rosenallies · 2 years ago
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Sleep Prompt 23. “You’re still awake.  Something on your mind?” sick verse (maybe with teen Nat? If you can’t tell, I’m a Natalie Stan)
Fun fact, Natalie in this au is based off of Natalie Goodman from the musical next to normal, the key difference is that her dada is physically sick and not mentally sick like Natalie Goodman’s mom <3😌 and this prompt sebsequently reminds me of the song in the first act when Natalie’s mom finds her awake at 4 am and tells her she needs to slow down and take time for herself and that she’s gonna go have sex with Natalie’s father <3 .. anyway I’ll stop rambling about musicals now <3
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23. “You’re still awake. Something on your mind?”
Since Synthia’s diagnosis years ago at this point, everyone struggled with sleep in some way. Synthia himself could barely stay away at times, Kendall woke up 5 times a night to check on him, and Gia became the world’s lightest sleeper. So, really, it wasn’t at all surprising when they woke to the sound of quiet tiptoes down the hallway. Checking beside them, he found Synthia still fast asleep, breathing evenly into Kendall’s chest, who was also snoring blissfully. That left only one member of the household to be the culprit.
They pulled themselves out of bed, and followed the sound, the sound of footsteps turned into rooting around in kitchen drawers.
“Natalie?” They called, making the teenager jump, eyes wide as she turned around.
“Hi, Noni.”
“You’re still awake,” they said matter of factly, checking the time on the oven, just past 3 am, “something on your mind?”
Natalie sighed, removing her hands from behind her back, a thick yellow envelope in her hands.
“Nat, what is that? What are you doing?”
She sighed, her eyes brimming over with tears as she handed them the envelope.
They looked it over, ‘Columbia University’ etched into the envelope in fancy letters, addressed to none other than their daughter.
Eyes wide, they gasped. “Nat, did you-? When did you even apply?”
“I applied a while ago. I-I don’t know if I got in yet, I was trying to find the letter opener,” she flushed, “I didn’t want to ruin the envelope.”
“Here,” they said, opening a different drawer and pulling out the tool, “wait- should we wait until morning? Your dada and daddy will be so proud of you.”
“No. Even if I get in, I don’t know if I want to go,” she said, looking down at her feet.
“Natalie, what are you talking about? This is an Ivy League school!”
She looked back up, eyes misty. “It’s so far away, what if-.”
She couldn’t say it, but Gia knew exactly what she was thinking. “Come here, baby,” they said, leading her to the couch where they sat beside one another, Natalie resting her head on their shoulder.
“I know what you’re thinking. Dad would want you to go.”
“Of course he would! He never wants any of us to feel like him being sick is hindering us, but I would never ever think that, but I would be all the way in New York, what if something happened and I-I couldn’t be there. I could still get just as good of an education at University of British Columbia, which I already know I got into.”
Gia ruffled her hair. “You’re too independent for your own good. You’re smart, you’d make the best out of any school you ended up in, but Nat, you really can’t compete with Columbia.”
She sniffled. “I know. I applied because I wasn’t sure if I’d get in, but when I got feedback on my essay I sent in, I-I think this is an admissions letter.”
“What did you write about?”
“I wrote about dad.”
Gia hummed. “I bet it was something special.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I don’t think they give feedback on a lot of essays but I got an email saying it was particularly’moving’ and to look out for the yellow envelope,” she said, turning the envelope in her hands.
Gia felt a surge of pride for their daughter, so smart and dedicated, they loved her and their little family more than anything. “Why don’t we open it together and based on what it says, we can talk to dad and daddy in the morning?”
“Okay,” she said, thrusting the envelope into their hands.
They gingerly took it and edged the letter opener into the paper, opening it painstakingly slowly and taking out the letter inside.
“Together?”
She agreed. “Together.”
“1..”
“2..”
“3…”
On the count of three, their eyes flew open, scanning the first sentence.
“Oh my god, Natalie, you got into Columbia.”
“I got in,” she repeated, her stomach churning.
They flung their arms around her, squeezing tightly, mumbling about how proud they were of her.
“What do I do, Noni?”
Pulling away, they held her at arm’s lengths away, studying her beautiful face. “You have to do what’s best for you.”
“Yeah,” she whispered, tucking her head under their chin and yawning. “Can I come to bed with you and we can talk in the morning?”
She hadn’t slept in their bed since she was a little kid, but the scared look on her face made her look so young that Gia couldn’t say no, even if they’d be crammed with 4 people in the bed.
“Of course, baby girl. I love you,” they said, kissing the crown of her head, “I’m so proud of you and I know dada and daddy will be too.”
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Standrew Serial KillerxAddams Family AU with Andrew as Fester and Steven as Debbie
Steven as the fancy golden truffle boy who dates people, acts all innocent, marries them then kills his husbands or wives (we stan pansexual Steven)
Andrew is the “Addams-Ilnyckyj” cousin who has been missing for 10 years now and has only recently returned because he got lost in the Bermuda triangle.
Shane and Ryan are prob the Gomez and Morticia Addams couple here, Shane and Andrew are distant cousins, so Shyan tries to help Andrew woo Steven
We’re gonna make a Shyan lovechild (Brett or OC?), Ryan saying he just wants to have it all, loving husband, family, and time to hunt ghouls and demons for his hellish crusade
Steven is that Nanny that barges into the Addams household saying that they’ll finally “found” someone to take care of their child
Andrew, the most stoic and reserved Addams in their family has finally found someone he actually feels attracted to.
Shyan organizes a welcome back home party for Andrew, all relatives invited.
Shyan lovechild grows suspicious of Steven and knows he’s up to no good with their Uncle Andrew
The party happens and Andrew and Shane dance the Mamushka, since both consider each other almost like brothers (they both killed their brothers or smth cuz the tradition of killing your siblings still runs in this era lmao) or they’re just only childs in general tbh idk
After the Mamushka dance, we’ll have Andrew and Steven dance the Hopak. Apparently, the Cossack cousins of the Addams are from Ukraine, Cossack is a Ukranian dance so, Andrew is that Ukranian Cossack cousin and I love this because I just researched this and it’s too fucking perfect for this AU.
Hopak, originally a male dance that eventually evolved into a couples dance, so we have Andrew and Steven dancing together with fucking knives and it will be beautiful, and sexy, and fucking perfect.
I need to research and watch many dances about Hopak and apparently Hora as well, because the Addams family is apparently Jewish in nature so I need a nice way to imagine them dancing with knives while learning all the terms for this fanfic lmao
Andrew and Steven take a lovely romantic stroll in the Addams graveyard, Steven goes in for a the kill, telling Andrew that he’s a virgin and he’s been waiting for someone to make the ultimate sacrifice with him.
Andrew when Steven said he’s been waiting for someone to make the ultimate sacrifice with: “A goat?”
Steven ignoring Andrew’s brain of equating sacrifice to goat and confessing instead that he loves him to which Andrew replies. “I never would’ve thought you’d feel the same way, I love you so much, I’d kill for you, I’d die for you... I’d pay.”
Steven practically moans seductively when Andrew tells him he’d pay lmao imagining all the gold and truffles he’ll have
A nice beautiful scene of Steven and Andrew digging up the grave of Andrew’s mother so that he could propose to Steven with a beautiful golden ring with blood red rubies on it.
Standrew announces to Shyan that they’re engaged and we have that iconic scene of Debbie-Steven showing the ring and holding a shovel with a psychotic look on his face.
Standrew wedding where Andrew has poured out all his feelings and emotions for the first time, shocking the entire Addams clan, it’s long and prob takes at least thirty minutes to an hour and he has misty eyes while his voice continues to almost break from too much love.
Steven, looking impressed and nodding his head, looks to the priest/uncle It and says: “Ditto.”
Shyan lovechild arguing and saying that Steven is prob gonna kill their Uncle Andrew and continues to wail.
Shane telling Standrew as they leave for their honeymoon “Have a nice life together!” and Steven replies. “I will!”
Cue in Standrew honeymoon and Steven tries to kill Andrew numerous times and gets frustratedly angry when Andrew keeps surviving.
They.Have.Sex.
