#| int. Leslie

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone based on: THIS SONG FOR THE VIBES connection: stranger, fwb, ex/old flame, another supernatural, a hunter, enemy/rivals to lovers👀, anything works, hmu if you wanna plot~

Losing herself in music, liquor, and someone’s body was Leslie’s plan for the night and she was well on her way to being blissfully intoxicated. Power buzzed just beneath her skin in an eager sensation to be released in whatever manner she’d allow, it aided in her lovely state as dark blue eyes slipped from pretty face to pretty face that danced among the large mass of bodies which moved as one on the dance floor. Darkness was interrupted by multicolored flashing lights which pulsed in tune with the beat of the heavy music, the sound vibrated the entire building with its loudness. The warehouse in the middle of nowhere, asking for danger and violence had drawn the blonde witch in like a moth to the flame, only… she was more of a flame than a moth.

She was an apex predator, blue gaze wandering until the movements of a particular body struck a shred of interest and Leslie let her eyes move over the object of her attentions form with a hint of obsession and a promise of danger. Roughly pink lips parted some as she hid a suggestive smirk behind her glass and consumed what was left in the drink she’d been bought, the arm around her shoulders dragged her closer to the man she’d been entertaining up to that point. The blonde laughed, though it wasn’t at whatever joke the man had told, her gaze was still fixed on the person she’d spotted across the dance floor and when they finally made eye contact her mind was made up.

Finishing off whatever was left not only in her own glass but that of the man she was sitting against, Leslie stood, prying herself from the man’s hold with little resistance as she shoved away. Prowling through the pulsing bodies Leslie kept her gaze on the other, making it obvious she was heading towards them. What her intentions past that weren’t made clear until she was in front of them, body moving with the music as if she had only planned on dancing with them and them alone, though the blonde couldn’t help how she reached out and brushed her cool fingertips against their arm. “Wanna dance?” It wasn’t exactly a question but a suggestion for more than what her words spoke, her eyes mirrored the suggestion and Leslie let her lips curl up at one corner as she flashed a playful smirk.

[dimepicture]

[grxmincvdescxnce]

SPECIAL DELIVERY ⸻ @hcark​​

RECIPIENT ⸻ LESLIE WATTS

there’s a general tidiness that lamai often tries to keep to, primarily in understanding that jasper himself was rarely so considerate. given he was a child of great imagination and poorer follow-through however, this likely surprised very few who came to meet and know him.

this otherwise duller afternoon would see his ‘pet’ mimicking his behavior in some form among their shared space, however, as piles upon piles were made in want of her apparently missing slippers. the chameleon must have searched every possible nook and cranny, every stray corner for her missing ballet wear only to come up woefully empty-handed and utterly frustrated. she had spares, of course, but breaking them in took more time than she had and more patience than prim cared to demonstrate at the moment.

a line of thought towards the last instance she recalled spotting them, with deductive reasoning leaping towards the city-hosted new year’s eve performance the company last held and the building it resided specifically, has her racing to make herself presentable. the chameleon shade soon bursts into the chill of the streets, a hope holding she may reclaim her unintentionally discarded things.

naturally, she doesn’t expect to be trailed after so apparently and quite so soon into her journey, if at all. what starts as a typical stroll escalates as calls from a strange man ring down after her. and as she’s certain she’s never crossed paths with such an imposing figure before, suspicions are plentiful as the brunette assesses how best to steer clear and keep out of sight, using whatever she can as temporary obstacles.

the moment prim is more or less certain she’s lost him as he seems to disappear rather suddenly in her maneuvering, the ballerina finds herself nearly crushed beneath the towering, unusual figure while glancing away from what laid ahead.

their bodies colliding as if lured in by unnatural, unseen forces, alarms are blaring in her mind as cheeks flush pink in a blend of embarrassment, surprise, and further seeping frustrations. without much thought to the action, her frog styled purse finds the blonde’s face, shoving it upward with as much force as tinier hands could allow as a command imbued by persuasive magic utters from her lips for the first time in ages. 

“— get off, boy!”

[bookyeom]

Hallo Leslie!! I finally had a free brain moment to look through your prompt ideas, and if you’re still open to requests, how about # 61 + 90 from the second list?

Hope your week is off to a good start!

A/N: I'm so sorry these prompts took 800 years to get written, but here we are. This one may or may not be inspired by Wait (it 100% is inspired by Wait). Enjoy!!

Please Don't Tell Me Wait

Pairing: Dino x Reader Genre: idiots to lovers, friends to lovers Rating: PG (because of the kissing ig?) Word Count: 2.3k Request Prompt: "you can tell me anything." Warnings: kissing, Lee Chan as a general warning

YN: I’ll kill you, Boo Seungkwan. I will

Boo: why? 😇

YN: What could possibly be so important that you ‘suddenly’ need to go to the mall all the way across town immediately, bring Vernon, Soonyoung and Mingyu with you, and cancel on movie night?? When Chan is already almost here?

Boo: giving you and Channie some alone time 🙂

You gape down at your phone. 

YN: you’re shameless. Evil and vile. Canceled. 

Boo: I think you misspelled thank you? 

Your next raging text is lost mid-type as your doorbell rings, and you straighten up in your seat. You have a quick internal debate with yourself about whether or not you should answer, but then you think about how sad Lee Chan would be if you didn’t open the door, and you find yourself moving without any more thought. Whipped, comes the unhelpful thought.

As soon as you open the door, you feel like you’ve been punched in the gut. Your breath catches just at the sight of him, wearing his favourite grey hoodie and a smile, and you don’t think you’ve ever seen anyone more breathtaking in your life. “Hi,” he says, and you want so badly to ignore the way everything around you feels a little bit brighter just at the sound of his voice. You are in so deep.

You let him in and he quickly makes himself at home. It isn’t the first time your friends have plotted to get the two of you alone, but it is the first time it’s been in such an intimate setting. Chan’s been over to your place so many times before, but always with one of the boys in tow. You hate how nervous you feel.

You’re nervous because you like him. When Seungkwan found out last month, pretty soon everyone within earshot knew, too. Somehow – and you thanked the stars for this – Chan didn’t seem to have a clue. 

One thing about your friend Chan: he was pretty oblivious, for the most part. You knew so many people who would kill for a chance with him, but he didn’t seem to notice or even care. He flirted with you – that much was clear. You weren’t naive. But he’d never once seemed to mean anything more than friendly banter, because that’s just who he is, so here you were. Pining unrequitedly after one of your friends, with your other friends desperately trying to push the two of you together. It was frustrating at best.

You can make it through this night. You always have fun with Chan, and talking to him is easy enough when you aren't thinking too much. You have similar taste in movies and snacks, he’s funny, he's a good listener… the list is endless. You like being around him. You can do this.

You manage to act relatively normal as the two of you get settled for the movie, even as Chan makes a joke about the guys ditching, even as you almost physically jump back when he hands you the popcorn bowl to carry into the living room, and your fingers brush. You’re fine, up until the moment you’re sitting on your couch with snacks at the ready, a semi-breathable distance between the two of you, and he decides to speak up.

“Can I tell you something?”

“You can tell me anything.” You answer without hesitation, because it’s true. 

“Well…” He pauses, and you meet his gaze with a raised eyebrow when he doesn’t continue. As soon as your eyes are on him and away from the TV, his lips turn upward and he says, “I think you look really pretty tonight.”

Your eyes widen, and you nearly drop the remote. You watch as the corner of his mouth lifts up even further into a smile, and you can tell he’s pleased with himself. He raises his eyebrows, waiting for a response, but you don’t have one. Your mind wants to ask it, wants desperately to just blurt out the question — is this a date? Are we on a fucking date right now? — but you refrain. 

“Chan,” is what you say instead, with a roll of your eyes as you hold out the remote for him to take. You know the effect his words have had on you is obvious with the way you’re reacting, but you can only pray that he doesn’t comment on it. “Just pick a movie.”

You would almost think he meant his words if he’d ever actually tried to take his flirtatious remarks any deeper, but he never does. It’s been months of this. It’s not that he’s mean, you know he’s not — you just think he doesn’t have a clue that you might actually like him. 

“I mean what I said.” 

You’re startled from your thoughts when Chan speaks again, and you realize that he definitely hasn’t moved to take the remote from your outstretched hand. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of you, either. 

You slowly lower the remote back down to your lap. “Have you been taking lessons from Mingyu again on how to flirt?” 

You watch as he leans forward slightly, that stupid, soft, teasing smile on his mouth yet again, and he asks, “Why, are they finally starting to work on you?”

You blink, staring back at him as all thoughts swiftly leave you. Your breath catches as his eyes wander across your face, and your own gaze can’t help but find his mouth. 

“Maybe,” is what comes out before you can stop it. 

Chan seems surprised for a second too, before he rights himself again. “Well,” he says slowly, “like I said... I meant every single word.”

His fingers gently pry the remote from your hand, eyes never leaving yours. He moves closer and closer, judging your every reaction, watching for any hesitation. He finds none. You let him draw you in, your back falling against the armrest and then he’s above you, his hands braced on the couch on either side. He’s gazing down at you so intently that you think you forget how to breathe. 

