#Ellie is seeking help from the bats

[flamingpudding]

Cassiopea and Orion #2

Previous Part

A/N: I probably shouldn't be thinking up so many different story lines. But my mind won't let me focuse on something else in peace unless I write these snippets and parts out. So here have another part XD I still have a whole Danny and Bruce backstory conversation in my head that I will probably write out at some point too.

"Really B, another one?" A red helmet wearing guy huffed the moment he spotted her, the little black haired blue eyed girl, sitting on a railing by a huge computer set up Ellie was sure Uncle Tuck would have drooled over.

She blinked at the new arrival before her eyes went over to the man. The one she had told that Phantom lost his haunt. When she had spoken these words the air around the man had changed. Before Ellie even really knew what was happening, the man had turned away from her, talking to the still tense boy before whisking the both of them away to a cave. The place she was now, and one after another more and more of the weirdly dressed people showed up. Each of them appeared to feel the need to comment on something, Ellie heavily believed to be an inside joke.

She let her eyes wander over all the arrivals, her fingers nervously drumming on the metal of the railing she was sitting on. Watching them carefully, despite what Danny had told her, she would bold at the first sight of danger from them. They didn't appear to have any ecto-weapons but that could be false impression. Like the GIW. They had appeared so incompetent only to do a 180 decades later.

"So what is going on? Is B printing adoption papers already?" The red and black one appeared to joke and Ellie tilted her head. There definitely was a insider joke she was not aware of. It would be weird to ask them about it wouldn't it? It would also be rude and tactless. Danny and Aunt Jazz had tried to teach her to not always blurt out every question that pops up in her head. Key words, not always.

"Why would the furry need adoption papers?"

She blinked at how a couple of the people broke out laughing while the kid, who had been watching her like a hawk, was now full on shooting daggers at her. She was pretty sure the kid would have thrown a literal one at her, but something as keeping them from doing so. She heard a grunt, and her eyes went back to the man that had brought her here.

"Not necessary." The man muttered as he turned to face them, clicking a key on the keyboard of the computer, and Ellie blinked as an image of Phantom popped up on screen. The people laughing appeared to quiet down now. "She already has a father."

"Mom." Ellie automatically corrected, shrugging when they looked at her. Before everything had gone to shits and Danny's capture, he had become quiet the mother hen, especially with Dan's and her de-aging. The constant mothering and worry about their well-being had caused Dan to joke that Danny was acting like a mother and she had continued to run with that joke. Even after they had to put Dan into a frozen state under Frostbites care in Far Frozen. The two had silently agreed on that Danny was their mom. The past didn't matter and she would honour their silent sibling agreement.

She didn't elaborate any further and they seemed to get that as they turned back to the man by the computer, putting their attention on that. Though she did noticed that the other kids eyes lingered on her longer.

"This is Phantom. A ghost hero stationed at Amity Park. Code: Rho, one of Cassiopea's dying stars." The man paused, and Ellie swore he had looked at her under his cowl. "And this girl's, Elliza Danielle Phantom Nightingale's, mother. Code: Jupiter, the wandering star."

"How do you know my full name?! Plus, my only recently added ones! They are like only a month old! And what about these weird Codes?" She blurred out wide-eyed, staring at the man in bat costume.

"Even if sparse Phantom and I stayed in contact using these codes." And Ellie narrowed her eyes at him. "Doesn't answer my question."

"Actually, B we would also like to know more." One of the onlookers, that's what Ellie decided they were for now, piped up.

Bat guy grunted, staring them down but not answering. The onlooker in blue sighed but Ellie wasn't giving in. She crossed her arms, keeping her balance by floating slightly on the railing.

"Look, you big bad bee, if you can't tell me that, then how am I supposed to trust you to help me, let alone the rescue of Da- Phantom!"

The onlookers snickered as she held her little staring contest with the big bad bee. Jokes on that guy she had held staring contests with Frighty before and he doesn't even remember how to blink at times.

"Phantom and I correspond about various topics since our teen years." The bat guy finally admitted. "One of which was about... our children."

Ellie blinked several times. Until her eyes widened in realization and she pointed an accusing finger at bat guy. "You're the one that kept calling Danny about parent advice! Like how he got me to go to online school and prevented me from sneaking out or how he handled Dan's anger tantrums!"

"Wait... B went to someone other than Agent A for parent advice?" The red and black onlooker questioned and Ellie shrugged. Danny had always been sort of parenting her since he was 16 and Dan once they learned he was aging lower and then the de-aging happened. She did remember that Danny got his first phone call about parent advice when he was around 24.

Now that Ellie thought about it. That was also around the time he took her aside to tell her about the emergency code.

"Which one of us do you guys think was the cause?"

"Wing."

"Hood."

"Demon Brat."

Ellie blinked once more, her attention turning back to the onlookers as thet started to argue among themselves. She tilted her head, watching them. Looks like she accidentally got them off topic. Though now she really wanted to get the story out of Danny once they rescued him. For years she had caught snippets of Danny's phone calls, to think that the guy on the other end was a armored spandex wearing furry. She couldn't wait to tell Dan about that.

Well, once their mom was saved and her brother stabilized again.

[lordgrimoire]

The Amity Parkers

Inspired by This Post, which is long, read the many reblogs and tags and comments, it’s fun!

Tim was Ninety Percent Sure that he was going absolutely insane, granted it was a long time coming. Danny Fenton, his Chemistry teacher and Dash Baxter, his Phys Ed teacher? That was two people from the same practically non-existent town in Illinois, but add onto that the fact that even MORE people kept showing up in Gotham from sleepy little Amity Park and proceeded to either A:Thrive or B:Thrive but with the Energy of a Kryptonian having nonstop contact highs.

After his two teachers, or more accuratly before, there had been Jazz Fenton, a new Psychiatrist working in Gotham and making rather noticeable strides in things. Then arrived her brother and Baxter, who had applied roughly at the same time in the aftermath of a Rogue attack on the cities water treatment plant, and the floodgates seemed to less open more fly off the hinges as though breaching charges had been used. 

Now there were MORE people here, there was Tucker Foley, working at Wayne Enterprises as a coder and a damn terrifying one to boot, Sam Manson, an activist who ended up throwing Tim during one of his Red Robin patrols where he’d come across her “Protest Site” which had been a small park in The Narrows. Wes Weston, a cop, had been giving his coworkers and his Chem teacher NOTHING but grief, insisting that Fenton was doing “Something” wrong but never quite being able to get things to stick, upon further digging this had been a long running one sided rivalry. There was also a SECOND Psychiatrist, Paulina Sanchez, at Gotham Academy who was also from Amity Park, and her files were airtight, as Damian’s most recent hacking attempt and Tim’s own follow up had failed to breach her firewalls.

So, here Tim was, staring at Danielle “Dani/Ellie” Masters, Dr. Fenton’s CLONE and the Academies newest but also most feral teacher as she boxed the Joker hard enough for an audible crack to be heard from their classroom from where she was fighting the demented clown on the field. Baxter was still running his class as normal, though a bit further away, and Dr. Fenton was still teaching their class, while Tim was trying to get Extra Credit and vengeance on the Doctor through today’s extra credit task, making a tracker that could track Doctor Fenton for Twenty Four Hours. 

Why was he seeking vengeance you ask? Well given the fact that Jason brought Doctor Fenton to Family Dinner last week [with Alfred��s blessing] and had come in with the most gremlin-esque energy he’d seen from a Non-Rogue. Now don’t get Tim wrong, he likes Doctor Fenton, he may be demented as all get out but he was regularly making counters to drugs and toxins that seemed to just inhabit Gotham. BUT! Doctor Fenton and Jason had been so sickeningly cutes-y with each other at Dinner, like a couple of Birds of Paradise trying to one up each other.

Then of course was the “Story Time” where the two had teamed up to tell embarrassing stories, though Danny held back, a touch. It didn’t absolve him, especially with how he egged on Jason, which very much didn’t help the whole “I know you’re the Bats” situation. AND THEN! There was the fact that a majority of the Amity Parkers KNEW that they were the Bats, It was as though they had gone through this whole song and dance before, which given prior statements of Doctor Fenton having “Hung up the Cape” seemed to imply he used to be a hero in Amity Park, where your average joe could one on one a rank and file leaguer or at least give them a rough time.

The fact that a semester of training from Baxter and Fenton alone had made Tim’s year group capable of facing off with the JL  was a testament to that.

Speaking of which, some Junior Leaguers were coming to Gotham, if only for a place where they were not as “Strange”. Some of those moves may have been encouraged with the recent custody battle between Luthor against Vlad and Danielle Masters regarding Connor, who was a Copyrighted clone as it turns out, which had resulted  in Connor being made a ward of Danielle Masters, who had chewed Superman out HARD along with her Original, Doctor Danny Fenton himself.

Suffice to say, Clark did NOT get majority of Custody, and only got every third weekend, which was terrifying in Tim’s opinion that this small town mayor who was as wealthy as Luthor, had turned up, legally thrashed Luthor, and then given custody over to his daughter, thrashed SUPERMAN with KRYPTONIAN LAWS, and then gone back to Amity Park Illinois to resume his Mayor-ship there. The fact the town was essentially a self governing and self sufficient region  meant that the League was now VERY AWARE of it, and the fact that the League of Assassins had tried and FAILED multiple times to infiltrate the town, with more people going rogue than staying loyal, with only one out of nearly two hundred assassins returning to Nanda Parabat, critically wounded and very much insane.

In Tim’s opinion? Amity Park raised people similar too but far more prepared than Gothamites, for while Gothamites may have the Fight in their bones, Amity Parkers seem ready to back it up with experience, training, and life experience. 

But then again, Mr. Lancer had been an immigrant to Amity Park, and he was the blueprint of sorts for all of his students who had gone into teaching, much the same for how Batman was the Blueprint for all the other Bats.

____________________________________________

Tagging some Folks included in the Masterpost

@plotwholls @welcometosasakiworld @bonebrokebuddy @transsunmoonwizzard @omnicrafts @vala-dreams @fox-sama97 @tired-mom @kyrianclawraith @americano-psycho @mikami1992 @thecatchat @stealingyourbones @mutable-manifestation @britcision @dxrksong @kawaiikenna @mrowsters @the-gay-florist @thatgaydemigodnerd @0satellite0 @afanofmanyships @pencil-for-a-dog @any-mouse

[watchtowerindistress]

we are not our demons (1/24) - bruce wayne x batmom

Gif by aquamancienne

Summary: Three months after the Strange incident, as Ellie called it, and her break-up with Gotham’s beloved billionaire, Bruce Wayne, an evil lurks in the shadows. Forever changed from her tormentor, Ellie Rhodes is still struggling with her mental state. Nothing could have warned her or Bruce’s family what tragedy would await them. (95k words)

Author’s note: So, we are back…

Oh God, I finished this chapter a YEAR ago, it kinda feels like it. It's been such a long time. All the chapters are already written down, so there shouldn't be any hiccups with the updates. I got a beta, guys. One of the reasons why it took like months to get this out.

brigs.broadmann, JennaFennix and Heidi were true saviours in helping me flesh this out.

Go wish my boy Tim Drake a happy birthday. 🍰

Warning: mental health issues

Series Masterlist | Want to be tagged? | Read on AO3

You don’t get in my brain

You don’t fill up the spaces

I don’t whisper your name

Now that I’ve built a fortress

-Fortress by Lennon Stella-

~ Previously on We are Not Our Masks ~

“I was wondering if you would like the position as my Head of IT?”

“Uh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to presume, but … oh my God. Is this a date?!”

“Tell the reception your name and that Dr. Crane sent you.”

“I am real, okay? Please, you must be strong now, for me. I am here with you, and I’m not leaving you.”

“You know, I think this is the first time Tim willingly hugged someone.” A bitter chuckle resounded behind her. “Of course, it was when you decided to leave.”

~ Three months later ~

Ellie winced as she opened her eyes, at once closing them again. She shielded herself from the bright sunlight, trying to prevent any throbbing pains. She had closed the blinds last night, but a few beams of sunlight still shone through the barrier. Ellie reminded herself to close the curtains as well to be on the safe side if she didn’t want to suffer anymore.

After the whole Strange incident, Ellie saw no other way but to seek out a psychiatrist. After receiving a recommendation from the leading neurologists in Gotham, she sought a renowned counselor in Blüdhaven. During one of those sessions, it was revealed that the specific experiment Strange put her under had managed to manipulate the center of her brain that controlled her pain response and lung control. The result being when she experienced anxiety, a piercing migraine was soon to follow.

She sighed and felt the muscles in her neck tense up. This was going to be a long day. Her bones ached with every movement as she stepped out of bed. To awaken her senses Ellie made herself a cup of tea, experiencing muted aches behind her eyelids along the way. Unfortunately, she felt far too sore to even put on her glasses. After opening the case with her meds on her nightstand, Ellie broke one piece in half before downing it with a healthy gulp.

Her psychiatrist had prescribed her medication, which was supposed to treat her condition. She had been told that this traumatic event left her with PTSD. At first, Ellie had believed she had some sort of psychosomatic affliction because she kept on getting these migraines in certain situations.

A flick of her wrist and the TV in the living room came to life.

“Can you tell us where Mr. Wayne is, Mr. Fox?”

“I can assure you that the presence of Bruce—”

Ellie shook her head, trying to erase that name from her memory.

Another channel.

“It looks like the Bat of Gotham City has been keeping busy. Last month, the caped crusader held vigilance. So much so that criminals like Riddler and Poison Ivy were sent straight to Arkham. But not without getting some bruises along the way—”

Ellie groaned and turned off the television altogether. Knowing that she was close to jabbing the remote at her temple repeatedly, she braced her palms against the counter and tried to find a reprieve amid the restless feelings inside her. Taking a deep breath, Ellie let out a muffled sigh into the hands covering her face. Another breath and her eyes were gazing between her loose fingertips.

No matter where she went, she could not escape her ex-boyfriend it seemed. She should have known what it was like dating a billionaire, except for the dressing up in the night to beat up thugs part.

Ellie turned her head when she heard the landline ring. She recognized the familiar number and winced at the memory of when she last called. Before Ellie could talk herself out of it, her hand wound around the receiver and lifted it to her ear.

“Hey, you.”

Alyssa scoffed. “What do you mean by ‘Hey, you’? I had to hear from Arthur what happened to you a few weeks ago?”

Ellie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, tilting her head. “Wait, what, how?”

“Yep. You got kidnapped—again, might I add—and I only find out about it now through my boyfriend?”

Ellie was racking her brain about how Arthur Curry, of all people, would know about this in the first place and came up short. She waved her hand in the air. “Okay, clear up the confusion, how does he know about it?”

Alyssa sighed deeply and Ellie could sense she was rolling her eyes. “Hell, if I know. He said Diana told him.”

Ellie frowned. Her thoughts were all over the place, trying to make sense of this weird connection diagram. “Wait, what? How does he know Diana?”

“Beats me. One day he just did. He’s being all mysterious about it,” Alyssa grumbled.

Her tone of voice made Ellie believe with high certainty that she just hated being kept out of the loop. Welcome to the club. Raising her eyebrows Ellie asked, “Arthur? Are we still talking about the same person? He might be closed-off and stubborn to a fault, but mysterious?”

