#i.i. box

[glyphalodon]

intro post :] = glyph = = he/him = i'm a minor! don't be weird fandoms atm: Rain World, TF2, Ultrakill, I.I.

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basic DNI criteria

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TWs for my posts and reblogs: suggestive jokes/art (not NSFW), eye straining colors, blood

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my art tags:

#my art #tf2 art #rw art #osc art #oc art

Other tags:

#text #asks #important

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enjoy your stay! if you have a question or a request, my ask box is always open (i may take a long time to answer at times, apologies!)

[mirkodoesstuff]

The Announcer's Gijinka Design!

Well, sorry for a bit of long wait for my another Gijinka/Object Heads/Anthro-Objects (I don't know which name to use tbh!), however I was wondering... Wondering how I was supposed to explain my own vision of him, explain his family, his even headcanoned backstory, why he's that way he is etc., however after a while I've finally found a way to tell you all about my headcanons + gijinka design for the Announcer!

Original creation date: February 16th, 2024

So, yeah, he was shortly created (read: drawn one day later) after I drew the Gijinka design for TV! And additionally, what I tried to archive was to make the design for the Announcer, that wouldn't copy tons and tons of Object Heads designs for him, and that would make him give the feeling of "Hmmm, this person seems to be harmless, however why I feel like he'd kill me on spot?" type of beat.

And yes, my Announcer's design is fat, what are you gonna do about it?

Well, just like with TV's post, there's headcanons below!

Warning: the below section features themes of death, failed marriage, implied abuse, implied forced weight loss, implied mental issues, implied bloodbath, implied war, and implied xenophobia

Read that section at your risk!

Family headcanons (+ some backstory)

The Announcer, real name - Panretor, was born on January 20, 1960, on a weirdly-dark purple planet called "H.F.S.B" (acronym for "Home For Speaker Boxes") to two other speaker boxes - a dark red speaker box called Rekt (father) and an azure speaker box called Kotl (mother).

He was the only child to his family, which he would later mention, that he wished he did have any siblings (sometimes he's jealous of some people, ex. Leafy, who have such big families).

He never met any of his grandparents, due to Rekt not wanting him to meet his grandpa, and Kotl because of her parents being simply dead. However, there's a possibility, that Kotl's parents could actually be alive, and she just lied to her own son, however since she's dead, there's no confirmation about it.

The Announcer's real name, alongside his parents' names, have meanings - they're not a silly words someone made for 5 seconds, but actually a part of the very old Speaker Boxes' language, called "speakling". Panretor means in this language "Monarch/The Creator" depending on the context when the word is used, Rekt means "Confident/Bravery", depending also on the context and Kotl means "Cheerful".

Originally, Panretor's name was supposed to be "Kirk", which was suggested by his mother. The word "Kirk" itself means "Happiness", as she wanted his son to be "someone, who will bring the happiness upon the H.F.S.B", however his dad decided against naming him "Kirk", due to him wanting someone, who would lead a future war against the species he hated the most - Light Shimmers (yes, the same Light Shimmers from I.I), and that their child should be named after a leader (it implies, that he meant the name "Panretor" to mean "The Monarch"). Kotl attempted to try to change Rekt's mind about choosing that name, considering that both species had a friendly relationship back then, however he told her, that the "future could change it", and that they "needed to make sure the future generation would take great care of the war, while we're hiding somewhere", which, much to Kotl's hidden disagreement, their son was called "Panretor".

Their son himself had no clue why he was called that way, as he often thought "Panretor" meant "The Creator" (he didn't know it could mean "the monarch" too), so whenever he asked either of his parents, they would immediately tell him, that the word "Panretor" meant one thing - "The Creator"

Both of his parents, specifically Rekt, were from the middle layer of the Speaker Boxes society, who could decide the future of the planet - Rekt was the major of the Army, while Kotl had a close relationship with the king - Blisk (Perservance) The Third, who ruled the whole planet, when Panretor was born.

About the personalities of the Announcer's closest family - Kotl was known to be cheerful, helpful, wanted the best for her family (especially her son), however her major flaw was, that she never suspected her husband of doing something, anything, that would cause the war with the Light Shimmers, and that he would abuse his power as the major of the Army, in order to do so. In spite of that, she would not really think of the possibility of the war, which would lead to her ultimate demise. However, Rekt was known to be the "more chaotic of the two" (not in the positive sense of the word), as he would often cause various arguments, problems, troubles for anyone he either: a) saw as a treat, b) wanted to get rid of them and c) knew, that in doing so, he would immediately be brought to the public attention (he really loved the public attention!), so he would often do stuff, that would bring the sweet, sweet attention... Even, if it meant he would often be questioned as why he still was the Major of the Army, why he was still even allowed to represent such a high position in the whole community, why he was still liked, etc. However, no one questioned how far he would do, to achieve fame, to get the attention.

Due to Rekt's personality, which lead to a war between Speaker Boxes and the Light Shimmers, because of him murdering Solaris (Light Shimmers' Leader)'s son, Casper, he had to come to the Earth with his so-hated father.

His ex-wife was Jasmine from the house of Baird - a Scottish and Italian Goikian, who was 30 years old, when he married her back in 1984. Their marriage wasn't really... The happiest marriage in the world, because not only they didn't exactly love each other, but because it was forced marriage. He was forced to marry Jasmine, because he needed money to survive in Goiky, as he couldn't find any stable job, that would provide money, due to some Objects not trusting him enough, or being hateful towards him, and since she had lots of money (she came from pretty rich family), his father forced him to marry her, telling him, that she was the only one, who could save him from getting into poverty, from being completely moneyless.

However, sometime after TV was born, she left him, completely alone to deal not only with Remote, who had many mental problems, but with a literal newborn too.

He had to raise TV on his own, and help his oldest daughter, which was pretty hard, however... One day, sometime in 2005, he met Cherry Jam (@classypartynerdpalace OC) in the shop, alongside her only child - Donut. Due to seeing, that they were in the same situations (being single parents), he and her got along pretty well, and after a while (sometime in 2007), they got together.

When they got together, he felt really happy, being with someone, who did actually care for him, who wanted to be with him, who was there for him, who he married because he loved her, not because he was forced to, like it was the case with Jasmine.

Relationship between his children (and wife!)

He and his daughter are getting along pretty well nowadays, however it wasn't always that way - when Remote was younger, they had a pretty complicated relationship, as she would spend more time with her biological mother rather than him, even when she didn't want to. This did affect Remote, as she would have lots of mental issues, which he really tries to solve them all, which isn't easy as many people would tell him, that it was. He does support her decisions, for example he supported her deciding to date Liy - a woman, with mysterious and dark past, and even supported her into joining a group, that was all against preventing death and creating trust (and basically dating the whole group... Well, it does happen).

With his son, TV, it's more complicated, as he would try his hardest, try his best to raise him alone, try his best to help him with functioning normally, however finding out, that his own son had atypical autism and genetical depression (probably inherited from someone from Jasmine's side, or from his side, he never found out about it), he felt lost about the whole situation, not knowing how to handle a kid with such conditions. However, when he did his own research about those conditions, he actually attempted to understand his son a lot more, rather than just doing whatever he thought would help him (which wouldn't help even a bit in that case), so he started to try to help him, however... Even having such a caring father wouldn't help, as TV's personality would be complicated and his son himself would feel like "father's love" wasn't enough for him.

He and his adopted son - Donut, ironically enough, have a really great relationship - they treat each other like they were actually biologically related, they see each other as equal as father and child. The Announcer's himself feels pretty proud of what he managed to do - to make him feel accepted within the Aurelious' family, within his family. However, sometimes they do have both fallouts, due to having different opinions on things, seeing things in different matter, and even having different views on various situations.

As it was mentioned earlier, he and Cherry Jam are happy together, because not only they have a lot in common (the main thing being, that they were single parents), but also they genuinely love each other - they would always tease each other, call each other names like "Honey" or "Dear", or even - "Honeybee" (that's the nickname the Announcer gave Cherry Jam after they got married), they would do things together, like watching TV, spending time with their kids, talking etc., or even share their pasts with each other. Of course, he wouldn't go far with his past, as he doesn't like mentioning a lot of details about his past, however he would mention to her, that he used to live on a completely different planet, that he used to go by the name of "Panretor", that his father was the Mayor of the Army of the planet, that his father was "insane", was a maniac, even, that his mother was such a sweetheart, however he would leave details such as why the war between his species and Light Shimmers happened, how brutal were Light Shimmers etc., as he doesn't want her to hate Light Shimmers because of the past, he wanted her to form her own opinion on them.

About his ex-wife - Jasmine... The marriage was forced, as it was early mentioned, it wasn't genuine at all, they were forced to marry each other, because of the whims of one person (Rekt), and because the public opinion LITERALLY wanted the pink smartphone to marry anyone, even a poor person like the Announcer! So, the whole marriage wasn't even done out of love, but out of the interest of the third parties (in the Announcer's case, it was because of his dad - Rekt, in Jasmine's case - because of the public). Due to the nature of the marriage, he and her would often be awkward, when they were with each other, feel uncomfortable being in the same room together, feeling pressured, when they were doing dates publicly, wanting to be apart from each other, however were forced to stay together, and even - they both felt like they should divorce each other, that they should leave each other, however it didn't happen up until after the birth of TV, where Jasmine left the Announcer shortly, without any warnings, leaving him to raise a toddler alone. It was a tragic day for him, because not only he'd have to raise his only son alone, but also he had no one else living in the big mansion (which belonged to Jasmine, but she let him have it, because she didn't want him and her kids to be homeless), with the exception of Jasmine's former butler - a black and white Anthro-Cat with amber eyes called simply"Spots", whose he and him had pretty good friendship. Sometimes he misses Jasmine dearly, however he's aware about how their whole marriage was forced, and he just hopes she's doing alright.

Other Headcanons!

Even though he does lack mouth, he can eat. How does it happen? Well... No one really knows, however all they know is that, when the Announcer puts the food near his lower part of the head, and then - the food goes through the lower part, while the sound of it being "smashed" by something could be hear. It is speculated, that the Announcer DOES have a mouth, however it is invisible for anyone else. Surprisingly enough, he can give kisses to people he cares deeply about (ex. Cherry Jam), and they can describe it, like he really kissed them, despite his lack of the mouth, which does support the speculation of him having an invisible mouth.

The reason, why he changed his name from "Panretor" to "Announcer" was because that one time, when he was hanging near the local dog park in the Cherryfields (a town filled with plant objects, food objects and other type of objects), he overheard a conversation between a postman paper object and a torch object, talking about people, who described themselves as "the Announcers", because of them announcing very important stuff, like when a party would happen, what was added to the town, what was renovated, etc. Because of that, Panretor decided, that he should name himself "The Announcer", because it does fit him better than his previous name, and that it could make people treat him way more seriously, than before.

In the past, he was way more thin than he is now, due to the weird culture, that was exclusive only for Speaker Boxes, where a thinner person was, a better treatment they would receive, and because of him being from a well-respected family of the H.F.S.B, he was forced to eat a little, only two meals a day, without eating any other stuff in-between, was forced to do sports WAY harder than normally, and was on strict diet. However, after he landed on Goiky, and after his dad's death, he decided to let himself be treated way better (and as a way to assimilate with Goikians' culture), he started to eat more, do only necessary exercising, to keep himself healthy, started eating three main meals a day, started to eat in-between, which resulted in him gaining weight.

The Announcer does love gossiping about various situations, for example about what someone, who's not from his family, faked/hid/escaped something, that caused a scandal, how someone became rich out of nowhere, what happened to someone, if a situation was an accident, or was planned, etc. However, he doesn't gossip with his kids, because Remote and Donut both hate gossiping (especially Donut), and TV doesn't care enough to gossip with his father as he'd rather gossip with other objects.

His favourite shows are quizz shows, adult cartoons, shows, where you can win a prize, detective shows, telenovelas (he absolutely loves them!), and some of horror movies (but horror movies, where there's also comedy in it).

When he found out, that his father died due to shooting happening in the bar, he felt, at first, empty, because he had no clue how he was supposed to react at the information, however after processing the whole thing, he felt relief. Relief, because the one, who caused the whole war between two space species was dead, was murdered. He was just... Happy, that his own father died.

He doesn't like talking about Light Shimmers, due to how brutal they were during the war, that his own father caused, as he could see them being merciless, being literally bloodthirsty, being vengeful. Of course he tried to understand them, as they were doing it to avenge Solaris (Light Shimmers' leader)'s son, however he just... He just felt like they shouldn't have done that, that they shouldn't be that brutal, especially to innocent civilians. He does try to forgive them for the past actions, however it's quite hard to move on from them.

He did meet the Algebralians, and lets say, he does find them... Interesting. And weird, especially weird, because how come they're aliens based on numbers, however they're trying to hide by taking forms of Anthro-Animals, that fit their personalities? How come does that work? Nonetheless, he does find them intriguing, because of their odd culture, their wacky shenaningas, and because of a disturbing past between them and Goikians...

[smqazi]

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[thehandworld]

📎

For every ���� I get in my ask box, I'll post a thread that I want to do. @ukigumos

Gimme muses needing comfort! Make my muse freak out wondering how the FUCK they are going to comfort your muse! The healing and the growth that happens in those moments are SO SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD. Probably why I love angst so much because whenever my muse gets comforted they bond so much with the other muse... So give me the opposite! In Meluna's case, using as an example, I think we once talked about how eventually Hibari would have a mental breakdown because of feeling safe around Yamamoto and that would open for Yamamoto not only to comfort Hibari but also to find out how Hibari is without being so stuck in the fight mode. If I remember Meluna said that Hibari was more sassy after he healed a bit from his CPTSD? Sorry if I said wrong but you get it i.i.

