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fullmetaldevil-blog · 6 years

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Batim Stitched AU CH. 5

Well here we are with ch. 5 (finally). Though there are some points that are slightly disturbing but not excessively graphic (PG 13 mostly)

like previous chapters as I’m able I’ll be incorporating artworks into the story.

On with the Show~

A Dancing Demon and A Distraught Devil

Tom slowly rose from his bed quietly groaning with each movement, his body protesting the stress he has been subjected to. He glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping figure next to him and a faint smile graced his features. He slowly and carefully extended a hand and brushed away a few stray strands of hair from Allison's sleeping face. Tom wanted nothing more then to give his wife a great big hug shouting and cheering, but he wouldn't celebrate until the ink machine was running and Joey wasn't breathing down his throat anymore. he quietly got dressed grunting and groaning the entire time, his body had enough of him beating it into the ground and wanted rest. He silently chanted a mental mantra 'just a few more hours', just a few more hours', he would have to survive a few more hours then he would be able to catch up on all the sleep he could ever want. Tom grabbed his work coat and car keys and headed out the door, he figured he could grab a quick 5¢ burger and penny coffee for breakfast. Again. He quietly longed for Allison's early morning breakfasts where he would be graced with anything from warm pancakes to sausages and hash browns. The little mantra resurfaced in his mind while he stopped at the local diner and got his breakfast, 'just a few more hours'.

Tom drove down the road towards Joey Drew Studios and his thoughts drifted to his journey to this point. The beginning of the week the experimental ink machine was completed after weeks of planning and building. The frosting on the cake was the darn thing actually worked! It even made a living toon on the first try, but Joey had to ruin that by attacking and killing the innocent creature. Tom truly felt bad for the little toon, it didn't ask to be made and was killed for looking different. Then to add insult to injury Joey threatens his wife's life if the machine isn't working properly and produces a perfect toon. Tom gritted his teeth at the memory of the verbal exchange with Joey. He silently wished that Bendy would turn against Joey and bring about his ruin in some fashion, but not at the expense of the toon's life. He already hated the loss of one toon he couldn't bear the thought of another being killed for no reason. Tom gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as the only thought that ran through his mind is that 'the nightmare is almost over' as he saw the outline of the studio coming into view.

Tom barely got out of his car when he spied a annoyingly familiar sight. Joey Drew. The studio director was standing in the doorway of the studio staring directly at Tom. The mechanic couldn't help but mentally question if Joey doesn't have a home to go home to since the man always seemed to be at the studio. Tom decided to grin and bear it for a bit longer and approached the entrance with Joey ready and waiting for him.

“Morning Mr. Drew” Tom spoke through clenched teeth on a fake smile he plastered on his face.

“And a good morning to you too Mr. Connor. Today we will make dreams come true.” Joey happily placed his hand on Tom's shoulder and showed the man inside either ignorant or ignoring the mechanic's fake attitude. Tom took Joey's actions as a good sign that the director was in a good mood and felt it was best not to fight the man at this point, it was safer to go with the flow rather then go against it.

Joey lead Tom to the ink machine room for him to begin the initial checks and preparation prior to the rest of the GENT staff arriving. Joey left Tom to his own devices and made a hasty retreat to the depths of the studio, the sounds of his foot steps and cane disappearing down the halls. With a clipboard in hand, Tom drifted about the base of the machine checking and double checking nuts and bolts making sure the primary pipes that fed the machine were secure. Once he double checked each nut personally with his own wrench finding that he had to tighten a few that Wally claimed he had secured, he started checking the two backup pipes. He knew the machine only needed the four central pipes to operate but he liked having the backup just in case something happens to the primary set. Tom gently crawled under the machine and ran his wrench over each bolt on the back ups making sure that all was secured.

With all the pipes checked and secured Tom checked the gauges ensuring they could handle the pressure they would soon be subjected to and hoped that Wally had remembered his lecture about how to handle the machine if it's pressure exceeds a certain number. Though he was quietly thankful wally was not around to bumble over the simplest of tasks. The last thing he needed was for something to get ruined and potentially cause a malfunction and end up with something that is far worse then just the image of a cartoon devil. Tom shook his head slightly, those thoughts were the last thing he needed on his mind. He needed to stay focused and make sure everything went off without a hitch. Though he found the strange circular patterns that Joey drew all over the machine and on the floor at it's base distracting. They were an eyesore and took away from the machine itself. Joey called them 'decoration' but while Tom wasn't an interior designer he knew the primary focus should be on the machine and not the strange children's drawing all over the place.

Tom spent quite a bit of time checking and double checking the ink machine making sure every nut, bolt, rivet, gauge and pipe were all in place and ready to go. The bustling of the rest of the GENT staffs arrival was the only relief he got and briefly sat down relaxing ever so slightly while the team rechecked everything and filtered throughout the studio checking all the machines inner workings and veins. While he relaxed Tom looked at the machine in it's entire. The massive boxy mechanism with a single nozzle with pipes that encased the studio, it was like a strange heart. The machine itself made dull throbbing sounds when ink was filtered through it on a low pressure and the throbbing eerily was at the same pace as a heart beat. The ink that flowed through it was it's blood that provided life to a mechanism that was designed to make life. Tom chuckled at the irony, creating a machine that imitated the proof of life with it's heartbeat to make life. He knew full well that despite Joey's claims it was only an illusion, the life he saw was real.

Tom momentary relaxation didn't last long until he saw Joey striding up to him with that eager gleam in his eye and sporting a bag. Tom inwardly groaned, it was the bag containing the 'sacrifices' that Joey had added onto the machine to operate. He seriously couldn't help but question why Joey insisted on having 6 items from the different departments being used as “keys” to turning on a machine when a simple throw of a switch yielded the same results. “Ugh, Someone is eager.” Tom rolled his eyes, sarcasm rolling off him in waves.

“You should be too, Mr. Connor. Our dreams are about to come true and we'll be famous.” Joey walked over to Tom resting his arm on Tom's shoulder as he waved towards the ink machine. “Think of all the people who would line up to see living toons, the joy on the children's faces at seeing their favorite characters physically in front of them rather then on a silver screen. To be able to shake their hands, hug them, talk to them and to play with them. It all begins here and it will be greatest moment in our studio's history” Joey's grin growing wide and his eyes held a bright gleam of enthusiasm. All his efforts aren't for naught and he will be able to salvage his studio from near bankruptcy and will rise up to quash all his competition. He, Joey Drew director of Joey Drew Studios will sit upon the throne of a glorious empire.

Tom didn't say a word while he listened to his bosses sickeningly sweet words. He could only wonder how many people where fooled by honeyed words from Joey, the mans 'golden smile and silver tongue' luring people to false promises. He now knew that all this effort from him, his staff, hell even everyone in the studio, it was all for Joey's benefit. None of them were having their dreams come true. Many were hired on with the gift of a dream job, only to find that it was bitter, cold and merely a foot hold for someone else. He silently cursed his own horrid luck with getting tangled with Joey, but he hoped that this would be the last thing he does for the man then he will take a page from Wally's book and 'get outta here'.

“Sir!” A GENT staffer ran up to Tom and Joey. “All checks have been completed, and all the staff are reporting that all systems are a go.”

Tom was about to speak when he was interrupted by joey “ Good show man, now you all should go home for the day.” The director waving his hand dismissively.

The GENT worker looked over at Tom confused, they had only been at the studio for a few hours and yet were being told to go home. They had yet to see the machine operate properly say for the repeated running it on a low pressure to circulate the ink and check it's efficiency. It was more confusing when Joey himself was telling them to leave when all he did was bar them from going home on time and straddled them with one task after another.

Tom saw the confused yet curious look on the workers face, but at this point he couldn't risk his team being subjected to Joey's torment anymore. “It's ok. Let the team know they can go home. I can man the machine myself for the time being.” Tom tried to smile reassuringly to his employee.

The young man looked at Joey and then back at Tom “Yes, sir. Thank you sir.” He tipped his hat and strode down the hall to round up the rest of the staff. “So you actually can manage a team of staff, and here I thought that title of 'Lead GENT' worker was just for your intelligence and not people skills. A good show none the less” Joey grinned as he shot a small glace at Tom while they watched clusters of GENT workers leaving.

Tom shot the man a glare. He knew he didn't always have the best people skills and he wasn't big on communicating his emotions, but he was a professional. He took his job very seriously and didn't hesitate to communicate information pertaining to construction, maintenance or general knowledge. A grin crept up across his face “Well at least I can keep my staff happy instead of miserable” while he waved good-bye to a few members of his team who eagerly waved back.

“No matter. Once we're done here I won't be needing you anymore Mr. Thomas Connor. You are relieved of your duties once I see Bendy. I'm well aware that Wally has been training under you, and he will be taking your place once you are gone.” Joey coolly shot back.

Joey's words were music to Tom's ears he couldn't contain the smile on his face “Oh whatever shall I do?” Tom dramatically rested his arm across his face. “I guess I'll have to seek out another full time employer, hopefully one who has money and isn't bankrupt.” letting out a overly dramatic sigh. He couldn't wait to go back to the GENT headquarters and seek out another contract with an employer whom he wished would have more compassion then the shew Mr. Drew. He didn't miss the red that was dusting the director's face. He knew he struck a nerve with Joey, and he frankly didn't care.

“I am not bankrupt you scoundrel and pathetic excuse of a mechanic!” Joey barked, his voice echoing off the walls of the room “ I will have my rise and this is merely a 'business expense' and 'investment'.” Joey brushed his hands over his hair trying to smoothen his ruffled hair back to it's normal slicked back look, a sneer plastered on his face “Do keep in mind your precious wife works for me. She can always have an accident if things don't work out.”

Tom returned the sneer with own confident grin “I'm certain it will work cause it worked the first time on a experimental phase and now it is on the real run. Though do keep in mind sir in the 'agreement' if you want to call it that, was that she was to be safe from harm as long as the machine was 'completed on time and you have a on-model Bendy'. So the machine is completed on time and it will produce a perfect Bendy, therefore I have met your terms to the 'agreement' and you can no longer touch her. If you do hurt her and label it an 'accident' I can testify as a witness and victim to threats and the damages done will be viewed at 'premeditated' or even so far as 'attempted murder'. You'll loose everything you've ever built and most of all, you'll loose Bendy.”

Joey scowled at the confident GENT worker, Tom had him pinned and the tables have turned. “Just get the items ready and prepare the machine, you're still mine till further notice.” Joey lowly growled out.

'Regrettably yes, for now.” Tom grinned relishing in the small victory over Joey. It wasn't everyday the director was taken down a notch, but for now he had to play nice since he was still on his payroll and they didn't have Bendy just yet. It was still too early to celebrate. Tom gestured towards the hall and Joey glared at him, but followed.

The dueling duo paced down the hall in silence say for the occasional clicking sound of Joey's cane and the two came upon the primary control room for the machine. The room was long and had 6 large posters with 3 on each side of the room and before them a pedestal. Pipes radiated from the base of the pedestals and the posters above indicated what was needed to be placed on each respective slot. The pipes lead to the back wall of the room which was covered in pistons, pipes and other mechanics with a large black panel that read 'Low Pressure' and a large sign above reading 'Ink Machine'. It was a strange room that felt like a shrine with altars, but it was Joey's 'unique' requirement and the eerie commentary about 'appeasing the gods'.

Tom turned to face Joey fully and extended his hand. “The items, sir.”

Joey glanced down and the bag he held tightly in his hand before handing it over to Tom, his Grey eyes studying every motion critically. He watched impatiently as Tom took each item out of the bag and was about to place them onto the pedestals. “Hold it Mr. Connor.”

The mechanic halted his action and looked at Joey frustrated “What is it now? Do you want Bendy or not?” Tom was surprised at Joey's sudden intrusion but at the same time growing frustrated with yet another delay. Joey gestures at the Bendy Doll in Tom's hand “The cog wheel goes first, then it's followed by the wrench, inkwell, vinyl record, the doll, and finally” Joey reached into his pocket and pulled out his black book. The Illusion of Living. “This is the last piece” he held it out for Tom.

Tom looked at the strange book with a sense of foreboding. He had never seen such a book before and Joey told him that there were 6 items used for the pedestals but never eluded as to what the last one was. This strange book gave off an unsettling aura about it, like it wasn't meant to be in the hands of a human, or anyone for that matter. He extended his hand carefully plucking the book from Joey and dare not look at it any longer then he had to and resumed his placing the items in the strange order Joey specified. Yet another annoying requirement for a machine that already complicated enough on its own.

Tom swallowed his scornful thoughts and one by one he approached each pedestal and placed the respective items. He briefly paused at the Bendy doll in his hand and his memory briefly drifted to the first Bendy toon but he shook the thought out of his head and placed the doll on the pedestal. As soon as the pedestal registered the items placement it sank into the ground slightly clicking into place as a light above turned on. With the last item in hand Tom approached the last pedestal and placed the book, the pedestal slumped into the ground clicking into place joining the rest. All 6 were in place and were ready to go. Tom quickly vacated the room going down the hall to another room and turned the pressure valve. He couldn't help but wonder why Joey insisted on it being so far away from the main controls rather then next to it where it was easier. He turned the valve till it was fully opened and he could hear the ink rapidly flow through the pipes in the area making the building vibrate from the pressure. He ran back to the main control room and noted the 'Low pressure' had now changed to 'Ready' the machine was ready to begin. He lowered the lever and in response the lights in the building flickered from the strain of the machine but held fast.

“Let's go sir.” Tom gestured to Joey for them to return to the room containing the machine itself. Tom was in no sense of the word in a hurry to reach the room, remembering the first time with the experimental machine and the chaos that followed. Joey on the other hand seemed to ignore his limp and held a purposeful stride to the chamber. The directors eyes were now mad with excitement, something that Tom wished he could wipe clean off the mans face.

The two men arrived at the ink machine room and could hear the machine humming with ink flowing through it. It seemed almost alive with it's low hums, seemingly waiting for it's master.

“Now Mr. Connor, on my mark I want you to pull the lever” Joey pointed to the control panel on the side of the room and Tom raised a brow but didn't feel like arguing and complied.

The mechanic took up his position by the side of the room with the controls and Joey pressed his hand against the side of the machine. He couldn't believe it. All this time and preparation were for this moment, something he thought he would never see. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He stared down at the drawing. It was a simple drawing but one that started it all. The little piece of paper contained the first official drawing of Bendy the dancing demon. Henry had spent hours drawing that day and the man had drawn such a cute endearing character that was sure to attract the crowds. He gifted one of his first drawing of the devil darling to Joey and apologized for smudges on the edges of the paper where his sweaty palm had rested as well as a tiny blood spot from where he got a paper cut earlier that day. The drawing wasn't in pristine condition being slightly soiled by Henry laboring over it, but it was the first. If this wasn't enough to bring Bendy to life then nothing in the studio was, except the creator himself.

Joey took one final look at the paper before inserting it into the panel on the side of the machine. He then turned his attention to the pile of film reels that had been brought in earlier and one by one he fed all the materials to the machine. It felt like the feeding wouldn't end until he finally held up the last reel. The very first film reel that Henry had made; 'Tombstone panic', it was a cute little introductory short with the devil darling that had jump started Bendy's popularity. Joey remembered the short and remembered that something had happened to the film causing it to break and the ending portion disappeared. Only a beginning with no end, but it was the first and most important. With a slide of the panel the reel was placed inside and swallowed by the hungry machine. “Now Tom!” Joey hollered across the room. He watched as the mechanic pulled the level and then hovered intently over the gauges and valves.

The Machine grumbled and choked initially, but once it's stuttering was done it roared to life violently swaying on it's chains, the lights of the room flickering from the renewed strain. Sounds of grinding and shredding emanated from the base of the machine as it chewed and swallowed the cells, reels and drawing all converting them to the ink they originally came from. The grinding sounds died down and the machine's bellowing died down to a content hum as it waited for further action.

Joey rested his hand lovingly on the side of the machine and produced a ink pen from his pocket. With tender and careful hands Joey drew a small circle and pentagram on the side of the machine. Satisfied with the inscription he removed himself from the side of the machine and stood before the machine admiring it before he knelt down and redrew the same circle and pentagram on the floor beneath the nozzle. Despite a circle having already been drawn beneath the base of the machine he wanted to be absolutely sure of the scriptures he had read and wanted no errors.

Tom watched Joey out the corner of his eye. He wasn't in a position to do anything about Joey since he had to make sure the machine was operating correctly, but he couldn't help but be concerned about the new additional patterns decorating the side of the machine and Joey retracing the one on the floor. If he didn't know any better, it resembled something from some strange occult and didn't and shouldn't belong in a place meant to make people smile, but he could do was watch. With the final stroke of a finger Joey grinned satisfied with his work, but that satisfaction faltered as he stood back up. His body protesting his actions, a reminder that his body was broken and didn't work as well as he'd like. He backed away from the machine and stood before it with outstretched arms, boasting to the open air before the machine. “The 6 items of sacrifice each a mere fraction of life, offered to create the demon born of paper and ink. I call forth Bendy to rise out of simulation to the world of realization.”

With the last of Joey's words leaving his lips the markings that were drawn on the side of the machine as well as the floor lit up with a dull red glow. The air seemed to grow cold as the lights flickered and dimmed, making the red glow seem even brighter then before. The machine reacted violently to this sudden change of events and quivered on it's chains. It's content hums now screeching and straining as it's pipes were pulsing and writhing like snakes from the ebb and flow of the ink. The building itself rattling from the sheer force of the pipes strain. Tom frantically reached to turn the valves to lower the pressure of ink flowing to the machine, but a shout from joey told the man to merely release the safety on the machine allowing it to be completely open and to back away in case something went wrong. Tom swallowed heavily and with the spin of a valve he removed the safety lock and backed away still watching the machine writhe in a strange possessed agony. The screeches and wails died down and the nozzle shook as a mass of thick ink oozed from it and dropped onto the pentagram beneath it on the floor. The machine stopped swaying as if exhausted from use and hung limply on its chains, the pipes surrounding it no longer violently thrashed as they all limply slumped and sprawled out all over the floor.

Tom was instantly reminded of the first Bendy and like the first one the gelatin mass of ink pulsed and swayed as it was taking shape, the ink splitting in two like the first time. The bottom portion of ink grew two short limbs ending in shiny boots and was swiftly followed by two additional limbs sporting a white gloved hand with two buttons on each hand. Tom immediately noted the lack of color on the gloves, they were monochrome like how Bendy is in the cartoon unlike the sepia colored version. The final gelatin mass of ink took on the very characteristic round shape ending with two little stubby horns atop the head and sporting a large white face. The face had a small frown and the eyes were closed as the little black and white toon lay on the floor in the puddle of ink he was made from.

Tom initially made a move to remove himself from his station to inspect the newborn toon, but Joey was already leaning over the toon picking him up. A twinge of annoyance hit Tom as he felt Joey was not handling the newborn toon as gently as he should, the director lifting the toon by his stomach placing him over his shoulder rather then cradling him like a child.

Joey turned towards Tom and gave him a smile “You may go now Mr. Connor. Your work here is done, make sure to clean out your closet before leaving.” Tom nodded slightly and watched Joey turn on his heel and leave taking Bendy with him. The toon barely cracked his pie cut eyes open and looked up at Tom sleepily. He gave a small smile and a wave before Joey disappeared out the door closing it behind himself.

Tom gently rested against the control panel, all his energy drained from him. His work in this hell hole was done and was finally free. Laughter bubbled up out of the man, but was soon quashed by feelings of regret and shame. He regretted taking on the ink machine project for this stubborn controlling client even though it was very well paying. He was ashamed of his hand in creating two infant toons that were reduced sadly to one. He could only hope in the back of his mind that Bendy will not meet the same fate as his experimental predecessor.

Thoughts warred against themselves in Tom's mind, but he was done with this place. He removed himself from his momentary resting place and turned to face the control panel. His hands glided across the levers and vales turning them to shut the machine down as it was not needed for the remainder of the day. With the machine put to bed, Tom slowly wandered down the halls taking in the sights one last time. He knew he wouldn't miss this place at all. The stench of ink that permeated the air nearly giving anyone who entered the building a gag reflex. The constant drips from pipe bursts and the occasional flooding of the halls. Oh yeah he would not miss those days. It was all Wally's problem now and he frankly didn't care. The young lazy janitor hardly did anything as it was and now he was to man the machine. Heh. Good luck with that. A Smile crept across Tom's lips as he could easily picture Wally pitching a fit over the smallest of spills, heaven forbid the boy had to work.

Tom drifted down the halls to his work station rummaging through papers and boxes. He piled all the papers into a box carefully examining them one by one, weeding out unneeded documents. He found the first draft blueprint of the ink machine and laughed to himself how much the machine had grown and changed. The original ink machine felt quite small in comparison to it's final counterpart. It was hard to believe that such a small machine was so successful and paved the way for the larger one to follow. The weeks mulling over the drafts, the slow process in building the parts and assembling it was all dead and gone. He boxed up the original blueprints and decided to leave a copy of the final version of the machine for Wally just in case the man had to fix something on the machine.

Tom briefly sat at his former desk looking over the room once everything was packed. This tiny room had served as his office and prison for the past few weeks and now its all over. He slumped in his chair relaxing when a poster caught his attention. It was Bendy's second short titled “Bendy in The Dancing Demon”. Tom didn't really watch the cartoons since he felt he was too old for them but this short left him chuckling watching the little demon's love of dancing. His mind drifted to the living Bendy that Joey took with him. He could only hope that the little demon could live up to the expectations of the crazed man, but something about Bendy didn't feel right. He remembered the first toon that was killed and the little devil felt sweet and gave off a feel of home. He didn't know why, but he felt like he somehow knew the little toon even though it had just been born. Though Bendy felt very different in comparison, like there was something in him that felt unsettling as if you were looking at a monster wearing the guise of a innocent toon.

Tom let out a sigh and looked back at his pile of boxes he had prepared, it's time to leave. He made sure all his tools were packed and put away and with several boxes in hand he left his work station and headed out the studio to his truck. He packed all his things in the back and started the truck to head home. The man completely forgetting the one thing his wife had entrusted him to do.

-----Meanwhile in the Studio-----

Joey retreated to his office with Bendy in tow and set the demon down on the couch while he himself sat across, eyeing him critically. The toon was perfectly on model and not a thing out of place, he thought Bendy would be bigger but he was surprisingly small, about the same size as a small child. He was a demon meant for children after all. Bendy laid on the couch sleeping while Joey presumed the toon was exhausted from his birth and went back to his desk to examine paperwork for the theme park that was in the making. He couldn't wait to debut the living toon and relish the in spotlight with his success of the park and studio. Bertrum Piedmont liked to boast about how the park is his ticket to grandeur, oh no silly fool, he is merely a stepping stone on his own path to glory. Joey's thoughts were ground to a halt when heard stirring within the room, he looked up from his paperwork to see Bendy sitting up on the couch looking around the room. “Finally awake I see.” Joey's words catching the toon's attention.

Bendy looked over at the older man and gave a smile “Hi-ya!” he waved at the man. “mah name's Bendy. What's yours?”

Joey's eyes were wide as he was taken back by the toon's voice dropping his paperwork. Bendy had never spoken in any of their shorts and it was largely up for debate as to how the toon would sound when finally given a speaking role. He didn't expect Bendy to speak at all, just the cute little wheezing like laughter everyone was familiar with. If anything he found his voice very alarming. The toon sounded similar to Henry when he was a much younger man, a boy in fact. The days he and Henry spent running around as children with him trying to keep Henry in line since the man was quite the devil as a child.

“where am I?” Bendy's voice snapping Joey's train of thought.

Joey straitened up trying to gauge the demon. “We are in my office, and I'm Joey Drew. Director of this studio.”

“Ooh” Bendy let out a small whistle as he looked around the room. “What's a studio?”

“A studio is where a form of art is made, be it drawings, music or film. This studio makes cartoons, your cartoons.” Joey gestured to a Bendy cutout in the corner of his office.

“Mah cartoons?” Bendy tilted his head in confusion looking at the cutout. He didn't understand what this director guy was going on about. All he knew was that he was in a room decorated in strange objects and a large paper copy of himself in a corner. “Why do ya have a paper drawing of me? Do ya like me that much?”

“It's not a matter of like Bendy. You're the star of our show, children love your cartoons on the big screen. You draw in crowds of people to see you and your friends Boris and Alice.” Joey leaned back in his chair.

“But I've never been on a show, whatever a show is. Plus I don' know who Boris an Alice are.” Bendy looked at him confused. Bendy knew he didn't have too many memories and this guy was eluding to things and people he doesn't remember.

Joey's eyes widened slightly. Bendy had no form of recollection of being the character he is supposed to be, let alone his partner toons Boris and Alice. This toon before him looks like Bendy but acts completely different from the Bendy on the screen and on paper. Why is that? They used everything that made Bendy who he is and yet his personality is different. Did something go wrong? Was there something mixed in that changed something in Bendy?

