#friendly alpaca

[catfindr]

[hyunpic]

:3

[vegantinatalist]

Message me if you want tips on going vegan for thanksgiving <3

[roxxywolf-multiversa]

I did a simple cas using fire-alpaca!

I just have him having a sweet’o’smile

(Yes i use krita, FA(fire alpaca in short), Magma, and Keleki). Oh also i took a pic on my phone:p

[ballcrusher74]

still thinking about the fact that a friend I've known since like. I was 15 only recently found out I STILL draw with my mouse

[damianito]

Hii I saw your reply to another ask saying that you use FireAlpaca, do you have any tips on the program? is it hard to use? I like trying out different programs (Also love your art sm)

I'd say it's simpler to use in comparison to other programs. I can't say im an expert cause even i am sure some tricks are unknown to me.

My only tip, i guess, is to click all the buttons & see what they do. (That's basically what i did.)

I guess the only thing i can say is that you can try it & see it for yourself.

[eluxuryhomerugs]

When winter arrives and the temperature drops, finding the right blanket becomes essential. You want something that keeps you warm, feels soft, and looks great in your home. That’s where Alpaca wool blankets come in. Not only are they cosy and luxurious, but they’re also a sustainable choice you can feel good about.

[pigentee]

Vibrant Toucan Art Tee

Embrace a splash of vibrant colors and bold design with this toucan art T-shirt! Featuring a stylized toucan with radiant orange and black patterns, this unique shirt adds an artistic edge to any outfit. Perfect for nature lovers and art enthusiasts, this tee brings

BUY NOW

[writerthreads]

Fabrics types: a list of words

By Writerthreads on Instagram

Hopefully these descriptors can help with making your writing more detailed!

Natural Fabrics

Plant-Based

Cotton

Linen

Hemp

Jute

Bamboo

Animal-Based

Wool (e.g., Merino, Cashmere, Mohair, Alpaca)

Silk

Leather

Suede

Fur

Synthetic Fabrics

Polyester

Nylon

Acrylic

Spandex (Elastane, Lycra)

Rayon (Viscose, Modal, Lyocell)

Neoprene

Polypropylene

Knitted Fabrics

Jersey

Rib Knit

Pique Knit

Sweater Knit

Woven Fabrics

Plain Weave

Poplin

Muslin

Broadcloth

Canvas

Chambray

Twill Weave

Denim

Tweed

Herringbone

Gabardine

Satin Weave

Satin

Charmeuse

Crepe-back Satin

Luxury Fabrics

Velvet

Silk

Brocade

Damask

Organza

Taffeta

Lightweight Fabrics

Chiffon

Georgette

Organza

Voile

Tulle

Lawn

Heavyweight Fabrics

Denim

Corduroy

Canvas

Tweed

Wool

Textured Fabrics

Corduroy

Seersucker

Crêpe

Bouclé

Terrycloth

Sheer Fabrics

Chiffon

Lace

Organza

Mesh

Tulle

Durable Fabrics

Denim

Canvas

Twill

Leather

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Organic Cotton

Hemp

Bamboo

Tencel (Lyocell)

Recycled Polyester

Some of these are duplicated, but just help with organising the fabrics depending on what you're looking for! Hope this helps!

[gunsandspaceships]

Billionaire Tony…

Likes simple things:

Cheeseburgers from Burger King, pizza and donuts

T-Shirts from Walmart, t-shirts of his favorite heavy metal bands

$5 Bottles from Dick’s

His father’s old robe

Paper books

Minimalistic interiors

Cooled down coffee

He doesn't really care what kind of coffee he drinks

Physical labor

Friendly relationships with his employees

Wooden cabins by the lake with chickens, alpacas and a garden

[thedemoninme141]

Things she hates...

Was messing with @ortegalvr when I got this idea.

Y/n: Okay, we've already talked about things we love, now tell me things you hate.

Wednesday: ponders for a moment Hmm... giggling, smiling, laughing, flowers, balloons, glitter, rainbows, clowns, small talk, sunshine, daytime in general. Parties, warm weather, loud music, loud people, happiness, high-pitched voices, people who laugh at nothing, baby pictures, motivational quotes, pop songs, cheerleaders, unicorns, birthday cakes, scented candles, socks that don't match, matching socks, bright lights, excessive compliments, compliments in general, overly friendly waiters...

