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Steven Universe Of The Creek Chapters 30-32

Chapter 30 Uncynical Erstwhile Bud

After Steven and his group left the university, they went to Pasta La Vista where Bernard’s friends are also heading to. They’ve been wondering, after learning that Steven is still around to where he was after watching the movie that he’d picked out. Not to mention that Steven’s more in a good mood after spending time with his best friend, Kenneth. After Steven parked his car, he and his friends walked inside the restaurant with Gibson, Cariss and Amina took notice.

“Bernard.” Gibson said. “You’re feeling better?”

“Just enough to come here.” Bernard answered. “Did you order anything?”

“We didn’t.” Cariss replied. “We agreed to wait to have lunch with all of you.”

“I thought you already did when I texted you three before we left the university.”

“Was it because of me?” Steven guessed as Bernard’s friends laughed.

“I think it is.”

“So much for an ordinary goodbye, am I right?” Kenneth smiled.

“When we heard you were sticking around, we agreed to come here while we waited.” Amina commented “It’s great it didn’t take you too long.”

“I was making a friend.” Steven walked up to Bernard’s friends. “Would you take the time with someone you’re growing a liking to?”

“He’s not lying.” Kenneth agreed. “If you saw what we did at the university, we had a blast after going to the animation class.”

“But I’m still not old enough to attend.”

Bernard’s friends didn’t only keep their eyes on Steven, their eyes were also on Kenneth the moment he appeared inside the restaurant. Kenneth walked next to Steven while lifting his hand up. “I’m Kenneth by the way.”

“Nice to meet you.” Gibson shaked his hand.

“I like your hairstyle.” Cariss added, also shaking his hand.

“Did Steven enjoy the animation class?” Amina wondered.

“He did. He liked one of my animations through the pages I showed him.” Kenneth said.

“His amateur days have passed him by.” Steven smiled.

“Great to know.” Amina replied. “So what are you gonna have here?”

Steven and the group looked at the myriad of options they could have for lunch. Steven remembered he had bread sticks and a salad when Bernard showed him his and Alexis’s job as employees. Despite the incident Craig and his friends caused, he still enjoyed the food regardless.

“You’re gonna eat something else?” Kenneth wondered.

“I don’t know, are you in a pizza mood?” Steven asked.

“From other pizza places, yes but I didn’t know Pasta La Vista had pizzas.”

“Seems you didn’t check everywhere in Herkleton.” Alexis giggled.

“Not everyone needs to be everywhere to enjoy the town.”

“I do go to places in Beach City, but not every single building, including the neighborhood houses.” Steven replied.

“Did Beach City have a Pizza place?” Amina asked.

“Yes, it’s called Fish Stew Pizza. Let’s just say I had nonstop dreams saving an employee's nightmare of never saying no to her sister.”

“Must have been an overdose of pepperoni induced nightmares.” Cariss commented.

Steven awkwardly grins from Cariss’s complement. “It only got me sick from Pizza for a while…while I couldn’t stay awake.”

Bernard and Alexis catched on that's probably his experiences with his powers while still keeping his life private. “If that was your childhood, we always have weird times, especially dreams.” Bernard smiled.

“Yeah, weird but still part of childhood.”

“Pizza is all part of childhood, who doesn’t like Pizza?” Kenneth replied. “Pizza haters?”

Everyone laughed from Kenneth’s sense of humor as they all took a seat by the table. They agreed to have pizza as a group as Bernard used his gift cards he earned from working to buy squared pizzas. After waiting for their pizzas to come out, they began eating them. Steven took a bite of his pizza and enjoyed it. Kenneth who sat next to him took his bite and found Pasta La Vista pizza’s a good alternative.

“This is really good pizza.” Kenneth taking another bite.

“We don’t make the food as employees, but we do have pro chefs in the back.” Bernard pointed at the back.

“Are you two working on being chefs?”

“A little bit.” Alexis answered. “We mostly do dinners.”

“Then you might as well work at a fancy restaurant if you do dinners.”

“They would need to be more professional to make dinners.” Steven replied. “Besides, I’ve seen their job here days ago, they’re doing alright.”

“Would you do any better?”

“No, not really.” Steven wished he could find a way to impress Kenneth, but on the other hand, he can’t lie about having a job since he doesn’t have one. For every time he took a bite of his pizza, he wanted to find another thing to talk to Kenneth about even with Bernard’s friends but with him closer to the creek, he wondered if he was familiar with the location like Craig is. “Have you ever been to the creek?”

“Used to.” Kenneth responded. “I was the first ever king of the other side.”

Steven catched on that Xavier was the former king but he’s close to connecting the dots. “You were the first?”

“It was for fun until I got older. I passed my title to my sister.”

“Bet your sister had the time of her life until she also got older.”

Kenneth thought otherwise, but still respected Steven’s choice of words. “She’s not like me, she takes her royal duties a little too seriously.”

“If you were doing it for fun, I would’ve done the same thing you did.” Amina smiled.

“Me and Bernard would’ve been a prince and princess if we grew up in the creek.” Alexis added.

“There’s no princes, princesses or queens, even if there’s a queen in the sewers.” Kenneth filling in. “There’s only one king who takes over the other side of the creek. Co-kings can be possible but it will be the first ever to happen.”

“I would love to consider what it would look like to be a king in the creek, but me and Alexis are heading in the proper direction.” Bernard commented.

“Bet the current ruler isn't making any arrangements for the future.” Cariss said.

“Don’t say that.” Kenneth responded. “While there isn’t a ruler right now…what happened afterwards put the former king…into…” He couldn’t finish his sentence which took Steven by notice.

“Into what?” Steven spoked.

Kenneth took a deep breath however, he couldn’t hide his brother’s identity anymore. “Into what my younger brother’s doing.”

Steven dropped his pizza with his eyes shot open, finally completing the puzzle that Xavier is Kenneth’s brother all along. “Your brother…was the one who bamboozled me?”

“Yes, he did.”

“Is that a problem?” Gibson replied.

“No…not really.”

Steven’s mood had turned from happiness to almost the opposite, but he refused to take it out on Kenneth and the others. “Kenneth, can we talk outside?” He replied.

“Good idea.” The two got out of the table they sat as they got out of the restaurant.

“Who’s your brother’s name?”

“Xavier.” From the answer alone, Steven closed his eyes, while trying to be calm as possible.

“Okay, so he wanted to keep his name anonymous just so you can be friends with me?”

Kenneth lowered his head while attempting to be honest with Steven. “I can’t say yes. We did enjoy being friends, right?”

Steven placed his hands on his hips. He doesn’t want to say no, but it got harder for him to say yes. “You didn’t betray me, I still want to be your friend. But now that photo you have really has something to do with your brother, Xavier.”

“He’s just trying to help.”

“Sorry, but I seriously doubt that.” Steven knows something is really wrong, in fact, he’s now aware that Xavier is in an alliance with Ruby and Aquamarine. “Don’t you think we should've met without his help?”

“I wouldn’t have gotten the photo without him. Would you feel the same way if you had the photo?”

“The photo of me or you hugging a kid would mean something, but I didn’t save his life.”

“It felt real with the tears in your eyes.”

Steven’s memory of hugging Craig in the Tea Timers’ Club felt too generous of him protecting kids, as it was the closest he got with Craig yesterday, aside from the failed fusion. “It’s hard to believe but…” He then looked in the distance where the creek is located. “...should we talk about this tonight…at your place?”

“It’s still the middle of the day.”

“I’m sorry, but I really need to go. This is really important.”

“Is it about that kid?”

“Yes. I don’t know if I’m gonna take him along, but I’m gonna check up on him.”

“Should I come along?”

“No. As much as I want help from a friend, I’ve done this many times before, alone.”

Kenneth wanted to know how Steven can handle any problem involving a child, even if the photo was real or not. But he understands that his friend got bamboozled from his brother, especially since he wants to know if he got bamboozled.

“Okay. After lunch, You go right ahead to that kid.”

“Thanks.” Steven responded. “I wish we could do more today but…”

“There’s always tomorrow or the next day.” Kenneth placed his hand on Steven’s shoulder. “Tonight, we should come up with a plan.”

“Okay. I think of something.” Steven smiled. “Let’s go back inside.”

Steven and Kenneth went back inside of Pasta La Vista to finish lunch with the others. Soon after, they all left with Bernard’s friends heading to their homes while Steven dropped off Kenneth to his house. He drove back to Craig’s house as he, Bernard and Alexis came out. 

“Do you patch things up outside of the restaurant with him?” Alexis asked.

“Yes, I agreed to come over to his house for a meeting.” Steven answered. “I can handle myself, you two can have the rest of the day to yourselves.”

“I’ll let mom know about the friend you're making, I’ll show her the pictures I’ve taken.” Bernard added.

“Thanks Bernard.”

“Aren’t you coming in with us?” Alexis wondered.

“I’m gonna take a walk in the neighborhood, I’ll meet you back as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”

“Understand you have my brother for the whole day in the creek tomorrow. No need to do it today.” Bernard remained.

