#* lavinia. ( chat. )

[pomfry]

8, 18, 24

8. Do you prefer the beginning, middle, or end of a story?

I really like writing the middle of the story! I have trouble actually ending it because I always have more ideas, and starting it is also hard because I always try to change it, but the middle is when I hit my stride.

18. Do you title your fics before, during, or after the writing process? How do you come up with titles?

Absolutely after. I tend to title my fics based off the finished product and The Vibes that were created. Aaaaand well I usually just use song lyrics, or come up with really simple titles if I don't.

24. Worst writing advice anyone ever gave you?

God, I don't know... probably to stop using the word 'says' so much. It made me go crazy trying to find synonyms. Now I use 'says' as much as I want because writing is meant to be fun and if I want to use 'says' then I do!

[galaxitix]

Lavinia has join the competition and she's very flustered honoured to be here.

Propaganda for @ultimatebabygirlsupremebattle ⊂⁠(⁠(⁠・⁠▽⁠・⁠)⁠)⁠⊃

(first time finishing and posting a comic *looks at the two comic that had been in my drafts and will probably never be finished or see the light of day*)

The others lovely babygirls included (because I saw an excuse to draw a bunch of babygirls and I took it. Would I have finished sooner if I didn't? Yes. Do I care? Nope. Would I do it again? Hell Yeah.)

• @justaturtleindisguise and @popcornkwantum are on a quest to befriend as many other Leo's as possible

• @clicky-buttons , @probably-not-a-rutabaga , @flaccidbonestm and a random babygirl(because I draw her without an artist in mind) are having a loving chat.

• @less-depresso-more-espresso is a mess and @dykeraphael is amused at the baby egg.

• @donnietheterrapin and @lunartflare64 were included because I found their babygirls cute and wanted to included them

(finally post this propaganda, school has been killing *stare at the 2 presentations and essay I had due soon* end my suffering plus eoy is in a week's time *sob* Fun Fact: just before I was gonna post this I realized I forgot the marking for two babygirls in the last and second to last panel and honestly wasn't going to do anything but my perfective self just could bare it so I had to go back and fix that and now we're here. I hope that was the only fix otherwise I'm gonna cry. And to you who has read my rambling for whatever reason. You are precious darling and loved 😘. It is certainly 11:30pm where I am and I have school tomorrow...😭 curse you insomnia let me sleep goddamnit)

[deepdeanvsweston]

George and Beanie friendship headcannons (set a small bit after DSS I suppose?)

- I NEED them to be friends!!!

- ok so this is actually a bit more of an AU than just headcannons but we roll

- ok so Beanie's mother is sick right and I don't think she's gonna make it

- but of course her husband (Beanie's dad) has forked out for the best treatment in the world for her

- which is in London, and George's father is the best doctor around (he's canonically knighted right???)

- so George's dad is treating Beanie's mum, and ensuring she gets round the clock treatment

- it's Christmas Eve too, which is relevant

- idk why but stay with me George is there at the hospital too waiting on his father to finish his checks or whatever

- Beanie and her mum have this tradition where they sing 'we wish you a merry christmas' at midnight to her horses in the stable

- obviously they can't do that this year, but Beanie still wants to sing with her mum at midnight

- visiting hours were supposed to be over, but Beanie decided to be brave and hid in a supply cupboard and waited till there were no doctors about so she could sing with her

- but the hospital is dark, and all the corridors look the same, and she's more than a little bit scared

- George, at the same time, is roaming the corridors having the time of his life waiting on his father to finish paperwork. He definitely absolutely does not believe in ghosts, but is open to the possibilities

- imagine his surprise when he rounds a corner to see a tall, wispy looking girl shuffling nervously about who when she turns to look at him has big, sad eyes

- George recognises her (he's good with faces) and of course asks her what she's doing there. She tells him and they go to her mother's room together

- it's all very emotional when Beanie sees her mum

- anyway

- George finds some mince pies from the staff canteen for her to nibble on, because he figures she can't have had anything to eat since four o clock

- Beanie's father left when visiting hours ended, so George's father drives her home

- they've bought a flat in London to be nearer her mum but that on top of the hospital expenses has made them very nearly broke

- Beanie's dad has had to dismiss all but one of the servants, and there's talk of Beanie not being able to return to Deepdean, but she doesn't know this

- Beanie's dad didn't even notice she wasn't with him (there's just... a lot on his mind) and feels awful, and just starts outright crying in the doorway

- Beanie is so shocked that she starts crying too

- George and his father come into the flat to try and calm things down

- their fathers sit down to have a Grownup Chat and George rings his mother to tell her they're fine, just Dealing With Something

- he helps Beanie to her room ('propriety be damned') because she's pretty much inconsolable from seeing her father cry, and it being Christmas Day as half a family, not to mention the fact it's like half one in the morning by now so she's tired

- he doesn't know what to do about this, so he offers to brush her hair. That always made him feel calmer

- Beanie agrees and so George sits and brushes it

- she throws herself into a hug with him and tells him 'I wish I had you as a brother' and then almost passes out from exhaustion on his shoulder

- anyway the Mukherjees go home and when Beanie wakes up it's officially Christmas Day, but they don't really celebrate

- Beanie's father suggests that she stays with a friend for a while and Beanie while sad is relieved. Trying to combat her father's sadness with optimism had been exhausting, and the flat never really felt like home anyway

- but where to stay?

- she can't stay with Kitty, the new baby is too much for the Freebodys as it is, Lavinia's parents are, well... Lavinia's parents, and the Mountfitchet's flat simply cannot take anymore people

- so of course she goes and stays with George and his family

- who are very friendly and welcoming and sympathetic, and she doesn't have to put on a brave face anymore

- she cries a lot, but George always sits with her and then brushes her hair

- Mrs Mukherjee puts her hair into nice plaits and patiently teaches Beanie and George how to do it

- Mr Mukherjee always lets her sneak in and see her mother before visiting hours

- (it's beneficial to both Beanie and her mother, who glows when she sees her daughter)

- Harold always speaks a bit confusingly it seems to Beanie, with big long words he's learned in his Cambridge lectures combined with silly slang words he's picked up from the university itself

- so he intimidates her a little bit, but one day she picks up the courage to ask what 'being sent down' means and Harold explains it to her so nicely and patiently that she's not afraid anymore

- when Deepdean has a Social Event, George and Harold always turn up for Beanie and dance nearly every dance with her

- when she's confused about maths, or spelling, George will help her and try to explain things in a way she'd understand

- Beanie helps George too > when he's feeling stressed about something she'll brush his hair and joke that 'I won't be able to put your hair in a plait though!

- she tries to teach him how to ride a horse

- George doesn't Take To It and ends with no physical bruises but definitely a bruised dignity

- she sends him half her chocolate she receives from the stablehand (who's like a grandfather to her) and in return George sends Beanie half of the Indian sweets his mother sends him

- Beanie makes him a bracelet of his favourite colours, which he keeps hidden round his ankle

- they have the same picture of them together on their nightstand > it's of Beanie on her 17th birthday, and they're both wearing colourful party hats with the biggest grins

[alexlesuagz]

Criminal Case fanfic ideas (because IDK, I’m bored)

[Possible spoilers for all 8 seasons]

{S5} Prequelfic where Amir realizes he’s gay and confides in Rupert about it.

{S5} Rupert having an ace awakening (because yes, I headcanon him as ace) and being extremely confused about his feelings, so he confides in Amir about it. (No seggs, only tea, amirite)

{S3} [TW: SA] Jack finally gaining the courage to tell Lars about Lavinia DeBrils SA’ing him.

{S1} How Chad Whickman and Rose Cassidy first met (because goddamnit, they deserved better).

{S1} AU where Chad managed to calm Joe Stern down, not die, and get the job.

{S2} [TW: Abuse] A day in the life of Duncan Young, living with his mother and sister and having to deal with her emotional abuse.

{S1} Adam Bentley talking with his foster brother at his grave.

{S1} The aftermath of Julian Ramis’s arrest from the perspective of Julian’s parents.

{S2} [TW: Homophobia] The end of Zack and Becky’s friendship.

{S5} James Savage first meets Carter Hayes.

{S4} How Timmy and Bridget Baker first became friends.

{S5} [TW: Implied Sewerslide] Rene Narcisse’s words almost push Julian over the edge until the player and Gabriel show up.

{S2} [TW: Murder] A young Yann Toussaint has an argument with his parents and storms off. That would end up being the biggest mistake of his life.

{S5} Jones accidentally stumbles upon Zoe suddenly using telekinesis.

{S2} [TW: Cults, PTSD, and Implied Abuse] Not even Russell is safe from flashbacks, and surprisingly, the one who helps him out of a PTSD-induced panic attack is Frank.

{S4} The events of Vittorio Cappechi’s murder from Seamus’s point of view.

{S6} One of Amy’s therapy sessions with Marina following Nebet’s betrayal.

{S6} Sirius wonders why Orlando constantly ignores him, so he decides to ask. It doesn’t really go well.

{S6} Sequelfic(?) where Tony meets the player during S1 and tries to recall why they seem so familiar.

{S3} Baxter Fraser goes to therapy.

{S3} AU where Obaasan (IDK how to spell it, sorry) is found dead and Tsukada Hiroshi is alive because he killed her.

{S7} An apology note Dolores wrote to Gwen before her demise.

{S7} Inspired by @katrinahood , a crackshipfic between James Savage and Sam Ellis.

{S5} Crackshipfic between brunette bastard Louis Leroux and Joe Warren.

{S8} Jones and the player bond and catch up after 3 years.

{S8} Hugo Mercier giving love advice to Carrie.

{S5} Jones copes with Tony Marconi’s death.

{S8} Hugo and Jones bond over similar experiences.

{S5} [TW: Sewerslide] Gabriel and Jones talk after Jones’s attempt.

{S2} One of Jupiter’s letters to Russell, apologizing for being a shit dad.

{S5} Jones, Zoe, Alex and Cathy have a double date.

{S7} Larry Zarus goes on a car ride with his friend and business partner, Bernie. Next thing he knows, he’s waking up in a coffin. His own coffin.

{S4} Charlie reveals that he can’t slow dance for the life of him. Maddie decides to teach him.

{S2} [TW: Abuse] Frank confronts Miriam Young about her shit parenting.

{S2} [TW: Abuse] Duncan confronts his mother about her shit parenting. It goes as well as you’d expect.

{S2} [TW: Abuse and Death] The day the Young siblings’ father died was a hellish day indeed.

{S5} [TW: Underage Drug Use] Julian and Vicki smoke weed together and have a chat about life.

{S7} Dolores tries to figure out a way to apologize to Gwen.

{S7} Arthur Darkwood never really enjoyed the small things in life, and he never noticed until he spent time with the Supernatural Hunters.

{S5} Jones is lowkey kinda lonely, so Ramirez decides to set him up on a blind date to cheer him up. Unbeknownst to Ramirez, Jones’ blind date was one of his old college acquaintances — Zoe Kusama.