“Stop deflecting, Ellie.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to bother you and give you a status update on the other kidnapping session. I had my own stuff to deal with.” Her eyes met the open pages of her planner, which had the words ‘Dr. Foster—15:30’ highlighted with a red circle. Alyssa was silent for a few seconds.

“Tell me.”

Ellie sighed, pondering what she last told her about Bruce, and inwardly winced.

“So… here’s the thing. Remember when I told you that Bruce had given me a job offer and that I took him up on that?”

“Yes?”

“Well, he did offer more than just a job, if you know what I mean,” she whispered.

“Okay, do I need to sit down for this? I’m getting the feeling I need to sit down for a bit.” Alyssa’s last sentence sounded muffled, like she was talking to herself.

“It was intense, and Bruce was great, but … it didn’t work out.”

There was silence on Alyssa’s end.

“Lyss?”

“Sorry, I just … are you telling me you had sex with Bruce Wayne? Several times?”

Ellie bit her lower lip and felt her eyebrows arch high, while giving it some consideration. “Yep?”

The next sound she heard was a drawn-out and tortured groan. “I want to hit you so bad through the phone right now. And you didn’t tell me this?”

Ellie slowly shook her head in thought, shrugging. “It … just went so fast. I could barely process it.”

“Well…?”

Ellie raised her eyebrows. “Well, what?”

“Well, how was it? I need the details; you owe me that much. I need to live through you now that you have snatched up Bruce.”

“I didn’t… not anymore. He was …” Ellie sighed, nibbling on her lower lip, remembering all the small things about him. The good and the bad. Her hand covered her forehead to cool her overheated brain from the mess she was in. “Intense. Passionate. Different.”

“Uh huh… details of the sex, please,” Alyssa said eagerly.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Bruce knew what he was doing, just leave it at that.”

Alyssa groaned. “That’s why you call me the minute it happens and not when it is tainted by, you know, your break-up. What happened?”

Ellie put a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“Secrets. Secrets happened. And ultimately, Bruce didn’t trust me.”

The sound of honking cars encompassed Ellie as she swerved through the crowds of people also trying to get to work. God, sometimes she couldn’t take these masses all around her. Blinking rapidly to ward off the beaming sun rays, she fiddled with the glasses on the bridge of her nose.

It was probably her mind playing tricks on her, since the Autumn weather and the orange leaves hanging on the trees weren’t too invasive. Regardless, Ellie felt like a vampire who couldn’t take the sun any longer.

Ellie cleared her throat and closed her eyes when she felt her skin getting warm. Oh jeez, not again. Beads of sweat were gathering on her clavicle, heating up her skin. It felt like a mixture of growing nausea and close to fainting on the streets.

To ward off the outside world, Ellie kept her eyes closed. She breathed in again and let the air out. Just a few more breaths and this would all be over. The surrounding noises muted into muffled ones in her ears, leaving her anxiety behind.

“Ellie?”

The familiar voice startled her before she turned her head to find Dick Grayson standing beside her.

“Oh my God. Hey, Richard.” Ellie pushed her glasses higher as soon as it hit her that she was facing someone familiar. The sensation of genuine happiness flowed through her, it felt exhilarating to see the oldest Wayne son again. Ellie hugged him briefly, still trying to get used to the touching part. “How are you? What are you doing here?”

“I’m guessing the same as you.” Dick pointed to his badge on his belt and the same travel mug he was carrying. “Getting to work.”

“Oh right.” Ellie palmed her forehead in embarrassment. “Bruce…” She cleared her throat, turning her head away. “He told me you were a detective in Blüdhaven.”

Dick nodded, seeming to get the weird tension with the mentioned big bat. “Right, now a detective in Gotham. Do you have some time to talk?”

She looked briefly at her watch and sighed. “Yeah, sure.”

“Walk with me.”

“So, how are you?” Ellie said, trying her best with small talk.

Dick nodded, with a soft smile playing on his lips. “I’m good. Good.” He sighed.

Ellie pursed her lips, hoping he would understand the meaning behind her next words. “So, which one are you?”

Dick chuckled, scratching his scruffy jaw.

“You’re the oldest. So, I’m guessing … Nightwing?” she whispered since she didn’t want to blab his secret out in the streets.

Dick smirked. “Bingo.”

Ellie coughed, feeling memories coming back. “You were there that night. You know when it first happened with Strange and Scarecrow.”

“Yes. I wasn’t aware that you remembered everything from that evening.”

“Trust me, I wish I didn’t,” Ellie said, turning her head away. “So, … every single one of you is…?” She waved towards his body as if that would suffice as a question, but Dick seemed to get it, nonetheless.

The raven-haired man shook his head with a smile. “Not all of us.”

“Oh, thank God.” Ellie lowered her head. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s just—”

“I get it, believe me. And before you ask, no. Tim is not a vigilante who’s beating up criminals at night.”

Ellie bit her lip nervously. “I don’t know how I would have reacted if I had known that Tim was like this as well.” She hugged herself. “How is Tim by the way?”

Dick’s gaze turned soft, and he shrugged. “He’s all right. The boy’s missing you.”

“I miss him too,” Ellie whispered, stroking her arms.

“Hard to believe, I mean, you only spent a little more than a week with us, but … you grew on us.”

Ellie shared a soft smile with him. “Even Damian?”

“Damian is missing you in his own way. Just like Bruce.”

“Again!”

With his arms braced, Damian stayed on the training ground for a second before jumping in the air and trying to reach his father’s throat. Bruce merely slapped his hands away.

“You’re not thinking clearly,” Bruce reminded him, sweat pooling down the sides of his head. His body side-stepped casually, almost like the technique of his son, was starting to bore him.

“And you are, father?” Damian provoked, delivering a flurry of attacks that had the resemblance of a dancing effort.

Bruce pulled in a cleansing breath, not letting himself lose focus with Damian’s cajoling tone.

“If I would use my knives on you, you’d be dead already.”

“Then prove it.”

Alfred’s apathetic voice resounded through the Batcave, “I think that’s enough. I’d rather not clean up after you again like with the Funhouse incident.” Bruce didn’t need to turn his head to know that the butler didn’t even glance at them while speaking, like the omniscient man he was.

Bruce halted his movements but stayed in a defensive stance. A few seconds later, Damian chose to strike again with grunts following his movements. “Not our fault, Alfred.”

Alfred’s voice could be taken as reproachful. “Really, Master Wayne? Both of your suits were bathed in blood. You almost made me believe we should give your ensemble a different color, just like that red-hooded vigilante who is running around killing people.”

“Don’t remind me,” Damian interjected before continuing, “We still have unfinished business. That guy just shot a criminal before I could get to him,” the young boy hissed under his breath, almost like he loathed to admit it.

Alfred raised his eyebrows. “Going slow already, Master Damian?”

Despite being engrossed in a training session, Damian scoffed derisively. “You wish, old man.” He didn’t even bother turning around to see the butler’s reaction, who was in turn breathing deeply, like he was trying for patience.

The instant, Damian’s pupils moved to the right. Bruce used this opportunity to knock him to the ground, pressing his knee against his throat. He knew that his son would only walk away from a fight when he was bested. “Ugh, fine!”

Bruce stepped back, grabbing a towel to dry off his face from the exercise. Damian glared when his father threw one at his face—perfectly aware of his fast reflexes—but nevertheless cleansed himself as well.

His father had his back turned towards him when Bruce reminded him, “You need to focus yourself more. That was sloppy of you.” He could essentially sense the boy’s trademark eyeroll when his steps receded.

Still, Damian was known for always needing to get the last word in and he didn’t disappoint. “Careful, you almost sounded like grandfather right there.”

His stomach was coiled into knots at the not so thinly veiled insult from his son. Bruce peered at his mentor and father figure for a few seconds, realizing something. He leaned against the chair at the Batcomputer. “Okay, have at it.”

Alfred pursed his lips, tilting his head. But if there was one thing, he could not fool him with, it was his eyes. They were always shining with a specific kind of emotion. Either it was wisdom, or the master of sass was revealing himself yet again.

“Whatever do you mean?”

Bruce chuckled, turning his head away from the display shortly after. “Oh, please. You are here to lecture me. I know all the signs, ever since I was a kid.”

Alfred sighed, as though in emotional preparation. “All right. Let us talk about the mindless violence you have been delivering to Gotham’s criminals as if you were trying to live up to Damian’s standards or reenact the old days. Quite unusual, I must say.”

Bruce shrugged, his mask already falling into place. “It was necessary. A means to an end.”

“To what end, though?”

Only the squeaking of bats and the waterfall could be heard through the Batcave.

“Fine,” Alfred sighed. He was tensing his shoulders as if he was about to deliver a grand missile in his back pocket. “Do you know what I believe, Sir?”

His smile twisted, not liking where this was going. “You’re probably going to tell me one way or another.” Bruce couldn’t stop twitching, his index and middle finger tapping a rapid rhythm against his upper thigh.

“Miss Rhodes has rejected you, both Batman and the man behind it. And you would rather hide behind this persona—” Bruce didn’t need to turn around to know that Alfred was pointing to the graffiti-defiled suit Jason had worn during his death, “—than face it. But one thing you might not realize, you are not only punishing the bad guys, but you’re also punishing yourself.”

“Alfred, are you also intending to be a psychiatrist?”

Alfred nodded to himself with a stiff neck before his gaze caught something else. “Are you intending to become Miss Rhodes’s personal stalker?”

Her name and Alfred’s pointed glare made him turn and stare at one monitor which traced all her movements on the CCTV cameras of Gotham. She was shopping for groceries, maybe even making herself some dinner before potentially falling asleep in front of the TV. With his next inhaling breath, Bruce managed to still his fingers, keeping them steady at his side.

If Ellie knew what he was doing she would come storming in with threats and stormy glares. Oh, how he missed her small size. But he would rather take the possibility of her fury than live in this reality.

And with those words (Alfred was good with this—delivering a blow and dropping the metaphorical mic) he left Bruce to his thoughts.

What Alfred did not know was Bruce knew exactly what he was doing, and that he knew no other way but to punish himself.

Tagging: @mellowstatesmanhandsempath​ @ravenmoore14​ @alwayshave-faith​ @ikranfuad​ @daydreaming-gemini​ @bluegalaxyprime​ @liadamerondjarin​ @steph21369 @andrewswifes-blog​ 

[3m-l0st]

Robo Father

So I finally finished writing the fanfic that won the stupid poll I made and there it is.

P.S: This is total shit and I have zero idea if I wrote Nick being a father figure correctly so yeah.

Also please give me criticism so I can get better at writing.

Word count: 1327

Characters: Nick Valentine, Sole Survivor, Ellie (mentioned), Dogmeat (mentioned)

Warning: Non graphic description of injuries

As the sun dropped down, saying goodbye to the land that it had kept awakened for many hours, and saying good morning to the other side.

And Nick Valentine kept still at his desk, even after Ellie had gone to sleep. Still flipping through his files, notes, and holotapes, and yet there was still no answer that could have this mystery all wrapped up.

He sighed, he knew that he should have taken a break an hour ago, but he just couldn’t. He couldn’t just stop, he felt the need to obsess over and over at all the evidence he had gathered up to this point.

He reorganized the file he had endlessly looked through, flopping it on top of the other ones. He slumped back in his chair, rubbing his forehead as he started to flip through his notepad, trying to seek a clue that he may have batted an eye to.

At the sound of the creaking from the Agency’s door, all he did was pray that it wasn’t another damsel in distress that would only stack up more work on his already overfilled plate.

He turned his head to the door, opening his mouth to dismiss whoever entered his Agency, only to shut it real fast as he saw nobody other than his favorite vault dweller- “What the hell happened to you?” he stared at them, appalled at their disheveled appearance. 

Their head hung low, eyes full of shame, and they sat down in front of Ellie’s desk. Nick jumped up from his desk, standing next to Sole, “what happened?” He speaks in a hushed tone. The lone survivor kept quiet, only sniffling and panting. Nick steadily placed his hand on their shoulder, rubbing it tenderly.

“Will you at least look at me?..” the synth breaks the silence that’s been holding up between the two. The survivor sighed, moving their head up but keeping their eyes away from Nick as their whole body was filled up with shame.

Nick kept his hand on their shoulder as he inspected their rugged face; cuts and scratches, there were no major wounds to be dealt with which Nick was relieved of. “Are there any other injuries?..” he walked away, checking if any of the cabinets had bandages, Sole nodded. “Yeah…there’s a few on my arms and shoulders…but it’s not that much, just a few scrapes…” They roll up their sleeves, their arm is littered with small scratches that appeared due to several incidents.

“Here kiddo.” Nick hands them purified water, trying to cool them down. After Sole had quickly downed the water, Nick started to clean and bandage their arm up.

The room was filled with silence, only occasional coughs and loose hums of song lyrics from the radio. After bandaging Sole’s arm up, Nick started to move up to their shoulder, he carefully removed their armor, placing it next to him as he moved their loose shirt over their shoulders he couldn’t help but scrunch up his nose, wincing as he stared at their shoulder that wasn’t just covered with a few scrapes but bullet wounds, and large rough cuts that almost cross over to their collarbones.

He felt squeamish at the sight, he gulped as he tried to tenderly as possible clean up their wounds. The survivor hisses, pulling away from Nick and he grabs them by their shoulder blades, forcing them to sit back down and to keep still.

“There there…” Nick whispers, “It'll all be over soon, just gotta be patient..”. Sole holds their breath, closing their eyes tightly, nodding.

It took a while for Nick to bandage Sole’s shoulder as they would keep on squirming and pulling away making Nick have to quickly pull them back to not mess up the process and make a bigger mess. In full honesty, Nick felt like being ambushed by the wasteland's creatures would be much simpler than having to deal with any of this. And in full honesty, he felt bad for thinking this way about his dear friend, but he already has to deal with stubbornness so he would rather deal with anything else but stubbornness.

Nick pats their face, bringing their attention upwards towards him. “Are there any other ‘scrapes’ that I should be worried about?” He jokes, Sole points to their knees, Nick takes a deep breath, ready for a nightmare fuel of an injury, only to see red and actual scrapes, it wouldn’t need any bandaging, just some cream that will make it all better, but it was already late so he would buy the cream in the morning. He rolled their pants down.

Now he only had to deal with their rugged face which would be a bit easier than the other injuries. Just clean the cuts, add a bandaid, and maybe some cream.

They stared at each other, both knowing that they would have to approach the topic of what happened one way or another. Nick put his hand on their shoulder once again, this time trying to be as tender as possible to not cause any pressure to the wounds below their bandaging.

“So…you gonna tell me what happened now?” He asks, even if Sole doesn’t answer, he’ll just wait till they're better, no matter how long that might take.

Sole kept quiet, looking down to the floor with the same shameful expression from when they walked into the Agency.

They sighed, finally deciding to open up.

“...I...I fought a bunch of raiders…” they hid their face in the palms of their hands, “but…there were too many…too many to handle on my own…”

Nick frowns, “...why? Did one of the factions put you up to it without knowing?” Sole shakes their head “...no…I did it on my own…”, Nick can’t help but feel disappointed in them. They should have known better than to mess around with raiders, especially with a large amount, everyone knows that.

“Why would you do that? Even if you didn’t know that there were vast amounts of them, you still should know when and how to handle yourself in those situations! Even if so, you should have at least brought someone else with you! Hell, dogmeat can’t shoot but he’s still helpful! Were you trying to get yourself killed?”

