ajpsfunandgames

[ajpsfunandgames]

27+40=67

67+8=75

why's everybody like, jumping through hoops in their head lol

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[ajpsfunandgames]

Crisp early mornings, or balmy afternoons? For Mirlan?

Oooh yes~ As soon as I saw this ask, I was hoping it would be Mirlan getting it!!

For Mirlan? Definitely crisp early mornings!! Something about it is very "new beginnings" you know? And for Mirlan that means another chance at a great adventure of a day!

It also helps that Samson keeps the bed warm for him on winter days if he decides to sleep in, and while Dex sometimes accidentally stays up or gets up waaaaay too early, he's still a little brain-fogged by the time Mirlan gets up. So Mirlan gets a chance to wake him up a little more or start breakfast in the silence of the tapping of Dex's keyboard not far from the stove...

(It's a little funny, though, that Mirlan thinks a balmy afternoon might get Dex to go around a pool shirtless...there's no pool ANYWHERE near their house lol, it's 100% a hot weather fantasy brought on, somehow, by the way Samson eats popsicles in the summer - in the evening, after Dex and Mirlan have decided he's had enough for dinner lol)

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Last one, last one, I promise! I just couldn’t give up the opportunity!

One last time, my writing in case you need a refresher on my characters for the questions!

Send a number

1. What’s one animal you wish you could have as a pet but can’t?

2. Favorite thing to wear to sleep?

3. What song really gets you going?

4. Where do you usually eat your meals?

5. Favorite meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

6. Most embarrassing habit?

7. Chocolate or fruity candy?

8. Soft or hard tacos?

9. Worst way to break up a fight?

10. Best thing to say in an elevator of strangers?

11. What color/design are your bedsheets?

12. Any hidden talents?

13. Favorite thing to drink out of (mug, glass, etc.)?

14. Socks or bare feet around the house?

15. Favorite board game?

16. Do you sleep with the fan on or off?

17. Heat on or keep it cold with lots of layers?

18. Do you sing in the shower?

19. Favorite song to belt out at the top of your lungs when you’re alone?

20. Last thing you cried about?

21. At what age did you first have alcohol?

22. Relationship status?

23. What’s the most amount of money you’ve spent on a single item of clothing?

24. What do you typically wear to formal events?

25. Favorite memory?

26. Gum or breath mints?

27. Favorite shoes?

28. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

29. What is the natural state of your hair?

30. Have you ever had braces?

31. Most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?

32. Most embarrassing thing your parents have caught you doing?

33. Last time you had an orgasm?

34. Celebrity crush(es)?

35. Windows or Mac?

36. How old were you when you learned to ride a bike?

37. Makeup or natural?

38. What color do you wear the most?

39. Favorite season?

40. Umbrella or rain coat?

41. Have you ever fallen out of a tree?

42. First car you ever owned?

43. What time do you usually go to bed?

44. Are you a competitive person?

45. Least favorite color?

46. First pet you’ve ever owned?

47. Sweet or salty?

48. Favorite pasta dish?

49. Favorite kind of chips?

50. Talk about something you’re passionate about.

51. What are some of your hobbies?

52. Caffeine? If so, what kind?

53. Favorite kind of pizza?

54. Fast food or sit-down restaurant?

55. Lots of acquaintances or a handful of close friends?

56. Something that ruins your appetite?

57. Favorite labels about you?

58. Are you a religious person?

59. Night out with a bunch of friends in public or night in with one friend having deep conversations?

60. What size shoe do you wear?

61. Favorite thing about yourself?

62. Have you ever told someone you loved them first?

63. Have you ever had sex on the first date?

64. Heroes or villains?

65. Favorite fruit?

66. Least favorite fruit?

67. Favorite vegetable?

68. Least favorite vegetable?

69. How many plates can you eat at a buffet?

70. Favorite dessert?

71. Do you play any sports?

72. Age you learned how to swim?

73. Tell a funny story.

74. What’s one interesting thing about your culture?

75. What’s one annoying thing about your culture?

76. What job would you be terrible at?

77. Would you rather watch a TV show or a movie?

78. What’s your favorite compliment to give?

79. What’s your favorite compliment to receive?

80. Has your opinion changed on something recently?

81. Do you always order the same thing at a restaurant or order something different each time?

82. What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?

83. If you could learn to do anything right now, what would it be?

84. Favorite physical feature about yourself?

85. Least favorite physical feature about yourself?

86. What’s one amazing thing you did that nobody was around to see?

87. If you could change your height, would you?

88. What’s something you would rate 10/10?

89. Heels or flats?

90. What’s something you wish you had more knowledge about?

91. Would you want to be famous?

92. What’s something you would get arrested for?

93. What’s your spirit animal?

94. What’s the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to you?

95. Are you the type to have an organized mess, or no mess at all?

96. Do you tend to make decisions based on the past, present, or future?

97. Are you a planner or a more spontaneous person?

98. Thoughts on the oxford comma?

99. What do you hope never changes?

100. How would you celebrate your 100th birthday?

[ajpsfunandgames]