{S6} The “Altered Present” Arc, but Lars is in it for some reason.

{S7} Zander Stark and Danny Kwame were queerplatonic bros, change my mind— (I hc Zander as bisexual and Danny as omniromantic asexual)

{S8} Cody reminisces on his failed relationship with Eleanora.

{S8} Prequelfic where Jean-Phillipe slow dances with Marguerite.

{S5} After skipping the trial of Rosamund Wilcox, Julian runs into Chelsea Bloom and they have a chat.

{S7} Human AU where Arthur and Reggie decide to have some “brother bonding time”, so they go to a local art museum. Things don’t go well.

{S4} Seamus makes eye contact with Giulietta at Mr. Alastor’s party.

{S2} A series of noteworthy recorded conversations between Bobby Prince and his therapist over the span of a year.

{S3} 5 times Jonah tries to smile and the first time Marina makes him smile.

{S3} [TW: Kidnapping, Torture, and PTSD] Elliot claims that he’s moved on past the whole “Anbu Devanesan” thing. He has not.

{S6} Serap and Roxelana’s love story, starting from their first meet.

{S6} Noah Lowe gets some advice from Ian Devine about love and life and shit (also, Noah lives in this fanfic concept, because bro deserves better).

{S7} AU where Rathimael lives, Arthur lives, and they live a peaceful life together in a small lakeside cottage on the outskirts of Michigan.

{S2} “What happened to the Francis I loved and cared about deeply?!” “He’s dead, and I killed him a long time ago.”

{S2} Bobby Prince’s last thoughts were about the idyllic life he would live with Amy via the virtual reality. (This was inspired by Bojack Horseman btw) (No I do not like Bobby Prince)

{S5} [TW: Attempted Murder] AU where Zoe survives Louis’s attempt on her life.

{S3} [TW: Implied Abuse] Michelle Zuria’s traumatic childhood at the hands of her nanny.

{S5} [TW: Sewerslide] AU where Jones decides to go home after Leroux is arrested, and the player decides to accompany him. Possible alternate endings available.

{S7} Fabien de la Mort chills out and asks Gwen for advice on how to properly swoon a certain someone (*cough*, Luke Fernandez, *cough cough*)

{S7} [TW: Murder] Ruth Wu’s final moments were in utter agony. (Deserved tbh)

{S4} [TW: Murder] Elias Willingham pays local pimp Kristopher Bauer for information about his missing daughter. Like many moments in the Criminal Case universe, things do not end well.

{S7} AU where Arthur Darkwood survives the events of S7 and decides to join the Supernatural Hunters.

{S2} Anjulie Cruz breaks up with Bobby and remembers all the red flags he showed while they were dating.

{S1} AU for “The Rorscach Reaper” where Ramirez arrives just in time to arrest Tess — but too late to save the player.

{S5} Canon divergence after Zoe’s arrest when Jones confronts Marconi and breaks down. Marconi talks him out of doing anything foolish and the two of them just talk while lying down on the grass.

{S7} Arthur never really had a family (besides Reggie, but we don’t talk about Reggie) due to being a demon. One of the Supernatural Hunters (probably Hope Newman) makes an offhand comment about how he’s family to them. (Bro deserved better imo)

{S5} [TW: Attempted Murder] AU where Nathan manages to regain consciousness just before Kit pulls out the snake.

{S6} Series of transcripts from Marina’s therapy sessions with different Criminal Case characters, including Jack, Amy, Jones, Chief Arrow, and Arthur Darkwood.

{S5} Prequelfic where Joe Warren meets his new college roommate, Louis Leroux.

{S2} After the events of “Once Upon a Crime”, Frank decides to call his daughter to tell her what happened.

{S5} [TW: Sewerslide] Either Alex, Grace, or Ramirez get the call about Jones’ attempt on his own life.

(I’m perfectly fine with y’all using these, just please ask first and credit me!)

[meganwhalenturner]

. . . it's not death that allows us to understand one another, but poetry.

--Ursula LeGuin, Lavinia. I'm rereading for the Sounis chat tomorrow.

[blimbo-buddy]

Cats in the City of Plague: Final Thoughts

I enjoyed this book quite a bit! It's nice to break away from Warrior Cats to read other xenofiction books, seeing as this is A.L Marlow's first fiction book, I'd say it's a great start! So let's go over what I think the pros and cons of the book are: Spoilers ahead, proceed with caution

Some quick content/trigger warnings:

Self mutilation and harm (Via the group of Flagellants, who scourge themselves with whips that have sharp metal spikes to lash their own backs with. It goes into detail about their wounds)

Religious manipulation

Animal death/harm (One of the cats killed is a child as well)

If there's any other warning that I may have missed, let me know and I'll add it

Pros:

Short and sweet. It's only around 130 pages long, it's not an incredibly intimidating read so it's good for those who want to read a good beginner book that isn't Warrior Cats

Neat setting, it takes place in 14th century France

Simple but effective descriptions of locations. Marlow's descriptions for some of the settings within chapters is well executed, the strongest ones in my opinion is when the cats are going to see the Flagellates and when the cats are in the graveyard

The deaths actually have some sort of impact on the characters

Innocent. Read the book to read about Innocent.

The characters have pretty good, fleshed out personalities, well, as much as Marlow could fit into a short 16 chapter book

The world building is simple and very casual, nothing is really that complicated. It's very down-to-earth, as down-to-earth as a xenofiction book can get

The characters have small details that give them so much to work with, such as one of the servants having scars on her face from previously dealing with cow pox, it makes you wonder what she went through and adds just even a little bit of layer to her

The book actually focuses on the humans too, it's not just focused on the cats 24/7

The scenes of cats running around while everybody is trying to catch them is greatly written, Marlow can capture chaos in the text well

The book doesn't act like the forest is where every cat must belong to, it actually details how harsh the environment is

The ending epilogue was so fucking sweet, genuinely great

Cons:

It sort of rushes towards the end

Way too many fake out deaths. I think some of them should have either died right there or have their fates unknown

This is just super common in xenofiction: More male characters compared to female characters

The chapters get. Way too short towards the end. So it's bad that there's a chapter that's only about Leander, Innocent, and Jean about to fight each other because there was a female cat nearby in heat, so Juno had to go find her and kick her ass. This goes nowhere.

Leander should have gotten humbled more I'm sorry, Lavinia should have kicked his ass

While the character deaths do impact the others, I wish it impacted them more. Leander kind of forgets about Argent two chapters after he dies

I do think the book could have been a bit longer

The story of Le Chat was a bit underwhelming as much as I enjoyed it a bit

Would I recommend the book? Yeah! If you want a short read and something different, I'd recommend it. For his first fiction novel, A.L Marlow did pretty well. It obviously has its flaws, and I advise that you don't go into this book expecting something grand with lots of world building, it's a quaint world and a simple plot with neatly packed world building both based on fiction and reality (what with the plague and all).

If you want other cat xenofiction books to read, here's a Tumblr post compiling some of them, it's how I found this book to begin with!

[gogogoats]

Dragonblade Deep Dive - Chapter Twenty

Chapter Nineteen

It’s time for another round on the torture mill that is Dragonblade. Also that Big Spoiler still hasn’t happened. Perhaps it won’t until heavy handed hints have been dropped about every possible character it could possibly be.

Chapter Twenty – Broken Dreams

We open with Jane preparing for the wolf attack, castigating herself for not following Theodore’s direction and having her sword on her at all times. The sword Lavinia stole? The one Jane probably should have just grabbed and used to summon Dragon back? Assuming she knows where it is, which is hard to be sure of right now. Luckily she has a dagger!

The wolves attack and she slices one open before bathing in its blood like a twisted Bathory. Maybe it will be good for her skin? Things aren’t going great for Jane but hark! Robert appears (despite literally just being taken aside by Theodore for a “chat” and also supposedly being under guard) and together they fight, killing the wolves in a messy battle. Although Jane has been training all her life she isn’t focused, and constantly berates herself for her mistakes, while also noticing how intent Robert is. So glad that he’s better than Jane at fighting, too. Whatta man.

Jane is covered in blood, alarming Robert, but tells him it isn’t hers. Robert is sitting so she pulls him to his feet. Insert “why are you holding my hand~” stupidity here, I kid you not. Jane sets off for the village, explaining to Robert along the way why she is worried about Lavinia’s safety, including “Gunther’s little conspiracy” WHICH IT IS NOT ARGH. Robert starts to run but Jane can’t keep up, collapsing. It seems she was bitten by a wolf during the fight and despite this section being told from Jane’s POV, that information has not been shared with the reader until now.

Robert moves to heroically carry her, but Jane tells him he needn’t bother, as Dragon will have felt the bite and be on his way. Couldn’t he have smelled the wolves when Jane did and come then? Just a thought.

Jump to Jester’s POV, where we rehash/rewrite the moment he already had last chapter seeing Lavinia and Dragon flying past the moon, this time in more irritating detail as he wallows in his misery.

Jester realises that Lavinia will be going to confront the Merchant, which finally motivates him to do something, and he runs to the stables, where Smithy intercepts him.

Smithy assumes that Jester is hurrying to get to the tavern, which seems like a pretty safe bet. Jester even says “No tavern, not tonight!” so it’s obviously a regular part of his evenings.

Jester tells Smithy where Lavinia is, and Smithy says they might stand a chance of getting some sleep tonight after all. Robert made a similar comment to Jane. It’s only early, guys.

Jester tells Smithy all is not well and he must tell Sir Theodore where Lavinia is while Jester goes ahead to find her. Smithy wants to know what’s going on but Jester won’t tell him for… reasons? Reasons which are very moot at this point? IDK. Smithy says he will alert Theodore but that Jester must take a guard from the gate with him.

We get lots of detail about the night gate and warm flagstones and bed warmers as two unnamed guards decline to help Jester (EVEN THOUGH THE LITERAL PRINCESS IS CURRENTLY MISSING. Use some INITIATIVE, guys!) so Jester runs to the village alone. Where he finds no one.

Cut to inside the Merchant’s house, where Lavinia is making herself at home and can’t get over how much nice food Magnus and his friends have been eating. She is especially excited about the figs, which she says they haven’t had at the castle for some time. Gunther is brought in by our dear friend Pincher and forced to sit beside his father. Lavinia has all of Magnus’ henchmen, who are engaging in classic henchmen behaviour such as picking meat from their teeth and pandering to their boss, sent out so she can speak to Magnus in private. Gunther is made to stay. The situation is clearly very tense and unpleasant, but Lavinia is clearly not blessed with the ability to read a room, and blabs out everything she has overheard of what Gunther was saying earlier. It’s difficult reading, especially as it is told from Gunther’s POV and he CAN read his father’s true feelings under his false smile.

Magnus takes Gunther out or the room, and let’s just say physical abuse is confirmed, although I didn’t see the eye-gouging coming. After a loud and violent tantrum, Magnus starts plotting to murder Lavinia and frame Dragon.

End chapter.