The synth detective scowls at them, he knew he shouldn’t speak towards them in this tone but it was the stress of this endless case that was speaking for him now.

“I know I know!” They looked up at him, “I heard that the ring leader knew something or someone about the case! And I just wanted to make you proud so you can finally relax for once!” Their hands find their way to their forehead as they rub the sides of it.

Nick stays silent, he murmurs nonsense. He pats their back “I understand your efforts…but you gotta learn if you can handle certain situations, especially like those.” they look up at him, their expression not changing one bit, “How about this? When you’re all healed up, me and you go back to those raiders and teach them a lesson? Whatcha think, kiddo?”

A hopeful grin slyly pops up on their face, they nod “Yeah…I would like that” Nick grins back at them, grabbing their armor and placing it down near his bed “You’re probably tired, how about you take the bed?” He helps them up, walking over to his bed, “what about you? Where are you gonna sleep?” They ask, taking off their boots before lying in bed.

“I’ll be fine kiddo, I can take the chair for one night.” he pats their head, turning off the light “Goodnight” he whispers and they whisper back before tucking themselves in.

Nick walks back to his desk, looking down at his papers. He grabbed them, placing them back in his file cabinet before he turned off the last source of light and sat down in his chair as the darkness surrounded him.

Alright, what did y'all think of that?

[ssa-sugar-tits]

queen of hearts // chapter nine

summary : y/n y/l/n was crushed when she found out about maeve donovan. heartbroken, she left her entire life behind. what happens when she becomes the most prolific serial killer the bau has ever seen?

series masterlist + taglist

content warnings : murder, gunshots, death, sexual harassment, angst (lots of it)

a/n : reader is a psychotic murderer. this is purely a work of fiction and if you or someone you know are experiencing homicidal urges, seek professional help immediately.

-

You did it.

Wow.

You got you and your baby out of that shithole and you're on the run. The news and the FBI plastered your face everywhere so of course you changed your appearance as best as you could. Can't really hide a 7 month baby bump though, can you? You make your way to an empty road and stick your thumb out to hitchhike. A woman with strawberry blonde hair stops, letting you into her worn out green truck.

-

"Thank you so much!" you exclaim, getting into the truck. Thump. Your heart could jump right out of your chest. All it takes is one headline, one picture and she'll turn you in.

"Make yourself comfy, sweetie," she gives you a warm smile. "I'm Maggie. Where you headed?"

"I'm Lucy," you lie. "Anywhere but here. As far as you can take me, please."

"What's got you running? If you don't mind me asking."

"Let's just say I got away from a very bad place." you whisper. It's not a lie.

Maggie nods sympathetically and goes to turn on the radio.

"No!" you clearly startle her, filling you with guilt. "I- I'm sorry, I'd just prefer silence right now."

"Don't worry about it, Lucy. I know what it's like to be in a bad situation, I know all too well." She says sadly. "I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable, you just sit tight."

Maggie's words give you a sense of comfort, her kindness sets you slightly at ease. It'd fucking suck to have to kill her, you think. After what seems like few hours, you wake up to see her pumping gas into the truck. She enters the store, telling you she's been craving some licorice and she'll be right back. You're not heartless, you don't want to hurt this sweet woman. So, as anyone would do, you knock out the only other person around with one swift swing of a bat you found in Maggie's truck. Getting into the car, you hotwire it while the man you hit groans on the ground, bleeding. Red stains his shirt and your heart races. It's been a long time since you've done anything like this. Shit, shit, shit. You see Maggie at the cash register, paying. Lucky for you, the talkative woman gives you time by conversing with the cashier. Spark. Got it. Taking one last glance, you see Maggie drop her bag and gasp, whipping her head to look at you. There's a fucking TV in the gas station and guess who's face is on it? You back up the van and wince at the sound of the man's bones cracking paired with his agonized scream. Now or never. Hitting the pedal, you floor it.

-

You stop to breathe for a moment, parking outside of a shitty looking motel. The neon sign is broken so it reads Mot l. You open the trunk of the car you stole to look for anything useful. How lucky, you think. A small, silver handgun is tucked away underneath a plaid knit blanket. Where are the bullets? Must be in the front. Getting into the car and searching the glove compartment, you locate the ammo.

"Goddamn, if that isn't one hell of an ass." A gruff voice behind you whistles. Ignoring him, what he says next makes your heart burst into fear. Thump. "Be careful lovely lady. Heard there's a killer running around. I'll keep you safe though." You feel a hand make its way onto your back slowly and you turn yourself on your back.

"Fuck off." you growl. Click. Gun loaded. Pointing it at the man's now petrified face, you smirk.

"I-I'm sorry!" he spits out.

"No, you aren't honey." Bang. His body hits the ground with a thud and the familiar metallic taste of blood splatters your face. A steady hand wipes away the remains from your eyes and you exit the car, as calmly as you can manage.

"I'd like a room please." The motel owner stares at you, astonished. At the blood or because he recognizes you? Either one isn't good. This wasn't a good decision-- at all. Thump. A shriek from the parking lot distracts you momentarily and the owner takes a laptop and hits you over the head.

"What the fuck?" you grumble. The dumbass didn't even draw blood. With a quick flash, you shoot him too. This whole thing is getting tiring. Fuck, fuck. How the fuck? you wonder, pissed off as you hear sirens. Did the source of the shriek really call the cops that fast? Or were you in such a haze that you can't even think straight, let alone keep track of time. Oh, fuck me. Three black SUVs are with the swarm of police cars. SUVs that you recognize without a doubt as the FBI. Thump. No negotiations this time, no bullshit.

You exit the motel with the gun in your hand. Red and blue lights make you squint and illuminate your figure in the dead of night. Getting a good look at the imagie in front of you, you laugh. Lo and behold, the BAU.

"I'm sorry." you say, just loud enough for everyone to hear before pointing the gun at Spencer Reid.

Bang. Thump. The sharp pain shoots through your chest and you hear a scream. Your head hits the ground and your entire body gives out.

"Y/N!"

You laugh, spitting up raspy strings of red as you do. Suddenly, your head is being cradled and you're being frantically whispered to and yelled about.

-

"Medic! We need a medic!"

-

"N-Nice turnout, isn't it?" You cough violently.

"Shh, don't talk Y/N. Please." He strokes your hair as the EMTs load you into the ambulance.

"S-Spence," you call out, barely able to stay conscious.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"Take care of my b-baby for me," another horrible cough escapes you. "Give her the best life you can, t-tell her..."

"Miss Y/L/N, hurry it up, we need to get you into surgery."

"Tell her that her mother loves her, even if I'm not around."

Spencer's eyes flood with tears, they spill out onto his cheeks as he watches the ambulance drive away. Then it hits him. Her. He's having a baby girl.

-

SPENCER'S POV - E.R.

-

Hours pass with still no update on Y/N's condition. Most of team has gone home, waiting on call. I don't blame them. I'm the only one still here for Y/N. I feel helpless, like my head is underwater and I'm about to drown. Guilty, so guilty that I still love her. Angry. She's the one who was shot yet the anguish I feel is so fucking deep that it's as if knives are stabbing at my lungs.

"Y/N Y/L/N?" I stand up so quickly I think I might fall over.

"Yes I'm her b--" he stops himself. "I'm Doctor Reid with the FBI, h-how is she?"

"No loved ones here for her? I heard she killed some people but damn."

"Is she stable or not?" I snap, regretting it immediately upon seeing her reaction.

And then she speaks.

"The bullets severed 3 major arteries."

No. They saved her. They have to have saved her.

"Y/N didn't make it."

Everything stops. It feels like my limbs and head weigh a ton. Everything's heavy. My breathing becomes less and less effective, disbelieving, tiring. All color in the room fades, leaving me in darkness. I feel weak and detached, chest clenching until I collapse into the chair behind me.

"Doctor Reid?" the surgeon questions softly.

I don't look at her. I stare at the wall across from me, unable to speak, unable to cry even. My mouth is dry and I feel broken.

"Doctor Reid, I need to know who the child of her father is. We were able to save her."

Thump. Thump. Exhale. I meet her eyes.

"Take me to my daughter please." I say low and as steady as I can without breaking down. The surgeon gives me an odd look, processing the information I've given before turning. I stop her.

"Wait..." I gulp heavily. "Can I see Y/N first?"

She nods, hesitantly.

"Right this way."

Y/N's body lays, peacefully. It should be comforting to know she wasn't scared when she died but I want her here with me. I take her cold, lifeless hand in mine and the tears finally leave me. I let out a loud cry and bring my face down to her stomach, resting and shaking on her skin.

"I'm so sorry," I cry to her body, unable to hear me. "I love-- loved you. I swear."

Sniffling painfully, I notice something in her bra. Leave it to Y/N to torture me even from the dead.

-

"Dearest Spencer,

I think the way things played out were fitting. If you're reading this, I'm probably dead. Fucking creep, took a letter out of my dead body's bra. Kidding, kidding. Seriously though, give my baby a pretty name, will ya? I hope she gets your kindness, your strength. Everything that makes you you. Raise her to be everything we've ever dreamed of. You make sure she knows I love her, so much. Now quit being a pussy and wipe those tears, darling. We both know I deserved this. I love you, Spence and I forgive you. You got this babe.

Yours truly, Y/N."

-

My heart is ripped out farther and farther with each word read. It gives me a sense of closure but the pain and turmoil doesn't go away. A life where Y/N isn't here with me isn't a life at all.

"Excuse me," I say blankly as if every emotion I'm feeling simply doesn't exist within me. "I'm done."

The woman guides and then leaves me alone with my child. I hold her in my arms and gasp lightly. She's small but perfect and she smiles at me, lighting my heart. She has Y/N's smile. The fire inside me lessens, being slightly soothed by the newborn in my arms. We'd spoken a few times about having children but I'd always thought she'd be here when the day came. I think about it for a second. I won't name her Y/N, that's much too cliche for Y/N's liking. She isn't the type to name a child without meaning.

"Ellie." I whisper.

Ellie. Meaning 'shining light'.

The light I already love.

The light that holds every piece of Y/N's story in her eyes.

The light that'll get me through this utter darkness.

My light.

Goodbye Y/N. I'll never forget you, the light and the love of my mortal life.

-

[shierajones]

Agnes Analysis

As previously stated, on Valentine’s Day my husband and I did a rewatch of all the WandaVision episodes thus far so that I could take the time to do a deeper analysis on Agnes and explain why she is suspicious and good. I need to amend my thoughts and say that she is suspicious and not the villain.

I don’t think she’s good necessarily…but she’s not bad. She’s naughty as they keep telling us and naughty is playful. I do think she’s 100% Agatha Harkness, but Agatha isn’t a villain despite what you may hear in some circles.

Look at her name Agnes. Agatha Harkness. Maybe she’s named that as a misdirection, but I doubt it.

 Moving on to the series and my nonsense analysis:

 When we start the series, it seems clear that the “show” is already running and there are episodes that we, the audience, have not seen. However, we don’t get to view the situation until Agnes returns to town. Yes, the episode starts with Vision and Wanda in their home, but they are the main characters so of course it would. Still, our first episode is her first episode.

 When Vision leaves for work, Agnes appears and says, “I’m Agnes, your neighbor to the right. My right, not yours. Forgive me for not stopping by sooner to welcome you to the block. My mother-in-law was in town, so I wasn’t.”

Right off the bat, Agnes is suspicious. These lines are suspicious. Specifically, “My right, not yours.” I don’t think she’s referring to the actual location of her house (Herb lives to the left of them and he is not her husband). I think she’s referring to her place in this story. She’s been placed there by her right, not Wanda’s.

 Important note: her anniversary is June 2nd…Salem Witch Trials. Agatha Harkness confirmation.

 To the episode, Wanda turns to Agnes for assistance and she leads her down the wrong direction. Perhaps how Agatha leads Wanda down the wrong direction in seeking help prior to the start of the Hex…

She is also the one to make Wanda start questioning her marriage and her reality because of their lack of song, anniversary and rings.

 We get the first “You’re so naughty!” in this sequence.

 Another thing I noticed in the first episode is that every time Agnes appears to apparently help, things get more complicated and the “ingredients” meant to aid Wanda, bring her more chaos.

 Moving on to episode two, Agnes is in their house in the intro while everyone else is outside. Because she is in the inner circle. Still, she is noticeably alone even though she is apparently married. Suspect husband.

 In the episode, she says “Look, it’s the star of the show,” and pretends it’s about the rabbit but I think it’s a slight test of Wanda’s awareness of the Hex and this odd sitcom. Agnes is testing Wanda’s reaction.

 We also get another nod to Agnes as Agatha with her rabbit’s name Senor Scratchy like Agatha’s son Nicholas Scratch.

 Then we see that strange exchange with the mailman which makes him suspect as hell too! And once again, Agnes tries to help Wanda by warning her about Dottie, but instead makes her nervous about the situation that turns out poorly because of the pressure.

Important lines to note in this scene:

“The devil’s in the details Bev”

Agnes “That’s not the only place he is.” Interesting.

 For the rest of episode two and most of episode three we see less of Agnes and I think that’s because of Geraldine (Monica)’s presence. For reasons Agnes doesn’t understand, Wanda quickly grows fond of “Geraldine” and she steps into the role Agnes is supposed to play in her life.

 Agnes and Herb question her existence because she doesn’t belong, and she’s being invited into the inner circle. It seems that Agnes is worried that “Geraldine” will lead Wanda down the wrong path or at least the path to the truth she’s trying to hide.

 Episode four doesn’t have much development in the WandaVision fake series but we do see that Agnes’ identity is not known. They have no real name for her and she doesn’t appear to be a New Jersey resident like almost every other relevant character.

 In episode five we see that Monica’s exit leads to an increase in Agnes’ role again, “Auntie Agnes.” Also, with Monica gone, Agnes solidly knows that Wanda is aware of the illusion. She continues to play her part, but she addresses Wanda directly when things start to move off script. Despite being in front of Vision, she brings attention to Wanda’s control of the world. I think she’s moved on from Wanda and is now trying to wake up Vision.

 Strange note: the babies stop crying when Agnes breaks character. Wanda’s magic doesn’t work on them but somehow their cries are tied to the sitcom narrative and Agnes’ actions.

 “Kids, you can’t control them. No matter how hard you try.” Weird line. Is she referring to Wanda trying to control them or her?

 Later when she claims to have seen the dog from her kitchen window I again have to question how. She is not next door! How can she see into their fenced in yard from the view of her house?

 We finally see outside of her Bewitched styled home—Agatha Harkness nod—and I say again, she is not next door to them! Earlier in the scene in the kitchen she says, “Let’s just hope this dog stays the same size,” and then he dies eating bushes at her house thereby forever staying that size. Creepy and suspicious.

 Her face, however, in this entire interaction that follows is why I don’t believe she’s bad. She has genuine concern on her face when the kids say that Wanda can bring back the dead and a wave of relief passes over her when Wanda says, “Some things are forever.” Watching Wanda and her children, Agnes looks like she’s relieved that Wanda is growing and willing to accept death and wants her children to do the same. It’s the first time she shows true vulnerability and I think (or maybe just hope) that’s because in her own strange way she doesn’t wish ill on Wanda.

