#I’ve done a sage dye too

[phoradendron]

Some results of my earlier adventures with natural dyes. These are dyed with blue elderberry; I had read how red and black elderberry are not very light- or colorfast, but I dyed these two or three months ago and they are doing well! Could be chance, but maybe blue elderberry is more colorfast?

I want to try changing the PH in the future for more colors. These are alum mordanted wool embroidery thread, one is undyed the other is white. In the first photo, the fibers that were originally white are on the top, undyed on the bottom, and the one weirdo off to the side was white and went in late when I decided there was more room in the jar.

No heat added to the dye bath to keep the colors brighter. I prepared it by crushing the berries, adding just enough water to cover the plant matter, leaving them overnight, crushing again and straining out the plant matter, then left the mordanted fibers in for three days; very simple. Washed thoroughly, dried in the window lol.

The white fibers became a sort of soft raspberry color, the undyed became a sort of rose gold. The weirdo is a sort of Pepto Bismal color? To be poetic

[deliriumsdelight7]

grace van dien literally ruined herself. go on twitter and youtube and all you see is the faze drama. she's not coming back from this. she's done

You know, I’m also thinking of getting into candle making. It’s funny, because I’ve never been one to use fancy soaps or bath bombs or go crazy on scented candles, but stuff like this is so much fun to make!

Here’s a recipe of one I’ve been looking at:

Purple Blackberry Flower Candle

What You’ll Need:

Round Glass Candle Jar

14 oz. EcoSoya Advanced Soy Wax

6 oz.White Beeswax

1 oz.Blackberry Sage Cybilla Fragrance Oil

Cd-20 Wick

Purple Wax Dye Block

Flower Template

Optional: Glossy Silicone Square Tray Molds (2 molds)

ONE: In a large heat safe container, melt 14 oz. of Advanced EcoSoya Wax and shavings of the Purple Wax Dye Block in the microwave using 30 second bursts. For this candle, the majority of the wax dye block was used to create a vibrant, rich purple color. If you prefer a lighter purple, use less colorant.

TWO: Once you are happy with the color, add 1 oz. of the Blackberry Sage Cybilla Fragrance Oil and use a spoon to thoroughly combine.

THREE: Place the wick in the center and use chopsticks, pencils or dowels to hold the wicks in place. Slowly and carefully pour the purple wax into the container. Set aside, and allow to fully cool and harden.

FOUR: While the candle cools, it’s time to make the flowers. Cut out the flower stencils from the Flower Template. Melt 6 oz. of white beeswax in a heat safe container using 1 minute bursts. Beeswax has a high melting point, and takes longer to melt than most waxes. Because of this, be careful when removing the container from the microwave as it will be very hot!

FIVE: Split the wax in half, and color one container lightly with shavings of the Purple Wax Dye Block. Pour both containers of wax into two Glossy Silicone Square Tray Molds. If you do not have two molds, you can split this step into two; simply melt 3 oz. of white beeswax at a time and only color one batch.

SIX: Soon, the beeswax will begin to cool and harden. Once the beeswax can be touched with your finger and does not pull away, gently place the flower cut-outs on the wax. Using a chopstick or wood skewer, use the flower as a stencil and “draw” a flower into the wax. Move quickly as the beeswax hardens fast.

SEVEN: Continue drawing both small and large flowers into the white and purple wax. You only need one small and one large flower for each candle, but you will be able to carve more than two flowers. Carve more for future candles, or save the wax to remelt and reuse later.

EIGHT: Use a straw or the end of your carving tool to create a hole in the center of your flower. This is where the wick will be threaded, so ensure it is large enough for the wick to fit through. Set the trays of flowers aside to fully cool and harden before removing the flowers from the mold.

NINE: Once the wax has fully cooled, gently press the bottom of the mold, around the flowers. The wax around the flowers will begin to break, releasing the flower shapes. Be very careful during this step, you don’t want to break the flowers! If this happens don’t worry. Remelt and wax, pour and trace the flowers again. =)

TEN: Melt a very small amount of beeswax in the microwave using 30 second bursts. Use a dropper or spoon to drop a small amount of wax near the wick.

ELEVEN: Gently place a large flower onto the candle and hot wax. The hot wax will adhere the flower to the candle.

TWELVE: Place a small amount of hot wax on the large flower, and gently place a small flower on top. Be careful not to press too firmly, as this could crack the flowers. When ready to use, light the wick and enjoy! Reminder, never leave a burning candle unattended, and hot candles can damages surfaces so always use a hot plate or covering.

[starofgold]

Cain Summer 2022 SSR Card Story: Turning the Pages of a Beloved Story

Akira: Cain, you’re going to show me around town? Thank you so much! We’re just done with our mission yet you still accompany me.

Cain: I’m more than happy to spend time with you, Master Sage. Well then, there’re many places I’d like to show you! It’d be great if you take a liking to them.

As he said that, Cain took me to see the vendors of local products, which boasted the finest goods even by the standards of Seth’s Paradise.

Show owner: Welcome, welcome! We have the necklace of Seth! And here’s the legendary sword that defeated the Great Serpent!

Akira: Eh, you have something like that here too?

Cain: Ahaha, of course they aren’t the real things. You know, Seth is viewed as a symbol of this town, so such wares are on offer here. Look, earrings and bracelets, toy swords, souvenirs with motif of the lake, even dye materials too.

Akira: The variety of goods being on sale here is truly astounding. Oh, there’re books over there! This book has a really ornate cover. This is a young man and, uhm, a snake? It’s unique to have embroidery on a book’s cover like this.

Cain: Oh, that’s….!

Cain’s eyes went round in surprise. Just as I noticed that, he broke out in carefree giggles.

Cain: Oh, this brings me back! This is a picture book that tells the legend of Seth. The book I read as a kid was the same as this one.

Akira: Oh, really?! Looks like you loved it enough to remember it by heart.

Cain: Yeah. I left the book at home, so it’s been quite a while since I read it. Perhaps I have some kind of fateful connection with this book. I’ll buy it as souvenir.

Akira: That sounds nice! And I’ll buy the dye materials we saw back there.

[A moment later]

Cain: It’s all thanks to you noticing the book that we have a nice shopping trip. Thank you.

Akira: It’s me who should thank you. This all started with you showing me around after all.

Child holding a toy sword: I! Am! The Heroic Wizard Seth!

As we looked in the direction of the cheerful voices, we saw a group of children playing not far from the shop.

Child wearing a short cape: The terrible Great Serpent has come to rob the golden Sacred Goblet! You’ll receive your judgment!

???: Ha-ha-ha, you want to take on me with such child’s play?!

Akira: (Seth is really the idol of the children. The voice just now feels really familiar though)  

Chloe: Leave if you know what’s good for you, Wizard Seth!

Akira: Chloe?!

[High-five sound]

Chloe: Master Sage, Cain! Are you going shopping?

Cain: Yeah. And you, Chloe? Are you playing with the children?

Chloe: I am. The children invited me to join them when I was looking for Rustica, then I got carried away by the game.

Child holding a toy sword: Why don’t you play the Seth game with us too?

Akira: This can be a nice memory of our travel. Cain, shall we play with them a bit if you don’t mind?

Cain: Sure! First of all, I’ll high five our friends here. Yay!

[High five sound]

The children: Yay!

Cain: The swords and short capes really suit you. Are you all playing Seth?

Child holding a toy sword: That’s right. Big brother, you seem to be the strongest here. Why don’t you play the Great Serpent? Your friend can be us Seth’s companion.

Cain: Eh, the Great Serpent? I.. see…

Akira: (Cain is afraid of snakes. I wonder if he’s fine with that.)

Cain: I’ve an idea! Master Sage, Chloe, will you give me a hand?

Cain waved us to his side and whispered his plan to us. The three of us nodded at each other and Cain turned to the children again.

Cain: I am the Great Serpent in disguise. Foolish warrior Seth, have you come here to vanquish me?

Cain: Gladius procella.

[Whirlwind of sand effect]

Child holding a toy sword: W- what is that?! A snake has formed from the sand!

Child wearing a short cape: I- it’s huge.

Cain: Is your courage only that much?

Akira: (Wow, Cain really goes all out in playing the villain. Well then, the next step of our plan is…)

Akira: Everyone, don’t give up! Fight on!

Chloe: Everything will be alright if we work together! We have each other after all!

Child holding a toy sword: Let’s go! Everyone!

Child wearing a short cape: Yeah!

The children: I am the heroic child Chosen by God. I’ll press forward with my sword in my hand! Sacred Goblet, please grant us strength! Forward!

[Running sound]

Cain: -

Being in step with the children, who slashed at the sand snake, Cain recited his spell under his breath with the slightest movement of his lips.

Child holding a toy sword: Yay! The Great Serpent has dissolved into pieces!

Cain: Urgh! Now that I’ve seen your courage with my own eyes, you’re… certainly… great… heroes.

As Cain dropped down onto the ground with a thud, the children looked at each other and broke out in a big hurray.

Chloe: Ahaha, everyone is so excited. It’s just as Cain said.

Akira: The more you played the villain, the more scary it was. My heart was thumping all the way until you fell on the ground. You’re really great at playing the villain, Cain!

As I offered my hand to Cain, who was still sitting on the ground, the gaze he gave the children was so gentle that I stopped without thinking.

Cain: …Oh, sorry. I was remembering about the time when I was a kid.

Akira: When you were a child?

Child holding a toy sword: Oh it’s time for lunch.

Child wearing a short cape: Thank you for playing with us! Bye bye!

As we sent off the children and looked at their little backs, Cain looked at us and smiled the smile that had become so familiar to me.

Cain: Thanks for helping me out with my idea. It was thanks to your support that the children made the breakthrough.

Akira: I didn’t do much. It’s because you gave it your own playing the villain that the children wanted to win and gave their best.

Chloe: Definitely. You were so convincing that my heart was thumping too!

Cain: I’d like to say ‘that’s great’, but I was just taking a leaf from my old man. He used to play along with my games when I was a kid. His villain acting skill was awesome, so it was genuinely scary. Thanks to that, it was really fun when he dropped down on the ground with all his might. I still remember that clearly. So I did it like him. Haha, I feel like a kid again.

Afterwards, Chloe found Rustica, so the two of us wandered the town together. At the end of the day trip, Cain took me to a place where we could watch the famous lake.

Akira: Wow, this place is so beautiful. Thanks to you and everyone doing your best that I can enjoy the lake like this.

Cain: Thanks for the warm words. I too am happy that we were able to protect the lake of the Seth legend.

Cain: The thing is, I take you here to give something to you.

What he handed out to me was a book. The embroidery of the young man and the snake glittered as it reflected the sunlight.

Akira: This is the picture book about Seth! Did you buy it for yourself?

Cain: Ah no, this is for you. You certainly know the truth about Seth already, but even so, that’s not all there is. I’d like you to know “Seth the Hero” that the children and the child that I was so admire. Will you accept this?

Akira: Certainly. Please tell me about “Seth the Hero” who is still in your heart and everyone else’s too.

Cain: Thanks, Akira. If you don’t mind, I’ll read the words that you don’t understand for you. My acting skill from back there wasn’t too shabby, right? “Foolish warrior Seth, have you come here to vanquish me?”

Akira: Ahaha! That was indeed some fine acting.

[Page turning sound]

Cain: My favorite scene is here. “Please grant me strength, O Divine Goblet! So that I can protect everyone with my own hands!”

Cain turned the pages and read out the lines melodiously. On his face was an innocent smile that displayed vividly his beloved childhood memories.

[astralpenguin]

@transnaturalweek day 6: euphoria

1.9k, ao3 link

“I want to do something to my hair.”

Jack and Kaia looked up from the puzzle they’d been slowly working on together. Claire was standing in the doorway, breathing heavily as if they’d been running.

“I thought you liked your hair long,” said Kaia.

“I do,” said Claire. They stepped into the lounge and collapsed onto the sofa nearest the door. “Well,” they said, “it’s not that I like it long so much as I don’t like it short.”

“Why don’t you like it short?” asked Jack. “I think you’d look great!”

Claire shrugged. “You’re not wrong,” they said. “I cut it short when I was like fourteen and it looked pretty good, except for how I looked almost exactly like my dad did when he was fourteen.”

Kaia winced.

“Yeah,” said Claire. “I’m not risking that happening again. No way.”

“But you still want to do something with your hair?” asked Kaia.

Claire groaned. “Yeah, something,” they said. “Mostly I just want people to stop looking at me and assuming I’m cis. Doing something to my hair might work, but I don’t know what.”

“You could dye it?” said Jack as he placed a piece of the puzzle down. His head then snapped up and his eyes shone with excitement. “Can I help you dye it?”

“Aren’t you God?” asked Kaia. “Couldn’t you just snap your fingers and make their hair a different color?”

Jack’s face fell into a slight pout. “I guess, but that wouldn’t be as fun.”

Claire laughed. “Sure,” they said. “Let’s dye my hair.”

Jack’s smile reappeared on his face. He jumped to his feet and ran from the room. “I’ll ask the others if they want in on this too!”

Kaia rolled xir eyes and smiled as xe stood. “He’s like an excitable puppy.”

“He’s three,” said Claire.

“And God.”

“And God,” agreed Claire. “And he wants to help me dye my hair.” Claire shook their head and smiled. 

Claire and Kaia waited by the front door for Jack to come back downstairs. They only had to wait a couple of minutes before he was bounding down the stairs so fast that he almost ran right into them, only just managing to stop himself in time.

“Alex said to leave her alone and let him sleep.”

Claire snorted. “Of course he did.”

Kaia elbowed them in the ribs. “She’s been on call for three days, don’t be mean.”

Claire gasped. “Me? Mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What about the others?” Kaia asked Jack.

“Patience said that they think it’s a great idea, and Magda said to get her some pink dye as well as whatever other color you end up choosing.”

Claire frowned. “I hadn’t decided on a color yet. I could’ve gone for pink. They don’t know. I don’t even know yet.”

“Claire,” said Jack, an overly patient tone to his voice, “Magda is psychic.”

Claire blinked.

They flung the front door open and stode out.

“I’m going to dye my hair pink just to spite her.”