[jacefinch]

[tiawesomeness]

So I was browsing the I.I website character bois and I found these gems

We have, box's fun facts thing

And soaps, idk I just thought it was cool

[sparks-stephen]

treacherous | sh x reader

i.i | the meeting

Sometime the following afternoon, Y/N sat on Mrs. Hudson's sofa, trying to refrain from using her phone, seeing as she knows that it can be easily tracked. She opted to just watch whatever trashy show was on the telly.

Though, she is very bored. but not using her phone is a small price to pay for not seeing him ever again.

A knock on the front door got Y/N's attention. Mrs. Hudson quickly rushed out of the flat and opened the front door. She, however,  said put and continued watching.

"Sherlock, hello," Mrs. Hudson said as she hugged this Sherlock.

"Mrs. Hudson, Doctor John Watson," he then introduced the two.

"Hello," John said to Mrs. Hudson.

"How do?"

"Come in," she said, moving to the side and letting the two men in.

"Thank you."

"Shall we?"

"Yeah."

The two men go inside and Mrs. Hudson closes the door. They go upstairs and as John reaches the top of the stairs, Sherlock opens the door ahead of him and walks in, revealing the living room of the flat.

John follows him in and looks around the room and at all the possessions and boxes scattered around it.

"Well, this could be very nice. Very nice indeed," John said.

"Yes. Yes, I think so. My thoughts precisely," Sherlock nodded along, looking around as well, "So I went straight ahead and moved in."

"Soon as we get all this rubbish cleaned out ... Oh," the two men said at the same time.

John paused, embarrassed when he realises what Sherlock was saying.

"So this is all..." John began.

"Well, obviously I can, um, straighten things up a bit," Sherlock said.

Sherlock walks across the room and tries to lightly tidy up. Throwing a couple of folders into a box and then takes some apparently unopened envelopes across to the fireplace where he puts them onto the mantelpiece and then stabs a knife into them. John has noticed something else on the mantelpiece and lifts his cane to point at it.

"That's a skull," John said as he pointed to the skull on top of the mantlepiece.

"Friend of mine. When I say 'friend' ..." Sherlock walked as he removed his coat and scarf.

"What do you think, then, Doctor Watson? There's another bedroom upstairs if you'll be needing two bedrooms," Mrs. Hudson said.

"Of course, we'll be needing two," John said, confused about what is happening.

"Oh, don't worry; there's all sorts round here," Mrs. Hudson began, before whispering,  "Mrs. Turner next door's got married ones."

John looked very confused as he looked at Sherlock.

"Oh, Sherlock. The mess you've made," Mrs. Hudson said, as she tidies up the kitchen and Sherlock still tidies up the living room.

"I looked you up on the internet last night."

"Anything interesting?"

"Found your website, The Science of Deduction."

"What did you think?"

"You said you could identify a software designer by his tie and an airline pilot by his left thumb."

"Yes; and I can read your military career in your face and your leg, and your brother's drinking habits in your mobile phone."

"How?"

Sherlock smiles and turns away.

Mrs. Hudson comes out of the kitchen reading a newspaper, "What about these suicides then, Sherlock? I thought that'd be right up your street. Three exactly the same --"

Meanwhile, Y/N finally had enough of the annoying people on the telly and decided to go out and have some fresh air. She went up the stairs and

"Aunt Martha! I'm going to the shops, do you want anything?"

The three people stopped and looked at Y/N. The tall man with dark curly hair (Y/N was very sure that this was Sherlock since his description matched his descriptions of him) stared at her.

Sherlock continued to stare at Y/N as he tried to deduce her. Sherlock was very confused since he could not deduce her as he normally would; all he knew was Y/N was the niece of Mrs. Hudson's late husband, since she has somewhat similiar features to him.

"Oh dear, Sherlock, John, this is Y/N," Mrs. Hudson pointed at her, "Y/N, that one's John," she pointed at the man sitting on the chair, "and that's Sherlock," she pointed at the man standing near the window, which proved that Y/N was correct.

"Hello, John," Y/N politely smiled and nodded, and then faced Sherlock "and hello to the person who got my favorite uncle killed," Y/N smiled mockingly at him.

Sherlock faced her with an eyebrow raised as Mrs. Hudson tutted and then said "You're complaining about that as if you didn't enjoy the inheritance, dear," she said as she left.

Sherlock looks over to the window once more as the sound of a car pulling up outside was heard.

"Four," he suddenly said, "There's been a fourth. And there's something different this time."

"A fourth?" Y/N asked as she heard somebody's footsteps coming up the stairs.

"Where?"

"Brixton, Lauriston Gardens," the man replied as Y/N tried to be calm, trying to remind herself that he wasn't there to arrest her.

"What's new about this one? You wouldn't have come to get me if there wasn't something different,"Sherlock said.

"You know how they never leave notes?"

"Yeah."

"This one did. Will you come?"

"Who's on forensics?"

"It's Anderson."

"Anderson won't work with me," Sherlock said begrudingly.

"Well, he won't be your assistant," the man insisted.

"I need an assistant," Sherlock pressed.

"Will you come?" the man asked again.

"Not in a police car. I'll be right behind," Sherlock said.

"Thank you," the man nodded as he rushed to leave the flat.

Sherlock looked around the three people in the flat as he turns and hurries off down the stairs. Sherlock waits until he has reached the front door, then leaps into the air and clenches his fists triumphantly before twirling around the room happily.

"Brilliant! Yes! Ah, four serial suicides, and now a note! Oh, it's Christmas!" Sherlock said as he picked up his scarf and coat he starts to put them on while heading for the kitchen, before continuing, "Mrs. Hudson, I'll be late. Might need some food."

"I'm your landlady, dear, not your housekeeper," she reminded him.

"Something cold will do. John, have a cup of tea, make yourself at home. Don't wait up!" Sherlock said as he left.

"Look at him, dashing about! My husband was just the same," Mrs. Hudson said as Y/N snorted, "But you're more the sitting-down type, I can tell."

Y/N looked at John as she smiled at him once more, finding John's sour face somewhat amusing.

"I'll make you that cuppa. You rest your leg," Mrs. Hudson said, rushing to the kitchen.

"Damn my leg!" John suddenly shouted, startling the two women in the flat, "Sorry, I'm so sorry. It's just sometimes this bloody thing..." John said as he hits his leg with the cane.

"I understand, dear; I've got a hip," Mrs. Hudson says, sympathizing with him.

"Cup of tea'd be lovely, thank you," John said, while picking up as newspaper.

"Just this once, dear. I'm not your housekeeper," she reminded him.

"Couple of biscuits too, if you've got 'em," John added.

"Not your housekeeper!"

Y/N snorted once more before standing up, "Anyways, I've got to run. Aunt Martha! Do you need anything from the shops?" Y/N asked once more.

"Just some milk, dear. Thank you!"

Y/N bid her goodbye to John but as she was stepping out, she bumped into Sherlock, making her backup into the flat once more.

"You're a doctor. In fact you're an Army doctor."

"Yes."

John gets to his feet and turns towards Sherlock as he comes back into the room again.

"Any good?"

"Very good."

"Seen a lot of injuries, then; violent deaths."

"Mmm, yes."

"Bit of trouble too, I bet."

"Of course, yes. Enough for a lifetime. Far too much."

"Wanna see some more?"

"Oh God, yes."

"And you?" Sherlock said as he faced Y/N.

"And what about me?" Y/N asked.

"Do you want to come along?" he asked her.

Y/N almost said yes, missing the feeling of adrenaline rushing through her veins, but she cannot risk being in a building with several police people at once.

"Oh, no, thank you. Not really my scene," Y/N lied to Sherlock as she hurried to leave the flat and went to Mrs. Hudson's flat.

As she was grabbing her wallet and keys, she heard Sherlock say from the outside of their door,

"Who cares about decent? The game, Mrs Hudson, is on!"

And the two men finally left as they waited for a taxi.  Y/N left soon after, with a tight feeling in her chest.

A/N : If anybody wants to be added to a taglist or something, do let me know and I’ll tag you in the succeeding chapters :))

[limerenze]

ink stains - dean thomas (2)

masterlist

series masterlist

part two: come and go room ( read part one here! )

[Dean Thomas x Shifter!Reader]

Summary; y/n treads down memory lane and seeks out dumbledore’s help about her boyfriend’s strange blackouts

Word Count; 2.2k

A/N; i really love this chapter! scenes written in italics are flashback/memories. Again, i’m not an experienced shifter so the specifics about shifting may not be accurate to your experiences. 

y/f/i = your first initial

y/l/i = your last initial

Date Written: January 27, 2021

y/n sat in the come and go room. The one she came to when she was overwhelmed and needed to clear her head when it was starting to get to her and she just needed an out.

She was so accustomed to this room that Hogwarts had given her. It was small, small enough at least. The walls were brown and bookshelves ran to the top, and there was a red victorian style couch that sat in front of a quaint fireplace. A window with a view of a meadow, she always questioned whether the view was real or just something pretty for her to look at. But she didn't want to find out, she just let Hogwarts give her what it thought she needed. 

y/n wasn’t stupid, it may have taken her a minute but once dean elaborated on what had been happening to him, she knew that what he was experiencing was her leaving Hogwarts.

She plunked, in every way a person could plunk- down onto the couch and pulled her bag into her lap. She wrestled with the clasps mindlessly until it popped open. She dug her hand deep in the bag and pulled out what she needed.

A journal, bound in leather. With a leather string that she wrapped around the book to keep it from opening up on its own. 

Engraved in gold were y/n’s initials, her initials in her real life, “y/f/i.y/l/i.” in beautiful cursive, at the bottom left corner.

She changed her last name when she was at Hogwarts. it was a detail that she didn't think anyone would notice. So minuscule that it didn't even matter, but it was one that helped her to separate her normal life from this life- it also made her feel like she fit in more, and it did; especially at the beginning when she always felt a little misplaced.

She carried this with her everywhere she went, of course, it was only to use for emergencies.

This was her script.

Dean saw her with it every day. He was really curious at first. He never ever saw her write in it, or even open it, he just knew it was always on her person. On multiple occasions, y/n had been pulling things mindlessly out of her bag. Searching for things, like a hair tie, a bottle of ink or even her wand. Dean would see the journal in her pile of belongings.

One time, he picked it up to inspect it. He didn't open it, he knew better than that. It wasn't his and he wasn't one to violate anyone's privacy, especially his girlfriend, whom he loved and trusted. 

He loved that book though. He thought it was beautiful. He tried to ask where she got it so he could get one. y/n just laughed and told him she would pick one up for him. He rolled his eyes at that.

But sure enough, a few weeks later, Dean had pretty much forgotten about the interaction.

y/n  presented him with a parcel, encased in brown paper wrapping and a red bow was tied around it.

“What's this then?” he said looking at the gift. Setting his quill down and smiling at his girlfriend.

“Open it!” she smiled. He looked at her, amused at how excited she was, duly noting that her hands were behind her back.

He shook his head, laughing along with her,

He carefully untied the bow and began ripping the paper from the bottom. Then pulled the wrappings away- revealing y/n’s journal,

“Your journal?” he wondered out loud. y/n laughed a little. And shook her head, setting another gift on the picnic table- wrapped just as the journal was, only it was a box instead of a rectangle, so it very clearly wasn't another book. “What's that!” he exclaimed.

y/n shushed him laughing, and pulled out her journal from her bag and sat beside him on the bench. 

She put her own journal next to his and he looked at them both, puzzled for a moment.

“You are so lucky you're cute,” she said and pointed at the bottom left corner of his, where an elegant, gold engraving of the letters “D.T.” were.

“You got me one?’ he said looking at her. 

“Now we match '' she smiled at him, he pulled her into a hug and pushed his nose into the nape of her neck.

“I love it” he murmured “and you, so much,” he said, pulling away from her and kissing the corners of her mouth. “Thank you” he whispered.

“I love you too, you're so welcome” she said wrapping her arms around him. y/n and Dean had almost forgotten about the other parcel on the table. 

But when they settled in again, she pushed the gift in front of him for him to open.

“Okay, what is this? Is this an ambush? Did I forget something? Is today something special?” he asked, eyeing the package.

“You are insufferable. Just open it!” y/n yelled at her boyfriend. “God forbid I do something nice for the boy I love” she muttered under her breath, earning a glare from the tall boy.

He sighed and pulled the bow off, unwrapping the box and pulling the top off.

“No,” he said, looking inside, and then over to her.

She tried not to smile and nodded, motioning for him to look further.

He pulled out 7 small glass jars. 

“Ink?” he asked, setting them all on the table in front of him.

“I want you to use this book as a sketchbook, for your art. And what fun is art without colours! So after I had the book pressed and engraved, I looked for the best ink for art, I talked to Professor Burbage and Professor Clagg and they told me that if I want a really good coloured ink, meant specifically for artists, to go to Amanuensis Quills or Scribbulus Writing Instruments and talk to someone there but they also said I’d probably have the best luck at a no-maj shop and bring it to them so they could help me enchant them and-” she was cut off by dean's lips against hers. They always tried to keep their PDA to a minimum but he couldn't help it. 

“Have I ever told you how perfect you are?” he asked after pulling away.

“I could always hear it again” she shrugged with a smile. He brought his thumb up to her cheekbone and stroked it softly.

“You're perfect” he whispered to her.

“There's something else in the box” she smiled.

He looked and sure enough at the bottom of the box was another box, this one wasn't wrapped- it just had a lid on it. He grabbed it and took the lid off, to find a pen.

“Burbage and Clagg also told me'' she said, grabbing the pen from him “that this kind of pen is best for inkpots, it holds the ink better and you don't have to dip as often,” she explained taking the pen out of the box.

