#i just want to look at clovers and paint and be good to my neighbors but you won't stop fucking murdering people in front of me

[skrunksthatwunk]

not to doomer post. but. american politics is like here's a conservative warmonger who wants to burn you alive personally and here's a different conservative warmonger who definitely wouldn't stop someone from burning you alive BUT who might raise the minimum wage by $0.30/hour for you, but only like eight years from now (so re-elect me please!! >w<). yes one of them has to be president they are the only two options we'll let you have. no neither of them will stop the government from killing you or anyone else, but at least one will say "it's kind of bad to kill people :( someone should really do something about that..." while giving the people-killers $20,000,000,000,000 to keep doing it then saying they can't afford to help you at all, but oh shucks, maybe next cycle, if you vote for me again! and also everyone will pretend as though they are extremely different political entities covering two highly polarized ends of the political spectrum despite nearly identical policy views obscured by their slightly different ways of addressing their target audiences, many of whom are also conservative warmongers. and also if you don't vote or vote third party the other guy will win and you will watch as they burn everyone you love alive in the same way they've burned so many strangers so you kind of feel like you have to vote for the other warmonger because even though they both have blood on their hands you'll take a handshake over an uppercut. even if you can still see the bodies piling up behind them. even if you can only save like five people you know and not the thousands of people who are dying in the other room. because you believe the difference between 30,000 and 30,005 is still worth it even though no one needed to die in the first place and no one seems to agree with you. you have to keep living in this world every day. if anything changes it will take decades and it will never be enough. if this takes a toll on you good fucking luck surviving off the generosity of the warmonger state that claims to serve you. happy voting!!

[pbandjesse]

Sadly baby mouse died overnight. I am not shocked after how quickly he deteriorated yesterday. I just hope he was comfortable in the end. I feel really bad. But I tried my best. I really did. I would bury him with his brother in the clover pot.

I felt sad this morning because of that. I hadn't slept bad. And let myself sleep until 9. When I woke up I had a sore throat. It's like deep in the base of my skull. Which might be be allergies but it for sure not comfy.

I got dressed. And tried to feel fine. I cleaned up all the mouse stuff. Said goodbye. Tried to feel normal.

I had a little breakfast. And I worked on the sweater project. I decided that it's not the right shape. Which is alright. It was a fun try and I will move on to the next project now. I am not sure what that will look like but I'm looking forward to trying to make something else

My hands need a little break I think though and I might do some sewing to get ready for the Christmas market. Or draw some new bears. We will see.

I would chill on the couch after I vacuumed up the yarn fluff I got all over the living room. I thought about cleaning but then I was just a bit paralyzed. I was tired and couldn't do anything. So I didn't. I had a deviled egg. I ran downstairs to get a package for a neighbor when the doorbell rang. I laid in bed for a little while.

I got up at 12 and finished getting ready. I put my shoes on. And I was off. I said hello to my neighbor outside. And drove to awah.

I put on music to hype myself up. And got there early. I was most of the way set up when Zoe got there.

It was a fun day. I was really pleased to see the sisters back from the spring who I really like. I also just really liked the project. We were talking about geometric shapes and colors and patterns. And everyone seemed really into it. Which I always love. I just want everyone to have fun. And this was a good one.

Me and Naomi also made some art to encourage the teens. One of the sister, Tiffany, loved the black outlines on my art and asked if she could do it too. Of course!! She seemed so excited, it was so sweet. Her sister, Sierra, held my hand and told me she was afraid of bees. She also was very concerned with the dates of the class which I think is very sweet. She just wants to know what's up, which I can absolutely relate too.

We had a lull between groups and were able to reset. I had a nice conversation with Mary Ellen about what puhtok does and the group I work with on Tuesdays with profoundly disabled students. She got a little misty! I was surprised but I also got it.

The adult class was fun. I had a nice conversation with Andrew and his dad about how Andrew has such a beautiful eye for color and his work reminds me of Hilma af Klint. Which I think made Andrew flattered.

I also just had some nice interactions with Richard and his aid. About pop art and painting. It was a fun class.

Me and Naomi would chat about her trip next weekend and how we have no class. It'll be nice to have a free Sunday. And we were pretty good at reminding people about it. Hate to mess up any of their routines, I know how important that is for them, but everyone seems mostly chill about it.

It would take a little bit to get all of the materials out away. Andrew and Brian had helped us bring things to the table and I got everything put away. Chatted with Andrew's dad. But soon it was time to go.

I remembered to alarm the building. And then walked to my car. Which was surprisingly warm. I took my sweater and socks off. And wrote my notes for the class while the ac cooled down the car.

I I went to target. I was originally going to go this morning but I am glad I waited. It was fun. But it was also incredibly busy. Target was having some kind of sale if you used the app. Which finally pushed me to download the app.

And I saved so much??? I had $18 in Cashback on my account I didn't know about and a $5 gift card, plus 30% off half my items. I ended up getting a $95 order for $58! That's crazy!

I did really good sticking to my list. But I also treated myself to a beautiful green fleece jacket that I love. Its so soft. And if we use girl math, with my discounts today I got it for free.

Of course it's way to warm to wear it. But in the coming weeks I am sure it's going to be great.

I paid after waiting on a very long line. Almost left the store without getting the security tag taken off the fleece but after the door beeped at me twice I went back and got it fixed. Oops.

I dropped off my purchases in the car and walked to five below. Which was also to busy but it was fine. I did not have luck finding what I was looking for. The final items on my list. Pimple patches and brown sugar chapstick. I still had fun looking around.

I remembered I had a $10 gift card for Ulta so I walked next door and had great luck. I found a new brand of patches that weren't expensive and the brown sugar chapstick! Which had a redesigned package so I'm glad I was able to find it even if it didn't look like I expected from the old packaging.

The girl at the counter was excited for me that my total was $4 after my gift card. Excellent. Love a deal. She also helped me fix my Ulta account that wasn't set up correctly. Why it had my Minnesota address and my brother's name I will never know. Weird weird weird.

I walked to the Michaels next. No luck on the strap material but I found a few other little things I was excited about. Some ribbon and super glue. A cup and a wall hook shaped like a heart. I had a coupon for there too. I was doing really good today.

I got a piece of candy while I was there and ate that while I walked back to the car. And then home.

It was a nice drive back. And I was really happy to be back. I was tired.

James was playing DND with their friends. I put things away and laid on the couch with sweetp. James said they would play for another hour. And once that hour was up I requested they get off and have dinner with me. So they did.

They would run to the store to get dressing. And then we had a salad, fries, and grilled cheeses for dinner. James just made one dinner that we shared and it was very sweet. I love my husband.

I have been hanging out all evening. Texting Celia about how whimsy is the best prevention for COVID. Sweetp was being a little cutie cuddling me. I got a shower. James and me are in bed now. I am very much ready for sleep.

James told me that they are very sorry that baby mouse died. But they feel like taking care of him healed something in them for the mouse tests they had to do in highschool. I am glad that we tried. I am sad but I know we showed kindness and that is important to me.

Tomorrow we are taking Sweetp to the vet for a check up. He is to fat so I am expecting them to tell us that. But besides that I think we are just having a chill day. I hope it is restful.

Sleep well everyone. Wash your hands and take care of eachother.

[gallusrostromegalus]

Progress On The Garden At The End Of The Universe

So, after about a month of trying to assemble pieces, getting the wrong primer, waiting for the weather to cooperate, and general malaise, The Garden At The End Of The Universe is getting underway!

The process so far has been:

Attempt to figure out where the sprinkler heads are so you don't put a bed over them and drown your plants.

After searching for a week, call up a guy who literally calls himself "Sprinkler Dave" and have him poke the box until they all are accounted for.

While Dave is poking the box, answer his questions about mRNA vaccines and urge him to get his ASAP. Sprinkler Dave agrees this is a good idea and the next time he is back, he has his vaccine sticker in the window of his truck. We are keeping Sprinkler Dave.

Mow lawn as short as possible and spread probably too much clover seed about two weeks late but hey it's still coming up and fixing nitrogen/keeping the water needs down.

Halfway through mowing, run out of gas.

Go to gas station

Get yelled at that "THE LIL 2-GALLON AIN'T GONNA GETCHYA THROUGH WHAT'S COMIN'!" by a neighbor with the same double-digit number of guns as IQ points.

"I just want it to get the lawn done.

Notice he is filling what appears to be a 120 gallon open-topped fish tank with gas. There is a box of saran wrap in the truck bed with it.

Remember that this is the neighbor that got arrested at fourth of July, thanksgiving and a gender reveal party in his yard for having the kind of explosives you need a license for, even if we weren't under a fire ban.

For the fourth time in as many months, call the police before this damn fool kills himself and the rest of the block.

Finish mowing and sowing.

Purchase galvanized steel pieces off moderately sketchy Garden supply online store.

Be delighted when the pieces arrive and they have sent you twice as many as you thought.

Attempt to paint galvanized steel pieces.

Learn you need primer.

Order latex aluminum primer.

Latex aluminum primer gets boat stuck sideways in the Suez canal.

Well, at least the weather is still cold and occasionally blizzardy, so its not like it will hold anything up.

Primer garden beds.

Explain to dogs that they do not need to help you with this.

Paint beds.

Watch Cooper's Hawk take a squirrel right off the fence while painting and cheer, much to the horror of your neighbor whose porch the squirrel is being eaten on. Sorry Linda.

Use shovel to dig small gap in the lawn and kick bed until it is wedged in and the top is mostly level.

Take leftover pizza and moving boxes and tear them into large chunks to mostly cover the lawn inside the beds. This helps kill the grass underneath, and keeps the water from immediately draining into the ground until the plants are big enough to bust through the cardboard themselves.

Get dirt.

Realize a Honda hatchback is not really a "hauling" vehicle, then drive home with probably way too much in it anyway.

Open up compost box.

Discover that compost is not nearly as fermented as you had hoped, but still progressing and full of friends like centipedes, worms, mushrooms and mice.

Tackle a corgi to keep him from eating a centipede. Idk if they're actually dangerous for dogs but I did not want to find out.

Watch corgi eat a nightcrawler worm like a spaghetti Instead. (Vet said that was ok).

Send dogs back inside for being a little too hakuna matata with the compost pile.

Traumatize Linda again when she asks you how your garden is going by holding up and enormous earthworm and gleefully telling her to " LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS LAD!!"

Mix equal parts topsoil and compost/manure to get dirt that has both dissolved nutrients and enough grit to keep it from getting compacted.

Retreat indoors from incoming thunderstorm and shave head.

Further updates as events warrant.

(if you want to support my garden or get the dogs "sorry you can't eat centipedes" treats, please consider donating to my Ko-Fi or PayPal, or if you think I'm funny, you can pre-order my book on Patreon. Thank you so much!)

[ad1thi]

underrated stevetony fics rec list (P1)

i feel like a lot of really good stevetony fics get swept under the rug because this is such a big fandom and sometimes people miss out on quality content?? so this is a rec list of some of the stevetony fics i feel like everybody should have read/ be reading

Edit (31.12.2020): this got very long (i had almost 50 fics on my list, so ive decided to split this list into two parts. part 2 will be out soon!!)

Edit (20.02.2021): part 2 is out now!!

//

picture me in the trees: @ifmywishescametrue

Tony and Steve were childhood friends that almost became more, but Tony moved and they lost their chance. Thirteen years later, a chance meeting brings Tony back into Steve's life.

Free: @iwanttopizzamanyou

"Steve reads, and the words dance in front of his eyes, because while this used to be his dream, what he wanted, all he can think about is how this Hell will soon become his full time life."

Steve discovers fame, with fans waiting for him in the lobby and girls passing him their numbers after the shows. It used to be what he wanted, he supposes. Except his future managers keep asking more and more from him, and he's not sure his old life will survive. Tony is ready to help, and compromise, but Steve maybe isn't anymore.

making it work: @/ironarm 

“Just tell him you don’t want to see him anymore,” Clint replies, finishing the end of his burger and starting to crumple up the wrapper, “It’s not like you love him or anything.”

“Clint, if I thought I could get rid of him about a week ago, I would have. But for some fucked up reason, I can’t lie to him. It’s like, I see those baby blue eyes, and bam. Whatever barrier that I built up from childhood trauma is gone.”

Clint chokes on the last piece of his burger, almost resisting the urge to smack Tony on the side of his head.

Tony was a fucking idiot.

Boys Like Us: @naferty

The video had been a mistake. One of the biggest mistakes he had ever done in his life, and considering Tony Stark had done a bunch of shit in his younger years, and even older years, that was saying something.

It was just that none of those things were as embarrassing as that video.

He blamed Clint for everything

Stained Fingertips: @thesoundofnat

“I don’t really believe in magic,” he said, clearing his throat. “But I’m almost certain you’re a goddamn wizard, Steve Rogers.”

Steve would remember those words for the rest of his life.

(Or, Steve is maybe slightly obsessed with drawing Tony. Not that Tony minds.)

Inhale, Ex-Sail: @summerpipedream

"Rich pirates decked out in top-of-the-line black market gear,” grumbled Tony, ”why don’t I have the budget to make those again?’

Rhodey inched back so that he and Tony were back-to-back. “We’re apparently law abiding citizens now, which means having to pay taxes.”

Tony scowled. “Urg, right. Remind me why I wanted to do that again?”

Rhodey rolled his eyes. “What was it you called him last time? Your sweet tart? Your apple pie in the sky? The wind beneath your wings? Hopefully he’ll fly here fast enough so we don’t get killed. Or worse, mugged.”

Tony Stark Bingo K1 - AU: Steampunk

As Constant As A Star: @atsadi

The Swan Princess AU

As young children, Prince Anthony and Princess Natasha of neighboring Midgardian kingdoms are betrothed, and spend their summers together every year until they are wed. Tony adores his headstrong friend Nat: it’s her scowly little companion Steve he’s not thrilled about at first. But soon Steve goes from being a thorn in Tony’s side to being his dearest friend – and much, much more than that. Despite Steve feeling the same way about Tony, the pair still dance around each other for years as Steve struggles to accept his feelings for another man: especially one already betrothed to another. Not to mention that Tony is a prince, and Steve is nothing but a squire.

But before they can make peace, Tony is kidnapped and dragged into the beginnings of another conflict in the nearby magical kingdom of Asgard – he really hates magic. With his potential usefulness diminishing by the day, Tony races to escape even as Steve, Natasha, and their friends race to find him and bring him home.

And—just to make matters worse—Tony has been trapped by a powerful spell and turned into a swan, of all creatures. He really, really hates magic.

Always Yours: @hollyjollyhope

Getting kidnapped is normal for them, at this point. But there's nothing normal about this.

And suddenly, Tony has a choice to make.

Oxeye Daisy (patience): @s-horne

“You make me want things I can’t have.”

Steve startled at the voice from behind him and turned around to see Tony standing in the kitchen doorway. He stared straight at Tony for a long moment. The room was quiet, time stretching out in a thick and uncomfortable silence as neither man dare to move nor opened his mouth to speak first.

