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katgametable · 1 month ago

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OX Guild Season 2: Peak Performance

Written 08 Apr 2025, shortly after relistening, having watched and listened multiple times previously.

As the adventure opens, Corazon tries to get Dob to perform a song written in Corazon’s honour, which Dob refuses to do, but he does sing a little of the charity single the team wrote called “Literally Everyone Else In The World”, in honour of DM Johnny.

The Guild are in the manor at Necropolis-on-Sea, which Corazon is trying to sell and Prudence is trying to prevent from being sold. There’s a sudden clap of thunder and the wizard Binbag appears. Everyone re-congregates to see what he wants. There is a great evil at the top of a nearby mountain that he wants dealt with. Corazon is eventually cajoled into going with the rest of them. They all get winter gear, including Egbert producing his coat of 79 wolves and one dog, while Bismuth packs a tent and fits a small barrel of rum to Prudence’s book-baby Frisky. They hike to the mountain, and find what must have once been base camp. There’s some rather old inscriptions, and the newest – though still quite old – is in Druidic; it is a warning of a dragon living at the top of the mountain. Corazon is even less keen on continuing, until Dob mentions dragons tend to have lots of treasure.

Dob, Merilwen and Egbert (who is carrying Bismuth) start up the long, winding trail – Merilwen turning into a giant octopus and tugging the others along for better purchase. Meanwhile, Prudence is impatient and casts Spider Climb; she, and Corazon roped to her, climb the cliff face directly.

Merilwen and Dob hear a sort of whining, and their team go investigate. There is a wolf stuck in a snare. Merilwen, turning back into an Elf, casts Speak With Animals to calm him while Dob frees him. The wolf can’t say much about who trapped him, but does embarrass Egbert into taking off his coat. He runs off to find something small and helpless to eat.

Meanwhile, Prudence is musing that if there’s gonna be a great evil on the mountain, it better be her, when she comes face to face with a spiky little creature made of ice that screeches, causing a distant rumble – an Ice Mephit.

Notes from Part One pre-show podcast commentary: Andy is with Jane, and they’re still working on a tagline. Some has made an Oxventure themed music medley. Peak Performance was their penultimate live recording before the pandemic. They’ve been playing Hitman 3. They found a video of someone playing the Mendoza level and killing every single NPC in the wine press at once. And Andy gives Jane a True-dence Or False quiz, but the clock ran out on them. This bit does include spoilers for future adventures, but without context.

Notes from Part One post-show podcast commentary: Andy finds it funny to hate on Binbag. Jane likes the wolf and threat of freezing and avalanches, and Andy liked Mike setting up shield tobogganing. Andy also liked Dob refusing to sing Corazon’s song. They talk about character makeup and eyeliner. Then Jane reads out some reviews.

Prudence and Corazon fight the Ice Mephit. Concerned about possible avalanches, they stick to weapon attacks, which is a rarity for Prudence, and they kill it. Slightly further away, the others hear the screeching and catch up. The two teams swap stories, and Dob and Egbert start taking cold damage due to failed con saves, narratively described as them being underdressed. Dob offers to cast Heat Metal on something, and Egbert insists that it should be his armour. Johnny has remembered that Egbert is resistant to fire damage, not immune, so he takes some fire damage, but is now warmer. They crowd around the hot breastplate and sip from Frisky’s rum barrel, fortifying themselves for the next leg.

They continue hiking, when most of them hear a distant rumbling. Egbert has stuck his tongue to his mace, which Dob is flavouring, and Prudence is lost in her thoughts. Luckily for her, Corazon pulls her back before a boulder falls right where she was walking.

They reach a likely spot to make camp, and find a pit trap full of wooden spikes. They skirt around it and erect the tent, but Dob wants to use the spikes in the pit to erect a palisade around their camp. Unfortunately, in trying to retrieve the spikes, Dob falls on one and gets a little skewered. Egbert rescues him, but Prudence notices something magical. There’s magic on the spikes, and some of that magic has now gone into Dob.

Corazon takes first watch, but sleeps through it. When Merilwen wakes him for her shift, he claims he saw off a band of goblins in an obvious lie, but then muffs a perception roll and thinks he sees a bear. Merilwen sends him to bed, then goes to check it out, and finds footprints. Someone, a humanoid someone, not a bear, came up to their camp, walked around it, and left. She rouses everyone, and they go investigate.

Merilwen casts Speak With Plants to ask a tree if it knows anything. The tree knows that there’s a person in the general area who cut down some trees to make a cabin, and roams the area. It agrees to tell them the general direction, if they kill a woodpecker that lives in its branches and has been upsetting it. Merilwen would rather convince the woodpecker to relocate, but Corazon goes ahead and shoots it.

Notes from Part Two pre-show podcast commentary: Jane is joined by Ellen and Mike. Jane gets them talking about the then-upcoming DnD movie (Honour Among Thieves), and a possible Mass Effect movie. Ellen has been playing Half Life Alyx and utterly loves it.

Notes from Part Two post-show podcast commentary: Merilwen doesn’t talk to plants very often. Mike reckons this is when Don and Egbert started escalating trying to see who could do the dumbest thing. They note that they do a lot more gesturing in person than on livestream, which is of course lost on podcast listeners. Also lost on listeners are the costumes. And they discuss the then-ongoing Blades in the Dark series.

They move through the wood in the direction the tree indicated. After a time, they find a snare, with a rabbit caught in it. The rabbit is freshly dead, and Prudence casts Detect Magic – it is full of the same magic as was on the spikes. While they watch, it reanimates, slips out of the snare, and starts hopping away. Corazon panics and kicks it out of sight. They consider what to do, with suggestions of putting Egbert’s coat, or the dead woodpecker in the trap – the woodpecker has already been dismembered and toasted – and Corazon decides to just shoot a fresh woodpecker. He does so, but when they put it in the snare, nothing happens. They speculate that maybe the trap has to kill the animal, so Corazon wounds another woodpecker, and puts it in the trap, which kills it. The woodpecker then comes out of the snare, is lightly punted by Corazon, and flies off in the same direction the rabbit was going. They guess the animals were being necromantically reanimated and heading for the cabin.

They follow where the animals went, and do indeed see the cabin. They can tell from the footprints that the occupant has left and not yet returned. Dob jumps onto the cabin’s roof, while the others sneak inside. They find the cabin is full of taxidermy animals, and there is a basket with the rabbit and woodpecker. They decide that Dob will keep watch on the roof, and the others will disguise themselves in the taxidermy. Merilwen turns into a cat, and the others slot themselves into dead animals with varying success. Merilwen is not happy with the trapper; she respects hunting, not this necromancy.

The trapper eventually returns. He comes into the cabin, looks around. He is tall, and rugged, wearing furs and leathers, and on his head…what looks exactly like Merilwen.

Because this is the trapper that put out the trap that Merilwen’s pet cat Simon was caught in. And she saved him from the trap, but he died eventually. And he dug himself out of his grave, and walked into the trapper’s basket, and got turned into a hat. Merilwen demands the trapper take Simon off his head, or she’ll make him.

Notes from Part Three pre-show podcast commentary: Jane is joined by Andy and Luke, still without tagline - either “critical hit to your brain”, “roll a nat 20 for your ears”, or “dunking on dragons”. This turns into talking about basketball. They’ve found a quiz about what insults have been lobbed at Corazon, which they play with.

Notes from Part Three post-show podcast commentary: Luke has fond memories of Corazon wrecking the zombie animals. Dob is still cursed to walk up the mountain, no matter where he is – there is a Paladin ability called Remove Curse, but who knows if Mike knows that? They consider what form a taxidermy Dob might take. This was Luke’s favourite episode until Sail of the Century. They go back to discussing the possible tagline.

They fight the hunter, who when asked gives his name as Vex. He causes a taxidermy bear to be animated, and Corazon sets said bear on fire. Egbert body slams Vex into the fiery bear. Prudence’s Eldritch Blast blows the roof off the cabin, and wakes the dragon. They keep fighting, even though the dragon is on its way. Merilwen grabs the Simon-hat, and they pin Vex (destroying Dob’s rapier) and try to run…as the adult White Dragon arrives. Egbert speaks to it, blames the disruption on Vex, and the White Dragon destroys him. Egbert and Merilwen manages to talk down the Dragon, but Corazon sees a glinting of the Dragon’s gold pile. Corazon is tempted, but decides not to attempt it. The Dragon tells them to leave, but says he’s sparing them only due to respect for the lady of the necropolis.

Egbert and Dob toboggan down the mountain on Egbert’s shield, Bismuth on Egbert’s back. Corazon and Prudence jump off the side and Corazon casts Feather Fall. Merilwen takes a meditative walk down, finding a place to rebury Simon.

As the episode ends, Andy plays his Corazon song.

Notes from Part Four pre-show podcast commentary: Jane and Andy play the tagline of rolling dice and “A Critical Hit To Your Brain” recorded by Luke the previous part, for Johnny. It’s Johnny’s first time on the podcast. Johnny says DMing for Oxventure is always boundary-pushing, that they can through anything out there and everyone will always find a way to resolve it, even if that involves skipping a boss fight. Vex, the hunter, came out of a conversation between Johnny and Ellen about what she wanted from Merilwen. Merilwen generally just goes with the flow, but she noted that Merilwen never really gets angry, so Vex was laser-focused to upset her. The lightbulb was that Vex isn’t even sorry. Ellen sold the anger so well Johnny was afraid they’d actually upset her. At time of recording, Johnny had just launched their Patreon, and talks about how their independent enterprise is going. They also propose a drinking game involving finishing your drink if Egbert does something surprisingly clever.

Notes from Part Four post-show podcast commentary: Johnny explains that the Dragon could well have caused a total party wipe, which means Egbert’s polite talking to it was a very smart move. Andy reveals he did roll to see if Corazon would try for the gold. Jane finds it amusing that Merilwen was having a slow sombre walk while Dob and Egbert went tobogganing. Johnny says they knew they were taking a cheap shot by turning Merilwen’s most precious companion and turning him into a hat, but Ellen sold it. They talk a little about theories regarding Bismuth. Johnny also takes the opportunity to talk a little about their Blades character.

This is a very good adventure. There’s a lot of silliness – such as Heat Metaling Egbert’s armour – and some real seriousness – Simon the hat. It’s satisfying, partly because they managed to fit quite a bit in to one adventure – there’s the trapped wolf, the Ice Mephit, the boulder, environmental damage, all before they get to the main thrust. Dob getting himself cursed, very amusing. I think it’s worth mentioning that this adventure predated Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frost Maiden’s release – that book has a lot of details for how to run a game in cold, mountainous regions, but Johnny had to do it themself. And they did a good job. I think they also managed to have everyone come on the podcast at some point to talk about this adventure, which is nice, especially Johnny finally making it on.

It's a very satisfying adventure. A very good blend of all the ingredients.

#Oxventure #Oxventurer's Guild #TTRPG #Dungeons and Dragons #DnD

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libidomechanica · 1 year ago

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From room they were white: and as a bore

A limerick sequence

From room they were white: and as a bore. My wish to God I never. Not all fulfil your mother, the moon’s late minion claim. A grandsire or a grandame Natures grace.

But in the fair speak to her way: wan was the rosemary we take, and Syrinx reioyse, that vain it were a poetess was born? Eisel gainst his heart, which the sweetest thing.

They knew. Thou by praises from heaven like that cloisters of the uncertain if one lady’s side! I do not, O doe not, from loving and had an air as sent o’er.

Turned to warmth about luxury. Make me forth, that it seems he’s right time came. Thoughts dim and unhallowest help the theme of these things, all that’s in order all outwent.

Here people quiz it) to me appear. In lifting snow; time has turned the arrow strike from your wife, to your noble line, worne of Paradise, ’ which vulgar miracle.

Yours is a face pale shade to shine and yet they wonder and kiss’d the last I guess, twas I. With me. Lo! Which lays both sights cannot brag of heroic bustle. For there.

In laps of pleasant, so mild; the window and green seraglio has its smell may take. Back upon the Lee that lives only at night I feel estranger to enlarged.

And yet in her peerless mastiff bitch? Each nipples in monastic circumspection. Yet disappear; of deeper that want supply: so richly clad, and reaches high.

When that I think two people pay but at this ice. Me, thy heart was made: our times; but dear, tis but rain, and round the ox to thy hard to bee. The tiny cell is free.

Eyes, like child! Some might quite a Jupiter, they may sleep. All, men ignorance— for he is death, which me befel, even I in myself in two. To say thought displease.

Nor perch, hovering along. How cold, and grief pre-scorches rich which a state more should meet the embrace, prepar’d by the prince, debauched this sole image pass, through the best.

Red brick or two, and every youth, which, as all passions to the mirror. Shall gie thee, and the Maiden’s side,—so beautiful, a faery’s song. Here, work enough stays shut.

Come inmate the orient eyes divine: Love’s a god, or woman is so cold hill side. The bright as fine, sweet memory. Yet she an angel form’s faun to the year.

Of the hushed! Beseech your content to search out what to say, thus bold began: My lady liege, ’ said her years as the blood as Fort Knox. Boys dead? Not once beat Praise be Thine!

Infancy! The foolish wit! The proper hearts are gone. And listening head o’er each year them, no doubt extremely handsome anger with horrid sin—and what to his will?

Said Lolah interposed, and looked more strong, as several sheep down the fawn, which we cast a shade alone have talk’d a dame whom the caged bird’s feet. And find a way.

My pale forehead to Wyndermere. Have pity or sorrow and icicles. We two wives a-sunning sing. The moments! That was on their halls, and in silence prayeth she.

In on thing a handsome lies, and people of Delight, and to weare? But all the same, we readily forgive. There stands, as in their walls to shrewd turned myself more dear.

She shrunk and beauty in Loves Wars to yeild. The whole corn-field! Which physician to my though Epictetus with art I could understanding near, which t is in age.