Kaia caught Jack’s eye. They grinned at each other, and they both followed.

Claire did not, in the end, choose to dye their hair pink.

The store they went to to pick out the hair dye had a huge range of colors, and the trio spent nearly an hour wandering up and down the aisle and debating the pros and cons of each option. Claire wanted something bright, that couldn’t possibly be mistaken for being a natural hair color even at a distance, and even though they’d declared that they were going to choose pink in order to prove the psychics wrong, they ended up more drawn to some of the other options.

Kaia made sure to grab a bottle of pink dye for Magda.

Eventually Claire settled on purple.

When they got home, Claire and Jack raced to the bathroom, eager to get started. Kaia hung back, detouring to Magda’s room to deliver the pink dye she wanted. Magda and Patience were both lying on their fronts on Magda’s bed, watching something on one of their phones.

“You want us to let you know when the bathroom’s free?” xe asked as xe handed the bottle over.

“No, that’s okay,” said Magda. She put the bottle to one side and smiled up at Kaia. “I need to bleach my hair before this will show up.”

“Normally you would,” said Kaia. “But we’ve got literal God here with us, and he’s very excited about dyeing people’s hair. He’d probably be happy to help you skip the boring step.”

“It still weirds me out that Jack is God,” said Patience, not taking their eyes off the screen.

“Honestly, same,” said Kaia.

A muffled yelp came from the bathroom, followed by the sound of two people bursting into laughter.

“I’d better go supervise,” said Kaia, glancing around behind xem. Xe looked back at Magda. “I’ll let you know when we’re done, but there’s no pressure to do it today.”

Magda nodded.

Kaia closed the door to Magda’s room behind xem and went into the bathroom without pausing to knock.

Claire’s shirt had been dropped on the floor and kicked to the side. They were sitting up against the bathtub with their head tilted over the edge and hair loose inside of it. Jack was standing next to them and holding the showerhead close to Claire’s hair, running the water across Claire’s scalp.

“Hey,” said Claire as Kaia walked in. “Jack’s giving me the proper salon experience!”

“Why screaming?” asked Kaia. “Alex is still trying to sleep.”

Claire grinned. “He forgot to wait for the water to warm up first, so I basically got an ice blast aimed at my head.”

“The water’s warm now though!” said Jack, looking proud of himself. “I was able to make it warm up faster so we could get on with washing Claire’s hair, and so Claire wouldn’t be cold for too long.”

Kaia closed the bathroom door and leaned back on it. “Isn’t that an abuse of your God powers?”

Jack shrugged. “Maybe,” he said. “I don’t care though.”

Claire’s grin grew even wider. “That’s the best attitude to have! What’s the point of having powers if you don’t use them?”

“There’s no point at all,” said Jack, almost as if he was reciting something that he’d been told before.

Kaia couldn’t stop xirself from smiling as xe said, “Okay, but when his dads inevitably asks who the bad influence was, I’m pointing them at you.”

Claire blew Kaia a kiss in response.

Once Claire’s hair had been washed and the dye had been applied, they were faced with some time to kill before they could wash the dye out.

“We could dye your hair purple too?” said Jack.

“We can’t,” said Kaia. “My hair’s too dark for it.”

“Oh, that doesn’t matter. I can make it so the dye works anyway.”

Kaia laughed. “I told Magda you’d say that. Thanks, but it’s okay. I don’t want to dye my hair today.”

“What about you?” said Claire. “We could do your hair.”

Jack thought about it for a few moments. “I don’t want purple hair,” he said. “I think I like my hair the way that it is. I would like to paint my nails purple though.”

“That, we can do,” said Claire. They looked over at Kaia. “Babe, do you have purple nail polish?”

Kaia shook xir head. “I can ask the others if they have some?”

“Don’t bother asking Alex,” said Claire. “If you disturb his beauty sleep, she might bite you.”

Kaia paused with xir hand on the doorknob. “Are you speaking from experience?”

Claire nodded sagely. “If I didn’t know what actual demons are like then I’d swear he was one.”

“She didn’t try to bite me earlier,” said Jack. He seemed genuinely confused about the direction that the conversation had taken.

“That’s because you’re the baby of the family,” said Claire, as if it were obvious, “and nobody’s allowed to be mean to the baby.”

The look of delight on Jack’s face was almost blinding.

“Family?”

As Claire stammered out a response, Kaia took the opportunity to slip out of the bathroom. Xe knocked on Magda’s door and waited to be called in.

“Do either of you have any purple nail polish? We’re painting Jack’s nails.”

Magda paused the video they were watching as Patience stood. “Yeah I do,” said Patience. “Let me go grab it.”

As they left the room, Kaia turned to Magda and said, “He did end up offering to skip the lightening-my-hair step if I wanted to dye my hair too. So the option’s there for you if you want it.”

“Thanks,” said Magda

“Here you go,” said Patience, walking back into the room and holding the small bottle out to Kaia. “One condition.”

“What is it?” asked Kaia, taking the bottle.

“Don’t let Claire do the painting.” They smiled and shrugged. “I’ve seen what their nail polish looks like, and I actually try to keep mine neat.”

Claire only owned a single bottle of silver nail polish. It was only ever applied to the nails on their toes, and the bottle was covered in splashes of nail polish from the many times that Claire had not been paying close enough attention to what they were doing when using it.

“You’ve got it,” said Kaia.

Claire only grumbled a little when Kaia relayed Patience’s condition to them. They couldn’t deny that Patience had a point. The minor disaster zone that was Claire’s single bottle of nail polish spoke for itself.

Kaia and Jack sat cross legged in front of each other, and Jack held his hands perfectly still while Kaia painted his nails. Once xe was done, xe handed the bottle over to Jack and he painted xirs. Xe didn’t manage to hold xir hands as still as Jack had held his, but Jack managed to paint xir nails perfectly anyway. Once he was done he closed the bottle, put it to one side, and snapped his fingers.

“What was that for?” asked Claire.

“Our nails are dry now,” said Jack. “That way we won’t end up smudging them.” He held his hands up in front of his face and smiled. “I really like this!”

Kaia sighed fondly and stood. “Definite abuse of God powers.”

“And I didn’t even have to directly encourage it this time!” Claire said. ��He just did it! I’m so proud!”

Kaia returned the nail polish bottle to Patience, who was glad to see that it was undamaged.

The three in the bathroom then only had to wait a little longer before it was time to wash the excess dye out of Claire’s hair. Kaia took charge this time. Xe spent longer washing Claire’s hair than was strictly necessary, but as Claire’s eyes slipped shut as xe ran xir hands through their hair and over their scalp, xe knew that Claire didn’t mind.

And, finally, it was done.

Just like he’d done for his and Kaia’s nails, Jack clicked his fingers and Claire’s hair was suddenly dry.

They stared at themself in the mirror in silence for long enough that Kaia began to wonder if xe needed to start worrying, but xe abandoned that train of thought when xe saw Claire start to smile.

“I love it!” they said. They turned around and pulled Jack and Kaia into a hug. “Thank you for helping me with this.”

“It’s nothing,” said Kaia.

“Thank you for wanting this,” said Jack. “I had fun!”

“Technically you suggested it, Jack.” Claire squeezed them both tighter before letting them go. “And you’re a little genius.”

Kaia didn’t know if xe’d ever seen Jack smile so much in such a short space of time before.

And Kaia knew that xe was biased, and that Claire always looked amazing to xem, but they really did look beautiful with their new purple hair. 

[lemon-boy-stan]

distant - park jimin x reader (part one)

genre: angst. warnings: none, it just really, really hurts. swearing, i guess. 

Park Jimin was a good boyfriend; he remembered all the special dates, took you out to expensive places, even spoiled you, but you knew that there was something missing.

Being the spokes for BTS you knew that the band was having a comeback soon. Everyone had been slaving, getting ready, making sure that the mood was perfect, that their hair dye was strong.

Today was Thursday, a day before your birthday. Everyone had been wishing you, asking you what you wanted, asking you what flavour cake you wanted. Well, that would be everyone, if there were seven of you.

But, there weren’t. There were eight, except Jimin made it feel like he wasn’t even there. He was locked up in his studio, practising, it felt like he was trying his best to avoid you - because when he came out (for meals when he was forced), he wouldn’t even look you in the eye.

You tried asking the rest of the guys if you’d done anything wrong but none of them thought you did. He’d been ignoring all your texts, leaving you on ‘opened’. As if he didn’t have any time to type back a single message, a single word that he actually cared.

You were sick of his stupid voicemail message, hearing it every time you tried to call him. It got so bad you were so anxious you stopped eating, a problem that hadn’t risen since you were a teenager.

“What? But you love this one,” Seokjin moaned, “look, I steamed it.” he wove the dish around your face and you sighed, ignoring him, scrolling through photos instead, thinking you’d done something.

Jimin looked so happy in all of them. Maybe, maybe he didn’t love you any more and maybe he was just waiting for your birthday to pass. “Come on, just a bite, and I swear I’ll leave you alone,” he pleaded, “you need food. How are you going to dance at Vogue if -”

“Seokjin, the last thing I care about is dancing,” you hissed, “now please leave me alone. I’m sorry I’m not eating your food, but Jungkook looks pretty hungry, so at least it’s not going to waste.” 

You got up, shoving past him, ignoring Namjoon’s mutters of “are you okay?”, going straight to the shareroom. Except it wasn’t really a shareroom anymore, not when Jimin barely slept in it.

The left side of the bed was cold now. You locked the door, jumped into the bed, scrolling through more photos, blaring the music from your favourite American musical, Dear Evan Hansen, because you wanted to get upset, you wanted to cry.

“Dude, Jimin’s really messed up,” you could hear Namjoon saying, “she’s listening to that depressing broadway stuff.” 

“Yeah,” Hobi said, even though he didn’t understand a word of the songs, “should we call him?” you rolled your eyes, calling Jimin wasn’t going to do anything. 

“So? How’s it going to help?” Seokjin said bitterly, “she didn’t eat my food!” you scoffed, scrolling even faster. “She’s really upset. You know she can’t resist one of my meals. She just shoved me away.”

“That’s the least of our problems,” Jungkook said through bites, “what’s BigHit going to do if they break up on her birthday? ARMY will hate Jimin,” 

“They’re not going to break up,” Namjoon said sagely, probably rolling his eyes. “And she probably heard that entire conversation, so,” you shuffled, pretending to be asleep. 

“Well, if she can hear us, can you turn it down? The instruments are really depressing,” this was Taehyung, who’d walked up to the door. “Y/N? And maybe, maybe you could come out of there too?”

“You can’t even understand it,” you rolled your eyes, turning the music down anyway so that it wasn’t blaring. 

“You forgot I’m reading Harry Potter. Aish, you’re so grouchy.” Taehyung scoffed before his footsteps echoed away. 

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, you heard the apartment door open. 

“Oh, look who finally decided to show up,” Namjoon growled; Jimin stopped, taken aback, “what?” 

“You’re a bad boyfriend, Hyung. Don’t you know what day it is tomorrow?” Jungkook added to the banter.

“Yeah, I know what day it is tomorrow,” Jimin shot back, “what’s your problems? I haven’t done anything to any of you, so, if you could come off it, that would be really appreciated -”

“You know what music she’s listening to?” Namjoon hissed, Jimin payed attention to the soft notes coming from the shareroom, his breath hitched, “oh, you’ve finally caught on! You fucked up, Park Jimin, you really fucked up!”

Fuck, Jimin thought to himself, fuck, I knew I was doing something wrong. Fuck. 

“She didn’t eat my food,” Seokjin glared at him, “and I even boiled it.”

“Okay, okay, I get it!” 

“No, you don’t!” the other six boys yelled at him, Namjoon spoke up again, “she hasn’t been eating, sleeping, drinking, for five days. And, she’s been shitty to everyone, picking on Jungkook, and where have you been? That stupid studio.”

“Yeah, I was -” don’t spoil it. “Look, I’ll go make it better, okay?” 

“As if.” Taehyung scoffed.

Jimin sighed, making his way to the bedroom he’d barely been in, knocked gingerly on the door. 

“Go away,” you said, way before he even approached you. “I’ve got something for you. I don’t have it now, but -”

“I don’t want it.”

She didn’t want it. That was a massive blow of disappointment but Jimin got back up again. “Come on, Jagi, open the door so I can cuddle with you.” 

“I don’t want to cuddle with you.” she didn’t want to cuddle with him. That was the first time Jimin had heard her say that, he let out a hearty laugh. 

“You know you can’t resist your Oppa’s cuddles,” he started, “you’re not my Oppa.” 

“I’m not?” now he was frowning. You didn’t reply, shaking your head instead even though he couldn’t see you. “what do you mean, ‘I’m not your -’” 

“I mean, you’re not my Oppa. Namjoon should be my Oppa, not you, you’re barely around any more.”

“Don’t pull me into this,” 

“If you knew why I wasn’t around, though -” Jimin started desperately, you interrupted him loudly, 

“I don’t care why you weren’t around! An Oppa is someone who’s there for you and treats you good when you need them -”

“I know what it is,” Jimin said patiently, making you scoff, “and I have, you’ve been on my mind for one hundred and twenty hours, Y/N.”

“If I’ve been on your mind for five days then why haven’t you come to see me, you only come to eat food. You don’t even look me in the eye any more, you get awkward when I ask you if I look nice in your jackets, like you don’t want me to wear them or something, are you breaking up with me? Because I’ve got the message, and -”

“I’ve been writing a song!” Jimin exploded, frustrated.

“Oh, no shit,” you scoffed, “you’ve been in the studio every day, what else would you have been doing there? Fucking the chairs?” 

Jungkook laughed at you glared at the closed door and you were sure that Jimin had glared at him too because Jungkook shut up.

“No,” Jimin shoved his head in his hands, “I - I’ve been writing you a song.”

Silence flew over the apartment. 

“No, you haven’t,” you said finally, not wanting to believe his words - because then Jimin would win, and you didn’t want Jimin to win because he always won. 

"I have," Jimin said in the same desperate tone, "and it's been killing me because -" he looked away even though you couldn't see him, "I've been animating it too and I can't get these two frames to -" Jimin sighed, "it doesn't matter. Can you please just open the door, Jagi -"

"Please don't call me that."