White Clover (a promise): @s-horne

“Hey, sweetheart.”

Tony lifted his head as he tried to focus on Steve’s voice. When he managed to open his eyes and blink a bit of the blurriness away, he was rewarded with a gentle smile being shone down at him.

“There you are,” Steve said. “Was worried I was going to have to talk to myself.”

Though his tone was light, Tony knew what he meant. It was no secret that Tony was physically weaker and a hell of a lot more human than Steve was and was therefore struggling more with the lack of regular nourishment that came with being held hostage.

“Course not,” Tony said back, voice hoarse but plastering a smile on his face all the same. His head was pounding and his eyes couldn't stay open. “Would I ever do that to you? You’d never get a sensible answer.”

Acta non verba: @firebrands

unapologetic fluff about two idiots who can barely keep it together with how hard they're crushing on each other

or:

tony has to help steve with math + a halloween party = a good time for everyone, eventually

you take me higher than the rest (everybody else is second best): @firebrands

tumblr fill for adi & anthonydarling, who asked for "'Prank' war, but the kind to see who can make the other blush the most in public" from this prompt list

Adjacent, Against, Upon: @firebrands

A political AU!

Steve Rogers is running as the Mayor of somewhere, America. Tony Stark, his campaign manager, deals with a candidate who isn’t interested in lying, and just wants to do good by these citizens, god damn it.

song of unrest: @omg-just-peachy

How was Steve supposed to reconcile all of this? The way he looked so different but still felt so much the same? It made Steve’s head spin. He knows he shouldn’t care so much, that he is what he is, but he just wants to know.

Paint The Town Blue: @omg-just-peachy

Ten years since he’d seen or spoken to Tony Stark, ten years since they’d broken up to go away to school. And now this email. It could be his only chance to see Tony again.

Camelot: @weethreequarter

For one shining moment, there was Camelot.

In 2019, Karen Page meets Captain Steve Rogers to conduct an exclusive interview on his late husband, President Tony Stark.

In 2007, Steve meets Senator Tony Stark and falls in love.

he thinks he’s lancelot (but he’s more of a sir lamorak): @theotherwasdeath

Tony knows firsthand that violence isn’t funny. So why oh why does he think that the scene playing out in front of him, Steve and Victor Von Doom in a knock-out, drag-down fist fight, is absolutely hilarious?

wildflowers: @tinytonysnark

“So,” Steve begins, clapping his hands together, “the city of SHIELD is in debt. The big ups have sent for financial advisors, all the way from DC! They’re gonna take a look at the city’s spending and make some cuts.”

He squints at the camera against the morning sun shining through the courtyard, “I’m not that worried. Everyone here in the parks department is an important member of the team and absolutely needed.”

The camera swings towards the office where from the large glass window, Natasha can be seen picking up the ringing phone before immediately slamming it back down onto the receiver.

[A Parks and Rec AU]

trinkets of your affection: @starklysteve

Kissed him once for every year I loved him, Steve had written.

By that count, Steve owes him five more kisses now.

Tony traces the words, hands trembling, and tips back a shot of Howard's ancient whiskey. None of it burns anymore.

One day, he'll have lived more days without Steve than there are words in the diary.

For the first time since he'd woken with shrapnel in his chest, Tony fears the future.

----------

Or, five things Tony keeps to remember Steve by, and one thing Steve gives him to remember.

[calleo-bricriu]

Me: Has drafts. Also me: Has replies already written in my head. ALSO ME: “Typing is hard...”

In my defense, I’m in the home stretch of closing on a house and have to start actually working out and executing the steps to get all my shit packed up and moved from this place--I still have shit from when we bought the house in 2004 that STILL ISN’T UNPACKED, it’s mostly old computer games and I’ll probably just leave it to be finally trashed, but there’s like 5 huge boxes of it in the closet.

The house in question is an amazing little thing built in 1879 and the most work I’ll have to do on it:

1. Wait for squirrel in the garage soffits to have her babies grow up and leave, then seal the hole.

2. Strip the goddamned white paint off of all the interior wood trim; it’s the original wood trim, there’s a place for parlor doors (though they’re long gone). I just...the original woodwork is gorgeous, the exterior facing parts of the doors still have it, they’d a deep mahogany with wonderful grain. They’re the original doors from 1879 that have just been fitted with more modern deadbolts but still have the original knobs with skeleton key holes (long since blocked off because security).

3. P A I N T. I hate neutrals. I hate neutrals and, of course, when people flip a house they try to paint it in neutrals so it has a broader appeal and so potential buyers can more easily see their stuff in there, but the only thing worse than rental beige is rental tan. Gotta get some damn color in there. It might not be a big old Victorian house but it’s a Victorian house. The interior and exterior should be as obnoxiously bright as possible.

4. Get the roof redone because I know I have the money for it not, I don’t know that I’ll have it in 5-7 years.

5. Consider residing; it has white vinyl, and vinyl can be painted but it doesn’t last terribly long. Might just have it painted though. I don’t want a boring ass white house when the big rental next door is bright blue. Another roof situation, I have the money now.

6. Fix the garage door opener; it works but the chain is off the track so it doesn’t actually lift the door. 7. Probably replace the furnace and water heater; there’s nothing wrong with them but they are  from 1996, and new ones would be way more efficient.

8. Uh...furniture. All I’m taking with me is the stuff in my office and the bed I sleep in. Probably gonna need more than that.

9. Make the call on whether I want to have an electrician put in 220 volt stuff for an electric dryer or be okay with using the as feed up to that little room. Probably will just use the gas feed as it’s there. Discovered the unplugged thing on the floor in that room goes to underfloor heating meant to be used in the winter as it’s just a 3 season porch so it gets cold.

10. Be forever amazed that the original electrical wiring is still present (though largely spliced into modern wiring save for the light coming down from the ceiling in the closet--you can see the original, still insulated cord clearly--and into dining room which will be probably filled with reptiles, AND that it works and has been inspected by an actual electrician and deemed safe. 100amp breaker, but that’s not so bad, it’s a 150 breaker here and nothing ever blows.

11. ...smoke alarms and a CO alarm, as there are none, which is fine, nobody has been living there for the two-ish years the guy was rennovating it.

12. Fix the one glass pane that’s missing in the bedroom; storm window is still present and not broken/cracked but one really should have double panes windows here.

13. Oh yeah, and curtains.

14. Getting the second door that’s painted shut opened back up, the stupid white paint stripped form it, and getting a modern deadbolt put in so it’s a usable, safe door to be able to open. It’s the side door to what was the parlor and is now the living room.

15. Possibly look at where the parlor door was after having the paint stripped and see if the pockets are still present; if they are, see about getting replica doors to match the existing ones put in. Who wouldn’t want to be able to dramatically open parlor doors or tell someone to step into their parlor?

Now you get pics I took while I was there for the home inspection!

The new LED lightbulb put into a fixture from 1879:

Big kitchen, fuckton of storage, two flour bins by the stove; I love flour bins, the house I grew up in had them as did my grandparents’ houses. As long as you clean them out thoroughly when they’re empty they’re great!

📷

The exterior of the side parlor door that's painted shut.

The front door (the interior side is painted white). Original knob and skeleton key lock from when the house was built.

This house survived being a cheap, rundown student rental for nearly 40 years and it still has so much of its original stuff.

The stairs to the basement and crawlspace that looks like something out of a horror movie, so naturally I love it.

This is directly inside the crawlspace. It's absolutely perfect for storing potatoes, root vegetables, and squash--and for putting jars of stuff to ferment. It's a good 10 degrees colder than the rest of the area and is meant to be used for exactly what I just mentioned. I love that it's still there.

Also here's the entrance to the crawlspace.

...and the crawlspace. The tiny 'basement' is just a room with a few shelves I need to replace as they were using untreated plywood in the metal frame and most of it is moldy or starting to rot because untreated. Otherwise all that's in there is the furnace and water heater. The furnace has some open drain ports and I may put a humidifier down there to run 24/7 because it is, as most basements that aren't fully finished around here, a bit damp.

TL;DR: I may be largely MIA or not as quick to respond as I usually am because I’ll be legit running around like a lunatic moving all my stuff, setting up my new old house (MINE, ONLY MINE, no ex, no other people, JUST. ME. I loved living alone before I got married, and always thought I’d be happier still living alone even while married, which may be a sign that it was a bad decision, but I really just like living alone with a bunch of animals.

Also I've never seen a house that has an attic only accessible from the outside and using a ladder but that's what we have here; there's a big panel that I thought was just a vent that's really a...door.

The back yard is huge, already fenced, has a fire pit, has no fucking grass either, it's all native wild plants with some grape vines in a few areas; big mature ones too.

The front yard also has no grass, which, again, great, I'd planned to tear out any lawn at the house I got anyway. Front yard is still a bit bare so I may just coat it with clover. The only thing I'll have to mow is the boulevard and I can do that with a manual mower or be the extra strange neighbor and use a scythe--and yes I have one, I took it from my grandpa's barn after he died. They also planted a ton of ferns in the front yard for some reason, but I like ferns so they can stay. Oh and there's an entire workshop behind the garage which means I still will have an inside place to keep making wands.

[theonceoverthinker]

When Will My Life Begin? (Fair Game Tangled AU) (1/?)

Summary: Tangled AU. Clover Callows has been confined to a tower for all of his life, and given the threat that his Uncle Tyrian says his semblance poses to his safety, he accepts that fate. It’s the only life he’s ever known, after all. But when he’s offered the opportunity to fulfill his greatest dream after a chance encounter with a thief -- or bandit, as Qrow Branwen insists there’s a difference between the two -- both Clover and Qrow will discover joys that they never knew life could offer them before.

AO3

A/N: It’s finally here, and just in time for the last day of @fair-game-week -- my Tangled AU!!!! While it’s a bit shorter than I anticipated, I am so happy to finally present you with the first chapter, and hopefully, there will be many more to follow very soon!!!!

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

CHAPTER 1

This...is the story of how I died.

Don’t worry, this is actually a very fun story.

And the truth is, it isn’t even mine.

This is the story of a man named Clover.

And it starts with semblances.

Semblances, for those of you not in the know, are abilities that each and every individual in Remnant has. They can make you go faster, shiftshape, and all sorts of other things -- they can even manifest and activate without the person thinking about it.

For the forces of good who work to make Remnant a haven for all, semblances can be a real blessing.

But that’s the thing about good forces. They can’t exist unless there’s something they need to be good against. And what the kingdom of Remnant was against was itself against the very essence of goodness itself.

Salem was a witch bathed in darkness. Her semblance gave her the ability to conjure up and control armies of these things called Grimm. 

What are Grimm, you may ask?

Imagine animals, and then imagine what they’d look like if they somehow survived a volcanic eruption, a typhoon, and an earthquake all at the same time.

Yeah, those are Grimm.

And Grimm don’t like humans.

Neither did Salem.

Salem’s attempts to defeat the kingdom of Remnant with her army of monstrous Grimm, while never successful, also never stopped coming. Even if it looked like things were calm, folks in Remnant always knew Salem was plotting her next attack in the shadows.

Okay, I know, I know, I’m getting off topic here. This story’s about Clover.

Trust me -- I’m getting to him.

Remnant had a general -- one high in renown -- and he had a family. This family wasn’t one unified by blood, but was grafted together like a tree.

General Ironwood had adopted four little children, and was ready to add yet another to the family -- an infant whose parents were stolen from him by the cruelties of an apathetic, yet powerful fire. But against all odds, the child was spared. And so Ironwood did the only kindness to this child he could think of -- adopting him into his family.

That baby...was Clover.

On the day Clover entered the general’s home, and for all the days that followed, it became clear that luck was to the child in much the same as breathing was to you and me. Surrounded by his new father and siblings and the love they birthed inside of him, Clover seemed to make improbabilities of fortune the norm wherever he went. Lost pets returned to neighbors, supplies for shops arrived earlier than expected just as they were most needed, potted plants came back to life -- every day brought some kind of new miracle to those Clover interacted with.

It was only a matter of weeks until specialists confirmed what Ironwood had started to suspect.

The child’s...Clover’s semblance...was good luck -- a luck that imprinted itself on those that Clover loved. And while it of course couldn’t be counted on just on its own to ensure changes, in its existence lived the possibility of incredible triumphs for their fair land.

When Clover’s semblance was announced to the people of Remnant, the kingdom rejoiced, hoping to be blessed by Clover’s good luck and prosper for many years to come.

To celebrate his semblance, General Ironwood and Clover’s brothers and sisters released green floating lanterns with clover-shaped insignias into the sky on Clover’s birthday, and Clover himself was gifted with an emerald encrusted clover-shaped brooch. 

...It was something his oldest sister Harriet shortly after suggested that he might be too young to really appreciate, so Ironwood decided to hold onto it until later on.

After all, they were all a family now, a family with a lifetime’s worth of memories to look forward to making.

For that one moment, everything was perfect.

And then that moment ended.

You see, whereas the good people of the kingdom saw naught but opportunities in Clover’s semblance to better their kingdom, Salem’s group of miscreants saw the semblance as nothing but a danger to their mission to destroy it.

And one of Salem’s cronies wanted to do something about that.

Tyrian Callows was worse than a snake in the grass -- he was a scorpion in the grass. Born with a venomous stinger for a tail and a personality even more toxic than that -- well, let’s just say he didn’t really fit in with the people of Remnant.

But when people don’t fit in with those Remnant, they sometimes find that they do fit in with Salem.

Tyrian worshipped Salem from the second she first acknowledged his pitiful existence. Whereas many of Salem’s forces needed to be courted by her at least a little, Tyrian threw himself into his services for her after just one conversation.

The only problem with Tyrian’s little obsession was that he had competitors for Salem’s affections and attention -- her litany of other supporters. Unfortunately for Tyrian, he was about as on good terms with Salem’s other goons as he was with just about anyone in Remnant, so if he wanted to get closer to Salem, he’d need to do it on his own.

And with Clover’s new semblance on display for all, and optimism pouring into the kingdom like water out of a freshly-filled pitcher, Salem’s good graces were harder and harder to get into by the day.

Yes, Tyrian, it seemed was out of luck.

But then, he realized something -- there was a surefire way to change that.

Not two weeks after Clover’s semblance was revealed, something happened that would swerve Remnant’s destiny into a dark territory no one in the kingdom could ever have expected it to fall into. 

It was a cold, windy night when Tyrian struck General Ironwood’s home. Clover’s room was perched on the top floor of the house -- three stories up -- but Tyrian’s tail was more than up to the task. 

When Tyrian approached the darkened room, only given life by the soft sounds of Clover’s snores, he could tell that the theft was almost too easy.

And it was.

By the time General Ironwood was woken by a wooden plank destroyed during the escape, it was too late.

Tyrian, as well as his precious son, were gone.

Cries escaped from the now broken apart family as realizations struck the five of them that their son and brother had disappeared.

Soldiers ran into the nearest woods as far as just about anyone could to search for Clover’s kidnapper, but to no avail.

