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vulpixisananimal · 8 months ago

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<Null> {Mal Du Pays} [Loop] (Siffrin) (Wren belongs to @fungal--wastes)

(You were looking out the window of your room down to the small courtyard next to the inn. Ramos, Isabeau, Vixul, and Mirabelle had all teamed up to do some training together. It was amazing to watch them all work. They'd paired up to practice with each others weapons. Mirabelle and Vixul, Isabeau and Ramos.)

(Isabeau you knew, big defender that he is. It was hard to take your eyes from him, with how he moved, how he was able to take hits like brick, with how he was smiling the whole time. So confident, strong, he didn't even need a weapon.)

(Ramos you were still learning, but they were fast and strong, like a middle ground between you and Isa. They could get in fast, hurt hard, then stand their ground. Tonfas suited them. The vest and bandana made sense too, like some, cool bandit look, or. . . You shake your head.)

(Mirabelle had been working to get better ever since your fight with Perci. She was always quick on her feet, and was able to sting. She often reacted to things far before her more ration brain caught up; which lead to many accidental bruises.)

(And Vixul, she was fast too, and nimble. She used a spear and knew how to get in and get out quickly. Although, she eventually swapped from spear to a pair of. . . What looked like gauntlets with armor that extended up the forarms. She fought differently, now, more defensive. You'll have to think about that.)

(There's a knock on the door. You sigh, and get up. You're supposed to be resting, but you couldn't sleep. Maybe it was Bonnie coming to nag you about rest again. You go over and open the door.)

". . . Afternoon, Siffrin." (Wren was standing at the door, expression unchanging, as usual.) "May I come in?"

"Uh. . ." (Well this is a surprise.) "Sure?"

"Thank you."

(You turn, walk to your bed, and sit down.) "Haha, sorry it's a mess, don't exactly have the energy to-"

(You were cut off by Wren closing the door, and locking it.)

(You continue.) ". . . Toooo clean up the place, y'know?

"Quite." (He walked over to the small table and chair the room had and placed his book on the table.) "Can we just skip past the small talk, Siffrin?"

". . ." (Oh this was turning from worrying to potentially dangerous. Where did you put your dagger again?) "Uuuuh, oookaaay?"

"Good." (He tilts his head slightly to you, his eyes stabbing directly into your soul.) "You made a wish to be able to turn back time, no? And it was most likely made when you were about to face the King?"

(You can't cover your shock fast enough. He smiles, and continues.) "It was, wasn't it?"

". . . . . H-how-"

"You knew exactly where to find our antagonists. You know things you shouldn't about myself and my companions. You knew Polaris was effected by mind craft before I or Vixul did and exactly what to do about it. And you had a level of craft exhaustion that should have by all rights killed you."

(He continues.) "What's more, I did some digging. Did you hear news of that strange sadness in Jouvente? It was at the same time you saviors were all visiting. I overheard that you and Ramos used to be enemies, Ramos can use mind craft, and that you had craft exhaustion back then, too."

"But, that's-"

(He cuts you off.) "Do you know how many traps are in the that House of Change? Or about how overrun by sadness it was? And from what I hear you ran through it all by yourself. And should I even mention the rumors of a shade stained sky?"

". . ."

"And." (He turns to face you fully.) "I listened in on your 'Former Saviors of Vaugarde' team meeting."

(. . . . . . . . What.)

(Wren just walked into your room and tore down your veil of secrets with one swing. He tore it down, ripped it to shreds, and tossed the remains in a fire. You couldn't be mad, confused, or scared; that would come later. Because right now you were just impressed.)

(You fall back on the bed.) ". . . Yeah. It was the day before we fought the King, too."

"Close, then. And everything else?"

"Dead on." (You sigh.) "I spent 20-odd loops in Jouvente trying to deal with Ramos."

"And here?"

"23? 24? Most of those happened in quick succession. That's what really causes the craft exhaustion." (You rub your head.) "It's like, the body needs to recharge, or, something."

"And when you fought the King?"

". . . . 176." (You sit up again.) "Repeating the same two days over, and over, and over again, for almost a year."

". . ." (You look up, Wren was writing in his book.) ". . . Don't worry, this stays between us."

"It had better." (You look away.) ". . . How do you know about wish craft, anyway."

"I learned about it when traveling with Vixul and Polaris."

(A lie.) "No you didn't."

". . . No, I didn't." (He sighs.) "It doesn't matter. What did you wish for?"

"I think it does matter, Wren." (You cross your arms.) "Wish craft isn't just, something you can pick up any regular old book on and learn about. At least not without a big headache."

(Wren was staring at the pages of his book, like he was burning the pages with his mind.) ". . . . What. Did. You. Wish. For."

". . . Wren-?"

"How did you do it." (He cuts you off again, pen pressed to the page.) "What method did you use?"

"I'm not-"

"How far back can you go?" (His voice wavers.) "How. Far."

"W-wren-"

(His pen snaps in two. There's a silence.)

". . . . . . . ."

". . . . . . . ." (You tuck your legs under your cloak, and look away.)

". . . . . . . I need to know." (He didn't look at you.) "Please."

". . . I, Wren. . . I, I can't tell you. I-it's complicated-"

"I have all day, Siffrin." (His expression, you knew that expression.)

(It's the expression of someone trying with all their might to hold back tears. You knew that expression, because you had seen a picture of yourself with that same expression dozens of times.)

(Okay, you breathe in, and out.) "I can't tell you, because, because it put me through hell. And, and I don't want that to happen to you."

"Try me."

(Is this guy serious?) "Didn't you hear me?!? 176 loops, 352 days, all trying to escape a nightmare where nothing ever changed!!!" (You look away again.) "Whatever you're thinking, it, are, you sure it's worth-"

"I'd loop 300 times." (There's not even a second of hesitation.) "No, I'd do 500. 1,000. Maybe even more. It would be worth it."

(You snap back to him.) "I- you don't, really believe-"

"I do." (His voice is steady.) "I mean every single word, Siffrin."

(. . . . Oh.)

". . ." (He wasn't just serious, he was determined, desperate, begging. There, there was no way out of this was there. J-just, just, keep talking.) ". . . . What's worth it, Wren."

(There is a very, very long silence.)

". . . . . . . . His name was Icarus."

(It's as if you could hear a pin drop.)

(He continued.) "He, he was someone very important to me. . . No, not that. He was the only thing important to me. Every day I would get out of bed because of him. I would endure the world because of him. I would look forward to the nights because of him."

"I would have given him the world, if he asked." (His voice cracks. You see a tear on his cheek.) "If it, if it wasn't for him I would have taken a knife to my throat a long, long time ago."

". . . ." (You had to ask.) "What happened?"

". . . . I, I-I don't know." (He hangs his head down.) "He, h-he's dead, or dying, or somewhere in between it's, I, I can't explain it. And I don't know if I can save him, or if it's too late or if I never could and I'm just wasting my time but I have to try!"

"I have to try."

". . . . . ."

"Because if I don't try, then he's, he's. . ."

". . . . . . . . . . . ."

(. . . . How could you even respond to that. You couldn't look. It would just, just make you start crying as well.)

[. . . Stardust?]

(Loop? Where have you been-)

[Let me talk to him.]

(. . . O-okay. You close your eye and lean back. You breathe in. . . .)

[. . . .]

[. . . And out. . . . You hold your head in your hand, dizzy. Really dizzy. You wait a second for it to pass, then talk.] ". . . Wren?"

"Siffrin?" (He responds.)

"Close, but no~"

"Right." (He looks at you slightly, eyes dark from tears.) ". . . Loop? Is that the name?"

"Bingo." [You respond, you want to joke around, but your heart isn't in it.]

". . ." [He turns back to the book.] "Here to talk to me?"

"Yes yes, I am." [You roll your eye. You hop back fully on the bed and lay down.] "I'm here to tell you how to make a wish!"

[He looked up suspiciously.] ". . . You are?"

"Yes~" [You put a finger to your chin.] "I'm going to tell you. And I'm going to tell you aaaaaall the details that Siffrin left out~ You're lucky, you know. Not even our good companions know this, so you had better not tell them."

". . . My lips are sealed."

"Good!" [You pause for a second, smiling. Where you really about to tell a stranger this? Yes, you were. What better a place to hide secrets than in another desperate traveler.]

"I made a wish the day before we fought the King to stay with my family. I didn't know that was my wish, just how I did it. I took a leaf that represented me, and whispered my wish into it three times, closed it, and tied it to the tree. And all of a sudden I was in a time loop! And no~ This is very differen't than Stardust- Siffrins experience."

"I had no-one. I was alone in trying to escape it. I was stuck. I battled my way through that house hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times." [You continue to smile. Fake. (You knew how to smile. You knew how to fake it.)] "I beat the King. Once."

[(That Desperate one is looking at you, no doubt his mind at work. He was trying to decypher you. He was trying to tell just what was going on with that messed up little head of yours. Oh he was so, SO clever wasn't he!!)]

[(You continue.)] "One time. Once. Out of thousands, and it cost everything. And even after all that, I was still forced back to try it aaaaaall over again~"

"So I gave up! I gave it all up! I cried, pleaded, begged to the Universe for someone ANYONE to help! And do you know what the Universe did? It gave me exactly what I wished for."

[(Your smile wasn't normal.)] "Next thing I knew I woke up at the foot of that favor tree, a new lightless body of stars and a head as bright as the sun. I was unrecognisiable. Not even to myself~"

[(The Desperates eyes widen, you grinn.)] "Figured it out, haven't you~?"

[(There's a pause, he looks you over, your demeanor, your voice, evereything.)] ". . . You're not a normal alter. You are Siffrin."

"Correct~ Aaaand~?"

". . . You, became a sort of guide, for, a new Siffrin?"

"Correct!!" [(You clap your hands together.)] "Stardust didn't recognise me, no one recognised me. I had a lovely new job as the stagehand for my wonderful replacement actor! Forced to guide him untill the very end~ Oh and I do mean forced. I had to teach them how to kill themself because they asked."

"And now as one last cruel joke, with it all over, the Universe took me and stuck me in their blinding body. Forced to watch their happy ending."

"So! Wren, does that sound worth it to you?"

[There is a long, long, long silence. So long that the sound of your friends sparing outside stopped as they finished. You eventually hear Wren let out a breath.]

[He taps a finger on his book and talked quietly.] ". . . You make. . . A compelling argument, but. . ."

"Buuuuuuut~?"

". . . . ." [There was hesitation.] "I, I can't falter now."

[In too deep.]

". . . I understand." [You stand up.] "That's why I'm going to tell you how."

[You walk over to Wren and drag a chair over to sit next to him, you got a new pen, and you got to work.]

[You tell him about wishes, you tell him about home, and how you repeated wishes three, six, seven, or thirteen times. You told him about how whatever you wished for, you had to believe it. And what you wish for might not be what you think you're wishing for.]

[And you warn him every step of the way.]

[It was like you were writing a script. If one thing was out of place, out of line, then the whole play would collapse. You couldn't stop him, you knew that, but this was the next best thing.]

". . . And one last thing."

"Hmm?" [Wren was finishing writing the last of his notes.]

". . . If you decide to go through with this." [You look away.] ". . . Tell those close to you, about everything."

[He pauses, and glances up.]

[You continue.] ". . . It would have, saved me a lot of time."

[He looks at you a moment, then he lets his face relax and smile just a little.] "I promise."

"Thank you." [You get up and stretch.] "If you're looking for more information, go to the Dormont House of Change."

"I imagine you are very familiar?"

"Down to the brick~" [You collapse face down onto the bed.] "Now get out of here, I'm tired."

"Well since you asked so nicely." [He gathers his things, pauses a moment, and goes to leave.]

". . . Wren."

[He pauses.] ". . . Yes?"

". . . . ." [You turn your face away.] "Please, don't make the same mistakes I did."

[There's a pause.] ". . . I'll, do my best. Thank you, Loop."

"Save it." [You hold up a finger.] "Save it for when, for when you don't end up like me."

#HEHEHEHEHH BREAKS YOUR HEART CUTELY #isat #also dw about the brackets. smile #art #in stars and time #isat art #isat fanart #siffrin system au #isat au #isat siffrin #isat spoilers #sifstem #isat loop #wren #isat fanfic

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doberbutts · 1 year ago

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We have a little free pantry in our front yard (toothbrushes, tampons, shelf-stable snacks bottled water, etc.), and I read a lot about people's experiences having one online before we put ours up re: expectations about potential interactions with people using it, but nothing prepared me for how weirdly aggro *other* people sometimes get about us having it as a form of "activism" as opposed to some other, more nebulous idea of broader social change. "Don't you think it'd be better to volunteer at or donate money to a homeless shelter, so those people can get the actual help they need?" "Shouldn't you focus more on trying to campaign for policy changes that will help more people than one street corner if you care about this problem?" "Isn't doing that a waste of time?" "Aren't you just encouraging people not to get help?" I do that other stuff when I can. This is something small I can do - in addition to raising awareness and fighting for bigger change, when I have the time and money and spoons - and at least, when I don't. It's crazy to me to approach social justice issues with such an all-or-nothing mindset as some people seem to. I've met enough of the individuals who utilize it to know it makes a difference in a very tangible way for the people directly around me.

No, I agree entirely.

