#(oc): the third priest

[r-aindr0p]

Aaaaa Ocs I've had for a while now and that really mean a lot to me !! Throwing you their character sheets I fixed in between all my shitposts !! You might recognize one from an artist I commissionned, and I said a while ago I had one favorite priest oc among all my priest.

Well there he is, Friedrich (Johann Amadeus) Engelwald and his favorite parochial gardener, Camille (Léonidas Gabriel) Lepetit A bit of lore + old !!! art of them under the cut

Friedrich is the head priest of the Sunflower Order. A church and religion based on flowers and flower language. the 'gifteds' are able to hear nature's voices and are to convey it's messages to the 'ungifteds'

Friedrich is particularly sensible to these voices and can tell how one feels deep inside only by listening to the flowers around. (yeah the flowers are snitching on you and he knows) He uses his ability to keep his favorite gardener close and wrapped around his finger. Camille -bless his heart- has more or less only had Freidrich as a close friend since they were children, and knows nothing of the world outside the monastery and cathedral's gardens, despite knowing there's a village nearby. The Lepetit family has a long line of prodigious gardeners that has served the Engelwald family for several generations. Camille started as a gardener at fifteen but knew Friedrich since they were both six.

And now the old art :))))

Their very first design from August 2021 oof though their general appearances didn't change too much, Camille just changed his job

Hat design did change quite a few times and oof what's happening with Camille's faces

The hands are huge help I know I tend to draw them big but this is ridiculous

+ a few doodles from my sketchbook

[cc-writes-stuff]

🍎 and 💛 for anyone ^^

Let’s do Priest Dante for this one! Need to talk about him more. Thanks for the ask sea!

🍎: where was your oc born?

Like the Grand Bishop, he was born and raised in Kathados, so he’s spent his entire life there. Only the Vanguard and the Soldiers, along with a handful of people with special permission, are able to leave, so he’s never seen much of the outside world. Some days he wishes he could go travel around and see the world, but knows he shouldn’t; it’s too dangerous for followers of Zakel like himself

💛: how many languages does your oc speak?

Only two; the Alrenian common and, due to his position as a high-ranking member of the Messengers of Zakel, knows Old Kathodian, which is what’s essentially Latin or Ancient Greek for them

[chronicle-of-torment]

The world is cruel and unjust place where's no harmony in the universe the only constant is suffering---

OMG VAJRA HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[diodellet]

loujami exorcist/spirit hunter!au wherein:

girlie wants to have her first ever actual supernatural experience (because everyone in her friendgroup has some fun horror story to share to speedrun small talk meanwhile she has ✨nothing✨) so she decides to investigate this au's version of nrc's 7 school legends.

enter: jamil viper, young supernatural savant with a little too much responsibility placed on his shoulders, suddenly transferring to nrc in the middle of the semester (totally not bcs of the asim family makin another demand of him, since this school is on their land or sumn w/e this is such a retconned backstory). the campus enigma who only holds lou's attention for ~5 seconds, bcs she's got better bigger mysteries to pick apart, tyvm (<-a blatant lie)

mans is wondering who tf keeps messing up the protective wards he puts up and finds this Dumbass Girl trying to play detective.

And she still insists on trespassing at night even though he's kept her from meeting certain death by The Ghosts™

i have more infodump-y thoughts, imma keep em under the cut. it's unbeta'd and very messy, beware:

NRC in this au being that school that was "first a hospital, then a graveyard, then a school" (<-what is it with students in the philippines speculating that abt every school🗿🗿now im parroting that smh)

well it's a kinda-old building on really-old land so, lots of time to build up that supernatural influence

maybe kalim is that guy who asks jamil to check if these antiques are good to have in his house/gift to other ppl

(lou has talked to kalim before jamil came to nrc and she mighhttttt be housing an uber-cursed relic but nothing bad's happened to her so whew, lucky girl syndrome wins again**)

loujami's first meeting happening at one of these antique examinations. *cue wicked 'what is this feeling'*

and lou yeets out bcs kalim doesn't have any more juicy info abt the school (that the asims figuratively own)

i could prolly figure out how to include some of the other twst cast in this but that means squishing my brain, so pass on that🤧

of course, one of the urban legends lou investigates has to do with an old balete tree on campus (rumored to cause sickness or illness, and just causing bad juju to whoever's in the vicinity)

can't forget about the ol' haunted bathroom, where a student mysteriously died in there and everyone claims that u can see 'em in the mirror or an extra pair of feet in the stall at the very end

OH and ofc the school has an abandoned pool that Nobody knows about (except for the OG staff who've been around during NRC's first days)

smth smth that pool stopped being used because the swim team would report a lot of accidents and almost-drownings during their after-school training

(woa its hard to think of 7 whole mysteries)

because lou isn't attuned to spiritual influence, she's actually got some resistance to regular spirits.

at most, she'll get sick*

but the more malevolent ones...thats when jamil has to step in

basically, jamil could be fighting for his life against the vengeful spirit of a criminal who's roaming the NRC campus, but because lou has no third eye she's just...watching this one-sided fight

shes like 🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️ ...is the ghost dead-dead?

and then jamil gets yoinked into the air and she realizes: oop, nvm the ghost is still kicking

(this is where she'd bust out a nerf watergun of holy water, IF SHE HAD ONE OOPS sadly she doesnt have much respect for institutionalized religion)

(she says this is where she'll return to her faith but she never does, bcs ✨✨oooh sparkly urban legend to check out✨✨)

well, on the one hand jamil notices that lou's "spiritual dense-ness(?? ignorance??)" is helpful in destroying cursed artifacts.

he just ends up playing decoy or smth while she avoids the fight to set fire to whatever relic is causing bad juju in the area

i've also heard that to ward off evil spirits/most negative influences, one should have something red on their person. and sldfjsleifjsl what if jamil gave lou one of his red feather accessories

(plus some extra protection wards imbued in it or whatever bcs man does she attract bad juju)🤔 what if this is when she starts wearing red for her twintails 🤔🤔ouhhhhhh

lou: ah but red isnt really my color

jamil, mentally: JUST TAKE IT

jamil: it's just a precaution, better safe than sorry

lou: but ok thanks!

(internally shes sobbing crying screaming. why is her crush giving her all these mixed signals<-girl thinks he hates her flat out.)

*on that note abt getting "sick": IM ALSO THINKING OF lou constantly dealing with some kind of exhaustion or shoulder pain? bcs of the lil ghosts that like to linger on her

every time she sees jamil, he has to yeet em outta existence

lou mistakenly thinking: wow, it truly is more mentally healthy to see your crush in person at least once a day.

jamil on the other hand, thinking: where does she keep getting these ghosts 😤😤 she Just Said she didn't sneak out to a haunted place😤😤this Liar smFH

the final boss definitely has to end up with lou getting possessed by a strong-enough spirit...

**maybe it happens the first time he gets to visit her house, and it's so much worse than the hauntings @ nrc because wDYM she's had this super cursed relic just chilling in her nightstand!!

smth about the character development with jamil wanting to have a peaceful regular life, but being an exorcist takes away from that

lou foiling that in her wants to have something extraordinary happen to her -> which leads to her getting possessed in the first place

[killjoyconstruct]

Father Darrow, a character from a southwestern gothic horror comic I’m working on, as well as a member of the vampel open species over on Toyhouse and Discord!

[cc-writes-stuff]

Theodore Agnelli: no and yes. He wouldn’t drink much and doesn’t luke the idea of it, but just because he’s the false prophet for a god of death doesn’t mean he can’t take care of a puppy for a weekend

Silas Payne: no and no. He wouldn’t drink at all but probably encourage people to drink more than they should, and it’s not that he’d be bad with a puppy, there are just better options. You’d go to him as a last resort because he’d probably feed your dog something he shouldn’t…

Priest Dante: yes and yes. Doesn’t drink excessively and enjoys taking care of people and animals. Too old to play much with a puppy outside of fetch inside the house but loves going on walks

Hunter Rask: Yes and yes. Cool guy once you get past his cain complex and really, really good with dogs. Admires their loyalty.

Elizabeth: No and No. Enough said

Writers or other OC creators, I’m dying to know… which of your characters would and wouldn’t pass the “two beers and a puppy” test?