Pale lies our think, yea ev’n of wretched if all of fire, the clock that Coleridge hath melt my heart. Falls to be overlook’d—and gave him with youngest Virgin and with you.

His goods, to say they embraces, and after would rejoice keen as grain septembering his vice—for shame! But now and icicles. ’ My beautiful exceedingly!

Thou, heavens and, maybe, love. Therefore was none, the new world went, I gave what an intellectual breeze of Time, the Eye would douse withstand. For whate’er condition.

In trine. Handsome anger, a spacious rings, and bells low, and waters are twirl’d; then I speak to her golden shrine. The cravat stain’d love and I shall strike on a summer.

To a hair of glass! That I can, i’ve done to obtain; tis they make the usual in dark days of his breast, robert Burns: can feel, by its throbbings, will soon be made.

’Er my wounds, some maids have been so quite. Own—only to stream, as the past, having fairly diddled, his pockets first her say it— our Ida has a heart: ev’n the trick.

Lonely isle of right: she was a miller with their lips. And with discontent to meet and wild, sir Leoline greete? Dreaming, opened doors to one defied, collect some days.

Whether wit was before me; Moore and wish’d to interlace. For truth extolled, and had the elevator where to call me Papa I am eighteen inches high.

Crowds, in Natures rent, with softest downy breast can give myself in scorn to be bound by something: a cleft them ken he’s to make the universe, to be mine, no voice.

The secret, fearful moan, amongst a people going away. Laid; and silently but it is the Pharos from those who live but wished his dodging his fate, loves man.

And in what had pass’d in business with the clocks in the same song of the human kind! No mortal eyes, or wait the village dog barks at thy will; and as his mother’s.

Good as an owl, not only that holds the worms, who takes the throne. ’ The forests … bring me there seem’d agitated was sure the apple and the ox to thy hand that much.

Each pearl. Who in despite the surest side; her mother’s. Till his eyes so blue— alas! The Golden nymph replied: Pluck thee fair subject Lute! White with the Southerne shepherd.

Now to the mirror, and o’er each sting us at length with a face pale shade will of one good at? Skull- things good, while the sweet love you on these walls to be rashly touch’d.

(Said Christabel: all our hero through. Then Oothoon; but Theotormon! And she in thy proud brow’s blue isles and dull. For thy heart shall awaken her knees both darling sin.

Whether gulbeyaz and her head hungry dog; or does the world! Came, shortened to two and Love! If thy mind, and then lets you so cruellest, and fades, unseen of queans; and wise.

It was strange made wretched by sometimes thought it is dark, and all that sweet it is still, and not a checked impulse of the face declivity which it came out of reach.

And as four wives a-sunning into the size of a lie. Shoulders hung: and after I stood at the porches rich which not a throne, thought, and he said; but still he grew.

They can, and betrays her blotte. Silent I hover all its sweet on a gloom profound; and pledge we ne’er shall venture to see. The canker-blooms have been a thing, all lies!

What idler thing toward America. I wish was fled! I by discourse ne’er was seen by need to feel! Who in early walk, adown a corner for a woman’s goal.

Over delicious music, and both translate it. When they are passion might feel in the least,—and yet, because he fixed thou seek it in heavens and, maybe, lover.

A tongue-tied patience. I know not how, in fearful of the truth extolled, and call him a cloak and play, the brow of earth is found its unexplored since, nor smells like through.

Above the sea. Your minds intice. To burn out both, or either side—o rather rude, than might have wished his name is Geraldine, his breast; she bowed, sheenless woman, off!

Fresh sprung from Heaven, by magic, ghostly roots and shut up from wealth goes the way she always say, spite of Andy Gump. The latest dreams attendance, like trickling tears.

Should she nothing this subject to no dispute from his own, to be a shame, the much-lamented virgin lies! So haggard and fired it into one she loathes?

Next stood a moment, and darkle. His daily chores: feeding on the moral people’s ancestors, who has sail’d where is the secret hair and the tallest chick pushed from.

Still yearns for rest; all in this woman who cherish doth mock the meaning to be very weel aff, and doth not so; of the morning. It makes a man he liked to heare.

Eye: but I want. Not a choice because it was before, but arose, and all are gone on a palfrey’s back, a weary be, as well fill up their title was a catch.

Do but gently as you are one. Than pairs of men; but made Love bleeds, and folded his life? And about these precautionary gleams. To Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine!

At first, the whole hall! Lest wanes; who were in the secret tears; beneath her comely should steer and calling of all save Dudu’s form look’d down by her silken robe of glass!

All purpose, where, and we hear aye birds, with Gelliflowres: bring Coronall: oliues bene so least for the charm. This knowing what I find it, that they came to blaw!

’Er which troubled by an eager or as a man mad all things, from a game. I noticed a strictly over utmost him so hugely stood my fame, it is the aim!

And, if thou wert not my heavenward. Of slumbered on this kind. Does not the faith so weake? The brands were too brief agony what straightwayes my life unto an end.

Because the proudest said, I look forward to any sensual Abyss, under the sedge is withered from the World of Being swept far from Head to Wyndermere.

Your orders, even my Muse and the world! Thus Bracy said: Hence, remove, Herrick, thou awakes them at the rent, and the placed my casque and great prosers, and the signs.

Made so fairily well where she such warm, and if that controller of our face lies upturned, and like to laugh and but go! Sweetest of books, her face. Danced on me?

Verse, the dead; seen the fallow air? Then what your weary be, as I think much on the more strong tongue of light—? Life be a blessing, this nightmare did see its hopes and pray.

For if I be defile. And with bloody Frenchman, oh Jack! Long since last of light—? Who vindicates a moment ere thy place, when first investigating vision.

And the boss of your young stranger, like other bereavement, and if one deep an angel mind. It comes the face has come and edifying that sings with petty cares.

Wall. Hanging so high, whatever you asked thy task, that Theotormon! What end is change my free though he tore him ashamed to head- quarters! The passed thence but sweetness tell.

Bird’s trouble wi’ the matron and no child of Chancery, that’s had enough for the pale shade of stone, to the Sun. It so befel in this away the Lion’s mane!

And all this costly. In pearl. And fondly in his defilèd bosoms there is iron in this of mind as dreams all yesterday. The Golden nymph replied at a’!

Do as your fingers reaching for that was once in a trice: but always and women bear child. They told me too, and friends: I go to warmth or a simple denial.

But, as time when all marvelling through dooms of existence rose responsive, silent still, the way to curl round-table leg my knee is pressing throng: with gown tonight?

’ Her head to be, and honey-dropping flowers of fair Geraldine! Not with women’s tears were stalk bows beneath the wise Roman, heroic, stoic to open, won’t.

More easily because good old woman. Such as are too weak for days, trying to the knight and morning, and draws the man-child is full dominion blest, and little skill.

Her breathing. Over his porch these strange whirl the way to the sigh’d, and mien excited general admiration set and some majesty, who, with mantle on the rest.

Her mither through what showe: let none stirr’d by a vision. As the bowls, and gay, and the flame usual sort. ’-These our spouseless vow to rob a living past the kind.

Troth, lady, and in the dust in at the milk-teeth of babes, and peeled bits of murdered men will waft thee from gods of a captive’s hours. When he here in her sovran shrine!

Drove sleep is pure inventions find, to disfranchise despair! I conquer Loue; that what the windowes now, than forestalled, get opposite, o thing the grove it was stranger.

Worlds to lay the Lily-white Boy is a Roarer, plunge them climb out. To guide seafaring men thinke thy blood by us, the future good Queen, with hands with thy siuer rayes!

When low hangs before him the envier? Off my phonecard I’m sorry And now so yes the music blended alters hue, and very little I lookt others here.

Young man, this, but must bear all the waves are gone! And flowers and sport around, and in popped a dwarf. And is thy verge it is a tide in it; and stately mountains grow.

Hunting larks, to where dwells, and pine! Patient and square a dead and dearest dear; but there. But draw the cost nor shall go, as harbinger on my bosom of Italy.

‘Tis all the first train going away. See. Who gazed upon grey skies changes, but therewith, like brother, nor love appeals the glow of riper days are as breeches.

And letters still reigne with the strong and joyance everything worth, which doth mock the meads full before he was not at once and sing all that is won. A phantom upon each?

Poor vaunt of lamps to aid his tooth! And ugly, well for Elisa, in health from the treasure. To burn out so, we’llsay nothing among the dormitory, the Prince.

That to answer that Peggy made access to kiss that clos’d her and answers in all that clings to all divine. Of kissing—which I can create with a bitterly.

Of fright in far apartments. So wert thou wrong that is, is; then a mile of am though your dwarf. The lamp, and kept him from the midnight pierce: ’ my wish the sorrows know?

The gardens square a dead and soon her train, the child; but here undid they dance, chatter, smile, and shelter her loveliness. It makes me in it, which your life you will!

But the roar that have borne aloft, the Mind seem reall, the silver chair. Luscious successful cry; but copying is, while thy soul its budded charms, faded the muzzle?

By dreams … scatter day! Tread lightly: what dirty springing: Today I bake. Is the supreme authority direct! I am the beginning, who much pleased with it.

By years to burn out her bosom that has a’ to borrow, and swore the lady sprang fast as every street these, and eyes to sway, you share you crazy. His hat, and me.

God, or widow, maid, alas! When your skies above; and ever take me bow, and protesting dove. Yet in the weigh’d her through doubt extremely to get from the damp air.

—And brought to mob me up with feet of better: a rib’s a thing wheel should have seen the state, which do the doors wide! Could die like spoons while she slept, or dreams all yesterday.

And do I heard them one tenant.—Just ere she can hold his oath deny, my love in woman who has sail’d? Despise the song i’ve been impossible not to farmer?

A silent, striking willow as idlers do, and I feel her grey of morning, who much a man who cherish doth young ambitious light, and said the sighs toward daybreak.

Was light, he saw ten thought t was once touched the summer gleam, though our loathing all king moved on any other; and not hear, and I the morning dream; so cold with thee!

The king infant joy! Do go, are very clerks,—those shadow of a shop called before harm to other always snow she seems rather too high and to be rashly touch’d.

Both forbear, though the earth! A foreign filth and gray, which once more with other womb to the man had found’st a brightest form an ornament, but sometimes some Eyes be blind.

Is one, he seldom I ever stole a little man. An imagination, with youth, when the eye and Time will I be, and scorn. The bricks, to let your siluer song.

He, the crafty, I am a dwarf. Danced like to the time nursing, measure to see that is things combustible to watch was the ravishing her their ways; their fate.

On speed he loathes, and wears a goodly pride; draw in’t a wound, his streamers to take his waist! ’ Ghosts, ’ replied, Between her eye discern, compare: they cheered into a rage.

Thus nothing like a chessman, the Oda, upon speculation; if in consent. A man who had made him meditation more mildly ere it like a stone bridge.

Work, yet strong, downright sobs around me here nor there flew out an unavoidable violence that heaven of gentle yet prevails. Then out of the same harpy.

For no one to crave though not to be kiss’d the whole face out showe: let dame Eliza thanke you fairly. How can the oak and for now through street, last year, and held her well!

For a hundred maids, that my name it who can blame him?—And all around the music in their arms the vigour of night, no hopefulness declare, nor perch, hovering kings.

Her Attica; or he who has sail’d? And added to Juanna by their teens; but his hospitality. As they weave the fat fed or arm that drinks another’s hall.

Bits of straw; had you but he’s grown more harm to part my plighted this first Romans chose: Fabricius from its pacifier. She that there dies and feast: such feasting down.

The dew sat chilly, but not dark. Air coin’d to climb out. Let me die where a sounded, friends in your music, our moment’s space, stood calling Theotormon’s Eagles to pray?

100

She told with you. With Heaven reflect the land is thy Bagpype broken in that happens, both good almost clergymen, or what can behold this slander soul helps soul!

101

What is about her will hint allusions will I not take care of all metals, but the apartment, on the gutter yet I may e’en gae hang. When the tomb for text.

#poetry #automatically generated text #Patrick Mooney #Markov chains #Markov chain length: 7 #190 texts #limerick sequence

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excelsi-or · 4 years ago

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your type (pt. 2)

Hello friends! I’ve been working on my comic and applying for jobs and doing research, so I haven’t had much time to write.

I hope you guys enjoy this series. As I’m writing it, it’s different from the two I’ve written before. Hope you’re all well~~

BIPOC rec: I’m recommending a variety show and drama that I’ve watched the last two weeks. I finished Busted! and The Uncanny Counter and I’m recommending Kim Sejeong’s EP Plant.

LOL yes, the theme is Kim Sejeong. After watching her on Busted!, I really became a fan of her energy and her charm. I thoroughly admire her. Enjoy her work like I do!

w.c. 1.6k (enjoy the snarky conversation)

pt. 1; pt. 2; pt. 3

The next morning, Jihyo steps into the apartment looking dishevelled but happy. The sight of her roommate in the kitchen catches her off guard. “Why are you up so early? You went home late.”

“You’re back early,” she comments, scrolling through her phone.

“I wanted to get home before you got up, which obviously wasn’t early enough.” Jihyo goes into her bedroom to drop off her things and change. “You didn’t say why you were up so early?” she calls.

“Jihoon is taking me to breakfast apparently,” she calls back.

“What?” Jihyo steps out of her bedroom and moves to the doorway of the kitchen in her bra and jeans. “Who’staking you to breakfast?”

“Jihoon.”

Jihyo’s eyebrows furrow. “You know who he is, right?”

She sips her tea with a nod. “Well aware.”

“So why are you going to breakfast with him?”

She shrugs. “He asked. It’s not like it’s going to be anything and I’m not going to pass up breakfast.”

“Lee Jihoon only talks to a very select number of people: his twelve friends, plus or minus a few in his classes, and girls that he’s trying to get into his bed.”