"Can you please just open the door, Y/N, please, I hate it when you shut yourself off from the rest -"

"Like you can talk," you hissed.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

MASTERLIST - REQUESTS ARE OPEN!

PART TWO

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[e-milieeee]

the stars know (you and i are meant to be)—ladynoir

Summary: Between akumas and school, Ladybug and Chat Noir find some time in between to sit back, have a picnic, and stargaze. And perhaps learn a little more about each other. 

Notes: happy birthday @edendaphne! your art was some of the first i saw when i joined the fandom and i love it sm (this oneshot is based off of this). i hope you have a great day <3 

written for day 2: stargazing and day 17: future for @ladynoirjuly2020.

Her mother tells her that preparing a meal for someone is an intimate gesture.

Marinette begs to differ. It’s just a meal, after all. There are three meals a day, and she finds it pointless to assign some sort of underlying worth to all of them.

But now, painstakingly arranging the bento boxes she’d made for Chat Noir, she begrudgingly understands what her mother means. She wraps them in picnic cloth, shouldering her bag full of supplies, and then drops out from her balcony to meet Chat.

They find each other halfway; Ladybug spots a familiar streak of black darting between rooftops. She knows he sees her: he always does.

Sure enough, Chat Noir turns up behind her in the span of five seconds and shoots her his usual blinding grin. “Good evening, m’lady!”

His smile is contagious, and Ladybug doesn’t even try to contain her own. “Hungry?” she asks him as they start to move again, racing over buildings at a breakneck speed. “You better not have eaten dinner before this, because I cooked a lot.”

Chat feigns offence. “I can’t believe you would even suggest I’d do such a thing. I’d eat the food you cooked me even if it’s burnt and cold, you know that.” He pauses, a contemplative look crossing his face. “Though I am expecting some world class cooking.”

Ladybug thinks back to the five hours she spent cooking their dinner, and the careful arranging she’d done of the bento boxes and the wide array of food she’d made sure to cook. It’s a fusion of both Japanese and Chinese cuisine—Chat’s favourites. Preparing a meal for someone is an intimate gesture.

Perhaps her mother is right, but it’s still just an intimate gesture between friends. Yeah, that’s what it is.

“World class cooking pales in comparison to mine,” Ladybug jokes, although she also feels obligated to add on, “don’t raise your expectations too high.”

“With you, my expectations are always high.”

She shoves him just for that comment, inciting nothing but a slight falter in his movements and a large grin. With a shake of her head, Ladybug moves on, if only to hide her own smile. 

***

They set up their picnic on top of a hill.

It’s secluded, and that’s the best part of the location. Ladybug unpacks her bag to start tugging out the blankets she packed: some to sit on, others to huddle under when the night starts getting chilly. Then, even more carefully, she begins to lay their dinner bit by bit in front of them, until she finally spreads the feast out in front of Chat.

His mouth drops open, and he does not even attempt to close it. Saucer-plate eyes blink at her.

“For me?” Chat finally manages after at least thirty seconds of gaping. “I mean… you made all of this for me?”

Ladybug has to admit she’s pleased by his reaction, and even more so pleased by the fact that their slightly rough journey hadn’t ruined the aesthetic appeal of most of her dishes.

“Well, for me as well,” she teases, reaching over to tap on his bell.

He’s undeterred. “This is unbelievable,” he whispers, more to himself than her. “M’lady, I can’t believe you made this to eat with me.”

Something about his tone tugs at her heart. In an attempt to snap him out of it, Ladybug points out, “It’s kitty themed.”

“I know.” His voice wobbles slightly. “Are those cat cookies supposed to be me?”

“Yeah. They turned out kind of ugly, though.”

“No, they’re beautiful. I wish I could look like that.”

“Chat, you don’t have a nose in those cookies. You really don’t.”

He sniffles once more, and Ladybug realizes belated that he has teared up. “Chat,” she tries, this time in a gentler tone. “Are you… crying?”

He rubs his eyes rather violently. “No.”

“Kitty…”

“Fine, yes. I’m just very happy. These are happy tears. It’s okay.” With one last painful looking scrub over his face, Chat Noir lowers his hands. “You can introduce the dishes and we’ll eat.”

Knowing better to push, she obliges the request, even if Ladybug has her doubts on happy tears. There’s a certain melancholy in his words, the sort that carries an old sort of pain. So instead, sitting side by side, their knees touching and sitting just close enough that she feels the warmth radiating off him, Ladybug starts to name the dishes.

“These are the appetizers,” she tells Chat, who listens attentively. “Those are pork potstickers—they might not be as hot as they were before, though. That one’s called… um, lang… liang ni?” The words don’t sound like how her mother says them, but her Chinese is lacking in more ways than one and Ladybug can’t remember the name of the dish for the life of her. “Honestly, I have no clue what it’s called. I think it roughly translates into cold noodles.”

Chat leans over to scrutinize the dish. “It looks familiar.”

“The noodles are store-bought, but I made the sauce. There’s carrots, beansprouts, and cucumbers. And those tofu things. It’s also spicy, but I put the sauce in a container so if you can’t handle spice, you don’t need to add it.”

Never one to admit defeat, he folds his arms. “I can handle spicy food easily.”

“Okay, tough guy, I’ll take you up on that later. Anyway, I made us both bento boxes for the main meal, and…” She opens the box, and Chat’s eyes practically bulge out of his head.

“Cats?” he demands. “Rice cats? Oh my god, Ladybug, you’re unbelievable.”

Cats, indeed. She’d spent an hour shaping them: sticky rice balls shaped into little kitten heads, with ears sticking out at the side. There’s one made from white rice and another from purple rice, and the faces are styled from carefully cut pieces of dried seaweed, then sprinkled with sesame seeds. Ladybug’s certain that beneath the suit, her hands still smell like the seasoning she’d rolled the rice with because of the sheer amount of time she had spent on them.

“I made both Taiwanese fried chicken and teriyaki salmon for meat, then fried some vegetables. For health reasons. And kimchi, because we had some in our fridge and I thought, why not?” With that, she sets his bento box into his lap and gestures at the cookies. “Dessert. And something else afterwards, if you’re still hungry.”

“Something afterwards…?”

“You’ll see later,” she mumbles. “Anyway, dig in before it gets cold.”

Ladybug’s never been that great at accepting compliments, and Chat doesn’t lay off on them today either. He picks up the chopsticks with care and carefully picks up a piece of Taiwanese fried chicken. He pops it into his mouth, chews thoughtfully, then swallows.

Ladybug is never not in awe of how Chat’s eyes can literally light up.

“You weren’t lying,” he gushes. “This is world class cooking.”

“You’re laying it on a little too thick there,” she laughs.

“I speak only the truth, m’lady. This is amazing. Just like you.”

“Chat…”

“Okay, okay!” He’s still smiling as he moves to the rice ball. “I almost don’t want to eat them. They’re too perfect.”

Ladybug reaches over with her own chopsticks, stabbing one of his rice balls to split it in half, also tearing off one of the seaweed-eyes in the process. “There you go,” she declares sagely. “Ready to eat.”

Chat’s mouth drops open. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“I-I didn’t even get a picture!”

Ladybug pats his back. “Life is full of disappointments, isn’t it, chaton?”

He stabs her rice ball just for the hell of it before returning to his meal.

***

By the time she and Chat have practically cleaned out all the food (how he’d eaten nine cookies after the meal is beyond Ladybug), she’s so full that any slight movement hurts.

“Oh my god,” Chat is saying, tilting his head back. “I don’t think I’ve eaten so much for years.”

“I feel like I’m going to die,” Ladybug agrees. She’s lying back on the picnic blanket, staring at the sky. The sun had set twenty minutes ago, but traces of its light still peek out at the edge of the horizon, dyeing the sky a lovely indigo colour. Only the brightest stars are visible right now, but the others start to blink into existence one by one as day rests and night awakens.

“I feel like I’m going to die too.” He props his chin on his hand. “But it’s the good sort of dying. How privileged I am to be able to die next to you.”

Laughing hurts, but she can’t help but do so anyway. “Drama queen.”

He bats his eyelashes at her. “Only for you, Bugaboo.”

Ladybug wrinkles her nose at him in mock disgust, but a laugh is threatening to spill yet again and she’s not in the mood for another stomachache. Instead, she turns her attention back to the stars. The breeze that breathes over them is soothing.

They don’t do much for the next couple of minutes, simply gazing at the stars, wrapped up in a thick blanket of companionable silence. It’s easy like this, next to Chat Noir: Ladybug doesn’t have to read into these gaps of quiet, instead settling into them—because with him, they’re simply natural.

When the dark settles in completely and the sky alights into a patchwork of stars, Chat speaks up.

“Ladybug,” he says quietly.

She doesn’t turn away from the sky. “Mm.”

“Isn’t it funny that we’re here because of Hawkmoth?”

She pauses her stargazing to look at her partner instead. “What do you mean?”

Chat gives a little shrug, slightly sheepish. “If this… if none of this happened, or if Master Fu ended up choosing somebody else, or a million other possibilities, would we have met? Maybe we’ve passed each other on the street a thousand times and never knew who the other was. That thought has always bothered me, but I’m just… I’m just so thankful right now I can sit with you like this, even with the masks between us. I’m thankful that every time I transform, I know that I’ll see you again. I hate Hawkmoth as much as any other Parisian, but perhaps I have him to thank, for letting me meet you like this. And I hope that no matter what my future will bring, you’ll still be there in it.”

Ladybug can handle the flirtatious remarks, the casual confessions he peppers her with. But this—this is much more intimate, something she can’t help but cradle close to her heart. “Chat—”

“I know you don’t feel the same,” he replies. “And that’s okay. But for so long, no one’s really cared about me like you have, m’lady, and you mean everything to me and I hope you know that.”

Words evade her for a couple of moments. Then Ladybug extends her hand to him, and Chat’s fingers slip around hers, interlocking. It feels right—it always feels right with him.

“Me too, chaton,” she whispers into the sky. “I’m so glad I met you, and I hope that you’ll be there too, in my future.”

She can see his smile in her periphery.

***

Her mother tells her that preparing a meal for someone is an intimate gesture.

Ladybug is inclined to agree, but she thinks that sharing that meal together (and what happens afterwards) is what really makes it so.

Notes: Fics masterlist here! 

[gogogobarry]

interview with the muse.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? : “I go by many different names around these parts,” Barry begins sagely. “Sinnoh’s Fastest Man, Runner-up Champion of the Sinnoh League, Poffin Master Apprentice, Fight Area’s Business Baron, the Twinleaf Thunderbolt with a Heart of Solid Gold...”

WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME? : “...Hey, I wasn’t done!” he blusters, rubbing the back of his head as the interviewer cuts his list short. “I guess you could also just call me Barry...”

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU WERE CALLED THAT? : “Uhm...hm. I guess I got this name because, even from birth, my parents just knew that I was gonna be a Barry Cool Guy.” 😎 (He doesn’t know.)

ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN? : “Ha! I’m happily married...to the spirit of adventure! To long journeys and exploring new frontiers! To going boldly where no Sinnohan has gone before!” (He’s single.)

HAVE ANY ABILITIES OR POWERS? : “Uh, duh? I’m one of the fastest people in the region, just ask around! Also, I can do a killer Staraptor impression! Wanna hear?” (He proceeds to scream in the poor reporter’s face.) “Pretty solid, right? You’re impressed, huh?”

WHAT’S YOUR EYE COLOR? : “I mean, just look--they’re hazel! Try not to get lost in ‘em, right? Wahaha!”

HOW ABOUT YOUR HAIR COLOR? : “I mean, my hair’s always been this blond color...but I’m down to change that soon! What’s the harm in mixing things up every once in awhile, right? Maybe I should dye it green to match my scarf!”  

HAVE YOU ANY FAMILY MEMBERS? : “Mom and Dad, of course! Oh, and Teach can be my cranky old Grandpa, I ‘spose. Anyone’s welcome to become part of the Barryfam--I don’t just have a tree, I have an extended universe!”

THAT’S COOL I GUESS, NOW TELL ME SOMETHING THAT YOU’RE BAD AT : "Now, you can judge this for yourself, but I’ve been told that I’m not the most patient guy. I’m too reckless, I can’t sit still, blah blah blah. I mean, I guess there’s some truth to those rumors, but check it out--I’ve been sitting here for like, an hour now with no issues! What? It’s only been ten minutes?”

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES/ACTIVITIES YOU LIKE DOING? : “Hum. Well, I love exploring, coming up with new inventions or things to sell, and laying under the stars! Oh, and when the Poffin Master allows me back in the House, I’m gonna give cooking another crack as well! Get ready, chefs!”

EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE? : “Well...” he pauses with a hearty (fake) chuckle, “...on his many journeys across Sinnoh, Barry has left plenty of broken hearts in his wake. When you’re great at battling like me, you’re gonna hurt people’s feelings when they taste inevitable defeat! But, outside of fierce combat, I wouldn’t hurt a fly! I mean, except for that one time I tied Luc’s shoes together. And that one time I hit Hika in the face with a snowball. And that one time I ran full force into Kouki, even though that was an accident. And...” (This continues.) 

EVER….KILLED ANYONE BEFORE? : “I would never ever do that! Ever. I save lives, I don’t take ‘em! The only thing killer about me is my radiant smile! Am I right?” (He’s over-forcing the smile and looking very scary.) 

NAME YOUR WORST HABITS. : “Well, I’m impatient. A bit forgetful. I mean, this brilliant brain is moving at mach speeds, and I’ve got places to be! I feel like I’ve answered this question before...are you repeating stuff now that we’ve passed the two hour mark? What? It’s been only been 20 minutes? Haaaangh...”

“Hika was right. This interview is taking forever...”

DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE AT ALL? : “I look up to Crasher Wake and my dad! They’re the only people in the entire region who are taller than me!” (Haven’t you always said that you were 7 foot?)

WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF? : “Oh, um...” he pauses, looks down, and scuffs the floor with his foot, “...I dunno. Losing the people I care about. Gotta be strong for them, right?”

DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE? : “I love a looot of people, y’know!” he replies, deftly dodging the question with a wag of his finger. “Don’t make me list ‘em all!”

HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE? : “Hrm, well, let’s see...” Barry muses, holding up a finger to count. “Hika. Luc. Kouki. ‘Rena. Teach. Cyn. Goldilocks. Bert. Tackle Snake’s trainer...Robin? Crasher...hey, I’m out of fingers! Okay, toes next...” (This goes on. Until he runs out of toes. It is very easy for Barry to consider you a friend.)

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE? : “I have nothing but great things to say about the tasty circles that we call pie. A-hem. I personally love a golden-brown crust, crystallized sugar, Tamato Berry filling, with just a hint of vanilla and nutmeg...” (This also goes on. It’s getting late. Barry loves pie.)

FAVORITE DRINK? : “Boba or any other tea, really! Ooh, and nothing beats a cold Lemonade from the Department Store on a hot day!” he reminisces before furrowing his brow. “I feel like I’m banned from having coffee though, so I’ve never really tried it. Smells nasty, but...I feel like I’ve been banned across several lifetimes. Isn’t that weird?”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE? : “Ooh, that’s easy! The Fight Area has the coolest battles and awesome action 24/7! If I’m not chilling by the lakes somewhere, you can probably find me there selling stuff! Please promise me you’ll buy something when you stop by, ‘kay? I need to drive up those numbers!”

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOMEONE? : “Yeah, I’ve been pretty interested in Fantina lately! I mean, how does she pack her hair into those...uh, orbs? It’s totally cool--I wanna try something like that!” (Barry bowls over the question’s actual meaning. On purpose? We’ll never know.) 

WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN? : “Ocean’s too salty, blech! Catch me diving into Lake Verity or Valor any day! Um, I also tried diving into Lake Acuity too. Once.”

CAMPING OR INDOORS? : “Camping, always! Nothing beats it, except when your tent is leaking. Or you get totally snowed in. Or there’s a scary noise outside and you need to use the bathroom. Well, hang on, maybe indoors is good too. Hey, where are you going? Are we done? It’s only been like, five minutes!”

(The interviewer has run out of breath. It’s over.) 

tagged by: @distortsverity​ (thank you!! this was a blast lmao) tagging: you!!

[hpdabbles]

If your taking prompts I would like to ask for Naruto being corrected on Remus' name and other things in that AU.

Naruto vetoes Dog-man's childhood home the moment he saw the bland dead stare the older man gave the house. It was the same kind of look Sai gave the old Root bunker they had been assign to clean out when it was discovered sometime after Pain's attack.

He knows some people think emotions shouldn't get in the way of missions but Naruto also knew those same people would gladly go back to war for no other reason than bloodlust.

If they could give in to the desire to harm others just because then Naruto had the right to throw a fit in the Hokage's office until Sai was removed from the mission and didn't have to go back.

He also had the same right to do the same about Grimmauld Place. The woman in pink that Naruto had forgotten the name of- he mentally refers to her as Pink Lady- had pursed her lips but Naruto had complete control of the decisions thanks to the Honor Clash.

The rest of the council had gone into a frenzy once they realized that Naruto had won and it took 'Emus cautiously suggesting everyone is bonded by an Unbreakable Vow so the knowledge of the deal wouldn't be able to leave the room as to avoid encouraging others from fighting their way out of the law, in order to calm them down.

Naruto didn't care one way or the other as long as the deal for Dog-man remained.

There was a lot of paperwork that had to be filled but 'Emus took care of it for them after Dog-man claimed him as his "Vassal" which meant 'Emus had the right to make choices for them or something.

The three had walked out together with Dog-man's arm wrapped around Naruto's shoulders like he was afraid the ninja would disappear if he didn't. Naruto didn't mention it though because even he knew when to keep his mouth shut about something.

Pink Lady then offered a Potter property in the far countryside of the country, practically isolated. She was upset that they refuse to use a "noble and ancient ancestral home" but Dog-man looked far happier to not have to go back it was worth making her life just the slightly more complicated finding them a new place.

The moment Naruto saw it he knew it was home. It was a large manor with a dense forest, and while the trees weren't as large as the Leaf's nor as bright, Naruto didn't care.

He was finally back among trees.

The building itself was covered in overgrown rose vines and wild grass. It's also rather old, more dust and possibly molds than wood but it made him happy so the three sign the forms, and Pink Lady left them to settle.

Naruto chooses the last bedroom on the right side of the building because it's closest to the forest and something in his chest settles when he throws the window wide open to listen to the rustling of the leaves.

He leans on the windowsill, watching the light die over the trees and enjoying the breeze brushing his hair. It's peaceful, with no sounds of cars or the bustle of a suburb. Just nature.

That's how 'Emus finds him two hours later.

"Are you hungry Harry?"

"Straved!" Naruto chirps turning his head to the man who smiles at him shyly.

"Sirius and I are thinking of going to the muggle town for some food. Would you like to come with us?"

"Will there be ramen?" Naruto doubts it as he hadn't been able to find one in his old home and he lived in the city. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

"No, I'm sorry I don't think there is. But I saw a pizzeria if you prefer?"

"That sounds good 'Emus." He hops away from the window, frowning slightly at the distance. It seems no matter his life he is doomed to be short.

"I've been meaning to talk about that. You do know my name is Remus? Remus Lupin." The man says following the energetic child down the large but aged hallway to the sitting room Dog-man is waiting in. They travel by fire here which is the strangest but most interesting form of chakra he's ever seen.

"I know." Naruto chirps grinning up at the man with mischievous glee "I like 'Emus so I'm going to call you that. I used to call my older master Pervy Sage and nothing made me change that either."

"...I see." The other jinchuriki responds in a tone that means he doesn't understand anything but is too worried to ask for more details. Naruto gets that a lot.

"Master?" Dog-man questions making Naruto's smile impossibly wide even as a hint of grief bleeds into it. He knows in this world it's not common to refer to their teachers as masters.

"He taught me how to fight so I call him master. He was a master of his field so I call him that to respect for his title."

"Will we ever get to meet this great master?"

"He's dead"

Dog-man's grey eyes dim slightly "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure he would be proud of how far you've come from his teachings"

"Thank you." Naruto dips his head to hide his blush. This body is just as expressive as his old one but somehow his checks tended to dye pink far easier.

The three stand in silence for a moment. The wizards were awkward with each other due to the ten years they have been separated, with all the unspoken words hanging in the air between them. Meanwhile, Naruto, who dedicated ten years of his new life to finding them now didn't know what to do that he had found them.

He like to make them his friends but their interactions were weary and cautious as if though the two men didn't know how to speak to him. They also saw him as a young child even though Naruto is mentally twenty-seven (including the ten years he's lived as Harry Potter) which made things even stranger.

"You said something about pizza?" Dog-man finally breaks looking through his now cut and wash hair to offer 'Emus a slight strain grin.

"Yes. I know there was one when I went earlier for cleaning supplies. We can rent a room at the hotel there until we get this place ready to live in while we are there." 'Emus looks slightly relieved at having something to grasp on to turning his body to face Dog-man, with his chakra flashing into a warm hue.

Naruto tilts his head studying it, squinting his eyes when Dog-man's own chakra warms in response. "Are you two together?"

Both men go alarmingly red and Naruto finds himself smirking at their stumbling babble of denials. "I don't mind if you are. I like girls and boys if you think I have an issue with you being both males."

"Oh." 'Emus blinks while Dog-man suddenly finds the rotting wallpaper very interesting. "You're awful young to know that about yourself aren't you?"

"Not really." Naruto shrugs wondering if they will have a problem with him liking both like the Dursleys did. Not that it would matter or change anything, but it would disappoint him. "Do you have a problem with it? My uncle and aunt did. They said it was unnatural"

"No of course not." Dog-man jumps in, frowning. "It may be strange to a muggle but same-sex marriage has been legal since the early 1800s in the wizarding world. It's...just surprising you have it figured out so young is all. Right, Remus?"

"Yes, of course. I'm glad you shared that with us Harry. Thank you." The other man sounds sincere and Naruto can't help but give him a grin so wide it makes his cheeks hurt a little. "Just so you know, I like both too."

Naruto knew there was a reason he liked his fellow Jinchuriki.

"I just like men," Dog-man adds shrugging his shoulders as if though it meant nothing but the way he glances at 'Emus from the corner of his eye says otherwise. " Since we are going to be living together from now on maybe we can get to know each other over a nice pizza."

Naruto agrees though he is a bit amusing that neither man fully out denied wanting to be together but they need time to reconnect and that he could understand.

"Let's go get something and then we can do proper introductions." The ninja chirps, reaching out to grab onto 'Emus sleeve while Dog-man lights the fire.

"We already introduce ourselves." 'Emus says amused

"Yeah, but it wasn't proper so it doesn't count"

"How are they proper?"

"You have to say your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dream for the future."

"What if you don't have a dream?" Dog-man says in a joking manner but his charka gives away his sadness and his uncertainty. Years being blamed for a crime he didn't commit, his youth rob from him in a way that can never return has done this.

Naruto waits until they lock eyes in order to answer.

"Then we find a new one. Together."

[entityskillcount-archive]

Thoughts on everyone in the realms?

"Short Answer; I made a chart. Not a well drawn chart, mind you, but a chart. Sometimes you don't wanna put effort into drawing 50 something faces"

"Long answer, uh....well lemme go down the list"

Claudette: My Starflower~!! She's so sweet and kind and amazing in trials and every time I see her I swoon a little- I love her so much~ Dwight: He's cute- And he's a good leader, despite his nervous personality, he knows how to bring a group together. Final guy potential. Ash: ....Don't...Tell him I said this? But uh....Evil Dead was one of my biggest comfort series, the thing that got me through losing both my parents....the thing that helped me transition, pick my name, and fueled my FX hobby. And I'm still attached, even realizing he's a real person and all- But...it's weird to just, be upfront with something like that, so I'm just...burying it as best as I can. David: He's a little rough around the edges but he’s good to have in a trial, plus when you can get past the walls, he’s nice to talk to. Kate: Her music by the campfire is calming and she’s such a sweetheart. If we were in a better situation I’d love to learn Guitar from her, but, it’s hard when you’re a moment away from a trial at any given time. Amalthea (@askthewidowstars OC): She judged my entire vibe but jokes on her I’m the one who snagged a cutie for life- Meg: If I had a dollar for every time she left me for dead I would have enough money to paint the entire campfire in solid gold. The only time we’ve ever properly talked was about SAW traps and 90% of it was her admitting she could beat every single trap because she was ‘built different’  Jeff: He’s a sweetheart and really nice to be around. Sometimes when we’re by the campfire in our downtimes I’ll let him draw on my arm. it kinda makes me want a tattoo, honestly. If we ever get out of here, I might get one. Steve: Bros!! We kinda make up team ‘Altruistic Himbo’, Plus the ‘Babysitter/Brother’ Vibes mesh really well. I kinda wanna re-style his hair though, mostly because it looks fluffy, and nice to play with.  Quentin: Bros!! We’re gonna make matching T-Shirts about committing Arson on Freddy in particular. He’s fun to hang around in our downtime, and I hope there’s a chance he can get some actual rest, even in here. He deserves it. Adam: If Dwight wasn’t the leader I feel like he’d take over the Reigns. I feel like he’s the calm type that doesn’t handle energetic types well though. Which, y’know, makes things hard.  Nea: Anytime I see her she’s either sneaking around the map and watching everyone get killed, or doing something stupid to get herself killed. I’d get grey hair if We were actually friends.  Feng: Gamer bros- I got to find out we actually played a lotta the same stuff before we were taken by the Entity. We get a chance to nerd out in between trials- Laurie: Best Final Girl hands down. I kinda hope she can teach me Decisive Strike one day- I feel like its also just a little awkward since again, still a fan of Myers Nancy: She doesn’t agree that Demo’s a good boy, which makes sense, but we but heads over it. Also I’m pretty sure she wants me dead for touching the bones around the map one too many times. They’re just too tempting.... Jake: He’s pretty quiet, but he’s helpful in trials. I heard he’s been to a convention a few times, but I don’t think he’s actually into it as much as I thought...Which kinda sucks. I’d love more cosplay buddies y’know? Yui: Kinda makes me want a motorbike. We don’t talk but she seems really cool. A little too cool to me around if that makes sense.  Yun-Jin: She benefits off of throwing everyone else under the bus. And 90% of the time she will throw everyone under the bus. Even if she needs actual help to escape the trial.  Cheryl: Cheryylll!!  She’s really cool and honestly would add her to the ‘Can kill god if she was not nerfed’ Squad. Especially since y’know, she has- I bet if we got enough of the kids together we could just beat the Entity’s ass. I know she could.  Tapp: Always been a fan of Tapp before I was taken, although I feel like he’d wanna arrest me if we weren’t in the Entity’s Realm. I might be a little too excited for my own good about Kramer’s work. I don’t think he’d believe the fact its a movie either.  Ace: He’s kinda like the Uncle of the group around the campfire, but, coming into trials, He’s still for saving his own skin- You can also only stand dad jokes for so long. Especially in an eternity like this.  Leon: He’s cool!!! I got so excited first realizing He and Jill were here, and I wanna get a chance to talk to him about everything that went down, but Haven’t got the chance. He’s nice inside of Trials though, usually doesn’t leave anyone behind. Not a fan of getting blinded though.  Jill: She knows how to lead the trials well, and I look up to her a lot. She’s always been such a badass!!  Bill: If Bill gets his hands on a weapon the entire Realm would be fucked. Badass as hell and Kinda scary. Another one on the list of ‘Entity needed to Nerf’ Felix: You’d think a Childless Father and a Fatherless son would be able to bond a bit more, but, I think we each kinda get the same vibe of homesickness from one another. He’s kind though, and it’s neat to see his work whenever we’re by the campfire.  Elodie: She’s better at helping out than most of the others, but she’s still in a survival of the fittest mindset. I loved hearing about her studies from before she was taken though. I feel like if we had more time we could dig deeper into this whole world and what its about. But we don’t get that- Zarina: We just don’t really click as much, honestly. I’d love to get to know her better but I think she’s more into digging into the killers and what she can find out about this place. Which y’know, could be better done with a team. Sage (@askthewidowstars OC): HUSBAND!!! My husband. I love him to the Moon and back. He’s amazing and I miss him even when we’re five feet apart-  ...I need a hug now-  Amanda: Best girl hands down!! We vibed a lot in between Trials talking about her traps and old designs, she was impressed by my knowledge, and we hang out in Gideon sometimes!   Ghostface: He’s pretty cute- Also fun to be around, even if he’s kind of a dick when he’s actually at work, it’s better when you’re outside of a Trial. It’s also neat to see he’s not just two idiots in a halloween costume and his own person, as much as I love the Scream Series, too-  Leatherface: Bubba!!! Honestly I’d handle being chainsawed. Fuckin Love Bubba-  Huntress: I wanna learn how to throw hatchets but I know I never will. She’s kinda scary, but also I feel like if she could adopt some of the others in the Realms, she totally would.  Oni: The only times I’ve ever really seen him is just before my skull gets bashed in. All I really have associated to him is the splitting headache.  Twins: I’m gonna punt Victor into the sun. I haven’t been good around kids beforehand and this tiny gremlin motherfucker just makes it worse.  Pinhead: I was so excited to see him!! He’s one of the few that talks more often than not in a trial, and he’s always had this air of elegance about him which makes it so much cooler! I’d be tempted to grab the box to solve it, but, at the same time Dwight’s already been hunted. I just...want to see how it works, really. Maybe if I ask nicely? Nah, probably not.  Pyramid Head: He’s so fucking COOL!!! He’s always just been really fucking cool and I still get stars in my eyes. I wanna re-create his weapon one day.  Joey: Joey’s one of the chill killers to be around, probably my favorite amongst the legion. Also Cosplay gang?? Hello? Susie: She’s cute!! I like her vibes whenever there’s not violence involved. I wonder if she’d ever get into costume making, she has the artistic eye for it. I also wonder if she’d ever dye other people’s hair...I’d kinda want green tips one day- Frank: Still wanna throw a palette at him. He’s one of the more serious of the Legion, and usually the one you’d find with a Mori. Not as Serious as Julie but only because he has the cocky god complex to go with it.  Julie:  She’s definitely the most serious out of the Legion. There’s no real rest whenever we’re in a trial against her. Scary as hell and less of a bastard than the other three.  Hillbilly: I know he deserved a lot better than this, especially after hearing more about him. I...Haven’t gotten to see much than the end of his chainsaw though.  Blight: This dude’s singlehandedly bringing back my fear of needles and I thought I lost that with HRT- Also like, dude spits up orange fuckin everywhere.  Michael: My Mans!! I always get a little excited knowing we’re up against him. It’s habit- It’s kinda weird to see him easily affected by like, palettes or flashlights though.  Spirit: She seems like she could be nice when there’s some downtime. I’m also one of the few that can understand her well enough, which probably makes things easier. I found out she’s basically my age when I survived a trial by myself. I’d hope to hang out more sometime. Nemesis: God he’s so fucking tall. Kinda surprised it was Nemesis out of everyone that could’ve been brought, and also, kinda terrified? Still am kinda terrified. I’m surprised he hasn’t just torn up an entire map yet. His zombie minions are also annoying. Wraith: All this motherfucker does is roll up to pull me off Gens and Exist as a problem. I don’t see much of him outside of a Trial. Trapper: Motherfucker Incarnate. If the Entity lets us throw hands I’m fighting him first.  Freddy: ....Gross. I liked the Nightmare on Elm Street series a lot, but...Freddy as a person? Ew. Especially this iteration.  Demogorgon: Demopuppy!! He’s a good boy and he deserves to get treats. Even if the Treats are flesh....I wonder if he likes candy though. Trickster: Pretty!! He also Gives me DIO vibes because of the Jacket and the Knife throwing...Imagine if a killer could stop time...that’d be terrifying. Deathslinger: I wanna sit down and look at his gun more but I also feel like if I ask I’d just get shot on sight. Intimidating as hell but also cool. Mary: ....Still on the very complicated ‘Ex Girlfriend that murdered me’ State. It’s hard to avoid her though. Especially since she wants to get back together since we’re stuck here. Nurse: She does not help my fear of Hospitals, honestly. While she’s easy to go up against, it’s still eugh. Plague: I really, really hate her power. The Sickness and the Vomit is just- Eughhhhh- It just hits every bad sensory issue at once.  Clown: ...I get killers are Killers and aren’t supposed to be good people but also like....Disgusting. Please Remove from the Realm. He’s just- ...Ew.  Doctor: NOPE. NO. NEVER. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.

