#RACE ROCK LIGHTHOUSE

[dailylighthouse]

Race Rock Lighthouse

Long Island, New York, United States

Source: Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons

Constructed: 1878

Automated: 1978

Have a favorite lighthouse? Curious about lighthouses in general? Send an ask!

[myhauntedsalem]

RACE ROCK LIGHTHOUSE

SOUTHOLD, NY

It seems that ghosts like to hang out in lighthouses. The violent deaths from these disasters could leave behind a spiritual residue or life force that lingers where it happened.

According to Native American lore, Race Rock Reef was once an island. Because of the swift currents running up to six knots in the Race and the sharp rocks that could tear out the bottom of their birch bark canoes the Indians avoided it. They believed the place was haunted and as sea levels have risen the island has disappeared beneath the waves.

Many members of the Coast Guard have claimed to hear disembodied whispers, laughing, voices and even yelling. Some have been touched, poked, or pushed by these phantoms and refuse to return to this property. Unexplainable footsteps and the sounds of running water have also been experienced. Many passing boats claimed they have witnessed a shadowy presence of a man in the tower as the light passed over them.

[thejaymo]

Fastnet Lighthouse

Fastnet Lighthouse is a 54m high lighthouse situated on the remote Fastnet Rock in the Atlantic Ocean. It is the most southerly point of Ireland and lies 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) southwest of Cape Clear Island and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from County Cork on the Irish mainland.

Fastnet Rock is used as the midpoint of one of the world's classic offshore yachting races, the Fastnet Race, a 1,126-kilometre (700 mi) round trip from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, around the rock and back to Plymouth.

This RNLI video about the Fastness race disaster of 1979 is quite good at the scale of the tragedy that occurred.

[jackles010378]

Steady Ground

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, I've had a bad vertigo attack that knocked me off my feet.

Which is where the inspiration for this little fic came, I think Jensen would be so reassuring! So I hope you enjoy 🥰

(Jensen Ackles x you)

While out with Jensen, you have a minor vertigo attack which Jensen helps see you through, he never leaves your side 🥰

Jensen had always been the rock in Y/N’s life. Their love story was one of those rare, beautiful tales that seemed to defy the odds. They met on the set of a hit TV show, and their chemistry was undeniable. But it wasn’t just the cameras that captured their connection—it was the way Jensen held Y/N’s hand during breaks, the way he looked at her when she stumbled over her lines, and the way he made her laugh even when the world felt heavy.

One sunny afternoon, as they strolled through a quiet park, Y/N’s world suddenly tilted. The ground beneath her feet shifted, and panic surged through her veins. Vertigo had struck, and it was as if the earth had decided to play a cruel game of spin-the-bottle with her senses.

Jensen noticed immediately. His eyes widened, concern etching lines on his forehead. “Y/N?” he said softly, gripping her arm. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head, unable to find her voice. The world spun around her, and she clung to Jensen as if he were her lifeline. Her heart raced, and nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

Jensen’s instincts kicked in. He guided her to a nearby bench, easing her down gently. “Breathe,” he whispered, kneeling in front of her. “Just breathe.”

Y/N closed her eyes, focusing on the rise and fall of her chest. Jensen’s hands were warm on her shoulders, grounding her. She felt his thumb brush against her cheek, wiping away a stray tear.

“Look at me,” he said, his voice unwavering. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

She opened her eyes, and there he was—those familiar green eyes filled with tenderness. Jensen had always been her anchor, but in that moment, he became her lighthouse, guiding her through the storm.

He asked her questions, distracting her from the vertigo. “What’s your favorite memory?” he murmured. “Tell me something beautiful.”

And so, Y/N began to speak. She shared stories of childhood summers, of laughter echoing across sunflower fields. She described the taste of saltwater on her lips during their first beach vacation together. Jensen listened, his gaze never leaving hers.

As the minutes passed, the vertigo eased. Y/N’s breathing steadied, and she clung to Jensen’s words like a sailor clinging to a lifebuoy. He told her about constellations and whispered promises. He painted a canvas of hope with every syllable.

When the world finally settled, Y/N leaned into Jensen’s embrace. His heartbeat echoed in her ear, a rhythm that matched her own. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Jensen kissed her forehead. “Always,” he said. “I’ll always be here.”

In that quiet park, surrounded by the rustle of leaves and the warmth of their love, Y/N realized that vertigo might shake her world, but Jensen would always be her steady ground.

TAGLIST: @k-slla @cevansbaby-dove @kaleldobrev @janineb86 @deans-daydream @alternativeprincess94 @nescavaneck @angelbabyyy99

[hunterscabin]

The Lighthouse Part II

Summary: A hunt takes a turn for the worse, and Sam and Dean fight to keep you alive.

Pairings: Dean x Reader; Sam x Reader

Warnings: Angst; drowning; language; resuscitation; whump

Word Count: 2.2K

Author’s Note: I used Regina Femrite’s painting “Beam Of Hope” as inspiration for the setting. Comments and feedback are always appreciated! I hope you enjoy! 

The Lighthouse Part I

Dean carried you to dry sand and sat down. He placed you in front of him, your back nestled in his chest. He wrapped two strong arms around you, balling one hand and grabbing it with the other. Expertly, he thrust his fist inward and upward. Water began to drain from your mouth. Sam fell to the sand in front of you and placed a gentle hand on your forehead to help keep you upright. Once Dean was satisfied that he’d expelled as much water from your lungs as he could, he cradled your head and laid you down. 

Dean placed a calloused hand on your forehead and used two fingers to lift your chin. Despite ridding your lungs of water, you still were not breathing.

“Come on, kiddo,” Dean pleaded as he pinched your nose and sealed his mouth around yours, inflating your lungs. Sam grabbed your wrist praying to feel your heartbeat. It was faint and slowing, but detectable.

“Pulse?” Dean looked to his brother, dreading the answer. Sam nodded “yes,” still trying to catch his breath.