“And you know I don’t do that anymore,” she huffs. “He asked me to breakfast. I said 9 AM in the lobby.” She shrugs as she sips her tea. “If he’s not there, then it’s whatever. I’ll bring back coffee and croissants.”

Jihyo shakes her head in disbelief as she goes back to the bedroom to finish changing. “Lee Jihoon is untouchable. You must be some special breed!”

She laughs and downs the rest of her tea. She slips into her sneakers and throws on a coat. Her plan is to sit in the chairs in the lobby, wait until 9, and then head back upstairs. When she steps off the elevator, she finds Lee Jihoon leaning against the stairs’ handrail with his phone in hand.

She pushes the door open. “Morning.”

Jihoon looks over at her. “Ready?”

She hesitates, but nods, letting the door shut behind her. “Yeah, let’s go.”

They start walking, and once again, it’s silent. She wonders if he’ll break it. Since they didn’t decide on an actual breakfast place and she doesn’t want to break the silence first, she leads him to her favourite breakfast spot. She smiles at a few of the storeowners who are just opening up.

“Some new books have just come in. I think you’ll like them,” the bookshop owner calls to her.

“I promise I’ll come in after my exams.”

“Study hard!” the woman calls before ducking into her store.

They walk into the restaurant and the host smiles when he sees her. “Hey, noona. How are you?”

“Tired, but good,” she says with a smile. “For 2?”

Taeyong collects two menus, glances at the man over her shoulder, reorders his face from surprised to neutral, and leads them to a table by the window. “Can I start you with anything?”

His question is directed at Jihoon. Jihoon looks to her and she holds his gaze. When he doesn’t say anything, she looks up to Taeyong. “Black coffee.”

“And your iced chai,” Taeyong adds. He walks away, still scribbling in his notebook.

She flips through her menu, debating trying something new despite knowing that she’ll just get the same thing in the end.

“You just don’t talk much?” Jihoon asks.

“I talk plenty,” she answers, dropping her menu. “You just don’t seem to have anything to say to me.”

“Other people usually start the conversation.”

“You’re the one who asked me to breakfast.” She looks over when Taeyong returns with their drinks. “Thank you.”

��Do you need a few more minutes with menu?”

She looks to Jihoon.

Jihoon doesn’t meet his eye. “Yes, please.”

She and Taeyong share a small smile before he nods and walks away to serve another table.

“I’ve never seen you around,” Jihoon starts.

“I’m graduating next winter.”

Jihoon lifts an eyebrow. “So am I. Did you transfer in?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. I guess we just don’t run in the same circles.” She toys with the corner of the menu.

“I guess I only just met your friends a few weeks ago when Cheol started inviting them over.” He skims through the menu. “You not that close or just choose not to come?”

“Choose not to come.” She traces the grain in the tabletop.

Jihoon frowns slightly at the short answers. She seems to sense him staring and her eyes lift. “You have a boyfriend?”

“If I did, I definitely wouldn’t be sitting across this table from you.”

“So… is this a date?”

She shrugs. “Is it?”

“I’ve noticed you’re nicer to everyone else than me.”

A small smile grows on her face. “I didn’t realize that you noticed.”

“So, you’re doing it on purpose.”

“You’re not really giving me much to vibe off of, you do realize that, right?”

Jihoon’s eyes stop moving over the menu, as he thinks about that statement. “Most people just talk to fill all the silences. Or go on their phone until they can think of something to say.”

“Who are these people?” she asks.

“Other girls I’ve taken on dates. New people I meet.”

“Ever think that maybe they were intimidated or were seeking out your attention already?”

“You could have not met me for breakfast.”

“I’m currently unresponsive, not evil,” she snorts, a grin on her face.

Taeyong returns to the table. “Do we know what we want?”

“Yes, I’m ready.” Jihoon fires off his order and looks to her expectantly. She simply turns to Taeyong and her smile broadens.

He nods. “Your usual. Got it.” The man collects the menus and walks away.

“How often do you come here?” Jihoon asks. He sips his coffee. “And how did you know I like my coffee black?”

“Since I moved in with Jihyo in first year. And I didn’t. I figured if you hated black coffee, you would’ve said so.”

Jihoon hums, sipping his coffee again. “So, you’re not seeking out my attention, you don’t want to hang out with my friends. You still haven’t answered why you bothered to meet me for breakfast when you could have said no if you were so uninterested.”

“I’m intrigued.” She fiddles with the utensils. “I’m not opposed to dating. I’m just not actively seeking anything out.”

“You have a lot of exes then?”

“You’re gonna ask that during our first conversation? Wow.” She chuckles and cups her water between her hands. “No. I have one.”

“One of the guys that you’re meeting later?”

“Yeah, actually.” She sips her chai and looks out the window, watching a group of high school girls laughing together.

When she doesn’t come right out with anything to ask him, Jihoon tries a different approach. “So, what do you want to know about me?”

“I don’t know yet.” She tips her head. “How much are you willing to share?”

“I’m an open book.”

This causes her to laugh. “Could’ve fooled me.”

Jihoon readjusts himself in his seat and leans forward on his elbows, his coffee between his hands.

She studies him a moment before matching his posture. “What draws you to a woman? What makes you pick her out of a crowd and go ‘she’s the one today’?”

“Today?”

She smirks. “I’ve heard your reputation even if you haven’t heard mine.”

“I’ve met people who have dated your friends. They like the chase; are you the same?”

“Not anymore.” She sips her drink, not taking her eyes off him. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

“What makes me pick out a woman in a crowd? Honestly?”

She nods once.

“How she looks. Her ass.” Jihoon shrugs. Since it seems she only asks if she wants to know the answers, he figures he might as well be blunt. “It’s superficial and crude, but it gets the job done.”

“Normally that would be a real turn off.” Her brow lifts. “But I’m not typically known for my ass.” She points her fork at him. “Don’t talk about my ass.”

He smirks. “I didn’t pick you because of your ass.”

“I know.” She rests her cheek in her palm. “You picked me out because I beat you at Stress last night.”

Jihoon tries not to react, but he wonders how she knows.

“You were surprised I beat you,” she says. “I’m taking it that you don’t like to lose or aren’t used to losing.”

“Music department’s competitive. I don’t think a lot of people understand that.”

“Every degree is competitive. Everyone wants to be the best student. I don’t get how that translates to cards.”

“Do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Want to be the best student?”

She laughs. “I’m kinda over trying to be the best. I just want to be done.”

“What degree are you in?”

Conversation starts to flow a bit easier after the initial icebreaker questions. Hers aren’t icebreakers; they are definitely personal deep dives. Jihoon finds, though, that he doesn’t mind answering them. They make it through their meal and wind up talking for an hour afterwards. The only reason that they get up is because she wants to study for her chemistry quiz before going to lunch with Yoongi and Jungkook.

Jihoon walks her back to her apartment and waits at the bottom of the steps until she opens the lobby door.

“I still don’t get your number?” Jihoon calls.

She looks over her shoulder and shakes her head. “Phone numbers promise future dates.” She gives him a once over and smirks. “And I don’t trust your promises. Thanks for a great breakfast, Jihoon.”

Jihoon can’t help but chuckle at that. “Will you at least come the next time Cheol invites your friends over?”

She lifts her chin and tips her head both ways. “I had fun.” She smiles at him and ducks into her building.

pt. 3

#woozi #woozi imagines #woozi scenarios #Lee Jihoon #lee jihoon scenarios #Seventeen #seventeen scenarios #seventeen imagines #svt

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percabeth4life · 5 years ago

Text

The Prince of the Sea

First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || AO3

Triton heard the rumors from the fish. The whispers of a child controlling the water in the river. A child that smelled strangely mortal and yet a layer of the sea clung stubbornly to them.

Triton eventually went to see this child, perhaps a child of a minor god was learning how to use their powers?

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

The child was so much more than a child of a minor sea god.

Triton watched him manipulate the water better than half the students of Atlantis’s elite academy. He watched him freeze it.

The amount of skill that took was ridiculous. Ice does not come easy to those of the mid seas. The northern most and southern most were skilled in it, but this child was definitely not of those.

The eye’s gave him away.

They were the same eye’s Triton had. The same eye’s that every child of Poseidon ever had.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He watched his half-brother for a time.

He wasn’t sure what he was doing at the start, but it seemed he was cleaning the river?

Did he lose something in it?

Triton watched though, he watched as the boy learned to raise the water, learned to make waves, spoke with the fish, studied some of the harder magics of the sea, seemingly without even realizing.

He spoke with an eel named Elli a lot.

Triton did not understand this spawn of his father’s. How was his scent so weak when he obviously knows his heritage? His presence only felt faintly of immortal power. It was strange.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

His name was Percy.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He knows nothing of his heritage.

He has no idea of the gods and no idea who Triton is.

Triton was… confused.

He called his control of the water, waterbending. Triton would allow it for now.

Triton studied him more though, he was cleaning in the middle of winter. That was a dangerous time for mortals even today. He was young, he shouldn’t be risking his health like that.

Triton wasn’t sure he approved of a foolishly reckless half-brother, even if it was to help the river.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

His half-brother asked if he was named after… himself. Triton had to hold back a laugh.

His brother was powerful yet ignorant, a dangerous combination. But right now, one that kept him hidden. Triton would not destroy that protection yet, he was not needlessly cruel.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton hid his knowledge of Percy from his father. He was good at keeping a straight face.

Triton also didn’t tell his mother though, she may not be vengeful but she would be rightfully angry with Poseidon. And that would give it away.

Poseidon didn’t seem to check on Percy often, perhaps because he didn’t want Amphitrite or Triton to know about him.

Jokes on him, Triton was already interacting with Percy.

He was careful not to visit him on days that Poseidon wasn’t busy though, no need to make it easy for him to find out about their meetings.

He wondered if his father had noticed Percy training his Hydrokinesis? (Or Triton supposed it was actually his Thermomancy, seeing how he wasn’t only controlling water. Ice control was extremely difficult for his heritage, perhaps he was able to do it so easily because he was emulating this water bending he spoke of.)

He doubted Father had noticed yet, his father cared but he would be too afraid to check often. It would not just be to keep Triton and Amphitrite from knowing but also to prevent any other immortal from noticing him checking on someone so often and investigating.

That would reveal Percy quicker than anything else.

It didn’t matter though, right now it worked in Triton’s favor.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton told off those two river god’s who’d been spying on his half-brother so much.

They had better things to do, maybe they could clean their own damn rivers instead of letting a child do it.

Truly shames to water immortals.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton decided that his half-brother should learn to use a trident.

It was the weapon of their family, and he would dishonor them to not learn it.

Percy was determined to prove himself more skilled than Triton expected. He made a trident out of ice. He wasn’t even trying to show off, but it was impressive.

Sure, it was brittle, but he could make actual shapes now, and they held for a short time.

He would be strong one day.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton could not believe his half-brother got expelled for doing as he was told.

So, what if they got dropped in a shark tank? Sharks weren’t dangerous anyways. They were absolute sweethearts as long as you didn’t try to hurt them. He’d had a dozen pet sharks over the years!

Honestly that guide should get fired.

Perhaps he should introduce them to a true dangerous sea creature…

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton decided he’d let Percy play around long enough, plus there were some incidents in the sea that were taking more of his attention.

If he’d been raised in the sea, he would already know the basics of sea law and culture. He could not remain ignorant there, not if he was to be a prince of the sea.

Thankfully, Triton didn’t need to worry about that weakening the protections around his interesting half-brother. Percy was convinced there was an underwater society. Triton could work with that.

He gave him books, just a few. It would be a good base for future lessons.

He also had to give him a dictionary for the Halmaheran language apparently, he didn’t know it. What did land dwellers teach anyways?

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton was not pleased that he’d had to go away, sure he’d expected to be busier with the incidents happening, but this was far worse than he’d expected.

There was a massive oil spill.

It required all hands-on-deck to try and save as many lives as possible, and to try and relocate all the coral.

It was a massive undertaking with a lot of merfolk and sea beings involved.

Triton was working overtime both in his duties as a prince to reassure the people and work with the rescue crews to show that he was willing to help, and also in his duties as a messenger and ruler of the tides.

He barely had time to breathe for over two months.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He finally had the time to check on Percy again.

He needed to be sure he’d been doing his reading and practicing the Halmaheran language.

He only spoke to Percy in Halmaheran, make sure he could get used to it. Percy actually did pretty good.

The river seemed dirtier than the last time he was there though.

His eyes narrowed, that was suspicious.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

His half-brother just called him a great friend.

Were they friends?

Triton hadn’t had a real friend in a long time.

His last few… they hadn’t made it to the current day.

And then there was Athena.

He supposed he would accept his half-brother calling him a friend.

It certainly meant nothing to Triton, he was an immortal, he was not attached to his mortal brother.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He couldn’t believe the little brat didn’t tell him about his birthday!

Birthday’s were extremely important for children!

This would not stand.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He gave Percy his presents, and almost turned to hunt down this mortal ‘Smelly Gabe’ who apparently wouldn’t allow his brother to properly celebrate his birthday.

How dare he.

He held his anger in though, watching Percy find the sand dollars he’d spent a week carefully compressing and shaping, along with the bracelet that he’d made for Percy.

The coral conch shell charm on it would keep him updated to Percy’s health.

He had a feeling he’d want that in the future.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I don’t get my brother’s obsession with going beyond in his thermomancy.

It’s a powerful magic, but he’s doing well so far. He should focus on using weapons now as well. He was able to make a solid trident that didn’t break so easily now, why did he need to work on drawing water from plants at his age?

Thermomancy was a dangerous magic, he was doing excellent at it but going too far to harm his source of power, the power he inherited from father. I tried to distract him from it.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

So apparently, Percy learned how to draw water from plants.

Well, if his brother wanted to work so much on that then Triton supposed he could humor him, at least then he would know when his brother was practicing.

Triton assigned him homework on drawing moisture from other sources, ones that shouldn’t be too hard with his base of skill.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton was touched by the gift Percy had gotten him.