[fraugwinska]

A very incomplete list of Hazbin Hotel Fanfiction Authors/Geniuses

I cannot believe the awsome, talented, absolute magnificent people I've met through this fandom. Writing FF for Hazbin Hotel has become one of my greatest joys in life, and reading the stories and creations of my fellow friends and idols is something that can brighten my whole week - and we don't gatekeep. So, if you're in search for a good read, here are a few of the SUPER AWSOME people I stalk (and I want to stress - this list is never going to be complete, but I'll try to edit it as there are just SO MANY GODDANG MASTERS out there!) @bapple117 If you love #RadioStatic, you have to read 'Bluest Monday' (completed) and the follow-up 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' (WIP) She'll break your heart in the most beautiful way. If you don't fancy that but Alastor is your go-to, then you will want to dive in head-first into "If You Can't Say Somethin' Nice, Don't Say Nothin' At All" (complete). But as before, be ready for a rollercoaster of emotional moments and extremely spicy shenanigans.

@hazelfoureyes Goddess of the smut, Hottest writer in Hell - If you're horny, Hazel has got you covered. Especially her 'The safeword is Radioapple'-Mini-series will make you sweat like a Zumba-Instructor on crack. Be prepared to blush, tremble, die and immediately ressurrect, because yes. She is THAT good.

Clover/corruptedteacups on AO3 With whooping 75 chapters and 300k+ hits, her Fanfic 'The Red means I Love you' is one of the best, most detailed slow-burn-pining-angsty-smutty-will-they-wont-they Masterpieces I've read so far. Alastor is magnificent and I guarantee you'll fall in love with Clover, the bunny who captures the heart of you deerest red demon.

@melodyonthewireless Highly underappreciated (imho), her fic "A Match made in Hell" (WIP) follows her OC Sybil down to hell, into the Hazbin Hotel and consecutively the arms of Alastor - but don't you dare underestimate the pink, harmless looking doe. Sybil's witch powers and her sassy, witty personality is quite the match to the established readio overlord. It's such a read, and the wait between chapters the sweetest agony!

@macabr3-barbi3 She delivers every. single. TIME. Her Short stories and One-Shots are like Pringles - Once you pop, you can't stop. I'm deeply in love with 'Dream a little Dream' (WIP), 'Nothing I can't Handle' (WIP) makes me run for a cold shower and did I mention the countless one-shot-candies that make you mouth water and your toes curl?

@slutforalastor/InconspicuousBosch on AO3 Whether it's the One-Shots on tumblr (omg the PRIEST ALASTOR BIT *fans face*) or the incredible Choose-your-Path-Fic "Say it with a smile" (completed) - you will be both amazed at the artistry of the wording and storybuilding and blushing at the sheer craft of the smut and sexual tension.

@impale-me-radio-daddy Founder of the kink #antlerplay, his series of 'The Lookalike' is steamy, outrageous, utterly magnificent and filthy down to the bones. Be prepared for some serious questioning of your own preferences, because you WILL get some epiphanies. And that's a PROMISE.

@hurthermore Listen. LISTEN. Bimbo is the mini-series that had me on a friggin CHOKEHOLD. It takes a special talent to make one so invested in THE radio demon, gentleman a la carte Alastor believably pining after and pounding a lovable, dumb airhead sinner with a fable for skimpy dresses and leave you at the end wanting for seconds and thirds!

As I said, this is a highly incomplete list, and I'll absolutely edit this list as I go. But I needed to put this out in the world. To all of the above, and all of those which I didn't include YET but most certainly will -

I ADORE YOU, I PRAY AT YOUR FEET, YOU ARE AMAZING BEINGS AND I LOVE YOU.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[madhatterbri]

Wrong Guy, Right Savior | D.P.

Summary: Or OC didn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day alone. She ends up on a date with a guy she met on a dating app. He’s terrible. She secretly messages for help. Like Rhea or Finn. But instead Damian shows up because he’s been in love with her for forever.

Requested by: @teamchasez

Damian Priest Masterlist

WWE Masterlist

Taglist: @theworldofotps @smallestsnarkestgirl @mrsarcherofinfamy @terrortwinunicorn @brideofinfamy @miss-kuki-nz @hotwheels1108 @new-zealand-chic @magicalbuttertarts @missbmc94 @surdelcielo @hodgepodge-musings

Lena couldn't believe the guy sitting across the table from her. Her cheeks flushed at how angry he made her. The man was a walking example of a red flag. She cursed herself for ever agreeing to go out with this man. She only agreed to a date because she didn't want to be alone for Valentine's Day. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would go on a date with this type of guy.

He was thirty minutes late to their date. She wouldn't have minded if he had let her know that he was going to be late. He sat down like nothing was wrong and immediately started to talk about himself. Whenever she was given the opportunity to speak, he would scroll on his phone and simply nod or say uh huh. The wait staff took pity on her. They came by frequently to make sure they were okay. Except, they usually focused on her. After the third time of checking on them in five minutes, the man snapped at them. Now the wait staff came once in the past thirty minutes. This wasn't even the worst part.

"Hey, D, stop the movie," Rhea sighed and grabbed her phone from the coffee table.

The final straw came when he started to compare her to his ex-girlfriend. Her mouth dropped in shock as he mentioned her split ends and the fact that she could afford to lose a couple of pounds. Politely excusing herself when she picked up the phone, she knew she had to text one of her best friends for help.

💞

Damian paused the movie and looked at her. "It is just Bloody Valentine. You wanted to watch this, remember? No chick flicks only blood and horror."

Rhea rolled her eyes as her eyes swam through her cellphone screen. A look of concern on her face. "The bloody movie isn't it. We have scarier problem going on."

"Buddy won't be able to make it tomorrow?" Her best friend asked. Buddy is Rhea's husband. A snow storm kept him away for longer than expected. The two of them found themselves alone on Valentine's Day and decided to meet up for a movie night.

Damian felt himself tense as Rhea listed some of the things Lena's date was telling her. The list went on and on from her teeth, to her clothes, to her personality. He had to be the one to save her to make her see that he had been there all along.

"Worse, poor Lena is on a date with a jackass," Rhea answered. She sighed and started to text her friend that she would be on the way to get her out of there. "I am going to go save her. The guy started comparing her to his ex."

"I'll go," Damian spoke.

Rhea gave him a side eye. "You finally going to admit that you love her?"

Damian felt the butterflies in his stomach. She always had that effect on him. There was something about her that made him feel giddy on the inside. "I think I am, yeah."

💞

Lena checked her phone. Finn couldn't make it since he was out on the town with his wife. Rhea insisted that she was on the way, but that was twenty minutes ago. The date was getting worse by the second. She needed someone, anyone to get her out of there. When all hope felt lost, she perked up at seeing a familiar face. Damian.

Her savior locked eyes on her from across the busy restaurant. He maneuvered his way through the busy crowd. A couple of times, he excused himself from bumping into a worker or guest. He stopped at the middle of the table.

"Lena, it's Valentine's Day, and I find out you are cheating on me like this?" Damian asked.

Her mouth dropped open in shock. The handsome man stood before her in sunglasses and an all white suit. She had a crush on him for ages. Now, he was accusing her of cheating on him in front of everyone. "I-this isn't what it looks like, darling, I thought you wouldn't be home from work until tomorrow night."

He spread out his arms and waved his hands up and down. "You got the whole meal right here, baby. If you are going to cheat on me, at least do it with someone better looking than this loser."

Her date stood up as if to say something or fight. Damian stepped closer to him. He easily towered over him at 6'5. The tinier man smiled and sat down slowly.

"I'm sorry, love, it won't happen again."

"Go wait out by my car. I will be out there momentarily."

Lena scurried towards the exit door. Her heart pounded in her chest at the sight of freedom. She had no idea that Damian was threatening the guy if he ever texted her again. His voice raised slightly at the man's insults about her looks. When the manager threatened to call the police, he left to meet Lena at his car.

💞

"Thank you, D, I just didn't want to be alone for Valentine's Day, and he wasn't this bad over the phone," she admitted. Her hands ran down her face. This was definitely going to be an ice breaker to tell her therapist.

"You wouldn't have been alone. I-," Damian pointed out.