“How do I know that you mean it?” Your voice is quiet, uncertain. You know that you want this, that you want him, but you’re terrified that he doesn’t mean it in the same way as you.

“I can show you,” he returns, as serious as you’ve ever seen him, and you can’t stop your gaze from falling to his mouth. He takes that as a sign. And when he leans down, nose gently brushing against yours as he waits for permission, it’s you that closes the gap first. 

You kiss him, soft and hesitant. He responds almost immediately, pushing back against your mouth, a hum coming from somewhere deep in his chest. Like he’s been waiting. The thought makes your toes curl. Your hands find his waist, pulling him down to you as far as he can go, and you can feel him laugh against your mouth before he’s kissing you again, over and over, until you can’t think or feel anything but him.

You’ve never been kissed like this. 

He breaks the kiss first, his forehead falling to yours as he catches his breath. You’re both silent for a moment as you process, and you can feel your heart pounding against your ribcage. 

“Chan,” you finally say, voice quiet, your grip on the back of his shirt tightening.

“Yeah?” He mirrors your hushed tone, pulling away so he can look at you. He sounds breathless, and it makes you feel even dizzier. 

“I…” You trail off. You squeeze your eyes shut in a feeble attempt to lessen the effect of his gaze on you like this, but it’s futile. The look on his face, the one that you’d sworn to yourself all these months meant nothing, is permanently etched into the back of your eyelids now.

He doesn’t move at all as he waits, giving you time. The heat of him so close, his entire body pressed to yours, is so intimate, so overwhelming. You can feel him everywhere, can feel every breath he takes, and you wonder if he can feel your heart ready to burst out of your chest.

“Chan,” you finally speak again, voice barely a whisper. “If you don’t…”

His eyebrows furrow; you can tell he wants to speak, but he doesn’t. 

“If you don’t mean this,” you try again, your eyes still squeezed shut. “If this isn’t serious for you, then I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”

It’s silent, and your heart slowly sinks into the couch beneath you. 

Then he’s gently pushing himself off of and away from you. The feeling of disappointment quickly claws its way up into your throat, robbing the air from your lungs along the way. You sit up too, keeping as much distance between you as possible. Your eyes stay trained on your hands in your lap — you can’t look at him for even a second.

“Y/N.”

You feel your eyes begin to water in spite of yourself. Stop, stop, stop. 

“Y/N,” he repeats, voice soft, “I need you to look at me.”

You take a deep breath, feeling your lower lip quiver. You steady yourself before meeting his eyes, straightening your shoulders.

“Do you really not know how much I like you?”

You weren’t expecting that. The question hangs in the air as you blink back at him. “You—“

“I’ve liked you for so long… since that night when you were the only one who laughed at my joke at Soonyoung’s party.”

Your mouth falls open as you think back to that night — you know the very one. The same night that you finally learned his name — the name of the cute new guy your friends had been bringing around. That was ages ago.

“Oh.”

A few more beats of silence pass by until he speaks again.

“How could you possibly think I’m not into you? I don’t think I’ve ever been more obvious about something in my life.” He laughs nervously, running a hand through his hair. 

Your heart is beating triple time as you search for your words. “We’ve known each other for six months, and you never said anything.”

“Neither did you.” He raises his eyebrows in a challenge, daring you to disagree with him, but the smile on his lips gives him away.

“You have so many friends,” you say quietly after a moment, and you watch as Chan’s face softens. “I just assumed you treated them the same way you treat me.”

“I don’t,” he says softly, “but I can see why you might have thought that.”

“So many people flirt with you. All the time.” You don’t know why you’re continuing to state these things — you blame it on the fact that you absolutely cannot process that he just told you he likes you — but Chan just takes your words as they come. 

“I barely notice… especially when you’re there.” He bites his lip, tilting his head as he looks at you. “And people flirt with you too, you know.”

You let out a laugh at that, looking down at your hands. “I know.”

“But you didn’t know that I was flirting with you?” Chan asks incredulously, throwing his head back with a groan. You can tell he’s joking, and you can’t help the smile that passes over your lips now, too. 

“I did know,” you offer, and Chan sits up straight to look at you again. You continue before he can protest. “But I didn’t know if it was serious for you. And for me…” You stop yourself before you admit what you were about to, feeling your cheeks flush. 

For me, it’s serious.

“For you?” He prompts you to go on, and you can tell he’s trying desperately to hold back a grin, because he knows exactly what you were going to say. You let out a whine. 

“Stop.” 

He laughs. Then your heart leaps into your throat once more, because he’s reaching across the distance between you, finding your hand and pulling it back into his lap. “I’ll say it loud and clear so there are no misunderstandings,” he begins, thumb tracing lazy lines on the back of your hand, “I like you… seriously.” 

You know he’s teasing you again, but you can’t find it in you to care when you know he’s being honest. Your eyes fall to your entwined hands, mesmerized by his gentle movements against your skin, your heart near ready to jump out of your chest at the softness of it all.

“So…”

You look back up to find him bashful as he speaks, and it’s his turn to avoid your eyes as he chews on his lower lip. You suddenly realize what you think he’s waiting for, and you smile. 

“I like you a lot too,” you say, and when his gaze snaps to yours, you know you’ve said what he needed to hear. He smiles then, cheeks flushed and happy, and you’re enthralled by how shy he’s being when he had just been kissing you into oblivion moments prior. 

“Good.”

You beam at him, and he beams back, before he’s pulling you closer by your joined hands and into a hug. You curl up into his side, your head finding a place in the crook of his neck. 

“Y/N?” You glance up, heart stuttering a bit at the sight of him so close as you wait for him to continue. “For the record, in case you were still worried – I absolutely do not spend time with anyone else trying to ignore the way their lips move when they talk. That’s Y/N privilege.”

“Not even Soonyoung?” 

He’s kissing you almost before you get the teasing words out.

A/N: please please please reblog if you liked! it's what us writers rely on :)

TAGLIST: @dejavernon @minisugakoobies @starsstuddedsky @hopeinthebox @tae-bebe @eoieopda @savventeen @wqnwoos

Message me if you want to be added to the permanent taglist!

[roamwithahungryheart]

INT. RICHMOND LOCKER ROOM, DAY

Rebecca & Higgins survey the empty room.

HIGGINS You and me, Rebecca. We've seen it all, eh?

REBECCA

Lots of changes, though, Leslie.

HIGGINS

It's not the changes so much this time. It's that it all seems to be ending. You think kids want to come with their parents and watch the players training? Trips to Europe for the World Cup, that's what the kids want. Twenty-two countries in three days. It feels like it's all slipping away.

[DISTANT CHANTING from AFC RICHMOND PLAYERS IN UNISON]

Rebecca & Higgins lean out of the doorway to find TED LASSO in the corridor, flanked by RICHMOND PLAYERS.

TED LASSO

Sorry about the disruption, folks...but I always do the last match of the season. This year somebody told me not to. So I'm gonna do my kind of football with a great partner, who's not only a terrific boss, but somebody who's taught me that there are people willing to stand up for other people no matter what it costs them. Somebody who's taught me about the kind of coach I want to be. Miss Rebecca Welton.

This is how it's gonna end, right? RIGHT?!

[mjlovescm]

7- Sidelines

Completed, 30 chapters, “Grey” Fezco O’Neill x black fem reader

You had no idea who Jules was. According to BB, she was the girl who tried to commit suicide at Nate's party. According to Fezco, she was the new girl in town who looked like she walked straight out of Sailor Moon. Who ever she was and what ever she did or said to Rue, you were more thankful than she’d ever know.

It was a very occasional thing you and Rue having those sibling talks. It was never anything specific, but this time the main focus was Fezco. You dodged and denied all of your romantic implications and asked her about the girl she left Nate's party with. Instantly, she lit up just at the mention of her.

“Jules.” She said, rocking back and forth on her feet.

“Jules?” You repeated noticing Rue’s giddy tone when she said her name.

She didn't get into specifics because too quickly it became the two of you talking about Jules to you prying into Rue’s obvious crush.

“So you’re…”

You weren’t sure how to ask or if you even should. It was a sensitive thing, of course, but something you couldn't really tiptoe around for the rest of your lives.

“Yea.” She took a breath. “For two weeks now.” She sounded proud of herself, regardless of her solemn overall tone.

You kept your reaction limited, thinking it was the more appropriate reaction. You didn't jump for joy the way you wanted to, but instead you gave Rue a hug. One by how stiff she stood she wasn't expecting, but by how she eventually softened she liked.

Two weeks, fourteen days. It wasn't the sixty days Gia and Leslie thought it was, but it was a start, right ? And that had to mean something.

…

You were three months into being single for the first time in a year, and you were at that stage where seeing happy couples made you sick to your stomach. But still you were happy for Cassie and McKay.

“I wanna look cute, but not eager.” Cassie said, pulling two things from her closet.

“Then don't wear that top.” Maddy comments.