Corny and dated as it is, there's a reason the saying is "be the change you want to see". If no one within the community puts in the work to fix the community's problems, even in little bits and pieces, then how will anything change? Raising awareness only goes so far. What happens when all anyone is, is aware? Aware, and still doing nothing, waiting for someone else to put in the work.

Sometimes, that someone is going to need to be you. You can't just wait around and wait for someone else to do it for you.

If I see someone digging through the trash for food, I wave them over and offer them food from my house or fresh food from a store or take them to a restaurant where they can order whatever they want. If I'm getting groceries and I see someone very obviously homeless struggling to pay for their food, I tell the cashier to add it to my bill. No one starves in front of me. Ever since I stopped needing to rely on food stamps, no one starves in front of me.

This past summer I saw someone splayed out on the sidewalk in 95F weather in direct sunlight. I couldn't tell if he was unconscious from drugs or passed out from the heat or just simply had fallen asleep in the shade and then the sun moved. I was getting groceries so I added a bunch of hot chicken to my order plus several bottles of refrigerated water. I went over to him and woke him and explained that I was worried he needed medical attention. He'd passed out because he was tired, he told me. I offered him the hot food and the water and he thanked me, telling me he'd run out of water the night before and food the day before that and didn't have any money to get any more.

Everyone else had been walking around him like he was just an obstacle on the sidewalk. No one had thought to offer any help. When I walked away, some folks who saw me told me that that was very nice of me. I don't think it was nice of me. I think that's just what you should do if you see someone obviously in distress. They agreed that he seemed like he needed the help. They didn't act. They agreed that the compassionate and right thing to do was to offer assistance and make sure he was okay. But they didn't do it. They waited for someone else to do it.

I've mentioned in passing that I volunteer for the local teen LGBT club, helping lost gay kids find their way and maybe not kill themselves about it. It's not much. I mostly just text back and forth with whatever kids get my number from the adults that run the thing. Sometimes I give them tips and advice. Sometimes I'm just the cool gay uncle they tell about their latest school drama. Once or twice I've served one of them lunch on my couch while my dogs smother them with affection and they cry about their latest heartbreak. I don't do speeches or history lessons or anything like that. I don't think I'm qualified for it, in honesty. But if even one of them doesn't commit suicide, if even one of them doesn't self-harm, if even one of them no longer feels all alone in the world because I'm there when they reach out to me, that's enough.

Today on my commute to work, the guy in front of me had a major wipeout on his motorcycle. I stopped my car in a position that none of the other cars could hit him, and asked if he was okay, and waited until his friend (also on a motorcycle) had circled back around to help him off the road and check him over. I left once his friend waved me away. I offered to call an ambulance but he refused.

A couple weeks ago, also on my commute, a woman was stopped on the side of the road, waving her arms at drivers, shouting for help. I stopped. The other drivers didn't. Her car had died, she was new to town, and she was somewhere that notoriously doesn't get cell service. I helped her call a tow truck. It wasn't a trap. She didn't want to hitchhike. She just was stuck and panicked about it.

I stop and help animals get off the road. I've lost count on how many turtles I've carried to the other side. I helped my neighbor search for a dog he saw get hit by a car so he could take it to the vet. I shoveled my elderly neighbor's driveway for her, and talked my boss into giving her a major discount for her little dog's dental in which pretty much every tooth needed extraction or he would die. When I still lived in that rental with my roommates, we were surrounded by kids. Every kid on the block knew we were a safe house to go to. If they needed food or water, if they needed entertainment, if they needed just somewhere to be, they could be at our place. When covid started, I did a "reverse halloween" since Halloween was canceled, and I put bags of candy on every doorstep that I knew had kids inside. I've done a "neighborhood santa" putting a small toy plus a small gift card for the parents on every doorstep that has kids, for as long as I've lived around kids.

When I say activism requires action, I don't mean that every single person is required to save a thousand lives. The honest answer is, unless you have a lot of disposable time and money, you probably won't. But you can still make a difference. To one. To ten. To twenty.

And you know what? I'm not saying black people specifically came up with this- but how can you be surprised to know this is how I live my life when I say over and over that I was raised by black activists who lived during MLK Jr and Malcolm X and knew community action would have the longest-lasting effects? Of course I do all this. That's what being part of a community *is*.

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pudding-parade · 1 month ago

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Just blabbering/complaining about pixel clothing here. I'll cut it for your dash's sake. :)

Lately, my "simming" has been more about overhauling shit. Like, I've gotten tired of having huge amounts of clothing that my sims don't generally wear cluttering things up, which they don't wear mostly because I don't like how it looks in-game or because it doesn't take patterns well, etc. And of the things they do wear, I've gotten tired of looking at a lot of it.

So, I decided to download/install new clothing for all ages, and I decided to try out higher-poly, more realistic-looking stuff, as opposed to the more painted-on and/or photoskinned stuff that I had a lot of. I spent a lot of time downloading and recategorizing and adding preg morphs and stuff, and then, after testing it out in actual gameplay in a test world for a while...I decided that I really didn't like it. LOL

I mean, it looks great for taking pictures and playing pixel paper dolls (Do the young 'uns even know what paper dolls are? Probably not.) and stuff like that, but with the game as a background and with sims moving around and doing sim-things while wearing it, it just looks weird to me. Too much 3D, too bulky, too much folding/shading that didn't look right as the sims move around, etc. So, ultimately, it was a lot of time wasted, but I don't really begrudge it because now I know for sure that I don't like that stuff, so I can stop downloading it. LOL (I also don't need any more hoodies or jeans. LOL )

What I settled on? I decided that I like truly Maxis-match clothing. As in, straight Maxis stuff but with just a bit of editing, like changes to the mapping, reduced shine, removed painted-on accessories, etc. (Like the things that @sweetdevil-sims does, for instance.) Separated Maxis outfits. Frankenmeshed stuff using Maxis bits as the "donors." The rare completely custom stuff that looks like it could've come from EA, only without EA's offensive shininess and stuff. Stuff like that. So I downloaded all of that that I could find, went through the recategorizing and preg-morphing, and I'm just liking it...so long as I use the mod that removes the shine from clothing, that is, for stuff that hasn't been shine-edited. I guess it's not too surprising, since it's actually made to fit in the game, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in it.

I also like some conversions from EA stuff for TS4, but only some. It seems to me that there are some scale differences between 3 and 4, perhaps? Because the EA stuff converted from 4 often has giant buttons/buttonholes, giant zipper pulls, giant knitted textures, seams that look too big/dark, etc. I suppose it'd be fine if I only used that stuff, but if there are two sims and one's wearing stuff from 3 and the other is wearing stuff from 4, it just looks odd together, in my opinion. So I was very choosy about the converted 4-stuff I kept.

I did keep some of the old stuff that I like as well, even some of the photoskinned stuff. Mostly because sims in my active saves are wearing some of it and I don't want to have to change out their outfits, but also because I just like and often use some of it and it blends in well enough with the more EAxis-y stuff.

Overall, I'm liking the far more uniform nature of my pixel clothing now, and while I have less stuff now, I know that I will potentially use all of it, rather than having a lot of stuff that I will never use. Now to do the same thing with the shoes. But I'm going to leave that for later because...Ugh.

I do have a couple of complaints, however. Like, why is EAxis so obsessed with goddamned bows on clothing? Female clothing from toddler to elder has sooooo many things with bows stuck on them, ugh. I wish there was an easy way to remove them. Also? What is the current thing with super-short skirts, mostly in custom clothing? Like, if it was a real person wearing that stuff they wouldn't be able to move without showing off their whole ass and all their ladybits. (Trust me, as a tall woman, I know this. I can't wear miniskirts bought off-the-rack for this very reason.) It's just weird to me. I'm all for a miniskirt here and there, but geez!

#just rambling #i don't know why i posted this #maybe as a future reminder to me #to not download stuff that i know i won't like lol

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phantomwitch16 · 7 months ago

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With getting to know more about Melinoe and the general feel of the story, I've been wondering about the what would occur after beating Chronos. Especially when it comes to brainstorming the potential family dynamics between them after she sets Hades, Persephone and Zagreus free.

Given the context of the game, with Mel only holding a vague sense loyalty to them, I can imagine that their early interactions are going to be uncomfortable for her. She's only heard stories about them, knew that Hecate was a close friend along with some other details but not much else.

It going to be difficult for them to grow their relationships with her, especially for Persephone and Zagreus who for them, literally saw Mel as a baby a few moments before they were frozen. Knowing the events of the first game, you know that they are going to be devastated.

It took Persephone less than a second to recognise Melinoe and realise what happened. It didn't take much consideration especially when looking around the room or even the rest of the house.

As for Zagreus, I have the feeling that he would be in a brief case of denial upon first getting set free. Which is reasonable because what do you mean his literal baby sister killed Chronos and set him, and everyone else who was in the house free? He saw her two minutes ago!

I think the whole situation would be tough for them, especially if Mel is probably going to deal with the fallout of Chronos rule, tracking the more threatening beings still under his rule. Because, just because Chronos is vanquished doesn't mean that everything becomes okay right away. I think it would be an 'all hands on deck' situation with everyone on Olympus, the Underworld and at the Crossroads working together to deal with the traitors still working under Chronos.

Every once in a while, Mel would come back to the Crossroads to see a roster of characters there and away during each night. Each time, we see her slowly understand how much she meant to her family before the house was sacked.

Hades would make occasional visits there to see how she is. Even to talk to Hecate on occasion to talk about her childhood.

Persephone would be up at the Crossroads, more often than Hades would be, being the more active participant in trying to get to know her and learn more about her life.

Zagreus would come too, not as often as his mother but more than their father, sometimes found talking to talking with some of the other gods and shades around the camp or sometimes looking exploring different parts of the camp before he has to make his eventual return to the Underworld.

(Mel has offered to do the same spell for him and Hades to remain on the surface but they refused. They have jobs to do, much like everyone else and doesn't her waste her magic on them. At least not for now.)

And although happy with her family's return, things are still...odd. She doesn't really know what to talk or interact with them about that isn't about the war. Similarly, no one really knows how to really interact with her as well. in the quiet moments when they don't show up, Mel is grapples with the fact that she is relieved that no one showed up because she doesn't have to put up with the awkwardness.

It's during their visits to the Crossroad is when the foundation of their relationships are made.

Hades is the easiest for her to talk to. They talk about her studies, training and her exploration throughout the realms. Even discussing Hypnos at some points. There are some mentions of some happy childhood memories, but sometimes he would get a little bit upset. Hades would talk with her about if she will be taking the time to develop some hobbies now she has more free time. Mel hasn't and frankly wants to keep herself busy before she gets to that point.

Persephone meanwhile, is a little more difficult to interact. Her mother wants to discuss about to everything about to life, wanting to make more of an effort to establish a relationship with Mel. It isn't as smooth with her as it is with Zagreus but with Mel being similar to Hades, the two of them eventually find some common ground. Hades encourages her to give Persephone more time while Zagreus offers her hint to help with figure out what to talk about.

Zagreus however, she has the hardest time to understand. He's like their mother and father, but not... He's chatty, always smiling like their mother, making friends with so many others. But in the moments where he is alone, she sees more of a resemblance with their father. Quiet. Even melancholic.

He takes the time to learn about Mel, while letting her come to him on her own time. When she does, he shares combat tips with and even fighting her on an occasion too whenever she wants to fight with someone one-to-one. He also give ideas on what hobbies to explore whenever she want to go ahead a pursue them. E.g. fishing (mainly to feed her animals). He doesn't know whether or not he's please to know how much she takes after their father. If she does make it to Tartarus, like with Than, he makes it into a game.

Although initially seeming fine about the whole situation, in the more quiet moments, their true feelings about the situation are revealed.

Hades muttering to Hecate about wanting Mel to not have to deal with Chronos or his war. She shouldn't have to deal with this, fates and other Gods be damn. Melinoe should've had a childhood, not raised to deal with his familial mishaps. It reminds his own mishaps as a parent and being chained up for so long gave him ample opportunity to do so.

Persephone whispering to Nyx about being upset for missing another one of her children's lives. She had always wanted to be a mother to children, and while she is eternally grateful for Nyx raising Zagreus, she never got to be there for him as Nyx. With Melinoe, she thought she had her chance to be there for her, to at least one of her children to grow up. And then, in a matter of moments, her little nymph is now a fully grown goddess. Persephone was denied the chance of motherhood not once but twice. It reenforces some feelings that destiny seems to be against her. Though, in reality she knows its not true, with Nyx telling her so, Persephone can't help but feel that way.

Zagreus while not as affected as their parents, is just disappointed. He was really looking forward to being an older brother to her, even though he knew from Meg and Than that siblings could be complicated, he was still excited to have her at the house. Because he promised himself that even if things got complicated, he would be there for her even if their parents weren't. But now that Mel is fully grown and he kind of doesn't know how to navigate it. But he will be there, along with their parents for her develop their bond and says that to her.

This would be a turning-point for Melinoe and how she evaluated her familial relationship. To be more open minded to her father's advice and develop more hobbies when at the Crossroads, more initiative with Persephone and a chance to spend time with Zagreus to figure out where they are. It's not smooth by any means but its appreciated.