Wednesday: pillows that are too soft, pillows that are too hard, pillows with frills, puns, people who say "literally" when they mean "figuratively," selfies, people who overshare on social media, people who don’t use punctuation in text messages, overly happy couples, public displays of affection, people who take pictures of their food, people who always say "good vibes only," bright kitchen tiles, motivational speeches, surprise parties, people who whistle in public, baby animals, happy endings in movies, happy endings in real life, people who cry at happy endings…

Wednesday: ...happy families, people who use baby voices, themed weddings, throw pillows that serve no functional purpose, anyone who calls their pet their "fur baby," people who are too nice to waiters, people who name their cars, excessive enthusiasm in any form, people who say “bless you” after sneezes, people who ask "How are you?" when they clearly don’t care, people who say "Have a good day!" when they clearly have no idea how bad my day is already going, brunch...

Wednesday: ...The color red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, Enid, Yoko, Bianca, Weems, Y/n...

Y/n: Wait what?

Wednesday: ...Group projects, team-building exercises, ice cream, ice cream trucks, don’t get me started on art galleries that feature the so called modern art, particularly those with “meaningful” interpretations. They’re just a collection of squiggles and splatters. I also despise the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. They’re simply promises that people will break within weeks.

Wednesday: …and parades, people who wear their sunglasses on their head, people who can't handle sarcasm, fake plants, real plants that die too easily, real plants that live for years, touching without asking, hugs, small children, large children, teenagers, adults, people who hum while they eat, people who sing while they eat, people who talk while they eat, puppies, kittens, bunnies, hamsters, parrots, goldfish, dolphins, squirrels, ponies, butterflies, ladybugs, hedgehogs, pandas, koalas, flamingos, chipmunks, penguins, seals, deer, giraffes, zebras, alpacas… takes a deep breath and ducks. You cannot fathom how much I hate ducks.

Y/n: 💀literally dead💀

Wednesday: Hey! I wasn't finished.

[Author's note: She attacks, she protects but most of all she hates. Can it be called a one shot ? idk. ]

-----Worklist!<------

[stupidbeecandle]

Had the wildest conversation with someone today. She liked my knitting and i showed her some of my art and talked about how its fun and soft and interesting. How maybe someday if I ever had stupid money and space Id totally have an alpaca

And she lit up with excitement and said shed had an alpaca once

And i said oh?

And she continued with how yes it was such a surprise when the boys brought it home and gave it to her. I was all like "what am I gonna do with this DEAD alpaca? Where did you even get this?" But you know boys (she smiled in that friendly no men here conspiratorial way). So there I was with an alpaca and they are hard to break down but I got the ribs up on the traeger after awhile and when they were still kinda tough I broke that down into a stew and did you know how gooooood and buttery alpaca meat is? I hope you get to have one someday!

And i feel like I was in a horror film

Replay:

Me: Id like a puppy someday 🐕 ❤️

This freak: me too; i love the crunch of their sad little wretched puppy bones. the men in my life always bring me mystery corpses to process, they dont tell me where they come from when i ask. This is relatable isnt it fellow normal ciswoman?

Me: 😦

[kabukiaku]

heyyy would you recommend fire alpaca? im looking at art programs since im trying to move to drawing on my computer instead of a phone screen n i dont hear about this one too too much.

i know! it's honestly very user friendly, has all the basic tools and cool features needed for digital art. and best of all....it's free. it's got a brush store where you can download tons of brushes of all types.

you can create your own brushes, you can create animations, it's got it all. I've been using this program for 5 years now, haven't had the need to switch out since.

edit: i should mention it has tools specific for making comics / manga too! such as the visuals seen in this recent terzo artwork. you can open a file and open it as a comic and even put in dimensions fit for printing:

[starrysnowdrop]

Character Profile

Sohna Yoani 🏜️🏹

Since this will be pretty long, it is under a cut. If you do read all this, thank you so much for taking the time out to do so!!! 🥰

**NOTE: Sohna will be in a long-term relationship with Alphinaud at some time in the future, and in my OCs’ canonverse, Alphinaud is 23 years old, the same age as Sohna, and is a fully consenting adult. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest going no further. Everyone else, you may proceed.**

Updated as of Dawntrail Patch 7.2: 05/26/2025

BASICS//

Name: Sohna Yoani

Name Pronunciation: Soh-nah Yoh-ah-nee

Name Meaning: Sohna = “attractive/beautiful/pleasing” in Hindi; Yoani = “graceful/charming” in Quechua