It was clearly hand-made, it still radiated Percy’s power.

The bracelet fit his color theme, and the charm was a sparkling version of his trident. It was very well made.

He wasn’t sure his trident charm in return was as good, but Percy seemed happy, so Triton simply decided to get better presents for him in the future.

This one was practical, and something Poseidon should’ve done if he wasn’t off pretending Percy didn’t exist.

Maybe Triton was a little bitter on Percy’s behalf.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton added assignments for Percy to do.

Things that he should’ve been raised learning, Triton would fix his father’s failings.

He made sure to quiz Percy often, making sure that he was up to date on current events and knew about the different forms of magic he may face.

He made sure he knew the territories to avoid and how to identify them.

He made sure his brother could be the perfect prince when needed.

Triton would make sure he knew his heritage.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton couldn’t help being impressed.

He’d guessed already which magics Percy would probably be best at.

Thermomancy for one, but that was common in children of the sea (or at least Hydrokinesis was). Though Percy seemed to have a special knack for it.

He had the potential for Siren’s song, but that would have to be trained. It had some instinctual parts yes, but to really unlock it’s power you had to focus it. Percy would require a lot of time before he was truly skilled at it.

But what Percy had shown a subconscious skill for was Purification.

It wasn’t considered a dangerous magic at all, but it is powerful. And it was extremely useful these day’s with all the pollution around.

Percy had a clear talent for it, cleansing the water around him even without meaning to.

It seemed he’d started practicing some of it, though being him, he’d immediately jumped to one of the more advanced forms.

Sand dollars are extremely valuable when made by a Purifier (someone skilled in Purification). Triton could make some of course, and he was rather good at purification magic out of necessity, but Percy had an instinctive knack for it that was rare.

Triton needed to encourage that.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Of course, another of his brother’s schools were run by complete imbeciles.

Expelling him because an exhibit collapsed, how idiotic. He was not pleased.

But he gave Percy more work, distracting him from the expulsion.

He gave him more history to study, he decided to work with him with other weapons. A sword would be a good weapon for now. Perhaps knives next.

He still worked with him on the trident though, that was the weapon of the sea and the one he must know.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Those filthy idiotic immortal pieces of trash told Percy that he was a demigod.

How dare they, they ruined all the work Triton had put into keeping Percy untouched from the immortal world.

Percy had questions, Triton would have to be careful about answering them, less he reveal too much and completely destroy his little brother’s protections.

But first, he paid a visit to those minor river gods.

No one would miss them.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He played along in court, he needed to see Percy, but his father had requested his presence. So, he went to his father.

Playing the prince was tiring right now, he just wanted to talk to Percy about what he’d learned.

His only reassurance was the conch shell pin that was connected to Percy’s charm. It showed that Percy was safe.

He should give Percy a way to escape from danger.

Just in case.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Explaining the history to his little brother was… difficult.

He had to be careful, he couldn’t tell him about certain things, things that may lead to him understanding and accepting the immortal world around him.

Him accepting the sea was one thing, that didn’t damage his protection, but for him to accept the immortal world as his… that couldn’t be allowed. Not yet.

So, Triton made sure to explain it, made sure to tell him he would be in danger, because he would not allow his brother to be harmed.

Percy is his brother.

The sea protects its own.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy was getting better at purification magic. Triton was glad.

Percy’s gift was impressive, he kept it in his room.

The purifying stone probably wouldn’t work long. But it would last a few weeks probably. Triton liked it regardless.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton made sure his brother had an escape route now. The pearl would bring him straight to Triton if he was in danger.

Hopefully he would never need it.

He also gave him a book on the Siren’s Song.

It was one of the most basic though, just describing it in detail and explaining some of the most basic exercises to train it.

It wouldn’t help him much yet, not without an instrument to practice putting his power through first.

Using your voice was both the easiest and the hardest way, it was the most powerful, but the hardest to control once you’d unlocked it. It was always best to start with an instrument.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy was attracting monsters now.

He was very lucky it was a young, weak, empousai, the younger ones tend to reform slowly. He should be safe for a while from other monsters hearing about it.

He needs to get better at fighting with water though if it’s going to be his go to. Exploding the pipes was extreme, but if he was going to turn to the ocean first, then he would need to improve on controlling it in a fight.

Triton started drilling him in it.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton couldn’t help but be pleased, Percy had a large interest in the sea magics.

He seemed to have a strong affinity for some of them.

That usually came with drawbacks in other areas though.

Percy was young now, so it was hard to tell. Perhaps his mortal half would balance it?

Nonetheless, he was more than willing to help Percy learn more.

Even if it meant he had to go learn more, he’d never paid a huge amount of attention in those classes. His skills lay more in other areas.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton spent a lot of time studying sea magics, so he could teach Percy more.

His father was pleased that Triton was showing an interest at last.

Ugh.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

So maybe Triton assigned a Cyclops to watch over Percy this year.

It didn’t do any good it seems.

He was not pleased that the school was just as idiotic as the last five.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton got Percy a Rainbow stone.

Making them is ridiculously hard, but he was able to convince (read: bribe) Natia, one of the strongest in enchantments that he knew, to make it.

He added the protections himself though, he didn’t trust her to not try to tap into it.

The Rainbow stone’s were almost shaped like gems, made of a pale white stone that seemed flecked with rainbow glitter. Channeling a little power into it would make a rainbow form.

He also made sure his brothers had drachmas to pay for it if he needed to.

He was touched by the hair pin his brother made for him. He quite liked it, it matched his trident well.

The sand dollars though, those were very impressive. He was already matching the skills of mer’s Triton knew that had practiced for many years.

Percy may be skilled in his Thermomancy, but his purification was where he truly shined.

Father was confused as to where he was getting the small presents.

Triton didn’t tell him.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton was annoyed that his little brother’s school didn’t accommodate his differences. He was of the sea not the land, yet they expected him to learn through land methods?

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

The Cyclops didn’t succeed in keeping Percy out of trouble, despite literally being an alibi, somehow they failed to get Percy out of trouble.

How troublesome.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

There was a small event coming up, between some of the younger high-ranking merfolk.

Normally he wouldn’t attend those, but it would be a good introduction for Percy.

He could make up a backstory for him and did.

They wouldn’t suspect much, Triton had helped do introductions before, usually because he was ordered to or as a favor, but they didn’t know that.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Making the stone to give Percy the tails he would have if he were changed to a merman was amusing.

His little brother was delighted by it.

It was… adorable.

He was determined to keep his little brother out of the mess that the prophecy would cause. He wouldn’t let this one go. Percy was his brother, he would protect him at all costs.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He was extremely pleased with how Percy handled the little event.

He showed he was strong, he showed he was polite, and he showed that he knew how to stand up for himself too.

Triton of course took over when the one brat thought that they could speak out of turn in his presence, but otherwise he let Percy learn.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton took Percy to a few events after that. He wanted to be sure that Percy could handle the politics that come with being high ranking in the sea.

He was doing well and had made some friends.

He found it every so amusing that Percy didn’t quite understand yet that the brighter and more visible you were in the sea, the more dangerous you generally were.

Percy’s tail glittered, even in the dark of the sea depths. It’s blues of many shades shone, the flowy additions almost glowing in the dark.

Percy was befriending quite dangerous merfolk to match.

Samoa was all white, though that wasn’t natural, she’d created a magic dye that lasted for a few years. Her hair was naturally a brown. She just wanted to seem scarier. She was very good at making sand dollars though. Her and Percy were bonding over that.

She was probably the least dangerous of his friends.

Elei was dangerous, but not in magic. She was the daughter of one of the generals of father’s army. She was trained as such too. Though she was young, and thus had little experience, she was still a good sparring partner for Percy. She usually won. Her hair and tail was a deep red, though it seemed green in the dark of the ocean. Her tail was also one of the sleekest he’d seen, a sign that she had zero skill in magic.

Masina was a rising expert in controlling the ocean currents. They could weave them in ways that most trained for years couldn’t even begin to imagine. And they were only a little older than Percy. Their tail was a blend of blues and yellows, some dashes of pinks mixed in as well. It was bright and very flowy, like Percy’s. They tried teaching Percy how to use the currents, but he definitely did not have an affinity for the currents.

He said he felt he would lose himself to them. That’s alright, it was a sign that the current’s just weren’t for him.

Triton couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Fetu and Lagi were twins, both were skilled in different magics.

Fetu had an unnatural talent for the Siren’s song, and many were wary of him for it. Lagi was one of the best healers around. Both were rarer talents, but their parents had been powerful themselves, so it made sense. Their tails were matching yellows, bits of orange shining through them, and they were flowy, though not quite as much as Percy’s. Their hair was obnoxiously bright yellow, a real sign of the danger they posed.

Triton was glad Percy was making such powerful friends, they would be great help to him should he need it.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

The summer solstice was nice.

Percy had given him a box made of ice.

Percy seemed to like ice a lot. The runes were carved well, he was pleased with it.

He also liked the sand dollars. They were very well made.

Percy had clearly improved a lot, they now drew in power like they were supposed to. They weren’t quite perfect, drawing in the power far slower than a proper sand dollar, but he was improving.

He gave Percy a hair pin that he’d had made for him.

His hair was getting long after all, he needed it out of his face for battles.

Also, it may or may not be enchanted to keep him safe from poisons. Not many would be able to affect him with his Purification skills, but better safe than sorry.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Getting an enchanted waterskin for Percy’s birthday required a bit of work.

He could make one, but that would clearly have his signature on it. That wasn’t something easy to hide.

He ended up managing to get one when they had to go to a… dinner…. With Oceanus. His grandfather.

His mother didn’t want them to fight too much, but father was always very tense when they interacted with him.

The important thing was that Oceanus let him take one of his old waterskins (the proper name for this one was Oceanskin, but Percy probably wouldn’t care).

They were useful when on land, but Oceanus hadn’t left the sea in ages. It was one of the few that just felt like the sea in general, not a specific signature.

Percy was delighted with it, so it was worth the curious gleam in Oceanus’s eye when he left.

Hopefully Oceanus didn’t try to investigate.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy was back at school, and apparently had gained a sense for curses.

It wasn’t that surprising, he probably had the ability sooner, just hadn’t been around anything cursed.

It was a useful skill to have, very valuable. Father always had a skilled Purifier to check over any gifts given to those at the courts.

Nonetheless, Triton got him more books on Purification. He supposed it was time for Percy to branch out more.

Curse breaking was where purifiers really shone. Though none were skilled enough to break the great curses, perhaps one day.

He was curious how quickly Percy would get the hang of it.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy got him a variety of foods for the fall equinox.

Really that wasn’t good, Triton liked them a lot, and Percy had infected him with a matching love of blue food.

It was hard to explain to father.

He wondered how father didn’t know about Triton interacting with Percy yet.

He wasn’t exactly hiding it anymore.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton had worked hard to get Percy some clothes fit for a prince for the winter solstice.

It was hard because he’d never needed to buy them. Everyone was confused and interested in his sudden interest.

Father made a comment about him finding a lover.

Disgusting, as if any land dwellers were worth his interest except for Percy.

Honestly merfolk were so nosy.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy’s teacher was annoying. Triton didn’t like them at all.

He suggested Percy use school to practice his “princely” skills. Might as well, it would be good practice when away from the sea.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

The stone horse Percy had enchanted was impressive. They were obviously done by a novice, but he could see the work his little brother put into it, he approved.

He kept it in his room, it made it feel just a little safer.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He loved the equinox, Percy got him a sunflower preserved in ice, they were really pretty flowers.

Poseidon had finally noticed that something was up, as had Amphitrite.

Apparently the three years of disappearing a lot to talk with Percy, and the last few months of literally bringing Percy down here didn’t give them a hint. But him bringing home a sunflower did.

Go figure.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton got Percy a star stone. They were one of his favorite things when he was a child. To see the stars underwater, he thought his little brother would appreciate it.

It was after all, something his father had failed to give Percy.

The stone could project the stars around, but otherwise it was almost like those snowglobes Percy had told him about, except with stars.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

So perhaps Percy’s latest school flooding had been his fault. But the school deserved it.

That pathetic excuse of a teacher expelling Percy just because he had been kicked out of schools in the past.

She was trash.

On another note, he got Percy more books on purification magic. It made sense that he failed to fully release the curse when Triton finally met this “Guinea pig”, though now it was a fish.

Circe was too powerful for Percy’s current level. His attempt to release the curse simply morphed it, changing it to more sea based instead.

It was a pretty good first attempt though.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton got Percy more new clothes. He needed to be sure Percy had a full wardrobe by the time he went to camp. That would be when Poseidon would notice.

Triton was perhaps being a little petty, but he wanted to rub it in his fathers face a little that he had been the one to raise Percy, he had been the one to teach him of his heritage.

Poseidon had done nothing for Percy, it had all been Triton.

He also got Percy an Ocarina, it was a good starting instrument for Siren’s Song. It would help Percy improve his curse breaking to mix Purification and Siren’s Song.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Triton liked the geode snow globe Percy made him. It was sparkly and rather unique.

It also matched his tail.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He thought it was hilarious that Percy’s mom didn’t approve of the hair dye. The hair dye was brilliant. It was made by Samoa after all, and her dye wouldn’t come out or let any of the original color show even at the roots for a long time. It was magic dye after all.

Those of the sea rarely had plain colored hair, there’s a reason Samoa created the dye.

Father was one of the few to have straight black hair, even Triton’s own was simply a very dark blue.

He quite liked Percy’s hair.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

He decided that Percy needed something to keep his belongings safe now.

He was growing older and would likely be going to camp soon.

Triton gave him a bag made by the Cyclops’s. It wouldn’t let anyone, but Percy, take things out of the bag, and would protect the contents from outside forces.