Along with this, Nyx and Thanatos are reunited with their family, talking about what happened since the house was captured with Hypnos essentially being in a comatose state since. Plus, learning what Eris had been up to since.

At the moment, we don't really know what's happening with the other Furies, at least i don't think so. With Tisiphone and Alecto not allowed in Tartarus, its likely the two of them escaped upon hearing the house was conquered, serving either as intel for the Crossroads or as its guards and defenders. Fighting for their captured sister.

#hades 2 #hades ii #hades melinoe #hades zagreus #hades #hades persephone #zagreus #melinoe #hades nyx #hades hecate

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thealteredaltar · 13 hours ago

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Hellenic Deities: Apollo

🏹God of music, art, healing, the Sun/light, prophecy, archery, and poetry

🏹Symbols: bow and arrow, the lyre, palm tree, laurel wreath, cypress tree

🏹Sacred Animals: python or other snakes, hawks, mice, crows, wolves, cicadas

🏹Colors: different shades of yellow and orange (especially gold)

🏹Crystals: Sunstone, citrine, carnelian, amber

🏹Most Important Myths:

-His birth, alongside his twin sister Artemis

-Slaying Python with his arrow

-Punishing Niobe for disrespecting his family

-Death of Hyancinthus

-His obsession with Daphne

-Beating those who challenge him in music (both Pan and Marsyas)

🏹”Don’t take the myths too literally” understanding

Among those who take the mythology at face value, Apollo has one of the better reputations of the gods. He was idealized as the god who represented the “civilized” picture of Ancient Greece. So, he is often not as extreme as his counterparts are depicted. Yet, he does have a few tales where he can seem particularly harsh. This is usually in regards to arrogance, rudeness or entitlement from others. His violent or vindictive responses to these offenses are symbolic of how excessive or misplaced ego has always been frowned upon in Hellenism. Apollo is, in actuality, a very gracious, level, dignified and warm being. He is really kind and serene but if he has to put you in check, he will; firmly but lovingly.

In the myth involving Daphne, where he pursues her so relentlessly that she turns herself into a tree to get away from him, the takeaway is not to see Apollo as a “creep” of some kind. My take on it is that there is a message here about how passion can override reason. Apollo is known as being very logical and civil, most of the time. But, his desire for Daphne brought another side out of him. This was the ancient writers’ way of saying that no being can escape the intense pull of love and desire (Eros, the ruler of these forces, is the one who made Apollo fall for her). Also, I think there is a tragic irony in the golden boy who seemingly wins at everything not being able to get what he wants, showing even the most gifted or fortunate souls are also let down at times.

🏹Devotional Acts: listening to music, pursuing music as a hobby or career, practicing an instrument or your vocal abilities, sunbathing (don’t forget your sunscreen) or just getting out of the house on a warm day, taking a trip to a warm destination (especially if it’s winter), learning archery, learning Tarot, doing Tarot readings, writing or reading poetry, dedicating poetry to him, drawing or painting pictures of him (he loves this more than most gods)

🏹Assistance and Support:

-Apollo is highly sought after when it comes to assistance in artistic endeavors, particularly music. If you’re a singer/songwriter/musician, he can help you in lots of ways, like coming up with song ideas or getting better at your craft. Apollo is like a diligent teacher in this way, so he will push you to live up to your full potential and will expect you to be dedicated. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, you might not get much from him. He doesn’t want you to just have “passion”. Apollo will guide you to develop discipline and consistency. His major lesson here is that raw talent and passion will go to waste if you are not putting them to good use.

He can also be a significant resource if you write poetry or are a visual artist of some kind (painter, illustrator, sculptor, etc)

-Apollo is quite the jock, as well, and I have found that he can help people in athletic endeavors. But, instead of something like football or basketball, he can assist you in sports that are a little more niche: track, tennis, martial arts, wrestling, and, of course, archery. So many of his myths hinge on his physical prowess and his victories over others. (He even beat Ares in a wrestling match, which is no small feat!)

Apollo’s athleticism is more about a quick, lithe, one-on-one sense of competition. This is why he has a certain dominion over these types of sports. Boxing is another one he is highly associated with, largely due to the myth of him beating the giant king Phorgas in a boxing match.

-If you are feeling under the weather, Apollo can help accelerate your healing process. Although praying to him can play a part in alleviating symptoms, it will still be important for you to take your medicine and, if needed, go to the doctor. He can also guide you in terms of developing healthier lifestyle habits.

-Apollo just brings good vibes. He is the embodiment of light, after all. A lot of people who work with him do so just because he makes them feel good. I have found that, outside of his more obvious functions like being a god of music, he is kind of a general mood-booster. You can call on him to brighten up your day, help you experience life more positively, or feel more self-confident and self-assured. He won’t encourage you to be blindly happy. As positive and enthusiastic as he can be, he also has a more sensible and temperate side. He is like the smart big brother who looks out for you and cheers you up but without letting you become foolish or delusional. He is not about “toxic positivity”. He guides you toward truly empowered positivity.

-Speaking of combating toxicity, Apollo is a wonderful source of Divine Masculine energy. However you identify, Apollo can help you tap into your masculine side in a healthy and even sensitive way. People who are more masculine and work with him/are connected to him typically have an ease with their feminine side while still being very masculine.

(Although he is said to be androgynous, Apollo’s half-brother Dionysus is much more gender-bending. Apollo is more like the athletic pretty boy, in my experience)

-Interestingly, Apollo is often very associated with male beauty, even though he is not an official beauty deity. Anyone who is male-presenting can ask for his assistance in feeling more attractive or charismatic, as well as help with seeing their beauty or putting more effort into their appearance without fear or shame.

Yes, Aphrodite could definitely be called on for this. But, I feel Apollo can more specifically help men feel okay with being beautiful, instead of conforming to the “ruggedly handsome” or overly masculine ideal. He is like the patron of the pretty boys.

-Apollo can obviously help when it comes to solar magic, if that is something you practice or are interested in. He also can be a major support in divination. As the god of prophecy, anything from Tarot to scrying to pendulum readings are right up his alley. He will help you develop and trust your intuition and if you possess clairvoyance or claircognizance, he can awaken/strengthen these gifts alongside you. Those who have these psychic abilities may feel an especially strong bond with Apollo.

🏹Additional Note

-I like to call Apollo a “two for one” god because he is usually either accompanied by or accompanying Artemis or Dionysus or both. They are both his siblings. Artemis is his twin and Dionysus is the yin to his yang. People who work with Apollo usually (though not always) end up developing a strong bond with one or both of these deities. The reverse can also happen. You may be very connected to Artemis or Dionysus and then realize that Apollo is showing up in your life in a major way.

#hellenic worship #hellenism #hellenic polytheism #paganism #polytheism #apollo #apollo deity #apollo devotion #apollo devotee #apollo god

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unseededtoast · 2 years ago

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Light As A Feather | Spencer Reid x F! Reader

Summary: The gravity of your job begins getting to you, and you come to realize you've forgotten how beautiful life can be. And one tranquil night, it's like Spencer is able to lift the weight and makes you feel light as a feather. Inspired by Hozier's "I, Carrion (Icarian)"

Cross posted on Wattpad and AO3 and here is my masterlist!

Word Count: 8.7k

Warnings: General violence, angst, pining. Poorly Edited

a/n: howdy folks. I'm still in my spencer reid/hozier brainrot era and so here's another. I hope you all enjoy it and thank you for all of the support I've received, it means the world!!

His presence is enough to make you forget about the horrors of the world, of your job. Right now, it's just you and him, and you've never felt lighter; so unburdened. You're convinced that if he wasn't there, holding onto you with his magnetic pull, that you may just float away in the breeze like a feather.

You had never been to Colorado before, and now you wish you could be here under different circumstances. It's the beginning of fall and it seems as if the people of Boulder are head over heels in love with the season. Which is understandable, you think you'd love fall this much too if you lived in a place this beautiful. The trees are painted in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red and the distant mountains stand proudly in the background with their snow capped tops. Your eyes are glued to the lush landscape as the SUV drives through Boulder to reach your destination.

You, along with the rest of your team, were called by the Park Rangers from the Rocky Mountain National Park about a few bodies they had discovered. Your superior, Hotch, decided their case was odd enough for you all to pay a visit. At first you hadn't wanted to come, convinced that there would be something closer to home to tend to, but now you're glad you agreed to come. Fall time in Quantico just isn't as picturesque.

Eventually, the SUV you're crammed into alongside three of your other team members drives up a long winding driveway to a hidden cabin in the woods. Hotch had booked the place, seeing as how close it is to the National Park and how secluded it is from potential people of interest. Once again, you tried to argue that the cellphone reception would be terrible up here and that it might hinder the case, but you were outvoted, and the rest of the team wanted to stay here. You hadn't understood why, but when the venue comes into view your jaw almost drops and you understand.

The cabin isn't at all what you had been expecting. Instead of some run-down, small, stuffy house, you see a large, sprawling log mansion. There are large windows adorning the front, accompanied by a wraparound porch on the second level. It's very reminiscent of a tasteful ski lodge.

"Wow." You breathe out as the car comes to a stop outside the front door.

"Still think it's a bad idea?" Hotch smarts off as he opens the trunk and starts handing people their bags. Fighting the urge to roll your eyes, you grab your bag from him and stare up at your home for the next few days.

The rest of the team wastes no time in going inside to claim their room, but you're happy to meander around for a little bit to familiarize yourself with the layout. You'll let them fight over the rooms and take whatever is left. After all, in a place of this size, even the smallest room is bound to be plentiful.

As you go through the halls admiring the artwork on the wall you spot Spencer doing the same, staring at a particular painting on the wall. You take just a second to appreciate the way he looks, standing there and analyzing art. You've always had an appreciation for Spencer, and not just for his good looks, but also his intelligence and his company.

Since your first day at the FBI you've felt drawn to him, he made you feel important, and heard, when others dismissed you. In fact, he's the reason you're on the BAU team in the first place. He was the only one to recognize your abilities and talents. You try not to hold a grudge about the fact the rest of the team was ready to let you transfer out after your internship. But instead of standing there and gawking at him like some braindead fool, you walk up to him, setting your bag on the floor beside your feet.

You look at the painting that's caught his attention and try to see what he does, try to think about how he interprets it. His mind is an amazing, complex thing, and you hope that one day you'll be able to understand just a small portion of it. It's a painting of the Great Rocky National Park, you can tell from the mountain formation and the river running through it. The painting is almost an identical match, as if it's actually a picture rather than painting. However, there's one small spot on the painting that looks like it's been painted over and over, it sticks out to you.

"What do you think happened there?" You point out the flaw and look up to Spencer, whose eyebrows are drawn closely together as he leans in and looks at the spot. After a few moments of quiet reflection, he stands back to his full height.

"I'm not sure. It looks like maybe the painter had difficulties finding the right shade." He says, still staring at the spot. Your eyes linger on his face before tearing them away before he catches on.

"You're probably right. I'm going to go find what room they left me." You say, grabbing your bag from beside you. Spencer bends over to pick up his as well,

"I should probably do the same." A small smile adorns his face, and the two of you begin walking through the cabin to find the empty rooms the team left you. According to the venue's website there should be one room for each agent, and you're thankful for that. You had never been a fan of sharing room with your coworkers, something about it just feels wrong, but when there's no way to avoid it you endure without much fuss.

The two of you check every room on the first floor only to find that they had all been claimed, meaning you two had to climb the stairs for rooms on the second level. Of course the rest of them would all claim the first floor rooms first, nobody likes to bother with stairs first thing in the morning.

You and Spencer find the empty rooms, side by side with direct access to the porch. You suppose there are worse rooms to have. Eager to step out onto the porch, you toss your bag on the bed and open the sliding door. Colorado's crisp air envelopes you as you step out and you take a deep breath. The air out here feels so clean and refreshing. Great Rocky National Park is directly in front of the porch, giving you an eagle's eye view of a portion of it as you lean onto the banister. Might as well enjoy a little bit of peace before you start working the case.

-----

"Three women were found in the same spot days apart from each other. All bludgeoned and stabbed through the heart." The Park Ranger speaks, indicating to the crime scene that's been barricaded with yellow tape. The Ranger stares at the scene, which is now an inconspicuous patch of dirt and grass, as if there weren't several dead women resting here. The scene is right beside a big body of crystal blue water.

You hang back from the rest of the team, opting to look at the surroundings instead of the immediate scene. The team knows now that finding the tiny details is your forte, and they leave you to your own devices in the beginning of investigations. The cold breeze causes you to hold your too-thin jacket closer to your body as you begin your observations.

"They were all found in the same spot?" Hotch asks the Ranger, who confirms that all of the victims were found in the exact same spot. As you examine the landscape, your eyes narrow in an attempt to find even the subtlest detail. Before too long, you see something out of place in the lush grass and walk over to it while pulling on a pair of gloves.

There's a pamphlet laying in the grass and upon further examination you see that it's been marked up like someone gave the traveler directions. Directions right to this spot. The killer lured at least one victim here. This trail is far off the beaten path, it's not marked by the Rangers. Only someone familiar with the area would know about it.

"Look at this." You call out to your team, and soon a few of them join your side to examine what you found. Spencer and Morgan look over your shoulder at the pamphlet, which is in better condition than you would've thought considering it was laying in grass beside a body of water.