"I know. You and Rhea were having a movie night, but it's Valentine's Day. I haven't been alone on this day in forever," she explained.

Damian shook his head. "You wouldn't have been alone because I would have been your date."

Lena's face flushed. She bit her lip nervously and looked at him. "Do you mean that?"

"The night is still young. Why don't you and I find a little quiet spot and talk?"

She grinned widely. "That sounds like the perfect date."

[mrprettywhenhecries]

✦ Name ✦ Winrey "Win" Jane Lewis

✦ Face claim ✦ Kailee Morgue

✦ Age ✦ 18 (in 1984)

✦ Birthdate ✦ 10/01/1967

✦ Zodiac Sign ✦ Libra

✦ Orientation ✦ Bisexual & Polyamourous

✦ Love interest(s) ✦ Billy Hargrove & Steve Harrington

[Read her story: I Don't Think You Notice • tumblr | ao3 ] Note: I'm going to be rewriting/changing parts of this fic soon, since just as I had started writing the third part the Steve thirst hit hard and I decided I wanted to change it from just a Billy/oc fic to Billy/oc/Steve fic. Look for the updated first chapter soon!

✦ Friends ✦ Tina, Carol, Vicky (ex friends), Heather Halloway, Max Mayfield, Robin Buckley, Dustin Henderson, Eddie Munson

✦ Occupation ✦ high school senior, works part time at Sam Goody when Starcourt opens, after the mall closes she gets a receptionist job at the mechanic shop Billy also works at.

✦ Physical Appearance ✦ 5’1", 110lbs, petite, grey eyes, bleached blonde hair in a short bob with bangs and darker roots, pierced lip (right side), small stick & poke tattooed star on left temple

✦ Likes ✦ horror films, sleeping in, mint chocolate chip ice cream & chocolate cake, muscle cars (especially her dad's 69' Chevelle COPO 427), swimming, loud music, collecting chintz, stargazing, big time wrestling/wwf

✦ Dislikes ✦ bugs, fake friends, small towns, being lied to, being underestimated, algebra, spiders/bugs, spicy food, pineapple on pizza, the anniversary of her mom's death

✦ Vices ✦ smoking, weed, whiskey, driving too fast, public/semi-public sex, partying, not wearing pants when home alone

✦ Personality ✦ loyal, determined, street smart, witty, flirtatious, stealthy, moody, aloof, quick to shut people out, stubborn, holds grudges, jealous

✦ Favorite Bands ✦ Blondie, Billy Idol, Pat Benatar, Heart, KISS, Tom Waits, Van Halen, Judas Priest, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi

✦ Favorite Movie(s) ✦ Mad Max, Blade Runner, The Lost Boys, Halloween, Better Off Dead

✦ Backstory ✦ Originally from Chicago, Win lost her mother, Ellery, as a teenager, leaving her lost and embittered. Not long after her mother’s passing, unable to process his own grief, her father, David, threw himself into his work, spending long hours away from home and leaving Win unsupervised most of the time. In an attempt to ignore her predicament and fill the void inside her, Win similarly found things to distract herself, mostly vandalism and sex.

At the beginning of her senior year, Win's father was offered a job at Hawkins Lab and he accepted, relocating the two of them to the rural town, hoping the change of scenery would be good for her, and Win was quickly branded as the popular new girl. Though Win couldn't really stand the "friends" she made, she figured it was better than being a loner. Little did she know how much everything would change with the arrival of Billy Hargrove.

[ See her Full Bio Here! 💚✨] [ Alternate Outfits #1 ]

[rt-gift-exchange]

Rogue Trader Gift Exchange - Sanguinala

Welcome, welcome! Gather around! For registration is open!

I am beyond proud to announce the next Gift Exchange for Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader - with a twist - Sanguinala themed.

What is Sanguinala? In short, Sanguinala commemorates the death of Primarch Sanguinius. In this instance, Sanguinala is the Warhammer 40,000 equivalent for Christmas.

So what does that mean for the gift exchange? It means that this gift exchange will be Sanguinala themed aka. Christmas themed. The Christmas theme can be as big or small as you can dream.

A gift exchange is a trade of gifts relating to Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader. Kind of like secret santa, except at the end the gifter/giftee is revealed, as are your gifts! The gifts are either pieces of art or one shot fanfics. For example, you may be head over heels for the Tech-Priest, or maybe you fancy a raunchy Abelard fanfiction, or may you simply want something of your own OC Rogue Trader. Gifters & giftees are matched up to meet each individuals wants/ability. 

🎁   ! NEW !   🎁

For this gift exchange only, ALL recipients who commit to creating a gift for someone will go in the draw to win a Warhammer 40k Prize package (e.g., cups, dice, coins, merchandise) valued at $50USD!

Find registration and all relevant information below:

Registration closes September 6th! Note: You must be a member of the RT Gift Exchange Discord to take part. Join here!

[cc-writes-stuff]

if your character was a smell, what would it be?

Hm… I think I’m going to chose Dante for this one. He would probably be maple syrup, i dunno why, he’s just got that vibe. Thanks for the ask!

[chronicle-of-torment]

Torment. Third Tournament. Comic Instead of Trial, part 2

Strain the Godfighter goes to the Palace of Victors to talk with the one who is closest to his enemy...

[teamchasezwrites]

Chasing Nightmares

Word Count: 7,279

Characters: Damian Priest x OC

Tags: Domesticated Damian, Child Nightmares, Somewhat Kayfabe Compliant, Married Life, Fluff-ish

Summary: Damian's young daughter catches Smackdown and sees him getting beat up after the match leading a long night.

Author's Note: A short little one shot of Domesticated Damian. (I should make that a series...) Got the idea watching Smackdown last week and seeing Damian getting annihilated by Drew and tried imagining what a little kid who doesn't quite understand the realities of her daddy's job would feel.

Once again, I have used Ali as the OC but this story has no connection to any other story. I'm honestly just too lazy to keep coming up with different names.

Ali grabbed the throw from the back of the couch and settled into the corner of the sectional. Her legs stretched out over the lounge. One of the throw pillows wrapped in her arms and held against her chest. She snuggled down, trying to get comfortable. The protruding belly making it harder.

She was officially eight months pregnant. The final stretch. If her previous two pregnancies were anything to go by – it would feel like eighty four years. Right now she was just exhausted but couldn’t sleep because the baby insisted on practicing super kicks directly into her ribs. If she wasn’t doing that, then it was some kind of yoga that involved a lot of stretching. Feet pushing up into her rib cage while her head pushed against her lower belly.

Space was at a premium right now and she was running out.

“Couple more weeks, sweet baby,” Ali spoke softly running a hand over her belly. Her naked hand caught her eye and once again she felt them fill with tears. The tan line wasn’t visible in the darkness of the room though it didn’t matter. She could feel the emptiness. Her thumb was always met with nothing when she moved to twirl her rings around in a habit. Earlier today she had to remove her wedding rings because her hands were too swollen. It was too the point of painful after keeping them on as long as possible. A little dab of olive oil had the rings slipping easily over the first knuckle.

It was at that point Ali hesitated. Her right fingers lightly grasping the silver rings; hovering on her left ring finger between the second and third knuckles. Hormones hit and her fingers blurred in front of her as her eyes filled with tears. The thought of removing her wedding rings brought an immense sadness. The crying happened again just a couple of hours ago when Damian FaceTimed before he went to bed.

Damian tried to comfort her, but he was thousands of miles away with an ocean and seven time zones between them.

‘Ah don’t cry Corazòn,’ Damian voice came through the phone. He had to bite back the smile threatening to take over. Even as far away as he was, he wasn’t stupid enough to laugh at Ali’s hormones. With it being the third pregnancy he was well versed on all the hormones and cravings his wife presented.

‘But I feel like I’ve lost you.’

‘You didn’t lose me Ali. I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m never going anywhere. I’m going to be right by your side forever.’

Then she was crying for a different reason.

Ali reached for the remote laying next to her on the couch and turned the television on. She hit the volume button to lower it so she wouldn’t wake Gabriela and Ian. Her two children sleeping since eight – only a little over an hour before. Four year old Gabriela would sleep through the night, but Ian, who was not quite two, still woke up at least once. Thankfully he was pretty easy to get back to sleep, but it still didn’t allow her to get a full night of uninterrupted sleep.

