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lulujeno · 8 months ago

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sk8er boi — park jisung ᡣ𐭩

summary : he was a punk, she did ballet. what more can i say?

warnings : none...? just y/n looking down on herself a lot </3

wc : 3.2k

a/n : reader uses she/her pronouns!! skater!jisung & older brother!chenle ^^ kind of enemies to lovers...? crush culture pt. 2 SOON, enjoy this for now pls <3

Neo Academy was a world of polished marble floors and perfectly pressed uniforms, where every student moved with precision, like chess pieces in a grand game. The academy prided itself on excellence, and the students knew they were part of that polished image. The neatly ironed white shirts, forest green blazers, and plaid skirts or trousers were more than just uniforms; they were symbols of control, a constant reminder of the high standards expected of them. Everything had to be immaculate, pristine. Perfection wasn't just encouraged, it was demanded.

This was your life. You had mastered the art of composure, keeping your head down and excelling in everything you touched. Academic success came naturally to you, but ballet was your refuge. The dance studio was the only place where you could truly express yourself without the weight of expectations, where you could shine as an individual, not as someone's sister. On stage, you were known for your grace, gliding as though you were weightless, every movement precise and deliberate. Yet outside of those studio walls, you were often overshadowed by your brother; Chenle, the basketball captain and student council president, beloved by everyone.

Chenle was the golden boy, effortlessly charming with a smile that could light up a room and a natural confidence that drew people to him. You, on the other hand, preferred the quiet precision of ballet, a world far removed from the chaotic cheers of the basketball court. You were reserved, focused, content with being in the background while Chenle basked in the spotlight.

Then there was Jisung. He was the anomaly, the skater boy who seemed to break all of Neo Academy’s rigid rules just by existing. He never looked like he belonged in this polished world of straight lines and structured schedules. His uniform was always wrinkled, his tie forever loose, and his hair tousled as though he had just rolled out of bed. His skateboard was a permanent fixture, hanging off his backpack or tucked under his arm, and more often than not, he'd skate through the marble hallways with little regard for the disapproving glares of teachers. If Neo Academy was a meticulously ticking clock, Jisung was the hand that moved out of sync, wild and unpredictable.

Despite how much you tried to ignore him, Jisung was impossible to avoid. He was always around, especially since he was close friends with your brother. Wherever Chenle went, Jisung followed: at the lunch table, at basketball practice, and loitering in the hallways between classes. He had a habit of slouching with his hands in his pockets, flashing that lazy, confident grin that always seemed to irritate you. He didn’t follow the rules, and worse, he didn’t seem to care. You couldn’t understand him. How could someone so messy and carefree survive in a place like this?

Your friends didn’t share your disdain for Jisung. To them, he was refreshingly different from the other boys at school, someone who wasn’t afraid to stand out. But to you, Jisung was a nuisance, someone who disrupted the perfect world you had carefully constructed. As much as you wanted to pretend he didn’t exist, he was an enigma you couldn’t quite shake. He was everything you weren’t: spontaneous, carefree, and utterly unconcerned with rules.

The day was winding down, and the sun was beginning to set. You had finished your classes earlier but decided to stay back, hoping to find some quiet time in the dance studio to practice without distractions. It was a space usually occupied by various dance clubs during the day, but in the evening, it was often deserted — perfect for the solitude you craved. You walked through the empty halls, your pleated skirt swishing lightly with each step, ballet shoes in hand. The school’s bustling energy had faded, leaving behind a tranquil silence.

The dance studio was your sanctuary, where you could shed the role of Chenle’s sister and the burden of perfection. As you entered the room, the familiar scent of polished wood and resin greeted you. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a golden glow on the mirrors that lined the walls. You set down your bag, exchanging your uniform for the leotard hidden beneath, and tied your hair into a tight bun. Your reflection in the mirror was calm, determined, ready to lose yourself in the rhythm of the music.

The first soft notes of a piano filled the room as you began your warm-up. The movements came easily, your body remembering every pirouette, every plié as though you were born to dance. In the studio, you were in control. Here, nothing could distract you from the elegance of the routine you had perfected.

Or so you thought.

The sound of wheels rolling over tile echoed through the hallway outside, breaking the quiet peace of the studio. You frowned, your brow furrowing in irritation. It didn’t take much to guess who it was. The door creaked open, and without needing to turn, you already knew who stood in the doorway.

Jisung.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, his skateboard under one arm, his blazer slung over his shoulder. His shirt was untucked on one side, his tie hanging loosely in that signature careless way of his. “What, no applause?” he smirked, sauntering into the room with an air of nonchalance, as if he owned the place.

You sighed, your exasperation barely contained. “Can’t you find somewhere else to skate?” you asked, your voice sharp with annoyance.

Jisung grinned, kicking his skateboard forward so it rolled across the wooden floor before coming to a stop near the ballet barre. “Why would I? This place has the best view,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

You shot him a glare, folding your arms over your chest. “This is where I practice. Alone.��

“Alone’s boring,” Jisung shrugged, moving to sit on the floor, leaning back against the wall as if he had every right to be there. “I’ll be quiet, I promise.”

You knew better than to believe him, but arguing was pointless. You turned back to the mirror, determined to ignore his presence, even though you could feel his gaze lingering on you. As you began your routine again, the elegant movements came less easily. His presence was like a shadow you couldn’t shake.

You tried to focus, but it was impossible to block him out completely. Each leap, each spin felt heavier under the weight of his eyes, and soon enough, your rhythm faltered. A misstep during a pirouette sent you stumbling, your frustration boiling over as you heard Jisung’s barely stifled laugh.

“You’re distracting me,” you snapped, shooting him a withering look.

“Maybe you just need to lighten up,” Jisung replied, his tone teasing but not unkind.

You clenched your jaw, turning back to the mirror with renewed determination. But no matter how hard you tried, the tension wouldn’t leave your body. Every movement felt stiff, and the control you usually held so effortlessly was slipping away. Finally, you stopped, admitting defeat. It was pointless to continue with him there, his presence an unshakable distraction.

Since that night, he’s been a fixture at your late practices, an unexpected yet oddly consistent presence. You’ve gotten used to him lingering in the dim studio as you rehearse. But tonight, everything seemed to be testing your patience — even Jisung.

After multiple failed attempts at the same turn, you finally let out a frustrated sigh and dropped to the floor, stretching your legs out in front of you. You leaned back on your hands, staring at the ceiling as your chest heaved from the effort of hours of practice.

Jisung was still leaning against the barre, watching you with an expression that somehow only deepened your irritation. He pushed off, sauntering over with a lazy grin before plopping down beside you. “That rough, huh?”

You shot him a look, though there was little actual venom behind it. “Why do you keep coming here?”

He shrugged, tilting his head as his gaze shifted toward the mirrored ceiling. “I dunno. It’s kinda fun watching you try so hard.”

Your eyebrows shot up. “Try so hard?”

“Yeah,” he replied, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “You’re always so serious, like you’re chasing some kind of impossible perfection.”

You scoffed, though his words hit closer to home than you’d admit. “Maybe that’s because I have to be.”

Jisung was silent for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the ceiling. “You know, you don’t always have to be perfect. It’s okay to mess up sometimes.”

You shook your head, your voice quieter. “Not if your older brother is the Zhong Chenle.” You let out a hollow chuckle.

He turned to you, his usual playfulness replaced with something more serious. “Why not?”

For a moment, you hesitated, the unspoken truth heavy on your lips. But somehow, with Jisung beside you, the boy who seemed to defy every rule you’d built your life around, it felt easier to say. “Because if I’m not perfect… then what am I?”

Jisung didn’t respond right away, his gaze thoughtful. Then he leaned back on his hands, his voice soft but unwavering. “That’s not true.”

You glanced at him, surprised by the unexpected gentleness in his tone.

“You’re more than just a dancer or Chenle’s sister,” he continued, a sincerity in his eyes that made your heart race. “You’re a whole person, y/n. It’s okay to be a little messy, to make mistakes. It doesn’t change who you are.”

His words slipped through the walls you’d spent years fortifying, the weight of your carefully curated life suddenly feeling suffocating. For the first time, you wondered what it would feel like to let go, just a little.

With a wry smile, you raised an eyebrow. “What would you know about being perfect? You strut around like you own the place, and half the time, you can’t even wear your uniform properly.”

Jisung chuckled, the sound light and unguarded. "Exactly! Life’s too short to worry about following every rule. Sometimes you just gotta do what feels right.”

You studied him, intrigued by the ease with which he moved through life, so unburdened by expectations. It was like he existed outside of the pressure that seemed to govern every aspect of your own life. There was something strangely appealing, almost liberating, about his attitude.

“Maybe you should come skate with me sometime,” he said, tilting his head in a way that felt like an invitation to his world.

“Skate?” You echoed, the incredulity evident in your voice. "Chenle’s the athletic one. I’ve never even tried skating.”

He grinned, his excitement infectious. “Then it’s about time! I’ll lend you my helmet and sweats, if that’s what it takes.”

You rolled your eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at your lips. “How generous of you.”

“Seriously,” he insisted, leaning closer as if to emphasize his point. “Just one time. You might actually enjoy yourself. Skating’s all about balance, just like ballet. And I’d love to see Ms. Perfect let loose.”

Your heart skipped, caught between amusement and curiosity. The thought of stepping out of your rigid world, even for just a moment, sent a thrill through you. “I don’t know…”

“Come on, y/n!” he urged, his voice earnest. “Give it a chance. Who knows, you might surprise yourself.”

You took a deep breath, the possibility of freedom, even fleeting, enticing. With a slight nod, you found yourself agreeing. “Fine. But not today. Maybe next time. And don’t let me fall.”

Jisung’s face lit up with a grin, his energy radiating encouragement. “Deal! And don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

Days melted into weeks, and your late-night dance practices transformed into a shared ritual. Every evening, Jisung would wander in, his footsteps echoing in the empty studio. His laughter would fill the space as he leaned casually against the barre, teasing you about your relentless quest for perfection. But his presence grounded you in a way you hadn’t expected. His playful comments, his occasional encouraging words, They chipped away at the tension that had been your constant companion.

Tonight, you were so absorbed in practice that you didn’t notice Jisung until his exaggerated yawn broke your focus. “y/n, if you keep this up, you’re going to turn into some ballet statue,” he teased, the corners of his mouth quirking up.

You shot him a mock glare, though you couldn’t entirely suppress a smile. “Maybe that’s exactly what I want, to be a perfect statue.”

He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. “Statues don’t get to live. Come on, let’s go skate. I promise, just this once, you won’t regret it.”

You hesitated, glancing around the familiar studio. This space, with its mirrors and soft lighting, felt safe. Leaving it felt like stepping into the unknown. But the idea of an adventure beyond the careful precision of ballet was intriguing. After a moment of internal debate, you nodded, dusting off your leotard. “Alright... let’s do it.”

Jisung’s face lit up with excitement, and he handed you his sweatshirt and sweatpants. The oversized hoodie hung loose around you, and Jisung couldn’t resist teasing you, a slight blush creeping up your cheeks. Seeing you in his clothes seemed to stir something in him, a quiet connection that neither of you dared to name.

The two of you stepped into the warm evening air, the school grounds washed in hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped low. Jisung led you to a nearby park, where skate ramps rose and fell in smooth arcs, casting long shadows in the evening light.

“Alright,” he said, digging a helmet out of his bag and tossing it to you. “First rule of skating: safety first.”

You caught it, eyeing it with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. “You’re serious?”

“Absolutely,” he said, flashing a mock-serious look. “Wouldn’t want anything happening to that pretty head of yours.”

Rolling your eyes but smiling, you fastened the helmet. “Fine. Now what?”

“Now, you stand on it,” he instructed, placing his own board beside yours and demonstrating with an easy balance. “Just relax. It’s not as scary as it looks.”

You took a deep breath and cautiously stepped onto the board. It wobbled beneath you, nothing like the stable, polished studio floor. “Whoa!”

In an instant, Jisung was by your side, his hand steadying your waist. His laughter rang out, his eyes full of warmth. “See? Not so bad.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, but his gentle encouragement washed away your nerves. “Easy for you to say.”

With a grin, he nudged you forward. “Just try gliding a bit. I’m right here.”

Your heart raced as you pushed off, the board gliding forward. The rush of wind caught in your hair, and for the first time in what felt like ages, you felt exhilarated. Jisung kept pace beside you, his cheers filling the air.

“That’s it! You’ve got this!” he shouted, his excitement infectious.

You found a rhythm, shifting your weight, and began to grasp the delicate balance it required. This thrill was nothing like the graceful control of ballet, it was freedom, raw and untamed.

“Now try turning!” Jisung called, demonstrating a smooth arc with ease. “Just lean, like this.”

Emboldened, you attempted to mimic him, shifting your weight to one side. But the board wobbled violently, throwing you off balance. In an instant, Jisung’s arms caught you, steadying you just before you hit the ground.

For a moment, you both froze, and then laughter erupted from both of you, filling the quiet park. You were clinging to him, and he was holding you up, his face just inches from yours.

“Thanks for the save, skater boy,” you said, breathless.

Jisung grinned, ruffling your hair. “Told you I wouldn’t let you fall.”

As the night deepened, the two of you took turns gliding along the path, Jisung’s hand guiding you each time you wobbled. Your laughter echoed under the stars, mingling with the soft sounds of the evening, and for the first time, you felt like you’d let go of the weight you carried.

Eventually, you both collapsed onto the grass under an old oak tree, the night air cool against your skin. Breathless, you glanced over at Jisung, his chest rising and falling as he lay sprawled out beside you, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

“Okay, fine,” you admitted, a grin creeping across your face. “That was... actually fun.”

He turned to you, triumphant. “See? I told you. You should let loose more often.”

You laughed, feeling something warm inside, a feeling that had nothing to do with skating. “Maybe you’re right. It’s just... sometimes it’s hard.”

His expression softened, and he propped himself up, looking at you with a sincerity that took you by surprise. “It’s okay not to have everything figured out. You don’t always have to be the perfect dancer or Chenle’s perfect little sister. You’re allowed to just... be.”