The urgency Sam felt turned to utter panic as he watched Dean continue to force air into your broken body. Your soaking wet clothes clung to your small frame. Your lips were an impossible shade of blue and your skin a deathly gray. 

Dean wrapped his lips around yours, this time blowing more forcefully. “Breathe for me, Y/N/N,” he cried out between breaths, “Please, breathe.” Dean had barely registered the lightheaded feeling that began tugging at his senses, when his brother stirred next to him.

“Dean!” Sam’s voice was frantic. Letting go of your wrist, he reached across your body and pressed two fingers to your neck. Seconds spanned a lifetime as Sam waited for the beat of your heart to reach his touch. He could feel Dean’s air entering and leaving your body, but there was nothing else. His stomach dropped. “She doesn’t have a pulse.” Sam groaned.

Dean felt as if all of the blood drained from his body. A darkness loomed over the beach. The one thing he was supposed to protect was dying beneath him. 

Dean moved to start CPR, but Sam was already hovered over you. He placed a hand in the center of your sternum, lacing the other on top. He locked his arms and began pumping your chest. After 30 compressions, he looked to Dean. 

“Breathe.” Sam commanded. 

Dean blew two deep breaths into you and looked back up at Sam who had already started his second round of compressions. Your delicate body rocked with each forceful push. 

“Fuck,” Sam whimpered as he felt one of your ribs give way. Dean heard the crack and glanced up at his brother. 

“Sammy,” Dean willed his brother to look at him. Sam’s eyes met Dean’s, defeat and exhaustion evident on his face. “You’re not hurting her, you’re saving her,” Dean assured, knowing exactly what Sam was thinking. Ever the caretaker, Dean found the words to comfort and encourage his brother even in the midst of his own fear. “You’re doing good, Sammy. Keep going.”

Sam nodded in understanding. He hung his head as he continued pressing down on your chest. “Please, Y/N/N,” Sam pleaded, “Come back." 

Dean quietly joined in his brother's panic. You weren’t responding. They needed a new plan. He thought momentarily about finding a crossroad, but he knew you’d never forgive either of them for making a deal. That’s when Dean remembered. 

"Sammy!” Dean’s exclamation jarred Sam’s already racing heart. “There’s an AED in Baby.” In their frantic attempts to revive you, Dean had forgotten the life-saving box that Bobby had given him “In case of an emergency.”

“What?” Sammy questioned in disbelief.  

“After a bad hunt,” Dean said breathlessly, “we lost too many people that could have been saved.” Dean began to gauge the distance between him and the car. “Bobby swiped two AEDs and made me promise to keep one in Baby.” 

“Take over for me,” Sam shifted, preparing to run. 

“No,” Dean protested, “You have to be exhausted from swimming back with her. I’ll go.” It wasn’t the time to argue, but Dean saw the look of strain on his brother’s face and knew that running to the car and back would push him over the edge. He needed Sam to preserve whatever strength he had left; Dean couldn’t save you on his own.

Sam said nothing but agreed by finishing a cycle of compressions and leaning down to take over breathing for you. The second Sam pinched your nose and placed his mouth on yours, Dean took off. He had never run so quickly in his life. He closed the over 100-yard distance in a matter of seconds.

Despite the adrenaline coursing through him, Dean was winded when he returned. He couldn’t imagine how exhausted his brother must be. He looked at Sam who was bent over, breathing into you. 

“Any change?” he asked, already knowing the answer.  

“Nothing.” Sam’s tone and face were flat. His entire body ached. His arms were burning, and even with the harsh wind against his wet clothes, he was sweating from the effort of keeping your heart beating. Still, he maintained a steady pace, determined to save you.

“Do you need to switch?” Dean asked as he opened the AED.

“I’ve got her.” Sam replied confidently. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”

Dean pulled the AED out of its case and turned it on. He reached down the inside pocket and pulled out a pair of medical shears. 

“Don’t stop,” Dean advised as he began to cut your shirt, “I’ll work around you.” He pulled your clothing out from under his brother’s hands.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Dean muttered as he exposed your chest. Dean took off his flannel, and as soon as Sam moved to breathe for you, he used the opportunity to dry you off. 

He pulled the pads from the AED and followed the instructions on the box, placing one near your right shoulder and the other on your left side. The machine prompted Sam to hold compressions and he fell back on his feet. 

The machine called out for everyone to stand clear, and Dean pressed the glowing shock button. He cringed at the sight of your jerking body. Sam pressed his fingers to the side of your neck and Dean took up your wrist. Relief washed over them as they each felt your faint pulse growing stronger. Sam leaned down, placing an ear over your mouth. Dean watched as his brother’s face hardened.  

“She’s still not breathing,” Sam announced with defeat. Dean positioned himself by your head to begin breathing for you again. 

“You can do this, Y/N/N.” Dean muttered as he pinched your nose and sealed his mouth over yours. He glanced at your chest to make sure it rose with his breath and shuddered. 

“Sammy,” Dean’s furrowed brow glanced down to your torso then back up to his brother, “cover her.”

Decency had taken a back seat to their frantic attempts to revive you, but now that your condition was less critical, both brothers were acutely aware of how exposed you were. Sam reached for Dean’s flannel and draped it over you. 

Dean inflated your lungs again. This time, he felt something inside you pop, like a wet balloon becoming unstuck. He gave you one more deep breath, and as soon as he removed his mouth from yours, you began coughing up water. 

“That’s my girl,” Dean encouraged as he rolled you onto your side, “Keep coughing, Y/N.”

Sam reached out and helped pull you over. He rubbed gentle strokes up and down your back as the coughing continued to rack your body. Dean kept one hand under your chin and another on your forehead to keep your airway open as your body worked to expel the remaining water in your lungs. Your coughing finally subsided and was replaced by a low, raspy wheeze. 

Sam laid down on his side so that he was facing you. He lifted a hand to brush the hair away from your face, thankful to see the color returning to your cheeks. With his other hand, he grabbed yours and squeezed gently. 