Turning the channel to USA to catch the tape delayed Smackdown, she sat the remote down. A commercial was on so she had to wait to see where it was at in the show if she missed her husband or not. He was supposed to be in a match tagging with Jimmy Uso facing Shinuske Nakamura and Drew McIntyre. Another layer in Damian’s feud with Drew.

WWE was currently engaged in a Europe tour. Both Smackdown and Raw were taking part as well as a handful of house shows each week. Last week they were in Barcelona, Spain. Tonight they were in Bologna, Italy. Next week was London, England. Then they were finally home after three long weeks. She couldn’t wait. She hated the long trips that took Damian away from her for an extended period of time. It also made her nervous being this close to her due date.

The fact that she was due the week before WrestleMania was nerve racking enough. Between having to be in Seattle for Smackdown, then in Vegas the following Wednesday to kick off the festivities there was a small window she was able to go in labor. Damian could skip the Seattle Smackdown and his appearances in Vegas but she hated to be the reason for disappointing fans. She definitely didn’t want Damian to miss the birth of their daughter. She also didn’t want to mess up WrestleMania for not only Damian but Drew as well.

The show returned and she saw Shinuske making his way to the ring.

Perfect timing.

“Mommy?”

Ali looked over at the voice to see Gabriela peeking around the edge of the couch. Pink soft baby blanket with a silk border clenched in one hand dragging on the floor. The other arm wrapped around the softest teddy bear she ever felt. A gift Damian brought home from Royal Rumble weekend. It hadn’t left Gabi’s side since.

“Hey baby, what are you doing awake?” Ali shifted in her seat and held her arms out. At the invitation, Gabi ran into the room skirting around the coffee table. She climbed up onto the couch and crawled to her mother’s arms.

It was then Ali saw the tear marks. “Oh sweetie, are you okay?” Ali pulled Gabi to her side and with one hand fixed the throw so it was around them both. She pressed a kiss to the top of the daughter’s head. She stroked the soft brown curls with a comforting hand.

Gabi shook her head and curled into her mother.

“Bad dream baby?” Ali asked softly and felt Gabi nod against her. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Daddy’s on TV. You wanna Daddy?”

Gabi nodded and Ali felt her head move against her chest to angle toward the TV.

Both mother and daughter watched the match play out and soon Damian was walking the ropes. His hand holding onto Shinuske’s as he balanced precariously on the top rope. Then he was leaping and landing on Shinuske in a crossbody. He got up slapping his forearms together and the crowd started clapping along. Shinuske, however was able to counter the oncoming move with a couple of kicks causing Damian to fall to his knees.

Before Shinuske could pick up momentum on offense, Damian hit him with a clothesline causing the other wrestler to flip in the air and land on the mat. Damian wasted no time in going for the pin. The count was broken by Drew coming back into the ring.

“Papi win?” Gabi’s tired voice asked.

“No baby. He only go to two.” She winced watching as Drew tossed her husband shoulder first into the ring post. Then it was a couple minutes of chaos. Jimmy came in to deliver a super kick to Drew, who rolled out of the ring. Jimmy bounced off the ropes on the opposite end and ran across sliding between the ropes to deliver a kick to Drew sending him into the announce table and down to the ground. Hanging onto the ropes on the ring apron Jimmy was sent to the floor by a running knee to the head by Shinuske. Damian was waiting; delivering his signature ‘South of Heaven’ chokeslam for the win.

“Papi win?”

“Yeah baby, Papi won.” She smiled hearing Gabi cheer and clap her little hands.

The ref raised Damian’s hand in victory but the celebration was cut short as Drew came back into the ring and hit Damian from behind causing him to fall into the ropes. He fell onto the mat stunned. Drew wasted no time with a defenseless Damian; straddling him and aggressively gripping his chin as he leaned over and yelled at him. He started punching him and Ali couldn’t help but flinch as how real the hits looked. Damian tried to counter by lifting his arms and wrapping his hands around Drew’s neck but Drew was able to deliver a stunning punch once again.

Ali and Gabi watched as Drew grabbed Damian’s head and started slamming him into the mat. One after the other. Over and over Damian was slammed down with Drew showing no mercy.

“Mommy…” Gabi’s small voice wavered. “Make him stop.”

“Oh Sweetie, it’s okay.” Ali tightened her arms around Gabi as her daughter’s buried her head in her side. She felt the tiny shoulders start shaking. On screen Drew stopped slamming Damian into the mat. Now he was throwing punch after punch as Damian threw his arms up trying to protect himself. His body naturally curling and twisting to try to miss the blows.

“Stop! No more,” Gabi cried. She turned her head back to the television in time to see her father crawling to his knees only for the other man to kick him in the head. She screamed.

Ali immediately hit a button on the remote. The screen blackened as it turned off. “Shhh,” she whispered and pulled Gabi into her lap. Heavy sobs fell from her daughter and Ali tightened her arms. She ran her hand over the back of her head and down her back in a soothing manner. “It’s okay Sweetie,” she murmured. “It’s okay. Daddy’s okay. I promise.”

Gabi was just too little to understand what was happening on TV wasn’t real. While it looked like Damian was getting beat up, he wasn’t. Most of it was acting and well timed maneuvers to make it look like the kicks and hits were connecting. Ali didn’t know what she was thinking allowing Gabi to watch. She knew what happened after the match, but damn she hadn’t expected it to look so brutal.

“Shh shh shh,” Ali continued. “Mommy promises Papi’s okay. You talked to him on the phone after dinner remember? He’s okay.”

She knew it was just words. Gabi’s little brain didn’t understand the concept of time zones and TV not being real. She just continued to try to comfort her daughter with soft words and comforting hands. She hummed as she tried to start a rocking motion on the lounge. Soon Gabi’s cries quieted as she cried herself to sleep. Her breath coming out in tiny hitches. Ali’s heart broke.

Ali wiped away her own tears and pressed another kiss to Gabi’s head. Carefully she scooted forward and swung her legs off the cushion to the floor. As she stood with Gabi in her arms she could hear Damian’s voice of protest in her head. She shouldn’t be carrying her daughter, not this late in her pregnancy. She rolled her eyes at the voice much like she would to his face and stood with Gabi in her arms.

Damian’s hovering made her feel loved, taken care of, cherished. Sometimes it drove her up the wall. Even his mother would get on him from time to time.

‘Dios Mío Damian, ella está embarazada no discapacitada.’

That would send mother and son back in forth in Spanish while she watched. She didn’t understand any of it but she knew when Damian was losing the argument. It was funnier when his sister joined in; the two women teaming up against her husband. Damian would toss his hands in defeat and back off.

For a bit anyway.

The throw slid from Gabi’s body falling back onto the couch where half of it hung down to the floor. Ali made sure she had both the pink blanket and teddy bear before making her way to Gabi’s room. The princess night light set a soft glow in the room. The brand new twin bed that dwarfed Gabi stood out in the pale pink room.

She laid the little girl back on the Moana sheets and made sure the teddy bear was next to her before she pulled up the matching Moana comforter. The movie was a stable in their household. It got watched daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. In between Bluey of course.

With her daughter tucked in, she pressed a kiss to her forehead and ran a hand over her hair one final time before she quietly left the room pulling the door shut behind her. Making her way back to the living room, Ali folded the throw and placed it on the back of the couch. She swiped her phone from the cushion and decided to head to bed herself.

Hours later a piercing scream woke her up. Ali sat up in bed breathing heavily. Her eyes peered around the dark room. Looking. Waiting. Did she imagine the scream? Was it part of a dream she couldn’t remember?

“Daddy!”

Ali threw the covers back and swung her feet over the side of her bed. It took her a minute to push herself into a sitting position. By then Gabi was screaming out for Damian again, her cries echoing loudly through the house. She grimaced and prayed Ian stayed sleeping. The red numbers on the alarm clock next to the bed showed it was only midnight. They’d only been sleeping a couple of hours.

She rushed down the hallway to Gabi’s room. She opened it and flicked on the light. Gabi was sitting up in bed, her hair a wild mess. Tears streaming down her face as sobs racked her whole body.