“This? I thought it looked good.” Cassie questioned. “I don't really know if I like this bodysuit, though.”

“Wait, why not, it's cute?” You asked.

The four of you continue to talk and looked through outfits, while Lexi did homework and Kat just sat on her phone. Holding a blue top over the pink one she was wearing, Cassie turned to you and Maddy on the bed.

“Love that.” Maddy said instantly.

“That's nice.” You added.

“Like, perf.” BB agrees, blowing a cloud of vape smoke.

She turns to Kat and her sister.

“Lex?”

She looks up for a second.

“Its cute.” Is all she says before returning to her homework.

Maddy sighs.

“I wish I had your collar bones.”

Slowly the door opens, Cassie and Lexi’s mom standing int the doorway with a glass of wine that seemed glued to her hand.

“I'm putting a lot of trust into you.” She says in a serious tone.

“Yeah, Cassie, don't get pregnant.” Kat jokes.

“That’s not funny, Kat.” she begins to walk in the room. “But don't you dare get pregnant.”

“Relax, mom. He has a roommate.” Cassie says matter-of-factly.

“I want you to keep your phone on throughout the night. Send me a photo when you get back to the dorm with a clock in it.”

You and Maddy look at each other with confused faces, thinking the same thing.

“Like a ransom photo?” Maddy questions.

“I hate you.”

“Well, I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Cassie says before pressing a kiss to Suze’s cheek.

She leaves the room, and Cassie continued to stress over outfits until McKay came to pick her up.

“Have fun, baby girl.”

You all stood outside watching Cassie run to the car.

“No funny business, Christopher!” Suze yelled and whispered something else to herself.

The upside to be single or the side that didn't make you sad was hearing about Maddy and Nate’s relationship issues. In all honesty, you wanted to tell her to just break up with, but that wouldn't be fair considering the fact that she listened to you complain about both of your ex’s with no complaints. You didn't really tell her what happened with you and your ex, all she knew was that he cheated on you and as revenge you ran back to Fezco. You loved Maddy, but still you could never bring yourself to share something that vulnerable, so the only person who knew was Fezco and Ash. “Do you think people are like 100 percent straight or like 100 percent gay ?” Maddy ask carefully.

“No bisexual people exist, asexual people, pansexual people exist sexuality is like a spectrum you can land anywhere.”

“Yeah. Totally.”

She takes a moment to think about your words, pretending as if she wasn't asking for a specific reason. But you could tell this was going somewhere.

“Do you think straight guys ever, like, watch gay porn ?”

“I-” You pause and swallow, knowing that you had to be careful with your next sentence. “Um, not if they are like 100 percent straight.”

“You said it was a spectrum.” She’s suddenly defensive.

“Okay, but the spectrum is straight on one side and gay on the other”

She sighs.

“I fucking hate this.”

“Is this about Nate?”

It was a natural instinct to ask if it was him whenever something was bothering her.

“No. He’s like super straight.”

“Is it your dad?”

“No. It's not about any guy that I know.”

There's a beat of silence.

“Okay look if I tell you something, you swear on your fucking life you won't say a word?”

Her sudden change of tone rushes you to grab your AirPods.

“Yeah.” You said connecting your phone to one of the AirPods.

“I saw some stuff on his phone.”

It's a very ominous response.

“Like… like I saw dicks on his phone.” She whispers.

Dicks plural as in more than one and by the way she was speaking they definitely were not his.

“Oh.” was all you could really say because what else do you say in this situation. “Um-”

Next chapter :)

All chapters ;)

[khaleesiofalicante]

Minnie's face claim and rosewood wedding fits please

I already did the rosewood wedding fits!

Minnie's face claim is Ella Gross.

Here are some pics I found on various insta profiles of her fam :)

Minnie with Magnus' pink teddy Sarah (magnus's insta)

Taken by Shinyun. Minnie in London. Found on Max's insta.

Taken and posted by David. Minnie's first successful baking lesson.

Taken and posted by Max during Adventures of Max and Minnie

Taken by Leslie and shared on the exec staff group chat calling her a "good girl"

Taken and posted by Rafael for one of his int women's day post

Minnie every time her family insults her love for raisins (max posted this and it turned into a meme reaction)

Taken by Alec. Not posted online. Kept on his office desk.

[uncannyprompts]

INT. DUNDER MIFFLIN SCRANTON - DAY

The office is buzzing with the usual chaos. Michael is at his desk, excitedly sharing a story with the employees.

MICHAEL

...and then, out of nowhere, the horse looked at me like it understood the meaning of life.

LESLIE

(Interrupting)

Oh, Michael! You won't believe what happened to me yesterday.

MICHAEL

(Annoyed)

Leslie, let me finish my story.

LESLIE

But mine is so much more interesting.

As Leslie and Michael bicker, the camera pans to Andy who's practicing his guitar nearby.

ANDY

(Interrupting)

Hey, Michael, did you hear about the guy who stole a calendar?

JIM

(From his desk)

No, what happened?

ANDY

He got 12 months.

The office bursts into laughter, even Michael cracks a smile.

Meanwhile, Kevin is playing with a toy horse, making it gallop across his desk.

KEVIN

(Voices the horse)

Neigh, neigh! I'm the fastest horse in the wild, y'all!

Creed, in his usual mysterious way, enters the scene with a box of donuts.

CREED

(Whispering to the camera)

These donuts have special powers. They can predict the future.

PAM

(Smiling)

Hey, guys, did you see this cute cat video?

The office gathers around Pam's desk, momentarily distracted from the chaos.

Suddenly, an envelope drops onto Dwight's desk. The camera zooms in to reveal strange cryptic text written on it.

DWIGHT

(Excited)

This is a message from the Schrute ancestors! I must decipher it.

As Dwight starts decoding the message, the office returns to its usual antics. Angela scowls at the horse noises, and Oscar rolls his eyes at the donut mysticism.

MICHAEL

(To the camera)

You know, sometimes this office feels like a zoo. But at least it's my zoo.

The camera pans out as the day continues with more absurdity, laughter, and, of course, plenty of horsing around.

[magnuswesterberg]

Planen

Med ett myller av elektronik omkring mig: laddarsladdar, fodral, hörlurar, kartor och elsigaretter satt jag inlindad i en gammal filt framför TV-skärmens eviga youtubebrasa till långt fram på natten. Tankar kring utflykten i morgon kom och upplöstes. Hade jag ställt fram allt på samma sätt som förra gången? Vindsäck, termos och Nalgenflaskan, energigel, Ipren, transceiver, stighudar, sond och spade? Bilder som alla utgjordes av ett ospårat snöfält med ledkryss utstakade i en rak linje mot horisonten kom och försvann inombords. Det drog kallt från glipan i ytterdörren och då och så knäppte det till i träväggarna när värmen pressade ut kylan som bet sig fast i hörnen. Jag får då ett kort telefonsamtal från Frankrike. Det är kvinnoröst som informerar mig att jag ska befinna mig på parkeringen i Rundhögen prick klockan 7. Med full utrusning och mat i ryggsäcken för fyra dagar ute på fjället. Vi ska leta efter henne som vi lämnade kvar på fjället i februari för 37 år sedan.

Det är på morgonen den 21 februari 1986. Patrullen når kalfjället på rekordtiden fyra timmar. De äter fruktsoppa och skinksmörgåsar i lä av ett flyttblock. Efter att de har återhämtat sig från den påfrestande stigningen, gått igenom utrustningen och repeterat planen en sista gång, sätter de av västerut mot toppen. Allt går fint till en början, men två kilometer från rastplatsen sjunker Toms stav djupt ned i snön. Han rycker sig loss och upptäcker bakom sig en hålighet. Patrullen stannar upp och finner i hålet där staven fastnat vad de minst av allt har kunnat ana – en förvirrad flicka som har grävt ned sig i en bivack. Planen äventyras, de förlorar tid och det ser under en timme ut som om alltihop ska gå om intet. Flickan behöver all hjälp hon kan få. Beslutet att stanna och hjälpa flickan är enhälligt. Patrullen för henne med hjälp av en provisorisk skidsläde till en närbelägen raststuga. Flickan ser mycket medtagen ut.

I stugan tänder de upp en eld, får i henne vatten och begår sedan misstaget att ge henne varmt kaffe. Flickan talar inte, hon ser oroligt på männen som har räddat henne och gör upprepade rörelser med sina stelfrusna händer. Ett slags teckenspråk. När kåsan med det rykande kaffet sträcks fram till henne är det som om hon ser sin chans. Hon tar ett fast grepp om kåsan och häller utan känsel i munnen i sig allt kaffet på en gång. Hon bränner sönder matstrupen. Ingen hinner hejda henne. Hennes kropp är så uttorkad att slemhinnorna i halsen förstörs, det är allt som behövs. Rött tränger fram mellan läpparna och fyller mungipan, hennes ögon rullar bakåt och ögonvitorna blir synliga. Det är över på några minuter. Patrullen har inte haft någon muntlig kontakt med flickan när hennes blick stelnar riktad rakt ut genom fönstret mot den järngrå februarihimlen. Inte ett svar på de frågor som de ställt har de fått.