Nicknames: Kitten (given to her by her parents)

Titles: None

Age: 23 as of beginning of Dawntrail (Was 16 during ARR; Same age as the Leveilleur Twins)

Nameday: 30th Sun of the 1st Umbral Moon (February 27th)

Gender: Female, Cis

Race: Hhetsarro (Miqo’te in the Old World)

Tribe: Turali Hhetsarro

Nationality: Turali

Language: Turali Common Tongue

Profession: Hunter

Education Level: Educated by her mother

BLOODLINES//

Father: Dawa, Deceased since Sohna’s childhood; Killed in a bandit attack

Mother: Shima, Deceased; Killed during the first attack on Tuliyollal in 7.0

Siblings: None

Extended Family: The entire Hhetsarro tribe in Mehwahhetsoan, Shaaloani; Koana is her first cousin

In-Laws: None

Children: None

Pets: An alpaca named Sihu and a capybara pup named Pachak

ROMANCE & SEXUALITY//

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Romantic Orientation: Biromantic

Significant Other: Have feelings for both Alphinaud Leveilleur and Calyx

Past Relationships: None

RESIDENCE//

Place of Birth: Born and raised in Tural, more specifically in Hhusatahwi, Shaaloani

Current Residences: A small house in Tuliyollal (None in game)

TALENTS AND SKILLS//

Canon Battle Jobs: Bard and Machinist (Both jobs have different skill sets than the in game canon jobs due to Sohna learning the skills in Tural)

Abilities: Archery, marksmanship, hunting, fishing, cooking, singing, dancing, playing the guitar, playing the flute, and swimming.

Bad At: Most forms of magic, advanced technology, mathematics, trusting most people, opening herself up to others, and speaking aloud what she truly feels inside.

APPEARANCE//

Hair: Light, sky blue hair, with natural waves. Usually falls loose with minimal adornments and usually doesn’t put it in elaborate styles.

Eyes: Large, wide-set lavender purple eyes, slitted like the Seekers of the Sun.

Face: Heart-shaped face, with a small, button-shaped nose and normal miqo’te ears

Lips: Full, pouty lips, with fuller bottom lip and thinner top lip

Complexion: Light, sun-tanned skin with rust brown cis-female miqo’te face markings.

Blemishes: None

Scars: Just small ones here and there over the years from hunting.

Tattoos: None

Height: 4 fulms, 10 ilms (Min height for female Miqos)

Weight: 130 ponze

Build: Average build with large chest

Usual Hairstyles: Hair usually worn down long and loose, with minimal adornments and usually no elaborate styles.

Usual Face Look: Wears black eyeliner and mascara with dark reddish brown lipstick.

Usual Clothing: Usually wears either traditional Hhetsarro hunting attire dyed dark purple and/or dark blue, or modern Shaaloani style clothing (American western style clothing)

Face and Voice Claim: Evan Rachel Wood, specifically as Dolores Abernathy in Westworld; Sohna speaks with a U.S. Southern accent

PERSONALITY//

Introverted / Extroverted / Ambiverted (bold what applies)

Positive Traits: Warm, friendly, kind, compassionate, empathetic, supportive, relaxed, easygoing, respectful, loyal, faithful, trustworthy, selfless, and wise beyond her years.

Most Positive Trait: Sohna is a very selfless person who always puts the needs, wants, hopes, and desires of her loved ones ahead of her own without question. She must be reminded often that she should be just as kind to herself as she is to others.

Negative Traits: Vengeful and hateful towards Alexandrians, doesn’t trust others easily, doesn’t open herself up to others, can be fearful of strangers and outsiders, judgmental, struggles with her self worth, can be clingy and highly dependent upon her loved ones, and struggles with depression and PTSD.

Most Negative Trait: Sohna seeks to avenge her mother’s death, and she will go to any lengths to kill the ones responsible for the attacks on Tuliyollal. Because of her mother’s murder, her grief turns into hatred of the Alexandrians and she thinks their whole way of life is disturbing and disgusting, and believes that the Alexandrians should either change their ways immediately or they should die as well.

Fears: Others seeing her deep seated insecurities and lack of self worth, being rejected and left alone, losing anymore of her loved ones than she already has.

Aspirations: To avenge the deaths of her mother and the Turali people who died in the attacks on Tuliyollal, and to live a life that her parents would be proud of her for, which includes finding true love someday.