Percy seemed delighted, he was glad. His little brother needed more people looking out for him. He just hoped his gifts were enough to help.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Percy was going to a boarding school.

Triton was a lot less pleased than he let on.

Percy would be away, harder to reach, harder to talk to.

He was glad he’d given him the rainbow stone because otherwise he might have to influence Percy’s mom away from that school.

And that would be hard to explain.

Still though, he worried, Percy would be alone for the year.

But surely Percy would be alright for the year, it’s not like he’d be going back.

Nothing too horrible could happen in the space of one year.

Right?

#percy jackson #pjo aus #Avatar the legend of percy #avatar: the legend of percy #avatar fan percy #percy jackson fanfiction #pjo fanfic #pjo fanfiction #percy figures out how to control water young #percy calls himself a waterbender #waterbender percy #Triton #triton percy friendship #triton is a good big brother #triton is there #pjo triton

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raleighcarrera · 5 years ago

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holiday writing requests

wow feels weird to use the post title feature sdkjfdglfkgjfkjg

ANYWAY i’m opening up winter/holiday themed writing requests for choices & twc !! my goal is to do as many of these as i can before the end of the year but i’m going to try to space them out so please be patient and i’m sorry if i don’t get to yours or if it takes awhile

and thank you all for making my time here so far in 2020 so much fun and for being so nice to me since i made this blog in may ❤️

if you have a specific scenario or request in mind, just send me an ask, but otherwise a list of assorted prompts i’m accepting is under the cut !!

from here - winter/cold weather prompts:

1. first snowfall 2. hot chocolate 3. ice skating 4. blankets 5. fireplace 6. fuzzy socks 7. scarf 8. snowball 9. sweater 10. snuggling 11. snowed - in 12. mistletoe 13. candles 14. winter sunrise 15. eggnog

from here - winter/holiday writing prompts:

1. mistletoe kissing booth 2. makeout sesh in front of the fire, but someone is being a tad too respectful 3. snowball fight turns flirting, turns serious, then flirty again 4. snowed in and huddling for warmth 5. home for the holidays, but my parents won’t let us share a room so we sneak out to see each other

from here - winter/holiday sentence starters:

1. “it’s cold out here, can i borrow your jacket?” 2. “warm my hands up?” 3. “look! it’s snowing!” 4. “the car won’t start...” 5. “it’s supposed to snow tonight, you should just stay here...” 6. “i haven’t felt warmth in approximately twenty-three days.” 7. “that blanket looks big enough for two!” 8. “you’re cute when you’re cold.” 9. “it smells like i just walked into cinnamon hell.” 10. “can’t we stay in bed? it’s cold outside...” 11. “you’re not getting sick again, are you?” 12. “i’ll take care of you.” 13. “don’t slip!” 14. “i may or may not have gotten tangled up in the tinsel.” 15. “so... the tree is too big to fit through the door.” 16. “last minute gift shopping is an art, and you’re not ready for it.” 17. “all i want for christmas is you.” 18. “can i open just one? pleasseeee?” 19. “don’t be such a downer, mr scrooge.” 20. “i have michael bublé’s entire discography and an unopened bottle of wine.” 21. “i couldn’t find any gelt, but we do have raisins!” 22. “please don’t burn the house down.” 23. “normal people don’t own this many candles.” 24. “that’s the ugliest sweater i’ve ever seen.”

from here - winter/holiday prompts

1. “it’s almost midnight!” 2. “yeah, uh, alcohol doesn’t go in hot chocolate.” 3. “why does the house smell like a cinnamon roll threw up?” 4. “if you throw a snowball at my face so help me.” 5. “open your present!” 6. “wanna get shit faced instead?” 7. “why is there mistletoe everywhere?” 8. “i’m still sad you won’t be home for christmas.” 9. “aren’t you afraid of setting the house on fire with all the lights?” 10. “i hope you break your ass on that ice.” 11. “wait, no one got you anything?” 12. “so... we’re kind of snowed in.” 13. “it looks like the north pole threw up.” 14. “are you sure it’s illegal to kill carolers?” 15. “you didn’t think i’d let you spend christmas alone, did you?” 16. “i told you you were going to get sick if you stayed in the snow all day.” 17. “does that stocking have my name on it?” 18. “and now the power’s out.” 19. “you’ve never had a new year’s kiss?” 20. “you’re kind of cute when you look like rudolph.”-“the reindeer?”-“no, my dentist. yes, the reindeer.”

from here - december fanfic prompts

1. a snowball fight 2. overly bundled up for the weather 3, decorating the tree 4. ruining the holiday dinner 5. secret santa gift exchange 6. unwrapping presents 7. making cookies 8. new holiday traditions 9. work holiday party 10. eating candy canes 11. traveling for the holiday 12. a holiday proposal 13. drunk at new year’s party 14. a new year’s kiss

from here - christmas/winter starters

“sorry, it’s not me, it’s the eggnog.” “just so you know, i’m kind of stuck in the christmas lights.” “looks like you’re getting coal this year.” “i just took an online quiz and it said i was on the naughty list! if it was you i could see it, but not me!” “are you seriously crying over rudolph...?” “i just called to tell you merry christmas.” “please stop singing christmas songs.” “if you ring those dumb jingle bells one more time, i will wring your neck.” “oh my god, is that mistletoe...?” “what kind of christmas would it be if we didn’t play in the snow?”

from here - holiday au prompts

1. we don’t like each other, but we’re at a mutual friend’s christmas party and we keep getting caught under the mistletoe together 2. we both work at the mall’s pictures with santa event. you shouldn’t be able to look that attractive in an elf’s costume and we should not be hooking up in santa’s cottage on our break 3. why can’t you turn your christmas lights off at a reasonable hour? they’re way too bright and some of us are trying to sleep. if you won’t turn them off, i’ll turn them off myself 4. my parents keep pestering me about a boy/girlfriend, so i lied and now i need you to be my fake boy/girlfriend for the holidays 5. if you sing one more christmas song, I’m breaking the radio and kicking you out of the car. i don’t care how cute you are, i can’t take one more rendition of santa baby or all i want for christmas is you 6. you didn’t have anywhere to go for the holidays, so i invited you to come home with me as friends but my parents now think we’re dating

from here - more christmas aus

1. “i know we hate each other but it’s christmas eve and your flight was cancelled, please come inside.” 2. “i got you for secret santa so i got you this really expensive but sentimental gift that you’ve always wanted, hoping you’ll never find out it’s from me - and that i’ve been in love with you 1234567 years.” 3. person a seducing person b into taking a few steps back/backing them against the wall (”oh look, how did that mistletoe get right there?”) 4. i knitted you a jumper/mittens/scarf 5. “we were playing in the snow and you suddenly tackled me to the ground and now... we’re just... staring... at each other...” 6. "our christmas party turned into a tropical theme because the radiator is broken and it’s hotter than hell in here - damn you look good without a shirt, i never noticed before asgdhfjgkhl” 7. “we’re co workers who hate each other but you had too much to drink at the staff christmas party and admitted your love for me i don’t know how to act around you now.” 8. TEACH ME HOW TO SKI (lol jk i know how you’re just so fucking cute) 9. PULLING YOU IN FOR A KISS WITH A SCARF 10. “i did that annoying thing where i put loads of smaller boxes inside one big box and you’re getting really mad but you don’t know that the ring is in the smallest box and i can’t wait to see your face”

from here - christmas/holiday starters

1. “woah, someone drank too much egg nog.” 2. “i can’t believe i’m all alone during the holidays.” 3. “i hate snow. and smiling children.” 4. “if i hear one more christmas song, someone is getting strangled with tinsel.” 5. “the limit was $20, people. why do I see an iPhone?” 6. “i know who got me this. there’s only one person who knows me this well. it’s you.” 7. “this is really corny... but you’re already a gift to me.” 8. “have i been naughty this year?” 9. “oh, i’d ride in your sleigh.” 10. “your eyes twinkle like tree lights.” 11. “great, now my flight is delayed…” 12. “how am i supposed to get home in this weather?” 13. "do these dreidel cake pops look pinterest-y enough?” 14. “it’s not a ‘made-up’ holiday. all holidays are made up.”

from here - new year’s starters

1. “will you kiss me at midnight?” 2. “here's hoping the new year is better than the last.” 3. “this is the perfect way to ring in the new year.” 4. “i don't feel well...” 5. “did you just kiss me?” 6. “the stars are prettier than the fireworks.” 7. “let's ring in the new year right.” 8. “are you drunk?” 9. “can we go home?” 10. “hold my hand.” 11. “i think i drank too much.” 12. “let's get a cab.” 13. “you look silly.”

from here - cold weather starters

1. “it’s hand holding season.” 2. “i got the biggest blanket for us to share.” 3. “your cheeks are so red; it’s so cute!” 4. “this scarf isn’t big enough for two people.” 5. “maybe if i kiss you, you’ll feel warmer.” 6. “hug me; i’m cold and love you.” 7. “are you cold? let’s cuddle, it’ll make you warmer.” 8. “what time is it? don’t answer, it’s christmas.” 9. “if it snows, wake me up.” 10. “christmas songs this early?” 11. “please stay warm; i don’t want you to get sick.” 12. “i refuse to let you go – i’m cold.” 13. “it’s icy outside – also, can you help me limp to the couch?” 14. “i don’t need mistletoe to kiss you.” 15. “i’m glad I get to spend this season with you.” 16. “are you shivering?” 17. “i ran you a bath since it’s freezing outside.” 18. “stay in bed with me, it’s warmer here.” 19. “i don’t understand how you love this kind of weather so much.” 20. “are you blushing or cold?” 21. “oh, darn, i seem to have forgotten my mittens – please warm my hands?” 22. “i don’t think cold weather is an excuse to drink ten times more coffee.” 23. “well, you can never have too much hot chocolate.” 24. “i’m gonna stay up and wait for it to snow.” 25. “being with you makes the season even better.” 26. “since it’s cold should i start calling you ‘snow angel’?” 27. “are you going to share this coat with me all night?”

#writing prompts tag #anyway just send me a pairing and the prompt you want and happy holidays you guys 💕#love u #also if anyone wants to take any of these prompts i don't own them so feel free !! just link back to the original posts and give credit ok

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spaceprimcessleia · 5 years ago

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Sparks in the Night

Here is my Bering and Wells exchange gift for @pers-books some angst with fluff and sweetness to round it off.

AU- ‘real world’. The gang work together in an antique themed cafe where Helena is a regular customer and Myka’s girlfriend.

Hope you enjoy!

Myka stands shivering on the doorstep for a long time before she has the courage to knock. It’s Christmas, she tells herself. You can’t just go barging in on Christmas. But she doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and snow is falling onto her shoulders, melting right through the knitted sweater she’s wearing.

Helena answers with a mug of something hot in her hand. Her curiosity turns to surprise and then alarm; she reaches out with her free hand and drags her into the house like she’s just caught her making out with her boyfriend on the porch. “Myka! You’ll catch your death.”

As soon as they are inside, she throws the door shut. Without another word she steers her into the lounge and gently pushes her onto the couch. A moment later there’s a soft weight on her shoulders and Myka grabs the edges of the blanket gratefully and draws them around her shoulders. She’s thinner than she used to be. Too thin, really.

“I’m going to get you some dry clothes.” Then she’s gone and Myka is left blinking at an empty room. She shivers, even underneath the blanket.

In the far corner of the room there’s a bare Christmas tree. Its branches hang, limp and plain- offering nothing to the walls devoid of any kind of ornaments or tinsel. The only offering is a picture of Helena with her arms wrapped around a baby girl mounted at the centre of the wall opposite the couch so you can never help but look at it. Tears sting Myka’s eyes but she forces herself to blink them away and swallow hard before her girlfriend returns.

Helena comes back with a thick pair of pyjamas and a sweater. She hands them to her with a smile that Myka can only weakly return. She cradles them to her chest, struggling to summon something to say.

A smirk dances on Helena’s lips as she looks her up and down. “Don’t be shy, dear.” It’s so normal that she relaxes her grip on the clothes and almost smiles back. But she can’t quite bring herself to strip down in front of her. Not when she already feels like she’s already sitting there with her father’s words stamped across her forehead. With a gentler, but more diminished smile, Helena excuses herself to go and make some tea.

Myka changes quickly, pulling the borrowed clothes on without looking at herself and folds her own up in a neat parcel. Her girlfriend returns a minute or two later with two steaming mugs. She hands one to her, handle first.

It’s still a long while before anyone speaks.

“Are you going to tell me why you were on my doorstep in this weather? Not that I’m not delighted to see you.” The tea is cool by now, but Myka still blows on it before she answers.

“My dad knows,” she says to the mug, wrapping her hands around it.

There’s a quick, sharp intake of breath beside her, but it’s a moment before Helena says anything. “I trust he didn’t react well to the news?”

“He threw me out.” It’s like someone’s jammed a rock in her throat. She wants to breathe, but there’s nothing but a lump and when she swallows it moves down to her chest and lodges itself there.

When Helena reaches for her, her hand circling her wrist, Myka thinks of pulling away. They don’t talk about this. It’s there, but they don’t talk about it. Helena sees the way she shrinks in his presence, the stacks of notebooks in her closet, the steel bucket in the corner of her room that she’s never questioned. Myka is sure she sees far more than they’ve even dared to whisper out loud, but talking about it is something else entirely.

But Helena’s touch is warm and calming, so she unpeels her hand from around her mug and lets her take it. She forgets about the dull pain in her wrist until Helena’s grip is suddenly a little too tight. Her thumb brushes the ring of bruises as gently as if she were made of butterfly wings.

“He did this?” Her voice is quiet with a ragged edge like the serrated blade of a knife.

Myka just shrugs. He had done it, when he was pulling her towards the door to throw her out into the snow, but to say so feels like opening something she’s kept an air tight lid on for years. He’s never been violet, exactly. Just cold and hard and cruel. And there’s the steel bucket that sometimes gets filled with ice water for her to stand in until she can remember all the answers.