När de närmare undersöker henne hittar de en videofilm i innerfickan på hennes dunjacka. På kvällen, i den sövande värmen från vedkaminen, fattas beslutet att en i taget ska se filmen. Efter att de har sett filmen ska patrullen sova och sedan tidigt nästa morgon fortsätta mot toppen. Leslie Chamoun får i uppdrag att vända om och redogöra för initiativtagarna på hotellet i Östersund om orsaken till förseningen. En man i taget kan se filmen i sökaren på den medhavda videokameran och sedan göra sin tolkning av vad filmen betyder. Batterierna är på upprinning. Processen tar sin tid men alla hinner se filmen på drygt sex timmar, precis innan batterierna är slut. Alla blir nedslagna över att inte förstå filmen. Flickan begravs hastigt i det hål i snön där hon hittats. Ingen vet riktigt vad de ska känna, alla är medvetna om orsaken till hennes död och alla vet att det var tanklöst av dem att ta hand om henne på det sätt de gjorde. Chris ställer sig med bivacken, eller graven, framför sig och reciterar ”Klagan över falska vänner” ur Psaltaren, men stämningen som han försöker suggerera fram känns inte äkta.

Chamoun kliver upp före alla andra och sätter av i gryningen. Det går fort nedför fjällsluttningarna. Det är fyra minusgrader och klar himmel. Han står rakt upp på skidorna och åker i eget majestät utför fjället. Det enda han hör är ljudet från snön och den fladdrande vindjackan. Han hinner precis med postbussen in mot Östersund. Han är framme vid Busstorget strax efter klockan nitton. Därifrån tar han en taxi till hotellet, checkar in och dricker en Irish coffee i baren med det mörka namnet Storsjödjupet innan han går upp på rummet. Patrullen åker den dagen bara ett par kilometer på fjället utan Chamoun, det går ovanligt sakta men alla försöker uppträda som om ingenting har hänt. Sent på eftermiddagen når patrullen stugan, precis som planerat. I mörkret under den tredje natten på fjället berättar männen för varandra om filmen. Ingen tycks ha sett riktigt samma sak. Patrullmedlemmarna somnar med en känsla av att de inte längre känner varandra. Leslie Chamoun faller med huvudet surrade som ett getingbo av tankar i sömn i sitt rum på Hotell Winn i Östersund.    

I filmen går flickan runt ensam i en isgrotta. Hon går varv efter varv och liksom undersöker väggarna med händerna. Men hon sitter även helt stilla i det dämpade ljuset och stirrar in i kameralinsen utan att säga någonting. Då och då gör hon ett avbrott och utför några gåtfulla rörelser med händerna, som om hon på detta sätt försökte uttrycka någonting som vanligt tal inte dög till. Inte en skugga rör sig. Hennes enda sällskap är vinden som hörs i bakgrunden och då och då knäpper det i isen. Under en sekvens i filmen stirrar hon rakt in i kameran och viskar att hon oroar sig över hur det kommer att bli. Kläderna som snart ska förlora sin isolerande förmåga. Allt som är så märkligt. Huden som bleknar. Håret som kommer att bli långt och omöjligt att reda ut. Synen som långsamt slocknar, tills en morgon då hon kommer att vakna och känna att alla nyanser, alla skillnader är borta. Hon säger sig ha blivit kvar i någonting, men hon vet inte vad. En känsla, ett tillstånd. Hon minns mycket lite av vad som hänt, ingenting av honom, ingenting av Gärd, Lotta och Louise – ingenting helt i alla fall. Ingenting rekonstruerbart. Inom henne finns tydligast av allt det brandgula repet som sänktes ned till henne, men som dinglade på alltför långt avstånd för att hon skulle få tag i det. De dämpade ropen från kamraterna som försvann. Hennes egna gallskrik som imploderade i tystnad strax utanför munnen. Hon börjar gå igen, oroligt, låter handflatan glida utefter ishinnan – som även om det är ytterst marginellt – smälter och rinner utefter underarmen, faller som en klar droppe från armbågen. Hon tänker på att hon inte får börja smeka sig själv, inte nu. Smälta sig ut kommer hon ändå inte kunna göra. Ingen tröst av den sorten finns, ingenting som hjälper på längre sikt. Innan hon har nått en halvmeter in i väggen kommer hon att vara så pass nedkyld att det inte längre kommer att gå att fortsätta.    

Tystnaden är fullkomlig när vinden slutar. Det luktar snö, det luktar till och med tystnad om man riktigt lär sig känna efter. Det luktar som hon minns att det gjorde när hon var liten och grävde långa vindlande gångar in i snön. Det finns inget märkbart luftdrag som kan leda henne till det andra hålet. Men det är inte så kallt som man skulle kunna tro.   

Medan vintersolen makligt höjer sig över Östersund och sänder in några strålar i konferensrummet på hotellet, slår Leslie sig ned med sitt trötta ansikte och berättar för ledningen om upplevelserna på fjället och om videofilmen. Han säger att han har hittat filmen i ett skåp i raststugan. Om flickan säger han ingenting eftersom han var med om beslutet att de skulle låtsas som om ingenting har hänt. Men Leslie Chamoun brukar sällan ljuga och hans dröm den natten på hotellet blir olik allt han någonsin drömt. Han vänder sig häftigt i sängen: Han kan se sig själv stå på ett flyttblock och tittar ut över ett fjällandskap. I tolv avsatser vidgar sig en spricka framför honom. I strutar av ljus från ficklamporna kan han se patrullen med sig själv i spetsen gå nedåt längs de sluttande avsatserna. Leslie leder patrullen tills hans egen betraktande blick uppifrån klippblocket inte längre förmår följa med. Han går då ned från klippblocket och fram till kanten av sprickan varifrån han kan se ned på patrullen och sig själv. Längst där nere brinner en lägereld. När han skärper blicken framträder patrullmedlemmarnas ansikten. För första gången tycker sig Leslie verkligen se ansiktena på patrullmedlemmarna. Runtomkring är allt svart. Kompakt svart.  

Kort därefter stiger solen upp. Det är morgon på riktigt, och Leslie reser sig upp ur sängen med en känsla av att han måste bege sig upp på fjället igen. Patrullen når fram till leden på två timmar och trettiofyra minuter. De stannar inte och äter fruktsoppa och skinksmörgåsar i lä av ett flyttblock, i stället fortsätter de tills de möter Leslie Chamoun alldeles utmattad vid ett stenröse utefter vinterleden upp till toppen. Han har tagit sig dit på tre och en halv timme, en fantastiskt bra tid. De är alla glada över att återse Leslie, han tas emot som lite av en hjälte. Planen ser nu ut att kunna fullföljas och Leslie välkomnas med karlaktiga omfamningar, vilka lätt kan misstolkas som hårda slag in mot ryggraden. Han har med sig en ny karta från männen på hotellet. Chris tar ut kompassriktningen och pekar med staven ut mot ett vitt gränslöst ingenting. Patrullen viker av från leden och fortsätter i nästan omänskligt hårt tempo västerut utan att dricka på flera kilometer. Leslie och Chris åker först och spårar. En i taget vinkar de fram männen över fjällsluttningarna på grund av lavinrisken. Leslie och Chris uppträder som om det helt plötsligt var de som kände till terrängen bäst. Några äldre patrullmedlemmar som har stor erfarenhet av fjällen tar illa vid. Men inga röster höjs, alla i patrullen är införstådda med det som måste göras. Alla vet att det som de kan uthärda är precis vad ledningen kräver av dem. Lättast går det för Leslie, han är utvilad efter att ha sovit två nätter på hotell. Allt tyder på att han av ledningen har fått veta någonting som de andra ännu inte vet. Någonting om planen som de andra kanske inte ens skulle förstå om de fick veta det. Några i patrullen visar tydliga tecken på vätskebrist, andra börjar maska. Snart hörs de första viskningarna i ledet.   

Framme vid nordvästsidan är snöstormen redan över dem. Alla står tysta i stormen och tittar förebrående på varandra. Medan ansiktena stelnar av kylan och den bitande vinden, inser de att det bara finns en sak kvar att göra. Två och två gräver de bivack och efter en halvtimme har stormen suddat ut alla språk.

   *

[soulsuckrrs]

@wvtchy | meme reply | Leslie & Jackson

The sound of flames overtaking the large house was invigorating to the witch, especially since it was she who had started it. Heat rolled off the building as part of it collapsed inwards while the red flames took over completely, the screams from within almost drowned out as the house was consumed. A small snicker brushed past the blondes lips as she sidled up next to Jackson, blue eyes glinting with the same heat that now roared into the sky and she couldn't help but laugh a little more, lips drawing over her teeth as the action shook her frame some.

"He didn't fucking believe I'd actually do it," she said, laughter licking her tone before her hand came up to lightly pat Jackson's arm as if the whole thing was so funny she may keel over if she didn't use his tall frame to support herself. More laughter poured from her lips, almost bordering maniacal before Leslie had composed herself and straightened her stance to watch the house be devoured by fire. A blonde strand of hair fell into the witches face, that smile still plastered in place as she leaned her head against Jackson's arm and exhaled a breath of satisfaction.