Joey sat still staring at Bendy who had resumed looking around the room now that the man was stunned into silence. The toon attention now captured by a gramophone against the wall next to Joey's desk. Bendy carefully circled around the device looking over the equipment with immense fascination. He gently rest his fingers on the level and it lowered making a grumbling sound from the pavilion and the turntable spun slightly. A little light bulb appeared over the toon's head and he grabbed the crank and spun it around several times rapidly. The gramophone grumbled initially but soon swayed to life playing music from the Bendy show.

Joey watched as Bendy's head slowly start to bob to the beat of the shows music that was being played on his gramophone, the toon clearly content with himself. After a minute Bendy stated to actually dance to the beat of the music, he was the dancing demon after all. Joey all the while was too stunned to say anything and merely watched the dancing devil.

“I like the music Mr.” Bendy chirped as he happily tap danced to the music. “ I don't know where it's from but I like it.”

His dance moves were exactly like the show but wrong. They were fluid and cleaner then any animator could possibly draw. He easily dipped in and out dance moves, he even did a small twirl at one point, but his head didn't spin with his body but rather floated there following his body's movements. Joey watched in growing disdain. Bendy was wrong, he's speaking when he shouldn't and he is dancing when there is no need to do such action. He is supposed to know his toon friends and know the music to his own show. Why doesn't he know anything that makes him, him?

A little chime sounded through the room as the clock on the wall sounded off the evening hours instantly catching the toon's attention. Bendy stopped dancing and hopped up on the couch to get a better look at the clock. “Oooh what's that?” the toon pointing up at the clock.

“A clock.” Joey grumbled out starting to rub his temples.

Bendy started up at the clock in amazement at the little bird that popped in and out before hopping off the couch and climbing onto a short shelf near a wall of photos beneath the clock. The toon was fascinated by all the photos of various people and figures upon the wall. The clattering around of the energetic toon rapidly getting on Joey's nerves. The director remembered Bendy is a bit of a energetic character, but never this energetic. Why is everything going wrong with Bendy?

“Hey!” Bendy's voice causing the frustrated director to look up. “Is that Henry?” Bendy pointed at a photo of two young men both standing before the studio each man wearing an ear to ear grin. He pointed at the younger chestnut haired man whom was shorter of the two. The man wore a simple black suit and a white bow tie while holding handful of papers and an inkwell with a pen sticking out of it. It was the day the studio opened, a day Joey remembered all too well. He and Henry had pooled what little money they had between them to buy the older building that was slated to be torn down. Both were excited to finally have a studio of their own even if it wasn't much and they only had two staffers at the time, Norman and Sammy. Joey had begged Sammy to join them in creating music since the man had a high level of talent but no place to truly shine, promising him the position of musical director. Norman was a rare find and one that he was more then happy to acquire. The man being dark skinned had gotten him some rough treatment in his home state, but on this side of the country his skin color didn't matter. Norman knew his profession exceedingly well and was a diligent worker. Naught but 2 weeks into the studio's opening and the small staff Joey had acquired and continuously added, Henry had come up to him with the little cartoon devil and it proved to be their ticket to fame. The devil was a instant hit with children.

Joey rose from his chair, his anger starting to boil over. “How do you know Henry?” he stomped up to the oblivious toon. Bendy shouldn't know Henry, the man was not present for the toon's creation, he was. Henry only drew the toon and he, Joey Drew owns the rights.

Bendy placed a finger on his chin in thought “Hmm, Dunno. All I do know is Henry is mah creator.” He beamed up the now outraged studio director, an action he regretted when Joey was now looming over the toon.

“Henry has nothing to do with you. You are my toon from my Studio” Joey growled. Bendy quivered under the man's frigid glare.

“B-But, H-Henry-” Bendy stuttered out, ink dripping from the side of his head.

“Henry is gone! I own you!” Joey bellowed out, his patience with the toon at its end. “You could never know Henry cause he isn't here!”

Bendy mustered up the little courage he had to face the enraged man “I-I do know Henry! His blood, sweat 'n tears are in mah ink!” he emphasized his point by placing his hand over his chest where his heart would be. “He is mah creator, not you!”

Joey had enough of the toon, He reached out and grabbed Bendy by his sides pinning his arms and lifted the toon up. The toon screamed and struggled in the mans grasp kicking Joey in his leg during his struggle sending the man toppling. With his grip loosened on the toon, Bendy wiggled out of the mans grasp and ran for the door trying desperately to open it. His cries for help and for someone, anyone to help him fell silent on the long halls of the studio void of any and all staff. While Bendy was trying to open the locks on the door his gloved fingers too large to open the small locks properly, he failed to realize that Joey had regained his composure and brandished his cane. With one swift and heavy swing Joey struck Bendy on the back of the head knocking the toon out cold, his body crumbling to the ground.

Joey stood over the toon with labored breath. This isn't Bendy, it looks like Bendy but it acts like Henry. Bendy is supposed to be Bendy and not have traits from his creator. He is supposed to have a whistling like sound not a voice. He is supposed to be the little devil darling and dancing demon that had many little misadventures and never seems to get his way. He's supposed to make the crowd pity him, not stand up for himself. Something went wrong.

Joey grabbed Bendy's unconscious body and held him under his arm as he hastily made his way out his office and to the elevator. Joey's mind racing with all the work and time spent on the toon in his arms, he needed the toon out of the way and to try and figure out what went wrong. There must be a way to fix Bendy, to make him proper. The elevator gate creaked open and joey rushed inside pressing the button for the lowest possible level in the studio. The gates closed with a groan and the mechanism slowly made it's way down to the depths of the studio. Joey spent the ride staring out through the gates of the elevator as it passed each level of the studio, the floors steadily getting darker and darker the further they went. When the elevator finally stopped Joey stormed out and twisted and turned his way downs halls and unfinished corridors heading even further down. As he made his decent he caught the occasional glimpse of the shaft that the ink machine was suspended over and all he had to do was follow it. When Joey finally reached the true bottom of the studio the place was cold, dark and damp, ink oozed out of the walls in small streams forming a vast river. The GENT team was shocked upon the caverns discovery and Joey urged them to use it to store the ink for the machine rather then to use holding containers. Why not use mother natures natural well to hold the ink. The director tossed Bendy's unconscious body onto one of the small paddle boats that GENT made to transport cargo. With a small turn of the motor the paddle wheel creaked to life sending them down the river. The man grew frustrated as the boat kept constantly getting clogged by clumps of ink, as if the ink itself was protesting him. He had to constantly stop to use his cane to clear the ink all the while making sure Bendy was still unconscious. This was by no sense of the word Joey's preferred route of reaching the depths of the studio but if he took the normal halls and stairwells he ran the risk of being seen, even if the staff was off for the day there was always the chance of a lingering employee.

The tunnel of ink finally opened up to a larger cavern which signaled they were at the true heart of the studio. Joey steered the boat to the small dock that had been made and grabbed his prisoner and entered the cavern coming to the door built within its walls. The area had not been finished yet but it had been planned to move the Administration offices further down and for the moment it was merely empty halls and offices yet to be filled by new staff. The stairwells leading downwards were completed but not in full use except the film team and maintenance crews. The pride and joy of the converted cavern besides saving costs of digging was the amount of space to house the new Vault room and heart of the ink machine. Other studios had fancy vault rooms that needed constant supervision, but Joey Drew studios had a cavern buried beneath the studio. What better place to store the films then under ground where they will be protected from the harsh weather and away from prying eyes. A perfect place to hide Bendy until he was perfected.

Joey reached the small hallway leading to the vault room and unlocked the door entering the space that housed the massive vault door. The door was a sight to behold, standing at 12 feet in diameter and several feet thick. No one could open such a door easily. Joey turned the wheel on the door unlocking it bolt by bolt, the creaks and groans of the vault door opening causing the demon in his arms to slowly stir. Joey realizing his captive was slowly waking, he quickly entered the vault room and hurried to the small doors nestled towards the back right side of the chamber. The only path to the heart of the ink machine. Joey wasted no time walking down the hallways that wound around and ultimately bellied out to another section of the cavern that housed the ink lake that was the well for the machine.

Bendy slowly stirred and once he regained his focus and realized he was somewhere different, he immediately squirmed and screamed in Joeys grasp trying to break free from the mad director. Growing tired of Bendy's pleas for Joey to release him and his frantic screams, Joey submerged the toons head under the ink to silence him. He had enough of Bendy's voice and wished to no longer hear it. The toon violently thrashing and fighting to breathe, doing his best to punch, kick or do anything to make Joey let him go. The only thoughts through Bendy's mind were 'what did I do to deserve this? Please someone anyone, help me!' Joey was unflinching as he held the toons head down watching air bubbles slowly form in the ink as Bendy was loosing air. Slowly Bendy's body grew weaker and more limp and Joey lifted the toon's head back up so he wouldn't kill him by accident. Bendy's consciousness slowly fading again as a small wish crossed his mind 'Henry, help me', after that the toon's world went black.

Joey watched the toon's strength fade and he once again slipped into unconsciousness. He tucked the demon under his arm securely and slowly waded into the ebony moat leading to the chamber housing the heart of the machine. His progress across was slow as if the ink was grabbing onto him and trying to pull him down, his only saving grace was that the fluid was not any deeper and he at least had his cane to steady himself. Joey glanced up at the heart of the machine. It looked like a far larger version of the machine that rested on the upper floors. The ink machine above made people stare and gawk at it's intimidating size, if they only saw the one below. The heart called 'the belly of the beast' by most of the GENT team including Tom had a large circular room surrounded by large silver screens meant to show case the darling devil shorts. The room had been designed to not only create the living toons but to showcase to investors the art of the studio and it's toons. This central room was like a throne room to the empire that was to be known as Joey Drew Studios, now it will serve as a prison cell until he is able to figure out what went wrong with Bendy and fix him.

Joey set Bendy down in the chair knowing full well the toon would not be moving anytime soon and used the levers and valves to lower some of the excess chains that were suspended from the ceiling. To his dismay he had no way of trying the chains off until a small pile of clasps in the corner of the room caught his attention. He hobbled over to the pile and dug within them to seek out his desired sizes and managed to secure 2 that would fit his needs. With cane and clasps in hand, he hobbled back to the loops of chain he left on the floor before the chair that housed Bendy. He grabbed the chains and attached 2 clasps to them and tightened the clasps around Bendy's wrists securing the demon. He wrapped the excess chain around Bendy's stomach to prevent him from getting out of the chair. Once he was sure that all the chains were in place Joey headed back to the levers and valves lifting the excess chain off the floor causing the chains around Bendy's stomach to tighten and the chains holding his arms to pull them up suspending his arms in the air. Bendy the Dancing Demon was now secured in the heart of the machine, and there he will remain. Joey brushed off some of the excess ink that stubbornly clung to him taking once last glance at the imprisoned toon, he huffed and slowly left the room closing the door behind him.

Joey seethed his entire trip to the upper levels, glaring holes in all the departments and floors as he climbed one by one. He finally reached his office and roughly sat at his chair exhausted from restraining Bendy and making the trip to the lower levels. The man's thoughts burned with rage about why everything seemed to be going wrong in his life. His studio that he founded with Henry that was now solely his since Henry abandoned him. He owns the toons and that now one was brought to life and questioned his ownership. It's his studio for gods sake, not Henry's. He worked himself to the bone to make the place what it is, he crawled atop mountains of people to achieve that which could not be achieved. It is his right to stand on top for all that he did to get this far, so why is everything he built falling apart now? Henry was the one that abandoned him, his toons, everything. Yet Bendy' was insistent on following his creator, a man he never met and held a high level of confidence in. Joey looked over at his phone on the edge of his desk and reached out gently pulling the device to him to make a call. He lifted the earpiece off the receiver and spun the rotary dial around a few times and waited for the line to be picked up.

“Operator? Operator?” Joey patiently waited on the line and soon heard the sounds of the line being picked up.

“Yes?” A woman's voice sounded through the ear piece.

“Yes, I'd like to place a call to the GENT Corporation the customer service branch.”

“Yes sir, one moment please” Joey heard the line cut as he waiting to be patched through.

The line buzzed for a brief moment before it came to life with a man's voice on the end. “GENT Corporation customer service how can I help you today?”

Joey schooled his hair back as he leaned against the phone “Yes my name is Joey Drew and I'd like to put in a complaint about one of your staff members.”

“I'm sorry to hear about the inconvenience sir, let me jot down the information and we will handle the problem to the best of our ability.”

The man's words were music to Joey's ears. Tom thought he could bite joey like a dog biting it's owner and leave a job half done. No. His job wasn't done and he will see it through even if he had to be forced to stay within the studio and never allowed to leave. “Yes. I'd like to file a complaint about the lead engineer and worker assigned to a requested project by the name of Thomas Connor. He had been working on a project at my studio by the name of Joey Drew Studios and not only did he not finish the project requested but he has been delaying the project repeatedly and has now walked out on it. He claimed that we were not paying him enough for his expertise despite being handsomely paid. I'd like for him to at least come back and finish the project if it were at all possible.”

Joey could heard the sounds of scratching as the man was writing down his words .“Certainly sir. I will put in the complaint with my higher ups and Mr. Connor will be dealt with accordingly.” The man responded. “I apologize for any inconvenience. Will that be all?”

“Yes sir, thank you for your help.” Joey grinned maniacally while lightly tapping his fingers on the side of the phone's body.

“No problem, have a nice day.” With parting words the line was cut ending the call.

Joey leaned forward gently placing the ear piece back on it's receiving hook before leaning back in his chair. His grin stretched wider and wider nearly rivaling the Bendy cutout in the corner of his office before he broke into a full raucous laughter. The mans voice echoing off walls of the room as he laughed at his actions, Tom will pay for his actions and perfect the machine, he now has no escape since he will loose his job if he doesn't comply. If you want to hurt someone hurt them where it hurts the most, the wallet. Joey was well aware of Allison's income and as a woman she doesn't make nearly as much as her male counterparts. Tom's income more then made up for the difference especially with him being an engineer which was already a high paying occupation. The couple will struggle if Tom's income is cut short and the only way to make a living was to stay. There is no place to run no hide, the machine will be finished or else their livelihood will be finished.

Joey slowly composed himself after his laughing fit and carefully started to gather up the remaining paperwork of the day. He opened up his drawer to grab his black book when he realized it was missing. He chuckled to himself he forgot that he was using it as one of the 6 sacrifices 'the machine is not operating at the moment so it doesn't need the book' he thought to himself while he packed the last few papers in his briefcase. He lifted himself from the desk and with cane and case in hand slowly heading out his office locking the door behind him. Joey drifted down the silent halls looking at the posters of Bendy and his friends, he vowed that the toons will be perfect no matter what. The man rounded corners till he finally reached the sacrifice room, all 6 sacrifices still sitting where Tom had left them.

Joey gingerly took his book from the pedestal causing the platform to lift back up in it's original position. He looked the book over and turned around ready to leave when something caught his eye. He looked at the pedestal directly across from his and saw the little Bendy doll sacrifice. He walked up to the doll scowling a it. It reminded him too much of the doll turned toon that escaped and is running loose in his studio. Though seeing a doll up close gave him pause, how could an object with no solid connection to Bendy say for only appearance produce a living toon? There was no reels, no sketches, no drawings or any other memorabilia used, only a doll, yet it was somehow alive just like Bendy. It was as off model as they get and while Bendy was on model in appearance he was as off model as his predecessor. This was going to be something that warranted an explanation from the failure of a mechanic. With a precise swing Joey knocked the doll off it's stand sending it flying across the room striking the wall, the little doll make a pitiful squeak upon impact and lay on the floor facing the frustrated man. Joey shot one final glare at the doll before pocketing his book, turning on his heel and leaving.

-----------Later at the Connor's---------------

Allison practically danced around her home, she couldn't wait for her husband to come home with Benny in tow. Her mind joyously going over potential introduction scenarios a mile a minute, she had even gone out of her way to cook enough for 4 people. Allison stood at the edge of her table triumphantly taking in the sight of the feast she carefully labored over, a small turkey sat in the center of the table surrounded by plates of greens, mashed potatoes and a small gravy bowl. She had even gone out to the garage and pulled out a spare fold out chair she hid on the side of the stove out of sight. Her heart beat faster when he heard the familiar sound of tires coming up the little driveway and coming to a stop. Allison all but ran to her front door throwing it open. Her smile bright and arms up at the ready to catch the little ball of energy known as Benny as he would immediately attach himself to her upon sight. However the sight she saw made her arms fall limp to her sides and her smile faded.

Tom limped out of his truck like a whipped dog completely coated in ink, his body slumped from exhaustion as he exited the vehicle. He shot her a small smile before he walked to the passenger side opening up the door and grabbed the boxes and pulling them out. He nudged the door closed and made his way up the walkway to the house. Allison silently watched him all the while, she wanted to ask him where her 'doll' was and she hoped he was inside one of the boxes that were in Tom's arms. She nudged the door open for him so he could come inside and Tom gently kissed her as he walked by before he set his keys down on the little nightstand by the door. She closed the door once he was inside and turned to watch the man take the pile of boxes to his office. She carefully followed him stopping at the doorway of the room watching him open up all the boxes and putting papers away.

One by one Tom opened up the boxes and bit by bit Allison's heart broke, Benny was in none of the boxes. She could feel her heart beating faster with dread the more he moved around with no toon in tow. Allison spun on her heel and walked as fast as she could down the hall to keep Tom from hearing her running. She snatched Tom's truck keys off the little stand before heading to his truck, her hand was shaking as she tried to unlock the door. She grabbed her hand with the other to steady herself and unlocked the door crawling in the side of the vehicle.

“Benny? Benny?!” She cried out hoping to get the toon's attention, nearly turning the truck inside out as she lifted the seats and dug through boxes and bags of tools. She hoped that she would magically lift a box or bag and the toon would launch himself at her and everything would perfect. Allison bit back her tears as her pace of rummaging the boxes slowed as grim reality set in. Benny wasn't here. Tom forgot. The dam of hope she tried to build shattered, tears poured from her eyes as sorrow overtook her.

Tom finished putting away the last of his things when he turned to look for Allison. He drifted through the house looking around in the living room and then to the kitchen. He paused at the table covered in what looked like a mini Thanksgiving feast. Was this all for him? Was it because he's finally done with the ink machine project and Allison was rewarding him? A smile crept up on his face, he couldn't believe that she would go through so much effort for him when these past two weeks he was hardly home and got to spend so little time with her. What did he do to deserve such a wonderful woman, when he hasn't been able to reciprocate the gesture?

“Allison?” Tom called out looking around the house. 'I could have sworn I saw her earlier. Where did she go?' he thought to himself as he checked all the rooms. He passed by the front door and saw that the screen door was closed but the front door itself was open and a figure sat on the porch. “Allison?”

Tom carefully stepped out the door to see Allison curled up on the porch. She had her back turned to him and her face buried in her arms. “Sweetie?” He gently rest his hand on her shoulder.

Allison looked up at Tom her cheeks red and her eyes puffy from crying, the sight before him nearly broke his heart. He rarely saw Allison cry and it was something he didn't like to see. “What's wrong?” Tom gently scooted her over sitting next to her and slowly rubbed her back gaining a few more sobs from her. He pulled her towards him gently and rest his head on hers.

“He-He wasn't brought home.” Allison whimpered out, her voice low. Her body shook as she was holding back her tears and her building anger.

Tom barely heard her and tilted his head in confusion. “Brought home?” He felt that he was forgetting something but couldn't place it.

“The doll.”

Tom paused in thought. “The doll?” Tom didn't remember any dolls.

“You didn't bring him home.” Allison's voice returning stronger, she scooted out of the mans embrace to put distance between herself and him.

“Umm what doll?” Tom paused trying to think “What exactly are you going on about?”

Allison looked up at her husband anger all over her face. “The Bendy plush toy Tom, the one you promised to bring home! Now's hes stuck there all alone!” Allison nearly shouted at the top of her lungs. She was outraged. How could Tom forget the one little thing she had asked of him? All their plans and scrambling trying to get Benny out was set aside cause Tom said he would bring him home. If she knew the man was going to forget then she wouldn't have relied on him with such an important task.

Tom flinched away from her, he had never seen her so angry so suddenly. His mind drifted back to the other day during the lunch spent together when he held a little Bendy plush that was gifted to Allison. “You mean the Bendy plush you got from a coworker? I'm sure they'll be another chance to sneak the toy out.” He tried to reassure her gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

“That's not how he'll see it.” Allison bitterly uttered before she brushed off Tom's hand off her shoulder and got up leaving him sitting outside the house.

Tom quietly sat on the porch completely baffled by Allison's swirl of emotions she threw at him. One minute she is upset and crying and the next she looks like she wants to hurt him. He didn't get it. Yeah he knew the toy was a gift but why would it get her so upset that he forgot? It's not like it was a big deal if he forgot the thing today, besides Allison still works at the studio she would have plenty of opportunities to sneak the doll out. Tom folded his hands and rested his elbows on his knees as he stared out into the evening sky. Tomorrow he will get to report back to GENT headquarters and seek out another job and hopefully one that didn't give him as many Grey hairs as the previous one. His thoughts broken by the sound of the telephone in the kitchen.

Tom sighed and got up to head back into house, he sauntered through the kitchen to the corner where the phone was loudly ringing. He leaned against the wall and picked up the earpiece off the receiver. “Hello? Thomas Connor speaking.”

“Ah, Good evening Mr. Connor. I am a representative from GENT headquarters. I have regrettably received a complaint from your previous employer about failure to complete a contract.” Tom's eye's widened upon hearing the mans voice commenting about 'failure to complete a contract' there was only one person that fits that role and that was Joey Drew. “You are to return to your previous employer and finish the work assigned. If you refuse to do so, then there will be repercussions by means of a pay cut or even termination.”

Tom froze holding the earpiece to his ear, his hand gripped the side of the phone box. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Anger building up rapidly within the man, how dare Joey screw with him. That pathetic excuse of a studio director got what he wanted and yet he is still not satisfied. Tom's voice was low and dripped with venom as he politely thanked the GENT rep and hung up the phone. He wanted nothing more then to break something and that pleasure would be reserved for Joey's neck.

Tom turned to see the table piled high with food and let out a long sigh. 'guess the celebration of finishing the stupid machine will have to wait' he thought to himself. He grabbed a plate and started to set up a portion for himself when he noted that Allison was no where to be found. Again. He got up from the table and walked into the living room to see her on the couch fast asleep. Tom ran his fingers down the sides of his face. He didn't know how to explain it but watching her little outburst over a toy was baffling and it felt like she was avoiding him now. He didn't understand it, how could a little toy be so important? Yeah sure it was a gift from a grateful staffer, but it can't be important enough to warrant such and outburst. Tom grabbed a spare blanket from the linen closet and covered Allison up for the night deciding to let her rest and hopefully she would have calmed down by morning.

Tom headed back to the kitchen and the plate of food he made up for himself suddenly didn't look so appealing, but he knew his body needed it. He grabbed a chair and sat down quietly eating the now cold meal. He appreciated his wife's gesture with the meal but she didn't have to go so far for him, he would have been happy with just a small 'congratulations' and a make one of her famous cookies but not a full course meal. He silently thanked her for her efforts and once he was done eating he carefully packed the items in containers and placed them in the refrigerator. Tom washed up the dishes, putting them away and started cleaning around the table when a fold up chair on the side of the stove caught his attention. He lifted his brow as he pulled the chair out confused as to why it had been taken out of the garage, but decided to leave it alone and slid it back in it's hiding place.

The kitchen had been restored to order and Tom sighed looking at the sleeping figure in the living room letting out a soft sigh, 'I'll talk to her in the morning'. He turned the lights off one by one and lightly kissed Allison on the forehead before he drifted to his own room to get some much needed rest. Little did he know Allison was awake and she sat up to look at the empty hallway her husband had traveled down. She knew the man was worn and beat but the thoughts of Benny not being home where he belonged and the fact that a promise had been broken had cut into her deeply. She laid her head back down as the tears once again welled up in her eyes. She had no clue what to say to Benny in the morning, and could only hope that he wouldn't take the forgotten promise too hard.

------------Meanwhile At The Studio-------------------

A Small figure sat a top a lonely throne bound by chains, the chains were as heavy as his heart. Large black tears poured from Bendy's eyes he spent hours screaming, crying and trying to free himself from his cold prison only to find that he can't move and that no one was coming for him. His inky skin was covered in bruises and cuts from his struggling within the chains, each desperate twist and turn of his body resulted in more pain till he couldn't take it anymore and lay limply on the chair. He didn't understand, what did he do wrong? What did he do to deserve such treatment? Bendy wept resigned to his fate to be left in a place where it was dark and cold, a place for him to rot away and be forgotten.