As Tyrian continued to run away from the kingdom’s guards, he discovered something. Clover and the implications of his existence gave Tyrian more than just a victory -- he gave him a choice. While his original plan was simply to take Clover and bring him to Salem to do what she wished from there, happily taking the bit of goodwill the kidnapping would grant him, another option arose, one Tyrian decided was well worth investing in.

Years ago, long before Tyrian first laid eyes upon Salem, he found an old and deserted tower, masked well by the surrounding forest, and far enough from all as to never be found.

This tower had been Tyrian’s home for some time, and after that night, it would house another.

Yes, the newly self-appointed “Uncle Tyrian” would raise Clover, and take all the luck he was provided by Clover’s love all for himself.

So he did. 

Tyrian hid the truth, carefully painting a narrative for Clover of a hostile world that only wanted to take advantage of him for his semblance, and the tower he was confined to as the sole safe haven from the evils of man -- a final gift from his late father that was by his plea never to be left by Clover.

And Clover, under the guise of living in a loving home, believed him.

But the walls of that tower couldn’t hide everything. 

Each and every year, on his birthday, General Ironwood and his children continued to release those very green lanterns that once celebrated Clover into the sky, and the people of the kingdom -- by the thousands -- joined them in solidarity, hoping one day that their efforts would bring the lost child home. 

While afraid of the world, Clover, as drawn to the windows that led to the world outside his tower as a fly to a pot of honey, gazed at them each and every year on his birthday from the tower’s sole window. As those lanterns lit up Clover’s lonely world, they inspired something in him, something stronger than all the fear of the outside world his “uncle” could ever hope to instill in him -- a dream to one day see them up close for himself and discover their hidden meaning.

And on Clover’s twenty-first birthday, he finally would.

[blankdblank]

Next Caller Pt 35

The sound of an engine dying in your garage had your head turning from the message from Thorin reading, “Nearly there.”

On your feet you walked through the house to the garage, opening the door to find him exiting his car with a huff, “I’m sorry, that bridge, they choose today of all days to repaint the railing, down to a single lane, I beat the truck at least. Made a stop,” he said ducking back into the car to hold out your set of keys you had given him, “To the store’s key kiosk. Made myself a set so you can add those to the orange again.”

“Thanks,” You said folding the keys in your palm only to look at the appliance truck pulling up after noticing the firefly coated ring of keys dangling from the clip on his waist new to his usual set.

“I’ve got it, laundry room’s just off here, right?” You nodded and showed him into the spacious laundry room next to the garage he left the lights on then went to greet the men exiting the truck while you returned the keys to their orange sock home in your closet. A smirk ghosted across your lips spotting Gorgo behind you still pink cheeked in handing over the third book for the fourth.

“It’s so sad..” she mumbled on her way back to the bunk beds right in the most heart wrenching part of the book collection. Barely ten minutes was all it took to have the teal contraptions nearly your height to be wheeled in and hooked up then signed for signaling the duo to head back to their truck.

“They look good,” You said to break the silence and he wet his lips looking you over.

“Painters left I guess?”

“While back, Gorgo’s still here though, crying her way through the final book.” His brows arched up, “There’s a happy hint to the ending, but it’s painful to get there.”

“I bet it will be fantastic.”

“I can get you the first one if you like,”

He shook his head, “Not today, the weekend perhaps when I can give it the focus it deserves.” He looked you over then said, “Where are your guest sheets for the peach room? We can wash them, break these in and I can show you how they work.”

You nodded and guided him to first inspect the paint job then gather up the sheets he helped to carry back and unwrap to toss into the washer with some of your laundry soap. A simple instruction on the settings later and he was with you in the couch waiting on the truck.

Laptop that he brought from his car now open on his lap you chose the mattresses in the sizes you needed and he ordered them relaxing that so far all the terms of the contract were met.

“I think I might be pushing it close with the paint and sleeping in my new room.”

“I do have the bunk beds, probably best if Roac didn’t sleep there either.”

“You would be okay with that?”

You nodded and you asked, “Didn’t you have sprouts?”

In a gasp he popped up saying, “My sprouts!” Hurrying back to his car where he found them still in his open trunk, behind him you giggled and got up to help. Beside him you grabbed a tray and followed him to the greenhouse, in which he walked to the empty plot you had said was all his. Much larger than he had expected and still coated in clover he could tear back later for, now he set the trays down and grinned seeing Roac fly down to greet him. “You are late.”

Lowly he chuckled, “Yes I am.”

Down to the ground in front of him Belly lowered with a ribbon wrapped handle supported small bowl filled with fruit they had picked for him he grinned in accepting. Belly fluffed up in landing stating, “A welcome to our nest.”

“Thank you,” his eyes shifted to you noticing your finger in a brush of your bangs tapping your lip making him reach out and pop a few between his lips, “They taste wonderful, just what I needed.”

Belly puffed up excitedly and flew off with Roac while a duo of hummingbirds flew down with a forget-me-not blossom, the best from the full bunch, coated in resin shaped into a teardrop bubble. It was supported on a leaf the duo were carrying over to Thorin who glanced to them from Kuu waking up in his house after Belly tapped on his roof. “Welcome to our nest. A token for ample eggs.”

Your lips parted and he looked to you only hearing their song like whispers but not understanding it. “They said welcome to the nest. It’s a token for ample eggs.”

The meaning making him smirk then say in accepting the leaf they released into his palm, “Thank you. I’ve never seen these before. It is a wonderful gift, truly I am honored.”

You translated for him and they flew away leaving Kuu walking over with one foot curled around something. Into his extended palm Thorin grinned at the smooth shiny pebble that settled into his palm. With his grin splitting wider he glanced up at Kuu, whose head was beginning to tilt until he said, “Thank you. I will treasure it always. I will put this,” over Kuu’s shifting wing he saw your thumb hooking in your pocket and seamlessly he continued, “In my pocket, right now.”

The grin on Kuu’s face broke in a large yawn and he turned sighing out, “I await the day we shall witness your baby bubbles arrive.” Smoothing your fingers over your forehead you smiled at Kuu on his way back to his house and flashed a bashful grin at Thorin, who was now standing holding the bowl of fruit and the blossom bubble with his hand pocketing the stone. Behind you he strolled curiously back into the house leaving the birds to their joint sleep time. In the hall however he lowly asked, “Baby bubbles?”

“They’re a bit confused still on me not laying eggs, they’ve seen kittens be born in their sacks so,”

“Bubbles,”

You nodded, “Bubbles.”

Lowly he asked, “So the bubble and the pebble are both for babies?”

“No, the pebble is for protection. He spent last night singing a song of protection while holding the pebble he picked for you,” already tears prickled in his eyes on your way to the garage making him wonder why you were heading there, “Every Great Owl has one they keep in their pouches. You never take them. Part of how I smoothed things over with Hector and the workers in the Aviary who thought it was just an odd pebble that they touched while he was preening, triggering a two day stand off. We don’t have pouches so, pockets. But when you leave home you take it with you. It’s supposed to be able to always help you find home again if you get lost.”

That was it and he sniffled at the weight of the welcome gifts making you smile up at him, “And you’re crying.”

“Little bit,” he rumbled sniffling again.

He looked around and you said, “Before the truck gets here might as well handle one other tear worthy marker.” His brow inched up and you asked, “What color do you want your name?” Stopping in front of the left over small paint cans on the workstation. “For the mailbox.”

Again he sniffled and then cleared his throat to say out of the few choices you had, skipping the Durin blue to choose your signature color, “The green.”

You nodded and grabbed the can and a slender brush saying, “Keep eating those berries, I got these.” After seeing his glance at the bowl you said, “Those are the best he could find still on the vine.”

“They’re wonderful.” Picking up another to pop between his lips only flashing you a glimpse of the caterpillar in the bowl making you giggle in his deep chuckle. “Even picked me a baby butterfly.”

“Careful around caterpillars and butterflies the hummingbirds call them their cousins, take their care very personally. And we have to have proper memorial services for each of them.” He glanced at you with a grin ghosting across his lips, “You will have to join in.”

“I look forward to it. I will also try to learn the language, so I can speak to them.”

“They speak Hobbitish if you do.”

“That would be easier. Do they always speak so softly?”

“Always, you get used to it.”

“I will.”

Once at the mailbox he settled the now empty bowl on the box and you turned seeing the moving truck pull up finally. With the open paint can in hand he watched you turn saying, “I got it. You have to do it or it doesn’t count.”

The truck parked and nearly collapsing out the open door Kili and Fili both popped up hopping from one foot to the other, “Bathroom!”

In a giggle you nodded your head trotting inside through the open garage, “Come on,”

Straight through you showed one to the hall bath and the other into the bath in your mother’s room. And came out again to see Dwalin parking behind the truck climbing out with an exaggerated stretch and a few younger Durins doing the same groaning as Frerin climbed out of the truck calling to Thorin, “Decades we have lived on the other side of that bridge, and today of all days, now it gives us nonsense!”

With a grin you walked up to the truck while him and Dwalin came to open it for you. The pair looked you over asking, “Been a day?”

“Work, went through the contract with Echo, painting, Gorgo came, I made some bread, did dishes, made lunch, Thorin showed up and then the washer and, now you got here.”

Frerin chuckled and said, “Well we got this, you can relax.”

“I don’t get to be nosy?” You teased and they both smirked watching you turn for the house faking a pout.

To the couch you went hearing them discussing who was carrying what and caught Thorin chatting to one of your neighbors. The very same one who had been aiding him in his intentions who now was beaming proudly hearing his new neighbor had coupled up with such an attentive Dwarf. It did seem soon but fated making it all the more precious. And hurrying off to share the news with his own lovable partner he was off allowing Thorin to finish painting his runes for ‘T Durin’ diagonally under your name on the other side of the plus he painted then eyed with a grin in closing the paint can again. Turned around he carried the paint, brush and bowl, the latter he took back to the greenhouse allowing the caterpillars inside to crawl back out again into the lush surroundings and went to help guide the direction of his things.

Carefully the bulky bed frame was eased through the halls and assembled by Thorin and Frerin giving a base for the mattress Fili and Kili led through next after the dresser another pair eased into the mini walk in closet attached to his bath. On his way back to the truck he saw Roac’s dwelling stand he guided outside the peach room saying, “Staying here tonight to let it air out some more.”

The borrowed trunks were next carried by the teens while Dwalin helped Thorin guide the table wrapped in a blanket through to the parlor. Underneath Frerin helped to work in the legs then joined the others in smirking at the final product when it was aligned perfectly in the room with the teens bringing the chairs in next. Out of what they had for the game room it all had been agreed upon to be moved here hoping to help out for anything you could want for their hopefully to be family gathering spot on an unchosen future game night. All of which was unloaded in a set of boxes the trio got to unloading.

The finishing touches were being unloaded from the truck and in the doorway you stood saying, “Ooh, this is a really nice table,” the men turned and Thorin’s grin settled in while Dwalin wiped his cheek on his shoulder trying to calm down after having heard about the gifts from the birds to welcome him.

“Thank you,” he hummed out while you came closer to smooth your fingertips across it.

“You brought all the games you had it seems.”

Frerin chuckled, “Much better to have them here where there’s room and a great table for them.”

You nodded and glanced around the room, “Well I’ll certainly have to leave the stocking up to you. Bit out of touch with the latest games.”

Dwalin chortled, “Neither are we. Just the classics don’t you worry.”

Around your shoulders Fili and Kili’s arms rested as the latter said, “Ya, the most advanced game they have is that one with the timer to fit the shapes into the holes before it pops up.”

“Not half bad, I think tower blocks is the most high tech I got.”

Frerin smirked, “You mean Jenga?”

You shook your head, “No, Naneth carved different shaped blocks painted all different colors and we had hundreds of them.”

Dwalin, “Oh, you meant actual tower blocks. Nice.”

A sniffle from the hall had the arms dropping as you turned to grin at Gorgo still teary eyed causing the men to pause confused at how to help the situation. Crossing the hall to enter the parlor she squeaked out, “You just ended it like that.”

“Yes I did,” once she reached you she squeaked again then melted around you in a tight hug, easing your arms around her back.

“It’s just so happy.”

“How could I leave it anything but happy?”

Her hug tightened a moment then she drew back sniffling again, “I’m going to need a year to be ready for the sequel.”

You grinned wider at her saying, “Hungry?”

She shook her head and sniffled again wiping her cheeks, “I should go home, hug Gimli.”

You nodded and said, “I’ll grab you the etchings.” Leaving the room heading for your closet.

Once you were out of earshot she pointed to Thorin, “Marry her. Story like that in her, you marry that ball of impossible.”

He could only smirk at her and shift his gaze to the door when you showed up again with a treasure chest wrapped with a metal kraken she couldn’t help but giggle in cradling after accepting the key you gave her. “My sisters picked it out. Couldn’t say no, they started pouting.”

Gorgo patted her hand on the case, “I will guard this with my life.” She said heading for the door with Dwalin escorting her out ensuring she was clear eyed enough to drive before she left.

The final things were unloaded from the truck that Thorin went to check on and thanked the teens that all loaded up in it hoping to use a back way back to the lot before it closed. Inside again he eyed you speaking with the boys as they were sharing about the house that Frerin had bought and the walkway through the park they found connecting your houses and Dwalin’s. Inhaling sharply realizing in that moment that he was now home and from the second that door closed behind him that the pair of you were now hosting his relatives. Fully shifting his skew on the situation he realized in the light of the setting sun coating you that you had been up since before sunrise with little time to sleep the night before and still hadn’t eaten since the lunch you mentioned earlier with Gorgo. Whenever that was it was too long ago and he stated, “Time for supper.”

Frerin said as you looked at Thorin, “Yes, you must be hungry. Up all day, barely slept.”

To the kitchen you walked and joined the men in choosing from the food he had brought they all pulled together for a meal, filling up your table to enjoy it. Stacking the empty dishes came in the middle of a large yawn from you making the men grin in seeing it. Across the table Thorin said, “Why don’t you head off to bed. I’ll lock up. I’m sorry. We took all day, you need your rest.”

Inhaling deeply you brushed your hair from your face and nodded, “Ok, um, if you get tired, I have four beds, the blankets though-,”

Thorin said, “I switched them to the dryer earlier. I’ll show you how to work it tomorrow when we wash the pillows I have enough for us.”

“Alright,”

Dwalin claimed your dishes to add to his, “We got these, see you in the morning, be on my way in a bit too dear. Promised to be back by story time.”

Glancing over the five you turned and headed for your room pushing past the odd feeling of leaving them to their whims. In your closet again you collected the draft set you took back to its usual trunk back in your study and changed to get ready for bed.

Filling the dish washer Thorin muttered out, “This is my first night outside of a kin roof.”

Frerin said nudging his arm, “You know she’s kin now.”

Once the washer was closed Thorin led the way to the laundry room to gather the sheets they sorted and bundled in their arms. In the peach room Fili and Kili stated, “Top bunk!”