“I’m aware.” Steven smiled.

Bernard and his girlfriend entered the house, while Steven waited until Bernard closed the front door. He turned around, focusing on the creek without anything in his way. He ran across the road and entered the creek. He may not know where Craig is, but it’s not stopping him. Before he gets to the bottom of this involving Xavier, he’ll make sure his best friend is safe and sound.

Chapter 31 The Crystal Dream

Craig woke up from his slumber while getting on his feet. But in his surroundings, he isn’t in the cave with Bluebird anymore. Roses fell from the sky, but the moment he turned around, he was taken aback by a statue of Rose, the same Rose he saw in his pink visions. It poured out water from its eyes as it poured in the fountain. Craig looked at his reflection from the water and his eyes weren't pink.

“This is so…beautiful.” He responded.

“Indeed it is…beautiful.”

From that soothing voice, Craig turned around with a small blue gem in the star shaped entrance. “Who are you?” Craig took notice.

She came out of the shadows in the entrance to reveal herself. “Sapphire.” She walked up to him. Just when Craig’s about to speak from his mouth, Sapphire placed her finger on him. “Steven told you about my wedding, and me being part of a fusion.”

“You knew what I was gonna say?”

“Yes, I have future vision.”

“Holy cow…”

Sapphire paid attention closely to Craig from the way he was stunned in utter disbelief. “You should know I’m not the only one here. You need more gems for your sanctuary.”

“There’s more?” Craig looked around. “The ones Steven mentioned?”

“Yes but first, we need to get Ruby.” She took Craig’s hand as they teleported from the fountain to the open valley. Craig blinked with the wide open spaces he’s in, as if he’s no longer in the creek with only a few trees in sight.

“This is supposed to be all fake but…It feels so real.” Craig lifted his hands out to feel the open spaces. “The smell and wind…is…”

“Peace.” Sapphire responded. “Peace…and freedom.” Then in the distance, a cowboy appeared with her horse, making their way which took Craig’s attention. “Here she comes.”

The cowboy stopped in front of Craig and Sapphire as Craig’s taking a back from the color of the horse. The cowboy got off and landed on the ground, it stared at Craig upon lifting her head up with her eyes revealed from her hat. “Who are you, partner?” She responded.

“Craig.” Craig answered.

“I’ve never seen someone like you in my life.” She then walked up, giving him a serious look as Craig tried to stand still. “Are you into cowboys and riding horses?”

“No. But my friend J.P. does.”

“What’s the matter? You think riding horses isn’t part of freedom?”

“Ruby.” Sapphire spoked to the cowboy’s attention. “If he doesn’t like cowboys and riding horses, it doesn't mean he doesn’t like that type of freedom.”

Ruby looked back at Craig as Craig sweated while smiling, awkwardly. “You’ve been spared from the Ruby Rider.”

“Soo…I reckon we’re not friends?”

Ruby then grinned while giving Craig a hug. “I reckon that you are someone who needs another friend.”

Craig slowly got into the hug, he wrapped his arms around the cowboy with Sapphire growing a smile. Craig noticed the horse staring at him, her purple color skin mostly bothers him, but there’s something he has yet to know about it.

“So where do we go now?” Craig asked as Ruby broke the hug. They then get teleported again from the valley, inside of a five star apartment in the hotel. “Inside an expensive apartment!?” Craig rushed to the window with his jaw dropped from the endless buildings he’s seeing. “In a big city!?”

“In Empire City, there’s no such thing as more than enough.” Sapphire commented.

Craig headed back to Sapphire, Ruby and her horse. “Who are we meeting?”

“One of Steven’s mothers.”

The lights turned off with only the spotlight focusing on the stairs, catching Craig’s attention. Four people in tuxedos with hats came down the stairs, stopping in front of Craig as he took notice of their appearances. Another from his pink visions only this time, he witnessed colors of Yellow, Blue, Pink, and mostly aquamarine.

“Pearls.” He responded.

“Correct.” Yellow Pearl responded as she took off her hat.

“But which one is Steven’s Pearl?” Pink Pearl taking off her hat.

“There can only be one Crystal Gem.” Blue Pearl taking off her hat.

When Craig saw the last Pearl taking off her hat, he looked closely at her hair. Even from his pink vision, his memory hadn't been wiped from any of the shapes he saw. “She’s the real Pearl.” He pointed at her.

“Clever kid.” Pearl smiled. “How did you know?”

“It’s hard to believe but…I’ve had pink visions to see any gem at random.”

“Pink eyes? That’s something Steven doesn’t have.”

“It’s highly unusual for a kid without a gem to have that power.” Yellow Pearl commented.

Craig knew that everyone except Sapphire wouldn’t know the true meaning of all this. But since he’s not in the cave in any hostile danger, it’ll never hurt for how respectful the gems are. “Steven gave me this power because…” The Pearls paid attention while Sapphire, Ruby and the horse did the same. “...he put saliva in my ear.”

Pearl couldn’t believe it but she was surprised that this type of magic affected a kid’s mind. “A visual illusion.” She responded.

“Even when Steven’s gone, he still has new powers to unlock.” Ruby replied.

“This time, this kid has a power thanks to him.” Blue Pearl said.

“Do you think I should talk to some other gem about this?” Craig asked.

“We'll take you to her right now.” Sapphire spoked as she and the others teleported one more time with Pearl coming along. The final location they went to, is the beach with the sky purple with pink appearing on the clouds. Both Ruby and Sapphire walked past Craig as he watched them with the ocean waves behind them “This is a beach. Have you ever been to the beach?”

“Yes.” Craig looked around. “But I’ve never seen a beach with these colors. It’s surreal, but I really like it.”

Sapphire placed her hand underneath Craig's chin, turning him to her direction. “This is Beach City.”

“Beach City.”

Then the horse fused back to its original form. “This isn't your ordinary beach from your town, dude.”

“Wow!” Craig reacted.

“Really Amethyst?” Pearl retorted.

“What? I had the least first impressions by being a horse while you had it better.” Amethyst said

“I needed a horse to ride.” Ruby replied. “It’s not my fault his dream gave you the short end of the stick.”

Craig stood in place while learning that everything he’s experienced is all a dream. “So all of this…isn’t real.”

“It wouldn’t be real. However, with you having the visual illusion.” Sapphire spoked. “What happens in your mind, makes anything real on the outside. Including your dreams.”

“If it’s possible…Am I talking to you all as the real…” Craig stopped himself, as if his pink visions became a gift but it was too good to be true.

“No…” Amethyst replied. “If it were, we would all be sleeping. Even though I do sleep every once in a while.”

“What we mean is you wouldn’t have this dream without what Steven gave you.” Pearl added. “But we’re still here to help you.”

Sapphire and Ruby grabbed their hands as they glowed in front of Craig. They grew taller together as Craig looked up, witnessing his second fusion in person. The glow died down, revealing her form while Craig only had one word to say.

“Garnet.”

“The true kind of first impressions.” Garnet smiled as she kneeled to Craig’s level “You will wake up in a moment, but this isn’t going to be the only dream you have.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s more gems who want to meet you, but there’s not enough time. But I will let you know how you can get rid of your visions.” Garnet took off her shades, looking at Craig with her three eyes. “Have Steven take you to Beach City to meet us in the real world.”

“What?” Craig reacted.

“You can’t have them removed in any other way. It’s hard to believe but when you meet us in the real world, we could find a way to turn you back to normal.”

Craig thought that facetime is the only way he’ll ever see the Crystal Gems face to face, but if this was just a regular dream, Steven would’ve been gone with his imagination doing all the work. “I want to go but I don’t know what Steven would feel.”

“We don’t blame Steven for leaving, but it was bound for him to come back.” Pearl walked up to Craig. “We didn’t expect you out of all the people who would make it possible.”

“Since he left, we thought he would come back years down the line. But not after a few months.” Amethyst also walked up.

“But once I tell him about this, he’s gonna have to deal with my parents, who won’t even allow him to take me.” Craig then sighed, knowing there’s more going on outside of his dream. “If they find out about Bluebird…I’ll never ever go to Beach City.”

“Don’t bring that down between you and your parents.” Garnet replied. “Xavier is responsible for it, not you or Steven.”

“You know he wants to go to this place…and also Homeworld?”

“Yes but at the end of the day, he’s a kid with no real power. But there’s a way to defeat Bluebird. Fuse into Steven.”

“He tried to…but we got interrupted.”

“You still have your chance. It may not happen tomorrow, or the next day. But you will fuse with Steven.” Garnet then used her hand to get a spare of magical shades. “I see the future in the real world.”

“Only because of my pink visions?”

“Yes and know this.” She placed her hands on Craig’s arms. “We enjoy seeing new fusions when Steven fuses with us.”

“So many possibilities happen when a new fusion happens.” Pearl commented.

“And how awesome it’ll feel.” Amethyst added.

Craig wished the fusion happened yesterday when he had the chance. But if the time is right, it has to be in good use. “You did say that Steven has unfinished business, just like I do with him.”