A separate figure sat inside a crate on the bottom of a shelf curled up into a tight ball. Large tears poured from Benny's eyes and he had come to the realization that he had been left behind. He sat on Allison's desk for hours out in the open keeping a ever watchful eye on her door hoping to see Tom come in and take him home. He wanted nothing more to see the man's smiling face as he scooped him up and took him out of the studio, to be welcomed by Allison in his new home. That wasn't going to happen, Tom broke his promise. The only chance to get out and it was gone. Benny wept resigned to his fate to be stuck in a place where if he is ever found he will be killed, and that Allison's protection was not guaranteed.

----------------------------------

Author’s notes:

Well I hope you all have your healthy dose of pain. Though please don’t come after me with pitchforks there are quite a few of you (not naming names) that have a small “Protect the Bean” team.

#batim stitched au #benny the stitch demon #benny the stitch devil #benny the stitched devil #benny the stitched demon #bendy the demon #bendy the dancing demon #bendy the devil #bendy the dancing devil #thomas connor #allison pendle #allison connor #joey drew

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rockleefangirl987 · 6 years

Text

All This...and Heaven Too - Chapter Seven: ‘Water Hazard’

Because - as time goes on - this story is going to become massive - I promise to post the Permalinks to each chapter. I know how it feels when you find a chapter to a story you’re enjoying, but you can never locate the rest of it. I hope this makes it easier for any of you that come into this after the prologue. If you find that any of the links are malfunctioning, please let me know. Thanks!

Introduction and Brief History - https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159618388822/all-thisand-heaven-too-introduction-and-a

Prologue - The Answer

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159619445665/all-thisand-heaven-too-prologue-the-answer

Chapter One - Training Day - Arrivals

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/159843490557/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-one-training

Chapter Two - Renewed Alliances

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/160078980106/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-two-renewed

Chapter Three - The Welcome Party (Part One)

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/160861155718/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-three-the

Chapter Three - The Welcome Party (Part Two)

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/161645256897/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-three-the

Chapter Four - Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/162533440291/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-four-home

Chapter Five: After the Ball

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/165920759351/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-five-after

Chapter Six: Training Fields

https://rockleefangirl987.tumblr.com/post/167409269637/all-thisand-heaven-too-chapter-six-training

She was west of him and heading north, springing on top of a boulder in her path and launching her body several feet before she landed, caught her breath and with a slight bounce sped off. He was a short distance ahead on a moss filled trail below her location, his course littered with broken branches, cracked tree limbs, and rocks of varied size, engaging his last few minutes with leaping over and dodging obstacles as he hurtled ahead. The fact that the path had not been cleared thrilled him. It made it more of a challenge, especially since he needed to slow down from his usual pace.

Just as I promised Sensei.

Had Lee run at his “normal” speed or even at a common speed for a Ninja, he would have been to the lake and returned to the main area of the Training Fields in the blink of an eye, with a bewildered Captain Marshall still at the starting point. As he was entertaining a guest who was unaware of his capabilities, he kept a pace most experienced runners or athletes would still find exhilarating, and the new weights had proved efficient in forcing him to hold back. It was a good form of pressure for Lee, pressure he welcomed in his desire to excel.

And the Briton - without knowing - encouraged him to push himself, just as it appeared he was doing the same for whatever personal goal she had set.

When the pair started their warm-ups and decided what they would consider the official finish line, he witnessed a little of what Might Guy, and then Tenten and Neji earlier saw. Every stretch, every position Kathryn struck had an elegance to them until Lee was reminded of a swan or a crane from the manner in which she meticulously moved her body. There was a delicate quality to it all and despite having seen the strength in her dancing at the Party or in her routine with Tenten, he was awestruck by how each limb was languidly extended, her features - from the glimmer in her eyes to the little half-smile - filled with contentment.

She is relaxed and cheerful, the way she was whenever I saw her dance. I am glad Kakashi-Sensei told her to come here. I think she needed this.

Once Lee explained the highlights of the route while they completed their stretches, they were on their feet, maintaining a pleasant jog at the beginning as though gauging the other. He sensed her eagerness when she scanned the surroundings using her eyes alone, despite carrying on a conversation with him. The preliminaries of warming-up and ‘getting to know you better’ talk was almost over.

“If Guy-Sensei was here,” Lee told his companion, “he would say we must push to do our best against one another in the spirit of healthy competition.”

“Oh absolutely.” Kathryn didn't lag as the chunin increased his gait. “When he practiced with me, he said I was in the Springtime of my Youth.”

“Did he?” Lee beamed. To know Sensei gave her such a wonderful compliment made him even more anxious to see what Kathryn Marshall was made of. “Well, he is right.”

“And I'm certain you're in yours as well, Master Lee.”

“So I have been told.”

“Then let's get this show on the road,” Kathryn ran a few backward steps, impishness flashing in her eyes. “As someone once said ‘There’s not a moment to lose.’”

“That someone was right! I’ll see you at the lake!” he shouted, indicating their agreed-upon finish line.

“I’ll be waiting for you!” the Briton screamed back.

They broke off in their own separate directions, picking up speed.

And there was no doubt about it - Kathryn was fast as well as agile.

The only time they converged was at a hillside near the midway point. They glimpsed one another as they found their footing and began the ascent, the terrain scarping halfway up so they were forced to use anything which jutted to give themselves better leverage. Lee watched Kathryn rush ahead of him when she leaped to grab hold of a series of stones. He heard her grunt as she pulled herself upwards and then she disappeared over the crest. He was a mere second behind, and on reaching the top, saw her run northwest while he decided to take the easternmost route. It would be a more rugged stretch to travel, but shaving a little time off his pace would benefit him in the end.

And that was where he found himself when he caught sight of Kathryn darting on the trail above him.

The sense of running at a regular ‘human’ pace was amazing. For the first time in what felt like a very long time - since, with Guy’s guidance, he had become almost as fast as his Sensei - he relished what it was like to feel the firm or pulpy texture of the ground as his sandals made contact. Even when he ran alongside those like Neji, Tenten, and Naruto, he never noted these sensations in his muscles because he still maintained incredible speeds. Moving at this rate, although slower than usual, was an excellent reminder of what normal people experienced. And although he was always aware of his surroundings due to his training as a Ninja, his perception was acuter as the endorphins intensified: the water trickling over the rocks in the streams he jumped; the variations in the song of each bird; the sound of his breathing and heartbeat rhythmic in his ears.

He cleared the wooded area, glancing to his left to see the Captain speeding across a grassy field and rushing in his direction. Lee looked ahead. The proposed conclusion was within sight and he began to sprint. He glanced again. Kathryn had gained, running almost parallel with him. All this time he slowed to be more like normal, but he wondered if in doing so - in addition to the new leg weights - it might now work against him.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. His favorite saying came to mind as he plowed ahead. One-fourth of a mile to go.

He heard Kathryn’s heavy breathing. Another look over his shoulder. She was practically on his heels. He stretched his legs, pushing harder. He imagined her doing the same.

Almost there...Almost - Almost there.

He saw Kathryn veer left as the body of water appeared to come out of nowhere.

Lee blinked.

Kathryn screamed.

Lee slid several feet to a halt, turning to see a staggered expression on Kathryn’s face, her mouth hanging open and her eyes about to pop. He shut his own eyes and released a frustrated sigh because he knew, without checking, what occurred to cause such a reaction from her. And he looked down - to see that he was standing on top of the water.

No wonder the Captain looked as though some mythical creature had sprung to life!

Lee - you bonehead! You were supposed to be careful. Guy-Sensei is going to kill you!

“Your Ladyship…” he started but was interrupted.

“Oh my God!” Kathryn hurried to the edge of the shore, to a point not far from him. A childlike glow illuminated her face. “Oh my God! Oh...my...God! You’re...You’re...”

Now she will pass out from the shock, not because she is delicate, but because she has seen the impossible. And I will have to carry her back...And he already imagined the looks from his teacher and his teammates upon his return to the Training Fields: Tenten would be abhorred, Neji would be angry and abhorred, and Might Guy would be abhorred, angry, disappointed and then punch him for making such a stupid mistake!

“Your Ladyship…” he attempted again.

“You’re standing on top of the water! YOU ARE STANDING ON TOP OF THE WATER!”

“Yes My Lady,” he calmly answered.

Kathryn squealed, not from fear but from joy. “Show me!”

Lee shook his head in disbelief. “I am sorry, My Lady?” He heard her distinctly enough. It was that question - no, the request which surprised him.

“I said show me! Show me how you do it!”

“I…”

“Is it very difficult?!” She laughed as she slapped an open palm against her forehead. “Well, of course, it’s difficult or everyone and their mother would be doing it, right?”

“Uh...right.” He was uncertain what to say because she was not reacting as he expected.

On seeing the largest rock among the many on the boundary, she sat down to undo the laces of the multi-colored running shoes. “I never thought something like that was possible. My parents and my grandparents alleged they witnessed it, but we children thought it was something they made up to entertain us. I think I’m the back of my mind I felt you could, and I always hoped...So can you show me please, Master Lee?!”

“I...I...” He swallowed, moving from the spot where he had stood for what felt an eternity. Kathryn Marshall wanted instruction in how to stand on water? He would never have expected that regardless, and she calmly asked him as though needing the sum of one plus one! Well, perhaps not calmly. She was almost delirious at the prospect. Something in her plea, the expectation in her eyes reminded him - of him.

The Eight Inner Gates - a forbidden Jutsu one can die using...I am prepared for the worst. Teach me the forbidden Jutsu. Whatever it takes for my dream.

However, it would not be anything that drastic, showing her the water walking Jutsu. But Lee was hardly on Guy-Sensei’s level as a teacher, and his experience as an instructor was limited, to say the least. That time Sensei asked me to coach - well, that turned into quite a mess, but at least we can say we were being manipulated. And at any rate, she should never have seen me do this for her to want to learn.

Kathryn tugged off her white socks, rolling them under and over, and tucking them into one of the shoes. “Will you be able to show me, Master Lee?!” she called out again, removing her leg warmers and shoving her leggings up to her knees.

Lee gulped. She will expect to learn the basics by the end of the day. I could never teach her the basics by the end of the day. I barely knew the basics by the end of the day. “Of...Of course, My Lady. I...I...I will try,” he stammered, coming closer, watching as she continued to observe his movements with all the excitement of a child receiving a birthday gift! “I should warn you ahead of time. It may look simple, but it can be...I mean it is complicated, well, difficult, and…”

“Oh I understand, Master Lee,” she replied, grinning, her toes wiggling as a gentle wave moved up the shore. “I’m not expecting you to perform a miracle in so little time and teach me to be as proficient as you.” She placed the shoes and leg warmers behind her on a smooth portion of the rock, then stretched her legs a second time, relaxing the soles in the water, enjoying the initial cool sensation as she chuckled. “Did you see that? I rolled up my leggings and I'm likely to get wet all over anyway. Force of habit. I do that when I’m wading in water.”

Lee hardly heard her comments about the leggings. Thank the gods she is not hoping for miracles! he considered as the Briton joked about herself. He glanced down, fighting back a blush. The transparency of the water revealed Kathryn’s feet. They were not just pretty, but he noticed the shade on the nails was silver with an overlying layer of silver glitter, whereas there was an absence of polish on her tapered fingers. He blinked, shaking his head to remove the imaginary cobwebs.

Focus, Lee, focus!

“But you'll try?”

“I will try, although I cannot make any promises, Your Ladyship.” He removed the backpack and threw it so it landed away from the shore.

“Oh I know, I know. I just want to give it a go, if that’s okay?” She jumped down and started walking towards him into the shallow end of the lake, trembling a little as she mumbled, “The water’s colder than I thought. Feels good though. Reminds me of the lake at Windsor. That's the Queen’s favorite castle. It’s enormous, the lake I mean. We swim there and fish and take out the sailboats. I can’t sail a boat, but it’s enjoyable when I’m with the others, even when I’m on duty.”

“So you do swim, Your Ladyship?” And on seeing her nod he thought Good! Because I have a feeling you may need to. He held down a hand to her as she waded further in, the water now just above Kathryn's ankles. Lee took a deep breath, attempting to recall his own long-ago lessons.

“I suppose...I guess...uh..let us move in a little deeper since you can swim and…” And what? “Once we are out in deeper waters, I will support you to start out, but the most crucial thing will be...Well, controlling your chakra in order to perform the skill on your own.”

“My chakra? Now that sounds familiar. It's within various points of the body, right?”

“That is one explanation, yes. It is a type of energy within the person, any person, but there are some who are better able to manipulate it for certain abilities.”

“And that's where the Shinobi obtain their powers?”

“Basically yes, My Lady.”

She smiled. “No wonder it means so much to you all to use them for the Games. It's a special God-given gift as we Britons would say so I can't blame you.” She sounded thoughtful. “I know I’d be annoyed if someone didn’t want me to use one of my talents.” The water was at chest level and hid her sports bra. “See? What did I say about me rolling up my leggings?” She shook her head, laughing. “You’re crazy sometimes, Kathryn. Just crazy.”

During this time, Lee remained on top of the surface, but he now squatted nearer Kathryn. “I think this is good. We will move out a little more once I have you.”

“Alright, Master Lee. What next?”

“If you will please pardon me, My Lady.” He reached down under the water. Once his arms were eased around her waist, he lifted her upwards to place her on his level.

“Oh my God! I never realized how strong you are!” she complimented him.

Lee nodded and shrugged, uncertain how he ought to respond.

Her feet were tucked slightly underneath her as he cautiously carried her to a deeper spot, but when Lee said, “I have you, My Lady, I have you. You can ease down your feet,” she let her legs relax and wobbled on the surface.

“Whoa!” she called out, laughing and stumbling. One foot was in the water, while the other bounced tentatively on top.

“It is fine, Your Ladyship. Do not worry. I have you.” He pulled her against his body to support and keep her steady. “Just relax, relax. Just relax. We must concentrate on finding your chakra.”

Kathryn giggled, looking back. “Good luck with that.” Then she waved a hand before her face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat and at once grew solemn. “Tell me what you want me to do, Master Lee.”

I wish I knew. He angled his head to see her expression. All humor had vanished. She is so sincere about this and I am afraid this will end in disappointment for her. But...if Guy-Sensei had not had faith in me, I would not be standing here. I would not be standing here balancing a Briton commander and a Queen’s kinswoman on top of a lake and looking like an idiot! He groaned within. I am glad Neji and Tenten are not here. I would never hear the end of it.

He took a deep breath. “Alright, alright...Try to clear your mind of anything inconsequential...Forget...I need you to forget we are standing out here like this. Think of it...Think of it as if you are standing on dry land and all of this is normal.”

Kathryn nodded, closing her eyes. Her breathing was calm, steady. She should have been frightened or nervous, but there was no hint of it. With her figure squeezed against him, a protectiveness rose deep inside Lee, and without intending, his arms wrapped more firmly around her waist.

Everything was still. The faint remnants of whatever fragrance she wore at the beginning of her morning had combined both with her own chemistry and a tinge of earthiness remaining from their run. Soft, womanly curves were underneath his touch. There was something enticing about it all, and he shut his eyes, smiling, thinking how fortunate he was to have held her this close twice in less than a week.

A tingling crisscrossed his spine...The water undulated beneath his feet, the movement spurring him to hold her tighter so she would not lose her footing...Kathryn took a deep breath, released it; inhaled, exhaled...Lee’s breathing fell into the same pattern as hers...It was peaceful, calming. What did Might Guy say about stopping on occasion to take in all the world offered? His head drifted, starting to rest against the back of hers.

“Master Lee?”

Lee jerked.

Snap out of it! You are no longer a boy! What is wrong with you? You know better!

Returning to reality on hearing Kathryn’s voice, he realized she detected the minute change in his form. “I apologize, My Lady. I was...distracted.”

She opened her eyes to glimpse back at him. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine. I am sorry. It will not happen again.” I will not allow it to happen again. “Now, shut your eyes. Listen to the sound of my voice.” He patiently waited, giving her a few moments before he spoke. “What are you hearing?”

“You. I hear you...and...there’s a slight breeze on the water,” she whispered. “I hear the water rippling. I...I hear birds overhead.”

“That is good, but now, I want you to eliminate even the sound of the water and the birds. You do not need to be as alert as you are accustomed, at least not to your surroundings. I want you to hear my voice, nothing more. Does that make sense, Lady Kathryn?”

“It makes sense, Master Lee, yes.” Her feet bounced a couple of times, but Lee held her stationary.

For the next few minutes, all Lee did was quietly talk to her, repeating “Just listen to the sound of my voice, My Lady” or variations of that wording until little by little, she announced she heard him alone. He was amazed at her speedy response to this tiny bit of coaching for there were genin who did not show this type of progress after weeks. He started to wonder if there was the tiniest possibility…

Jumping too far ahead he scolded himself. He still needed to think of a way to get her to harness her chakra if she possessed what was needed, so the next quiet moments were spent with him talking over and over to her, advising her as to what she should concentrate on within her own body. He was in doubt as to the more specific directions he should give, so he drew upon his recollections of when he had learned to travel through the trees or to perform the water walking Jutsu, all in the hopes of finding the one thing that might prove successful.

At least for every memory he had of Guy-Sensei’s instructions, he pushed aside the ones of himself as a child, standing before an entire classroom of students at the Academy, and being unable to perform a basic transformation Jutsu. Right before they laughed and...No! He would not allow that ancient negativity to prevent him attempting to show Kathryn how this was done, so he kept at it, uncertain for how long...

“Master Lee. I think I have it,” the soft voice announced.

The whisper startled him out of his own reverie. “Your Ladyship?”

“I...I think I have it.”

Her feet were flat on the surface, but that had a lot to do with the manner in which he supported her. However, he noticed her body had stiffened too. “You think you might have…?”

Her eyes remained shut. “I think...I think I've done...what you've asked.”

“You have found…”

“I believe so, yes.”

But he could hear her straining as the concentration intensified. There is that look. She wants this so much. I probably had that same look when I would try to perform jutsu at the Academy. I would try and try...

“Do not push yourself so much, My Lady. Concentrate, but relax.”

Kathryn nodded then with great calm said, “Let me go.”

“Let you...?” He was the one who felt panic.

“We won't know if you keep holding me. I have to give it a try and see.”

“I am uncertain that…”

“I'll never know unless you let me go, Master Lee.”

Lee gulped. “Yes, My Lady.” He removed his arms from around her waist.

The Captain gasped. “Oh my God! I'm standing on...Master Lee?”

“My Lady?”

“You're still holding me, aren't you?”

“A little,” he weakly answered, watching as she realized he still supported her by holding the opposite sides of her waist - with his thumbs and index fingers!

She was not angry or upset. Her next words were more a plea. “No, no. You must let me go when I ask, Master Lee. I have to try it on my own and see what happens. I realize you don't want to, but we have to see.” She shut her eyes again and was once more absorbed in achieving her goal. “I take full responsibility,” she whispered several moments later. “Let me go when I ask, understand?”

“Understood, My Lady.” His stomach was in knots; his temples throbbed; he was in a cold sweat. For the first time in years, his knees shook. How in the world had he gotten into this mess? Still, it was somewhat exciting. He wondered if this was the stress Guy-Sensei would undergo when he watched Lee and wondered...

“Now Master Lee!” she shouted.

Lee released his hold.

There was a scream and a splash.

“Lady Kathryn!”

In seconds he dived into the depths and saw the Briton adjusting her position so she could better see her surroundings. He swam to her, placed one arm around her waist, and the pair moved towards the surface.

By the time they drew air, they were performing the backstroke, returning once more to the more shallow part. Slipping and sliding up the shore until both collapsed on the ground, there was silence as they looked at one another, then Kathryn giggled, at first softly and then harder. She buried her face in both hands then laid back on the grass.

“Well,” was all Lee could say, attempting to fight the chuckle building in his chest.

“Well is right.” There was a pause as Lee stared out at the lake and the Captain stared up at the sky, neither speaking for a minute. Then came a quiet “Master Lee?”

“Yes Your Ladyship?”

“I’m not sure what I was feeling, but obviously it was not chakra.” She burst out laughing even more than before and Lee joined her, collapsing on his back too. It took a while for them to recover and when they did, Kathryn sighed. “I’m so sorry.”

He smiled. “Do not be.”

“Oh, but I am, I am. I’m just always so curious about things. I always want new experiences and when I saw you out there like that...I couldn’t help wanting to, just to know the feeling.”

“I understand. I wondered...” He grew quiet.

“Wondered what?”

“When Neji, Tenten, Guy-Sensei and I saw your airships arriving, I wondered what that must have been like. Flying in a machine like that.”

“It’s incredible, Master Lee.” She rolled onto her side. “I’ve flown all over the Empire. I do when the Queen travels, but I did before my current commission too. It's a feeling like no other. The type of freedom when you’re airborne that way because realistically it shouldn't be happening. And they used to say man was never meant to fly.”

It is those ‘they’ people again. They are everywhere! But he smiled knowingly too, at her comment about being airborne and flying. If she thought walking on water was amazing...

“Well again, I’m so sorry,” she apologized. She sat up, beginning to squeeze water from her hair, then brushing away the bits of grass attached to it. “You were dry as a bone before I forced you to be my teacher.”

“That is alright, Your Ladyship,” he commented, trying not to snicker, but he found it difficult not to. He sat upright too, and with a wiggle of one eyebrow remarked, “I was planning on taking a shower at some point anyway.”

Kathryn’s laughter returned, as she playfully pushed at his shoulder. “You’re so silly! You were going to take a shower anyway!” she exclaimed, laughing so hard she was crying and coughing. They both continued to wring out whatever fell under their grip: Kathryn her hair, Lee his sash, but the actions were useless as the water seeped from every bit of their clothing and themselves!

“This serves me right,” she managed after calming down again.

“What is that, My Lady?”

“Returning to the Training Fields soaked to the bone. I’m not even sure how far we’d run, so it’s going to be a long wet trip back for both of us. The only things dry are...” She nodded over to where her shoes, socks, and leg warmers were located. “I mean I was going to be wet anyway, but you. I’m sorry I dragged you into this dilemma,” she admitted, deciding to see how much water could be expelled from the waistband of the leggings. “You don’t deserve this.”

Without explanation, Lee jumped to his feet while Kathryn spoke, locating his backpack a few feet away. He fumbled inside it, then returned to where the Captain sat, rubbing at her ear.

“Great,” she mumbled, tapping on the side of her head. “I think I have water in my...” She paused when a clean, dry green jumpsuit appeared before her face. “What’s that?”

“Please accept this, My Lady.”

“Is that…?” The Briton appeared puzzled. “Where did that...?”

“I always keep a spare with me. Please...accept this to wear back to the Training Fields.”

Kathryn shook her head. “Master Lee...I couldn’t. You’re the one who ought to be…”

Lee lifted one hand to stop her argument. “And you are our guest, My Lady. No matter what happened, I would not feel right to not offer you this as a change of clothing.” He saw that hesitant expression, the one he observed on most faces when they saw what he and his mentor wore. He was always baffled as to why when the tights had so much to offer. “Please...let me explain the benefits as Guy-Sensei once told us.” When Kathryn cocked her head to one side, prepared for his presentation, Lee became all business. “They are designed for ultimate comfort and ease of movement. They have outstanding ventilation and moisture wicking properties. Just touch it and you will see.”

Kathryn tentatively reached out, gripping the fabric between her fingertips, then rubbing the material as she did.

Lee smiled. “Try stretching them and observe how well they give, but that the stitching can take whatever force is applied.” Kathryn looked at him as though she did not want to cause any damage, but he nodded. “Go ahead, Lady Kathryn. They can take it.”

The Briton pulled on them, stretched them and twisted them. Although her nails were short, she tried digging one into the stitching to rip it, but no damage was done. When she looked at Lee, his smile was broader and one of great pride.

“See? Impressed? I have been wearing these for years, and I believe that once you try them on, you will wish to wear them all the time.” He felt a burn in his cheeks as he realized how excited his promotion had become, and he quickly came back down to Earth. “Of course, I mean, of course, I realize you have your own wardrobe and your uniforms, but...”

“No, no, I understand, Master Lee. It was most convincing. But…” and she handed the tights back, “I’m not sure I can wear it, only in that, it’s sized for you, isn’t it?”

Lee bashfully lowered his eyes. “That should not be a problem. You see, they conform to the wearer’s figure, My Lady.” When he looked up again, the vivid eyes he found so fascinating had a sparkle in them and the Captain was smiling. Before he could say another thing, the jumpsuit was snatched from his hands, Kathryn springing to her feet.

“I’ll be right over there.” She nodded towards a large rock a little ways from them. After fetching the last of her dry clothes and saying a light-hearted “Be right back,” she hurried the short distance and disappeared.