“Y/N?” he whispered, “Y/N, baby, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand.” It was faint, but he could feel your grip tighten ever so slightly.  

“Good girl,” he sighed with relief, as he stroked your hair. “I’m right here, Y/N/N. Dean and I are right here.”

The sound of Sam’s voice stirred your senses, and you began to blink your eyes. A rush of pain coursed through your body, and you started to panic. Sam noticed your breathing become erratic and brought his face close to yours. 

“Y/N, it’s okay. You’re okay, baby girl. Look at me.” Your eyes found Sam’s and immediately filled with tears. 

“Hi, Y/N/N,” he breathed, his tone and face were warm with assurance. “Slow breaths in and out, okay?" 

"Sammy,” you choked. Your voice was raw and your throat stung.

“I’m right here.” He leaned in and placed a firm kiss on your forehead. 

A raspy sob escaped your lips. Instinctually, you began to curl your legs toward your chest for comfort, but it only intensified the pain.

“De.” you cried out. Dean’s heart swelled at the sound of his nickname. He was by your head in an instant. Sam sat up so his brother could move in. Dean crouched down so he was at eye level with you. 

“I’m here, sweetheart.” Dean’s voice broke when your teary eyes met his. “We’re both right here.” Your arms feebly reached out for him. Dean slipped one hand under your head and the other under your waist. He pulled you close to him and felt how badly you were shaking. 

“We need to get her out of these wet clothes.” 

Sam found the medical shears in the sand and carefully cut the sleeves of your already torn shirt. He peeled the cold, wet fabric away and helped Dean slip your arms through the dry sleeves of the flannel that had been covering you. Sam wrapped the front of the shirt around your back, and Dean moved his arm to secure it in place. 

“Let’s get her back to the car,” Sam urged as he unplugged the AED pads from the machine. Dean gathered the cords and lifted you with ease. 

“De?” you whispered. 

“Yeah, sweet girl?” he cooed, pulling you closer to him.  

“S-s-o-c-c-cold.” you managed. 

“I know, Y/N/N. We’re almost there,” he assured as the Impala came into view. You nuzzled your head in the crook of Dean’s neck, his familiar and comforting scent easing some of your pain.

Sam jogged ahead, opening the back door for you and Dean. He slid in and reached across to the front seat, starting the car and turning up the heat as high as it would go. 

“I have a pair of sweatpants in my bag in the trunk,” Dean instructed, as he reached the car. He sat on the edge of the back seat with you in his arms and gently rocked you as he whispered soothing words in your ear. 

Sam crouched in front of you with dry clothes and a blanket in hand. He pulled the shears out of the AED case and began to cut through your pants. Dean did the best he could to help maneuver you, in an effort to keep you covered. Fortunately, his large flannel enveloped you down to your knees. Still in his wet clothes, Sam was starting to shiver. At the mercy of his shaking hands, he struggled momentarily in helping you into Dean’s sweatpants, and you let out a pained and embarrassed whimper.

“I’m so sorry, Y/N/N.” Sam lamented, his eyes creased with sorrow. 

“S'okay S-s-sammy,” you assured, your voice still hoarse. Sam successfully slipped a pair of dry socks on your feet, and he and Dean worked to wrap you in a blanket. 

While Sam changed into dry clothes, Dean rubbed your back and arms hoping to restore some warmth to your frozen body. When Sam returned, Dean stood up with you and pressed a kiss to your temple before handing you over. 

Sam held you close and slid into the back seat. Once he was situated, he made sure you were comfortable, and you gave a weak nod. Dean grabbed another blanket from the trunk and draped it over you and Sam. He shut your door and moved to the driver’s side, sliding into his seat. He directed all of the vents so they were blowing hot air toward the back of the car. 

Dean caught Sam’s glance in the rear view mirror and they shared a long look of anxious relief. Dean nodded in understanding, and Sam’s eyes fell back to you. He cupped your face in his hand and pulled you closer, placing a kiss in your hair.    

Before putting the car in gear, Dean paused to watch the two people he loved most in this world. The sight of you and Sam solidifying his unwavering vow to protect his family above all else.

Masterlist

[flusteredfools]

Finally got the rough sketches done so now it's time for voting!

Snips from each AU below! Both will eventually be written, this is just for me to know which to focus on first!

Fazrule Fitness Plex:

(Legend of Zelda/Fnaf Crossover world) As a way to promote more interactions among the various Hyrule races, FazCo has opened up a fitness center so all races can bond over sharing their more natural exercise methods and explore new ones. Learn swim methods from Zoras, rock climbing and cave exploration from Gorons, balance and air gliding tricks from the Ritos, learn how to make healthy meals in the Gerudo's bar and relax in the spa or let retired Hylian guards teach you the basics of self defense!

The Fitness Plex seems to have trouble keeping on someone for their mixed species daycare next to the swimming lakes and falls. Something about complaints that watching over the mixed race's young alongside the swim instructors judgmental eyes is just too much to handle...

The Lighthouse Keeper's Keepers:

(sort of Detroit Become Human/Fnaf crossover world)

Sun and Moon have proven their sentience, have gotten married and retired from working at the daycare; letting newer androids take over their old position. They've responded to a job listing in a rather remote village where an old fisherman who cares for the village's almost neglected lighthouse is getting too old to look after himself much less the lighthouse. So they've agreed to the position, both of caring for the fisherman until he passes as well as the lighthouse once he does. The years they spend being caregivers to the fisherman and listening to him tell tales of the Mer he befriended in his youth make Sun and Moon think the poor man must have been losing his mind with age. They never thought that on the day they would be spreading his ashes they would happen upon the myth he befriended.

Secret Third Choice:

Shhh... Is a secret. Very hush hush. But if you can't decide or don't care which... maybe this option is for you.

[cloudwhisper23]

Completely disregard the time between the last story and this one please. XD. Yet another prompt done for @grow-bettah's Grumbo Month event!