Traumas: Lingering PTSD due to Sohna’s father dying from a bandit attack when she was a young child, and recently Sohna almost died in the first attack on Tuliyollal, while her mother died in the attack. She also is traumatized to know that the people killed in Tuliyollal had their souls taken away and their souls can’t return to the Aetherial Sea. Thankfully her mother’s soul wasn’t able to be stolen due to Alphinaud’s intervention.

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, cooking, singing, dancing, playing the guitar, playing the flute, gambling, and swimming.

Vices: Eating too much good food, drinking too much Mezcal sometimes, and gambling.

Faith: Non-religious; Doesn’t think about religion much at all

Turn Ons: Intelligence, Wisdom, Courage, Confidence, Humor, Beautiful eyes, and Sexy voices

Turn Offs: Stupidity, Lack of Confidence, Cowardice, Incompetence, and Superficiality

Temperament: Phlegmatic

MBTI: ISFP-T

Soul Type: The Server

Tropes: Cat Girl, Girls with Guns, Graceful Ladies Like Purple, Hero’s Muse, Hidden Depths, Master Archer, Outdoorsy Gal, The Straight and Arrow Path, The Tease, Tomboy with a Girly Streak, True Blue Femininity

Songs: “She’s Like the Wind” by Patrick Swayze, “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin (This is also Sohna/Alphi’s Ship Tag), “Thunder Plains” from FFX, and “Ceruleum Smoke at High Noon” from FFXIV

Character Inspirations: Megara from Disney’s Hercules, Tiana from Disney’s Princess and the Frog, Evelyn Couch from Fried Green Tomatoes, Kino Makoto/Sailor Jupiter from Sailor Moon, Ellen "The Lady" McKenzie from The Quick and the Dead, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, and Dolores Abernathy from Westworld

FAVORITES//

Book: None, she doesn’t read much at all

Deity: None (In game, it’s Oschon the Wanderer)

Holiday: Moonfire Faire

Month: 3rd Umbral Moon (June)

Weather: A bright, colorful sunset, with some clouds and not too cold temps

Time of Day: Dusk

Places: Shaaloani, Tuliyollal, and Yak T’el

Sounds: Acoustic guitar, pan flute, native drums, wind blowing through trees, rain and thunder.

Scents: Citrus fruits, earthy scents, assorted herbs and spices, and desert wildflowers.

Foods: Barbecued meats, steak, assorted fruits, spicy foods, and tacos of any kind.

Drinks: Fruit juices, fruity cocktails, and mezcal.

Feels: Leather, assorted animal furs, sand, flower petals, and warm breezes.

Number: 2 (According to Numerology)

Colors: All shades of purple, most shades of blue, and bright, sunny yellows

SYMBOLISM//

Elements: Air/Wind and Lightning

Gemstones: Sugilite and Turquoise

Animals: Butterflies and Fireflies

Mythological Creature: Thunderbirds

Flowers: Sunflowers and Cactus Flowers (Nopaliflowers in Shaaloani in game)

Season: Summer

Land, Sea, or Sky: Land and Sky

Planet: Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age

Astronomical Object: Meteors

HISTORY//

History (Pre-DT): Sohna Yoani is the only child born to her parents Dawa and Shima, and was born and raised in Hhusatahwi, Shaaloani. Her father Dawa was killed when she was only five years old in a bandit attack, so Sohna was raised by her widowed mother Shima ever since. A few years prior to 7.0, Shima became disabled and has trouble with mobility and taking care of herself, so Sohna became her caretaker without a second thought. The mother and daughter duo moved to Tuliyollal soon afterwards in order to have more resources readily available and accessible to them. During the events of 7.0, Sohna almost died in the first attack on Tuliyollal and her mother Shima was killed, leaving Sohna with immense grief and an overwhelming need to avenge her mother and everyone else who was injured or killed in the attack.

OTHER//

Smokes: Never

Drugs: Never

Drinks: Can over indulge on alcohol when trying to feel better while depressed and/or in grief. Prefers fruity cocktails or mezcal.

Mount Issuance: Sohna’s mount is her pet alpaca named Sihu, whom she brings with her everywhere that she can.

Been Arrested: Never

CURRENT STATUS//

As of patch 7.2, Sohna is in Solution Nine hunting down the whereabouts and any information about Calyx and Preservation.