Frerin smirked as they tossed a fitted and non fitted sheet onto each top bed that they added a blanket from the nest Gorgo had made leaving the rest for their uncles on the bottom beds. Leaving those for then while Thorin settled Roac’s dwelling inside the room as the sleepy Raven landed on his shoulder ready to sleep. Roac nestled in his dwelling leaving the four to walk Dwalin out the return to Thorin’s room where they hung up his clothes and filled his shoe racks. Back to their homes in the cubbies and shelves from your trunk shelves, Orcrist and the pictures for Roac would have to be added to new shelving units replacing the built ins back in his old room. Rubbing his face he groaned at the long day and started rounds with the guys to ensure the house and garage was locked up, still leaving the back door open for the Great Owls as you had promised them.

All together once Thorin had changed into a set of shorts they collapsed onto the beds with the boys excitedly sprawled across the large mattresses after leaving their boots at the foot of the steps they raced up. Fili covered himself with one of the blankets laying on the pile of sheets, “We should get some of these.”

Kili, “Though I doubt we’d need them this big,” he commented on the ten foot long mattresses.

Thorin chuckled rumbling back, “Her stepfather is nine and a half feet tall.” The boys gasped and he rumbled through another chuckle, “No telling how tall her baby sisters will sprout up to.”

Frerin sighed rolling onto his belly as Thorin remained staring up at the wood above him. Listening to the deepening breaths of his former house mates and slowly closing his eyes to force himself to sleep so he could be awake in time to see you off to work with a full breakfast since today had been drawn out and no doubt nerve wracking for you. Each of them savoring their final night all together while also loving that you were so much closer to being a full member of their clan.

 *

Just like a dream. From under your covers you crept grumbling at the alarm ruining your day of sleep that your body seemed to be aching for and tilting your head back you slumped your way to your bath. A quick primping had you pulling on shorts and a baggy t shirt with back cutouts and combing your hair into a long ponytail. Pocketing your phone and wallet you palmed your keys and socks strolling to the kitchen where you stood with lips pursed in noticing the men setting the breakfast they had made across your set table.

Just in his shorts Thorin flashed you a sleepy grin saying, “Breakfast is ready, your cider is warming up and I have Kuu’s peas boiling now,” He said shifting your usual mug on the counter then turned to accept the bowl that Kuu strolled in carrying. “Eat up, Dwalin will open the shop and I will take them home, bridge will hopefully be clear so I can meet up with you at the shop after.”

“You’re heading to work?”

Smirking as he drained the peas and handed them off to Kuu he hummed back, “Just for a few hours if Balin lets me.”

“Lets you?” You teased taking your seat making him smirk at you.

Frerin said with a smirk of his own taking the seat to your left, “There is very little in that shop Balin does not oversee.”

You glanced at Kili as he said around his mouthful of pancakes, “Herbs are the basis of the shop, he rules the herbs-,”

Fili completed his sentence, “He rules the shop.”

You nodded and said watching Thorin filling your mug, “It’s a hierarchy then.”

Thorin rumbled as you took your first slice of your short stack, “Of sorts.”

Frerin clarified, “Every clan has one, though Dwalin and Thorin both are better at the brewing while Balin is there to mind the sprouts and the full shop, able to see the bigger picture, his specialty.”

Through breakfast he sat down eating beside you then stood as you did handing off your mug while Fili brought you your satchel and the four escorted you to the garage making you smirk as they all waved you off.

.

“I’ve counted your coincidences and have begun drafting for your gown.”

Coughing in an office on your floor in the station Mal found you asking, “You okay?” Passing her your phone wile you set down your drink you’d swallowed wrong she eyed the runes and said, “I can’t read this.”

Her head turned seeing Echo and Glori, who had come to share about the book. The latter came over to rub your back while they peered on at the phone Mal had passed to Echo. A joint “Oh,” had them looking to you then to Mal.

“Fourteen,” You squeaked out.

Mal said, “Fourteen what?”

Echo said, “Jaqi’s Naneth has been counting coincidences, and she’s hit fourteen.”

Mal, “You lost me.”

Glori, “When you meet a person you find interest in you inform your Naneth, and any coincidence is noted,”

Echo, “Once you hit twelve you are considered Ones, fated to be.”

Mal looked at you, “Oh, so, why the coughing?”

“I was drinking-, she’s designing the gown.”

Mal, “Gow-,” then gasped, “Oh, the, gown. Oh that’s big.”

“Very big,” you squeaked our wiping your cheeks dry. “All I did was share about the festival and shared some pictures. But when I messaged her about you saying that my mark looked like a Battle Ram and she looked at the pictures again asking what Thorin went as I hit fourteen.”

Echo stated, “Well you just focus on today,”

“I can’t focus on today, because he doesn’t know what that means and I absolutely cannot tell him and no one blending into the clan can either.”

Glori smirked saying, “You leave the next step to us. We feel a craving for some tea and Rumil is in Greenwood. Thran will surely drag him here if he has to.”

Brushing your hair from your face you groaned out, “Now I have to order a harp...I’m gonna have to wake up Maglor...” you said taking back your phone to send a message to the fabled instrument crafter. “And you all know just how soon that will be published.”

Echo looked to Mal clarifying, “Ordering a mithril harp means betrothal in the very least.”

Mal, “Mithril?! You have to order a mithril harp?!”

You nodded only to lift the phone answering the call from the now very much awake crafter eager to take your order, “Or I wither and die.” Dipping to Noldorin you shared the situation and answered his questions.

Mal’s has dropped and Echo said, “Proposal is a very gentle and sacred topic among Elves. If done improperly without consideration for tradition almost always ends in death.”

Mal, “Can I help?”

Glori said, “These are the only steps to protect, once these are crossed the pair should be safe, as long as no one crosses any mountains of fire.” His eyes watching as you went to the empty table and hopped up on it and swung your legs in the brief conversation he hung up to start drafting ideas for designs.

Echo came over to you as you hung your head back patting your shoulder leaning on the table beside you only for you to slump into his side for a half hug. “We will get you through this.”

“I know. Just not sure how I can bring this up casually.”

Glori smirked saying as he leaned on the table between you in your sip of your cider you had nearly choked on earlier. “Let us handle that. Betrothal is quite simple compared to engaged and by what you said of us his parent’s intentions with the pictures on your trip it shouldn’t be an uncomfortable topic as now it is not just his kin expecting marriage but both.”

“Not helping,” you muttered lowering your mug to your lap again.

Echo, “For now, I got a call last night that the etchings were handed over to the printers. Not long now.”

Glori, “And we have already sold out of our supply of stickers. Have a wait list now and more being printed out.”

Echo, “Any luck on the commercials yet?”

“Haven’t sketched yet, but I have some ideas. I can work on them when I get home.”

Glori, “No rush, we have a couple months minimum until there are enough to sell and then it would probably be another to start advertising.” From his pocket he passed you a folded magazine saying, “For your brainstorming. They have a whole section on soundproofing materials for your mini studio.”

Mal looked at you, “You’re making a home studio?” Grinning at the idea.

“Thought it might help with everything, and I have the space.”

She replied, “That is so cool.”

Looking to Glori again you said, “The months should give me plenty of time to get a few options ready for them. Of course I’ll have to reference some of the Durins’ hidden trinkets so I can perfect Durin’s adornments. Gorgo seemed to be ok with the art I added for the drafts.”

Glorfindel, “Well your etchings are splendid, it will be one of a kind.”

Ecthellion, “And she gave it a raving revue to her now curious boss.”

Mal, “I don’t think I’d be awake after reading a book that size.”

You chuckled weakly, “Almost wasn’t, bit drained from the last book went home to hug her son and finish crying.”

Mal, “Crying? What did you put in the book to make her cry?”

“You’ll see,” you said making her shake her head.

“It better not end sad. I mean it, I would hate to read through all that just to end broken hearted.”

Glori and Echo chuckled guiding you both after a glance at the time to the hall outside your booths, “It’s worth it. Enjoy your show, leave the rest to us.” The latter reaching into your hair and cutting off a small strip at the root, buried deep hard to notice that it was missing at all. The strip shed it’s coloring instantly shining a brilliant shimmering white as he wound it around a pair of pencils secured with a band.

.

Both heading for their office Glori lifted the phone he had pulled from his pocket and called your good friend Rumil. Grinning as he answered with a half dazed hum in the middle of his breakfast. “Rumil, let me know when you’re done chewing, I would hate for you to choke.”

Easing the scramble sandwich from between his lips he asked with now wider eyes catching Legolas’ attention from across the table who tapped his father’s arm. The half asleep knotted bun sporting blonde dipping closer to the table in a try for more sleep while Haldir and Orophin finished setting out the meal the latter had made everyone popped up blinking his eyes to focus on Rumil encouraging the others to do the same. “Why would that be?”

“Jewelia Pear has counted coincidences.”

Instantly Rumil perked up and he asked, “How many did she count?”

“Fourteen.”

“Fourteen-,” hastily he wet his lips, “This about the Durin you mentioned she’s signed a pre engagement prenup with for cohabitation?”

“One and the same. How fast can you get out here, we were going to drop by for some tea. Lend some assistance to the matter.”

Rumil smirked letting out a breathy chuckle, “No wonder, he’s got no clue of the procedure.”

“Exactly, Jackrabbit has contacted Maglor and now we are handling this on her behalf.”

Rumil glances at the others, “We’re eating and we’ll be out as soon as we can. Lucky I always have a packet on me.”

Glorfindel smirked saying, “Lucky indeed. See you then.”

Once he had hung up Rumil shared the news and all of the men hastily finished their meal and rushed to get to primping before the hour long trip to Erebor.

Pt 36

[szopenhauer]

If someone gave you a broken car, would you be able to fix it by yourself? no

Do you have any pet chickens? no

Do you have blue eyes? no

Do you have any goats? no

Do you pray before every meal? just Sunday main meal

Can you stand on your tippy toes? I can

Would you ever go to a Lady Gaga concert? maybe

How many black tank tops do you own? 0

How many pages do you have bookmarked? too many

Is your age an odd or even number? even

How often do you use the toilet? often

How many shirts of yours are red? just a few

What’s something in you room that starts with the letter P? pillows

Are you good at pulling pranks? I don’t like pranks

Can you do a black flip? I can’t

Were you ever on student council in school? yep

Have you ever touched a fish? both alive and dead and food too obviously

Is your mom’s birthday in February? how did you know? :o

Are you hungry right now? just ate

When’s the last time you laughed? ...

Does your house have two kitchens? wtf

Do you know someone who has lost their entire memory? noooo

Do you think your life would change if you were on the cover of a magazine? meh

Do you think you could give up eating desserts for a month? easily

Do you think you could jump for an hour straight? doubt it

Have you ever told someone something secret and then they told people? shitload of times

Do you like ice coffee or it hot? I don’t drink coffee at all

Don’t you hate when you type and get letters mixed around? it’s annoying

Have you ever not accepted someone’s apology? deep inside I knew it’s bullshit and was still careful/avoiding them

When’s the last time you went fishing? never and not gonna

Have you ever thought about being a movie director? YASSS

When you get older, do you think you’ll have short hair or long hair? short

Have you ever snuck out of your house late at night? nah

Do you own a yellow umbrella? I do not

True or false: There is a 4 in the current time. there isn’t

Was it sunny out today? it wasn’t

Do you like classical music? some

The power goes out. What are three things that you have taken for granted? saving this post in drafts only

You get to choose your middle name! It must begin with the letter H. Hildegarda

Have you ever had a Halloween party? I haven’t

Would you rather have a plant cactus or venus flytrap? cactus

Are you better at crosswords or word searches? word searches and sudoku

Would you rather have a water balloon fight or a paint ball fight? paint ball but accidentally eating it sounds gross

Do you like being told what to do? sometimes, depends

What would you do if you were attacked by thugs? Nat would probably front

If someone asked you to go to war today, what would you say? put me in the front line?...

Do you usually get nervous before taking a test? always

Are you more comfortable in public or in your house? house

Do you own an old vintage typewriter? used to

Do you hate how dogs bark every time someone comes to your house? I hate when my neighbor’s dogs bark without any reason

Do you say “mate?” like Hello, mate! Lucy does

Was the weather beautiful today? I didn’t mind it, could be warmer

Would you rather have an orange, red or gray bedroom? orange

Would you ever dye part of your hair blue? I dyed it whole blue once but it turned out grey and it looked cool

Is Finding Nemo a favorite movie of yours? no way

Does/Did your school have a uniform? middle school did

Do you drink more water or juice? water

Do you always carry a purse with you? usually

Do you update your Facebook relationship status when it changes? sigh...

Did you tell someone you loved them today? ugh...

Do you want your own house someday? I wanted that indeed for the longest time

Is there a cat in the room you’re in right now? plushies

Have your parents ever said you’re ruining your life by dating someone? oh well...

Do you hate when artist change their music? could say so

Would you ever name your car? it’s possible

Are you wearing a necklace? not currently

Are you good at giving advice? no comment

Have you gotten into any fights within the past week? sadly

How often do you go to the kitchen? it varies

Are you strong? I don’t think so

When you choose your golf ball for put-put, what color do you pick? -

Have you ever ate the tip of a pencil? The eraser. ewww, gross

You can dye your hair red or neon green. You pick? neon green

How many Juliet’s do you know? knew one ages ago

What’s your current mood? awful

Can you do a cartwheel? not best

Do you believe you have the perfect parents? my dad is awesome

Would you ever try a workout video? Or have you? had self defence aerobic when I was younger

Is your cat orange? it was black

Is anything in the room your in striped? clothes count?

What song do you hear playing? no music!

Have you ever found a four leaf clover? 3 times

Were you ever in the plays in school? several

When was the last time you bought a pair of new shoes? they weren’t exactly new tbh

How many gray shirts do you have? uh oh

Have you ever cried because you missed someone so much? grandma mostly

Do you hate waiting for things? sure

[sweetlydraws]

Painted Lady AU Tomorrow Old meets New.

The final part of the countdown series. To be continued in the next animatic... Hopefully. 

Warnings: Bad Language, Chat Noir Bashing. (He doesn’t show up, but he still an ass in spirt.)

Please Enjoy!

Marinette P.O.V

“MOM! Have you seen my drawing tablet!” I yelled with my arm all the way under the couch. Panic was covering my whole body. My heart was pounding. I need to find a tablet! I’m leaving tomorrow!

“Sweetie you don’t need to yell I’m just over here. Did you check your bags?” Mom said from the kitchen. Pulling my arm out, my hands are shaking.

“I-I did! Sorry... I checked them, check them again, and again.” I stand up and start pacing. Where would it be? I check the bakery, the kitchen, the bathroom, my room, my bags… Where! I run my hand over my face.

“Did you check your balcony?” Mom said not looking up from the dishes she was washing. Freezing, I couldn’t have left it there. I couldn’t! I did, didn’t I. I was up there this morning doodling.