Day 12: Bickering

It was meant to be a calm evening. Nothing but fishing was on Grian’s mind as he sat on the dock. The shimmering surface of enchanted books provided the only glow as he continued to fish, his clawed feet slowly changing into webbed ones.

That was when he heard a rowboat cutting through the water.

Gem shot him a look from her own perch on the rocks surrounding the lighthouse. She clearly didn’t appreciate the disruption either, and based on the blocks in her hands, she did not need someone to stir up the waves.

A feathered ear twitched, but Grian pulled his line out of the water as his feet changed back. Water dripped from his body as he shoved his boots on and flew to perch on top of the crane. His wings protested, so unused to flying after so long, but he ignored the pain. Grian needed to find the boat before they got too close.

Spotting the shape of the rowboat in the water, Grian launched himself into the air in what could only be described as his roughest takeoff since season 6. He crashed into the boat directly, flipping the boat and drenching the one passenger in cold seawater.

Grian’s clothes already started to bog him down, but he gripped onto the fabric of the other hermit’s shirt as he forced the boat back into a regular position. He pulled the unfortunate hermit into the boat with him, both of them soaking wet.

“Can’t go through the river right now,” Grian said gruffly.

Mumbo coughed, blinking aggressively. “Couldn’t you have just sent a message?”

“Didn’t recognize you from this far out,” Grian answered with a wing spasming.

“Right.” Mumbo shook water from his hair before realizing that his wings had torn through his shirt. His suit jacket was long gone, lost to the depths of the water. “I was trying not to have to fly home, but apparently that’s not an option.”

Grian smiled. “Aww, did you get your little bat wings wet?”

“They’re not little, Grian. And I’ll have you know, it’s perfectly fine for me to get my wings wet. Unlike yours, which are so very clearly drenched too badly to lift you so much as an inch.”

“I have strong back muscles,” Grian shot back. “I could beat you back to shore easily.”

“What do I get if you lose that race?” Mumbo met his gaze, eyes gleaming. “Are you finally going to show me those redstone projects you’ve been working on?”

Grian’s mouth opened and closed. He realized quickly that made him look more like a fish than a bird, so he flicked his wings out to appear irritated. “My projects are none of your business, Mr. Jumbo.”

“Right, I’m sure whatever redstone you’ve been up to has just exploded in your face.”

“It most certainly has not!” Grian huffed. “You’re just trying to rile me up.”

“Is it working?”

“It was.” Without another word, Grian launched himself from the boat, knowing full well he’d be feeling it in the morning.

Mumbo made a strangled noise before jumping into the air after him, wings unfurling much easier than Grian’s had. Still, even with the disadvantage of the river water soaking deep into his wings, Grian made it to the door of his house before Mumbo even reached the shoreline.

He sat heavily on the floor, exhaustion finally setting in hard.

Mumbo peered down at him. “Good thing you didn’t decide on what you wanted if you won the race. Really overdid that one, you did.”

Grian couldn’t do much more than scowl at his friend. Mumbo was being a menace on purpose.

“Of course, I could get you a change of clothes, so you don’t become a fish inside your house,” Mumbo said, his teasing tone vanishing as gills emerged from the sides of Grian’s throat.

“Please,” Grian said, much whinier than he’d meant to be. The shape of his talons had already changed, much more akin to flippers.

Mumbo scooped him up to deposit him by his fishing fire, hurrying off to gather dry clothes.

Grian peered across the river again, looking for a glimpse of Gem. She winked at him before pulling herself out of the water to walk in the direction of her base. How rude.

“You faring alright there, mate?” Mumbo asked. He was holding a familiar red sweater, folded neatly over the rest of the dry clothes.

Grian’s only response was to pull the straps off his shoulders around his wings before reaching for the sweater. Then he glared at Mumbo, who rolled his eyes before turning away.

Grian stretched by the fire. “You can look now.”

Mumbo hummed at him. “I don’t see Gem.”

“She just went back to her base.”

“Are you sure this wasn’t just some excuse to try to drown me?” Mumbo asked.

“Don’t be silly. It’d be a waste of my time.”

“How’s that?”

“Being drowned by a fish in the water is nothing compared to being pushed ‘into the danger zone’ by a llama.”

“I think the fish has merit,” Mumbo said, deliberately challenging Grian’s statement. His eyes twinkled as he leaned more into Grian’s space. “Although, considering how slippery the fish has been this season, I doubt he’d be able to hold me down.”

“Not as easily as he could drop you with a fishing rod,” Grian agreed. “Maybe when it rains, we can see what’s more effective.”

“Are you threatening me, Grian?” Mumbo asked. His wings folded neatly as he sat up straighter. Grian pointedly did not look at the way the wet shirt clung to Mumbo’s skin.

“Maybe I am. What are you going to do about it?”

Mumbo tapped his chin thoughtfully, mustache twitching. “I could always mess with your redstone.”

“Mumbo!” Grian nearly screeched. “You can’t use my own threats against me!”

“Yes, I can! If you’ve started doing redstone, that means its in peril from me. Those are the rules!”

Grian gasped dramatically. “My redstone is being threatened by my own best friend. I cannot believe this betrayal.”

Mumbo grinned. “You better believe it, buddy. Because it just happened.”

Grian sighed happily. Even with the threat over his hard work potentially looming, he was just glad to be here with Mumbo.

Maybe the curse hadn’t taken everything from him after all.

[agendabymooner]

9 to 5 || spin-off (f1 drivers series) - cast + playlist

Summary: Lorelei Hester ‘Lester’ Alessandro is a bassist first and Daniel Ricciardo’s partner second. But it seems like another role is added to her resume as she begins her weekend in Baku as Toto Wolff’s children’s babysitter. The Wolff kids gather the attention of all as they wreak havoc in the paddock and the hospitalities.

Content warning (not updated): family-centric content, tooth-rotting fluff, brief use of explicit language, people trying not to swear in front of children, sickness, Toto scaring half the grid, Hearth sister!OFC x Max Verstappen relationship mentioned, Hearth sister!OFC x Charles Leclerc relationship mentioned.