His words struck a chord deep within you. For weeks, you’d built something with him that you hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. Beneath the tree, it felt like the walls around you were beginning to fall, bit by bit.

“Thank you, Jisung,” you whispered, your voice barely audible. You didn’t expect him to understand the weight of those words, but they felt truer than anything you’d said in a long time.

You turned to face him, cheeks heating when you caught him looking at you with a grin. A comfortable silence fell between you, the world around you quiet, still. Slowly, he began to lean in, and you closed your eyes, your heart pounding in your chest.

When his lips met yours, it wasn’t fireworks or butterflies. It was something softer, more comforting, a feeling you wished would last forever. His touch was gentle, grounding, and you felt safe in a way you hadn’t before.

Pulling back, Jisung chuckled softly, his playful grin returning. “After that, I definitely expect a front-row seat at your next ballet recital.”

You froze, momentarily overwhelmed. You’d never invited anyone to your recitals; your parents were always away, and Chenle had his own responsibilities. The idea of someone wanting to be there for you, just for you, was both thrilling and terrifying.

“I’ll... think about it,” you replied with a shaky laugh. But a part of you knew that Jisung had become that someone, someone who saw beyond the perfect façade.

And yet, a quiet fear lingered. He was Chenle’s best friend, the carefree guy who never followed rules, while you were the perfect poster child. Your worlds were never meant to collide. Whatever was happening in these stolen nights wasn’t supposed to be anything more than friendship.

As you looked up at the star-strewn sky, a quiet ache settled in your chest. You didn’t know what would come next, and that uncertainty scared you. It was rare for you not to have a plan, and yet, with Jisung beside you, maybe you didn’t need one. A new world was unfolding, one where you could be the dancer but also explore a life beyond the stage. And as you glanced at Jisung, you wondered whether this was the beginning of something new — or the last taste of freedom you’d allow yourself to have.

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creaturecomfxrts · 1 year ago

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Dipper and Mabel pines headcanons?

FINALLY getting around to answering these! since im better at them, heres some college age headcanons that apply just as much to how i view them in the show!

DIPPER PINES

transmasc. duh. of course

parents are INCREDIBLY supportive, super understanding. hes on hormone blockers in the show and starts HRT as soon as hes able, getting top surgery and bottom surgery in his early 20s

bisexual! ran into a guy junior year of highschool and went oh GOD. this is wendy 2.0 im going to die

NERD.

LOVES board games. so much. not just dungeons and dragons and monopoly im talkin everdell, wingspan, cascadia, catan. he loves a good think. he also loves dragging everyone else into playing them with him. he always wins. almost always, anyway

absolutely adores college and everything about it hes a little freak. totally ends up being the president of a few clubs, co creating some, etc. made an occult club AND a hiking club at his college

loves doodling, loves horror. his teachers? not so much. they try not to look at the weird ass creatures he draws on the margins of his very well written homework.

probably goes into something smart. like biochem. or um. stem. im (author) is a liberal arts major all i do is write gay fanfiction.

PSYCHOTIC ASS DORM ROOM. he barely decorated it like a classic college male but has a conspiracy board and thats it. which is full of strange shit hes seen outside of gravity falls. to be fair its very well documented and somewhat neat, just…. strange decor. he lives in a single (introvert)

COVERED in tattoos, but always abides by the suit rule (all tattoos need to be able to be covered by a suit to be professional. he knows this bc hes a neerrrrddd). he has really sick sleeves of runes and other occult like things hes found interesting. he has cipher related tattoos as well and also even got ford to design a few.

he has PROMINENT eye bags. he will never fix his sleep schedule

ended up working as a summer camp counselor for a while right outside if gravity falls! the kids loved him but he couldnt stand the heat and bugs all the time so he only did it for a summer or two

even after turning 21 he doesnt actually drink that much, hes a craft beer enjoyer and likes to make it himelf (Much later in life)

ALWAYS stays in touch with mabel. if anything happens in either of their lives you better BELIEVE theyre already on the phone with eachother

medical marijuana card holder

smokes to help eith his anxiety. it works WONDERS

coffee drinker but actually Does put cream and sugar is coffee. sometimes. other times hes too tired and just thugs it out

MABEL PINES

THE number one it girl ever

NUMBER ONE TRANS ALLY EVERRRRRR she loves her brother so much

pansexual!! she loves cool people, thats her motto

went to a fashion design school, is loving it despite drowning in work

began dying her hair in cool ways through highschool, now she always has some of her natural color present but goes a little crazy on the highlights

found out about huge dangley joke earrings. went absolutely crazy. has an entire space on her desk dedicated to her many many earrings. she has babies, knives, bags of doritos, aliens, glow in the dark ones, anything you could imagine.

fantastic at fashion design. stuggled a lot with the fancier stuff but her teachers were floored when they let her go wild on casual comfy wear. she excells in combining fashion and comfort in really exciting and colorful ways.

a party girl through and through, loves clubs, raves, concerts, anything!

video game lover as well, cracked at pvp games.

still boy crazy, just less so (has had like. 10 college boyfriends)

literally the sweetest friend ever. she loves hosting movie nights and tea parties (bc who wouldnt. theyre awesome)

tea drinker, loves floral teas with honey

HATES. black coffee. a starbucks frap girlie 4ever

has been scouted for modeing multiple times and only accepted when it was a commercial with puppies

love love loves making friendshio bracelets. knows all the patterns, all of her friends have a hefty amount of a bunch of different ones because she just keeps making them

anywwy, here you go! i love these two so much, i hope ive done them justice!

#dipper pines #mabel pines #headcanons #gravity falls #gravity falls headcanons #hcs #gravity falls dipper #gravity falls mabel #writing #writeblr

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anixknowsnothin · 1 year ago

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Tell us about the show! 🩷

I WROTE A FULL REVIEW OMG

Mean Girls the Musical

The entire production of "Mean Girls the Musical" was absolutely amazing. The sets, the actors, the production, lighting, and sound were all outstanding. I was completely captivated and didn't blink once. The musical was incredibly funny, and both my parents enjoyed it, although some choreography in "Where Do You Belong" and "Meet the Plastics" felt a bit inappropriate to watch with them. Thankfully, it wasn't as intense as "Heathers."

I wore all pink because, as the famous line goes, "On Wednesdays, we wear pink."

Detailed Comments

The Beginning: The show opened with Janis and Damien at a Mandatory NSHS Friendship session, which was hilarious. I adore Janis—I'm practically in love with her—and Damien was iconic, especially with his recurring George Michael poster joke.

A Cautionary Tale: This song is a favorite of mine. Janis and Damien's voices blend beautifully, and I couldn't stop smiling while mouthing the lyrics.

It Roars: This song had significant lyric changes and was shortened. Cady only had a mom in this version. Despite the sets feeling a bit empty, Cady’s talent shone through. The play also emphasized Cady's outsider feelings through her awkward first interaction with Aaron, which was a good substitute for the original animal-human comparison.

Where Do You Belong: Damien stole the show here, especially in the girl's washroom scene. The supporting cast quickly changed costumes to represent different high school groups, which got my respect . Although some lyrics were altered, the essence remained, and Damien's desire to join the dance team was a cute touch.

Meet The Plastics: The Plastics were iconic. Initially, I wasn't fond of Regina due to my bias toward Taylor Louderman, but as the musical progressed, I fell in love with Regina's embodiment of the mean girl spirit through her voice, expressions, and actions.

Stupid with Love: This song was shortened, likely for time, and possibly merged with its reprise (still having brain fog). It remained one of my favorites.

Apex Predator: This performance was powerful and my favorite of the night. The combination of Janis and Cady's voices and the choreography illustrating the animal-human parallel was just, WOW.

What's Wrong with Me?: Gretchen's performance was emotional and relatable. The actress vividly portrayed her insecurity and self-doubt, and Cady's awkwardness was quite uh evident.

Stupid with Love (Reprise): Adorable song, though I don't have many additional comments.

Sexy: This song was incredibly catchy. Karen's comedic timing was spot-on, and the costumes were fantastic. I couldn't stop singing it after the show.

Someone Gets Hurt: This song showcased Regina's gaslighting and was one of my favorites. The performance illustrated Aaron's shifting emotions and Regina's vocal experimentation was impressive.

Revenge Party: A super fun and energetic song. Janis's desperation to ruin Regina's life was palpable, and the supporting cast excelled. It highlighted the fakeness in people.

Intermission

Fearless: Gretchen started to stand up for herself, and Cady's transformation into a mean girl had begun. Karen was purely there for vibes.

Stop: This song wasn't there I think, atleast not memorable to me, but it was replaced with Cady planning a party. (Again, brain fog.)

What's Wrong with Me (Reprise): The parallel between Mrs. George and Gretchen was clear and shows how Regina is surrounded by people who are willing to do anything.

Whose House Is This?: A wild and fun number that marked Cady's final transformation into a Plastic. Karen's cluelessness about whose house it was added humor.

More Is Better: Cady's fakeness was evident, and Aaron's attempt to connect with her highlighted her flaws. The line "You are like a clone of Regina" was pivotal.

Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise): This song showcased the breakdown of Janis's and Cady’s flawed relationship. While Janis used Cady for revenge, Cady also went too far. Damien's humor provided a lot of relief too.

World Burn: Regina's best performance imo. Her acting, the fire effects, sets, and vocals were all powerful and compelling.

I'd Rather Be Me: This song boosted my self-esteem and conveyed a positive message. It marked a huge turning point in the play. I also believe Janis used this song as an opportunity to flip us off.

Final Few Scenes: Cady visiting Regina, and only she and Janis showing up to see Regina, spoke volumes about their characters. The drug case and Cady's suspension led to her realization that it was time to change.

Do This Thing: Cady's speech about not pitting women against each other while her opponent focused on solving the puzzle was quite entertaining. Plus the topic of “Limits” being the final question was symbolic, it had me asking “what is the limit of meanness”

I See Stars: A cute and happy ending to an amazing show. I was bopping my head along.

Overall Impression: "Mean Girls the Musical" was an incredible experience, and I loved every moment of it. I officially died dead.

#anix answers asks #mean girls the musical

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literaryfandomangel · 11 months ago

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The Promise - Chapter Twenty-Nine

Unfortunately, our summer came to an end as the dawning of the school year occurred. That meant that I couldn’t spend as much time with the guys, just a few hours because I needed sleep. Thankfully, I was able to spend most of Friday and Saturday nights with them since I could sleep in the next day.

Within three months of being in Santa Carla, I was gaining weight, steadily. I was actually eating, had an appetite. I was now around 105.4 pounds. Mom and the four guys were extremely proud of my progress, always full of praise whenever I would eat something.

Sam kept insisting that it was strange that my boyfriends couldn’t pick me up from school. He would wave the Vampire Comic underneath my nose at every chance he could get. I always fluffed off his reasoning of vampirism, though, I couldn’t deny it was weird. One day, I stole his comic and read about the living dead Sam was obsessed with. It was an interesting read, but I’ve seen all four guys eat garlic, no one had to count rice if it spilled before them, and I’d seen their faces in my bureau mirror.

One Friday night in October, they were taking me home after we had fun on the town. All the midterms had sucked the life out of me, therefore, they wanted me to be able to do something fun. Instead of constantly studying. Though, the four guys were able to help me with studying my senior classes.

Shockingly, Marko was the best at helping me with mathematics. He was patient while he explained the formulas. Sometimes, he'd smirk as I'd get lost in my thoughts while staring at his head of golden curls, but Marko was an excellent tutor. With Marko's help in understanding the formulas and reviewing the homework, my grades in math rose. David's specialty was science class! He loved to read the chapters before the work. Then, if I had any questions about the homework, David would explain the situation. Dwayne loved reviewing my literature assignments, though it was more debates about the latest books. Paul, well, he helped with history. By help, I mean he would stand in the cave and do inaccurate monologues about the most outrageous situations in history. Dwayne would roll his eyes, shoving the blonde with the wild hair, while I fell off the couch, dying of laughter.

Even though I knew these four were cruel to others outside their circle, they were totally sweet towards me. I'd seen David threaten a group of Surf Nazis, the sound of his voice causing my blood to curdle, then he would turn towards me with a faint smile and gentle touches. Marko was one of the cruelest, I'd come to learn. I watched Marko bash a kid in the head with a napkin holder just for commenting about me. Marko laughed the entire time the kid cried, holding his hands to the bleeding gash on his forehead.

Regardless of how my blood curdled in those terrifying minutes, my heart warmed every time they turned their gentle caresses onto my skin. I knew how deadly their touch could be; it only proved they felt something for me. Not one of the guys had ever touched me in anger; David had snapped a few times but apologized profusely.

I had fun just losing myself in one night of no studying. Mom told me to leave the house and have fun, but she took my bag. She said I didn't need to take any textbooks with me tonight, and Paul had whooped, kissing Mom's cheek. Therefore, that night had been filled with fun, laughter, and going on rides. Even though the tourist season was over, it was still warm enough that most amusement rides were open.

Once we had arrived at Grandpa's house, the guys cut the engines to their bikes. David was the first at my side, offering a gloved hand to help me down from Marko's bike. I leaned down to gently kiss Marko, and then Paul swooped in like the whirlwind of energy he encapsulated. Dwayne waited his turn before David captured my lips in his smug smile curving against mine. Unfortunately, I was so lost in their company and touched that I didn't even notice the Volvo in the front yard until it was too late.

"ARIA ELIZABETH EMERSON!" I drew back from Marko, who had once again planted a kiss on my lips, fear washing over my body. I knew that voice - it was my father. I gulped as he glared at the group from the porch, Mom hovering behind him. She was wringing her hands in anxiety, knowing that Dad wasn't going to accept this relationship. "You let her kiss a group of guys?"

"Robert, it's fine. They love her," Mom tried to reason with Dad, but he just shrugged off her hand. I slunk back, trying to hide behind David. The four guys had picked up on my fear but couldn't challenge my father without giving away what they were. They also didn't want to hurt my father, even though he was angering the predators in front of him.