“Do you want me to check sweetie? You look pale.” When my eyes focus, mom is looking at me with concern. I smile. Shaking my head, I turn and head to my room. When I’m out of view, my smile falls. I’m leaving tomorrow, I don’t have time to explain that I’m scared to go on my balcony because of Chat Noir. I quietly climb the ladder. Peaking in I see that Nooroo and co are still asleep. I sneak past them to the ladder. They have been helping me pack and keeping me from panicky.

Opening the trap door quickly.

“Huh?” I see a person. Not Chat Noir. She? He? I can’t tell. They kinda look like their wear a Ladybug inspired costume. Their hood is blocking their face. But I feel their eyes on me. Looking them up and down-

“My tablet!” I said in shocked.

“Oh, so your Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I think you would like this back.” They hand the tablet to me. Getting a good look when I climb all the way up. They’re sitting and grabbing at there side.

“Are you okay? You're holding your side…” I ask as I take my tablet from them. “Who are you?” I thought out loud. Covering my mouth. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to say that. It's just you’re a random person on my balcony and--”

“No, no, no.” They laugh. “It's fine. I’m the Crimson Beetle, Ladybug’s successor. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I would stand to greet you, but a certain alley cat was mad that I was going to give this back to you.” I thought I saw a faint red glow coming from their hood when they mentioned an alley cat. Wait? Alley cat? Chat Noir.

“Alley cat… Chat Noir had my tablet?” My grip tightening. Why? Why would he steal my tablet? Tears threaten to fall. I won’t let them, I wasted too many already.

“Do you know him?” They asked.

“Kinda… He came around and we talked sometimes. Did he hurt you?” I sit in front of them. Guilt filling my stomach. They’re Ladybug successor, no doubt that Chat would not like them.

“He tried to cataclysm me. Luckily the cataclysm doesn’t destroy other heroes. Hurts like a bitch tho. Sorry, language. Any idea why he would steal that from you?”

“I’ve been avoiding him. I was akumatized… I-I-” My vision starts to get blurry.

“No need to explain it to me. Being akumatized is traumatic. I would know. Also if the alley cat was your friend I can only imagine the pressure you must have felt.” They move to sit next to me. The pat my shoulder.

Wiping my eyes. “So your Ladybug replacement?” Why did I say replacement? Maybe I’m still not over her ‘Ladybug, was always better than you. And now this person is too.’ I put a hand over my eye to shake off the thoughts.

“Nah, not a replacement. Successor. I was told that she retired after the last Akuma… I suppose that was you. Did you know her like you know alley cat?” Their voice is kind. At least it seems that Fu chose a nice person.

“Kinda... I helped her interact with the Ladybl-” The words got caught in my throat. “ The ladyblog in the past.” The Beetle tsked. “If you don’t like the blog I don’t blame you.” They pull their arm away.

“I don’t hate it... I don’t hate the idea of it. A blog to help people be aware of akumas could never be a bad thing. But that blog is a gossip blog at worse, at best a uniformed after school project. Also even if you only knew LB a little, the pressure you felt knowing both of Paris heroes must be sickening.” Beetle’s hand disappeared into their hood. ‘Imagine being her.. I guess you do now Beetle. If Tikki is the same with you as she was with me, your going to go mad also.’

“Doesn’t matter now. I’m leaving tomorrow anyway.”

“You're leaving Paris?” Their hood tilted to the side.

“No, kinda. I’m going to be in-”

“Stop. If you want to leave, then you can. You don’t have to explain anything.” Their voice sounded warm. I felt like I could trust them.

We sit in comfortable silence. After a few minutes, Beetle stands up.

“Are you feeling better?” I asked quickly. Standing up with them.

“Yeah, I am. Sorry alley cat stole your tablet. I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid when you leave. Miss Dupain-Cheng.” They nod to me. They make a cross over their heart, then make a cut-throat motion. I give a small smile.

“It’s not your fault, and thank you. I hope you give him shit if he tries anything.” They laugh.

“Language, Miss.” They pull out their yo-yo.

“Marinette. Call me Marinette”

“Miss Marinette. I hope where ever you go, you're happy.” With that, they swung away. I stand there watching them leave before the chill of the night goes across my neck. Turning I head back inside.

“Nh-what are you da-doing?” Pollen slurred speech startled me.

“Just finishing up. Go back to sleep.” I wave my tablet a little. Pollen seemed happy with the response and fall back into a peaceful slumber. Pollen was sleeping in a potted plant that I was going to bring with me. I put my tablet into my bag, and get changed into pajamas. Tomorrow. I smile at the thought of the future.

 Elsewhere in Paris.

Crimson Beetle P.O.V

 As I swing towards home, my vision becomes blurry. I almost fall in panic. Landing on a rooftop, I pull my hood down. Tears?

“Why am I crying?”

‘I’m sorry that would be me.’ Oh, Tikki.

“Why are you crying.. Oh, I guess in a way you also knew Miss Marinette huh.”

‘I did. I feel as though I failed her.’

“Don’t she seems like a strong lady. Everybody has bad and good days you know.” I shrug. I still remember being akumatized. Sometimes I have nightmares that I’ll wake up and be that monster again. “You and Ladybug could only do so much. Now I’m here to help. Don’t worry Tikki!” I pat my chest in hopes that she feels comfort from my words.

‘Thank you.’ Pulling my hood up. We still have to finish patrolling, then head home. I have a test tomorrow… I HAVE A TEST TOMORROW! I throw my yo-yo in a panic.

 Tomorrow 10:30

At Clover-Bloom Academy

Marinette P.O.V

I stand at the gates of Clover-Bloom. Nooroo, Pollen, and Trixx all in a stir in my bag. Clover-Bloom is less of a school, and more like a whole town. I look down at the map. My things were picked up and dropped off earlier today.

“Honestly I still can’t believe that I’m here.” I giggled with joy.

“I’m so happy Marinette!” Nooroo cheered.

“You worked hard for this Mari. You should be proud to be here.” Trixx grinned.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you,” I looked down at the map. “There is a new Ladybug. They go by the Crimson Beetle. We met last night.”

“A new Ladybug?! Are you okay?” Pollen asked in a hushed tone.

“Of course I’m okay. I have a new role. I need to save Duusu.” A smile formed. I will save Duusu. I know I will.

“HEY! Your the new girl right?” A loud voice screamed. I stopped and turned to the voice. A girl is rushing towards me, with another following behind her. “I’m Aurora!” She holds her hand out. I shake it. “This is Vivienne!” The other girl gives a shy smile.

“I’m Marinette.” I smile still shaking Aurora's hand.

“Where are you heading to?” Vivienne asked.

“I’m not sure.” I laughed. I wiggle the map slightly. “This place is bigger than I thought it would be.”

“We could show you around if you want,” Vivienne said. She pulls Aurora hand away. I give a smile in thanks.

“I would be grateful if you would. My room is building D 6-14. I’m not sure what that means.” Aurora's face seems to start glowing.

“You're my neighbor!” She squealed. “ I’m 6-13!”

“Your building D, sixth floor 14’th room,” Vivienne explains. “I’m D 7-3” I nod. “Would you like to head to your room, or walk around?”

“I’m not ready to unpack yet. So let's walk around then.”

“Oh, we can show you the Green House Cafe!” Aurora grabs both mine and Vivienne hands and starts pulling us. I laugh. I haven’t felt like this in a while. I look over at Vivienne, she mouth I’m sorry. She’s smiling tho. I can’t help but smile back. I think I’m going to do a lot of good here.

 End of Count Down.

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart S2 ep 7

Matters of the heart Season 2 Episode 7 How the tides turn Special thanks to @1a-lchemist for help with the Romanian {OPENING CREDITS} {Zapada comes down the stairs to see Isaiah sewing something} Zapada: Copilul meu? Isaiah: Oh! Good morning Zapada! Zapada: what happens here? Isaiah: oh, I’m sewing something for my baby brother or sister! Zapada: May I see? {Isaiah holds up a tiny red bear with jingle bells attached to the limbs} Zapada: Ohhh! Isaiah! That is so…*sobs* Isaiah:...Zapada? {Zapada pulls him into a tight hug} Isaiah: ACK! Zapada: Copilul meu dulce! {Varian walks in with a cup of tea but stops when he sees them} Isaiah: Dad! Wait! Save me! {Varian sneaks back out} Isaiah: Ah!..W-wait!...no! You traitor!! {Varian smirks and goes to walk away when a villager runs through the front door; Varian drops his teacup and Zapada and Isaiah are immediately at attention} Villager: Varian! Sir! Message from the King and Queen! Varian: What’s wrong? Villager: The cult made an unprovoked attack on a neighboring kingdom! Multiple casualties, homes destroyed and crops burnt… {Isaiah gasps and Varian covers his mouth in horror} Varian: a-anything else? Villager: The King and Queen are going with a small group to help aid the survivors. The Queen requests the Royal engineer’s attendance. Varian: Understood. Tell Rapunzel I’m on my way. Villager: As you wish sir. The group will leave at noon. {The villager leaves and Varian hurries over to his desk and begins packing a satchel; Zapada walks over to him} Zapada: Varian? Varian: I don’t understand...they’ve never made an unprovoked attack before… {She takes his hand} Zapada: are you alright? Varian:...I’m...I’m fine…*he brushes her cheek*...I’m just confused and I feel like I could have prevented this... Zapada: Perhaps we have answers when we get there? Varian: We? Zapada: Isaiah and I are going with you! Varian: Zapada no! You’re too heavy with child! I won’t risk losing all of you. Zapada:  Varian! Te iubesc, dar oprește această protejare obsesivă stupidă sau te voi sugruma până la ultima răsuflare!

{Isaiah looks on shocked and Varian shrinks back} Varian: I...Have no idea what you just said but I feel like I should fear for my life... Isaiah: Dad please let the severely hormonal albino lady go with you...I don’t wanna die. Varian: *sigh*....fine Zapada: good...I go pack my saddlebag… {She walks away; Varian slumps against his work bench} Varian:....Get married dad said...it’ll be fun dad said...ugh. {Cut to the forest with Noremoth sitting in a tree with Catalina} Catalina: haha! Stop it! Noremoth: and why would I do that? You make the funniest face! Boop the nose! Catalina: haha...I can’t believe your mission is almost over… Noremoth: yeah… Catalina: You’re gonna come back sometime right? You’re super fun to hang out with… Noremoth:...*sad smile*...Yeah...I’ll be coming back. Keira: Hey love birds! Catalina: Keira! Stop calling us that! We’re not “love birds”! Keira: Whatever, Eugene and Rapunzel need us… Catalina: what for? Keira: that cult attacked another kingdom last night. {Noremoth jumps down} Noremoth: WHAT!? Catalina: You know about them? Noremoth:....yeah… I heard of them...I have to go… {Noremoth runs over and mounts his horse} Noremoth: Catalina it was lovely to meet you...Keira...bye…. {He gallops off; cut to Isaiah on a horse looking conflicted and Eugene notices and rides up next to him} Eugene: Hey kiddo. You alright? Isaiah: yeah...just...I kinda feel like this is my fault. Eugene: W-what? How? Isaiah: I made the cult mad cause I attacked miss Cass...and then she attacked me and now I have some of her power. And...now they’re attacking innocent people and it’s all because they want the moonstone sliver! {Pink magic crackles around him} Eugene: Hey easy buddy...deep breaths okay? Isaiah: sorry… Eugene: it’s not your fault..these people are...unstable...they’re crazy with anger and I bet half of them aren’t even angry they just are cruel and bloodthirsty. Isaiah: Then how do we stop them? {Rapunzel rides up} Rapunzel: With Corona spirit! Eugene: Sunshine! Rapunzel: We’ll all get through this...it may seem bleak and hopeless at times but as long as we have each other and keep the faith we’ll make it through. {Isaiah smiles at her} Eugene: Oh my god… {Isaiah looks and gasps in horror as they ride up to the kingdom; in the distance, Noremoth rides over a hill and sees the carnage and looks shellshocked; the place is practically burnt to the ground with people trying to dig through the remains and set things back in place} Varian:...They’ve never gone this far. Rapunzel:...Varian go with Eugene and help make plans to rebuild, Angry and Catalina look for survivors, Zapada and Isaiah you can help the wounded, I’m going to go find the leader here and get what happened. All: Yes you’re majesty… {Everyone goes to do their respective jobs and of in the background Noremoth skulks in the shadows looking at the destruction in utter horror} Noremoth:...I don’t understand...why did they…? {He steps on something and it crunches; he lifts his foot and picks up a singed toy wooden horse; his eyes widen and he drops it and covers his mouth as he runs over to a wall and gags; after a few moments he just rubs his head against the stone wall} {begin song “fighting”} {NOREMOTH} So many things happen in a year

But mostly bloodshed paints all my time I watch eyes fill with fear So many things in my life I regret but still I’m fighting So many days I wondered “was my birth a crime?” But as I grew I realized my only crime

Was being an orphan! “A drain on society” “a filthy pest” Well maybe now they’ll feel Remorseful.  As I run my sword through their chest So many times I wonder is it worth it? To keep on going or to give up and die. My existence until now had no meaning. So why? Why do I keep Fighting!? I see the destruction that I cause and kills me It kills me deep inside. I hear children cry the same cry I did I wish to help but my hands are tied I ask in my mind that they forgive me. So why? Why do I keep fighting? Oh, why? I’m fighting… But why...do I still fight?