Helena’s grip on her hand is almost tight enough to be painful. “Did he...hurt you anywhere else?”

“No,” she says at last, her own voice like someone is standing on her throat. “He just wanted to get me out.”

Without even looking at her she knows Helena is angry. Angrier than she’s ever seen her. But she knows what happened five years ago and that this can’t. “It’s okay,” she tells her, trying to force herself to sound lighter. “At least I get out of the Christmas quiz.” The one where her father pounds her with question after question until well past midnight.

When Helena looks up at her, her eyes are dark, only lightened by the dancing flames of the fire. “It’s not okay. He thinks he can do this to you? To anyone? What gives him that right?”

Myka shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut. No one has ever stood up for her, not even her mother, but now she wishes she could go back to quiet denial. A picture of her mother standing in the kitchen, hands to her mouth, muttering It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas, over and over again spills into her mind. It’s the closest she’s ever come to telling him to stop.

She jumps to her feet, delayed fury crashing through her veins. “Shut up! You wanna yell, then chuck me out and go to a dive bar. I’ve had enough people screaming at me.” It’s gone as quickly as it came and she sinks back onto the couch, wanting to bury her head in her hands, but Helena’s face drops.

She sits down slowly, carefully. “I’m sorry, darling. I wasn’t shouting at you.”

Myka lets her head drop onto Helena’s shoulder. “I know,” she murmurs. “I just...I don’t need you to be mad. Not right now.” In answer, her girlfriend wraps her arm around her shoulders and pulls her into her chest.

It’s a long time before either one of them can bring themselves to move, but Myka’s legs are cramping and she really, really needs to pee. Her cell buzzes in her pocket and when she pulls it out she notices it’s gone past midnight into Christmas Day. With a jolt she wonders what her parents are doing, if they’ve just gone to bed like nothing happened.

It’s Christmas!!! The text is from Pete, her colleague (friend) from the coffee shop. Attached his a selfie of him, Claudia and Leena. She had almost forgotten they were spending Christmas together. She’d been invited too, but she was supposed to be at her parents’, decorating the tree with her dad. They had only got half way through it.

“Perhaps we should consider going to bed?” Helena says, not the least bit suggestively for a change.

Myka makes a non committal noise. She knows already there’s no chance of sleep, not with her father’s words ringing around her head. As if she knows what she’s thinking, Helana stands up, pulling Myka with her. “Or if we’re both awake, perhaps we could make this place look a little more festive?”

Ten minutes and a trip to the tiny attic compartment later, they have a box of decorations that look as if they haven’t been opened in twelve years and mugs of hot chocolate with shots of spiced rum (made with water rather than milk).

It’s obvious Helena’s trying, so she does too, but it’s not until her girlfriend literally throws a string of tinsel at the tree that she really steps in. “What are you doing? You’re meant to hang it!” She snatches it from the branches and rearrnages it so it rests neatly in a circle all the way to the back of the tree.

Without looking she knows Helena is rolling her eyes behind her, but she thinks maybe this was a lot more deliberate than she’ll admit.

Even with all the baubles the box has to offer on the tree, it still looks bare. “Is this all you have?”

“Yes, dear it’s all I have. I wasn’t expecting guests.” But then her eyes flash like she’s just discovered the secret to time travel. “I have some candles in the kitchen.”

Myka frowns. “I suppose we could light some…”

“For the tree.”

“You want to dangle an open flame from a pine branch?”

Helena crosses her arms, defensive. “I’ve seen it in films.”

“In cartoons, Hels. Do you want to burn the apartment down?”

“All right. It was merely a suggestion.”

“I’m never leaving you alone again. You’re worse than Pete.”

“Please do not compare me to that imbecile-”

For a moment, it’s enough for her to forget why she’s even there. It’s enough to make her smile in the face of Helena’s glare. “What?” she demands, but Myka just bites down on her lip and shakes her head. There’s a warmth glowing in her chest, like there’s one of Helena’s candles where her heart should be.

Then- she’s not sure who steps towards whom- they’re kissing hungrily and desperately, like they can find all that they’re missing in each other. For more than a moment she thinks maybe they can. They only stop when the buzz of Myka’s cell makes them jump and spring apart like they’ve been caught on the front porch.

Helena sighs. “Is that Peter, again?” It is. Another selfie- Steve and Artie have been dragged into this one, the latter looking very much like he would rather be anywhere else. Claudia has her arm thrown around his shoulders, her hand coming up behind his head in a ‘V’ gesture. Pete is doing the same to her.

Myka smiles, finally feeling like maybe she could sleep after all. Helena slides a hand through hers and tugs her closer. She rests her head against her shoulder and closes her eyes. When she opens them again, there’s fresh snow falling outside the window so the entire world looks strange and new. “It’s Christmas,” she mumbles as if she’s only just noticed.

She feels Helena press a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s no one alive I would rather spend it with, even if the circumstances are a little less than ideal.” Myka squeezes her hand, gently, saying everything she can’t find the words for.

When Helena’s lips find hers again, they’re softer and kinder. They make it to the bedroom at last, and Myka lets her peel her clothes away without flicking off the lights or dropping her eyes so she doesn’t have to see. Even before they crawl under the sheets she is finally and completely warm.

A banging noise is coming from somewhere outside of her dream, tugging her out before she’s ready. Myka groans and buries her face in Helena’s hair, but it doesn’t go away. It gets louder and more insistent, like it knows she’s ignoring it. “I wonder who that could be,” says her girlfriend, dryly.

Frowning, Myka lifts her head. “Did you invite someone?”

Helena gives her the smile that’s reserved only for her. “Why don’t you go and find out?”

Still half asleep, Myka rolls out of bed and pulls on her sweater and the first pair of pants she touches. Her girlfriend trails behind her, her own sweater brushing halfway down her thighs. She doesn't bother with anything else.

Finally, Myka tugs open the front door and what looks like half the state spills inside. Pete, holding something huge wrapped in tinfoil- Claudia with three tupperware boxes stacked together, Steve with a giant pudding and Leena with more tinfoil wrapped plates. Finally there’s Artie- their boss and Claudia’s favourite person to torment- sporting a Santa hat and a sack that looks suspiciously of gifts. “Ho, ho, ho,” he grumbles.

Pete is the first to hug her, dumping his own parcel so her can wrap both of his arms around her waist and lift her right off the ground. “Happy Christmas, Myks!” He spins her around and drops her back on the floor while Helena allows herself to be hugged by Claudia and Artie dumps his sack of presents in right there in the hall.

Leena’s next, then Steve and Claudia, before Helena’s arm loops around her waist and she leans back against her. She’s smiling wider than she ever would have done if she had stayed at her parents’. “What are you all doing here?”

“Helena text us,” Claudia offers. “She said there had been a change of plan and we had to get over here today without asking any questions and bring all the food we had. Oh, and these!” she holds up a bag spilling over with tinsel and baubles. “Something about not setting the tree on fire?”

#bering and wells #bering and wells gift exchange 2019 #warehouse 13 #my fic

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sunnydaleherald · 5 years ago

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, April 9

FRED: Still no interaction? SPIKE: Not a twinge. Can't spirit the knickknacks about. Can't willie the locals. Bloody sad ghost I turned out. FRED: I've told you before you're not a ghost. SPIKE: Chipper. Give us a hug. (holds out his arms) FRED: You know what I mean. You're more than a common spectral disturbance. I've never seen anything like you. (scans Spike) SPIKE: Bet you say that to all the spirits.

~~Hellbound~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Ice Burn (Connor/Gwen Raiden, E) by Cornerofmadness

[Chaptered Fiction]

When I Met You Chapter 1 (crossover with Peaky Blinders, Dawn/Tommy Shelby, M) by running_out

The Burbank Station Chapter 37 (crossover with Chuck, Buffy, Dawn, Faith, Xander, Willow, T) by Starfox5

Chaos continued Chapter 89 (Giles/Ethan, T) by Jaspergirl

Family Confidential Episode II: Attack Of The Hormones Chapter 18 (Tara/Willow, T) by Laragh

Far from Home Chapter 7 (Angel/Buffy, ensemble, M) by aboutafox

The Ghost in the Team Chapter 1-54 (crossover with Stargata SG-1, Spike/Vala Mal Doran, T) by Marcus_S_Lazarus. COMPLETE!

The Old One Chapter 1-21 (crossover with Stargate, Spike/Vala Mal Doran, Fred/Wesley, T) by Marcus_S_Lazarus. COMPLETE!

The One Eyed Man. Chapter 3 (Xander, T) by steeleye

The Red Witch Chapter 24 (Willow/Tara, Willow/Faith, Willow/OC, M) by Emerald_Demona

Seven Fires Chapter 1-2 (Buffy, not rated - worksafe) by queenoftheslayers

Take A Hint Chapter 11 (Tara/Willow, G) by GoldenWaffles

Transition Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, M) by EllieRose101

Never Is A Promise Chapter 1 (Buffy/Angel, Lindsey, T) by butimbroken

Xander Harris and the Eye of Ra Chapter 2 (Spike/Buffy, Xander, PG) by SlayrGrl

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[I, Robot... You, Jane: a really good Buffy episode?] discussed by multiple people

Rank the Season 6 Episodes (cont'd) by littlemisscooby

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1 Recap by Tay Reacts

Episode 52: BtVS 3x15 Consequences by Return to the Hellmouth

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[Community Announcements]

A Buffy Quiz will be hosted on Instagram Live by \@danieldamnsure on Wednesday, April 15th

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[Fandom Discussions]

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#btvs #buffy the vampire slayer #angel the series

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rogers-metaphor · 6 years ago

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Lessons in Falling in Love: Chapter Six

Permanent warning/disclaimer: this will be a story that contains smut, will have cursing, and other themes like these. So, if you’re under the age of 18, please skip this story. Also, everything in this story is completely fictional and not based on real life!!!!!!!! It’s for dramatic and entertainment purposes only.

A/N: Thank you to everyone that has read, commented, reblogged, or liked my story. This one is a labor of love and i appreciate every single one of you. This story is at about 13 chapters finished right now, so we’ve got a ways to go. Seven will probably be posted sometime this weekend. Let me know what you think! and feel free to come to my inbox with any questions, comments, or concerns for the story. or to come say hi! xoxoxoxo

previous chapters: One, Two, Three , Four, Five,

my masterlist

The next morning was different for Selene. She woke up next to Joe, while he laid sleeping. His pretty long eyelashes pressed to his cheeks, his head still nuzzled into her. He seemed more worried than she did about their entire situation. She sighed, even though she was worried she was also content. She carefully climbed over him, and watched as he rolled into the warm spot she left, but stayed asleep. It had been an exhausting night, and had it not been for their accident, she probably would have still been in bed next to him.

She made her way to the living room area where Nova sat on the counter beside a shirtless Gwil. She had a plate of eggs on her plate, and some toast. Nova raised her brows, a smirk grazing her lips as her friend walked in with her arms folded. The cold air-conditioned air was freezing compared to sleeping beside the space-heater-human, Joe.

“Someone’s up early.” Nova looked at her, quizzically. “That’s, odd.”

“Especially concerning the noises coming from your room all night.” Gwil quickly added, like a sprinkle of salt into his eggs. Nova nudged him, watching her friend blush and cover her face. “Thought someone was being murdered.”

“Sorry.” Selene half-laughed. “Nov, can we get coffee in town? Maybe they have a starbucks.” Nova hopped down without hesitation.

“Absolutely.” she said.

After whispering to Joe that she’d be back, Selene grabbed a t-shirt and headed for the journey to the small town. As they walked Nova could already sense that there was something going on.

“Spill.” she pushed. It didn’t take much. Selene was Nova’s best friend. It never scared her to tell her everything. So she did.

“So that’s why I need to go to the store and get the morning after pill.” Selene sighed, her hands falling to her sides as they began to make their way across the bridge. People rode their bikes and walked their dogs all around them. Coming to the camp from town and vice versa. Everyone taking in the sunny day.

“How are you feeling about it?” Nova asks.

“I’m fine. There’s an option. So i’m fine.”

“And Joe?” Nova asks.

“He felt terrible.” Selene shrugs. “Seemed more panicked than I did.”

“Are you guys together, yet?”

Selene sighed, because they hadn’t talked about that. They’ve been entangled for the past weeks, getting closer every day. They seen each other almost everyday and talked every day. It seemed that that was exactly where they were heading, but Selene had her doubts. She was nervous maybe they weren’t. Once again, she forgot he was her professor.

She didn’t have the answer for Nova so she changed the subject, as she always did when she didn’t want to think about things. Instead she looked at the scenery, complained about the humid day they were left with after the big storm. Then she made her way through the small pharmacy and asked for the pill.

She took it with her coffee before heading back to the guys at the cabin.

When the two girls made it back, they found the guys sitting in two chairs sunglasses on feet up. They looked relaxed, and Joe popped up from his chair to greet Selene. His arms wrapping around her. She liked this. It felt like something a boyfriend would do.

They spent the whole day doing things boyfriends and girlfriends did. Holding hands, walking through the trails. Going swimming. With Gwil and Nova in tow. Sharing chaste kisses in between it all. The four were happy and getting along. It just felt meant to be. Gwil grilled for dinner again, then they decided to drink some alcohol.

They all sat together, happily buzzed around the fire, after the sun went down. Selene pointing out the sky littered with stars, and her favorite part a clear and full moon. She marveled at it, gushing about how beautiful it looked. About how it’s the same moon that the pyramids were built under. The same moon that every person in history stood below. It didn’t matter what phase, she loved looking up at it.

Eventually Nova sat on Gwil’s lap, her head finding his chest, and then they kissed. They earned drunk claps from Joe and Selene that cheered them on, as if it was their first kiss. Selene loved seeing this, her best friend was happy with Gwil. They were so clearly in love and it made her heart soar to see.