Heeeere’s the work I’m trying to get character questions for!! Thank you in advance for Participating!!

Light academia asks:

📚 Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?

💡 Poetry or prose?

📖 Paperback, hardback or ebook?

📜 Crisp new books, or second hand shop finds?

🏠 Where is your favourite reading spot?

💘 Austen or Brontë (which Brontë you ask? Well that is up to you)

❤ Romance or tragedy?

💀 Fairy tales or horror stories?

💬 Which languages would you like to learn?

💭 Which languages do you already know?

🎻 Do you play any instruments? What would you like to be able to play?

🏺 Art galleries or museums?

🎭 Musicals or plays

👑 Theatre or film?

🎶 What music are you currently listening to?

💃 Dancing under the stars, or comfortably at home in your living room?

🎓 Something you aspire to academically

🖌 Do you make colourful or monochrome notes?

🖍 What is your most used highlighter colour?

✒ Ballpoint or fountain pen?

🕯 Late night or early morning study?

🐝 Do you prefer to study somewhere with a buzzing atmosphere? Or in meditative silence?

🍎 What is your favourite study snack?

🧬 What is a subject area/topic you are interested in at the moment?

🏛 Are you in school or tertiary study?

🥼 Turtlenecks or blouses?

🐕 Plaid or houndstooth?

👞 Oxfords or brogues?

👗 Flowy whimsical clothes or structured garments?

🧥 Blazers or cardigans?

⚘ Fresh flowers or houseplants?

🌳 Walks in the park, or through winding streets?

☀️ Crisp early mornings, or balmy afternoons?

✨ Do you prefer black and white, or sepia toned old photographs?

🥂 Mugs or teacups?

🍵 Do you like tea? What's your preference? (Black, green, fruit, herb etc)

☕ Do you like coffee? If so, how do you like it?

[ajpsfunandgames]

Oh my gosh, My First Kofi!!

I am double-extra excited guys, this was my first Kofi and it’s to share some writing I’ve been keeping a bit of a lid on! I’ll say it was inspired originally by Thomas Sanders’ “Sanders Sides” in that I isolated portions of my personal ideology (and sensory-related issues) and put them into each character specifically in a very careful way to weave together a story of life and love, and honestly how strange love is.

Here’s the prolouge! I’ll reblog this with the first chapter in a bit, which will be under a readmore whereas the prolouge will be out in the open here!

\

“I guess I’m a…jack of all names!”

“…Your name is Charlie.”

“Well-“

“Oh my GOD, Poindexter, it’s an expression!”

“But my name IS Dex.”

“Grrr…” *soft laughter* *gasp from Charlie and stares from Dex and…"growly”*

“You-“ “OH that was sweeter than chocolate, honey!” *Dex turning to Charlie* “Chocolate honey?”

“You missed a comma there, D. Chocolate comma honey.” “Ah.”

“Is NO ONE going to talk about this?? He LAUGHED. Mr. I Hate Emotions, Mr. ‘My Name Is Stupid, Don’t Bother Saying It’ Samson LAUGHS at MY WITTY REMARKS!” *pride straightens his back*

“And yet YOU use your own name least of all and rely on my confusion at your ‘witty remarks’ in order to make them funny.” *his back bows under the pressure of the words* “So tell me, if I am ‘Poindexter,’ who are you?”

“…A manifestation of deflated ego…?” *Samson and Charlie are silent, though Charlie is biting his lip. Dex raises his eyebrow. He sighs in a way that is both defeated and unabashedly relieved.* “Mirlan.”

Mirlan, named after the great sorcerer Merlin, who everyone doubts ever existed but who nonetheless helped shape AND destroy the kingdom of Camelot. The man BEHIND the ruler King Arthur, who Mirlan strived so hard to be instead.