 Fast forward to episode six and once again we see less of Agnes because of the introduction of a new character. The fake Pietro.

 When we finally see Agnes, dressed as a witch fully confirming her identity as a witch (given that all the other main characters are dressed in nods to their true identities Herb is dressed as Frankenstein’s monster and the concern that brings me is big) she is somewhat frozen but not fully. Just as she is somewhat under Wanda’s control but not fully. Her lines here are vital!

In this trance-like state she tells Vision that she “got lost, took a wrong turn.” Pointing to the narrative of this story. She and Wanda are lost, and things (like the apparent resurrection of Wanda’s dead brother) have taken a wrong turn. She’s lost. She doesn’t understand her purpose here anymore. She’s on Ellis Ave trying to escape but she doesn’t really know if that’s what she’s doing. When Vision “wakes” her, she immediately clutches at her neck/chest seemingly in search of her broach. The necklace she usually wears could have been the thing keeping her out of Wanda’s control but Pietro’s appearance (and the strange necklace he now wears) have taken that from her. She asks Vision if she’s dead. In the comics Wanda does kill Agatha, but we’re not there yet. Probably. But she asks because Vision is dead and then she screams dead over and over again as if he’s not the only dead thing around. Look back at my thoughts about Herb. He’s dressed as Frankenstein’s monster and if we can apply the same logic to his costume as the other relevant characters, that could be pointing to the fact that he is a reanimated body. SO CREEPY! SO SUSPICIOUS!

 Agnes name drops Wanda where Norm didn’t when he was taken out of the trance. I don’t think this is just to place the blame on Wanda and take the focus away from her. Agnes is still trying to wake up Vision so she’s giving him answers where Norm had none, but I also think she is speaking to her position. Wanda’s magic is growing and she has finally taken control over Agnes where she was limited before. 

There are holes in her story to Vision that Wanda is behind it all, but she’s still hiding a significant truth. She’s probably protecting her “husband” the real villain of this story.

[dragon-stones]

Link to Ellina’s bio. If link doesn’t work, everything is below the cut. 

Ellina Sylvia-Nosferatu Dracul

Age: 15 Astrological Sign: Scorpio♏ Date of Birth: October 30 Gender: Female Species: Dhampir (Half-human, Half-vampire) Affiliation: Hellsing Organization Aliases: Ell, Ell-Ell, Elly-Lu (by Seras), My beloved Pup (by Alucard), Young Lady/Madame, Bird of Hermes’ Offspring Orientation: Pansexual

     “Why am I pulled from my lab again!?”        —Ellina

Ellina is the daughter of the vampire Alucard. She’s the youngest in the Hellsing Organization.

👤Appearance👤

Ellina has stated that she can only change her form between bats and humans. Like her father, these forms have no meaning or purpose. She appears as a teen of indeterminate but reasonable age, though her birth age is 15. Her usual outfit is a purple gothic lace party rockabilly dress with long sleeves, white gloves, black gothic lace tights, and brown leather knee high boots. Ellina had blood red eyes that are common among vampires. Her hair length is middle back and wavy. Her teeth can change from a typical human with slightly elongated canines, to a mouth full of great white shark-like teeth.  

Ellina once wore a teal floral ruffle sundress as a toddler, as indicated by a picture of her being held by Integra that can be found next to Alucard’s chair.

When in her lab, Ellina wears a worn out pink t-shirt with grease stains, a pair of blue Denim stained trousers (jeans), and a pair of work boots. She also wears a pair of leather gloves and has her hair tied up in a high ponytail.

😎Personality😎

Ellina is a polite yet strong-willed teen and has been since she was born. Alucard has stated that “I knew she’s a strong-willed being. Even in the womb, I knew”. Ellina is often considered to be tomboy-ish, like Seras; brave, strong, and heroic. Much like Seras, she’s not afraid to question orders that she is given. One trait that is common with Ellina is that she will crack a few jokes and jabs in a light hearted manner.

Ellina has only been on three missions and much like Alucard, she fights with ferocity. While not as cruel as her father, Ellina will disabled and humiliate an opponent, if she sees fit. It is possible to take Ellina by surprise, due to her lack of knowledge on the battlefield, but she’s also fast at learning.    

Ellina is easily annoyed with how overprotective Alucard can be. She understands that even being half-vampire and able to heal from wounds that would be fatal to humans, she can still be fatally injured or outright killed. Still, she becomes irritated when her father fusses over minor wounds and when he drags her from her lab. Though, most of the time Alucard allows her to do as she wishes.

🎃Family/History🎃

Ellina was raised by Alucard and those living in the Hellsing Mansion and has grown into a confident, yet stubborn teen. She was born on october 30 to Alucard and an unnamed woman. Ellina’s mother disappeared three months after her birth for unknown reasons. Though Ellina has noticed that when her mother is mentioned the mood turns sour and some people even give snide comments or sneer.

As a young girl, Ellina was more timid and shy when meeting people than she is as a teen. She also had a habit of pulling a surprise game of hide-and-seek with her father. Her favorite hiding place was within the Hellsing Research and Development department, where weapons and any other things were created and tested. Alucard had tried to put a stop to Ellina entering the department floors, but she had countered all his attempts. To ease Aluxard’s anxiety, the researchers had given Ellina a space of her own, so she wouldn’t be in harm's way. Ellina spent a lot of time in R&D and developed a love for what the department does.  

Now at 15, Ellina tends to spend a lot of time in her very own lab. She has a pet boa named Momo that stays in her room. Though, Ellina does have a whole room set up for Momo.

💜Relationships💜

Alucard He was present when she was born. He’s also the one to discover that Ellina’s mom had disappeared one night three months after the birth. Since the disappearance of her mother, Alucard had taken the “sole role” of raising her. He holds deep feelings of admiration towards his daughter, much like he does with Seras.

Over the years, Alucard and those living in the mansion helped her grow and mature into the teen that she is. Seeing his daughter working in her lab fills him with pride and joy, though he keeps it hidden. But, Alucard has said “The scents from that...lab are overpowering. It makes me nauseous.” This indicates that Ellina’s lab does make her father feel ill. Though Alucard does worry about his daughter like any parent would, he does let her do what she wishes. As long as she does what he tells her too.

Seras Victoria Ellina and Seras are like two peas in a pod. If one does something that causes trouble, the other is not far behind. Ellina and Seras like to go shopping when the older vampire has time off. Ellina calls Seras “Sister Seras” showing how much she loves her.

Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing Ellina has high respect for Integra and fears her. When Ellina was younger, she was allowed to send messages to those the woman calls for, like Alucard and Seras for example. Integra is also one of the few humans in the Organization that she’ll go to about female problems, when Seras is not available. Ellina shows her love for Integra by calling her “Godmother Integra” and “Lady Integra”.

Pip Bernadotte Pip helped raise Ellina from the time she was born. When Alucard or Seras couldn’t keep an eye on her, Pip would keep his eye on whoever was watching the Dhampir. Knowing that Alucard would not hesitate to injure someone who has harmed his daughter, Pip wants to keep such events as minimal as possible. Pip tends to call Ellina “Little Fleur”, which in turn she calls him “Boule de Pain”.

🔪Powers and Abilities🔪

Superhuman Strength: While not a true vampire or even a full, Ellina is still stronger than a normal human, but weaker than her father. Though, the extent of her strength is unknown. Ellina is easily able to handle Alucard’s Casull, but unable to hold Seras’ Harkonnen without support.

Superhuman Speed and Reflexes: Ellina is fast compared to a human, but to vampires she is considered slow. Though, Vampires can see her movements better than some humans can. Ellina’s reaction times are top-notch, due to Seras and Alucard training her.

Enhanced Endurance: Ellina, like Alucard, takes most damage without flinching or making a sound. Due to her not being in battles often, the extent of how long her endurance lasts is unknown.

Enhanced Durability: Ellina is able to harden the surface of her body to the point where she can survive a minor explosion in her lab and the R&D departments. But, she’s not strong enough to survive a depleted uranium cannon shell.

Regeneration: Ellina is able to regeneration from physical injuries that would easily be fatal to a human. If torn to shreds by conventional weaponry, Ellina can regenerate as long as most of her body is intact. If injured by holy weapons designed to kill vampires, Ellina will be taken out of commission for a while. If struck in the heart, she will die.

Hematophagy: As a half-vampire, Ellina is able to consume small amounts of raw blood. She has long, conical fangs to assist in this job. Ellina tends to drink from the medical bags, but will bite the neck if able too. Though, she states that A-type blood gives her heartburn and tends to avoid it when she can.

Hemokinesis: Ellina to manipulate blood, but along a small amount. And it has to be outside of the body.

Familiar Control: Ellina can summon those she has consumed, but she has very few familiars, due to not draining many humans. Ellina tends to favor using Raven, the Black and White Rat.

Daywalking: Ellina has no issues walking about during the day, only complaining that it makes her tired.

Shapeshifting: Like her father, no particular form is of importance to her. But, Ellina can only change into several bats. It is unclear if this is her doing so willingly or if she is not strong enough to add more forms.

☄Quotes☄

“So...who’s the dumbass that pissed father off this time?” — Ellina when Alucard destroys part of the basement in a fit of rage “It’s supposed to smell like grease and oil down here.” “What are the rules of my lab, again?” *waits for an answer* “Well?” “Type A blood gives me heartburn.” “Frigănele? Father eats those once in a while. I like Cozonac, though.” “Dad!! Stop dragging me out of my lab!” “What time is it?” “I don’t need to go to sleep!” *yawns* “The moon’s nice out tonight.” “Seras is going out for the night?” “I'm almost ready!” — To Seras when she asks if Ellina’s ready to leave “Who’s taking the fall for this one?” — Ellina and Seras prank Alucard “Pretending to be one of the dead? Now, join their ranks!” “They’re called ‘memes’, dad. They are a staple of my generation.” “I’m not sleeping in your coffin again.” *Alucard coos like dove* “Ok...maybe for tonight.” — To Alucard, who tired to get her to sleep “If I had a choice between facing an angry Integra and sinking to the bottom of the ocean, I’m taking the ocean.” “Father does like to have his hair played with.” — When asked about a secret she knows

[funtimespringscare101]

How would the Into The Pit Aftermath crew react if Aimee asked them for help?

~ Spring would be very on board with it, he would ask Aimee "What's wrong?" and all kinds of questions (going into Parent mode). if it's a evil character they need help with, he would grab his baseball bat and brutally beat up the shit out of them.

~ Ellie would be the same level of Mother Figure as Toriel from Undertale over Aimee, she would take a pacifist route, she tries to not hurt anyone, that's Spring's job.

~ Shadow would be a bit reluctant at first because he's usually not the type of rabbit people would want help from. but if any harm comes to Aimee...

Well, Imagine Hide and Seek. but 2x worse.

and he's working with Night.

~ Stitch, Ella and the rest of the StitchWraith crew would help Aimee with ANYthing. Do NOT HURT AIMEE OR YOU GET A SYNCHONIZED RAGE STITCH.

[jeffreydesired]

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[sanoiro]

Lucifer Meta: Wings & Identity

 ~First of all long time no see. Yes, I was busy with work and uni this past year and also I didn't have the time nor the patience to be on two social media platforms at the same time. I apologise for that! 

In this post, I’ll try to meta Lucifer and his wings on a different level which you will understand once you have read this post. The inspiration came when last night I re-watched 4x07 and the ending was short of a revelation for me in regards to Lucifer, how he perceived himself but also what he wanted to be. 

In 4x07 as you remember Lucifer discovers that his once fluffy white wings now are monstrous, leathery bat wings and cannot comprehend why is that. He says 

Lucifer: You have to help me, doctor. I don't want to be a monster. Linda: What's wrong? Lucifer: It's my wings. I hadn't checked them since my devil face returned. I was afraid they might have gone. I was afraid what that might mean. What that might say about me.

^If you had not noticed you can see that Ellis portrayed Lucifer crying in that scene. You can see the tear dropping from the tip of his nose. 

Now as you remember in S3 we had a Lucifer who abhorred his wings but there was a mistake in comprehending what exactly he fought so hard against. It was not his wings it was the fact Lucifer felt he was manipulated and forced to be something. Up to that point, angelhood and devilhood had to do on which side of Dad’s grace an Angel was but that was disproven by the end of that season, therefore, the wings in S3 were something that held no physical hatred but an emotional one. 

At 3x11, Lucifer comes to the self-realisation, which might be a wrong one, that in this city of Angels, he is not one anymore. He says to Amenadiel that he waited to be forgiven in Hell by Dad but now Lucifer decides to abandon that, I would say abandon that hope. In the end of 3x11, he has Maze cut his wings and at that moment he physically severies a bond while turning the manifesting an emotional pain, that of Dad’s rejection with a physical pain, that of self-harming himself to disassociate with Him. 

In a sense cutting his wings in 3x11 like in the beginning of S3 is a bit like Lucifer trying to remove a common familial feature that associated him with his Father but when Amenadiel rejected him he abandoned all hope. It’s like cutting a mole or I would go further and say taking our your eyes because you inherited your father’s colouring and you simply cannot stand to see that every day. 

So cutting the wings was painful but also a tantrum while Lucifer lost a foundation and started spiralling until Chloe came it his life. No, she didn’t make everything better but she gave him a path and that was a healing process.  It’s also remarkable how Lucifer for five years he kept his wings safe in a container, and in 1x07 he tells his brother that: 

Lucifer: To fool me into desiring the wings and the hellish throne they accompany. Well, do you know what? It almost bloody worked. A rip cord back to the life that dear old Dad chose for me. But I don't need it now, because, in case I haven't made myself abundantly clear, I'm never going back to Hell.

In the lines, Lucifer delivered above in S1 we often go back to how they were used for Hell’s depiction in S4 or how Lucifer didn’t want to go back but the one part we always leave out of our metas is the line: “fool me into desiring the wings”.

Why would Lucifer ever desire the wings? It was clear in S3 he hated them but again as I have explained before it was not the actual wings. He didn’t desire the wings per se and that ties with 3x11. In 3x11 Lucifer forces himself to stop considering himself as an Angel although he desperately wants to. Yet not in the sense, you may believe. 

In 3x11, 1x07 and 4x07 we can see that the wings are a physical and emotional part of Lucifer that yet they also hold a connection to what he once was, an angel. In 4x06, Ella says that what they expect us to believe that the Devil went from an Angel to the epitome of Evil? At that point, Chloe correctly says that Ella is right, Lucifer is also an angel. Not was, is. 

At this point let’s clear some confusion about the Angel part. When we are talking about Lucifer being an Angel it does not mean that he should be virtuous or replace the piano with a harp at LUX. It does not mean that Lucifer is subjected to a certain behaviour and nature due to his state of being, aka being an Angel because in all honesty he always was an Angel that never, ever changed. 

Lucifer’s case is a bit like a person doing inhuman acts. Yet they stay human, they were born human and will die as a human. Acts good or bad do not move people up and down a scale of what a human is, because you cannot stop being a human but you can choose what kind of human you wish to become. A person who wants to protest against a policy is not a bad human or a bad citizen but has an opinion which he or she wishes to express and seeks the freedom to do so. 