Lee sat on the ground again, making certain he was facing the water, although he knew he would be unable to see Kathryn at any rate. He was glad he remembered to bring his backpack, but his original plan was to run for the better part of the afternoon, and his water and Onigiri were inside it. He had no idea the spare jumpsuit might come in handy.

I should not have said she would like them so much she would wear them all the time. She has very beautiful clothes, although most of them appear so elaborate and...complicated. All the gears and leather and velvets; all the brass and buttons and zippers; and the belts and links and lacings and jewelry. Guy-Sensei told us all the Britons love those sort of things.

Lee recalled that one item she wore at the Welcome Party, the waist-cinching piece with the black satin panels and the intricate lacing in the back. He touched it several times when they danced, and he could not understand how she moved, let alone danced, wearing something he felt inflexible. I suppose she has worn those things for so long, she cannot imagine anything else.

Although what she had worn today for working out was much more informal and relaxed, and...

I am spending way too much time thinking about Lady Kathryn’s clothing. It is rude. What I need to be thinking about is explaining how the two of us got soaked in the first place. Guy-Sensei is not going to be happy with me. All I was supposed to do was run with her, not attempt to drown her.

He heard rocks crunch behind him, and he simultaneously turned, sprang to his feet, went for his kunai, and relaxed. Kathryn had emerged. Her wet clothes were bundled in her arms, her shoelaces remained undone, and her hair dripped water everywhere. And she looked...

Oh...Oh! Lee blinked, tried not to stare and smiled. She looked lovely, the green emphasizing her reddish hair, and it was obvious the jumpsuit revealed every tiny detail of her body to more than a flattering degree, just as much if not more than the uniforms or dress outfits he had seen her wear thus far. But she didn’t meet his eyes, and instead, hurried back to the ‘familiar’ boulder, where she took a seat in order to tie the shoelaces.

She looks embarrassed. Why would she be embarrassed? But then she does not have a mirror. Perhaps she does not realize how pretty she looks. He also noted her body language: how she squeezed herself as though trying to remain unnoticeable.

So he relaxed again, not wanting to make her feel any discomfort, keeping his eyes averted until he heard her speak.

“Well, you were right.”

He turned to see her twisting her hair into a plait. “What was I right about, My Lady?”

She chuckled. “Everything. That these are very comfortable. I can move quite well.”

“You like them?!” he inquired, approaching her, maintaining a discreet distance so she would not feel he invaded what she might consider ‘her space’.

“I like them. I don’t think I’d wear them every day, but I can see where they have advantages.” She rolled her eyes and added, “And perhaps one disadvantage.” Kathryn peeked at the outline of her breasts, then returned to work on her hair, drawing her legs underneath her body.

Lee, however, looked puzzled in an innocent way. “A disadvantage? Could you be more specific, My Lady? It might be something Guy-Sensei will need to check into with the manufacturer.”

Kathryn opened her mouth as if to say something but instead gave a small smile, shaking her head. “No, never mind. It’s not really all that bad.”

“You are certain?” He was curious as to what she intended to say.

“I’m certain. I’m just very grateful for the change of clothes, Master Lee.”

“I am glad I could help.”

“I pray you don’t end up catching a cold or pneumonia or influenza on the way back. I already feel bad enough about getting you wet in the first place.”

“I will be fine. Do not worry. I have dealt with worse.” He opened the main section of his backpack and after making the offer, Kathryn stuffed her wet belongings into an outer pouch. “Would you like some water, Captain? I have a few bottles. I can imagine you are thirsty, and we did not have a chance to rehydrate. And I can also offer you an Onigiri or two if you are feeling hungry.” He removed a small lined container which kept any items inside it either hot or cold. Unzipping it so she could see four simple, medium-sized rice balls, he explained, “This is fried chicken breast flavored with tamari sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes. These two are shio musubi. That is plain with salt on the outside if you are unfamiliar with it.”

“I’ve heard of those before.”

“And this one contains umeboshi.”

“That sounds familiar. I think Harry likes those. Pickled...plums?”

“Pickled plums, yes that is right. That one is a favorite of mine.” He chuckled and added, “I never have to worry about Tenten taking those. She hates them.”

The Briton raised an eyebrow as she smiled. “You did come prepared didn't you?”

“I always try to. You have no idea what situations you might run into and Onigiri always makes an excellent snack.”

“That's quite true. Um...yes, I'll take one of the plain and...I'm not sure which other I…”

“I think you might enjoy the chicken one,” he suggested. “The red pepper enhances the flavor and makes it quite spicy, that is if you like spicy foods.”

“I love spicy foods!” She was so busy concentrating on her selections, she didn’t notice how Lee’s smile increased on hearing her comment. “Alright. Alright, I'll go with that one then, thank you.”

“And water, My Lady?”

Kathryn snickered. “Don't you think we've had enough already, Master Lee?”

“Do I think we have had enough…? Oh! Water! Of course, I get it!” He knew they were both about to launch into another round of laughter. Before she could joke further, Lee tossed her a bottle as he grabbed one for himself. Kathryn scooted over so the rock could be shared with comfort, and the two quietly ate and drank. What conversation they had consisted of airships, her service at Windsor, and Lee pointing out the occasional appearance of some bird or animal which came into view.

Minutes later the garbage was put in an inner pocket of the backpack, and Lee slipped the straps over his shoulders and made one last adjustment. “Are you ready to start back, My Lady?”

She jumped off the rock. “I’m ready. I think I’ve done enough damage for one day...to both of us.”

“Well, it was an interesting experiment.”

“Oh, is that what we’re going to call it?” she teased.

Lee noticed that Kathryn folded her arms across her chest. He sighed. He had hoped she would not feel self-conscious, but he should have known better considering the way she kept herself scrunched into a human ball the entire time she was seated. Here was one of the most confident individuals he had ever met, and yet it was as if she feared him seeing her in the jumpsuit.

“Well, at least we do not have a great distance to go,” he told her. “If you look over that ridge, you can see the main area of the Training Fields over there.”

“So…” She squinted in the direction he had pointed towards.

“Two or three miles give or take I would think. We were running so many obstacles, it is no wonder you thought we were a greater distance away, but there’s a shortcut which will get us back in good time.” He saw her nod and as he started walking again, he realized she strolled several steps behind. Why is she so embarrassed about me seeing her? He stopped until she caught back up.

“Is there something wrong, Master Lee?”

“No...well, yes.” He had to word this right or he would make the entire matter worse. “I realize we do not know one another all that well, and that although we have met several times, this is but the second time we have spoken at length.

“So I hope I do not sound impertinent, My Lady,” he continued. If I do not say this...

“I can’t imagine you ever being that Master Lee,” she told him. “Why are you afraid of sounding impertinent?”

He thought for several moments and then said, “Only that...I would never wish for you to feel nervous around me or...Well, I saw you walking behind me and that does not...It felt as though you are being subservient and...” He shook his head and blurted, “There is nothing wrong with how you look right now, Your Ladyship!”

He waited, uncertain for what...until Kathryn blushed, giving a tiny smile, and positioning her arms behind her back as her posture straightened to how it was regularly maintained. Softly laughing, she told him, “Thank you, Master Lee. It's silly, but I suppose I needed that little...encouragement.” Her voice was almost shy.

“You are most welcome.” When they started walking again, they were side-by-side. They remained quiet for a short time until Kathryn commented:

“May I ask you something? Something I was curious about?”

She is back to normal. “Of course, My Lady? If I am able to answer it.”

“I was surprised when Mistress Tenten and Master Neji showed up at the Training Fields and neither of them were wearing jumpsuits. I guess I supposed that all of your team wore them, not just you and Might Guy. I mean, it’s what you train in, right?”

Lee grinned. “Well yes and no. Funny you should mention that, Your Ladyship. I remember the morning Guy-Sensei told us - and this was a few years ago by the way, but he said that he was giving Tenten, Neji and me a reward for our hard work and…”

Neji was stunned he could concentrate on his exercises, for his mind had been distracted for the last hour. He lost count of the times he looked in the direction in which Rock Lee and Lady Kathryn had gone, and although it was not late, he began to wonder if the two decided to do something inordinate.

“Knowing Lee he’s taken her on some harebrained marathon so she can try out his favorite curry.”

Tenten grimaced, concentrating on a new move the Briton had earlier shown her. “Huh? What did you say?”

Neji realized he had been talking aloud. “I...Never mind.”

“I thought you said something about curry. Curry sounds pretty good. Do you have plans for dinner already?”

Neji groaned in response and inelegantly dropped to the ground. “I was wondering where Lee’s taken Lady Kathryn.”

“Oh...OH!” Tenten started laughing. “That's why you brought up curry. Neji, I think he has enough sense than to drag her to another Village miles and I literally mean miles from here without warning anybody, just so she could try out that horrible curry only he likes. It’s his responsibility to see to her well-being. And if she eats that stuff she’ll be ready for the hospital!

“And that is what has me worried!”

“That she’ll eat that curry and end up in the hospital?” Tenten joked. When Neji gave her one of his solemn glares, she threw up her hands. “Just kidding.”

“Well, you know how enthusiastic he gets.”

Tenten’s laughter intensified. “Sure but...”

“No, he got tired of running at her speed like a normal human being and took off without her.” Neji was muttering to himself again but Tenten still heard him. “She saw a green blur and that was that. She's probably wandering around looking for the way back.”

“You’re getting overdramatic, Hyuga.”

“Or he introduced her to some training regimen of his and she’s limping back or he’s carrying her back because he almost killed her. He’ll have caused an international incident, Lady Kathryn will shut the Games down with good reason, and they’ll return home.”

“Earth to Neji Hyuga!”

“Or she’s been kidnapped by rogue Ninja and he’s gone off to rescue her single-handedly.”

“NEJI WILL YOU GIVE IT A REST?!”

Neji laid back and closed his eyes. “Sorry.”

Tenten sat down beside him and patted his shoulder. “Look, I know Lee can be, well, Lee, but give him a little credit.”

“I do.”

“I’m sure they’re having a great time and lost track of the time.”

“True.”

“Maybe they found a squirrel.”

“A squirrel?” Neji frowned.

“Yes, a squirrel. A squirrel with a broken foot or injured tail. They'll be walking back in here any second to go find Sakura for medical attention.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You know how he is about little animals.”

“Right.”

“Or he told her about his favorite curry, they went on a marathon, and they’ll be back sometime after midnight. Wow! That’d be...” She started counting on her fingers, attempting not to smile as Neji began to look sick. “Well, that’s dozens and dozens and dozens of miles. It might be morning before they get back since he’s going to eat several bowls on top of helping Lady Kathryn recover after she eats a spoonful of it. Then they'll have to perform a stomach pumping Jutsu and…”

Neji put his arm over his face. “You are not helping.”

“Sorry.”

Neji chuckled. “You’re not sorry.”

“No really, I am, I am. Neji, look. Lee’s not going to do anything that could cause any type of diplomatic damage. He has more sense than that.”

“I know. I’m being...ridiculous.”

Tenten tried to smile in agreement, but it was difficult. She also wondered about the whereabouts of her teammate and the Briton captain, but she would never say it to Neji. Not that she thought Lee would do anything scandalous. That was not in his nature, but she was right when she said he got enthusiastic about things. And Kathryn Marshall was vivacious and curious enough that she might go along with it and...

Neji’s right. We’re going to have an international incident on our hands.

Tenten decided to change the subject. “So do you have plans for dinner yet?”

Neji shrugged. “I was thinking. Lady Kathryn said she’s never had gyoza here in the Leaf Village. I did suggest we go to Oishii. Of course, she's never been there, and they have that marvelous Gyudon beef if she’s in the mood. Or would you and Lee and Guy-Sensei join us? We could share a hot pot.”

“You don’t want to dine alone with her?” Tenten teased, one eyebrow raised. “What’s the old saying: ‘Two’s company but five’s way too much.’” Neji chuckled and returned to his thoughts.

While officially still a rumor, the whispers had already spread throughout the Village about the possibility of the nearest to a royal marriage they would see in their lifetimes. Vendors were calculating how much a wedding of that prominence might bring in added revenue. Ino mentioned what she was going to wear to every party and then the ceremony and the reception. Shikamaru was already bored. Choji wondered about the menu. Kiba asked if dogs would be allowed. Shino wondered if his bugs would be a nuisance. Hinata was shyly excited about a new female addition to their family, then pondered if this might give Naruto ideas…

It seemed everyone in the Village was excited over the prospect of a wedding, almost more than they were the upcoming Games which were an actual reality. But no one had yet said there was going to be a wedding!

Neji remained quiet on the subject and Tenten did not know Kathryn well enough to broach the issue. That was when she realized he had not answered her question. “Neji?”

“I dined alone with her last night.”

Tenten shook her head. “You did?” She had not been prepared for that information. “I was wondering where you’d gone off to yesterday evening. Guy-Sensei said he didn’t see you anymore after the meeting.”

“Well, Lord Michael suggested it and we dined in her tent, but we weren’t technically alone. The lead chef prepared everything tableside,” he chuckled, “and there were servers, and we had some Briton dishes, dishes I’d never eaten before.”

“Ooooh...So very fancy then?”

“No, well, no. She called it simple. Whoever planned it wanted it to be elegant…”

“How?”

“Oh, you know. The best dishes. The best silver. The lighting. But we were in a tent after all and there’s nothing very elegant about that, but they did an excellent job under the circumstances. What did I say about her being different?”

“And how did it...WHAT THE FUCK?!” she screamed after doing a double-take.

Neji jumped straight up. Tenten was staring wide-eyed in front of her. “Tenten, don’t let Guy-Sensei hear you...WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“You see it too?”

“Of course I see it!” Neji was on his feet. “I knew something had gone wrong. I knew it!”

“Neji, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for all of it.” Tenten took one more look at the far side of the clearing and frowned. Why in the world was Lady Kathryn wearing a pair of the notorious green tights?!

“Well, there’s your first mistake, Tenten. Logic and Lee don’t always mix,” and he moved away, Tenten close on his heels.

“Neji...just...Neji, be calm. Look! Look! Guy-Sensei’s laughing so everything must be okay, right? Right?”

Without saying a word, Neji continued to approach his teacher, the Briton, and his bushy-browed teammate.

Tenten never broke step but one single thought was on her mind. Oh, Lee! What in the world did you get yourself into this time?

She arrived just as Might Guy, who was laughing heartily, slapped Lee on the back. “Tenten! I was just about to tell Neji. Well, you won’t believe this.”

Try me. “Guy-Sensei, what happened?” She saw Lady Kathryn smiling and fighting back a giggle, while a blush crept into Lee’s cheeks. Neji, meantime, looked perplexed.

“It was sheer clumsiness on my part,” the Captain confessed. “I still can’t believe how stupid I was.”

“What happened, Your Ladyship?” Tenten asked as she looked from one to another.

Kathryn laughed again. “Well, Master Lee and I were having a quite marvelous run and I must confess he was pushing me to do my best and I appreciated that, so I’m not sure what happened. I either tripped on a stone or a rock...I’m not sure because it happened so quickly, but the next thing I knew I slipped on the ground or in the mud or something, and we were near the lake, and...” She shook her head. “I couldn’t stop myself and I slid into the water. And I can swim, but Master Lee didn’t know so...”

Guy was ecstatic as he interrupted. “So Lee dived in to rescue her.”

Even Neji smiled. “Good for you, Lee.”

Lee shrugged and bowed his head, the blush growing darker in color.

Kathryn continued: “I was already trying to get my bearings when I heard him hit the water, and he helped get me up to shore. We were both soaked of course, and then I told him I knew how to swim, so we had a good laugh. But I’m supposing he tossed aside his backpack before he jumped into the water...”

Lee nodded.

“And I’m grateful he did because...Well...as I said, we’re both soaking wet, and he goes to his backpack and gives me this,” and she used her hands to indicate the jumpsuit. “He said I was the guest and he wouldn’t feel right not offering it to me to change into and wear back here.”

Tenten’s brown eyes widened as she grinned. “Lee! Wow! You did well.” She was also thinking how incredible the Briton Captain looked in the jumpsuit; how poised and confident despite the revealing fit. You still won’t catch me wearing one though. Sorry, Guy-Sensei!

Guy slapped his pupil on the back a second time. “Of course he did! Always thinking on his feet.”

Lee nodded again.

“I’m just sorry I was so uncoordinated,” Kathryn apologized. ”I’m usually not that way, but there are times I get caught up in the moment...”

“Lady Kathryn,” Neji told her, “everything’s fine. I think we’re thankful it was nothing more serious than that.”

“Yes, yes, that’s true.” Kathryn noticed how quiet Lee remained during all of this.

“So are you going to head back to your camp then, My Lady?” Guy asked.

“I think that might be best. I’m ready for a hot bath and my hair's a disaster. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome with your team as it is, Might Guy.”

Guy bowed to her. “What did I tell you this morning, My Lady? You are always welcome.”

“Well, thank you for your hospitality.”

Neji leaned close to her and said in her ear, “I’ll speak to Guy-Sensei. I’m sure he’ll let me walk you back to your camp.”

“That would be nice, Neji. Thank you.”

In the meantime, Tenten gave Lee a nudge with her elbow. “You and your spare jumpsuit. It came in handy, didn’t it?”

“Yes it did,” he quietly replied.

“You okay, Lee? Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t have to be so modest. That was pretty heroic what you did. I mean, you didn't know she could swim.”

“Yes.”

“I mean, what if she couldn’t have and you hadn’t responded the way you did.” Tenten whistled at the prospect of ‘what if’. “I told Neji there was nothing to worry about.”

Lee looked up. “Nothing to worry about?”

“It’s Neji remember?”

“But why was he concerned? He knew we had gone for a run.”

Tenten groaned and rolled her eyes. “He figured you had talked Lady Kathryn into some madcap adventure,” and she started to walk away. “Like taking her for your favorite curry or something.”

A somber expression came to Lee’s face as he realized what that would have meant. “Tenten, I would never have taken her that far away without informing someone. I would never have taken her at all because of the distance and possible hazards. I am not that irresponsible.”

“See? I told Neji the same thing, but you figure he’s going to be worried about her, right?” She winked. “Anyway, glad you’re back and congratulations on a job well done. Oh and ask Neji about dinner. I think he wants us to join him and Her Ladyship and Guy-Sensei.”

“Ask about...? Tenten!” But she had already hurried off. Lee turned to see Kathryn and Neji were talking with Might Guy. For one of the few times since the incident, he looked at himself, ran a hand through his still damp hair, and realized he was in need of a hot shower and a fresh jumpsuit. It never seemed to matter before now. I just wanted to make certain she was warm and dry and safe. I am thankful I had the spare...Why would Neji think I would take her to try my favorite curry? I am not that stupid to drag her miles away, even for something that amazing.

“Master Lee?”

“Lady Kathryn.” He had been so deep in thought he had not heard her walk up beside him.

“May I?”

“Of course, My Lady,” and he followed her a short distance away, thinking this would be a good time for him to make mention of the main thing which had bothered him since their return. The moment they were no longer within range of Guy or Neji hearing anything, Lee started with “Your Ladyship...” but Kathryn already shook her head.

“I know what you’re going to say, Master Lee.”

“But why did you accept the blame for what happened, My Lady? I was...”

“Exactly! You were going to take the blame for something that was not your fault. I couldn’t let you do that.”

“But if you had not seen me...”

“Regardless of whether I did or not, I’m the one who begged you to show me how it was done, and yes, you could have refused, but I think you were as hopeful as I was.”

He nodded, remembering the inkling of excitement that pushed aside his nervousness.

“Also, what did I tell you when I asked you to release me? You remember, don’t you?”

“You said you accepted full responsibility.” His acknowledgment was grudging.

“And I still do. So no harm was done.”

Lee closed his eyes. “Except I have permitted you to lie to Guy-Sensei and Tenten and Neji and I stood there and said nothing.”

Kathryn shrugged, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, if you think about it, it wasn’t exactly a complete lie. I did fall in the water. You did dive in. I just switched around the circumstances of how it all came about.” She swallowed hard as she watched his black eyes grow down-hearted, and she looked at the ground and sighed. “And you’ll tell me you’ve lost all respect for me because of this.”

“No, I...No, my respect for you has not changed, My Lady. I just do not like thinking of you telling a lie to protect my error.”

“I know. I’m sorry, but as I said, I wasn’t going to let you take the blame. Can we...Let’s just say we both made a mistake and leave it at that. Please.” When he nodded, it spurred her to add, “Also, promise me if I ever ask you to do something like that again...” She paused.

“What do you want me to do, Lady Kathryn?”

“Knock me upside the head and tell me to snap out of it...And there! I saw it! You’re smiling, Master Lee. I was not going to leave until I got you to smile again.”

Lee shook his head. “You are so silly, My Lady,” he told her, repeating part of what she had earlier said to him. But she was silly, in the nicest way possible.

“Sometimes it helps. We can’t be all glum and super-serious all the time. Life wouldn’t be worth living, would it?” She stood tiptoe, about to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, but lowered herself upon noticing both Guy and Neji had faced their way. “Anyway, thanks again for the run, and the lesson, and the unexpected swim, and the jumpsuit, and the Onigiri and...and for being so kind to me when I was feeling...uncertain.”

“I am glad you had a good time today. I shall look forward to running with you again, Your Ladyship,” he told her, bowing.

“Same here. Have a good rest of the day then, Master Lee.” Kathryn dipped an elegant curtsy, took another glance of herself, and laughed as she walked away.

It was right after she disappeared with Neji that he remembered she had left her workout clothes in his bag, but he would see if Tenten minded dropping them off at the laundry to get them cleaned. He would then deliver them to the Captain at the earliest possible convenience. As for the spare tights - he had more than enough pairs, and there was a possibility once she gave it some thought, that Lady Kathryn would see the benefits of wearing them whenever she worked out.

It was a shame she was not specific to the one disadvantage she mentioned. For the life of him, he had no clue as to what it could possibly be.

@sausage-fist , @ten-all-over , @fruitysmellz , @nejicanspin , @shock777 @bucolicnonentities , @samlovesmaitogai , @sincerelysinclair17 , @teacher-monica

#all this and heaven too #all this...and heaven too #Rock Lee #neji #Neji Hyūga #tenten #might guy #Might Gai #team gai #Team Guy

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lyscndcr-blog · 6 years

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ok this is both queued bc i’m at work rn and totally just lifted directly from my app but your girls been a busy bean recently ok. hopefully this helps give a lil more insight into this nugget!!

❝ everything we ever were was alight with gold. / and when they asked us what love was we answered, / soft and bright, darling. / soft and bright. ❞ Lysander Scamander, Keiynan Lonsdale, Sixteen, Sixth Year, Ravenclaw, Demiboy, Half-Blood, He/Him

family/home life.

- I dare you to tell me that Luna and Rolf were anything other than the most loving and kind parents you have ever met. Because they are, and life with the Scamander’s is nothing short of Lysander’s paradise. It’s the most loving tight knit family you could possibly dream of

- While his childhood was maybe odd at times, Lysander has never had to wonder what it’s like to be alone or unwanted, what it’s like to have to hide yourself, what it’s like not to have your best friends as your parents. Because while occasionally quirky, Luna has lived a life of the utmost acceptance and openness and along with Rolf she made sure to foster that kind of environment for her children. The twins were supported and even encouraged to explore their interests and passions freely and to unapologetically be the most true versions of themselves

- I’m sure if you asked Lysander to paint his childhood a colour, then it would no doubt be yellow. The scamander home (the lovegoods old tower on the hill, since rebuilt) always had a sense of vibrancy to it, a sense of excitement – it was never a dull moment growing up in the Scamander household (or castle as he would call it in his early years). If he wasn’t running around the house chasing wrackspurts with Lorcan or finger painting a new masterpiece with Luna, then he was out marching through the grassy backyard on some epic quest to find a new undiscovered magical creature with Rolf. The world was just endlessly exciting, every new day a new opportunity and a new adventure.

- And what’s better than having a twin to share adventures with? the twins were basically attached at the hip growing up. Where there was one twin inevitably the other was stumbling through the door right after. Lysander never had to get used to the feeling of being alone because he never was, really. It was always his mom or his dad or his twin or some combination of the three. In his mind a twin is a guaranteed friend, really. A partner to face the world with. I think this is part of what really fostered his love and appreciation for the friendships he would make later in life, he was taught early on to value that kind of support and companionship. Thrived with it even.

- True free spirits, Luna and Rolf never shied from showing their children what the wide world had to offer – they were magizoologists, after all. Before both sons were obligated to begin their studies at hogwarts the family did a fair amount of travelling to all corners of the world, meeting all manner of people and creatures. Lysander had the opportunity to really witness the beauty of the world first hand.