Steven after amazing sex with Andrew and losing his virginity (Let’s admit it, even though Steven has married and murdered so many people, he didn’t think they were worthy enough for him. But Andrew is “rich-enough” for Steven to lose his virginity for, he thinks. Like the richest catch he’s ever had. And no, Steven thinks it’s not because he’s starting to fall for Andrew.)
He made Andrew promise to never-ever talk or contact his family ever again, Andrew indulges him and agrees.
Steven’s butler driving a hearse to the airport and waiting for Steven to get off his flight from Hawaii. “Hello Mr. Ilnyckyj, where is your husband?” He asks, expecting the husband to be dead.
“Oh he’s right there, getting off the flight.” Steven points to Andrew who’s currently looking at him with heart eyes. Butler: “But he’s alive sir!” he says in shock. Steven in a very angry and frustrated voice. “TELL ME ABOUT IT!”
Andrew: I love you mon cher
Steven: WHO?!
Andrew: mi amor???
Steven:  SPEAK IN ENGLISH. or chinese, but he is secretly slowly starting to love the pet names Andrew gives him, don’t worry, we only have tsundere Steven for a short time.
Steven forces Andrew to live with him in a pastel palace that’s very fancy and very un-Addams like, Andrew is intrigued because it’s Steven.
Shyan visits their home to demand to see Andrew, saying it’s not true that Andrew doesn’t want to see them anymore.
Andrew confirms to them that He wants to be alone with Steven now.
Shyan comes home to find that their lovechild has become a pastel monster, very un-Addams like and they cry but accept their child.
Steven tries numerous times to kill Andrew but to no avail.
And this one time that Steven blows up half of their house and finds Andrew “Dead”
He laughs maniacally and says finally but then he’s crying
His tears fall down on Andrew and he opens his eyes and Steven screams.
Andrew: You do care my love
Steven: No! Why are you still alive?! What does it take to kill you monster?!
Andrew laughs and Steven blurts out that he’s been able to kill all of his husbands and wives before but why doesn’t Andrew die?!?!?!
Andrew: because you love me and our love won’t allow us to kill each other
Andrew then explains that he’s known about Steven all this time, that he’s a serial killer, that he loves being this golden fancy boy, and that he even knows that Steven himself is from a notorious serial killer family as well
Steven still in denial but he’s all like “So you’ll let me use your money?”
Andrew: “My love, I love you so much, I’d pay for you and everything else.”
Steven, tsundere but slowly warming up to Andrew, mumbles “Fine, i forgive you.” He grumbles. “And I’ll let you be with your family again.”
Andrew meets the Lims full of serial killer family, only they’re more pastel and shit and he is absolutely in love and their families move to live close to each other and Shyan is also there and they meet the pastel Lim serial killer fam and it’s very very happy and nice and cute and amazing
the end
Wow, this got to be so long and I actually wanna write this but I have so many other Standrew fics in mind so yeah, have this one for now and I’ll think about it if I still wanna write this lmao
It looks and sounds like a lot of fun tbh and I only have to do little research about it I guess to write it perfectly sdjfksandkj
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hecohansen31 · 5 years ago
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This embarrassing moment when Reader, Miss Mead and Michael are together, something happens to him, he gets hurt, without thinking he wailed "Mommy !" and, at the same time, Miss Mead and Reader respond, before looking at each other, Miss Mead with big surprised eyes and Reader being ashamed. Baby Michael has two moms, but they do not really have the same relationship with him... Fufufu !
(A/N): Hello lovely!
Apparently, lately it has been the “mommy kink” festival! (Not that I am complaining because like... don’t want to kinkexpose myself, but like... hey...).
And I honestly love this request, because I don’t know if you can see this, but like... I have a pendant for funnier and domestic request... so if you have more, I am here for them!
(Also updates on what I am doing: I am writing a fic, I know I said I wouldn’t be writing them for a bit, but like... I literally love this, and you’ll probably see for Halloween, so...).
(Also this is the reason if a few asks are a bit late, and also... I LOVE ALL OF YOU ROMAN GODFREY FELLOW LOVERS! We stan one rich boy in this household).
WARNINGS: Mommy Kink (Mention).
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It was your first meeting with Mrs Mead, the beloved mother of your beloved boyfriend.
And you obviously couldn’t help but be “a slight” nervous.
You checked yourself in the mirror for the umpteenth time to make sure your elegant dress was spotless and that not a single hair was out of place from the updo you had chosen for the simple trip to “that nice place where they make the bestest french-toast in New Orleans”, according to Michael.
You smiled a bit, at the childish manners of your wizard boyfriend, a bit saddened about the fact that sadly you didn’t see him as much as before, since the Hawthorne boys had transferred back to their rightful home, although you knew that each witch had rejoiced the lost of the annoying boys (and even a bit you, since, you hadn’t much love for anyone who wasn’t Michael or professor Moore, from that school).
It was hard at first, although it was even harder for Michael, who felt a bit abandoned in his situation, unlike you, who had amazing friends to stop you from feeling awful…
… but thank Satan skype existed and so did Facetime and messages, so that you could lessen a bit Michael’s aching longing for you.
And you were extremely thankful for the free weekends, where you would drive to Hawthorne and hang out with your favorite wizard (once you had joked you had been there to see John Henry, indeed “your favorite wizard” and Michael hadn’t spoken to you for a day).
And you were thankful that you got to spend the day in your favorite city with your warlock and the person he treated as his mother, loving her as such, although you couldn’t help but be a bit overwhelmed and scared by Mrs Mead’s judgement.
What would Michael do, had she not approved you?
You knew that your love was solid, but you also realized that the family he had built with the Satanist woman might have been something that stood before you and so it might be more impactful than you, a simple witch.
You were extremely relived to see them arrive on time and immediately exited Robinchaux, meanwhile Madison mocked you with very vulgar gestures (you honestly hoped Mrs Mead hadn’t seen them) meanwhile Misty Day and Zoe gave you thumbs up to encourage you a bit.
Michael was waiting outside the car, parked on the sideways of the road, and when he saw you, he immediately reached out to envelop you in an hug, before raising you a bit off the ground, meanwhile you squealed of surprise, completely forgetting about your anxiety.
He jokingly brushed your noses together, before capturing your lips softly for a sweet kiss in which you melted completely, with your arms loosely around his neck, meanwhile your toes caught the ground, again.
A low cough brought yourself apart and you couldn’t help but blush lightly, meanwhile Mrs Mead came forward, holding out an hand for you to take it and gently grip it tightly, but not “I-Want-To-Crush-Your-Hand” tightly
-I am (Y/N) (L/N)- you mumbled as lowly as you could, trying to keep your voice from wavering pitifully and gaining a smile from the older woman, all dressed in black, who kept her eyes on you face the entire time of the exchange -It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Mead-.
-Oh, sweetie, you can call me Myriam! – the woman saluted her gently, gripping back her hand -… Michael has talked so much about you-.
-I hope only good things- you joked, gently entwining your fingers together with Michael’s, who sent a disgruntled look on your way, making you smirk.
-I don’t think that my boy could have bad words for someone who love him so much- giggled softly Mrs Mead and you blushed again, turning to hide your face in Michael’s neck, who smirked even brighter although a light dust of pink covered his cheeks.
-Can we now go? – propose softly Michael, looking at Mrs Mead with bright eyes, and with an hand on his soft tummy -…I am hungry! -.
Of course, your boyfriend was always hungry and you giggled, sharing a knowing look with Mrs Mead, who was a joy for the entire trip towards the french-toast place, although you did have to say that the little conversation on her likes and dislikes with Michael had helped you.
So, after a little talk about your musical taste and what your family did (avoiding talking about their extremely catholic faith) you had warmed up the black-clothed woman’s heart.
That was till Michael tried eating a too hot french-toast, immediately burning his tongue and utter a pained “mommy”.
You and Mrs Mead had immediately turned around, catching each other in the action, and although you were definitely less surprised, since she was obviously Michael’s motherly figure, she didn’t hide the surprise to your immediate reaction, and you couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
You immediately backed off, thinking that you had screwed up everything, letting Mrs Mead take care of her boy, meanwhile you clutched his hand in yours, trying to give him some comfort and support, not meeting the other woman’s eyes.