Thoughts:

Oh Robert. The man, the myth, the teeth. How did he get away from what I’m sure will be shown to be a very long conversation with Theodore in time to save Jane so soon after she left the castle? Or am I asking too much by wanting time to make sense in this book?

Robert is there to fight with Jane, and banter with her, and help her when she is injured and to slip seamlessly into the role of her partner in combat. AKA all the things Gunther is supposed to be doing. Robert is so clearly designed to step into the place of Gunther, one of the most popular characters in the fandom, and take his place. Except he can’t, because Gunther is Jane’s peer, her friend, her rival, her training partner, her motivator, her intended knightly partner since childhood, and he knows her. Robert isn’t a “better version” of Gunther, he’s a poor imitation. A grown man preying on a child, a manipulator, a user and an unwanted intrusion.

Why is Jane so shit at being a knight?? She can’t clear her head and fight because she’s always thinking about Theodore telling her to clear her head, or some other stupid reason. Was she seriously criticising herself out loud during that fight? So that Robert could hear? Well, I’m sure he won’t use her insecurities against her, because it’s not like he has a history of doing that multiple times in the less than 48 hours since they met. Phew!

Jester continues to be deeply self-absorbed and Smithy pretty much confirms that he probably has a drinking problem. Maybe he will be the one to die (of alcohol poisoning). When he finally gets motivated to do something to help Lavinia (as instructed by Ivon) he won’t even give a clear reason for his alarm. As far as anyone else knows, Lavinia is safe and sound in the village, just meters from the castle. Jester hasn’t really got a good reason to keep any secrets now that he knows she is going to tell the Merchant what she knows and since he wanted Gunther to tell the King he’s obviously not worried about his safety at all. So no, no one will come to help him save Lavinia with the required urgency because they don’t have any reason to think she’s in danger.

While the information about the night gate and the bed warmers is interesting and potentially useful, it should have been given during the early chapters, perhaps when they were bringing Haroldus (remember him?) to the castle and not in the middle of a tensely urgent moment. Like is Jester really thinking about warm flagstones being like the bedwarmers Pepper heats in the kitchen fire on winter nights while he’s frantically running to save Lavinia? Really?

Nice of the gate guards to compliment him on his skills as a singer though.

That whole scene with Magnus, Lavinia and Gunther was painful to read. It also shows how stupid it is that everyone is blowing off Gunther’s concerns and calling his plan a “little conspiracy” and blaming him for so much when this scene makes it painfully clear how right he is, and how dangerous his father is. Gunther’s lack of shock when Magnus starts beating him goes to show it’s probably not a new experience for him. This poor kid just keeps getting screwed over.

If Jester is lurking outside and overhearing this, will he suddenly realise how wrong he has been and that the danger to Gunther’s life is 100% real? Probably not.

With Robert ready to step into Gunther’s still warm shoes and Gunther being forced into a corner where he needs to “redeem” himself (because that’s what the narrative wants us to think and not because of anything he’s done) I don’t have much hope that he’s going to get out of this alive.

Time passed since the start of the novel: Day Two –early night

[fleur-magistrale]

End of the year appreciation letter.

For; Maia Shaw, Kanaira Maisie, Lucia Belle, Flanna Merceia, Lavinia Grace, Larissa Fay —As we close out another year, I wanted to take a moment to send you a heartfelt thank you for being an incredible friend. Seriously, you’re the best! Throughout this year, you’ve been there for me through thick and thin. Your unwavering support, laughter, and shoulder to lean on have meant the world to me. I can always count on you to brighten my day and lift my spirits. I want you to know that your friendship is a constant source of joy and strength in my life. Whether we’re embarking on crazy adventures or just chilling and chatting, every moment with you is a treasure. You have this amazing ability to make even the ordinary moments extraordinary. You know how to turn any situation into an unforgettable memory, thank you for always being real with me, for accepting me for who I am, quirks and all. Your honesty and authenticity are rare and precious qualities that I cherish.As we step into a new year, I can’t wait to see what adventures, laughter, and mischief we’ll get into together. I know it’s going to be epic because, with you by my side, anything is possible. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and all the good things life has to offer. Here’s to another year of amazing friendship!

For; Malenke Irgihas, Brawijaya Karno, Sekar Nin Merah, Veronica Moreau, Raine Kath, Emarea Tatjana, Milan Soir, Farissa Hartley, Kaje Ann, and those that I can’t mention one by one — As we bid farewell to another year, I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for our budding friendship. Even though we haven’t known each other for very long, I can already tell that you’re someone special. Throughout the past year, we’ve shared some great moments and conversations. From the first time we met, I felt a genuine connection and a sense of ease in your company. I truly value the time we’ve spent together and the memories we’ve created. I want to thank you for being open and welcoming. You’ve made me feel comfortable and accepted, even though we’re still getting to know each other. Your warmth and kindness have made a positive impact on me. I’m excited about the potential our friendship holds. I hope that in the coming year, we’ll have more opportunities to deepen our bond, share more experiences, and create lasting memories. I believe that our friendship has the potential to grow and become something truly special. Wishing you an amazing year ahead. May our friendship continue to flourish and bring us even closer. Here’s to many more great times together!

Big hugs and much love,

Livvy Anasha Shaw.

[sims-half-crazy]

Autumn 1907

The winter's chill came early this year and most of the autumn was lost to blisteringly cold winds and early snows. It didn't keep Gordon from playing outside when he could with his friends, which worried his mother. As Goldie sat and chatted with Leona, she conveyed those worries to her sister. "He's always sick. A stuffy nose or a cough, and the headaches! The doctor was said that he's just susceptible to nature and we should limit his time outdoors but he's an otherwise healthy young boy who wants to run and play with his friends."

"Maybe it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it? Tell me how was your trip back to Wythe?"

"It was fine, for what it was. We laid Lauretta to rest next to her husband, German, and near her parents. She held on much longer than any of us expected. Living out there in the wilds of Idaho. Although, I suppose the whole area will be taken back by nature. With the train no longer running that way because of the new routes, I'm not sure Wythe will continue on."

"What about her children? Where are they off to? Did any of them stay?"

"No. Most of them have entered a service industry of some sort. Most of her daughters are governesses, nannies, or maids. The boys continue to be in sales, but most of them have moved onto bigger, more populated areas. They still hawk Lavinia's tinctures and elixirs, though. They do work which is saying something in this day and age of modernity. Eugene didn't know his great-aunt very well, but visiting the grave of his grandmother was bittersweet. They were quite close."

[dxncingxnmyown]

@classiqcals | Frederick and Lavinia, The Palace Courtyard

King Frederick Wolfenbuttel. Now, he liked the sound of that. Though it should not come as a surprise. For better or worse, he is a man born into luck (or luck, aided by privilege) and that luck puts him at equal footing with Europe's many rulers. Of course, it is not solely luck. The once-Duchy of Brunswick is vocal and relentless, in their pursuit of the truth. And once the Ottoman scum is exposed, he is the first to reap the rewards of his newly independent nation. What better way to celebrate, than to chat with an old friend (or foe)? "Your Highness." Frederick regards, formal yet with a hint of condescension. "It's rather funny, is it not? In a matter of months, you and I arrive at the same station." But where the Lorraine's bludgeoned and bribed their way into power, the Wolfenbuttel's merely glide into it. "To your victory." He caps his hat, with a smirk in full glow.

[o5-10]

O5-10 “Janus” Character Profile

Name: O5-10

Aliases: Janus, Ten, Emery Lavinia Jonaitis [pre-Overseer name], Salt Newport (née Mine) [former legal alias], Lee Henson [current legal alias]

Gender: Non Binary, Maverique, Amalgagender

Pronouns: Any, it/its only when it is in a bad way

Orientation: Queer Asexual, accepts the labels bi and pan but feels no strong draw to them

Departments: Recordkeeping, Petty Affairs, Internal Public Relations

Birth Date: August 13, 1874

Promotion Date: July 2, 1936

Site of Residence: Site 2513, occasionally Site 01

Appearance:

Ten has long, dark hair, with a greenish tinge and a not insignificant amount of graying. Their hair is typically pulled back in a chignon or bun, sometimes with shorter pieces in front. Their eyes are large, and deep brown, though the left is yellowed and bloodshot, and is typically covered with a gauze patch, or a heavier eye patch, depending on the situation. Standing at 6'5", they are already quite tall, but they add to this by wearing 5" heels. They are fairly muscular and generally imposing. They also consistently wear immaculate, though colorful, suits, and have perfectly done, equally colorful, makeup and manicures.

Personality:

Ten is generally quite aloof, and detached. They often go out of their way to maintain this detachment, even to the detriment of others. They can be quite severe, harsh, even, when they deem it necessary, and aren't known for being the most forgiving. Despite this, they make an effort to be approachable enough when someone needs to make a request. They are fairly responsive to such. When dealing with coworkers, in particular, they are quite petty, or at least can be. The Accountant is the main target of their petty digs, but he isn't unique in this at all. Ten has many strange ideas of what they "should" be, and try to abide by them flawlessly. They can't, as the standards they self-impose are unrealistic. Due to this, and workaholic tendencies, they're also prone to lashing out when put under too much stress.

History:

Ten had been a researcher in chemistry, before [REDACTED], which prompted many changes, one of which was their drive to climb the ranks. They had been head of their department, when Command took notice of them, and they were promoted much higher than they had ever anticipated. From there, they were tasked with a variety of things, most of them to serve as the other half of Twelve's duties. They keep record logs of events, personnel files, and SCP files. They handle much of the scheduling and delegating of tasks to upper level staff. They also tend to monitor public chats. Unfortunately, despite working closely with him, they are in competition with Twelve. At some point, they invoked the ire of One, in particular, due to [REDACTED], a fact which only the two involved are aware of. This shook them deeply, and reinforced their drive to achieve perfection, and see their goals through. Some time after this, Ten decided to act as the face of O5, when necessary, and take the fall for mistakes made, despite not being asked to do so. This leads to an undue amount of stress, but they refuse to fold on this. They also founded the Petty Affairs department.

[endlessly-cursed]

WWTG22, Supper Time at Winbourne

The moment Primrose entered the room, all of her guests had been seated: her aunt, the Dowager Viscountess Alina, presided the south part of the large table, her father the Lord Gray beside her as the second most senior member, meanwhile Primrose led the northern side, Lord Stolberg-Burke with her beside her and Henry to the other as the highest-ranking man of the event. The moment she picked the spoon for the soup, everyone else followed suit, eating and starting to chat to the people assigned to their left and right. To the other side of Alina, the Earl of Wexford chatted with her. Primrose squared her shoulders and gave Malcolm a well-rehearsed smile, a charming and alluring one “I hope the event has been to your tastes so far, my lord?” 

He nodded “It has indeed. You are a most curteous and charming hostess, my lady.” 

Henry added “Indeed. The Somersets outdo themselves each year, do they not?” 