NOTE: Sohna is a secondary player in the story so to speak, as she will eventually be a Scion OC but not considered a Warrior of Light nor does she have a past life as an ancient. Sohna enters the story in 7.0 and shares her canonverse with multiple Warriors of Light and other OCs, namely my other WoL OCs Hali Aloke and Yume Aino @firelightmuse, along with several of my friends’ OCs). As such, Sohna might or might not be featured in some arcs of the MSQ, and she might not be involved with some side storylines at all. Feel free to ask me for any specifics in this regard.

[faultylockbox]

Did my take on this trend (old trend now internet time moves too fast)

Anyone know any beginner friendly drawing programs that are free? I’m using fire alpaca atm and I’m always having issues with it :((

[the-californicationist]

Guile & Guilt (Ch. 02)

Soap x Reader AU

Link to AO3

THE NEXT DAY

The Ettrick was the best pub in town, and you could smell the spicy blend of their famous curry halfway down the block. It was close enough to Pidge’s house to walk but far enough to be a bit of a trek, and so you were trailing behind her and Hamish as you made your way out to dinner. Hamish had called up some friends, and Pidge had done the same, for a little impromptu celebration party. You were not a fan of crowds, really, but you had promised yourself (in some small secret way) that you would be the best maid of honor there ever was for your best friend. If that meant partying down at the local bar, so be it. 

After bringing you and Pidge your morning coffees, Johnny had taken his Jeep and sped off somewhere, saying he “needed to clear his head.” But, even though he promised to show up to dinner tonight, you doubted he would show. Pidge had rolled her eyes and shrugged at you, expressing her doubt as well. 

You weren’t supposed to be worried about him though. You needed to focus on the goal: Pidge having fun. Be fun. She needed you to be fun. Smile, or something, c’mon. Your internal pep talks exhausted you, and you grew frustrated with yourself. Surely you could stand to be in a crowd for just an evening?

Lachlan Black, Hamish’s man of honor and college roommate, was already at the restaurant. You could tell because his lime green Aventador was parked out front, covering both the street and the sidewalk and shining like a penny. Stepping around it as carefully as you would a coiled snake, you squeezed past the car, making sure not to even breathe too roughly on it. 

When Hamish opened the door for you, you stepped inside to find Anjali, Bekah, and Cherise already waiting for Pidge, half-circled around Lachlan and Johnny like hungry birds - waiting to be fed more sweet nothings, you assumed. The three girls were Pidge’s friends from grammar school. They had grown up with Johnny and Pidge, and they knew them well, but they were not the most reliable bunch. If there was a party, they would turn up, but if you needed a ride to the airport, better call someone else. There was a reason none of them made the cut for maid of honor. 

“Pigeon!” Johnny shouted from his end of the bar. 

He had changed clothes, and he was in a half-open, rolled-sleeve button down with a pair of black canvas pants. Casual, but he looked like he was built to party. Lachlan, on the other hand, looked like he owned the party. You didn’t know what kind of fabric his clothes were made out of - probably something to do with baby alpacas - and he was shining all over. His high (surgery-induced?) cheekbones and bright blond hair made him look like a movie star, and the girls doted on him as if he was one. He had thrown an arm around Cherise, and she seemed perfectly content to be nestled there in his expensive armpit. 

Johnny hugged Pidge and shook Hamish’s hand. He didn’t know what to do to you, so he just leaned back against the bar and shoved his hands in his pockets, smiling at you and mouthing the ghost of a “hey.” You did the same, matching that awkward energy and immediately regretting it. 

“Hey, babes,” Lachlan smiled at you in a sort of sneer, “Aren’t you that bird from…New York?”

“Florida,” you corrected, tearing your eyes away from Johnny’s and looking hard at Hamish’s friend.

“Right, well,” he took a swig of his whisky, “All the same, innit?”

Hamish shook his hand, and then, he sort of pulled him off balance a bit to speak to him closer,

“No, mate, it isn’t.”

They laughed, but you could tell that Lachlan had been temporarily cowed. 

“Good to see you again,” Cherise kissed you in the French sort of way, the imaginary cheek smooches that you were supposed to have memorized when you crossed the pond. Did you lean left first or right?

“You, too, Cherise. Glad you could come,” you tried to be as friendly as you could, but Cherise was into her own ventures and there wasn’t much that could shake her from that. She was tucked back into Lachlan’s side, trying to return herself into his missing rib. If she just squeezed in close enough, maybe…

“Can I get you a drink, from one Of Honor to the next?” Lachlan showed you his teeth again. White. Straight. Sharp.