Now getting back to sociology and criminology, studies were focused on why poor or second-generation migrants are more likely to commit a crime and the answer after the 1980′s, the most popular one was social exclusion. Of course, you cannot pinpoint a whole field of study on just that but for this meta we will just have to in order to proceed. 

Lucifer was thrown away from his home, he felt betrayed by his Father and Mother. He was socially excluded by his siblings in Heaven and Hell and so what was marched and presented as a freedom march ended up being criminalised to the point where when Lucifer looked back to himself he could only see that distorted image yet the wings remained white, fluffy, untouched by the grimness of what he believed he had become. A monster. 

In S2 we see that Amenadiel lost his wings because he didn’t believe he was an Angel anymore. His actions that filled him guilt and doubt over his very nature didn’t make him a Devil but human. He lost his wings but at 3x17 he has accepted his mortality and regains his wings only when Charlotte dies and thus elevates himself on the fact that everyone is redeemable and is what you make of yourself not what Dad believes you deserve. 

If that’s the case why Lucifer never lost his wings if he believed he was just a Devil? Again because he always saw himself as an Angel until s4 that is. 

In 4x01 there is finally another key moment, another key line: 

Lucifer: I've had literal aeons to come to terms with what you saw. My- My monstrous side. [SHUDDERS.] But it's not all that I am. At least I hope not. [SIGHS.] Either way, it's unfair of me to expect you to just accept it. I'm honestly not sure when I'll be able to. If ever. 

This brings us back and forth in seasons and episodes. First that his Devil face is not a welcome feature but something he hides behind as we saw in a metaphor the writer room gave us in 4x09. It’s a mask that does not hide but projects his fears, his guilt and his despair towards mainly to himself...

Lucifer has not accepted what his physical Devil manifestation is and that’s clear in 4x01 as when he says, come in terms with it does not mean that he has accepted it but was dejected to it as we saw in 3x11. 

Second, he insists it’s not all that he is. As we saw in his speech in 4x07 he does not consider himself a monster but it’s like a slide that takes him in places he cannot control and which we see more clearly in 4x09 but also in 4x10. At the end of 4x10, it’s not his rage that turns him into his Devil form if you like but his guilt in my opinion. People have died, demons roam the earth, his nephew was taken because of him and Chloe is attacked so he lashes out and like a child, he projects the impossible. He puffs out and makes himself loos threatening while he is scared and lost again. 

Third, I would like to explore more the ‘when’ part. It shows that after billions of years Lucifer still considers himself an angel despite the monstrous side that takes over here and there. In his speech in 4x08 we have an example of what that feels like: 

Lucifer: There is something rotten inside of me. I find it near impossible to drown out the constant cacophony of voices whispering in my ear, telling me I am evil. I'm drowning, doctor! And I can't stop asking myself why do I hate myself so much? 

The rotten and drowning part Lucifer expresses presents us with a visual where whatever bothers him, he feels it spreading, taking over contaminating him. Yet contaminating what? The angel he is? If an angel is a partly rotten will that spread and if it has is he still considered an angel or is it something entirely new? Something that needs and has been thrown away before it affects the rest? 

With all that, we see that Lucifer has not accepted being the Devil as many perceive him to be and that in reality, the Devil, in this case, is not due to him being evil or making bad decisions and acts but because he is simply different. Obviously, I’m talking about the series. 

The Devil in this series is just an Angel with a different opinion which was twisted. Perhaps that different opinion was expressed in a wrong way aka the Rebellion but that cannot birth evil as we know it. Furthermore, there is no scale to null good acts with bad acts and keep an equilibrium so all that, have him in a state of total confusion because what he believes he is deep down aka an angel does not correspond to what he does some times nor what an angel should be which brings him in a constant self-rejection as what he is cannot be comprehended and by many is not a state of existence. 

Like in the case of Amenadiel or Remiel it was easier to believe that Lucifer’s nature had been corrupted entirely leaving nothing back to what he once was rather than recognise that people as Chloe said, constantly changing so there is no real medium to be reached aside from what is right and wrong and what you can do for that.  

Finally, the cacophony of voices is not just in his head is every individual who has enforced their opinion on what Lucifer is now. To make it clearer just think of Amenadiel in 3x11. 

Lucifer: Yes, of course, it'll work, Brother. That's why you asked me, remember? Someone crafty, smart-  Amenadiel: And evil. [LAUGHS.] Lucifer: Evil? Amenadiel: Well, if you want to find a deplorable criminal, you just ask a well, you know what I mean, Luci. Come on. You are the Devil, after all

So what can we take from all of the above? That Lucifer is an angel, he wishes to be an angel just a different kind of one. He is confused between his duty and his punishment on what he should be and what he is and yet all comes down to one very simple thing. Lucifer is an angel and he wishes to be one but not under the terms that have been subjected to all his siblings and that unique blend of what he is was drawn out by Chloe. She was in a way the balancing ingredient for some reason which I very much hope to see it be explained in S5... 

Perhaps just perhaps that was why he was also so hurt when she couldn’t accept his devil face as it would have been an affirmation that he still holds something angelic in him, worthy of her at that point. 

Yes, Lucifer makes her step down from the pedestal he put her on in 4x08 but at that scene, he saw her perhaps as a divine touched person who could soothe him and say that despite his appearance and the past mistakes that face betrayed, he could still reconnect with the divine. When she doubted that we can see one very important concept Lucifer still has. A faulty one but still...

Like with Amenadiel and many of his siblings, there are no grey areas, no maybes. There is either white or black so no matter how much Lucifer wants to hold on, to the idea that he is an angel, always was, always will be despite what he has done he has not transformed to a monster, dissociated from his family and nature despite of his choices to not follow the family business, he fails to see that grey area. There are maybes. Feelings and truths still prevail within any mess and you can find a middle without tearing yourself apart as Linda very well noted in 4x06. 

So that’s it I guess... 

[endless-vall]

Changes - Ethan x MC fanfic

Summary: The ending of Ellie’s first year of internship is just around the corner, and Ethan is lost in his thoughts & feelings for her. Advice comes from an unexpected place, but is it too late?

Author’s note: So I’ve settled on Ethan as a LI for my mc.

I might create a different mc for other LIs in this book, but my main is Ellie Heart and she’s pursuing Ethan 😊

I’m having a time jump in this fic - to the end of the internship year. It’s written from Ethan’s pov. Hope I’ve managed to get inside his head and capture him in-character. Let me know what you think! 😄

Let me know if you wanna be tagged in future works for Ethan x MC/Open Heart!

Ethan was sitting in his office, deep in thought. His chair didn’t feel comfortable anymore, but he knew it had nothing to do with the chair. It was the uneasiness in his chest that affected his daily life.

His thoughts raced, all over, but always came back to the same conclusion. One name... Dr. Ellie Heart.

His heart almost missed a beat, jumping in his place at the mention of her name.

Did she really hold that much power over him, already? Who was he kidding... Of course.

But no matter how he turned it in his head, there was no solution.

There was no way they could be together.

And that was considering if she still wanted it.

She never explicitly said she wanted them to be together. She only asked him to be honest about them. Whatever that meant.

Even if she won the competition, which becomes more and more likely every day - She’d be his underling.

By hospital laws it wasn’t exactly forbidden, but more likely frowned upon - but that wasn’t why Ethan couldn’t be with her.

He knew that if he would - he’d put her career in tremendous risk. Everyone would say she got the job because she was sleeping with him, and not because she was brilliant.

And god... Was Dr. Heart brilliant.

She was one of the best. So much potential, so much passion, so much to offer to the world of medicine.

He’d be the devil to take all of that away for his own selfish motives.

He couldn’t be that man.

But the reality wouldn’t cut it either.

Staring at her from a distance, stealing glances when no one’s looking...

Wondering where she was, with what patient, hoping to run into her around the hospital and looking forward to their meetings with Naveen, since he knew it’ll only be them by then...

It was hurting Ethan from the inside.

If she was in an advanced year of her residency or an attending, things would be different. People would know by then that she’d earned her place by right, by hard work. That things only turn around naturally and if a romance was to blossom between them...

No one would bat a spare eye.

Sure, there could still be talk. But it wouldn’t be as destructive as it is now.

It’ll be some background noise, one that no one will truly listen to. It would jeopardize her career. It wouldn’t ruin her.

But concentrating on the “what if”s and “what could be” has never really been helpful, has it?

Ethan sighed heavily, deciding to call it a day. His shift was over an hour ago, if not longer...

He was set to head home, but decided to grab a drink first at Donahue’s.

He tried to tell himself it wasn’t because he was likely to see her there.

The bell rang and announced his arrival as he stepped into the bar. The music barely muffled the ring of the bell but still a few faces turned to see him walk in.

He nodded politely, knowing which face he was searching for and frowning when he didn’t see her.

Shaking that thought, he walked to his usual spot, and ordered his usual scotch.

Now, sitting on his stool he noticed her sitting in a booth with her fellow interns. Another surgical intern and a paramedic had joined them, both of them sitting from each of her sides and engaging in a friendly war over her attention.

Ethan mouth pressed into a thin line.

It was another thing that was driving him crazy, see how others fawned over her and tried to flirt with her.

And they had every right to do so, and she had every right to say yes... Although it seemed she was declining their advances politely.

They didn’t push, but Ethan couldn’t help but feel jealous. If not anything, at least at the fact that they could openly flirt with her, while he couldn’t.

He turned back to his drink.

Months had passed since Miami.

Since their first and only kiss.

Since she wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned his name into his lips.

He gulped hard. He shouldn’t be thinking of it right now.

Their first year of internship was closer to its end than to its beginning, and the contest for a spot on his team was almost about to be over.

How many things can change in one year, Ethan thought, downing the rest of his drink and signaling the barkeeper to pour him another.

A year ago, Naveen was still his mentor. He wasn’t the patient he couldn’t figure out. They still had time and high hopes. Or maybe only Ethan had.

He also wasn’t hopeless, as he was now, pursuing an intern. He wasn’t in love then, it downed on him.

Him and Harper were a distant memory, one he never let out in the open, and Ethan really wasn’t focused on his love life. 

He found his eyes wondering back to her table.

This time, Ellie looked up, she met his gaze. It was careful at first, calculated... but then she smiled and waved at him, feeling his chest with warmness.

He nodded back and couldn’t help the small hint of a smile that turned into his lips.

A turn of heels and a stool moving beside him has severed his line of thought.

Ethan looked back, watching as Harper took a seat beside him.

“Ethan,” She said, addressing him before ordering herself a drink.

“Harper,” He acknowledged her, not even noticing how cold his tone sounded.

“This seat taken?” She raised an eyebrow, somewhat of a teasing smile spreading over her lips.

“It’s a free country.” He shrugged. He didn’t really like company when he drank.

Although he didn’t mind Ellie’s company, like the night after her first shift... When she bought him that ‘thank you’ drink.

“I don’t know... It seems to me you’re expecting someone else’s company.” Harper noted, throwing a glace behind them to a certain table. It was as if she read Ethan’s mind, but that was ridiculous...

Was he really that obvious?

“I... Don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had to deny it, right?

Harper sighed, closing her eyes for a long moment.

Ethan had almost thought she wasn’t going to speak about it again, but she recomposed herself and at him again. This time, some outer exterior now off.

Her expression was lighter, not as harsh as he’d remembered her.

“If not as your director... Then as your ex.” She started. Ouch.

They never talked about their relationship. He’d never even heard someone calling them exes.

“I know you. I see the way you look at her. You know why we broke up? Because we both stopped looking at each other like that. And somewhere throughout the year... I watched as you...

Well, I’ve waited for you to stop looking at her like that. But that didn’t happen...

So I’m here to tell you... You should go for it.

I know you haven’t acted on it until now, from respect for her career. But you should. It’s time.”

Ethan stared at Harper wide-eyed.

She got almost everything right. He had acted on his feelings. Once, in Miami. And never again.

“I...” He didn’t know what to say.

“I’ll protect her from the outburst, if there’ll be one. As chief of medicine in this hospital, I can do as much. I also know you don’t play favorites. She’d really earned anything she reached this year.

And I know you well enough to know you won’t play favorites in the future, too.

And just in case... I’ll be there to stop you if you do.”

They finished the rest of their drinks in silence. Harper payed for hers and stood up.

She placed a comforting hand over Ethan’s shoulder for a long second, giving him a meaningful smile.

And then she left.

He never thought the answer would come from there.

He never thought to seek out Harper. Hell, even if that thought had crossed his mind he’d throw that away.

How could he go to his ex and ask for something like that?

Yes, he and Harper could still be colleagues, maybe even somewhat... Friends. But he never thought she’d help him with someone he pursued.

He wasn’t sure if somewhere, deep down, he would’ve done the same thing for her.

He knew now he would - but had the tables been turned, would he have done it?

He honestly couldn’t say.

Looking back at Ellie, now deep in conversation with Jackie, he knew he’d have to be worth it. He knew he’d have to be a better man. To be the man she’d believed him to be.

The pain and confusion he caused her this year... Amongst other things.

He knew he couldn’t let her down --

Wait.

She was standing up, paying her goodbyes to her friends.

The only one standing up with her was Jackie.

Were they leaving early?

He needed to talk to her.

Turning his head back, he took out a couple of dollar bills and placed under his glass.

He stood up, throwing his jacket on and headed to the door.

Ellie and Jackie must’ve gotten out by now.

“Rookie!” He saw her down the street, heading for the train station.

They stopped, although it looked like Jackie tried convincing her to keep going.

Ellie turned around, waiting until Ethan caught up.

“What’s up?” She asked, as if things were casual, but her tone conveyed everything but casual.

“I, uh...” He glanced at Jackie, who was standing next to Ellie.

“I hoped we could talk.” He said.

“We can.” She faked a smile. He cursed under his breath. Ellie’s smile was the most radiant thing he’d ever seen. That fake one she was sporting right now did no justice to her real smile.

Why was she giving him a cold shoulder? Was he the reason she left the bar early?

“Privately?” He asked, his voice now softer. His eyebrows arching upwards in almost a plea.

Ellie turned to Jackie, signing her it was okay.

“You sure?” The other intern wasn’t easily convinced.

“Yeah.” Ellie nodded.

“I’ll be at the station, if you need me.” Jackie told her, and left them alone.

She was still in sight, but not in earshot when Ellie looked up to him, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.

“You wanted to talk to me?”

Ethan gulped silently. It wasn’t exactly how he’d expected it to be.

But that was life. You couldn’t anticipate everything (or anything, really), and sometimes things turned out really different than you’d imagined.

The comforting thing was - Different didn’t mean worse.

It could also be much, much better.

Because yes - a lot can and had changed in a year. But right now - he was way closer to solving the mystery of Naveen’s disease, he wasn’t as afraid to take chances, he was still growing, advancing, even when he thought he’d hit his peak years ago, he had still space to learn, and there was no one else he’d like to walk head first into that new experience than Ellie.

“I want to give us a chance. A real chance. I know I was a real pain in the ass and I understand if you’d reject me... But here I am now... Asking you to have me.”

Ellie’s eyes widened. She didn’t answer.

“I... I know this seems unexpected, but I wouldn’t do it unless I knew your career would be safe. I stand by my decision. Even if it pained both of us...

Ellie, the last thing I wanted was to hurt you. Do you... Do you still want me to be honest about us?” He asked.

He had no idea where this was going. He didn’t know what Ellie’s answer would be.