This dynamic was pretty common between you and Michael (and between your friends, mostly because of that time Madison saw Michael standing outside of your room, waiting for you to come back from a library session with Zoe and asked jokingly “are you waiting for your mommy, poor baby?” and Michael had just nodded, traumatizing effectively poor Madison).
You were used to being a caregiver to others and Michael couldn’t help but be attracted by your gentle and stern nurturing nature.
It had taken you a few months to get around the entity of this dimension between you and Michael, but it had also come natural and you had set down on your roles, whenever Michael felt like regressing, which was mostly when you two were together, but sometimes Michael would slip in public and you had learnt to catch on the signs of this.
Still you hadn’t been very open about this dynamic, mostly due to all the prejudices that came with it, although, you, yourself didn’t care much about them.
But certainly, being called “mommy” by your boyfriend, in front of his adoptive mother didn’t bode well, with an appropriate first meeting.
“Michael, dear, I think that pouring some cold water on it might help, I’ll order some, but in the meanwhile you can try with the one from the sink of the bathroom” suggested Mrs Mead, saying exactly what you would have also suggested, but you would have offered kisses in order to also ease the pain.
You simply smiled sympathetically at the poor baby, gently gripping tighter his hand, just to let it go in order for him to be up and run towards the toilettes, leaving you and Mrs Mead extremely red, in an embarrassed silence and you almost thought about faking an excuse to get out the embarrassing situation.
“… well I do think that was a bit awkward” attempt to speak up softly Mrs Mead, meanwhile you kept your eyes on the skirt of your dress, but attempted a small smile “… I won’t pretend to understand it, but I won’t judge you”.
“I swear it was a little slip” you mumbled shyly “I didn’t mean it and I truly am sorry…”.
“I do have to admit that it took me a bit by surprise…” grumbled the other woman, but her tone was judgement free “… but I am glad that Michael has somebody who cares for him and love him, it makes me feel happy that he would have somebody who might look out for him, if anything happened to me”.
“Please don’t be so… sad… I am sure that you and him will have more summers and winters in the future” you couldn’t help but reply since the tone of the woman had suddenly started become sad.
“Oh, my sweet child, it is typical of us parents to be worried about our children’s future” exclaimed softly the woman, holding out an hand to intertwin with yours and you couldn’t help but give her a soft but sad smile “… but you don’t know how much lighter you make me feel, knowing that you’ll take care of my Michael”.
You smiled, this time, with gentleness:
“I’ll always take care of him, don’t worry”.
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mazojo · 5 years ago
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Favorite Sohma’s
Hi yes, uh, I needed a space to rant about fruits basket because I am still very broken so yea
Disclaimer that this is just my opinion and I still love them all very much, just needed to get this out of my system ayee. Also I will include a song that reminds me of them because I am that invested in this so yeaaaa
14- Kagura Sohma
Boy by Little Mix - “I know what you’re worth girl, you know what you got”
I rank Kagura as my least favorite just for the fact that I cant really relate to her I guess? I mean, she is okay, I think she is cute and all but I don't think violence is the way to go about her struggles and she is so much more worth than she gives herself credits for. In the end, I dont think I full understood her big struggle as much as the other characters and thats why she is at number 14, although I want her to be happy and full of love and support like the others ;w;
13- Akito Sohma
My Eyes by Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day - “But it’s plain to see, Evil inside of me is on the rise”
Akito is a complicated one for me man. Of course, in the beginning and throughout the manga you learn to really dislike her because she did some terrible things, specially to my baby boi Yuki and eye-.... But then when we learn more about her and everything she has gone through we start sympathizing with her but i..... cant just forget everything she did. I get she was traumatized since she was little, she became dependent on the zodiacs because of her father’s words and mother’s behaviour thus becoming a broken person with this big responsibility she didn't ask for. It really ticks me however, how much pain the others underwent through her, and even though its a healing process, the traumas and everything they suffered is still there which is why I cant place her higher. I do not hate her by any means, but she isnt my favorite person on this list either. I do ship her with Shigure and I think they help each other out, and they grow from the other.
12- Shigure Sohma
Used to the Darkness by Des Rocs - “Now would you pray before you twist the knife? Yeah, would you take my hand and take a life?”
*big sigh* Shigure is also a complicated one for me. It may be my big dumb energies showing but I didnt fully get a grasp on his character? I know he was doing everything for Akito’s sake to liberate from the curse and be with her so she is finally a “woman” but he always acted a bit shady xD?? I would have love to know more about his backstory, we dont get much from his motivations and character other than the perverted aspect and that he loves Akito lmaoo. I do think he is hilarious and I love the dynamic he has with Hatori and Ayame lol
11- Ayame Sohma
Starships by Nicky Minaj - “Starships were menat to fly, Hands up and touch the sky “
To be honest I am pretty neutral about Ayame’s character. He is hilarious and I love how Yuki insults him every tike he gets the chance lolll. I like how throughout the story he tries to change to become a better brother to Yuki and person even though he is pretty extra most of the time about it. He has a good heart and even though he made some mistakes he owns up to them which in my opinion, makes him a good character <33 I love his friendship with Hatori lmaooo they balance each other out sooo well
10- Kureno Sohma
Taking Chances by Celine Dion - “Never knowing if there's solid ground below, Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay”
I really like Kureno! He has gone through quite a bit and he needs a hug. I am sad thinking how most of his life he lead it pretty similarly to Yuki’s, apart from everyone and super enclosed to his relationship with Akito due to him breaking the curse and feeling bad about it. I do wish we would have gotten to know more about his personality and story, if we did I would have definitely ranked him higher! He really reminds me of Tohru’s father and I think Uotani is perfect for him <33 would have love to see more about the two of them and hopefully they expand upon it in the anime
9- Ritsu Sohma
Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt - “On the outside, always looking in, Will I ever be more than I've always been?”
Okay okay so I have a lot of thoughts on Ritsu. Manga Ritsu is okay, I really dont have much of an opinion on him due to him appearing only in a few chapters, I feel like from the Sohma’s, he is the one we get the least information about. But then the anime episode came out where they presented Ritsu and I thought they gave him so much more life and rounded personality where, I get to relate a lot to him? I am someone who is constantly apologizing for absolutely no reason and seeing him be all anxious and stressed about others interactions is big relate to me and I stan. I also think the whole dressing as a woman plot line is better dealt with in the anime and I hope we get to see more about his insecurities and troubles in the future because he is truly a very interesting character! I stan my one (1) anxious monkey.
8- Kisa Sohma
Mean by Taylor Swift - “But you can take me down with just one single blow, But you don't know what you don't know”
Cinnammon rooooooolll. Kisa is such a cutie. I dont have much to say other than my mood every time I think about Kisa is hugging her like Tohru does because she is babyyyy. Also her bullying story is one I think many viewers and readers can relate a lot to and such an important topic I think they covered pretty well and I loveee. Also her and Hiro are one of my favorite ships because they work so well and asdfgh in this household Kisa is a queennn.
7- Isuzu Sohma
Take me Home by Jess Glynne - “Came to you with a broken faith, Gave me more than a hand to hold”
I really like Isuzu!! I am pretty bummed we wont get to meet her in season 1 of the Anime reboot but hopefully in the nest season! She is quite a complex character that I didnt really understand at the beginning but once we see how much she loves Haru and all that she does in order to protect and keep him save she really went up my list. She has gone through so much, from her shattered reality from her parents, Akito threatening Haru, her being locked up withour given any food.... Isuzu is so strong and one of the best build characters in the series and I am super excited to see her in the anime!
6- Hiro Sohma
Time to be a Man by The Airborne Toxic Event - “And it’s time to be a man, Tell me how does that go?”