Note: Chances are I'm going to be publishing these by scenarios? You'll see. I think. Enjoy knowing the original characters! xx

THE ORIGINAL FIVE

Lorelei Hester 'Lester' Alessandro - the italian paddock princess

daniel ricciardo's biggest fan (on-and-off the grid). less messy as of 2023. scared of toto wolff even if she's friends with his wife. also known as Zia Lori, Tante Lori and Aunt Lolo. nanny for the weekend.

Tilly Marie Ford Wolff (née Hearth) - lady boss

the wolff mother. probably gave birth to three toto wolffs. had stolen the hearts of the grid (might do it again by proxy). current situation: at home in london due to baby adelmo's unfortunate case of croup. thank god for toto, she didn't have to spend her weekend worrying about three kids under six.

Stevie Marlene Ford Hamilton (née Hearth) - ferrari's biggest threat

actually the person who keeps encouraging charles to go off in front of the camera since no one in the team would listen to her proposal to give the drivers a proper strategy. also known as Tie Stevie. current situation: cannot attend the baku race weekend due to her own work commitments, leaving toto no choice but watch the kids over by himself.

Sylvie Edson Ford Hearth - red bull's biggest non-driving menace

gives christian horner a run for his money whenever possible (has expressed her blatant dislike for him on tv but she still "respects" him to an extent; she likes toto better). max verstappen's lady macbeth. also known as Aunnie Vie (no 't' in auntie). current situation: cannot cause minor inconvenience in the red bull garage at the moment due to her photoshoot gigs and paperworks waiting for her in her red bull headquarters office.

Aimee Yael Edmundson Hearth - the more-private hearth sister

is on the lookout to make sure that lando norris and oscar piastri doesn't say anything that can jeopardize their own careers. the only sister who doesn't like to be in front of the camera. on toto's protection list. also known as Auntie A. current situation: won't be attending the baku race weekend due to some unknown reason. something about staying in monaco with charles' mother, pascale.

FEATURED CHARACTERS

toto wolff. daniel ricciardo. lando norris. max verstappen. charles leclerc. lewis hamilton. oscar piastri. mick schumacher. logan sargeant. carlos sainz jr. fernando alonso. alex albon. george russell. sergio perez. pierre gasly. esteban ocon. yuki tsunoda.

PLAYLIST (to bop to)

9 to 5 - dolly parton. love grows (where my rosemary goes) - edison lighthouse. the adults are talking - the strokes. honey, honey - abba. be my baby - the ronettes. isn't she lovely - stevie wonder. vienna - billy joel. i love rock 'n roll - joan jett & the blackhearts. put your records on - corinne bailey rae. walking on sunshine - katrina & the waves. smooth operator - sade. hey lover - the daughters of eve.

[mathiwrites]

the lighthouse, an au fanfic where orm is raised alongside arthur on the surface

Chapter 2

Rain begins to patter against the lighthouse. Arthur plays by the window, rolling toy cars across the sill and making engine noises that are way too awesome to contain. He drives it across the glass and races against the raindrops that fall harder and harder. In the darkness, a figure in white moves towards their home; it catches Arthur’s attention by the sheer contrast of it against the stormy night. 

“Papa! Papa!” He calls, equal parts frightened and curious. Grandmother had told him about the things that wander the night—things that are not always kind to boys or men alike. Should he hear a voice filtering through the trees, he should never answer. He should not cast his gaze on the whisperers of the night, lest they take him with them. A pale woman in white looks very much like a demon ready to whisk him away in the night.

Tom Curry cuts water from the sink and grabs a towel. When his boy calls for him, he’s always there. Arthur already lost his mother, so Tom makes up for it in sheer effort.

“What’s got your attention, kiddo?” His voice is rough and smooth all at once, a low velvet tone even when  he’s being firm.

Arthur taps on the glass, trying to point further than its barrier. 

Tom’s gaze follows the direction of his finger, and his heart stops . He bursts through the door, running towards the ghost and hearing nothing but the sounds of his breath. 

It’s her, it’s really her.

The first time he found her, she had washed up onto the shore on the rocks at the base of the Lighthouse. He would have never expected to see her strolling up the single dirt road that only he uses with his beat up truck.

The last time he held her, it was at the end of the docks, and they were saying goodbye. 

“Lana!” He shouts over the burgeoning storm. Nothing will stop him from making his way to her. She starts to run towards him, too, making a desperate, undecipherable sound. Relief? Joy? Pain?

Tom stops short of crashing into her, spotting a bundle wrapped tightly across her chest. It isn’t shielded from the rain. Rather, the little thing basks in the downpour. He struggles to process his emotions, between the sudden revelation of a child and the return of his beloved, he doesn’t know how to feel. A simple man at heart, he chooses to simply be happy. 

He guides her inside, shielding her out of habit. It’s easy to forget that his wife and his son—sons? —thrive in the water. 

They cross the threshold and a toy car comes soaring through the air, smacking Tom in the face.

“Hoy!”

Tom’s exclamation starles the baby who wails. The sound is strange, almost gurgled, but the distress rings clear. He looks to his son who peers out from behind his favourite armchair, already loading another weapon to throw at the spooky intruder of the night. 

“Put that down!” Tom gives Arthur a look while Atlanna soothes her child. “Come,” he beckons. “It’s mama.”

Little Arthur Curry narrows his eyes. He knows better than to trust strangers. He stays rooted in his hiding spot, clutching an old Hawkman action figure. It would be so easy for him to chuck it at this stranger. Then again, things can go right through ghosts. The crying baby only overwhelms Arthur who has decided that this spirit has kidnapped another child. 

But then again… it’s mama.