Before you could say a word, Johnny moved in front of him and held out an outstretched hand. He gave you a full whisky cocktail, complete with an orange rind on top - something Pidge already had a copy of - and shrugged,

“Sorry, mate. You can get the next one, yeah? Here ya go, bonnie.”

The way he looked at you was meant to be dismissive, or perhaps he hadn’t meant to look at you at all. Johnny barely glanced your way, pale irises hiding under thick, dark eyelashes that then quickly fixed themselves back down at the counter. But, the look in your eyes must have called him by his name, because he found himself caught in the snare of you. His gaze met yours in a second glance and studied your skin, your cheeks, your nose, and finally your mouth, covered in sticky gloss and glitter, shining under the warm glow of the bar. 

You watched him study you, his enormous Adam’s apple bobbing along his scruffy throat as he swallowed, and his face wore a mask of heightened uncertainty and… rejection? You couldn’t tell what emotion he was trying hard not to outwardly express. It was not a swoon, that was for sure. It looked as if he was concerned. You felt the blood rush to your cheeks and you broke away from him, muttering a thanks for the drink. Staring down at your hands, suddenly feeling insecure, you became hyper-aware of everything he could have seen and had apparently found wanting. 

A soft hand grabbed you around the arm and pulled you in,

“C’mon,” Pidge said, “Let’s get a booth.”

You took a sip of your cocktail as you were dragged away by your friend, and the whisky stung you like a hornet. One of these would be enough to put you down, and Christ did you want to be put down. 

Seeing Johnny dressed like that had been enough to shake your determination, but his look of dismissal or distaste (or whatever it was) had shattered your self-esteem. To make matters worse, you couldn’t get away from him for a single second. He had given you a drink at the bar. He walked behind you as you moved deeper into the pub, and he slid around the slick pleather crescent of the booth seat, finally sandwiching you between him and his sister - the last nail in your coffin. You could smell his cologne, a musky, woodsy scent that mixed with his earthy citrus that you knew so well. You remembered the arch of his muscular shoulders as he squeezed himself into the seat, and you could almost taste his sweet breath on your tongue as he talked over you to his sister. If you were still in grade school, you thought about having to write: “I will not fuck my best friend’s brother” five hundred times on the chalkboard - or however many it took for it to sink in. How many sticks of chalk would turn to dust just to slake your forbidden thirst? 

You felt his huge thigh, warm and tight, press against your bare leg through his slacks. The thin cotton was a poor barrier, and all you could think about was the skin underneath it. Was it covered in dark coarse hair? Shaved smooth like a swimmer? Did it have black, inky tattoos or jagged scars? Sharing his heat was unimaginably difficult to deal with. Your body stirred, wondering why you were hiding your interest from him. Your traitorous heart was joyful like a bird with a juicy worm, expecting revelry and finding only cold, white-knuckled repression.

“A wee toast!” Johnny lifted his cup, smiling in that half-cocked way that he wore in all of his photos, “To Hammie and Pigeon; and whilst we thus should make our sorrows one, this happy harmony would make them none. Congratulations, sister. Slàinte mhath.”

“Slàinte mhath!” The tables’ voices rang out with proud approval. 

Pidge rolled her eyes, but she wore a sweet smile,

“Thank you, Johnny boy. That was not the toast I was expectin’ from you, you weapon.”

Johnny, who had been wearing an innocent grin, turned it into a cunning one that a wolf might wear,

“Ya mean, this one?”

“No, Johnny, don’t -” Pidge tried to pull him down, reaching over you to get at his arm.

He broke through her grip as if she was a petulant child, and stood, raising his glass and his voice so that the entire pub could enjoy his toast,

“Let’s drink our drop o’ barley bree,” boisterous cheering came from the older menfolk who recognized the rhyme, “Though moon and stars should blink tae’gether, to each leal lad wi’ kilted knee…” a pause for effect prompted raucous whistles and table-pounding, “and a bonnie lass among the heather!”

Loud, jeering applause filled the cozy room, and Hammie was being shoved by his mates, blushing like a nun. Pidge cut a sharp glare at her brother, red not for shame but for fraternal rage. 

You wanted to stick up for her, being stuck between them as you were. So, you put on a wry smile and raised your eyebrows to deliver your sarcasm,

“Wow, Sergeant, didn’t realize you were such a poet.”