My bastard childdd <33 He is such an asshole and such a sweetie at the same time. His whole inner struggle of not feeling like a good enough man for Kisa is so heartwhelming and I think it really makes sense to the type of person he is. The flashbacks of him telling Akito how he loves Kisa and the feeling of uncertainty and impotency when seeing the girl he loves being hurt by his actions and wanting to be good enough for her even though he is more than enough sdfghjasd. I am also a softie for older brothers who love their families *cough cough* spoiler alert: Momiji *cough cough* that I love me one angry boi
5- Hatsuharu Sohma
4 Seasons by Rex Orange County - “I saw myself as less and you so high above me”
Cow boil! apart from the fact that I love love loveeee Haru’s design, I think he is also such a well build character! He is not only supportive of everyone (aka the loves of his life, Rin and Yuki xDD) but he is so interesting! His split personalities give him a cool trait (even though dark Haru doesnt appear much in the end of the manga) and I love how he helps everyone and makes sure those he loves are protected at all cost and happy. He is Rin and Yuki’s fan club stan leader and I am co-leader so we been stanning aye
4- Hatori Sohma
Fireflies by Owl City - “I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes, I got misty eyes as they said farewell”
Boooooy the next four to come are my absolute favorties and I would die for their happiness and love so *takes big breathe* I LoVE hAtORi sOhMAAa. To be honest when we first meet him I didnt like him much. I thought he was your usual dark deep character who doesnt talk much because he is too cool for everyone (which, he is) and that was that. But boi was I in for a riDE. His story about having to erase the memories from the woman he loves is one of the ones I cried through the most. I put myself in his shoes and wonder if I had to erase the memory of the person I loved the most, make them forget they ever met me, all our happy times, sad times, angry times.... No matter what its one of the most saddening moments and the whole scene is heartbreaking, which makes me love Hatori even more for the fact of how strong he is and selfless. He puts himself before others and he need to know he also deserves happiness and I am glad in the end he got it because homeboy needed a break ;w;. I also adore Ayame’s relationship with him xDD, he is like his idol and big same.
3- Kyo Sohma 
This song saved my Life by Simple Plan - “Sometimes it feels like nobody gets me, Trapped in a world where everyone hates me”
Top three babyyyy. We have now my angry cat boi™. I mentioned it before but going into the reboot firsthand without reading the manga nor watching the first anime, I thought Kyo was going to be my absolute favorite character. I knew he would be the angry boi who was soft inside and probably had a tragic backstory™ that made him act the way he did and I am a sucker for those types of characters. And I love Kyo, I really do, specially when we find out more about his struggles and past. The exclusion he felt throughout his life for being the cat, the abandonment, feeling like he had no one and was ready to die because he didn't have any source of genuine happiness (well, apart from Kazuma ya know but stillll). Then he finds Tohru, the girl he promised to protect, the one that reminded him of the woman that helped him out all those years ago and I just.... poetic cinema at its finest. Kyo and Tohru make one of my favorite couples and I love how flustered and In absolute l o v e he is with her and Kyo is great man....
2- Yuki Sohma
Nandemonaiya by RADWIMPS - “Crying even when you're happy, Smiling even when you're feeling lonely”
THIS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS OF MA ENTIRE WEEB CAREER SO EXCUSE WHILE I SCREAM. Yuki Sohma won my heart and entire soul throughout the series. I liked him from the start but he wasn't my favorite favorite at the beginning you know? I thought he was isolated and thats why he didn't have much friends and he was perfect and what not but boi was I wrong and happy about it. I think one of the reasons Yuki is one of my favorite characters in fruits basket is how much I can see myself in him. Having the constant need of perfection while also wanting to connect with others but finding it hard is something I personally struggle with and every time we learned a little bit about his backstory my heart broke. Everything Yuki had to go through, the rejection, the isolation, understanding that you are loved and not a burden, falling in love with someone, finding that figure of a mother/friend he always yearned for.... The complexity of Yuki’s character is astounding and I love my rat boi so so much.... When he joins the student council, finding his little group of friends and opening up to a more carefree and true Yuki, forgiving those around him and going and eye- YuKI IS MY BABY RAT BOI AND STAN HIM OR PERISH FROM HERE ;w;
1- Momiji Sohma 
Eine Kleine by Rachie - “If I were to go through life living just to take somebody else's place, Then I would rather have been born as a pebble, living out my peaceful days “
*Clears throat* *trumpets sounds intensify* *stands on podium* I LOVE MOMIJI SOHMA WITH ALL MY HEART AND HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. Thats it. Thats what I want you to get out of this post. I don't know if this is maybe an unpopular opinion-ish but Momiji’s backstory of his mother rejecting him, saying awful things, him having to accept being forgotten by his mother and sister whom he loved, not even being able to live with his family, is one of the most heartbreaking ones of fruits basket. Maybe its like what I said with Hiro and I am a sucker for big brothers that love their families, the sad smile of Momiji, my baby, angel, perfection when he sees his family and not being able to be with them, him loving Tohru but letting her go and be with Kyo because its her happiness that matters to him and I am-..... The selflessness of Momiji and how much of a sweetheart he is, his heart of gold and always being there for those around him, that moment where Akito was looking for Tohru and he got hurt trying to defend her.... Momiji is one of my all time favorite characters. He is a precious bean and I will never not shut up about my love for ma boi <333
Anyways that was long and ramble but I just needed to shout this somewhere because I've been missing they //rip
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thelastspeecher · 6 years ago
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A while back, I started writing the scene in the Superhero/villain AU where Stan meets Pa McGucket, bc I love writing villainous Pa McGucket so much.  I never got around to finishing the scene, though.
...Until today.  Enjoy.
              Stan opened the door to Angie’s hospital room.  He proudly held up the cup of water he’d been sent to get.
              “Took me a while, Ang, but I-”  The words died in his throat.  While he’d been gone, Angie’s family had arrived.  Both of her parents and all five of her older siblings were crowded around her bed, cooing over the newborns.  Stan recognized Angie’s mom, Sally, her older brother Fiddleford, and her twin, Lute, but the others were strangers.  Angie smiled weakly at him.
              “Stan, this is my fam’ly.”  Stan nodded. “You’ve met my ma.”  Stan nodded again.  “My pa’s the one holdin’ Danny.”  The middle-aged man who had Danny nestled in his arms scowled at Stan. He looked eerily like Lute, a fact that didn’t ease Stan’s nerves.  Lute was very explicit about his less-than-charitable feelings towards Stan. “Basstian is-” Angie continued. Her father put a hand on her shoulder.
              “Junebug, why don’t ya wait on the introductions,” he said smoothly.  He handed Danny to his wife.  “I want to have a talk with Stan, first.”
              “Oh- okay,” Angie stammered.  “Sorry,” she mouthed at Stan.  Mr. McGucket marched over to Stan, grabbed his shoulder, and shoved him out into the hallway.  Stan’s brain kicked into overdrive at the display of aggression.
              Okay, his power is plants, right? He can control them?  Yeah, that’s what Angie said.  Mr. McGucket dragged him to an isolated corner.  And his name.  What’s his name?  It’s somethin’ weird.  Mr. McGucket crossed his arms.
              “Explain yourself,” he snarled.  Stan held up his hands placatingly.
              “Look, Mearl, I-”
              “It’s Mr. McGucket to you, boy,” Mr. McGucket spat.  A nearby potted plant sprouted a few new leaves.
              Yep.  His power is plants.
              “You’ve got some nerve,” Mr. McGucket continued.  “Gettin’ my daughter pregnant, weaslin’ yer way into her life, and then not even gettin’ her to the hospital in time to give birth.”
              “Hey, I’m pissed about that, too,” Stan shot back.  “I didn’t want my brother to deliver my kids.  But Lute didn’t believe me when I said Angie was in labor.”  Mr. McGucket seemed taken aback.
              “Lute’s fault?  Is that so?”
              “Yes!  My brother’s doctorate isn’t in medicine, why the hell would I want him involved when my kids were born?  Angie and I had a plan.  I would fly her to the hospital since she couldn’t fly and there was construction. But my coworkers called and insisted that I come help, and I couldn’t get out of it.  Angie was still barely in labor, so I thought I would be back in time, but then things started happening fast, and like I said, Lute didn’t believe me, and by the time I got back home, I missed the birth of my daughters.”  The words tumbled out of Stan like they tended to around Angie’s disapproving relatives.  Stan caught his breath.  He waited for Mr. McGucket to respond.
              “Hmph.”  Mr. McGucket took off his glasses and idly polished them with his shirt, a carefully neutral expression on his face.  “That’s a fair point, that ya missed yer daughters’ birth.  From what I’ve heard ‘bout ya, from both my wife and my daughter, that’s not somethin’ you wanted one whit.”
              “No.  I wanted to be there.”