Malcolm nodded in agreement and chatted back-and-forth chatting about trivial things, though his sister, the Lady Estelle, did not look pleased. Meanwhile, to the other side of Henry, the Lady Hastings decided to start speaking to him, and Elian watched on the other side curiously, next to Malcolm. He was well-aware of his high eligibility, and the fact that she was one kind of woman his parents would adore. Lady Cora then asked Henry if Primrose had been afraid when facing the Duke of Buckingham “If she did, she hid it well. I like to believe her duty to protect her family and birthright overcame that fear.” 

She smiled at him and Primrose watched closely how they conversed. She had done her best to seat men with a woman and a man to their left so they could switch from court intrigues to politics while the women gossiped and shared secrets, so no one would be out of place. 

The moment it came for the women to go to the drawing room, she bowed to her male guests and discreetly looked at Malcolm, who chatted with Elian. She then led the ladies through and took out her most favourite champagne “Ladies, this one is for you alone.” 

She watched as Miss Wakefield and Miss Balinor chatted in an intimate way. Curious to see how they had fared since last year, she positioned herself with Miss Fawley as both observed closely how they spoke. 

“You look wonderful tonight, Cecy. You do, truly.” Miss Wakefield commented. 

“And you look great too. I’m pleased you liked the dress I sent for you.” She stroke with her fingers discreetly the fabric and noticed Miss Wakefield’s flush. 

“I--I did. My mother thought it was a suitor...” 

“Am I not a suitor, Miss Wakefield?” Lavinia blushed and Cecilia giggled, pinching her nose “I am teasing you, dearest. Now, I believe that Lady Gray has a fine winery down there... I’ve been meaning to show you something in private. Follow me.” She passed past the hostess and smiled charmingly “Do excuse us, my lady, but my corset is unadjusted and Miss Wakefield will help me.” 

Lady Gray nodded and both went their ways. She turned to Miss Fawley “They make an adorable couple, do they not?” 

Selina nodded “They do. It’s heartbreaking that they can’t show it in public.” 

“One day, Miss Fawley, someone like them will break the mold and society will be more tolerant and accepting. I only hope my descendants can contribute to it.” 

Selina raised her glass and excused herself. The moment the men joined them, Lady Gray scanned through to find Lord Stolberg-Burke, wrapping up a conversation with Henry. She cleared her throat and bowed to the men who outranked her “Do forgive me, gentlemen, but I was wondering if I could have a word with Lord Stolberg-Burke?” 

Henry smiled and conceded, and soon dragged Elian with him. Primrose led Malcolm to the hallway and fidgeted with her fingers before clearing her throat “My lord, I hope that you have been enjoying yourself in these events despite not being your strong suit.” 

“They were exquisite, my lady, thank you again for inviting us this year.” 

Primrose smiled and cleared her throat “I do hope your guardian is in good health, alongside your family. You see, after these events I would like to ask your permission to visit your estate for business.” 

Malcolm frowned “May I know the reason, my lady?” 

“...To propose an alliance between our great houses.” 

Adonis tried his best to play it cool with Minerva beside him. She, though, seemed annoyed at the fact that some force was making them find each other. Perhaps that force was on his side “How is your mother? I hope she’s in good health.” 

“She is. Thank you.” She responded flatly. 

“You may not believe me but... I like your dress today. Blue suits you to perfection.” I daresay you’re a vision tonight. 

Minerva frowned “Thank you... I suppose. How is your family? All in good health?” 

“Yes. Thank you, Mimi.” 

Minerva blinked “Mimi?” 

“Forgive me if I was too untoward.” 

“No, but... it is not terrible, I suppose.” He was serious when he said that he no longer wanted to fight. 

“Ahem. Eddie wrote to me yesterday. He has invited us to Christmas year. I hope you’re alright with that. Irene has been dying to ask you for more book reccomendations.” 

A small smile came to Minerva’s mouth “I’m pleased she liked my reccomendations. She has taste, unlike you.” 

He chuckled, fondness in his eyes “Perhaps. I took the liberty to read Wuthering Heights. Truly a remarkable read.” 

Minerva frowned “Do you think so? I thought those were not to your taste.” 

Adonis smirked “If I read any other theory of Machiavelly, Ovid or any other poem of Shakesperare, I shall start climbing my bedroom’s walls out of madness.” 

Minerva bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to giggle, but something told her she could no longer fool Adonis of all people. Not anymore. What else didn’t she know about him because she was too busy antagonizing him in her head? 

“What do you read when you’re tired of classic poetry or dead politician’s theories, then?” 

“I quite like Ancient Roman comedy. Though I warn you, it is quite... a crude humour. Not suitable for ladies.” His blue eyes twinkled. 

She raised her chin “I can handle crude humour.” 

He got a bit too close to her and, still smirking, murmured “Oh, I know.” He winked at her and she flushed, glaring at him. 

Emmeline waited in a secluded hallway as Abe instructed her, asking her to wait there, for he had something important to say to her. She looked around cautiously, to see if any member of the staff were over there. She didn’t notice her fiancé sneakinh up on her, only when he grabbed her waist and surprised her with a cheerful and passionate kiss. At first she was shocked, then proceeded to return it, and he soon backed her against the wall. Emmeline broke the kiss and whispered “This is the important thing you wanted to tell me? Sneaking up and kissing like we’re some sort of criminals?” 

He chuckled “I’ll let you know that, despite being engaged, we are still under scrutiny. And I promised Primrose no scandals on her events, and I also promised your father not to tarnish your reputation.” 

Emmeline smirked “I’m sure it won’t be the end of the world if we share a little and sweet kiss.” 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was people here who believed that you should kiss me for the first time on our wedding day.” 

Emmeline did her best not to giggle “Oh, good heavens. Do you aristocrats have so many rules for love?” 

“Our marriages had never been about love. I think I disappointed some daughter of a marquis by not looking at her or considering her proposal.” 

Emmeline pecked him on the lips “She can stay mad. She should’ve been quicker with conquering your heart.” 

Abe smiled and tried to kiss her again, but her nose scrunched “Abe, I love you, but you stink of smoke and ale.” 

He pouted and started to give her ticklish kisses on her face and shoulders, making her wringle and giggle, trying to take him off her “Stop! Someone will hear us!” She teasingly punched his shoulder “Off without you before they send someone to look for you!” 

“Hmm, it seems that I already tired my fianceé of my company. Very well, I’ll go and will hope to steal you another kiss, my dearest fianceé.” 

Emmeline giggled, getting back to the drawing room. She was looking forward to never dismiss his company and hide gestures of affection with him. She knew she had promised herself to have an average engagement, but the romantic in her wanted to follow her mother’s footsteps. 

Shaking off the urge to ask him to elope, she gave her female friends a smile as she joined the conversations again, hoping her lips weren’t too swollen. 

Malcolm Stolberg-Burke belongs to @gaygryffindorgal​ 

Elian Goldcrest belongs to @potionboy3​ 

Cora Hastings belongs to @camillejeaneshphm​ 

Simon Battersea and Minerva Kennedy belongs to @unfortunate-arrow​ 

Abraham Alden belongs to @cursed-herbalist​ 

[plaguepoetree]

Chapter 4: Lavinia has entered the chat

Nico di Angelo is not miserable.

Will Solace is too tired for this shit.

The thing about Apollo is he's the definition of dramatic. He walked and talked like the world was his stage. As if he was the star in a show who broke the fourth wall, way too much. Will learned early on that he would forever be in the shadows of those like his father. He was born in the midst of greatness. His father was a man of many trades, his mother was a famous musician. His siblings possessed gifts that trusted them in the spotlight. Will was simply an average person surrounded by what people would refer to as main characters. Accepting his place on the sidelines became easy with time. He'd come to accept his casting as a side character. In his fathers story, his mothers, Kayla and Austin and even Nico's. They were simply some of the few in Will's life that the narrative was obviously about.

Nico is a superhero and all. Will wasn’t blind. He knew his casting. He was Nico's love interest, the son of celebrities, not to mention the doctor friend. He was like the one whose name was only remembered from that one backstory filler episode. He was okay with that. He'd been conditioned into acceptance.

It never really bothered him. Being the kid of celebrities meant he got a glimpse of the spotlight usually with the question 'What's it like being the son of Naomi Solace and Apollo?'  That was it. The question was answered and once it became apparent to the media that Will Solace wasn't a rising star they didn't bother with him. He wasn't worthy of a documentary or anything more than a footnote and minimalistic page on wiki.

Will's life wasn't a storybook. He'd grown up in Texas and later in life moved to Long Island where he attended school and summer camp. It was there he met most of his friends and of course Nico. They all bound over lack of one or more parents. Was it a surprise though? Statistics showed that people with the En gene were more likely to find it hard to settle down. Hades ran a max security prison filled with villains! Apollo was an actor, a musician, a doctor and not to mention an Olympic Archer. They didn't have much time for children.

Of course Will's father had put most of his focus in his Hospital as of late. Which had caused him to get a bit better at being…fatherly? Apollo was still extremely busy but every once in a while he'd make dinner reservations for him and a few of his children. He’d also taken to giving everyone a phone call every couple weeks. So of course it wasn't rare for Will's phone to ring out I'm Walking On Sunshine. A song his father found insulting.

"William there are plenty of better options for my designated ringtone! At least give me something by The Beatles or Alabama Shakes!"

Will never changed it. However, waking up to Katrina and The Waves made him wonder why he'd never considered it. Apollo always called at the worst times. More than once during intimate interactions with Nico and twice during an important meeting with Will's boss (in which his boss told him he hadn't been selected for the position). Will gave a fleeting glance to the time. It was barely six.  Will had fallen asleep hardly an hour prior. It had taken a while to follow Nico into sleep with Will's mind in shambles.

The phone buzzed angrily against Will's leg with a muffled "Woooah! And don't it feel good!" He had accidentally fallen asleep with it in his pocket. Which was a bummer considering it ultimately meant it was on the verge of death. Will fumbled for the cell pulling it to his face. The contact photo glared at him. It was a pic of them during graduation. Apollo had sunglasses despite the lack of sun and was holding a pen that he'd been using to sign autographs. Will was smiling wildly because just off camera Nico had shoved Percy in the campus fountain. 

With a clumsy finger Will attempted to swipe right only to fail twice before successfully answering. The other end of the line crackled to life. Will could hear Apollo shouting something like a coffee order followed by a "And don't drink it this time!"

"Hello?" Will grumbled. He glanced to Nico's empty side of the bed and felt a wave of disappointment. 

"William! How fast can you get downtown?" There was no greeting and the volume of Apollo's voice shook Will's throbbing brain.

Will sat up the bed creaking under his wait. He reached with a steady palm, digging his fingers into the disturbed sheets on Nicos side. They were still warm. Which meant Nico hadn’t been gone long. It wasn't comforting however considering that while Nico had gotten a few more hours of sleep than Will it hadn't been nearly enough.

"Good morning to you too dad," Will mutters dryly, "I've been great! How about you? How's Auntie Artemis?"

"Will as much as I love your sassy ass in the morning, we've got urgent business!" Apollo huffs, "how fast can you get here?"

"Where?"

"The hospital!"

"Your hospital?"

"Yes mine!" Apollo exclaims. 