But Dex didn’t want to hear any of that…

Samson (no shortening no shortening, shortening is Not Allowed)

Dex (simple. Easy to say and easier to shorten. Ideal for one with limited time like my parents were, but. Far Better for Samson with his limited speech, on occasion.)

Mirlan (man of dreams. And indecision because his name got changed twice! A THIRD TIME are you kidding me??? No. I refuse. This is Your Name, SIR)

And, of course, Charlie

But let me start this story from the beginning…at least the place that I think is worth starting at…

It starts with Charlie, as things tend to do, but also with Dex. And how genuinely opposite they are for two people that have the same simple goal. Love.

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Put the question and what characters you want to answer it: Mirlan, Dex, Charlie, or Samson! Or “All” if you want to hear a little bit from everybody!! I’ll answer them in order of what comes in first!

(And if you’re wondering what I’m talking about - as I often do - I’ll reblog the prologue and first two chapters of my work next!)

Soft Asks ♡

1. What's your favorite constellation?

2. Do you prefer tea,coffee or hot chocolate?

3. What's your favorite mythical creature?

4. Which type of weather do you feel most comfortable in?

5. Do you have any hobbies? If so,what?

6. Favorite fruit?

7. What's a song that makes you happy?

8. Puppies or kittens?

9. What's your favorite holiday and why? How do you celebrate it?

10. Daytime or nighttime? Which do you prefer?

11. Do you collect anything? What?

12. Museums or carnivals?

13. Hugs or kisses?

14. What's your favorite season?

15. What's a topic that fascinates you?

16. Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh?

17. What's your favorite book?

18. Which genre of movies/shows is your favorite to watch?

19. Who is your favorite historical figure and why?

20. Which color best represents you?

21. Do you believe in the paranormal?

22. What's your all time favorite song?

23. What's your favorite perfume scent to wear?

24. What are your religious beliefs?

25. Paintings or sculptures?

26. What's your favorite word?

27. Who do you love most in your life?

28. Do you believe in soulmates?

29. Who is your favorite fictional character?

30. What's your favorite musical?

[ajpsfunandgames]

Character Questions

Does anybody wanna ask me about my characters, please?? I am in DIRE need of motivation to get things Really Moving in chapter 3 of my story, but there’s So Much in my head that there’s also Nothing at the same time and it’s Very Ugh.

I’ll see if I can reblog one of those question list thingies, too! But if you guys think of any questions for yourselves, then that’s A+ and I’ll try to answer them, too!

[ajpsfunandgames]

IT  B E G I N S

Sunday MegaStream!!

I'll be trying to stream pretty much throughout the day on Sunday, just doing some Fun Chatting~

Feel free to join me on Twitch!

[ajpsfunandgames]

Sunday MegaStream!!

I'll be trying to stream pretty much throughout the day on Sunday, just doing some Fun Chatting~

Feel free to join me on Twitch!

[ajpsfunandgames]

I LOVE Saffron!!

If actual saffron isn’t as pink as her hair, I will riot

https://clips.twitch.tv/PeacefulMoralGrassFreakinStinkin-zPvnu6JagWtkFXW8

(want to see more? Check out the full playthrough I did on Twitch~!)

And maybe make a little donation to my PayPal or check out my writing on Kofi while you’re at it?~

[ajpsfunandgames]

Look at me! I figured out how to make a clip from a Twitch Stream after having to restart my stream twice lol~

[ajpsfunandgames]

AJ’s Business Venture

Okay guys, hello and Welcome!

I’m trying a Little something here in the hopes that I can supplement my income (which is near-nonexistent right now) for awhile while ALSO honing and broadcasting my Writing Skills!

I’m offering up writing-related commissions! Primarily writing itself, up to 1000 words for $8 MAX (bigger projects are open to discussion!), and beta reading! The beta reading depends on the length of the piece you want beta-read AND the “level” of beta you want.

I split “beta reading” into Two Levels/Categories: general story reaction - such as what I like, dislike, and some plot-related questions - and grammar and structure. Grammar and Structure are generally going to be a bit more expensive, but not by much! In general, beta reading will be person-by-person and anything longer than 5 full chapters (roughly 5 or more pages per chapter) will be baseline $10.

I’m also open to doing some work on things like emails and resumes for $3 a piece! And, last but Not Least, you can commission me to share a bit of my Own Writing for the price of roughly a $1 or more! The more “special” I consider the commission (in terms of Interesting Number Combinations) for my own writing, the more Special the portion of writing I will release!