"Get in the house!" My dad roared, reaching around David. He grabbed me roughly by the coat and pulled me away from the safety of my four guys. "And you four - never come back here again!" My father shoved me into the house. I heard the four men growl before my father slammed the house door so hard the windows shook.

"Dad!" Sam protested, standing at the top of the stairs, hearing the commotion. "She's fine. Leave her alone!"

"Sam, get back to your room," my dad pointed at my baby brother. I nodded to Sam to listen before wrapping my arms around my body. "You. . .You two!"

"Robert, this is my home," Grandpa opened the door to his taxidermy room, glaring at my father. I sent him a grateful smile at his intervention.

"My daughter won't act like a whore! You are letting her get passed around by four bikers," Dad shook angrily, pointing his finger at my mother as if it were her fault. "She's coming home to Phoenix."

"Daddy!" I protested, tears welling inside my eyes. "I love them!"

"Robert, you can't do that!" Mom protested as I felt the tears spill from my eyes. "You signed away all your rights!"

"I will go to the courts tomorrow and demand both the kids, Lucy," Dad threatened, and my heart sank. "Or I can just take Aria and return to Phoenix."

"Mom," I said, voice soft. I knew what needed to happen. I needed to return with Dad to Phoenix. "I'll be back for Christmas, yeah?"

"Honey," Mom wrapped me in her arms, shaking her head.

"You best be packed and ready to leave by the day after tomorrow," Dad pointed a finger at me. "I mean it." With that, Dad swept out of the house, his car pulling away. I started to cry in earnest, feeling as if my world had shifted again.

"Mom, the guys!" I whimpered, feeling my heart crack at the thought of having to leave them.

"I know, baby," Mom rocked me in her arms, trying to comfort me. "You can write me letters, okay? I'll make sure that Max gives them to his sons."

"I've never felt like this about anyone," I whispered, knowing that what I felt was love. My mom nodded her head, understanding. She wasn't judgmental about the relationship, having witnessed how the four men treated me. They treated me, her daughter as if I were a Queen. A priceless artifact under heavy surveillance at a national museum. A tomb of unopened treasure worth billions.

"I'll help you sneak out tomorrow," Mom promised, pressing kisses to my hairline. I nodded, detaching from Mom both physically and mentally.

"I'm going to bed," my voice felt wooden, tongue too thick. I started up the stairs, looking down at the place I felt was my home. It felt more like I belonged in Santa Carla than I had living in Phoenix. I dragged my body up the stairs and went into my room.

"Princess," I heard Dwayne's velvety voice say, and I jumped. As I looked up, I saw all four men I loved sitting around my room. I didn't question how they managed to sneak into my room; I was just grateful to see all four of them.

"Dwayne!" I wailed, crashing into his body, tears streaming down his naked chest. He hummed, speaking to me in his native tongue, Navajo, I believe. Marko slammed into my back, running his hands through my hair, obviously in distress as well.

"We'll kidnap you," Paul declared, a frown on his face, once I had stopped crying. I was lying on the bed, head on Dwayne's chest.

"My dad would find me," I shook my head, even though my heart ached for that scenario. To be kidnapped by the four men I loved, spending all my time with them. "I don't want him to take Sammy back. It will kill Mom. She's already going to be in pain without one kid; she needs at least one of us."

"Are you certain?" David asked, flicking his cigarette butt out of the window. He crouched by the bed, tracing my delicate features with his pale fingers. "We could make him disappear."

"Of course," I giggled, shaking my head. "My big, bad bikers."

"You know it, baby," Marko grinned, head on my shins. I rolled my eyes before letting out a sigh.

"It'll be okay," I sighed, sounding upset even to my ears. "Mom said she'd bring letters from me to Max. That way, we can keep in touch. It shouldn't be long. I promise. And I'll be back by Christmas!"

***LOST BOYS POV ***

'David, we need to tell her,' Dwayne told his best friend and brother. David shook his head, almost imperceptible if not for vampiric sight.

'She can't know,' David disagreed. Paul's lips tightened in anger.

'She's going to know,' Paul sighed. 'The mating bond is already wreaking havoc on her. Remember when we didn't see her for a few days? She was getting sick again.'

'I'll ask Max,' Dwayne sighed. Even though they didn't get along with their sire, everyone had been trying to have peace for the sake of the Emersons. Aria was their mate, while Lucy was apparently Max's.

Once their mate's breathing had softened, obviously in the throws of sleep, the four left her room. They flew to Max's house, where the man opened the door, obviously shocked to see his four wayward sons.

"What happened?" Max asked, wordlessly holding the door open.

"Aria's Dad is taking her back to Phoenix," David stated as the four sprawled out in Max's living room. Max sucked in a breath, shaking his head.

"Have you solidified the bond with her?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow as he pulled off his clunky glasses. The four shook their heads, negative.

"She's not ready for that," Dwayne stated, voice a deep rumble. Max pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not going to lie to you, four," Max said. "She's going to get worse if she's away."

"How much worse?" Marko snarled, looking feral, fangs flashing in the dim light.

"Aria met you guys before," Max sighed, finally dropped the bombshell onto the four guys.

"WHAT?" David roared, face changing into his vampire visage. He was furious at this news.

"She was thirteen years old," Max sank into his armchair.

"No, we would have remembered!" Paul whined, looking lost, but Max just laughed.

"I erased your memories of her and her memories of you," Max revealed. The four vampires snarled, becoming angry at their sire for messing with their mate. "I had to!"

"Why?" Dwayne forced himself to calm down. He knew they needed to hear this story, and none of the others could calm down enough to listen to it.

"She was thirteen," Max pointedly stated. "You four didn't want her to leave for Phoenix. I knew the mating pull would bring her back, hopefully when she was older. However, I didn't account for how strong your connection is with Aria."

"Is that why she's sick?" Paul hummed. Even though he was a stoner and enjoyed being aloof, Paul's mind worked. That was the reason he preferred to be stoned because sometimes he needed to shut his brain down.

"Yes," Max looked upset at his decision. "It's why the four of you hold such disdain for your sire. Your subconscious vampire knows that I removed the memories of your mate. But I did it for all five of you!"

"That's against the rules, Max," David snarled, lighting a cigarette to calm himself. His hands were trembling in suppressed anger.

"I know," Max dipped his head. "But usually, meeting your mate once, if she were human, wouldn't invoke such responses from the five of you. It wasn't until I saw her that I realized the error. It appears Aria was feeling the mating bond and tried to fill the void with a boyfriend. However, that made her sicker, which is why she suffered from Anorexia. That's why once you five found each other this summer, she's been able to start recovering."

"So she was searching for her mates and found Justin," Marko mused, humming as the pieces clicked together.

"That's why I'm worried about her state if she goes to Phoenix," Max admitted, and their eyes flashed golden at the thought.

"She was in such a bad state just from meeting us once," Dwayne muttered. "The mating bond will strain upon her now that we've been together for over three months."

"Mates aren't meant to be apart," Max agreed. "The male vampires are supposed to cherish their mates. We all know that mates aren't strong enough on their own, hence the reason a nest has multiple male vampires and only one female."

"Yes," David waved a hand in the air pompously. "We all know this!"

"Do you know how mates have to feed, David?" Max's eyes flashed gold in his anger towards his firstborn. David shook his head. "Mates only feed from their mated vampires. Their fangs aren't strong enough to feed on humans. The other reason why there are multiple vampires per mate."

"So, we have to feed her?" Marko's eyebrows creased as he looked up at their sire. They were all confused as none of them had heard about this.

"Yes, mates drink from the vein of their vampires," Max got up and filled a glass with bourbon. He drank it down, refilling the glass. "Mates cannot be away for long. Once the bonding has been solidified, she can be away for a few days. But Aria needs the venom and blood of all four of you running through her veins to turn."

"What's going to happen if she goes?" Paul asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"I'm not sure," Max's eyes looked troubled. "All I know is it won't be anything good."

End Part 1

Part 2 - Time After Time - Chapter One

#the lost boys dwayne #the lost boys marko #the lost boys david #the lost boys paul #the lost boys x emerson sister #fanfiction #emerson sister #david tlb #dwayne x reader #david x reader

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prince--esque · 5 months ago

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Getting to know your moots

aaaaaaa I got tagged in this, okay. Thanks @f4t4-m0rg4n4. Long post so it's going under the cut.

- What's the origin of your blog's title?

I randomly came up with it one day while outside! If you pronounce it out-loud it can sound like 'prince-esque' and also 'princess' and I thought it was neat. Ended up being what I chose when making this acc at 11 PM one day

- Favorite fandoms:

I don't really interact with any outside of D2, but I've always loved Pokémon! That and a few indie games I've played (Dredge, any of Giant Squid's games, Grounded, etc)

- OTPs + Ship names:

I don't think I have an OTP currently(?), but I do enjoy Saint and Osiris (O14), Eramis and Aryths, and Riven and Taranis. That's off the top of my head anyways (I don't know if the latter two have ship names)

- Favorite colors:

My natural go-to clothing-wise tends to end up being blues, blacks, and whites, but I like brighter colors like pinks and yellows especially. Not too picky as long as i can style it well.

- Favorite game:

That I have personally played through: Dredge. It was something that I could focus on that didn't feel overwhelming, and the music and overall look of it was lovely! Highly recommended from me if you find 'calmer' horror mixed with fishing intriguing.

- Weirdest habit/trait:

I spin around in my kitchen for like an hour everyday while listening to music. Confuses my family lmao

- Hobies:

I like writing, drawing, and gaming. Haven't shared too many of the first two outside of my silly doodles since I'm still learning how digital art works. My art tag is just 'silly doodles' since I haven't made a pinned post yet

- If you could have any job you wish, what would it be?

I would honestly really like to be a marine biologist or an author! I quite like fish and writing so it would make sense. Lack of motivation is a killer though

- Something you're good at:

Writing is the default that comes to mind. My mind blanks when I try thinking of anything other than that.

- Something you're bad at:

Putting pen to paper. Also sports. Horrible at sports.

- Something you excel at:

I think I'm good at being cheery. I like making people smile.

- Something you love:

OCEAN. THROW ME IN THERE. In-depth lore in games, too.

- Something you hate:

Being talked down to and viewed as lesser while masking it with concern. Back-handed compassion?? I don't know of there's a term for it. If you think I'm below you then just outright say it. We don't have time for this, we need to storm the castle at dawn.

- Something you collect:

Charms and pins! I like decorating my bags with both. Especially souvenirs from trips or characters from media I adore. I have a small collection of hats, too.

- Something you forget:

EVERYTHING Too many things! This was a bit difficult to actually finish because I frequently forgot I am a person?? Who does things?? Wow, crazy. But yeah just a lot of miscellaneous stuff.

- What's your love language:

Physical touch. I love hugs or just leaning against people or tackling them. Though it's pretty evenly tied with Words because people around me are mostly touch-adverse. Improvise, adapt, overcome.

- Favorite movie/show:

Most recent favorite movie is The Wild Robot, but I do also love Ponyo as a comfort film.

- Favorite food:

Mom's buttered chicken. Makes me feel at home.

- Favorite animal:

Not entirely sure, but conger eels are very high up there!!

- Are you musical?

I played clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet for a bit. Clarinet for around four or five years. Taken a massive break from all three though. Other than that it is normal for me to randomly break out into either a Tom Cardy or Carter Vail song.

- Favorite subject in school:

Biology! Or math.

- Least favorite subject:

Grammar. Understanding the fundamentals is important, but while you're actually writing things, fiction or non-fiction, no one is looking for if you used sentence parallelism properly.

- What's your best character trait?

I think I'm fun to talk to! I enjoy talking to others. I think I'm good at it???

- If you could change any detail of your day right now, what would it be?

I wish it was 17:30 around golden hour time so I could open my window and bask in the sun like a reptile.

- If you could travel back in time, who would you like to meet?

Uhhhh. I don't know why, but Satoru Iwata comes to mind. He was Nintendo's past CEO, and he passed in 2015 while BOTW was being made (they named Satori mountain after him!) To avoid layoffs, he cut his own salary in half for a time to help pay for his employees' salaries. I think I would have liked to talk to him and take turns playing BOTW and TOTK with him.

- Recommend one of your favorite fanfics:

I don't read fanfic so I don't know :') Woops.

This is EXTREMELY LONG hooooo...whatever. I may have missed a few questions but it's already a lot so meh.