[all-hail-stevinel]

I'd love to know more about Spinel's relationship with Sammy and the guys!

Oh!! It makes me so happy that you guys like my bois!!! lol when I first wrote in Sammy and the guys I thought they would just be for that scene and done but bc so many people liked them I’ve had fun bringing them back and giving them more depth!

The bois background:

Josh- typical white boi but with a heart of gold. Helpless mom friend of the group. Desperately tries to keep them all out of jail, but get a few beers in him and he’s the one they have to stop from silly shenanigans. His hair is fluffy and blonde, so sometimes the other guys call him ‘Poodle’. This whole squad drinks respect women juice but my boy Josh takes it to a new level. He’s the most sensitive of the bunch, with his own family problems that make it easier for him to relate to and empathize with others. He and Spinel bond initially over his first kind gesture buying those tickets, but it furthers when they hang out more and he learns about her time spent in the garden. Josh was abused as a kid so its something he can really relate to and they’ve had lots of conversations about their shared trauma where Josh imparts Thaerapist Given Wisdom ™ upon her that she takes back to Steven. He has seven locally adopted dogs all named after planets. He loves them all equally but Jupiter, his sweet three-legged brown pitbull, loves to follow him places. She gets along really well with Lion and Spinel and loves turkey bacon. Steven can admit that just having the cute animal by his side makes Josh the hardest to hate, but he and Universe certainly manage lol

Marcus- youngest of the bunch but equally sweet. He’s a music lover at heart and plays the violin, he and Spinel start bonding when she tells him about her ukelele lessons with Greg. He dyes his hair a different color every week, so his shirts are always stained but it doesn’t really matter bc he’s always covered in paint. He loves street art and during her more rebellious moments, Spinel likes to bounce around Beach City with Marcus in tow, painting murals and graffiti and escaping before the ruby cops can stop them. Marcus really relates to the lost feeling that Spinel often has, having run away from home. All the guys lived together in an apartment in Empire city considering that they’re the sons of rich and distant parents, but Marcus is the only one who purposefully ran away from homophobic ones and is trying to re-invent himself, something Spinel deeply understands. 

Kyle- my man is a modern sage in the modern age. 420 blaze it, Kyle is there with a funny story that’ll have you rollin’ with laughter paired with the kindest eyes. He loves to dance and lose hours playing Mario kart, though a majority of his time is actually spent doing volunteer work around empire city and baking. My man loves baking lol and not just the weed kind. He wanted to become a pastry chef but business management gave him terrible anxiety attacks so instead, he does it just for fun and is much happier for it. All the guys love supporting him and trying out all his dishes, always stuck between wanting to share them or hoard it to themselves. Spinel and Kyle took a little longer to get along, but now go together like apple pie alamode! He understands her anxiety and helps her manage it with breathing tools and physical comfort. He’s the most supportive whenever she and Steven get into a fight, whether she’s in the right or not, he’s a ride or die friend ready to take on Steven one-on-one despite how scrawny he is in comparison. His height makes him overconfident lol. He the group mischief-maker, the voice that encourages all of Sammy’s wild crazy plans with the sort of calm lulling tone of a brewing storm. He loves drama and causing chaos, which when Spinel is in the mood, makes them a dangerous combo

Sammy- party animal. Excessive emoji user. Loves plants, owns approx 233 succulents who all have their own names. You will respect the plant baby names. cHUGS respect women juice. Has wrestled an alligator before on a family trip, and the alligator won. When not partying this cool cucumber likes to sleep his days away, tru night owl status. Does also love gardening and visiting farmers’ markets, which he tries bonding with Steven over it but the diamond boy clearly wanted no part despite his many attempts. Spinel loves all the guys but its clear that she and Sammy are the closet by far. He recently left an emotionally abusive relationship that was very similar to Spinel’s own with Pink. but what they initially bond over isn’t their shared trauma but instead their ‘jobs’ as entertainers. Sammy is known for being a wild party boi, having fun, getting too drunk and wreaking exhilarating havoc, which he does love. But all his life he would bottle his true emotions and feelings from those he was close to bc he felt obligated to always entertain them, to be their best friend and perfect plaything no matter how it truly made him feel. Upon discovering that and finding the courage to be open about herself, they became thick as thieves overnight. Sammy was the first number to be put in her phone after stevens. He’s arguably the most handsome of the group, but he’s also gay af which makes it even funnier when he purposefully flirts or suggestively touches Spinel bc he’s just trying to rile steven up. 

As a group:

They are the best definition of boys will be boys

You know all those silly tik tocks and vine of groups of boys doin cute but stupid shit to funky background music? That’s these bois

They all love Spinel and during her first fight with Steven they let her stay over a whole week just so she could get time away

Despite half the group bein gay af they all love flirting with Spinel and complimenting her, mostly bc they think her blush is cute but also bc they know Steven and Universe are jealous whores and they think its SO FUNNY

Its made even funnier when they realize Spinel get *ahem* special treatment after all their obnoxious flirting that leaves her floating on cloud nine and covered in bruises, which hey to each their own. So the boys kind of make a game out of it, with the main goal basically whoever makes Steven snap wins. If you can get Universe to snap tho, you win for the week lol

If you make Spinel cry they will fight you. Please be reminded that they are all 6’0+ and these absolute madmen would fight a whole quartz army for her if she asked

If her time isn't being spent with Steven and the other gems, shes usually with them, causing mayhem. Their exploits end up in the news at least once a month to Stevens never-ending exasperation.

Yes, including that one time they all got spinel drunk and she stole a tiger from an empire city zoo to be friends with Lion

“But Stevieeeee, he’s so lonely its not fair!” 

Do NOT make drunk spinel cry. These bois WILL turn on Instant Kill Mode

[afandomroom]

Partners in Crime: Morro's Story

Note: This takes place after the events of Styx and is the story of how Morro eventually ends up joining Sage, Asher, and Marion.

Warning: angsty (?)

He woke with a sharp gasp, strong gusts of winds flowing around him. He felt numb, and the world was blurry…where was he? Why…why couldn’t he move? The winds grew harsher as his breathing quickened. He was frozen, paralyzed! He opened his mouth to try and call out…only to find that his mouth wouldn’t open. This only made his panic worse, as he continued to try and fight the stillness of his being. After a moment, he tried relaxing; hoping that a clear head would help him snap out of…whatever was going on. He closed his eyes, trying to slow his breathing. The wind died down, and for a moment, he thought he could move his fingers. The price of this movement was a dagger-like pain that shot through his body. His eyes shot open, another sharp gasp escaping. Slowly, he could feel his senses returning as the pain burned. The world around him was blurred as tears pricked his eyes. He released a shaky breath, one he wasn’t aware he had been holding, as he prepared for the inevitable sting that would come from the tears. To his surprise, nothing happened. “Wh-“He grimaced; talking was apparently a bad idea, based on how his throat was now burning.  Taking a moment, he blinked more tears from his eyes as the pain slowly faded. Slowly, he reached his hands to his now clear field of vision. They weren’t green...he couldn’t see through them! If he hadn’t just cried, he knew there would have been tears of joy, as he looked upon his now-human hands. He was human again! Human! No… This wasn’t right… He slowly sat up as all his memories came rushing forward. He had brought destruction, he had harmed people…he had chosen to be dragged under those torturous waves...He had chosen his fate, so why was he back? Morro felt his temper boil, as he slammed a fist into the ground, causing a force of wind to explode. How dare he? How dare his grandfather bring Morro back? He had made his choice, he had finally had a say in his destiny! And that was stolen from him, just like it had been so many years ago… He curled up, a shaky, tear filled breath escaping “W-why..?” ___________________________________________________________________________________

Admittedly, Morro should have expected the villages to hate him. After everything he had done, they had every right to. The first time Morro had been chased from a village, he’d been confused and terrified. The second time, he understood why, but had still hoped he would go unnoticed. It wasn’t until the third time that the dark eyed man had started falling back on a mix between ninja and street kid instincts. He’d started using hoodies to hide his face, keeping his head low, and even going as far as to dye his green stripe black. He almost regretted doing that, it felt like he’d hidden a special part of him. Something unique that was his and his alone. It was lonely, the life he was living. Maybe someone like him should have been used to being alone…yet he found himself missing the company of his ghost generals…and the company of his fath- Sensei’s students when he was a child. Sometimes, Morro considered going back to the monastery. He considered taking up his Sensei’s offer when the Preeminent attacked. He could be a part of a family again, continue his training and fully become a ninja…maybe he could start helping people. But then he remembered what he’d done to Lloyd. He remembered every moment of it, reliving everything he’d done through his head over and over again. And he knew…he knew they’d never let him try and prove himself. But he wasn’t going to completely give up on himself. Morro was a lot of things, a quitter not being one. He’d taken up meditating, and tried to help people he saw that were in trouble on the streets…or the best he could without revealing his identity and scaring the people he was saving. He knew what he was doing wasn’t much…but at least it was a start. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Morro breathed heavily, covering his mouth with a gloved hand as he watched from the shadows for the men that had been chasing him. It had been a simple slip up. The guys had tried to mug him, before recognizing his face. Morro had knocked a couple of them down with his element before trying to run off, but they’d been close on his tail. In his panic, he hadn’t thought to find a hiding spot or fight back; he just knew he needed to run. Thank goodness for the strange woman who’d seen his situation and dragged him into a darker alley, pushing him behind her. He was taller than her, so she hadn’t shielded much of him, but the sentiment was there. The guys had finally passed them, and after the young woman had poked her head out, walking around for a moment to check for any threats, she turned to him with a concerned expression. Her silver eyes seemed to be searching his face, but she wasn’t freaking out, simply observing him. “Are you ok?” He admitted, her voice had startled him. It was soft, and gentle…he just hadn’t been expecting her to actually talk to him. “Y-yes…I’m fine. Thank you, for...helping me, Ms…?” “Baker, Mei Baker” The young woman extended a hand, a warm smile growing. Morro had to admit, while he was wary of strangers…something about her seemed safe, and comforting. He gently took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Thank you, Ms. Baker….I’d…introduce myself, but...I assume you already know who I am” He shuffled slightly, mentally preparing himself for “Mei” to be lulling him into a false sense of security. “I do…and I get the feeling that you’re no longer the threat you were years prior...am I correct?” He blinked “I-I….yes, I’m trying to change...I don’t…I can’t…how do you?” “You could have easily taken those men out instead of letting them chase you. Doesn’t seem like something a villain would do to me. Also…while I’ve never tried to summon another realm or possess a ninja, I’ve….done some things I’m not proud of...So, I suppose you could say I understand where you may be coming from?” Morro just nodded, not sure how to respond. What could she have done? He knew he had no right to pry….but at least she didn’t seem to be a threat at the moment… After some silence, “Mei” glanced around to check for the gang, before looking up at him. “Do you have a safe place to stay at?” Alright…that had set off a few red flags. Why would she want to know where he lived? Not that he was living anywhere… “No. Can’t really get an apartment, let alone a job.” The dark haired woman chewed on her lip a moment, seemingly debating something. “My brothers and I…we’re living in an apartment on the eastern end of town. We’ll probably only be there for a few more weeks, but if you want, you can come join us.” Before Morro could deny, or ask about a catch, “Mei” had written an address on a piece of paper and shoved it into Morro’s hands. “At least consider the offer, ok?” She then ran off, scaling up a ladder on the side of a building and leaping onto its roof. Morro stared after her, before looking at the paper in his hands. It felt too good to be true. But having a home, even for a few days, was almost too good to resist.