[dimepicture]

[viktorfredriksson]

Oscarstippning 2023

På natten till måndag är dags. Och efter ett par år av existentiell kris är Oscarsgalan tillbaka på riktigt igen. Jimmy Kimmel står för värdskapet och »Everything Everywhere All at Once« för favoritskapet. Men historien visar att inga segrar bör tas ut i förskott. I vanlig ordning har jag tippat samtliga kategorier – vinnare i fetstil.

Best Picture

All Quiet on the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

The Banshees of Inisherin

Elvis

Everything Everywhere All at Once

The Fabelmans

Tár

Top Gun: Maverick

Triangle of Sadness

Women Talking

Ett blandat fält av småskaliga kritikerfavoriter, gigantiska blockbusters och icke-engelskspråkiga filmer, däribland Ruben Östlunds »Triangle of Sadness«. Initialt var Steven Spielbergs delvis självbiografiska »The Fabelmans« (totalt 7 nomineringar) den främsta förhandsfavoriten. Men filmen har varken omhuldats av kritiker eller publik – adjektiven har sällan nått högre än »bra« – och efter sin Golden Globe-vinst har filmens momentum svalnat. Sedan har vi »Top Gun: Maverick« (totalt 6 nomineringar), filmen som enligt vissa (bland annat Spielberg) har räddat hela Hollywood och biografindustrin som sådan. En bedrift som är lovvärd men räcker det för en Oscar i den finaste kategorin? Troligtvis inte, då den saknar nomineringar i både skådespelarkategorier och regikategorin, men det kan inte helt uteslutas. Martin McDonaghs underbara »The Banshees of Inisherin« (totalt 9 nomineringar) och tyska Netflix-filmen tillika BAFTA-vinnaren »All Quiet on the Western Front« (totalt 9 nomineringar) är andra potentiella skrällar.

Men årets storfavorit är »Everything Everywhere All at Once«. Som en fullständigt bisarr genreöverskridande metaverse-actionkomedi (i mitt tycke inte mycket mer än en Marvelfilm i creddig förklädnad), producerad av indie-produktionsbolaget A24, och med en nästan rakt igenom asiatisk ensemble, är filmen knappast den gamla skolans typiska Oscarsfavorit. Men det råder ingen tvekan kring filmens popularitet i Hollywood, då den har vunnit samtliga tunga branschpriser – SAG, PGA, DGA och WGA—en bedrift som endast har inträffat fyra gånger tidigare (»American Beauty«, »No Country for Old Men«, »Slumdog Millionaire« och »Argo«). Vid samtliga fyra tillfällen vann dessa filmer även Bästa film på Oscarsgalan. 

Allt annat än en vinst för »Everything Everywhere All at Once« vore med andra ord en stor skräll. Å andra sidan har de senaste åren bjudit på flera oväntade vändningar i just Bästa film-kategorin. Främsta utmanaren i år tror jag är »All Quiet on the Western Front«, som i sin brutala skildring av skyttegravskrig är olustigt angelägen. Och kanske är det slutligen dags för Netflix?

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Cate Blanchett – Tár

Ana de Armas – Blonde

Andrea Riseborough – To Leslie

Michelle Williams – The Fabelmans

Michelle Yeoh – Everything Everywhere All at Once

En stenhård duell mellan Cate Blanchett och Michelle Yeoh. En av Hollywood mest älskade skådespelerskor i en av sina mest hyllade rollprestationer i karriären mot uppstickaren med starkast momentum i galans mest älskade film. Critics Choice and BAFTA gick till Blanchett, SAG och Indie Spirits till Yeoh. En vinst till den senare vore den första någonsin i kategorin för en asiatisk skådespelerska. Blanchett har vunnit två gånger tidigare, och vore blott den åttonde skådespelare någonsin att vinna tre statyetter.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Austin Butler – Elvis

Colin Farrell – The Banshees of Inisherin

Brendan Fraser – The Whale

Paul Mescal – Aftersun

Bill Nighy – Living

Även detta ett osannolikt jämnt race. Förvandlingen av Brendan Fraser i hans storartade comeback är spektakulär. Frågan är om filmen i sig är tillräckligt tillgänglig och uppskattad. Austin Butlers står för ett desto mer publikfriande porträtt som kungen av rock'n'roll, i en film som varit tillgänglig för streaming på HBO Max i flera månader och som är nominerad i den största kategorin. Även Colin Farrell får anses vara med i diskussionerna med sin i mitt tycke starkaste rollprestation någonsin. Historiskt sett har akademin dock premierat transformativa rollgestaltningar. 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Brendan Gleeson – The Banshees of Inisherin

Brian Tyree Henry – Causeway

Judd Hirsch – The Fabelmans

Barry Keoghan – The Banshees of Inisherin

Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Den enda skådespelarkategorin där det på förhand finns en tydlig favorit. Barry Keoghan är främsta utmanare med sin vinst på BAFTA för sitt lika ömsinta som övertygande porträtt av den ensamma och olyckligt kära irländska pojken. En missad vinst för Quan här skulle höja spänningen rejält inför de avslutande priserna.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Hong Chau – The Whale

Kerry Condon – The Banshees of Inisherin

Jamie Lee Curtis – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Stephanie Hsu – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Angela Bassett är den första skådespelaren som någonsin Oscarsnominerats för en Marvel-film. Och hon har realistiska chanser att gå hela vägen. Jag tror och hoppas dock att Jamie Lee Curtis (hennes första nominering trots lång och framgångsrik karriär) eller Kerry Condon – som båda står för betydligt mer minnesvärda insatser – kammar hem det.

Best Director

Martin McDonagh – The Banshees of Inisherin

Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Steven Spielberg – The Fabelmans

Todd Field – Tár

Ruben Östlund – Triangle of Sadness

Det är inte ovanligt att två olika filmer belönas i Bästa regi och Bästa film – under de senaste tio åren har detta inträffat mer än hälften av gångerna. Och kanske är skrällchanserna något högre här än i Bästa film. Edward Berger (»All Quiet on the Western Front«) vann överraskande BAFTA men är inte ens nominerad här. Spielberg har inte vunnit någon Oscar sedan »Saving Private Ryan« 1998. Kanske ser akademin detta som ett tillfället att belöna honom för sin mest personliga film hittills. Varken Martin McDonagh eller Todd Field kan nog helt uteslutas heller, men det är bröderna Daniels statyett att förlora. 

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

Martin McDonagh – The Banshees of Inisherin

Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert – Everything Everywhere All At Once

Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner – The Fabelmans

Todd Field – Tár

Ruben Östlund – Triangle of Sadness

Uppmuntrande nog är flera av årets mest prisade filmer originalmanus. Med det sagt tycker jag att manuset till »Everything Everywhere All At Once« är överskattat. Att man förklarar att slumpmässighet och knaserier tillhör spelreglerna gör det inte per automatik bra. Samma tendens finns i (vissa) metafilmer som tror att de »kommer undan« bara för att de medvetet kommenterar klichéerna som de sedan trampar i. När detta görs utan finess framstår det mest som en ursäkt för att skriva starka scener. Jag tippar istället med hjärtat – tonsäkerheten och humorn i »The Banshees of Inisherin« är oöverträffad i år. Om Ruben ska skrälla så är det här?

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Edward Berger, Ian Stokell, Lesley Paterson – All Quiet on the Western Front

Rian Johnson –Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Kazuo Ishiguro – Living

Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie – Top Gun: Maverick

Sarah Polley – Women Talking

De två uppföljarna och Nobelprisvinnaren får anses borträknade. Då återstår adaptionen av klassiska »All Quiet on the Western Front« och Sarah Polleys hyllade manus baserat på den väsentligt nyare romanen av Miriam Toews. Den förra filmen har betydligt mer luft under vingarna, men manuskategorierna belönar ofta mindre filmer. Och »All Quiet on the Western Front« är framför allt en audiovisuellt imponerande bedrift. Och kan den kontroversiella omskrivningen av förlagans slut ligga den i fatet?

Best International Feature Film

All Quiet on the Western Front

Argentina 1985

Close

EO

The Quiet Girl

Best Animated Feature Film

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The Sea Beast

Turning Red

Best Documentary Feature

All That Breathes

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Fire of Love

A House Made of Splinters

Navalny

Best Film Editing

The Banshess of Inisherin

Elvis

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Tár

Top Gun: Maverick

Best Cinematography

All Quiet on the Western Front

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

Elvis

Empire of Light

Tár

Best Music (Original Score)

All Quiet on the Western Front – Volker Bertelmann 

Babylon – Justin Hurwitz

The Banshees of Inisherin – Carter Burwell

Everything Everywhere All at Once – Son Lux

The Fabelmans – John Williams

Best Music (Original Song)

“Applause” – Tell It Like a Woman

“Hold My Hand” – Top Gun: Maverick

“Lift Me Up” –Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

“Naatu Naatu” – RRR

“This Is a Life” – Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Sound

All Quiet on the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

The Batman

Elvis

Top Gun: Maverick

Best Visual Effects

All Quiet On the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

The Batman

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Top Gun: Maverick

Best Production Design

All Quiet On the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

Babylon

Elvis

The Fabelmans

Best Costume Design

Babylon

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Elvis

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

All Quiet On the Western Front

The Batman

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Elvis

The Whale

Best Animated Short Film

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Flying Sailor

Ice Merchants

My Year of Dicks

An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It

Best Live Action Short Film

An Irish Goodbye

Ivalu

Le Pupille

Night Ride

The Red Suitcase

Documentary Short Subject

The Elephant Whisperers

Haulout

How Do You Measure a Year?