While he was laughing and basking in the crude attention, he now paused and swiveled his head over to you, looking at you intentionally this time, and there was no second take. He laughed a little lower, and looked ruffled that you would challenge his poetic authority. He needed to save face, so he made quite a show of clearing his throat and settled himself nice and close to you before he said,

“Perhaps the bonnie lass would like to hear another?”

You noted his tone on the callback line, and you shrugged, feigning disinterest.

“Of that quality? No, thank you,” you tried to erase all traces of interest from your voice. 

He was not to be deterred. Johnny’s face turned serious, and he delivered the next lines as earnestly and without satire, taking your request to heart,

“We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go, always a little further. It may be beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow, across that angry or that glimmering sea…” 

When he stopped his performance, the applause and the cheering erupted again, praising him for his fancy delivery. Thinking he’d won your little challenge, he took a big sip of his own straight whisky and grinned like a cat who caught the mouse. You snuffed it out with the frigid precision only a graduate student would possess,

“White, on a throne, or guarded in a cave,” you enunciated as clearly as you could, matching his volume, and you watched as his pompous attitude was extinguished. He froze, just like a fox caught in a trap, staring at you with wonder. You continued, 

“There lives a prophet who can understand why men were born. But, surely we are brave…”

He said the last line with you, his face blank in disbelief and his voice almost a whisper,

“Who take the golden road to Samarkand.”

More cheering than before. You’d won. You borrowed his smug attitude and looked at him, sipping your drink as he did, pleased as punch. He looked wounded but blissfully happy about it. Everyone around you went back into their conversations, chittering and drinking and eating the appetizers that were waiting for you. But, Johnny kept you locked in his sights, staring back like he was seeing you again for the first time, just like when he thought you were a thief. You wondered what it was that you had stolen this time. His pride? The other bridesmaids’ admiration?

“You know Flecker?”

You nodded,

“I’m at Glasgow. Doing a bit of graduate work in poetry, actually. Shakespeare, to be specific.”

You tried to be casual about it. In truth, the “bit” of work was a mountain, and if you were being “specific”, you could talk for days and still not cover the details in full. But, normal people didn’t want to hear about that sort of thing. 

Johnny was about to say something with a wide grin on his lips, but it fell as soon as Lachlan interrupted from across the booth’s table,

“My father is an Emeritus at Glasgow. He’s hardly in residence, but he could help you get into the ARG, if I put in a good word.”

There it was again, that sharpness. You smiled genuinely, refusing to be unsettled by his intrusion and his mention of the invitation-only advanced research group, 

“I’m running my own research in the ARG now, actually. But, thank you. That’s very generous.”

Johnny was speechless for a moment, but there was something dark roiling around in him as he cut his eyes at Lachlan,

“Aye, mate. Very generous. Did you attend uni as well, or just your da?”

A cruel dig. Everyone knew that Lachlan hadn’t been accepted to his father’s own department. Johnny was dragging out the skeletons of his vast, walk-in closet, a dog with a bone. 

Lachlan Black was not one to be bullied, though, 

“I went on invitation to Oxford, actually. A full merit scholarship…”

Johnny wasn’t done playing with his food,

“Och! Of course. I've been forgetful lately. And what, uh…degree was it, then?”

Silent tension struck the table like a too-tight guitar string, ready to pop someone across the cheek. Lachlan was clearly rattled, but he recovered with ease. He took a sip of his nearly empty glass and rose as if to get a refill, reigning hellfire as he did so,

“I had already made my first million by the end of my starting year. So, I thought I’d leave the monastery to the monks, right boyo?”

Lachlan stayed standing over the table for a beat, making sure the dog he’d kicked stayed down. Johnny didn’t produce a comeback, but he was close enough to you that you could feel his body prepare itself to deliver one in a more physical format.

When Lachlan left the table, Cherise in tow, Pidge spoke across you again,

“Johnny! What’s gotten into you?”

Her brother rolled his eyes and didn’t answer. He turned his attention back to you, emboldened somehow even in defeat, 

“Another round, hen?”

He pointed to your glass, and you nodded,

“Sure, but let me get it. Pidge? Do you want another?”

“Yes! And tell them to bring two tequilas. My wee brother is driving me to drink.”

“I’ll help you carry ‘em back. C’mon, then,” Johnny held his hand out to help you out of the booth, and as you slid your fingers across his palm, he grabbed it with confidence.