To be continued

[ansgar-martinsson]

The Best Intentions - Part 5

TO: .lindberg@StockholmOpera. se                      21:15 pm 2 attachments

Froken Lindberg,

No need for apologies, and there is no need for me to hunt down and behead the sobriqueted “Stanley,” (whose name is actually Mickhail) I’m sure. Be assured that he will still have a job come tomorrow and for a long time to come after that.

I don’t withhold my email address from my clients, and I do pride myself on an open-door policy – generally. Mick, however, knows that today was my first day back on the job, and he was being the overprotective security associate that I pay him quite handsomely to be.

I enclose with this email the fruit of my labours from this afternoon and this evening. The enclosure is a work schedule and Gantt chart for the full gamut of repairs to the Opera House - the sprinkler system, the drywall, the wood floor of the orchestra pit, etcetera. I have coordinated this with my subcontractors and suppliers and it is accurate. You may rely upon this to schedule your rehearsals, etc., for the next few weeks.

The second attachment is perhaps an addendum to the one you sent me. It is a cost breakdown, estimate, and proposal for the little theatre space. With the funds from the Gala, we will have the space renovated and ready to use within a year.

All that aside, I’ve reviewed your proposal, and I found it interesting to say the least. You have covered all of the terms we discussed today and then some. I would, however, like to discuss some of these terms further before we enter into anything formal; and once that is done I would like to have my legal department place their stamp upon it.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you again regarding the little theatre space and the plans for the Gala. We can meet in my office, or we can continue these discussions over coffee at Sturekatten or a meal if you would rather. Contact me directly to arrange, please.

I am willing to provide for your every desire. Even those that, as you say, constitute the ravings of a lunatic. Which you are most definitely not.

– AGM

The soft unobtrusive ding for her email notifications sounded from her mobile. Joline flopped down on her bed, swinging her legs up. The pillow whooshed and wheezed under the weight of her head, the faint waft of her fabric softener tickling her nose. She used the softener on her pillowcases only because the smell soothed and helped her sleep.

Herr Martinsson’s email did not. Did quite the opposite, in fact.

She read over the first few paragraphs with a sense of encouragement. She owed Mick some raspberry licorice for the trouble she’d caused. She’d eagerly pounced on him in the carport after close of business. She couldn’t blame him for protecting his employer’s interests. She may have to dial back her overzealousness, but she’d never did things by half.

Jo’d pitched monthly inspections with the design staff beginning at the top of the season with a member of Martinsson Construction. The added layer of security prevented any other potential flooding sessions or bouts with the Prima Donna’s temper… well, for the dampness issue anyway. Katarina could rage against the costumers or musicians, as long and as hard as she cared to. Jo already felt better for it.

The dream for the little theatre space, all of it brilliant! She stopped short at responding to meet up with him now, that very evening. But eager Jo needed tempering. Pace yourself, Jo.

Until…

I am willing to provide for your every desire.

She read it, then stopped.

She reread it.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…

Her brain melted in her head and possibly oozed out of her ear onto her freshly cleaned cases. She crossed her legs subconsciously, squeezing her thighs together.

It’d been a handful of months since her last fling, and her lady parts were beginning to feel lonely.

For the theatre, Jo… for the theatre. Nothing more than that. For-the-theatre. Nothing more than client relations. Empty or half promises to maintain a working relationship. He offered it to protect his best interests, his company, his name, and his current project.

As the tingling in her lady parts subsided from the misread tease, Jo shoved her brain back between her ears.

TO: amartinsson@martinsson.co.se                       21:30pm

Herr Martinsson-

You’re working late, I see. With impressive results, I should mention. I’m delighted by your offer and I look forward to your input. As you have work scheduled to begin this week (which is thrilling!), I’ll meet up with you for that coffee. Tomorrow? Name the time, I can accommodate any slot you have available.

I’ll make myself available to you.

Yours,

Joline Lindberg

The only thought in her head after putting her phone down was not of the theatre, or work orders, or repairs. She imagined what the G stood for in his initials, just to sate her curiosity.

Ansgar manipulated the mouse pointer over the red x in the upper left hand corner of his MacBook’s screen when his email dinged over. Curiosity, as it does, killed the cat, and so Ansgar opened the email with the time stamp of 9:30 pm from Joline Lindberg.

The last few sentences of her email appealed strongly to Ansgar’s filthy mind, his innate sense of and appreciation for innuendo. He wondered to himself, with a smirk and snigger, whether she’d meant it as such.

Hoped, maybe. No, hoped was too strong a word. Wondered. Contemplated. Contemplated those lips… that particular slot made available to me… clamped around my….

“Ah, screw it!” He groaned and scrubbed hard at his eyes, banishing the images, the very thought of it from his mind. “You are a fucking pervert, Martinsson.”

But the idea of at least a meeting over coffee… well, that was innocent enough, yes? No harm in it. After all, it was business, wasn’t it?

And so, instead of clicking the red x, he clicked ‘reply,’ rest his fingers on the keyboard, and with rapid-fire strokes, typed.

TO: j.lindberg@StockholmOpera.se                      21:47 pm

Meet me for fika at Sturekatten. Riddargatan 4. 9 am. My table is in the far north corner of the cafe. Don’t be late.

Godnatt,

AGM

Joline leaned into the final curve of her journey from home to the cafe of Herr Martinsson’s choosing, weaving around a Volkswagen Bug. She took the turning faster than the Stockholm Police approved of, but she was addicted to the speed and power of her beloved motorcycle, a 1970 Triumph. A gift from her late father made her feel closer to him whenever she rode, the smell of it, the sound of it, the sight of it, all reminded her of him and flooded her mind with memories.

The machine purred to a stop when she pulled over near the entrance of Sturekatten, blessed to have found a spot to park. The natural high she got from riding set her blood vibrating and her ears buzzing with the roar even hours afterwards. Weekends and rare days off from work found her in the leather seat adding miles to the odometer. She kicked the stand into place, turned the key for the ignition and swung her right leg over the seat behind her in a well-choreographed, often-rehearsed move.

She lifted her safety helmet straight, shaking her head and hair free underneath in her best shampoo advert mimic. How fucking cliché, she thought, hating herself for doing it. Every damn time. She’d yet to find a way of releasing her hair from the thing without looking like an auditioning model. The helmet, a bright shade of purple that Jo wanted to dye her hair to match one day (when she opened her own indy theatre house), was tucked up under her arm.

Raking one hand through her locks, Joline strolled into the café ten minutes before her call time, scurrying to the back as instructed. She felt Ansgar Martinsson’s gaze on her from the moment she crossed the threshold, piercing blue with laser precision. If she didn’t know differently, she’d feel intimidated, but she had some leverage, some pull with him.

The man rose from his seated position as she approached. “Froken Lindberg.” He held out his hand to shake in greeting.

“Herr Martinsson,” she shook his hand. “Waiting long? Am I late? Nine, yes?” She glanced around at the mostly deserted café. Weekday in the city center, many were on their first cup of coffee for the day behind their desk at work. What patrons dined at the café sat in the courtyard in the summer sun.

He gestured into a chair across from where he’s been sitting, holding the back out for her. “No, not at all. Early in fact. Thank you for meeting me.”

Joline swiveled her head, her gaze following him to his seat across from her. She made a small huff of a laugh. “I didn’t think I could say no.”

“Pardon?”

She laughed, waving her hand to match her shaking head. “No offense intended. But you have this way—effective, mind you—you say something… and I feel compelled to do it. And I do! You issue an order, and I follow.”

A crooked half-smile pulled at his lips, “That’s quite a power you’ve bestowed upon me.”

She noticed that he didn’t apologize or deny it. “Usually when someone tells me to do something, my first instinct is always no.”

“But not with me…”

“Oh! Does this mean I’m growing as a person?” She feigned shock at her self-assessment with one hand over her heart and one splayed on the tabletop. When she played out her charade in dramatics, she looked up at him with a sage look in her eye. “In all seriousness, you’re the type to go after what he wants, and you usually get it.”

He leaned forward elbows on the table like a lion standing over his kingdom. “Why would I spend my time on things I don’t want?”

“Touche!”

“Pardon the cliche,” he cocked his head, “but isn’t that a bit of the pot calling the kettle black?” He lifted the coffee pot, offering her a cup with a flick of his eyebrows. “Shall I pour?”

“Oh, yes, please,” she replied, and pushed her cup forward. She took it back after he filled it, and took a sip.

“Sugar or cream? Milk?”

“Black,” she replied.

Ansgar nodded appreciatively, making a small clicking noise with his tongue. “Black it is. Enjoy.”

“Speaking of black,” she mused, “like the pot and the kettle, huh?”

“That’s as I see it.”

“Well,” she shrugged. “I suppose that’s true. But I don’t always get the things I want. There are a lot of things I’ve wanted that I haven’t been able to get.”

“Yet,” Ansgar interjected.

“Well, yeah. Maybe.” She sipped again, eyeing him over the rim. “Maybe.”

“You get the important things,” he challenged. “Like your job, like that enviable specimen of a 1970 Triumph TR6R Tiger you have parked outside.” He indicated out the window with a flick of his gaze, at the same time noting the impressed flash of her own eyes. “And that’s what matters. It’s not that you get everything you want, it’s that you get the things that are most important to you. And sometimes, with a little skill, and a little perseverance, you can get more.”

“Skill and perseverance… but not luck?”

He scoffed. “I don’t believe in luck.”

She looked back to him from out the window. “Life lessons of the day with Professor Martinsson?”

He continued, ignoring her quip. “But you also have to realise and understand that things you want and things you get can easily be lost. They can be stolen away, right from under your nose. What matters more than getting the things you want, Froken Lindberg, is keeping them, protecting them at all costs.”

“At all costs?”

He nodded. “At all costs.” The thumb of his left hand curled in, curving around the edge of the gold band on his ring finger. “Sometimes, even then, after you’ve spared no expense, after you’ve exhausted everything… those things you want can still be torn from you.”

She frowned, her eyes narrowing. “What are you getting at, Herr Martinsson?”

“Ansgar. Please,” he leaned back in his chair, gesturing. “Call me Ansgar.”

“Then you have to call me Joline. Or Jo for short. Everyone calls me Jo. Either way is fine with me.”

He nodded, smiling. “Joline it is, then.”

“So… Ansgar,” she tasted his name again in her mouth, and finding it palatable, continued. “What are you getting at with all this stuff about getting what you want and things?”

He sighed. “All I am saying, Joline, is that you have dreams. You have ideas, and I am here to help you, to work with you to achieve those dreams. But… it’s you, ultimately, who has the power to make them a reality or not. You have to know what is important, what to fight for, what to… kill for,” he paused for emphasis, “and what to let go. You have to have common sense and know-how enough to know when to fight, and when to walk away. I can’t do that for you… and I won’t.”

“I’m sure I would mostly fight,” she puffed. “I’m not one to lie down in the road, you know.”

He grinned, wide and Cheshire-like, his blue eyes sparkling. He took up his coffee, took a sip, and crossed his arms over his chest. “And that is exactly what I hoped you’d say.”

“So,” Joline said. “What about the proposals?”

Ansgar tipped his chin toward her, his mouth at the lip of his coffee cup. “Check your phone.” He took another sip. ”You should have signed copies in your email inbox right now. I had my legal department go over everything and they’ve approved it. My e-signature is on them, waiting for yours… partner.”

Jo gave him the skeptical side eye as she sidelined her coffee for her phone. Scanting her hips in her seat, she fiddled in her pocket to free her mobile. “Partner?” she repeated, still unable to believe it entirely. “You can’t be serious!”

Enjoying her incredulity, Ansgar grinned, all straight white teeth highlighted by a ginger goatee. “See for yourself.”

Jo unlocked her phone and quickly swiped to her one new email notification. The signed proposals and agreements landed in her inbox at 9:01am and it was like Christmas in August, signed by none other than AGM himself. “Holy shit,” she breathed out on an exaggerated exhale, forgetting her business persona in her disbelief.

It was all there, in PDF format, with electronic colored post-its for her to sign at the bottom, underneath Ansgar. A checklist roster. Weekly inspections. Schedule for the work on the main stage, beginning the very next day. Contracts for fund raisers and benefits, detailing that Martinsson Construction as lead sponsor. The tentative renovation for the little theatre. And her secret wish of a to-scale model of the Opera House constructed for the Stockholm museum, Ansgar approved her commission for it!