The Martha Mitchell Effect

Stranger at the Gate

Sändningstider Oscarsgalan 2023 på TV4 och TV4 Play:

21:30 - 23:00 Förgala till Oscarsgalan (TV4 Play-exklusivt)

23:00 - 01:00 Oscarsgalan - röda mattan (00:00 startar sändningen i TV4)

01:00 - 04:30 Galan i TV4, C More och TV4 Play

[glowartowner]

Model: LESLIE GUNTER @lgforthewin Publication: Style CRUZE MAGAZINE @stylecruze Designer/Photographer: @glowartphotographyyorkpa Link to Apparel: https://glow-art.myshopify.com/.../sublimation-cut-sew... UPCOMING SHOWS: Sat July 16 '22 Miami Int Fashion Week, Victoria...

[jolienjoyswriting]

A Dating Dilemma, Ch. I

Chapter 1 of "Dating Dilemma," an Essence of Ragnarok story.

An unexpected individual confronts Kaiya and… asks her out on a date?!

Word count: 4,294 – Character count: 25,625 Drafted: May 28th, 2022 Revised: May 28th, 2022 –

Hooo-lyyy… macaroni.  When was the last time I touched this series?  A year ago?  And then half a year before that?  I have not been treating my characters well.  But!  I'm finally back with my own characters in my own universe, and hoo-boy, this story is a doozy.

This is actually a story I've had in my head for years.  Like, at least ever since the October 2018.  I guess I've been thinking about these two knuckleheads, lately, and here we are!  Yes!  It's true!  An Essence of Ragnarok story that doesn't star Joseph!  Wild, hey?

Kaiya Paradalis originally created by Kaiya Canver

[ ↶ Prev. Story | ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → | Next Story ↷ ]

    "You."     "Y-yeah?"     "Hallway."     "What?"     "After school.  Hallway."     "Um… okay?"

    It was the second Sevensday of the fourth month of Peridot.  As usual, school was in session.  Kaiya had arrived early, doing her homework before class because she had spent Sixesday Night on a date that lasted… a while.  As she tried to figure out the answer to a particularly annoying measurement problem, she was approached by an imposing form.  The wolf, whom she recognized as one Carlos Magnus, didn't have much to say.  He simply instructed her to meet him after classes were done for the day.  She wanted to ask him why but he disappeared before she could.     Why am I friends with that guy, anyway? she thought as she returned to her homework.  We never hang out…     The raven-haired girl shook her head.     I'll see what he wants later, I guess.

    The first bell rang and classes began.  Kaiya managed to finish her homework and hand it in.  Not long after the turn-in, her maths teacher told the class to open their books to the chapter they'd been studying.  A pop quiz followed, then class let out at the top of the hour.     The girl continued to her next class – writing and language – then the next class after – alchemy.  She tensed slightly when she noticed Carlos in his usual spot.  They were semi-regular partners when the teacher assigned in-class work.  She was about to walk over and bug him, but to her surprise… he already had a partner.  Some kind of… white wolf girl?

    Who's she?     Kaiya narrowed her aquamarine eyes at the new girl.  She'd never seen that one before…     "Oh, Class?"     She turned her attention to the teacher as he spoke.     "I completely forgot to mention this during roll call: for those who aren't aware, there's a new student here.  Ms. Tanis?"     The white wolf yipped in surprise.  "Uh– y-yes, Mr. Kellogg?" she answered, standing.     He smiled.  "Would you like to introduce yourself to the class?"     "Uh… n-not really, Mr. Kellogg," Lesli nervously replied, slowly sitting back down.     "I see."  Mr. Kellogg cleared his throat.  "Well, Class, this is Miss Lesli Tanis.  For those who aren't aware, she transferred here from Muramasa High School.  If you want to know more, I suggest you ask her, yourselves."     He laughed before looking serious, again.     "Please, treat her with the same respect you give your other peers."     Almost immediately, a crumpled-up paper ball bounced off her head, making her wince.     "Ronald," the teacher said with a scowl.  "You.  After class.  Detention."

    As the class twittered over Ronald's dumb move, Kaiya kept her focus on the new girl.  Specifically, she took notice of how Carlos interacted with her.  He glared daggers at that Randal idiot before seemingly checking up on Lesli.  She still seemed flustered despite her shy smile.  She was blushing a lot, too…     Huh.  Looks like 'Los found himself a girlfriend…  Kaiya smiled.  Waydago, wolfie!

    After alchemy class came the usual lunch period.  Kaiya planned to approach Carlos and ask what that morning was about.  That is… until she noticed Lesli sitting at the table where Carlos usually sat.  He seemed to be introducing the new girl to his friends, Dylan and Eliza.  She decided not to interrupt, just happy to see Carlos being social, for once.

    The rest of the day went by fairly quickly.  Nothing of interest happened in History, Social Studies, or even Shop Class.  By the time the final bell rang, Kaiya was in a pretty good mood.     Not a bad day, she thought as she sorted her locker.  No weirdness…  No one picking on me or trying to flirt…  Plus!  I have the whole weekend to go bother Joe!  I'm surprised he still wants to be with me after I practically shoved that gender-swap potion down his throat!  And shoved other things in other places.     She happily sighed to herself.     He's a keeper…

    Kaiya pulled her long hair out of a ponytail before reaching for a brush.  She was just about to get the tangles out of her hair when… bam!  Someone slammed the locker door shut!     "Excuse you!" she snapped.  "Who do you think you–"     When she looked over…     "Oh.  Hey."     She saw Carlos standing there with his hand on the door.  She had almost forgotten about meeting up with him…

    "So?" she asked.  "What did you want?"     The cabbit girl pulled her hair over her shoulder and started running the brush through it, waiting for a reply.  Carlos just impatiently narrowed his gunmetal-gray eyes.     "You know that doesn't work on me, 'Los," she said with a sigh.  "Now, spit it out.  I've got things to do this weekend."     "Y… you," he started, sounding… nervous?     "Me," she countered.     "I… need…"     The girl's body tensed slightly.  "You… need…?" she curiously asked.     She shrank as he went completely silent.  That stare he was giving was pretty intense…     Is… he trying to ask me out? she thought, continuing to brush her hair.  No, that's cra–     "I n… need you," he said in a low, almost angry way.     The girl's face warmed under her ash-gray fur.  "W-well, that… that's news to me!" she said, trying to play it cool.     Trinity Above, he is asking me out!  Or… asking me to… to…     She paused, suddenly unsure about what Carlos wanted from her.

    "Question…" she began with a grin.  "Just what are you proposing, here?"     "I… I need you," he repeated.     "So, the big, bad wolf is trying to prey on the poor, innocent cabbit?"     When she chuckled, Carlos narrowed his eyes even more.     "This isn't easy for me, okay?" he said with a huff.     "Sure, sure…"     She reached up, softly stroking the tall man's cheek with a grin.     "But 'Los-'Los…"     Her hand slid up to his ear.     "You're gonna have to be way more clear if–"     She flinched, then.  Carlos had grabbed her wrist and pulled her arm away.     "Kiyah!!"     And Kaiya's self-defense instincts took over.

    She swept his leg, knocking him over, then cartwheeled over his head as he fell.  She then knelt nearby and rubbed her wrist.     "Sorry," she spat, slightly annoyed with him.     He just passively growled before looking away.  Wait, was he blushing?  Kaiya blinked… then she settled down on her knees, adjusted her school uniform skirt, and cleared her throat.     "Well, now you know what color panties I wore, today," she casually said, flattening her skirt.  "Anyway… what, exactly, do you want me for, Carlos?"     The wolf pulled himself up and shook his head.     "Forget it."     He started to walk away when…     "Wait, hey!"     Kaiya grabbed him by the tail.     "Let me go, Kaiya," he growled.     "Not until you tell me what's up!"     He growled even louder… then he paused and looked around.  Kaiya took a second to look around, too.  Quite a few students were still in the halls and most of them were looking at the pair of them.  A couple were starting to whisper amongst themselves, too…  Rumors were already spreading, it seemed.