It was glass, crystal- with white and black marbled throughout the base. The tip has a bunch of grooves, he assumed where the ink sat. 

He loved it, he loved it almost as much as he loved y/n, as much as he loved how excited y/n got explaining his gift to him.

“Why did you do this?” he asked- a smile plastered on his face that he couldn’t wipe away even if he tried, trying not to sound ungrateful- because he truly wasn't.

“Just because I love you so much” she smiled and pulled him in for another kiss.

y/n smiled at the memory, they spent the rest of the day at the picnic table under the tree, y/n insisted that he draw her something. That was last school year.

She opened her journal and looked at her script. She looked down to where, written in her writing it said ‘when i leave my dr, time will pause until i return’.

A feeling of guilt washed over her once again, as it did every time she looked at her script. As she remembered the battle that this world was due for, it was coming soon, approaching faster than she would like it to. she had the answer to every problem this world was going to face as well as the power to change it. She pushed it to the back of her mind and shook her head, blinking away tears that wanted to spill, as they did every time she thought about this and the pressure she felt came with it.

Nothing was written about the people at Hogwarts not noticing that time was paused.

Only, time didn't pause- and now someone had noticed.

Of course, it was only Dean, she could just script something new and think of something to tell him that would explain his blackouts.

She groaned and slammed her journal on the couch beside her in frustration. Rubbing her hands over her face.

y/n checked the time and saw that if she ran, she could catch the headmaster before the dinner bell. 

She shot up and left the come and go room, her feet taking over and she ran towards dumbledore’s office. Godric knows he had other things to worry about, but her quick question couldn't hurt.

Before she knew it, she was at the headmaster’s door.

she raised her hand to knock but it was swiftly pulled open.

“Ms Vosper! What can I do for you?” he spoke solemnly. 

“Hello professor, I just had a question for you, that I wasn't sure how else to get the answer to,” she said, carefully.

“Of course, well come- walk with me. I'm just heading down to the great hall. The house elves have prepared french onion soup, I've been looking forward to it all week.” he said, staring down the corridor, closing the giant door behind him.

“I wanted to know if it's possible to stop time, or pause time,” she asked. It seemed harmless enough. It could be taken as pure curiosity. 

“Meddling with time is very dangerous, Ms Vosper” he spoke.

“No I know professor, I assure you I’m not looking to change anything to do with time to benefit me or anything like that, a friend just mentioned something to me and it had me wondering,” y/n told him.

“Well,” he sighed, turning the corner, continuing toward the great hall. “No, it's not possible to stop time completely. I imagine if someone were to try- time would just slow down. Significantly. Probably enough so it seems like time would stop but it wouldn't. It can't. Everyone paused, or slowed- would continue life as they do, just mindlessly.” dumbledore told me,

“So if this person slowed time for a long period through their eyes, could the people who are slowed notice? Say if they were in the middle of doing something tedious, and when they are unpaused they are noticeably farther along than they remember being” she elaborated further

“Well, yes,” he said as we turned into the great hall, he motioned for me to continue following him. I followed him to the head table. I walked up the steps as he went around the table to his chair, I stood across from where he would be seated in just a moment.

she had caused this. how many other people were experiencing these “blackouts”, as her boyfriend called them? She turned to search briefly for him in his usual spot, between Harry and Neville and across from Seamus- who would be squashed between Hermione on his left and the red-headed twins on his right, Ron would be seated to the other side of Hermione. On the chance y/n decided to join them, Neville would scootch over to make room for her, the rest of Gryffindor surrounding them- only to find everyone in their respective seats, except Dean. 

“I imagine that they would feel as though they spaced out,” Dumbledore said, now sitting in his chair. “As if they blacked out” he finished,

y/n’s fingertips went cold and she felt a little sick,

“Thank you, Professor, that helps me a lot,” she said, trying to keep her shaky voice straight

“Anytime Ms Vosper. Please, say hello to Mr Thomas for me” he said and nodded toward the entrance of the hall. I turned and saw him standing there, holding something.

“I will, sir. Enjoy your soup” she said and turned on her heel to start toward dean.

She heard him reply “I intend to, Ms Vosper ”, if she wasn’t so nervous, she would have laughed.

Surely she was being irrational, right? She could fix this, as much as she hated changing her script and lying to her boyfriend, that had to be better than the alternative. And plus! Her boyfriend would stop feeling like he was going crazy, as well as anyone else in this reality who may have been experiencing this. This could be a good script change.

She reached dean and his expression was puzzles, it almost always was but it was different this time. She saw now that what he had been carrying was his sketchbook.

“I found this in the room of requirement” he spoke, eyes narrowed and accusations laced in his tone. y/n looked down at the book, snatching it from his hands- probably altogether too quick and too harsh.

She looked down and instead of seeing an elegant “D.T.” she saw “y/f/i.y/l/i.”. 

part three

hmu to get added to the tag list !

[tenmillionwhumperflies]

Cloudwalker Series Part 13

Okay this got split in half because it was like 3k words. Have more protective Avizon and a little Ihuka whump (mild beating).

Warnings: Mild beating, pet whumpee

Master-list Here Total WC: 1700

It wasn't long until Avizon's supplies began to dwindle. He needed to go back to town, to stock up and fill his cart. He decided to take the birds with him. They couldn't fly off, and he doubted they'd try to run. Ihuka had certainly learned this lesson. He'd been trying hard to please him since then. They'd earned a trip outside. Besides, he would need travelling supplies for when he went to the Great Library. He wasn't sure if he wanted to take his birds with him. Was it safer to seal them in the castle for the day or two he'd be gone? He was unsure.

But first things first, the market.

He went to their room and found that Dyan and Ihuka were asleep, a tangled mess of limbs, feathers and drool. Avizon couldn't help but smile. They'd settled in well overall, and they'd been far less trouble. Ihuka had his bad days still, but he found it was easier to set him off cleaning with Dyan and it seemed to work the resentment out of him that way. He couldn't afford to punish him much more. He was already so afraid of him. He thought he'd wanted a challenge, he thought he'd known what he wanted but things were changing every day. They were changing him... They reminded him more and more of his old self, before everything changed, before everything had been stolen from him. 

His master’s words rang in his ears. This is dark magic you seek. It will corrupt you, it will change you for the worst and it will eventually kill you.

"Wake up, little birds. We have a long day ahead of us," he called.

Ihuka yawned and tried to hide under his wing to get more sleep.

"I saw that, Ihuka. Wake up, there's a good bird. I might even buy you a gift if you can behave yourself.” Dyan stretched his wings out and sat up, “Where are we doing today, master?” “We’re going to the market.” Dyan gulped. “You mean...” “No, no! Not that market, a different one, for food and supplies. Don’t worry, all is well.”

The tension in Dyan’s body visibly dropped away. Avizon petted his head. “Get dressed. I’ll see if there are any coats leftover from the servants.”

“You had servants?” Dyan asked softly. Avizon cleared his throat. “No, they were before I took over the castle.” Avizon’s attack that day had led everyone to flee, leaving everything behind. Even the purple and turquoise clothes they wore had belonged to cloudwalkers owned by the princess. He shuddered at the memories, the thought of past pains.

He shook himself out of it. “Get dressed,” he found himself repeating. “and wake Ihuka up. Meet me outside by the horse.” “Yes, master.”

Avizon paused for a moment, remembering Dyan had hurt his wrist the day before because he’d been cleaning so much. It wasn’t broken, just stiff and achy. “Is your wrist still hurting?” Dyan nodded meekly. Avizon ruffled his hair, “alright, take it easy.”

Avizon left them to it. He rummaged around in the empty bedrooms until he found a chest with cloudwalkers clothes in. He knew they had to be somewhere. The princess had always spoiled her pets, and yet beaten them when she felt like it. Looking back, he really pitied those creatures. The Princess had always had a terribly good arm for striking. He wondered what had happened to those two, Fluffy and Flutter, she had called them. What had been their real names? Where had they come from?... Perhaps he could make some inquiries when he was in the city.

He looked in the box, seeing what he could find. There were shoes that looked agonising to walk in, accessories of all descriptions. He took the two bandannas out, they could be helpful, and finally he found the coats with a lace-up back. He hoped they would fit. He could always buy them new things when he got there at least. He brought it all downstairs and outside, where his two cloudwalkers were waiting patiently.

He made two piles, one for Ihuka with the white coat with purple stitching and one for Dyan with the black coat and turquoise. He gave them the bandanna. “Put these on, then I will need to wrap your wings. I’m not having those vermin stealing your feathers.”

It took a while to get everything sorted to go. Ihuka liked having the bandanna hanging loosely around his neck once Avizon had tied it for him. Dyan was more nervous, but Avizon had an idea. He tied it around his wrist and tucked it all in neatly. “There, that should support it.” Dyan cheeped out a thank you. He let them both sit in the cart, with their leads secured to it. They took it as a chance to nap. 

Avizon didn’t mind, it meant he could reflect without distraction. It seemed the past was determined to haunt him today. His horse nickered softly as she pulled the cart along. “Steady, Secret, steady girl.” She continued on her way, not caring for the rain that started. Avizon grumbled and pulled up his hood. Thunder clapped overhead, he heard a squeak from inside the cart and Secret looked unsteady. He worked on reassuring her. “It’s alright, little birds, no need to be afraid, we’re almost there.” The rain did mean that a lot of people had gone home, which meant this would be easier for him. He knew what to expect, he knew how the people were, but they feared him at least, and he could soon get them to scarper if he wanted to.

He brought the cart to a stop under a basic shelter, which kept the rain off his horse. He tethered her to the post and patted her neck. “Good girl. Steady now.”

He went to the back and untied the cloudwalkers, “You’ll have to come with me. I don’t want you getting stolen. Come on out.”

Dyan and Ihuka carefully climbed out, both looked unsure. He left their leashes short. He trusted them to stay by his side, but he didn’t trust the people. He urged them onward and brought them into the large wooden building where most of the stalls were. He set to work buying what he needed and much to his surprise, the cloudwalkers behaved. They followed him wordlessly, but Ihuka was tense, his head constantly moving. Dyan seemed used to this, but Ihuka was certainly not. He took a moment to pat his head. “Easy now.”

He bought what he needed, and the market owners would send their assistants out to pack his cart. The place emptied quickly, probably because he was here, but there were still half a dozen people or so. He relaxed the leashes, giving them more space to wander. He frowned when Ihuka’s suddenly went limp. When he looked, he quickly found the rope no longer held a cloudwalker on the end.

The rope had been cut.

“Ihuka?” he called out. He heard a yelp and a shout. “Nasty little thief! Go on, fuck off!” Avizon turned just in time to see one of the stall owners kicking Ihuka when he was on the ground. He glowered. “Come, Dyan.” 

A second man came over to Ihuka, an older man that could have been the first’s father. He slapped the young man in the back of the head. “What the hell are you doing?” “It took from the stall!” the younger man defended. “Aye, and I’ve told you to usher it off and inform its owner to pay for the items. You don’t beat the fucking things, someone owns them! They’re animals, they don’t know how the stalls work.”

The older man crouched down to look at Ihuka but Ihuka shied away.

Avizon walked calmly to the stall, seeing Ihuka curled up. He whined seeing him and got on his knees, hugging his stomach. On the floor, he saw a piece of liquorice root. “Your greatness! I… I.Is this your pet? I. I. I had no idea!” the younger one exclaimed. Avizon ignored him. He crouched in front of Ihuka, opened his coat and moved up his shirt. He saw where he’d been kicked hard, it looked like it would bruise. Hopefully nothing more…

“Dyan, ask Ihuka what happened,” Avizon said, but he glared up at the young man who realised he had just made a terrible mistake.

Dyan did so and reported back. “He took a bit of the root, he said they use it in the wild, that he couldn’t resist it… It does smell so good, I...”

Avizon took a piece of liquorice root from the stall and started to chew it. He wasn’t keen on the taste, but he had a point to make. “Where’s my beating then, sir? Or are you suddenly not so keen?”

“Please, your greatness, I… Is there anything I can do to make up for my mistake?” the young man groaned in fear while the older one kept his distance. Avizon smirked. “Well, for one thing, I’ll have all of your liquorice root, and because you kicked my cloudwalker three times, you can half the price, the half it again, and then half it again.”

The older man did not seem too happy but he wasn’t about to argue. “Yes, your greatness. Could I offer you anything for the bird’s pain?” “Yes, and if I find any bones have cracked, then I will be giving this man the same treatment.” Avizon was in no rush, he tended to Ihuka, hushing him as he tried to check for breakages but Ihuka wriggled a lot and pushed his hands away. “M.master, no… please...” He lowered his head down and let out a weak mercy squeak.

Avizon gave up looking for now. He didn’t want to upset him too much. “You’re not in trouble, little bird.”

After Ihuka had chewed on some herbs for the pain, Avizon took a fresh piece of liquorice and held it out to Ihuka, who was still curled up on the floor, no doubt still afraid. He knelt down and brushed a hand through his hair. “On your feet, good boy.” He gave him the root and picked up his lead. He inspected it, seeing where it was clearly burned.

“M.master?” Dyan suddenly whimpered. Avizon turned to see Erix in the doorway glaring at them.

[legendary-raptor-trainer]

jw zombie apocalypse au Owen’s pov

2 days earlier

11:35 am

It has been two days since I returned from my last deployment, and recently I started helping one of my brothers move to their new apartment in one of the noisiest areas of the city. And said brother, it's taking too long to get out of the house.

*Sighs and taps the steering wheel with my fingers * * The phone starts ringing * I answer the call, it's my other brother, Joshua. We are triplets, and I am the eldest, Peter is the middle one.