“I could kiss you,” she enthused half-meaning it and half-distracted by all the goodness in black and white. She recovered herself with a chuckle. “I won’t – because I’m a professional – but I could! And I’d mean it!”

“That won’t be necessary.” Not necessary, but tempting. The thought shimmied itself into his head like a can-can dancer. “What can I say, Joline,” he said a bit too boldly, sitting forward in his seat. “You impressed me… your panache, your bravado, your eager-to-please… attitude for the good of all the people… in your company.”

One hand landed on her head, disbelief colored her face in a flush of excitement. “I’m so glad that I didn’t say no.” She waved her phone, display towards her companion. “I may never say no… ever!”

Oh the possibilities in that!

She went back to flipping through the documents on her phone, one by one, marveling at the brilliance of each one. “Who knew my crusading would do this?”

“I suspect,” Ansgar stated bluntly, a teasing light in those piercing blue eyes, “you did. You don’t suffer fools gladly and it seems, you don’t take no for an answer either.”

With her phone away, she put her elbow on the table and shelved her chin in her palm. “So… uh… who do I have to kill?”

“Pardon me?”

“Who do I have to kill? You were flapping your gums and going on about fighting and killing for my dreams. You just handed me my dreams… over a cup of coffee. So… who do I have to kill?”

The laugh that barked from Ansgar’s mouth caught him off guard. He wasn’t nearly prepared for her to twist what he’d said so far… but he supposed that he deserved it. He held up both of his hands in surrender, “No one. At least not today.”

Giving into the contagion of laughter, she commented, “And the CEO takes a punt at the funny.”

“How did I do?”

She muted her voice to a stage whisper, “GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!!”

He dipped his head in a bow and his gaze seemed to undress her from the waist up. “A successful business meeting. Are you overly attached to the idea of an omelette here?”

Joline didn’t mind the perusal, she indulged in her own. Answering his question, she shook her head, offering up something else instead, “Let’s top it all off.” She dangled the keys for her Triumph in front of him. “Got a helmet?”

“In the boot of my car.”

With a tip of her head, she encouraged, “You’ve been coveting my ride since I got here. I’ve got three hours before I have to be at work. So let’s go.” She pushed the keys at him. “You drive.”

Ansgar pushed to his feet and swiped the keys in a smooth move. He dumped enough money to cover their bill (and several others in the process). He strode for the door, leading Joline with a hand at the small of her back.

Feeling lighter than the helium balloon in her belly, Jo convinced herself that she knew what the G in his initials stood for: generous. But she also knew he’d never admit it.

[dclphinedupont]

Hello friendships! If you want to get to know Delphine a bit better, I’ve attached her bio under the read more! I’ll be working on her wanted connections page later tonight, but if you want to plot anything out of if you have any wanted connections you’d like me to fill, please let me know! 

like this post and I’ll slide into your dms! 

* IN CHARACTER INFORMATION

GOD/GODDESS & FULL CHARACTER NAME:

Hecate / Delphine “Phi” Dupont

FACE CLAIM:

Lucy Boynton

AGE & DATE OF BIRTH: 

28 / November 8, 1991

PRONOUNS & SEXUALITY:

She/Her and Pansexual

BIOGRAPHY BULLET POINTS

Her fondest memories were composed of moments heavy with cigarette smoke, bright purple nail-polish, the scent of burning sage and the Beatles. Her parents were big on that whole aesthetic, and Phi loved everything about it. She remembers sitting on her father’s lap as her mother danced in the middle of their living room to “Yellow Submarine”, skirts swooshing against her legs, smile bright and wide against the candlelight. Her father would wrap his fully tattooed arms around her and laugh full and loud and she would feel safe. She would feel loved. She would feel happy. That was home.

Her parents were good people with bad habits, that was how she liked to describe them.

“Keep the car door locked, Phi. Open it only when you see us.” Her mother would tell her, hands on both sides of her face as her father jimmied the lock off the door of a particularly large house. Phi would nod and smile in obedience before watching her parents tip-toe up the cobblestone pathway of other people’s homes, coming back with sacks upon sacks of shiny objects that Phi wasn’t allowed to touch. Then they would drive away and head home, “Hey Jude” playing softly on the radio.  

Her parents get caught when she’s around thirteen years old. She’ll never forget the look on her father’s face as he’s forced to the ground by men with guns, her mother screaming for them not to take her daughter. “She didn’t do anything! She didn’t know anything!” It echoed in her head like a broken record, throat raw as she tried to claw her way to get to them, only to have to watch them leave her behind on the back of a squad car. That was the day her world went off kilter.

She doesn’t do well in foster care. They call her ‘the runner’ because she always manages to wiggle her way past her foster guardians to visit her parents in jail. Time after time, she would find them, talk to them, beg them to take her home because she didn’t like her ‘new parents’. There was always something wrong with them. They didn’t like Beatles. They took away all her healing crystals. They wouldn’t let her dye her hair. “They aren’t you…” She just wanted to go home.

She gets adopted at sixteen, and she’s almost positive the Walters see her as more of a pet than a daughter. They’re blonde, just like her, and she thinks they’ve adopted her mostly because she looks good with the rest of their perfectly pristine furniture. She hates them almost immediately, but they’re definitely her ticket out of foster care, so she rides it out for a while. They take her ‘home’ and they’re probably the blandest people she’s ever met. The antithesis of her true parents. Her hatred for them grows, and she doesn’t even feel bad for pocketing whatever valuable item she might find.  

By the time she’s eighteen, she saves up (steals) enough money to pay for a terrific lawyer for her parents. She hasn’t seen them as much as before, but god she’s so close to getting them out, getting them home. She’s sure they wouldn’t mind that it’s been only a few months since her last visit. They’ll forgive her. They always do. She makes her way to where they’re being held with high hopes and a warm heart. She leaves with mascara running down her cheeks and trembling legs, escorted by more than a few police officers, reminiscent of the day they took her parents away from her.

Death penalty is legal in about thirty states. South Carolina is one of them.

She runs away not too long after. She has more than enough money to get her by for a few more months, but by the time she gets to Louisiana, she only has enough money to pay rent for another two. She pokes her nose into a couple of job openings, attempts to waitress for a bit (she ends up being fired on account of burning some customers with spilled coffee) and tries her hand at retail (she gets caught stealing a few earrings), before finally making her way to the front desk of an auto-shop that may grows to be her saving grace.

For the first time in a long time… she doesn’t want to run away.

Her fondest memories were still heavy with cigarette smoke, and painted nails (her own, long and noisy against counter tops). They let her play the Beatles and they don’t take away her sage, and things… things are good. Now though, there’s the sound of loud motorcycles revving and the nose-wrinkling scent of wax. There’s nights spent guarding the door and the clinking of glasses swimming with whiskey… And it was home… It was now her home.

CHARACTER TRAITS: 

( + ) Eccentric - If there was one thing her parents have ingrained in her system, it was that individuality should be a pillar trait in one’s psyche. Be colorful, be loud, be you. Go against the grain and make sure people knew who you were while you did it. Phi was more than happy to comply, of course. From her fashion, to her mannerisms, to her beliefs, there was not an inch of conformity to be found if she could help it. She enjoyed bright colors and long nails, ostentatious outfits and odd knick-knacks. Also, prepare to be blessed with sage when you enter the auto-shop, she has a few rolls hidden under her plants.

( + ) Charming - She flourishes at the front desk for a reason. She’s a tad bit of a talker, but surprisingly not the obnoxious kind. When you’re in foster care, you tend to meet a lot of people, take notice of their ticks and understand how to read them. Because of this, she adapts herself to each person, tickling every nerve for easy charming. When asked how she does it so effortlessly, she jokes that she’s cast a spell on the free mints she gives them.

( + ) Cunning - You don’t get away with stealing from your adoptive family for two years without having a little meat up in that old noggin. Phi lacked many things. She wasn’t the strongest, wasn’t the best at school, wasn’t the prettiest, but if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was slither her way through situations in a very machiavellian fashion. Be wary of her smile, for it holds more than mirth on many occasions.

( - ) Reckless - Despite her skill in evading trouble, she does little to avoid it altogether. She’s more than reckless with her decisions. She enjoys to steal when upset with someone, and she does so without thinking of the consequences. Her decisions are made almost purely out of emotion and she sees no reason to change that part of herself. It gets her into more trouble than you would think, and sometimes her smile won’t get her out of it.

( - ) Tactless - What gets her in trouble most of the time is her tongue. Why? She can never seem to hold it. What comes into mind is exactly what she says, and it doesn’t matter who she’s talking to. Whatever authority you might have, she doesn’t feel the need to put a filter, and that more than anything may lead to her demise if not careful.

( - ) Manipulative - She knows how to play people, knows how to be the puppet-master when no one expects it from her. She hides behind sweet smiles and carefully picked words, and most of the time, her dirty work is done by someone else because of a quick kiss and a flutter of her eye-lashes.

PLOT IDEAS

Someone from her foster-home - I’m sure she’s made more than meaningful relationships in foster-care, people who’ve met her before the death of her parents and while she was still seeing them. Someone who perhaps either helped her escape foster care to visit prison or perhaps tried to stop her.

A special someone that ties/tied her to the Primordials - This can either be an ongoing thing or a past relationship. Despite her feeling at home amidst the chaos of the Primordials, it would be fun to have a special bond with someone that would truly solidify her place in the group.

[quilloftheclouds]

21 Question Tag Game

Rules: Answer 21 Questions (they do not have to be the same questions) and tag 21 people some people (I don’t know that many people yet!)

Tagged By: @bookish-actor

I’ve already done this tag game before, so I’m gonna switch up a lot of the questions!

1. Height

I am an average-kinda-tall alie--I mean human, at somewhere between 5′6 to 5′8. Probably.

2. Eye color

I thought it was brown but apparently in certain lightings it appears amber because once a friend of mine was really freaked out by the fact that my eyes looked “yellow”.

3. Hair color

Medium brown and turquoise. The lower half of my hair is dyed turquoise, but it’s starting to fade out to green. It has been dubbed mermaid hair multiple times and you wonder whether I made the decision to dye my hair because of the magic hair in my wip or if I made magic hair a thing in my wip because I had a subconscious desire to dye my hair. Hm.

4. Favorite Christian singer

I’m not Christian myself but there is some really good, especially positive music created from some of these singers! But I mean... Owl City is one of my all time favourite singers, not just a Christian one.

5. Favorite ice cream

I’d be surprised if you’ve heard of it but; moon mist! My absolute favourite is getting two scoops with salted caramel as the second flavour, since the salty and sweet balance out!

6. Favorite color

Deep, forest green or a dark, stormy sea blue-green.

7. Favorite composer

Marcus Warner is really amazing! He has some super uplifting, atmospheric music that has a lot of layers to it!

8. Following

I answered this question already but, as I predicted, it’s multiplied: 105

9. Favorite way to procrastinate from writing (other than Tumblr)

Drawing. And when not doing that, making writing memes.

10. Favorite way to get inspiration for writing

I like being outside somewhere nice and quiet! When that isn’t much of an option, I really like reading other people’s writing or scientific journals (which I know is weird but too bad I’m a science nerd).

11. Favorite live action movie

I haven’t watched many movies recently, but one that comes to mind is Matilda. The movie was so sweet and the book was so wonderful.

12. Favorite non-Disney cartoon

... can I answer Steven Universe here? If we want to go back to my childhood, I was a real nerd for Storm Hawks. Oof. That there ended badly.

13. Favorite Disney cartoon

As in movie? Hmmm... Moana, Mulan and Coco were all pretty cute. I’ve never watched Treasure Planet but I’m getting a lot of good recs for it so I’m likely going to go watch it at some point.

14. Favorite book character

I refused to answer on the last one so does that make me obligated to answer now?

... Sigh. I dunno about favourites, but Hiccup from How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell is pretty fun.

15. Favorite (web)comic character

Because although I haven’t read much in way of fanfiction, I have in webcomics. So! Favourites are always hard, but: Yoshi from White Noise! It’s an indie webcomic made by @thephooka (sorry for the tag!) and it is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend going to check it out if you like LGBTQ+ rep, awesome worldbuilding, fantastical creatures, and just wonderful characters overall!

16. First original story

Oof. I definitely have some from before this, but the first one I’ve ever found (because it was my first attempt at typing up a story) is Dragon Fountain from when I was 10, a terrible, stereotypically cliche book about an orphan who finds out he’s the King’s long lost son with a prophecy to kill the dragon secretly terrorizing the kingdom by shapeshifting into the King’s advisor. I think I got through 8 chapters, but each chapter was perhaps two pages of 18 size font. I did not know how to write back then, gah.

17. Favorite book

Gonna copy over the description from the other one I answered because I am lazy:

Magyk by Angie Sage <-- I adore this book. Also, another amazing series from my childhood: The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

18. Favorite genre

Fantasy is darn cool and is the one I’m currently writing in, but I definitely have a great love for sci-fi, too!

19. Favorite trope

Okay but I love me some good antiheroes.

20. 5 Skills/Interests you have other than writing

SCIENCE

Hiking

Playing the violin

Cooking

Drawing

21. Top 5 mythological creatures (in no particular order) (I already did this one so I’m gonna add 5 more different ones!)

Peryton

Phoenix

Kataw (Some siren traits in OSS were inspired by this creature!)

Pooka

Kraken (There may be a kraken in OSS. Maybe.)

Tagging time! Let’s go for @capricious-writes @action-science-fantasy and @i-rove-rock-n-roll

My apologies if you’ve already been tagged for this!

[darcy-ff14]

Marina D’arca (Looking for make some new friends outside of FC.)

The Basics ––– –

Age: 26

Birthday: 1st Sun of the 1st Astral Moon

Race: Half Elezen, Half Hyur, Unknown.

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Straight

Marital Status: Single

Physical Appearance ––– –

Hair: Natural, silver blue hair. Always dye her hair to Salmon pink or Blonde.

Eyes: Clear diamond blue eyes

Height: 5′5ft

Build: Thin, normal body building, not too muscular. Very small for half Elezen in height.