"They're familiar with the area, they had this planned." Spencer speaks up and you nod your head, agreeing with him. Morgan holds out an evidence bag once he's done looking at it and you slip it inside, protecting it from any further damage. Morgan walks off with the pamphlet, leaving you and Spencer together, both deep in thought.

"What have you come up with so far?" You ask softly, curious to see if his theories line up with yours. Spencer shifts his weight and sighs, looking back to the crime scene.

"The killer is organized. They lured at least one victim right to this spot, and I'm assuming they did the same with the others. And they had to have brought the weapons with them. While there are branches to bludgeon people with, there's no evidence of anything nearby being cut down recently. If they used a natural object, it's likely they would've tried to blend it back in with nature." He explains and you nod your head along with what he's saying as you observe the scene and the scenery surrounding you.

"Unless they tossed the weapon into the water. They could have easily used a rock to bludgeon the victims." You counter his explanation. Spencer and you always did this with one another when forming theories. Not as to dissuade, or prove the other wrong, but to make your theories and explanations stronger. It's one of the qualities you most like about him. His eyes drift to the water.

"They could have. But they had to have brought the knife, there's no natural substitute that would leave that precise of a wound." He says, and you relent, agreeing with him.

"I want to question the Rangers, get their work schedules, and see the call logs. I also want to know where the victims were staying and if there's any camera footage of them in the welcome center." You shiver with a gust of wind and hold your arms tighter around your body as you walk off to gather the information you want.

Spencer decides to join you in going to the welcome center, claiming that in a huge national forest that none of us should be traveling alone. He has a good point, but you wouldn't have objected to his company either way. The Ranger from the scene escorts you two to the welcome center in his cruiser, the warm air letting your fingers regain their feeling.

"Who found the bodies?" You ask as you hold your hands in front of the vent emitting warm air. The Ranger looks at you through the rearview mirror before focusing on the road again.

"I found one and Birch found the others during his patrols." He answers and you mentally make a note to find Birch.

"Is that area regularly patrolled?" You push further for more information and the Ranger shakes his head.

"No, it wasn't, until I found the first girl. She had to have been out there for at least three days. After that I sent Birch out to keep an eye on the area. He found victim two a couple days after the first, and found the third a single day after the second." He says and you look to Spencer, both noting the decrease in time between kills. A sinking feeling in your stomach tells you that if you don't find the killer soon, then you may be finding a fourth victim any day now.

Once you reach the welcome center, the Rangers are more than happy to provide you with the security camera footage, work schedules, call logs, and anything else you may need. In fact, it's Ranger Birch that hands over the information himself. He's a young man, maybe mid twenties, with meticulously groomed hair and pressed uniform pants.

"Thank you." You tell him with a warm smile, taking the footage and other information off the counter and into your hands. He nods back with a wide, white-toothed smile and tells you and Spencer to come back if you need anything else. The moment you step out of the welcome center you give Spencer a pointed look with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you think?" He asks you before you can ask him. You lick your lips and glance back into the welcome center, Ranger Birch still looking at you. Your eyes find Spencer's and you motion for him to follow you.

"I think he takes pride in both his appearance and work, and he knows the park well." Hotch pulls up in a black SUV to pick you and Spencer up to return you to the cabin, where the entire team will discuss what's been found so far.

-----

The trip up to the cabin only takes about ten minutes. Your mind works to put pieces of the puzzle together the entire trip back, but there's just not enough known information yet, and it bothers you. You like to have answers quickly because the faster you get answers, the less people will die. Your leg bounces up and down the entire way back, eager to begin deciphering the evidence.

The SUV comes to a stop outside the cabin and before Hotch can turn the car off, you're out and making your way to the entrance. A man dressed in a casual flannel shirt hunched over the flowerbeds stops you in your tracks before you get to the front door. He wipes the dirt from his landscaping gloves onto his worn overalls as he greets you.

"Good afternoon ma'am, I hope you enjoy your stay here. I'm James, I do the landscaping work around here and a few other cabins nearby." He offers you a warm smile, which you try your best to return, but your anticipation is causing you to become short.

"Nice meeting you." You go to walk into the cabin, but James' voice stops you once more. Spencer and Hotch approach, engaged in a conversation likely pertaining to what happened at the welcome center.

"Wait, ma'am. I never caught your name." James smile is reminiscent of an old friend, and he looks at you expectedly. Against your best wishes, you answer him, not wanting to be unnecessarily rude to your host.

"We'll, it's been a pleasure to meet you. Maybe I'll catch you around before you head out. Are you here for work?" He continues his conversation as Spencer and Hotch walk into the cabin undeterred by the landscaper. Maybe if you had just slowed down one of them would've been caught instead. James' eyes linger on the items in your hands.

"Yeah, the whole team is here for work." You answer, shuffling some items around in your grasp. James nods his head and tears his gaze away from the items, the warm smile returning to his face.

"Must be some important work if a whole team is here. By the looks of you all I'd say you're some sort of police." He guesses, eyeing the firearm that's strapped to your thigh. Your eyes narrow at the man, and you nod.

"Yeah, something like that. I really have to get going, they're probably waiting for me in there. Have a nice night, James." You find your exit route out of the conversation with the friendly mannered landscaper. As you step through the door you hear his voice call out to you once more.

"If there's anything I can do to help, number's in the guestbook." The door closes, and the conversation finally ends.

Taking a cleansing breath, you join the rest of the team who are all gathered around the rectangular dining table, which has been designated as the investigation headquarters. On the table are a slew of files, photos, and papers. You add the information gathered from the welcome center to that collection and Hotch starts the conversation.

Hotch reviews the known information and circulates photos of the victims. They're all beautiful young women, and according to Garcia, were staying at nearby resorts and cabins for vacation. The photos get passed to you and you look at them intently, committing to memory every detail you can absorb before you pass them along. It's obvious that these victims were chosen because of their physical appearance, they all share the same basic features such as hair color, eye color, and stature. And eerily, you seem to match the profile as well.

"The physical appearance of the victim is important to the unsub. Having three victims with similar features is no mistake, nor is it a coincidence." You add to the conversation, seeing your team members look from you to the photos on the table.

"Maybe the victims represent someone who scorned the unsub? Extracting revenge through them." Spencer suggests, and it's a good theory. You chew on the skin of your bottom lip as your mind races with theories and trying to piece the information together like a puzzle.

After the general briefing, Hotch assigns Morgan and Prentiss to interview the Park Rangers to establish alibis, JJ and Garcia to continue conducting their online investigation, and Spencer and yourself to go over the welcome center footage. Hotch was going to speak to the people running the cabins the victims were staying at to see if there are any leads there.

You and Spencer are on the second hour of footage when your eyes start becoming heavy. Reaching for the remote, you pause the footage and stretch, needing to take a break.

"You want some coffee?" You ask him, needing something to keep yourself awake. He nods his head,

"Yes, please." You stand from your seat and go to the kitchen to prepare the two of you some coffee. You're sure to put an ungodly amount of sugar in Spencer's, knowing that if you don't you'll hear him complain about it. And most times you enjoy the sound of his voice, but you don't know if you can stand hours of CCTV footage and him complaining about a lack of sugar right now.

You return to the table and place his mug in front of him, steam rising from it. You sip your own and resume your position at the table and reach for the remote. Spencer reaches for it at the same time, your hands brushing one another's. His hand is warm and soft, perfect for the chilly autumn air.

"Sorry." You say, pulling your hand away and forcing any other thought than the footage from your mind, knowing that there's already a faint pink adorning your cheeks. No matter how long you've worked with him, even just simple touches is enough to send you spiraling if you let it. You try not to delve into what that might mean; you profile people for a living, the last thing you want to do is profile yourself. Without a word, Spencer just smiles back politely and presses play.

The footage rolls and you two identify the victims who all showed up unaccompanied, which you find odd considering they were on vacation with their families. Your hand jots down quick notes in sloppy handwriting as you critically examine what you do, and don't, see in the footage. Spencer and you replay the footage showing the victims easily five times each, both silently taking notes, knowing you're going to compare soon. After watching the third victim's footage for the last time, you look over to Spencer, who's face is illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun.

"Do you want to go first?" He asks and you nod, trying not to stare at how the sunlight reflects the amber color in his warm prismatic eyes. You look down to your notes and try to get your thoughts straight before speaking.

"I noted that all three victims walked into the welcome center with a pamphlet already in hand. None of them took the ones provided by the park. They all showed up alone. I can only assume that the unsub gave them the pamphlets with instructions on how to find the scene. Only, I'm willing to bet it was framed as a good-intentioned suggestion. There's no way those women would have gone if they didn't trust the unsub to some degree." Your eyes glance from your horribly written notes up to Spencer, who's leaning on the table, clinging to every word you say. He hums in consideration before he speaks up.

"I would agree. And if the victims were all staying at tourist destinations, those pamphlets were likely already there. So now the question is whether or not the unsub talked to them at their cabins or before they walked into the welcome center." He says, and a lightbulb goes off in your mind.

"Wouldn't it make more sense for the unsub to speak to them at their cabins? I mean, if the unsub caught them in the parking lot there's a chance they might have their families with them. But if the unsub spoke to them at their cabins, the women might be persuaded to leave their families behind for some reason." You say, going with the logical deductions that pop into your mind. Spencer mulls over your words, his eyes narrowing, staring back at you in deep thought.

"You're right. The unsub likely works for the resorts. It would give them access to the victims and it wouldn't be weird for them to give suggestions to guests." He confirms what you thought and you look back to the screen, seeing the third victim frozen in time.

"We should let the team know." You say and Spencer nods. The two of you finish off your coffee and wait for the rest of the team to arrive. You're confident that the two of you have a solid lead on this case. You only hope you can find the unsub before there's a fourth victim.

-----

The sun sets on the scenic landscape and you lean against the banister of the wraparound porch. The rest of the team isn't back yet, and the last thing you want to do is stay inside when it's so beautiful out here. The snowcapped mountain in the distance gleams brilliantly, and it's almost blinding, but you can't look away. Sounds of water rushing and birds chirping fill the air and if you let your mind relax enough it's almost like you're not here to solve murders.

Your head rests atop of your arms on the railing and you breathe in the cool air. The breeze gently blows your hair around, sending a shiver up your spine. You had severely underestimated how cold it would be here, and as a result, you failed to pack adequately because you were basing your packing off of Virginia fall time temperatures, which are noticeably warmer.

The sliding door opens and you turn to see Spencer walking out of his room. He joins your side and leans forward on the railing, looking out at the breathtaking view. His curly brown hair gets blown into his face, and you have to stop yourself from reaching out and tucking it behind his ear. You're also enjoying the breathtaking view.

He looks at peace, which is not something you usually see in him. His mind works overtime almost twenty four hours a day, especially on cases. It has to be torturous sometimes, to never get a reprieve from your own thoughts; and that's something you know all too well. There are some nights where you can't sleep because gruesome memories from the job haunt you.

Noticing that you're staring at him, you turn your gaze back to the colorful trees. The two of you enjoy a moment of tranquility together, a rare moment in the fast-paced career you pursued. A bird flies by, and you can only imagine what that freedom feels like. Most times you feel like your job keeps you cemented in one place, always dealing with death and the most heinous monsters that reside in this world. You often forget just how beautiful and free life can be.

A particularly crisp breeze comes through and you visibly shiver, which Spencer notices. Without a word, he goes into his room and comes back moments later with the throw blanket that was folded at the bottom of the bed. It's burnt orange in color and is made of faux fur, warm and soothing. Spencer drapes it over your shoulders and you hold onto the ends, keeping it secure around you. If you could stay in this moment forever, you would.

Spencer stands so closely beside you that you feel his warmth coming through the blanket, and without much thought, or care, you lean into him just slightly. He makes no effort to move, and the two of you stay like that for what seems like an eternity. His warmth and his smell are so comforting and makes you feel safe. Deep down in your heart you know he makes you feel at home.

The two of you enjoy each other's company in a peaceful silence. There's never been the need to fill the silence with him, like there is the others. While you two are quite talkative in the team dynamic, when you find yourselves alone it's often relaxed with no expectations. You two talk when you want, or is needed, but when there's nothing to say you're more than happy to just be around him. And you hope he feels the same about you, and you think he does, but you're never brave enough to ask for fear of ruining whatever relationship it is that you two share.

Sighing, you cuddle yourself further into the blanket as the sun dips lower and lower, the golden hue turning orange. Spencer moves beside you, and you see his fingers twitch, like he was going to reach out for something but doesn't. Your head turns to look at him above you, and his head lowers, so that your eyes meet one another.

You had always known his eyes were beautiful, but up this close you can truly admire the depth of them. The golden hues remind you of the sunsets, the green in them is like the rich moss that adorns the sides of the rocks; or like the pine needles on the tall trees, and the brown is reminiscent of swirling espresso. Taken aback from his closeness and the heat creeping up your spine, your lips fall open and his eyes glance between them and your eyes. He's so close to you, your bodies practically pressed against one another. You feel yourself being drawn to him, like he has his own magnetic pull.

But whatever was about to happen is cut short by the rest of the team arriving back to the cabin. You and Spencer seem to come back to reality and step away from one another. Flustered, you unwrap the blanket from your shoulders and hand it back to him, already missing the warmth.