No pressure tags!! Only if you wanna: @snooze-mode, @wobbbiy, @tarakanpaintedpurple, @drifterslittlemuffin

#oughhgh scared that I missed something I said wrong #whatever we ball #ask game #not destiny #silly doodles #<– for ref #talk talk talk

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harrison-abbott · 2 years ago

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Robbie was yelling at the printer because it was stuttering again. Polly had the flu and was all glued up on paracetamol; and Eric was mucked up on eight cups of instant coffee and couldn’t concentrate on his Excell digits. There was rain and wind outside and the smatter and howl of both rattled the building, the sky darkling between purple and grey. It was 4 pm and it was tricky to consider whether the last ever hour was the best or worst. Whether it was redemptive or agonising. I needed a pee. So I upped from my desk and went along the corridor and sat on the cubicle and when I finished I washed my hands in the sink and there was a big bright mirror in front of me and below the cuffs of my shirt one could see the ends of the scars on my wrists. I’d seen a few of the colleagues look at them before. Notice the scars; Polly did definitely, a few years back when I’d first started, and she’d frowned and touched my arm and, she’d just been about to ask “What happened there?” and then she looked up at me and I couldn’t look back and then she dropped it and said “Oh I didn’t mean to pry,” and never mentioned it again. Yes. Dark history, but so long ago. I was too old for that type of destructive force these days. When I got back to my desk, Polly and the others were laughing about Robbie’s rant against the printer from earlier. Like the time and time before that. I laughed as well. Mostly because it was a relief to see them all smiling. And it made the 5 o clock bell come faster and following that I was out in the dark winter air within minutes. The workplace was near the docks and thus the roads were rough and dirty and traffic intense and the rainwater zipped and snarled and the wind kept yanking my hood down. I liked it. Made me feel free. As I walked I didn’t feel like a boy or young man; all I experienced was the worth of present time. That the most important thing to avoid in the moment was getting mashed by one of these nearby zooming trucks. I made it, out of the bypass zone and through the park and up to the main street. Which was filled with about 500 people all going home, within a square mile radius. As I waited for the bus I thought about mean things kids had said to me in high school; and how they connected with the family bullying I’d experienced growing up; and the failure as a musician when I was a student; and the old girlfriend who I hadn’t seen in nearly six years. Hmm. They weren’t as bad in this cold wild weather. Thinking about those things used to be worse. I wasn’t too ashamed about finding things like violence in movies disturbing. Or taunting and pisstaking hurtful; being irate about this did not make me a loser. There were so many examples I could point out to the family, comparison-wise. But somehow I didn’t feel the point in being abused by them anymore. And, those tots in high school? They were probably still living in those sallow provincial towns, doing nothing. That’s what high school is for – it’s designed to hurt you. My bus came. It was warm and packed to the brim with faces and wet coats. The windows were steamy and I made a little clear patch on the window by me and watched the streets change to the older parts of the city where there were ethnic shops and all of these stories whirling about. There were some kids running with grins on their faces at one point. At another bit these policeman had stopped a woman by her motorbike, and she was holding her helmet in her hands. There was a disused church which somebody had tried to burn down earlier in the year … not out of hate but merely for plain arson. And the police had put tape around the building and cordoned it off; and none knew what to do with it because it was a holy building rather than any normal one. All kids of tales. My imagination wound through them.

#writeblr #creative writing #prose #stories #short fiction #writers on tumblr #fiction #short story #tumblr writers #flash fiction

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mechanical-bull-rental-fresno · 6 months ago

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Ride the Fun: Mechanical Bull Rental Near Fresno with Happy Bounce House

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Planning a standout event in Fresno? Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, corporate gathering, wedding reception, or community festival, one surefire way to make it memorable is by adding unique and thrilling entertainment. A mechanical bull rental near Fresno from Happy Bounce House is the perfect centerpiece to elevate your celebration. Combining excitement, fun, and an interactive experience, a mechanical bull guarantees unforgettable memories for all your guests.

What Makes a Mechanical Bull So Thrilling?

Mechanical bulls are a timeless favorite, evoking images of rodeos and the wild west. But you don’t need to be a cowboy or cowgirl to enjoy the excitement of this classic ride. Designed to thrill and entertain, Happy Bounce House’s mechanical bull brings the action to your event, offering a challenge for participants of all ages and skill levels.

The beauty of the mechanical bull lies in its adaptability. The speed, motion, and intensity of the ride can be customized to match the rider’s experience level. From slow and steady rides for beginners to bucking challenges for daredevils, the mechanical bull ensures that everyone has a chance to participate and enjoy.

Events That Shine with a Mechanical Bull

Whether it’s an intimate party or a large-scale event, a mechanical bull rental near Fresno adds an extra dose of excitement. Here are some popular occasions where the mechanical bull can steal the show:

Birthday Parties A mechanical bull is a fantastic way to bring energy to birthday celebrations. Kids will enjoy a slower, gentler ride, while teens and adults can embrace the thrill of a full-speed challenge.

Corporate Gatherings Looking to energize your team or provide an icebreaker at your company event? A mechanical bull encourages teamwork and camaraderie. It’s a great way to get colleagues laughing, cheering, and bonding outside the office.

Weddings with a Twist Add a fun, unconventional touch to your wedding reception. After a formal ceremony, guests will love cutting loose with an interactive activity like mechanical bull riding. It’s the perfect way to lighten the mood and create unforgettable moments.

Festivals and Fundraisers Mechanical bulls are crowd-pleasers at festivals, carnivals, and charity events. Their appeal spans all ages, drawing in large crowds and creating buzz. As a fundraiser, charging for bull rides can be an effective way to raise money while keeping attendees entertained.

School and Community Events From school carnivals to neighborhood block parties, a mechanical bull can be the highlight of your event. It’s an excellent way to bring people together and create shared experiences.

Safety First, Fun Always

When it comes to mechanical bull rentals, safety is non-negotiable. At Happy Bounce House, your guests’ well-being is our top priority. Our mechanical bulls are equipped with padded landing areas and adjustable settings to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Experienced operators oversee every ride, tailoring the bull’s movements to match the rider’s comfort level and skill. Whether your guests are seasoned riders or first-timers, they’ll feel secure while enjoying the thrill.

Why Choose Happy Bounce House?

If you’re searching for the best mechanical bull rental near Fresno, Happy Bounce House is your ultimate choice. Here’s why we stand out:

Premium Equipment Our mechanical bulls are regularly maintained and feature the latest safety measures. Built for reliability and fun, they’re guaranteed to provide a smooth, thrilling experience.

Experienced Staff Our professional team has years of experience in operating mechanical bulls and managing events of all sizes. We handle setup, operation, and takedown so you can focus on enjoying your event.

Flexible Rental Options Whether you need the bull for a few hours or an entire day, we offer customizable packages to suit your event’s unique needs and budget.

Affordable Rates High-quality entertainment doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Our competitive pricing ensures that you get exceptional value without compromising on fun or safety.

Stellar Customer Service From your first inquiry to the end of your event, our friendly team is here to assist. We’re committed to making your experience seamless and stress-free.

Tips to Maximize the Fun

To make the most of your mechanical bull rental near Fresno, consider these ideas:

Set the Scene: Enhance the experience with a Western theme. Decorate with hay bales, cowboy hats, and country music to create a festive atmosphere.

Capture the Action: Hire a photographer or set up a video booth to document guests’ hilarious attempts at staying on the bull.

Organize Competitions: Boost excitement by hosting a friendly contest. Offer prizes for the longest ride or best cowboy impression.

Include All Ages: Adjust the ride’s settings to accommodate kids, teens, and adults, ensuring everyone gets a turn to join the fun.

Book Your Mechanical Bull Rental Today

Ready to transform your next event into an unforgettable experience? A mechanical bull rental near Fresno from Happy Bounce House is the ultimate way to entertain and engage your guests. With customizable packages, affordable pricing, and a commitment to safety, we ensure your celebration is a hit.

Contact Happy Bounce House today to reserve your mechanical bull rental and start planning the event of a lifetime. Whether it’s a birthday, corporate event, wedding, or festival, we’ll provide the thrill and excitement you need to make your gathering truly memorable. Don’t wait—let’s get the party started!

#Mechanical bull rental near Fresno #Rent a mechanical bull in Fresno #Fresno mechanical bull rentals #Affordable mechanical bull rental Fresno #Mechanical bull for rent Fresno #Fresno party mechanical bull rental #Mechanical bull rental prices Fresno #Fresno event mechanical bull rental #Youtube

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ultramagicalternate · 1 year ago

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ULTRAMagic Interlude Chapter 9

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Master Post - Patreon

After a quick change into some proper formal wear, Vlastimir and Ekaterina were off to dinner. The Moonlight Garden was a classy evening restaurant, popular with couples. The decor was an elegant Victorian style with touches of romanesque, and the establishment served a wide variety of food. While their menu was a bit eclectic, all of the options were prepared to the finest degree of quality as the chefs took great pride in learning all that they could. The patrons seemed to be well behaved and happily chatted as they ate. After being shown to their table, Vlastimir ordered a spaghetti dinner and Ekaterina ordered steak, medium rare. She also chose white wine for the two. As they waited, they enjoyed the calm and upbeat piano music being played in the background.

“I’m impressed with the variety of the menu. I mean jeez, some of this stuff I’ve never even heard of before” Ekaterina remarked as their food was brought to them.

“Agreed. Dragoslava explained that the restaurant accommodates people outside the Unlight. I presume she recommended it on those grounds, given that we’re both from Earth… or a version of Earth, ha,” Vlastimir replied.

As they began eating, something crossed Ekaterina’s mind. “Say, Vlastimir, how did you get the money to afford this? I don’t mean to question it, it just seems a bit pricey for someone of your… er, caliber.”

He chuckled. “It’s quite simple: I’m a sellsword, here in the Unlight. There are tribes and wanderers all over looking for a blade or two. Plus I never had anything to really spend the money I earned on. I mean I tried at first, but eventually I grew bored and decided to save the money. I accumulated so much that people in the Great Uncity were asking me for financial advice. What do I tell them? Be born a dragon and get banished to The Unlight,” he proposed with a laugh.

“Ah, I see.” An interesting response to say the least. “You know? I used to despise steak. My father loved it, so no duh there… but now I’ve had a change of heart… Good lord, this is amazing.”

Vlastimir swallowed his food, wiped his mouth, and cleared his throat. “Haha, excellent. Speaking of which, I used to be afraid of spaghetti. It made me think of icky worms and slippery snakes crawling through the dirt… That changed when I saw my one friend enjoying a plate of it in high school.”

Ekaterina giggled at Vlastimir’s descriptive language. “Is that the one friend you mentioned earlier?”

He nodded. “Yup, absolutely.”

“Could you tell me more about him? If you don’t mind. I don’t mean to shift subjects like that, it’s just that you have my curiosity-again, given who you are.”

“Oh no problem: He’s a necromancer and an occultist who was transferred to my school after he showed prowess in magic. I sort of just gravitated to him and we became friends. Truth be told, I think he’s a bit mad himself, hehe…”

“I see. Again, pardon my prying. Knowing you have dragon blood sets a very wild precedent… I’m not coming off as rude, am I?”

Vlastimir laughed. “Well if you are, I’m clearly not offended either way.” He took a gentle sip of his wine. “I don’t mind in the slightest. Permit me to ask about your past?”

“Yeah, it’s only fair I suppose…”

“Now surely you’ve had to have some positive moments in your old life, correct?”

Ekaterina thought back for a moment, maneuvering the quagmire that was her old life. “Well, yes actually. I had a French professor who was very supportive of my art. Marcel Germaine I believe his name was. He was always off on adventures with a Dutch gentleman, but he was still more of a father to me than my actual father.”

“Marcel Germaine, that sounds familiar… regardless, it’s good to hear that you had a good person in your life.”

The two went quiet as they finished their food. Something else was bugging Ekaterina throughout the meal, however. “Vlastimir, for someone who professes their madness, you’re probably the most well mannered person I’ve ever seen at a dinner table, no joke.”

She was right. He had a rather messy meal, yet not a single drop of sauce had left his plate or his mouth. Vlastimir laughed again. “Blame my father. He made sure we all ate properly at the table.” After cleaning his face one last time, he began organizing the tip. “... and he got it from Grandma Fausta and Grandpa Vlad.”

Afterwards, the couple went for a walk as the night was peaceful. They had no destination in mind, just wanting to wander and see the sights. Unfortunately they got a bit lost given that they were new to The Iron City. Thankfully their wandering was noticed by Radovan, who had been out and about himself. He invited them back to the mansion so they could rest for the night. Dragoslava, Desislav, Kresimira, and Corentin were there and were happy to see that the date went well. That dinner had Ekaterina thinking. She never had a boyfriend in her old life and Vlastimir was a pleasant enough man… and she found him fairly handsome too. Maybe she would go on another date with him soon.

The next day, back at the Magician's Labyrinth, Ultimatum was leading Blood-Wraith and the group to where Rose and Thora were supposed to be. “They should be around here somewhere…”

Blood-Wraith was going to hug Ultimatum, but corrected himself by giving him a handshake instead. There was no need to get emotional. “Thank you for the help, Ultimatum.”

“No problem, Blood. Now I’d love to stick around and meet her grace, but I’ve got a task to tend to. The Discordant pantheon is interfering with the mission of one of our allies…”

Brenna chuckled. “Oh geez, sounds like a real tango. Best of luck to you.”

“You too. Bye for now, guys,” he said as he flew into the air and vanished. A strange emblem then floated down to Blood-Wraith. He quickly deduced that it was a means of getting into contact with Ultimatum in the future.

Before anyone could say something, Auda’s horns went wild. “OOH! Grandma’s close! I can feel it!” She then ran off. “Grandma! Oh Grandma!”

Valentina chuckled… until she realized that Auda was vanishing from sight. “Quick! Follow her!” she instructed with the utmost urgency. The group bolted after Auda.

In another room, two women were watching a giant computer screen from a great console of ornate, arcane design. Lines of data were scrolling by and updating every minute. One woman (who was quite beautiful) had red hair, blue and brown eyes, and a longsword sheathed at her side. The other person with her was an older tree person with flowers growing from her arms. Her hair was vaguely similar to that of a willow tree, yet had a more flower-like feel to it. Both of them seemed to be experimenting with the instruments built into the machine. Whatever it was had captured their attention for some time.

“Hm, the telemetry could be a little more efficient. What do you think, Thora?”

She thought about it for a second as she fiddled with some of the dials and knobs. “Well Rose, I don’t think that’s the problem. What if we tried another wide range scan, but pointed it in the opposite direction? And then we follow up with several smaller scans for any anomalies?”

Rose nodded in contemplation. “Maybe we are focusing too heavily on the northern trench…”

“Grandma?! Oh Grandma!”

Thora froze. “Auda? There’s no way… Am I hearing things? Have I gotten that old?”

“No, I heard that too. How bizarre, it seems that there’s people making their way here…”

“GRANDMA!” Auda exclaimed as she ran to Thora. She hugged her tightly. “Grandma! We found you!”

“Auda? Auda!” Thora said as she hugged back. “By the Forest! Look at how much you’ve grown! What are you doing here?”

The others were catching up. “Over here, I saw Auda go into this room!” Brenna called out. Her heart skipped a beat when she located her.

“Brenna, what’s up?” Blood-Wraith asked, seeing her stand in place. He quickly realized who they had found. “Brenna, is that…?”

“MRS. RAYNOT!” Brenna proclaimed as she led Blood-Wraith and Valentina inwards.