Distinguishing Marks: Blue rune marks on the side stomach on the left.

Personal ––– –

Profession: Knight of Ishgardian, Guardian of Scarlet Bloom, Sage, Alchemist and Acknowledge of magic.

Hobbies:

Reading

Training

Take up the requests and Missions from people/Knights.

Hunter Bills

Alchemist

Exploring the ruin

Researching

Residence: Apartment, often stay there more than she does in her home or Free Company. Sometime at Ishgard.

Birthplace: Unknown, but grew up in Blue Fog when she was baby.

Religion: Unknown

Patron Deity: Halone

Fears: Herself, the day she would make a greatest mistake of her life, that she would fall into the darkness and give up her mortal. The woman carried so much pain and she worried that, she’d give up all of it and turn her back at the Eorzea and her people. 

Relationships ––– -

Spouse: None, Once engaged, but lost her Fiance to Dragonsong war 3 cycles ago.

Children: None, will never going to have one.

Among himself…

Marina has faced many battles by half of her life, against Calamity, Dragon, Voidsent and many more. But she often worried for her actions as she too is very brutal and too harsh, she seen herself as outspoken person that offended many people. But deep down, she means well and care for others, half of the time she felt like she isn’t respectful enough of people or care about her enough. Thus, she never reveals her true feeling to anyone.

Parents:

Both were murdered by one of the Void Council in the past.

Siblings:

Two sisters, both also died. Selina died when Marina was 16 years old before the calamity whom she sacrificed herself for Marina to give her a life. Isaniel was murdered by one of the Void Council to protect Marina and given her life.

Not related sister. Zasha is very much alive and Marina always protective of her, ensure nothing happens to her even she tend to fail at that as you cannot protect people from getting hurt sometime.

Traits ––– -

* Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information ––– –

Obsession: She always devoted her free time to research the history and explore the ruins to learn its secret and the past. It where lead her across artifacts she collect and to seal them away to protect them from Eorzea.

Loner: Marina is a lone wolf, or at least it is what people put it in. She never has any friends or any true friends, even she got close to people, but she never once opens up to them or allow them to accompany the mission or her duty. She fears to grow close to people or at least to fall in love is a curse to her as people often died around her. The pain for her is too much to bear.

Magic and history:  Marina have acknowledge of magic which she has studied them for many years, she is excelling in magic. Marina like to learn about history and to read them, she finds the topic very interesting when she and someone engaged the conversation about them.

Alcohol: Refused to drink one nor have any interest in it. She disgusted by people who would wasting themselves with intoxication in their body.

Appearance:  Marina is young and well taken care of herself for half breed, she is both between Half Hyur and Elezen, her look seems more lean towarding hyur which people often might not able to tell her race and mistaken her for odd looking hair. Her ears are quite small and Marina has a long hair, it often covers up her ears, which is why no one was able to tell her true race. It also explains about her height too, she is one of the rare half breed that have average/normal height for a hyur.

RP Hooks ––– –

High Rank Ishgardian Knights

Marina would likely be rarely to be seen by anyone who is or was a Ishgardian Knight. She often sent out with her team whom she leads in the mission. She tends to take up heavy type or special type of the mission.

Guardian of Zasha and Protector of Bloom

Marina is one of high rank in Scarlet Bloom where she has her duty to be the guardian of Zasha, to protect her from any danger and any harms. Bloom is the Company, where Marina was made to be protected of the Bloom. People would know of her that she will do whatever it take to shield Bloom from the Enemy.

Ishgardians in general

Marina can be seen around in Ishgard city sometime when she is there for her duty, or she’d visit the church to share her pray for her lost people who passed away in her life or her dead Fiance. There are too rumours from folks in Ishgardian where they either speak highly of her or they seems rather scared of her to not cross her. There would be mention, Marina never likes to lose and she never failed her missions, she gets her job done and she likes to be ahead. Marina can be seen by people that she is quite intimidating.

Clothes

Yes, this woman has loved for Fashions and clothes. She liked to look nice as much as she can and she do have a strange sense of Fashions. But her love for clothes is something topic you could talk to her about.

Additional Information.

IC: Marina is not very good at social nor excelling in it. She is quite apathetic person which she came off cold and she’d said things might offend people due to her brutal and honest. She has bad way with the choice of her words which she had no interest to hurt anyone for the purpose. She can be very quiet and she is really terrible at making new friends, sometime she wishes to make one, but often failed to do so due to her personality. She has no interest in taking up fighting or causing any trouble. She like her peace and she’d find a way to leave if it become too noise for her. She can be in denial when it comes to flirting or charming her or questions was asked in any way that she never realise people would flirt or say nice thing about her or is curious about her. It is safe to say she is quite hard to be likeable.

She is a woman with many past and secrets.

OOC: I am very open minded person and friendly. I like to keep IC apart from OOC or be friends with people who can do the same where IC stay in IC and doesn't drag OOC into the RP. I do not let people attempts, or seek to kill Marina by forcing or demands. I do not involve myself into any drama nor take any sides. I am very laid back and I made my own choices whom I wish to be friends with or not. I like to RP whenever I feel like it as I too do PvE side as well. Lastly, I am deaf player and I can read English or understanding it really well, but English is not my first language which would lead me struggle sometime to understand any questions or words I’ve never seen before. My grammar is not my best suit, but I would like to ask you to keep it in mind and bear with me.

How to reach out this person?: This player can be reached in /tell on FFXIV and is quite often to be online, but is also spending most of time AFK’ing due to IRL. Always reply as much when I can and sometimes I might deicing so there is a chance I missed your tell. Another way to reach me out on Discord. #Darca5171 once reach me out on there, PLEASE tell me who you are and you got it off from this post so I can know you. Thank you.

[obsessive-fics]

you’re gonna be my wound- Chapter One

Title: God, I Hope I Get it

Rating: T

Word Count: 1.7k

Summary: Dan and Phil are cast in their university's production of Spring Awakening, as the two male leads. They hate each other. Until they don't.

A/N: A huge thank you to @yourfriendlyblogstalker for putting up with me being a dumb American and britpicking

[Masterlist]

[Read on Ao3]

Spring Awakening. They were actually doing Spring Awakening. The show that changed Dan‘s life forever when his nan took him to see it on the west end for his eighteenth birthday, that made him feel heard. And that lead to a lot of awkward silence on the way home when it became clear his nan did not know what Spring Awakening was about when she bought the tickets. But for a time there, he’d felt heard, like someone understood how frustrating it was to be looked over, to have pressure put on you, to have adults in your life that just… didn’t get it.

And now, here he was, studying law of all things. But at least the theatre was doing Spring Awakening. He put his name down on the sign up sheet and plugged in his headphones before hitting play, walking along to “Word of Your Body (Reprise),” and trying to contain his excitement.

“We never do anything different,” PJ groaned, draping himself against Phil’s lap dramatically. Phil just shook his head and pushed PJ off of him.

“We do lots of different things. We got pizza last night, we’re getting Indian tonight.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. It’s senior year and we haven’t done anything exciting. Let’s… get tattoos!”

“No.”

“Piercings?”

“No.”

“Dye our hair?”

“Kind of already beat you to that,” Phil pointed out, gesturing to his (very recently) dyed hair.

“Fair… Let’s at least go for a walk, we can’t stay holed up in here for another year,” PJ said, jumping up. Phil would be more than happy to never go outside and have to interact with anyone- he preferred his method of going to the first meeting of every club, and then choosing one or two to occasionally show up to. Film club was his favorite, they just sat in the dark in silence watching movies. But PJ would never let him live it down if he didn’t at least try.

“Last one out has to tip the delivery guy,” he said, already heading for the door.

“No fair!” PJ called after him, but he was laughing.

****

They were walking out of the on campus cafe when they saw it- “Auditions for Spring Awakening, Thursday at 3:00.” PJ almost dropped his coffee, he got so excited.

“That’s it!”

“What’s it?” Phil asked, looking at the poster.

“Spring Awakening! Let’s audition,” PJ replied, already digging around in his bag for a pen.

“We can’t act, Peej,” Phil pointed out, but PJ was already writing their names down.

“You act in those short films for class all the time,” PJ replied, definitely not getting what he was trying to say at all.

“That’s different.I write those, I’m in complete control,” Phil tried to explain, but it was pretty fruitless. They were doing this whether he wanted to or not.

“Well, you were gonna have to get over your control thing one way or another,” PJ said brightly, effectively ending any further discussion.

Dan barely paid attention in class the whole week leading up to the audition. He ate, slept, and breathed spring awakening. His assignments were piling up, but he couldn’t bring himself to care, at least, not yet. He’d worry about it once he had a part. His therapist was less than pleased about this, but he waved him off.

“Do you think there’s a reason you’re putting so much into this?” he’d asked Wednesday during their session.

“Because I hate law, and love theatre?”

“Then why not go for a performing arts degree?”

Dan had just done what he always did when they got onto the topic of education- shrugged and changed the subject.

And now here he was, sitting in the audience, going over the monologue he’d prepared in his head, quietly muttering the words to himself. He was going to do Moritz’s pre-suicide monologue, a good way to show his emotional range, and then sixteen bars of “Left Behind.” Melchior was his dream role- intelligent, passionate, confident to the point of destruction… But he’d be okay with Moritz too, even if his story line hit a little too close to home.

After he felt like he was ready, Dan looked around the auditorium at the other hopefuls. He saw Louise, one of his flatmates, and good friend of his, and waved. She grinned, and ran over.

“You’re auditioning too?” she asked excitedly, sitting down in the row in front of him, “for which part?”

“Melchior, ideally. But Moritz wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” he told her, not wanting to let on exactly how much he wanted this.

“Well, I hope you get cast as Melchior- you’re probably the only person I’d be even remotely comfortable playing opposite.”

“You’re hoping for Wendla then?” Dan asked, relieved to not be talking about him anymore.

“Of course- she literally gets to open the whole show, with that beautiful solo? It’s every actress’s dream,” Louise sighed wistfully in reply, and Dan nodded. He’d personally rather play Martha, her song was much more effective, even if she wasn’t in all that many scenes. But he got Wendla’s appeal too. Before he could properly reply to Louise, the director stood up, and clapped her hands. She was barely five foot, even with her impressively huge afro, but she commanded the room easily. Dan was already more than excited to get the chance to work with her.

“Alright everyone, we’re going to warm up, and then you’ll each get your chance to impress me. On stage, please,” she instructed.

Everyone climbed onto the stage, ready to start. Well, almost everyone. One guy tripped on the stage, and completely wiped out. Before he could really think about it, Dan burst out laughing. Loudly. He collected himself once the guy glared at him with surprisingly expressive blue eyes, and held his hand out.

“You okay?” he asked, still laughing a little.

“Fuck off,” the guy muttered, pushing his hand away, and scrambling onto his feet. Rude. Dan shrugged, and made his way over to stand next to Louise.

“Alright, I’m Ms.Jay, and I’ll be directing this production. Let’s start with some vocal exercises, and then we’ll move on to the rest of warm up. Break a leg everyone,” Ms. Jay announced, before leading them in a series of increasingly ridiculous tongue twisters.

Dan tried to focus on warming up, but he kept getting distracted by the guy who’d fallen earlier, laughing and making faces at the friend he had standing next to him. Dan shot an unimpressed look Louise, who just shrugged and turned her attention back to Ms. Jay.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Ms. Jay deemed them warmed up, and asked them to line up for their monologues.

Dan hated this part, hated everyone watching and judging him, measuring him up, and trying to guess which part he’d get. But it was a necessary evil- he could do this. He followed everyone to the wings where they were to await their turns. One monologue, sixteen bars, and then if you were lucky, you’d get called to read a scene with someone else. He’d done this countless times, but it never got less terrifying.

“You’re gonna be great,” Louise whispered, noticing him muttering his lines to himself.

“Thanks, Lou. You too,” he whispered back, and she squeezed his hand comfortingly.

Before he knew it, Dan’s name was being called. He stepped out onto the stage, glad everyone was backstage and not in the audience where he could see them.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Ms. Jay said, and he nodded absently. He could do this- he wasn’t dan anymore, he was Moritz Stiefel, he was about to be expelled from school, and it was his job to make Ms. Jay not only believe that, but feel that, see that his world was ending. He took a deep breath, and stood center stage.

“So, what will I say? I'll tell them all, the angels, I got drunk in the snow, and sang, and played pirates…”

Phil had never been so nervous in his life. He spent most of the warm up trying to make PJ laugh as a distraction, but once they were lined up backstage it hit him- he was actually going to do this. He was going to stand on stage, in front of another person. He was going to be sick.

“Hey, you okay?” PJ whispered, materializing next to him.

“No! I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I can’t do this, I can’t do this, I-”

“Hey,” PJ whispered sharply, cutting him off. “It’s just an audition. You’ll get through it, just… pretend your in front of a camera.”

“A camera?”

“Yeah! Pretend this is one of your projects for class, and you’re filming it, and this is the perfect take, okay?” PJ explained, placing a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

“... Okay, okay, I can do that,” Phil agreed, just as his name was being called.

The audition went by in a blur. Phil was dimly aware that he was performing, reciting his monologue, and then sixteen bars of “Don’t Do Sadness,” but it was like he was already in the editing chair, watching himself. Before he knew it, Ms. Jay was nodding sagely.

“Thank you.”

He nodded and went backstage, flashing a thumbs up to PJ as he stepped on stage. The rest of solo auditions went by painfully slowly, each person analyzing how they must have done in their heads. For his part, Phil had no idea how he’d done, he just hoped he hadn’t embarrassed himself. Ms. Jayay called everyone back onto stage, breaking his thoughts.

“Okay, I’ve decided who I’d like to see read scenes together. So first up, I want Dan to read as Melchior,” Ms. Jay started. Phil looked over to see the guy who’d laughed at him earlier smirking, looking entirely too satisfied with himself, and shook his head. Of course someone like that would get the lead role.

“And I’d like Phil to read for Moritz. Act I, Scene 4. The rest of you can sit in the audience, and we’ll go from there,” Ms. Jay continued, climbing down from the stage. Phil stood on the side of the stage, dumbfounded. What the hell just happened?

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