"Hey, man! What's up?"

"Owen, where are you?" Joshua said hurriedly and panting.

"I'm with Peter in his old house, why?" I frown, something is off, I can feel it in my gut, but maybe it's just my paranoia. People tell me that sometimes I worry too much and said that's part of my job. With both of our parents' death, I feel like I'm responsible for those idiots. Maybe I shouldn't, but that's who I am. That's what the teams taught me. To always look out for my brothers and sisters.

"Shit! Listen, man, get away from the city. I don't know what's going on, but— damn it, not the car!" In the background, I can hear grunts and screams. Something bad was happening there. Maybe a shooting or a car bomb. "Do not enter the city, bro!" He’s running, that’s for sure. "I repeat, do not enter the city. Stay where you are, I'll found y-" The call was cut off.

"Josh?" I frown and look at my phone. There's no signal.

I hear a chopper, and I look up. It's heading for the city, carrying an m-134.

What the hell is happening?

From the corner of my eyes, I see Peter walking out of the house with a box. He’s looking at the chopper too.

Fucking finally!

"What took you so long?"

"Zoe called— what do you think is happening?" He pointed at the chopper, it was farther now, but I still could hear it.

"Just get in the car! We're getting Josh." Peter runs to the passenger side and climbs to the car, as soon as he closes the door I turn on my car and drive as fast as I can.

"Why?"

"I.I don't know, but something's happening in the city. We need to get to him."

On the way, we see more choppers, all carrying weapons. Even I spotted three vipers (F-16) overflying the area.

I have a bad feeling about this. Those aircraft are only used for adversary/aggressor measures.

"Check under the seat. There must be a gun down there."

"Why are you carrying a gun in your car?" I give him a stern look. In moments like this, I wonder if he's my brother. I'm fucking a Seal, and he doesn't expect me to carry a weapon with me?! If my time in the Navy teache me, something is that I must always be ready for battle, in or out.

"Right, stupid question. Sorry." He nods, grimacing, and searches for the gun.

In front, there's a barricade, cops, and soldiers telling people to back away. Something terrible is happening, and I don't like it.

"Wait here," I grab the gun from Peter's hand and hide it under my shirt. I walk to the barricade, and I can feel the anxiety in the air. People are trying to coax the soldiers to let them pass, to let them get to their friends and family.

"Hey! Hey!" I ask one of the soldiers; he's probably in his early twenties. "What's happening here?"

"Sorry, sir, but I'm not authorized to- Listen, kid. You're talking to an E-9 here, so tell me what going on?" Before he could answer me, to my right, we hear people screaming, and some started to run.

"Get them out of here!" One soldier screamed.

It was all chaos. People were running and screaming in panic. The soldiers started moving towards all the commotion and firing at something or someone.

Holy shit! What's in the hell is that?! Right there, twenty meters away from my position, an actual freaking zombie is munching on a woman's arm.

This can't be happening. It's only a dream. Nothing of this is real. Maybe we just stumble into a movie set, and these guys are just actors acting as zombies... but they look so authentic. A grenade explosion breaks me out of my shock, and I run back to the car, opening and closing the door quickly. Peter is gone, his seat empty.

No, no, no! Goddamit Peter, I told you to wait! I can't leave him here— One zombie crashed against my window, the stench quickly filtering into my car even with the door closed.

*Wrinkles my nose* Oh, god! He stinks! Jeez!

More zombies start coming to my car, surrounding me.

Okay, forget, Peter! I have to get out of here. I’ll search for him later.

I turn on the car and hits the accelerator, going backward, hit the break, and spins the car and drive back to safety... I hope.

****

  They're everywhere. The suburbs, the supermarket, the park. What the hell is going on?!

I've been trying to call Claire for the past twenty minutes, but there's no signal. I hope she's at home, or maybe she went to the base, she'll be safe there too.

God, this is getting scary!

I park my car three blocks away from my house. The street is empty, no sign of zombies... yet.

I ready my gun just in case. If movies and videogames had taught me something about zombies is that they can appear at any time if you let your guard down.

"Claire," I call for her as I enter the house. Nothing. With my gun raised, I check the living room, the bathroom, and—"Owen, what are you doing?" She calls me from the kitchen, and I shake in surprise, heart beating fast.

Oh, thank lord, she's okay.

"Get your things. We need to get out of here." I say as I walk inside the kitchen and start grabbing canned food. She looks at me as if I lost my mind.

"Owen, what's happening?"

"No time to explain. They will get here soon. We need to leave, so go grab your stuff." I said, voice firm, there was no time for arguments. I leave all the food over the kitchen counter while Claire rolls her eyes but goes to our room, hopefully, to grab clothes. I check the street from the kitchen window, still no sign of zombies.

I followed Claire to the living room, canned food in my arms and sprawled it all over our bed, then proceed to grab a few shirts and jeans and put it all on my knapsack and the food on another one.

I looked at Claire and was about to say something when I hear grunting outside and catch the ugly stench of decaying flesh.

"Fuck," I grabbed Claire's hand and my things. She barely had time to grab her bag when we walked out of the room and to the front door. We needed to get out of here now.

Outside I counted at least eight zombies, our neighbors judging by their clothing, walking on our front yard. Too bad I didn't have more weapons here apart from my Glock.

"Oh my god! The Mills!" Claire gasped, covering her mouth in terror and disgust. They started attacking our windows, breaking them in the process, and I did what I do best— apart from sex, of course—, shoot the bad guys.

Holding tight to Claire's hand, and shooting at the zombies head, I kicked the door open and ran to the car. More hordes of zombies were coming our way.

"Get in the car! Get in the car!" I yelled, and Claire climbed to the passenger's seat and closed the door, I did the same while I shot at one last zombie before closing my door, turned on the car and like the rest of the time, drove as fast I could.

"What the hell was that?!" Claire yelled hysterically, tear in her eyes, and shaking in terror. "You just killed our neighbors! Tell me what's happening, dammit?!"

"Two answers, zombies, and we're on the same page. As far as I know, we need to get somewhere safe. I'll be leaving you at the base, then I have to find Peter and Joshua."

"I thought you were with Peter."

"I was, lost him near the city— the idiot. I told him to wait, but he never listens to me!” I waved my hand, angry. "Why he never listens to me?! Why Claire?! Dammit!" *ragged breathing*

"Owen, calm down— I'm calm, Claire! I'm calm.” I looked at her and sighed. “Let’s get you to safety first, okay? Okay.”

  ****

  Two hours later. First day

“So you’re telling me, you don’t know what the fuck is going on out there?” I asked Lieutenant Commander Knope. The whole base was on high alert, military staff walking around all the compound, weapons ready, and the central command filled with officers giving orders back and forth to everyone. Apparently, this wasn't just a local incident. It was getting worldwide.

"Same thing as you, Owen. Communications down, people going nuts on the street, it's getting worse and worse." He gave a stern look, and I did the same. "So, I won't be sending one of my teams to rescue two civilians when all the world is on chaos."

I clench my jaw. "They're not only two civilians, sir. They're my brothers, and I ain't leaving on their own!"

"And I admire that, Grady. But I'm your command officer, and if I say your team can't go, it can't go! Do you understand, soldier?!" We looked at each other in anger. I wanted to punch him in the face so hard. "I said, do you understand Master Chief Grady?"

"Crystal clear, sir," I replied, clenching my jaw and squeezing my fists.

"You're dismissed." He turned his back at me, and I stared at him furiously.

I walked out of there and to Bravo Team room quarters. I left Claire there with the guys, and like me, they all wanted to go and rescue Peter and Joshua. Those two may not be part of the team, but they were part of the family.

"What did he say?" Kevin asked me just as I entered the room and closed the door behind me. He was the taller of the team, brown hair, and a long beard. He was an expert with anything related to electronics and weapons.

"Bullshit, as always. Gear up. This will be a rescue op." I said as I grabbed my kit and was met by Blue, my german shepherd and honorably member of my team.

"Woah! Woah, stop there, Ken doll! Do we have permission to do this 'saving private Ryan' thingy? Or we're doing this behind daddy's back?" Sonnie asked. He was your typical goofball-cowboy of any social group... and gamer. This was maybe the best day of his life.

"What's up, Sonnie? Are you afraid of zombies eating your brain slowly piece by piece?" Barry teased him, my best friend, and my second in command.

“I’m just sayin’ if we’re doing this just to piss off daddy for not letting us go to the prom or because mom gave us the green light?” Everyone stared at him. Sometimes it was hard to understand what he was saying.

“Just gear up. We’re leaving in 10.” I ordered, putting on my anti bullet vest and checking all my ammo. Then put Blue on her vest too.

Claire walked to me with fear in her eyes. I had seen that look a lot of times, just before every deployment, but this one was different.

"Owen... Look, I know they're your brothers but... No one knows what causing all this, and we don't—Stop. Don’t even say it. They’re alive. I can feel it, Claire.”

The three of us have always had a connection. There's no way to explain how or why, but we have still know what the other one was feeling if he was sad or happy. Guess sharing mom's belly for nine months did that to us. And part from Claire, I've always found comfort when I'm with them. And if one of them dies, or both...

“You’re going to get in trouble, Owen. You’re about to disobey an order.”

“I know what’s on stake here, but this has to be done, or I would never forgive myself. I made a promise, and I plan to keep it."

Claire gulped, holding back the tears. “Just be safe, okay? And come back to me.” I nodded. I had no plans of dying today or tomorrow. Giving her one last look, I called the boys and grabbed my helmet. Everyone was ready.

“I love you.” I kissed her before I walked to the door, ready to save my brothers.

   ****

  8:48 pm. First day

Have you ever had to shoot one of your teammates to save your own life and everyone else? It's shocking and one of the worst moments of my life. But I had to... I had to or else...

"Hey, are you okay?" Barry offered me his hand as we both looked and William's body. I took his hands, still recovering from the shock, and stood up. Blood was all over my gear and face.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." I whispered.

"Hey, Owen, man, look at me." Barry wrapped one hand behind my neck and shook me. "There was no other way, bro. There was no other way."  I nodded, eyes wide open and adrenaline still making my heart beat fast.

"Hey, fellas! We have a stinky situation down here. These motherfuckers want to join the party, you all having up there!" We heard Sonnie through the comms. They had made us retreat to a corp building close to midtown.

"We can't hold them any longer. We're heading to your position!" Henry added.

“Copy, bravo four. We are on the tenth floor, apartment 45, near the elevators.” Barry answered for me as I leaned against the nearest wall, trying to control my breathing.

I just killed William.

I just killed one of my friends.

This can’t be happening. T-this can’t be real.

"Copy, bravo two. ETA five minutes."

I slid to the floor and closed my eyes, focusing on the sound of my beating heart. Blue sat next to me, resting her head on my knees.

“We can’t stay here,” Barry mumbled, and I opened my eyes again, looking up at him.

“Tell me something I don't know," I replied, sighing and getting up again. "We'll have to take shelter here, only for tonight."

We heard footsteps, and Henry, Sonnie, and Cully walked inside, closing the door and panting.

"They're getting up here. We have to block the door." Cully said, hands resting on his knees, and like me, all his gear was covered with zombies' blood.

"Oh fuck... not William," Sonnie whispered when he spotted our fallen companion on the floor.

"Ignore him, now we have to block the door."

We used everything we could find, chairs, tables, even a freaking fishbowl I'm sure is going to break at some point. We also moved William's corpse to another room and covered with a blanket. After the mission, we'll bring back his body to the base and give him a proper funeral.

"Do you think Knope noticed we're gone?" Sonnie commented while we were all sitting in the dark, listening to the grunts and guttural screams outside. They all chuckled except me. I can't shake off the memory of me shooting one of my friends. He was acting all normal, and suddenly he charged at me, growling and thrashing like a wild animal.

What the hell is happening?

  ****

  When we woke up, the zombies were gone and slowly made our way to the city, looking for clues of Josh or Peter. We found Josh's car first, parked outside his workplace, ‘The West Bar.’ Broken windows, blood on the hood… his phone.

“Blue, sniff.” Blue did as I told her and sniffed my brother’s phone. She immediately picked his scent, and we followed her. But still, we didn’t find him.

At some point, we decided to split. That way, we could find them soon. Henry, Cully, and Sonnie went to the east side of the town while Barry and I took the west side, precisely where I last saw Peter.

We spent the night inside a toy store. Rotating guard every two hours so the two of us could rest— but if I’m honest. I didn’t close my eyes, not even for a second. Gosh, I can’t stop thinking about William.

The days passed, we killed more zombies, tiredness was starting to catch up to me, but the feeling that Joshua and Peter were still alive was the only thing that keeps me moving.

On the sixth night, when everyone was sleeping, I went back to the center of the city. We ran out of food, and I saw a supermarket there. So I went there to get supplies. It took me two hours to get there, Blue was with me, and she was tired. Then she freezes, ears upright and eyes focused on a car.

Follow the story here x

[penhero]

This is a Parker Sonnet Ciselé sterling silver cartridge / converter fountain pen c. 2003.  This 5 3/16 inch long model features the Sonnet version of the Parker Arrow clip and a 3/16 inch gold plated cap band stamped PARKER on the front and SONNET FRANCE I.I on the back.  It features an 18 karat gold nib stamped PARKER over 18K - 750.  The Ciselé cross hatch design was modeled after a 17th century snuff box and first appeared on the Parker 75 in 1964.  The line was redsigned for 2003 with the principal visual differences being the cap band and the nib. 

[wearebadcode]

‘Frank Turner universe’ fic. Chapter II: I.I. 2013. The first polaroid picture

Chapter summary:  Beca and Chloe attend their first Frank Turner show together, in Atlanta, where Chloe realizes maybe her feelings for Beca are not purely friendly...