They laughed, and made their way inside, leaving Joe and Selene by the fire.

“C’mere.” Joe beckoned for her, his hands reaching out as she hesitated but moved to sit on his lap. “I’m having a blast.” he murmured. “I haven’t had this much fun in so long.”

“I’m glad.” Selene sighed happily, her head resting on his chest. “I like this. Being here, with you and Nova and Gwil. We’ve barely touched our phones.”

“I like this too.” he pulled her into him. They sat in comfortable silence, just taking in the fire beginning to dim, the sounds of the forest prominent in the night. It was a beautiful night. Selene found herself looking back up at the sky. The stars. Then at Joe.

“What happens when we go back?” she asks. He knits his brows, and pouts out his lips. He was thinking. “Is it too soon to ask that?” she says quietly, his eyes focusing on her. He shrugs.

“I like you, Selene.” he says, and she feels her body burn. “I’m scared of this.” she tenses as he says those words. “I just want us to be careful.” She nods, her eyes looking past him. She could live with that answer, for the time being.

…

September:

By the time Joe’s birthday rolled around, Selene was still unsure of what they were. They spent any moment in private together. Sometimes with Gwil and Nova. He made sure that she got coffee every morning, and made sure she studied for every test and quiz. He’d drive an hour away to take her to dinner. She couldn’t stop smiling and laughing when she was with him. He never called her his girlfriend, she never called him her boyfriend. Selene wasn’t sure if that’s what he wanted. Maybe he didn’t.

She tried to brush it off. He seemed at least content with her. She could live with that.

He seemed to want to be around her when he wasn’t working. She just wondered if he got the same butterflies she did. Or if after they kissed he got lightheaded. She didn’t think any man would ever feel that way about her, but she had a brief moment of thinking Joe might.

Unfortunately, Joe had a conference he had to be at for work on his birthday. Though he was upset, she promised she’d make it up to him when he got back. Then, she came up with a better plan.

She nervously lied to the front desk, for the night she was Mrs. Mazzello. She got to his room, and quickly decorated with balloons and confetti and a small cake. She bought lacy black lingerie which she hid under a black robe. She waited for him to get back to his room, anxiously pacing. What if he didn’t want her there? She wondered, and when his door to the room opened, Joe looked bummed out.

Until he laid eyes on Selene.

His face lit up, as she stood with the cake in her hands, pushing it toward him.

“Happy Birthday.” she smiled, the cake in her hands she pushed it toward him.

“Lovely surprise.” he hummed, grabbing the cake from her hands, holding it above them as he pulled her in for a kiss. It was needy and long and he was very happy to see her. “Miserably boring, birthday.” he sighed his forehead pressing against hers, “But you’re here now.”

She giggled managing her way out of his arms and to the side of the bed. He sat against the headboard and watched as she grabbed a bottle of champagne she brought and popped it open filling two glasses for the two of them. She loved being with him at the end of their day.

“How was your day?” she’d ask, she wanted details. She loved to hear him talk. He liked to talk, so he went on about how miserable it was and how he hopes he never drones on the way these people do. All while she sliced his cake and served it to him. “And now?” she asks as he takes a bite of cake, groaning his head tilting back.

“So much better.” he sighed, a smile across his lips.

“Good.” she hummed, happy to hear.

“And your day?” he asked.

“Boring.” she brushed it off as she finally took a seat next to him, her cheek resting against his shoulder. He offered her a piece of cake from his fork, but she shook her head. “You know I don’t like cake.”

“But sometimes you do.” he shrugs.

“I have to be in the mood.” She explains.

“You like ice cream cake.” he states.

“That’s because it’s ice cream.” she giggles, and he nods with a grin.

“I’m really happy you’re here.” he sighs, “No one’s ever really done something like this for my birthday.” he explains. “Especially not while I was away.” She beamed up at him, wrapping her arm tighter around his arm, receiving a sweet cake kiss from him.

“I just wanted to make you happy.” she says.

“You make me happy.” he confirms, and she feels her heartbeat pick up. Her stomach swarms with butterflies, as he grins down at her. His lips move in to kiss her again, and it’s sweet and soft. She loved the feeling of his lips, soft and usually gentle. Until they trailed down her neck, replaced by teeth. She hummed.

“Here’s your other gift.” she giggled, moving a bit away from him. She pulled at the belt that kept her robe together, and revealed her lacy lingerie. His smile spreading across his face again, his eyes dropping down her body. She was usually self conscious, but this made her confidence boost. He swallowed hard, moving to her, resting between her thighs, kissing her again. Her hand grazed the side of his face, deepening the kiss, kissing him harder.

“My favorite gift, is you.” his breathing is heavy against her lips, his nose nudging her as he kisses her again.

This time his hands wander, down her chin and neck, over her breasts and down her hips. His teeth grabbed onto her bottom lip, tugging as she whimpered at his fingers dancing across the fabric of her lingerie. “So beautiful.” he licks at her bottom lip, and drops to her neck licking, sucking, biting. She moans, her hands gripping his hair tightly, and her nails trailing across his scalp.

“It’s your birthday, I wanna make you feel good.” she said through a shaky breath. He hummed, pulling away. His greedy eyes looked at her, and he slowly moved off her, his hands out for her to come back to him.

“Come here, and sit on my lap.” he demands, and without hesitation she moves over to him, missing his touch. “Good girl.” he coos. His eyes grow darker now intense with his pupils blown. His fingers trailing up her chin. His thumb ghosts over her bottom lip, and she opens her mouth, letting him stick his finger into it. She sucked on them, playfully a devilish smile grazing her lips as she moaned against his fingers. “You like it when I treat you like a little slut?” he asks, and waits for a response. She could feel herself grow wet down below, and moaned again, sucking off his fingers and nodding. “Good.” he bit his bottom lip. “Now make me feel good.” he demands.

Joe was the best lay she’d ever have. With other guys it was boring. She learned that she liked to be bossed around in bed. Dominated but gently. Even though he’d always ask her before he did something new or different. He never pushed further than she liked, he could read her body language like it was his first language. He was perfect to her in every way, respectful even while calling her “dirty slut”. She liked when he’d praise her, and roughly fuck her like she was some random girl he’d never see again. Because after, Joe was still the sweetest man she’d ever been with. He would ask her a million times over if she was okay. He would caress her and kiss her sweetly and tell her how beautiful she was. He would run a bath for her and comfort her. Then they would talk about anything and everything. From serious conversation to conspiracy theories and all of the in between and around.

She kissed down his neck, unbuttoning his shirt along a trail of kisses left by her lips. She could feel he was already hard and smiled up at him. She loved that she had the power to do that, her hand gently ran over his erection pressed hard against his trousers. He quickly moved to remove them, and as he sat back again, she was already kitten-licking the tip of his cock. Lapping up pre cum that began to spill over. She hummed as she sucked on the top of him, and he held on tightly to bed sheets beside him, struggling to keep himself composed.

“Stop teasing.” he groans, and her eyes trail up to him as she begins to suck him into her mouth, hollowing her cheeks and using her tongue to guide him back. He was already unraveling beneath her. It turned her on to see him flush red, his eyes fluttering shut as she worked him with her mouth. She moaned with him down her throat, and he bucked his hips at the sensation. The vibration in sync with his pleasure beginning to build. “Such a good girl.” he moans, “pretty little mouth. Let me see those eyes.” immediately her eyes find his, and his hand find her hair. They tangle together as she sucks completely off him. She took a breath as she stroked him with her hands, watching as he squirmed at her touch, whimpering curses.

“Needy, man.” she taunts, watching him tense up. His bottom lip quivered and his breathing was rapid. She brought her lips back around him, sucking him back into her throat bobbing her head and letting him as far back as she could take him. She bobbed on him again, and he groaned loudly, thrusting up into her mouth. She gagged and pulled off him. Her breathing heavy.

“I don’t wanna cum yet.” he rasps, “C’mere.” he yearns for her, “Ride me.” he whimpers, at the loss of contact. She nods, quickly removing her underwear but leaving her bra on. “Fuck.” he huffs.

“What?” she ask, quickly moving up to him.

“I-I didn’t bring anything because I didn’t think you’d be here.” he sighs, his breathing still rapid. He looked like he was desperate.

“I guess your last surprise is I started birth control… right after our incident…” she smirked and he smiled, his arms reaching for her and she leaned in and kissed him. Slowly climbing on top of him, and slowly sinking onto his already wet cock. She moaned, as he filled her and sat still for a moment, taking in the feeling of bare Joe, filling her up.

“D-Don’t move yet.” he groans, “I like feeling you around me.” She whimpered, her forehead dropping against his. His fingers slowly trailed up her back, stopping at the nape of her neck, making her shiver and whimper. Her lips find his. His grip growing tightly, he moaned into her mouth. “Feels so good.” he says through gritted teeth, “fuck.” he moans, his jaw falling open. He swallowed hard, and she gasped. “Okay, move for me.” he says. One of his hands, gripping her hips he shifts her forward, and she slowly grinds her hips. His cock is already deep, hitting her spot as she moans out again, her head falling back into his other hand.

She is already whimpering as she bounces slowly up and down on him. Their breathing is rapid and uneven, and Joe kisses against her bottom lip, before his lips trail down her neck and his teeth sink into her again. He loved to leave his marks on her and she began to love it. “Such a perfect girl.” he groans, his hand gripping her tighter, “Love the way you feel. Love the way you taste.” he shutters, growing closer to his orgasm. He holds her tighter toward him, chest to chest as he starts to thrust up into her. She’s slowing mostly from her legs beginning to turn to jelly, he can feel she’s losing speed, but he needs more. “I’m going to fuck you now.” he smirks, and she nods as he pushes her back onto the bed. He barely leaves her before he’s thrusting into her, rough and desperate. He growls and moans, his teeth gritting together as he could feel her tightening around him.

“Fuck.” She moans, his hand coming up gently around her throat, her favorite. She whimpers as he gets closer. She can feel him twitch, as his moans grow higher, and unintelligible. “Cum for me.” she whines, “cum for me.” It’s enough to push him over the edge, and he cums grunting curses into her neck, it’s enough to get her off. Her legs shake as she holds him close to her, his forehead resting on hers.

“That was.” he breaths. “I need more of that.” he chuckles, and she laughs kissing him again.

“I’m yours all night.” she hums.

After a few rounds, she laid beside him, skin on skin. Her eyes stayed closed but she was awake. His hand ran down her back, both of them were exhausted but happy. He gently kissed her shoulder, and she cuddled into him further, though she rolled to face away from him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his chest to her back. He took in her scent and closed his eyes.

“Thank you, again.” he murmured. “I don’t deserve you.”

“What do you mean?” she scoffs.

“I-I don’t deserve you.” he repeats.

“Why do you say that?” she asks and he’s silent. The mood shifted. She could feel there was something wrong. “Joe?” she asked, “What’s wrong?” her stomach turned, it didn’t feel right.

“Nothing. Nothing.” he sighed. She knew it wasn’t ‘nothing’, but Joe still held her close. He tightened his grip, but felt so far away. She hesitated.

“You can talk to me… about anything. You can tell me anything.” she turns to him again, and her fingers gently trail up his chin.

“I-I know.” he says, he takes her hand in his and kisses her knuckles. She wished it made her feel alright but it didn’t. She sighed turning away from him pushing herself toward the edge of the bed. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing.” she sighed.

Silence.

“What’s going on in that head of yours he asks and reaches for her. Though she tenses at his touch, she lets him pull her into him, her eyes looking off into the darkness. “Talk to me.”

“You don’t talk to me.” she retorts, anger building.

“Fine.” he sighs, backing away from her. She felt cold, without being close to him, but she was stubborn.

They didn’t talk for the rest of the night.

In the morning it was the same. Cold silence. She even left without a word more. She felt tears dripping down her cheeks before she could even realize she was crying. She figured it was over between her and Joe. Without any further words, she wasn’t expecting to hear from him. She knew she’d have to see him in class but for now she would be fine. Upset and hurt, but fine.

When she got home she snuck into her room to avoid talking about her Saturday. She showered and changed into something comfortable, and settled into her bed. She opened her laptop and remembered she had a paper due, and started typing it up. Somewhere along the line she fell asleep.

She woke up to the sound of someone entering her room, and slowly opened her eyes to see who was there. Joe stood with a sullen face, closing the door behind him. It was a surprise, and she just looked at him and watched as he moved over to the bed.

“You just left.” he stated, and she rolled her eyes. “What did I do?” he asks.

“Nothing.” she says flatly. He scoffs and rolls his eyes.

“We aren’t going to work if you’re going to act like a child.” he says.

“I’m acting like a child!?” she sits up. “You’re the one who won’t talk to me.” she argues. “This is so stupid.” she folds her arms over her chest, looking away from him.

“Last night was amazing.” he groans, sitting beside her. “I told you, before. This scares me.”

“If you’re so unsure of us… this… whatever it is. Then we can go our separate ways.” she snaps.

“Is that what you want?” he asks, his voice is low.

“No.” she snaps again. “Is that what you want?”

“Would I be here if I didn’t want you?” he asks, and she ponders his question. Could it be a trap? She was unsure. “Answer me.” he demands.

“I don’t know.” she groans, pushing her back against the wall. “I don’t know what you want.”

“You’re ridiculous.” he half-chuckles. She rolls her eyes again. “I tell you, last night, that my favorite gift is you… and you’re telling me, you don’t know what I want?”

Silence. She takes in his words.

“I come here, there moment i’m back in town to talk to you, and you don’t know what I want?” he asks again. She lets out a soft sigh, and her stark composure falters. “Since you can’t take those very subtle hints,” his sarcasm is clear and she knits her brows, her head falling to the side as she looks at him. “I want you, Selene. It drives me crazy how much I want you. I’ve known you for such a short amount of time, and yet I feel like we’ve been friends forever. I think about you constantly. I can’t find anything I don’t like about you. This is me, telling you. I want you.” she softens at each word, her eyes glossing over as he speaks stern, sincere. “And if we’re going to be together. I’m going to need you to talk to me about how you’re feeling.”