Will takes a minute letting his mind wrap around the conversation, "Why? What's wrong? Are you hurt? Is someone hurt?"

"I'm perfectly healthy!" He sounded externally offended, "Just ask my personal trainer! He's hot! Not as good looking as me but I'd lick mustard off his chest-"

"Dad!"

"-and it's a hospital. Will people don’t come here for tea though we do have an excellent Boba place ," Apollo states, "Oh, and I can literally see several hurt people in my peripheral-"

Suddenly Apollo was letting out a sympathetic hiss. Then he spoke to someone on his side.

"Oww! That looks painful! Last time I seen a nose that flatten it was 'he who shall not be named!'"

Whoever he spoke to didn't laugh but Apollo didn't seem deterred by it. Will raised his hand brushing the matted curls from his forehead before dragging his palm down his face. His eyes felt like they wanted to eject from his skull. With sluggish movement he kicked the comforter off him and moved to sit on the side of the bed. The curtains were drawn tight but Will didn’t need them open to know how the sun was currently not up! 

"You're not answering the question," Will was not awake for this.

Apollo hummed, "I need your…talents!"

Will frowned, "Talents? What exactly is it that I can do that you can't?"

"Nothing…Well besides score an emo babe…"

"Daaaad!"

"But I need you for…well…it's more of a second opinion thing…it would be easier to show you," Apollo declares, "I expect you here in an hour or less…less is preferred!"

"You do know I don't work for you right?"

"That's really a mistake on your part," Apollo says, "don't be late!"

The call beeped out and Will sighed with it. He pulled the phone from his ear noting the dying battery. The red sliver of power taunted him.

 "Bye! Love you Will!" Will said in his best Apollo impression.

Letting out several breaths through his nose Will reached to his nightstand. He let his fingers drift around the wooden surface blindly before noticing his phone cords absent. It took his tired mind several moments to process it must have fallen between the stand and the wall. Today was a fantastic start. He moved to stand cracking his back and rolling his shoulders. Then with little grace or delicacies Will tugged the table from the wall. The lamp rocked as he maneuvered it to reach for his charger. Catching the cord between his fingers he pulled up the end, nearly knocking the lamp completely off. It took way longer than necessary to plug his cell in. The connection was made successful by a resonating bing.

Will stood in place for several moments, his hazed brain asking the random early morning questions. How much caffeine could a human consume before death was imminent? Would he ever get a decent night's sleep? Could he get away with homicide? Would Apollos' powers stop him from being poisoned? How could Will get his hands of thallium? Can Google teach him how to lie properly? Would Nico help him hide the body or was that against his moral code being a superhero?

"Will, you can't murder your father," Will finally declared, "You'll go to prison and you won't do well in prison."

Not fully convinced of his reasoning he began towards his dresser. He wasted no time opening each drawer and pulling out an arrangement of attire. He hardly cared if it matched. In fact it was better it didn't. Apollo would be scandalized. The thought made him feel a little better but no less exhausted. He debated dressing in 'doctor dress code' only a moment before reminding himself he wasn't going to work…Not technically anyway. However, he was going to assist his father which basically translated to work or as Apollo called it 'bonding.'

Will quickly decided on a horrid orange t-shirt under a green plaid jacket. Then he opted for a pair of navy blue cargo shorts because it wasn't that cold yet. They were far from matching or appropriate which was just what he was going for. Then to top off everything he wore flip flops (the ones that earned their namesake with every step.)

Feeling a bit more awake (and less murderous) Will marched toward the bathroom to brush his teeth. To Will's surprise he found it occupied. Nico stood in the open doorway, a towel firm around his waist and hand reaching to flick off the light. He seemed startled to see Will. His dark eyes flickering all around Will as if he had a distinct outline. Water dripped from Nico's hair running down his face and torso. Will watched as a single bead streaked down the male's sharp features before gathering at his nose and dropping to the floor. Will was so focused on following the descent of water that when the silence was broken he leapt several inches back.

"You're up early," Nico comments, then he frowns his eyebrows looking Will up and down again, "You going somewhere?"

Before Will could form a response, Nico was taking a step to the side allowing entrance to the bathroom. Will slid past him quickly noting how Nico did his best to avoid possible skin contact. His boy arched pack like a cat who didn't want to be petted. Frowning Will took his place in front of the sink. His reflection glared back at him, tired and blotchy. Nico who stood slightly in the doorway met his eyes in the glass. Will couldn’t help but give the male a tired smile. Nico didn't return it but his eyes seemed softer. 

 The Italian looked as attractive as ever and Will was still too tired to be entertaining those thoughts. Then again maybe not. Will took a minute to pull his thoughts back on course, grabbing his yellow toothbrush out of the holder (a mandalorian coffee cup.) 

"My dad called, he needs my talents," Will finally answers. He watched his boyfriend's face, prepping his toothbrush and shoving it into his mouth. He noted Nico had left the toothpaste cap off again. 

Will had a flash of annoyance but it faded as Nico tilted his head (wasn't that just adorable). Then Nico asked, "What exactly is it that you can do that he can't?"

'Score and emo babe!'

"That's what I wanna know!" Will exclaims after spitting and rinsing away the rest of the minty paste. He quickly deposited his toothbrush. Then with inherited dramatic flare, he held up the toothpaste and made a show of securing the lid. 

Nico only hummed, "He knows you don't work for him right?"

Will sighed, turning to face Nico and leaning slightly to rest against the sink, "He reminds me every time we talk!" 

Will let his eyes drift to Nico's chest. It was strange he hadn't noticed before. Dark bruising some old and new. Colors of yellow, purple, green and red. It was nauseating and Will wondered why he hadn't detected it last night? Perhaps it was overshadowed by everything else. Maybe Will was just that exhausted. If his father expected his healing abilities Will could only hope he’d recharged enough to be of use.

"What happened to your chest?" He asked softly. Nico shifted slightly but didn't attempt to hide anything. There wasn't exactly a point Will had already seen.

"I was training new field recruits," Nico lied through his teeth with ease. It nearly made Will flinch. It made his heart ache with how easy it was for Nico to mislead.

The thing was that Will had done plenty of research. Including the most recent incident involving a certain Ghost King. Only three days prior there had been an incident with a local gang called the Cynocephali. They wore masks resembling that of dogs and they had managed to throw Nico through a brick wall among other things. The fresh bruising pattern made sense with the knowledge. 

Will should just let it go, let Nico keep his secrets for now. However, Will really wanted to make Nico sweat. Who could blame him? Will could have a little fun right? Just to watch the Italian squirm?

"Huh…didn't know you trained recruits? I thought Chiron and Lupa would have someone else do it considering you and the team are so…busy?" Will says.

Nico blinked slightly. Will wanted to laugh at his surprise. In addition to researching The Ghost King and all relations he's also done some digging on HB. The more he'd read the more he began to remember things. Nico had mentioned small tidbits throughout the years. He'd made comments on different departments and people that Will had met fleetingly at one or two company Christmas parties. All of which were held off HB premises and had a bit more security than Will had thought necessary.

It must be a bit of a shock for Will remembering a fine detail. Chiron and Lupa held the evaluation and training progress. And that it was a delicate matter that only the leads such as Reyna dabbled in. It was more likely out of Nicos team Jason or Frank would be pulled in to assist with training (Nico and Percy had grumbled the unfairness of the other boys' security clearance more than once.)

Everyone Will had met employed there was cryptic about the agency workings. Not that Will had ever bothered pushing for an outline. Mainly because it was obvious how uncomfortable it made everyone. Leo got fidgety, Jason and Annabeth spoke from rehearsed lines and Nico simply shrugged it off. That being said, any amount of information Will was given was few and far between. It was easy for him to forget what he'd been told and for others to expect him to have forgotten.

So Nico's surprise wasn't unwarranted. Although Will had met Chiron on many occasions. Nico wouldn't think Will would know the man's actual job. Not to mention Will had never met Lupa. Which made Will wonder if anyone had ever mentioned her to him? The more he thought about it perhaps Jason had said something about her once. However, anything of importance he knew was from his recent google search.

"Uh..yeah…well we were short staffed and sometimes it's good to break away to get a better perspective," Nico declares smoothly, then he added,"Which reminds me that maybe it's time you 'break away'."

"What?" Will couldn’t help but fall into Nicos obvious escape goat. What was that boy talking about?

 

"You could always just accept your dads offer, break away from Epidaurus," Nico says suddenly, "You hate the emergency room…your abilities are wasted there! They only give you the minor cases! All you do is treat broken bones and hypochondriacs!"

"Okay Kelly Clarkson, that's not true! Last week I dug a battery out of an eleven year olds nose!" Will countered, "apparently their starting acid early."

Nico rolled his eyes which hurt. Will thought that was pretty funny, "You should have your own patients by now, you know an office and all that!"

"I'm not having this argument with you," Will groans, then because he was defensive adds, "And I don't hate the emergency room!"

Nico crosses his arms and his towel holds strong. Which was a disappointment, "Yes you do, the pay sucks and it's been years, they still treat you like you're just out of grad school."

"Nothing has opened up! I just gotta be patient!"

"Yeah there's nothing right now but how many times has a position opened up since you've been there?" Nico spats, "I'll tell you! Seven! and you've applied for all of them and like clockwork you come home and eat a family size pack of yellow oreos-" 

"Golden oreos-"

"Because you're upset that once again you were denied and instead the position was given to a guy like fucking Jared the intern instead of you who has the talent and seniority!"

"First off Jared wasn't an intern he was a nursing assistant and secondly the positions are given to those who best fit its criteria and have the most experience!" Will was tired of having this argument.

The fight about Will's job was another dispute that had been getting more heated each time it came up. Nico always brought up the fucking oreos. As if it was the most dramatic thing Will did when he found out he'd been turned down. Nico never mentions that Will watched all the Star Wars movies and slowly destroyed his eleventh grade anatomy book as if it were a 'wreck this journal'. (He was down to the glossary now).

"Will you reattach an arm if that's not experience? I don't know what is! You are just as qualified as the rest of them, you have the schooling not to mention your gift," Nico states, "Which should qualify you even more!"

Will sighed, "It doesn’t…in fact it makes it even harder, being gifted with healing doesn't mean I have any more of a right to a better position than anyone else!"

"No, it doesn't but you've worked hard for your degree, you continue working hard everyday, you're an amazing doctor," Nico tells him, "With or without powers."

Will felt a flare of warmth and pride. Gods how he loved Nico di Angelo! It had been awhile since Nico had said something so nice to Will. They'd used to exchange words of praise like breaths. What had happened to that…to them?

"I wish people could see it that way…but you know how it is…if they gave me the position people would believe I only got it for my ability not because of my degree or experience…they'll look at it as favoritism or discrimination against mortal's!" Will explains, "People without a healing gift they'll feel cheated!"

"That's stupid…you can't help you were born with an advantage…and anyway they should be judging you on your skills outside of that," Nico counters, "how well you do stitches or whatever doctors do!"