Here’s my PayPal, and my Kofi, and I’ll try to release a bit of writing that I haven’t aired out before Very Soon!!

[ajpsfunandgames]

I have an AO3 now, and it’s “linked” to my Kofi in the sense that I’ll be giving updates for it there! What’s a work you’d want to see up there?

@kieraelieson wanted to see some G/t, and I love the idea of getting into that specific section of tropes and the way characters can interact so softly with smaller intellectual beings is just Epic in my brain for the fluff levels lol.

AJ’s Business Venture

Okay guys, hello and Welcome!

I’m trying a Little something here in the hopes that I can supplement my income (which is near-nonexistent right now) for awhile while ALSO honing and broadcasting my Writing Skills!

I’m offering up writing-related commissions! Primarily writing itself, up to 1000 words for $8 MAX (bigger projects are open to discussion!), and beta reading! The beta reading depends on the length of the piece you want beta-read AND the “level” of beta you want.

I split “beta reading” into Two Levels/Categories: general story reaction - such as what I like, dislike, and some plot-related questions - and grammar and structure. Grammar and Structure are generally going to be a bit more expensive, but not by much! In general, beta reading will be person-by-person and anything longer than 5 full chapters (roughly 5 or more pages per chapter) will be baseline $10.

I’m also open to doing some work on things like emails and resumes for $3 a piece! And, last but Not Least, you can commission me to share a bit of my Own Writing for the price of roughly a $1 or more! The more “special” I consider the commission (in terms of Interesting Number Combinations) for my own writing, the more Special the portion of writing I will release!

Here’s my PayPal, and my Kofi, and I’ll try to release a bit of writing that I haven’t aired out before Very Soon!!

[ajpsfunandgames]

Oh my gosh, My First Kofi!!

I am double-extra excited guys, this was my first Kofi and it’s to share some writing I’ve been keeping a bit of a lid on! I’ll say it was inspired originally by Thomas Sanders’ “Sanders Sides” in that I isolated portions of my personal ideology (and sensory-related issues) and put them into each character specifically in a very careful way to weave together a story of life and love, and honestly how strange love is.

Here’s the prolouge! I’ll reblog this with the first chapter in a bit, which will be under a readmore whereas the prolouge will be out in the open here!

\

“I guess I’m a…jack of all names!”

“…Your name is Charlie.”

“Well-“

“Oh my GOD, Poindexter, it’s an expression!”

“But my name IS Dex.”

“Grrr…” *soft laughter* *gasp from Charlie and stares from Dex and…"growly”*

“You-“ “OH that was sweeter than chocolate, honey!” *Dex turning to Charlie* “Chocolate honey?”

“You missed a comma there, D. Chocolate comma honey.” “Ah.”

“Is NO ONE going to talk about this?? He LAUGHED. Mr. I Hate Emotions, Mr. ‘My Name Is Stupid, Don’t Bother Saying It’ Samson LAUGHS at MY WITTY REMARKS!” *pride straightens his back*

“And yet YOU use your own name least of all and rely on my confusion at your ‘witty remarks’ in order to make them funny.” *his back bows under the pressure of the words* “So tell me, if I am ‘Poindexter,’ who are you?”

“…A manifestation of deflated ego…?” *Samson and Charlie are silent, though Charlie is biting his lip. Dex raises his eyebrow. He sighs in a way that is both defeated and unabashedly relieved.* “Mirlan.”

Mirlan, named after the great sorcerer Merlin, who everyone doubts ever existed but who nonetheless helped shape AND destroy the kingdom of Camelot. The man BEHIND the ruler King Arthur, who Mirlan strived so hard to be instead.

But Dex didn’t want to hear any of that…

Samson (no shortening no shortening, shortening is Not Allowed)

Dex (simple. Easy to say and easier to shorten. Ideal for one with limited time like my parents were, but. Far Better for Samson with his limited speech, on occasion.)

Mirlan (man of dreams. And indecision because his name got changed twice! A THIRD TIME are you kidding me??? No. I refuse. This is Your Name, SIR)

And, of course, Charlie

But let me start this story from the beginning…at least the place that I think is worth starting at…

It starts with Charlie, as things tend to do, but also with Dex. And how genuinely opposite they are for two people that have the same simple goal. Love.