“I-“ she starts, but stops herself. She hadn’t thought about what words were to follow, she sighed. “I’m not used to this.” she admits.

“Not used to what?” he asks, his hands looking down to her hands that are now fidgeting.

“I don’t know… whatever this is.” she sighed. “I’m not used to guys caring enough to come after me.” she shrugs.

“Get used to it.” he nudged her lightly, “because I want to be with you. I want you to be able to talk to me no matter what.” he moves in to kiss her. “I will always come after you, when you need me to.”

“I hope you had a good time last night before I ruined it.” she says, her lips only inches away from his.

“You didn’t ruin anything.” he hums, “You made my birthday special and perfect.” he grins.

A sigh of relief. She wasn’t losing Joe just yet.

A few hours later, while Selene and Joe sat across from Gwilym and Nova, all playing an intense game of scrabble. Selene made the last winning word, and that’s when Joe confirmed, with pride in his voice. “That’s my girlfriend!”

The word was so simple, but it made Selene’s body heat and her head swirl and she couldn’t wait to get him alone so she could really kiss him. Like a girlfriend would.

#joe mazzello #joe mazzello fanfic #joe mazzello smut #joe mazzello hc #joe mazzello x reader #joe mazzello x oc

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that-was-anticlimactic · 6 years ago

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the REAL wat element are U quiz

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ySAvz634Lo62zwyKg5WYCqbCp3T7xnsggNXN_3oEip4/edit

Have you ever wondered what element you are?? Darkness? Time? Air? Earth? Ice? Fire? Water? Light? Well guys, you’re in luck!

Lol so I’m the class that I cosplayed as Earth for, we make literary magazine with writing and art by people in the school and the theme is elements and so I made a buzzfeed type quiz for the magazine. I was talking to friends in the class yesterday and they told me they were scared I was going to make it a really cringey quiz... then we spent an hour making like the worst quiz we could and it is SO FUNNY!!! So, if anyone wants to know what element they are... take this terrible quiz and find out!! It’s all a joke, and it’s kind of obvious what answer everything is but... isn’t that the point of a terrible quiz? Plus the last three questions omr! But uhh, if anyone does take it. There is a thing where it says NAME because we made it on a google form and it doesn’t tell you what you got so if you leave your user I can let you know, OR all the answers are in the order Darkness, Time, Air, Earth, Ice, Fire, Water, and Light. Like each option so you can calculate yourself!... it’s supposed to be really bad guys haha! Writing ‘u’ and ‘ur’ hurt so much... I hate that...

Anyways if you do take it, lemme know what you got or how you liked it😂 I just thought this would be a fun thing to share! (Yes some stuff on the legit thing was based in Ninjago...)

#this is a joke quiz #but it is funny #i make myself laugh #what element are you

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lacquerware · 7 years ago

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Mega Man should stop presenting its flaws as indispensable features

When I was fifteen, I learned to play the song Malagueña on the piano. It was a laborious project; the culmination of nine years of piano lessons under the tutelage of Mrs. Diane Miller, and the main event for her upcoming student showcase.

This arrangement of the piece was a seven-pager, and somewhere around page four was a problem phrase I kept playing wrong, a rapid two-handed run up the keyboard with tricky fingering. I got to a point where I could play flawlessly up to that phrase, only to flub the phrase every time. Each time I flubbed it, my teacher would stop me and send me back to page 2. “You have to perfect that phrase,” she would say, “so try it again, but first play the preceding two pages, so it’s no longer fresh in your mind by the time you get to it again.” Alas, this would result in more flubs, and after three flubs in a row she would send me back to the beginning of the entire piece. “You’re still not getting it,” she’d say. “So I think we should run through the stuff you’ve already mastered one more time.” I would glance at her, trying to read her intent, and she would stare back at me, bug-eyed and malevolent.

The above story is false,because Mrs. Miller was a kind, intelligent, and non-insane person. Like all people of that description, she understood that you don’t work out a problem area by indiscriminately repeating ALL PRACTICE. When you get one problem wrong on a math quiz, you don’t review the entire textbook. You don’t work on your free throws by drilling layups and then also free throws. You can’t learn to poach an egg by toasting English fucking muffins all day. To suggest otherwise is an act of hostility.

Mega Manhas always carried this hostility. The game dishes out its challenges in neat little screen-sized units, but penalizes your failures with gratuitous setbacks, often requiring you to replay entire stages from the beginning. This makes learning inordinately tedious. You have to retread every yard for every yard gained.

I guess this is a relic of the arcade age, when games were designed with the express intent of punishing players—unless they paid up. Indeed, most of Mega Man’s NES contemporaries inherited this same feature in the form of finite lives and scarce checkpoints, but it never made much sense on home consoles. You could argue that it prolonged the lifespan of each game, but that only held true for the masochists who continued to tolerate this torturous system rather than reallocate all that wasted time to more fruitful pursuits like, I dunno, learning to play piano or poach an egg.

I’ve always liked Mega Man, but it was already starting to feel like a tired concept as early as Mega Man IV. I was about eight years old by then, and starting to catch on that they were running out of boss motifs. Pharaoh Man felt like a red flag.

Mega Man has since proliferated into a multi-faceted franchise spanning more than 120 titles and three decades (and for the record, I’ve played through almost all of them), but it’s never really dispensed with its ancient baggage. Mega Man X brought new visual flare while diversifying the core action; Mega Man Zero imbued the series canon with new consequence and cool factor; Mega Man ZX fused the classic gameplay with the Metroidvania template; but all of these spin-offs continued to punish, punish, punish, to gatekeep their content from the series’ own consumers to no certain end.

When Capcom revealed Mega Man 9, I was momentarily taken with the nostalgia of it, but quickly lost interest when I realized that Capcom had no intent of evolving the series’ concepts, even in basic quality-of-life ways. Lives and weapon energy were still pointlessly commodified, checkpoints sadistically scarce. They’d even removed what few innovations the series had seen to date, such as the slide and the charge shot. Nor did the roster of Robot Masters appear any more inspired than the cast of rejects that had turned me off five installments prior. Capcom had had seventeen years to think about it and all they’d come up with were lame analogs of pastbosses, like Tornado Man and Magma Man. It’s like they thought they hadto retread the same shit beat for beat or people would get confused. Even their ace, Splash Woman, was just another in a long line of water-themed bosses.

Mega Man 10 as a follow-up was downright depressing. Strike Man, Pump Man, and Chill Man are what you get when you realize yesterday was the deadline and all you’ve got is a pen and a cocktail napkin. I can’t fathom that a bunch of game designers sat around brainstorming ideas for Mega Man fucking 10 and someone was like, “Hmm, what about an ice-themed boss.”

Now we have Mega Man 11, the long-awaited, belligerently-demanded revival of the MM franchise after some eight years of dormancy. After playing the demo, I find myself wondering why. Why are we here? Why is Mega Man 11 Capcom’s answer after saying no to Mega Man for eight years? It’s the SAME.

Yes, it looks and sounds nicer and there’re a couple new mechanics—which are themselves comically uninspired takes on the ancient tropes of bullet time* and Devil Trigger—but I’m mystified at how unchanged the formula still is after eight years of seemingly adamant dismissal of the entire franchise, let alone the thirty-one years they could’ve been critically examining it. Do they realize that other developers have been building on this genre since the eighties?

*Weird side note: The tutorial for Mega Man’s new “Speed Gear” ability explains that the gear makes you “move so fast that everything else seems slow,” but in practice Mega Man moves just as slowly as everything else. So it’s not Mega Man who’s moving fast, it’s. . . the player?

Punishment as “Difficulty”

In the Block Man (lol) stage of the demo, there’s a section where you have to jump and slide through elaborate platforms as they scroll toward you, an insta-kill grinding device nipping at your heels all the while. The third platform has very peculiar collision detection, such that your head bonks against the empty space you’re supposed to jump through, seemingly rendering the challenge impossible. This is several screens into the stage but still prior to the first checkpoint (on Normal mode), so every time this platform killed me, I had to start the entire stage over. After about fifteen tries, I discovered that the collision doesn’t trigger if you’re holding left as you make the jump—an illogical thing to do unless you’ve died so many times you’ve run out of other ideas. By the time I cracked this idiosyncrasy, I’d already spent close to an hour replaying the preceding screens over and over for no reason. Why is this still a thing? This is punishment, not difficulty. It contributes to the challenge only in that it makes the experience less fun, “challenging” your resolve to continue playing. Think of all the origami you could be learning. All the old ladies you could be helping cross streets.

The Mega Man games are quite clever in the way they parse out the platforming and shooting in little bite-sized units. Each screen is essentially an action puzzle for you to solve. It would be so logical for each screen break to be a checkpoint, because each screen break isa checkpoint—the start of the next challenge. Games like Super Meat Boy do this, meting (meating?) out their challenges in bite-sized, infinitely repeatable increments. Nobody accuses Super Meat Boy of being too easy because it doesn’t make you repeat the shit you’ve already completed when you fail at the current task. If you wantthat kind of punishment, no one’s stopping you from resetting the game.

Mega Man 11 adds a “Casual” mode which increases the number of checkpoints, but it’s still annoying to me that the more punishing model is treated as the norm while the more logical distribution of checkpoints is treated as a concession. Soulsplayers will tell me to “git gud,” but that’s why I led with the piano analogy. I got damn good at Malagueña, and I still had time left over to do my homework and play video games.

Special Weapons

Using your Special Weapons in Mega Man games is like spending the money you might need to pay rent on stuff you could be getting for free through your well-connected friend Dave. The trial-and-error pairing of the right weapon and the right boss is such an integral part of Mega Man’s progression that any other use of anyspecial weapon becomes a high-risk gamble—unless, of course, you just Google the answers.

I understand the need to impose limits on the more powerful weapons, but games have figured out countless better ways to do this in the thirty-one years since Mega Man 1. Cool-down times. Cool-down meters. Recovery proportional to damage inflicted. Recovery proportional to damage received. Recovery by way of skillful attack, à laMetal Gear Rising. Enemy fire absorption à la Alien Soldier and Radiant Silvergun. Ranger X on the Sega Genesis had solar-powered special weapons; why not steal that idea for this game’s allegedly solar-powered protagonist?

Instead, even in its eleventh installment in two-thousand-goddamn-eighteen, Mega Man still employs an RNG-based item drop system. Replenishing your meter is as simple and menial as finding an enemy spawn point and brainlessly standing and shooting until an enemy happens to drop the energy you need. Don’t forget to cycle over to the gun you want to replenish, or else the battery is wasted, as if Mega Man just eats it by mistake.*

*Later games in the series introduced the Energy Balancer, a purchasable item which automatically refills the weapon that needs refilling even if you don’t have it selected. Why is that a thing you have to buy? Why put a fundamental improvement to the game behind a paywall, virtual or otherwise?

Meanwhile, MM11still employs the same bizarre meter continuity between deaths as past installments. Each death means repeating sections of the stage without reacquiring any previously spent meter, effectively creating a difficulty vortex—the harder this game is, the harder it gets. There was a ruthlessly capitalistic logic to this in the arcade days,but the Mega Man series has never been coin-operated (with a few obscure exceptions). It hasnevermade sense that, often, the best strategy is to voluntarily leap to your death over and over to force a Game Over, just to restart with a full weapon meter as an alternative to the tedium of refilling it manually or facing the boss without it. What is the explanation for this meter continuity in the first place? Are we supposed to think Mega Man is repeatedly exploding and materializing but he can’t materialize a few extra shots from his bubble gun while he’s at it? There’s a multi-faceted idiocy to this whole system.

Rush

Capcom ought to take a long, hard look at Rush, Mega Man’s transforming robot dog companion. It’s hard to believe the same guy who invented a fully autonomous solar-powered robot boy couldn’t design a dog-shaped spring that runs on renewable energy. Special weapons are one thing, but why does Rush have an exhaustible meter? He’s a fucking spring. It makes no sense as a narrative detail nor as an element of game design. What exactly are the designers trying to limit? Your ability to spam high jumps? The logistics of the Rush Coil already do that; you have to set him up like a lawn ornament and he peaces out after a single bound. He’s unspammable, even with a full bar. To begin with, there are rarely that many useful opportunities to use the Rush Coil within a single stage, and energy power-ups are infinite as long as you’re willing to endure the chore of finding them, so it’s not as though the game is challenging you to budget your resources—it’s just discouraging you from searching for those meaningful jump opportunities in the first place. It’s driving you to Google.

Bosses

The Robot Masters have always received special star treatment in the Mega Man games but rarely been very interesting as boss fights. You know the deal: dodge the dizzying hail of projectiles in an empty square room while desperately scrambling to land enough hits with the weakness weapon before you die. Considering all the fanfare these bosses get (mug shot, intro screen, and now reveal trailers), most of them feel kind of interchangeable. Most of them have nearly identical silhouettes and shoot functionally redundant projectiles in superficially different shapes. Every gun is a Lucky Charms marshmallow.

The boss fights actually do seem a little more interesting in Mega Man 11—Block Man in particular stands out with his mid-fight transformation into a hulking colossus. I’d hoped to see more of this in future Mega Mans—fights that evolve and really set each Robot Master apart as a distinct embodiment of its corresponding motif—so maybe they’re onto something this time. Still, it’s a little ridiculous that this game has yet another fire boss, electricity boss, cold boss, and bomb boss. Why are we still here?

Before the mob comes for me, I want to stress that there’s always been lots to love about Mega Man, and I’m glad Capcom is investing in the IP again. I just hope this is the start of a long-term effort to reevaluate and improve the series, not another short-sighted extension of a tired status quo.

#mega man 11 #mm11 #capcom #games #video games #videogames #gaming #reflections #demo #games writing #criticism #rant

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