“Oh Sweetie,” Ali sat on the bed and pulled Gabi into her lap.

“Daddy,” Gabi cried.

“Shhh it’s okay. Daddy’s okay. I promise Sweetie.” Ali held her tightly, rocking her as she pressed kisses to her head.

“I want Daddy.” Gabi continued to cry, spooked by whatever dream her little mind conjured up.

“I know Baby, but Daddy’s away for work.” Ali’s words caused the little girl to cry harder. “Daddy will be back soon,” she lied. It was still a week before he’d return home. Usually that was able to placate her. After all, the concept of time was foreign to a four year old.

“Daddy,” Gabi continued to cry and it broke her heart knowing there was nothing she could do.

It was then another cry echoed through the house.

Ian.

Ali closed her eyes as her shoulders sagged. Gabi still had a death grip on her. “Gabi, Baby, I need to get your brother.” Gabi’s grip grew tighter, refusing to let her go.

“Mommy, I want Daddy.”

“I know Baby…” Ali whispered pressing another kiss to her head. ‘I want Daddy too,’ she thought as she struggled with comforting one child while listening to another child cry out for her. She wanted to cry too.

“Daddy,” Gabi whimpered. “Daddy hurt.”

“Daddy’s okay sweetie. We can call him in the morning.” Ali’s words just made Gabi cry harder. “Oh baby, come on.” She lifted Gabi in her arms and moved to walk from the room when Gabi nearly lunged from her arms in an attempt to get her teddy bear. A pain went up her back from the twisting to make sure her daughter didn’t tumble from her arms.

She took a minute to breathe after grabbing Gabi’s bear. Once the pain lessened she took Gabi to her room and laid her down on the bed. “Here. Lay on Daddy’s side okay. Mommy will be right back okay?”

At Gabi’s crying nod, Ali left her bedroom. Gabi was still crying but Ian was all out screaming. Rushing into his room she turned on the little lamp on his dresser hoping to keep some semblance of night. Ian stood in his crib clutching the railing in both hands. His eyes filled with tears. His cheeks were wet. His nose running.

When he saw her, he immediately sat in the mattress, his head twisting and turning until he found his blanket. Like his sister, it was never far from reach. When he had it in his arms, pressed against his little chest, still heaving from his cries, he stood back up on wobbly legs.

“Oh baby,” Ali lifted him from the crib and held him close. He laid his head down in her shoulder. His breaths hitching in her ear. “Shhhh, mommy’s here. It’s okay.” One arm wrapped beneath his diaper clad bottom, her other hand rubbed his back soothingly. “Shhh… Mommy’s here.”

When Ian calmed down, she changed his diaper but once she tried to lay him down in his crib again, he started crying and clutched onto her shirt refusing to let go. “It’s time to go night night Ian,” Ali spoke softly, smiling gently.

Ian refused. His tears continued and the next thing Ali knew, Gabi was crying out for her again. For a moment tears almost fell from her eyes. Exhaustion settling in. “Okay Baby, let’s go sleep with mommy tonight.”

She carried Ian into her room where Gabi’s was sitting up in bed, holding her blanket, crying once more. “Daddy. I want Daddy.”

“Papi,” Ian whimpered as she placed him down on the bed next to his sister.

“Oh…” Ali stopped trying to sooth the kids. Her eyes darted to her phone and she walked around the bed to pick it up. The only thing she could think of doing was calling Damian. It was early morning in Italy – a little after five. He was supposed to be going to Northern Ireland today then England tomorrow for house shows. She wasn’t sure of his exact travel schedule and when he was slated to depart.

The phone rang in her ear and she prayed Damian had his ringer on and that he would hear it.

“Ali, Corazon, are you okay?” Damian’s voice sounded surprisingly awake for the early hour. “Is it the baby?“

“Damian,” Ali breathed a sigh of relief. Her fingers ran over Gabi’s hair as she leaned against her. Ian lay back on the pillow. His big brown eyes free of tears free of new tears. Old ones clung to his lashes. She dropped her hand from Gabi’s hand and ran her fingers through Ian’s brown tuffs slowly starting to grow in.

“Are you okay?” Damian turned on the light next to his bed and sat up. The blankets pooling to his waist. The alarm clock showed the early morning hour. A hint of dawn peeked through the curtains. He was set to wake up at seven. It gave him plenty of time to shower and pack. Meet everyone for breakfast before they piled into the van for the airport. Some of them, like him, were catching flights to Belfast while others were heading home for a few days before flying to London. “It’s gotta be really late there.”

Every reason floating through his mind right now in why Ali would be calling him was nothing good. If something happened, he was almost twenty hours away. His body tensed as worry weighed down on him. He was worried about this trip to begin with. Being so far away while Ali was in the last trimester. Leaving Ali to chase after Gabi and Ian alone. Sure his mom and sister were nearby but it wasn’t the same.

He frowned when he heard the crying in the background. “Is everything okay? Is that Gabi crying? What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

“I’m okay Damian,” Ali said quickly in hopes to soothe the worries a late night phone call brought. She sighed and rubbed her face, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Can we FaceTime? Gabi had a nightmare. She saw what happened on Smackdown. She thinks you’re hurt and I can’t calm her down.”

“Of course. Give me a second.” Damian ended the call and quickly connected with a video call. Soon his wife’s tired face filled his screen. He could see the exhaustion lining her features. The desperation in her eyes. The lost look as she struggled. Gabi’s cries could be heard in the background. “Corazòn…” His voice was tinged with worry.

Ali fought back the tears that came with the longing running through her. She missed him! It was too long of a trip and it wasn’t even over. She wanted him home. She hated the phone calls and video chats. She wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her. His heart beating in her ear. “Gabi look, it’s Daddy.” She moved the phone until Gabi was able to see Damian.

“Hey Princesa…” Damian smiled when his daughter came into view. His heart twisted seeing her tear stained face and shaking shoulders. “Did you have a bad dream?”

“Daddy…” Gabi cried, more tears filling her eyes. “You’re hurt.”

“No Princesa, I’m not hurt,” Damian shook his head. “See, look…” he brought the phone closer to his face and moved it around, letting his daughter get a close up view. He then angled the phone to his chest and down one arm then the other. “See? No booboos.”

Ali could see the confusion on her daughter’s face as she stared at Damian through the phone trying to make sense of what she saw and what she was seeing.

“I promise Princesa, Daddy’s okay.”

“Papi,” Ian grinned as he saw Damian on the phone. He rolled over onto his belly pushing himself up. He twisted until his butt hit the mattress and he found himself in a seated position. He leaned closer to his sister. “Hi!”

Ali moved the phone until she caught both Gabi and Ian in the frame. Her heart filled watching the smile on Damian’s face widen.

“Hey buddy,” Damian smiled at his son. Longing swept through him again desperately wanting to be lying in bed with his children and wife. All cuddling together as they chased bad dreams from memories.

“Daddy when you come home?”

“Soon Princesa. Daddy will be home soon.” The next week would be the slowest. Not for the first time he thought about asking for time off after WrestleMania. Not an extended period, but maybe a couple months. This trip was harder on him than most. When he was at the arena he was fine. It was during the downtime when the desire to be home crept in. Missing the evening walks when the heat wasn’t as bad. Pool time fun. Snuggles on the couch watching Moana for the 3rd time.

“Home. Papi home.” Ian echoed his sister and picking up on Damian’s words.

“I miss you now Daddy.” The firmness in Gabi’s voice caused him to chuckle softly. Just a hint of attitude that was cute right now but he was certain he would make him lose his mind in ten years because of it.

“I miss you too Baby.” He watched as Ali’s hand ran down Gabi’s hair and his daughter lean into her side. Ian was giving off long blinks from next to his sister and he was certain, given more time, he’d slouch over into Gabi’s lap fast asleep. “I love you.”

“I love you Daddy.” Gabi leaned forward and kissed the phone.

“Me! Me!” Ian grinned and leaned down.

Ali brought the phone to her son so he could kiss it. She laughed softly at the noisy puckering and even the little bit of drool he left behind on the screen. “Tell Papi ‘I love you’.

“Love you,” Ian held onto the ‘oo’ sound a couple of beats.

“I love you too buddy.” Damian pressed a kiss to his lips and waved to the camera. “Now I think it’s time for two little munchkins to go back to sleep.”