Also on AO3.

Someday in November, 2013.

Beca was outside the Bella's house. She was lying down the grass with her headphones on, listening to some music obviously. It was one of her favorites things to do on her days off. Those days were reserved to do absolutely nothing but to lie down and not feeling guilty about procrastinate, pretty much being the woman's attitude on a daily basis.

She was listening to 'Tape deck heart', Frank Turner's album which he will be going to tour along the US with during that year. The very same tour Beca and Chloe buy tickets for to attend to months ago, being set for 10th of November, here in Atlanta.

Beca opened her eyes to find Stacie poking at her right cheek, with a funny expression on her face. The woman was funny, yeah, but Beca would rather not to be bothered at times like this, when she was trying to find some kind of spiritual silence out the Bella's house. That was the reason why she was outside at the grass instead of being inside the house. With a not amused smile, Beca paused the song she was currently listening to, and took her headphones off to pay attention to Stacie.

“Woah, easy, Mitchell. Don't smile too broadly. It might crack your jaw. Jeez”.

Beca rolled her eyes. “Is that better?” said the petite woman, who softened her expression.

“Not really, but I appreciate the effort. Anyway. I know you'd rather not be disturbed, but Chloe is looking for you. She says she has something she wants to show you, I don't know. Let her know you're here or something”.

“Will do, Conrad. Thank you so so so much for the heads-up, you're so kind. Now I'm smiling broadly to you, see? I'm suuuuuper nice”.

“Okay, you can stop now. I'm going inside. Text Chloe”.

Beca chuckled as she saw Stacie walking away towards the house. Then she grabbed her phone and texted Chloe: I'm outside, lying on the grass, listening to some music. Usual deal with me. You should know it by now, Beale. Come join me.

Coming! replied Chloe.

“Hey, you” said the redhead, who joined Beca on the grass outside the house in a matter of minutes.

“Hey, yourself. Stacie said you wanted to show me something?”

“Yep” Chloe sat beside Beca.

“What is it?”

“Look at what I got. Brand new” Chloe showed a squared box to Beca, who was patiently waiting. Then the redhead passed the box to the brunette, who finally opened the box.

“Okay, this is sooo cool. But should I be impressed or something? I mean, okay. But I don't get it. Is this a big deal and I forgot why?”

“That could have happened, but not in this case. No, silly. Don't you get it? A camera...”  encouraged Chloe.

“Yeah, a polaroid camera, in particular”.

“C'mon you almost got it. You can make it, Bec. A polaroid camera which takes pictures makes...”

“Dude, I don't know. A camera takes pictures”.

“Well, aren't you smart. Besides, I got to that conclusion, not you. No, but I'm not talking about any camera, but a polaroid camera. C'mooooooon, is not that difficult, really. A polaroid camera that takes pictures makes...?”

“Uh... uh... A polaroid picture?” answered Beca.

“Yeah! A polaroid pict-”

“Oh my god! A polaroid picture, of course! I get it now! But in the stillness of the moment it takes for a polaroid picture to capture our faces forever” sang Beca, as she understood the reference Chloe was trying to make her understand.

“Well, that took you forever but I've decided to forget you already since you sang that verse with your beautiful voice” let out Chloe with a satisfied smile, while looking directly to Beca's eyes and watching her face blush a little.

Ever since they met, Chloe would always go like these on Beca -like complimenting her voice, a particular aspect of her, anything really; even looking at her like she did before: like Beca was her only focus-, just like that, just like without even thinking about saying it. Yeah, that was the way Chloe was made, but with Beca was... different. It'll always be different with Beca, she knew that when she met her at the activities fair the year before -Beca's first year-.

And when she almost "jumped" her on the showers the moment she heard her sing. They sang together while harmonizing and looking into each other's eyes, even each other's lips. And once they finished the verse they were singing, they felt that each other's eyes were looking far down their respective eyes to look at her boobs instead, smoothly.

And that time in initiation night at Hood Night Party, when Chloe ran directly towards Beca when she saw her standing alone in one of the old amphitheater seat rows. She grabbed Beca by her wrists, moved the woman towards her -despite the small space that separated the two of them- so their foreheads were almost pressed together and declared she was "very glad" that she met Beca because she thought they would become "really fast friends". That quick interaction they both shared almost led to think that they were about to kiss each other, since both women were looking at each other's eyes and mouths, again.

No wonder why Beca and Chloe were so close to each other and why the two women shared that special bond everyone seemed to notice, even Jesse, who Beca was dating since the end of last semester. You don't stepped into someone's shower, looked at her eyes, lips, boobs and then almost kissed her without shaking things up. Being "things" referred to the relationship Beca and Chloe shared ever since their first meeting. They'd always have this unspoken thing between them due to their firsts interactions.

That was Chloe had been thinking for about a while now: maybe she doesn't feel what she was supposed to feel -friendship- about Beca, but something more. A crush maybe. That allowed her to let out those spontaneous, sweet, cute and flirty compliments to Beca without any shame or shyness. Not being cut out that way at all, it was who Chloe was.

Beca, for her part, mostly backed up at Chloe's compliments due to her awkwardness in these kind of situations: being considered as a minimum invasion of privacy and space. Beca wasn't the flattering and flirtatious kind, not to mention the touchy kind. So she rarely answered the same way Chloe addressed to her. Besides, Beca was dating Jesse so it would be awkward-ish.

The most normal thing for Beca to do to answer Chloe's compliments was to roll her eyes, mostly, to go silent and then clear her throat or just to shrug and to smile shyly. She understood Chloe's forward nature because the redhead always showed herself that way to everyone, but Beca always suspected that she was a little too forward with her. She also understood that due to the showers episode, which seemed to be the most perfect explanation to justify their behaviors with each other as well as the nature of their relationship/friendship.

Beca rolled her eyes at Chloe's compliment. “Yeah, I like Frank's voice better. Anyway, what's your deal with the polaroid camera?”

“Right. Well, so as he sings: let go of the little distractions, hold close to the ones that you love. 'Cause we won't all be here this time next year so while you can take a picture of us”  Chloe began to sang softly as Beca did before. “So I thought maybe we could take a picture of us at the concert. You know, a polaroid picture to show we've been watching to see where the time goes, to keep it with us forever. I don't know, it seemed nice when I thought about it”.

“Okay, you can be honest with me. You had it all planned since we bought the tickets, hadn't you?” teased her Beca.

“N... No? Okay, I had. I thought it was a great idea, if you ask me”.

“It is, Chlo. That could be a Frank Turner's shows tradition from now on. Our tradition. A polaroid picture for every single Frank Turner show we ever attend to. What do you say?”

“Well, I think it's an offer I can't refuse” said Chloe, with a Marlon Brando-ish voice.

“Dude, what kind of noise is that? It's creepy”.

“Oh, of course. I forgot you don't like movies. It's an iconic line of The Godfather, you ignorant”.

“Shut uuuup. Anyway, look what I was listening to when you came looking for me” Beca showed Chloe her laptop's screen, which showed iTunes interface currently playing a song of 'Tape deck heart'.

“God, I love this album. It's like his most mature yet. Couldn't think of any better chance to go see him perform live than now on this 'Tape deck heart' tour, honestly”.

“Right?! It's like the perfect album to listen to after a breakup. Like on an endless loop”.

“Woah, Bec. Are you trying to say that...?”

“What? Oh, no. No, no. It's all good with Jesse. I was just... I mean, look at the titles of the songs and also the order of them. Recovery, Losing days, The way I tend to be, Good and gone... I mean I would be listening to it”.

“Well, let me tell you I get that. Frank's always a great company choice, so...” Chloe smiled tenderly at Beca, who smiled back at Chloe. “I'm crazy about Good and gone, by the way. What a lyrics”.

“Dude, I looove Good and gone. I'm starting to think you can read minds, Chlo. The same thing happened with Reasons to be an idiot“.

“Maybe I know you so well...”

“Yeah, maybe you do”.

Both Beca and Chloe looked to each other and shared the same affectionate smile. Then Beca turned the volume of her laptop on so the two of them could listen to 'Tape deck heart' since the beginning. Lying on the grass outside the Bella's house. Together.

November 10th, 2013.

“Bec, you ready?” Chloe asked just as she went up the stairs to join Beca at the attic room, since the brunette had to share it with Amy, due to the lack of space for all of the Bellas to have an individual room.

“Give me a second “ Beca answered, getting more frustrated by the moment. Chloe noticed by her tone and body language.

“Are you okay? What are you looking for this desperately?”

Beca smiled and chuckled nervously, then brought her hand to scratch the back of her head and looked at Chloe with a worried expression.

“Uh... I can't find my ticket”.

“What? Bec, how is that even possible? I saw you put it right on your desk right after we bought them” Chloe said, looking at Beca's desk just in case. The redhead joined the brunette in the ticket-search-task, looking over, in, on and under everywhere Beca's space, literally.

“Ugh, I don't know dude. I thought the same and well... It isn't there. I literally looked everywhere. I don't know where I put it. Shit, Chloe. What are we going to do if we can't find it?”

“Okay, relax. I'm sure we'll find it eventually. We still got time, don't worry. Let's find your ticket. Okay, now focus. Where were the last places you'd put it?”

“Uh... Under the laptop? Over the table? Inside my shoes?”

“What?! Inside your shoes? What kind of person would do that? Anyway, so those places are a nope. Let's think again. What do you usually keep your things? Like it has to be a visible place or space, right?”

“Uh... Reasonably yeah, necessarily no. I mean look at this place, it's a disaster. Like Amy has all her clothes here and there, piled up on the sofa, which I don't know if it's a sofa anymore. Her shoes are also all over the flo-”

“Wait!”

“What?!”

“Amy! What if...”

“Do you think Amy has it?”

“No. I'm thinking maybe she kept it by accident, since this place is... Well... THIS place” Chloe said as she walked towards Amy's side of the room, sidestepping Amy's clothes that were on the floor.

“Dude, we'll never find the damn ticket around all this... I don't even know how to describe it”.

“Bec, just calm down. Come help me look, okay? We'll find it”.

“Ugh. I'm gonna kill Amy”.

The two women looked over everywhere, pretty much the same process they followed when looking at Beca's side of the room for the ticket earlier.

“Wait a moment” Beca said. “Amy has this box where she puts mostly food just in case she gets hungry at nights, but I've seen her put some other stuff sometimes”.

“Okay! Let's check Amy's box, then!” encouraged Chloe.

Beca and Chloe then looked under Amy's bed for any sign of that box Beca mentioned. Once they found it, Beca opened it to check if her ticket was really there. It was.

“So you were right. We found it! You got your ticket! I told you we would, you should give me more credit you know” said Chloe.

“I'm so happy right now I could even give you a hug” Beca held her ticket up to her chest, like it was her most precious possession.

“Woah. So bold, Mitchell. You should hold yourself” Chloe mocked.

“Be serious, Beale. We got a concert to attend to. Let's go before it ends, shall we?”

Beca and Chloe went walking down the stairs right to step out of the Bella's house as they reach the door. Before they left, they heared the voices of some of the Bellas wishing them a nice concert and a fun night. Both Beca and Chloe thanked they as they walked awayaway the house. After a while, Beca asked:

“Dude, where's the Uber? It should be here by now. Shit, we're gonna end up missing this concert”.

“Hey, don't jinx it. We're gonna have a suuuper nice night, you'll see. Look, the Uber just got here” Chloe waved at the vehicle to let know their driver that they were there, just waiting for the vehicle to pick the women up. “C'mon, let's jump on it”.

“Hey. Are you Beca?” said the Uber driver.

“I am” Beca answered.

“Oh, hi there. I'm Kate. Okay, get in the car. Where to?”

“We're going to Center Stage Theater? Like the show venue” said Chloe, to which Kate nodded as she started the car.

“Oh, so you going to see Frank Turner live, huh?”

“Do you know him?” Chloe asked with an astonished tone.

“Oh, yeah. I even saw him live once. You're so gonna love him. He's awesome. He's a very nice man, so grateful and full of energy. He's lovely, really”.

“Niiiiice” said Chloe, as she shared a look with Beca.

“We're gonna be there in time, right?” Beca asked Kate.

“I'm going as fast as I can. At what time does the show begin?”

“At 8.00. So we're kinda in a rush here”.

“Okay, let's go faster then. We're gonna make it there on time”.

After what felt a long ten minutes to Beca and Chloe, Kate got there as she said to them in a matter of minutes. Kate looked through the car window and said to her passengers: “So we're finally here. Seems you to are right on time”.

“Kate. You're awesome” Beca said.

“Oh my god, our heroine Kate. Keep the change” Chloe said as she paid for the ride.

“Thanks, girls! Hey, have fun, okay? See ya'!” Kate said goodbye to Beca and Chloe, who did the same and began walking fast towards the venue.

“We dit it, Bec. I told you we would, it's destiny: we had to see Frank together for the first time”.

“You're a nerd” Beca chuckled. “Shall we?”

“Pleeeeease!”

Both women finally entered the venue and made it into the room Frank was going to play. It was quite huge, actually.

“Oh my gooood, this is awesomeee” said Chloe as she looked through the room.”I’m sure Frank sold all the tickets, it's full. Look at that”.

“I would, but I can't barely see. I hate being this tall, ugh”.

“I'm not that tall myself, you know. I'm only a few inches taller than you. Okay, let's move forward. Ready? Hey, excuse me. My friend is over there and I got to get to her, she has my beer. Mary!! I'm here, I'm coming now”  Chloe began to scream, looking ahead of her, dragging Beca by the hand along with hers. The redhead looked at Beca for a second and saw a light smile on her face. Once they stopped at the point the visibility seemed okay for the both of them, they both glanced at each other and began jumping and screaming.