Will couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped him. Nico truly had a way with words. The burst of giggles made him snort through his nose. When he finally could catch his breath Will took a step closer to his boyfriend.

"Nico…you're right," he says with finality, "I wish people could see it that way…but they don't…so it's best for me to be patient and wait…it'll all work out, I'll move up when management sees it right."

Nico slumped his lip pressing out into a pout. He eyed Will with a look of incredulous. It took several long minutes of silence before Nico seemed to come to terms with a response.

"I still think you should take up Apollo's offer…better hours…better pay… you deserve it!" Nico declares.

"I'm okay with my hours…and my pays fine we get by perfectly well," because Will couldn’t help himself, "I mean with all your overtime we shouldn't be struggling in the slightest."

Nico looked slightly nauseated, "It's not just about money Will, it's about how I'm tired of seeing you miserable and how angry it makes me that you let them get away with their bigotry!"

"Oh! And I guess I should just quit and go work for my father because it upsets you!"

"That's not what I said!" Nico grumbles, "Besides this is about how it upsets you!"

Will was too tired. It had barely been two days and he was about to lose it, "I told you I'm fine!"

"But you're not happy!"

"I'm helping people!" Will spats, "Sorry if it's not up to your standards!"

"What about helping yourself!" Nico demands, "You're so hypocritical about others being happy and doing what makes them happy the least you can do is take a chance and go for a job that'll not leave you miserable!"

"Oh! You're right Neeks here's an idea why don't I go work for HB! Since you're so adamant about me getting a new job, and you never come home miserable from your job and you never have complaints because it's so perfect!"

"No job is fucking perfect! Just because I like my job doesn't mean I don't have complaints!" Nico growls, "besides you wouldn't like it there!"

"How would you know? Maybe I would! I mean you spend more time there than at home. Maybe I wanna know what all the hype is about," Will spats, "Maybe I don't wanna be home either!"

"We're do you get these crazy ideas!" Nico's eyes looked wild, "What makes you think I don't wanna be home?"

"You're never here!" 

"I'm here right now!" 

"Not for long, it's been like six hours max since you got here?" Will mocked, "That's an awfully long time you might want to hurry back to work, wouldn't want to miss out on being miserable in the workplace!"

"Why are you like this!?" The shadows under Nico's eyes made him look crazed as he scowled. Will's stomach drops. He was adding fuel to a fire that neither wanted to burn but neither could put out, "What is wrong with you!?"

"Maybe if you were home every once in a while you might know!" Will cries, "Maybe if we actually talked we could get to the actual problem!"

"How can we talk when you do nothing but turn everything into a fight!" Nico hisses.

"Me!" Will exclaims, "I turn everything into a fight! That's bullshit and you know it!"

This wasn't helping Wills plan for tonight. They needed to talk about the hero thing. However, at this rate Nico wouldn't come home. The fight was giving him a reason to stay away. Nico looked between Will and the door.

"I don't have time for this right now," he says, "Don't you have to be getting to Apollo or something."

"I-" Will started his voice still too loud. He stopped pulling a deep breath through his nose. It didn't feel like enough oxygen to his pounding heart. He wanted to scream and maybe cry. Mostly slapping Nico felt like the right course of action.

However he didn't do that. Instead Will stood there counting his breaths until the heat on his face and ears faded to a soft burn. As the moments passed Will watched the look on Nico's face shifted from angry to bored. It was a look Will was beginning to take personally. What did he expect though? Nico couldn't very well look at Will like he was magnificent or super. Will was boring compared to what Nico saw and dealt with on the daily. Arguing with his boyfriend compared to fighting crazed villains? It must be like watching grass grow or paint dry. 

Boring. Will had accepted that as a trait of himself. His siblings were amazing and his parents were famous. Nico and most of their friends were superheroes. What can Will expect being compared to any of them? He was just lucky they included him in their lives. 

"You're self deprecating," Nico snips, "I can see it on your face…stop it."

Then with a finality Nico turned to their bedroom. Will let his eyes follow him, noting the harsher bruising along his back. Will wanted to make another comment. However, he couldn’t stand the thought of starting up the fight again or worse being lied to more. Nico had said he was training new recruits. At least the lies before this were closer to the truth. Nico's usual response was his injuries were due to an investigation gone wrong or a hazard of working with Percy Jackson and Jason Grace. 

Nico usually never gave more than a fragment of a truth. When Will healed Nicos stab wound a few years back what had he told him?

"People don't like being arrested, Will."

"It's Tuesday , why are you arresting a Samaria on a Tuesday!?" Will growled, "Besides I thought you weren't a part of the apprehending of criminals!?"

 "I got promoted!"

"No you got stabbed! By a sword Nico! A sword! What is this Game of Thrones!?"

"If it is, can I be Jon Snow?"

"No!"

"You could be my Daenerys!"

"Ew! First incest and second that would make me a woman and your gay."

"I'd be bi for you."

Despite Will's worry and prying Nico had only insisted it was all a work related incident and  further details were classified. That was a word Will had grown to despise. Classified. Now that Will knew the truth ( mostly) he understood that was Nicos 'out' method to stop further questioning. Perhaps Nico used it to avoid making up a more in depth lie. Maybe the classified card made him feel less guilty. Stretching the truth was less guilt-inducing than flat out falsehoods. Or maybe Nico couldn't be bothered with wasting his time making a more thorough explanation. Why put effort into something when it wasn't warranted. What did Will expect when it was obvious how oblivious Nico thought him? It had taken this long for Will to even find out.  

You must make it so easy for him to keep secrets, Will thought bitterly.

 It made him angry. Which then made him feel stupid. He was making assumptions! He didn't know everything. He didn't know why Nico hadn’t told him. Maybe Nico was afraid. Terrified about all his untruths that it was easier to add to the pile instead of expunge it. Anyway wasn't it Will's fault for being so unheeding?

That all being said, Will now had to be the person to breach said pile of deception. If he keeps silently cursing his boyfriend they'll never be okay again. They'll constantly be this: Feuding and miserable. Will needs to encourage Nico to tell him everything. It was a delicate situation. Will couldn’t keep fueling his anger and whatever fire was currently burning.

"Nico…" Will says calmer than before, "I…just…do you know what time you'll be home?" 

Will felt awkward asking; he made sure his voice held no agitation or suspicion. Most of all he hoped he didn't sound nervous. Moments before he had implied that Nico didn't wanna be home. To Will's relief Nico didn't stir back up that particular line.

Nico blinked, tilting his head and adjusting his towel slightly, "I don't know…late…"

Will felt his face flush for no reason other than nerves. He had decided he'd confront Nico tonight. He couldn’t back out, they needed to talk about everything. Before Will spatted out during a fight or something equally as horrid ('Like sex,' Cecil voice whispered in his skull.) Squaring his shoulders slightly Will gave his best reassuring smile.

"I…it's been awhile…since we just talked…and i've got a lot in my head..and ive..ive got something important I wanna talk about..tell you…and well…I don't wanna fight…I just…I'd like to talk," Will nearly facepalmed himself. He sounds like an idiot. So much for calm or nonchalant. He sounded like the definition of nervous.

Nico looked concerned and that was not what Will wanted. He didn't want to make him worry and he didn't want to make things uncomfortable before they actually needed to enter the area of discomfort. 

"Is everything okay?" Nico asked softly then jokingly, "You're not pregnant are you?"

That lightened a bit of tension in Will's body. He let out a snort, "Oh no! You ruined the surprise! You're gonna be a father!"

It was Nicos turn to snort. They stand chuckling softly for several moments. It was nice. Like old times. It was also a bit disconcerting considering they'd been yelling at each other moments before. Naomi Solace would probably tell him that was a good thing but a couple therapist might say something else. Even so Will wished they could freeze time. It would be wonderful to simply live in this moment forever. Laughing…being happy. That however wasn't possible. 

"Seriously though," Will says, "It's important but…nothing to worry about."

Nico nodded softly eyeing Will with something resembling uncertainty, "You sure? We can talk now, we've got time."

Panic.

They couldn't talk now! Nico was in a towel (which was hard to ignore or forget.) Besides, Will hadn’t thought about how to breach the subject. It was a lot to unload. Things wouldn't be the same after. Will wasn’t dumb enough not to realize how big a change this would insure. He wasn't ready, he might never be, and now wasn't the time.

"Oh…no, I mean I should really be going, you know how dad is!" Will didn’t actually care how long Apollo waited but it was a good excuse for the moment, "It's not urgent anyway it can wait!"

"Okay…if you're sure,"  Nico says, "I'll  try and be home as soon as I can."

Will began backing down the hall making his leave, "It's fine no rush I'll see you tonight!"

"Yeah," Nico replies, "See you…"

Will slammed the door behind him a bit too hard. The frame rattled and he had to stop himself from falling against it. The hall was completely empty and it seemed to remind Will how early it currently was. He winced praying they wouldn't get another noise complaint. Gods! Will had never thought they’d be those neighbors.

The journey down town was uneventful though the bus had to take the long way due to construction. The problem with living in an advanced human society meant that taxes went towards repairing the latest super show down instead of potholes. The street currently closed for work was the aftermath of The Mechanical Dragon taking on lanky from another mafia wannabe organization.

Will had treated seventeen patients with various burns (nothing life threatening) all who instead of following evacuation procedures, wanted to get the best story on their Iris accounts. That had been a hectic day. 

Instead of the ride taking its usual twenty or so minutes it had taken well over an hour even in the moderate traffic of the late night-early morning. To Will's surprise he didn't hear his phone ring out Walking On Sunshine. Usually his father was impatient and normally would have blown up Will's cells with calls and messages. Demanding his whereabouts and what was exactly taking so long. So it was extremely out of character for Apollo to be radio silent. Will didn't question it, instead he spent the entire ride trying to stay awake. He mostly did so by listening to a phone conversation of a young gentleman who wore a Westport College baseball cap.

It was impolite to stare so Will gazed out the window as the male whispered harshly, "-This is your fault! None of this was supposed to happen!...I don't care…Liste-...No…I don't have time…Why? Because I gotta fix your mess!"

The man was silent then. Will could just make out the muffling sound of the voice on the other end. For amusement Will imagined perhaps this conversation was a lover quarrel. Maybe Will and Nico weren't the only ones disputing this early. Logically Will knew that statistically there were plenty of people fighting every minute of every day. Will knew he and Nico weren't the only ones in their own apartment building having disputes. However, he felt a little better witnessing a possible one.

"Here's an idea why don't you go get your favorite oral Oracle and I'll clean your mess and will get fucking Mcdonalds afterwards!"

The bus came to a stop shortly after the man abruptly ended his call. Will watched as the male stormed past his seat and out the door in silent fury. Will followed after him much slower, stopping long enough to say a farewell to the bus driver. He stepped onto the deserted sidewalk and noted that his drop off companion was already several strides away in the opposite direction of the hospital. Sadly or luckily depending on the view Will was alone.