He thought he knew, before. But now he wasn’t so sure.

But even if her answer will be ‘no’, he needed to tell her.

He had to face his fears, and stop running away from them.

Ellie nodded, silently. The look in her eyes unreadable.

He decided to start from the start.

“When I saw your application, I saw something special. But Ellie, when you came to Edenbrook, and I saw you in person, in action - I saw something even more special. More than I’d ever imagined.

Not... just on the professional level.

And I tried to push it away, to run away from it. But as you’ve proved again and again this year, there was no hiding from you.

You saw me with Naveen. Ellie, if it wasn’t for you - I don’t know if we were so close to cracking this case.

You saw through all my masks. 

And I... god, I fell for you.” He couldn’t help but smile, looking at the hospital, not so distant from where they were standing.

Ethan really loved leaving work at work, but it wasn’t the case this year.

This year, even when he went home - work was still on his mind.

Or... Maybe not exactly ‘work’.

“Fell?” Ellie asked, this time there was a glint in her eyes.

A soft smile.

She wanted him to say it.

Ethan smiled back at her, caressing her cheek in his hand.

“I think I’m in love with you.” 

Those words were never easy for Ethan Ramsey to say.

He had said them a couple of times in his life, to different suitors.

But they were always heavy and terrifying.

What if she didn’t say it back? What if it would change their relationship? What if she’d ask for more and he wouldn’t be able to give it to her?

But those questions didn’t concern him with Ellie.

The words flowed out of his mouth with easiness and completeness he never saw coming.

And before he knew it, Ellie’s lips were on his own.

She threw her hands around his neck and he pulled her closer, wrapping his hands around her waist and holding her against him.

He never wanted to let go.

He could feel electricity in their kiss, everything unsaid in the past year flowing into the surface, passion coursing through them.

She kissed him back with the same eagerness.

When they finally broke apart for some air, her eyes weren’t unreadable or mysterious anymore.

She was looking in his eyes and glowing with emotion and happiness.

He didn’t let her get away too far, still holding her close. Mere inches between their faces.

“I... I love you too.” Ellie’s cheeks darkened just slightly.

Ethan couldn’t resist the smile smearing over his lips.

He leaned over and kissed her once again.

This time softer.

Somewhat out of habit.

They broke apart quicker than last time, both giddy.

Ethan finally let go of her, and Ellie took a step back, balancing herself. He offered her his hand and Ellie gladly took it.

He saw Jackie still waiting for her in the T station, a cautious look on her face but a reassuring smile.

“I think someone’s waiting for you,” He reluctantly said.

Ellie turned around, noticing Jackie as well.

It wasn’t a bad thing. It was around 2 am and they had all the time in the world to talk and figure things out later.

He could kiss her goodnight and leave her in the trustworthy hands of her fellow intern.

“Do you... Ahhh- want to... Dr. Ramsey-- I mean Ethan-” Ellie fumbled over her own words, her cheeks turning red. “We don’t have to---”

She was never the shy one and she’d pulled Ethan into a supply closet more than once, to his memory.

So why was she so flustered right now?

He chuckled, amused, and Ellie noticed that - regaining herself.

“Do you wanna go home with me, Ethan?” The sentence came out complete, and she giggled at her former display of silliness.

Ethan squeezed her hand and started leading them towards the train station.

“I’d love to.”

[flamingpudding]

Cassiopea and Orion #3

#1 #2

A/N: Finally got some time to continue working on this... to be honest this was pieced together through a bunch of different lunch break writings... sorry if that shows. Also @kizzer55555 totally love your addition on #2! Honestly I squealed when I read it! You were nearly spot on on what I had in mind to where I wanted to go with this story line. Tho I hope you don't mind that I took a bit of inspiration from you while writing some parts of this.

A/N2: Also you guys *sigh of fondness for the dpxdc fandom* originally I wasn't going to tag it just yet but I guess I will now, even if I have no experience writing it and only tried to sort of hint at it a bit for readers interpretations: Spirit Halloween 👻

Ellie frowned watching these people, still sitting on her spot on the railing. Once their initial excitement quieted down and the seriousness of the situation took over, she was left with nothing more to do than to watch the situation unfold before her. A part of her was surprised about the amount of information the big bad bee had on Danny. Some of which she thought was information that previously only Tucker, Sam and Jazz had. But apparently Ellie had been wrong.

Massively wrong by the amount of information she was seeing here. How long had Danny truly been in contact with this guy? There had to have been more than just the occasional phone calls she had caught him on. Did that mean this guy also knew about Dan? About the GIW? About the Infinite Realms? If he knew about all this why, why didn't he help sooner? Why hadn't Danny made contact with this guy sooner either? She did notice him pausing at certain points before continuing like nothing was happening. It didn't look like the onlookers minded, but to Ellie it was an indicator that big bad bee knew more.

She stayed silent the entire time, only muttering a correction ever now on then when she did note that the guy's information was outdated. Still something bothered her the entire time. Ellie didn't know what it was exactly, but the grim faces of the onlookers and the stoic nearly cold sounding explanation of big bad bee rubbed her wrong.

It was only at the end of it that she realize what it was exactly that had bothered her so much.

"What about family? Does she have anyone else left?" One of the onlookers asked and Ellie's head snapped up towards them. That sounded like... no, they weren't...

"According to her, Phantom lost his haunt. Including the code she gave to Robin, we can assume that there is no other safe place left. Unless..." Armored furry turned towards her, and Ellie stiffened only slightly as it appeared that they were finally going to address her again. "What is the status of Plasimus."

"You know about him too huh..." She muttered, not looking at any of them. "Castle is gone, whereabouts unknown, Mom was worried that he was one of the first after the first one of no contact, but that's not confirmed. Nothing turned up to indicate that."

Ellie didn't look up to see the reaction in regards to this information she shared but her head did snap up at the next words she heard. "And your brother?"

Wide eyed she stared at the man that had moved and was now before her, hands carefully placed on her shoulders as he bended down slightly to be on her eye level. Her mind was racing. He knew! This man knew about Dan. Distantly she heard one of the onlookers complain that in all the Infromation Bee had given them he had not mentioned about Ellie having a brother. She didn't react on that, instead searching that man's face despite it being half covered by a bat shaped cowl.

She wasn't sure what she was searching for but she wasn't finding it. Now she wished she had paid more attention to Grandma Pandoras lessons on Aura reading. Dan was in Far Frozen, put into stasis and protected and cared for by Frostbite and his tribe. The other ghosts were looking out for him too, they would do the same for her if she had a way into the Ghost Zone but both portals were gone and Danny, Wulf and Cujo were the only ones currently able to open portals. She wasn't even sure if they knew what Danny had done to protect her.

As her mind wandered Ellie did not realise that the people around her took her silence as some kind of answer. She did not realise how those she doubted onlookers shared grim and saddened looks. Nor how the man before her squeezed her shoulders ever so slightly as if afraid that she would brake any moment.

"Do not worry. You will be safe here with us." The armorer furry reassured her, drawing her attention back to the current moment. Suddenly her earlier suspicion came back to hit her in the face as her eyes once more widened.

"What do you mean?"

"We will take you in and you will be safe and won't have to fear them with us."

She was sure that was meant to sound reassuring but it wasn't. It made her stomach sink. With a moments use of intangibility she pushed away from the man floating backwards and putting more distance between her and these people. Danny gave her the code, told her to use it in a dire situation. That she would get help with that code. That they would help! This didn't sound like the help she wanted. She hadn't even gotten to explain the situation from her side. All they did was apparently assuming something all because of that stupid code Danny, her mom, gave her.

"What about mom?!" She didn't scream but by the faces she might as well could have. "The code was to get help! Mom needs to be rescued! Why are you acting like you won't! Danny promised I would get help when I use it!"

"Danielle." She halted and froze. That tone was stern and it was missing the gravel she had previously heard in that man's voice, it sounded the same way Danny or Auntie Jazz sounded when they needed for her to listen.

"Wait B! I don't think-"

"The code Danny gave you. It's his last resort code, personalised to you. It is one of our many codes we both came up with for our children. One only for situations we did not believe to come back from alive."

"W-what?"

"Aquila, Apus, Phoenix, Cygnus, Columba, Grus, Pavo and Corvus. Each of them has one specific Code personalised for the exact same situation you are in. I am sure Danny has mentioned them to you at least once." Ellie blinked finding a familiarity with these words but also frowned with the realisation that set in with that. Her eyes unintentionally wandered over to the onlookers, no birds, these codes belonged to. She couldn't really tell which belonged to who but she knew Danny must have come up with them as some sort of inside joke.

"B! You can't just-"

"But Mom..." Her voice sounded small even to her own ears.

"I am sorry. But you will be save with us. I promised Danny that years ago."

She knew that her de-aged body was probably influencing her emotional state as she slowly floated back into reach. Before she could sit back onto the rail like she had done the entire time before she felt herself getting dragged to the side and suddenly warm arms encircled her. Ellie blinked confused until her brain caught up. The bird in blue was hugging her. The warmth felt comforting, just like when Danny, Jazz, Val or Sam hugged her and for a moment she let herself enjoy it. Dropping her guard just for a little bit to draw comfort from this warmth.

While Nightwing distracted the little girl in his arms, he made distinctive eye contact over her head with his siblings, before indicating his head towards Batman. Red Robin and Signal nodded before moving towards the man, Robin trailing behind them after he shared one more glance with him. His eyes turned towards Red Hood. The other wasn't even looking at any of them as he was already on his way stomping right out the cave, ignoring everyone around him. Nightwing was going to make sure to send any additional information they would get from Danielle his way later too. Black Bat and Spoiler stayed close to him.

It was moments like these that Nightwing really appreciated the silent understanding he and his siblings had among each other and if Batman was to much into his own head with these stupid codes and apparently already grieving. Then they would step up and if they could give the little girl in his arms the kind of help she had clearly hoped to get from them. It wasn't a promise of safety that the Danielle was looking for or even needed, rather she was hoping for people willing to help her rescue Phantom, her parental figure, her mother, her family, when she had no one else left.

[fanficshiddles]

Seeking control, Chapter 13

Ellie couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Hysteria? She didn’t even think such a thing still existed!

‘No! No! No! No!’ She jumped up, away from Tom. She started pacing back and fore in the room, until Tom put a stop to it.

‘Sit down, Ellie.’ He demanded. His dominating tone had her doing as she was told instantly, sitting down next to him.

But she was fidgety. Hands in her lap and she did her best to stop herself from rocking back and fore, knowing it wouldn’t help her situation much, making her look like she really was bat shit crazy. But she was starting to feel panicked all over again.

‘It’s not a thing anymore. It can’t be. I don’t have it!’

‘Calm down, darling.’ Tom put his hand on her shoulder and she flinched slightly at his touch, but then relaxed.

‘It is still a thing. Just not as well known. But you have all the classic symptoms. It’s good in a way, Ellie. It means that there is an easy cure and we can start with your treatment. The sooner you get into a better headspace then the sooner you can get out of here.’

‘Treatment? There’s pills that can help, right?’ She asked, hopeful. But the pitying look on Tom’s face told her otherwise.

He took her hand in his and stroked across her knuckles softly. In his softest tone possible, he told her the bad news. ‘The best and only treatment that helps hysteria, is physical treatment. In the mode of orgasms, most effective is from deep penetration.’

Ellie’s eyes widened in horror, she tried to pull her hand away but Tom’s hands tightened around her, keeping her there.

‘No, no, no. Please, no. This can’t be happening.’ Her breathing started becoming erratic.

‘Shhh, darling. Calm down. It doesn’t mean that some male nurse is going to come in and fuck you. It will be used with phallic type instruments, likely similar to ones you’ve possible used before. Toys.’

His words didn’t calm her any, eyes still wide like saucers. And her cheeks burned bright red at the thought of her rabbit vibrator at home, tucked away in her drawer.

‘Well… I… I have at home. I can just… do it myself at home.’ She blurted out.

‘It’s not that simple, love. We need to start the treatment here, and there needs to be an improvement in your health before you can be discharged. And that doesn’t mean you can simply masturbate in privacy in your room, because the treatment needs to be administered by someone with the qualifications to do so. Whether it’s medicine, pills or physical treatment.’

Ellie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The thought of one of the nurses, male or female, doing that to her… No way.

‘I can’t let them do that. Please, Tom. Please. I’m begging you, don’t let it happen. Please.’ She whimpered, moving closer to him and grabbing his sleeve.

Tom sighed and rubbed his chin, as if in deep thought. He was doing a good act, seeming like he was genuinely concerned and trying to help her. But he was secretly delighted with her reaction, just as he wanted. She was relying on him more and more. He would never allow anyone else to do that to her.  

‘Well, there is something I could do to help. To save any… others, being the one to administer your treatment.’ His voice dropped an octave and was more of a purr.

‘What? Anything, please!’ She whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek that Tom wiped away gently.

‘I can be the one to administer the treatment, darling. You know me, I know you. You trust me to supervise you showering, and I’d like to think that you trust me with your body. I know what to do, to make you all better.’ He smiled at her, eyes looking so innocent.

Ellie was speechless for a moment. Her mind raced, thoughts about why he would offer to do such a thing. Thoughts about did he truly want to help her with such a thing? Was he just offering to be nice, or was it something else?

‘Let me help you, Ellie.’ He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles, making her gulp.

‘I have no choice, really… Do I?’ She sounded so small and vulnerable in that moment. Tom put his arm around her and tucked her into him, she found herself wrapping her arms around his waist. Taking in the embrace.

‘You do have a choice, sweetheart. You always do. It’s just a matter of who you want to help you. Me… or the nurses.’ Tom was skilled with the way he spoke, how he could easily twist things around to make her feel like she still had a small amount of control, when in reality, she had none at all.

Tom held her for a while, just allowing her time to calm down and take in everything they’d just discussed. But after a few minutes, he couldn’t wait any longer.

‘Now, why don’t you lie down and get yourself comfortable. I’ll go get what’s needed.’ He said, stroking her hair.

‘What? N… Now?’ She looked terrified again.

‘Yes, darling. The sooner we start treatment the better. I won’t be long. Now be a good girl and lie down, probably best to take off your clothes too. I’ll be two minutes.’ He assured her with a kiss to her forehead, making her heart soar slightly. He could be so sweet.

But it still didn’t help the dread that was swirling around in her stomach. She tried to think of it as just being like the smear test. He would just be inserting something into her… Surely it wouldn’t be so bad, being treated with orgasms from a hot doctor? She tried to hold onto that thought, but the fear soon came flooding back to her.

When Tom returned with the tools he needed, he smiled, pleased that she had taken off her trousers and underwear and was lying on the bed. Albeit under the blanket, he knew it wouldn’t be long before that would be removed.

Tom walked over to her bedside and knelt down, he took hold of the blanket and tried to remove it, but she was holding it tightly against her chest.

‘You need to let go, Ellie.’

The poor girl was trembling so much, she was so scared. Yet a deeper part of her was slightly excited with the thought of what Tom was going to do… That it was him.

‘Ellie.’ Tom said firmly, he managed to prise her fingers off the blanket and folded it to the side, leaving her half naked. She had left her jumper on, which Tom wasn’t too pleased about but he knew that would come off in time.