"Thank you." Your voice is soft and tender, and his hand brushes your own as he grabs the blanket from you.

"Of course." He smiles softly back, and the two of you part ways to join the rest of your team downstairs to catch up on the latest information. But you can barely pay attention to what is being said, for your mind is drowning with flashes of Spencer out on the porch.

-----

The next morning you wake up as the sun shines in through the windows, illuminating the room beautifully and warmly. Hotch had given everyone the night to mull over the information and said that the investigation will pick right back up in the morning. After you get dressed and ensure your service weapon is properly attached to the harness around your thigh, you make your way down the stairs for a morning cup of coffee. Morgan, Prentiss, and Hotch are already sat at the table, picking at some toast for breakfast as they get the sleep rid from their systems.

You make a cup for yourself and Spencer, knowing he will be up any moment now. As per usual, too much sugar gets put into his and then you pour your own. The warm drink calms your nerves and you close your eyes, trying to get your mind prepared for whatever the day may bring. You know there may very well be a fourth victim found soon and you need to be on the top of your game to find the unsub.

"Good morning." A raspy voice makes your eyes open, and you see Spencer walking into the kitchen, dressed in a button up and tie. It's quite casual for him, but you like it, it looks nice on him.

"Good morning, made yours right here." You say and nod over to the mug on the counter. He looks from you to the mug with a smile on his face.

"Thanks." He says, and the two of you stay in the kitchen, sipping on your coffee and waiting for Hotch to give everyone orders.

"Feeling good about today?" It's something you always ask when an investigation seems to be coming to a close. You think it sets a tone, an expectation that the team will succeed. Spencer sips his drink and nods,

"I feel good about today." He confirms, flashing his bright white smile.

Last night, after the team had arrived, Hotch had shown everyone the list of employees from the neighboring resorts and cabins and today the team will be interviewing those employees. You're convinced the unsub has to be on that list and you intend to find out who it is. The questions have already been sorted in your mind, though you're able to adapt to anyone's personality and are prepared to get answers.

"Same teams as yesterday, we're going to divide and conquer." Hotch says, handing each team a list of names. You look down at the list he handed you and see that there are a total of fifteen employees for the small resort that you and Spencer are covering. It catches your attention that seven of the fifteen are women, and you mentally place them lower on your suspect list. This doesn't seem like a crime women usually commit, no, this seems like the work of a man as evidenced by the brute force used.

Morgan and Prentiss take off in one car, Hotch takes another, leaving you and Spencer with your own SUV. The two of you gather your needed materials, such as photos and notepads, before you head out. Spencer grabs the keys and tells you that he's going to warm up the car as you finish organizing your things, and you're grateful for that. Sitting in a cold car doesn't really appeal to you right now.

Once you're content with the items you've chosen to bring along you head out of the cabin. The bright light almost blinds you, and you squint in order to see. From the corner of your eye you see something move, and when you turn to look you see it's the landscaper from the other day, already flagging you down. Resisting the strong urge to just ignore him, you wait for him to reach you on the porch steps. He looks like he's already been hard at work today, he's covered in dirt and sweat.

"Well good mornin'. Got anything interesting going on today?" He asks, shielding his eyes from the light with his gloved hand. You shift your weight and look to the running SUV, already planning your escape route out of this conversation.

"Uh, yeah, you could say it'll be an interesting day." You reply as politely as you can. James smiles widely at your response.

"What sort of thing you have planned?" He asks and you sigh, not wanting to be part of this conversation any longer.

"I'm not at liberty to say, but I've gotta go, my partner is waiting for me." You excuse yourself from the conversation before he can get another word in. From behind you, you hear him say.

"Well alright then, I'll be around if you need anything." As you slide into the driver's side of the car and hand your bag to Spencer, you see the man heading back to the tool shed.

"That's twice now that he's singled me out." You say, keeping your eye on him for a moment longer, watching his moves. The fact that you match the victim profile is not lost on you, and you think it might be making you just slightly paranoid.

"I noticed that too. Could be that you were the first one there the last time, and the last one out this time, but it's definitely something to keep note of." Spencer says as you drive off to the tiny resort the two of you had been assigned. You know he might be right, but the man went out of his way to flag you down this morning and completely ignored everyone else. An uneasy feeling in your stomach tells you that the landscaper should be looked into more thoroughly.

When you and Spencer reach the resort you waste no time in beginning your investigations. The two of you are laser focused on the task at hand, and agree to split the list equally. Spencer volunteered himself to question the extra person. Luckily, the front desk attendant was more than helpful and secured two rooms for the interviews to be conducted.

The first four interviews go by without incident, all front desk attendants and kitchen workers who have no indication of manipulative traits and answer your questions openly. You've done this enough times to spot exactly what you're looking for, you know what gets under the skin of unsubs, especially the organized ones who think they have it all figured out.

A couple other interviewees give you good information about the victim who stayed here. They tell you how they remember seeing her with her family in the hall, and how nothing seemed out of the ordinary in the room when it was cleaned. Hotch had questioned the families last night, and cleared them from the suspects list.

By the time you reach the end of your list, you know you can safely cross every one of them off. None of them responded to the misinformation you sprinkled in the questions, things the unsub would've been known to be untrue. And none of them had any sort of reaction to you insulting the intelligence of the unsub, something that would have surely set them off in some way. But to your dismay, none of them had any clue of who could be capable of this kind of malice. Typically, there's at least one person who's able to spot something weird about someone, but not this time.

You group back up with Spencer, the two of you comparing notes in the room he used for his questioning. He had the same results as you and you both were hoping someone else on the team was more successful.

"We got all of them except for James Hilton. The others said he bounces around to each place and some days he's not even here." Spencer says, pointing out the only uncrossed name from the list.

"James Hilton. That's the landscaper." You say, barely able to recall his name from yesterday. The uneasy feeling in your stomach grows.

-----

In the afternoon, the team reconvenes in the cabin around the table to compare findings. Every other agent was able to interview everyone but James Hilton. Granted, his job requires him to go from location to location, but it seems like he's been hanging out around this cabin often. However, he was nowhere to be found when everyone came back. But maybe he went to another location to work on their flowerbeds.

"We'll need to get his statement today. Anyone up to track him down?" Usually you volunteer to go after someone like this, but something is telling you not to, and you listen to your instincts. Thankfully Morgan offers to track him down, and Prentiss joins him once more. You pick at a piece of paper on the table as your mind works, mulling over what you know about the case and the overly-friendly landscaper.

Before Morgan and Prentiss leave, Spencer informs the team about the conversations that James has dragged you into. You tell them exactly what happened, and they all agree that it seems suspicious. Hotch goes off to make some calls to JJ and Garcia, leaving you and Spencer at the table.

"Hey, are you okay?" Spencer asks, leaning forward on the table. His voice snaps you out of your trance and you cease to fiddle with the paper.

"Me? Yeah I'm fine, why?" You ask, not sure why he's concerned. He looks conflicted, opening and closing his mouth a few times before he answers.

"Well, it's just that you fit the victim profile and the conversations with the landscaper seem to be suspicious. And you keep playing with the paper which is an indication of anxiety." He says, trying his best to not profile you in front of your face.

"Spencer, I'm okay, promise. I was just thinking." You tell him, and it's the truth. While James makes you feel uneasy, you're confident that nothing will happen to you. Spencer nods and you stand from the table, wanting to inspect the cabin with finer detail and stretch your legs.

After going from room to room looking for the tiniest thing that might be relevant to the case, you find yourself staring at the same photo that caught Spencer's eye when you all first arrived. There's something about it, something about the discolored spot, that you just can't let go of. It's bothering you for some reason. Frustrated, you take it off the wall and bring it to where Spencer is in the main living area, nose in a book. He looks up from the page when he hears you coming, his eyebrows scrunching closely together.

"What are you doing?" He asks, putting the book on a side table. You place the painting on the large coffee table and put your hands on your hips.

"There's something about this that's driving me insane." You say, eyes drifting from Spencer's face to the painting. It takes Spencer all of ten seconds to analyze the painting again.

"It's the same place the bodies were found." He says and your eyes widen, taking in the scene again and realizing he's right.

"Wait. If this is the same place the bodies were found, then that, is the exact spot they were in." You say, pointing to the discolored spot. The discoloration is where the grass meets the water, the mountain in the background. Your eyes drift to the bottom corner of the painting where you see a cursive 'J' painted in white.

"Do you think the killer is the one who painted this?" Spencer asks you, and you nod.

"I'm sure of it. There's a J painted in the corner. It has to be Hilton. Can you call Garcia?" You ask, mind feeling like it's running a marathon. Spencer doesn't hesitate to get Garcia on the phone.

"Hello my beautiful boy genius, what can I do for you today?" Penelope's voice sounds throughout the room and you smirk at her entertaining phone greeting.

"Hello my beautiful computer genius, can you do me a favor?" You speak first and you can hear her laugh through the phone.

"Oh my darling anything for you." Her voice is melodic and you shake your head at her antics. You love Garcia, she's one of your closest friends inside and outside of work.

"Can you find anything on a James Hilton from the Boulder, Colorado area?" You ask her, knowing your answer is about to be served on a silver platter in just a few moments. Garcia's quick typing echoes through the phone.

"James Hilton, born and raised in Boulder. Has been working as a property manager for the last ten years at the property you all are staying at. Has one traffic record from the nineties, but other than that he's clean." She says, but you were hoping for something more incriminating.

"Anything about a wife, or a girlfriend? Maybe even a sister or mother?" You ask her, staring down a the painting.

"It looks like he was in a long term relationship with Valerie Wilson, also of Boulder. But according to her Facebook page, they are over with." She says, Spencer and you looking at each other, knowing you may have just found a potential piece of the puzzle.

"Perfect. Can you tell me what she looks like and how to contact her?" You ask and write down the details Garcia recites. After you get the needed information, Spencer hangs up and calls Hotch to inform him of what the two of you just found out. Hotch tells us that he's on his way back to the cabin after he's done with the last interview.

The painting lays in front of you two, and you take a seat on the arm of the chair Spencer is sitting in, your leg brushing up against his and your arm resting behind his head to keep yourself stable. Your eyes are glued to the discoloration, and you know there's just something about it that's more than just not being able to find the right shade.

"Is there a way to see if something has been painted over?" You ask Spencer rather than Googling it, knowing he can probably get you an answer faster. He clears his throat and nods his head.

"A few years ago it was found that Vincent Van Gogh painted over several of his works due to the cost of canvas. Experts used x-ray to see through the layers, revealing the original painting." His answer is exactly what you were looking for.

"We have to get this thing x-rayed. And someone needs to contact Valerie and ask her about her relationship with James. His tool shed should be examined as well" You jump off the chair's arm, ready to leave immediately, but having to wait for Hotch before you can proceed with anything else.

-----

Hours later, your leg is bouncing up and down, eagerly awaiting the results of the x-ray. The hospital staff had never encountered something quite like this, but you were thankful that they were cooperative. Spencer had come along with you while Hotch stayed back to get in contact with Valerie. You check your phone every ten seconds to see if you have a new message for him, but your screen is blank.

Thankfully, a few minutes later an x-ray technician comes out and beckons you to a dark room where she clips the x-ray images onto a lightboard. While the images aren't in color, you can still see exactly what you need to. The images show that where the discoloration is, there used to be a woman standing and a man on one knee. A gasp leaves your mouth, the pieces finally fitting together in your mind. Without a doubt, James is the unsub.

Spencer and you race back to the cabin and spill the findings to the rest of the team. Hotch informs you that Valerie had confirmed that James recently proposed, but she turned him down. All of the victims match her appearance. He must have been killing to fulfill some sort of revenge he felt was necessary.

The team calls each of the resorts that James is employed at only to find that he's not at any of them. While the others scramble to try and find a way to find him, your eyes land on the guestbook.

"Guys. I can call him. He told me his number is in the guestbook and we know I fit the profile. He won't be able to help himself." You say, and the others don't have any good reason as to why you shouldn't do it. Your hands shake from the adrenaline as you dial the numbers and the phone rings, your heartbeat resounding in your ears. You're so close to catching this depraved man.

"Hello?" He answers finally. You let go of a breath you weren't aware you were holding and speak up.

"Hi James, you told me to call you if I needed help with anything. And, um, I think I might have broken one of the outside lights." You quickly come up with a lie, hoping to lure him out here for the arrest. You hear him moving around on the other end and the start of an engine.

"Of course, I'll be there in just a moment, honey." He says and you hang up the phone, trying not to gag from his pet name.

It takes James all of fifteen minutes to reach the cabin. When he pulls up, the entire team is waiting for him, but you were the one with cuffs in your hands. As soon as his feet hit the ground, Hotch and Morgan were out the door ordering him to the ground. With smug satisfaction, you step over the man and secure his hands in cuffs behind his back.

As the local police show up to take him away, he's spitting every expletive in the book at you. Rage and hatred show themselves very clearly on his face, and you see who he really is. You smile sickly sweet at him as he's shoved into the back of the cop car. Another monster off the street, unable to do harm to another woman. It's like a weight gets lifted from your shoulders.