The bus stop was less than two blocks from the hospital. Will took it at a slow pace. He was too tired to be efficient in his steps. Luckily the walk helped to wake him up. And if it hadn't done the complete job the descent to the hospital entrance sure did. Why did his father request so many stairs? It was like entering that one art museum. Maybe he should have entered on the other side of the building with the easy access ramps. However, by the time he began to regret It was too late for that. He was around half way there at that point. When he finally walked through the automatic doors he was sure he was gonna pass out.

Which was funny considering Will wasn’t out of shape by any means. He went to the gym sometimes and he played plenty of sports in his youth. However there was something about those stairs that got him every time! He did his best not to breathe so loud and heavy as he nodded to several women at the front desk.

Apollos Medical Hospital was unlike anything. The closest comparison was the Olympus building. Their similarities were no surprise considering Olympus was built by Zeus's (Apollo's father's). While Apollo's was a medical facility Olympus was basically like the Stark Industry or Wayne Enterprises, Inc (without a CEO Vigilante with dead parents). They specialize in everything from technology, to schooling, and even fashion. It was even rumored that the company also dealt heavily in political affairs but it was tight lipped. Everyone seemed to have some connection to the company. They own everything! So much so that Will was waiting for them to announce taking over Disney.

That being said Apollo being his fathers son of course had to one up the man. Which came in the form of my building is bigger than your building! Apollo even had Annabeth design it not even a month after she helped rebuild Olympus. The family feud/rivalry between Apollo and Zeus didn't seem to have a set date. Though it started no later than when Zeus kicked Apollo out the first time at the ripe age of fourteen. It grew and dispatched through the years going from small jabs to being cut from the Inheritance. Though you weren't part of Zues family unless you were disowned from it at least once.

The most recent fuel in the father son debacle was Apollo being kicked out of the Olympus Council. Which had been a big hit on Apollo's ego and the main gossip headline for several months. Currently Apollo was still chairless and had been for several years. That meant he did everything in his power to outshine his fathers company. With Apollos' focus currently residing in the medical field that was often in the form of refusing to endorse any related thing manufactured by Olympus. 

With Will's father being an influencer in addition to having been a potential heir to the company the drama did wonders. Stocks had plummeted in the medical area. From what the News portrayed, Olympus development of musical instruments and tech had been put on hiatus. It was obvious as to why. Consequently it made the possibility of Apollo retaking his place on the council and line of succession slim. The knowledge would have once made Apollo weep. However, after the first year of pleading for Zeus to reconsider Apollo had wiped his hands of it all and decided to make his father regret it. Which truly is character development and Will couldn’t help being proud. Grandpa Zeus was a real asshole.

The best way to describe Apollo's Hospital in its white and gold regionalism was Greek- -with-a-bit-of-Roman-inspired-architecture-modernized. Will wasn’t Annabeth so it was the best he could do with explaining. High marble white pillars acted as support in and outside the building similar to the Parthenon. Statues of modern and old musicians' legends were portrayed as gods and goddesses. Taylor Swift, Shakira and Beyonce had recently carved marble figures. It was like a wax museum in some places. The elevator music consisted of songs from the Top 100 list. Overall the place was…its own entity. Beautiful and unique and cringy in all honesty. 

Will marched towards the receptionist desk, his flip-flops squelching and plucking on sleek tiles. The atmosphere was too sunny for this time of morning. The bright LED lights glared from above. Will see black dots just from a simple glance up. He blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision. He was to have a word with his father about dimming his indoor solar flare. 

Will was hardly three steps from the desk when his path was blocked. He was greeted by a pink-haired woman with a devilish glare. Unlike the receptionist in their professional doctoring attire, she was dressed in a horrid purple shirt with a picture of a cactus, paired with a pink and purple plaid skirt. Unlike Will she had appropriate footwear (black platforms) over her green socks. 

"You're late!" She snapped and Will gave her a large smile. Or at least as big as he could manage. He was still catching his breath not to mention Will was the type of person who rose with the sun not before it! Sue him for not being peppy.

"Lavinia nice to see you," he offers.

Lavinia leaned to her left tilting her head as if analyzing a child. She crosses her arms and smacks the gum between her teeth as if she were about to scold him (or insult his livelihood.) Surprisingly she managed to hold her seriousness for several more seconds before launching in for a hug.

"You look atrocious!" Lavinia exclaims, looping her arms around Will's middle, "I missed you!"

She was around a head shorter than Will which meant he got a nose full of hair that smelled of lavender shampoo. They stood there embraced for only a few seconds before pulling away. Will knew Lavinia in a way he knew his neighbor two floors down. They could be considered friends but friendly acquaintance was more accurate. Lavinia Asimov gave tap dancing lessons at the local Muses Dance Center. Will only knew as much beach, it was there she'd broken her leg on three separate occasions. None of those times was directly correlated to dancing. Will didn't know the details but he had healed her on one of those instances. Despite Apollo doing it the other times she seemed to like Will best. After meeting her they'd crossed paths enough to get equated. 

Lavinia and Will both preferred coffee at a small local shop. Not to mention she and Hazel were friends of sorts. Which meant Lavinia was familiar with Nico if only vaguely. 

"What are you doing here?" Will wondered glancing for any visible injuries.

"Would you believe me if I said the kindness of my heart?" She says with the amount of dramatics that came from being around Apollo too long. 

"No."

"No?" She faked being hurt before stating, "I needed extra cash and Apollo needed an assistant."

"What happened to Amy?" Will asked.

"Apollo happened…" that was all the answer Will needed. 

As much as his father had grown as a person he could still be insufferable and needy. Apollo's antics could make one's head spin. The man was constantly being pulled in a million directions and while he could handle 'busy' and 'spontaneous' others couldn't. Not to mention the man himself was impulsive to the extent of being considered a lunatic. That alone was why Apollo went through assistance and agents like crazy. Being a man in many businesses meant he had more than one and in certain areas had whole teams. All of which rotated out like clockwork. People quitting, transferring, and even going as far as disappearing off the face of the earth. 

"Sounds right!" Will say, "What exactly are you assisting? You don't have medical training," 

"Coffee runs mainly," She tells him, "You'd think your father would stop sending me when he realized I never brought him one back."

Will snickers, "He's a slow learner."

"Oh! And I do small mundane tasks, picking up dry cleaning, sorting through mail, making sure he knows his schedule and excitingly enough taking out the trash."

"Thought the janitorial team dealt with the trash?"

"Oh, not that trash, I assist with security!" Lavinia stood proudly. Then with a flourish she flashed something that looked like a hall monitor badge. Will took a moment to look intrigued before indicating she can put it away.

"That's…nice."

Lavinia didn't seem dissoluted from Will's lack of matched enthusiasm. If anything it seemed to increase her own. Perhaps Apollo had been sending her on too many coffee runs. Will kind of wished he'd had that amount of caffeine despite knowing how not good it was for anyone. Lavinia popped her gum as she glanced at her rhinestoned pink wrist watch. 

Then without a word the brown eyed girl twirled in the direction of the elevators. Will noted several hospital occupants eyed her with caution as she strolled by them. Without being prompted Will began following her. Lavinia's shoes tapped in a constant rhythm like a pendulum swing. Each step was placed against the tile deliberately as if she were dancing. From behind Will could tell her short pink hair was freshly dyed (if her stained ears and neck were anything to go by.)

As they walked Will couldn’t help but think that Lavinia didn't seem like the type to be security. The last time they'd spoken he'd discovered she was a bit timid in confrontation. What has changed? Will let his mind ponder on the question for only a second. Quickly deciding he best not know. Look where questioning and wondering had gotten him! It seemed curiosity only encouraged complications. Will was tired of seeking answers and getting them. His luck Lavinia had joined a fight club and what was the first rule about fight club? Or she was a superhero! That seemed to be a likely deduction considering what Will was dealing with. Maybe he should interrogate Cecil and Lou. What was the likelihood that they (like everyone else it seemed) were keeping secret alternate egos!

Will was really tired.

"Apollo is surely peeved right now, he told you an hour and boss man has a tight schedule," Lavinia sings, "Ooh! You wanna stop by the cafeteria? They make the best omelets!" 

"I thought you said we're on a tight schedule?"

"Us? No," She declares, "Your father? yes! And Will that's a Apollo problem!"

"As lovely as it sounds my father is enough to handle as it is," Will sighs, "I'd rather not add to his antics."

Following Lavinia's lead Will took time to note some of the oddities he'd previously overlooked. Firstly there were several nervous looking individuals. Their eyes flicked about seemingly to avoid staring. Will was gonna ask about it before he saw the caution tape blocking off one of the vast halls. Several security guards stood guard. They mostly looked bored waving people away if they got too close.

"What happened over there?" Will wondered.

Lavinia didn't falter in her steps, "Oh, it's kind of the reason you're here, there was an incident sometime late last night can't give much detail besides…it involved the shattering of all the windows in one of the east branch halls."

"Wow…that sucks.." Will said, "How many were hurt?"

"A nurse but it was a few cuts, Apollo healed her quickly," it was spoken with a finality that clearly underlined 'that's it! No more questions.'

However, Will was way too tired to register the whole moving on from it. Besides, he wanted to know why he was here, "Was it a Villain attack?"

Lavinia's eyebrow twitched. She slowed in step slightly, not fully turning her head to Will who'd managed to take up residence beside her opposed to trailing behind, "Yes…but not exactly…Apollo is more suited to explain…he was there."

The last part was whispered and extremely mumbled. So Apollo was in the hall when the windows were shattered? Interesting.

"Is he okay?"

She hummed as they entered one of the elevators, "Yes…though he might tell you otherwise…he's a bit dramatic you know!"

Will nodded in agreement. He watched Lavinia fidget with one of the many rings on her fingers. The doors slid shut unprompted and to Will's surprise Lavinia didn't reach to push the button for the top floor. Apollo's office was basically a hospital's version of a penthouse sweet. It was an open concept with more windows than necessary facing the perfect direction for every sunrise. It was where Will usually met his father. So it was a shock that Lavinia didn't press the thirteenth button at its lone point above the rest. Perhaps it was more surprising she didn't press any button at all. Instead she tugged at her badge that hung from a lanyard around her neck and waved in front of a small scanner.

It made no noise to indicate anything was scanned instead it jerked into motion. The elevator ride was smooth and quick as they went down. Will watched the numbers flash from the main floor to the basement levels. The music inside the small box was something from the Backstreet Boys. It bounced off the closed space rather joyfully for their obvious destination. There was only one reason they'd be going down. However it didn't really hit him until the elevators came to a stop. Immediately the blood seemed to drain from Will's body. He couldn’t seem to fully process it all. 

Will's heart started to flutter and his palms began to sweat. Why was he being led down here? Why did his father need him again? His talents…a second opinion? Apollo couldn’t mean down here! He couldn’t just bring him here! Will wasn’t an Apollo employee. It didn't matter if Will was a doctor! He was still technically a civilian not to mention he didn't even have this amount of clearance at Epidaurus (where he was employed).

"I think you got the wrong floor," Will squeaked. 

