#I would put together a playlist for these fics but I think that's Max's job seeing as... I do not use Spotify :X

[coffeecupandcorgi]

on repeat

i'm not great at doing tag games ahhh, but @dirigibleplumbing tagged me, so i'll give this a go -

Rules: shuffle yr "on repeat" playlist from spotify or etc. and post the first 10 tracks.

Manilla Road, "Necropolis" - the Seek & Destroy DJ Tanner must really dig this one because I've head him play it a few times now. K says the vocals sound like a sports announcer calling the Kentucky Derby lolol BUT i think they're cool. i mean, c'mon, they're absolutely giving severian in nessus in gene wolfe's shadow of the torturer-

Entombed in time without decay Never thought it would be like this It feels like I'm living inside a dream But my mind tells me I'm Lost in Necropolis, lost in Necropolis

-but also giving that couple making out in the pit of skulls, lost in an endless cemetery going slowly insane in the iron rose (1973)?? plus this album is from '83 & i feel like eddie munson definitely liked it.

2. Dio, "Holy Diver" - yeah, classic, guess this one is pretty self-explanatory... I did just read what's currently my all time fav ST fic, this time loop fic star of the masquerade by glorious_spoon, and eddie's fav track there is holy diver.

3. Steely & Clevie, Righteous Flames, "I Was Born To Be Loved" - idk I just freaking love this dancehall track from 92, heard it on the radio a while back and put it on my 'seattle wip' playlist, which I was listening to while noodling around with a post-u mich kj/owen story that alas has not materialized beyond a set up and a few scenes. it's always gonna be a kj and owen mood for me. :')

4. Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill" - for a while in college @dirigibleplumbing played "wuthering heights" like everyday BUT somehow i never heard/took in "running up that hill" until i started watching Pose last year - when it plays at the end of the pilot !!! while that man is picking up angel !!! I just !!!! stay away from her, get a job !!!! anyway, also, max gender, is there a more gender-y song?

5. Afsky, "Tyende Sang" - more metal. first track i heard on Seek & Destroy that gave me a fanfiction oh. moment. like, we are no longer just doing fic research, we go here now.

6. HAAi, "Baby, We're Ascending" - this song is fine/fun, i threw it on a recent playlist so i'm hearing it a lot, but i loved loved loved HAAi's recent Resident Advisor mix & listened to it a bunch. tried to put it on during a philly wedding afterparty last spring but then it was TOO LOUD and we had to leave to the hotel. :(

7. Built to Spill, "Car" - I think this is my favorite track from their early 90s album There's Nothing Wrong With Love, an all time album which i also loved as a teen. good to sing along to.

I want specifics on the general idea I want to think what I should know Want you to do me what you show

gotta just absolutely belt it out. those lyrics are all caps in my head.

8. Sevana, "Lowe Mi" - this has been playing all the time on KEXP's saturday morning reggae show. it's super catchy.

9. Leonard Cohen, "The Partisan" - as previously discussed i love a good time loop story - it's maybe one of my favorite tropes?? the melancholy and bittersweet yearning can be so exquisite, it fully KOs me - anyway, this track is used so well in Palm Springs, under that slow-mo close up on Sarah while Nyles realizes he is big time in love and needs to get his shit together -

10. Florence + The Machine, "Morning Elvis" - this is my Grey's end of season 2 song for Izzy and Denny :((((( I guess 'cause "we are trying to make it through the devastation" vibes + Denny is from Memphis.

idk idk @katiewont, @rostovs, @zombiesassy, if u wanna-

[yvesdot]

still from My Love by Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne, Inferna, Untitled by Jen Yoon, Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I'm Weak by Tove Lo, Paradisa, Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I'm Weak, Inferna, Heaven by Shaun Frank & KSHMR ft. Delaney Jane, Purgatoria, Lost in Paradise by Rihanna

HOUSES I-III: INFERNA, PURGATORIA, PARADISA

The first three of my nine Locked Tomb fics are now out by popular demand! I wrote these quite a while ago now, when I finished Gideon the Ninth, using solely the mechanics we'd been given in that book, and that means they should be quite spoiler-free for any other. Rated E; summaries for each (Gideon/Harrow) fic in the Google Doc (title link). See my Locked Tomb masterpost of fics here.

I-III | IV-VI | VII-IX

Support the author: all posted writing | book | ko-fi | Patreon

[bebepac]

Six Sentence Sunday 04.25.21

Original Post: 4/25/21 at 12:54PM EST

I’ve been a little  all over the place this week I know with me being more missing in action!  I’ve hit a really busy spell again at work, technically it’s never “not busy,”  and I’m also  looking for a new job.

Good news I had my interview on Friday and I think it went really well.   There are three positions for the department I want to go into as they have been given more clinical trials to work on. 

I had my interviewer laughing and I think I asked very good questions about the organization.   My questions when I was asked were:

* How does your organization ensure a healthy work/life balance for your employees?

* I know the job is currently remote right now, but when it’s not i’ll be going into the office three days a week and home two.  How do you all strive to have a teamwork atmosphere in the office with staff?

* Is there room for advancement?

I’m hoping I did as well as I think I did.  

As a reminder if you missed tags, and it seems like the fandom has been relatively collectively busy in their own lives across the board, here’s what I’ve posted in the past 7-10 days.

And Then... There Were Two  (The Meet  Chapter 1 : A Greek Meat Prequel) 

Pop’s 🌎 World  (Mia’s World Special:  Pops POV) 

What are you working on @dcbbw​​ @burnsoslow​​ @bbrandy2002​​ @sirbeepsalot​​

@sfb123 @ao719 @txemrn @darley1101​  @jessiembruno​ and anyone else! Feel free to take me in your wips and six sentences sundays!

This is what I have going on:  

Derby Girl

The Life of Riley Book 2:  Chapter 4

The Book:  TRR

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Status:  Still in the writing process 

Riley glared at him.  “I’m not an animal Duke Ramsford.”  

“That remains to be seen.  If the Cordonian people do not fall in love with you, even though he could be Lady Riley he will not choose you.  Love is not the only thing that matters here.  It’s honestly not even a factor here.  Prince Liam has a duty to his people to pick the most suitable woman to be at his side.  So you, dear idealistic girl must learn to give the people what they want.  The derby today will give you the opportunity to meet the press for the first time.  This will set the tone of how the people will begin to approve of you or disapprove of you.   The Queen is also important here as well.”  

“I think the Queen might potentially be on my side.”  

Bertrand laughed.  “You don’t know The Queen.”  

“I met with her and she wasn’t rude to me. She was actually helpful when you think about it.  She told me to get a feel for the audience that will be watching me and dress for them.  I think that’s helpful advice.”

“You’re right that is helpful advice.”  

“You need to get ready. Head to the boutique and make sure you pick something suitable.”

Riley almost didn’t want to go to the boutique after what happened to her the last time.