“Night night.” Ian parroted.

Ali watched as her son laid down on the bed, trying to snuggle under the covers. He was struggling to pull the covers up with Gabi sitting on them. She supposed they were just gonna have a sleepover.

“Get some sleep Gabi. Daddy will be home in one week Princesa. Okay? When I get home, we can go to the zoo?” The zoo was a term used loosely to describe a little petting zoo not far from where they lived. They had ponies and miniature horses. Goats and sheep. Llamas. Pigs. Rabbits. Chickens. Ducks. Cats and dogs. Just about every farm animal imaginable. One day Gabi might actually like going to a real zoo to see lions, giraffes, and monkeys, but for right now, she loved the simple every day animals.

The petting zoo was becoming Ian’s favorite as well. He loved the ducks. A little irony that never failed to make him chuckle considering he was paying money to see ducks when they could simply walk in their neighborhood and catch them at one of the many lakes. Ian would already be screaming ‘duck! Duck’ from the car when they’d pass under the wooden entrance sign.

“Sleep with you?”

Damian smiled as he laid back and watched his family through the jerking motions of the phone as Ali stood. The view rarely showed them anymore but he didn’t mind. Listening was enough and it gave him some semblance of actually being there. The rustling of the covers as Ali tucked them in. He wished he was scooting in from behind; offering a barrier so they wouldn’t roll off the edge. Feeling Gabi or Ian snuggling up next to him. Their wiggling, always-on-the-go bodies lax and warm with sleep. Baby shampoo filling his nose. Their soft little snores in his ear.

The camera moved again and he caught Ali leaning down to press a kiss to each forehead. Then the angle was perfect once more as Ali held it out to he could see his perfect little angels.

“Tell Daddy good night.”

“Night Daddy.” The traces of tears were still seen on Gabi’s cheeks, but thankfully her eyes were dry. Even better they were heavy with sleep.

“Night Daddy,” Ian’s voice was soft as the little boy lost the battle with sleep. His eyelids fluttered closed, his long eyelashes resting on his cherub cheeks.

“Mommy will be right back sweetie. I have to shut off the lights okay?”

Once again Damian was on the move. He watched through his phone as Ali walked to Ian’s room first. The lamp emitted a soft glow telling him she tried to get him back to sleep but it didn’t work. The room plunged into darkness and he lost his view of Ali; only able to see the vague outline of her until she moved back into the hallway and feint light from Gabi’s bedroom caused her to become a little clearer.

Gabi’s room was lit up bright with the overhead light on. He watched as Ali leaned down to straighten the bed. “Ali, baby, go to bed.”

“I am. I just need a minute…” Ali took a seat on Gabi’s bed. She allowed her eyes to drift shut and brought a hand up to her belly giving it a soft rub. She blew out a shuttering breath and felt tears well in her eyes from out of nowhere. She kept them closed and breathed softly, counting in her mind hoping to keep them from falling.

“Corazòn what’s wrong?” Damian straightened as he watched Ali through the phone screen. Her closed eyes. Lips parting to blow out breaths. “Is it the baby? Are you having contractions?”

“What?” Ali’s eyes popped opened at Damian’s questions. “No I’m not having contractions. The baby is fine. Sleeping finally. I tried to go to sleep right after the kids but she must have been doing gymnastics or something.”

“Only three more weeks and then…” Damian paused. His brows drown down as he looked at the screen. “Corazòn? Are you crying? What’s wrong? Do you need me to call my mom or my sister?”

Ali shook her head and wiped away her tears with her free hand. “I’m okay. I don’t know why I’m crying. First it was Gabi having a nightmare. I let her lay with me on the couch. And she started freaking out when she saw you getting beat up. I got her calmed down and back into bed and she wakes me up from a dead sleep screaming, crying bloody murder over another nightmare. I couldn’t get her calmed down. She was crying for you. Then Ian woke up in the middle of it. She wouldn’t let me go so I could get him. So he’s crying out for me and she’s hanging on to me crying… and I just… wanted to cry right along with them.”

Damian cursed underneath his breath. “Corazòn I’m sorry. Have my mom come over and help.”

“I don’t need help,” Ali’s voice was a little sharper and she could see Damian sort of straighten. She sighed and rubbed her face. “I’m sorry. Thousands of women have been able to take care of their kids just fine on their own for longer than two weeks. Here I am falling apart because they were crying for a few minutes.”

“But you’re not just taking care of two kids Ali. You’re also 36 weeks pregnant. Baby is zapping your energy as soon as you get it. You’re chasing after a 4 year old and a 2 year old all day. Not to mention taking care of all the household chores. It doesn’t make you less than to ask my mom to come over so you can take a nap or soak in a tub.”

“I know,” Ali said softly. “It just feels that way.”

“Do you want me to come home?” Damian’s mind was already working. Calling Paul to beg off the two upcoming house shows. Finding the earliest flight he could back to the states. Changing his travel to then fly out to London on Thursday. As his mind worked he realized he should have done this initially. He shouldn’t have taken on the house shows every week. He should have cut his trip down a week. Shouldn’t have left his wife alone for three weeks by herself this late in the pregnancy.

“No no no,” Ali spoke quickly. “You don’t need to come home. I’m okay Damian. Really. I shouldn’t have dumped this all on you.”

“No,” Damian was already shaking his head at her words. “You most definitely should. I want it all Corazòn. All of it. Dump everything in me. The good and the bad. It what’s I’m here for. I’m gonna shoulder all that. Trust me mi amor, they are big enough for anything you want to lay on them.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too Corazòn. Now go to bed.”

Ali smiled. “I should go claim a spot before Gabi and Ian spread out and I’m left clinging to the edge.”

“I wish I was there.”

“Me too then I’d cling to you.”

“Soon mi amor”.

The video call ended with a blown kiss and their final ‘I love yous’. Ali turned off Gabi’s light and went back to her room. She smiled seeing both Gabi and Ian fast sleep in the big bed. She took a photo of them sleeping and sent it to Damian before she turned off the overhead light and made her way to bed. She plugged her phone back in and crawled beneath the covers. She laid on her side facing her sleeping children’s and breathed deeply. She felt her body relaxing into the mattress and soon her eyes drifted shut.

*~*

“You guys ready to go swimming?” Ali asked the following evening. She was hoping a little post dinner swim would tucker the kids out and have them sleeping all night. There were no other issues the night before but they were both up with the sun. Even the afternoon nap she took when they went down did little to combat the exhaustion she felt.

She was certain she was just meant to be tired for the rest of the duration of her pregnancy. Then she would reach a whole new level of exhaustion when the new baby arrived. At least she could sleep on her belly again even if she was up three to four times a night. The thought of leaning on her mother-in-law was starting to become more and more of a good idea. Not forever, just the first month or so or until she got a rhythm down of being a mom of three instead of two.

“Swim! Swim!” Ian chanted as he struggled to free himself from the high chair buckled onto the dining room chair.

“Hold on,” Ali grabbed a wet wash cloth and wiped the pizza sauce from his mouth and fingers. When he was clean enough, she unbuckled him and sat him down on the floor watching as he toddled to the door to the screened in patio. The pool glistened in the fading sunlight behind the safety fence. “We gotta get our suits on.”

It was quite the effort to corral two little kids into the bedrooms and wrestle on bathing suits, especially when they were both excited. Their bodies wiggled making it harder to dress them. Gabi in her long sleeve one piece, made easier by the zipper up the back. Ali was certain a woman designed it. Ian a little easier in his blue and orange chunky stripped trunks with an orange long sleeve rash guard. Then finally her in a simple black maternity one piece. By the time everyone was changed, she was ready for a nap.

Two little kids were not. They were racing back toward the door; shrieking and laughing as they pressed fingers and noses to the glass. The door opened and they were running outside into the warm Florida heat. She followed behind them and grabbed the sunscreen from the resin deck box that housed all their swim paraphernalia. Once they were all lathered, she put the swim hats on their tiny heads. Mostly for Ian since he was still trying to grow his hair. Both her kids tanned so beautifully in the sun; their bronzed skin a gift from Damian. She, on the other hand, went directly to lobster. So she made sure to lather herself good.