“Then you have unfinished business with us when you have your next dream.” Garnet kissed Craig’s forehead with sparks on it. Craig’s surroundings bathed in a pink hue, getting a future vision thanks to Garnet. He saw Bluebird flying towards him but with Steven next to him. He took his hand as they glowed. The only thing he saw before it ended was his hands and his height got taller.

He woke up from his dream with his eyes back to normal. He slowly got up, turning around with Bluebird still guarding. He couldn't believe his mind allowed him to have dreams with The Crystal Gems, but it was useful. When Bluebird was about to attack in his future vision, it was in the creek, not the forest of Beach City. He sat on the ground, not uttering a word, with a possibility he may not have to wait tomorrow if the time is today, with the fusion potentially sending him free outside of Bluebird’s lockdown.

“Let’s see if misery is your term of victory Bluebird! Same goes to you Xavier!”

Chapter 32 Belief Fusion

“Craig!” Steven called out, whilst running in the Creek.” Craig!” He then witnessed Jessica and Craig’s friends sitting alone at the Trading Tree. “Jessica!” He walked up to her. “Where’s Craig?”

“When me and my brother arrived in the creek, Ruby and Aquamarine captured him and I don’t know where they are.” Jessica answered.

“She told us what happened and we decided to stay here.” Kelsey filled in.

“We just don’t want to get hurt.” J.P. added.

Steven couldn’t believe his enemies took advantage the moment Craig didn’t escape. “Unbelievable.” He placed his hand on his face. “It’s probably been almost five hours.”

“At least you haven’t spent all day alone.”

“I was making a friend close to my age, Craig’s mom ordered me to.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling them.” Jessica replied. “At least most of the kids you met yesterday understood and moved on when I talked to them about it.”

“It’s hard to go through a day with Steven okay!?” Kelsey reacted.

Steven took a deep breath while trying to stay on topic. He still remembers that Kenneth is Xavier’s brother, but he doesn’t have enough time to save Craig before heading home. Then Maya and her group walked down in the Trading Tree, after telling them her time meeting Steven yesterday. “Steven?” Maya walked up to him from behind.

“Maya?” Steven turned around.

“You’re here, this is perfect!”

“We know where Craig is!” Aggie smiled.

“Really!?” Steven smiled.

“Yes, we'll take you where he’s right now.” Keun Sup commented.

“But…” Maya stopped herself with the biggest downside of it all.

“It's Bluebird, isn’t it?” Steven guessed.

“Yes. Are Connie and Lion coming back?”

“Sorry, I texted Connie and she’s still busy in college.” Steven then looked at the champions of the other side of the creek. This gave him an idea but it’s a risky one to save Craig. “Are you willing to do me a favor?”

“We’ll do what we can.” Aggie responded.

“Can I get my bat, if I can make a run for it?” Maya asked.

“You’re probably gonna be late, but it’ll be worth a shot.” Steven smiled.

“We wanna help too!” Kelsey offered.

“Craig is our friend too.” J.P. added.

“Even if I get my foot hit against another brick wall, I’m doing it for my brother.” Jessica putting her foot down, only to have her foot throb in pain again, with a tear falling from her eye. “But I do need an ice pack.”

Steven closed his eyes, rethinking about the safety of Craig’s friends and sister. But he can’t deny that if he had friends at Craig’s age, especially living a normal life, would do the same thing if he was captured. “Just be careful and whatever you do, follow my lead.”

“No problem.” Kelsey replied. Steven put together his plan with Craig’s friends, sister, Maya and the champions joining in his aid. They rushed to their destination, whilst Maya ran back to get her bat from her place.

Back at the cave, Craig remained seated, still waiting for the future he saw before he woke up. But he didn’t move to make Bluebird feel suspicious, even if she’s not looking at him. He doesn’t know when Steven’s coming but he wouldn’t leave him in lockdown when the day’s over. Outside of the cave, Steven and the others witness the cave.

“He’s in there with Bluebird.” Aggie pointed. “Bluebird will come out if anyone comes in.”

“Okay.” Steven replied. “We just need to set up a diversion for Craig to escape.”

“Can we rescue Craig from the cave?” J.P. asked.

“Yes, but make it quick. Run as fast as you can while we stop Bluebird.”

“Such a blurbed out plan.” Bluebird flew out of her cave, landing on the ground. “Ever heard of whispering Steven?”

“You know this was bound to happen. I can stay here all day if I have to.”

“With this as your rescue party?” Bluebird pointed at his group. “You’re making this way too easy for me.”

Steven crossed his arms, giving Bluebird a serious look. “You’re not the only one who can make strategies ahead of time.”

“Then where’s Maya? Did she run away like a coward? I can give you the benefit of the doubt to come here but not her.”

This caused Steven to smirk, with ego getting the better of Bluebird. “We can’t beat you, but that doesn’t mean we have to.”

Then Keun Sup ran out from the left, throwing small rocks at Bluebird, catching her off guard. “Ahh!”

Then Aggie threw a bigger rock at her, causing her to hit the ground. “Okay you three, go now!” Steven demanded as Jessica, J.P. and Kelsey rushed inside the cave. Steven summoned his shield to keep an eye on Bluebird when she comes back up.

“Craig!” Kelsey called as she and the others appeared.

“Guys.” Craig smiled while picking up his bag.

“Steven, the champions and us are getting you out of here.” Kelsey grabbing his arm. “But we have to go to either my or J.P.’s house!”

“Wait!” Craig stood in place while Jessica pushed him.

“Craig, we could get trapped if we stay here!” She shouted.

“I know.” He turned around. “But I’ve got a better plan. Trust me on this.”

His friends stood in place, while still looking out the entrance with Steven and the others stopping Bluebird after she burst out of her boulder. “This either could be really good or really bad.” J.P. commented.

Outside of the cave, Steven threw his shield at Bluebird to keep her occupied, but it wasn’t enough until Bluebird fought back. “What are you doing in there? Come out!” Aggie shouted.

When Craig and the others got out of the cave, Bluebird took notice as she summoned her cutlass. “I don’t think so!” Just when she’s about to attack, Craig rolls out of the way while his friends and sister stopped by Bluebird, preventing them from getting cut. Craig rushed out of the scene as Aggie threw another boulder but Bluebird moved out of the way. She flew towards Aggie, allowing J.P., Kelsey and Jessica to follow Craig.

“Just keep running, I’ll catch up!” Steven called.

Craig and his group ran as fast as they could to get away from the diversion. “So we’re gonna wait until Steven comes to you!?” Kelsey called. “She’s gonna fly towards us!”

“It’s the only way to stop Bluebird. I just need Steven!”

They ran further enough to hide behind the brushes in the creek, camouflaged from Bluebird’s sight. “You’re really going to do this?” J.P. wondered. “What if someone interrupts like what Connie and Lion did?”

“It won’t.”

“How do you know?” Jessica replied.

“Because I saw it in my dream when my eyes were pink.”

His friends and sister catched on but at the same time, they thought there wasn’t anything more whenever his eyes turned pink. “Are you sure your dream will happen?” Kelsey said.

“Yes. He may help me out but I’m also helping him out, and mostly all of us.” Back on the trail, Steven ran to find Craig after the Champions kept Bluebird occupied. He looked around, but there was no sign of Craig around, slowing down in the process. Then Craig came out of the bushes, getting up behind Steven while poking his back. “Craig?” He turned around to witness Craig. “Craig!? What are you doing? Run!”

“No, Trust me on this.”

“She won’t harm you if you’re not at your place, J.P.’s place-”

“Steven!” Craig shouted. “Please, I promise you it’s gonna get rid of Bluebird.”

“Then please make it quick.”

Craig took a deep breath to let out the truth. “I had a dream where Garnet kissed my forehead where I saw the future of us fusing.”

“You mean…for real?”

“It felt real in my dream, just not outside of it, but this will work.”

“You think this is a good time for it?”

“It’s the only way, I’ll remind you later about my dream.”

“Craig!” Bluebird flew up in the sky. “I’m coming after you! Same goes to your friends who interfered!” When she saw Steven and Craig out in the open, she immediately flew down over the trail, launching her attack with her cutlass in her hand.

Craig took Steven’s hand as he closed his eyes. He hoped his eyes would turn pink, but it’s not working. Steven also closed his eyes to make the fusion work; however in the state he’s in now, he couldn’t control it unlike yesterday. “It’s not working, Craig!” He reacted.

“Come on, eyes do your thing!” Craig stumped. Bluebird is in full target of Steven and Craig but Craig didn’t move. Steven needed to move, but his trust in Craig is put to the test. Then thankfully, Craig’s eyes turned pink just in time as he opened them with Bluebird coming close. Thus, Steven and Craig’s bodies glowed, catching Bluebird by notice as she stopped. Craig’s friends and sister witness the glow upon getting up.

Bluebird slightly flew back from the fusion in front of her. “They’re really doing it!?” She flinched.