He watches as his father fusses with this stranger, both his and her attention directed towards the baby. From this angle, he can get a better view of her on the couch. Though her wet blonde hair clings to her face, she looks like a princess. He can imagine her gliding across a dancefloor, extending her hand for a prince to take and wearing a dress that looks just like her shimmering scaled armour. Her face is transposed over every fairytale his father has ever read him, particularly the Little Mermaid.

(But mama is prettier than Ariel. He knows that now.)

“Hi, Arthur,” she says softly. Now that the baby has calmed, she can shift her attention towards him. “It’s been a while. You don’t remember me?”

She seems to hold no resentment towards him and offers only patience. His mama reaches out her hand to him and Arthur considers it for a really, really long time. His dark brows furrow, but eventually, he relents. Arthur takes his mother’s hand. She eventually picks him up and sets him in her lap.

“Look, this is your baby brother. Orm.”

“Baby brotha,” Arthur repeats and leans forward to look at the infant cooing in the basin. He leans so close and gently bumps his head against his brother’s. “Orm.”

The touch makes Orm cry and Arthur looks up to his mother, apologetic, then back to the baby. He is so small, so soft and so fragile. He needs to be careful with him; he doesn’t need his parents to tell him that.

“I protect you,” he promises.

[starshinedragon]

WINTERDALE (full unofficial map)

Points of access:

1. Through GOLDENHILLS:

Marchenghast Castle- the road to the castle/estate blocked by rocks is now cleared, you gain access to the Marchenghast castle and valley. Ride through it to get to the scenic Seaview pass. The Seaside road leads to Cape point village.

2. Through SILVERGLADE:

Northlink- tunnel cleared. Ride through the forested (redwoods) Northlink valley and the Aurora pass. Road leads to an abandoned ranger station in the Northern Mountain Range. From there, the eastern road leads to the Secret Stone Circle, the western one descends down the mountain through the Starshade Woods.

3. Through DINO VALLEY:

Icengate- the kallters opened the gate. You ride through a fully subterranean tunnel of ice and stone, design similar to Stonecutter’s Vault: the Icengate passage. The other side opens in the Coldstone forest, road leads to Meander.

4. Through ASHLAND:

Frostfire pass- ride to Ashland, then to Ashfall village. The western path leads to the Embercrown volcano, the eastern one to Frostfire pass. Ride through the gorge of fire and ice, and you get to Explorer’s rest, a Jorvik rangers outpost.

NEW FACTIONS: --Pine Hill: PH mansion, PH village, PH stables. --Kallters: Rimefang woods, Winter mountains. --Winderdale druids: Anvil wood, Jorwatch, all over the valley --Winterdale rangers: Icewind-woods, Starshade-woods, Coldstone-forest --Meander: village and stables, Frostbitten fields --Cape Point: fishing village

LOCATIONS:

1. Pine Hill Area: village, stables and mansion. Pine forest, safe to ride in. Mr Sands resides in the mansion after leaving Garnok’s side. Showjumping and trail riding in the area.

2. Kallter Area: the Rimefang woods is infested with wolves. Frosted mammoth pine trees, fallen trunks, misty woods. If you go too close to a wolf , it will start to chase you and you need to gallop to lose it. If it catches you, you are teleported out of the woods with the message: “Your horse got you out, but be careful, next time you might not be this lucky!” Hidden kallter village in the middle.

3. Icewind Area: Winterdale rangers’ Icewind station. Trailrides in the forest. The Sunveil falls is a high waterfall coming from the Winter mountains.

4. Anvil Wood Area: mild seaside forest, Winterdale Druid village in the middle. A lighthouse and a ferry point at the end of the peninsula.

5. Cape Point Area: fishing quests, ferry. The Starshade woods was called Nightmare woods and was infested with the forces of the darkness before you cleansed it. Two ranger stations in there, one on the Stormhill and the other next to Crescent lake. A secret, winding path leads up to Starshine mountain to the Secret Stone Circle. The fifth door/beacon is in the forest.

6. Meander Area: village and stables. There are races in the Frostbitten fields and some going up the Northern Mountain Range also. South road leads to the Icengate passage.

7. Coldstone Area: the forest has trailrides. It is rockier, the trees more scarce, you can regularly find blue crystal clusters. Explorer’s rest is a ranger station. From there, the road to the south leads to Frostfire-pass, the road through the bridge leads to the eastern side of the Great Lake and to Jorwatch Druid Village in a hidden valley.

Stop signs:

1. North of Anvil Wood: iron gate. Road runs next to the abandoned DC barricade to Bayridge village. The gate has been closed since the Winterdale storm hit.

2. Wolf-pass: in the Rimefang wood, going through the Winter mountains. Direwolf packs roam the mountains, the pass is closed off as it is too dangerous to go through it.

3. Jorwatch road: the path leading to the Jorcrater is covered in thorns and vegetation, fallen trees and rocks. The druids keep it that way, since the Jorcrater is too dangerous to enter.

[dailylighthouse]

Race Rocks Lighthouse

Race Rocks Island, British Columbia, Canada

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Constructed: 1860

Automated: 1997

Have a favorite lighthouse? Curious about lighthouses in general? Send an ask!

[elenaomifan]

Elenaomi guide

A guide to the 36 episodes and content within the Elena of Avalor movie which feature Elenaomi scenes.