“Brenna, dear! Truth be told, I was expecting Radovan or Dragoslava to come and find me first. Is everything alright?”

She gave Rose a hug. “Don’t worry, everyone is fine, they just got preoccupied with personal business.”

“Thank goodness. I must ask, what are the circumstances behind this meeting?”

Thora nodded in agreement. “Auda here may be bold, but something had to bring you all here…”

“Your grace?” Blood-Wraith said as he stepped forward. “That would be me. I started this mission of my own accord. My name is Blood-Wraith.”

Rose studied the young boy for a second. It was a strange sight seeing him hold a staff that was clearly angelic and the six eyes were also a bit odd. “Well now, it was quite brave of you to come and find me. I presume my presence is required by my people?”

“Yes… but not for the reason you think…”

“Oh? Pray tell…”

“Me, Drago, and several others dealt with the Lich and the great hunt has ended.”

Rose and Thora’s blood ran cold. “Well now, that… that is quite the series of events…” the duchess commented.

“Child, you… you defeated the Lich?” Thora asked.

“Not single handedly, no. I had Sister, Desislav, Leif, Tusk, Deimos, and Vlastimir by my side… Vlastimir and Leif did all the heavy lifting…”

“Blood, it was a group effort,” Brenna pointed out.

Thora was staring at Blood-Wraith with the most intense look imaginable. “You mentioned Tusk, my son?”

“Yes,” Blood-Wraith replied. “At first he was scared, but then he toughened up and even gave his arm to help us…”

“His arm?! What happened to his arm!?!”

Blood-Wraith felt uneasy. “Er, yeah… he sacrificed his arm as part of a spell to weaken the Lich…”

Everything he said from that point onwards became static to Thora. She could feel her blood heat up and accelerate as adrenaline surged through her veins. Her son needed help… NOW. She screamed at the top of her lungs in abject horror, startling everyone. “MY BABY!!!” She panicked. “DON’T WORRY, TUSK! MOMMA’S COMING!” She rocketed out of the room… and began running back and forth, unsure where to go. “... I’M GOING TO RIP THAT DAMN LICH TO SHREDS IF I HAVE TO!!!”

Valentina was shocked, but not surprised. “Goodness! Is she going to be alright?” She could definitely relate to Thora’s plight.

“I imagine she just needs to calm down first, but yes,” Rose assured with reasonable concern in her voice. “Here’s hoping she does invoke her tree titan form…” She then noticed that Auda seemed utterly terrified. “Here, come to me dear. It’s going to be alright.”

Auda hugged Rose. “Your grace? Is grandma going to be alright?” She was gravely concerned.

“Certainly. She’s quite strong for a woman her age. Also if you don’t mind me saying, it is a pleasure to meet you, Auda.” Once she was sure the young girl was alright, she let go. “Now Blood-Wraith? You addressed my little Drago as ‘sister.’ Could you elaborate on this?”

Blood-Wraith took a breath to keep his nerves steady, feeling a little nervous for some reason. “Dragoslava found me outside the Iron City when I was born a few months ago. We’ve been exploring ever since. Also Radovan eventually found out about me and adopted me.”

Rose took a moment to take it all in. It certainly seemed plausible enough, given the antics of her husband and daughter. “I see. And being here with Brenna would give credence to that… hmm… do you have Radovan’s word? Or anything of that nature?”

It took him a second, but Blood-Wraith remembered his family crest. “Oh, here! Dad told me to present this to you.”

Auda interjected after Thora ran by outside again, rambling with enraged parent noises. “Blood? I’m going to go get grandma.” She then went over to help her worked up grandparent and tried to begin to calm down.

Blood-Wraith nodded, a little worried for the two. “Oh, alright then. Ahem, here you go, your grace.”

Rose took the badge and inspected it. She knew Barna’s work when she saw it, no two ways about it. The engraved name was his handwriting and he had even put his signature on the back. As for the crest itself, it looked like it had been restored from a tarnished state, but that was to be expected. She looked at Blood-Wraith again. There was grit and determination in his eyes, despite how nervous he clearly was.

“Blood-Wraith, do you prefer ‘Blood’ as a shorthand name?”

He smiled. “Yup, it’s what everyone calls me!”

“Most excellent. Come here, Blood.” Rose gave her son a hug.

“Thanks, mom.”

Valentina exhaled a sigh of relief. “No offense, but that had me on a little edge…” she partially muttered.

“I don’t believe I caught your name, dark angel,” Rose stated.

“Mom, this is my Alchemy mentor and friend, Valentina Pari” Blood-Wraith introduced.

“It is an honor to meet you, your grace,” Valentina said as she shook her hand.

“Likewise, Valentina. Please, call me Rose. I presume that the name you presented is not your real name?”

Valentina laughed. “Guilty as charged. I prefer to keep my name on the downlow for now, but you can find it in the Sworn Book.”

“How intriguing, implying you’ve had a bit of fame and notoriety where you’ve come from. Most angels don’t normally do that…”

“Don’t worry, grandma, Uncle Tusk is doing fine” Auda reassured Thora as she brought her back into the room.

Thora was trying to steady her breathing. “You’re right, Tusk is a strong boy…”

Just then, someone rushed into the room. It was Deimos and he looked worried out of his mind. “Excuse me, Ma’am… pardon me, your grace… one side, Blood, I need to take this call… please, please…” He got to the console and began wildly flipping switches and pressing buttons. “Deimos to the Unmariner!! Come in, Unmariner! Do you read!?! Over!”

After a moment of deafening silence, a voice came over the speakers. “Deimos? Is that you? Good lord, where have you been? We got so bored that we mapped out more of the Trench Unlight than we should have…”

Deimos slumped over the console with a massive exhale in relief. “Thank the Source, still there… Oh hey, Blood. What are you doing here?”

Next: Chapter 10

#chaotictempleknight #ultramagic alternate #fantasy #sciencefiction #sciencefictionfantasy #literature #fiction #writers on tumblr #writing #story #chapter

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chocolatepot · 2 years ago

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chocopot, first of all: i followed you on tumblr bc I found your Howl's Moving Castle fics so incredibly charming. <3 Thank you for writing those.

I've been in fandom long enough that I've seen major fan wanks come and go, enough that i've gone from "oh no, fan wank! can't we all just get along?" to "omg this has all happened before why can't you fools see" to just leaving to go outside and smoke a cigarette til it's over, a la that meme of ben affleck.

I enjoyed the OFMD show, of course. I found it so charming, and it was such a wish fulfillment for me personally to have the perfect delicious dynamics that fandom eats like a full course meal, with the additional surprise of the canon supporting those pairings. I also appreciated the canon approaching this with a light touch, enough to leave room for fandom and also eschewing the usual ham-handed After School Special style way queer rep often is.

(I am of course not dismissing those representation efforts in any way, but those storylines don't always have the forward momentum that leads to the creation of fanworks. Sometimes the non-canon character dynamics lead to MORE fanworks because of more ambiguity to play with, funny enough)

I've been living vicariously through ofmd fanwank from you (thanks for being out there in the field, haha). So much of the Discourse with a capital D just seems so wild to me. The best way I can think to describe it is, instead of the "YesAnd" of most fandoms that feed off each other's energy, it's instead more of a "NoBut."

I was wondering if you think there's something different about this particular flavor of wank and what factors you think contribute to it.

Thanks for reading my long ask, and all the best!

Thank you! I'm glad you liked them. I gave up on DoMAYstic after like a week but I think I wrote some cute fluff during that week.

I started writing a response to this ages ago, but I think I need to scrap it and start over because I was getting too into the weeds.

On one level, I don't find the fandom that wanky at all. The amount of fic, art, gifsets, and vids created for OFMD after just one season is incredible, and while it's slowed down since last summer, it's still pretty intense. I see loads and loads of "Yes And" posts like "imagine ed and stede going to bed on the revenge after they reunite. imagine stede wrapping ed in one of his nightshirts" on Tumblr, and people posting their fic updates and other people reblogging and liking them. There is also discussion of representation in the show and how it's interpreted in fandom, and sometimes the latter is more of a "No But," but it's all in earnest and I think it's productive even when I disagree with people and quietly scroll past.

Now, Twitter? Twitter is an entirely different beast. Twitter as a website is designed to stimulate wank, making people express stupidly brash opinions for attention and then making other people feel the need to amplify that or dunk on it. Every time I spend a day doing Twitter on my fannish account, it's so draining and makes me feel like there's no hope for the fandom because it does the same thing. From my perspective it looks like there's a lot of clout chasing, people becoming semi-BNFs and attacking each other and getting hoist by their own petard when their tactics get used against them.

It's a microcosm, though. Almost none of it seems to escape the group of OFMD fans on Twitter who seem to really care about the drama, so I just kind of ignore it, or enjoy hearing about it secondhand.

The fandom is mostly a "Yes And" place. Sometimes in a good way (feverishly making excellent content), sometimes in a bad way (passing around flawed fanon as Definitely True). The AO3 category is bursting with creativity, thousands of canon and setting AUs, fusions, new ways to have the reunion happen, takes on backstory, and more. There's an incredible amount of fanart that does the same things. The fact that the slash juggernaut is also the main canon ship seems to have produced a fandom with a high degree of unity. While there's lots of discourse over Izzy stans, judging by AO3 that's actually a pretty small faction of the fandom as a whole.

#ofmd #ofmd meta #ask

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xxxsoukokuxxx · 4 years ago

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BSD Characters on a school excursion --> High School AU (Part 1)

Characters: Atsushi Nakajima; Akutagawa Ryunosuke

Warnings: none; may be some grammar/spelling errors

Notes: I just want to get whatever ideas i have written out and posted before exams start which is tomorrow, i was just curious and let my mind wander, so i decided to do this, just as the post about the Bsd Characters' favorite season/weather this will also have a part 2

________________________________________________

Atsushi Nakajima:

Atsu is the most well behaved child on this whole trip from arriving at school to boarding the bus and the time it takes to get to the destination and back

As most of us know, anxiety gets the better of us and he will have trouble acting like a wild child as Dazai would and actually have fun

But that doesn't stop him from enjoying the excursion

Let's start from when he boards the bus

He'll most likely prefer a window seat, so that he can gaze out at the scenery

But the problem is actually getting one, but eventually he does

He'd sit somewhere in the middle of the bus, not too much in the front and neither too much back

If a good song is playing he'll hum along

Kyoka will be most likely to be the one sitting next to him on the journey there and back, but she's as silent as an assassin herself

But it's her presence is what matters

While all the other kids rush out, Atsushi and Kyoka come out last as he prefers to avoid the crowd

He'll most likely take a deep breath of fresh air and look at his surroundings, he'll be excited but he contains himself although expresses it to Kyoka

He takes in everything from the scenery to information to the crisp air

At times he gets too caught up in his thoughts and when he snapped out of it he turned around to find where the rest of his class and teacher were and when he couldn't spot them he panicked

He jumped when Kyoka touched his arm since he didn't realize she was standing right next to him and she guided him back to the rest of the class

On the journey back, he ends up falling asleep on Kyoka's shoulder, she simply smiles warmly

Akutagawa Ryunosuke:

The quietest kid throughout the whole trip, he'll snap at anyone who dares to annoy/irritate him

He wouldn't want anyone sitting next to him on the bus unless they're Dazai

As everyone else is getting on the bus he peeks every now and then from the corner of his eye if Dazai might, might just sit next to him

But it never happens

He sighs and coughs into his hand and averts his attention to the scenery outside the window

Will groan at the loud noise of the music playing in the bus, they don't even play good music, or at least that's what he thinks

At the destination, he just doesn't even care for the purpose of them going there, he just gets lost in his own thoughts or listens without taking in any information

Unless it interests him

Antiques, art, figs, if it were any of those he'd pay very close attention

Follows the group and teacher quietly but is right at the back, he doesn't like getting noticed...unless it's you know who noticing him

Will use his ability to stab anyone who screams childishly/bumps into him

If it's a sunny day he'll use Rashomon as an umbrella or the sorts

If it's cold/cool all the better for him

He'll quarrel with the weretiger-ahem i mean Atsushi at least 4-5 times that day

Whether it be over something stupid or for the attention of Dazai

Enjoys the silence and peace whenever he gets any, he closes his eyes and lets the cool breeze caress him

On the journey back he doesn't fall asleep because he's always alert and doesn't want to seem weak

However that's not the only thing keeping him awake, it's the loud music and all the kids talking and dancing on the bus (i remember in primary school the kids used to dance in the bus during the journey back, it was fun and they did play good music with excellent bass)

#bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs #atsushi #akutagawa #atsushi nakajima #akutagawa ryunosuke #bsd headcanons #headcanons #not an 'x reader'#general #bsd #bsd atsushi #bsd akutagawa

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firstagent · 4 years ago

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Review! Adventure: (2020) Episode 67: The End of the Adventure

In this episode, among all of Negamon’s terrifying forms, it decides a shadow rivaling Omegamon is the scariest.

The common template for Digimon finales of half climactic action and half emotional epilogue offers some intriguing possibilities for this series. The climactic action part goes without saying: whatever stops are left will be pulled out and it’s going to be the kind of wild action sequence the show’s excelled at. But it’s hard to go without some sort of resolution as the kids say farewell to the Digital World. How do you say goodbye to a cast we never really met in the first place? It could be the same hollow statements we’re used to, or they could cram a bunch of real world details we should have discovered ages ago. Instead it’s split halfway, with sights a little more telling than we’re used to, but without pretending this show was anything different than what it was.

After tussling with multiple forms of Negamon, all abominations of tentacles and eyes, Omegamon dives into its main core for the final showdown. And Negamon, master of horrors… solidifies into a form the same size as Omegamon, only shadowy. It’s possibly the least intimidating thing it could muster. It’s also a weird show of deference, like Negamon would rather fight as equals rather than as something larger and awe-inspiring. It makes for a hell of a final one-on-one clash that delivers the kind of fight we hoped for, but the psychology is poorly considered and the form in many ways betrays Negamon’s concept.