However this time when she walked in she was greeted by a kind middle-aged woman with a genuinely welcoming smile.

“And you must be Lady Riley.”

“I am.” Riley still had her guard up her voice and body language tight and protecting herself.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  

“Oh!”

“I know that the last time you were here, you didn’t have the greatest experience with the staff, and I apologize for that, but if there is anything you need I will be more than willing to assist.”  

“Thank you so very much.”  

Riley smiled.

“It’s no wonder….”

“It’s no wonder what?”

“Why he’s so enchanted with you.  I was sworn to secrecy, but he couldn’t hide how he feels about you.  Let me know if you need any help picking out something for him.  You’re living your very own Cinderella story right now.”  

The Double Date Mistake

The Meet: Chapter 2

The Book:  TRR

Pairing:  Liam x OC

Status:  Still in the writing process

“And done. He has your number now Jili. Now fly my little birdies fly.”  

She thought he would text right away but he didn’t.  The whole way to Bebe’s apartment the twenty minute drive Jili’s phone was silent.

Bebe looked at Jili as she glanced at her phone.  What the actual hell?

She texted Jilian.

“Bebe why the hell are you texting me? I’m sitting right next to you?”

“I was just making sure your phone was on.”  

“I mean he’s still working Bebe.  He can’t just drop everything and just start texting away.”

“The hell he can’t. What in the actual fuck is wrong with you bruh?” Bebe grumbled as she angrily typed on her phone.

“Wing Woman are you trying to crash this plane?”

“The mother  hasn’t even taken off yet with you two trying to pilot it. I’m gonna need you to get your life together Jili.”  

The driver pulled to a stop. “Damn I really wanted to see how this turned out.”

Bebe got out of the car in a huff.

“I’ll let you know.”   Jili called out the window to her.

Ri-Liamo de Bergerac

Fast Forward Special:  A birthday Fic: 

The Book:  TRH and Beyond

Pairing: Liam x Riley 

Status:  Still in the writing process

* not complaining here: but you guys love some fast forward!  this would be the second time I’ve asked for a specific series pairing on a birthday fic and fast forward is what is mentioned.  I miss it too. *  

Riley raised her eyebrow at Maxwell. She saw him pacing nervously as he kept glancing in Taylor's direction. Taylor was completely oblivious as she had her nose buried in a book she'd gotten from the estate library.

Finally Maxwell had psyched himself up. He walked over to Taylor sitting in the lawn chair next to her.

"Hey Softie."

Taylor put down her book, as did Ellie as she was sharing the oversized lounge chair in the sun with Taylor. Both lifted their sunglasses to their hair.  

"Lord Playlist?"

"So I was wondering if you want to have dinner tonight."

"Silly Uncle Maxwell, we eat dinner every night."  Ellie confirmed matter of factly.

"What Riley Jr. said."  Both Taylor and Ellie picked up their books again, sliding their glasses back to cover their eyes.

Riley laughed to herself.  Oh my God Taylor she thought. She is absolutely adorably clueless. Liam laughed softly.  He gently rubbed Riley's stomach.

"Aren't you glad we're married? We don't  have to do that."

"You were never like that."

Liam blushed.  "I felt like that when I talked to you the first time. I don't even remember what I said on the street to you. I was so dumbfounded by your beauty."

"You don't remember me being so awkward?"

Liam shook his head. "You… were perfect, is all I remember, My Love."

A light blush hit Max's cheeks.  

"What I meant Softie, was you and me alone, away from the estate."

Taylor slowly lowered the book again.

"So like a date?"

"I mean date is a strong word, but it could be an accurate one. Two people dressed nicely eating food together at the same table. I mean I'm not opposed to the idea if you are."

Tagging the comments!

[inked-out-trees]

⭐ for The Keep Going Song? Thanks! :)

(anh i would die for you)

Thank you for asking! I am going to be talking about the whole thing because it's fun, and because there's not really many ~secrets~ within the text to ramble about, just little fun snippets!

I'll do it under a cut because I will definitely ramble. Woohoo!

I came across The Keep Going Song (the song) after my Lookout 3 Companion Playlist (& my spotify discovery) introduced me to the Bengsons. The effect was almost instantaneous - it's the kind of warmth I try to encompass in everything I do, and for the next few days I had it on repeat as I worked. This was around the time I was finishing my Lookout script, and I had been toying with the idea of writing a Cornleyverse fic after absolutely devouring all 10 fics in the tag. What I knew was that I wanted it to be sweet, I wanted it to pull them all together, and I wanted it to be a progression. Despite only having seen the Goes Wrong Show, jumping into the fandom made me want to dimensionalize these characters and give them a story beyond everything that had already occured.

I also watched Christmas Carol before / during the writing process, but to date I have not watched Peter Pan or the full-length TPTGW. My prior knowledge comes from Wikipedia, the delightul amateur TPTGW production on YouTube, a friend's excellent transcription of the Haversham Manor script, and tumblr meta analysis. I think I did a reasonable enough job pretending I knew what I was doing.

Let's get going!

I knew off the top that it was going to be vignettes - they would give me room to spread the story over the long period of time it takes for a group of people to grow into something resembling a family. Like I said in the original author's note, there was supposed to be more of the early, snippy days - but I got so focused on making them kinder that I found I couldn't properly write a fight. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier if I tried writing that first, but, well. Once I realized that it was too late. The alphabet idea came later, once I had them all finished: I wanted to organize them somehow, but numbers felt too open, too infinite - closing the story on an organizational endpoint was just really satisfying.

a - Every good story needs a good beginning.

c - Starting with the end of Peter Pan is my sneaky way of slipping past the fact that I haven't seen the earlier shows! The Max and Sandra storyline is just so sweet, and I wanted to let it exist a little bit in between our jump from Peter Pan to Christmas Carol. This vignette came so easily when I wrote it and I love love love the feelings and the tentativity about the whole thing.

f - This was actually the last vignette I wrote. I realized I needed some front-end padding because otherwise my angst plot came rather abruptly, and what better way? At this point, too, I was trying to bring in POVs from each one of our characters, and when deciding on Trevor's POV I thought the exasperation-excitement combination would be an excellent choice. It turns out Trevor is my favourite to write, mostly because I can find his voice a lot easier than some of the others - and probably also because I hold a lot of fondness and nostalgia for stage crew work. Also, I wrote most of this one on a long evening walk in the notes app on my phone. Fun fact.

h - I did my original idea slam in a draft tumblr post, and this one just says "birthday party but one without all the drama of christmas carol". And what do you know, that's exactly what it is! I definitely took the birthday party (in CCGW as well as in this fic) as a kind of proof that they really do like each other, if they're doing things like this and if they want to do things like this - and that theme of okay, they want to be here formed the basis for this part. I think it's exceptionally sweet that Dennis came looking for friends and ended up finding, well, something. And I popped in a little MMNI reference with "one of the Janines" - Backwards Janine? Frontwards Janine? Original Janine? Who knows! It's one of them!

l - The thing about this plot is that it's actually one of the first ideas I had when dreaming up this fic, and I couldn't quite let it go. The point was, what if I somehow split them up? How can they get on when half the society is out of commission? And the most reasonable way I could find to actually get half of them out of commission was the car accident. To be honest, this one is mostly filler - it's also the second vignette I wrote, and it found its birth in the email drafts of my work laptop.

m - Trying to map out this little plotline without overdoing it might have been the most difficult part of this fic, and I'm still not 100% sure I succeeded. This is our explanation for the unease from the vignette above, and it took me 3 rewrites before I finally found something that settled in my brain. "Dennis gets chased by a goose" might be one of my favourite lines in the fic though.