Her legs were closed tightly together, she was so tense. Tom put his hand on her knee and gave her a gentle squeeze. His hand slowly slid up to her mid-thigh, and he just let it rest there. Only his thumb moved in circles against her skin.

‘I… I can’t do this.’ She whispered.

‘Shh, shh. You can, darling. Better this way than you being restrained and forced by the nurses, isn’t it?’

Ellie looked at Tom, looking at his kind eyes soothed her.

‘I am here to help you, Ellie. And, if it makes you feel better, I want to do this.’

‘Ok.’ She squeaked.

Tom tried to move his hand between her thighs, but she still held them tightly closed.

‘Ellie, sweetheart. You are going to have to open these legs for me, I can’t help you with them shut. I may be a magic doctor, but I am not that magical.’ He said in a light tone and with a smirk, that eased her slightly. He didn’t seem quite so serious, like he did 99% of the time.

Tom noticed the slight change in her demeanour. The way she also relaxed her legs more and slowly allowed him to push his hand between her thighs to widen them, he realised he was perhaps on to something.

‘Good girl. Now, just relax and enjoy it. There could be worse treatments to have.’ His hand moved between her thighs and she let out a small squeak when he touched her lightly there with the tips of his fingers. Her legs snapped shut again, trapping his hand.

‘I… I thought it would be… that.’ She motioned with her eyes to the vibrator he’d placed on the side of the bed next to her.

‘Well, yes. But it would be painful to just shove it inside of you… I need to make sure you’re ready.’

Ellie looked a little startled, but realised he was right. ‘Oh… Yeah.’ She whispered, cheeks turning brighter than they already were.

Ellie thought that surely Tom wanting to make sure she was prepared was a good thing. Wasn’t it? Instead of just jumping right in, literally.

She stopped squeezing on his hand, parting her legs again. She opted to close her eyes instead, no matter how good looking he was, it was difficult to relax with his piercing gaze on her.

Tom slowly started moving his fingers, massaging her outer lips first. Then he delved between them, stroking and teasing around her folds. He felt triumphant when he saw her chest rise and fall, letting out a deep breath as she relaxed into it more.

His triumph grew even more when she became wet, rather quickly at his touch. He gathered her arousal with his finger and slid it up across where her clit was hiding. But it didn’t take long for him to get it to make an appearance, her body jumped and she let out a gasp when he rubbed it in firm circles.

‘There we go. Such a good girl, I think your treatment is going to be very effective.’ He praised, and that added to her pleasure.

He manipulated her clit for a while longer, then got the vibrator into play. Turning it onto medium straight away, he slowly eased it inside of her. It was about the same size as the one she had at home. There was the lovely full feeling she always felt, the vibrations hitting every spot inside of her. Including her g spot because of the shape of the toy.

Her moaning became louder, her body also started moving too. Hips bucking upwards into the toy, wanting more. So Tom gave her more. He turned it up higher, the vibrations feeling like they were deep in her bones, making her entire body tingle in delight.

His free hand massaged her abdomen, unable to resist touching her in some way.  

When he knew she was getting close, he started to thrust it in and out of her in tune to the way her hips were moving. She was completely lost in the pleasure. For the first time since arriving at the hospital, she was able to escape momentarily.

‘That’s it. Come for me, darling. It will help you.’ Tom’s smooth voice helped give her that push over the edge, to let her relax and let go.

Of course the vibrating phallus inside of her did most of the work. But his sinful voice was enough to make anyone come.

‘Good, good girl.’ He praised, removing the toy that was soaked with her arousal.

But Ellie then started shaking again, crying too. The adrenaline and reality of everything hitting her once more. Tom moved the toy out of the way and he climbed onto the bed next to her, lying down he moved onto his side and wrapped an arm around her.

‘It’s alright, Ellie. You’re good, you’re safe. Come here.’ He pulled her into him and he was delighted when she willingly moved into him for comfort.

He had her completely now.

He was sure of it.

[fathersonholygore]

USA’s The Purge Episode 1: “What is America?” Directed by Anthony Hemingway Written by James DeMonaco

* For a recap & review of the next episode, “Take What’s Yours” – click here

We open on what looks like a cult-like commune. A girl named Penelope (Jessica Garza) remains there in the name of her parents, “on the anniversary of their giving.” Her brother Miguel (Gabriel Chavarria) is elsewhere in the city at Kantrow rehab facility. He’s trying to find his sister, but she recently checked out. Miguel’s a Marine, who’s come home for Purge Night. A woman at the facility lets him look at her discharge info. He sees the name Henry Bodreaux signed on the release. We’re also able to see the year is 2028. There’s also Jane (Amanda Warren), heading off to work on Purge Night. Her mother Lorraine (Deneen Tyler) wants her to stay in hospital with her, the safest place. Her daughter refuses. “Commencement” is looming and the city’s ready to shut down for the evening, so Jane gets going to the office. Rick (Colin Woodell) and Jenna (Hannah Emily Anderson) are a bourgeois married couple. On Purge Night, for them, it’s a night out with the other bourgeois elites who are able to live without worry for the evening. Because everywhere else people are boarding their windows, buying up ammunition and survival supplies, and they’re preparing either to protect themselves/their homes, or go out hunting. In a seedy neighbourhood, Miguel chases down a man looking for information about Bodreaux. The worried brother can’t “wait another hour,” he’s getting shit done before the Purge even begins. Not like he’s doing any killing. Well, not yet. Who knows how far he’ll go after his sister’s cryptic message. On the 38th floor of a building, Jane and her co-worker Mark (Adam Stephenson) are locked down for the entire duration of the Purge. It’s a cushy office, plus they’re there to work, right? Shouldn’t be an issue. What we’re seeing is the rampant capitalist urge of these people, who can’t even take the night off when the rest of America’s burning, they’ve got to get in every last dollar! “We are the scarred, the beaten, the souls irreparably damaged,” Tavis (Fiona Dourif) tells her cult followers. They all put on their hoods and head out into the garden behind her. Then they all board a blue bus together. Wonder where they’re headed. Jenna and Rock are seeking to build housing for the “less fortunate,” which is why they’re snobbing around at a big party with elites. The couple claims they’re not rich, yet they’ve got crazy security on their home while the rest of the neighbourhood has to resort to hammers, nails, and plywood. Either way, they’re hoping this Purge Night will help them help themselves business wise. At the office, Jane and the team get a call from their boss, Don Ryker (Billy Baldwin). He’s called to tell them about big bonuses if they close a big deal during the evening. This gets everybody excited, as well as the fact Jane’s brought good booze for them to share. Typical bunch of financial vultures. Rick and Jenna arrive at the Stanton party. We begin getting a sense they’re really willing to sell their souls for what they want— glimpses of a recent night out suggest their morals might not be altogether pure. Either way, their one focus in being at that party is to climb that social ladder. Later, we’re given glimpses of Lila Stanton (Lili Simmons) having a threesome with the married couple. She’s the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, and this adds a compelling layer to the mystery. In an abandoned building, Miguel’s taken to look for Bodreaux. They meet a couple hopeful Purgers keeping a young woman on drugs chained up for their “Purge dessert” later on. Except mentioning Henry only makes the dudes suspicious. This puts him in a fight, though his Marine instincts get him out quick, and he’s able to help the lady get free of her chains. She actually knows Penelope and where she’s gone. On the blue bus, everyone’s preparing to “escape the pain” and head into “the invisible.” A great sign, not at all unsettling. The news reporters are preparing to get whatever coverage they can manage without getting slaughtered in the streets. Up in the office, Jane’s got a secret. She’s secretly messaging somebody, going downstairs despite the other floors being unsecured. Past the maintenance area at a door she meets a woman, someone who’s going to be Purging. And they’ve got a transaction to make. Jane’s hiring herself an assassin. Miguel continues his search finding the cultists who confirm Penelope – “Sister Penny” – is one of them. Miguel and his sister’s parents were killed on Purge Night years before. He finds out Penelope’s being “Purged upon.” She’s being sent out to sacrifice herself— suicide cult by Purge. Creepy shit. At the party, Jenna talks to one of the maids, Catalina (Paulina Gálvez) briefly. They discuss the Purge, how Jenna doesn’t like it but is there to do business with Albert Stanton (Reed Diamond). The wife, Ellie Stanton (Andrea Frankle), seems like an awful woman. She’s all about the NFFA – the New Founding Fathers of America – and so is her husband. All those people there are Purge supporters, “the great liquidator of our time.” An interesting line as Ellie says “we made this country great.” Very timely. Everyone at the party’s got to stay all night, too. Given it’s Purge Night. It could get wild inside. They all get masks of various serial killers, whom the people worship as those who “Purged before it was legal.” Terrifying. Perfect, though— the capitalists are just going a step further and killing people off to ensure good profits for America and a healthy, prosperous society, or some such other bullshit. And then the countdown begins, as the Purge officially commences. On the street, Miguel uses his night vision to give him a better view of the mayhem. Shots are going off. People are dragged from the backs of cars, others are beaten with baseball bats, a man’s tied to a lamppost and whipped brutally. Cars are tipped and burned. “Good Leader” Tavis and her cultists are on their little blue bus, intending to help “the sinners release their hatred.” One of her followers is about to head out and get Purged willingly as the next step to the Other Side. She sends him out to the street. A bunch of people in masks stand waiting, weapons at their sides, and the young man allows himself to be butchered.

“They risked their freedom because they knew the incredible life changing, healing power of violence, of killing.”

I was sceptical about this TV series when it was announced. Father Gore loves the movies, but wasn’t sure it’d make a good series, of any length. Nevertheless, the first episode has me hooked, and I’m going to enjoy watching this play out. Lots of room for sociopolitical commentary, some of which has already begun. That’s what I’ve always dug about The Purge and its sequels, there’s so much relevant material to our times. “Take What’s Yours” is next time.

The Purge – Episode 1: “What is America?” USA's The Purge Episode 1: "What is America?" Directed by Anthony Hemingway Written by James DeMonaco…

[mtairyartgarage-blog]

Outloud! A Celebration of Women’s Voices For International Women’s Day

Let’s face it. Here at MAAG we’re a house of artists. All kinds, all disciplines, visual artists, performing artists—we’re a diverse group here. But on International Women’s Day (IWD), we’re celebrating women in the arts—our contributions, our accomplishments, enhancing our cultures with creative energies. We’re celebrating women internationally…all ages, all cultures.

We continue to find out there’s just a host of talent among us. Some artists you may have heard, even love their poetry and music. Others may be new to you. Regardless, we assure they will delight and surprise you. All occurring under the roof of our already celebrated Quilt Show. A night to remember. To celebrate together.

So join us at 11 West Mt Airy Ave. Bring your families. See what’s possible. At the Mt Airy Art Garage—a place where creativity abounds and dreams are made into reality. Saturday, March 8 at 6 pm. Extra added bonus, open mic from 9-10 pm. Everyone is welcome. $10 Admission. Kids under 12 free.

For more information call 215.242.5074. And a special thanks to our sponsor Valley Green Bank.

Artist’s Bios

Mary Ann Domanska has been a teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy for twelve years. She has a BFA in performing arts and a Masters degree in elementary education. She is a writer, actor, mother, and maker. She is currently participating in the North Carolina Outward Bound Educator’s Initiative; a yearlong curriculum that helps educators include experiential learning in the classroom while encouraging the skills of perseverance and grit. This summer she plans to teach theatre and crafts to children in Ghana through the Pagus: Africa program. She has written a middle grade adventure novel, Emic Rizzle, Tinkerer, and is hoping to find a publisher soon. Mary Ann’s Twitter handle is @mdomanska and her blog “Writing a Middle Grade Novel” is at http://maryanndomanska.

Maleka Fruean is a writer, community events coordinator, part-time journalist, and full-time mother and creative being. She was born in Western Samoa, raised in New Jersey, and became an adult in Philadelphia. She writes poetry, fiction, and hybrid prose, and is currently working on a series of stories about a girl who starts boxing.

The Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir at Settlement Music School consists of a graded choir program for children in grades 3-8 at all six branches of the School. The branch choirs rehearse on a weekly basis and gather together regularly throughout the year to form a group consisting of 130 members. The choir has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and for the inauguration of Governor Ed Rendell, and has presented concerts at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as well as other venues throughout the region.

Rae Ann Anderson is director of the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir at Settlement Music School. Originally trained as an organist, she holds degrees from Wittenberg University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has served as a church music director in Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has directed children and youth choirs for 25 years, and choirs under her direction have toured Cuba and presented an original musical. In addition to her work at Settlement Music School she also serves as the director of music for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside, PA.

Planning the MAAG poetry slam. Jen is on the right.

Jen Hemenway is traveling from Massachusetts and here in Philadelphia until May. She is a cartoonist/painter who paints on recycled materials such as wood, broken down furniture, and metal. Her work can be found on Facebook under 55407 Komix (pronounced comics). Jen started that freelance cartoon business in the early to mid 90’s in Minneapolis MN, where she began a self-published comic book called 55407, and the business stemmed from there. Jen also published cartoons in an international quarterly called “Lesbian Review of Books.” She also has a custom skateboard company called Upside Skate Decks (find it on Facebook with many pics of her work) which began out of her basement in Boston in 2004. Jen has shown her work in Minneapolis, underground shows in Boston, coffee shops, and has also been interviewed on cable access channel BNN “It’s All About Arts” in Boston. Her work has been shown through Roslindale Open Studio, Boston and in galleries from Provincetown, MA, to Melrose, MA, Leominster, MA. Jen is a cartoonist/abstract/mixed media artist, poet and writer.

April Lynn James, PhD, is an award-winning performer and scholar. Following receipt of her doctorate from Harvard in 2002, she embarked on a career as an operatic soloist and artistic entrepreneur, turning her research on operas composed by women into the exhibit, In Her Own Hand: Operas Composed by Women 1625 to 1913, then into the Maria Antonia Project, an opera company whose goal was to bring operas composed by women out of the archives and onto the stage. She has since turned IHOH into a talk that she presents throughout her native NY State as a Speaker in the Humanities for the NY Council for the Humanities. Since 2012, as her alter ego, Madison Hatta, Sonneteer, she has been reciting original, whimsical sonnets about madness, Time, career & family dysFUNction and tea at NYC’s historic La MaMa Experimental Theatre and other venues. The Twinkle Bat Variations is their current work-in-progress. Seeking friendlier climes, April (+ Madison) moved to Philadelphia in September 2013. April has recently added Adjunct Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at La Salle University to her CV, where she teaches the Art of Listening and Early Music. In addition to the above, April is a specialist in 18th-century dance, still juggles balls and clubs on occasion, and is fluent in German.

ELEANOR MACCHIA—Eleanor began her musical life as a pianist.  A student of the late Clifford Balshaw, the late George McKinley and George Gray, she attended Misericordia University, the Westminster Conservatory and Temple University.

Eleanor has performed for Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin and Martin Katz and has extensive experience as a cantor, soloist and recitalist.  She has appeared with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Germantown Oratorio Choir, the Rittenhouse Strings and many other musical organizations throughout the Philadelphia area.  She is currently soprano soloist at St. Luke’s Church of Germantown. Eleanor has appeared as featured soloist with the Montgomery County Youth Orchestra and Germantown Concert Choir under the baton of Dr. Cailin Manson in such works as Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requium, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Massenet’s oratorio Marie Magdeleine.  Additionally, her repertoire reflects works in the American Songbook.