Once Omegamon and Negamon run through the string of “evenly matched overpowered robot duel” tropes, eventually ending up in space because why not, the usual spur of energy from the angels and the usual refusal to quit from Taichi and Yamato leads to Omegamon Alter-S… the usual mode change everybody expected. It makes quick work of Negamon, but makes an observation that other Digimon seasons have only danced around: in worlds where Digimon are reborn: doesn’t that apply to the villains?

It varies by world, but you probably should wonder about the fate of the Dark Masters, Lucemon, Bagramon, and the like. This time it’s attacked head on. Omegamon recognizes that the power of rebirth Negamon grew such a disdain for allows it another chance to recreate itself, perhaps this time without the corruption that led it down this path. If there has been a recurring theme this series, it could be the exploration of renewal and history repeating itself.

The falling action starts out on an auspicious note, with the kids left in a weird binary space where everyone can chill with their partners for a second. They’re sweet, quiet moments, but nothing remarkable. And suddenly it’s over, leaving you wondering if that was it for the kids in the Digital World, perhaps even with their Digimon. Meanwhile, the following scene of Wisemon passing on the story to the baby Digimon is a wonderful additional to the formula. Like the holy war before it, it shows how this adventure is destined to become part of the world’s lore, to inform and guide the heroes of the next crisis that will inevitably come along.

As for the heroes of this one… they just go back to their lives. Not knowing much about them lives hampers a few of the shots, particularly Sora and Joe’s. But for everyone else they take what little we were given and roll with it. Takeru and Yamato get a rare real world visit. Mimi puts her entrepreneurial spirit into action. Koshiro’s on her payroll, devising a way to open his own gate to the Digital World. And Taichi gets a moment in the shade, a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet, maybe even out of the limelight for a change. That he’s still in the Digital World is only brushed on, appropriate as he’s not the first Digimon protagonist to make that call, that he didn’t have any specific grievance that made him want to avoid the real world (at least that we knew of), and he wasn’t that convincing as a human child anyway. It’s a good spot for him.

It’s almost a footnote that the Digimon stayed with them, remarkable since that only happened once in the first six seasons. But instead of wondering about the implications of Digimon in the real world, they leave the kids alone with their sassy pets. Other kids saw it all; they’re fine with it. They keep it simple, while still offering up a clean resolution to everything, combined with a final battle that lives up to the hype. With all the disappointments of the series baked in, the least it could do was manage an ending within its means. To that, at least, we can be happy it was successful.

My Grade: A-

Loose Data:

Hope you weren’t playing a drinking game taking a shot for every Our War Game homage. The episode leads off with Omegamon flying through a network-like tunnel and it never really lets up at any point in the battle.

They make a big show of the other six occupying Negamon’s outer body to weaken the core, but there isn’t much correlation shown to suggest that affecting much. But it’s nice that the other six got to feel useful in the final battle. And while it’s certainly appropriate that Seraphimon and Ophanimon are leading the way, it is unusual to think about Takeru and Hikari heading up the troops.

Considering it’s the first time we’ve had a good Digimon introduced stronger than the one that showed up in episode two, Alter-S didn’t get a whole ton of screentime. He showed up, more or less one-shotted Negamon, then was back to regular Omegamon before the end of his monologue. As far as midnight hour emergency power-ups (Crimson Mode, X7 Superior, that sort of thing), this is one of the weakest.

Omegamon talking about “endless potential” sure hits differently after Kizuna, doesn’t it? He’s talking more about Digimon in general while Kizuna was about the limitations of the Chosen-Digimon partnership, but still…

Given the season’s dedication to showing the Digital World outside of battle, the montage of locations carrying on with life is great, and lined with little sights like BanchoMamemon graduating finishing school, the Mimi statue at the gem mine, and Petaldramon, Andromon, and Guardromon all still petrified under flowers.

One cute little touch/nod to the original series… Yamato and Takeru are meeting in Shibuya.

The digital gate Koshiro is trying to create resembles the weird pop-up he received in episode one that we all thought was going to be interesting and relevant and we never saw again.

And finally, congrats to Leomon for surviving a series! His reward is spending the rest of eternity helping Wisemon babysit.

See reviews of every Digimon episode at Digimon: System Restore! Support the site by joining our Patreon!

#digimon #digimon adventure:#digimon adventure (2020)

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snarksandkisses · 5 years ago

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What I think about COVID-19 this morning - Malia Jones, PhD, MPH

What I think about COVID-19 this morning

March 5, 2020

Maybe I'm the closest thing you personally know to an infectious disease epidemiologist. Maybe not--I'm not an expert on this virus by any stretch, but I have general knowledge and training from studying epidemics that is applicable, so here are my thoughts.

First and foremost: we are going to see a tremendous increase in the number of US cases of COVID-19 in the next week. This is not because of some new pattern in the spread of the disease, but rather due to a major change in the requirements to be tested. Until yesterday, if you had flulike illness but had not recently traveled to China, Italy, South Korea, or Iran, you could not be tested. This is just the way healthcare works, you get tested if you meet the case definition and the case definition included travel.

As of yesterday, you can be tested if you are sick and have a doctor's order to be tested. So expect things to feel a lot more panicky all of a sudden. We will see hundreds or thousands of new cases as a result of testing increases.

Second: is that panic legitimate? Sort of. This is not the zombie apocalypse. The death rate of 30 deaths per 1000 cases is probably a wild overestimate. (The denominator is almost certainly wrong because it is confirmed cases--and we only confirm cases when we test for them). That said, even at 3 per 1000 cases, this would be a big deal. A very big deal. By way of comparison, the death rate for influenza is between 1 and 2 in 1000 cases. So, yeah. Roughly 0x to 30x worse than a huge global flu pandemic? That's a problem.

Unlike flu, COVID-19 is not *particularly* dangerous for children, so that’s some happy news. It is dangerous for older adults and those with lung conditions, so we need to be extra careful to protect those populations from exposure.

Also, for millions of Americans, getting any serious illness requiring a hospitalization is a major problem because they can't pay for it. And our health care system is probably going to struggle to keep up with it all. And with China basically closed, our global economy is going to take a huge hit and we'll feel the shockwaves for years. Those are real concerns.

What can we do? Our focus should be on *slowing down the spread* of this disease so that we have time to get caught up. Here is my advice:

1. Wash. Your. Hands. Wash them so much.

The current best guess is that coronavirus is transmitted via close contact and surface contamination. A very small study came out yesterday suggesting that the virus causing COVID-19 is *mostly* transmitted via contact with contaminated surfaces.

I have started washing my hands each time I enter a new building and after being in shared spaces (classrooms especially), in addition to the standard practice of washing after using the bathroom and before eating. Soap and water. Hand sanitizer also kills this virus, as does rubbing alcohol (the main ingredient in hand sanitizer).

There is no need to be obsessive about this. Just wash your hands. A little bit more effort here goes a long way.

2. Don’t pick your nose. Or put your fingers in your mouth, on your lips, or in your eyes. Surface contact works like this: you touch something dirty. Maybe it's an elevator button. Virus sticks to your hands. Then you rub your eye. Then you touch your sandwich, and put the sandwich in your mouth. Now there is virus in your eyes and mouth. See?

You may be thinking, but I don’t pick my nose because I am an adult! An observational study found that people sitting at a desk working touched their eyes, nose, or lips between 3 and 50 times per hour. Perfectly normal grown-ups, not lowlifes like my friends.

2a. There was one note that came out suggesting that face masks actually promote surface contamination because you're always adjusting them--i.e., touching your face. I don’t know if that’s true. But face masks should not be worn by the public right now, unless you are the person who is sick and you're on your way to or actually at the doctor's office. The mask’s function is to prevent spit from flying out of your mouth and landing on things when you cough or sneeze. It flies out of your mouth and is caught in the mask instead. If you are the person who is sick and not on the way to the doctor, go home. Let the people who really need them have the masks. Like doctors.

[ETA on 3/6/2020 honestly people I am getting so much push back on the mask recommendation!! The world is running low on masks. If everyone wants a mask so they can feel ok about keeping their Daytona Beach Spring Break plans and then hospitals in India can't buy them anymore, shame on us.]

Coronavirus does not appear to be airborne in the sense that doesn't remain floating around freely in the air for a long time, like measles does. You are probably not going to breathe it in, unless someone is coughing in front of you. If someone is coughing in your face, feel free to tell them to get their ass home and move 6 feet away from them. (Yeah I know, if you have a toddler, you're screwed.)

3. Sanitize the objects you and lots of other people touch, especially people outside your family--like door handles, shared keyboards at schools (brrr), salad bar tongs, etc. Best guesses are that the virus can live on surfaces for 2-48 hours, maybe even longer, depending on the surface, temperature, and humidity.

Many common household cleaning products will kill this virus. However, white vinegar solution does not. You can make your own inexpensive antimicrobial spray by mixing 1 part household bleach to 99 parts cold tap water. Spray this on surfaces and leave for 10-30 minutes. Note: this is bleach. It will ruin your sofa.

4. "Social distancing." You're going to get so sick of this phrase. This means keeping people apart from one another (preferably 6 feet apart, and sanitizing shared objects). This public health strategy is our next line of defense, and its implementation is what will lead to flights and events cancelled, borders closed, and schools closed.

For now, you could limit face-to-face meetings, especially large ones. Zoom is an excellent videoconferencing option. If you spend time in shared spaces, see #1. Ask your child's school about their hygiene plan, if they haven't already told you what it is. If I were in charge of a school setting, I'd be hand sanitizing the s*** out of the kids' hands, including in and out of each space, and taking temperatures at the door. I am planning to email our school nurse right after this to ask if they need my volunteer help cleaning surfaces.

If you can telecommute, do that a little more. If you are someone's boss and they could do their job remotely, encourage them to do that.

Avoid large gatherings of people if at all possible, especially if they are in an area with cases OR places that lots of people travel to. If you attend group events and start to feel even a little bit sick within 2 to 14 days, you need to self isolate immediately. Like for a tiny tickle in your throat.

5. All your travel plans are about to get screwed up. If you are considering booking flights right now, get refundable tickets. ETA: most trip insurance will not cover cancellations due to a pandemic. Look for "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

Considerations for risks related to that trip you’re planning: how bad would it be if you got stuck where you are going for 3 to 6 weeks? How bad would it be to be isolated at home for 2-3 weeks upon your return? Do you have direct contact with people who are over 70 and/or have lung conditions? If those seem really bad to you, rethink your trip, especially if it is to a location where there are confirmed cases.

6. If you are sick, stay home. Please! For the love of all that is holy. Stay at home. Your contributions to the world are really just not that important.

7. There is a good chance some communities will see school cancelled and asked to limit non-essential movement. If someone in your family gets sick your family will almost certainly be isolated for 2-3 weeks (asked to stay at home). You could start stocking up with essentials for that scenario, but don't run out and buy a years' worth of toilet paper. Again, not the apocalypse. 2 weeks' worth of essential items. Refill any prescriptions, check your supply of coffee, kitty litter, and jigsaw puzzles.

8. I do want to remind everyone that when public health works, the result is the least newsworthy thing ever: nothing happens. If this all fizzles out and you start feeling like ‘Wah, all that fuss for nothing??’ Then send a thank-you note to your local department of public health for a job well done. Fingers crossed for that outcome.

9. Look, I think there are some positives here. All this handwashing could stop flu season in its tracks! We have an opportunity to reduce our global carbon footprint by telecommuting more, flying less, and understanding where our stuff comes from. We can use this to think about the problems with our healthcare system. We can use this to reflect on our positions of privilege and implicit biases. We can start greeting each other using jazz hands. I'm genuinely excited about those opportunities.

There is a lot we don't yet know about this virus. It didn't even exist 90 days ago. So stay tuned, it is an evolving situation. The WHO website has a decent FAQ. Free to email or text with questions, and you can forward this to others if you think it's useful.

May the force be with you.

Malia Jones, PhD, MPH

[email protected]

I’m an Assistant Scientist in Health Geography at the Applied Population Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I study social contact of humans, and spatial patterns of infectious disease, among other things.

P.S. The number one question I am getting is, did you really write this? Yes. I wrote this.

I didn't write it for professional purposes, so I didn't put my work email on it. It was really just meant to be an email to my friends and family in advance of what I expect to be an escalation in the panic level. But it was apparently welcome information and went viral on FB. I've decided not to edit out the swears, even though I wrote this with a much smaller audience in mind.

Thanks for checking your facts! Go science!

#COVID-19 #coronavirus #wash your hands #Social distancing #don't panic #but maybe just a little panic

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bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher · 5 years ago

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Fear Not, Fair Maiden

(Thank you @spielzeugkaiser for letting me write a story about your amazing art! This was so much fun and it’s so fluffy. I may have thrown in a little nonhuman-Jaskier as a treat but Jaskier doesn’t know so...)

Etheid is the baby green dragon that Borch rescues in “The Sword of Destiny” book. I thought I’d make that scene more interesting and less sad for everyone by sticking to the book canon version for this story.

---

Jaskier woke up somewhere warm and soft and definitely not wrapped in the raggedy blanket he’d fallen asleep with atop his worn bedroll. He groaned in confusion and rose into a sitting position on the soft feather mattress to better wipe the sleep from his bleary eyes. He was sitting on a beautifully carved mahogany bed with four posts and lovely hanging curtains made of pale pink gossamer.

“Where am I?” he yawned to no one in particular.

In my tower, a voice echoed through his head. The bard leapt from the bed, suddenly alert and terrified of whatever had brought him here. The voice returned, slightly frightened in its own right and clearly looking to soothe. Don’t panic! I’m sorry! I probably should have introduced myself better. Come to the window, my sweet visitor, and let me say hello!

“You’re not going to eat me, right?” Jaskier squeaked.

Of course not, Jaskier. You’re my guest. That would be highly indecorous of me.

“Monsters with manners. Finally some decent company.” Jaskier made his way confidently out onto the balcony surrounding the tower’s main room and glanced around. “Hello? How do you know my name?”