Also, putting these letters right next to each other made me feel really clever for no reason.

n - My Jonathan perspective also took a few stutter-steps in its beginning, but this one ultimately came from the promo video's reveal that Robert and Dennis live together, and me playing with the continual idea of the remaining cast members being rather unmoored in their injured castmates' absence. Robert in particular because I love his character and I love making him Feel Things(TM) (fun hint: this will also be a small theme in the new cpds fic I have in the works!) and I want to see so much from this odd relationship between him and Dennis. Obviously they have to tolerate each other if they are willingly roommates - how far can I go with that? I love how this one turned out.

o - All I have to say about this one is that I still really love the sweetness between these two, and they deserve the world. Also, at some point during writing this I was really caught up with how striking Dave's face silhouette is (don't ask) so that ended up making it in somehow.

q - Girls' Night is SO important to me. After all the work they've done to make these gals friends I needed to capture it, and a pleasant night in just made a lot of sense. This one is the home of a few of my headcanons - Annie has a chef roommate and Max does a lot of the cooking, thus the "neither of us are the usual household cooks" comments, and I also think they're at the point where they can joke about their previous failures (especially with these three together) so the nod to A Trial To Watch (my favourite gws episode) was so fun. Also, Waking Ned really is a silly pick-me-up of a movie - would recommend. Special thanks to CBC for giving us Canadians quality British TV alongside our occasionally questionable homegrown programming.

r - It wouldn't be a fic about progress and growth with this crew without a disheartening moment turned into gold. I wrote this one while barbecuing, another fun fact, and no joke the hardest part was figuring out what to name the play they were doing. I kept pace with the whole "Jonathan can't get onscreen" gag, which was personally hilarious and made me cackle as I wrote it, and the rest of it just felt good. I will always have a soft spot for comfort and reassurance in a story and getting to write it has just been an absolute delight.

t - This was one of my other unplanned vignettes. It was originally to fill out Robert's POV, but also to express a bit of how things have changed in Chris's attitude towards his cast - if there's one thing I would change from Mischief's characerisation thus far, it's this brand of almost-kindness that I consistently need to write him with. It takes the aftermath of the car accident and uses it to kind of make him understand - this is a valuable group of people and I don't want to lose it. But of course he's not the type of person to actually express that in any way, so I thought the frenetic hovering was a good way to get the point across. As well, the kind-of-bonding between Chris and Robert - the two of them are such powerhouses of insistent personality that conflict so easily but they've also got a more secret kind of friendship that deserves to be explored a little more. I really like this vignette and how it ended up portraying how they are around each other, how they really do know each other, especially when they're not fighting. Makes me soft.

w - This is the first vignette I wrote! I honestly didn't realize until writing this just how much I identify with Annie - best of both worlds re. crew and cast, a bit of tenacity regarding getting through things, overall personality - I just love her so so much. She also seems like the most sensible of the cast, so the collective "why are we really here?" moment with Trevor really spoke to me. I love their friendship, I love the kind of quiet vibe this vignette gives off - this is one of the ones I can feel most strongly, the one I can step into and exist inside. I also spent most of my old drama rehearsals and classes without shoes, so that had to make it in just by virtue of the sock brigade (me).

z - One thing I knew for sure since the inception of the fic was that it needed to end on a victory. I took the images I had of this victorious adrenaline, everyone together having a good time, kind of getting smashed, and karaoke (I really wanted the karaoke, for some reason) and went the obvious route: the wedding. Ending on Chris POV also felt so right - possibly because he's the one with the most growth in this fic - and getting to finally feel this triumph with him after all these other trials and tribulations was an absolute joy. The wedding hall, in my head, looks like the one my cousin used (it was at a zoo... my sister and I went on a night walk and heard a lot of screaming peacocks) and I definitely threw all my wistfulness, all my love for the characters I'd developed, and all my love for this fantastic fandom into this part. The incorrect lyrics that Annie sings are exactly what I think every time I hear that song, because I've never looked up the lyrics before and my brain likes to play Mad Libs with my super-questionable auditory processing. And the image of the ballroom staff getting really exasperated with them and shutting all the lights off came to me at night and is hastily scribbled on a sticky note (it's a wonder it's legible) but I still strongly believe that it's the perfect, perfect way to end. I still get the warm feelings when I reread this part, even now, after so many reads.

And, finally - our end quote is exactly what started this whole thing. What is this drama society if not a rough beginning? But the concept that we'll make it through, that we can just take a step and then another and it'll be okay because we're together... it's hard to describe just how much it means to me, to my place in the world, to the world itself. I think one of my rather consistent aims in writing, no matter what it is, is to be able to have this collective - characters that become family, people that are important to each other, this constellation to lean on - because it's all I can say for the human experience. It's probably quite a bit of wishful thinking (as I said to another friend, "I am apparently letting loose on all my repressed social feelings of the past year and shoving them into fics") and a sort of subconscious confirmation that if I write it, I can be it. So this force of understanding and kindness and ultimately good people helping each other through the world is something I can't help but include, something that means the absolute world to me.

I'm so glad to have been able to share this fic with everyone, and extra glad that it's been able to touch some people along the way. I've found such an incredible community in Mischief and coincidentally I think The Keep Going Song represents that warmth, too - the community I've been so lucky to exist inside, how we're helping each other along, step by step. What a beautiful thing to be a part of! Thank you for reading and allowing me to give you a bit of my heart. 💖💖

[inquisitorhotpants]

Support Your Local Writer! :D

So I’m going to be making a job change. There aren’t opportunities for extra money in it like there is for my job now, and so I’m going to take that extra free time and really get down to doing some fun stuff with my Patreon. 

Patreons aren’t really fun without patrons, though! I’d love to have you! 

There are still 8 days left in February to hit the goal of 28 patrons, at which point I’ll publish a bonus fic and Krys’ playlists from January and February (and if we meet it in the eight days, I’ll throw in March’s, as well). 

Along with Press Releases, I’m planning on doing some exclusive SWTOR stuff over there, as well, so stay tuned for that, too.  :D

If you’re not familiar with Press Releases, have an excerpt here under the cut.

Tuesday Afternoon

Krys Adler hates gas stations.

