankha and Lucky nearly lose. Nacho would show up to support Ankha in the fight. Which was a grueling and hard fought battle. It was ended when Ankha invoked her gods aid to super charge Nacho's gun and finish off the monster in one blast. The strenuous effort would have them both pass out.

After everything was said and done. Both would admit their feelings for one another as Nacho is thanked by his townmembers for his role in stopping the clone zombie threat.

My thoughts:

Oh man, comparing this from back then to my skills now. Lots of things have changed. Ankha and others now have more developed personalities and back stories. So reading the dialogue I wrote for her and others makes me feel cringe. But we all started somewhere. Plot was pretty straight forward pace wise because this is what happens when you mix an arcade game with animal crossing.

Still though I have no regrets making this. As some of the ideas laid here ended up as ground work for the more thorough development of characters the stories after this one. I actually plan to one day to remake the story so it fits the quality of my current writing and more better portray the characters. Until then though we are stuck with this.

I kinda had a we cross that bridge till we get to it mentality in my writing. A fly by the seat of your pants approach that seems to work with me somehow. It's not perfect and now these days I can craft more complicated story world building and the like. It's a process that's for sure.

Anyways this post went on long enough. Thanks for putting up with it. Until next time.

[19molly97]

Who would I ship with Brookyln?

Cinderella. Definitely Cinderella.

She's super nice to everyone, even to those who don't deserve it. Just like the gargoyles strive to defend others even if they don't deserve it.

The gargoyles would be willing to protect her in a heartbeat. And they (mainly Elisa) could teach her some self defense, in case she needs it. And to help remind her to never give up.

I can see Cinderella bonding with Broadway over cooking. And bonding with Angela over a lot of stuff.

I think she would like Brooklyn for his loyalty to the clan and try to help him with what she can. His temper, leader pressure and all that.

Brookyln would be amazed at how kind and accepting Cinderella is. And encourage her to try new things, without having to worry about a certain B!tch of a stepmother and her rotten brats. (No offense to Anastasia.)

Speaking ofm why not add Griff and Aurora into the fray? I mean while Griff's adventurous and swashbuckling, he's still very gentlemanly. Just like a knight. Plus he and Aurora could bond over having been thrust into a new lifestyle/timeline due to being 'kept safe'.

In Aurora's case, she found out her whole life was a lie and was thrust into the life of a princess.

And in Griff's case he was brought forward in time by approximately 50 years, because Goliath saved his life.

(Plus they're both lacking much needed screentime.)

It's all for fun and games. But here are some plot bunnies for Cinderella and Brooklyn; https://archiveofourown.org/works/58808341

[cartoonfanaticmonsterrobotalien]

A New Mighty Solar has Risen!

Dr. Weatherstone/Blizzard

The doctor from “The Gargoyle Ray” is revealed to be the long lost twin sister of Louise and the aunt of Stacy G. She was revealed by the kidnapped by her boss and infant and nobody knows she was Louise’s twin sister until now. After escaping and defeating her boss in the Mighty Solars issue “Timewarped”, she has become quick allies with the Solars, especially after Terry apologize to her for deceiving her. She got her powers later on after Korvo/Qausarblast was turned into a Mundane by Sister Sisto/Black Mirror the possessed and transformed teenage witches. She is now ice powers which is super cool, because she can created blizzard blast and breath ice. She is also very protective of her niece Stacy G too, just like Louise.

Here is what her outfit looks like, It can even change form too, like in two forms when in water or in snow storms:

Suit Color: Icy Blue

Super Powers: Ice-Elemental Powers

Theme Song: “Hit Me Up” from Stefanie Scott

[stardustedstories]

Send me a ⭐ and I’ll tell you muses I want to throw your way! // Pretty much always accepting, tbh!

@intothewildsea asked: ⭐ what muses do u want to throw at niamh? :0

I freaking love Nimah, so I'm excited about throwing a bunch of people her way!