The height of the fusion got taller as the glow died down. Steven and Craig opened their eyes, with their eyes glowing pink. Their hairdo is just like Steven’s but their skin is black, just like Craig’s. Their clothes were fused with a hoodie and coat combined while Craig’s bag got bigger and pinker.

“Oh…my…stars!” Bluebird reacted.

The fusion looked at Bluebird while making a grin. “You think you’re gonna put this buddy in lockdown?” He taunted.

“Uhhh…”

“My name is Straig Williverse.” Straig leaned down. “I’m giving you a chance to forfeit, or we’re doing it the hard way.”

Bluebird groaned with the disadvantage she’s in against the new fusion. “I’m not a coward! You don’t even know what powers you have!”

“Like you for the first time?”

“Ohhh, burn!” J.P. taunted.

“Then show it to me! Fusion up! Williverse!”

Straig unzipped his bag, revealing a shield in the same shape Steven used, but it was a lot more powerful and much bigger. Then he took out a staff that Craig uses in the creek, but it’s not made out of wood. It’s made out of ancient stone while the diamond Craig placed on it. But thanks to the fusion, it’s solid proof with sparkles coming out.

He then put the two together with the bottom of the shield inserted with the diamond. The weapon sparked thanks to the diamond as Straig pointed it at Bluebird. He held onto the staff tightly while the magic of the shield charged.

His shield launched from the staff, colliding with Bluebird at full force and speed. “Woow.” Jessica commented.

“How am I gonna get Connie to fuse with me?” Kelsey added.

“I have no idea.” J.P. added.

Bluebird flew past the champions, who tried to stop her when she flew up earlier. She impacted the tree as the shield magic dissolved, thus causing Ruby and Aquamarine to de-fuse.

“Ugh!” Ruby landed on the grass.

“Ugh!” Aquamarine added. “He’s stronger than us!”

“Xavier’s not gonna be happy when we tell him about this.”

Then Maya appeared with a steel baseball bat. “I got this!” She picked up Ruby, lifted her up in the air and hit her with her bat. Ruby got launched in the air, farther enough to be out of the creek. Maya picked up Aquamarine and did the same thing as the threats are no longer in sight. “Out of the creek!” She cheered. “A bit late, but still struck the final blow.” She took out her water bottle to take a drink. Little did she know, Straig walked up to her from behind with his shadow blocking her sunlight.

When she turned around, her eyes shot open while spitting out water in the process. “Oh my gosh!” She reacted.

“Calm down, I’m not gonna hurt you.” He responded.

“Who the heck are you!?” She lifted her baseball bat up.

“He’s Steven and Craig in a fusion of Straig Williverse.” Kelsey walked up next to Straig. “But I’m still surprised you two pulled it off.”

Aggie walked up to him face to face with her being shorter and weaker than him. “This looks way better than I imagined.”

“I would be killed if I got into a fight with you.” Maya walked up to the fusion.

“You didn’t even see what he’s really capable of.” Jessica commented. “I saw the whole thing.”

“You’re too late to see it, but I’m not doing a demonstration.” Straig responded. “So let’s keep it that way.”

“Yeah, I’m fine with it.” Maya lowered her bat.

“And honestly, I need to get home now.”

“So how are you going to de-fuse?” Kelsey wondered.

“I don’t know. There are ways to de-fuse so-” Then Straig glowed, catching everyone’s attention as Steven and Craig landed on the ground.

“What happened?” Jessica wondered.

Craig blinked while getting a headache. “My pink eyes stopped working.” He responded. “I guess that must be why.”

Steven got on his feet while straightening his coat. “It’s a work in progress, just like when I fused with Connie for the first time.”

“Well at least whenever my eyes turn pink, we can fuse when we get the chance.”

“That’s something we're gonna have to work on.”

“At least everything worked out.” Jessica replied. “Should we keep this to ourselves from our parents?”

“Big time. I still need to let Nicole know about the friend I made today.”

“Well, since I have my bat, I’m gonna do some baseball practice.” Maya commented. “You’re gonna be here tomorrow?”

“I don’t know about that. I’m gonna have a meeting with my friend tonight at his place. I might do something with him tomorrow.”

The kids were disappointed that they might miss another day with Steven. Craig may have had a dreadful day being in lockdown, but if Steven’s willing to spend another day with his new friend, it’s best to stay at his place or at J.P. or Kelsey’s place. “Do your own thing with your friend.” Craig smiled. “I’ll make sure I don’t get captured again if Ruby and Aquamarine come back.”

“Actually Craig,” Steven looked down at him. “I want you to join in my meeting.”

“Okay, it’ll be nice to meet your friend.”

Steven bit his lip, knowing Craig’s not gonna like the truth. “We should focus on the dream you had after I’m done with your mom, okay?”

Craig nearly forgot about the dream he wanted to tell Steven. “Oh…yeah.” Craig scratched on the back of his head. “I’m just gonna say-”

Steven gave Craig a stop signal with his hand. “Not here, okay? I’m still thinking about how Garnet did that in a dream.”

Craig kept his words to himself as he, Steven and Jessica headed back to their place. They’re thankful they reunited before it was too late but they have a lot to catch up on with each other. But once Steven gets the full story of Craig’s dream, he doesn’t know how to explain it if the Gems in the real world hear about it.

[forensicated]

Smiffina Episodes - Episode 143

We pick up from last episode with the bomb planted at the cinema and the first lot of uniform arriving with Gina to sweep the cinema. Gina's trying to sort evacuation of approx 100 plus people in the targeted screening. The manager is dumbfounded - they've been treating it as a hoax. Surely better to act like it's real and be wrong than the alternative? In the staff not acting, the people inside screen 3 are starting to get messages after the bomb warning is announced by the radio station who received the threat and they start to evacuate. The police try and assist it, however a little girl gets injured in the crush.

I'm amazed that they're only evacuating one screen and y'know - not the entire bloody building! Are only the people in that one screen getting the messages/calls about it? If you heard that there's a potential bomb in a building you were in, would you stick around? After all, how do you know how big/small it is? Why are they thinking it will only take out the one screen potentially? Also this is series 19 which aired August 2003. Yes it's 2 years prior to the 7/7 bombing in London but it is almost 2 years from 9/11. And in 2001 there'd been 5 terrorist bombs centered around London planted by The Real IRA.

CAD is inundated with calls. Smithy asks CSU to act as the call divert to reassure and to gather intelligence. Cathy agrees with a rather breathy and I imagine in her mind seductive "we're all yours" but given what we know about Cathy now - it's much more creepy.

Gina requests Smithy organise back up to her at the cinema. When the room is free, Gina asks Reg and Gabriel with Mickey and cinema staff to search it but not to touch any device if they find one. A male member of staff spots what looks like a bomb gaffertaped to one of the chairs. As they move slowly and carefully to alert Gina, the device explodes, sending everyone hitting the ground, injuring Mickey's shoulder initially and the male staff member and rendering Honey unconcious. As if she's not hurt enough, Gabriel has to perform CPR on her.

Gina updates the station and she and Smithy notify the relevant groups and divert more back up. FINALLY they start to evacuate the full building. Gina spots a woman smoking outsides and asks her to blow her smoke in her direction 😂 before she speaks to the press about the bombing and asks people to call in if they have any info.

"Puff it this way, darlin'!"

Gary, hopelessly in love with Honey, is worried about her and is angry that he's not getting more information about her and that Gina has asked Ruby not to update unless there's new information. Loose lips and all that - he ends up telling Gabriel about what he did for Gina after the little car accident a few episodes back, arming Gabriel with blackmail material right as he needs it, before he gets dispatched to an assault case.

The assault case leads him to St Hughes and Ruby where he can manipulate and intimidate her even more as she waits for Honey to come round. As they do, it becomes clear that the male member of staff is actually the bomber... and as they find him, he's sat at the side of Honey's bed with another bomb inside his bag. All because noone realises 'what he's worth' because he has 'more to offer than being an usher'. He wanted the police calling to the cinema so he could learn from them first hand because he's adamant he can be a police officer - but he was rejected.

After he and Ruby talk the bomber down and arrest him, Gina is very impressed and asks Ruby to reconsider her resignation, ripping the letter up without even reading it. (The second of Gabriel's infamously millions chances after Ruby reluctantly covered for him after he set one of her school friends up) . Gabriel sees this through the window and thinks he's gotten away scott free - however Ruby can't live with herself and she confesses to Gina that she lied on the stand. She knows she's committed perjury and that it means the end for her career... but she can't cover up any longer. After seeing Ruby out, Gina is desperate for a smoke and luckily finds one of her old cigarillo ends in an ashtray in her office, sneakily lighting it. After she's finished she goes to find Gabriel, seeing through all his bluster and telling him she knows exactly what he did.

Although it's not spoken, unfortunately for Gina, he knows exactly what Smithy got Gary to do without Gina's knowledge. She already told Gary she was keeping quiet for his and Smithy's sakes which gives Gabriel the perfect leverage to stop her making Ruby's confession public and reporting him... She does become aware that Gabriel knows next episode however. He applys for a driving course at Hendon and tells her he has a clean license including no drink driving convictions and she puts two and two together and nails Gary.