She has served on the faculties of various institutions including Germantown Institute for the Vocal Arts. She also teaches at her private studio.

Trapeta B. Mayson is a poet, workshop leader and educator. She has worked extensively with young people and adults in educational, artistic and institutional settings conducting creative writing and self-expressive workshops. She has received numerous literary awards and fellowships including a 2002 Pew Fellowship, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Grants and a 2007 Leeway Transformation Award. Trapeta is a Cave Canem and Callaloo Fellow and has completed residencies at schools, community agencies and artistic institutions. Her new poetry chapbook, She Was Once Herself, was released in 2012 to rave reviews and is available at www.trapetamayson.com.  Trapeta’s other publications include submissions in The American Poetry Review and Lavanderia, Anthology of Women Writing, to name a few. She is a native of Liberia and grew up in Philadelphia. Trapeta is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice and has worked for years in the human services field and with artistic and cultural institutions. In addition to her work as a poet, social worker, and educator; she is pursuing her MBA. Trapeta feels that all of her experiences inform her work as a writer.

Voices of a Different Dream—Ellen Mason, Annie Geheb, and Susan Windle–began creating and performing their unique blend of poetry and song in 1991. Since then, they have performed in venues throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond: in bookstores and libraries, living rooms and coffeehouses, concert halls and conferences, churches and synagogues, nature centers and art galleries, peace rallies and fundraisers for progressive causes. With a wide range of voice and gesture, they use themselves fully in performance—every motion, each pause and inflection conveys meaning. Voices’ performances and recordings highlight each woman’s solo voice as well as the amazing resonances between them. They have three recordings: Unimagined Possibilities, You Know My Name, and Refuge for a Soul. The two poets, Ellen Mason and Susan Windle, are co-authors of Already Near You: Poetry in Concert, a collection of poems performed together over the years. The women of Voices dedicate their work to challenging injustice and strengthening the bonds of love within, among, and between us.

And others….

It’s a great way to celebrate the arts and women’s voices. Join us.

Let’s face it. Here at MAAG we’re a house of artists. All kinds, all disciplines, visual artists, performing artists—we’re a diverse group here. But on International Women’s Day (IWD), we’re celebrating women in the arts—our contributions, our accomplishments, enhancing our cultures with creative energies. We’re celebrating women internationally…all ages, all cultures.

We continue to find out there’s just a host of talent among us. Some artists you may have heard, even love their poetry and music. Others may be new to you. Regardless, we assure they will delight and surprise you. All occurring under the roof of our already celebrated Quilt Show. A night to remember. To celebrate together.

So join us at 11 West Mt Airy Ave. Bring your families. See what’s possible. At the Mt Airy Art Garage—a place where creativity abounds and dreams are made into reality. Saturday, March 8 at 6 pm. Extra added bonus, open mic from 9-10 pm. Everyone is welcome. $10 Admission. Kids under 12 free.

For more information call 215.242.5074. And a special thanks to our sponsor Valley Green Bank.

Artist’s Bios

Mary Ann Domanska has been a teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy for twelve years. She has a BFA in performing arts and a Masters degree in elementary education. She is a writer, actor, mother, and maker. She is currently participating in the North Carolina Outward Bound Educator’s Initiative; a yearlong curriculum that helps educators include experiential learning in the classroom while encouraging the skills of perseverance and grit. This summer she plans to teach theatre and crafts to children in Ghana through the Pagus: Africa program. She has written a middle grade adventure novel, Emic Rizzle, Tinkerer, and is hoping to find a publisher soon. Mary Ann’s Twitter handle is @mdomanska and her blog “Writing a Middle Grade Novel” is at http://maryanndomanska.

Maleka Fruean is a writer, community events coordinator, part-time journalist, and full-time mother and creative being. She was born in Western Samoa, raised in New Jersey, and became an adult in Philadelphia. She writes poetry, fiction, and hybrid prose, and is currently working on a series of stories about a girl who starts boxing.

The Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir at Settlement Music School consists of a graded choir program for children in grades 3-8 at all six branches of the School. The branch choirs rehearse on a weekly basis and gather together regularly throughout the year to form a group consisting of 130 members. The choir has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and for the inauguration of Governor Ed Rendell, and has presented concerts at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as well as other venues throughout the region.

Rae Ann Anderson is director of the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir at Settlement Music School. Originally trained as an organist, she holds degrees from Wittenberg University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has served as a church music director in Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has directed children and youth choirs for 25 years, and choirs under her direction have toured Cuba and presented an original musical. In addition to her work at Settlement Music School she also serves as the director of music for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside, PA.

Planning the MAAG poetry slam. Jen is on the right.

Jen Hemenway is traveling from Massachusetts and here in Philadelphia until May. She is a cartoonist/painter who paints on recycled materials such as wood, broken down furniture, and metal. Her work can be found on Facebook under 55407 Komix (pronounced comics). Jen started that freelance cartoon business in the early to mid 90’s in Minneapolis MN, where she began a self-published comic book called 55407, and the business stemmed from there. Jen also published cartoons in an international quarterly called “Lesbian Review of Books.” She also has a custom skateboard company called Upside Skate Decks (find it on Facebook with many pics of her work) which began out of her basement in Boston in 2004. Jen has shown her work in Minneapolis, underground shows in Boston, coffee shops, and has also been interviewed on cable access channel BNN “It’s All About Arts” in Boston. Her work has been shown through Roslindale Open Studio, Boston and in galleries from Provincetown, MA, to Melrose, MA, Leominster, MA. Jen is a cartoonist/abstract/mixed media artist, poet and writer.

April Lynn James, PhD, is an award-winning performer and scholar. Following receipt of her doctorate from Harvard in 2002, she embarked on a career as an operatic soloist and artistic entrepreneur, turning her research on operas composed by women into the exhibit, In Her Own Hand: Operas Composed by Women 1625 to 1913, then into the Maria Antonia Project, an opera company whose goal was to bring operas composed by women out of the archives and onto the stage. She has since turned IHOH into a talk that she presents throughout her native NY State as a Speaker in the Humanities for the NY Council for the Humanities. Since 2012, as her alter ego, Madison Hatta, Sonneteer, she has been reciting original, whimsical sonnets about madness, Time, career & family dysFUNction and tea at NYC’s historic La MaMa Experimental Theatre and other venues. The Twinkle Bat Variations is their current work-in-progress. Seeking friendlier climes, April (+ Madison) moved to Philadelphia in September 2013. April has recently added Adjunct Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at La Salle University to her CV, where she teaches the Art of Listening and Early Music. In addition to the above, April is a specialist in 18th-century dance, still juggles balls and clubs on occasion, and is fluent in German.

ELEANOR MACCHIA—Eleanor began her musical life as a pianist.  A student of the late Clifford Balshaw, the late George McKinley and George Gray, she attended Misericordia University, the Westminster Conservatory and Temple University.

Eleanor has performed for Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin and Martin Katz and has extensive experience as a cantor, soloist and recitalist.  She has appeared with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Germantown Oratorio Choir, the Rittenhouse Strings and many other musical organizations throughout the Philadelphia area.  She is currently soprano soloist at St. Luke’s Church of Germantown. Eleanor has appeared as featured soloist with the Montgomery County Youth Orchestra and Germantown Concert Choir under the baton of Dr. Cailin Manson in such works as Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requium, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Massenet’s oratorio Marie Magdeleine.  Additionally, her repertoire reflects works in the American Songbook.

She has served on the faculties of various institutions including Germantown Institute for the Vocal Arts. She also teaches at her private studio.

Trapeta B. Mayson is a poet, workshop leader and educator. She has worked extensively with young people and adults in educational, artistic and institutional settings conducting creative writing and self-expressive workshops. She has received numerous literary awards and fellowships including a 2002 Pew Fellowship, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Grants and a 2007 Leeway Transformation Award. Trapeta is a Cave Canem and Callaloo Fellow and has completed residencies at schools, community agencies and artistic institutions. Her new poetry chapbook, She Was Once Herself, was released in 2012 to rave reviews and is available at www.trapetamayson.com.  Trapeta’s other publications include submissions in The American Poetry Review and Lavanderia, Anthology of Women Writing, to name a few. She is a native of Liberia and grew up in Philadelphia. Trapeta is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice and has worked for years in the human services field and with artistic and cultural institutions. In addition to her work as a poet, social worker, and educator; she is pursuing her MBA. Trapeta feels that all of her experiences inform her work as a writer.

Voices of a Different Dream—Ellen Mason, Annie Geheb, and Susan Windle–began creating and performing their unique blend of poetry and song in 1991. Since then, they have performed in venues throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond: in bookstores and libraries, living rooms and coffeehouses, concert halls and conferences, churches and synagogues, nature centers and art galleries, peace rallies and fundraisers for progressive causes. With a wide range of voice and gesture, they use themselves fully in performance—every motion, each pause and inflection conveys meaning. Voices’ performances and recordings highlight each woman’s solo voice as well as the amazing resonances between them. They have three recordings: Unimagined Possibilities, You Know My Name, and Refuge for a Soul. The two poets, Ellen Mason and Susan Windle, are co-authors of Already Near You: Poetry in Concert, a collection of poems performed together over the years. The women of Voices dedicate their work to challenging injustice and strengthening the bonds of love within, among, and between us.

And others….

It’s a great way to celebrate the arts and women’s voices. Join us.

[carterashofficial]

“You’re distracting me and it’s very irritating.”

Ellie slipped among the crowd, bobbing her head in hello to Lords and Ladies and Barons and Duchess, all while keeping one eye out for Duncan, and another for Vincent. She had drastically different reasons for looking for them.

Anthony had told her that Vincent was looking for her, and so Ellie had taken it upon herself to seek him sooner than later and simply get the unpleasantness over with before the ball went into full swing.

Duncan… that was entirely personal.

She could feel her cheeks getting warm.

Don’t blush, don’t blush, don’t blush.

Ellie rounded a table of towering desserts, and-

“Oh, Ellie, thank the stars you’re here.” Beth Caldwell linked arms with her and proceeded to tug her towards the stairs. “I heard dear Jacob’s back, and I need you to hep me fix my hair so I can look.. oh, what’s the word…” She waved her hand, nearly taking Ellie’s nose off with her rings. “Alluring. From afar. Come on, come on, I need to make sure he sees me!”

Ellie was pulled up the stairs to the balcony overseeing the ballroom. “My Uncle Jacob?”

“Naturally.”

“I- Why him?” She frowned in confusion, tucking her fan away as Beth handed her pins, gesturing to her looser curls.

“You’ve seen him. So tall, so dashing…”

Please, no.

Ellie froze, a pin halfway into Beth’s bun. “I live with him. Believe me, he’s not the sort you want to chase after. He leaves his boots lying everywhere and is rather rude on occasion.”

Beth patted her hair, deeming it satisfactory. “I’ve got my feminine charms to get him into shape. He won’t be leaving his boots in hallways if I’m the one to take them off him.” She flounced along the railing, fan batting her single curl just so and looking down on the ballroom through her eyelashes.

Stars above. You’re not going to get anywhere with him unless you’re made of parchment and a spine and are literally a book.

“Beth, my uncle doesn’t have time for courting-”

“So he thinks-”

“And he’s not looking to be courting anyone-”

“Love usually takes us by surprise-”

“And he most certainly isn’t going to be-” 

Ellie was cut off as Beth whirled, smile plastered on over frigid eyes. “You’re distracting me and it’s very irritating. Go… go dance with someone,” she hissed.

She stepped back and whirled with indignity. Forced indignity, because it was much easier to escape one of Beth’s escapades when she was utterly fed up with her, but Ellie had to keep up appearances regardless. So she left with her chin high and a stiff pace.

“Eleanor.”

Ellie said a particularly foul word and turned to face Vincent. He was lurking along the railing where the candlelight. “You’re rather hard to track down, you know.”

“Sorry for wanting to avoid…” He trailed off, catching sight of Beth over the ballroom. “What in the hell is she doing?”

“Beth has taken a fancy to my Uncle Jacob.”

“Stars watch over him.” Vincent looked completely appalled.

“Exactly.” Ellie tapped her fan on the railing. “So… what did you wish to talk about? Anthony seemed rather adamant that I speak to you. Finally going to apologize with your own words, or did another Master volunteer to teach you how to be nice?”

His glare could’ve frozen a raging bonfire before he finally broke eye contact. Vincent shifted awkwardly. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t know how you came into the Guards. Master David told me once he found out what happened.” He was silent for a beat, then looked over at her. “I am sorry.”

There was a pain lurking under his eyes that she couldn’t look at.

“Was that so hard?” she teased back.

His scowl was the answer.

“If it means anything, I’m glad you’re back to your usual irritable self.”

Vincent’s scowl turned sarcastic. “I’m honored it makes you happy, dear Eleanor.” He nodded at Beth, who, from the looks of it, was still trying to catch Jacob’s eye. “What’s her plan?”

Ellie made a face. “I don’t think she’s got one, honestly. I managed to sneak away after telling her that my lovely Uncle is neither wants nor is searching for love. Her response was that love takes people by surprise.”

“I’ve heard it can.”

A flash of gold below caught her eye and she looked down.

Duncan was smiling up at her. He winked when he saw that she’d noticed him.

“Pardon me, Vincent, but there’s a dance I feel I’m about to be offered.” She curtsied politely and turned towards the stairs.

“Ellie.”

She paused. Vincent barely called her by her chosen name, her real name. Always Eleanor, always the fake name, always to get under her skin. She looked over her shoulder at him.

He looked tired in the candlelight. “I… Look, I know tracking can be hard to understand at first. If you want… I… I can help you. So next time you can keep up with us.”

She was almost suspicious of the offer. Vincent… being nice? But then he’d apologized, and he’d been civil towards her since the incident. “Alright. Thank you.”

He held her gaze for heartbeat before looking away, usual glower on his face. “Now go dance with your… whatever he is to you.”

Ellie beamed at him and skipped towards the stairs.

Duncan was waiting at the bottom for her. “Ellie.”

“Duncan.”

Stop blushing, stop blushing.

She took his offered hand. “Might I assume you’re going to lead me to the dance floor?”

“You would be assuming correctly.” He paused at the edge of the crowd, watching the dancers, looking for a gap for them to enter in-

Ellie was spun forward, his hand on her waist and guiding her into the middle of the dance floor. He twirled her around, grinning. “Duncan- Duncan, you’re going to make me dizzy-”

“Oh, I make you lightheaded, Miss Ellie?”

She couldn’t hide her giggles.

Duncan grinned and pulled her close as the song slowed. “I- Stars above, what is my cousin doing now?”

“Beth?” Ellie didn’t dare look up and see what she was currently doing, lest she end up with some very unladylike giggles.

“Yes. She… what in the heavens…” He was failing at hiding a smile.

“Well, you see, Beth has taken a fancy to my Uncle Jacob.”

“Oh dear.”

Ellie nodded sagely. “Exactly. So she’s attempting to catch his attention to look… her word was alluring.”

His mouth twitched. “That is not remotely near how she looks.” He strode forward, keeping them in time to the music. Her skirts swirled around them, his hand warm in her’s. Ellie found herself trying to hide her laughter when he messed up a move and ended up being the one to spin in place.

You’re the alluring one, Duncan.