“This is perfect. We're gonna see him so close, Beca! There's literally nobody taller than us ahead of us”.

“Tall people are the worst, ugh. Thanks for dragging us here” Beca looked and smiled at Chloe.

”I got your back, so you'll go on” replied Chloe, who wkinked and smiled back at Beca. “See what I did there? Frank’s ‘If I ever stray’ reference”.

”Yeah, Chlo. 100 points” Beca mocked and chuckled, which Chloe responded the very same way.

Suddenly, the light went off and people began cheering and clapping. Beca and Chloe got closer to each other so they could hear one another. Chloe put her arm over Beca's shoulders, and Beca reciprocated the action.

“You ready, Mitchell?”

“Let's do this”.

They dropped their arms and joined the people around them cheering and clapping. They suddenly saw a few men going up the stage and they could hear how the crowd cheering went wilder and louder. Those few men were The sleeping souls, Frank Turner's backup band, who waved at the crowd as they began taking their respective positions. Frank followed them and joined them up the stage, he grabbed one of his acoustic guitars and raised his arms for the crowd to cheer, who replied with more cheering and clapping. Beca and Chloe turned to face each other for a moment.

“Oh my god, Beca!!! I think I'm gonna die tonight”.

“I know, dude!!! Shit, I'm nervous. It's gonna be a great night, Chlo. I can feel it”.

They didn't have much time to exchange feelings, because Frank began to play first song's chords. He opened his mouth and began to sang.

Well, I guess I should confess that I'm starting to get old. All the latest music fads all passed me by and left me cold. All the kids are talking slang I won't pretend to understand. All my friends are getting married, mortgages and pension plans. And it's obvious my angry adolescent days are gone and I'm happy and I'm settled in the person I've become. But that doesn't mean I'm settled up and sitting out the game. Time may change a lot but some things they stay the same.

Beca and Chloe sang the chorus on the top of their lungs, as they joined Frank's singing and playing.

And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.

Frank almost reach the end of 'Photosynthesis' when stopped playing and singing.

“Okay, friends. I wanna see you singing, I wanna see you dancing, I wanna see you clap your hands. We're gonna say one-two, one-two-three, okay, Atlanta? Are you fucking readyyyy?” Frank said instead.

Beca and Chloe shared a look and they both bring their arms up to the air and began screaming at Frank's requirement.

“Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh” they screamed at the unison as Frank began to play the song's chords.

“One. Two. One-two-three” Frank encouraged.

Now I'll play and you sing, the perfect way for the evening to begin. Now I'll play and you sing, the perfect way for the evening to begin. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.

Just as soon as the song ended, the crowd went even wilder than at the beginning of the show. Beca and Chloe shared a look and the both understood one another, since one look was all they need to read each other's mind. Wow they seemed to express.

“Okaaaay, Atlanta. Goodnight! How you doooooiiiiiing? My name's Frank Turner and this is The sleeping souls. Thanks for being here to listen to us tonight. Anyway, friends, welcome to show number 1494!!!” Frank screamed as the crowd joined him. “Fuck yeah, let's hear it!!!”

“Did you notice? He won't stop smiling. I loooove him!!” said Chloe as she approached Beca so she could hear her.

“He's a fucking rock 'n' roll star. I mean look at him, he won't stop moving” Beca replied.

“Okay, friends” Frank addressed the crowd. “So ‘The sleeping souls' and I are here in the US touring with my new brand album 'Tape deck heart', which was released earlier this year. I know there are people here tonight that followed me through the years, but for those who just joined: we're gonna play 'Tape deck heart' songs, too. So this song that follows is called Plain sailing weather”.

As the concert went by, Frank's interactions with the crowd increased, which to the crowd seemed to respond like Frank was their dearest friend. The atmosphere was great: people cheering, singing, clapping, jumping, enjoying.

“Dude, best night ever. Even with his back pain, he won't stop moving or jumping. This man is everything” Beca pointed out.

”I'm so in love right now I could burst into love tears”.

“Oh, get over yourself, Beale. Behave” Beca cracked up.

“Whaaaat? I legit love him, he's incredible”.

“I bet Kate was right, huh?”

“Soooo right! I wish she was our drive back to Barden” both Chloe and Beca went silent as they hear the chords Frank was beginning to play.

“Is that...?” asked Chloe.

“It is”.

“My jaaaaaaaaaaam” screamed Chloe, who turned to look directly at Frank, leaving Beca smiling at the redhead's reaction.

You're not as messed up as you think you are, your self-absorption makes you messier, just settle down and you'd feel a whole lot better. Deep down you're just like everybody else. She's not as pretty as she thinks she is, just picture her after she's had kids. I bet she sits at home and listens to The Smiths. Deep down she's just like everybody else.

Beca poked Chloe's shoulder to turn herself to her, so they could be in front of each other, to sing the chorus of 'Reasons not to be an idiot' together.

So why are you sat at home? You're not designed to be alone, you've just got used to saying no. So get up, and get down, and get outside 'cause it's a lovely sunny day but you hide yourself away, you've only got yourself to blame. Get up, and down, and get outside.

“Dude, you hate this song” said Beca just as the song ended.

“Oh my god, totes. I've been wanting to hear it live since that night back in Portland, I knew it right when I heard it”.

“Yeah, I figured since you spoke heavens of it. That's part of Frank's magic, I guess”.

“I guess”.

Both women smiled at each other, with affectionate smiles and reminded just like that for a few seconds. Then turned to the stage again to follow the concert. A few songs were played after 'Reasons not to be an idiot' just to get to another 'English keep my bones' hit.

“Dude, dude, dude, DUDE!! This is my jam” yelled Beca, who was looking at Frank, then turned to look at Chloe, who was staring at her with could be passion in her eyes.

The redhead had this habit of staring at Beca whenever she did something Chloe find nerdy, adorable even. But she never looked at Beca the way she was looking at her right now, at Frank's show. Chloe's eyes could speak her mind: the woman was passionate enough about music, but if the combo mixed music, live music, Frank Turner's music and Beca being passionate about singing Fran Turner's music at a live show... Well, that was everything. The thought hit Chloe as she watched Beca singing on the top of her lungs and being all passionate the song Frank was playing and Frank himself: she has a crush on Beca, her best friend, her platonic soulmate. The song came to an end and Beca began jumping and screaming while she looked at Frank.

“Wow. This song is like so relatable. I mean and on the worst days, when it feel like life weights ten thousand tonnes, I sleep with my passport, one eye on the backdoor so I can always run. Totally relatable” Beca pointed out

“Well, I hope you'll never run” blurted out Chloe.

“Won't do, Beale. Not anytime soon, at least” answered Beca, which left Chloe went blank. “Dude, I'm joking. Of course I won't leave, you weirdo. Chill”.

“For what it's worth, I also love 'I am disappeared', by the way” Chloe diverted the attention.

“I mean who wouldn't love a classic trapped-in-life-so-need-to-runaway song, right?” Beca asked and Chloe nodded in response.

“Alright, Atlanta” began Frank. “It's been a lovely night, thank every single one of you who came here see us tonight. I hope you'd had a great time with us. I also hope to see you along the way. Okay, so we're gonna play one last song and I want to see all of you fucking singing, and fucking jumping and fucking go craaazyyyyyy. This one's called Four simple words. Atlanta, you fucking reeeeeeeadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?”

Because we're all so very twenty-first century you're probably listening to me on some kind of portable stereo. Maybe you're sitting on the back of the bus, or it's running up your sleeve and you're across from your boss, or you're sitting in the bedroom on your own with the light down low. 

“ C'mon, Atlanta. Sing with meeeeeeeeeeee”.

Chloe and Beca grabbed each other by one another lower backs and joined Frank and the crowd.

I'd like to teach you four simple words, so the next time you come to a show you can sing those words back at me like they're the only words that you know.

Frank encouraged the crowd to sing while moving his arms to the right and to the left repeatedly.

I want to dance, I want to dance. I want love and lust and a smattering of romance. But I'm no good at dancing and yet I have to do something. Tonight I'm gonna play it straight, I'm gonna take my chance. I want to dance.

“C'mooooooooooooooooooon everybody, sing along!!!!” Frank screamed.

Beca and Chloe, still with their hands on one another lower backs, began jumping while singing the lyrics to 'Four simple words' until the song came by its natural end.

“Thank yoooooooooouuuuuuuuu, friends! Take care! We'll see along the way!” Franksaid as he waved at the crowd while began walking off the stage, along The sleeping souls.

“Duuuuuuuude, that's it? Okay, what a show. Frank's insane. The energy, dude” said Beca, who turned to face Chloe.

“I'm stunned, this man is legit the love of my life. This show has been insane, indeed. Here” said Chloe, as she was taking something from her bag, “come closer. We have to take the first picture, remember?”

“The polaroid picture, yeah. I remember. Let's take it, let's get this over with. I hate you for wanting to take a picture, by the way”.

“You hate being in pictures alooone, this is different. You're with me and we just got out of Frank Turner's concert. This is different”.

“Okay, a little. But for what it's worth there's no one I'd rather be in a picture with, Chlo”.

Chloe blushed a little and smiled at her best friend, who put an arm over the redhead's shoulders and took the polaroid camera.

“Smile a little for the camera, Beale. Here we go” Beca pressed the polaroid camera button and took the picture, as it began to print. The polaroid picture. Their polaroid picture. Which was destined to be a tradition from now on everytime they attend one of Frank's shows. Their tradition.

“I love it” said Chloe as she took the picture once it was printed.

“Agreed” replied Beca. “Now let's get home, shall we?”

They were waiting for their Uber to pick them up when Beca saw a merchandise stand just a few meters away the Stage Center Theater.

“Wait me here for one second, okay? I'll be right back” Beca walked away from Chloe towards the merchandise stand and began speaking to the man who was selling Frank's products. After a few minutes, Beca got back to Chloe, who was waiting just where Beca left her.

“What did you got?” Chloe asked, curiously.

“The most awesome poster I've ever seen. Look” Beca asked, as she unfolded the piece of paper she just bought. The poster had 'Tape deck heart' album cover printed on it, along with Frank's US tour dates. The album cover itself was a heart, as in the organ's anatomic shape, tangled with a tape old cassette by the heart's veins and arteries. Then was the title of the album, 'Tape deck heart', and a few decorations around the 'tape-heart'. At the bottom of the album cover was Frank's name.

“Woah, yeah. 'Tape deck heart's album cover is fascinating” Chloe agreed.

“Yeah, dude. A piece of art. So I decided to buy it just to put up on my bedroom wall. And to remind our first Frank's show. My particular polaroid picture, you know. It's not that I need to look at it to remind tonight, but still. I want to have it just right beside me. I don't know, it's silly” Beca said, first looking at Chloe; then at the floor.

“Okay, first. You are a nerd, but still adorable. And second, it's not silly. Actually, I think it's the most "romantic" thing you've ever said. I mean you want to remind tonight, what an honor!” Chloe mocked at last.

“Okay, stop pushing or it won't be a second time”.

“A second time?”

“Uh... I meant a second Frank's concert”.

“ Sure, Mitchell. Keep telling yourself that” Chloe replied as soon as her eye caught the Uber's lights as the vehicle approached both women. “What do you say we call it a night, yeah?”

“Let's hit home”.

Both Beca and Chloe spent the drive home silent, just watching through the car's windows, thinking about the night they just shared, probably. Chloe stared at Beca momentarily, as she caught the brunette distracted by looking at the roads they were passing by with the car. The thought that hit Chloe earlier at Frank's show was still there: she had a crush on Beca. A sentiment that it wasn't mutual or reciprocated, because the woman was actually with Jesse. I'll figure it out, she thought to herself.

Beca and Chloe were finally at the Bella's house after a twenty minute ride. Once they got into the house, Chloe went directly towards the fridge to grab a pair of beer bottles: one for her and one for Beca, who loved beer. None of the Bellas were awake, so Beca and Chloe had to whisper due to keep the volume down.

“Hey, Chlo? Would you come upstairs with me for a minute? I wanna put the poster up the wall and I'd like you to be there” Beca said in a gentle way.

“Sure, let's go”.

Once they were there, Beca pointed to the only available space the room wall had, just next to a photoset and between a bunch of few posters.

“I wanna put it right there”.

“Since it's the only available space the wall has left”.

“Right. Here, take this side. Help me put it up the wall” Beca said to Chloe, as she was walking towards the wall room. “Okay, be careful. Is it straight?”

“I think so, yeah” replied Chloe.

“How does it look?”

“Perfect” said Chloe, as she and Beca remained silent while staring together at the poster.

[knockturnthemes]

GUIDELINES

i. General: Please remember that the Harry Potter series takes place in the 90s, where home computers and cellphones are just starting to become popular for personal use. Draco Malfoy and his family also keep to the wizarding world and are probably quite behind on “technology”of any kind. Draco does not own a cellphone or computer.

i.i My Draco follows book canons with movie au’s. I also am willing to do some crossovers Please consult verse’s page for a brief history of Draco’s character. i.ii. Absolutely no godmodding. No Mary Sues or Gary Sues.

i.iii. I am a semi - selective mun, which basically means to me that when I am feeling like interacting with new people I will post a plotting call. These are open for new muns to come hang out with me. Since I am coming back after a quite a long hiatus I am hesitant to share my writing again so I will be selective with who I write with. Others are always welcome to send in memes. I don’t often interact with OCs since I’m trying to do more interactions with canon characters.

ii. Ships: I ship Draco with chemistry but I do have mains. Drastoria, Dramione, Dransy. Please do not force a ship on my character.

ii.i. Smut: I will only smut with those whom of which I am comfortable with and who are over the age of 18 (legal to the U.S.). 