-----

After the excitement of the arrest, you come down off your adrenaline rush. The rest of the team are packing, getting ready to leave in the morning, but you can't find it within yourself to do it. You're too struck by the beauty in front of you to worry about going back home. You just don't want to part with this yet. So you find yourself out on the wraparound porch once more, the sun retreating far too quickly behind the horizon for your liking.

Despite the waning sun, the landscape looks brighter, more vibrant now that you know that the killer is in custody. Usually, the team gets only a few hours of celebration before you're saddled with paperwork and the next case. A bird flies past again, and you appreciate its freedom again. Its sweet melodies carry in the breeze and soothes your weary soul.

You love your job, you can't imagine doing anything else, but it does wear on you. Both physically and mentally. Before you had started working with the team, you never could have imagined the kind of evil lurking everywhere, even in a place as gorgeous as this. But now, it's like wherever you look, no matter how beautiful the surroundings, you can always spot something amiss. You feel weighted by the knowledge of what reality actually is.

The familiar sound of the sliding door catches your attention, and you see Spencer coming towards you, blanket in hand. A smile finds its way onto your face as he closes the distance between you, securing the blanket around your shoulders. Just like yesterday, he stands right beside you, admiring the view.

"The others are all leaving tonight, they said they want to get a headstart on the papers. But I told them we'd go back in the morning." His voice is raspy, yet soft.

"But what about the plane?" You ask, eyebrows knitting together. He shrugs his shoulders and looks down at you.

"I told them we'd fly back in the morning, already have the tickets arranged." He says, easing some of your anxiousness, but not satisfying your curiosity.

"Why?" You search for the answer on his face.

"Because I saw how much you like it here. You deserve one workless night." He says with sincerity and your heart swells at the sentiment. You fully turn towards him, soft blanket draped lightly across your shoulders. You notice that Spencer has traded his button up for a simple pullover. Something so simple has never looked so good before.

"Thank you, you really didn't have to-" He cuts you off with a smile,

"I know, but I wanted to." He admits, pink coloring his cheeks. You stare up at him in awe, not quite sure what you did to deserve his thoughtfulness. Not being able to hold back your affections, you reach out and engulf him in a hug.

"Thank you, Spencer." You reiterate into his chest, feeling his arms wrap around you. After a few fleeting, precious moments, you let go of him. Staring up into his eyes, you reach a hand up and stroke the soft skin of his cheekbone with your thumb. He doesn't flinch from your touch like he does with others, no, he leans into it as if he's savoring the feeling.

His arm that was around your waist come up to cup your cheek, and he gently brings your face towards his, pressing a tender kiss to your lips. You hold him close, a flurry of warmth spreading from your face down to your body. His other hand finds its way around your waist, securing you to his body.

You break the kiss as your chest begins burning with the need of oxygen, and he rests his forehead against yours. Your hands come up to gently grasp the sides of his face, keeping him in place so that you can admire his beauty. After minutes pass by in silence as you two appreciate each other, Spencer tilts his head up and kisses your forehead.

He turns you around so that you're facing away from him, and he grabs the blanket from around your shoulders. Seconds later, you feel him standing behind you, wrapping the soft blanket around the both of you. His chest is behind you, and he hands you the edges of the blanket so that his hands might find the soft curve of your waist. Spencer pulls you in to him so that you're leaning back on his chest.

Spencer rests his head atop of yours as the two of you relax your minds and bodies, focusing solely on each other and the scene in front of you. Your hands come down to entwine themselves with his with a soft smile on your face.

A lone tear falls from the corner of your eye as you're overcome with emotion. You cannot recall a single time in your life that you've felt this serene, where everything just feels perfect. Your soul is well nourished and full from Spencer alone. All of those cases you worked together, the stolen glances across the office, the simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness for each other has culminated to this one precious moment in time; and you've never felt more content.

The sun eventually sets behind the horizon, the chilly breeze billowing the blanket around you both. Above you in the sky, the stars shine brightly, and you tip your head back to admire them. You can never admire their true beauty in Quantico, their shine is dulled by light pollution, but you can see them clearly here. You can see everything clearly here.

"You know, scientists estimate that there are about two hundred sextillion stars in the sky within the Milky Way." Spencer whispers in your ear as you two bask in their soft white light. You turn around in his hold and smile up at him,

"And yet none shine as brilliantly or as beautifully as you." You say, and pull him in for another soft, heartfelt kiss. As you pull away, you watch as his eyes flutter open and he smiles endearingly. You've never seen such a beautiful sight, never felt comfort as warm as him, and you know as you lean into his embrace, that you will not bear the weight of this world or this life alone.

#spencer reid #spencer reid x reader #dr spencer reid #criminal minds #emily prentiss #derek morgan #aaron hotchner #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid fanfiction #hozier #spencer reid x you #Spotify #criminal minds fandom #criminal minds x reader #spencer x reader #spencer reid comfort

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sand-boxed · 1 year ago

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echo is such a good character. theoretically at least. actually the definition of wasted potential hes the most interesting member of cf99 and hes barely in the show im sobbing.

i wish there was actual buildup to echo leaving or something showing his dissatisfaction with being in the batch. like something about having to kill his brothers, or even with the whole being sold as a droid thing which i know its a haha funny bit but that shit was actually so fucked up ???? we dont talk about that one enough that was so insane of hunter 😭😭 if u think abt his backstory then it makes more sense but theres barely anything in his behavior that suggests conflict with his own goals and the interests of his team by the time he leaves. ig its also one of the issues is that the show doesnt have enough time. maybe echo should have left later on in the show or something but i can also think of some midder episodes that are just hunter and omega but again that could have been replaced to give this guy or wrecker some actual characterization. no shade to them ( kinda bc most of the best episodes are the ones where theyre not there) but save some for the rest of us bc they dont need half the show do they

also istg they (writers and the batch ) forgot echo used to be a "reg" i feel like its so strange for the batch to be all pissy abt reg clones and have a weird superiority complex early on in the show when like. echo is there he was once one of them and now hes not. theres so much the writers could have done to tackle echos feelings abt being othered by the reg clones and inadvertently ostracized by his team. theres so much he probably sees different from thebatch bc of their separate upbringings where echo was part of a collective and the batch were singled out as individuals. does he view killing other clones in a different light bc he was also the type to follow orders blindly once??? how does he feel abt the chips as a pow that spent around a year unable to control his thoughts, having his mind stolen from him??

something i wanted for his character was for him to have a connection pre-citadel that he loses during his time being frozen bc he would have to cope with that loss and adapt to the batch at the same time. yes this is another excuse for me to talk abt fives but who else. echo doesnt talk to anyone except him in basically every scene b4 the citadel. echo feeling messed up abt it bc just all of a sudden his world has been turned upside down and all he can do is move on. thats absolutely terrifying to think about bc the war has taken away most of everyone hes ever known. there was no goodbye, nothing for him, they were just here one moment and gone the next for him. too bad we dont get to see any of it lmaoooo

#star wars #echo #tbb echo #rant post #yapping #the clone wars #the bad batch #aspen articulates #pls tell me if u feel the same way #im gonna go insane #sigh #want to talk to the showrunners so badly

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kenyondesignsllc · 4 months ago

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7 Outdoor Gazebo Secrets: The Key to a Stunning and Functional Backyard

Treat your backyard as just a backyard? Nah! It’s your kingdom, your retreat, your personal slice of paradise. And remember nothing ties it all together quite like an outdoor gazebo. Instead of a wooden hut plopped in the middle of your lawn, your outdoor gazebo is the secret weapon to creating a space that looks fabulous, feels inviting, and actually gets used.

Let’s be honest—most backyards are not built as they should, and they’re just wasted potential. A few chairs with a table, a sad grill, and maybe a lonely potted plant trying to make the environment inviting. And the perfect gazebo? You suddenly have a spot where morning coffee hits different, weekend grills become legendary, and even rainy days turn into cozy, scenic moments.

So, let’s break it down. Here’s how to make your outdoor gazebo the crowning jewel of the yard—both stunning and ridiculously functional.

1. Pick the Right Style—Because Gazebos Have Personalities Too

Just like humans, gazebos come with their own personality and style, and picking the wrong one is like showing up to a black-tie event in cargo shorts. Indeed, a wrong one just doesn’t work.

A wood gazebo is the timeless classic—warm, inviting, comfy, and dripping with charm. A perfect gazebo made with wood makes you want to grab a book, sip your favorite drink, and pretend you’re in a countryside novel.

For those who like a little more modern things, a backyard gazebo with smooth and shiny materials with minimalist design gives off that polished, high-end look. Think crisp lines, neutral hues, and an arrangement that looks like it belongs in a design magazine.

Then there’s the wooden pergola—the cool, laid-back cousin of the gazebo. It’s not fully enclosed, so you still get that open-air feel, but it adds structure and shade, making it good for lounging, dining, or setting up a cozy little garden escape.

Whatever you choose, make sure your wooden pergola vibes with your space. A gazebo built with rustic wood might not make sense in an ultra-modern yard, just like a sleek, steel-framed gazebo would look hella weird in a fairytale-style garden.

2. Place It Like a Backyard Genius

Locations for your gazebo matters. If you put it in the wrong spot, you’ll wonder why it’s collecting more dust than compliments.

It requires a center stage, making it the main event, perfect for entertaining guests. But if you’re interested in a more private escape, you can simply tuck it into a quiet corner surrounded by greenery and enjoy a peaceful little hideaway.

And if you’ve got water features—whether a pond, fountain, or pool—putting your gazebo nearby automatically levels up the whole backyard. There’s something about water and a gazebo together that just works.

One thing to avoid? Sticking it somewhere inconvenient. If your gazebo is all the way in the back corner of your yard, where it’s out of sight and out of reach, chances are you’ll use it about as often as that treadmill-turned-clothes-rack in the basement.

3. Go for the Right Materials—Because Not All Gazebos Age Gracefully

A gazebo isn’t just a one-season wonder. It’s something that should last for years, which means choosing the right materials is non-negotiable.

Wood is the OG—classic, sturdy, and naturally beautiful. Cedar, pine, and redwood are all solid choices, but they do require a little upkeep. If you’re not into sealing, staining, and occasionally checking for termites like a paranoid landlord, consider other options.

Metal gazebos? Sleek, modern, and practically maintenance-free. But they don’t have the same cozy charm as wood.

Vinyl is another low-maintenance contender—it won’t rot, warp, or attract bugs, and it’s easy to clean. The trade-off? It doesn’t have the same rich look as real wood, so if aesthetics matter, you might have to fake it ‘til you make it.

Pick your battle: timeless beauty with some maintenance, modern ease with a trade-off, or something in between. Whatever you do, just make sure it can withstand your local weather because Mother Nature will test your patience.

4. Furnish It Like You Mean It

A gazebo without furniture is like a restaurant without tables—technically functional, but completely useless.

If you want your gazebo to be a chill zone, invest in comfy seating. Plush chairs, outdoor sofas, or even a hammock will turn it into your go-to relaxation spot.

If dining is your thing, a solid outdoor dining set will make sure your backyard BBQs and Sunday brunches hit next level status. Just imagine a candlelit dinner under your gazebo while a soft breeze rolls through. That’s backyard goals right there.

And if you’re all about social vibes, think about adding a fire pit, a bar cart, or even some built-in benches. Because the best backyard hangouts don’t happen by accident—they’re designed for good times.

5. Light It Up—Because Nighttime Gazebos Are Pure Magic

It’s good if you’ve built a daytime gazebo. But for night? That’s when the real magic happens.

Add instantly a warm, cozy glow with string lights draped along the edges. Lanterns bring a classic, graceful touch, while LED strips give a modern, sleek feel with customizable colors.

Want to go all in? Throw in a chandelier. Yes, an outdoor chandelier. Go with this bold move, as it’ll make your gazebo feel like a five-star retreat.

However you do it, just do it. Because a gazebo without perfect lighting is like a concert without melody—completely missing the point.

6. Protect It from the Elements—Because Weather is a Savage

Your gazebo is an investment, so don’t let the elements ruin it.

If it’s wood, seal it. Regular staining and sealing will keep it from looking like a forgotten fence post.

If it’s metal, check for rust and give it a protective coating.

And if it’s vinyl—well, lucky you. Just hose it down now and then, and you’re good to go.

Also, don’t forget the roof! Whether it’s shingles, metal, or polycarbonate, make sure it’s in top shape so you’re not dealing with surprise leaks when you’re trying to enjoy your outdoor escape.

7. Make It Uniquely Yours

A gazebo is more than just a structure—it’s an extension of your personality. So don’t leave it looking like some generic catalog photo.

Add curtains for a breezy, elegant touch. Throw in a swing if you want the ultimate relaxation spot. Decorate with plants and hanging vines to create that lush, secret-garden feel.

Or, if you’re the type who loves hosting, turn it into an outdoor bar setup with stools and a cocktail station. Because why not?

The more you personalize it, the more you’ll actually use it. And that’s the goal, right?