No, that’s not quite accurate.

She loathes them.

They’re gross. They always smell weird. Why are the floors always sticky? But it feels like she’s been in that too-small rental car forever and she’s absolutely dying for some beef jerky, so she’s going to suck up her dislike for the five minutes it’s going to take to run into this place somewhere in Ohio - Cleveland? She doesn’t know, she quit paying attention to any sign that didn’t say Erie, PA - and get a pack.

Ignoring the voice of her health-conscious roommate Jen echoing in her head, Krys barrels through the door and rounds the end of an aisle, eyes already focused on the colorful yet barren display, idly wondering if the absolutely mouthwatering man standing near it is going her way.  Not that it matters - her leisurely cross-country drive is only leisurely because it’s planned within an inch of its life - but oh lord, the things she’d do to that man if she had the time. He’s got thick black hair, a strong jaw, broad shoulders. Style is a little too preppy for her usual taste, but he -

He’s got the last pack of jerky in his hand.

Oh, hell no.

“Look, Mister Too Hot to be Real,” she snaps as she reaches him, “you need to put that jerky down, because I am not stopping at another gas station today and that’s the last pack here. I’ve been in my car too long and I need that jerky. Drop it right into my hand here.”  She stares up, way up - she knows she’s short, but holy hell, did his parents feed him Miracle-Gro as a child? - and opens her hand, her hazel eyes narrowed.  “Drop it,” she reiterates, not unlike one would tell a particularly disobedient puppy to relinquish a tennis ball.

To her annoyance, all he does is raise an eyebrow, utterly unfazed by her outburst.  “It’s generally polite to introduce yourself before demanding a complete stranger hand over a likely sub-par dried beef snack, you know.”

Krys heaves the world’s most put-upon, petulant sigh, determined to ignore that this marvelous specimen of humanity even has a sexy voice, a baritone with aspirations of being a bass.  “I’m Krys. And you are? Besides the world’s best looking jerky thief?”

The corner of his mouth twitches.  “I’m Max, and I’m not a thief. It’s hardly my fault you’re slow.” He dangles the jerky out of her reach, green eyes drifting from her floof of curly crimson hair and Butane Jane t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, to her bared tattoo-covered arms, ratty jeans, and bright pink Docs. “You’re so … tiny. It’s kind of cute. You’re practically pocket-sized.”

Short jokes are not the way to Krys’ heart, and she scowls even harder. “Pal, if you think I won’t kick you in the shin to get that jerky, you are very, very wrong.”

He calls her bluff with a smirk that leaves Krys torn between wanting to pelt him with Twinkies and wanting to convince him to get a hotel room with her, strolling past her toward the clerk. She sweeps back out the door, very much in a snit, and is almost to her rental car when she feels a hand on her shoulder.

“All right, all right, jerky fiend,” he says with a chuckle when she turns. “Here.” He holds the package out, grin crinkling the corners of his eyes, then pulls it back. “Would this act of pure altruism net me a thank you in the form of your number?”

It’s ridiculous to give it to him. He’s never going to call. She knows this.

She holds out her hand and makes an impatient come on gesture. “Well? Give me your phone.”

Max pats one back pocket, then the other, extracting a swank-looking phone. Once he’s unlocked it, he hands it over, looking not at all sure if she’s going to put her number in it or toss it into the bushes. Or into the road. Her thumbs fly over the display, her phone rings; she taps his phone and hands it back.  “There. Not that it matters, we’re probably from opposite sides of the country. But you did give me my jerky, so I suppose this is fair.”

He takes the phone, slides it back into his pocket. “Drive safe, hothead.”

“You too, snack thief.” She tosses her own phone through the open driver side window, then gets into the Versa. Music blares from the speakers when she turns the car on, and she gives him a mocking salute before reversing and pulling out of the parking lot, headed back toward the freeway.

Tuesday Night

“So you’re telling me you were menaced in a gas station for a pack of questionable supposed beef sticks?”

Adriana, Max’s older sister, is making no effort to hide her amusement at the entire situation, and Max glares at the phone’s reflection in the mirror as he fingercombs leave-in conditioner through his hair.  “I was hardly menaced, Adri. Might I remind you that this woman was -”

Fierce. Obnoxious. Gorgeous. Not that he’s giving his sister any more ammunition than she’s already crafting out of this bit of nothing. He’s almost grateful when Adriana interrupts him.

“Tiny, yes. Among other things you just couldn’t help but notice about her.”  Adriana’s smirk comes through loud and clear.  He might have mentioned her hair. And her tattoos. And her eyes. “To be fair, little brother, most people are tiny to you. But she did threaten to kick you in the shins. For shitty snacks.” A pause.  “And your response was to buy them?”

Max leans toward the mirror, turning his head this way and that, taking mental tally of the silver starting to appear at his temples. “Well, what would you have done?”

“I wouldn’t have been buying overprocessed sticks of death at a gas station, first of all.”

“Death sticks,” he snorts.  “It’s just jerky. Don’t be such a snob, Adri.”

“Says the man who drinks Corona, of all things. Of course you don’t have any standards.”

Max swipes the phone off the bathroom counter and carries it out into the main room, setting it on the desk next to the open laptop.  “You don’t have to drink it. No one’s making you.”

“Good thing, too.”  Adriana clucks her tongue. “Our family couldn’t handle the shame of two of us drinking that terrible beer. You know Mom’s considered cutting you out of her -” Max’s text notification goes off, loud in the quiet hotel room, followed by a slightly stunned silence.  “Max. Are you texting?  You never text. Ever.” Confusion weaves through Adriana’s incredulousness. The entire family knows that if Max could uninstall the texting capability on his phone, he would.  “Who are you -”

Max closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose, offering a silent prayer that his sister won’t put two and two together.

A small gasp from the direction of the cell phone speaker tells him that no deity in the universe deigned to answer his hasty plea.  “You’re texting her! The Gas Station Menace!” Adriana exclaims. “You are, aren’t you? No, you don’t have to tell me, your silence tells me everything. You - “

Time to end this before it gets even more out of hand. “I have to go, Adriana. Work calls.”

“You bought her that jerky to get her number! I knew something about that was fishy; I know you don’t ever, ever eat in that damn car of yours.”  Adriana chortles. “No way were you buying that for you. You smooth bastard.”

Just when he thinks his sister has reached peak obnoxiousness, the notification goes off again, and it takes all of his willpower to not simply lower his face into his palms and wait for something else to catch Adriana’s attention.

“Multiple texts!” Adriana sounds like she can hardly contain herself.  “I’ll let you get back to your no doubt torrid gas station affair, little brother. Remember not to text anything you don’t want on the news.”

“I’m going now, Adri.”

“And don’t do anything I wouldn’t -”

“Goodbye, Adriana.” Max jabs at the screen harder than necessary, then looks at his laptop, telling himself that of course he’s not going to answer those texts right away, that would be silly.