[ajpsfunandgames]

Happy Birthday Thomas!  @thatsthat24

You asked and I have delivered! Please enjoy this piece of the Mindpalace as a treehouse with the main four. I only had a week so I kept it pretty simple, but it was super fun to design. There are lots of fun little details and references as well!

Let me know how many you can find or guess what they are a ref to. :3

[ajpsfunandgames]

(so life just like. Stole me for a little over 24 hours, but that Aside, here is Chapter One! I sincerely welcome ideas for the chapter title, by the way, as I don’t...really Have A Good One for this chapter ^^’)

Valentine’s Day. A day designed more around the commercialized idea of love than around love itself. Hence why Dex does his Valentine’s Day shopping a minimum of 24 hours after, though something closer to 48 is preferable.

Mirlan, for all his romanticism, had decided to lead up to a grand dinner with hand-picked commercialized love items...

– flowers and chocolates. Samson received the chocolates and Dex the flowers. Not that he was complaining, of course – the flowers, despite being scoffed at for “the humor effect” that Mirlan and Dex knew Samson enjoyed, were immediately and carefully placed in a semi-clear vase in the ideal positioning for sunlight–

“Uh, excuse me? I know it’s easy to get lost in thought here, with so many good choices-“ a person on the edge of his vision, which was blurred by. Well, by getting “lost in thought,” as that person had said. Dex turned his attention, and therefore his body, toward this intrusion and found it to be an employee of the toy store he had ventured into on a whim.

Mirlan had told him over dinner that Valentine’s Day wasn’t for useful gifts but rather throwaway ones. He didn’t like that idea, but made an effort to concede the point with something that had less “use” and more “aesthetic.” Stuffed Animals.

“-so maybe I can help you? It’s my job, after all!” the cheerful employee continued. A soft face with edges few and far between, notably the collar bone and the very edges of his glasses that led to the temple just an inch or so above them. But even that was softened by the employee’s internal light, which seemed like a mini-sun.

And was looking right at him. Right, a question. ‘Questions need answers, Dex’ Mirlan would say.

“Ah, yes, that would be quite helpful. I’m afraid I’ve never been here before, though I’ve seen this store from the street.” Now more a supernova than anything, the employee perked up at hearing that. For what reason, though, was beyond Dex’s understanding at this time, and he thought maybe now wasn’t the time to ask. Samson and Mirlan came first.

“Yeah? Well that’s great! That you’re here, I mean. So, what are you looking for? A work gift, maybe something for family or a lover or-“

“I’m afraid it’s rather undefined. The gift I’m searching for could fit family or lover both, but neither sounds quite right…” lost in thought about the idea of societal-defined labels for the briefest moment, Dex didn’t see the dimming and brightening of the employee as his words were considered more strongly than anticipated.

How does one sell commercialized love items for a love without definition?

And then the employee, cautious in a way that had nothing to do with the question itself, asked that very question.

“Then…can I ask what DOES sound right to you? About this person?” Lost as he had been, Dex was never one to waste an opportunity to tell someone about Mirlan and Samson. Especially at so crucial a time, when more than anything he wished they were here with him. They just made things like this better.

“People, actually. Two of them. Loosely speaking, they could both be called ‘partners.’ Both of them are equally dear to me, but for different reasons. Hence, I am attempting to find two different kinds of stuffed animals for them. Preferably one for each.” So busy talking in a way that Mirlan would call ‘waxing poetic’ and Samson would likely be hiding from the embarrassment of, Dex truly didn’t notice that he was being led to the left corner of the toy store, just past the register. Until he saw the enormous, nearly overwhelming, wall of Sheer Fluff the employee was gesturing to with another sunny smile.

“Stuffed animals, then! I always love how soft they are. So let’s start with the first person, then. What do you think they would like?” Again shaken out of both his contemplation and his staring, Dex turned his attention to the employee, who once more seemed to be in proper selling form. Start with one? Not both together? But who first?

“…Something soft. Small. Easy to hide but also easy to display. Of a consistent texture, if possible. No excess frills and such to the face.” This time, Dex made a point of staring directly, intently, at the employee in order to avoid getting lost in thoughts of Samson and how gently such a toy would be held– focus! He needed to buy it before he could find out how Samson would enjoy it!

And that is when Dex saw, to his true disbelief, the consideration the employee was putting into a request that felt so ridiculous to him. Something consistent but also easy to display? It could be so easily tarnished if put on display and its consistency subsequently ruined. Soft and small but easy to hide without losing? Samson would get so sincerely upset if a stuffed animal was lost, after all, and small things are so Very Easy to lose. How could an employee even THINK about all of those things at once?

