#(understandably)

[paranormal-taters]

I really really really REALLY want to believe that this moment in The Screaming Staircase when they're in the Red Room and they're going around investigating the walls is like, one of the first instances of Lockwood physically reaching out for Lucy for a moment of providing comfort in an incredibly tense situation, and Lucy just doesn't really pick up on it because no one's ever done that before and why would it mean anything for Lockwood's hand to meet hers and linger there in the dark for only a moment?

I don't know. I may be grasping but I really don't think I am. The wording of "after a moment" feels incredibly intentional to me.

[sidetongue]

this dog came for foster with a horrifically shattered leg which had gone untreated and i fell in love with her instantly and i fought not to euthanise her for over 2 weeks even though she had heart disease and luxating patellas and aforementioned shattered leg and then they gave her to me on account of being in the vet industry and being able to provide her with everything she needs and i was the happiest person in the world for 48 hours until we went to surgery to fix her leg and she fucking carked it

[kaialone]

Sounds like in English Slayer might be saying "A strange concoction..." when drinking A.B.A's blood, but

I'm pretty sure in Japanese he literally just says "Mazui..." which basically means "Tastes awful..."

[antaripirate]

lila bard core

(but also she absolutely can beat you in a fight)

[left-handed-spaghetti]

Watched Swing kids last night

That’s all I wanted to say.

[weshallbegolden]

My Rook is down bad for Peepaw.

[notagoodomen]

funniest thing i found out today is that grandpa’s fascist parrot saying ‘duce duce duce’ was voiced by ludobesse himself

[seilon]

kinda wild to think about the fact that the clinic im getting top surgery at is arguably the best in the country. im mostly going there because i live in norcal so its one of the closest options. just a crazy bonus that it happens to be like. the highest rated more or less in the whole country

[balladofahomeschooledgirlxx]

i do feel for shauna. imagine having all your friends worship your dead baby when they dont even really fuck with you

[ghysry]

You know what's sad? TUA s4 was so bad I had to make a new tumblr account, a new wattpad account, and journeyed the net for a TUA RPG chatbot that was good enough for my taste. I will write my own ending. And if the writers can't take that, I will film my own show.

[da-man-si]

Jiafu: *utterly scared and desperately seeking a way to permanently be with Youan* Marry me!

Youan: no.

Jiafu:

[pink-lizard-diaries]

Heyyy this is my very first FFXIV fic!

After reading around a bit, I noticed that most people think the narrative moves past the events of "In From the Cold" awfully fast, and I happen to agree. So I wanted to inject some extra drama/angst (and wolgraha) into this scene, because what else is fanfiction for?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Thank the gods, she’s awake!”

If Anzu was awake, she certainly didn’t feel like it. Her every sense was murky, sounds swirling in a distorted haze around her, the world blurry and dark as she tried to open her eyes. She ripped off a glove and felt for the scales on her face and the horns on either side of her head, then gasped out a sigh of relief—she was back in her own body at last.

Her entire body shivered and tingled, whether from the cold of the snow she lay in or the shock of her soul returning to its rightful vessel, she wasn’t sure. She tried to raise herself up a little on her arms, but they trembled and buckled beneath her, bringing her back toward the frozen ground.

“Steady, now.” She felt G’raha’s presence beside her, his gentle voice like a warm tonic to her addled mind. He laid a hand on her shoulder. “How do you feel?”

“Like…myself,” she mumbled. “I think.”

“That is well,” Alphinaud chimed in. “You gave us quite a fright.” He knelt nearby with nouliths drawn, inspecting her carefully. “For a mercy, you appear to be unharmed.”

Unharmed perhaps, but she didn’t feel well…nor entirely right, despite being back in the correct body. There was a strange thrumming throughout, an eerie vibration that echoed around her various limbs and organs. With great effort Anzu raised herself to her hands and knees, fighting back a rush of dizziness. “Is everyone all right?” she asked. “Did I…hurt…?”

“No one is hurt, thanks to you,” Alisaie cut in. “And you aren’t to blame for whatever that madman was doing with your body, so don’t even start with any apologies. I won’t hear them.” Alisaie flashed her a cheeky smile, but somehow Anzu just felt worse.