He had to try despite knowing it was unlikely. Nobody would have mistakenly brought anyone down here. Proving the idea preposterous Lavinia laughed. Like this was a comedic adventure! As if Will wasn't having a heart attack. Like they were about to step into the cafeteria sharing an inside joke. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Their destination was nowhere close to over priced salads and they weren't in a movie with Will Farrell. They were entering the Area 51 of hospitals. The place that probably had more confidentiality papers than Nicos work. 

The highly secured (secretive) floor was known mainly as The Hazardous Specimen Care Unit or simply (HSCU). It was the place hospital's used for their dangerous cases. The little Will understood was it was a floor of advanced isolation units. Designed specifically to contain people with the powers of an overly juiced half blood as well as victims to bizarre En gene incidences. 

There was a famous incident Will could recall.  It was of a patient and her victims that were emitted into one of these special wards. The hospital that handled the case was never disclosed though the media managed to report the occurrence. The case involved a young woman whose gift allegedly allowed her to conjure cursed treasures. It has been documented that these riches caused anyone who came in contact with them to die. More specifically a 'cruel horrific fate'. The record had claimed the girl as well as a dozen civilians had been quarantined in the HSCU. Nothing was released about what became of the girl but it was revealed that all civilians had died. No one knew what happened to the bodies but families did come forth saying they'd only been able to identify their deceased by limited photographs. Said families buried empty caskets. The HalfBlood was never charged in face of a court instead the public was given the verdict that she'd been tried under the En Gene Act II. Many assumed she'd been placed into Tartarus. 

The story did nothing to ease Will's worries. Will felt his mouth begin to water as his stomach lurched. The elevator stalled and the compartment lit up a haunting red. He watched as Lavinia used a biometric scanner. She placed two fingers on the screen which immediately lit up green. It was only then he'd noticed the music had stopped. It made everything all the more tense. Will Solace was a doctor, he was good at remaining calm and collected. Usually but not here. He shouldn't be allowed here. They were protocols and he didn't need to know what they entitled, to determine this wasn't it. 

Will wouldn't say he was a stickler for rules (he was human after all.) However, he'd worked hard for this career, it was his calling. Nobody could blame him for taking it seriously in every way. He could get in trouble for this surely. He didn't have the authorization for a place like this! Also he didn't even work here! 

 "Stand still," Lavinia instructed. 

Will immediately went rigid. A large beam of light flashes like a Rollercoaster photo. Before he could blink away the black dots in his vision the doors were sliding open followed by a horn not unlike that of a forklift. Will could also recall how the place he was about to enter was said to be heavily armored with max security. It was the next best place before Tartarus and not unheard of for captured criminals to be held on these hospital floors until they could be properly transported. Will wondered if any Kronos equivalents were currently being held here.

As the sound of the siren tapered off and Will whispered, "Why are we here?" 

Lavinia gave him a strange look, "Why are you whispering?"

"I…I don't know it seemed like the thing to do!"

"Well don't," she says, "and calm down Apollo will explain everything to the best of his abilities."

"That's even less comforting than you think."

Lavinia ignored him, proceeding to march forward like she owned the place. Will reluctantly followed wishing to be anywhere else. It must be serious…or maybe it was just Apollo's try at a practical joke. More likely it was Will's father giving a middle finger to rules and regulations.

"Rules are just suggestions…guidelines…like a coloring book!" Apollo had once explained, "Sure you can color in the lines but remember scribbling outside them doesn't obscure the intended picture."

"Are you encouraging me to break the law?!" Will had cried.

"No of course not that would be bad parenting!" Apollo insisted, "William honey I'm just saying it's okay to live a little! Skip class, miss curfew! It won't stop you from reaching your goals."

"Okay…"

"Just don't tell your mother I said that!"

Will shook the memory away, taking his time to look around. The elevator let off into a long stretch of hallway. Its expansion was only several yards from a set of heavy stainless steel doors. Two security guards stood armed on either side. Lavinia walked towards them without a single falter in her step. Will couldn’t help but shrink back. He felt his entire boy freeze. 

What am I doing? His head screamed, Just turn around…go back up and wait. 

He could demand Apollo speak with him upstairs. It was the safest (most sane) choice. He shouldn't be here. How dare his father request and or allow this! No! He needed more explanation and at least a statement from the law saying this was 'A' okay!

"Will," Lavinia said, pausing in her stride to look back at him, "Let's go."

Will blinked at her and wished for nothing more than to call Nico. His boyfriend would surely say something (reasonable?...comforting) about all this. Maybe he could at least tell Will that this was legal or something.

"I…Lavinia…It doesn’t matter if I'm Apollo's son or a doctor,"  Will hisses, " I shouldn't be here!"

Lavinia turned to face him completely. Her eyes seem to lose some of her previous energy. Her shoulders slumped and she began fiddling with her rings. Her mouth opened but closed quickly. Whatever she originally was gonna say was veto. Will watched as Lavinia seemed to work out an imaginary conversation in her head. She frowned her eyebrows and blinks excessively. It felt like hours before she finally responded.

"No you shouldn't," she declares, "but we're out of options, and Apollo believes you can help."

Will couldn’t help but laugh. He couldn’t stop himself from asking the big question of the day, "What exactly is it that I can do that he can't?"

Lavinia gave him a wistful smile, "I don't know," then she added, "nothing probably…but this may be a joint effort situation. "

"Lavinia…Something doesn't feel right."

"It's all okay Will there's nothing wrong!" Lavinia insists, "Just trust me okay."

Will deflate. He had the sense he should run, the urge to demand answers. However, maybe Lavinia wasn't the person he should be interrogating. It was Apollo who called him here, Lavinia was just doing her job escorting him. Gods was he crazy? Was he really about to continue forward?

Of course he was.

"Can you just tell me one thing?" Will asks. 

"I can't say I can answer but sure, ask," Lavinia prompted.

Will took a breath looking behind Lavinia head ar the two guards. Neither one had moved an inch. They didn't appear to be concerned with either of them which still wasn't comforting. 

"I'm assuming there's a patient…bad shape most likely," Will takes a breath, "If I don't go in…they'll die?"

Lavinia gave him a grave expression, "They'll probably die even if you do."

[deepdeanvsweston]

I call these 'Lavinia and George being supportive of each other's neurodivergence even though neither of them know about neurodivergence' headcannons

- Lavinia lets George count her freckles if he gets overwhelmed

- she cuts out any labels in new clothes for him (with a knife George bought her)

- a lot of their hangouts include 'floor time' where they just lie on the floor in George's conservatory

- he brushes her hair when it feels too overwhelming to do herself

- George knows she means 'thankyou' when she lightly punches his shoulder and says "what'd you do that for?"

- they sit and chat in the dark alot because it means they can avoid the Main Light and they feel like it's ok to be more vunerable

- they go running together because they have a lot of pent up energy

- they usually run in the early morning to the top of a hill and then scream their frustrations

- Lavinia collects rocks she thinks are pretty and gifts them to George, who keeps them in a jar on his desk

- they give each other super tight hugs, and sometimes just sit for 10 minutes holding each other (they can't explain but deep pressure is calming)

- Lavinia can't tell how loud she is when talking, but George doesn't care and would rather drop dead than tell her to lower her voice

- Lavinia's fear of bugs is (marginally) overruled by George's excitement at talking about bugs

[memento-morri-writes]

Happy STS, Morri! Describe a scene you're very attached to, a scene that was challenging to write, a scene you look forward to writing and a scene you dread writing.

Hi Rose!! Happy STS!!

A scene that was challenging to write:

Hoo boy, let me look at what I've written so far. Probably one of the ones I'm working on right now. It's the masquerade ball to celebrate a harvest festival, and it's also the first time Kristopher dances with Fallon. I've written it once, but I'm not a fan of most of it, especially the dance part, so I guarantee that I'll be rewriting it from scratch. (which is the best advice I can give anyone. rewrite from memory.)

A scene you look forwards to writing:

I'm both dreading and looking forwards to writing Kristopher and Fallon's first kiss. Dreading because I have no idea how the hell to write romance, but looking forwards to because it's going to be cute, and I love them a lot. It takes place in the fall, I'm thinking at an orchard, and they're just walking around, chatting, and it just sort of... happens. And they I love it.

A scene you dread writing:

The scene where Lavinia attacks Fallon. I've written the scenes before it and after it, but I can't write that scene. I know what happens during it, but I can't write it. And I'm pissed about it. Basically, Lavinia drugs the guards after the mid-winter ball, and then sneaks into Fallon's rooms to kill her. A wrench is thrown in her plan because Fallon is still awake, rather than asleep as Lavinia expected. This throws Lavinia off a little, because hey, she's spent the past several months befriending Fallon, and even if it was a lie, it's still harder to kill someone with them awake and begging you not to. Especially if they thought you were their friend. Meanwhile, Nina walks out into the hallway (for reasons), and sees the guards passed out. She takes a weapon from one of the guards, and goes to find Fallon. She stops Lavinia, who is then taken away by guards who were called up from the garrison. I'm dreading it because I suck at writing action, and also because I have some logic holes to fill in. And also, because I still have no idea how Lavinia acts, either as Fallon's friend, or as her killer.

VERY LONG description of two (related) scenes that I'm attached to under the cut.

A scene you're very attached to:

Oh god, there's so many. Probably either The Incident, or An Apology, both of which are directly related, so I'll describe them both. Someone basically offered their hand (in marriage) to Fallon, and she rejected him, because she genuinely didn't have feelings for him. The problem is that this dude appears to be the Perfect Guy. He's attractive, kind, caring, a Duke of her own kingdom, loved by the nobility and the people, etc. But like I said, Fallon let him down gently because he deserves better. But Kris doesn't realize that. The poor man has been told his entire life that he's a worthless piece of shit. So in his mind, he's going "if she's going to turn him down, I don't even have a chance". So, Kris break a promise he made to himself to not let everyone see the worst of himself (because for once that's not what they expect to see), and steals a bottle of wine from the kitchens and gets drunk. Fallon finds out and is worried out of her mind, because she's hardly ever seen Kris drink. (At least not beyond like, one glass, since there's only so many drink options in a medieval-inspired setting.) Anyways, she goes and tries to talk to him, and Kris self-sabotages, hard. They argue, and Fallon leaves. Next day, Kris is like "shit, I fucked up", and is panicked that Fallon's going to kick him out. This is Very Bad for several reasons, because not only is he in love with Fallon (even if he won't really admit it to himself for another ~24 hours), but also because his life in Oryn was living hell. So, long story short, he winds up apologizing at the mid-winter ball that's happening that night (yes the same mid-winter ball as above), and he's super nervous. Fallon is also nervous, because she thinks he thinks she hates him, and is worried he's just going to leave and not even tell her. They both apologize, and it's adorable, but also really sad, and I'm in love with it. (P.S.: The Incident marks the beginning of Fallon's Very Bad Horrible No Good Weekend. :p )

[twwprompts]

A brief chat with Davina Bat in Bangladesh. Lavinia Crotchet certainly loves to live in style.

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