    "Alchemy classroom," he snarled, clearly irritated.  "Ten minutes."     "What–"     "I'll explain… I'll explain everything," he said in a much calmer voice.  "I promise."     "Yeah?"     She considered telling him that "he'd better", but…     "Okay."     She let go of his tail and nodded, instead.     "What?  What are you looking at?"     As he walked away, she addressed the lollygaggers, trying to save face.     "That's how we say hello to each other!  What of it?" she snapped.  When students started looking away, she huffed.  "Yeah, go back to whatever it is you nerds do."     Not the best recovery.  It would have to do, though.

    Nine minutes after the ruckus in the hallway, Kaiya found herself in the alchemy classroom.  She knew she was a little early, but then…     "Hey."     So was Carlos.

    "Hey," he answered, leaning against the whiteboard.     "So…"  Kaiya quietly closed the door and locked it.  "What's up?"     The wolf took a deep breath.  He had to collect his thoughts before speaking.     "First," he began.  "Sorry."     "For what?"     "For… whatever that was."     "The thing in the hall?"     She laughed as he nodded.     "You're pretty intimidating, 'Los…" she said as she padded over.  "I'm just a tiny thing, compared to a big, strong wolfie like yooou."     He scoffed.  She was only a little shorter than him, though admittedly, something like half his weight or less.  Even so, she evidently knew how to defend herself from perceived threats.     "Actually…"     She paused, looking down for a second.     "I should be the one apologizing," she told him.     "It's fine."     "No, it's not fine."     Kaiya walked over and, much to the wolf's chagrin, slid between his arm and his body, cuddling up with a smile.

    "I was being playful and touching your mean, angry face," she explained.  "I know you hate it when I do that – especially in public…"     Despite that, she pulled his arm around her back.     "I just like messing with you…" she whispered.  "You're fun."     She offered a warm smile to the wolf.  Then, after a few seconds… she blushed.     "Hey…  You really do want me, don't you…?"     He was blushing ever-so-slightly, himself.  What was weirder, though, was the fact he hadn't pulled away or tried to move her!  He usually stepped away when she tried being "cute".     "Kaiya, I–"     Carlos tensed… then his eyes shot open.  Without a word, Kaiya leaned up and kissed him on the lips.

    "Carlos?"

    A good half-minute passed before Kaiya tilted her head.  She was waiting for something… waiting for him to yell, or to shove her, or something.  Instead… he was frozen on the spot.     "Shit."  She shyly smiled as she asked, "Was that your first kiss, 'Los?"     The wolf stayed silent…  Eventually, he huffed and panted.  Then, as his breathing calmed… he slid away from Kaiya.     "I don't…" he began before pausing and rubbing his lips.     "It was, wasn't it?"  Her smile turned a little sad.  "I bet you were saving it for someone special, weren't you?  Oh, Carlos, I'm sorry…"     "No, no…"  He sighed, shaking his head.  "I don't care about that."     "No?"  She stayed where she was, leaning against the teacher's workbench.  "What's wrong, then?  You're not your usual, grumpy self."     "Kaiya, I…"     He looked down then up.  He looked to the nearby window blinds.  Finally, he looked at Kaiya, again.     "I w… I want…"     "Y… yeah?"     "I want…"  The wolf swallowed hard.  "I want to… g… go…"     "You want to go?" she asked in an encouraging voice.     "On… on a… d… d…"     "'Date'?"     The word seemed to shake Carlos to the core.  He shakily nodded before looking away.     "You… wanna go on a date?  With me?"     Kaiya started blushing again.  She always thought Carlos was kind of cute, but any time she'd flirted with him, he just brushed her off.  Was he hiding his true feelings for her all year?  Had he been too scared to actually ask her out?  She didn't know what to say other than…     "Okay."

    "'Okay'…?"     The wolf looked back over.  Kaiya was playing with the stiff collar of her dress shirt and acting… even more girly than usual.  Her rabbit teeth were nibbling on her lower lip, her lithe body was swaying, and her plush cat tail was slinking behind her like a snake.  Carlos wasn't the brightest bulb in the storeroom, but he slowly started to read the subtext of her body language.     "K-Kaiya, I–"     The girl stepped over and put a finger to his lips.     "I accept," she said with a right smile.

    He blinked a few times as she reached over to the whiteboard and grabbed a marker.  He blinked even more when she unbuttoned his dress shirt's sleeve writing on his arm.     "I'll clear my schedule," she told him as she drew digits in black marker on his fur.  "Figure out a time and day and get back to me.  My phone's always on, Wolfie!"     Once she was done with that, she looked into his eyes and fixed his sleeve… then she leaned in and pecked his cheek.     "Looking forward to it!" she chipperly said as she turned to the door.  "Laters!"

    The alchemy room door shut behind Kaiya with a light clatter.  She padded into the hallway and then…     "Yes!!"     She leaped into the air, throwing her arms up with her tail going straight!     I got a date with the hottest guy ever! she thought as she skipped back over to her locker.  She was on Cloud Nine!     Gosh… what should I wear?  Should I get my hair done?  Should I go all-out or keep it casual?  Oh, where's he gonna take me?  What if he… what if he…!     She gasped, suddenly realizing something.     What if he wants to make out?!     She paused… then she placed her hands in front of her chest and took a cleansing breath, slowly "pushing down" the air in front of her.  Her hands flipped over and she brought them back up as she breathed in.     First, she internally began, Carlos is a good boy.  He looks mean, but he gets good grades and stays out of trouble.  He's good at making potions and metalworking, which is pretty sexy, but otherwise, he's a good boy.  He wouldn't throw himself at me.  No matter how much I…     The girl slapped the blush out of her cheeks.     Secondly, this is your first date with him!  You don't put out on the first date!     She thought about her current boyfriend, Joseph, for a second.     Don't make that same mistake with Carlos, me, she told herself.  If you want this to go anywhere that'll last, treat him like a person, not a plaything.     She nodded.     Yeah…  Yeah, just play it cool.  Turn him down if he gets grabby.  It's cool, it's cool…     She grabbed her satchel bag from her locker and looked at herself in the mirror.     Oh, Gods, you got it bad for him, don't you?     Just a little, she imagined her reflection answering.     That doesn't make me a slut! she mentally shouted at the mirror.  Don't judge me!     I wasn't! her reflection called back with shock.  Why are you so defensive...?     I…  She paused.  Sorry.     Darn right, you are.  The reflection in her mind giggled.  Anyway, just play it cool…  Maybe do some of those meditation things you like to do.  And, Kaiya?     Yeah?     The mirror image winked.  Stay cute!     The real Kaiya giggled before leaning in and smooching her reflection.     "Damn right, I'm cute," she said aloud.     With that, she shut the locker door, tossed her bag over her shoulder, and left the school with a skip in her step.

    Kaiya went about her weekend in the usual fashion.  She went to the arcade at the mall and played her favorite dance simulator game, "Dancing Mad"…  She browsed her favorite websites, watched videos, and played video games…  She flirted with random guys and chatted online with her boyfriend.  They even did a little erotic roleplay…  The usual!  All the while, she kept her cell phone handy… just in case Carlos decided to call.     I hope he calls me, soon… she thought between posts with Joseph.  Shy boy might chicken out…  If he does, I can always tease him about it, I guess!     She smiled to herself.  It really was a "win-win" for her.  Still…     Please, don't chicken out, Carlos…

    Sevensday passed and there was no call from Carlos.  As Eightsday rolled from morning to evening, Kaiya was starting to get annoyed.     He said he wanted to take me out…     The girl stomped her foot as she washed some dishes in the kitchen.     I'm gonna kick his ass if he stands me up.

    Night fell and she changed into her pajamas, preparing for bed.  Just as she was putting on her tank top, her phone vibrated on the nightstand.  She yanked her top on as fast as possible and grabbed the phone… only to pout.     It's just Joe…     She sighed… then she blinked.     'Just Joe'…?  That's a real nice attitude to have toward your boyfriend.     The girl sighed, flopping onto the bed as she opened her flip phone.     "What's up, sexy?" she answered, hiding her disappointment.     There was a pause before a familiar, male voice shyly answered, "H-hey there."     "Couldn't get enough of me in text form?" she teased.     Joseph nervously chuckled.  Kaiya, meanwhile, had gotten in a playful mood.     "So… what are you wearing?"     She grinned as he squeaked.     "B… boxers…" he quietly told her.     "What color?"     "G-green…  Like, dark green…?"     The girl giggled.     "Even after all the naughty stuff we've done… you're still so innocent."     She happily sighed.     "Never change, Joe…"     The fox skittishly chuckled before whispering, "L-love you, Kaiya…"     "Love you, too, cute boy!  Now, how about we have a little late-night fun…"     Kaiya unbuttoned her pajama pants in preparation.  Joseph hadn't answered… but she had a feeling he was doing something similar on his end.     "Ready, lover…?" she cooed.     She heard him huff before giving a shaky "Y… yeah!"     A naughty sort of giggle passed her lips.  "Gooooood…" –

    "Oh, Kaiya…"

    After a surprisingly long, erotic phone session, Kaiya panted and relaxed on her bed.  She could hear Joseph panting on his end, too.  She was mostly satisfied with how things went, though she would've preferred something more face-to-face, had it been possible.