              “Mm-hmm.  And Lute does have a tendency to not listen to folks if he don’t like ‘em.”  Mr. McGucket put his glasses back on.  “Stan, I’m goin’ to ask ya a few questions now, and ya need to be truthful when ya answer ‘em, okay?”
              “I was gonna tell the truth anyways.”  Mr. McGucket scowled.  “…Yes, I’ll be honest.”
              “Good.  The first question I have for ya regards yer…career.”
              “Okay.”
              “If, fer some reason, somethin’ happened that made it impossible fer you to continue yer hero work unless you cut off contact with Angie and the kids, would ya stop bein’ a hero?”
              “Yes,” Stan said immediately.  Mr. McGucket raised an eyebrow.  “I- I’ve actually thought about that.  If the only way I could take care of Angie and my daughters was to stop being a hero and cut off all my ties with my squad, I wouldn’t even think about it. I’d just do it.”  Mr. McGucket nodded slightly.
              “I’m glad to hear that.  Now, would ya ever try to make Angie switch sides, or raise yer daughters to be heroes?”
              “No.  Angie’s too proud of her heritage.  All I’d do by trying to get her to become a hero is push her away.  And we agreed that we’ll raise the girls neutrally, so that they can choose which side they want to fight for when they’re old enough.”
              “Excellent.”  Mr. McGucket crossed his arms.  He leaned forward.  “You seem to be pretty fam’ly-oriented, boy.  My daughter said yer mother is a hero?”
              “Yeah.  Retired, but, yeah.  She’s why I got into the hero game.”
              “Hmm.  Would she ever be a concern?”
              “Angie and I haven’t told her that Angie’s a villain, if that’s what you’re asking.”
              “Yes, it is what I’m askin’.”  Mr. McGucket narrowed his eyes.  “And yer father?”
              “Out of the picture.”
              “Really?”
              “He kicked me outta the house before I was eighteen,” Stan said.  Mr. McGucket leaned back, clearly thrown off-guard.  “Not all of my scars are from fighting villains.” Mr. McGucket’s eyes widened.
              “Pardon?”
              “You heard me,” Stan mumbled, abruptly realizing he had accidentally shared information even Angie didn’t know.  He looked away.
              Why did I say that?
              “Stanley, what I just heard ya say was that yer father abused you,” Mr. McGucket said in a low voice.  “Is that correct?”  After a moment, Stan nodded reluctantly.  “Goodness gracious.”  Stan looked back at Mr. McGucket.  Mr. McGucket shook his head.  “That ain’t right.”  Stan remembered a conversation he’d had with Angie a month ago.
              “I’m just sayin’,” Stan said, handing Angie a sandwich on a plate, “you don’t really seem like a villain.”
              “You need to widen yer narrow-minded view of the world,” Angie said, shaking her head.  She rested the plate on top of her large baby bump.  “I’m a villain, through and through.  Always have been.”
              “But I’ve seen how you and Lute fight.  You never hurt civilians.  You only target places that can handle it.  And I’ve never seen you guys get involved in any of the really bad scenes, like drugs.”
              “That’s how we were raised,” Angie said with a shrug. “My folks aren’t traditional villains. Sure, we break the law.  Sure, we’ve infiltrated high levels of government before. But we don’t hurt those who are already hurtin’.  We only injure those who get in our way.  We don’t get our kicks from punchin’ homeless people.  My siblin’s ‘n myself, we were raised with strong moral compasses.  A sense of right and wrong.”
              “You still break the law.”
              “You said you noticed we never target mom ‘n pop stores,” Angie shot back.  “Like I said, we go after people what can take a beating.”
              “Yeah, but-”
              “And if you want to talk ‘bout right and wrong,” Angie interrupted, “how ‘bout we discuss the heroes that kick out their kids? Not all villains come from villainous fam’lies.  There are plenty of villains who were disowned by their hero parents fer not goin’ into heroism, or fer bein’ gay, or fer bein’ a dif’rent gender than they were given at birth.  There’s nothin’ right about that.  But the heroes get away with it.  ‘Cause they’re the ‘good guys’.”
              “How- how do you know that happens?”
              “I’ve met ‘em.  My fam’ly hosted a lot of runaways and homeless teens when I was growin’ up.”  Angie picked at her sandwich absentmindedly.  “My folks, they told us, ‘See?  This is what happens.  Heroes only accept those that fit their narrow views of what is right and what is good. Remember that we’re better than the heroes, ‘cause we accept everyone.’”
              “I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Mr. McGucket said, drawing Stan out of the memory.  Stan stared at him in astonishment.  “No child should have to grow up in a household where a parent lays a hand on ‘em.”
              “I mean…yeah.  It sucked.” Mr. McGucket nodded somberly.  “But it also made me determined to do better than him.  To be better than him.  I tracked Angie down when I realized she was pregnant with my kid because I always wanted to be a better dad than mine was.”  Mr. McGucket smiled.
              “Yer a good guy, Stanley.  And I don’t mean that in the sense of how ya fight my children.  I mean that in the sense of what’s inside you.”  Stan opened and closed his mouth silently.  “I’ve known a lot of heroes who were bad guys. Took in some of their children, actually.  There’s too many people what have only known a home filled with anger and bruises.  I wanted them to experience one filled with love and warmth.”  Mr. McGucket looked off into the distance, his eyes misty.  “I’ve spent plenty of time interactin’ with heroes and villains. I know there’s no true moral consensus between all members of each side.  There’s bad folks who are heroes, good folks who are villains, and, like some of my former coworkers, bad folks who are villains.  Ya can’t trust what someone is like based on what side they’re on. Ya have to judge ‘em yourself.” Mr. McGucket patted Stan on the shoulder.  “If my daughter had to get involved with a hero, at least she got involved with one of the good ones.”  His smile was fatherly, his gray eyes twinkled with warmth.
              “Th-thanks.  Mr. McGucket.”
              “Don’t mention it.”  Mr. McGucket’s gaze hardened.  “But you listen, and you listen good.  If you ever so much as look wrong at my daughter or my grandchildren, you’ll be feedin’ the worms in my garden so fast it’ll make yer head spin.”  Mr. McGucket paused thoughtfully.  “Actually, yer head wouldn’t spin.  Muscles tend to freeze up upon death.”  He let out a chortle.  Stan’s blood ran cold.
              “I- I almost forgot for a second that you were a villain,” Stan confessed. Mr. McGucket laughed again.  He squeezed Stan’s shoulder painfully.
              “It wouldn’t be in yer best interests to forget that again,” he hissed. Stan nodded jerkily.  “Good.  Now, let’s head back to the room, and you can meet the rest of the fam’ly.”
              “Can’t wait,” Stan mumbled.
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videogamelover99 · 7 years ago
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Waking Days Ch.3 - Vegas Lights
A/N Guess this is back you guys. I’m so glad you’ve been patient with me for so long, and finally this chapter is out. I’m hoping to get posting at least once a month now. For now here’s this chapter.  AU by @doodledrawsthings​. Based on @pengychan​‘s Flat Dreams fic. 
“Please tell me that’s not it.” Dipper knelt down in the grass.
“I’m afraid it is.”
“I doesn’t look too bad.” Mabel said, turning her head with a forced smile on her lips.
“It looks horrible.”
“It’ll be okay.”
Stanford laughed at the twins’ bickering, but the laugh was clearly forced. Over the brief period he and his brother visited Dimension 52 the hole grew even more, now taking on a shifting mess of color, glowing an intimidating red that bathed the rest of the tree in an almost demonic hue. Golden thread wove through both sides of the crevice, the physical representation of the effects of the chronometer. It bore close resemblance to a gaping, bleeding wound, held closed by half-attempted stitches. A leftover memory of Bill Cipher’s terror, not that different from what Ford remembered of the Nightmare Realm. It felt wrong just being there.
The Oracle showed up regularly, if it was just to check up on the rift or on the Pines Ford wasn’t sure, but the being soon became an almost normal presence in the household. The visits of his old friend reassured as much as they troubled the scientist. If anything, he should be glad she had agreed to help, but the frequently worried look on her face made Stanford extremely unnerved. If a being with knowledge of the future wore that look, then certainly things weren’t at all good.
If that wasn’t concerning enough, the way Cipher turned tail and left every time Jheselbraum came around certainly was. Ford would almost feel sorry for him if it wasn’t for, well, everything.