Madame Vastra could be interesting, because she's been around for a super long time, and she would not be at all phased about the fact that Nimah's a selkie. (Plus, I just like throwing her at all the pretty ladies because she's distracted by them. 😆)

Someone else who could be interesting would be Brienne! She's frequently travelling around, being a knight in all but name, and that comes with some dangers, so maybe she was injured and ended up being cared for by Nimah, and decided that she had to repay her somehow and helped protect her for a time or something!

Riftan and Hebaron are also both knights that do some running around and could conceivably run into her that way. Hebaron would also very much be intrigued for many reasons, but Riftan almost quite literally only has eyes for his wife, so if she helped him, he would be like 'thank you very much' and be on his way pretty much immediately. Which could also be interesting, though!

And of course, since you're familiar with Gargoyles, I would happily throw any of them your way. Two mythological type beings interacting could be a lot of fun!

Any of my D&D-adjacent characters could work, as well! There are tons of possibilities, which I am very much looking forward to!

[maizethecorn]

Gargoyles anyone?

Anyone remember the 90s Gargoyle cartoon? The cartoon where the gargoyles protected Manhattan by night and turned to stone by day? I was thinking about cartoons I had nostalgia for and this cartoon came to mind. The first two seasons of Gargoyles directed by Greg Weisman was really dark and edgy. The third season was a hot mess and lots of people don’t consider the content to be cannon. I didn’t really remember anything about the third season other than seeing it briefly advertised on abc. From what I understand, the third season came out when Disney bought ABC. Greg Weisman was offered a demoted role of being a story editor of sorts to work on the third season.

Previously, Greg was producer and had control over how the show was done. Greg said no since no one was going to listen to his ideas for how season three should go. Greg supposedly said the team of writers and whoever else made the third season were really talented so what went wrong? ABC and Disney pushed the people who made the third season to meet really quick deadlines. These people had no time to review their content to put together any animation of good quality. Enough said about season three other than to say the story sounded like really bad fanfiction when I briefly reviewed it online.

Now, back to why I liked this cartoon. This cartoon was really cool. The police detective chick named Elisa sporting jeans and a red jacket top first grabbed my attention. She was running around with Goliath the purple gargoyle who I thought was her boyfriend at first. Goliath is a tall handsome, brooding guy who is shirtless mostly.  Spoiler alert: they become a couple later on. The evolution of their friendship blooming into romance is paced out really well. I loved how Elisa was an action girl who could handle herself in a fight. Goliath wanting to protect humans reminded me of Batman. I barley remember the other gargoyles in Goliath’s group except for Brooklyn since he had funny lines. Often, Brooklyn made silly comments targeted towards kids watching the cartoon so that’s probably why I remembered him more.  

The other two characters who stood out the most were Demona and Thailog. Demona’s character stood out because she really was her own worst enemy. She used to be Goliath’s mate/wife (whatever gargoyle spouses are) but their relationship ended early on. Her hatred of humanity was what drove them apart. Demona stood out because she never took responsibility for her mistakes which is what a lot of people do in real life. She hurts a lot of the other characters and blames everyone else for her actions. She hooks up with a clone of Goliath named Thailog. Thailog was cool because he was an evil version of Goliath. He does all the self-centered things that Goliath will never do since Goliath cares about humans. There were humans in the cartoon such as the billionaire Xanatos and his red headed wife Fox who had some interesting side stories.

Xanatos was an on and off antagonist since he always seemed to be attempting to use the gargoyles in some way. Fox started out as one of his henchmen but begins to quickly date Xanatos. Fox’s dad is a rival businessman/scientist (from what I remember) who doesn’t care for Xanatos. Possibly, Fox started out dating Xanatos just to spite her dad. Eventually, the two of them marry since they both love money, power, enjoy playing chess together and are just super smart. There are other characters but these two humans were the most interesting outside of the gargoyles and other nonhuman characters. That’s just my opinions and I know everyone has favorites of who they liked on the show.

Now, unto what has been with this show I liked since season two ended. Greg teamed up with some other artists to create a comic book series that follows season two continuity. The series ran from 2006 to 2009 with just twelve issues. The issues are supposed to have nice artwork and the story seemed pretty good. Unfortunately, the plot of the comic book series has hung in limbo since 2009 which disappointed many fans. You can read all twelve issues of the series for free at this link: https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Gargoyles-2006. 

Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken was a five episode pilot that gave the backstory for how season one started. The movie came out on VHS in 1995. Gosh, does anyone miss VHS tapes? I do. I remember recording cartoons and other shows I liked on VHS tapes from my VCR. Later the movie was released on dvd. The movie is really good since of course it’s what started the cannon story. Many fanfic writers have their own take on what could happened with the story. There is fanfiction located at this link: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanficRecs/Gargoyles. Some of the stories are complete and some of them aren’t due to writer’s having lives outside their stories. You will just have to pick through the treasure trove to see which fanfics have a decent story. I enjoyed writing this post to get some of my nostalgia out of my system. Hopefully, someone enjoyed reading this post! Have a great day!

[linawritestwst]

Ah! Congrats on 1k! I'm so happy for you! Here's to many more! 💙

I'd like a matchup, but if you get too overwhelmed, scrap mine and do a different one, I promise I'll be okay 😂

Pronouns are she/her, mbti INTJ and Zodiac is Libra.

Personality : I like to joke that the only personality I have left is "tired" 😂 But other things about me are, I'm a little wary of new people, but once you're in I'm ridiculously loyal (like a cat). I take care of everyone before myself. Think mom friend. I'm kind of a nerd....(don't look at my blog it'll out me as a huge nerd, just trust me) . My only hobbies right now are writing and video games, but I have a "secret" past as a reader, and a theatre kid. I have been described as "the darkest lightest person I've ever met" "if you were a puppy at a shelter, I'd adopt you" and "you got that fae vibe, like if I give you my name or say the wrong thing, you'll own my soul." I can't make decisions and have memory issues. I like dragons too much, and I hope to one day afford to dress like a well educated pirate, who still pillages the village, but waxes on about the state of humanity as she drinks chamomile tea. A pirate witchy dark princess vibe, you know?(idk if that helps 😂)

What I need in a partner/don't need:

I am heavily introverted and socially anxious...but I only make friends when an extrovert just adopts me. So I probably need an extrovert, or an assertive introvert.

Imy love language (receiving) is quality time and words of affirmation, and (giving) gift giving and words of affirmation.

I have lots of texture issues, so maybe someone who's not super touchy. They can be a little touchy, though, since this is fictional.

Someone not to loud too. I get panic attacks when startled, and cry around loud noises sometimes. (Oh my God, I'm literally a rabbit 😭)

Silly things about me for if you are having writers block: I'm 5'3 1/4", I have been told I have the worst handwriting in the world, I am known for tripping over nothing, I don't sit still for long, I get distracted by shiny things and cats, I hate to be warm, and love the cold, my friend and I write modern comedy adaptations of Shakespeare, and other literature.

Hope this is enough. Again, congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

thank you so much!! 🥺💖💞 i hope you like your matchup <3

the character that i think would be a good partner for you is..

malleus draconia!

now, this one might seem obvious or predictable because of your pfp but!! i really do think you and malleus would be a cute couple!!

i'll explain why i chose him:

okay, yeah, malleus would definitely appreciate having a loyal partner. your kindness is one of the many reasons why he loves you, but he'd want you to take care of yourself too though :( and don't worry about being a nerd!! he's a nerd too!! have you seen how his eyes light up whenever gargoyles are mentioned?? and he would love to know more about your interests, he doesn't think they're "boring" or "weird" at all!

oh, this man would want to protect you from everything so bad. he's surely intrigued by that mysterious energy you have, but he still focuses more on that soft and cute puppy vibe. because come on, he's malleus draconia, he's the one with the dark fae energy here HJSHJNDJDJD. and you liking dragons makes him so happy because it means you most likely won't find his dragon form scary! also i find it cute to imagine you two sharing a braincell because i think it's not that easy for malleus to make decisions sometimes, haha. though he would probably wait for you to decide, because he just really wants to agree with you and go "!! you're right!! we're gonna go with this option then :)" so take your time, don't worry, he's very patient when it comes to you at least

i don't think that malleus is that extroverted, but he would probably be a more assertive kind of introvert when you're around. and i think malleus is sort of.. "forced" to be an introvert? considering that he wants to socialize, make friends and attend parties and events, but he doesn't always have the opportunity.. also, he just gets that protective instinct when he sees you, so yeah, you're adopted now. about your texture issues, malleus would make sure to respect your boundaries and even though he would love to hug you/hold your hand/etc, he doesn't want to hurt you, so he will be careful! he can express his love for you in other ways too :) and he's not the loudest kind of person, so you don't have to worry about that either!