A large, scaly green head rose over the side of the balcony wall and Jaskier took an involuntary step back. A thin-slit reptilian eye blinked at him. Once. Twice. Then the rest of the dragon’s face and snout appeared. Do not fret, my dear. You are in no danger at all. I merely wish to see a performance.

“You want me to sing for you?”

That was not my purpose in stealing you, but I would not be adverse to some music later this evening. I’m sure your Witcher is already on his way here to rescue you. Jaskier swore he heard the dragon release a deep, dreamy sigh from its steaming nostrils. Ah, I wonder if he’ll climb the spiral stairs and try to avoid the traps or if he’ll fight me first and scale the outer walls.

“Wait a second,” Jaskier held a finger up. The dragon paused its daydreaming and looked down at its tiny human captive. Well, mostly human from what the dragon’s senses could pick up. Perhaps a bit of dryad in there somewhere. The semi-mortal’s connection to nature was stronger than most; ancient in a way that drew the dragon to him in the first place. Well, that and the handsome, white-haired Witcher who kept the bard close to his side like a favorite puppy. “You kidnapped me so that you could watch Geralt rescue me?”

The dragon’s enormous snout bobbed up and down as it nodded. The bard leaned heavily against the balcony’s edge and released a series of hysterical giggles. Are you alright, Jaskier?

“How do you know my name?”

You met my godfather, once. Borch.

“Oh, you’re the baby green dragon!” Jaskier perked up. This was an old friend, then. “My, how you’ve grown.”

And my, how you haven’t, the dragon observed. If the bard didn't’ know any better it appeared as if the creature was raising its eyebrow at him. You don’t seem to have aged a day.

“Haven’t I?” Jaskier glanced down. “Perhaps I’m just remarkably well preserved.”

Magic, the dragon shrugged. Anyway that is not my purpose here. I’ve grown bored with my usual antics and wish for something better.

“So you thought you’d make up some entertainment by bard-napping me?”

Correct.

“This is like a play, then? I’ve been given the part of Fair Maiden and Geralt has been cast as our White Knight? My Prince Charming, as it were?”

Yes, although you find Geralt’s animalistic tendencies and Witchery nature more alluring than any fairy-tale prince or wayward knight.

“Hey! Hands off my private, personal thoughts,” Jaskier cried, waving his arms at the dragon as if the gesture might sever their mental link. The dragon huffed out what may have been a laugh.

I cannot help myself, I apologize. My name is Etheid, by the way. So you can stop referring to me in your mind as Baby Dragon I Held Once.

“Sorry,” Jaskier shrugged. He laughed again, this time genuinely. “Do you think Geralt really loves me enough to come rescue me from an entire dragon? He knows you can’t be beaten with one or two flimsy swords.”

He is determined to find you, Etheid replied. He will be here in two days time.

“So until he shows up do I just...sing for you, then? Is there any food? Oh, is there a bath!?”

You’re the most eager and friendly guest I’ve ever had, Etheid rejoiced. There’s food aplenty in the cupboard in your room. Wine, too. I also have bathwater ready at your request and I can heat it to whatever temperature you like. I even have costumes!

“Costumes!?” The bard beamed widely and clapped his hands together beneath his chin. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet and even spun in a quick circle. “What kinds of costumes!? Is this going to be a tragic rescue? Is this going to be dramatic and romantic? You mentioned traps, what kinds of traps will Geralt be facing if he comes up the stairs?”

Eager to see your handsome Witcher again?

“Eager to make sure that he isn’t injured trying to save me from your lovely tower, here.”

He will be absolutely fine. These traps were made for squires to outsmart; he’s a Witcher.

“If he loved me as I love him,” Jaskier sighed wistfully, “Then this would be even more fun.”

Etheid considered telling Jaskier the truth about his Witcher’s romantic feelings for a moment but figured that it was Geralt’s job to do so, instead. The dragon could wait. The dragon could write such a fantastical scene that Geralt would have no other option but to admit his feelings to the jovial and kindhearted bard.

There are dresses, of course, but there are some lovely robes as well. You can take whatever you like from the chest at the end of the bed.

“You’re going to regret saying that!”

Go ahead. Do what human things you must. I’ll heat the water and be on my way; dragons need to eat, too.

“No pesky villagers, please. Stick to wild animals so long as I’m your guest?”

I am not a heathen, Etheid scoffed. Deer only for now. The forest is fat with them.

“Excellent. See you after dinner and a bath, then. I’ll sing you some lovely ballads.”

About your White Wolf?

“I wouldn’t exactly say that he’s my White Wolf,” the bard blushed. “But yes, songs about Geralt.”

---

Geralt reached the base of the stone tower and squinted up. It seemed endlessly tall against the rocky mountainside and the blue of the sky. Jaskier was up there, though, and the dragon was probably nearby. The Witcher had chosen not to wear his armor for this particular rescue mission; it would only make him noisier and this was a battle of the wits. Dragons wanted to be outsmarted, not slain.

Geralt remembered Borch Three Jackdaws fondly, the golden dragon that had shown him such kindness and taught him that not all monsters were to be feared. Well, Borch hadn’t so much taught Geralt about the nature of monstrosity so much as he had reinforced a previously held belief.

But that didn’t matter now. As he slid into the passage that led to the tower stairs his only focus was his stupid bard’s physical safety.

No, Geralt, the Witcher corrected himself firmly. He is not your bard, he is merely a traveler who chooses to spend some of his free time dallying about with you. He likes writing songs about your adventures and that is all.

He could hear the sound of a lute growing slightly stronger as he ascended, and kept his eyes peeled for any sort of traps or pitfalls. He sidestepped two swinging axes with ease and ducked beneath a flying crossbow bolt as simply as he breathed. This tower was for amateurs, not highly trained Witchers with unparalleled senses. Not the most graceful Witcher the Wolf school had ever turned out onto the path. Not Geralt of Rivia, Jaskier’s Witcher.

---

Jaskier stopped singing suddenly and set his lute to the side, as planned. He laid himself out as Etheid had suggested, the white cotton robe pooling around his bare legs and spilling rather nicely off his left shoulder. He’d cinched a soft blue ribbon just so around the curves of his waist. His hair was ruffled just the way Geralt liked it; the way it was when he saw the Witcher’s gloved fingers twitch at his sides, clearly aching to touch him but too afraid to make a move.

He’ll have to make a move this time, Etheid said. Jaskier could hear the smile in the dragon’s words. Get in position! He’s nearly to your room, Jask!

“Jaskier!” the Witcher cried, bursting through the door only a moment later. The bard could sense Etheid just outside the window, hidden by a thin curtain that hung from the back of an ENORMOUS four-poster bed. Geralt was too excited to find his precious bard safe to care about the looming threat.

“Geralt! You came for me!”

“Of course I did,” Geralt rolled his eyes. “You’re always getting yourself into trouble.”

Ugh, you’re so right. He’s horrible with romance.

Jaskier stifled a smile but Geralt caught it anyway.

“What’s so funny, bard?”

“My captor doesn’t find your rescue speech very romantic or amusing,” he said, pulling the curtain aside. Etheid’s large blue eyes were focused on the scene, waiting for something good to happen. The dragon had been bored for so long and he’d heard so much from Borch about this White Wolf and his loyal, loving bard. Jaskier whispered the next line as if Etheid wasn't’ supposed to be hearing it, “Perhaps you should make our little reunion more flowery?”

“Jaskier, I - uh,” Geralt swallowed hard and took a step forward. Might as well go for it, the Witcher thought. “I’m so glad that I made it back to your side in time. I’m so glad that you’re unharmed.”

“I knew you’d come for me,” Jaskier sighed, holding out his hand. Geralt stepped even closer, leaning down to press his lips against the petal-soft skin of Jaskier’s knuckles. The bard blushed softly and Geralt felt his own face heating up to match. “You always save me, even from the worst situations.”

“I always will.”

The Witcher had admitted his greatest secret aloud before he could stop himself and he watched the bard’s eyes widen even further. Geralt’s brand of gruff sincerity was unmistakable.

“Geralt,” the younger man grinned, tears gathering in the corners of his perfect, cornflower blue eyes, “I knew you loved me back.”

“You mean...?”

“Of course, silly,” the bard laughed, throwing himself up off the mattress and into Geralt’s arms. “I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you brooding at that tavern in Posada!”

“Oh Jaskier,” the Witcher gasped. His lips found the side of his bard’s pale neck and out on the balcony Etheid released a happy, contented huff. “I would give anything and everything to know that you were safe.”

“My sweet Witcher,” Jaskier leaned back, cupping Geralt’s face between his hands. His weight was now being entirely supported by the thick arm wrapped around his waist and he reveled in the strength of his beloved before leaning up to kiss him. “Then you must know how I feel every time you leave me on a hunt. Or go to fight with Yennefer about something silly.”

The Witcher could only press their foreheads together and breathe in the happy, rain-shower scent of his Jaskier. “Hmm.”

Excellent, yes! I can’t wait to tell Borch and my friends about this! Etheid cheered. Congratulations, Jaskier! I’m so happy for you!

“Thank you,” the bard murmured.

“Hmm?” Geralt hummed again, raising an eyebrow. Jaskier pulled his head away and shook it.

“Don’t worry about it. Are you getting me out of here or not?”

“Can you walk in this getup? Will the dragon just let us go?”

Jaskier shot a curious glance towards Etheid, who nodded.

Tell him you can’t walk, though. I want to see him carry you off to his horse and ride away with the white robe flapping in the wind. Maybe he’ll even wrap his arms around you from behind to keep you safe. Like a real princess.

“No, I can’t walk in this silly thing at all. Keeps getting tangled around my ankles; I’d probably fall down the stairs and kill myself.

Geralt swept the younger man up into his arms and grabbed his lute from its place on the floor. “Well, we can’t have that.”

“No, my Witcher,” the bard replied with a contented smile. “We can’t have that at all.”

---

And if one of Etheid’s curious friends kidnapped Jaskier a month or so later and three countries over then...oh well. More weird dragon friends for the both of them.

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theseathatsparkles · 4 years ago

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On Bugs

so for creative writing class we were told to imitate Amy Dillard’s writing style. This is the essay on bugs that I ended up making. Not Bleach, I know, but I thought someone might enjoy it.

This took so long to write oh my god ;-;

also, I am fully aware that not all insects are bugs, and that spiders aren’t either of the two, but. bug is much more fun to say.

Word count - 1500 on the dot

@despairforme THE BUG ESSAY. IT’S HERE. @onenicebugperday you inspired me to write a four page essay about bugs i hope you’re happy

When I was in third grade, I dropped a dandelion down the back of my classmate’s shirt. She was upset, having thought the rather inconspicuous dandelion was a daddy long-legs spider. She’d screamed, slapped me on the chest in an attempt to escape her arachnid harasser, and had decided to wage war against me for the rest of our time together in school.

I never was afraid of spiders the way she was. Spiders and snakes and all sorts of bugs, so long as I could be assured they weren't poisonous, had always held a special place in my heart - and, more often than not, my hand. Growing up in woody, wet Germany gave me a healthy dosage of ladybugs, crickets, and snails at a young age, and I never looked at a bug with anything other than fascination.

It’s the middle of winter, now. There aren’t many bugs around. Forty-two little silhouettes in the light above my desk, but none of them move, empty exoskeletons like shells. They’re probably dry, and if I touched one I’m sure it would crumble under my fingers. There seem to be more of them every time I look up; it’s the middle of winter, so the warmth of the indoors must be especially tantalizing. Right now, there isn’t any wind outside, but the world seems to be painted in shades of grey. Even looking outside makes you feel cold, and the drifts of iced-over snow outside of the window just emphasize this.

I have mixed feelings about winter. I love the snow, love having an excuse to stay inside wrapped in blankets on the days I don’t have school. I love that there aren’t mosquitoes to follow me around - I must taste good to them, since they always seem to swarm me. But the lack of the bugs I do like - spiders, caterpillars, grasshoppers, even the jeweled dragonflies that swarm our canoes in summer - makes winter feel especially harsh.

When I’m feeling more grey than usual, I turn to the internet to soothe me. My computer has a tab open - one nice bug per day. The third picture that appears on image search is a gorgeous skeleton leaf moth, the row under that containing a domino cuckoo bee. I smile, looking at the pictures. A photo of a hissing cockroach wearing a tiny paper party hat jumps out at me, curled around a leaf. I click on the picture, save it to my gmail by emailing it to myself. I’ll take some time to admire them later.

The bigger the bug the better, of course. Small bugs are hard to track, and the idea of one getting somewhere without me knowing about it gives me chills. That’s probably why I hate ants; they swarm up your legs and into your shoes and socks and it takes far too long to extract them all, and you feel phantom itches on your body for the next day or so.

The fear of ants is called myrmecophobia, and often goes hand-in-hand with entomophobia - the fear of insects. When I was young - still in Elementary school, at a time before my decision to quit soccer - I’d practice with my mom in the field a bit southeast of the elementary school tucked at the base of the mountain pass. The playground had been north of us. I always wanted to go back to the playground. The whole complex had been a good half hour’s drive from my house, so we didn’t go there often, but it had an excellent jungle gym and some new swings. It got hot easily, out there under the sun; if I didn’t bring water, the ninety-degree weather would feel twenty degrees hotter, the sort of heat that makes you lightheaded and grumpy.

But my mom had told me to play soccer, and she wasn’t the sort of person who you could say no to easily. I tried, of course, in futile attempts that would end with me in tears and my mom seething, but always ended up on that field, kicking the ball back and forth as my mom chastised me for skipping to the goal. Skipping, apparently, was slower than running.

I’d hated soccer.

It was one of those days that solidified my fear of ants. Wyoming doesn’t have fire ants or most other nasty biting bugs, so I was never in real danger, but that didn’t stop the whole experience from being traumatic. My mom, of course, had laughed about it later; it seems to be a habit of adults to take the irrational fears of children lightly. The ants crawling up my leg had probably been just as afraid of me as I was of them, but knowing that didn’t help any. Adults will tell you that the shark that bit off your arm was just as afraid of you as you were of it, but that doesn’t change the fact that your arm’s gone.