Stan, while quite suspicious at first (‘no, she hadn’t tried to possess me. Do you really think I’d fall for that trick again?’) Had quickly warmed up to the oracle. After trying (and failing) to sell some of his junk to her, the conman had somehow decided she was the next best thing since sliced bread.
“I’m rich! Finally!”
It was a cool, misty Sunday morning when Stan suddenly burst through the back door, the poor thing squeaking on its hinges, and tossed a packed-looking duffel bag onto the kitchen table. The other members of the Pines family, who just a few seconds ago were eating breakfast, all stared at the new item in bemusement.
“Uh, Grunkle Stan, what’s with the suitcase?” Dipper finally asked, poking the thing lightly with a finger.
“Ooh, are you going on vacation?” Mabel stood on her chair to get a better look.
“We were on a vacation for nine months.” Stanford pointed out, hardly taking his eyes off of the paperback he was reading.
“Oh yeah, but would you really call battling sea monsters every day a real vacation?” Dipper frowned.
“It is for this family.”
“Okay, no, I’m not going on a vacation, though right now that sounds really tempting.” Stan butted in, reaching over Dipper’s shoulder to unzip the duffel bag. Inside was green, and not the kind you find on trees either.
“Wow.” Mabel whistled appreciatively, looking at the bag full of hundred dollar bills in a newfound light.
“Who’d you rob?” Her brother frowned, peering at the cash with a much more wary look.
“Nobody! Nobody that actually needed it, at least.” the old man shrugged.
Ford finally put down the book, eyeing the money. “This isn’t from that pug trafficking incident you told me about, is it?”
“Hey how’d ya guess?”
“Pug trafficking?” Mabel now looked a lot less awed.
“Hey, don’t worry, Sweetie! I promise no dogs were harmed. Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a scout…” Ford muttered, once again picking up his book.
“So anyway, I’m rich. Who knows what I’m going to do with it?”
“Buy a really expensive perfume?”
“Build a new room for Soos.”
“OOH! Buy a trained tiger!”
“Great pitches kids, but nah.” Stan grabbed one of the handles, pulling the money closer. “There’s one place I’ve been dying to go to. Hadn’t been there since my marriage.”
“You got marri-”
“Anyway, waddaya say, Sixer? Ready for some nightlife? Babes? Action?”
Stanford slowly put the book down, and met his twin’s gaze with his own, steely one. “The universe is falling apart at the seams. Our enemy is living under our roof. And you want to drag me to- to- that-”
“Wow, way to ruin the fun. After thirty years in sci-fi land I’d expected ya to lighten up already.”
“You’re sixty, Stan, not exactly ideal age to go gambling, and we don’t have time for this.” The scientist stood up, tucking his paperback under his arm. “I’m going downstairs to figure out how to save the world. Again. You can do whatever you want.” And just like that, he left, leaving his three family members staring at each other in silence.
“Okay, I coulda handled that better.”
“Uh, Grunkle Stan? Why exactly did you want to take Grunkle Ford to Vegas?” Dipper asked.
“Okay, so, I may or may not owe a giant sum of money to someone-”
“Of course.” Dipper rolled his eyes.
“And gun-slinging backup doesn’t hurt...Also fun.”
“I don’t think he’s the type, Grunkle Stan.” Mabel stated sadly.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Bill is.” Dipper mused.
“Wow, okay, no. Could ya imagine having that monstrosity on a road trip? Ugh, I don’t even wanna think about it.”
The girl snorted. “Yeah, I think I can.”
“Speaking of which, where is the little creeper gone?”
“Uh…” The twins shared a look. Mabel shrugged helplessly. “We should probably find him before he burns down the forest or something.”
“Good point.” And with that the two disappeared, leaving Stan alone with an unfinished piece of toast and a bag full of illegal cash.
“Huh. Is that something I should be concerned about?”
Stanley whirled around, bag suddenly clutched to his chest. “Jesus Christ, lady, give an old man a warning!”
Jheselbraum (he got it right, right?) raised an eyebrow, folding her arms and leaning casually on the edge of the table. “Strange, I do not think that man knew his name was going to turn into something explicit. But I suppose it happens.”
“I- what?”
“Nevermind.” The oracle turned her attention to the bag. “And I’m guessing that was 100% legally acquired?” She couldn’t quite hide the amusement in her voice.
“Oh yes. Absolutely.” Stan gave her a sarcastic grin. That grin slipped away quickly, however, as the cogs in his brain began to turn, suddenly giving him an idea as he eyed the woman in front of him. “Say, what’s yer opinion on road trips?”
“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” The alien in the shotgun seat shifted uncomfortably, struggling her best to say annoyed. Stan brought the car into the left lane, quickly passing a truck on the side.
“Really? Ya didn’t exactly seem that reluctant goin’.”
“I- We should be working on closing the rift, not, not galavanting on some weekend quest to pay off a guy you stole from.”
“Hey, who said anything about stealing? I was borrowin’.”
“And i suppose the death threats that he leaves in your voice mail are friendly banter?”
“Aw, you’re being sarcastic. And here I thought you were a stick in the mud.”
“...” Nora sat back in her seat, tossing one leg over the other, and stared out the window. Bits of Oregon wildlife flew past them, forrest green melting into a choppy blir as the car flew by at a grand total of 50 miles an hour. The Stanleymobile really needed to upgrade.
It didn’t take long for Stanley to admit the real reason he was reluctant to go alone. Apparently he was completely willing to blow all of his money by himself. No, what got him concerned about bringing Stanford was not company as much as muscle. Owing a lot of money to a crime boss apparently did that to you.
“And what exactly do you want me to do?” She frowned. “Sit there and look pretty?”
“We-ell.” Stan paused, scratching his cheek with one hand, the other resting on the steering wheel. “You can see the future, right?”
“It’s not that simple.” She frowned. “Also sorry for not seeming that excited, but if you were planning to use that to win some easy money, you’re out of luck. My vision doesn’t work that way.”
“And what’s ‘that way’?”
“Complicated.”
“Fine.”
There was silence. Nora didn't really know why she was so antagonistic toward Stanley. So far, the human hadn’t done anything that would deserve it, if the whole using-her-for-gambling thing didn’t count. But there was something in the back of her mind, an itch that was scratching at her, telling her that the man next to her was not what he seemed.
That was truly ridiculous. She looked into his and his brother’s timeline many times. She knew him, just like the rest of the Pines, like the back of her hand. And yet-
Maybe she just wasn’t used to the company. Back in her own dimension, the Oracle had many people with whom she’d conversed. Many came to the mountain to seek her guidance, and the company was always welcome. But there was always some barrier, a wall between her and the other that prevented her from truly- what? Connecting? She was always there to get wisdom and assistance. It was a long time before she could just speak to someone, without needing to be that.
It felt refreshing, but also slightly off-kilter.
“Y’know, that’s not the only reason I wanted to bring Sixer.” Stan’s voice made the woman turn back to him, her thoughts pushed back into a jumbled mess for the time being.
“Oh?”
“He just- hasn’t been sleeping for a while, y’know? And I thought- ‘hey, great idea. Let’s get him to ignore the second end of the world for a while’. Didn’t exactly work, but it’s the thought that counts, right?”
Nora sighed through her nose. “Your brother isn’t like that. You know it.”
“Yeah...yeah.”
“He’s very determined. Very passionate. That isn’t a bad thing.” The woman brought her hands up to fiddle with her pendant, lost in thought. “But it can easily get out of hand.”
“Yeah, I get what ya mean.” Stan frowned, staring straight at the road ahead. “You know, he called me too old to go gambling.”
The woman paused for a moment. “I am one trillion years old, if that makes you feel any better.”
“Huh...wow. Uh...you look younger than your years?”
“Thanks.”
“Though maybe if you stop dressing like it’s the war time…”
The oracle frowned, wrinkling out her skirt. “What’s wrong with the way I dress?”
“Nothing! Way better than wearing a wizard robe, anyway. Just looks like you came straight from the 1940s, is all.”
“Uh huh.”
“Oh hey, by the way, it’s Nora, right?”
“...yes.”
“Huh.” Stan snorted. “Knew a gal named Nora once. Real pain in my ass. You’ve got a lot in common.