He picks up the phone, taps the notification.

It’s good to hear you got through the rest of your day without making anyone cry over Ho-Hos, that’s for sure, Tiny. I’m proud of you.  How was your drive?

[arcadian-rhythms]

Arcadian Rhythms

I’ve been working on this project for over a year now (since December 2017) and I am FINALLY ready to start rolling out weekly updates for Season 1! Arcadian Rhythms will be a long-form fan-fiction project similar in scale to what I’ve done in the past with projects like Life is Strange: All Wounds and What I Learned at SRU. Unlike previous fic projects, however, I won’t be posting chapters as soon as I write them. Instead, I will write a “season” of chapters, edit them, make revisions, and tighten them up more than I usually do with fanfic. Then, I will post every “episode” of a “season” once a week on a regular schedule. That way, folks will know, reliably, when to expect more, and they will be able to follow things week to week, or binge it in a big chunk, like a TV series. I’m aiming for each “season” to be about 10-15 “episodes” long, probably looking at three or four “seasons” in total, depending on how much I get involved.

[+ Poster by @mollifiable​ +] (she’ll be helping me with character designs and story revisions)

It’s not long now. _̴____ w̨i͠ll ̛let ͝u͜s͝ go. ̛_____̸ ͠wil̸l̷ g̷ive͝ ̛u̵s̨ ̶hope҉. ͢_̷_̸___͢ ͟w̵ill şave u͝s ̶a̛ll. You should be smiling, too. Aren’t you excited? Aren’t you happy? You’re going to be free.

So, then, that will be the format. What is the story about, though? That’s…actually kind of hard to quantify, as it’s unlike anything I’ve written before. It will most closely resemble my old project What I Learned at SRU, but where that was a modern college AU featuring characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender (and eventually its sequel, Legend of Korra), Arcadian Rhythms will be a modern supernatural crime drama featuring AU adaptations of characters from multiple modern video games. Some of the more prominent games’ cast/ideas to be featured early on will be Undertale, Overwatch, Oxenfree, Life is Strange, Night in the Woods, The Last of Us, VA-11 HALL-A, and Horizon: Zero Dawn, to name a few, but many characters and ideas across multiple fandoms will be adapted to blend together into this single fictional world. To be clear, this isn’t a situation of crossing-over from their respective stories – this is a complete alternate universe. Rather than just re-telling a narrative you may already know, I’ll be incorporating pieces of that narrative and remixing them with pieces of other narratives, forming connections and plot points that tie together in ways that just don’t exist. As I’ve written over 100k words at this point, I feel I could kind of compare to the Netflix Marvel shows -- multiple stories, crossing over into one another, set within a single city, featuring adaptations of pre-existing characters. Yet you could enter the narrative without any knowledge of the original source materials.

So the plot will be an original story centered around strange, supernatural events happening in a single city, weaving together and remixing different concepts and supernatural elements across many different inspirations, tying them together into one, cohesive narrative. It won’t be “well here’s the Life is Strange characters’ story, here’s the Night in the Woods characters’ story” but rather all of the characters’ stories will be interwoven together, mixing in references and elements of where you might know them from, but going in a different direction than they originally do. Most characters will be around 30 years old, with some in their early 20′s – they’ll have day jobs, they’ll have romances that couldn’t exist within their own stories (Aloy Nora and Lena ‘Tracer’ Oxton being one of the core romances, for example), they’ll be friends or rivals with one another, but they’ll all be connected by the same phenomenon going on, much like the characters in Stranger Things (only this will be more of an interwoven plot rather than separate plots conjoining). What if you haven’t played some of or any of these games? No worries – this will be an original plot. Like some of my previous work, it’s more that if you are familiar with the source material, you may pick up extra references or foreshadowing. Like What I Learned at SRU, I’ll be writing this in such a way that even someone who hasn’t played any of these games will be able to enjoy the story. But if you happen to know about some of the gritty details? That might flavor your experience differently.

In terms of tone and inspiration, I’d say the stories that have inspired this project most are The Wolf Among Us, Stranger Things, and Mr. Robot, as well as a pinch of Black Mirror. The plot will revolve around a cast of characters all interconnected by supernatural goings-on in a city inspired by 80′s retro-wave aesthetics, though it will feature modern day technology (and a bit of sci-fi-fantasy stuff).

As an example (skip this paragraph if you just don’t want to know anything about the plot), . . . Think of characters like Max Caulfield, Tracer, and Frisk, (and others) who all possess the ability of short-term time travel – in this world, that is still the case, but their abilities are all connected by the same phenomenon here. Think about what kind of situation the cast of games such as Undertale and Pyre are stuck in and trying to overcome. Think of the interesting things with ‘consciousness’ or ‘the Soul’ that happen in Transistor, Undertale, or Oxenfree. . . . Basically, I’ll be mixing together different supernatural elements I like from games I’ve fallen in love with, games I’ve had plot bunnies for with fanfic, but ultimately just never wrote anything about. For example, I adore many of the characters in the games featured above, but their stories felt…complete. I didn’t feel I had anything to add to them, really, nothing felt “missing.” But when recontextualized, I can express new things. If you’ve read All Wounds you saw some of this intertextual storytelling bleeding through the latter portions in particular, and I really liked this and have a strong passion for that kind of storytelling, and figured this could be a great outlet for that, where I can take my time and just have fun with it.

While I did plan on All Wounds being my last fic, my life hasn’t really changed since I made that decision like I had hoped it would, and I really just need to keep writing things I can just have fun with. I am still working on the visual novel for All Wounds and do plan to finish it eventually. But this has definitely become my new passion project.

So! In the meantime! Season 1 is, at last, underway! Expect updates every Friday! You can follow this blog for updates, including artwork and music-sharing, as well as possibly more “GIF-teaser-trailers” (as my gf put it). The blog also has a lengthy playlist of tracks inspiring the story which I will add to over time. I recommend this track as a starting point to set the tone. I’ve also been curating a playlist for inspiration on YouTube. Thanks again for the support folks have given me over my strange fanfiction projects. I have a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that this could be a fitting culmination of everything I’ve learned over the past 15 years of writing fic – if I can pull it off – while simultaneously being an expression of my passion for my favorite medium and the steps it has taken in recent years under the direction of passionate developers.

[phaniecastello-blog]

((This is the second fic. Thanks to Claire, again, for the rp with @nathaniel-schreave . Maybe two fics in a raw is too much, but I want to start rping with the rest of the royals and I needed to write this first to do it. ))

Baby Bambi and the Prince

The day passed and the thoughts about the magazine thing keep coming to my mind, occasionally thinking of the possible guilty ones.

I put on my black leggings and top, then looked on my suitcase for my ballet shoes; the ones I used to carry everywhere I travel, no mattering I didn’t really know how to dance; and headed to the gym. Practicing the few steps I had learned in Miss Dorothy’s class, watching the ballerinas, during the month I went there to do my sketches; always had helped me to relax.