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eclecticysm · 10 months ago

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Rethinking Taylor Swift's "Lover" Bodysuit

Image from Vogue, shot by Jeff Kravitz

When Taylor Swift began her Era's tour last year in March, it quickly swept the nation. The movie was a hit, she was topping charts, and everyone and their mother was trying to get tickets. One costume in particular from this tour (okay, a lot of them) became a big hit: namely, the "Lover" era bodysuit. Made by Versace, beaded to the nines and sparkly as a disco ball, there's no denying this bodysuit is a beautiful showstopper. But is it the right choice in costume for Taylor and her "Lover" album? Now, take all this with a grain of salt. Taylor Swift is beautiful no matter what she wears, and the costume is undoubtedly gorgeous. However, I think with a little more intentionality and thought towards the album she's performing for, her look for Lover could be an absolute showstopper.

In my personal opinion, the "Lover" bodysuit simply isn't suited to the album it's for, nor does it work as well on Taylor as it should. It's a beautiful costume, but it isn't styled on her at all. Her hair is straight with bangs, and her makeup is a light shimmer look with a red lip- an iconic and gorgeous look for Taylor, but not one that can stand up to how bold the bodysuit is. This combined with the lack of accessory beyond a necklace, and the bodysuit unfortunately drowns Taylor out.

I'll get into why I think the bodysuit doesn't work for the album and the direction I think her team should have taken in a moment, but I first want to focus on how this bodysuit COULD have been made to work if their hearts were really set on it. The bodysuit is bold. It's festival wear, something you might wear for a show out in Vegas. A bold costume needs bold styling. A little hair and makeup goes a long way. Bringing back her windswept curls from her initial Fearless era, using a pinker shade of lipstick and a darker tone of eyeshadow would have done wonders for this look. (Getty Images)

I want to point out again that Taylor's accessories are very minimal for this costume. The boots are a good accessory on their own, and the necklace is nice, but there's a lack of balance: there's nothing on her arms or her ears. (Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)

With a little more accessorizing, this costume would be taken to the next level. Gloves are a fun way to do it, but for the soft romantic vibe of "Lover" and the playfulness of this costume, the way to go is some crystal jewelry. Think big. I've chosen some pieces from Swarovski to compliment the look. Some fun blue earrings, some bracelets to layer, and you can never go wrong with a big ring. (There's a million ways to go for this, of course- these are just examples.)

And there's way to go further with it. A big fur coat, to really play into the vintage romantic feel! Hair gems! Really fun nails! This is a costume that I feel has a lot of wasted potential: While I still don't think it suits "Lover", I think it really could've been an even bigger moment than, admittedly, it already was. I have a different vision for the "Lover" costume, though! Now, I'm no pop star stylist who works with Versace... but I do love to offer my own two cents. First things first, we need to consider the 'vibe.' "Lover" is a soft and romantic album with a little pop playfulness. Think "Cruel Summer" and "Paper Rings". It's fun music, but it's not quite the same vibe as "Lady Gaga in Vegas" as the costume might lead you to believe.

I also want to consider Taylor's general vibe over the years. Her fashion, her music, her marketing- it's very light and airy, and she has an almost vintage feel to her look.

I think there's a way to combine the bold, sexy and playful feel of the Versace bodysuit while fitting the vibe of the album and Taylor's personal look: Go for the old Hollywood look. Silken robes, soft wavy hair, and Taylor's signature red lip. Maybe even a feather boa, if we're really feeling fun!

These are some example pieces I think would make for a fantastic "Lover" look. (They're silk lingerie gowns and robes from Apilat Wedding, a custom wear lingerie and boudoir wear brand.)

I think the flirty and playful lingerie look could work really well for the "Lover" album, especially considering her ever so romantic performance of the song "Lover" with the dancing couples on stage. Pair it with square cut diamond earrings and some sparkly stiletto heels, and you've got a certified Moment on your hands.

I want to reiterate that I think the iconic bodysuit IS a cute look. I just think it could have been styled better, or perhaps used in a context it makes more sense for.

I want to cap this off by pointing out a costume from the Era's tour that I think Taylor's styling team did a fantastic job on: Her brand new "Midnights" bodysuit by Zuhair Murad. (Getty Images)

This is a costume that's well styled, well suited to Taylor, and fits the vibe of the album it's for. "Midnights" has more of a mysterious diva vibe to it than "Lover" does, and this costume embodies that. It's styled well- the fringe jacket is very "Taylor", the bold red lip fits the deep blue of the costume well, and while I still think it could use a little more jewelry without the jacket, the garter and the slight mussed up hair goes a long way in making this look like a cohesive look. Plus, I won't lie, I'm a sucker for a starry motif. <3

What do you think about Taylor's "Lover" era costume? Do you have any thoughts on how you'd style it? Do you think it works as is? If so, why? Reply, send in asks, get discussing! <3 Stay cute, Ky

#fashion #restyling #taylor swift #taylor swift eras #celebrity fashion #lover #taylor swift lover #fashion restyle

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bogbees · 2 years ago

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ok these ones are more ab world building sunagakure bc i love the sand sibs and hate how kishimoto went ab that village

Concept: sunakagure was carved like a bowl out of a mountain. The kazekage's building dead centre at the bottom - prob prone to flooding 2:33 AM · Jun 19, 2017

But prob not because the founding fathers of suna would have designed it with a flood drain system and pipes for indoor plumbing or whatever

Bc it HAS to be an oasis. Has to be. There's got to be a bloody underground lake - which would be rad imagine sneaking off to swim

Anyway built like a bowl. Buildings are built like 100ft from the top of the mountain I guess and gradually get lower and lower

Like Santorini just stairs everywhere everyone has killer calves from all the stairs - how gaara can exist as a ninja bc of all the stairs

Anyway I just like making suna cooler than it actually is, god there's so much wasted potential there. Just make Konoha but made out of rock

Like the buildings are made of rock, looks like old Cario or Jaislamer, with basic tunnels in the rock surrounding the village I guess

But with the underground lake, they have greenery and everyone uses colourful fabrics for shade and colours to accent shops and homes

It's not just sandy, windy and basic I like to think.

Naruto visits and Kankuro is like "I warned you about the stairs bro" 4:25 PM · Jun 27, 2017

Suna tots has bubble tea. Fuck it. 8:37 AM · Jul 29, 2017

Suna…. would have public baths too…… 4:20 AM · Aug 1, 2017

i've been looking at some many images of gol gumbaz i completely forgot that my vers of the suna admin building has a central courtyard 1:22 AM · Aug 2, 2017

cause i imaged the first kage to have used the house like the white house is used in america?? and the garden is just something nice

More rad suna: Everyone wears knee length dresses and leggings under their cloaks. There's no difference between men and women's fashion 5:14 AM · Oct 25, 2017

And veils and long dresses/ skirts are a symbol of wealth and are only worn by high society or at weddings by bride and groom

Ninjas are expected to wear midriff exposing outfits to "highlight their power" and to remind guests "yo fucks I got a guy who can kill you"

But only at fancy parties. Ninja's usually wear whatever the fuck they want. See a guy wearing a t-shirt? Yeah he's a ninja

So say high society wind country throws a party and invites the sand sibs to it. They'll all wear veils and long skirts

Temari and Kankuro will bare their midriff while Gaara will not - kazekage, you know him anywhere -- tho u really shouldn't technically ??

Temari hates the class system and only dresses up for important events. Kankuro loves dressing up for every event. They're both best dressed

Gaara… Gaara just wears a nice casual dress and pants and throws on his white scarf over his head. They hate him bc he's beautiful still!

Temari eventually drops Wind country fashion for Fire country fashion 5:32 AM · Oct 25, 2017

#bogs' muttering #the great naruto twitter to tumblr transfer #naruto #i drew these back when i went off ab it but in a sketchbook lol

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aquatic-hybrid · 2 years ago

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SLAM! Heavy boots land onto the wooden and rain slicked pier, the brim of his hat wet and dripping down his face like a healthy stream - his face mostly hidden by the shade of his witchy hood and bonnet ... save for the twisting smirk pulled across his lips. A hunter's maw shows just below the darkness of his face, tiers of ivories eager for the hunt - eager to sink into the bloodbath ready to occur. The Harrowing. The anniversary of the day that plunged an entire city into eternal night, where no living creature could escape - not even the sun's rays survived their descent into that hellish land. Despite all of this terror though there was but one silver lining, well ... maybe two if you counted the joy of battle, and that was that tomorrow would be the day he met him.

Their meeting had been by chance but the two had bonded close, two brothers ready to face the world side by side, a true bond of loyalty that had stood the test of time, distance, and much more. Robin knew where he was, that same tavern where they'd gone to drink to victory last year, he knew that the bar's owner was chiding him, warning him of his late-fathers wrath at his childish antics. His mind lights up with the quiet murmurs floating around him; he'd saved Bilgewater with Akio, by his side the two were unstoppable. To be recognized as a hero was the strangest sensation of all, to be accepted by his actions and not his past ... Of course he loved it here. And so the bundled mage trodded his path towards the inn, taking a steady breath as he pushed the doors open and is immediately greeted with a visage of blue; his best friend just ahead.

Robin's verdant eyes twinkle as his hand pulls his hood and hat down to reveal tossles of pale silver, he's practically beaming at the familiar faces that greet him. He looks livelier, happier, more at ease with himself than he had been before - and prepared to feel the rush of battle once more. His chest aches with the bleeding affection within as he wasts no time rushing to meet his friend and pull him into an embrace, "Akio!" The mage's voice is one of pure exuberance, his arms give a gentle squeeze and he pulls away to regard the clear gold in his companion's eyes, "My friend, how I have missed you! Its well to see you again, you're practically radiant. How have you been? Come come, tell me everything!" He sits him down at the bar and calls for two pints to be brought over, "I've so much to tell you but ... Are you ready for another Harrowing? I hope you've been practicing those spells from before, boy, with everything thats been going on since last year I fear this year it will much more perilous. I'm eager to show you my swordsmanship."

All the time adventuring, taking in jobs, questing all around and meeting so many new faces. It wasn't hard to believe that Akio was well traveled, but also well known at that point. Mostly in Bilgewater and Ionia, the Half-Marai has truly made a name for himself in both regions as a renowned adventurer. Even more recently, someone that has actually taken the mantle of 'Hero' to some, once a title he actively ran from, Akio now fully embraces it.

And what was the so-called Hero doing right now? Well, he was retelling some of his stories from a recent set of fights with some of the patrons. His charisma and overall extroverted attitude gave him a natural gift with story telling. The way he partially acted some scenes, changed pitches on his voice, Akio was capable to gather a fair crowd. Once his tales ended, he was still talking to a few others about more recent events. Mentions of potentials gathers and other help from opposing ships as per tradition during Harrowing.

However, the moment Akio noticed a new arrival in the bar, he was met by a very familiar face. One that he instantly recognized, his good friend Robin was now in the scene, it was impressive to imagine such a duo getting along so closely with how extremely different they were. But such bond truly shined when they were together, even now Akio barely had time to wave towards Robin before he saw him rush towards him for a hug. Without much hesitation, and some minor laughs from other patrons, Akio returned the hug and even ruffled some of Robin's hair with his left hand. "Great to see you again Birdie, it fills me with joy to see you healthy and able, my friend."

Following Robin, he kept a bright smile as he kept his barrage of questions and comments towards him. "Easy there little bird, the tides still have some time before they clash against the pier. I am very curious about your newfound swordsmanship, for sure. As for news on my end." Adjusting himself on his chair, Akio seems to be ready to explain some experiences to his best friend. "I suppose, for starters, people in Ionia are starting to refer to me as some kind of hero. Still not used to it, but it is a mantle I now feel ready to take on, nothing better than to bring hope to others in need." He claimed with a fair sense of pride in his voice, Akio always described himself as a simple mercenary, so this new title was something he held proudly.

@witchcraftandburialdirt

#ic #rp #witchcraftandburialdirt

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summonthebats · 4 months ago

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Arcane TimeTravel bit. Mel and Viktor talk in the Academies cells. Mel taking th puntures to her privilige blinkers like a champ

They had left Viktor his cane.

Under most circumstances this would be entirely appropriate. Too remove a mobility aid from one who required it was an utterly pathetic choice which proved only the weakness of the one who made it. But under most circumstances no one would be permitted to walk into a cell that could be opened from within with the keys dangling from their wrist. Since that was the inadvisable situation in play...

Poor dear Heimerdinger. He really was not equipped for the world they lived in.

Viktor, who looked to be in a debilitating level of pain, glanced her over once. His mouth flattened to neutrality, but his eyebrows fell into a rather familiar line that had all too often proceeded Jayce blowing up a prototype to demonstrate the absolute stupidity put before him. Who had learned that from whom?

Mel nodded, because it was a more than reasonable response, and tugged the thread of magic that would set her armour glowing because if they were not on a time limit here then Heimerdinger was a greater problem than she had ever considered.

"...Do I look like a magic robot to you?"

She'd already known. Of course she had known. Who else, what else, could have caused this? But the relief shoved her lungs empty despite it.

"This would have to be a very different conversation if you did. Having to kill you would be so very inconvenient. And such a waste of resources."

It was always interesting to see how people who were not from Noxus responded to that sort of comment. In Piltover people, including some who ought have known better, took offence. To the admission of their usefulness almost as much as the offer of violence it often seemed. The Undercity, or Viktor perhaps, seemed to regard matters differently. He eyebrows smoothed a little, hand a little looser on his cane and his shoulders shifted, just ever so slightly. Something closer to the almost hidden distain which had so amused her the first time Heimerdinger had introduced his new assistant and grown increasingly irritating in the years that followed.