Nora rolled her eyes. “Keep driving.”
“Sure thing.”
The first thing to assault her eyes were the lights. Hundreds of them, bright neon and colorful, hanging on buildings, advertising food, hotels, casinos. People stood on the sidewalks and threw pamphlets at tourists and passersbys, cards containing contact info of strippers and nightclubs, people yelling, cars honking aggressively, music blaring from hidden speakers, fountain jets raining down, illuminated by multicolor lights. There was so much, too much, it was overwhelming- Nora couldn’t look away. That man on the street- wife walked out on him, having a midlife crisis, taking it out on the girl next to him. The girl- adulterer, before she was even eighteen, raised in the middle of nowhere, wanted a life. What she got was angry drunkards and little pay. The woman on the street, tugging her child after her- married, on vacation, is about to meet her oldest daughter after a year apart. Every person, every place and every conversation had something to offer her, a troubled past, and hopeful or depressing future...She was used to this, used to the rapid fire of her predictions, fates intertwining, alternating, branching out into infinite different scenarios. But there was just so much...
“So, uh, what’d ya think? Worth the trip?”
Nora jumped, whipping around to look at Stanley hero, brother, savior, liar- “Uhh, it’s...something?”
“Come on! City of chance, of risk and it’s ‘something’?”
“It’s just...it’s a lot.”
After hustling into the hotel, via underground parking, Stan elbowed his way through the long, carpeted corridors of the hotel lobby, his companion trailing a few paces behind him, looking around at the crowd with wide eyes. The receptionist at the desk eyed both of them with a bored expression. Checking in was the easy part. Trying not to get jumped by a crime boss was another. Stan eyed his phone as he led Nora to the elevators, the bag of cash, discretely covered up by as stack of dirty clothes, over his shoulder. Floor 19 7pm. See me. The vague text sent an uncomfortable prickling feeling down his spine. He’d faced the end of the world, and yet the threat of organized crime still rubed him the wrong way. Call it bad memories. Being stuck in the trunk of a car for 31 hours could do that. He needed to make this quick and high tail outta here. And, Stan quickly reassured himself, he wouldn’t exactly be alone.
Though looking over at the oracle, who now eyed the fancy furniture and decoration with with annoyance, Stan wondered just how much faith he could put in his new inter-dimensional buddy. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, per say, hell, he’d trust her over the angry yellow demon any day. Still, there was something off about her. Something that Stanley’s instincts had to remind him constantly of. Just how much did Ford really know about this woman? And who said she was who she said she was? Call him paranoid, but when was he not? Came with the trade, so to speak.
“So who are you meeting with? And how much can I bet on your survival?” Nora jumped up on the bed, the obscene amount of comforters bouncing under her weight.
“Nice to get some reassurance for once. And couldn’t you just look and see, anyway? Don’t you know the future?”
“I could…” she shrugged, “but it wouldn’t tell me anything. Not really.”
Well that was vague as hell.
The man grumbled, shouldering his duffel bag. “So your one superpower is basically useless. Well why the hell did I bring ya here then?!”
“That’s what I’ve been asking.”
Stan sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Look, just...I’ma go and had ‘im the cash, hopefully won’t get jumped, and you, uh...do whatever you wanna do. I don’t know, watch TV or something.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“What question? Okay, bye!”
And he ran out, slamming the door behind him as he did.
He did not find the guy. The vague text message was the only thing he got, and after about an hour of scouting the corridor of Floor 19 Stan finally gave up and shrugged it off, deciding that the cash should be good for something, and made his way downstairs for the one thing this place was truly famous for.
...
“Hey buddy.”
Stan scraped up his tokens and grinned at the speaker lazily. “Yeah?”
The man looked like he was in his late thirties, his face still free of any wrinkles. Dark hair framed his long, oval-shaped face, a pair of expensive-looking spectacles sitting on his hook-shaped nose. “I see you’ve got quite a streak going. I won’t bother you, but I was wondering if you’d be interested in a game against me?”
“What kinda game?”
The man grinned, a golden tooth glinting in the dim lighting. “A game of opportunity.”
“Huh.” Stan watched the man grab a free table, sitting down and gesturing at the older man to follow suit. “I think I like ya already.” He sat down opposite. “So what d’ya want to bet on? Start small?”
The man was still smiling, something that Stan would find unnerving without the buzz of alcohol. “Oh no. There’s a loss far worse than money you can recover. Of course, I’d be needing the same in return.” He leaned in closer. “Time is much more precious than money, my friend.”
It was poker. It was literally just poker, and looking back, Stan kinda wished it wasn’t. Looking at a mystical game of chess or some kind of enchanted contest of weirdness would at least be bearable. His ego would still be intact. But poker? No, even the price of what he lost could not compare to just how humiliated he felt losing at the thing he was best at. But Stan lost, and the man just swept up all at chips, the subdued smile never leaving his stupid, pointy face. “Such a shame, really. I had honestly hoped I’d finally found a worthy opponent. You were close, my friend, but them’s the breaks.”
Stan briefly tore his hands away from his face to sigh, looking at everything but the man. “So what? You said we weren’t betting on cash. Just tell me what ya want so I can go already, you sleazy bastard.”
The man’s face warped into something truly sinister, his smirk spreading across his face. “I already took it, my friend.”
Suddenly, Stan felt like he was hit on the head with something impossibly heavy. Everything spun, his limbs felt incredibly weak, and as he stood up on wobbly legs he felt his spine curve downward a lot more than before. His eyesight was just awful, and it didn’t clear even as he rubbed his eyes. The skin on his hands felt thin and papery, and as the man slowly stumbed out of his seat and towards the hotel elevator, he knew that something was terribly, terribly wrong.
...
While Stanley went off on his quest to pay back what appeared to be the mafia, Nora realized there wasn’t really anything to do for her, not really. Watching television was like subjecting herself to a primitive form of mind-control. She could, of course, meditate, but that grew harder and harder the more time she spent on earth. Everything else was too distracting, too bright and loud for her to find that small empty space to bury her thoughts in. They just came crashing back in after she dispersed them, assaulting her with visions and worries and questions that she, for once, did not want answers to. She’d agreed to come here, why? To get away from Bill, was the immediate answer, but that didn’t work out the way she had wanted it to. Now instead of Bill there was Stanley. Stanley, who argued and made poor excuses and laughed at his won lame jokes in a way that made Nora’s heart ache. It was new, but incredibly familiar, like a case of deja-vu that did not end in a few seconds, but only strengthened every time Stan threw some banter her way. Honestly she’d have preferred Bill sulking around somewhere to this, this open interaction she didn’t have for so, so many years. It wasn’t until Ford’s brother left that she could finally start to sort it all out in her own head.
There was some scrambling behind the door. Nora sighed, opening her eyes. For a second she thought it was the mafia, but as the rest of her five eyes granted her a brief vision, she realized that was not the case. Something was terribly wrong.
The Oracle flung the door open, and a man tumbled into her, almost bringing both of them to the ground. A raspy voice whispered curses under his breath, and Nora finally recognized her human friend. Slowly, she closed the door with her free hand, using the other to help the man onto the bed. 
...
“What. Did you do.”
“We-ell, I, uh, hey you know how it is. The city of lights and all that, hadda at least give it a go-” There was a cough, but the voice did not clear up, just as ragged.
“...”
“A-and look, I thought I had pretty good odds, y’know? Been here more than you can count, have way more luck than imaginable, so, y’know…”
“Stanley, please tell me you didn’t make a bet with a god.”
Stan looked to the side, hands fiddling on his lap, and tried to ignore the sudden vicious pain in his back. And the ache in his joints. And the sudden rattle that appeared in his breath. “I can explain.”
Nora glared at him, the pointed look twice as terrifying. “Oh yes please do.”
“So, uh, there was this guy-”
“Oh who am I kidding! I should have known you would do this.” The woman threw her hands up, pacing back and forth in the suite. “I did know you would do this. But I didn’t- I didn’t think this you would be that stupid.”
“Alright, point taken! Now would ya stop trying to insult me every five sec- agh!” The con-man hunched over, his speech suddenly interrupted but a long coughing fit. It tore at his throat and made his chest ache like nothing he had ever felt before. Great. This is how I die. Over a stupid bet.