First, soutenu, fifth,  balance, balance, balance, pique turn, fifth… and repeat

First, soutenu, fifth,  balancè, balancè, balancè, pique turn…

“Oh sorry am I interrupting you?” When I turned, even when he was far inches from me, my eyes met his light brown, lovely eyes and I jolted

“Oh, no, no at all. I'm just fooling around, here” I answered, putting my heels back on the floor.

“It looked really good” Prince Nathaniel said.  A sense of pride filled my chest. Practicing those 3 steps during all this time was worthy, after all.

I chuckled “Do you really think so?” He nodded “Yeah, it was really good... I can’t remember are you a professional?”

The fact that I only knew the basic steps and a few turns, didn’t let me hold back the laugh. Scared that he might think I was laughing at him, I apologized. “I'm sorry, it's funny because those steps you just saw…” I pointed at the center of the floor “...are the only steps I know” I covered my face in embarrassment

“They were really good. I can’t even balance on one leg so that’s impressive”

I chuckled “It's a matter of practice... take it from me. I mean, I always wanted to take ballet classes, but... I... wasn't able to, so, I just practice the same 3 steps again and again. I was starting to feel uncomfortable for being the topic of the conversation. Maybe it was time to mention the obvious. “But hey, you look...good, I mean sporty, sporty is always good…” I had never been the best at compliments, but it was impossible not to make one when I was in front of a handsome man like him.

He looked down at his outfit as if he hadn’t remembered what he was wearing and chuckled “It’s probably weird seeing me in something other than nice clothes”

“Mhmm, weird is not the word I have in mind. Tell me what's your secret to look good with anything you wear?”

He took some time to think “Here’s the secret, first I find what I want to wear. Second, I put it on, then I get called amazing” He laughed at his own joke.

“I guess, it doesn't work for everyone” I shrugged. “So, do you have some kind of routine or?” I walked with him through the zone where all kind of gym equipment was. All kind of benches, dumbbells, pull up and pull down bars, etc.

He shrugged “Not really, today’s leg day so I’m about to have a lot of fun” He answered chuckling.

“I’m so not good at exercising…” I confessed  “that’s why I dance instead or at least try” I scuffed at the last sentence.

“It's kinda fun when you get into it, especially when you are really getting into your music.”

“Oh, yes, I understand the music part” I smiled because I liked to do all my activities listening to music, it helped me concentrate. Some instrumental pieces for dancing and drawing and indie/pop for anything else. “Which songs do you have in your "working out" playlist? Some Rocky style ones? I winked.

“Not really just some good old classics” He laughed

He unplugged his headphones for me to listen to the High School Musical song he was listening to

“Sounds motivating!” I nodded

“It really is!”

I could stay there talking with him for hours, but he was there to work out and I felt like I was disturbing him. I didn’t want to be guilty of stopping those muscles to keep growing. The entire country would hate me. “Now I'm the one who feels like is interrupting... I will leave you to do your work out” I said smiling.

“Oh you don't have to, you can stay. I don't mind” He smiled back at me.

I hesitated for a while and then decided to stay with him for a while. “I guess I can stay to do some leg, too” I said looking down at my legs “...which I need with urgency”

“Yeah, I can show you how.” He walked towards the leg extension machine and I followed  “First, I like this machine” he said pointed at it. “this one is really easy and a good beginning one” “Oh yeah, I had used that... it’s the one that makes me walk like baby Bambi the day after using it” Every time my mom forced me to exercise, a couple of months before a collection is out, I have to quit using high heels, cause my body hurt for days. He laughed “It's not that hard. He said sitting on the machine and doing a quick demonstration. “Easy” I noticed that the machine had a high weight for him to lift   “It really looks easy when you do it... okay, let me try”

“You got this” I tried to lift my legs but they hardly moved two inches from the ground “pff! I’m great at this” I said giving up. Nate got closer to the machine to low the weight “Here try this”

I tried again and succeeded. “...easy!” I said after muttering a piece of “We are all in this together” lyrics. “If you weren’t a prince I would suggest you to be a gym instructor” I joked. “No, I’m nowhere near being a professional, Jace. Jace is the pro here” “You would be a musician, am I right?” I guessed, smiling

He bobbed his head back and forth “I’m not so sure. I like what I do, it’s weird to think I could do something any different” I nodded.  Maybe he felt like I did. Besides the fact, I didn’t like most of the people involved in the fashion industry, I had always felt good on the runway, wearing the masterpieces that a whole team of professionals tailor. But I also had the dream of having my own art gallery, where I could show my drawings to the world. I was sure I could do both things, in that way I could be able to feel complete, but Loretta never had let me to “distract” myself from my job. In that last detail, he had an advantage. Supportive parents. Music was an important part of him, but he was also doing an amazing job as the Crown Prince of Illèa and I had always admired that; I used to talk to Nancy about it, every time we saw him at the report.“Yes, I know you like it because you are doing a good job... it’s not like I know much about politics” then I muttered “I actually know less than I should...”  “but what I see on tv and the news..., I think you are doing great” “Thanks, that means a lot”

“... I like what I do too, but I don’t LOVE it... Maybe I should do something else”

Did I say or thought that? “Do whatever makes you happy” He said giving me a genuine smile I smiled back getting back to the exercising thing. After a few lifts, I stopped. “Do you think this would be enough to have good legs for a whole year?”

“Yeah, next year is pretty soon” Nate smirked

I hide my face behind my hand feeling stupid. “You are right! ... How do you celebrate Christmas, here, by the way? Any special tradition? Someone dresses like King Claus?” I pointed upstairs.

Am I saying these to see him laughing again? Yes.

And it worked. He laughed “No. I think Christmas here is just like Christmas everywhere else. Like we exchange presents and such but nothing special. And no traditions in this family, shocking I know” “All that is great, I mean, being with your family and all that it’s more than what I do…” Then I remembered “ I haven’t met any of them yet” His face looked shocked “Really? Max is probably roaming the halls waiting for some girl to talk to him *laughs and rolls his eyes* Mal is well... Mal I don’t know where she could be same with Quinn. Brooks is probably in a library reading, he’s been doing that a lot more recently, not sure why though.” She shrugged. “I have heard stories about Max, he sounds like a really …” I looked for the right word to describe him “...friendly guy. I hope I can meet them, soon or maybe I will be lucky on a visit to the library” “You’ll be lucky if you don’t run into him” “Can’t be that bad…” I smirked. I stand up from the leg extension machine and he offered me his hand to help me get out of it.

A prince indeed.

“I should go to sleep now and stop distracting you. Thank you for the lessons” “Okay well night, Stephanie” “Goodnight, your highness” “Nate, you can call me Nate” He said smiling.

“... Nate, I will see you tomorrow” I said with a gin, and it didn’t go away until I fall asleep that night. Maya was right, I should focus on showing the people who I really was.