Episodes

s1ep1, "First Day of Rule" [Elena meets Naomi for the first time and trusts her so much that she lets her on the royal council!]

s1ep2, "Model Sister" [Naomi tries to cover for Elena in a royal meeting, even trying on a robe, so that she looks like Elena.]

s1ep3, "All Heated Up" [At one point, Elena and Naomi work together to help a rock being find his mate]

s1ep5, "Spellbound" [Elena and Naomi have some nice moments in the library together]

s1ep7, "Finders Leapers" [Elena helps Naomi (who is trying to prove her worth to Esteban and Naomi) regain confidence after Esteban claims she is "incompetent"]

s1ep11, "Navidad" [Naomi tries to convince Elena to join her family's Navidad/Christmas celebration and they end up celebrating together. There is even part of a song in which Naomi and Elena are on ship to together (hint hint)]

s1ep12, "Olaball" [Elena and Naomi play together in an Avaloran Olaball team]

s1ep16, "Captain Turner Returns" [Naomi shows Elena a light atop a lighthouse meant to signal ships, hoping to help her mother, who is returning from a long voyage. They work to beautify her house before Naomi's mother arrives, and sing a song together. Elena later works to ensure that Naomi's mother gets a job in Avalor, so she will stay there, and that Naomi won't leave. Elena also comforts Naomi while she feels down.]

s1ep18, "My Fair Naomi" [Naomi comes to visit Elena and soon becomes self-absorbed (in part thanks to Esteban) after Elena tries to throw a Royal Quinceañera for her. She realizes the error with her ways and decides to dance with her friends, including Elena...]

s1ep21, "Realm of the Jaquins" [Naomi sees Elena off before her travel to the jaquin realm, where she lets out a forest spirit]

s1ep23, "Party of a Lifetime" [Naomi goes with Elena, Mateo, and Gabe on a journey that leads them to a never-ending party ship, from which they need to escape.]

s1ep24, "Blockheads" [Naomi and Elena talk and hang out before they, and others, are transformed into blockheads.]

s2ep2, "Royal Rivalry" [Naomi attempts to hold Elena back when talking to Valentina, and gives her advice. At times, Naomi is infuriated with Valentina, and Elena attempts to hold her back, lest the possibility it will be a diplomatic incident.]

s2ep3, "The Curse of El Guapo" [There is a short scene of Naomi, Elena, and Mateo together.]

s2ep5, "A Spy in the Palace" [Carla sneaks into the royal palace, attempting to spy on the royal court, but this is a failure, with her only seeing Naomi and Elena as being affectionate (basically). At one point, Naomi is annoyed at how close Elena and Carla (in her fake/transformed form) are. Clearly, Naomi is jealous.]

s2ep7, "Rise of the Sorceress" [Naomi attempts to warn Elena that Carla, who is disguised as Rita, is a danger. In the process, Naomi and Elena get even closer, with Elena grateful for Naomi saving her from an attack.]

s2ep8, "Shapeshifters" [In an attempt to find Shuriki, after a Grand Council vote not to her liking, Elena changes into a jaquin, but is then accused of a crime even though she is innocent. One of those who votes against Elena is Naomi, making her sad.]

s2ep9, "Scepter of Night" [Elena and her friends (like Naomi) attempt to get the first piece of an evil counterpart to the scepter of light before it is too late. At certain points, Naomi appears to be in awe of how much power Elena's scepter, and Elena by extension, has, and the new spell she can do.]

s2ep10, "The Race for the Realm" [Elena and Naomi ride on Jaquins into the jaquin lands, as Elena attempts to find more pieces of the evil scepter before Shuriki can use it.]

s2ep13, "All Kingdoms Fair" [Armando is tasked with organizing the All Kingdoms Fair in an attempt to give him more self-confidence. In the process, Elena and Naomi hang out, even checking out the floats for the fair.]

s2ep15, "Song of the Sirenas" [Elena visits Duke Cristóbal, her cousin, and befriends sea creatures known as sirenas, hoping they will help her defeat Shuriki. Naomi, along with Isa, Gabe, and Mateo, comes along with Elena.]

s2ep16, "Tides of Change" [As Elena tries to get a treaty between humans and sirenas signed, one commander tries to prove to sirenas that humans still don't trust them by employing evil dolphins, hoping it will scuttle the treaty negotiations. Naomi is wary of the sirenas at first, but later supports Elena's peace initiative.]

s2ep18, "Finding Zuzo" [Elena attempts to get other spirit guides to help her when Zuzo goes missing. In the process, she works with Naomi. They have an argument and later reconcile.]

s2ep19, "Snow Place Like Home" [Naomi comes with her family to a quiet holiday celebration at the royal castle hosted by Elena. Snow threatens the entire thing and she attempts to hold it together.]

s2ep25, "Naomi Knows Best" [When Elena and her friends are captured by three evil wizards, Ash, Victor, and Carla, Naomi has no choice, but to save them by any means necessary.]

s3ep1, "Sister of Innovation" [In an attempt to prove she is a valuable team member, Isabel involves herself in a mission (including Naomi and Elena working together) which puts the team in great personal danger.]

s3ep5, "Norberg Peace Prize" [Elena travels to the Kingdom of Norberg and attempts to assist two rulers, hoping they can work out their disagreements. Naomi comes with Elena and tries to assist her the best way she can.]

s3ep6, "The Magic Within" [Elena's magical powers are increased when she falls into a crystal well. With these new abilities, she finds out about Esteban's dirty secret. Naomi serves as a supportive friend through this process.]

s3ep15, "Team Isa" [A magical bandit puts Elena and Naomi (who are hanging out together, and her other friends in a magical trance. Isabel and her buddies are the only ones who can save the day.]

s3ep16, "The Last Laugh" [When Veronica, Naomi's childhood friend, comes to visit, Naomi begins to rethink her role on the Grand Council, and she decides to leave Naomi and Avalor, at least for the time being, so she can figure it out.]

s3ep19, "Giant Steps" [Naomi comes back to Avalor, warning Elena of a growing threat to Avalor itself. This episode also features Naomi and Elena singing a duet together.]

s3ep21, "Crash Course" [A flashy wizard, Bronzino, is recruited by Gabe to teach the Avaloran Royal Guards. There are some nice scenes between Elena and Naomi in this episode.]

s3ep23, "Lightning Warrior" [Elena frees Ixlan, a new ally, from a magical curse. There are some nice scenes between Elena and Naomi in this episode.]

s3ep26, "Elena's Day Off" [Elena tries to take a day off before her royal coronation, with the help of Naomi and Isa]

s3ep27, "To Queen or Not To Queen" [Elena questions whether she should be queen and Zuzo shows her an alternate reality of what it could have been. Elena is even able to bond with the Naomi in the alternate world too! Damn!]

s3ep28, "Coronation Day" [Naomi tries to help Elena get ready to be coronated as Queen of Avalor. Later, in the last part of this episode, she decides, in perhaps the peak Elenaomi moment of the entire series, to make Naomi her "chancellor" in what almost looks like a marriage/relationship proposal.]