{End song with Noremoth wiping his tears and overhearing talking and he lurks closer in the shadows to evesdrop} Kingdom leader: It was just terrible you’re majesty...we stood no chance… Rapunzel: Just take a breath and try to explain it. Kingdom leader: Well they came in the middle of the night... none of us were expecting them.  they were like animals.  setting fire to everything, pillaging,  they killed a great many of us,  but I know what they mainly wanted, they broke into the treasury of our kingdom... they took so much I fear for my people… there was one woman who I assume is the leader once she had what she needed from our Treasury she told her band to retreat... but by then... the damage has already been done. {Noremoth growls with anger and slinks away} Rapunzel: I assure you Corona will do whatever they can to help this Kingdom get back on their feet… Kingdom leader: Thank you, your majesty… {Cut to evening and Isaiah walks over to a basin and washes blood from his hands with a sigh} Varian: Hey buddy… Isaiah: Dad… {Isaiah hugs Varian and snuggles into his torso} Varian: Rough day? Isaiah: a lot of these people are really hurt...Dad, why are people so mean? Varian:...That...That’s a good question, buddy. And unfortunately, I don't think anyone will ever have the answer to that one. {Zapada walks over} Zapada: Isaiah was quite the little helper today... he helps me tend a lot of burns and cuts today. He’s a little hero. Varian:  tell me something I don't already know. {Isaiah smiles and suddenly Zapada jumps and grabs her stomach} Zapada: Oh! Varian: Zapada!? Are you alright!? Zapada: I’m fine!...little one is kicking me!..wanna feel? {Isaiah nods and gently puts his hand on her stomach} Isaiah: ….wow...hi there!... Varian: we still need to decide on a name… Zapada: we said Clover for girl...we need boy name. Isaiah: I got one! Varian: Oh ho...really? Let’s hear it. Isaiah: Sterling! Zapada: Sterling? Varian: Like sterling silver? Pfft.. {Zapada smacks his vest} Varian: OW! Zapada: act nice! Isaiah: *laughs* {Cut to the Cult HQ where Larkspur sits drinking from a goblet; Noremoth then storms in and walks up to her} Noremoth: YOU HEARTLESS WENCH! Larkspur: Well you're back... how was your mission did you learn any valuable information? Noremoth: Yeah I learned your backstabbing cutthroat! Larkspur: oh am I now? Noremoth:  you knew I would never agree with a plan to pillage and commit genocide Larkspur:  I wouldn't call what we did “genocide”. {Noremoth slaps the drink from her hand} Noremoth:  what would you call it then!?  did you even see what you left behind!?  both men, women, and children slaughtered like pigs!  when I joined this movement I joined because I too wanted to see a new world order and I also wanted Corona to pay for what they did to me.  I did not join to slaughter countless innocent civilians.  do we even need the money you stole!?   or was this just a little fun Rendezvous for you!? Larkspur: you know how the men can get...they tend to get a little tense when they haven't battled something in a while.  and our vessel did need the exercise. I needed to make sure her powers were still at full potential.  well potential enough without the moonstone that is. Noremoth:  this is not what we originally stood for. Larkspur: is that so?  and pray tell how do you plan to fix it in your little mind? {Noremoth unsheathes his swords} Noremoth:  it's time we got back on track. Larkspur:... are you truly sure you want this, Norie? {Noremoth swings his sword at her and she blocks it with her dagger} Larkspur:  you filthy bugger… {Larkspur shoves him away and they circle one another} Larkspur: who would have thought this is how it ends? you know I did like you, Noremoth. Noremoth:  no you didn't…. {she shoots some throwing knives at him; he deflects them with his sword and charges her; Cassandra hears the fighting from her cell} Cassandra: What the hell? Larkspur: Urgh! Noremoth:  you know I always wondered why you never listen to me but now that I'm fighting you I think I finally understand. Larkspur:  oh really? Noremoth:  your pathetic little girl who's had nothing go right for her in life.  what's wrong mommy and daddy didn't love you enough? {Larkspur charges with a scream and swings down at him; they lock swords} Noremoth: admit it I'm right! aren't I!?  you're pathetic and scared, and were pushed around all your life!  you put on this front acting like you care but in reality, you don't care at all you just want everyone to suffer under your thumb for the crappy hand you were dealt!  you're no better than a whiney child! {Larkspur punches him and Noremoth falls back on the ground; Larkspur goes to jump on him with a knife and cuts his arm but he kicks up and flips her over; Larkspur lands harshly on the ground} Larkspur: AUGH! {Noremoth gets up and points his sword at her and wipes the blood from his lip} Noremoth:  as I said before...  pathetic. you don't even know how to fight. Larkspur: ….. that maybe but I do have one thing that you will never have… Noremoth:  and that is? {suddenly swords are at his throat with cult members surrounding him} Larkspur:  I have faithful followers… Cult member 1:  what should we do with him, Mistress? Larkspur: Throw him in the dankest little cell that we have here... and let him rot for the time being... I'll figure out what to do with him eventually… Cult member 1:  yes mistress… {The grab Noremoth and drag him away} Larkspur: Buh-bye Norie… {He’s taken to a cell and harshly thrown in; Cassandra looks up and sees him in the cell across from her; Noremoth groans and clutches his injured arm; Cassandra tears part of her clothes} Noremoth: Urgh!... Cassandra: Hey!... {Noremoth looks up and sees her toss some bread with a cloth wrapped around it to his cell} Cassandra: tie the cloth around your arm tightly... it'll stop the bleeding.  and I was saving that bread but you can have it… Noremoth: ...Thank you… {END CREDITS}

[chordstrvck-blog]

sharp gray eyes size up their unwanted companion through a lung-staled waft of smoke. “ ‘ey. ”  a tip of the chin. cigarette ash darts to pavement. crunch. eddie grinds that shit in, real good. nothin’ like a pair of trusty docs to do the trick. “ what the fuck’s your damage ? ”

or alternatively :  yo, yo, whassgood ?  the name’s liana ( she/her/hers ) and i am so friggin’ hyped to bring you my spoopy lil’ music man, eddie williams !!  below the cut you’ll find a big hodge-podged mess of facts, potential connects, and other delicious chips of info. his favorites are hoppin’ jalapeno crunch tators, thanks for fuckin’ askin’. (   imagine how heartbroken he’ll be when frito lay discontinues them in the 90′s... rest in spaghetti never forgetti.    )

— ❝ wait is that THOMAS HAYES ? or is that KEITH EDISON “EDDIE” WILLIAMS who arrived in las vegas TWENTY-THREE years ago? HE is TWENTY-THREE years old. last time i checked they were a GUITARIST IN CRIMSON & CLOVER / ARTIST AT ATOMIC TATTOOS . rumour has it they’re very BEGUILING and very HARUM-SCARUM. the CISMALE reminds me of SAY WHAT YOU WILL BY FASTWAY.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: DEATH, DOMESTIC ABUSE, VIOLENCE, DRUG USE/ABUSE, MENTIONS OF ADDICTION.

eddie is the lovely ivy williams [ @poiseonxivy​ ] ’s older brother !  they grew up in a contentious household here in vegas, with an abusive alcoholic for a father and a complacent/despondent mother. fed up with the abuse and chaos, their mother walked out on them when eddie was 13. he and ivy caught her in the act, and this savage kid called her out for being a coward and opened the fuckin’ door for her. “ die in a ditch, ”  is the last thing he ever said to that sorry waste of a woman.

naturally, things with their father only got worse. he was quick to provoke and impossible to please. the williams siblings had to step up to upkeep their home, make sure bills got paid, etc., all while receiving the worst of it from their father. ivy, as the youngest, was blamed for the family’s downfall. eddie got berated and slurred at for his tendency to peruse his sister’s things, paint his middle fingers interesting colors, ask her to do his makeup on halloween. his father was the first person to ever look eddie in the eye and call him a faggot, and, well... that shit dug deep.

it’s not that he’s overly concerned about it. hell, labels are fuckin’ dumb, alright? he’d sooner be gagged with a spoon than told he has to live his life all boxed up. he doesn’t care that the lady at the bar’s stunning and so is the guy pourin’ her drink, alright? what he does care about is... what if he is that thing his dad said? what if he... what if he is the man his dipshit dad saw in him ?

guitarist in el’s band, crimson & clover !  the band formed several years ago and has been playing gigs ever since. it’s definitely made him grow as a guitarist :  you can frequently find eddie chilling on fire escapes experimenting with new riffs and the like. he’s absolutely got that band aesthetic ––  distressed tees, tight pants, leather, leather, leather. doc martens. beat up sneaks. jaw-length hair, wavy. usually teased on stage and left to its own devices off-stage. music has always been an escape for him, especially from the hellscape that was his childhood home. catch him chillin in el’s record shop, cig in hand, blissed out to the latest rock releases blasting in his headphones.

jake wheeler’s next-door neighbor / best friend !  we have yet to plot about this, but that’s a wc eddie fills & we could do something with that, too!

tw: drugs, abusive tendencies, mild violence.  eddie’s genetics do predispose him to addiction. and, unfortunately, this bitch way more than dabbles in a haphazard lifestyle. he’s BIG into psychedelics, stimulants. alcohol. acid. he’ll pulverize the occasional bar asshole’s face. make fights out of nothing. but s’not a problem, alright ? he’s cool. he’s cool.   (  this guy’s a sinkin’ ship in heavy ass denial.  )

art. tattooing.  art has also played a pivotal role in eddie’s life. from a very young age, he created edgy doodles: skeletons in their sunday best, ghost cartoons carrying guns. the late 60′s/early 70′s saw his school notebooks filling with vietnam-inspired strips, doodles, and sketches. he used to draw “tattoos” on his fellow delinquents during detention in sharpie ink. gave himself his first poke tattoo on his ankle  ( a scrawled so what ? )  in eighth grade. now, he works as a tattooist at atomic tattoos. always flirts with the clientele. and they always leave happy.

tw: death. wears a dharma wheel pendant at all times, tucked beneath his shirt or, if he’s shirtless, just out in the open. he’ll say he found it in the street, but it actually belonged to a guy he started seeing his senior year of high school, in secret.  glenn farley. he was older, around 27, but he offered up the first safe place eddie’d ever known. dude disappeared close to eddie’s graduation. eddie stayed angry for a long time, until his photo turned up in the obits :  glenn was killed in a hit-and-run outside a dive bar.

on the topic of sexuality & gender expression :   eddie honestly couldn’t give a flyin’ shit. he’s of the belief that existence shouldn’t be coded or explained. so, yeah, he’s male. and yeah, he’ll be attracted to whomever he pleases. but in a time where that shit’s not too common? not too accepted? he does feel like he’s playing hide-and-seek. it’s exhausting. and... there’s still something that nags him, at the back of his mind, when he decides to hook up with a guy. it’s all tied up with his family history ( see the stuff about his dad above ) .

eddie is very outspoken & unfiltered. he won’t mince his words; he’ll speak bullets without considering the exit wound. 

he’d much rather have coffee and cigarettes than a meal. but if he’s gotta have food? and you’re forcing him? cinnamon waffles with ten gallons of syrup. delicious.

wears rings because hell, if he’s gonna punch you, he wants that shit to hurt.

smells like tobacco and amber and fresh-fallen rain.

likes makeup. tends to get away with some eyeliner/eyeshadow on stage, but typically doesn’t wear any day-to-day. maybe some eyeliner on his waterline, but... he’s learned how to get by.

cross his sister and he’ll eat your face for breakfast.

default greeting: blinking at you like you’re offending him by taking in the same air.

honestly he’s never thought to leave vegas. he likes it here. his crew? they’re good people. as in reckless. fun.

has almost a full sleeve on his left arm, and two bands curling around his right bicep. one ear pierced, but doesn’t always wear an earring there.

can he offer you a winter green lifesaver in this trying time ??

goes by eddie or williams. call him keith and he can’t be held responsible for what happens to you. the only person who’s got keith privileges is his kid sister.

thomas hayes has brown eyes but eddie’s are a staggeringly light blue-gray. they look like ice. he’s 6′1 and that type of lanky that tends to look sleek, enticing, and mildly emaciated. he does have muscle to him, but the guy doesn’t eat very often and he’s on a steady diet of destructive habits, so... he’s got that matty healy circa 2012 vibe going on

potential connects.

chaos crew. they hit the clubs. they try their hand at scheming and tricking the best poker leagues. chug beers, crush the cans, and toss ‘em in front of cars. experiment with drug cocktails and haunt the town. all laughs and dilated pupils and forgetting, forgetting, forgetting the cracks in their ribs, the scabs on their knuckles. nothin’ hurts when your blood pumps this quick.

diner pal.  eddie rolls up to his favorite diner in the wee hours of the morning. 2am, 3am. when he can’t sleep or he’s comin’ down from a heckish night, he’s there, whole pitcher of coffee and a stack of waffles. mussed hair. an entire encyclopedia of wild stories. one night, he stumbled into this person’s booth high as all shit, and they’ve been inviting themselves to one another’s tables ever since. could be a romantic connection. could be platonic.

ex on bad terms.  kid’s got commitment issues. i’d love to give them a source.

fuckbuddies.  they could just be friends who get fucked and do the deed. maybe there’s feelings. maybe it’s a you service me, i’ll service you situation. either way, they’re indulgent. they’re reckless. and they’ve got no regard for any damage they’ll cause.

people he’s tattooed.  

sworn enemies.  acerbic words, gnashing teeth, icy glares. they’ll cross the fuckin’ street just to avoid being within a ten-foot radius of one another.

caretaker.  a friend ( or even stranger ) who’s taken it on themselves to monitor this maelstrom. all i can say is... good friggin’ luck, kid.

obviously there are so many more but this is just a list to get some juices flowing !

if you want to plot, please feel free to message me !!  i’m headed to the gym now but after that i’ll hit up the starter tags !!  so flipping excited to write with you goons !!

[zecretsanta]

To: @merouses

From: @aleena-san

Alee here with my Secret Santa for merouses!

prompt 1 – luna tending to plants

The air was ripe with the sweet scent of flourishing flowers. Luna could taste the honey of their petals upon her tongue as she swept in a small breath of hot summer air, a breath that delightfully seared at her lungs with heated relish, and promised even warmer days to come. She couldn’t resist the small smile tugging up at her lips at the thought. Sunnier soaked days like this meant even more time in the company of her most favorite friends in the whole wide world!

…That being the flowers. Laugh all you want, but Luna could almost hear their soft chatter carried upon the soulful whisper of a breeze. A cheerful hum sprung to life within her throat, as idle hands began their busy work scuffling through dirt and tending to wrinkles written within the leaves. It had become a routine of hers, one might say; indeed, it wasn’t rare to see the young girl of ringlet locks and gentle blue eyes surrounded in a wreathe of her precious dahlias and daisies. Her fingers worked like magic on soil that was once rough with age. Now, the dirt thrived with life, and the sturdy stems of her friends grew thick and healthy.

“Oh, Scarlet, you look happy today.” Luna’s smile grew even broader as her hands came to gently caress the petals of a blood-soaked rose. This beauty towered above the rest with pure royalty intertwined into its very aura. “Let me guess. Good sleep?” Though it could not utter a reply in return, Luna liked to think that it was nodding its head in gentle affirmation under the sway of the wind. “That’s good. Here! You must be thirsty on such a hot day.”

The watering can breathed life into soil turned crisp by the sun. Already her flowers seemed to perk, their roots digging deeper into what Luna must’ve imagined as now very comfortable moist earth. She didn’t notice the shadow blotting out blue sky until a familiar voice jolted Luna from her reverie.

“Um…Ms. Luna, what are you doing?”

“Quark!”

His head just came to level above her shoulder. Wide, curious eyes reflected the objects of her handiwork. “Gardening…?” Luna couldn’t help flushing with embarrassment at the note of ire held within his voice. Quickly, he glanced shyly away. “I didn’t know you liked tending to these gardens too, Ms. Luna. I mean – not that I come here often or anything.” As if to accentuate that fact, he puffed out his cheeks and blew a whistle of air through tightly pursed lips.

“Oh! You like flowers, too?”

Quark’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “I mean…when I’m bored…or there’s nothing else to do. But if you’re here that’s okay. I’ll go play somewhere else.”

A small part of Luna was almost glad that he might leave. Perhaps the only selfish bone in her body was reserved for this garden – her secret place as one might say – and to share it with anyone else might just dampen the magic in the air. Though perhaps that was merely her anxiety speaking on her behalf. Sometimes, silence was comforting, but it wasn’t always welcome.

Maybe sharing her garden with Quark would fill the air with even more magic then before.