- I can imagine things were never really serious in the Scamander house. I think Luna and Rolf taught their sons serious lessons of course – things like tolerance, and humility, and generosity – but never in an overly serious way if that makes sense. Lessons were delivered with smiles and laughter and fun; always a lighthearted and gentle atmosphere. His parents were definitely believers in the concept of “you get more flies with honey than with vinegar” concept; gentle encouragement over strict reprimands.

- That’s the thing I most associate with the family home honestly: warmth. A relaxed, fun, happy place free of judgement and expectations. And that’s something that’s really stuck with Lysander even as he grows older now. Home is something to be cherished above all else, a place that will always accept you and people that will always love you. He misses his parents desperately when he’s away at school and always makes sure to write them as frequently as possible (and doesn’t even mind when his mom sends him weird packages back)

- That’s not to say his childhood wasn’t without its quirks though, things that were normal to Lysander because he didn’t know any different but no doubt confused others outside the family. Weird family traditions or habits - things like making sure you had your butter beer corks to ward away the nargles before you left the house. The home is probably constantly in a cluttered state, things everywhere with no rhyme or reason but which Luna insists are exactly where they were need to be. Why was there a sneaker tied to the chandelier? Nobody knows and nobody bothers to ask anymore. The walls are adorned with murals and the style of decor surely doesn’t match, changing from room to room in a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern. Trinkets and little souvenirs from all over the world have crept their way onto every surface and space. While it probably looks like a hippies art studio exploded all over it tbh, the home positively oozes comfort and familiarity and positivity.

personality

- Lysander is honestly a direct reflection of the environment he grew up in – open, honest, and with a heart that’s just bursting at the seams it’s so full of love. It’s not hard to tell he’s his mother's son. He’s oddly intuitive, always seeming to be in tune with the emotional mood of the room – though sometimes he doesn’t pick up on other more obvious cues. It’s rare to find someone who can say they’re truly happy with who they are but Lysander wouldn’t even blink before agreeing

- While others maybe would have gotten sick of their mom’s “weird quirks” or outgrown such a positive (and some may call naïve) outlook on life, Lysander’s still nothing but fond of her and his eyes have never lost that youthful sparkle. Looking on the bright side and keeping a little imagination in your life is just makes experiences so much more enjoyable in his opinion

- He never fails to find the joy in the little things and turn around a bad situation and honestly he’s just a sweet ray of sunshine okay

- if you’re ever having a super bad day or just need someone to sit and listen Lysander’s your guy – he’s always ready to be there to support a friend and offer a kind smile. That’s his main goal in life honestly – to leave every place and everyone a little better, a little happier, then he found them

- he’s a true romantic at heart ngl like he’s all over the grand gestures and gooey relationships no matter how unrealistic it may be. he just loves love and everything it relates to. He could get his heart broken over and over and would still be enamoured with the concept of true love

- He’s a very creative person and this definitely reflects in his style - it’s daring and bold and maybe even a little out there at times. Don’t be surprised to see him rocking the bottlecork earrings with pride or have his hair a fun new colour every week

- on the flip side though, he can tend towards being unrealistic at times – looking at the world through rose coloured glasses. He’s not exactly the grounded and practical type and while it can be good to look on the bright side, sometimes it’s just not feasible. 100% a heart over head kind of person which can get him into trouble

- He’s also a little too trusting at times, wants so badly to give the benefit of the doubt and focus on the good in people that it ends in him being taken advantage of. He’ll give and he’ll give and he’ll give until there’s just nothing left for himself which can leave him emotionally drained if he’s not careful

- As a whole he just relies on his emotions too much – for better or for worse. It’s not that he can’t think of a more logical path of reasoning (and I mean he is a ravenclaw) it’s just that he tends to get carried away. So while he greatly loves, he can also greatly hate haha – the boy knows how to hold a grudge.

- That doesn’t mean he’s a total pushover though – quite the opposite. He has a pretty strong moral compass and inner resilience that he’s not willing to compromise on. Like sure, on little things it’s often pretty easy to get him to cave; he just wants to see you happy. But when it comes to his convictions? Nope. You can bet your ass if he sees you bullying someone he’s about to storm over and pull out some witty and terrifying smack down that you didn’t even see coming. Which I think is an important hidden part of him – he kind of has this secret hidden badass within him. He’s not some naïve happy go lucky little idiot, his positivity and his demeanor is a choice. He chooses how to interact with the world and sure in this case it’s in a gentle and friendly way but don’t you dare think that makes him weak.

- I guess what I’m trying to convey is he’s not a fluffy little weak head in the clouds marshmallow, he’s smart and strong and gentle and kind all at the same time. Just because someone approaches the world in a position of love and positivity doesn’t mean they necessarily timid or naïve.

- I think very much like Luna he has a hidden intelligence to him and is actually someone who’s quite sharp. It just tends to get lost under all the other stuff unless you really look for it. You don’t tend to think that the one with stars in their eyes could have so many gears turning underneath. In subjects he’s interested in he actually excels greatly and is very capable. In courses he doesn’t like or doesn’t feel inspired by? ...not so much

-How he labels and presents himself has never really been something Lysander has cared much about, honestly. His views on such abstract concepts as sexuality and gender and where he falls in that spectrum are very loose and if he had the choice it would never even need to be addressed. But he’d kissed a cute Gryffindor boy for the first time in fourth year, closely followed by a sweet Hufflepuff girl a few weeks later and apparently that confused people. He pierced his ears and wore glitter eyeliner and painted his nails and suddenly people were asking him why. Why? He just believes in just being the truest form of himself, he would tell them time and time again, whatever that happens to be on that day. Believes in expressing himself however that may look. Why does he have to be one thing or the other? He’s going to dress and act however he wants to and love whoever he wants to with reckless abandon. Love is love to him. It’s to be shared and celebrated in all it’s different forms. There’s been labels he’s felt some semblance of kinship with in the passing years - panexual, genderqueer, polyamerous - but even those never really felt right and even a little restrictive. The only thing Lysander wants to be is himself.

+ Positive, compassionate, friendly, gentle, intuitive, creative, honest, supportive, accepting, loyal, witty, curious, approachable, imaginative, kind, adventurous, genuine

– Overemotional, idealistic, too trusting, stubborn, melodramatic, indecisive, clumsy, nosy, trouble saying no, absent minded, indulgent, impulsive

Patronus: Otter

Wand: 13 ¾, rowan wood and unicorn hair, slightly springy

Zodiac: Cancer Sun, Libra Moon, Libra Ascending

Myers-Briggs: ENFP - The Campaigner

Enneagram: Type 2 - The Helper

Temperament: Sanguine

#holocene intro #is i think what the tag was?#shoot #i'll fix it when i get home if I have to #( about )#q

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dfroza · 3 years

Text

Today’s reading from the ancient book of Proverbs and book of Psalms

for September 30 of 2021 with Proverbs 30 and Psalm 30, accompanied by Psalm 9 for the 9th day of Astronomical Autumn and Psalm 123 for day 273 of the year (now with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 2nd revolution this year)

[Proverbs 30]

[The Mysterious Sayings of Agur]

These are the collected sayings of the prophet Agur, Jakeh’s son—

the amazing revelation he imparted to Ithiel and Ukal.

God, I’m so weary and worn out,

I feel more like a beast than a man.

I was made in your image,

but I lack understanding.

I’ve yet to learn the wisdom

that comes from the full and intimate knowledge of you,

the Holy One.

[Six Questions]

Who is it that travels back and forth

from the heavenly realm to the earth?

Who controls the wind as it blows and holds it in his fists?

Who tucks the rain into the cloak of his clouds?

Who stretches out the skyline from one vista to the other?

What is his name?

And what is the name of his Son?

Who can tell me?

[A Pure Heart Is Filled with God’s Word]

Every promise from the faithful God

is pure and proves to be true.

He is a wraparound shield of protection for all his lovers

who run to hide in him.

Never add to his words,

or he will have to rebuke you and prove that you’re a liar.

God, there are two things I’m asking you for before I die, only two:

Empty out of my heart everything that is false—

every lie, and every crooked thing.

And give me neither undue poverty nor undue wealth—

but rather, feed my soul with the measure of prosperity

that pleases you.

May my satisfaction be found in you.

Don’t let me be so rich that I don’t need you

or so poor that I have to resort to dishonesty

just to make ends meet.

Then my life will never detract from bringing glory to your name.

Never defame a servant before his master,

for you will be the guilty one

and a curse will come upon you.

There is a generation rising that curses their fathers

and speaks evil of their mothers.

There is a generation rising that considers themselves

to be pure in their own eyes,

yet they are morally filthy, unwashed, and unclean.

There is a generation rising that is so filled with pride,

they think they are superior and look down on others.

There is a generation rising that uses their words like swords

to cut and slash those who are different.

They would devour the poor, the needy, and the afflicted

from off the face of the earth!

There are three words to describe the greedy:

“Give me more!”

There are some things that are never satisfied.

Forever craving more, they’re unable to say, “That’s enough!”

Here are four:

the grave, yawning for another victim,

the barren womb, ever wanting a child,

thirsty soil, ever longing for rain,

and a raging fire, devouring its fuel.

They’re all insatiable.

The eye that mocks his father and dishonors his elderly mother

deserves to be plucked out by the ravens of the valley

and fed to the young vultures!

[Four Mysteries]

There are four marvelous mysteries

that are too amazing to unravel—

who could fully explain them?

The way an eagle flies in the sky,

the way a snake glides on a boulder,

the path of a ship as it passes through the sea,

and the way a bridegroom falls in love with his bride.

Here is the deceptive way of the adulterous woman:

she takes what she wants and then says,

“I’ve done nothing wrong.”

[Four Intolerable Things]

There are four intolerable events

that are simply unbearable to observe:

when an unfaithful servant becomes a ruler,

when a scoundrel comes into great wealth,

when an unfaithful woman marries a good man,

and when a mistress replaces a faithful wife.

[Four Creatures Small and Wise]

The earth has four creatures that are very small but very wise:

The feeble ant has little strength,

yet look how it diligently gathers its food in the summer

to last throughout the winter.

The delicate rock-badger isn’t all that strong,

yet look how it makes a secure home, nestled in the rocks.

The locusts have no king to lead them,

yet they cooperate as they move forward by bands.

And the small lizard is easy to catch

as it clings to the walls with its hands,

yet it can be found inside a king’s palace.

[Four Stately Things]

There are four stately monarchs

who are impressive to watch as they go forth:

the lion, the king of the jungle, who is afraid of no one,

the rooster strutting boldly among the hens,

the male goat out in front leading the herd,

and a king leading his regal procession.

If you’ve acted foolishly by drawing attention to yourself,

or if you’ve thought about saying something stupid,

you’d better shut your mouth.

For such stupidity may give you a bloody nose!

Stirring up an argument only leads to an angry confrontation.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 30 (The Passion Translation)

[Psalm 30]

A song of David. For the dedication of the temple.

I praise You, Eternal One. You lifted me out of that deep, dark pit

and denied my opponents the pleasure of rubbing in their success.

Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help;

You mended the shattered pieces of my life.

You lifted me from the grave with a mighty hand,

gave me another chance,

and saved me from joining those in that dreadful pit.

Sing, all you who remain faithful!

Pour out your hearts to the Eternal with praise and melodies;

let grateful music fill the air and bless His name.

His wrath, you see, is fleeting,

but His grace lasts a lifetime.

The deepest pains may linger through the night,

but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.

When things were quiet and life was easy, I said in arrogance,

“Nothing can shake me.”

By Your grace, Eternal,

I thought I was as strong as a mountain;

But when You left my side and hid away,

I crumbled in fear.

O Eternal One, I called out to You;

I pleaded for Your compassion and forgiveness:

“I’m no good to You dead! What benefits come from my rotting corpse?

My body in the grave will not praise You.

No songs will rise up from the dust of my bones.

From dust comes no proclamation of Your faithfulness.

Hear me, Eternal Lord—please help me,

Eternal One—be merciful!”

You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing;

You stripped off my dark clothing

and covered me with joyful light.

You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!

It’s impossible to keep quiet!

Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 30 (The Voice)

[Psalm 9]

I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart,

I’m writing the book on your wonders.

I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;

I’m singing your song, High God.

The day my enemies turned tail and ran,

they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.

You took over and set everything right;

when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.

You blow the whistle on godless nations;

you throw dirty players out of the game,

wipe their names right off the roster.

Enemies disappear from the sidelines,

their reputation trashed,

their names erased from the halls of fame.

God holds the high center,

he sees and sets the world’s mess right.

He decides what is right for us earthlings,

gives people their just deserts.

God’s a safe-house for the battered,

a sanctuary during bad times.

The moment you arrive, you relax;

you’re never sorry you knocked.

Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God,

tell his stories to everyone you meet:

How he tracks down killers

yet keeps his eye on us,

registers every whimper and moan.

Be kind to me, God;

I’ve been kicked around long enough.

Once you’ve pulled me back

from the gates of death,

I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;

on the corner of Main and First

I’ll hold a street meeting;

I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air

with salvation songs.

They’re trapped, those godless countries,

in the very snares they set,

Their feet all tangled

in the net they spread.

They have no excuse;

the way God works is well-known.

The shrewd machinery made by the wicked

has maimed their own hands.

The wicked bought a one-way

ticket to hell.

No longer will the poor be nameless—

no more humiliation for the humble.

Up, God! Aren’t you fed up with their empty strutting?

Expose these grand pretensions!

Shake them up, God!

Show them how silly they look.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 9 (The Message)

[Psalm 123]

A Prayer for Mercy

A song of the stairway

O God-Enthroned in heaven, I lift my eyes toward you in worship.

The way I love you

is like the way a servant wants to please his master,

the way a maid waits for the orders of her mistress.

We look to you, our God, with passionate longing

to please you and discover more of your mercy and grace.

For we’ve had more than our fill of this scoffing and scorn—

this mistreatment by the wealthy elite.

Lord, show us your mercy!

Lord, show us your grace!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 123 (The Passion Translation)

0 notes

magic5ball · 4 years

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Nature Trail to Hell Arc II: Watt Outta Hell (3)

Chapter 3: I am Relieved of Unnecessary Appendages

I woke up lying on a table. An operating table. But before I could wonder if this was going to be a recurring thing, I realized that where my feet should have been, there were now a pair of raptor feet, complete with oversized sickle claws. The table was surrounded by A-Hole, F-Bomb, and several other Deinonychus I didn’t recognize on account of them all wearing surgery masks.

“Wakey, wakey, Turd.” Grumbled A-Hole. “We’ve finished your forkin’ enhancements, see?”

I stared down at my new feet, willing my new toe claw to move. It was surreal to see how it responded, part of me now. “A-Hole, what did you do to me?”

F-Bomb sighed “What’s it forkin’ look like, smartasp? We infused you with deninoychus DNA. You’re one of forkin’ us now! Also I might have sawed off your old forkin’ feet and turned them inta forkin’ paperweights.” He pointed to a desk, where sure enough, my old feet were being used to hold down a bunch of files.

For a moment, I stood shocked, hardly believing what I was hearing, only for it to rapidly give way to complete and utter joy. I was part dinosaur.

I was part dinosaur.

I was part Dinosaaaauuurrrrr!!!!!

I couldn’t believe it. After five long Christmases of being let down, I’d finally achieved every 10 year old boy’s ultimate fantasy! If I’d know this, I’d have converted to Satanism years ago!

A-Hole and co. meanwhile, stared at me with every kind of confused expression known to man.

“Hey Boss,” whispered F-Bomb, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Wouldn’t you think the forkin’ turd would be more forkin’ freaked out by this. I mean, we did just forkin’ rework his forkin’ genetic code. And turn his forkin’ feet inta paperweights.”

A-Hole gave F-Bomb a stare, but not just any stare. No, what we’re talking about would make even gorgons turn to stone! Or as the gang called it, the ‘Death Glare’.

“Aw, can it, F-Bomb. I don’t pay ya to be forkin’ smart!”

“Actually, Boss,” Schizzle interrupted “Ya don’t really pay us at all. It’s more like indentured servitude, see?”

“And I told you to stop usin’ all those ding-dong fancy words!”

The room erupted into argument, Deinonychus shrieking just like they did in the movies, pouncing on each other and trying to disembowel one another with their sickle-claws. And yours truly was getting the opportunity to live with these guys for possibly the next eternity!

But midfight, there was a loud shriek. Everyone stared at a door in the back as none other than Hoe swaggered into the room (on high heels, no less)!

A-Hole was indignant. “Hoe, I thought I told you to stay in the kitchen and cook the severed heads of my enemies!”

“Well I can’t exactly do that when you’re up here making a ruckus of everything. How exactly do you expect me to use the right amount of coriander if you keep breaking my concentration? “

For the first time, I saw A-Hole concede defeat. “Oh, all right. Guys, let’s make up.” Everyone proceeded to awkwardly pat each other on the back, whether or not their entrails were currently lying on the floor.

Hoe walked up to me and winked “Don’t worry, sweetie. You’ll get used it sooner or later.”

A-Hole swiped dust off his shoulders. “Now that that forkin’ scuffle is over, (Which I won, for the record) I guess it’s time you got introduce to your new family.” He pointed at his chest. “I’m A-Hole, but you’ll be callin’ me Boss, capische?”

I nodded.

“Excellent. Next is F-Bomb, he’s our torture specialist, and a dang good broccoli cook.” F-Bomb looked like he wanted to stab a fork through my eye.

“For the forkin’ record,” he screeched “I’m never gonna be your forkin’ friend. Ya fork!”

A-Hole continued going from person to person “this here’s Schizzle, our dumb muscle, you’ve already met Hoe, she’s our gardener and cook, and then there’s C-Word, D-Bag, B-yotch…”

My mind swam as I tried to keep track of them all. Try as I might, they all just blurred into a bunch of Deinonychus wearing pinstripe suits. My attention didn’t snap back until the cutest, fuzziest little creature I’ve ever seen wriggled out from between A-Hole’s legs.

“…and finally, Weena, my pet dik-dik.” I cringed as he started scratching the thing behind the ears, talking in that gushy voice my Mom always uses with my little brother. “Who’s been spreading diseases to cattle all around the world? You have, yes, you have!” Everyone else awwwed on cue, though this felt more out of obligation than respect. Except for me, because let me tell you, the moment I looked into Weena’s wide black eyes, I could tell this was a girl who’d been inside for too long to ever come out.

“Anyhow, since you’re part of my gang, now we need to give you your gang name, see? Whatever they called you on the upside, it don’t matter none down here. From now on, you’re Turd E. Mcturdpants. Jr. ” He grabbed one of my hands and nearly shook it off. “Congrats kid, I knew you could do it.” Everyone else clapped as I wondered what other crazy things I could get away with using Monopoly Money. If the money was worth as much as A-Hole said it was, I had to wonder why those games didn’t singlehandedly cause mass inflation. Everyone clapped, except for Schizzle.

“Now hold on, Boss, I don’t mean to intrude, but don’t we already have a Turd?”

A-Hole nodded “Turd made his choice when he tried to ditch us. Had to give him the usual. Now come on, my friend. Don’t make me change your name to smartask,”

“What’s the usual?” I asked.

“Oh, put him in a bag with rocks and dump him in the River Styx.”

“Oh.”

A-Hole slapped me on the back, in a way I think was supposed to be Fatherly but came off as him trying to break my spine. “See, little Turd? You’re gonna learn somethin’ new every day, guaranteed! Now here’s your honorary suit!” Someone tossed a pair of clothes right into my lap. When I picked them up, I saw it was just an old T-Shirt. I couldn’t read the words on it, but based on the pictures it seemed to be from a benefit concert to cure cooties in Uzbekistan.

“Why don’t I get a pinstripe suit like everyone else? Or pants?”

“’Cause you’re the new guy, see? Gotta work your way up to pinstripes, see? Pants are for jocks only, see? Speakin’ a’ workin’ your way up, F-Bomb, you train the kid.”

The smaller dinosaur looked like he would explode.

“Why do I have to forkin’-“

“You’re the shortest, and the rule around here is shorty always teaches the new guy.”

“But I’m naturally this forkin’ small! It’s forkin’ genetics!”

“They cry to the Lord, why dontcha?!”

This went back and forth for several minutes as the other Deinonychus left the room, rolling their eyes like they’d seen this a thousand times. In the end, it was F-Bomb who gave up.

“All forkin’ right, but only ‘cause you forkin’ tok me in. Just remember I’m not your forkin’ dik-dik!”

Weena, meanwhile, was occupied licking drywall in a corner of the room. And pooping.

The short dinosaur gestured a claw at me. “C’mon, ya forkin’ turd. It’s time ta be gangster.”

Now, I know this might sound sappy, but the moment we left that room, I could tell my new life as a gangster was about to begin.

“So where do I start?”

“Fer starters, were gonna get you some forkin’ firepower. There’s a store on 34th and Chestnut that sells some good tommy guns.”

“Wait. So I’m part dinosaur and I get an awesome gun!?” At this point, I really started to doubt I was in Hell.

F-Bomb glowered (though at this point he did it so often I couldn’t tell if he meant it or his face just normally looked that way). “Kid, if you keep forkin’ out over every single forkin’ thing, I swear I’m gonna cut all your forkin’ limbs off, and feed ‘em to the Cerberus!”

#My writing #Nature Trail To Hell #dinosaur #hell #deinonychus

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the-desolated-quill · 7 years

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The Doctor’s Wife - Doctor Who blog

(SPOILER WARNING: The following is an in-depth critical analysis. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, you may want to before reading this review)

Neil Gaiman, the man behind The Sandman, Coraline and American Gods, is writing a Doctor Who episode?

The Doctor receives a distress call from a bubble universe that seems to indicate that more Time Lords have survived the Time War. Okay. Already you’ve got my attention. And my Whovian heart couldn’t help but give a little squeal when the distress call came in the form of a space cube similar to the ones used way back in The War Games during the Patrick Troughton era.

Also we get our first proper confirmation that Time Lords can indeed change their gender when they regenerate...

PROGRESSIVE!

...only to be undermined by a bunch of sexist dialogue about what a ‘bad girl’ the Corsair was the few times she was a woman.

NOT SO PROGRESSIVE!

In fact this episode has a lot of sexist dialogue as well as scenes where the Doctor objectifies the TARDIS, which I really could have done without. I don’t blame Neil Gaiman for this. Apparently Steven Moffat had an input in some of the rewrites in order to accommodate budget constraints, and frankly it shows. Some of the more cringeworthy moments of casual misogyny in this episode have Moffat’s fingerprints all over it. While yes he did effectively lay the foundations for there to finally be a female Doctor now, it doesn’t change the fact that his attitude toward women in general is fucking disgusting.

Anyway, let’s ignore the crappy Moffat bits and concentrate on Gaiman, shall we?

The plot is really good and I love how the hope that the Time Lords are still alive impacts the Doctor. He’s overjoyed, sure, but he’s also extremely guilty for the things he did in the Time War and is worried about how he’s going to explain all that. Matt Smith does a really good job conveying this, as well as the Doctor’s reaction when he discovers this was all a trap to lure unsuspecting Time Lords and their TARDISes to their collective doom.

Which brings us to the villains. We’re first introduced to Aunty and Uncle, played by Elizabeth Berrington and Adrian Schiller respectively. Patchwork people created from Time Lord body parts. Neil Gaiman has always been a very macabre and eccentric writer, and Aunty and Uncle fit into that perfectly. Both Berrington and Schiller do a wonderful job bringing these weird characters to life. Conceptually they’re really grotesque, but you can’t help but find them charming in their own twisted way. It’s a shame they don’t hang around for long.

The main threat is of course House, voiced by Martin Sheen. Not the most complex villain ever. It’s an entity that eats TARDISes. But it’s execution that counts, and they do a sterling job. Gaiman’s dialogue coupled with Sheen’s brilliant vocal performance turns House into a chilling foe. And that’s before he steals the TARDIS. Once House escapes, taking Amy and Rory with him, the fun really begins. The sequences where Amy and Rory are running through TARDIS corridors while House taunts and torments them for his own entertainment were incredibly unnerving. Most of the focus is placed on Amy as House separates her and Rory and alters their perception of time so that Rory thinks Amy has abandoned him for 2000 years, no doubt referencing Amy running off with the Doctor on the night before their wedding. On the one hand, yes we have to put up with another Rory death fakeout, but on the other hand we get to see some of the underlying problems in Amy and Rory’s relationship get taken to their absolute extreme. House takes Amy’s guilt over the way she treated Rory and Rory’s jealousy toward Amy’s bond with the Doctor, and magnifies them under a very dark microscope. It’s legitimately disturbing at points and offers a very different kind of threat we’re not used to seeing in Doctor Who. One that’s purely psychological.

One thing I wasn’t too keen on however is Nephew, the Ood. Initially Gaiman wanted to design his own monster, but had to settle for an Ood due to budget constraints. Personally I don’t think there was a need for any monster at all, Ood or otherwise. Don’t get me wrong. I love the Ood. I’ve mentioned in the past that they’re my favourite New Who aliens. I just don’t understand why you would want to go back to the bog standard ‘run away from the monster’ plot we’ve seen millions of times in Doctor Who when House’s psychological mind games were infinitely scarier and more interesting.