The water felt amazing. The sun warmed it up nicely. Their house sat at such an angle the pool was almost constantly in direct sunlight. The initial owners sure knew what they were doing when they decided to break ground. She lived in a couple of houses with pools where the sun almost never hit the pool or only nabbed the setting hours. The water was usually always too cold for her unless it was August when everything in Florida was broken thermometer hot.

She waded around the little end of the pool. The depth only three feet. The deeper end went to nine feet but she had the safety rope up across the pool. Gabi swam around in her swim vest. Her little feet kicking rapidly as she chased the floating Bluey toys.

With it just being her, Ian was jailed in his float. The hole having a mesh seat so he wouldn’t fall through. The tube was a little smaller in circumference than the baby floats of the same making and it didn’t have the shaded top. She hated to jail him, but without an extra pair of eyes and hand, she was a little over conscious. Ian had no fear when it came to the water. He loved to jump in. Damian was always there to catch him. He would go under the water, come up laughing and asking to do it all over again.

“Jump! Jump!” Ian chanted as he rocked in the floatie. The front dipping down into the water, sending tiny waves through the water.

“No jump today baby,” Ali told her son. “Where’s the shark?” She asked hoping to divert his attention. The shark was a wind up toy that moved along the top of the water. He loved pretending to attack people with it. It always helped when she would scream and try to get away. He would laugh and giggle. Those laughs would turn to shrieks when Damian would help him move faster across the water in his stalking attempts.

“Is there room for one more?”

Ali whirled around at the voice. She stared in shock seeing Damian standing right outside the safety fence. His arms crossed along the top. Black Under Armour swim trunks already on his body. Tattoos glistening in the sun. Hair pulled back and twisted into a bun. The black framed cheap Ray Ban knockoff sunglasses he always wore in the pool with the kids on his face.

“Daddy!” Gabi shrieked and started kicking her little feet toward the steps where the fence was rolled back. The toys forgotten.

“Papi! Papi!” Ian chanted. His feet kicking just as fast. Ali had to take a step back before she took one to the stomach.

Standing off to the side, she pushed Ian and his floatie toward the steps where Damian now stood. Gabi up in his arms, water dripping down off her. His big arms nearly covered her entire body in a hug. Tears welled in her eyes. Ian’s floatie hit Damian’s legs and Ian’s hands immediately grabbed.

“Ouch,” Damian danced a little on the top step when Ian’s fingers grabbed his leg hair. With his arms holding a crying Gabi, he carefully stepped down onto the next step, the water rising to his knees. He sat on the top step. “Come here you,” he reached for Ian who had both his arms stretched out toward him. With the help from Ali holding the float, he was able to pull his son out of the float and into his lap with one arm.

Ali watched as Ian immediately wrapped his arms around Damian and laid his head on his shoulder. Her heart melted at the scene in front of her. She couldn’t stay away. Moving forward, she met the bottom step with her toes. Reaching out she placed a hand on Damian’s knee. She hated to interrupt the tender reunion almost feeling a little selfish. She missed him. Needed that physical touch to ground her to him.

“You’re home.” Ali’s voice came out almost awe-like. Like she couldn’t believe Damian was actually home; sitting in front of her right now when he should be in Ireland. “How?”

Damian pressed a kiss to Gabi’s hair. He tried to twist her to sit on his thigh with her legs facing inward, but she kept a firm grip around his neck refusing to let go. He lifted his hand from her back and reached out to Ali, cupping her cheek. He knew the wetness he found there had nothing to do with the pool. He wanted to pull her into his arms but his lap was full. “As soon as we hung up I started finding my way home. I called Paul and told him I was needed here…” he shushed the noise of protest Ali made in the back of her throat. “It’s fine Corazòn. Two small kids, pregnant wife, he understood. Since I was up early, I was able to find a flight leaving that put me in here around five. Then I caught an uber home. I have to leave Thursday for London but I’ll be back home Saturday evening. But I needed to be here.”

Ali fell in love with him again in that moment. She just wished there was room for her in his lap. She wanted to crawl in it herself and wrap her arms around his neck and feel his arms around her holding her close. “I love you Damian.” The smile he sent made her melt.

They continued playing in the pool. Gabi and Ian eventually letting their death grips on their father go. Ian got to do many jumps. His excited, ‘again! Again!’ echoed through the neighborhood. Damian right there to keep him safe. Gabi practicing her swimming ability as Damian led her into the deep end once Ian was back in his floatie. Ali was even able to finally steal a couple kisses from her husband when she walked Ian into deeper water and Damian snuck up behind her; a giggling Gabi on his back.

The sun was faded now. The pool water still. Towels hung over the safety fence to dry. Inside the opening drum beats of Moana filled the living room as the Damian, Ali, Gabi, and Ian snuggled together on the couch in their pajamas. The pool and sunscreen all freshly showered away. Ian’s long blinks showed he would probably be sleeping before Moana met Maui. Judging by the yawns, Ali doubted Damian would be too.

Her head lay on Damian’s shoulder. His arm wrapped behind her neck. Her body angled away to allow a little Ian-sized space between them. She lifted her hand to tangle their fingers together and felt his lips against her head as he pressed a kiss into her hair. “If you fall asleep I can’t carry you to bed…”

Damian’s deep chuckle filled her ear. “You just worry about carrying our baby girl and let me worry about the rest.”

Ali proved to be right. By the time Maui appeared on screen Ian was snoring softly. His little body leaned against Damian’s side hunched over in an awkward angle holding his blanket. She wasn’t sure when Gabi nodded off; curled on Damian’s opposite side. One hand clutching Damian’s t-shirt while her other arm wrapped around her balled up blanket and teddy bear. Damian had his head leaned back against the back of the couch, chin tilted toward the ceiling fast asleep. His fingers still twisted in hers but the hold was laxed in sleep.

She extracted herself from the couch as the movie credits played and lightly touched Damian’s cheek. He came awake with a deep breath, his chin falling forward. Sleepy eyes stared at her. She hated to wake him knowing how tired he had to be with the time difference and long travel day. “Let’s go to bed. You grab one, I’ll grab the other.”

“No no. I got them both,” Damian’s voice heavy, laced with sleep.

“You won’t be able to get up without waking one or both,” Ali argued softly.

“Ali…” Damian warned as his wife reached for Ian. She paid him no attention and had Ian in her arms, still fast asleep. Knowing it was useless to argue, he picked Gabi up and shushed her sleepy mumbles and followed Ali to the hall and their bedrooms across from each other. Within moments they were stepping back into the hallway pulling the doors closed.

Damian wasted no time. He bent his knees and swung Ali up into his arms bridal style. Her arms came around his neck, holding tightly.”

“Damian, put me down. I’m too heavy.”

Damian rolled his eyes as he carried Ali into their bedroom. He placed her down on the bed and followed behind her. Working the blankets up and over them as he snuggled in close. His arms wrapped around her holding her against him. Her head on his chest. Her hand on his belly. Her own belly a comforting weight at his waist. He reached across his body until his fingers were splayed across her belly where their daughter was being grown. He trailed his hand up her body. Normally he would stop and tease and draw breathy moans, but his body was just too tired.

He trailed his hand up until he cupped her chin. Tilting her head up, he leaned down and kissed her softly. Their lips moving together slowly and lovingly. Each with no desire to push it any further. Reconnecting after many days apart.

Too many days.

“I love you,” Ali whispered against his lips. “Thank you for coming home.”

“Corazòn, there is no place else I’d rather be than right here.”

[changelingsandothernonsense]

Sujamma on a Tirdas

Got tagged by @skyrim-forever sorry it's taken a few days, migraine attack was brutal. Anyway tagging @sulphuricgrin @nyarevar @snowy-weather @redyn-nerevarine @saltymaplesyrup

Today, Sujamma wants to know about your OC's moral compass. What God do they worship and why? Do they engage in any illicit activities (drugs, etc?) Any holy activities, like healing in the name of a certain divine? Have they committed any crimes, or are there any crimes they actively despise? Feel free to talk about anything and everything along these lines.

Teldryn Ensirhaddon-Sero and his vibes based moral compass.