[itlurkswithin]

The End of the Line

An Alexis Porter Short

The room unfolds before Alexis’ eyes. A ballroom, its rich reds and golds embedding their warmth into all who set foot. Masked goers make way as Alexis is led by some gentle force, guiding through the crowd and to the centre. Each one nodding and bowing in her direction as she passes.

Alexis feels full once again, strong — no longer are her clothes hanging from her thinning body, her hair fragile and static, her posture bent over as she takes a few steps. In this ballroom Alexis takes deliberate strides, chin lifted, shoulders square. Her blonde locks curl and gleam in the chandelier light.

In the centre the crowd opens up. Bathed in the light of the room stands a long passed friend. His soft eyes regard her warmly as a hand reaches out.

“May I have this dance, Alexis?”

The entire room melts away as Alexis places her hand in his, his warmth encapsulating her once again. Naturally she finds his chest to rest on as he leads her around the floor. Even without watching his face, she could feel his contentment in the sureness of his arms.

How long had it been? In this moment Alexis couldn’t say. It was as if time did not exist, the past and the future melded into one.

It was time. Her heart began to flutter.

Alexis lifts her head, bringing a hand to his cheek as if to test that it was really him.

“I’ve missed you, Ambrose.”

Closing his eyes, Ambrose places a kiss on the top of her head as they embrace once more. His smell had never changed; the faint sea salt that lingered on his skin stung her nostrils. Alexis inhales it deeply, her cheek pressing close to his chest once more.

When Alexis finally opens her eyes there is another familiar face beside her. The woman’s hand rests gently on Alexis’ forearm, the corners of the woman’s mouth rising upwards along with her brows.

Without missing a beat Alexis envelopes herself around the woman. Squeezing her tightly in her arms, as if she might fade away at any moment. Her heart in her throat, tears begin to sting at her eyes. Pulling back, Alexis studies the face of her friend — her unexpected friend, born out of the most unimaginable situation. The woman who quickly became her family. The woman who once gone, Alexis vowed to care for her children as if they were her own — as far as she was concerned, they were her own.

“Ruby…” Alexis’ lip quivers.

Ruby took Alexis’ face gently in her hands, placing a kiss on her tear streaked cheek.

Both Ruby and Ambrose look to each other for a moment, blissful smiles playing on their lips. Ambrose’s free arm holds Ruby close to him, their hands intertwining on her waist.

Ruby tilts her head slightly, looking at Ambrose expectantly.

Ambrose nods in return.

“There’s someone who would like to see you.” His low voice was unmistakably smooth, like any rough edges had been softened out before they could reach the air.

The pair take Alexis in hand, leading her through the empty ballroom to the garden door. She lingers in the door way, turning to them both. Her eyes searching theirs frantically.

“Don’t worry,” Ruby says, her hand slipping from Alexis’ grip, “We will always be here.”

“We’ll never leave you, Alexis.” Says Ambrose.

Alexis squeezes Ambrose’s hand one last time before finally letting him free.

She was ready for this. Her time had come.

Air slips through her nose, filling her lungs to the brim. She closes her eyes, silently nodding before turning from her dearest friends and taking one step into the garden.

The midday sun illuminates the garden. The grass is wild, much like her cottage’s garden back home. Wildflowers spring high from the ground, their lilacs and yellows beckoning the bee’s to buzz around their petals.

If Alexis had turned back, she’d have noticed that the illustrious ballroom she had just set foot out of was now no more. A small conservatory stood in its place.

But she didn’t turn back.

There was a man in amongst the flowers, sitting on a set of quaint garden chairs with a table to match. Partially shaded by a large oak tree.

A strong breeze blew at Alexis, whisking her hair across her face. Yet, her gaze never fell from the gentleman.

Alexis began on her front foot, stopping for a moment before stumbling forward.

The man was watching the world go by; the birds singing their songs in the tree, swishing down to dance around the grassy floor. The wind lifts the white grey hairs from his crown every so often, fighting with his bushy moustache to do the same.

Alexis froze beside the chair, the rising and falling of her chest quickening. She has no words that will come out — the wind seems to whisk them from her mouth.

But the man knows she is there. He twists his body towards her from his seat, his moustache obscuring a closed-lip smile that appears from the sight of her. Though his brows naturally pull downwards, his eyes soften and glint in the sunlight. With both hands pressing down upon his thighs, the man rises from his seat.

“My beautiful baby girl,” His voice is course, even faltering in parts. He immediately holds his daughter in his arms.

Alexis stands stunned, disbelief holding her in a trance. She can’t even begin to hug him back. His frame was even frailer than Alexis remembered, his hair, that pressed against her skin, wirer. It had been decades since she last saw her father. Decades since he held her in his arms.

Victor pulls back, tears pooling in his eyes as he looks over her. “You’re so beautiful…you’re—“ his voice catches in the back of his throat, “You’re all grown up now. My little girl.”

“I’ll always be your little girl.” The words barely make it out between sobs.

Alexis’ tears drip from her chin to her father’s shirt as she collapses into his arms, her cries only softened by the cotton.

“I waited my whole life to hold you in my arms again…I’m so proud of who you became, sweetheart.” He sniffs.

“I thought you hated me, Mother said…” Alexis trails off. She doesn’t want to speak about her Mother, not now. They have all the time in the world to discuss the past.

Her Father only held her tighter.

Alexis’ sobs got quieter the longer she stayed in his arms until finally all that was left were small sniffs.

Finally, after a while, the world returns to the whistling of the birds and the wind.

“Come, Let’s have some tea.” Victor pulls back, wiping her tears away with his thumbs.

From what was once the ballroom, Ruby and Ambrose stand arm in arm and watch on as the Father and his little girl have a tea party, just as they had done many years ago.

***

In a quiet room the air is still. The world has stopped. Not even the usual sound from the outside can seep through the brick walls. The four present are silent, listening to the hushing of Alexis’ laboured breaths. Ethan slumps at his mother’s bedside, forehead against her frail hands. Muffled cried escaping him every so often.

The sound of a long drawn exhale fills the room, and with that a stillness comes.

Poppy’s pacing ceases.

The tears welling up in Noah’s eyes stop right at the brink.

Sam’s clasped hands drop an inch from where they rest against his mouth.

They all wait. For how long, it is hard to say.

Ethan looks up at his Mother as she lies in her bed. He didn’t have to look to confirm what he knew — he had felt her life slip from his hands — but for once he didn’t want to believe in his abilities.

[chaossagaproductions]

One shot pt 6

Corvid Poet’s Club

“I’m so bored!” Ruby and Alexi whine at the same time, as they both slump onto the bar at Babylon’s as Ezra and Onyx  roll their eyes. “Come on, guys we got work to do.” Ezra says, swing his towel at the two. “We’re bored, Ez.” Alexi says as Onyx rolls his eyes. “Listen, we get that, but we also have to do our jobs, so we can’t do anything right now.” Ezra says as Onyx tilts his head and gets an idea. “Hey, I’ll be right back, Kraven.” Onyx says, using his cane to go to the backroom.

“Yo.” Bowie says, answering the phone. “Yo, you guys gotta gig tonight?” Onyx asks as Bowie sits up and hits Zenon on the leg. “Uh, lemme check.” Bowie says slapping Zenon to get up. “What?” Zenon asks grumpily, as Bowie moves the phone away from his mouth and covers it. “We got a show tonight? Saint’s asking.” Bowie says as Zenon groans. “Nah we don’t got a show tonight, whys he askin’?” Zenon says as Bowie shrugs, going back to the phone. “Ze says we’re free, why?” Bowie asks, as Ze rolls over and buries their face into Bowie’s stomach. “Perfect, wanna come play Babylon’s?” Onyx asks sneakily as Bowie bolts up from bed. “Are you serious?” Bowie shrieks as Zenon is fully awake now and watching Bowie carefully. “Dead serious, Bowie, talked it over with Antonio and Morgona, they’ve always wanted live music at least once a week here, and I figured you guys were the best I knew of around here, so why not have you be the first.” Onyx says as Bowie nods. “Yes, yes, we’ll do it.” Bowie says as Onyx chuckles. “Alright, see ya soon.” Onyx says, hanging up as Bowie smiles and looks at Zenon, who’s got an eyebrow raised. “Send up the bat signal, we’re playing Babylon’s.” Bowie says, smiling so wide, he’s pretty sure it’s the crazy smile everyone was always saying he had. “For real?” Zenon asks, as Bowie nods, shimmying on skinny jeans and finding a t-shirt, as Ze gets up and tackles Bowie back onto the bed, kissing Bowie.

“Sorry about that, Kraven.” Onyx says, coming out from the back. “Don’t worry ‘bout it man.” Ezra says as Onyx chuckles. “You’re here till close with me, right?” Onyx asks as Ezra nods, cleaning the cup they put the used stir spoons in. “Yep, sure am, why do you think those two still haven’t left?” Ezra asks, pointing to Alexi and Ruby. “I think I just fixed their boredom problem, though.” Onyx says as Ezra chuckles. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Ezra says as Onyx hums. “Twenty bucks says you won’t.” Ezra says as Onyx smirks and nods, wiping a glass.