But of course the highlight of this episode is the Doctor and Idris. Or rather the Doctor and the TARDIS. Yes, kudos to Neil Gaiman for exploring the one idea that’s never been explored throughout Doctor Who’s long history and yet seems so obvious when you think about it that you’re amazed nobody has ever done it before.

It’s very easy to forget that the TARDIS is more than just a spaceship. It’s a living creature. It’s arguably a character in its own right. The only character that has been with the Doctor since the very beginning. We know the Doctor is very fond of his TARDIS, but what does the TARDIS think of him? And what would it say to him if it could talk to him? As interesting an idea as this is, it could have gone disastrously wrong if handled incorrectly. Luckily they cast the perfect person to play the TARDIS incarnate. Suranne Jones is absolutely phenomenal. She’s everything you’d expect the TARDIS to be without tipping too far into overly wacky or whimsical territory. The TARDIS inhabits all of time and space, and Jones portrays the character as though she’s operating on a different plain of reality to everyone else. She gets her pronouns and tenses mixed up due to her not being used to experiencing time linearly and her love for the Doctor is apparent. I love the little detail that she in fact stole him all those years ago and that the reason why she’s so unreliable when the Doctor pilots her is because she only takes him to places he needs to go rather than where he wants to go.

The reason why this relationship works so well is because it takes everything we previously knew about the Doctor and the TARDIS and puts delightful new spins on them without betraying the original dynamic. What draws them together is the fact that they’re both renegades (the Doctor was an outcast amongst his people and the TARDIS was a faulty model) and both share a desire to explore the wonders of time and space. They stole each other for their mutual benefit. The Doctor and Idris’ joy at finally being able to communicate with each other is overwhelming as we see them bond over their shared traits and we see them realise that they actually have so much in common. I love Matt Smith and Suranne Jones’ chemistry together and their final goodbye was incredibly touching. They care about each other deeply and will always be together, but it’s legitimately heartbreaking knowing this is the one and only time they’ll ever get to properly speak to each other and let their feelings for each other truly known. I was holding back the tears at the end.

While The Doctor’s Wife isn’t perfect, it’s nonetheless a very special episode that’s funny, emotional and at times tragic, exploring the most important relationship in the entire show as well as shining new light on the little blue box that made the Doctor’s adventures possible in the first place. This episode deserves to be ranked as one of Doctor Who’s best. In short, a modern classic.

#the doctor's wife #neil gaiman #doctor who #eleventh doctor #matt smith #amy pond #karen gillan #rory williams #arthur darvill #steven moffat #bbc #review #spoilers

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allenmendezsr · 5 years

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Stop Your Parrot From Biting, Train Tricks, Speech & More

New Post has been published on https://autotraffixpro.app/allenmendezsr/stop-your-parrot-from-biting-train-tricks-speech-more/

Stop Your Parrot From Biting, Train Tricks, Speech & More

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I found your information extremely valuable. Plus…this is a BIG plus…your enthusiasm in your writing is overwhelming… This straight forward… no nonsense composite guide has to be one of the best reads I’ve encountered on the well being and upkeep, plus easy training techniques on Parrots… and I’ve read loads believe me.

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Victor Door United Kingdom

Victor received results within 6 days!

“… Keep up the good work and if you come up with new stuff let me know.”

I have found that the best part of your course is in the educating yourself on behalf of your bird and learning why they do what they do. You also stress the part of spending quality time and the placing of your bird in the house where they can see and hear you.

We have an eight month old parrot and already it is spoiled and thinks it is and has always been a part of the family. I can’t remember having so much fun. Gracie jumps down off her perch and wonders through the house looking for me if I stay old, her vocabulary is amazing. She rattles on for 45 minutes at a time. She is constantly learning new words and phrases.

I believe it is because where I read that you should spend quality time with them and become their friend. She has bonded with both my wife and me and either one of can and does feed and baths her. She likes to sit on my shoulder and watch t.v. while i feed her sun flower seeds.She has from spending time, learned to trust me and I am sure that I now have been adopted as part of her flock.

Keep up the good work and if you come up with new stuff let me know.

Pastor Brian Adams Jackson, Ohio

“i am very glad we purchased your training couse… it will help us in the long run”

I am writing back about your training course. My husband and i have been reading and searching for the right bird for us we have actually decided to go with a parrot at petsmart in burnsville minnesota.

However we have spent alot of time looking, holding, and playing with all different birds. I have read some of your training course and it has helped minumize alot if pet stores that dont take care of there birds properly.

i am very glad we purchased your training couse and i believe it will help us in the long run with our dusky.

Andrea Tesseman Farmington, Minnesota

Andrea received benefits within 8 days!

“(he) has now really become the family bird… your course was worth every cent…”

With regard your training course my comments are as follows:

I wish I had got your course before getting my parrot. I found I was really struggling with my parrot as he would only allow me to touch him.

Since sharing your course with the whole family, we have progressed to the level where my wife can now pick him up and take him around the house, in fact he now even follows her even when I’m in the room. He is far more tolerant of the children (5 & 7 Yrs)and has now really become the family bird, not just mine.

The e-books on diet and health were very informative and helpful. You also provide insight on maintaing your parrot, after reading this I was horrified at how my birds wing had been clipped. On the whole your course was worth every cent, and my family and my self refer back to it continually. Potty training was also helpful and we are halfway there with having our bird potty trained.

Frank Rawson Laezonia, South Africa

“The course was helpful, especially the chapter on problem behaviors…”

Hi,

I invested in your training course after purchasing a young female parrot. She was hand fed as a baby, but then the pet store made the mistake of putting her back in a cage with her siblings. She had become hostile and fearful of humans, and the pet store employees had nicknamed her “Jaws” because of her defensive biting when they caught her with their hands.

I’m a counselor, so I love a challenge, and I felt a bond when the little creature cuddled under my flannel shirt. I tood her home and named her M

The course was helpful, especially the chapter on problem behaviors and how to get your parrot to love you. In no time, she was stepping up onto a wooden perch, and she has not seriously bitten me now in about 3 weeks. To the contrary, she skitters to the end of the wood perch I use to Step Up, and cuddles in the hollow of my hand inisisting I rub her head and neck. It’s pretty amazing. It was also helpful to know which fruits and veggies I can safely feed my bird.

I find a parrot the perfect bird for a middle aged professional who works long hours at the office. Her life expectancy does not exceed mine, which is one less worry.

Her playpen is small enough to sit on the end table next to my recliner while I read or watch TV, allowing us daily time together. They naturally like to hide in pockets and shirts, which makes them adorable and convenient

Steve Warner Montrose, Colorado

“Thank you so much for your insight and practical tips…”

Hi,

Your training course was of immense help to me. Even with limited time due to two new babies in the house – one of the bird variety and one of the human variety, I have seen a dramatic change in the way that my parrot interacts with me and my husband.

I was concerned when we first bought him as he was showing an extreme level of nervousness and aloofness as birds tend to do, however I beleive it is your program that has trained us to interact with our new baby.

Thank you so much for your insight and practical tips. I will not hesitate to recommend your training program to any bird owner.

Yours sincerely

Diane Ponsen Newcastle, Australia

“Your material is easy to read for everyone and simple to follow…”

Hi:

I haven’t actually completed reading the entire course material, however, what I will say is that what I have read, I have learned from. My children and I are the proud owners of three lovely colourful birds (Ohla, Beeker & Baby Blue). Ohla had a tendency to bite my two year old daughter who enjoys walking around with all three on her shoulders or in her hair (the biting has stopped). Once and a while she tries, but we follow what you recommend and it doesn’t occur for long periods of time after that.

My thirteen year old takes showers with all three of them and it completely calms them down. We never knew you could! They really enjoy their showertime. Baby Blue is now sticking her entire head into the water reservoir, which she never did before beginning her shower regime.

My son who is eleven takes part in their development as well, so the whole family is really enjoying these little creatures. They don’t just remain in their cage.

Your material is easy to read for everyone and simple to follow. We’re happy we found you on the internet. My two year old daughter also likes to have them on the edge of the tub when she takes her bath and they are happy to stay there!

Thanks for the tips, they sure have helped.

Cheryl Ann Chambly, Quebec

“He was scared to death of me at first until I purchased your course…”

Hi,

I was really depressed because I got sick and had to retire early.I bought a parrot which I named “chi-chi”.He was scared to death of me at first until I purchased your course.Now he is tamed and knows I am his other “Daddy”.He is a very happy bird.Sings “All’ day long!He has added to my life richly.Due to your course I was able to bring Much “Joy”to his life as he brings to our home Thank You!!!

Jesus Espinosa Mesa, Arizona

“After 6 days with your course, Renge… is clearly saying Peekaboo, Baby Bird, Cmon, and Goodnite.”

I am thrilled with your parrot training course. Your knowledge and understanding of these beautiful creatures is extraordinary.

I am a studio musician and producer, well known for playing the guitar on such shows as Seinfeld and Married With Children as well as being a member of the grammy award winning musical act Manhattan Transfer, Jean Luc Ponty and rocker Bryan Adams.

I have a parrot named Renge. He loves to accompany me in he car, in the recording studio and even for a ride on my scooter. Although I have to use a leash on the scooter, your course has helped me build a relationship with him, so he can be free around the house as well as the recording studio.

After 6 days with your course, Renge who was already murmuring some words, is clearly saying Peekaboo, Baby Bird, Cmon, and Goodnite. he doesn’t yet do it on command ,but we are working on it. I am also working on the response to my questions exercise that you mention in your great book.

Your chapter on nutrition and feeding has opened a world of new foods for him to enjoy. I had been feeding him only “pretty bird” conure food and a piece of apple each day. Now he enjoys fruits and veggies, pasta, and I’ve even taken him to a couple of restaurants where he shares for example ..rice at the Mexican restaurant. there is much fun work to do thanks to your Parrot Secrets and I intend to get good at this, as he gets better and better.

This past week there was a bird feeder making class at the HUTCHINGS MUSEUM in Lehi Utah. I was invited to bring Renge, and the 20 or so children loved him. The museum upon hearing that it was Renge’s birthday on May 1st (he will be 1 year) has offered the museum for his birthday party. Now if that isn’t a testament to him and your training methods, i don’t know what is. Thank you

Jamie Glaser Provo, Utah

Jamie received results within 10 days!

“…in less than 2 weeks she now says ‘Hi Gabby, Hello, Love you too…'”

Where do I start about your training course, first I have been involved with avians of all sorts but particularly parrots since I was 8 years old… dating myself that would be 37 years. I have always been to many bird seminars & I have tried to read everything I can get my hands on about information that I had not previously learned about or read elsewhere.

I had for the most part been a parrot person. Your course has been especially helpful in getting my parrot, Gabby started on her speech, in less than 2 weeks she now says ” Hi Gabby, Hello, Love you too & Gabby like?” I couldn’t believe how quickly she started & how soon she perfected the words, she speaks very clearly.

We are currently working on some trick ideas, as my daughter wants to be on “Pet Stars” and is determined to take Gabby to Hollywood.

I have shared some of your information on the biting & screaming issues with a dear friend of mine (although I advised her to purchase them for herself, which I believe she did), whom rescued a Double yellow head, who had all his negitive behaviors reinforced by his previous owners. She is reporting no blood draw for over a week, and the screaming stops with just a little “flock whistle” when she leaves the room.

So I must thank you so much for myself, as well as my girlfriend she was really getting close to the end which would’ve meant I would have inherrited her bird & I am really quite content at the moment with my pet numbers, so thank you again for saving me from adopting one more parrot in need of reform, by helping my girlfriend through your training courses, to gain confidence, be able to read his body language & get the upper hand back.

Thank you so much for your courses they are wonderful, and anyone thinking of getting a parrot should purchase them as well as anyone currently sharing their life with a parrot or parrots.

Maureen Snyder Oyen Novato, California

Maureen received benefits within 1 day!

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tipsycad147 · 5 years

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Green Magic: 8 Powerful Plants To Unlock Your Magic Today

SL Bear

Nature is like a witch’s personal charging station, as well as our repository. We gather rocks, wood, feathers, skulls. What does a witch need for that nature does not provide? Perhaps, nature’s greatest gifts to the witch are the plants it supplies for potions, powders, and good luck charms — so many resources at our fingertips, right outside our front doors.

Imagine your magic for a moment without plants. Not just the actual plants — as if that’s not bad enough — but the symbolism they have carried into all aspects of the craft. We use green for wealth spells because it represents money, right? No, it represents abundance, fertility, growth, and good harvests. Whenever we call on the element of earth, we are calling on the magic of our very world. And our world would be a very dark place without the colourful, delightful plants bursting at every seam. In fact, it wouldn’t be here at all. Trees provide the oxygen that sustains life. Plants feed us all. It is little wonder witches rely on them when performing feats of magic. What could be more magical than putting a seed into the earth and having it grow into a life-giving tree?

If you’re writing a spell or working on your craft, finding the best suited plant for your intention can be crucial. In this article, I hope to unveil the rich symbolism of plants — as well as provide you with a guide on how they can work for you in your magic.

The Quiet Magic Of Plants

Apple

An apple a day… well you know the rest. But did you know the Latin word for apple is mālum, which can also mean “evil” and is the root for other unpleasant words? Malpractice, malfunction… Malleus Maleficarum. The apple, when cut in half, reveals a secret pentagram and 5 seeds within.

Although not explicitly stated in the Bible, the apple is believed to be the forbidden fruit of knowledge and not in a good way. For witches at Samhain, the apple plays a big part in rituals, and at Halloween children bob for apples — all in celebration of the harvest. The Celts believed the apple contained magical properties, and perhaps in keeping with its link to knowledge and wisdom, apples are gifted to teachers as a show of respect. The apple is also a symbol of forbidden love and sex (appearing in art and on popular book covers to suggest the same).

Suggestions for use: I choose to ignore the apple’s less than savory connotations and would use this delicious little fruit in any divination or health spells and spells to help students excel in school.

Basil

A vibrant green, fragrant plant used in recipes all over the world; basil is known as the “witch’s herb.” As well as being a versatile ingredient, you can use basil in a variety of different spells and powders. Basil, or tulasi (the incomparable one), is a sacred plant in Hinduism and is a symbol of love in many cultures. In Haiti, basil is the herb of Erzuli, the goddess of love, and so basil is a go to for marriage spells and any spell to influence a lover. Basil also has many connections to travel, protection, wealth, luck, and health.

Suggestions for use: Because of basil’s versatility and its ancient connections to witchcraft, you can use this plant in many ways in your craft. Along with bay leaves, wishes can be written on basil and then burned so they come true. You can also eat leaves for a bit of fast luck.

Birch

The “goddess tree” and “pioneer tree.” Birch represents new beginnings and protection, and so was commonly used to make baby cribs. Its wood does not rot, because of this many people associate it with immortality and strength. Birch trees have a reputation for being resilient. In the case of forest fires, birches grow back quickly and repopulate an area with ease — another reason they are associated with starting over and new life. Besoms are made of birch, and birch bark was so thin and white that it was often used as paper to document sacred texts and symbols.

Suggestions for use: Birch leaves should be used in spells focusing on newborns or pregnancy (be sure to choose leaves that have been nibbled on if you can find them — follow the animals, these leaves are the choicest!). The addition of birch can bless any new endeavour and wishes for change should be written on birch and burned with care.

Clover

I’m obsessed with this little plant. Most people think of the shamrock as Irish and associate it with luck, which is correct, but the clover is also a symbol of the triple goddess. To find a four-leaf clover is lucky, but only because legend says it allows you to see friendly, hidden creatures like fairies and spirits! Though the four-leaf variety is more rare and famous, the three-leaf clovers have more symbolism, mainly religious. They represent the holy trinity, for example. For the Celts, the shamrock was a symbol of their knotwork as well as the balance of threes: gods, goddesses, and time.

Suggestions for use: You think I’m going to say luck, don’t you! Well, I live to surprise and my suggestion for the clover is air magic — communication, divination, astral travel, and matters of the mind. Dry the leaves, burn them, and recite spells while the smoke lingers in the air. If you are a Gemini, the clover will be especially helpful to you as the planetary association is Mercury, Gemini’s ruling planet!

Daisy

There is a Victorian language of flowers. It instructs that certain flowers must be given at certain times and you may say anything you wish to and even insult the recipient with a simple bouquet. When it comes to the daisy, a pretty white and yellow flower that just looks happy to be here, the Victorians were clear: Youth and innocence. It’s given to new mothers, young girls, and anyone who needs a little cheering up. The old-fashioned yet charming game of “he loves me, he loves me not” is played by pulling daisy petals to reveal the feelings of a crush. The daisy is associated with young love and naivety, but also wholesomeness and a fresh, sunny outlook.

Suggestions for use: This flower is perfect for self-care rituals and magic to make you feel better. Keep some daisies by your altar to invite positive vibes. If you find yourself fighting negative thoughts, carry a pressed daisy in your wallet as a reminder to be open and find joy in every moment.

Garlic

As a warding agent, garlic reigns supreme. What repels vampires? Garlic. What repels everyone else? Garlic breath. It is a staple in many mouth-watering recipes, but is also used medicinally and is great for your immune system, heart, and brain. Long before penicillin, garlic was an antibiotic used the world over and Hippocrates, of Hippocratic Oath fame, noted garlic’s amazing healing properties. Garlic was used by ancient Greek and Roman soldiers for courage, perhaps because garlic is associated with the planet Mars. Garlic is hung in ropes outside shops and homes for luck and chopped up and tossed in gardens to scare away scorpions.

Suggestions for use: This “stinking rose” may be one of the most powerful warding charms out there, but its health benefits cannot be denied. Hang garlic in your kitchen to encourage healthy cooking. Incorporate fresh chopped garlic in any healing spell and be sure to add a fire element to pay homage to Mars. If you’re in a pinch, powdered garlic can be used in talismans and spell bottles.

Ivy

Seen as a counterpart to holly, ivy has maternal associations of protection and, less complimentary, clinginess. Houses with ivy covering a wall are “protected” by this plant, hidden and shielded from the rest of the world in a loving green blanket. Ivy grows in a spiral, a sacred symbol, and has five-pointed leaves, a symbol of the unity of the elements. Ivy is a hardy plant, thriving in many environments, and grows on a twisting vine. For these reasons, ivy is linked with fidelity in relationships.

Suggestions for use: Incorporate ivy in love spells, but be sure to include holly as well, to balance the two partners. For the less enamoured, use ivy to bind. Place five ivy leaves in a circle and on each leaf, place a representation of one element, holding the fifth leaf in your hand. Make a taglock for your target, bind it with a piece of ivy, and squeeze the taglock tightly in your other hand. (Use garlic as your fire element if you’d also like the person to be driven away!)

Rose

This is an old plant, which has been cultivated by humans over the years to be bigger, more colourful, and impossibly perfect. The first roses had only five petals in the shape of a pentagram, so it has long symbolised sacred knowledge. The rose resembles the human heart so it’s connected to love and passion. It is associated with Aphrodite, Venus, Lakshmi, Eros… to name a few. Along with the lily and lotus, the rose is one of the most heavily symbolic flowers in the world. Royal houses adopted the rose as their sigils, the Tarot uses the rose as a way to show balance, and in Christianity, the rose is the flower of Mary, the quintessential mother. The rose, along with representing everything from virginal purity to wild sexual passion, is also the symbol of secrets. If something is sub rosa, it means it is confidential, only spoken of in whispers and under a veil of secrecy.

Suggestions for use: Love potions are a given. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a love potion (or written one) that didn’t include some part of the rose. But try to think about the rose in a new way. This is a flower that curls up tightly, hides many layers of petals, and grows thorns along its stem — all to keep you out. This is a clandestine flower, so it should be used during spells when you want to hide something or keep something safe. Use the rose when you need privacy or to keep someone out of your business. I suggest further research on this “most perfect” of flowers, though. If you have a magical need, the rose can probably fulfil it!

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/green-magic-8-powerful-plants-to-unlock-your-magic-today

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glenngaylord · 5 years

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GAY PRIDE – My Review of THE LION KING (3 ½ Stars)

[Excerpted from https://thequeerreview.com/ ]

Ready for a hot take? I don’t always love animated films. Give me the crappy cut-out look of South Park or the gloriously fluid old school Looney Tunes shorts, but otherwise, I sometimes feel like my eyes are bleeding. I don’t mean to take anything away from the incredibly talented artisans who have brought so much joy and wonder to the world. It’s an eyeball thing. Speaking of which, I also don’t like the eyeballs on Disney characters. They’re so big and round and sweet. I think I know one person in the world with eyes like that and everyone calls him Aladdin, but it’s not really a compliment. Everyone else I know squints and looks dead inside. Maybe I need new friends, or maybe I’m just cranky.

All of this is to say that despite the cries that Hollywood operates at a bankrupt creative standstill, that cash grabs represent the new normal filled with remakes and reboots, and that cynical decisions only occur on days that end in “Y”, I don’t necessarily hate that Disney has decided to churn out “live action” versions of their classic animated films. As much as I loved the original 1994 The Lion King, a CGI, photorealistic update sounded like something I could watch without experiencing a cavalcade of onion tears. I may be alone with this strange affliction of mine, but audiences have sure turned up to see something they’ve pretty much seen before.

I enjoyed director Jon Favreau’s update on The Jungle Book, but my expectations were truly low for this one. Using Hamlet as its template, the original film beautifully told the tale of Simba, a young lion who when banished from his pride by his evil Uncle Scar, goes on a journey to discover the importance of standing firm for those you love and realizing your destiny. The Elton John/Tim Rice songs, while sappy as hell at times, could not be more memorable, and who can resist that commanding drum beat and cut to the title card at the very end of “The Circle Of Life”? When that baboon holds Simba up to his adoring animal kingdom, it’s one of the greatest cinematic moments of all time.

Yet there I sat, expecting the worst. Had I hated the film I was going to title my review, ”The Circle Of Lifelessness”. I expected a pointless remake with expressionless creatures moving their lips to dialogue, but what I experienced instead, while problematic in terms of pacing issues and one particularly not great vocal performance, truly entertained and delighted me. The Lion King 2.0: No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) not only provided me with a more palatable way to view the same story, but it updated it just enough to make it a little more relevant and a whole lot gayer.

Ok, if you’re one of those millions of moms who don’t have a gay child, or don’t know anyone with a gay child, or you’re just a closed-minded, out of touch gorgon, you need to calm down. The new film isn’t outwardly gay, but much like placing Paul Lynde dead center on Hollywood Squares or Charles Nelson Reilly in the top right tier on Match Game, The Lion King has traded in a perfectly wonderful and gay Nathan Lane as Timon the Meerkat for the truly hilarious, scene-stealing and equally gay Billy Eichner. It’s the equivalent of going from Will & Grace’s Jack to Bianca Del Rio of Rupaul’s Drag Race fame. The quips feel way more 2019 -more biting, nihilistic, dystopian, the world is ending, in a Years And Years is so dead-on kind of way! And yes, even though Timon and his BFF warthog friend Pumbaa (a perfect Seth Rogen) aren’t technically a ‘shipworthy couple we would call Timbaa, make no mistake, Timon is a gay homosexual and Eichner gives one of the best vocal performances I’ve heard in ages. Evidently, he improvised many of his lines, including my favorite as he arrives at a Pride Rock which has been left barren by Scar and his pack of hyenas, “Talk about a fixer-upper. I think you went heavy on the carcass.” I think Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk should start taking notes! All of this is to say that Eichner elevates what could have been the draggy second act of the film and sends it into the comedy stratosphere.

The pacing, at times, does suffer. Without the benefit of jaunty animation, watching animals traversing the savanna gets a little cumbersome, and the facial expressions of the characters don’t carry emotions in the same way. I actually preferred the new version. I had no problems deciphering their feelings, and, in fact, I found their edgier looks a better match for our current mood. It’s as if the animals, no longer living in a pre-9/11, pre-Trump world, know we humans have messed everything up and they’re deadly serious and seriously pissed off. Welcome to The Lion King 2.0: The Larry David Version!

As for the performances, Eichner and Rogen aside, we also get a strong turn from John Oliver as Zazu, the flittering hornbill. Chiwetel Ejiofor, while no Jeremy Irons, makes Scar a terrifying Iago, although his famous, “You have no idea” moment doesn’t work as well here since the original was a callback to Irons’ unforgettable line in his Oscar winning Reversal Of Fortune. James Earl Jones returns as Mufasa, because nobody can ever replace him. Do you hear me, Morgan Freeman? Nobody! Not even you! And you’re the Voice of God! Beyonce acquits herself quite well as Nala, as does Shahadi Wright Joseph as the younger version. Young Simba couldn’t be more adorable and heart-melting. Try not to go “Awww” when he attempts his first roar. JD MCrary exudes utter cuteness here, especially during his number, “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”, but then, unfortunately the movie flatlines when Donald Glover takes over as his grown-up counterpart. He sounds half asleep and fairly bland in the big duet, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” or whenever reciting lines. I’m suspecting it’s an actor’s choice to internalize the guilt and shame Simba experienced as a toddler and turn into a self-serious, lumbering bore, but it’s not enough to sink a film with such fantastic moments as “Hakuna Matata” or the on-the-beat stomping we revel in during “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”.