[miraculoussideblog]

Operation Lovebirds Chapter 2

Here is the next chapter of @insanitysbloomings‘ (aka @insanitysscribblings) birthday fic. Enjoy

Summary: Fed up with her friends refusing to confess their feeling for each other, Alya enlist the help of Nino to bring them together. The plan? Fake a relationship. What could possibly go wrong? (hint: everything)   

Chapters: [1] [You are Here]

[AO3]

Chapter Two

“I don’t think I can do this anymore,” Nino said over the phone as he paced back and forth in his living room. School turned out to be very difficult to navigate once the plan set into motion. Alya was everywhere he turned, so whenever Adrien or Marinette were around he had to keep up the nervous act. She didn’t make it any easier all the flirting. He kept telling himself none of it was real and disappointment followed. There was only so much he could handle.

“Dude you have nothing to worry about, it’s Alya.” Adrien replied.

“That’s just it man, I can’t screw up this time.”

He glanced over at Alya sitting on the couch, scribbling something down in her notebook. Alya’s head snapped up, lifting her notebook. “Stick to the script,” it read.  Nino sighed. Alya insisted on being present when he made to call to change their date into a double. She coached him with possible responses and reactions. He had to admit she was committed.  

Nino pinched the bridge of his nose. “Anyway, I need your help.”

“I’m not hiding in the bushes again.”

“No nothing like that. I’m just too nervous to do this alone, do you think you can join us?”

“On your date? I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“Then let’s add a fourth.” Nino cringed when the words came out of his mouth. Alya was a great writer, but dialogue was not her strong suit. “We could ask Marinette.”

“The four of us hang out all the time.”

“Please, for me. You can chill with her, and keep an eye on me. Just to make sure I don’t make a fool of myself.”

There was a brief silence before Adrien answered. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Thanks bro.” Nino gave Alya a thumbs up. “You invite Marinette, I’ll let Alya know.”

“All right, I’ll see you tomorrow,”

“Great, let’s meets up outside Marinette’s place around noon.”

“Got it, see you then.”

“Bye.” Nino hung up his phone and flopped down on the couch next to Alya. “It’s done. Phase three complete.”

“Not quite. Five, four, three, two one.” She lifted up her phone, Marinette’s face popped up on the screen. Alya pressed accept and pulled the phone from her ear.

“ALYA! ADRIEN JUST ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO JOIN HIM, YOU AND NINO ON YOUR PICNIC DATE! OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD WHAT DO I DO?”

“Calm down, I just talked to Nino about it, you’re going to be fine.”

Nino watched as Alya tactfully calmed down her best friend. He had to admire her loyalty,  she and Marinette have been inseparable for years. Back then he’d been in love with Marinette for God knows how long. Until a certain superhero locked him in a cage with Alya all day…

“We’d better ditch this place.” Nino said to Marinette. He sprinted as fast as he could, away from the herd of zoo animal that followed close behind. “Are you keeping up?” He glanced over his shoulder to see if Marinette was close by, but she was nowhere to be seen. This was just not his day, first he acts like complete fool on his date, tells her that he likes her best friend and then loses her to a mob of angry animals.

The Universe: 1 Nino: 0

He couldn’t turn around at this point, the herd was right on his tail. If anything, she ran in the opposite direction away from the dangers. He had to believe that she was okay.

Nino sensed a body closing in on him. Out of the corner of his eye, Alya appeared at his side. Where did she even come from? The two ran side by side without a word, trying to shake off the herd. It was no use, he and Alya were about to be trampled to death by zoo animals.

What a hell of a way to go.

“Hey.” Something tugged on the back of his shirt, pulling him away from the animals. Nino looked up, Ladybug dragged him and Alya to a nearby cage. “What the–”

“Stay put and you’ll be safe.” Ladybug slammed the cage shut.

Nino glanced over at Alya, who was just as confused as he was. “Uh…hey what’s up?” he pointed finger guns in her direction.

“Ugh,” Alya sighed in exasperation. “This is not happening.”

“Are you all right?” Nino tried to place his hand on her shoulder to console her, but she backed away. “Sorry.”

“There has to be a way out of here,” Alya pushed on the cage door, but it wouldn’t budge. “Give me a hand would you.”

Nino placed his hands on the door, pushing with all his might next to Alya with no avail. “It’s no use, we’re stuck here until someone lets us out.”

“Let me call my dad.” she put her phone to her ear. “Straight to voicemail, he must busy trying to get the animals back in their cages. Ugh, there’s an Akuma attack happening right now and I can’t film it for the Ladyblog.”

“You don’t have to film every battle.”

“Yes I do.” She banged on the glass wall. “I mean, yes, I don’t have to film, but I just want to be there, a part of the action.”

“Why?”

“Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a superhero. Now that Paris has to full fledged heroes, I can’t help but be a little jealous. If I could put on a mask and fight akumas I would in a heartbeat. But I can’t, I’m powerless. The best thing I could do is arm myself with my phone and film.”

“So what if you’re not a Clark Kent, Lois Lane was just as badass.” Nino smirked. He never really saw this side of Alya before. She’s always been fierce, determined and very scary, but admitting she had a weakness humanized her a bit. “Alya I–”

Alya’s phone rang, she help up one finger in front of his face and answered it.  “Hello Max? What’s up?” As the voice on the the other end spoke, the color drained from her face. “Thanks for letting me know,” she said weakly. Her arm dropped to her side as she hung up.

“Alya what’s wrong?”

“The…the akuma…is my dad,” she muttered.

“What?”

She sank down to her knees. “Max said Kim was taunting him about racing his new panther a while ago. A talking panther appeared a couple minutes later and Max swore it was my father’s voice. Ladybug and Chat Noir are trying to stop him now.”

“Are you okay?”

“Please not now Nino,” she said softly. “There has to be some footage somewhere. I have to see for myself.”

Nino sat silently as she searched her phone for a live feed. He could tell she was holding back tears.  

“Alya…” Nino couldn’t think of what to say. The only way he could communicate with was through music. He scrolled through his phone and put on his favorite playlist. He sat down next to Alya, handing her his headphones. “Here.”

“Are you sure?”

Nino nodded and flipped the speakers. Alya leaned in to listen to the music. He smiled softly as she bobbed her head softly to the beat.

“Earth to Nino,” Alya waved her hand over his face. “Where did you go?”

“Sorry, I just spaced out for a moment.” He tried to shake off the memory of the cage, the day he started seeing Alya more than just a friend. He couldn’t think like that. Not not of all times, this plan was about Adrien and Marinette. Their happiness came first.

“It’s all right, Marinette finally calmed down and agreed to go out with us. Phase three is now complete. On to phase four.”

Alya walked into The Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie a little after eleven-thirty the next day. Her mom had packed sandwiches and other goodies for the four of them and Marinette promised them baked goods. Mrs. Cheng stood behind the counter finishing up checking out a customer.  