Mel give him her most precise politicians smile and settled into the ghastly little chair. In that particular way that made Hoskel stutter.

Viktor, looked. She saw him look. Saw the hint of what might have been appreciation. And saw it shift to the hard lines that had been aimed at her only once, and with sound cause.

"What do you want?"

Mel found herself, pleased. Sharp tone, cold irritation, brisk disgust in the face of a poor and impersonal attempt at manipulation. The same perception that had once encouraged her to dismiss his potential to focus on Jayce, and in doing so let herself build weaknesses into her own plan.

"An actual peace between Piltover and the Undercity, the Hexgates on hold until both are stable enough to hold against external pressure and your considerable intelligence focused upon the pollution issue for the foreseeable future." Which ought not be much to ask, Jayce had made attempts to secure funds for research to the Undercity and only a fool would miss the reason behind them. "Which rather includes your not being jailed for a bombing, of all things."

It was a good offer, an excellent one in fact.

Viktor, did not seem to realise this.

"How do you imagine you will achieve this peace?"

"There will be a long way to go-"

"How many children die in the mines every year?"

Mel did not let herself flinch. It was too, matter of fact, for shock to have any value here.

"It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be employed in any high-risk industry, which most certainly includes the mines."

"It is illegal for the waste water of any factory to be discharged into any waterway. Yet if you were to wander by the Pilt at dusk you would find it a most extraordinary shade of yellow by the Rossi dye works. Sometimes an enforcer will stop to watch. So tell me, is a law real if it is not enforced?"

"...No." and that would have to be addressed immediately. Corrupt enforcers would spread their rot almost indefinitely.

"Indeed no. Do you know what fracking was?"

"I believe it was a method of extracting certain natural resources from below ground that proved to have, higher than anticipated risks."

"It used a considerable amount of chemicals and destroyed the bedrock, so the risks should not be considered unanticipated. It caused a considerable number of mine collapses when I was small, the death toll was high enough for the gang lords to stop its use, when the mine owners woldn’t. But the chemicals, or maybe the oils they were to extract, are particularly dangerous and got into the ground water. Making the Pilt the only, eh, non-lethal, water source available for those below the Promenade."

Ah. Yes, that would. That would be more than sufficient wouldn't it.

"I see, thank you that is most certainly pertinent information." So, peace within the current arrangements, would not be possible. Well, they had offered independence before, from a presumed position of overwhelming power but it had been done. The Underc- Zaun's representative had made very reasonable demands, the sort of thing any state builder would want. It would no doubt take a few years to begin the damage mitigation that would render that viable, and the enforcers would have to be addressed at the same time. And, Viktor was watching her, one finger tapping ever so softly on his cane, waiting for, something. Follow the thought back, inspect the facets. What else was implied by the verifiable information set before her? The disregard was, established, there was no need to discuss it further in this...

This may well be the cell that Jayce had been kept in following the explosion at his home. But that had been in a residential building with evidence of illegal experimentation directly linked to him. Viktor was confined for nothing more than having the opportunity to have placed the bombs, which had caused no danger to life or structural damage. The academy blew itself up too often to be so unprepared.

Yet it was only by the intervention of Heimerdinger that his assistant was not in Stillwater. Nor was he in possession of any spare clothes or any of the medications that Viktor was likely to need. The dust on the draw handles was undisturbed, the jacket carefully placed over the chair, the blanket arranged very neatly over Viktor legs and a certain softness against her back when she leaned into the chair suggested carefully folded trousers.

"Were I to look into the court records, how many of Stillwater's occupants would be convicted under, thin evidence?"

"In the records, none. But if you were to ask to see the evidence, oh, flood in the storage room, filing errors. That sort of thing."

Ah, yes. That sort of thing. Noxus used it for those who had lost the political games too badly to be anything but embarrassing. It had not occurred to her that Piltover, that anyone, would use it as a matter of course. It was, wasteful. An enticement to laziness. A reason for rebellion. It was just plain stupid.

It was a sad thing, when one’s shining tower was made of bone. Sadder still to have needed this pointed out. She'd been able to see the pointlessness of the warmongering of Noxus, learned to be proud of that. But Piltover, all its excesses and gilded cruelty, had swallowed her whole and she hadn't noticed.

So. Mel Medarda had, unequivocally, fucked up. Fortunately she was an rational adult, the richest person in this stupid city, a councillor and a brilliant manipulator and if that wasn't enough to start damn well fixing it nothing would.

"I see. That is entirely too many hostages." And that was apparently the right thing to say. "Would it be safe to presume that any improvement made in Piltover’s name will be regarded with suspicion until that, at the very least, is resolved?"

"I've barely visited Zaun since the Day of Ash, but it seems a reasonable assumption." A rearrangement of his shoulders, another attempt to ease pain no doubt but the blanket slipped to reveal a sharp collar bone and a mole to ornament it, just for an moment. "We have every reason to doubt."

"They erased you from the records of Hextech."

That, was not what she had intended to say.

"That is not the surprise you seem to think it is. Succeed in this and they will try to erase you also, for not being one of them."

That, well. Quite possibly. She recalled the sneers when she had arrived, for all that she had come with money and the impression of being a representative of Noxus. Her successes had silenced most now, secured her as being of Piltover, if not truly one of them. But without the threat of her displeasure there would no doubt be those who recalled the affront of anyone Not Them making a success of themselves in their city. Less than Viktor would be, certainly, not being of the dread Undercity, but certainly enough to stick in their teeth. Enough to dismiss her from her own victories. How dare anyone address their mistakes? How dare anyone notice their mistake in the first place?

"That was among the reasons that I focused on your partner so. The Talis name made things easier to keep."

A mistake in retrospect, but an understandable one. With the work under Jayce’s’ name it was effectively the property of House Kiramman. It would have been costly to fight them, and even more so to keep it after a victory, without the grasping protection of that name.

"I know. But there will be no Hexgates this time, the rest is, eh, less worth the battle."

"While a delay is certainly required-"

"I will not recreate them." The calm was, eery. "Piltover does not deserve the advantage and Zaun does not deserve the side effects."

"That is not only your choice Viktor." She hadn't seen Jayce yet, but if Viktor remembered surely his partner-

He smiled, sharp and bitter, but triumphant.

"Councillor you know Jayce, he thinks everything should fit in a tool box. Even if you can persuade him, which I doubt after all that happened, the Hexgates workings were of my design. No doubt he could recall enough of the plans to begin but to complete them alone might take decades."

It could be a lie, of course, or an exaggeration. It would make sense for Viktor to exaggerate his importance, given his current position. But she had seen some of Jayce's prototypes and they always leaned towards the improvement of the existing, the augmentation of the physical. While Viktor... Viktor had made the Hexcore, and made it while his partner was away in meetings and parties.

Besides, Jayce had made no attempt to contact her yet and there was no way to say what of his previous instability had come with them through time. The enforcers could not determine the explosive that had been used on the labs. Hadn't they had similar issues at his home, before? No, best to plan for Viktors honesty that presume that he lied. Safer.

If one did not attempt to force a locked door it might be possible to have it open for a polite knock at a later date. The Hexgates were a fight worth having, but not now and certainly not while Viktor was in jail and feeling defensive. That matter was years away.

"Piltover has given you no cause for trust. I would like to revisit the matter, once we have had time to work on that. Now, I can see no reasonable way that you could possibly be convicted of the bombing, but nor does it seem viable for the works we agreed on to take place in Piltover. Are you able to locate suitable work space in Zaun?"

"I can, make arrangements."

There was a confession of something in that tone, but given the current state of affairs she wasn't going to enquire. Which was likely a damning indictment of her attitude towards Zaun but she could deal with that later. While not in a cell.

"Good. I am willing to provide funding and assistance with suppliers to support your work to clean the air and water of Zaun, and provided a living allowance. I place no restrictions on other research you may pursue, but do not care to fund it. Do you object to these terms?"

"No."

"Good. My condition to this is that you will, once a month, see a doctor of my choosing and undertake the recommendations they make. Reports on progress, and issues, on the same date."

A demand that he look too his health should not have drawn that expression.

"No doctor in Piltover gives a damn about the illnesses of the Undercity. I will not suffer their folly again."

Ridiculous. Piltover was well known for the quality of its hospitals. Their emergency care was second to none!

Then memory tipped a card. The, bolts, she had seen them sticking out of Viktors spine before Jayce frantically failed to force breath back into his partner. Even her scant medical knowledge insisted that a half open wound was an invitation to infection at the best of times, and ought not be induced without extraordinary cause. Certainly not on someone of Viktor's reckless habits.

"Piltover does not have the only doctors." And she couldn't trust him to look after himself, so he was going to be in regular contact with a professional if she had to ship one in from Ionia. Viktor and Jayce were too damn smart, to useful to loose, and feedback from the mind web had provided quite enough to dispel any doubts, it was both or neither. "Your dying unexpectedly is not acceptable."

His face went flat again. Hiding something, quite obviously, but no clues provided as to what. Gods, but there had been many reasons she had never sought to make Viktor part of her plans. Jayce being so open, so eager to please, had presented its own issues but it made him predictable. If not consistent.

"Hm. Very well. You will source this doctor and the day should be consistent each month. For your reputation the meeting cannot be in any location you are known to control and no funds should change hands in person." He frowned at his cane handle. "The Citywide Society should still have a branch in the Promenade, few of the spy's there will report to Piltover."

Not one of the banks she used, but that was no bad thing. Piltover didn't care who you slept with, but they were always happy to presume blackmail if the opportunity arose.

"Agreed. Dress nicely when visiting and if asked imply that you are a kept man."

"Eh..." Viktor really did have an unfortunately expressive face.

"What? I am exceptionally wealthy. Are you implying that I would be stingy with my mistress?" People had surely made more offensive claims, but none came immediately to mind.

"Councillor, no one is going to believe that you need to pay for company. Certainly not company that looks like me."

Mel looked him over and had to consider it for a moment. Viktor was not classically handsome, but he was elegant. Fine skin and lovely hands and now, without the marks of neglect and prolonged ill health that awaited him, he still looked the epitome of all the men her mother spent heavily on. Some might find the cane off putting but those cheekbones would cover grander flaws than that, even if the rest of his face hadn't pulled together so beautifully.

"It would certainly help if you would stop looking at people as though you know every single sin they have ever chosen and are judging them for being so dull."

"Councillor, you are Piltovers’ shining star and I am an Undercity cripple."

"You, never met my mother I presume?"

"No, what would- oh, oh. Moment please."

It was, pain wasn't quite the right word for the expression but it came closest. Mel waited, tried to not count the moles revealed where the blanket had slipped. Tried harder not to think on how much of Viktors clothing she was currently learning on. She would not attempt to flirt with the twink, even if he was ridiculously intelligent and assisting her to improve a society. Even though he had been sharp enough to call her bluff even when they were this age the first time and had kept up ever since.

"What medication should you have taken?"

"One of half of my medicine cabinet, several hours ago. Its not that, I have memories from the hive mind. That one was, loud."

Memories of the hive mind. Memories from the web he had connected half of the cities too. Including her.

Fuck.

No wonder he had been offended, he knew she used that move on Hoskel. He knew all her secrets and she had compared him to Hoskel. Good grief.

"I maintain that Amabessa is, of unusual tastes but I agree to the ploy. How does one imply that they are a kept man?"

"Dress pretty and bat your eyelashes, you'll be fine." They were, not addressing that? He was just going to, inform her of his knowledge and breeze on past? Viktor could hardly be unaware of the advantage against her that he had just discarded. He knew her, better than she would have ever let him, could predict and manipulate in ways she had not the knowledge of him to predict or block. He gained nothing by warning her and lost the effectiveness of the weapon. He gained nothing in the admission. "Do we have a deal?"

"We have a deal."

Good. Part one complete, bad plan dismissed, better one in place, scientist secured. Proceed to part two. Logistics, Elora would arrange it perfectly even if she did think Mel was indulging a wild fancy. Politics, well. The politics would be interesting. The politics were hers.

"Good." She offered her hand, found herself oddly pleased by the brisk handshake, no, no pretty bows over her fingers from this one. "I shall see you at your trial Viktor."

"Until then, Councillor Medarda."

"Surely my conspirator should call me by my name?"

He hummed, not a sound she had heard from him before but entirely fitting. And surprisingly telling. She had noted Viktors strict use of titles, entirely proper for Piltover high society of course, save for the curl of distain he so nearly hid and the way he so fully discarded them when impressed by someone. It would be good, to learn the background of that trait. Maybe he might even start using her name.

Mel let herself smile. She always had done her best work when she had someone to prove wrong, let him doubt.

"Goodnight councillor."

"Goodnight."

Heimerdinger had not waited outside. Not that there was anything the tiny man could have done if Viktor had managed to take the keys from her but it was the principle of the thing. And she would have to go and find him to articulate the failings in his hospitality and that was just a tad vexing. Really, the man had a fine wardrobe, how could he have forgotten about clothes at the very least?

#arcane fic bit #viktor arcane #mel medarda #heimerdinger #not in person but as a naritive force #of not thinking it through #mel is basicly a banished princess #and that interest me #Viktor has no time for piltie bullshit #so he's plesantly suprised for about half of this #full of doubt #but also pleasantly suprised

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