“What are we gonna play?” Mavis asks as Avis chuckles. “Lets play covers for now, Crazy Bitch to start, maybe some Kesha and Nickleback.” Zenon says as Bowie hums. “I like it.” Bowie says Mavis nods. “Yeah, covers are good.” She says as they start loading Avis’ van up. “Lets get going.” Zenon says as they get in the van and go to Babylon’s. 

They all climb out and into the ally between Babylon’s and whatever was next door and pound on the employee entrance. “Perfect, right on time.” Onyx says as Bowie smirks. “Told ya, so where are we setting up?” Bowie asks as Onyx leads them to the “stage” area. “Need any help?” Onyx asks as Avis and Zenon both shake their heads. “Alright, I’ll leave ya to it.” Onyx says going back behind the counter as two of their friends, Alexi and Ruby turn around to watch the band. “Onyx! That’s Corvid Poet’s Club!” Ruby shrieks as the band tunes their instruments. “Surprise.” Onyx says as people start coming in and the small little cafe/bar becomes a full blown concert. 

“Now, ladies, ladies, you all know that everyone up here in Corvid Poet’s Club is a feminist, but we all know something about you, ladies!” Bowie says into the mic as the crowd goes wild, most of the people here knew what song they were gonna sing next, especially the two friends right by the stage. “We know you’re all Crazy Bitches!” Mavis continues as the intro to the song starts. 

“Alright Break me down, you got a lovely face We're going to your place And now you got to freak me out Scream so loud, getting fucking laid You want me to stay, but I got to make my way Hey You're a crazy bitch But you fuck so good, I'm on top of it When I dream, I'm doing you all night Scratches all down my back to keep me right on Hey You're a crazy bitch But you fuck so good, I'm on top of it When I dream, I'm doing you all night Scratches all down my back to keep me right on…” 

Bowie sings and plays the song as the crowd goes wild, as Ezra hands Onyx $20, as Onyx raises an eyebrow. “You definitely cured their boredom.” Ezra says as Onyx chuckles. “Keep ya cash, we’re make plenty in tips alone tonight.” Onyx says as the band has invited both Alexi and Ruby on stage to dance as they cover Animals by Nickelback. “Oh my god.” Onyx says, as Alexi gives Ruby a lap dance. Onyx turns to see Ezra is blushing. “Need a bathroom break, Kraven?” Onyx asks as Ezra towel-whips him, as they back away, cackling. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alrighty so here's a fun little thing for a slow night at Babylon's, where Ezra and Onyx work, and their friends come and bug them just a bit. I wrote this while being a bit bored at work and wanted to imagine my friends coming and hanging out with me.

[herpsandbirds]

do you have any pictures of some very colorful hummingbirds i can show my fiancé? ^_^

Oh yes, I do, here are a few of my favorite hummingbirds!

Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra), male, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Manacapuru, Brazil

photograph by Kátia Oliveira

Wine-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti), male, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Guatemala

photograph by Luis Burbano

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis), family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, found in Costa Rica and Panama

Photograph by Aves y Estampas

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis), family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Costa Rica

Photograph by Alfredo Irizarry

Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini), family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, found in Colombia and Ecuador

photograph by paola rendon

Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum), male, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Colombia

photograph by Andre Moncrieff

Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus), male, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Trinidad

photographs by Dustin Chen

Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans), male displaying, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Peru

Photograph by Alexis Aguilar

Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), male, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, UT, USA

Recently removed from the genus Stellula.

photograph by Jack Binch

[useless-chan-draws]

I'm actually a huge fan of the headcanon that William owns a bunch of rubies and that he gave them to the members of the clan. *

Each vampire receives a sun-shaped pendant once they're officially part of the "family." Additionally, Alexis, Vincent, and Lovely obviously receive a crown, and it's not unusual for William to give jewels to his close ones for special occasions ( such as birthdays or any other significant event). For instance, he gave Vincent a ring and Lovely a bracelet.

Porter turned his pendant into an earring, which he always wore, no matter the circumstances. It's the only piece of jewelry William ever gave him. Instead, he gets a dagger—a lethal and very well crafted one— that he uses for every job. After this chaotic summit, however, this gift leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

Vincent and Lovely don't feel the need to wear their rubies all the time. Of course, they would put on their crown for the summit, and Vincent often wear his ring when he has a meeting with the clan, but other than that, it depends (mainly on their outfits). Just the fact that William gave them these gift is enough.

Sam never wore his pendant, unless it was absolutely necessary, like for the rare summit he attended.

* original headcanon by @us3rnam3-r3dact3d

Some examples of the Solaire's crest:

My moodboard/inspiration:

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

Sorry if this is unwelcome, but could we get a book rec for some/all of your oc's. :)

ooooh that's so fun!!! and hard, because like half of these bitches do Not read so it has to be based on vibes of what they would like rather than what they'd necessarily actually read lmao

Jessie:

Meaty (Samanatha Irby)

I'm Glad My Mom Died (Jennette McCurdy)

Cultish (Amanda Montell)

Tash:

Are Prisons Obsolete? (Angela Davis)

White Tears/Brown Scars (Ruby Hamad)

Luster (Raven Leilani)

Lily:

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (Akwaeke Emezi)

A Lady for a Duke (Alexis Hall)

My Year of Rest and Relaxation (Ottessa Moshegh)

Remy:

The Traitor Baru Cormorant (Seth Dickinson)

Empress of Forever (Max Gladstone)

The Jasmine Throne (Tasha Suri)

Ace:

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Becky Chambers)

Shadow of the Batgirl (Sarah Kuhn and Nicole Goux)

Nimona (ND Stevenson)

[ghclassic]

Happy Thanksgiving! #GH

Thanksgiving - General Hospital Style..

[hotvintagepoll]

THE TOURNAMENT IS OVER! Eartha Kitt lounges in her deck chair in the sun, dipping her toes in the pool with Toshiro Mifune and sipping a brightly colored fruity something with an umbrella in it.

Far below in the shadow realm, however, the fallen hotties dance in the dark—let's take a minute to look back at them under the cut.

PRELIM PRETTIES:

Claude Gensac, Silvia Pinal, Ewa Aulin, Rita Tushingham, Annette Funicello, Norma Bengell, Catherine Spaak, Brigitte Auber, Micheline Presle, Nanette Fabray, Libertad Lamarque, Vera Miles, Martha Raye, Catherine McLeod, Virginia Mayo, Elizabeth Allan, Belle Bennet, Virginia Cherill, Mary Brian, Ruth Chatterton, Agnes Ayres, Merna Kennedy, Marie Prevost, Corinne Griffith, May Allison, Virginia Brown Faire, Alice Brady, and Jetta Goudal

ROUND ONE WONDERS:

Angie Dickinson, Thelma Ritter, Geraldine Chaplin, Evelyn Preer, Vanessa Brown, Betty Blythe, Susan Hayward, Mae Clarke, Sally Ann Howes, Ossi Oswalda, Adrienne La Russa, Hermione Gingold, Barbara Bouchet, Melina Mercouri, Anna Karina, Edwige Fenech, Charmian Carr, Pina Pellicer, Marlène Jobert, Tsuru Aoki, Alice Roberts, Leila Hyams, Lady Tsen Mei, Geneviève Bujold, Dolores Hart, Anita Berber, Bonita Granville, Vonetta McGee, Claire Windsor, Zizi Jeanmaire, Tuesday Weld, Grace Darmond, Carol Channing, Deanna Durbin, Laraine Day, Mariette Hartey, Wendy Hiller, Candy Darling, Hermione Baddely, Valeria Creti, Ella Raines, Ann Miller, Dana Wynter, Dalida, Martine Beswick, Gale Storm, Simone Signoret, Cristina Gaioni, Mabel Normand, Stéphane Audran, Ruth Weyher, Anna Wiazemsky, Ann Sheridan, Sandhya Shantaram, Alice White, Anne Francis, Gena Rowlands, Lyda Borelli, May Whitty, Cathleen Nesbitt, Jessica Walter, Virna Lisi, Barbara Shelley, Iris Hall, Heather Angel, Anne Shirley, Joanna Pettet, Virginia O'Brien, Joan Collins, Greer Garson, Gracie Allen, Peggy Ryan, Frances Dee, Shirley Maclaine, Geraldine Farrar, Kathleen Byron, Margaret Hamilton, Eva Gabor, Francesca Bertini, Julie Adams, Olga Baclanova, Misa Uehara, Yvette Vickers, Milena Dravić, Jenny Jugo, Madeleine Carroll, Benita Hume, Olive Borden, Shirley Jones, Miyoshi Umeki, Dorothy Lamour, Gale Sondergaard, Mary Anderson, Charlotte Greenwood, Sybil Seely, Mona Barrie, Kathryn Grayson, Katharine Ross, Madge Bellamy, Rhonda Fleming, Sally Gray, Jana Brejchová, Debra Paget, Madame Sul-Te-Wan, Evelyn Brent, Zelma O'Neal, Marie Laforêt, Türkan Şoray, Beatriz Costa, Irene Zazians, Eleanor Powell, Susan Luckey, Patsy Kelly, Lil Dagover, Norma Talmadge, Dorothy Mackaill, Madge Evans, Virginia McKenna, Amália Rodrigues, Mamie Van Doren, Valerie Hobson, Isabel Jeans, Beata Tyszkiewicz, Claire Luce, Aleksandra Khokhlova, Nieves Navarro Garcia, Janet Leigh, Carmen Miranda, Jean Harlow, Aud Egedge-Nissen, Nina Foch, Jean Simmons, Piper Laurie, Katy Jurado, Jayne Mansfield, Anita Garvin, Frances Farmer, Lizabeth Scott, Joan Greenwood, Una Merkel, Arlene Francis, Ethel Merman, Doris Day, Suzanne Pleshette, Ruta Lee, Carolyn Jones, June Richmond, Eva Nil, Diana Dors, Anna Chang, Colleen Moore, Alexis Smith, Yvette Mimieux, Ruby Keeler, Viola Dana, Dolores Grey, Marie Windsor, Danielle Darieux, Jean Parker, Julie Christie, Acquanetta, Leatrice Joy, Ghita Nørby, Julie Newmar, Joanne Woodward, Sandra Dee, Eva Marie Saint, Simone Simon, Katherine Dunham, Birgitte Price, Lee Grant, Anita Page, Flora Robson, Martha Sleeper, Elsie Ames, Isabel "Coca" Sarli, Glenda Farrell, Kathleen Burke, Linden Travers, Diane Baker, Joan Davis, Joan Leslie, Sylvia Sidney, Marie Dressler, June Lockhart, Emmanuelle Riva, Libertad Leblanc, Susannah Foster, Susan Fleming, Dolores Costello, Ann Smyrner, Luise Rainer, Anna Massey, Evelyn Ankers, Ruth Gordon, Eva Dahlbeck, Ansa Ikonen, Diana Wynyard, Patricia Neal, Etta Lee, Gloria Stuart, Arletty, Dorothy McGuire, Mitzi Gaynor, Gwen Verdon, Maria Schell, Lili Damita, Ethel Moses, Gloria Holden, Kay Thompson, Jeanne Crain, Edna May Oliver, Lili Liliana, Ruth Chatterton, Giulietta Masina, Claire Bloom, Dinah Sheridan, Carroll Baker, Brenda de Banzie, Milú, Hertha Thiele, Hanka Ordonówna, Lillian Roth, Jane Powell, Carol Ohmart, Betty Garrett, Kalina Jędrusik, Edana Romney, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Kay Kendall, Ruth Hussey, Véra Clouzot, Jadwiga Smosarska, Marge Champion, Mary Astor, Ann Harding, María Casares, Maureen O'Sullivan, Mildred Natwick, Michèle Morgan, Romy Schneider, Elisabeth Bergner, Celeste Holm, Betty Hutton, Susan Peters, Mehtab, Leslie Caron, Anna Sten, Janet Munro, Nataša Gollová, Eve Arden, Ida Lupino, Regina Linnanheimo, Sonja Henie, and Terry (what a good girl)

ROUND TWO BEAUTIES:

Evelyn Nesbit, Thelma Todd, Tura Satana, Helen Gibson, Maureen O'Hara, Rocío Dúrcal, Mary Nolan, Lois Maxwell, Maggie Smith, Zulma Faiad, Ursula Andress, Musidora, Delphine Seyrig, Marian Marsh, Leatrice Joy, Sharon Tate, Pina Menichelli, Teresa Wright, Shelley Winters, Lee Remick, Jane Wyman, Martita Hunt, Barbara Bates, Susan Strasberg, Marie Bryant, Diana Rigg, Jane Birkin, Rosalind Russell, Vanessa Redgrave, Brigitte Helm, Gloria Grahame, Rosemary Clooney, Bebe Daniels, Constance Bennett, Lilian Bond, Ann Dvorak, Jeanette Macdonald, Pouri Banayi, Raquel Welch, Vilma Bánky, Dorothy Malone, Olive Thomas, Celia Johnson, Moira Shearer, Priscilla Lane, Dolores del Río, Ann Sothern, Françoise Rosay, June Allyson, Carole Lombard, Jeni Le Gon, Takako Irie, Barbara Steele, Claudette Colbert, Lalita Pawar, Asta Nielsen, Sandra Milo, Maria Montez, Mae West, Alma Rose Aguirre, Bibi Andersson, Joan Blondell, Anne Bancroft, Elsa Lanchester, Nita Naldi, Suchitra Sen, Dorothy Van Engle, Elisabeth Welch, Esther Williams, Loretta Young, Margueritte De La Motte, Ita Rina, Constance Talmadge, Margaret Lockwood, Barbara Bedford, Josette Day, Stefania Sandrelli, Jane Russell, Doris Dowling, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Donna Reed, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Billie Burke, Kyōko Kagawa, Françoise Dorléac, Hend Rostom, Monica Vitti, Lilian Harvey, Marjorie Main, Jeanne Moreau, Lola Flores, Ann Blyth, Janet Gaynor, Jennifer Jones, Margaret Sullavan, Sadhana, Ruby Myers, Lotus Long, Honor Blackman, Marsha Hunt, Debbie Reynolds, Michèle Mercier, Irene Dunne, Jean Arthur, Judy Holliday, Tippi Hedren, Susse Wold, Vera-Ellen, Carmelita González, Nargis Dutt, Purnima, Harriet Andersson, Yvonne De Carlo, Miroslava Stern, Sheila Guyse, Helen, Margaret Dumont, Betty Grable, Joan Bennett, Jane Greer, Judith Anderson, Liv Ullman, Vera Zorina, Joan Fontaine, Silvana Mangano, and Lee Ya-Ching

ROUND THREE ELECTRIFIERS:

Jean Hagen, Sumiko Mizukubo, Mary Philbin, Ann-Margret, Margaret Rutherford, Claudia Cardinale, Eleanor Parker, Jessie Matthews, Theresa Harris, Brigitte Bardot, Alla Nazimova, Faye Dunaway, Marion Davies, Anna Magnani, Theda Bara, Myrna Loy, Kay Francis, Fay Wray, Barbra Streisand, Bette Davis, Hideko Takamine, France Nuyen, Claudine Auger, Miriam Hopkins, Maylia Fong, Samia Gamal, Maude Fealy, Machiko Kyō, Sharmila Tagore, Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Juanita Moore, Anna Fougez, Waheeda Rehman, Ruan Lingyu, Nina Mae McKinney, Ethel Waters, Nadira, Olivia de Havilland, Abbey Lincoln, Louise Beavers, Agnes Moorehead, Lana Turner, Norma Shearer, Maria Falconetti, Reiko Sato, Marie Doro, Clara Bow, Margaret Lindsay, Catherine Denueve, Madhabi Mukherjee, Rosaura Revueltas, Hu Die, Mary Pickford, Fredi Washington, Louise Brooks, Leonor Maia, Merle Oberon, Paulette Goddard, Vivien Leigh, Francine Everett, Savitri, Tita Merello, and Meena Kumari

ROUND FOUR STUNNERS:

Judy Garland, Dorothy Dandridge, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Marilyn Monroe, Irene Papas, Lupe Vélez, Pola Negri, Gene Tierney, Barbara Stanwyck, Gina Lollobrigida, Lena Horne, Nutan, Jean Seberg, Kim Novak, Gladys Cooper, Tallulah Bankhead, Linda Darnell, Julie Andrews, Carmen Sevilla, Gloria Swanson, Glynis Johns, Anne Baxter, Angela Lansbury, Anita Ekberg, Toshia Mori, Deborah Kerr, Hazel Scott, Chelo Alonso, Cyd Charisse, Nancy Kwan, Devika Rani, Shima Iwashita, and Anouk Aimée

ROUND FIVE SMOKESHOWS:

Setsuko Hara, Pearl Bailey, Joan Crawford, Madhubala, Marpessa Dawn, Keiko Awaji, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, Ava Gardner, Greta Garbo, Grace Kelly, Xia Meng, Suraiya, Natalie Wood, María Félix, and Mbissine Thérèse Diop

ROUND SIX SEXY LADIES:

Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Vyjyanthimala, Jane Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor, and Ingrid Bergman

QUARTER FINALIST GLAMAZONS:

Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Lauren Bacall

SEMIFINALIST ICONS:

Rita Moreno, Diahann Carroll

FINALIST FABULOSITY:

Hedy Lamarr

ULTIMATE CHAMPION OF THE HOT & VINTAGE MOVIE WOMAN TOURNAMENT:

Eartha Kitt

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in December 2024 🌈

Find these books and more here.

🌈 Good afternoon, my bookish bats! Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Happy reading!

❓What was the last queer book you read?