Draco will also only be smutting with those of whom he has the most chemistry with those i.e. where it becomes a natural progression of the relationship. 

Draco will only be smutting with those of whom are the same age or within a 3 year age gap if not specified by canon. Mun is 25.

 Mun is comfortable with fade to black cut scenes.

ii.ii. Exception: Our Characters are under the age of 18 but are legal in another European country (16 in the U.K. & England) which is specified and in the plot but are the same age. The smut chemistry still has to be a natural progression of the relationship.

iii. Graphics: I’m very fond of using the internet as a resource to collect all sorts of images from everywhere. I will be screenshotting the films myself and making icons from there. If you have a specific question about where a graphic I used came from please send me an ask. I generally pull from texture packs on deviantart, google, and homeofthenutty for my icons which I make myself. Please do not use my icons.

iv. Messenger/Ask Box: Are always open for new muns and old muns alike, please keep the messenger for OOC chatting and the ask box for RPing. I don’t do chat box RP anymore but I will do Dash chat like conversations if for example an AU where Draco should find himself in a muggle library and discovers AOL Instant Messenger for the first time.

v. Interactions: If my character does not know you, or does not know you yet, I will automatically place you in my default verse which is book canon (6th year), as most of us know Draco can be a bit of a prat so he’ll probably attempt to show off or answer rudely. This is not the mun saying she doesn’t want to interact with you, she does! Just be mindful of the character you’re wanting to interact with and who he actually is.

[kashifqureshicom]

How and Where to Donate During the Coronavirus Outbreak in Pakistan

As the country remains under lockdown to fight the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has debilitated the entire world, both government and non-profit organisations in Pakistan are trying to ease the economic burden of the current situation by providing the lower-income groups with rations, medicines and financial assistance. Since a large number of daily wage earners in Pakistan and other blue-collar workers are unable to make the ends meet during these trying numbers, a number of charities and welfare organisations are seeking coronavirus donations to help out those in need. So, if you want to lend a helping hand, here are some of the most renowned relief funds and charities in Pakistan you can donate to during the coronavirus outbreak.

CORONAVIRUS DONATION: WHERE TO DONATE IN PAKISTAN

You can help out your fellow citizens by donating money to the following entities collecting donations and charities for COVID-19 in Pakistan: Prime Minister’s Relief FundSindh Government Emergency FundJDC Welfare OrganizationEdhi FoundationChhipa Welfare Association Saylani Welfare TrustSalman Sufi FoundationThe Robin Hood ArmyAlamgir Welfare Trust InternationalHuman Development Foundation We’ve compiled all the details required to make donations to the organisations aiming to shield the downtrodden from the financial impact of coronavirus in Pakistan. PRIME MINISTER’S NATIONAL RELIEF FUND Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has established a national relief fund to provide some assistance to the poor and destitute. You can donate to Prime Minister’s COVID-19 pandemic relief fund 2020 by transferring your desired amount to the following bank account:  Bank: National Bank of Pakistan Branch: Main Branch, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi Account Title: PM Relief Fund for COVID-19 Account No.: 4162786786 IBAN: PK46NBPA0002004162786786 SWIFT CODE: NBPAPKKAMBR The prime minister has also asked the Pakistanis living abroad to donate generously to the relief fund. “Pakistan will be hit by poverty in the aftermath of the lockdown due to coronavirus and will thus need financial support from overseas Pakistanis,” PM Khan said in a special video message addressed to the Pakistanis expats. Overseas Pakistanis can also contribute to the relief fund by visiting the official website for the relief fund. As per the tweets posted by the Office of the Prime Minister, a minimum amount of coronavirus donation required to support a family for a month is USD 35. The COVID-19 donations from overseas Pakistanis can make a huge difference in the lives of the daily wage earners. 3) ویب سائیٹ کے ذریعے اوورسیز پاکستانی با آسانی فنڈز دے سکیں گے اوورسیز پاکستانی https://t.co/5lRPz6KpMg پر عطیات دیں گے فنڈز دینے والوں کی حوصلہ افزائی کے لئے ویب سائٹ پر نام بھی شائع ہو سکے گا#Pakistanis4Pakistanis— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) April 13, 2020 SINDH GOVERNMENT COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND The Government of Sindh has also set up a coronavirus emergency fund to not only assist daily-wage workers in the province but to also conduct free COVID-19 tests and provide infected patients with adequate medical treatment.  As per the official website of the coronavirus emergency fund, it will be operated by a five-member committee comprising Chief Secretary of Sindh Mumtaz Ali Shah, Finance Secretary of Sindh Hassan Naqvi, Chairperson of Edhi Foundation Faisal Edhi, Chairperson of Indus Hospital Dr Abdul Bari, and The Citizen Foundation and Patient Aid founder Mushtaq Chhapra. Bank: Sindh Bank Account Title: Government of Sindh Coronavirus Emergency Fund Account No.: 03015594456100  You can also make an online donation for COVID-19 through the website. Sindh Government’s Corona Virus Emergency Fund can also be donated into through https://t.co/Cd7NdwxymF. Plz donate wholeheartedly. The fund has Faisal Edhi, Mushtaq Chapra & Dr Abdul Bari as trustees. We at #SindhGovt will give daily updates on the amounts raised. Thank u— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) April 1, 2020 JDC WELFARE ORGANISATION

JDC is one of the top welfare organisations working to help daily wagers in poor neighbourhoods JDC Welfare Organisation is arguably one of the most active ration donation services in Pakistan with a well-established setup. It is a non-profit and non-governmental charitable organisation providing ambulance and rescue services, free educational services as well as financial assistance and ration packages. If you wish to make a donation for Pakistanis affected by coronavirus lockdown, here are the bank details of JDC Welfare Organisation. Bank: Bank Al Habib Limited Branch: Gulberg Sub-Branch, Karachi Account Title: Jafaria Disaster Cell Welfare Organisation Account No.: 1031-0081-011633-01-2 Swift Code: BAHL PKKA You can also contact them on their phone number or the helpline. Phone no.: 021-36341059 JDC Helpline: 1024 EDHI FOUNDATION Edhi Foundation is easily one of the most well-known welfare organisations in Pakistan. Along with working alongside the provincial governments to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the foundation is also helping out the poor and downtrodden all across the country by providing them with monetary assistance as well as ration and other supplies. There are quite a few ways you can donate to this charity in Pakistan, including Easy Paisa, online banking and through debit or credit card. Moreover, regardless of whether you live in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, or in a foreign country, you can donate money directly into one of the Edhi Foundation’s bank accounts. For more information, you can visit their official website. Edhi Foundation Helpline: 115 CHHIPA WELFARE ASSOCIATION

You can even call Chhipa Welfare Association to make a donation from your doorstep Much like Edhi Foundation, Chhipa Welfare Association is also one of the renowned non-profit organisations in Pakistan providing relief to the lower-income groups during the COVID-19 outbreak. The welfare organisation offers ration and ambulance services, among others. You can donate to Chhipa Welfare Association in a number of different ways, such as online donation through their website, bank transfer, courier, money transfer and interbank fund transfer.  The bank details of the non-profit organisation are as follows: Bank: United Bank Limited Branch: Finance & Trade Centre Branch, Karachi Code: 1796 Account Title: Muhammad Ramzan Chhipa Account No: 0204425951 IBAN: PK76UNIL0109000204425951 Swift Code: UNILPKKA You can even call the Chhipa Welfare Association to collect the donation from your doorstep. Phone No.: 021-111-92-1020, 021-111-111-134 SAYLANI WELFARE TRUST

Saylani Welfare Trust has been running a successful ration drive during the lockdown (Credits: Facebook/Saylani Welfare Trust) Based in all major cities across Pakistan, Saylani Welfare Trust is working tirelessly to provide relief to those affected by the coronavirus lockdown. The non-governmental organisation is offering rations bags, food and other supplies to blue-collar workers and members of the underprivileged classes. Each ration package for those affected by the viral diseases costs about PKR 1500. You can visit their website to make the online coronavirus donation. Furthermore, Saylani Welfare Trust has launched an around-the-clock medical helpline to help spread awareness about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan. Saylani Welfare Trust Helpline: 1022 SALMAN SUFI FOUNDATION

Salman Sufi Foundation has been donating ration packages to lower-income families struggling to make the ends meet Yet another well-known welfare organisation, Salman Sufi Foundation is playing its role in battling the economic impact of coronavirus in Pakistan by providing ration packages to daily wage workers residing in underprivileged areas.  The Lahore-based foundation is working tirelessly to help out those affected by the lockdown. If you want to contribute to their cause, their bank details are as follows: Bank: Habib Bank Limited Account Title: Shahzeb Naeem Account No.: 50267900213003 IBAN: PK08 HABB 0050267900213003 Please note that each ration bag provided by Salman Sufi Foundation costs PKR 3,000. It includes grocery staples such as legumes, oil, rice and flour.  THE ROBIN HOOD ARMY

Your small donation can change the lives of many during the pandemic The Robin Hood Army is a zero-funds, volunteer-based group mostly comprising students and young professionals. The organisation, which works in a number of countries, has made headlines for its unique initiative of distributing the surplus food from restaurants among those who need it the most. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan, the volunteers from the Robin Hood Army are busy providing ration boxes to lower-income families in Lahore and Karachi.  You can become a part of their initiative by donating funds to the following account Bank: Askari Bank Limited Account Title: Musa Ejaz Farrukh Account No.: 0110320233078 If you want to get in touch with the group, their contact details are as follows: Phone No.: 021-38693111, 03008861164 ALAMGIR WELFARE TRUST INTERNATIONAL

Alamgir Welfare Trust International has been working tirelessly to provide relief to the needy across the country Alamgir Welfare Trust International is among the best-known ration donation services in Pakistan. It has been providing emergency and rescue services, medical services, educational services as well as free ration distribution services for a number of years. At a time when masses are struggling to make the ends meet due to the coronavirus pandemic, Alamgir Welfare Trust International is allowing people to make their coronavirus donations from the safety of their homes.  All you need to do is visit their official website and make the payment online.  Please note that the price of one COVID-19 ration package is about PKR 3,627.  Moreover, you can contact the organisation on the numbers below. Phone No.: 021-111-153-153, 021-34852055-60 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

The Human Development Foundation has introduced several coronavirus donation packages (Credit: Facebook/Human Development Foundation) Human Development Foundation is also seeking donations and charities for COVID-19 in Pakistan. The organisation is running an effective coronavirus awareness program to spread information about the potentially deadly disease among the public. As per its website, the non-governmental organisation has activated its emergency response teams in 300 villages across the country. Although you can donate any amount to the Islamabad-based foundation, you might also want to check out its coronavirus emergency relief packages. For instance, you can sponsor a one-month ration for a deserving family only for PKR 6,000.  The bank details for the Human Development Foundation are as follows: Bank: Bank Alfalah Limited Account Title: Human Development Foundation – Donation Account Number: 00351002493468 IBAN: PK11ALFH00351002493468 Swift Code: ALFHPKKA

TIPS FOR MAKING CORONAVIRUS DONATIONS

While you can make a donation to one of the above-mentioned entities aiming to provide relief to the struggling families during the coronavirus pandemic, let’s not forget that charity starts at home. If you have any neighbours, family members, or acquaintances that might need help, make sure to reach out to them during these trying times. Moreover, don’t forget to pay your drivers, maids and other helpers during the lockdown. Of course, they might not be incapable of showing up to work owing to the current situation, but you can still pay them their wages so that they can feed their families. Last but not least, make sure to tip the deliverymen and other blue-collar workers when you can.  For more information about how the pandemic has affected our daily lives and how the government is tackling this coronavirus outbreak, stay connected to my Blog – the best lifestyle and real estate blog in Pakistan. You can also take a look at the precautionary tips to stay safe from the disease as well as learn more about the coronavirus testing centres in Pakistan. Don’t forget to write to me at kashifabidqureshi@gmail.com. You can also subscribe to my newsletter on the right to stay up-to-date about the latest developments in the construction and real estate industry in Pakistan. Read the full article

[jiofitutorials-blog]

Jiodongle.local.html Things To Know Before You Buy

2 Ways to Fix JioFi.Local.Html Not Working – How to Login to JioFi Router

This article is a tutorial on how to fix jiofi router not working problem; more specifically learn how to fix jiofi.local.html not working problem.

JioFi routers have gained huge popularity these days. With the 508 Plan, you will get 2GB 4GB internet per day on JioFi, this is a pretty great deal considering the fact that JioFi internet is very fast. It’s currently giving a constant speed of 25MB/s+, my broadband gives me 1Mb+ with 1GB per day for a higher price and worth service.

However, for using JioFi router you will have to log into jiofi router an check the stuff like username, password, jiofi internet speed and all. While it’s pretty easy to login tojiofi router, it’s not always a Childs play.

Normally you would need to login to JioFi.Local.Html with the username and password which you will see on JioFi router box (If you don’t see it you can reset the password by clicking on the reset button for 15 seconds.) However, if you face any problem any problems while login into the MiFi router you have just landed on the right page. See here you will find two ways to fix JioFi.Local.Html not working issue. Jiofi.Local.Html is just the login IP of jiofi wireless routers, it’s also printed on the back of the box. You can see it there only also.

How to Fix JioFi Wireless Router Not Working

Method 1: Reset the Device and use it like a brand new Router

In this first method we will be resetting the JioFi router and using it like a brand new wireless router, at first this option may seem not the best one but trust me it is. You should definitely try this method if you think that you JioFi router is not working Properly.