It was sheer instinct that had Luna grasping onto Quark’s hand, just as he was about to trudge on his way.

“No. Don’t go.” She smiled and gestured to a small shovel near her feet. “To be honest it gets a little lonely, out here all by myself. The flowers are nice, but they aren’t exactly the best talkers. So…would you care to join me?”

Quark paused. Luna barely even acknowledged his tiny nod until he plopped himself down by her side. His hands sought out the tiny shovel, and with the vigor of a playful child, he began burrowing a new hole for one of the many plotted plants she had yet to set.

Sun soaked the earth in pools of molten gold; birds screeched as they soared above thermals on wide open air; and friendship filled the wind with the scent of roses and dandelions, a scent that Luna would be sure to treasure for the remainder of her lifetime.

prompt 2 – lotus playing video games

“Ha! This’ll be a piece of cake!”

Clover’s beaming proudly from her perch on the couch. She’s looking adorable as ever, with arms tucked neatly against her chest and one leg swung across the other in an almost royal pose. “Hate to break it to ya, Lotus, but I’m the Queen of this game! Are you prepared for the bitter taste of defeat?”

Lotus is not at all impressed. With a huff of air, she flops down next to Clover and snatches up a spare controller. “Sure. So let’s make this quick, alright?” It’s no secret to the gathering crowd that Lotus hasn’t even touched a gamepad in her life before this very moment. Raising two kids and holding down an array of part time jobs didn’t exactly leave much time for childish activities like this. At Junpei’s urging, however, she finds herself forced into a challenge she really cares little about.

Clover plucks up her own controller and leans forward, eyes glinting with the fires of determination. Mortal Kombat’s screen flashes upon the television set, its foreboding music reverberating throughout the room in the looming promise of war. “Ready?” Junpei asks. Sweat clings to his forehead as if he can taste the competitive spirit hanging in the air.

“Ready as I’ll ever be!” Clover chirps.

“Sure, whatever.”

“On your marks…get set…Go!”

The war is on.

First, choose a character. Clover predictably goes for a woman dressed in flashy pink. Lotus doesn’t really care which one she has – they’re all just a bunch of ones and zeroes dressed to look pretty, after all – but, she finds herself drawn to Kitana, with her deadly aura and bladed fans. The game began mere seconds after.

“H-Huh?”

Clover lurches back. Not even three seconds have passed and already the first round has come to its end, ending with none other than her character avatar knocked out upon a cold metal floor. Her cheeks flush scarlet. “Hey! You’re cheating! That’s no fair!”

“Cheating? I just pressed a few buttons and boom. You’re dead.”

Clover turns to Junpei for help. “You’re gonna let that pass?”

“Sorry…but Lotus didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It’s fair game so far.”

FINISH HER

Clover can scarcely believe her ears. She whips back around to the screen, only to see a bored looking Lotus punching buttons in any random order, which inevitably leads to her character’s gruesome execution. A booming voice proudly accompanies the red text that flashes over the murder.

FATALITY

“Uhh…Lotus wins…I guess?”

Everyone present awkwardly claps.

Laughter pours from Lotus’ lips. It’s almost as surprising as the fact that she beat Clover in less than ten seconds at a game she knew nothing about. She leans back into the couch, a mischievous smirk painted upon her lips. “Hey, that was actually pretty fun! Wanna do it again?”

Devil-woman. The terrified thought echoes through all the minds of the Nonary Game survivors. “I think I’m good,” Clover begins.

“Me too…” says Akane.

Needless to say, Lotus was never allowed to touch a controller again.

prompt 3 – snake tries to learn another instrument

Light wasn’t very familiar with the strings of a guitar.

He couldn’t exactly say he was fond with the way they tore at the soft pads of his fingers, or how the clunky instrument seated lamely above his leg. It felt less than graceful to hold, and sounded even worse to his ears, especially since he had naught a clue on how to tune the beast. Beside him, he could hear Clover’s breath taut with anticipation.

“You’re gonna do just fine!” his sister chirped. “It’s not hard at all, I swear!”

“I don’t know…” The sigh that left his lips was more sombre than usual. “I cannot say this feels the same as a piano. Nor does it have the feathery weight of a violin.”

“Well duh. Of course it doesn’t. It’s something so much cooler!”

He frowned. “Cool…er?” The word tasted foreign upon his tongue.

Clover gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “Jeez, you’re such a grandpa. Just give it a try.”

“Hmm…”

His fingers brushed polished wood and came to tug at the individual strings and nobs of his new toy. No matter how much he plucked, or twisted and turned in a futile attempt at tuning, nothing seemed to work. Frustration curdled in the pit of his stomach. He wasn’t used to being genuinely bad at something, let alone unable to overcome said ‘badness.’ Badness. Great. The guitar was turning his brain into mush if that was the only word he could think of!

Clover, however, would beg to differ. She hummed off tune in sync with his awkward fumbling and poor strumming of its strings. “You’re enjoying this?” he inquired, brow furrowing to rest close against his eyes.

“’Course! I’ve always wanted to hear you play guitar.”

He smiled. “And why is that?”

“No reason. I just think you’d do well in a band!”

A band! What a ludicrous thought! Despite that, he couldn’t help laughing in good cheer. “Sorry to disappoint you, Clover, but I don’t think the guitar is for me.” He could feel the weight of the air plummet under her predictable pout. “But…I suppose I won’t mind if it’s just you and me. Provided my talent with this awful thing never leaves this room.”

And the air was light again, surely because of Clover’s broad smile. “Awesome! Does that mean I can play your piano, too?”

“I don’t see why not. Perhaps you will have more luck.”

She didn’t. But the sound of random key smashing and off-tuned guitar strumming echoed throughout the Field residence for many days to come, and it was a sound that – while awful for the neighbors – meant the entire world and more to two very tight-knit siblings.

[mallowwrites]

A Heart’s Thoughts - Part One

Synopsis: Everyone has their own two powers, but it’s up to luck whether you’ll end up being tortured for it or not.

Welcome to our little Empowered village, the place where you’ll learn to use your powers for good- or, that’s what we were told.

Pairing: Chanyeol x (female) OC

Word Count: 2142

Teasers ||Next -->

Cecilia let out a low grunt as she heard a phone buzzing from the other room, and put her hands over her ears, shifting in her bed so she could bury her face in her pillow, staying in that stuffed position for a short while before sitting up, ruffling her hair angrily as she looked at her closed door with an almost pleading look in her eyes.

“Why must I always wake up like this?” She impulsively grabbed her shades as she stepped out of bed and opened her bedroom door.

“Clover! Clover turn off your phone for the love of God I really don’t like waking up earlier than needed.”

She closed her door again and let out a sigh as she looked around her room for her earbuds, which were practically the only things that have kept her from going insane. Even with her earbuds in, she could still hear the clattering from her roommate in the other room and she let out a soft sigh.

“It’s been four years, yet she still doesn’t know how to do things silently.”

She stepped out of her room after getting dressed into the strangely casual school uniform which consisted of a pair of light gray jeans and a silk t-shirt in the color representing the class of someone’s  power, which in Cecilia’s case, was a light blue.

Every day, she considered herself lucky, seeing people walk around in bright red shirts for the Element class or deep purple shirts for the Desires class. It was some way of keeping order in the school. It was impossible to know everyone’s powers, but with these colored shirts, at least you kind of knew what you could expect.

Cecilia flinched as a door slammed shut behind her, feeling anything but pleasant at the unnecessary loud sound and she turned around to serve her best friend a glare for breakfast, who in return just smiled apologetically and hurried over to put on her shoes.

“I know you don’t like waking up early, but it really is nice to be one of the first in one of those nice coffee shops in the morning. It always gets so chaotic with everyone gathering in the same place.” She smiled warmly and Cecilia just rolled her eyes, even though she knew Clover wouldn’t see it. In fact, she did it because she wouldn’t see it.

“Whatever Clover, let’s just go. But you need to treat me today cause my ears are still buzzing from that bang of your door just now. I need compensation for the pain you’re causing me every day.” She grinned and heard Clover chuckle as she opened the door and stepped out of their little apartment, into the main hall of the Mind class’ dormitory. At that moment, their neighbors at the other side of the hallway also stepped out of their apartments and Cecilia flashed them a small smile, while Clover waved at them excitedly, “good morning, Kyungsoo, Yixing! Long time no see!”

Yixing smiled back and replied in a more composed manner, while Kyungsoo just nodded with a small smile playing around his lips.

“I see you two are also up early? Are you trying to find a good spot at a coffee shop before everyone else does?” Kyungsoo asked and Clover nodded happily.

“Since it’s our last year, I’ve decided to change my routine a bit and try to enjoy life at school a bit more. Cecilia here is a bit less appreciative of my efforts.”

She smiled a little as she turned to face her and Cecilia scoffed, “it’s because you don’t know how tiring it is to always have to try to sleep through all the noises people make, and then also having to wake up early after finally having fallen asleep, only because your roommate is way too ambitious about life. Oh and I must also mention that I have heard very strange sounds coming from other rooms over the years, and that’s extremely unpleasant to listen to at three in the morning.”

She rolled her eyes and Yixing flashed her a compassionate look, “anyway, let’s get going. I didn’t get brutally woken up to miss my chance on a nice breakfast,” Cecilia started walking, not really caring whether they were going to follow her or not.

“She really is loud for someone so sensitive to sounds,” she heard Yixing whisper behind her back and Clover chuckled. Cecilia spun on her heels to face the trio as she continued walking backwards, lifting her eyebrows as she pointed at them, “I heard that.”

Walking through school campus was like walking through a very big village in the middle of nowhere. It was more than just a campus, it was a place for all Empowered people to live their lives. It was almost as if a world without Powers didn’t exist, but in fact, it did, and that was scary. The campus was built to seclude Empowered people from normal people, and the fact that, that is still necessary could only make everyone feel anxious about what would happen if they ever had to cross borders and go away from this safe haven.

Arriving at a nearby coffee shop, Cecilia let herself fall back on a chair and she closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh, “Clover, will I regret it if I take a coffee for breakfast?”

“Yep, in fact, in some other timeline you tried out this new juice they had here and completely fell in love with it.”

Cecilia opened one eye and peeked from under her shades at her best friend before letting out a soft huff and closing her eye again, “fine, just get me that one, then.”

“You’re not going to eat anything?” It was Yixing, and when she opened her eyes to look at him, a worried frown was marking his face, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you know. It’s not wise to skip it.” She smiled and straightened her back a little as she sat up. “Don’t worry, I won’t skip it, but despite how I may look to some, I don’t enjoy eating cakes first thing in the morning. I may be chubby, but I also care about my health.”

“You’re not chubby, Cecilia.” It was Kyungsoo this time, finally breaking his silence with that remark and both Clover and Yixing nodded in agreement. “well, whatever. Anyway, I’m going to get some bread on our way to school so don’t worry. Just give me my juice for now, my poor stomach really wants something to fill it.”

Cecilia was sitting alone in a classroom because one of the teachers thought it was nice to give a pop quiz on the first day of school, and as always, she needed to be put in a separate room to ensure she wouldn’t cheat by reading people’s minds and acquiring answers that way.

“look, I have no interest in what year the paint tube got invented, why are they asking me this?” Just as she let out another sigh and started writing, a figure burst through the door and ran to the opposite side of the room, hiding behind the empty teacher’s desk. Cecilia had squinted her eyes the moment the door slammed open, and that was still the case. She put her hands over her ears and pushed her earbuds further in to try to get rid of the faint buzzing the slam had left.

“Eh, who is this?” She asked the question in an almost mocking manner, quite amused by the disturbance of her pop quiz, despite having to withstand an irritating buzz as result. A head covered in seemingly soft, brown curls with a face graced by warm, brown eyes and seemingly perfect proportions, popped up from behind the desk and he glanced at her as she looked away, not feeling the need to practically see his soul. She felt his eyes on her for a few more moments before he spoke up, “if anyone asks, you’re alone in this room. Please do me this favor.”

She heard him letting out a soft yelp as she saw his head popping back down from the corner of her eye, and at that moment, someone walked in, looking as if they were searching for something or someone, and the situation hit home. She smiled a little before pretending to be busy with her quiz as the teacher looked at her, walking towards her and pulling one of her earbuds out, resulting in an immediate reaction from Cecilia. She shot up from her chair and slapped the teacher’s hand away. She actually really wanted to take her shades off to show how angry she really was, but she really didn’t feel like getting blinded by light. Instead, she calmly put her earbud back in, taking a step forward, only leaving little space between her and the teacher, “Rule. Number. One. Never take my shades and earbuds from me. All teachers should know this and you better leave before I report this to the Council.”

The teacher’s expression hardened and the two of them glared at each other for a while before the teacher abruptly turned around and left, closing the door behind them. Cecilia let out a sigh and leant back in her chair as she closed her eyes and massaged her temples, “you can come out now.”

She heard the person move and knew that he was standing, most probably staring at her.

“Wow,”

“Don’t wow me, the teachers here are real cowards. I don’t even know who came up with the idea to let humans teach Empowered people. It’s stupid and only makes it easier for us to mess with them.”

“Wow,” he said again, much to Cecilia’s dismay. She opened her eyes and sat up to look at him.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen you around.”

She saw a bitter smile forming on his lips and a thought flashed through his mind, which she, of course, had seen, but she remained silent, waiting for him to answer. If there was one thing she had learnt, it was that knowing the truth, rarely was a reason to address it to someone who was about to lie, and this boy in front of her was about to do just that. Lie.

“I’m Chanyeol, Park Chanyeol. I guess you haven’t seen me around because I usually leave school grounds to wander around campus whenever I can. I don’t like feeling locked up,” he paused and she could see the hesitation crossing his eyes before he spoke up again, “I’m sorry to ask but are you blind?”

Cecilia remained silent for a moment before bursting out laughing.

“No, I’m Cecilia, nice to meet you, too.” She gave him a cheeky smile as she shook her head, “No but really, I’m not blind. Why would you think that?”

Chanyeol’s face flushed a light shade of red and he looked down at the quiz paper on her desk, vaguely gesturing at it, “Well, I thought your shades are to, well, hide that you’re blind and the earbuds are maybe so you can listen to the questions written on that piece of paper. I don’t know okay, you just didn’t directly look at me so I thought maybe you couldn’t see me and you also said that you haven’t seen me around here and thought maybe you meant it literally.” He stopped and took a breath, his face still flushed and an amused smile on Cecilia’s face.

“In all these years, no one has ever been able to draw such a conclusion. I’m really not blind. Quite the contrary, actually.”

“Then what are those shades and earbuds for? Why can’t anyone take them from you?” his face had returned to its normal color and now he looked quite serious, contrary to Cecilia, who still had a small smile playing around her lips.

“What are your powers actually?” She saw his expression change from serious to confused when she suddenly asked him a question and the literal “what?” that went through his mind caused her to chuckle softly.