[fangirleaconmigo]

Started The Sandman this week finally.

I haven’t read the comics but I love Neil Gaiman’s books. (The Graveyard Book, Nowhere, Good Omens, all time favorites) Plus Gwendoline Christie is in it so that’s a given.

It is visually stunning and I am on ep 9 now so I am super invested.

But it’s interesting because I normally don’t get very invested in shows where the protagonist isn’t likable. (Please don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me, I know that is a loaded term pls stick with me)

Some of the best shows written ever are populated solely with horrible people. I respect it. It is great they exist because that really is the way it be like. That kind of art matters. I just HAPPEN to be a smidge of a basic bitch. It is just my truth unfortunately. I need people who are basically kind that I can root for to care enough to watch.

Now, I understand plenty of people like and even love Dream. And he does have his feelings I mean at any given moment he does look like he’s gonna burst into tears. But objectively,

(SPOILERS for first EIGHT EPS)

If you have the protagonist KILL a PRECIOUS BABY GARGOYLE in like what ep the second or third one? You are VERY CLEARLY challenging the audience. You are saying, this may not be your hero. You don’t know what he is going to do. Do not get comfortable. They are purposely creating a morally ambiguous character so no one can be mad at me for noticing that. (I mean you can be. But I’m right)

(Pls pls pls no one explain to me why he did it. I GET it, but it was awful and you know it and Dream himself looked like he was about to sob while he was doing it so don’t tell me it wasn’t sad as fuck and no I don’t care he was sad because he still did it so fuck that)

And then at first you think the son of the piece of shit what’s-his-name that captured Dream is going to help. He’s going to do the right thing somehow. He keeps staring at Dream all big and traumatized. But he never does. And when he kills Jessamy every sympathy I had for him curdled.

In the first couple eps I literally only cared about Lucienne.

As for Dream, before anyone says it, Yes I know he is traumatized. Yes I know he is a god. Yes I know there are good reasons he is Like That. He is still Like That. All of these facts can coexist. I can understand, for example, that he has his motivations and priorities and still despise what he did to Gault.

And I will also be an annoying feminist here and say that only a pretty white boy protag can get away with being Like That and not having dedicated haters organizing themselves to reviewbomb him. The review bombs The Sandman is getting are racists and homophobes. So, shitty people are as usual, focused on their racism and homophobia.

But anyway all that being said, I am still glued to it. And I wonder why.

I think it’s because he skirts it so closely that I have hope for him that he will be better. That I don’t know exactly what kind of decisions he will make in the end. I still want to watch him. And probably because he does look so damn torn up half the time there’s this internality that keeps me wondering about him. What else is under there? What will he do next? He fascinates me.

Ms Joanna Constantine made several good points about him. Like you say you are helping people but what about this one? It’s the many vs the one trap. And ofc he has (very understandable) trauma with humans but she didn’t want her ex, Rachel, a very kind human being, to pay for the sins of what’s-his-name (I refuse to look up his name he doesn’t deserve it) who captured Dream.

And as it goes I get enough lovely characters thrown at me to stay in. Like Death or Rose or Hal. (I think being a sister myself and seeing Death dote on Dream made me feel protective feels for him against my will lol) And, again, I get to watch Gwendoline Christie being magnificent.

And I feel awe while I watch it. Every ep has so many shots that I go WOOOOWWWW THAT WAS SO FUCKIN COOL.

And it’s fantasy. It has all the fucking tropes I love to wallow and roll around in. Angels. Demons. Dreams. I mean that’s my shit. And it’s Neil Gaiman.

So I’m gonna watch the last two eps this weekend and I can’t wait to see what happens. I just really hope little Mr Jed makes it out ok. I need that much.