And yet a hand, steady with patience and humble confidence, reached out for just such a toy.

Rather short artificial tuft-hair colored a soft pinkish-purple, leaning more toward purple, of course. A chain of simple, cool metal with a plastic-coated pink clip on the end. A face of simple, slightly brighter, or perhaps more pure purple string for a mouth and the tiniest Dot for a nose. It was nestled between two slightly large, round glassy eyes of a surprising darker blue color that contrasted beautifully with the pastel of the rest of the stuffed animal.

‘Perfect’ wasn’t a word that Dex liked to use, but there wasn’t another in the modern American-English language that could describe it. It was everything Dex was thinking and yet more than he had ever thought to expect. But how…

“How did you know? That purple is one of his favorite colors…?” And in the surprise of that question the stuffed animal took the opportunity to tumble from the employee’s hand and Dex had to reach out to let it fall into his own. Yes, very soft, just like Samson would wish for. But first, his question.

“Oh! I-sorry. I didn’t mean to-uh, to drop it. But I’m also sorry because I didn’t know. I guess I just thought, when you said soft, that ‘purple is the softest color,’ and started looking there.” Sincerity bled from the words in a way that showed the employee’s nervousness was more about being thought of as “cheating” at something rather than from actually doing anything wrong. Dex had to push aside his own wonderment for a moment, because he knew what this meant Very Well from Samson – this employee needed reassurance. In an appropriate manner for one’s place of employment, of course.

Think soft, Dex. Like purple…

“It’s quite alright, no harm was done. I was just. Surprised, it seems. I hadn’t considered before that the color purple had a tactile sensation rather than simply a visual one…” And, distracted again, he looked down at the stuffed animal, this ‘perfect’ thing, and moved to the right just enough to set it on the checkout counter. Out of harms way, and yet surprisingly easy to keep an eye on. It seemed to attract attention in a way unlike anything else in the store. Yes, that would do Nicely for someone as special as Samson was to Dex.

But now he turned back to the employee and, attempting to gather for himself the confidence and surety the employee had previously, Dex asked a question of his own.

“What next?”

And so it continued, but not so simply, onto Mirlan, too. Mirlan deserved the same amount of care as Samson received in a gift, after all. Though perhaps a little…flipped.

“Big, obnoxiously so. Something that couldn’t be ignored. But it also needs to be easy to move through or bury fingers in, so maybe something with longer faux-hair? And red-“ Dex was truly glad to remember to include Mirlan’s favorite color but…

“-reddish-orange, I believe is the term.” Mirlan would also want it to be something that Samson and Dex himself could look at, in order to ‘share in the beauty’ as Mirlan would often say when rearranging their wardrobes after shopping when they were a bit younger. Something that can’t be forgotten, Dex made a point not to say.

And again, the employee took what felt to Dex to be barely a moment and yet a lifetime to consider before…running away?? A skip in their step and shining stardust trailing from overworn shoes, the employee tapped a slightly shorter colleague on the shoulder before darting off into a place Dex knew not to follow. He was on his own again, then?

But the colleague smiled in a way that said ‘not to worry’ but somehow also ‘oh jeez’ and then it didn’t matter what Dex was thinking because there was a clatter as his employee almost tripped around the corner carrying something far too large to comprehend and –

And ‘forbidden area’ be damned, he Couldn’t just let a person FALL. Reflex took over brain and for a moment Dex felt like he’d dived into water but instead of cool liquid he touched fake hair warmed by human flesh and he straightened, pulling it all up just an inch with him as he steadied himself and also the unexpectedly light load of stuffed animal and man.

“Oh! Thanks! I guess sometimes when I’m excited I also get clumsy. But look at this!! I was saving it for the end of my shift so I could take it home because no one wanted it on Valentine’s, but I think it’s Exactly what you were talking about for your second person!” And steady once more, the employee stepped back while Dex stayed in place, and into view came a stuffed animal over a third of Dex’s own size.

The very same marble eyes in iridescent, sparkling black with a protruding painted nose rather than one put in with fabric. A mouth turned up into what Dex could only describe as the most mischievous smile he had ever seen on an animal, in pink to bring light to an otherwise darkened, plain face. But now that he looked closely, that plain face had little speckles just dark enough to be overtaken by the black of the eyes and only noticeable if one looked up from the mouth instead. Sparkles. Oh dear.