I’d been unlucky enough to step right in an ant nest, the sort that stays hidden by the short grass until something, or someone, disturbs it. It hadn’t looked different from the regular ground from my five feet, but the moment I felt a tickle on my leg, I knew.

I’d screamed. I think anyone would have screamed when confronted with one of their worst fears, so I never was ashamed of my reaction, even if I’d hated the exasperation and faint amusement on my mom’s face. The ants had come right off, lady fortune smiling on me that day, and I hadn’t found any tiny ant corpses in my shoes when I took them off that afternoon - a rarity; ants always seem to turn up in unexpected places post-encounter. I’d been paranoid, though, and had hopped around on one foot until I was a safe distance from the nest before shoving my hands down my socks to search for any lone ants. There were none.

I refused to resume play until I was positive there were no ants on me, of course. Even when we started the game again I was wary, taking light steps and watching the ground like a hawk for any sign of another insect. It had taken the fun out of the game pretty quickly, and we went home soon after.

The internet goes out for a moment, and the photo of the mantis I’m looking at shifts to a grey screen. I frown, take a second to stand up and stretch. My legs and shoulders are especially sore. By the time I sit down again, my picture has loaded again, and I scroll to the left to see a swallowtail butterfly looking out of the screen at me. They have yellow fur around their eyes and antennae, and look vaguely curious. This picture also goes to my saved folder to look at later, and I keep scrolling.

When I was in second grade, we studied bugs in science class. Not extensively; there’s only so much work you can get done as a scatterbrained second grader, and bugs weren’t on the top of my list of priorities. But we studied them, and after a few weeks our teacher imported seven Madagascar hissing cockroaches to be our class pets.

Nobody in my class was afraid of them; I think we were too young to be afraid of something as hideously cute as those little insects. They remind me of pugs now, disgusting in the sort of way that makes you want to coo over them. We’d kept them in a little glass terrarium in the back of the classroom, and took them out during lunch break and sometimes to sketch them during art. Our teacher had told us how to tell the males and females apart, but the information had gone straight in ear and out the other, like water through a sieve. There are two things I can remember about them now: first, that they would shed their skins sometimes and we’d have to clean out their terrarium; second, that if you poked their heads, they’d hiss.

The second thing was the most important to my little second-grade brain. My classmates and I took great satisfaction in poking the cockroaches and watching them puff up and make little hissing sounds like air coming out of a tire. They’d always make their funny wheezing sound, and we’d sit there for minutes on end - the longest amount of time our young minds could stay on track for - and tap them, giggling uncontrollably as they got progressively more frustrated.

I like bugs. I’m no entomologist, I would never spend my days in the wild watching them through magnifying glasses. But I still like them. Their colors remind me of spring and summer, and I love their size - perfect to pick up and put on a fingertip. They’re much more simple than people, never worried about money or jobs or politics. They have no worries, no fears.

I would love to be a bug.

#Sparkles writes #not Bleach #bug #bugs #insects

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sleepdeprivedheretic · 4 years ago

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Tongue Tied

Notes: This is another Valentine’s Day fic, except it’s a bit shorter.This is for those who rather have pure, straight up fluff

Setting: I wanted childhood friends au. OOC Tai, kinda. Tried to make it short and sweet for Valentine’s Day, along with my other fic that’s more plot-y and smutty tOTALLY does revolve around yokai: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29427309

When you first met him, you were both about eight. He was round, cheeky, and friendly, greeting you to the new neighborhood. Only being eight, and not really having any friends, you were rather shy. He grinned, holding up a bag of blue gummy sharks. Eagerly but hesitantly, you complied, and he beamed at you with a blush, seemingly to rival the sun as he introduced himself.

“-but ya can call me Tai-chan!”

Regularly, his mom and your mom became close friends, and often brought the two of you to the park. Him being the only familiar, friendly face, you followed him everywhere, like a little puppy. He would be always smiling and talking, falling in step beside you as he munched on whatever or whichever his mom had brought for him, sharing with you, and you offered your own snacks.

He grew on you, taking you everywhere, creating blanket and pillow forts, and promised that the two of you will be best friends forever. Although rather shy, you were extremely protective of him, finding your young self snapping at bullies when they’ve made fun of his weight, and making sure that he was alright. He would look at you shyly yet with a soft grin and rub the back of his head, telling you that you were amazing.

………………..

You were both ten. In two years, you’ve grown very close to him. Of course, his family and doctor worrying about his weight, had put him on a diet. He was still a little round, but had grown a few inches taller. You didn’t care, as long as he was your friend. Who you totally did not have a small crush on. Nope.

The two of you were in his living room, resting in your own separate sleeping bags as Bambi played on the VHS. No matter how many times the two of you seen it, his eyes would always water up when a particular scene came along as he shoved popcorn in his mouth. All you could really do was pat his shoulder gently, causing him to stutter and have the same odd red tint to his cheeks as he laughed nervously. You stared at his odd behavior, but shrugged, reaching for the popcorn as the two of you talked about future dreams and other things as the sleepover crawled on.

By this time, you’ve knew him a bit more, use to hanging out at his house, and his yours. Cooking and baking with each other’s respective moms, was a common weekend thing.

……………………………..

He’d gotten a bit more loud and rowdy, but was still sweet as ever. Of course, being twelve, the two of you were experiencing your own physical and mental changes. Voice cracking, outgrowing baby fat, the two of you were still close. He’d gotten many scrapes and bruises, however, while being rowdy and not as careful, and he’d grumble a little with a pink tint to his cheeks, as you hushed him, placing a Hello Kitty band-aid on his cut.

Although a bit more older, the two of you still drank Capri-sun, watched classics on his VCR, and he didn’t mind that you tagged along wherever he went. Imagine his surprise when you’ve gotten a little braver, not hesitating to cheer him on during sports tryouts, or started doing more things of your own without him. Of course, the both of your parents were wary of the two of you spending the entire night for some weird reason, but you still hung out for most of the day, swapping Pokemon cards and playing on the old gaming system while mindlessly talking like you’ve always done.

…………………..

High school was somewhat different. He was an awkward fifteen year old boy, but head-strong, tall, and a bit more lanky. You were still a little quiet and shy, but the two of you stuck close to each other like glue. He’d drag you to his baseball tournaments, and you’d invite him to your archery ones. He still was rowdy and somewhat of a hyper, cute klutz, grinning from ear to ear with pink cheeks as you sighed, wrapping yet another band-aid around his cuts.

You, being still young, had to bite down an odd feeling that came over you when he was surrounded by girls. You didn’t understand it, they were just being friendly, right? He looked rather uncomfortable, but was still red in the face as he kept making glances at you, a silent plea for help.

It’s when the bullying had started. The whispers and rumors, all because you helped him escape from a gaggle of young teens. He, being protective as always, shot glares and scowls at those who dared even came close to you, telling you that it was alright to defend yourself, and to call on him if he needed anything. So, while there was some bullying, the budding attention from kids hitting puberty, was a bit worse.

He was agitated for some weird reason, yet kept a dopey smile for your sake when you kept receiving love letters and confessions. You didn’t miss the relief in his eyes when you turned them all down, and vice versa when he stated that he wasn’t really interested in most of the people in your school. You didn’t fail to notice that he kept looking at you for an extra two seconds, but dismissed it.

……………

Senior year wasn’t as bad as freshman year. He, with all of his practice in sports and such, grew a bit of muscle mass, but at eighteen, was round and taller, around six foot, easily dwarfing you. Although older teens, you’ve kept in touch despite the crazy amount of tests, finals, and new friends. People were murmuring in awe at how the two of you were so close, and yet weren’t a couple. It didn’t stop either of your ears burning, but neither of you had either dated, only fueling those rumors.

He was very popular, as were you, despite your shyness and liking to blend in. Two peas in a pod, yet almost opposite personalities described him and you. You liking to read, and him liking to play sports and be outside. It didn’t stop you from following him around, him chuckling and ruffling your hair as you played a few games with him, or him hanging out with you at the library.

Of course, a lot of admirers from both sides were jealous because of the two of your closeness. You still politely refused the applicants of the love letters, and he, gaining more courage, stated that he wasn’t really interested in the gaggle of fawners who surrounded him. The two of you had constantly protected each other from unwanted bullies and too pushy one-sided interests while living your own lives.

It took longer than you’d like to admit, but you’ve gotten a part-time job as well as your license, him not wanting to be left behind, followed after. You forever had the image burned in your brain that Monday morning. He, waiting for you, sported a Letterman jacket, beat up sneakers, grinning wildly and proudly as he leaned against his new car. It was an older model, but you were proud of him, and plus, he was still doing things to your chest that you did not understand.

“Get in, Sugar, we’re goin’ fer a spin.” He smiled, holding up his new keys, and you couldn’t help but feel cicadas buzz gently within your stomach.

Prom was different. You weren’t really interested in going, and instead, the two of you spent the night at your house, baking cookies and listening to old songs on the radio. He smiled, wearing your mom’s apron as he swiveled to the music, causing you to laugh more than you should as he mimicked her, cursing about the neighborhood children and gushing about soap operas.

The tiny desserts ended up being burnt, his hair was wild, and the two of you were a laughing mess, reflecting childhood days.

By the end of the night, he looked like he wanted to say something before he left, but instead, gave you one of his warm, gooey smiles that made your heartbeat quicken.

……………..

College had a unique spin to it. Tests weren’t as frequent, but they were a bit harder. There were online classes, more deadlines, and yet, despite it all, nicer, calmer teachers. You, being an excellent student, earned your funding through the school. Of course you broke away from living at your parent’s house, and had to support yourself further by working, but it was worth it.

The dorm rooms were roomy, and your roommate, who was blessed with common courtesy, was kind and distant. He, attached to you at the hip, followed the same pattern, almost, except he’d chosen a different career. Oddly, he wanted to become a teacher, but the more you thought about it, the more you could see it. Always friendly, warm, and generous, an inner part of you knew that he was good around children, and it’d be a perfect career choice.

You yourself, only nineteen, had liked the idea of biology, studying animals and their habits. It also put the two of you in a lot of the same classes for the next four years. Despite studying, working, and worrying, the two of you had seemed to find extra time for each other. Granted it was more to study, but a lot of places were in the cafeteria, at the local coffee shops, and sometimes in your dorm room if your roommate was out. Within the four years before graduating, you’ve discovered more about your own feelings for the blond, and had secretly accepted them. You didn’t know of his own feelings towards you other than a very close friend, but you were surprised that he turned down popular, pretty people.

To say that you were relieved, was an understatement, but you couldn’t fathom why he’d turn down so many nice admirers. You’d accepted the fact that he might be asexual, or aromantic, and cherished him as your close friend no matter what the outcome might have been.

……………….

Graduation was celebrated with lots of laughter and cheer from both of you and your families. Not really having a place, the two of you, being really close, decided to rent together on a lease. Age twenty-three, the two of you had to struggle a bit to find jobs, but luckily, with his charm and endearing personality, it didn’t take him too long to land as a kindergarten teacher, and you, with your experiences and tenaciousness, landed in the science lab some miles over.

The two of you worked perfectly together, splitting bills and chores, making meals, it was almost as if the two of you were a couple, due to your wishful thinking. Which, to be fair, you thought and wondered a lot. What was the two of your relationship, what were you waiting for, and so on. It was growing on you, and you were feeling as if you had enough. Although not blaming him, you wanted to spend as much time at work as possible, staying away from the very being who made your heart soar and yet hurt from the questioning and pining.

He, being very keen, noticed immediately of your sudden absence. Going early and coming home later, eating briefly with that odd, distant look in your eyes as you joined in on his conversations, but it was as if you were replaced by something else. It was driving him mad, because in all of his years of knowing you, it didn’t add up.

One night, you came home to an odd sight. The table, although already set neatly, had your favorite dish set out on a platter. He sat there, pouring two glasses of wine as he stared at you.

“This ain’t like ya, Chickadee.” He stated bluntly, setting your glass near the platter, and you sighed, sitting down. Of course he’d notice, and although you felt guilty, you needed to give yourself space from the accepted, yet buzzing emotions welling within you.

“Ya wanna talk about it?” Was the silent plea, and you, caught off guard by the sheer hurt in his voice, found yourself nodding.

…………..

Present. The two of you, adults, sat at the table as he stared at you intently with a look of worry and hurt. He was your friend, and you guessed that it wouldn’t hurt to let loose your feelings, so he could know, and let you down, gently. Taking a breath, you started.

His eyes were widened, but he didn’t speak as you spoke. Letting the weight of your concerns and feelings be lifted off of your shoulders as you could only briefly make eye-contact. He was stunned, to say at least, but it’s what you’ve been feeling for years. As soon as you finished, you bravely stared at him, to drink in his reactions to your inner conflict. Swallowing thickly, he set his utensil down as he gave you a warm, heated stare.

“We’re both a lil’ dense, ain’t we, Sugar?”

You couldn’t help but nod a little as he stood up, walking over towards you to stare at you. It was your turn to look surprised, letting him cup your face, and lean in. Soft and warm, just like him, you couldn’t help but think as finally, finally, the two of you shared a kiss. The soft fluttering of butterflies within your stomach melted with a warm heat within your gut, surprising you in an instant as the two of you had broken away, him staring at you with a soft smile and a hot blush to his cheeks.

“Ya know how long I’ve been wantin’ to do that?” He asked rather shyly.

“Since we were eight?”

“Right on the nose. Ya as well?” He grinned, kissing your forehead gently at your nod.

“We gotta lotta talkin’ to do, but how ‘bout we start things proper with a date?”

You gently took his hand within yours, rubbing your thumb over the back in soft circles.

“Sounds perfect.”

………………

Short bc I had a 12k fic already done not too long ago, and this is for the crowd who just wanted fluff and cuteness.

#Taishiro Toyomitsu #Fatgum #Fatgum x reader #Like I had permission from a sweet artist to let me write the visuals in my other fic #And they gave me permission to post it on A03 #I was unsure about Tumblr so I left a link to my fanfic account

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