“I presume you heard Fandaniel’s little speech?” She glanced up to see Y’shtola regarding her with concern. “‘Tis good to see you returned to us, but we cannot afford to tarry for long. I’m afraid we have another primal to slay.”

Anzu noticed G'raha inspecting her, and felt his grip on her shoulder tighten just a little. "Mayhap we should give her a little while to recover," he said, looking up at Y’shtola.

"I've no doubt it was a trying ordeal, but she is unharmed and her aether is perfectly normal," Y'shtola insisted. "We could all use a rest, but we haven't the luxury at present."

While they spoke, Fandaniel’s words crept back through Anzu’s mind, and as she struggled to make sense of it all, a wave of nausea overtook her. She sank back to the ground and retched as her stomach betrayed her.

“Anzu!”

When she was done being sick, she realized G’raha was still beside her. He held her hair to one side and slowly rubbed her back as she coughed and took deep, shuddering breaths. Anzu felt an overwhelming rush of affection for him, and squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the urge to cry.

Whatever doubt or uncertainty she’d had about her growing feelings toward him these past few moons were swept away in the tide of her emotions. She loved him, so much that she thought her heart might burst. She was sure of that now. But she didn’t want him to see her like this. Not again…

“She clearly isn’t well,” G’raha spoke again, but there was a harsh edge to his voice that hadn’t been there before. “I know the situation is dire, but we cannot ask her to fight in such a condition. We must give her time to—”

“There isn’t time!”

Everyone went quiet. Anzu’s heart pounded against her chest, shocked at her own outburst. She hung her head and made tight fists in the snow. Images of their close call darted past her eyes again and again, of G’raha and Alisaie cowering before their attacker—before her…

“I have to…we have to stop them,” she said, her voice nearly a whisper. She looked up at G’raha and saw his eyes full of worry, his ears pulled back. He seemed as if he wanted to speak, but was lost for words. She tried to smile. “I’m all right…” No, that was a lie. “I’ll…be all right. I promise.”

The distress did not leave his face. He stared at her for a long moment, lips parted as if about to speak, but in the end he said nothing and nodded resignedly.

Anzu pushed herself to her feet, letting G’raha and Alphinaud steady her on either side until she was certain she could stand on her own. The other Scions crowded around her, expressing relief at her safe return and offering words of encouragement. Then, they began to make for the pavilion at Camp Broken Glass to plan their attack on the Tower of Babil.

Anzu walked carefully down the cobblestone path, watching her footing so she wouldn’t slip on any hidden ice. The strange hum throughout her body had finally subsided, like a tuning fork gone still, but her stomach still roiled. She felt rotten for yelling—it was unlike her. Remembering the look on G’raha’s face was nearly enough to bring up whatever was left in her gut.

“Anzu.” She snapped back to reality and turned her head, and there he was, as if her thoughts had summoned him. “A moment, if you would…”

“G’raha…I-I’m so sorry, I…” she sputtered, but he put up a hand to stop her.

“All that matters is that you are safe.” He appeared calmer now, but there were still lines of worry around his eyes. “Just…take care you do not strain yourself beyond your limits. Please. I…”

He paused, as if trying to decide how to continue, but it seemed the words would not come. Instead, Anzu nodded silently in response. She was still exhausted and shaken from the day’s events, her thoughts too jumbled to make sense of at the moment, even were there time to speak them. But the last thing she wanted was for G’raha to worry over her any longer.

His expression softened. “Thank you. There is more I would say, but mayhap it is best left until the current crisis has been resolved.”

She wondered what it was, but supposed she would find out later. She nodded again, and forced another smile, trying to make it genuine. “You don’t need to worry,” she told him, placing a hand on her chest. “I won’t let you all down.”

G’raha seemed pained, somehow. “…You never could.”

They resumed the walk back together in silence, and the weight of G’raha’s words settled like a stone upon her heart. Even after he had nearly died at her hand, his faith in her was as unshakeable as it had ever been.

She only hoped she could live up to it.

[jonathanbyersphd]

POV: Steve just told them about the 6 piece chicken nuggets happy meal

[yurifier3000]

my cute daughter i will defend you for the rest of my life

[lakewinnipeg]