“Hi Mrs. Cheng,” she said when the customer left. “where’s Marinette?”

“Upstairs. Have fun on your picnic.”

“We will.” Alya walked up to Marinette’s room on the top floor. She peaked through the trapdoor. Marinette scrambled around the room tossing clothes everywhere. She didn’t notice Alya as she came in.

“I can’t find them Tikki.”

“Who’s Tikki?” Alya said.

Marinette jumped in shock. “Tikki is…uh…my imaginary friend.”

Alya shook her head, her friend wasn’t the best liar. “Aren’t you a little old for an imaginary friend?”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Marinette dug through her drawer. “Ah ha! Found them.” She pulled out a pair of pink and white polka dot socks.

“Your lucky socks?”

Marinette nodded. “Wow Alya, you look great, by the way.”

“Thanks girl.” Alya decided she needed to step up her game if she wanted to convince Marinette she and Nino were on a date. Gone were her jeans and plaid shirts, today she opted for a simple yellow sundress with white flowers. Her mother added a white rose to her hair before she walked out the door.

“My dad made a fresh batch of cookies for us. They’re in the kitchen.” Marinette finished putting on her socks. “Are you sure you want me there?”

“It’s fine, Nino just nervous, he’ll feel more comfortable with Adrien around.”

“At least we know he won’t be talking in his ear,” Marinette laughed.

Alya frowned. She didn’t want to think about Marinette’s “date” with Nino right now. A trip down memory lane was not on the agenda for today. No, she needed to stay focused. “Right, well your job is too keep Adrien occupied. And at any moment if you think Nino and I could use some privacy, please by all means give us some space.“

“Got it,” she nodded. “I just hope I don’t screw this up for you.”

“You’ll be fine, I promise.”

The two girls went downstairs to grab the cookies and meet the boys outside the bakery. Nino and Adrien stood outside talking. The second she locked eyes with him, Alya’s heart speed up a bit.

Nino looked good. He refused to let her pick out his date outfit, saying he had to draw the line somewhere. He wore skinny jeans, a baby blue button up shirt with a red bowtie and red sneakers. For once, he didn’t wear his signature baseball cap. His hair was neatly pick out into a small afro.

Nino smiled. “You look amazing. These are for you.” He thrust his arm out to hand her something. Oh, right, the flowers. Yellow tulips. She forgot she picked these out the other day.

“Thank you,” she accepted the flowers. “Shall we get going?” Alya took hold of Nino’s hands and locked their fingers together. Was his hands always this warm? They’ve held hands before, once or twice when they were fifteen. But she couldn’t recall them being this nice.

 The two stayed a few paces ahead of Marinette and Adrien. Neither of them could speak. Alya was so damn focused on how soft Nino’s hand was, she barely noticed where she was when they reached park.

The four set up their picnic under a tree. Marinette placed the basket in the middle of the blanket. “Alya’s mom made us sandwiches and my dad baked cookies.”

“I love your mom’s cooking,” Nino smiled. Alya handed him a sandwich. Their fingers touched briefly, Nino’s fingers involuntarily pulled back at the contact back before taking the food from her hands. “Thanks.” He glanced down at his hands.  

They had to stick to the plan or this would get awkward real quick. They rehearsed small talk for the date. Topics like music, the Ladyblog, the weather, anything really, but Alya couldn’t form words. Why was this so different from rehearsal?

“I like your dress,” Nino finally said. Thank God, someone had to break the ice.

“Thank you,” she smiled. “My mom got it for me a couple years ago. I don’t wear it much.”

“Yellow is a nice color on you.”

“You clean up nice yourself.” Alya felt a little more at ease. Hopefully more of the conversation would come natural.

“When your best friend is a model, you pick up a thing or two,” Nino gave Adrien a thumbs up.

Oh right, they were still here. Adrien and Marinette observed the two silently eating their meal. The conversation shifted to the topic of school and they began finally get into the grove. She forgot how easy it was to talk to Nino. The whole fake dating scenario tried to screw with her perception of him. They worked better together without all of the silly planning and preparation. This way Marinette and Adrien could see them as a couple.  

“I really don’t think this is going to work,” Nino whispered. “They’re just watching us.”

Great, she’d been too focused on making her and Nino’s relationship believable, that she forgot to check up on the other lovebirds. Everyone’s phones beeped at the same time. Alya picked up her phone to check to see what was going on. An akuma attack at The Louvre. This was perfect, she could slip out and finally leave those two alone.

“I have to go,” Marinette and Adrien said at the same time.

Nino gave them a puzzled look. “There’s an akuma attack across town, I don’t think any of us should leave in case the battle moves to the closer.”

“Uh, my mom needs me to come into the bakery, we just got swamped with a giant order, it’s an all hands on deck sort of thing. I’ll be safe I promise.” Marinette stood up. “Please post lots of pictures for me okay? Bye.” Marinette sprinted off in the direction of the bakery.

“Yeah, I have to go too, sorry. Nathalie just booked me an audition for a commercial, I can’t pass up this opportunity. I’m so sorry Nino. We’ll talk Monday, don’t leave out a single detail.” Adrien dashed off away from his friends.

“Well that was a bust,” Nino sighed. Alya began packing up the picnic food. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to The Louvre, the akuma attack remember?”

“It’s to far away, there’s no way you can make it in time,” Nino stretched out on the blanket. “Let’s relax and finish the picnic. It’s a gorgeous day.”

“But Ladybug and Chat Noir will be there.”

“I know you want to help out, but it’s too dangerous. The report said the akuma is transporting people into paintings. I don’t want you getting hurt.” Nino’s tone was serious. Alya glanced over at the boy, his happy go lucky smile was gone, he genuinely looked concerned.

“Ladybug has her Miraculous Cure, I’ll be fine no matter what happens.”

“But what if Ladybug fails.”

“She won’t fail, she’s Ladybug.” Alya had been akumatized, almost sacrificed, turn into lord knows what by a wide variety of supervillains. But every time, Ladybug and Chat Noir saved the day. She trusted the heroes of Paris with her life, why wouldn’t Nino understand. “You know, you’re uncharacteristically grim right now.”

“Just sit this one out okay,” Nino sat up. “Let’s take a bunch of selfie for social media and finish off these cookies.”

“You still want to go through with Operation Lovebirds?”

“Of course,” he smiled. “Adrien was so excited to hang out with Marinette. I know he doesn’t say it, but I do think he’s in love with her. He’s always talking about how awesome and kind she is, sometimes I catch him staring at her when she’s not looking. It’s frustrating, at times I just want to tell him about Marinette’s crush.” Nino paused. “Wait, why don’t we just do that.”

“Oh sweet summer child,”  Alya patted his head. “You know as well as I do, that the minute someone tells him about the crush the more awkward our group dynamic would be.”

“Fine,” he sighed. “So, what’s phase five?”