Technically, the photorealism may resemble a National Geographic special, but with better lip-syncing, yet I did find myself missing the darker qualities of the glowing-eyed hyenas and the elephant graveyard from the original. The wildebeest stampede looks real, which somehow isn’t half as scary as a hand-drawn interpretation. We get more daylight in the new film, making me yearn for the inky blacks of animation. In either version, however, we enter quasi-religious Aslan territory when Simba speaks to his dead father in the clouds. That kind of corniness doesn’t quite land the way it did in the early 90s.

Despite its flaws, it’s a stirring, impressive film. It may not have the most urgent reason for existing in that it pretty much trades in one kind of beauty for another, but Billy Eichner is worth the price of admission alone. Timon may ping on the same old gay best friend character tropes we’ve known for so long, but it’s still a fresh take. He may yell a lot, but he infuses it with kindness and some genuine affection for his big, dopey friend Pumbaa. We could all use a little more Billy in our lives right now.

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ravenwritesstuff · 8 years

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Dark Water (1/5)

Fandom: Frozen Pairing: Kristanna (Kristoff and Anna) Rating: T (Angst, feelings, adult themes, blah blah blah, don’t expect a happy ending, mermaid feelz) A/N: I wasn’t going to post this till I finished all of the parts but then I decided to see if anyone is interested in reading this. Let me know. Otherwise I am going to let it die.

There is an order to things in Reef, The Way Things Are Done, and Anna has learned better than to question them. The Way is there to protect them, created by the old mer and carried down by each generation with stories of The Way Things Were Done as cautionary tales. The stories highlighted times where Reef was nothing more than chaos - danger - until a distant king established order. Now the rules are simple and few. She knows them as well as she knows her scales.

They are:

All mer must operate for the benefit of the entire reef.

Mer were made for the sea. They must not stray from it.

She has never had difficult with the first rule. She loves the community of Reef. She loves seeing the way the pieces of it work together for the good for the whole. The second rule, however, has always been a struggle.

Why must the mer always stay below the surface of the water, far from The Above, and out of sight?

As a pup she had asked her mother just that.

“Why would you ever want to think of such things when you have everything you could ever want right here?” Her mother had said.

“But what would happen if a mer went to Above? Would they die?”

Her mother’s expression had tightened in the face of precocious youth.

“Above is nothing with which you or any good mer in Reef should concern themselves.”

The way she had spoken told Anna that there would be no more talk of it that day - or ever.

So she had asked her father, the mighty king of Reef, what he could tell her of the second rule. Her father had clamped her shoulders as tight as he ever had and locked eyes with his daughter.

“Do you remember the stories of Reef before our forefathers brought order?”

She had nodded. She knew the stories of disruption, tyranny, and darkness but stories are just that to the mind of a child. What she did not know was what that had to do with Above, so she asked.

Her father’s lips set a firm line. “There will come a time when you will learn that some things are the way they are - and it is best you left them that way.”

Anna had known that that was the last she would ever speak of such things with her father, too.

Anna had never even tried to ask her sister.

-----

Magic is commonplace in Reef. Merpups with talent are identified and removed from their family unit to train up their abilities at The Heart of Reef. There they are shaped and molded into great protectors of Reef. The magic they are given is thus returned in a life of service, and the balance continued.

Anna’s older sister, Elsa, manifests talent before her seventh whale migration (early - say reverent whispers). Oh how their parents’ eyes shine with pride to see their daughter - their firstborn and future ruler of Reef - with magic sparkling from her small fingers. What Anna would have given to have had her parents look at her that way, but they never will. After all, she is born second and Plain (as they call those born without magic).

Elsa is taken then to The Heart were all those with magic go in Reef while Anna stayed alone and waiting for the day her sister would return. Elsa the royal did return, periodically for royal necessity, but Anna’s sister never fully returns. Time and experience made them different, distant, as their functions grow further apart. Yet still Anna waits, and waits, and waits, though she no longer knows just for what.

-----

She has heard stories of the surface, of creatures with with bodies half like her own, but finless. The stories say they do not swim, but have two additional arms longer and thicker than than the other two that they used to propel them along the land. Legs. They are called legs she knows even though she should not. She should not know anything about these creatures. Contact between mer and the surface is forbidden, but merfolk talk and she is adept at listening (especially when she knows she should not).

Anytime she catches mention of these surface creatures (humans she hears them called and she loves that word) her body heats and prickles. Humans - she thinks the word again and again and wonder just what kind of lives they live. Are they anything like merfolk? Why do they travel the sea if they were not built for it? What do they eat? What do they do for fun? Do they have fun? Maybe they are a serious race built for only one purpose like the sharks.

No. No. They are not like sharks. Sharks mauled merfolk the moment they had the chance. Humans had never done that.

But perhaps that is only because they have not had the chance.

She shakes her head. The thought sounds just like her parents - her sister. If a human wanted to maul a merfolk they would have done it long ago, she decides, but they had not. In fact - she never heard any stories of just what happened when mer met human.

Could it be that there are no such stories? Could it be that the humans knew as little about the mer as the mer knew of them?

She swims the protected coral corridors of the palace for hours wondering just this.

------

The day her parents die is not the same day that she learns of her parent’s death. By the time the news reaches Reef they have been dead for some time. Word comes by messenger that the King and Queen of Reef had never made it to the arranged summit at the court of a neighboring colony. Search parties go out then, skimming currents and drifts in hopes of finding answers - survivors - but find nothing.

On the day her parent’s had been scheduled to return, three weeks after their initial departure, her sister leaves The Heart and is crowned Queen of Reef.

After the coronation, they are hidden away behind a seaweed curtain, waiting to be announced to the assembled dignitaries. Anna watches as Elsa adjust the unfamiliar weight of her crown in a mirror. It resembles the one that had been lost along with her mother, made of the most beautiful shells, but the form is changed. It is different, yet not, like so many other things in their life now.

“They could still be alive, you know.” Anna wrings her hands, heart tearing between the joy of her sister’s day and the cause of it. “They could have been swept away in a current - or maybe they got lost.”

There are other things she wants to say, how much she loves her sister, how she grieves the loss of their childhood together as much as she grieved the loss of their parents now, but the words stick in her throat.

Elsa sighs and looks down at her hands. Anna remembers the first time those hands had been different than hers.

“I think - “ Elsa hesitates. One breath, two breaths, three - “I think it would be easier for everyone now if they just stayed dead.”

And with that - she swims through the curtain and is gone.

----- -----

He has heard the stories same as any fisherman had - tall tales to pass the lonely, crowded hours between trawls - but he never pays them mind. There are other things out there waiting to get him, solid things like the wind and the waves, and those have his attention. He leaves the fantasy for those who need it to get through the wet miserable hours. He leaves it for the children trying to understand the mysteries of the deep. He leaves it for the simple minds who had time for frivolity. He leaves it because he had enough to carry on thick shoulders without bearing them down with the fear of old wives tales.

So when an old timer on the docks begins rattling on about the time he saw something he can not explain, a creature as beautiful as it was repulsive, Kristoff snorts and turns away.

-----

His ship is named De Ni Døtre, The Nine Daughters, and he believes her as close a family as any he has ever had.

She is small, only big enough to hold two (maybe three) sailors at most, but it suits him. He’d worked the big ships, whalers mostly, long enough to know he was better off on his own. His only crewmate is Sven, his 3-year-old forest cat and best mouser on the seven seas. His only interaction with people comes when he ventures up to the village to sell his catch and purchase supplies. It suits him just fine.

He thinks occasionally, often when his mind is loose with drink, of altering his solitary lifestyle to one of companionship. He is not immune to the charm of a woman's touch, not ignorant to the comfort of fleshy curves, but he knows the life he can offer is nothing that they will want.

His first love will always be the sea. He obsesses over her regularity, the pulsing of her tide. He dreams of her undulating body beckoning him further into her grasp each time he pushes off the coast. He gives her his full attention, rapt to her every mood and whim, and he can not imagine ever feeling that for any simple woman.

So he stays alone and thinks every now and then what it would be like know what it would be like to be loved in return.

----

His father had been an ice man and had wanted the same for his son as all fathers do. The trade had been passed from his father before him, and his father before that. The cabin they lived in deep in the woods had similar ancestry, but his father had been swallowed whole by the ice he loved and he and his mother had been forced to leave the only home he had ever known.

She had wanted a better life for her son than that of an iceman. They were taken in by an elderly great aunt in a fishing village and that was the first time he had seen the sea. Even from that initial glimpse he knew there would be no other life for him.

“Merchant sailors can make a very respectable name, a very respectable wage.” His great aunt and sole extended family would say over dinner, wrinkled skin pulling over sharp cheekbones. “A boy can have much less desirable goals than a life at sea.”

He would look at his mother then to see what she thought of such good advice but would only ever find her looking right through him

“Perhaps.” She would say and that would be that.

She died before she bestowed any of her hidden wishes for him, exactly one winter after his father and his great aunt followed suit the spring after.

It was the first moment he found himself truly alone in the world that he walked to the shipyard and never looked back.

----

He often ventures out on the sea alone though many seasoned sailors warn against it. It gives him a sense of balance he can never find on the shore. Every morning he sets out with the tide and it is only then that he feels a homecoming.

The shore and the men upon it hold nothing but disappointment and hypocrisy for him. The sea alone is fair. The sea alone is just. Her chaos and her rhythm bow to no one and thus are the one true judge.

He has nothing to fear from her. He has taken nothing from her that he shouldn't.

----

He walks the shore on days the sea tells him to stay on land and lets the surf wash up around his feet. The foam sticks to his ankles. Seaweed laces his toes. Spray and rain bite his cheeks.

It is these days - the ones so dark and lonely - that if he listens hard enough he can still hear the sound of his mother singing to him.

It’s time for us to leave her Leave her Johnny, leave her Oh leave her Johnny, leave her For the voyage is done and the winds don’t blow And it’s time for us to leave her

---- ----

There is a ship (she is fairly certain she knows what a ship is) graveyard amidst a notorious patch of water with currents that run their own mind against submerged pillars of volcanic black rock. She knows of it only from what she has heard from the scavengers offering tribute to the crown. They bring the most fascinating items of shapes and substances foreign to the ocean floor. It is considered high tribute for all the danger endured to retrieve the unnamed items. The ocean was unflexing in her rules for her finned inhabitants as she was for those who lived outside of her depths.

She knows (not from experience - never from experience) that the waters outside of Reef are potentially lethal and the bravery of these scavengers is not overlooked. Those presenting the boldest conquests are rewarded with privileges, favors, and requests. She sits endless hours on her rightful throne beside her parents, and now her sister, and watches as each dutiful subject brought a yearly gift out of gratitude for the sanctuary of their city.

She watches and she waits because, after all, that is her purpose and her life does everything it can to make sure she never forgets it. Just sits and waits because she is the spare - if anything happened to her sister before she could produce an heir.

She tells herself she does not mind. She tells herself there are worse fates than waiting. She tells herself she is glad she is not responsible for accepting tributes, settling disagreements, and passing judgements. She tells herself that waiting may not be all that bad.

Except that it is.

-----

Time has made them different, birth has made them different. Anna knows that now. They were never destined for friendship, her sister and herself. They were destined for coexistence and as difficult as that was for her to fathom she knew she had to. Her sister has made it clear with her distance that she is not interested in entertaining the idea of anything more than a working relationship between those in the line for Reef’s throne.

Still Anna waits.

She is not sure for what she is waiting anymore, but she does. She waits.

And waits.

----

There are certain shifts in currents, of water temperatures, that everyone felt in Reef. It does not happen often so when it does the entire city takes notice. Such a shift comes at the end of Tribute Week, but not from natural causes.

No.

It comes from a mer that Anna has never seen.

His body seems to bend the water around him and send it away changed. His scales are iridescent - violet and pearl - and Anna thinks of the shark teeth she had seen offered as tribute before this very throne.

Anna looks to Elsa to see if she feels the shift in the waters or if she is just imagining things. Elsa sits the way she always does in what used to be their father’s throne - so tall and proud - but her fingers were white where she gripped the armrests.

“You are not welcome here.” Elsa did not wait for him to finish his approach to the throne before speaks

“I am here to pay tribute like all the other fair mer of these waters.” His voice is smooth, deep, and Anna warms to the sound of it.

“You have nothing we could want.” Elsa lifts her chin.

The strange mer smiles and stops a respectful distance from the throne. His hair is red, like Anna’s, but darker with sharp cuts of it down his cheeks. He seems in no haste to leave despite Elsa’s emphatic dismissal.

A burst of anxiety explodes in Anna’s chest at the thought that perhaps he comes without knowing of Elsa’s ability. She can destroy him with the twitch of one of her long, thin fingers. Anna has never seen such a display from her sister, but she knows without seeing. She knows that power lays in wait beneath her sister’s skin as much as it did any of the protector’s of Reef and now this mer approaches, presses, potentially without knowing and Anna’s chest tightens.

Her tail flutters, an anxious motion, and she fights to urge to swim upright and demand attention. She has never demanded attention before, but the nervous flick of her tail is enough to draw his eye. He looks to her then, hazel eyes pulling over to her, and he seems to sense her distress. He smiles what she assumes is reassurance that she cannot accept.

Then, only then, did Elsa’s attention also flash in her direction. The lines of her young face are pulled tight and whatever reassurance she had felt at the stranger’s smile is now gone.

“You’re frightening her with your dramatics.” The strange mer said. “Really, Elsa, need you always be so tightly wound?”

His manner is light, teasing, so self-assured, and Anna leans into it. It has been so long since she has seen anyone be less than serious.

All it took was one instant for her sister to rip that away.

“You violated the code, Hans. Your consequences are your own, no one else’s, so if anyone here is causing dramatics - it is you with your unwelcome appearance.”

He chuckles. Elsa bristles. Anna holds her breath.

“What if I told you I could give you anything your heart desires?”

He swims just that much closer.

“Get out.” Elsa’s voice is arctic.

“Anything, Elsa. Any wish, any hope, any dream…”

Light flares at Elsa’s fingers where she grips the throne, but he does not flinch. Anna does.

“And I could do it for others, too. Think of it. The whole of Reef fulfilled to their utmost capacity. All of their desires met - you would be the most celebrated ruler in all of history. All you have to do is say the word…”

Elsa’s hands grows brighter. “I know the price of your magics and it is unwelcome here.”

“Your father said the same.” Hans’ eyebrow lifts. “Do you truly desire to end your rule as he did?”

Anna does not have time to flinch. The flash from Elsa’s hands is swift and immediate. There is no time cry out, to hide. The light is blinding as it comes from Elsa even as it subsides as soon as it appears.

Anna’s eyes adjust through the stars left behind from the immediate brilliance and she expects to see Hans crumpled at the ocean floor beneath their fins. Instead he cradles the light of Elsa’s magic in his palms.

Anna had never seen magic energy that way, controlled and undulating. It holds her in a thrall. That light is what separated her from her sister in such a tangible, yet undefinable, way. Now it sits in this mer’s hands as if it belongs there. It is as beautiful as it is terrifying.

“You never did quite learn how to control it, did you Elsa?” He rolls the magic over in his palms.

“What a waste of talent.”

“Get out!” Elsa’s hands boiled again with growing power.

“No need to shout.” He tossed the magic up in the water and it changes. The ball spreads into lines and curves, a central dot pulsing amidst it all. “Here’s my calling card for when you change your mind.”

With a smile, a swish of his fin, and another flash of light - he is gone.

----

It is a map.

Anna knows.

She knows what maps look like.

It takes Elsa and all of the most gifted mages from The Heart almost an entire light cycle to disperse the map from the throne room. It glowed there, unmoving and mocking in its persistence, and Anna sneaks in to see it as often as she can before it is dismantled.

She never swims close. Instead she traces it with her eyes from a distance remembering shark tooth scales and warm smiles. She asks Elsa in spare moments about this Hans, but her sister has nothing more to say than:

“He is a traitor to Reef and should be treated as such.”

But she does not know why. Elsa will not tell her. All she knows is he has made a promise, has left a map, and that is more than she has ever been given before.

Anna is tired of waiting.

#frozen #kristanna #raven writes kristanna #raven writes frozen #kristoff #anna #mermaid au #dark water

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morethanithoughtofficialblog · 5 years

Text

Chapter 22: Selfish crying

In which you waste your time.

*Your POV*

You clearly are doubtful of other people intentions until they say it directly to you. Well, that's something that I learned today... not in the bad way, thankfully. So when I woke up and met all the monsters there, Sans asked me "in secret" if I could go with him and Papyrus to Ebott High School. He put the excuse of "i'm too old to know all that fancy crap".

Right. He's really thinking I believe that? He's the same age as I am!

However, someone who sincerely enjoyed the bizarre humor of the Bee Movie has an integrity you can't say "no" to. So I decided to go with them after saying goodbye to everybody else, and it was... interesting.

We walked there because Sans didn't know where the school was and, therefore, he couldn't teleport.

...

We got lost.

Papyrus was enjoying it, though. A lot of shops were on the way, including one that had many professional ingredients for cooking any type of dishes, which I'm sure he would only use for spaghetti. There were a lot of cloth stores, too. And a Hot Topic. And a GameStop. I sure had to check a few things, to see if there were other wonderful hoodies I could add to my collection...

I... may have a thing for hoodies.

There was this huge library as well that we were dragged in with Sans. It was amazing so I am not angry about it, but he was freaking out a lot. He didn't want to get any series of books in fear of not having all of them and never finishing the story, but he also wanted a long book. He looked every single aisle and found in most of them disappointment. Especially by the teenager ones, who just made him groan. I was glad he was in a good mood, and I even teased him a little about these novels.

"all of these angsty things suck!" He had exclaimed at me, while I was holding "Twilight" with a shit-eating grin on my face.

"But this one was liked by the..." I checked my phone, and smiled wider "Ninety-three percent of the Google users!"

"that doesn't mean it isn't trash!" He got all grumpy, which made me tease him more.

"Or what about "The Fault in Our Stars"? It's liked by the ninety-six percent! You can't deny it's good, my man!"

"it's cliché as fuck!"

"Oh, you should buy this one!"

"which one?"

"It's called... "After"! I'm sure you'll like it, Sa-"

"oh hell no! i'm not reading that shit!"

"But-"

"but nothing! i won't read it!"

I laughed way too loud, and he started to mumble things like "i'm too mature for that" or "that stupid shit shouldn't exist". Papyrus looked over books already had a bunch of books about puzzles and recipes and Sans didn't have a single thing, being way too exigent with his choosing. I grabbed a few books myself as well, some being science fiction and others of fictional history.

But Sans? Oh, he was being quite the picky dude.

"SANS, FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Papyrus started to get irritated, noticing we've been there for a long time "YOU WEREN'T THIS PICKY ON THE UNDERGROUND!"

"because i didn't have a choice!" He replied with a scream, then went to his usual quiet voice again "now that i can choose, why i shouldn't take advantage of it?"

We spent some more time looking, then, when he finally found "the chosen one".

"this is perfect! and it's a sci-fi! i'll have it!"

"ABOUT TIME!"

"You are just taking one with you?" I asked, weirded out by him not taking the chance to have the whole library.

"it turns out to be a series, and since all of the books are here... i'm taking all of them" Okay, that sounded more like him.

And we spent all of our day shopping useless things for our own benefit and forgot completely about the school admission. Sans cursed out loud when he remembered, but it was too late to change anything.

"Don't worry, Sans!" I tried to cheer him, knowing he was probably blaming himself for not remembering "We can go tomorrow to the high school!"

"YOU'LL COME TOO, OLDER HUMAN?!" Papyrus seemed really happy about the thought of it, so... I couldn't help myself.

"If you want to, then I'll go" I answered with a smile, proud of making Papy excited.

"THEN YOU SHOULD STAY AT OUR HOME TONIGHT! AFTER ALL, WE SHOULD GO THERE EARLY!" Great way of taking advantage, Paps.

I stood there in silence, and I let out a lovingly sigh.

"Sure, Papy" I chuckled a bit "I'll stay, if that's what you wish"

He squealed like a five-year-old girl and started to jump a lot. Sans chuckled and both of them walked with me to my apartment so I could get my things and then head to their house. I let both of them come in, but soonly regretted it.

"HUMAN! WHAT HAPPENED HERE?!" Papyrus shouted from the bathroom, and I facepalmed myself mentally. The mirror, goddamnit! I haven't fixed the fucking mirror!

"Uh... an accident?" I shrugged, sounding way too suspicious.

"an accident?" Sans lifted one of his "eyebrows", looking at me with a mocking smile.

"(Y/N)!" Papyrus said horrified "THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE AN ACCIDENT AT ALL! THERE'S DRY BLOOD IN HERE!" Oh shit.

"Don't worry Paps, I'll clean it!" I'm so stupid.

"that doesn't clarify anything, (y/n)" Sans's expression was now with worry and suspicion, not sure what to think. I sighed, knowing that I could fool Papyrus but not him.

"I'll tell you later" I whispered to the short skeleton, even if I wasn't sure of telling him. He nodded and acted as if nothing had happened, but if you were observant enough, you could notice that something was bothering him.

After getting some clothes and personal stuff, we finally walked into their house, talking about various topics and cracking a few jokes. When Papyrus opened the door a fluffy, cute dog was there at the entrance.

"oops" Sans occasionally said.

"SANS! I THOUGHT YOU LEFT THE DOG ON YOUR RO-"

"It's so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I unconsciously squealed, then put a hand over my mouth. Sans was giving me a funny look and Papyrus looked confused and... happy?

"you want to carry her?" Sans casually asked, lifting the dog up and offering her to me. I bet I was smiling like an idiot. With only a bit of hesitation, I took her into my arms and she gently licked my cheek. I giggled softly and hugged her.

"What's her name?" I asked the skeletons.

"I DON'T KNOW. IT'S SANS'S DOG" Papyrus shrugged. I never thought Sans would be the dog type.

"her name's maya" My short skelebuddy smiled, then I gave him back Maya. She was so cute and fluffy... I embarrassed myself in front of them, probably. Can you blame me, though? I've never had a dog of my own. "i found her some days ago"

We entered the house and I noticed that Gaster nor Arial were in the house. I was about to ask Sans or Papyrus about it, but I remembered the harsh tone that Gaster always gives to the older brother. I still don't know why, but I didn't want to touch the topic. Not when everyone was in such a good mood.

"HUMAN! ARE YOU HUNGRY?" Papy asked, and I nodded at him kindly. He seemed eager about my quiet answer. "OKAY THEN! I'LL PREPARE MY FAMOUS SPAGHETTI FOR DINNER! I'M SURE YOU'LL BE DELIGHTED- NYEH HEH HEH!"

I let out a small laugh and Papyrus rushed to the kitchen with his characteristic smile. Maya ran upstairs to a room next to Papy's, which I assumed it was where Sans usually sleeps. Talking about him, he looked lost in thought and troubled, and he suddenly walked to the couch and turned the TV on.

Without saying a word, I sat next to him and stared at the television, not really paying attention to the program he was watching. In fact, he wasn't paying attention either.

"hey, (y/n)..." He scared the hell out of me and apologized quickly when he saw my reaction. I laughed a bit and told him that I was fine. He sighed. "well, uh... damn it... can i talk with you after dinner?"

I looked at him and nodded, feeling a bit uneasy. Whatever he had to tell me or ask me, I wasn't sure if I could help. After all, I'm not even able to help myself.

After some minutes, the younger skeleton put the dinner on the table and we ate calmly. Papy settled the mood by telling nice memories of the Underground. I listened to him carefully, not only as an ambassador, but also as a friend. He was pretty joyful and told me how happy he felt I was finally staying at their place. He also started to talk about how excited he was about making new friends in high school and joining any clubs. Papyrus is one of the main reasons I feel proud of being their ambassador- seeing how much he enjoys the simple things the Surface has to offer makes my cheeks hurt from smiling.

After eating, it was quite late for the young skeleton, so he decided to head to bed early. Sans, on the other hand, is like a nocturn creature. And, honestly, I relate to him.

"BROTHER..." Papyrus shyly approached his older brother "CAN YOU READ ME MY FAVORITE BOOK?"

"sure thing, paps" The not-so-young skeleton smiled, then looked at me. "would you feel lonely if you wait a minute?"