Josh has never really been one for "worship" in the traditional sense. He grew up singing hymns to ALMSIVI as any Dunmeri kid in the 3rd Era did, but none of those sermons stuck. Josh caught the looks the priests gave him at a very young age, and parsed their meaning. When the overall message seems to be "All are welcome but your ilk" you tend to become disillusioned fairly quickly. Safe to say, Josh, as the child of a Velothi was not made to feel welcome. He started skipping out on these services at age ten and hasn't looked back.

Given how Josh grew up, he has a hard time understanding the worship of the Aedra. To him the gods should be present, visible, contactable! If he's going to seek out the divine, he wants their name on speed dial. He doesn't want to go through any third party.

Now, Josh will admit to having worked in the service of two separate Princes in the past. He is still considered the Champion of Azura after all, and that won't change until he dies. That wasn't a decision he made himself, mind you, that was predetermined way before he could have a say. He likes to think that he abandoned Azura after she took his husband from him. He cringes at the thought of ever doing her bidding again.

There's also his time spent with Sanguine, that he has mixed feelings about. He took on the priesthood during a time when he wasn't quite sure which way was up and he doesn't remember ever quite saying yes to the Prince in the first place. He doesn't like talking about it.

However, Josh does openly practice Ashlander styles of Ancestor Worship once he's welcomed into Urshilaku. It makes the most sense to him, having that direct contact to his loved ones. Just don't make the comparison to necromancy, lest you want to send him into an hour's long tirade.

Josh is well known for being a somewhat functioning alcoholic. He drinks to get rid of the memories, he drinks to stop the pain, and he drinks because he likes the way it makes him feel. He has his preferences for drink, matze being his overall favourite and ale being amongst his least. He's been partial to the intake of skooma, though this was strictly during his time as a Priest of Sanguine. He still commonly makes use of Telvanni cultivated mushrooms. He likes the hallucinations they give him. Josh eventually gets hooked on Sleeping Tree Sap during the Dragon Crisis, finding that not only did it treat the pain he had from his broken leg but it also eased his hip and insomnia as well. It takes a long withdrawal period before he kicks it officially.

Josh is also known for being a chimney, and tobacco is probably his earliest vice. He got hooked on it when he was doing forced labour on a Cyrodiilic Tobacco Plantation in his early 20s, though he'd had it on and off before that. It's the one thing he can't kick, and going without it is like torture to him. He likes to mix other herbs in with his tobacco, and since smoking alchemical remedies is a relatively common within Dunmeri culture, he has easy access to such herbs.

As far as his criminal record, it is...extensive to say the least. He started as a runner for Orvas Dren's Camonna Tong, eventually finding himself being sold to an outfit in Cheydinhal. This is where he gets arrested and sentenced to execution (though this gets changed to 50 years hard labour and then switches to conscription). He's about twenty-two at the time and was selected by the wider gang to be their fall guy. He's the human equivalent of a sixteen-year-old and has no idea just how badly things were about to get.

His official rapsheet lists Assault, Arson, Murder (4), Treason (by way of murdering imperial agents). Eventually he adds "Drunk and Disorderly conduct" to the list. Interestingly enough, though Josh commits a lot of robberies, he's never arrested for it. He finds that to be ironic.

He is not above doing criminal acts in service of doing what he considers to be the "greater good" and you see this most when he takes the role of "Molag'Shaln". If there's one thing that Josh values above all else, it's freedom, and he abhors the practice of slavery as a result. By 3E 428 most of the Ascadian Isles know why the Suran Slave Market went down in flames. They know why the plantations burn and they know why all of a sudden the price of saltrice has tripled in price.

Josh cannot allow the practice to exist. He also cannot allow the Camonna Tong who facilitate the practice to exist. So he makes that rejection of all the Tong stand for one of his reasons for breathing after everything is said and done with Red Mountain and Dagoth Ur.

Josh will see the end of the practice on Tamriel, even if it kills him.

[allbeendonebefore]

❤️✂️ both for Cal and Ed?

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

I've joked that Ed's best memories are the 80 years before Cal existed but I'll answer more seriously.

[ OC Asks ]

I'd say that both of them have at least one fond memory of an early Christmas from their childhoods, even though they both grew up in periods and cultures (scottish) when Christmas celebrations were pretty subdued and solemn.

We have a record that describes a Fort Edmonton Christmas in 1846, this is from Paul Kane's Wanderings of an Artist, chapter XXII.

"No table-cloth shed its snowy whiteness over the board; no silver candelabra or gaudy china interfered with its simple magnificence. The bright tin plates and dishes reflected jolly faces, and burnished gold can give no truer zest to a feast." "At the head, before Mr. Hariett, was a large dish of boiled buffalo hump; at the foot smoked a boiled buffalo calf. Start not, gentle reader, the calf is very small, and is taken from the cow by the Caesarean operation long before it attains its full growth. This, boiled whole, is one of the most esteemed dishes amongst the epicures of the interior. My pleasing duty was to help a dish of mouffle, or dried moose nose; the gentleman on my left distributed, with graceful impartiality, the white fish, delicately browned in buffalo marrow. The worthy priest helped the buffalo tongue, while Mr. Rundell cut up the beavers' tails. Nor was the other gentleman left unemployed, as all his spare time was occupied in dissecting a roast wild goose. The centre of the table was graced with piles of potatoes, turnips, and bread conveniently placed, so that each could help himself without interrupting the labours of his companions. Such was our jolly Christmas dinner at Edmonton' and long will it remain in my memory, although no pies, or puddings, or blanc manges, shed their fragrance over the scene."

(of course, dinner was followed by some very colourful, loud and intense dancing!)

And likewise we have a NWMP memory from Cecil E. Denny of a Christmas at Fort Calgary in 1874, I don't know which of his memoirs this is from but it could be The Law Marches West. He recalls dinner including buffalo, roast turkey, potatoes, dried fruit, and "real plum pudding." Here's another description from Denny in The Riders of the Plains, chapter xiv:

"A jolly time was had, and some of those old time dances, held at Macleod and Calgary the first few years the police came in, went far ahead for fun and good hearty exercise, of any of the prim and select affairs held since the country has come to be settled."

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

So much to choose from! Since we are talking early history above, let's continue that. One of the things I've touched on is Ed during the 1915 flood. I think he's been through worse since, but that's probably something that stuck with him for a while.

I haven't touched on this before that I know of, but a more human-made problem would have had quite an effect on Calvin at a young age. At some point in the 1870s Fort Calgary was held hostage by the Sarcees, who were starving and demanded food and goods. After three days, the NWMP were able to diffuse the situation, but it must have been very tense for everyone. Here's Denny again from The Riders of the Plains, chapter XXIII:

"We had very hard work for them; for three days they refused to move and even threatened us in the fort. We had to nearly all keep on guard day and night, as it looked very much as if they would attack us, and they no doubt would have done so had we not shown a bold front. We, as they say in this country, “bluffed” them off, and on the third day they promised to go the following morning, and asked help to move their tents and goods, as their horses were all very poor. This I promised them in the shape of carts, and also told them that if they did not move on the following morning, I would pull down their tents and take them off. This was a pretty bold threat, but we had to see it through."

[katabay]

BLESS ME FATHER, FOR I HAVE SINNED—

so. last month. I was reading a bunch of keigo higashino's novels because I'm a sucker for mysteries, I love the mystery genre so much. I am so bad at writing in that genre, but I will eat a mystery story like it's cake.

I was sooooo in love with the detective galileo books that I wanted to take a stab at the mystery genre again and. well. I did not accomplish what I set out to do, but I did make some OCs I intend to put into situations. regional folklore horror meets mystery solving? we'll see!

for now, it's about a guy with a neck scar, a priest he's in a situationship with (they've been friends since childhood and it's very. hm), and a third guy who's not really a guy but maybe half a ghost. there is. a murder to solve.

neck scar guy (lorenzo 'insoy') is not confessing to a murder here, he was confessing to throwing cold water into the face of a woman who had been treating his mother badly for like, a YEAR, and he finally snapped and told her to fuck off in front of a whole crowd of people. unfortunately that woman gives major cash every month to the church. so. as you can see: a problem. he'd do it again, tho.

on his way home, he's going to come across a body in a field.

bsky ⭐ pixiv ⭐ pillowfort ⭐ cohost