“It’s controlling heat and sensing presences, but you haven’t answered my question yet.” He furrowed his brows together as he watched Cecilia stand up, grabbing her pen and paper before turning away, “well, Chanyeol from the Element class, nice to have met you.”

She walked out of the door, leaving a startled Chanyeol behind in the empty classroom.

“How did she-“ he cut himself off as he looked down at his shirt, realizing that it was red, and let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping down, “that’s how she knew.”

The relaxed look that had marked his face before, was now replaced by a sad one.

“Guess I’m alone again.”

A/N: This is the first chapter y’all! For this chapter, we need 30 notes so I can post the next chapter, so spread it around!

Special thanks to @kollectionn for proof-reading this!

Tagging: @youwishiwasyoursaas @lunarjihoon @biaswreckers-inc @kunpimookbambam @fluffyshua @kouhyi @cheyomamni @changgudforyou @bymenneske @ravyeolii @sanhacuddles @angel-gryffindor @mans-ayyye @vallikesgivinghugs @baekshitbyun @i-mweakforchangkyun

[amieravenson]

Magickal Month- July 2019

Magickal Month July 2019 July was named after Julius Caesar, as it was his birth month. Previously, it was known as Quintilus because it was the 5th month of the old calendar. It became the 7th month when January and February were added to the beginning of the calendar, and a year became 12 months long. If you didn’t know it already, it’s usually the hottest month of the year. (Boy howdy!) Here at Ravenson Manor, the morning glories have just shown up, and the hostas are in full bloom. My salvia is doing great, and so are the sedums. I found out that we have an apple tree and a Rose of Sharon tree, and I’m excited to see the apples ripen and make tea from the Rose of Sharon. I’ve made friends with some of the neighborhood kids, and I’m looking out of my office window to see that the neighbors are hanging a pinata right now. Looks like there’s going to be a birthday party! I haven’t seen much wildlife, mostly robins, cardinals, and brown doves lately. I think that the neighborhood stray cats scare everything else off, but they’re awfully cute too. I plan to plant some catnip for them to enjoy. I feel so at peace here. Even in the sweatiest depths of Summer misery, there’s such a beautiful energy of growth and abundance right now. We’re getting lots of squash, carrots, cucumbers, and blueberries from the CSA farm, and everything just feels really exciting and lush. As if there will never be hunger or lack or anxiety. I love it! Lunations: July 2- New Moon in Cancer, 3:16pm EDT July 16- Full Moon in Capricorn, 5:38pm EDT July 31- New Moon in Leo, 11:11pm EDT Astronomy: July 7- Mercury goes retrograde July 30- Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower begins Celtic Tree Month: Oak (June 10- July 7): Solar magick, health, success, prosperity, blessings, bravery, endurance, strength, deep emotions, love, nurturing our family, mediating conflict, healing wounds, sovereignty, rulership, power, strength and endurance, justice and nobility, honesty, male fertility. Holly (July 8- August 4); Protection, enjoying and celebrating success (nearing first harvest), renewal/restoring your direction, rebalancing your energy, moving towards your purpose, energizing. Truth, unconditional love, sacrifice, reincarnation, protection, luck, dream magick, male counterpart to feminine ivy. Holidays (non-Pagan): July 4: American Independence Day July 14: Bastille Day July 22: Tisha B’Av (Jewish holiday) July 22: Parents Day Holidays (Pagan): July 2- July 3: Feast of Greek Hecate July 3- July 4: Hekatombaion Noumenia/Old Athenian New Year, festival honoring all gods and goddesses July 5- July 6: Feast of the Charities (goddesses of beneficience) July 6- July 7: Feast of Greek Aphrodite July 14- July 25: Old Norse/Icelandic Midsummer. A community gathering, time to give offerings, and celebration July 18- July 19: Synoikia. Greek festival ceelbrating cooperation of the states. July 20: Slavic festival of Perun (the Thunderer) July 25- July 31: Panathenaea, celebrating Athena July 31: Lughnassadh. Old Celtic festival of the grain god Lugh and thanksgiving for the grain harvest Themes for the month: Nearing the grain harvest, ripe Summer vegetables and fruits, celebrating independence, fighting like hell if you see your independence being challenged, bringing the seeds of intention that we planted in early Spring to fruition, celebrating the sun and greenspaces at the height of their power, beginning to can and preserve the fruits and veggies as they become ripe, enjoying the long days and the energy they bring to get things done! General activities for the month: Cookouts, canning, enjoying the late evenings and fireflies, fireworks, letting the strength of the sun shine light into the dark places in your life, herbcraft and greencraft, finding cool bodies of water to immerse yourself in, Summer blockbuster movies, enjoying the leisure that extra daytime hours privides. Herbs I’m using: Rose of Sharon (I have a tree in my new yard, and I’ve been collecting the flowers to dry for making tea!), fresh peppermint (From the CSA farm we joined- I’m also drying some for later use), white clover (Our yard is mostly clover, and the bees are loving it. It’s also great for tea!) Stones I’m using: Apophyllite (I bought two gorgeous points for another project I’m working on, and I can’t seem to put them down), amethyst (I’ve been placing my large pieces and geodes around the house as I unpack them- serenity and spirituality are a good thing!), moquai marbles (I found a set I bought for a project and remembered how fascinating they are) Goddess of the Month: I’m going to be working with Sarasvati and her powers of creativity and expression for the month of July as I participate in NaNoWriMo. I’m hoping that the words will flow through me like the waters of her sacred river. 3 card reading:

July 2019 reading First, we start with the 9 of Wands. So in the beginning of the month, we’re feeling the need to fight for what we’ve created. We need to be vigilant and defend ourselves and persevere. If we’ve been fighting for something, we may get a second wind which will help us be victorious. Next, we see the 6 of Discs. So we can look forward to some sort of bonus or gift. This can be a result of our efforts, but usually it’s just a gift from a surprise benefactor. Look around and see who in your life helps you in those surprise moments, and express your gratitude. Finally, we have the 3 of Discs. So while we’re receiving these gifts and fighting the good fight, we’re also doing work that we’re really proud of. This is the season to remain steadfast and keep improving your processes, and you will receive recognition for your work! Our special guidance card is Fox. This image is snowy and Wintery, but the message is the same no matter the season. Now is a time to choose carefully what we want to express and what we want to reveal. Sometimes we can do well to remember that it’s fine to keep some things hidden and secret, just for us. As long as you cause no harm through your secrecy, it can be a valuable boundary to keep hidden things from outside influences. Forgotten By Harold Vinal How can I remember Autumn and pain, When trees hold dreams In their arms again? How can my heart break Till it cries? The joy of summer Has made me wise. I can’t remember What hurt me so- Autumn and winter Were so long ago. My personal tides: We’re in the last push to get our move finalized, have a yard sale, fix or tow Husbear’s car from the driveway at the old place, and get this place ready to start having people over. I’m so excited! It feels like the last little straggling threads of our connection to our old life are almost severed, and I’m being slingshot into this next incarnation where I actually make time to write again and finish projects that I’m actually able to focus on. I finished painting my office just in time to start Camp NaNoWriMo, and I’m using it to motivate me to do some serious work. My personal goals: I set my Camp NaNo goal at 25k words, and I think it’s doable! I also want to finish the unpacking and cleaning here so that we can actually have people over instead of just making the excuse that we just moved and can't be held responsible for being slobs. I’m also trying to get my altar shelf refinished and decorate in time for Lughnassadh. More on that will be forthcoming! :-) Let me know what you're up to this hot Summer. Blessed be! Read the full article

[hawthorne-inmyside]

30 MORE TOS PROMPTS 2k17!

Hey everyone! Some of you may remember that before I was a mod last year my gift to TOS for the new year was this giant prompt list that is still available for plot drops and has some of my favourite ridiculous plot ideas on it, but for this year I’ve done it again, as you may be able to see :P. Please use these, I had a lot of fun coming up with them! (And pretend this isn’t like... nine days late >.>)

There’s a door in your house. There was a point at which that door wasn’t there, but you don’t remember when. You also don’t know what’s behind the door, but you don’t feel like you don’t know, and regardless, every time you go to look through it... it just slips your mind once you get to the door. (Some sorta trickster playing with your character or strong magical enchantment hiding serious secrets) 

Your character done goofed. They’ve upset someone with magical prowess in some way, offended something they shouldn’t have, dabbled with a bad potion, or something, and the outcome is they’ve become a cat for a few days. (Other animals may be substituted)

There’s strength in numbers, but someone put over a hundred chicken eggs in your house and now you’re not sure they’re chicken eggs. (Maybe cockatrice, maybe something else?)

Your character needs to remember something very important, something critical. However, after a mosquito bite, they’ve forgotten it. Knowing how important the thing they’ve forgotten was they’re incredibly stressed out about it. Meanwhile, elsewhere, someone has woken up with the memory of something that they know is very important but they’re not sure why, just that it is. (Brain Biter) (Could be great for a first meeting!)

 Your characters are having a sleepover/one night stand/committed relationship and are sleeping in the same bed/room. One of them asks the other why they’re breathing so hard, except they weren’t. There’s something else in the room.

Your characters witness a murder, and the perps leave before their victim, an elderly man. As he dies he presses an amulet into one character’s hand. “Keep it safe.” After that, no matter what your characters do, that amulet keeps reappearing on them, and sometimes, just sometimes, it gets burningly hot. 

Your character finds an oldfashioned envelope with a wax seal. Inside is nothing but a key and an address. However, when they pursue it, they’re just led to a box (perhaps another character’s inheritence that they’ve never been able to open?) with another key and another address. Do they dare chase up the next one?

Your character’s living room has been painted the same since they moved in: cream walls with one rich red highlight wall. After a break in, they find out something pretty scary - it wasn’t painted with paint but with blood. 

One of the worst things about waking in a forest is when you get a spider’s web to the face when you weren’t expecting it. Especially a giant spider web that you’re actually trapped in and you can hear something coming near... (Arachne) 

Your character has decided with the new year to get into gardening. So every day they start going out into their garden and dig. Always in the same spot, one hour a day exactly. Actually, now they think about it, they’re not sure why their still digging, nothing needs to be planted five feet deep. Their friends are getting worried. They won’t stop digging. Maybe there’s something that wants digging up.

Your character wakes up in their parents clothes. Their parents are in a diffferent town/country/continent/dimension/dead.

Your character is very annoyed at the person they’re living with for never replacing the soap when they use it up. And for being wasteful with the soap, there was no way anyone ought to be going through the soap that fast. It becomes a big source on contention between them as the oil starts going too. (Bannik)

Your character’s next door neighbour is a sweet old lady who no one sees very often, but now hasn’t been seen for a week. When your character sees her again, she’s walking a bit strange, looking a bit dead in the eyes... and you’re pretty sure you just saw her eat roadkill. (Bhut)

Your character wakes up with something like a mosquito bite on their cheek. They have a strange memory of a very dark secret and mystery, but no idea where it came from. When they do find out who it belonged to they also found out that person died, leaving some serious unsolved business that only your character can solve. (Maybe multiple characters get multiple fragments and need to solve it together.) (Brainbiter)

Your character ends up with a minor ghost problem for which they summon an NPC exorcist. Unfortunately, as they come to your character’s home, they get attacked by a caballi, killing them and leaving a dead body in your place. They’ve now got to explain this dead body in their home and they’ve still got a problem with a ghost and exorcists avoiding them because the last dropped dead. 

Your neighbor’s daughter asks you to look after her pet guinea pig while they go on a family trip. You swear to this girl that come hell or highwater her pig will be protected. This leads to a very interesting and intense week with a Condenado.

Character meets a djab who has been hired for a mission, and finds them strangely amicable, even growing to befriend them. At least, until they find out the Djab was hired to kill their friend.

Mistakes are made. Your characters encounter a ballybog and start tripping, and in their inebriated state, they then have the misfortune of stumbling into an Eintykara nest. The mix is not pleasant and god spare the poor souls who come across them. 

Your character is trying one of those new diet trends that’s going around, or alternatively a food cleanse, and it seems to be working impressively well. At least, until  they realise it’s a fat flitter.

Your character wakes up one morning with a memory of a murder or otherwise terrible act that someone else committed. (brain biter) What they don’t realise is that the memory was one from the other character’s alternate universe self, bringing in some real complications.

Your character has been having a serious spell of bad luck recently. Maybe it’s a faulty good luck charm, maybe it’s that mirror they broke, or maybe it was that giant black monster they saw the other day, who knows. (Likho)

One character with average or less speed and one supernaturally fast character are walking along quite amenably, when they see two people not too far ahead of them. Suddenly, one of the two people’s jaws snaps wide open and they swallow them whole. The Mornlich then turns it attention to them. They better run. 

The next door neighbor’s kid woke up without any bones left in their arm one morning and a deep hole in their elbow, and you’ve had a sinking feeling for a couple days now that there’s something in your home. (Rawhead)

Your character stumbles across a pile of warm, steamy organs in their garden one evening. By the time they’ve got the police, someone or anyone helpful at all, they’re gone, and all that remains is some bile. They’ve now got to convince people that it is definitely starting to become a frequent thing. (Stikini)

A yurei has a vendetta against your alternate universe self, but has now ended up AC with your current self. Have fun with that. 

Your character sees a craiglist ad for “Willing volunteer needed for human sacrifice” They decide that this is probably a dodgy individual that needs investigating and expose and volunteer?

The last three people who have stepped into an elevator in a building of your choice have died. Why?

Your character is playing a musical instrument home alone. They hear someone clap.

When your characters agree to go to the circus, they weren’t expecting to be seduced by the magic of Pickle’s Family Circus. Bonus points if they’re a warden caught unawares.

There are some serious weeds growing in your character’s garden, and when they go to dig them up, they start screaming (Mandrakes, Supernatural Plants)

One character finds a four leaf clover and tucks it into the breast pocket of another character to give them luck, in an affectionate way. Unfortunately, it’s Raskovnik, and something gets uncovered if you get my meaning. (Supernatural plants)

Your character is attacked by vampires, but the attack suddenly stops after one bite. They declare your blood gross because it’s Rh negative. Your character is left, very confused. (Order of Everlasting Blood)

[maplespritz]

Clover: So, what do you think? The quality isn’t the greatest since Sage ruined my good brushes, but I think it looks really accurate--

Primrose couldn’t stand it anymore. She couldn’t let her sister get hurt; under her hard, no-nonsense exterior, she really cared about Clover.

Prim: I know you have a crush on her.

Clover: What? No, I don’t, I--

Prim: You can’t lie to me, Clover; I know already. But she’s straight; she’s really into Kade Boston.

Primrose internally cringed. She hated how blunt she was (just something she inherited from her grandmother).

Clover: ...Kade Boston? Like our neighbor?

Prim: Yeah. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to confess your feelings to her to get shot down.

Clover: Oh. Well, um, thank you. For telling me.

Prim: Your painting is really good, though, Clover. You’re really talented.

She glanced over at Clover, who was crying into her hands, and sighed. Prim hated how her sister was feeling right now, but knew that this was the better alternative.