But more than that, Dex had felt the hair. It was strong enough to take a pull but delicate enough to feel like ‘comfort,’ if he had to put a word to it. From white to splotches of soft color at the tips, the hair away from the face practically stole all attention once noticed. Tie-Dye, but with a purpose rather than a randomness.

But most interesting of all was the velvety soft, strangely fur-covered bow nestled right at the neck of a seemingly chinless stuffed animal, giving it definition where otherwise there would be none. It was a rich red that seemed to never end until it reached a slightly paler, but no less attention-grabbing, orange color that seemed to blend in with the white of the body’s fur in a way that made So Much and yet so very Little sense.

It reminded Dex of…orange ice cream, if he was being honest. A cool melting thing on the hottest of days, brought to life. ‘Perfect’ again, so it would seem.

This time Dex knew what to do, and so with a smile he began the process of gathering this piece of burdened perfection into his arms…

Only to remember something.

“You said you were saving this, yes? Was it for a loved one of your own?” The employee swayed a bit, in a way that seemed to have more to do with surprise at the question than any personal unsteadiness this time.

“Oh no. See, I have a LOT of stuffed animals and I just don’t like the idea of any of them being left behind. This one here-“ the employee hefts the stuffed animal a bit higher in their arms as if it wasn’t already plain to see. “-was a holiday special! It would’ve gone to a warehouse today without any of its friends, and we don’t even have room to display it. Soo, I thought I’d give it a new home! But with you, I think…I think it’ll find more love, don’t you agree?”

And there it was again, the incomprehensible concept of love in a commercialized setting. A word usually said flippantly this time of year, said with more care than any other. This employee truly believed that such an object was worthy of love, and that it could be found in the arms of a person they’d never even met, and somehow…Dex did, too.

Perfect, not because of what it was like Samson’s stuffed creature, but simply because it was. It meant something, everything, that Dex found in Mirlan and it would continue to do so whether Mirlan enjoyed it or not. Though enjoy it Mirlan would, Dex was sure, because maybe he finally understood what the other meant about ‘gifts from the heart.’

“Yes, I do agree. Thank you.” And now the transfer of arms finally took place, and the beaver settled in Dex’s hold with the same level of comfort and joy as the one he chose for Samson, burdensome no more and never again. And the ever-soft face of the employee came into view again as Dex shifted himself to the counter, only to realize the employee was tapping a finger to their lips with the same level of contemplation given to all of Dex’s descriptions. But he hadn’t said anything, had he?

“One last thing, I think, if that’s okay?” the employee said, reaching over without waiting for an answer to pluck Samson’s gift and something equally small from the leftmost side of the checkout counter.

“See, that got me thinking that maybe there IS something missing. A friend for a friend!” And the unknown object, almost materializing from thin air, it felt to Dex, came into view.

A little green bunny, small as Samson’s stuffed animal except for long, flopping, droopy ears of the same shade and thickness of hair as the rest of its body. A slightly shorter metal chain and smaller plastic clip, with a nose that was more flat and wide in a lovely pastel pink connected by a single line of thread down to the mouth. Those were the only differences Dex could find – a different, refreshing color and a slightly more cohesive facial structure to allow for the big ears to ‘make their mark’ on the bunny, as the saying goes.

But one thing still confused Dex, and so he turned just slightly, only with his head this time, seeing as his body was more worn out than expected from emotion, to the employee.

“A friend for whom?” And as it always seemed to, the use of proper grammar elicited a puff of laughter that Dex, for once, didn’t mind as the employee answered.

“Well, for this little one! I think of these as ‘hand-held’ stuh-uffed animals, and people usually have two hands to hold them! So one for each hand! Or sometimes so that a hand can feel different, even when the soft feeling stays the same!” And with that both of the small stuffed animals were held, each in one of the employee’s hands, in a way that almost made Dex feel like he was going cross-eyed to look at them. He…couldn’t decide which one was better. He’d been so sure before of which one was right for Samson, but now – now–

“Now they can both be Better Together!” Both? More than one? That was allowed??

…of course that was allowed, no one said a gift had to be singular. Two things. A pair. But was that fair, for Samson to have a Paired Gift and Mirlan to have one large one? Did they cancel each other out?

No. They just meant more somehow. Each of them made more sense together rather than apart, the longer Dex thought about it. Much like he, Samson, and Mirlan did. Yes, all three of them.