He led you to the other side of the bar, as far from Lachlan as he could get, and let you place the order. You sat on the stool to wait and he stood beside you, one arm on the bar and one on the back of your chair, caging you in,

“So, Shakespeare, huh?”

“Yep,” you nodded, hesitating to elaborate. 

“You’re after his poems, I take it?” Johnny’s face looked like he was trying to piece together an impossible puzzle.

You sighed, steeling yourself for the ordeal of telling someone all about your project only for them to respond in the most milquetoast way. You told him,

“I’m trying to determine why Sonnet 145 has such an abnormal structure. Some scholars have even claimed that Shakespeare didn’t compose it. It’s the black sheep of the collection, and I am performing an analysis on its rhyme scheme and meter.”

“Do you know it by heart?” He asked, practically begging for a performance. 

“Here are your drinks, love. Tha’s twenty pound,” the barkeep stopped you from delivering your encore. 

You paid him and balanced the cups in your hand. Johnny took the majority of the burden and made his way back through the crowd with you trailing behind him.

“Ahh!” Pidge squealed with pleasure, “Shots! C’mon, babe. Show these nuggets how it’s done in America. This girl’s a real cowgirl, she is. Watch this.”

You grabbed the salt from the center of the table, shy and miffed at Pidge’s callout, and licked the meat of your thumb to wet it. You sprinkled the salt on it and reached for the lime. Then, you licked the salt, downed the shot, and sucked on the flesh of the fruit, keeping your face as straight as an arrow. Pidge clapped with joy. 

“Okay, me next.”

“That’s quite the process, cowgirl,” Hamish commented, admiring your shot-taking ritual.

You didn’t have the heart to tell her that downtown Miami didn’t have any cows, but you just smiled, folding yourself back up into hiding in the booth. The conversations left you behind and your head began to swim from the alcohol. By the time everyone was ready for their next beverage, you were done. Pidge didn’t notice. She’d moved on to champagne and spritzers. You were alone in a crowded room again, as usual. 

“Hey, you feelin’ alright, bonnie?”

Johnny’s voice seemed too quiet for a loud bar. You smiled weakly, 

“Mmm. Just drank too much, I think.”

“C’mon. I’ll get you home.”

Before you could protest, he was helping you out of the booth and onto your feet. You heard Pidge shriek,

“Johnny! What did I say?!”

“Pigeon! Is that really what you think o’ me? Gonna tuck her in, and tha’s it. I’ll be right back.”

“I swear on Christ and -”

“Yeah, yeah, and all the actual saints. I heard you, you wee dafty. I promise. Not a hair on her head, yeah?”

“You can touch all the hairs on my head, Soap,” Bekah cackled, and the table laughed with her. 

Johnny laughed too, which felt like a knife twisting in your chest for some reason. You’d forgotten all about his nickname. Everyone except Pidge used it for him. You thought it was a callsign for the military, but you’d never had to call him anything, so you didn’t remember. But, Bekah did. She called him the right name. You had failed, obviously. Put it on my tab , you thought. You screamed it in your mind, punishing yourself for your mistake: Soap, Soap, Soap…

“C’mon,” he held you by the arm, “I’m out back.”

He loaded you into his Jeep and climbed into the driver’s side, adjusting the knobs for air and music. Some early aughts alt rock was blaring too loudly, and he cut it down, apologizing under his breath. His car smelled like cigarettes and beach sand. It was cleaner than it should’ve been. You felt too hot and too cold, and you wanted to sleep, so you did. 

You woke with a jolt after the short ride had ended, and he had you in his arms, nestled close to his chest. He felt you come to and he whispered, 

“Shh, lass. We’re almost in. Gonna get you some water and a paracetamol, and you’ll be right as rain in the mornin’.”

“God,” you groaned, “Soap, I’m so sorry. I didn’t really eat anything, and I -”

“Tha’s fine, hen. You’re alright. We’ve all been there, trust.”

He deposited you on his bed, pulling off your shoes and tucking you in. Then, he was gone and back in a flash of your semi-unconscious state. He handed you the pills and the water. It was cool in your hot mouth. 

“Here, lass. Take that for me. Tha’s it. Good girl.”

You groaned, feeling sick with drunken stupor and sick with drunken desire all at the same time. 

“And, hey,” he bent his face so he was eye-level with you as you lay back down, “Call me Johnny.”

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Chapter 03