    "Gods…  I love you so much…" Joseph huffed.     The girl affectionately nuzzled her phone.  "I love you, too, Joe.  Hee-hee…"     "I can't wait 'til we're done with school…"  He sleepily hummed.  "We can go to the Tower of Masamune, together… do our two-to-four years… find a house… get married…"     "Yeah…" she sighed.  "That does sound nice."     "I wish I was there right now…"  He paused.  "I'd cuddle you all night long… keep you safe and warm…"     Kaiya blushed and smiled.  "Aww, Joe…"  She never knew how to act when her fox got all sappy and sweet.

    "Tell you what," she said after a couple of seconds.  "Why don't we meet up next weekend?  We can hang out, maybe catch a movie…"     She brought the phone to her lips…     "Have sloppy make-outs…"     She giggled as she heard him pant again.     "What do you say?"     "I-I don't…  Why not, uh… why not tomorrow?"     Her blush faded a little.  "I love that, but… I can't.  I have plans."     "'Plans'?"     Joseph's tone immediately changed.     "Plans with who?" he asked in an accusatory way.     "Oh, I know that tone…"  She smiled and told him, "Joe, you know you're the only cutie with access to my heart."     "Kaiya, I…  You told me, yourself," he continued, sounding serious.  "You're a friendly girl…  You're really pretty, too!  I… I know we're not going steady yet, but–"     "Joe?  Shut up.  Listen."     He did just that.     "You're my boyfriend," she said.  "You.  Not this guy or that guy.  I might hang out with other guys and girls when we're not together but you're still my Number One!  I love you and I want to make you happy, but I have my own life…  I'd love to dedicate myself to you entirely, but I need some 'me time,' too!  You'll just have to settle for 80% of my time.  Final offer!  Going fast!  No refunds!"     She giggled again.  Joseph, however, wasn't laughing.

    "You're going on a date, aren't you…"     He sounded grim.     "I'm going out," she told him.  "To have fun."     "Sounds like a date to me…"     "Joseph…"     Kaiya could hear the fox simpering on the other side of the phone.  She could hardly believe he was starting to cry.  And that… was something she really disliked about him.     He's such a sensitive, clingy boy…

    "I love you most of all, silly…" she whispered with sincerity.  "Never-ever-ever forget that!  Now, I'm going to hang up the phone, get cleaned up, and get some sleep."     The fox sniffled.  She couldn't see it, but she was pretty sure he was nodding.     "I love you, love you, love you, Joe…"     "I… I love you, too, Kaiya…"     "Can I get a 'good night kiss' from the cutest fox in the world?"     She smiled as he finally chuckled.  The next thing she heard was the soft pop of his lips.  She returned the favor, deciding not to virtually tongue-kiss his ear, for once.     "I love you…" she whispered one last time.  "G'night, my cute fox…"     "G… g'night… my fluffy bunny…"     They shared one last "kiss" before Kaiya closed her phone.  With that… Kaiya sighed.     "Fuck's sake…"     "Kaiya!  Language!"     And then, she jolted.  When she looked toward her bedroom door, she could see shadows underneath.  Someone was there.     "Dad?" she called.  "Dad!  How long have–?  What are you–"     "Late-night bathroom break," the masculine voice called through the door.  "That pizza went right through me.  Uh, hey… I don't wanna poke my nose in where it ain't wanted, but–"     "No, no…"  She sighed, adjusting her clothing before sitting up.  "Come in?"     There was an awkward pause.  Then, the door opened and the man walked in.

    "So, uh," he said as he sat next to her on the bed.  "What's wrong, kiddo?"     Kaiya sighed before leaning in, wrapping her arms around his.  She leaned down, then, resting her head on the shorter man's shoulder.     "Boys are weird, Dad," she told him.     "Yeah…  Yeah, we are."     The two shared a little laugh.     "My boyfriend…" she continued.  "You remember Joseph, right?"     "The gay, gold fox?"     She grinned, smacking her stepdad's arm.  "He's not gay, Dad!"     "If you say sooo…"     "Gods, you're horrible…" she laughed.  "Anyway…  He's being… possessive."     "Did'ja kick his ass?"     "I was saving that as a last resort…"     She wished she were kidding about that.

    "Sometimes, kiddo," he said as he looked at Kaiya, "guys get weeiiird.  'Specially young guys.  'Specially young, horny guys."     Kaiya gave a wide-mouthed grin and thumped her dad, again.  He just chuckled.     "Give this José guy some time," he told his daughter.  "If he's the real deal, he'll prove it.  If he's a loser, though…"     He flexed his free arm.     "We can both kick his gay ass!"     "Daaad!"     "Whaaat?"  He grinned, reaching over and ruffling her hair.  "Just lookin' out for my baby's baby!"     She ducked away from his hand before leaning in and giving him a proper hug.     "I love you, Dad…"     "I love you, too, Bunny-chan…"     The girl paused before whispering, "I miss Mom…"     "I miss your mom, too…  But!"     The man stood.  He then put his hands under Kaiya's arms and picked her up, spinning her around.     "The longer she's workin' that overseas job," he said before setting her back down, "the more I get to spend time with the most be-yoo-tiful daughter in the world!"     Kaiya blushed as her stepdad poked her nose.     "You've gotta stop doing that, Dad…" she whispered despite her grin.  "I'm not a kid, anymore…"     "I know…"  His expression turned serious.  "You look just like your mom when she was younger…  Void Below… you look like she does now, in some ways!"     He crossed his arms.     "Makes me miss her more.  Thank The Trinity for vid calls, huh?"     "What's that supposed to–"     Her face turned weird as he grinned at her.     "Oh, Dad!  Gross!!"     He laughed loud and long as Kaiya "attacked" him with a pair of pillows.  He knew he deserved it.

    "Looks…  Brains…" he commented as her pillow assault stopped.  "Moves that could take down a chagrin' bull…  Kaiya…  You're a catch."     She blushed and shrank a little.     "You shouldn't talk about your daughter like that, Dad…" she said with a little smile.     "Iiiii'm just sayin'…"  The man grinned.  "Whoever ya marry better damn well appreciate ya.  Or else, I'll kick their ass!"     "Daaad!"     He laughed as Kaiya walloped him with her pillows again.

    "A'right, a'right!" he chuckled.  "I should get to bed."     "Hey, wait."     He tilted his head… then he brightly smiled.  Kaiya hopped up and threw her arms around his shoulders in a tight hug.     "I love you, Dad…" she whispered.     "I love you, too, Bunny-chan."     He kissed her on the cheek and ruffled her hair.     "Now, get cleaned up and you get to bed, too!"     "'Get cleaned up…'?"     He froze… then he sighed.  "Well, I… ain't sure how to tell ya, but–"     Kaiya's face lit up and she reeled back.  Her hands covered her mouth as she stared at her step-father in embarrassment.  She immediately realized what he was talking about.     "You can smell that…?" she squeaked.     "Only good part'a me left," he said, tapping his nose with a nod.     "Oh, gods…!"     As Kaiya hid behind a pillow, her stepdad thought about saying something to calm her down.  Unfortunately, he couldn't think of anything.  Plus… he'd already said too much.     "Uh… g'night, Kaiya," was all he managed before leaving a thoroughly embarrassed cat-rabbit to her thoughts.

    He could smell me…  The whole fucking time…!

    Kaiya completely covered her face with her hands, shaking her head as she lay on her bed.  She'd rarely felt as awkward as she did at that moment.     Why did you invite him in?! she internally shouted.  You just got done fooling around with your boyfriend!  Why?!  Why did you think it was a good idea to let your dad come in after that…?!     She stomped her feet on the bed, making it creak and rattle.  Her tail snapped and flicked with anger and her face burned under her hands.  Once she finally got it out of her system, she went limp and deeply sighed.     Tomorrow… she thought.  I'll apologize tomorrow…     With that sorted, she got up and went into her bathroom.  Shortly after, she went back into her room, slid into bed, and eventually fell asleep.

    "Auh…  Carlos…"

    The morning that followed came quicker than expected, light from the nearby star shining through her window blinds.  She slowly started to stir, though she remained somewhere between the waking world and a blissful… somewhat intense dream.

[swordofazrael1992]

submitting to the mortifying ordeal of being known (reading stone butch blues)

[saviorpattcrn]

@docthompkins liked for a starter 

"I don't really understand why I'm here, to be honest." And he was- honest. Generally. He didn't mind talking about his feelings or his thoughts, which made the fact that Bruce had insisted he talk to Leslie all the more confusing. If Bruce wanted to check in on his mental health, why not just do it himself?

He wasn't naïve enough to not already know the answer to that question- where he was fine being open, Bruce was a closed book. Maybe he'd talked to Leslie and trusted her, and since he wasn't the best at communication maybe he figured this was for the best. But the real curiosity was why? Dick had done everything he asked, he was great at being Robin, if you asked him. Okay yeah, on some occasions he may go off script with some of the other sidekicks but really what else could they be expected to do when left to their own devices and left to mentor each other? "Have I... did Bruce say if I did something, something he's worried about?"