You can watch this video below to understand how to reset the JioFi Router, I have collected this video form the Internet (Basically it’s a YouTube Video). I hope you will understand everything clearly by watching the video below.

Text Version: How to Reset JioFi Router

Turn on JioFi device and Hold it in your hands.

Now put something like a pen or toothpick in the reset hole, you will feel like it’s pressing some button, keep it there for 15 seconds. When done you will see the signal colors will become red and then blink.

Congratulation, you have now successfully reset your JioFi MiFi Router.

Method 2: Manually modify the JioFi router settings which were causing issues

In the first method what we did was to reset the router, What it did was it changed all the settings of your device. However, if you think carefully never all the settings cause the issue, it’s always about only a few individual settings which ware set to wrong, thus causing the problems. So in method two we will manually modify the settings.

For this, you will have to log in to your JioFi router admin dashboard at jiofi.local.html or at 192.168.i.i, use the username and password which you will find at the back of your router box.

jiofi admin dashboard

After you login how to check balance in jio you will see many tabs, they will be named like General, About and etc. Check each tab individually and modify the settings as your needs. This should fix your problems.

How to Reset JioFi Router

Turn on JioFi device and Hold it in your hands.

Now put something like a pen or toothpick in the reset hole, you will feel like it’s pressing some button, keep it there for 15 seconds. When done you will see the signal colors will become red and then blink.

Congratulation, you have now successfully reset your JioFi MiFi Router.

Method 2: Manually modify the JioFi router settings which were causing issues

In the first method what we did was to reset the router, What it did was it changed all the settings of your device. However, if you think carefully never all the settings cause the issue, it’s always about only a few individual settings which ware set to wrong, thus causing the problems. So in method two we will manually modify the settings.

For this, you will have to log in to your JioFi router admin dashboard at jiofi.local.html or at 192.168.i.i, use the username and password which you will find at the back of your router box.

jiofi admin dashboard

After you login you will see many tabs, they will be named like General, About and etc. Check each tab individually and modify the settings as your needs. This should fix your problems.

[tenmillionwhumperflies]

Cloudwalker Series Part 19

This is fine, I didn’t need my heart anyway. Hope you like this one. It’s funny that I got an ask about the cloudwalker venom, because this one will sorta explain why Dyan’s venom didn’t show itself easily. That little ask is here. I’ll explain properly at the bottom of this post.

Warnings: Contains blood, treating injuries, mention of threats of disfigurement and teeth whump. There’s also a lot of emotional numbness and mention of child (very young cloudwalker) whump.

Master-list Here

Word Count: 2200

@just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi

Dyan sat on the edge of the bed in a perfect haze, completely stunned by everything that had happened in the course of ten minutes. He’d barely acknowledged that Blue had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Orrien’s panic wasn’t quite registering even though a small voice inside was screaming at him to react, to do something.

But there was just… nothing, no strength in him, no breeze to fly on, no emotions left to pour. He was dried up, stale, empty… He was too caught up in the wave of fear that was only now catching up to him. There was the gut-wrenching realisation that he’d gotten into a fight with that cloudwalker. He had bitten. So many awful things were bound to happen because of that. He’d be punished, everyone would be so mad. He was violent, he’d snapped, and now he was dangerous. That only meant bad things. That was the threat that had lingered over him if he’d ever bitten or fought anyone or anything.

Now there was no going back. Even if it had been a short fight, it had been terrifying and violent, and Dyan hadn’t had a clue what to do. His instincts were gagged, smothered from always living with humans. He didn't know how to fight. All he knew was that he had to protect Blue with everything he had. He just couldn't let Blue suffer. He slowly looked down at himself, seeing the wounds that had been left behind, feeling the pain of each and every one of them. He looked and Blue and whined, lowering his wings. This wasn’t fair, then again, they were cloudwalkers. Nothing was fair.

Dyan dragged his gaze away slowly when he heard someone coming up the stairs, it was Avizon, with Ihuka following, ready to catch him. Avizon froze at the sight of him, staring at his wounds. Ihuka sat down in the corner out of the way, watching them all with concern. Dyan gulped and bowed his head, not entirely sure what to expect.

“Dyan… What in all the realms happened?!” he exclaimed, limping forward and kneeling in front of him. He cupped his cheek and brushed the hair out of his face. Dyan couldn't help but flinch, even if it was a delayed response. Everything was so sluggish, muffled, foggy. He didn't know how to snap out of it, if he could, but he didn't want to. The distance was better than feeling the fear…

“They were attacked by a wild cloudwalker. I think it thought Blue was a human, so tried to save them. Dyan got into a fight to protect him. They’re both startled and in a bad way,” Orrien explained. Dyan appreciated the help. “Bad...“ Dyan mumbled. “Dyan?” Avizon frowned, “Little bird, talk to me...”

But Dyan was lost in his mind, he needed a few moments to piece together exactly what had happened.

Avizon tried to get Dyan to look at him, but there was a distant fog in his eyes, he wasn’t completely there. For a moment he looked through Avizon rather than at him. Avizon gave up with a soft sigh and stroked Dyan’s hair.

Dyan looked down at his bloody hands and stared. “I was… really bad, master,” he whispered. “I bit again...” Avizon’s gaze went up to Dyan’s horn, the area where it had been sawed off because he’d bitten a man.

Avizon held his hands out and Dyan inched closer until he was in Avizon’s arms, leaning forward so much he slipped off the bed and sat on the floor in front of him. Avizon kept him close, but Dyan didn’t cry, he didn’t sob and beg as he usually might. He just sat, staring at his hands. Avizon gently rubbed his back and wings.

“Why do you think that you’ve been bad?” Avizon asked quietly.

“B.because… I got into a fight… fighting bad. Trainer always told me...” “Trainer?” Avizon asked, confused until a thought hit him “Oh, the people from the ‘zoo’?” Dyan nodded slowly. “Biting bad… fighting bad… Not being good gets you sent away. G.gets your nails burned and your teeth blunted a.and you go in the box a.and...” Dyan’s lip started to wobble, and that was the most emotion he’d shown ever since he’d gotten here. His hand went up to his head but then dropped back down.

“Deep breaths. Remember, you’re not there anymore. It’s alright. You were protecting Blue. I admit, I didn’t think you had it in you, but I’m glad you did. You’re a good bird... Talk to me, let this all out, don’t keep things bottled up. You need to process this.”

Dyan wiped his bloody mouth on his arm before he dared bury his face in his master’s chest, but he didn’t hold him. He didn’t want to get him covered in his blood when he didn’t really have any other clothes. He just sat stiffly, and the emotion soon faded away again.

“Ihuka, a cloth. Cloth?” Avizon tried to instruct.

“C.cloff...” Ihuka thought hard, trying to figure it out but he didn’t know that word, so Dyan mumbled a translation. Ihuka rushed off and sure enough, returned with a cloth and a bowl. Avizon praised him tenderly.

Dyan was quiet again as Avizon gently cleaned all the blood away from his hands, face and arms. He still bled, but Dyan hadn’t been paying attention to that blood. Avizon carefully pulled him close, but it didn’t feel possessive. “What happened, Dyan?”

“We were playing,” he mumbled. “‘t was fun, I got to feel water for the first time," a shadow of a smile appeared on his lips but then it was gone again. "A.and we got back onto the shore and got dressed and then this cloudwalker was just… there. He attacked Blue. Ihuka tried to help, but he got pushed away. I don’t remember jumping or flying, but I must have… I.I just had to get Blue away from him. I had to help him… but it hurt… h.he was so mad and he… it just hurt."

“He was able to get its attention off of Blue and onto him,” Orrien added. “As you can see, it was a hell of a scrap. I had to catch him and Blue both before they both dropped out of the sky.”

Avizon stared at him in surprise. “So the canary does have some falcon in him...” “‘M sorry,” Dyan whispered. “You… you probably don’t want me anymore… no one wants a bad bird...” Avizon hugged him a little tighter. “I’m proud of you, Dyan. You faced your fears to save Blue.”

Dyan shook his head. “Bad… always bad… I.I don’t want to go in the box... O.or lose my horn...” “You’re not going anywhere. Shhhhhhh, I’ve got you, you’re safe. Focus, Dyan. It’s all okay.”

Orrien eased Blue onto the bed to sleep. He took a moment to stroke the hair out of his face. Then he got up, approaching Dyan.

“Will you let me fix these?” he asked gently. Dyan hesitated, “But I...” “You don’t deserve to hurt,” Avizon said before he could even get his sentence out. Dyan flinched under his challenge. “You don’t. You are a good bird- the best. We can stay a little while until Blue wakes up and calms down tomorrow. I’ll go back to the castle alone for a day or two if I have to.”

Orrien started to clean the wound but it intensified his already stinging pain until it made Dyan cry and cling to Avizon. It was just too much for him. He was scared and tired and sore but still he had to suffer more and more. He forgot about the blood, he didn’t care. He just wanted comfort which Avizon was willing to give. He clung to him as best he could. “I’m right here, you’re safe… Shhhh, I know, I know."

Avizon held him patiently until Orrien had healed or bandaged all his wounds. Dyan had gotten sleepy during that time, hiding deeper and deeper in his own mind. He’d learned with Erix how to escape from his body for a little while and he couldn’t help but do that again. He was running out of strength and all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep to disappear from it all for a while. But he wasn't allowed to want anything, but despite telling himself that so many times all he yearned for was to hide in a soft blanket and be held by someone who cared about him- to be held by Blue so they could protect each other.

"M.May I sleep on the bed with Blue?" he mumbled softly, barely even realising he'd said it out loud. Avizon stroked his hair, "Of course you can. I'm going to pick you up, brace yourself."

Dyan let out a little whimper as Avizon scooped him in his arms with a grunt and lifted him up and onto the bed.

"Your leg," he murmured. No, no, no, he couldn’t be the reason his master got even more hurt. Everything he ever did was bad, why did master, keep him? Why did he insist that he was good? Despite his fear and frustration, he was too drained to panic.

"I can take it,” Avizon ground out as he eased Dyan on the bed beside Blue.

Avizon helped him onto his side and guided his arms around Blue so he could hold him. Dyan adjusted himself so he could cover Blue with his wing. Avizon gently ran his hand down the wing. “You’re a good bird, but now you need to rest. Sleep, Dyan.”

Avizon turned to Ihuka, checking him over for wounds but Dyan wasn't looking. He was staring at the awful scars on Blue's back. So violent, and jagged. They'd healed badly and Dyan could almost feel the pain he'd endured. He groaned and buried his face into Blue's back. Seeking comfort. He cuddled in close.

"D.Dyan?" Blue suddenly murmured. Dyan whimpered as Blue managed to slowly turn to face him. Dyan lowered his gaze. 

Blue didn't say another word. He just reached an arm over and hugged him close. Dyan released a breath he hadn't realised he's been holding and snuggled against him again. Everything faded away except for Blue holding him. He felt warm, welcome. It was different than when his master held him. Dyan covered him with his wing again and didn't realise until it was already done that their legs had tangled together slightly.

Despite how numb he felt, Blue's comfort was enough to make him fall asleep and escape for a little while.

_____

"They've grown very close over the last few days," Orrien observed. He gestured for Ihuka to go to bed but he shook his head. Orrien tilted his head to show his confusion at the little bird. He patted the bottom of the bed to see if he just didn't want to interrupt Blue and Dyan but still he shook his head.

"Keeping watch, are you?" Orrien mumbled. "Alright, but here."

Orrien grabbed some spare pillows and blankets and put them on the floor next to Ihuka, who promptly began to make a nest to get comfortable on, but he didn't lie down to sleep. His nose twitched.

Avizon sighed, making Orrien look up. "Nocturnal… he probably can't sleep, not after that." "Then we'll leave him to it. They've all had a difficult time."

"Dyan looked so lost…" Avizon mumbled, making Orrien's heart sink. "So confused and distant." "I know," Orrien said gently. He too had noticed. "I've seen that look on you plenty. He left the present, faded off into his own mind. I'm hoping a good sleep will be enough to entice him out of it."

"He did perk up with Blue at least," Avizon said, he looked down at his hands and frowned. "I wish he could have done the same for me…"

"In his mind, you're his master, he was bad and you deal out punishment- even if you wouldn't. He was clearly thinking back to old memories, he wasn't able to realise that you only wanted to help him. He still took comfort out of holding you, I could tell."

Avizon nodded slowly, but he looked defeated. But it was good to see he actually wanted to help. 

"I can't help but wonder if there's more to them than friendship," Orrien admitted. “It’s very possible,” Orrien said, “But there’s no way to be sure. We’ll just have to keep an eye on the situation.”

Avizon pursed his lips, “if that is the case, I won’t stop them. But I am worried. What if that bird that attacked them, perhaps they are part of that resistance we were talking about?”

Avizon looked down at Blue and Dyan fast asleep in bed, holding each other close. Ihuka was comfortable in his corner, but he looked tired and somewhat miserable. Avizon stroked his hair gently, “I wish I could speak your language so I could help you...” Avizon sat down beside him, but he was surprised to find that Ihuka leaned his head against him. Perhaps he also wanted comfort and company.

Avizon looked down at him with curious concern. “Good bird… get some sleep. You don’t have to protect them, that’s my job. Sleep...” Avizon gently put his hand on Ihuka’s forehead, encouraging him to sleep rather than forcing him. Ihuka soon faded off into sleep.

Then there was quiet, as everyone was left to recover from their terrifying ordeal.

So yeah, real quick, the reason Dyan wasn’t producing venom was literally because he has never bitten and never used the venom (which cloudwalkers are meant to use like every other day to hunt), so his body was just kinda shutting down his venom glands. That ask isn’t cannon, but it does mean that Dyan’s body doesn’t really produce venom like Ihuka can.