Wasn’t that how he expected to die, anyway?
The Oracle rolled her eyes, waiting until the hacking stopped and Stan regained his breath. “Right, don’t talk.”
“I got it.” He whined back, his body still fighting to cough up his own lungs.
“So, there was a man? And I suppose he offered you a drink?”
Stan shook, pounding his chest with all the strength his now frail arms could give him. “Was already drunk.”
A frustrated sigh. “And I suppose after you got hammered he offered you a deal?”
“A bet.” he coughed out.
Nora sighed. “But not for money.” She sat down next to him, shoulders hunched over.
“Oh yeah! He said somethn’ all mysterious-y, something like ‘You have-’”
“A loss far worse you can recover.” She finished for him. “I know what timeline this is.”
“Yeah, exactly that...You’re worse than my mother.”
She cracked a smile. “I’m an oracle. I’m worse than anyone’s mother.” Then she frowned. “You look terrible, by the by.”
“Thanks, I kinda guessed.” Stan slowly slid off the couch, straightening his back and heading toward the bathroom at a steady pace. “Well, time to see how well I-”
The scream and crash that came out from behind the door startled Nora to her feet. “Are you alright?”
“I’m hideous!”
“Well, yes.”
His hair was white. Pure white, like a blank sheet of paper or the way the goat looked whenever Mabel was in a mood for playing dress-up. It was still there, thank God, but looked a lot thinner than it did only a few hours ago. The wrinkles that started showing up around the time he hit 40 were somehow only deepened, the now grey-ish skin sagging in places and folding up in others. What was once his face now seemed wrong, an unwarranted glimpse into what he should not be able to see, a punch of an existential crisis right in the gut, a-
“Stanley? Are you alright in there?”
Stan slowly backed away from the mirror, away from- that, shuffling out  of the bathroom with more effort than should have been necessary.
Nora stared up at him from the edge of the bed.
“I think I just aged thirty years in one day. And man, I wish that was a joke.”
The Oracle sighed, casting her eyes somewhere Stan couldn’t follow, “You’d bartered on the thirty years you wanted back. And you lost.” She stared at him dead in the eye. “What did you think would happen?”
“I didn’t think anything! That guy-” Stan cut himself off, doubling into a wracking cough that made his aged body hurt in all the places he didn’t know he had.
“Careful, don’t have a heart attack, you’re ninety-two already.” Nora muttered under her breath, and the man wondered if that was a joke, too. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen.” She stood up, carefully guiding Staney to the armchair in the corner, helping him sit. “You are going to stay here, and hopefully not die by the time I get back. And I,” she stepped back, something settling in her gaze that made the con man shift a little. It was at that moment that he really saw something ancient before him, more ancient than even he felt like right now, and that thought chilled him to the bone. “I’m going to fix this.”
Stan blinked. “Got a plan more detailed than that?”
“Yes.”
“...Care to explain.”
Nora rolled her eyes. “The man that aged you, he’s most likely a lesser god or some kind of spirit. I’ve seen a couple of his type before, but never this bold. Anyway, their ‘deal’ is time. More correctly, lifespan. They barter and bet on the victim’s years, the mortal hoping to gain a few more decades on this plane of existence. Of course, it’s rigged, and the mortal always loses. This kind of gambling, ‘life gambling’, is banned in about 5 billion dimensions. This one as well. Still, I suppose Earth is remote enough to not me noticed by interdimensional relations. Or so they thought.”
“So, okay, he’s some kind of demon life gambler? What’s the point of taking time away though? Does he sell it?”
The Oracle smiled. “No, though that would be a feat to see. They consume it, the life force they take from people. Old gods have so few followers that their powers deplete to almost nothing. The only way they can keep themselves immortal is feeding off regular people.” She shrugged. “Though some of them do it for fun. Life force is still a lot of energy, after all.”
“And you’re- what? Gonna call the space cops on him? Take him for a night on the town?”
“Honestly, who do you take me for?” The Oracle straightened up, turning to head out the door, a smile already forming on her lips. “I’m going to beat him at his own game.”
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Don't expect a personal robot butler any time soon
New Post has been published on https://nexcraft.co/dont-expect-a-personal-robot-butler-any-time-soon/
Don't expect a personal robot butler any time soon
Before the Consumer Electronics Show opens to all its attendees, there’s a press day in which many of the bigger manufacturers put on elaborate productions to show off their new products, announce new partnerships, and give us a glimpse into their future tech. It helps set the tone for the show and really get people fired up to hit the floor and check out some new gadgets.
This year, LG was one of the first companies on the press conference schedule, and one of its marquis demos was a Hub Robot that embodies the company’s digital home assistant, CLOi—pronounced like the human name, Chloe. Instead of making LG look like the future of technology, however, this robot served as a good reminder of just how far we are from the autonomous robot butlers we’ve been promised.
The CLOi bot has a vaguely humanoid face and the kind of cloying appeal you’d expect from a Pixar character. The bot was cooperative at first, responding to LG marketing chief David VanderWaal initially before CLOi started doing its best moody teenager impression. The bot stopped responding in front of a room full of tech reporters. The blip wasn’t totally unexpected since robots require things like a reliable internet connection and freedom from wireless interference, both of which are in short supply at CES. But even if it had worked, CLOi isn’t the robot of our dreams; it’s mostly just a conduit between a user and LG’s ThinQ smart home tech, which exists as a loosely connected group of smart gadgets scattered throughout your home.
I want a robot in my house that does stuff for me. Remember that scene in Rocky IV when that terrible robot delivers Pauly a birthday cake? Where’s that robot?
The rest of the robots
Scanning the rest of the CES robots doesn’t hold much in the way of promising our own robotic servant, either.
Perhaps the most promising is the Aeolus, a humanoid robot that can actually achieve tedious household tasks like vacuuming or fetching things from other rooms. Right now, however, it’s only a working prototype of a bot that will be absurdly expensive even if it makes its way to market.
Misty Robotics introduced its Misty I robot at CES as well. The bot gives programmers the tech they need to start personalizing an android without having to build the hardware. Even that robot, however, is in its early stages, and the company’s founders still see a true Rosie-style robot arriving roughly a decade from now.
What about the humanoids?
We first met Sophia from Hanson Robotics back in 2016. Her kinda-human face straddles the border between impressive and nightmarish. This year, the bot got a body that can take actual steps. They’re precarious and not particularly useful, but she took steps. Still, watching her wobble makes Sophia’s viability as a personal robot seem like it’s decades away.
The others
One of the big stories in personal robotics at CES 2018 was Kuri, a robot we first met at CES 2017. The retail version, however, didn’t even hit shelves until roughly a month ago, and not much has changed except for its newfound ability to act as an autonomous family photographer.
Then there’s Aibo, Sony’s undeniably adorable robotic dog. It’s a fun toy, but still a toy. It’s also a toy we first met more than a decade ago. The new Aibo has a retail price of more than $1,700 and requires a cloud subscription service if you can even get one.
Maybe we don’t need a robot butler
Perhaps the biggest theme of 2018 was smart home integration, which carried over from the 2017 show. Last year, every new gadget had Amazon’s smart assistant Alexa baked in. This year, you couldn’t throw a promotional thumb drive without hitting a new product using Google Assistant. With all of these individually connected gadgets, it makes the idea of a companion robot for the average person seem redundant and kinda silly.
Instead of a Westworld-style robot roaming around our house performing tasks, it now seems a lot more likely that we’ll just shout commands to our disembodied virtual assistant to control individual gadgets. Why ask the Aeolus robot to go get the vacuum and start hoovering, when you can simply yell to a Roomba to do the job with no middle-man-shaped robot?
The idea of humanoid robots endures, at least for now. Even LG’s prototype industrial robot has a screen with graphics vaguely resembling a face. But the allure of Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons is starting to fade. Lately, the prospect of Tony Stark’s JARVIS assistant is more enticing. We may never actually see the AI-driven assistant, but there’s little it can’t accomplish due to the connected nature of the house and gadgets.
Maybe 2028 will prove all of this wrong and we’ll wonder how we ever got along without our in-house companion bot. But, watch that robotic suitcase tip over a whole bunch of times during its demos and it seems pretty unlikely.
Written By Stan Horaczek
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