When I was about to shook my head, though, Paps intervened.

"ACTUALLY, I WANTED TO... HEAR THE HUMAN MAKE THE FEMALE VOICES!"He cheerfully smiled "I WOULD LOVE TO LISTEN TO HER INTERPRETATIONS"

Watching his face and the joy in his voice forced me to not deny his petition. I looked at Sans and he mouthed "as long as you want", so I nodded to Papy excitedly. He let out a girl-type squeal and ran upstairs to his room to change his pajamas. The remaining skeleton asked me if I was really willing to do it, and some memories of the orphanage came to my mind. I remembered when I would read to the sad kids some books, or even make some stories of my own. They would always laugh about how silly I made my voice, and that was one of the few joys in that dark place. Noticing how I spaced out, I simply told Sans that I was actually pretty excited about it. He chuckled, and when we heard that Paps was ready, we walked upstairs.

The mere title of the book made my heart melt: "Peek-a-boo with Fluffy Bunny". A huge urge to go and hug Papyrus 'till the end of times made me anxious, making me play with my fingers without thinking about it. Sans opened the book and started, which made me smile even more. The nice interaction between both of them made felt nostalgic about my relationship with my father, but I held back tears and made the best interpretations I could manage. Both of the skeletons laughed about my weird voices, especially the one I gave to one of the kids.

After that wonderful reading (that the ending made Papy cry, by the way), Pap got comfy and we turned off the lights. Getting out of his room, the newfound silence of the house put me on edge.

"hey, (y/n)" Sans startled me again, but this time such a drama didn't happen. "may we talk downstairs?"ohgodwhy.

We went to the living room and sat on the couch, trying to moderate the volume of our movements. We took a deep breath at the same time... realizing this, we laughed quietly.

"guess there are too many things to say, huh?" He chuckled. "wish things could be easier"

"Yeah" I smiled sadly. "I wish this could be way easier"

"anyway..."

"So...?"

"let's talk about the mirror, k?" Why the mirror? WHY?!

I sighed, stressed with only thinking about my stupidity. My mind was wandering of how things would have been better, what would have happened if I didn't do such a thing in the first place, etc.

"God, you are probably going to laugh about this" I chuckled at the memory, which wasn't happy at all. "It's just so... stupid"

"but you had no stupid reasons, right?" He wisely stated, making me groan internally.

"I guess not..." I put (again) a sad smile on my face, then closed my eyes, focusing on what happened that night. "Let's see... so I was having trouble sleeping one night, and, uh..."

"don't worry, i hear you" He gave me a reassuring smile. I took a deep breath.

"I started to think. Think about life, about who I am, of how stressed I've been feeling. And then, of how much I hate... myself"

"your...self? why would you hate yourself?" His expression was more serious and worried.

"I... I don't like the way I've been monitoring my life. I don't like the simplest things about myself, too. Like how little I eat sometimes, how stupid I am, and-"

"okay, we'll work on that later, (y/n)" He stopped me from collapsing and becoming a bigger mess. I actually need to thank him for that. "you are a great person, you just need more self-esteem. i'm not the best example of it, but... i'll try to help you, okay?"

I smiled weakly, tears threatening to come out. Without voice, I mouthed "thank you", then calmed down so I could continue.

"I... I decided to go to the restroom, then, so I could... I don't certainly remember why I went there, the thing's that I wasn't happy with the bags under my eyes, how dead my eyes looked, and how tear stains marked their way into my face. So, out in anger...uh"

"so...?"

"I punched the freaking mirror"

He blinked out in amazement, not quite the reaction I expected. I truly thought he would think I was crazy, ask me instantly why I was so stupid, etc. Instead, shock and mainly worry were there.

"that's why... that's why you have the stitches on your fingers?" Huh, so he figured it out.

"Yeah..."

"so it wasn't an accident?"

"Don't take me wrong, it's just-"

"no, i just wanted to get it clear, don't worry" He let out a huge sigh, then stretched up his arms. "(y/n), as much as i'm not okay... we both know that punching a mirror out of self-hate is serious. do you hate yourself that much?"

I remained silent, the question taking me by surprise. Instead of words, only tears came out, making Sans's expression more unbearable.

"shit shit shit, i'm sorry (y/n), i never meant to- oh god, i'm such an idiot. please, i, uh, i don't want to see you sad, goddamnit, it's just-"

"Hey" I stopped his babbling, letting more fresh tears roll down my cheeks. "I know you never meant to hurt. I'm sorry. It's just... the truth is sad, you know? People used to tell me I would get far and that I should be proud of that. But now? I feel no pride. I feel only sadness and a horrible pity towards myself... I... I..."

I couldn't speak anymore, the tears were too distracting. Shushing, Sans held me close into a tight hug...

I remembered.

I remembered how many times I would cry alone in nights and hug myself. Now, someone else was willing to put my broken pieces together and to feel my wet tears. That thought, that mere thought of not being alone anymore...

I cried a little more and hugged Sans back.

I was so sad, nostalgic, and strangely happy at the same time. He kept shushing and holding me even tighter, and when I looked up, I noticed he was crying a little as well.

"Th-thank you, S-sans" I managed to say between sobs, and he nodded.

"d-don't worry" He sobbed more discretely, but still did as well. "we should talk more about this another time. for now, you should rest, (y/n)"

"Y-yeah, I think it's for the best" I cleaned the tears from my face.

"if... if you feel overwhelmed at night... wake me up, okay?" Oh, I can't do that. Not when he's being so nice to me.

"Sans, I don't-"

"no, it's okay" He interrupted me, showing a weak smile I've never seen. "i probably won't be asleep, either. it's not fair for you to feel that way... at least not when we are here to help"

"...Sans"

"(y/n)"

"I don't want to interrupt you"

"hey, i enjoy your company, k?" He let out a sad chuckle. "i won't mind if you wake me up. even if it's talking about it or just standing there... the company is nice. i know that for a fact. if it wasn't for papyrus, i... i don't think i would be here"

I nodded and thank him for everything. I gave him a small hug and he returned it for a short time, then I headed directly to the guest's room. I couldn't believe myself, but more than that, I couldn't believe him. Why in the world he is this nice to me...?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Sans's POV*

When I told (Y/N) that she could wake me up if she needed anything, it was more like a selfish petition. When I arrived in my room, even if Maya was there, the loneliness hit me hard. I got on the bed and immediately knew I wouldn't be able to conciliate sleep. I groaned.

My mind was wandering of everything she said earlier. How much she hates herself, how stupid she thought her action has been, and how unsatisfied she felt about her own decisions. It triggered me. Hell, it even scared me. Punching a mirror out in self-hate, as I told her, it's not healthy. She cried, feeling overwhelmed with how her brain has been torturing her all these years. Being alone, talking to herself, crying alone...

The mere thought of that happening made me hug myself. How has she been keeping up with that feeling of dread all this time? What has been her hope?!

I started to think, then, of how fortunate I was and how miserable I felt still. She has done a lot of things to help others and accomplished various of her dreams, but I? Oh, c' mon- being a lazy skeleton and a father's disappointment was never an aspiration of mine.

Ah, Gaster. The father that used to love me when I was a small kid, but when I rebelled against his ideas and experiments, he left me alone. I took care of Papyrus, then, when he was still experimenting with poor monsters. I say 'poor' because I know exactly what he did to them. I, after all, used to be one of his best test subjects. He gave me determination pills four days a week, then injected directly into my soul new forms of magic. He activated certain parts of my DNA so I could develop stronger points in the magic he wanted. It could have been a good project if he didn't apply it to a living being- to his own son.

The side effects of such actions scare the hell out of me. Days after taking the pills and/or injections, I would vomit or have horrifying headaches for days, to say some symptoms. Hell, even I would start to bleed randomly, and I would be so weak, that my bones were really sensible. I remember that, when I was eight, one of my bones broke with a simple movement (without magic, to make it worse). Some of the effects remain with me until these days, like anxiety attacks involving magic, random lack of magic, HP decreasing, inability to control my attacks, etc.

But, would those effects could have been worth it if I got my father's appreciation back? He did horrible things in the past and he's treating me like shit in the present, but... he's my dad. My dad, for God's sake. I said a lot of times that I wanted to be his pride... and I failed. I failed miserably to one of the strongest wishes I ever had. And thanks to that, all of my other dreams seem impossible to reach.

I hugged myself and noticed that I was right- I needed (Y/N) more than she would ever need me. I'm so selfish that, when she has more serious problems than I do, I still end up thinking on mine. A few tears rolled down, and a huge urge to scream came into my throat.

I looked into my soul, white as any monster's. One of HP, one of defense. Nothing more than that. A simple heartbreaking romance or a kid's magic attack can make me turn to dust. A part of me wants that to happen as soon as it can. But another part doesn't let go. I...

I don't want to die. I just want another chance to make everything right. To stop me from being lazy and selfish, and be more like the nerd I used to be in college. I want a second chance. I don't want to leave Frisk with an unsupervised power. I don't want to leave Flowey assessing her dangerously. I don't want to leave Tori's puns. Asgore's flowers. Grillby's bar and friendship. Undyne's energy. Alphys's quirkiness. Papyrus... (Y/N)...

I was starting to sob louder, so I muffled my sounds with a pillow. I don't want to leave them. I don't want to leave any of them. Each of those people and more have become a part of me. I don't want to leave and disappear from their memories. They have been special people for me, either in a good or bad way. I want to be special to them as well...

With tears in my eyes, I was about to try out different positions so I could fall asleep, but a quiet knock on the door was heard. I froze in place and muttered quietly "come in".

And there she was.

Quiet and shaking, I don't know if she was cold or afraid. Probably afraid, since it's freaking July and I don't think she'll ever be freezing in this time of the year.

"S-sans...?" She stuttered, hugging herself anxiously. " I... I heard a noise coming f-from your room... are you o-okay?"

Oh.

I was stunned by her quiet words, realizing she didn't come for self-comfort, but to comfort ME. The fucking skeleton who has messed up the life of his dreams and there's probably nothing to do about it. But she was there, hoping weakly that she could do something. That she could change anything. I chuckled sadly, and she approached me quietly. I didn't say a word. She sat next to me, on my bed, avoiding Maya's place on the floor. I bet she was looking at me, but I can't say. I never looked directly at her dull and slightly hopeful eyes, after all. She held me gently into an almost-non-existent hug, and all I did was hug her back tightly.

Yes, I was right.

I need her more than she needs me.

#more than i thought #more than i thought fanfiction #sans x reader #sans #x reader #chapter 22

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framboisezakuro · 7 years

Text

101 Questions with Fram

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname? Framboise Zakuro. Though most of the company has taken a liking to the nickname “Fram.”

2. How old are you? When is your birthday? I am 23 at this point. I was born on the 21st Sun of the 1st Umbral Moon.

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic? I was born in the Jadeite Thick, located in Gridania. As for patriotic…hmn…I wouldn’t consider my feelings towards Gridania ‘rigorous’ or akin to 'devotion’…but I am fond of my homeland, yes.

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.) I do not know my parents very well. I was raised by my older siblings.

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? I am the eighth eldest of my siblings. When I left home, there were twelve of us total. I don’t think you wish to be bored by the minutiae of my siblings respective personalities. The one thing we all share in common, though, is that we are all intelligent.

6. What is your occupation? I am a magic user. Most people think of me as a Healer primarily, but I aim to master most of the magical arts.

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh? 5 Fulms 11 Ilms…as for weight, er…I haven’t checked lately. I’m afraid to find out.

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes? Erm…(And this is why she keeps her hair short, so she can’t really think about it.) My hair is an icy pale blue with berry-ish highlights (the blue came in as I got older…I was born with primarily berry-colored hair, which is where I got my name). My eyes are pink. Albino pink.

9. What is your race? Miquo'te, Keeper of the Moon

10. To which social class do you belong? Adventurer seems to be its own social class, wouldn’t you think?

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others? …the timing of this question couldn’t be worse. I do try to take some pride in my appearance, keeping myself properly groomed and dressed, but…well, I don’t consider myself to be above average.

As for others, well…several girls seem to think so, but they’re my friends, so I’m certain they’re just being nice.

12. What is your style of dress? Typically it’s practicality vs. frivolity, however I tend to favor pastel hues.

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features? Outside of my usual tribal marks, no. Some people consider my coloring unique, but otherwise, I’m rather ordinary.

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? No allergies, fortunately. As for physical weaknesses - I get cold rather easily, and start to get dizzy when there’s lightning out. I’m not very strong, though I do think I have fairly decent stamina. I just cannot carry a lot.

15. Are you right- or left-handed? When using a staff or wand, I am right-handed. I write left-handed, however.

16. What does your voice sound like? Japanese: Kuwashima Houko English: Kelly Sheridan

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use? Whatever best suits the situation, really. I was told once that you needed a dictionary to hold a conversation with me, but I believe that to be exaggeration.

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics. I rub the back of my neck when nervous or tense, or ruffle the back of my hair…I tend to hold my chin when I’m thinking hard.

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes? Every day, if I can help it! It’s one of the few luxuries these days I make time for. As for perfume, I tend to favor orange blossom, rose, or lavender.

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)? Wide-eyed wonder is a facial expression, right? That or a thoughtful stare.

21. Do you use body language? How? I fear that I am quite an open book when it comes to conveying my emotions. I shy away, shrug, hunch my shoulders, the whole gamut. Sometimes I don’t realize I’m doing it, other times…well, I just wish others would be attentive enough to pick up on non-verbal cues…

22. Do you have a commonly used saying? Not that I’m aware of…though I’ve found myself calling others 'reckless’ more often than I’d like.

Childhood

23. What is your earliest memory? I do not remember how it was done, but I had broken my leg when I was very tiny. One day my siblings hid my crutches from me and I had to spend the entire day crawling with one good leg until I could find them.

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it? Before pursuing my magic, I was taught to read by my older siblings. All other schooling was entirely self-instigated.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill? Primarily from the masters of Conjury found in Gridania, though I’ve been gleaning so much from the other guildmasters in Thaumaturgy and the masters of the Arcane…they don’t realize it, but I learn a great deal from my friends in the Company and, well…every day is a learning experience, when you’re someone whose calling is in nature and the life-force around us.

26. How would you describe your childhood in general? I would rather not describe it at all, thank you. But if I must…it was noisy, chaotic, and you had to look out for yourself. Everyone had their 'favorite’ siblings, but that didn’t mean you weren’t ridiculed by them, even if it was all in good fun. I rarely saw my parents, if ever. They may have been aunts and uncles, or siblings, for all I know.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Something other than “Number Eight.”

28. When and with whom was your first kiss? …it is not common knowledge, but…(now she feels bad for lying about it) It was shortly before I left. I had feelings for someone, but they were family. Who else would it have been? We were very insular, so…I couldn’t leave without telling him - my uncle - how I felt. Had he answered me different, perhaps I never would have left. But here I am.

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? My first time time was around three years ago with my adventuring partner and co-owner of the Floating Leaves, Galen Aubrey. As of two years ago, he is no longer around, though I aim to find him.

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you? (Fram mentally rolls her eyes. Her entire family is notorious.) No.

Influences

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? Leaving home, by far.

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I do not think I’ve done anything worth bragging over. Perhaps becoming an archon mage, though I have much further still to go.

33. What is your greatest regret? See: First Kiss.

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you? See: Greatest Regret.

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they? If I told you I had none, you wouldn’t believe me. So instead, I’ll tell you: I have plenty of secrets. Truth always comes out in due time. This is not that time.

…and, erm…perhaps I fib a little bit about how naive I am. That doesn’t mean I enjoy talking about it!

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done? I suppose that depends upon who you ask. I have slain many creatures in my travels. I would be shocked if that hasn’t contributed to the wrath of the elementals.

37. When was the time you were the most frightened? My first thunderstorm away from home. I quite sincerely believed I would be washed away or struck by lightning.

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where? I tend to stay close to those I am familiar with. If I were to travel further, I would want company.

Beliefs

39. What is your alignment? I try to do what is right and fair for all involved. I shy away from breaking rules when I can help it. (Lawful Good)

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? Primarily optimistic, I like to think? Though perhaps pessimistic in certain realms…

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why? I believe in the existence of greater powers. Often others find themselves worshiping these greater powers as their 'gods.’ While I do not deny their existence, I do question their sovereignty.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife? I believe in Reincarnation, if we wish to go into the specifics of what happens when you die.

43. What is your greatest fear? That all that I am putting myself through will be for naught.

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why? Suffering makes me sad. Ignoring it makes me angry. Putting an end to it is what brings me joy. If you have to ask why, you are part of the problem.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil? I think people are basically selfish. You’d assume that such a quality would mean that they are evil, but everything requires balance. If you neglect self, those around you will suffer as well. I believe everyone is capable of balance, though it may require more work for others.

46. What are your views on politics? Religion? Sex? My family either manipulated politics to their benefit, or acted starkly against them. I tend to operate independent of them, though I suppose that’s impossible after a certain point, considering the current Eorzean climate.

While I do not subscribe to a current faith, I do find religion to be something that is typically of benefit to society. If religion is what drives people to do good for others, I find the end justifies the means.

I have heard many differing views on sex. I do not find that the possibility of dying is justifiable reason to bed with anyone you fancy. After all, what if you survive the next day and regret it? You have to weigh one regret against the other, and I would rather not deal with that.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing? If someone chooses to gamble, that is their own business. Everyone lies. Sometimes it’s for their own sake. The truth always comes out, and they will have to face the consequences when it does. If that’s the choice they wish to make, so be it.

Theft is unacceptable. There are plenty of groups and parties who distribute goods out of charity. It is only a matter of finding them.

Killing and murder are different things. Both are unfortunate, while murder is something that must have its consequences.

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs? It depends on what’s at stake. Different beliefs can co-exist, after all.

49. How much do you value money? I like to have enough to afford the creature comforts I’d rather not do without. But I do not feel the need to hoard all that I earn.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? The torture and slaughter of innocents.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good? Only if you are absolutely certain it will work.

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? …I haven’t given it much thought.

53. Are you superstitious? Oh, no! Haha…absolutely not.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others? I…believe I am pretty respectful? I at least try to be. That isn’t really a question you should be asking me.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings? I may not give the entire truth, but I always give the truth. Almost always.

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices? I tend to favor those who exhibit some form of self-restraint. I do not find such behavior to be difficult, so I cannot exactly wrap my mind around why people would be so reckless, loud, or flamboyant.

I also tend to look down on those that are lazy. Inexcusable.

Dealing With Others

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? I…don’t know. (those words feel so strange coming out of her mouth) I mean, it sounds strange, but I don’t feel as though I deserve to claim that any of my family is, but I haven’t really known anyone that long, and…I don’t know. I don’t have anyone. (Which is strange. She’s never fancied herself a Lone Wolf.)

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why? There is such a fine line, how quickly love can cross-over into complete hatred, isn’t it? (That may be the best answer she has to offer.) As for respect, there are several. Perhaps what attracted me to Galen so long ago was the respect I had for him.

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? I did, once.

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend? I have several friends. Who I may feel I am closest to may not be reciprocated. I’m afraid to say.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex? I have found that I have yet to run into any other Keepers that have quite the same outlook as I do. They are usually much sharper and cunning than I am. I fear they typically run circles around me. They are usually in much better shape physically than I am, too. More ruthless, more dangerous. I really am no match for them.

I’ve noticed a peculiar dearth of Healers so far. I wonder where they all are?

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?

There are too many variants to the 'race’ aspects that I could not even endeavor to answer that concisely. I seem to get on best with Arcanists, since they are the next closest thing to Conjurers. I have a healthy respect for Disciples of War, for they do something I would never be capable of.

As for members of the opposite gender, as long as they are polite and not over-bearing, I think I am able to carry a conversation with them. I’m not sure if I can 'relate’ to them, however…

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. How does any young girl fall in love? A man, often older than you, pays you the smallest amount of positive attention, extends an act of kindness, and in a matter of seconds - minutes, at most - he becomes your world. He is none the wiser, and ultimately, all the better for it.

First love is always foolish, and nearly always doomed. It is often romanticized as some magical moment, but for me, it was poison. It was the only thing that kept me nailed to complacency, and it wasn’t until I had destroyed it myself that I was truly set free.

64. What do you look for in a potential lover? I don’t look. Even if he were to push me, challenge me - love is for comfort and settling, is it not? There is no place for the word “love” in my vocabulary.

65. How close are you to your family? …I am close to my family in varying degrees of intimacy. Some I would rather not engage with, others I miss daily.

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children? Perhaps when I am satisfied with the person I have become. I have not reached that point in my life.

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? I am rather fearful of confrontation, though if someone states something that is blatantly false, I consider it a duty to speak out against it.

68. Are you a listener or a talker? …I have been known to veer on both sides of that extreme.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others? Longer than I would like, and with good reason.

70. Do you hold grudges? I do not forget patterns of behavior, but everyone gets one slight against me. After that I tend to keep at arm’s length.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? Oh, I would really rather not. There are far better people for those sorts of roles. Zi, for one. A’Mirah, Arcene…anyone, really.

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? The larger the group, the easier I blend in…

73. How well do you express yourself? I think I am proficient at expressing myself when necessary. There are times when others don’t understand me, but I don’t think that’s my fault?

74. How quickly do you judge others? Quite quickly. And usually–though not always–I’m pretty well on the mark. I think.

75. Do you care what others think of you? Not terribly. I tend to keep to myself. (She totally cares.)

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy? I have people I like to stay away from. Why would I ever want to mingle with unsavory sorts? I’m not sure if I would call them enemies…they would have to know who I am, for starters, and I’m just a nobody.

Personal Taste and Opinions

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession? Bathing. (Totally serious.) Aqua blue and pink (wasn’t she asked this a few times before?). Fish and other seafood.

And I have a beautiful knife with a pearlized handle adorned with jewels. It’s…rather expensive-looking, so I don’t usually pull it out unless necessary.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment? Culinary arts is my preference, actually. I haven’t had much exposure in most other arts, I’m afraid. I find literature to be my favorite form of entertainment.

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?. …I’ll drink something if it’s sweet or floral enough. Typically it’s if I’m too tense or if I’m mentally stumped on a problem. Other than that, I do not partake in any other indulgences along those lines.

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night? Either working or practicing some alchemy.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy? To make a noticeable dent in the world’s suffering as a result of my knowledge.

82. How long is your attention span? …admittedly not very good, unless I isolate myself. My mind never really stops going, and it’s quick to derail any train of thought I might have…Perhaps if I were to focus better, I’d be further along my studies by now.

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny? I’ve never thought about it…I suppose I laugh when I find something amusing, or if I’m flattered by something…which is often enough, so, I suppose I do laugh more than average?

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what? Oh, far too many to list. I strongly believe that there are many things that should be kept private, so when I hear people talking about their affairs in such lackadaisical ways, I find myself at a loss.

85. How do you deal with stress? I bathe. Or read. Or–both, actually! Usually with a nice cup of rose or lavender tea.

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic? Athletic? Absolutely none. I am a complete klutz. I’ve been that way since early childhood. (See: Earliest memory.) Artistic..? Hmm…I don’t really think I have anything along those lines, either. I’m more analytical than creative.

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children? I like both of those things very much! Enough to want to dedicate my life to protecting them.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? Always. Plan. Ahead. Always.

89. What are your pet peeves? …spontaneity? –And laziness.

Self-Image

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness? My intellect is my greatest strength. My weakness is most certainly my inability to focus. (At least, this is how she sees it.)

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? …it’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing. I suppose that lack of focus would be a good place to start. And maybe that thing that seems to summon rain whenever I step outdoors…(but she’s not superstitious or anything) My near-sightedness would be lovely to rid myself of too, come to think of it. My inability to wear a longer hairstyle? Though I suppose short hair is more practical…oh! And it’d be nice if I could be a little more intimidating. Perhaps then thugs and rabble-rousers would stop pestering me. I’d also like to be a lot prettier. Maybe larger breasts?

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Most definitely introverted, unless around others of my profession.

93. Do you like yourself? …well, nobody’s perfect.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted? Nothing is routine, except for my hot bath at the end of my day. If that doesn’t happen, the morning to follow will be horrendous.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime? Next six months? I would like to master all of the magic arts there are to learn in Eorzea. As for my lifetime…I would like to see a time of tranquility before I die, even if it’s just within my small circle of friends.

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? I cannot even begin to imagine. Perhaps founding a magic school of my own? I think I would do well as a teacher.

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die? Peacefully, surrounded by those that I love. Barring that, saving someone else.

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?

I don’t need to remembered for any one thing. I would just like to be recalled fondly.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality? Diligent, studious, private.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you? Gullible, boring, bossy.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure? For the sake of knowledge, and to make adventuring less “risky.”

#ic questionnare #in character #ffxiv mateus #ffxiv rp #mateus rp

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