With that decision made, Dex could finally nod. Something that reflected his feelings and his self. Something that truly meant all three of them could only BE three items. To the counter the employee went – with the precious cargo of Dex’s love. It felt so flimsy, and yet so strong.

“I’m really glad.” A smile from the employee, equally strong and brittle like the clearest sun reflecting on ice for the first time, like he, too, could feel Dex’s love as it grew from his heart and into these things that moments ago were just objects to Dex. How Foolish he was then.

“But well. Since I went a bit overboard and got you three instead of the two you were looking for, I can try-“

“No need, but thank you. Sincerely. Things like this are worth any price in my eyes, so do what you will but I have no objections.” A slight shift against the counter brought the chain dangling from Dex’s breast pocket tumbling down, where the object on the end bounced once before finding his hand.

And with the ease of one as organized as Dex tried to be, he was able to slide a card out of the wallet and let it glide onto the countertop with only his index finger.

Quieted – maybe surprised? Preferably not irritated by being cut off in such a way, but if he was honest Dex found it genuinely distasteful to discuss money when it came to gifts – the employee input something into the register computer and carefully slid the card through before taking the initiative to gently hold the wallet steady from the bottom while putting the card back into place. Dex didn’t have to move a muscle, even though his hand did feel like twitching (and might well have done so out of his sight). The employee’s sense of care had shone through to him one last time as he held open a modest bag for Dex to drop the wallet into before putting the two smaller stuffed animals on top and resting the bag in Dex’s previously occupied hand so that he could leave.

Interesting, Dex thought as he carefully made his way out of the toy store. But what he meant was so much more: Heartwarming. Reaffirming. Hopeful.

And back in the store, the employee thought ‘So that is love.’ with all the finality of someone who thought only of the end, rather than the beginning.

But what a beginning it was.

Oh my gosh, My First Kofi!!

I am double-extra excited guys, this was my first Kofi and it’s to share some writing I’ve been keeping a bit of a lid on! I’ll say it was inspired originally by Thomas Sanders’ “Sanders Sides” in that I isolated portions of my personal ideology (and sensory-related issues) and put them into each character specifically in a very careful way to weave together a story of life and love, and honestly how strange love is.

Here’s the prolouge! I’ll reblog this with the first chapter in a bit, which will be under a readmore whereas the prolouge will be out in the open here!

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“I guess I’m a…jack of all names!”

“…Your name is Charlie.”

“Well-“

“Oh my GOD, Poindexter, it’s an expression!”

“But my name IS Dex.”

“Grrr…” *soft laughter* *gasp from Charlie and stares from Dex and…"growly”*

“You-“ “OH that was sweeter than chocolate, honey!” *Dex turning to Charlie* “Chocolate honey?”

“You missed a comma there, D. Chocolate comma honey.” “Ah.”

“Is NO ONE going to talk about this?? He LAUGHED. Mr. I Hate Emotions, Mr. ‘My Name Is Stupid, Don’t Bother Saying It’ Samson LAUGHS at MY WITTY REMARKS!” *pride straightens his back*

“And yet YOU use your own name least of all and rely on my confusion at your ‘witty remarks’ in order to make them funny.” *his back bows under the pressure of the words* “So tell me, if I am ‘Poindexter,’ who are you?”

“…A manifestation of deflated ego…?” *Samson and Charlie are silent, though Charlie is biting his lip. Dex raises his eyebrow. He sighs in a way that is both defeated and unabashedly relieved.* “Mirlan.”

Mirlan, named after the great sorcerer Merlin, who everyone doubts ever existed but who nonetheless helped shape AND destroy the kingdom of Camelot. The man BEHIND the ruler King Arthur, who Mirlan strived so hard to be instead.

But Dex didn’t want to hear any of that…

Samson (no shortening no shortening, shortening is Not Allowed)

Dex (simple. Easy to say and easier to shorten. Ideal for one with limited time like my parents were, but. Far Better for Samson with his limited speech, on occasion.)

Mirlan (man of dreams. And indecision because his name got changed twice! A THIRD TIME are you kidding me??? No. I refuse. This is Your Name, SIR)

And, of course, Charlie

But let me start this story from the beginning…at least the place that I think is worth starting at…

It starts with Charlie, as things tend to do, but also with Dex. And how genuinely opposite they are for two people that have the same simple goal. Love.