[ Release dates may have changed. ]

❤️ Sugar-Coated Kisses - Echo Lark 🧡 Christmas at Watson Memorial - Clara Ann Simons 💛 Warm-Blooded - J Greene 💚 It Takes Three To Tango - Jem Wendel 💙 The Black Curse - N.A. Moore 💜 Heavenly Tyrant - Xiran Jay Zhao ❤️ Encrypted Hearts - E.V. Bancroft 🧡 Dangerous Devotion - Robin Jo Margaret 💛 Sew in Love - Rhea Fox 💙 Saint - Chani Lynn Feener 💜 Her Ladyship's Christmas Companion - Theresa Meiningen 🌈 A Sky of Emerald Stars - A.K. Mulford

❤️ Inked in Blood and Memory - Allison Ivy 🧡 The Key - Jo Morgan Sloan 💛 Home Between Homes - Flynn Woods 💚 A Kiss for the Holidays - C.S. Autumn 💙 Loving the Linebacker - Amaya Knight 💜 Close to Home - Allisa Bahney ❤️ Christmas Shelter - Eva Gonzay & Julia C. Brown 🧡 This Isn't Everything You Are - J. Marie Rundquist 💛 Keep It in the Dark - Justin Arnold 💙 Santa & His Elf - Bink Cummings 💜 On the Subject of Kittens and Mittens - Katie Silverwings 🌈 Winter's Whisper - M Bonneau

❤️ Boyfriends - refrainbow 🧡 Innis Harbor - Patricia Evans 💛 A Complementary Connection - Eskay Kabba 💚 Point of Sighs - Melissa Scott 💙 Bind You by Blood - Shepard DiStasio 💜 The Resurrectionist - A. Rae Dunlap ❤️ Fractured Dreamer - A.K. Adler 🧡 The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou 💛 Becoming Disabled - Jan Doolittle Wilson 💙 A Caress of Water - Nico Silver 💜 How to Survive As a Villain 1 - Yi Yi Yi Yi 🌈 The Silent Concubine - Qiang Tang

❤️ Hadrian - Harlowe Savage 🧡 A Series of Rooms - A.J. Barlowe 💛 Inklings of Invisibility - S.L. Dove Cooper 💚 The Cobbler and His Elves - C.B. Wren 💙 A Nightclub for the Holidays - Arden Coutts 💜 Armor of Dusk - Jess Galaxie ❤️ Twisted Shadows - Allie Therin 🧡 A Deception of Courts - Ben Alderson 💛 Trial Run - Carsen Taite 💙 How to Flirt with a Witch - Tiana Warner 💜 Roughed Up - Kate Hawthorne 🌈 House of Crimson Curses - Ruby Roe

❤️ Sister Snake - Amanda Lee Koe 🧡 Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet - Samantha Allen 💛 The Rivals - Jane Pek 💚 Private Rites - Julia Armfield 💙 The Christmas Switch - Briar Prescott 💜 Ribbonwood - Ruby Landers ❤️ Shifting Lanes - Joanne Kwan 🧡 Twice-Spent Comet - Ziggy Schutz 💛 A Crush for the Holidays - E.L. Ough 💙 Resist - Lasairiona Lewis 💜 Free from Falling - E.L. Massey 🌈 The Legendary Master's Wife - Yin Ya

❤️ Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova 🧡 Twist Her - Terri Ronald 💛 How to Fuck Like a Girl - Vera Blossom 💚 Dog Days of Christmas - Krystal Wolfgang & Kimberly Wolfgang 💙 Warmer, Colder - Alexia Onyx 💜 Salt in the Wind - Jenna Pine ❤️ What We Carry With Us - Joseff McKenneth Goodwin 🧡 Reinvention - Karol Yan 💛 Christmas Carols - Maxime Jaz 💙 I'm Not Your Pet - Fae Quin 💜 Something Extraordinary - Alexis Hall 🌈 I Might Be in Trouble - Daniel Aleman

❤️ Deck the Palms - Annabeth Albert 🧡 Don't Get It Twisted - Wren Taylor 💛 Ice & Sweet - Charlie Novak 💚 Speak EZ - Elle E. Ire 💙 The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish - Xue Shan Fei Hu 💜 Horns For Hell - Rafael Nicolás ❤️ Flamboyant Fictions - Ian Fleishman 🧡 Where the Heart Is - Jenni Simonis 💛 Sorry I Kissed Your Dad - Achilles King 💙 Merry Weihnachten - E.J. Noyes 💜 An Alpha for the Holidays - Emily Axon 🌈 The Blessed - Anne Shade

❤️ Our Sinful Love - Amy H. 🧡 Gambler's Conceit - Adara Wolf & R. Phoenix 💛 Fate and Flambe - Leena Metcalfe 💚 Figure You Out - Hannah Danielle & K.F. Starfell 💙 Amaranthine - Aricka Alexander 💜 Twisted Loyalties - Barbara J. Webb ❤️ Echoes of Us - Alex Cross 🧡 The Shadowbearer's Curse - Jasmyn Morning 💛 Too Many Beds - Various 💙 We Are the Beasts - Gigi Griffis 💜 Unspoken - N.N. Britt 🌈 Rainbows After Storms - Luka Kobachi

❤️ The Shutouts - Gabrielle Korn 🧡 Robin's Worlds - Rainie Oet & Mathias Ball 💛 What the Woods Took - Courtney Gould 💚 Rescue Me - N. Slater 💙 Seb & Ailin - Michele Notaro 💜 The International Love Story - Jonas Noelting ❤️ Waterlogged - Nance Sparks 🧡 The Guardians - Sheri Lewis Wohl 💛 The Changeling's Faerie Prince - K.D. Ellis 💙 Until at Dawn We Wake - Charlotte Dalwood 💜 How to Get a Life in Ten Dates - Jenny L. Howe 🌈 Hammajang Luck - Makana Yamamoto

❤️ The Rules of Royalty - Cale Dietrich 🧡 Tired of Waiting for Tomorrow - Allison K. Garcia 💛 One Last Run - Bryce Oakley 💚 Reckless Hearts - Jax Calder 💙 Christmissed - Blythe H. Warren 💜 How Could You - Ren Strapp ❤️ Blackened - Tyler Briggs 🧡 Gratification in Gluttony - Nik Knight 💛 The Mogul Meets Her Match - Julia Underwood 💙 How to Be Heard - Roxane Gay 💜 The Case of the Missing Maid - Rob Osler 🌈 Shades of Us - D.L. Sims

[chaossagaproductions]

One shot #4

Thank you @whygodohgodwhy for this dialogue prompt and the inspiration for this little scene.

School Days AU

“I think out of everyone here, you’d be the most likely person here to resort to cannibalism.” Alexi says as everyone looks at them, as they’re staring at Jade, who’s blinking at them “Is that what you’ve been thinking about this whole time?” Ruby shouts, as Alexi hums. “I thought you were thinking about our project!” Ruby shouts, as the two smallest, and cutest, in the group of friends start to wrestle. “I don’t know how to feel about this.” Jade says to Jade who shakes his head. “Best not to think about, Alexi ran out of their ADHD meds last night, so they’ve been trying their best today.” Ezra says, having enough of the wrestling as him and Amethyst stare at their girlfriends. “Should we stop them?” Jake asks, as the door to their study room opens, revealing Opal and Onyx with bags of food/drinks from Babylon’s.

“What the hell is going on here?” Opal shouts, as Onyx just stares at his friends. “All I did was point out that Jade would be the most likely to turn to cannibalism.” Alexi says, sitting up as Ruby punches them in the shoulder. “You shouldn’t have been thinking about it at all!” Ruby shrieks as she finally stops her assault. “We need to work on our final project!” Ruby says as Opal sighs. “Girls!” Opal shouts, as they both look at him “I understand that we are all stressed due to finals, but if you cannot behave like teenagers, then you will not be getting the teenage food Onyx and I have brought.” Opal says as they both look to Onyx who shrugs. “Opal paid for it, I just helped to bring it back, so its up to him who gets what.” Onyx says as both Alexi and Ruby nod. “We’re sorry, everyone.” They say in sync as everyone else shrugs. “It's alright, Alexi’s been doing their best all day to not itch the squirrel and this itch was just too much.” Jessie says as everyone else agrees as Alexi blushes. 

“By the way, how’d you settle on Jade and not Ezra?” Amethyst asks, as Alexi blushes a little more. “I have to kiss Ezra, and I don’t wanna think my boyfriend is capable of killing someone, then eating them.” Alexi says as Ruby giggles. “Even if he is the most likely to resort to cannibalism?” Ruby points out as Alexi eats the sandwich Opal gave them. “Just because I know in which order and how I would kill everyone here, doesn’t mean I would eat them afterwards.” Ezra says as the others start to laugh. “I don’t know where most of you have been.”

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This an Au for if some of the characters went to the same high school together. Alexi is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns, but also likes fem terms being used for them, such as girls and girlfriend. In fact most of these characters are not cis in the slightest, if you want a more in-depth description of everyone's gender and character in general, lmk and I can write something up to explain it