Movie

Elena and the Secret of Avalor [Bookended by scenes of Elena and Naomi hanging out together, atop a waterfall. Some Elenaomi fans have called this a "secret date spot." During their conversation Elena recalls Shuriki and her parents, and Naomi teases Elena about her age, saying she is "57" (she isn't effectively*, but that's another story for another day)]

*As it says on the fandom page, she is age "57-58 (in season 1; chronologically)" but is, biologically, only 16-17 in season 1. By season 3 she is age 19-20 biologically. I would say the chronological number is total bunk, as her biological age didn't change, so...

[orangepanic]

I saw something the other day where someone mixed up "selkie" and "kelpie" and now I'm thinking of a lonely lighthouse warden who finds a young woman wrapped in nothing but her shining mane of red hair washed up on the rocks beside a sodden skin. He carefully dries and folds the skin and puts it in a trunk in the storage area, then nurses the woman back to health in his own bed. She is striking, if not beautiful, with large, soft eyes and a long face with sharp cheekbones. Canines a little too pronounced. When she finally speaks she says she is grateful. No, she cannot go home. So she stays, eating her meat too rare. There is love. Children. She is a good mother, skittish and protective, prancing beside her little ones on the beach as their long legs splash amongst the waves.

One day the lighthouse warden asks her to fetch something from the storage. His wife is unsure of which box. She opens the trunk.

That night after moonrise the children awake to a scream. As they press their little faces to the windows they see two dark shapes racing down the beach. One is a man, frantic and waving. Beneath him is what looks like a horse, though they have never seen one, and yet also not a horse. It's vibrant red mane is curled around its hapless rider like a noose.

The next morning dawns quiet. A trail of blood and hoofprints leads from the lighthouse down into the sea.

[equatorjournal]

A school of jacks sails past Rodney, Indian Ocean. Photo by Mike Wilson. "If they were asked "What is the largest unexplored region of this planet?" most people would probably answer "The Antarctic." They would be wrong; the correct answer is "The Indian Ocean." This huge body of water-twenty- eight million square miles of it-is as large as both the Americas and Africa rolled together. It is twice as big as the surface of the moon, yet only a few tiny islands dot its loneliness, and vast areas are never visited by any ship. Until the 1960's, the number of scientific expeditions that had investigated its mysteries could be counted on the fingers of one hand, but as I write these words it is the center of a great research effort, involving ships of many nations the International Indian Ocean Expedition. This book is the story of a much more modest enterprise; there were only three people in our expedition, and its activities were confined to one very small area and a short period of time. But in that time we grew to know the Indian Ocean-and its creatures-very intimately, for we spent our days swimming beneath its surface and our nights listening to its waves batter against the lonely rock upon which we were living, far from the mainland. We were completely cut off from the rest of the human race, for we were on a dangerous reef ten miles out at sea-a reef which was covered with spray and foam every few seconds as the waves dashed over it. But we were either high above the waves, safe inside the walls of the lighthouse that was our temporary home, or deep beneath them, exploring the sea bed..." From "Indian Ocean adventure" by Arthur Charles Clarke, 1961. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoQFWFrNO7Q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akiwitch]

Secret Santa Gift!

This is for the @writeblrcafe secret santa event! I hope everyone likes it, I had a lot of fun with it.

Keeper

Summary: Wren is the keeper of the Dragon's Nest Bay light, and one calm night she heeds the call of the alarms to a very different visitor.

Word Count: 1352

The sea chimes woke Wren up from a lovely dream in the dead of night.

She pulled herself out of bed, nearly hitting her head on the rafters that sloped over her bedroom, panic driving her forward. She activated the lights in her room with a tendril of magic and grabbed her robe, throwing it over her shoulders. She yanked her hair into a messy bun and shoved her feet into her boots.

The sea chime rang clear and loud over the water.

She glanced out the window and frowned. The sea was calm and flat, the heavily round moon glittering on the surface. 

Still, the chimes ringing meant she had a duty. She grabbed her goggles and stepped into the lighthouse.

Wren took the stairs two at a time, hanging onto the railing. It was a long way up, but she was three months into her internship and only a little out of breath when she reached the top.

The top of the lighthouse was carved to resemble a massive, curled sea shell, the light nestled within it like a pearl. It glowed softly, having absorbed sunlight for several days without needing to be activated. Wren put on her goggles, making sure that there were no spots the light could leak in before she stepped beneath it.

The sphere rotated slowly above her, bigger than she was tall, and she was not a short person. She placed her hand on the bottom.

The swirling design of her magic blazed across the surface, blue and green before blazing into the same silver light as the moon. Lines of magic raced from its surface, filling in the entrance to the cove with a net made of thick strands of light.

A small village sat near the lighthouse, sprung up due to the safety it provided.

But the lighthouse was only there to keep monsters out for their own safety.

The cove was too small for a kraken or a sea serpent. If they swam in at high tide they would quickly be trapped, hurting themselves in the process.

So the lighthouse had been erected at the top of rocks at the cove’s entrance. The magic was too much of a strain to keep up permanently, so it was only erected when something large enough entered the bay, usually during a storm.

It wasn’t completely unheard of for something to want to rest in the shallow and calm waters of Dragon’s Nest Bay during a clear night, or for one of the massive bottom feeders that swam down the coast to become curious about the cove on its journey.

Better safe than sorry.

The magic would last for a few hours, but she needed to keep watch, to be safe and offer any aid. She’d already helped a young lost kraken and bandaged up a siren brought to her by a massive turtle.

Besides, the Sea Witch might not care if the town was destroyed, but she needed to get snacks and tea from somewhere, and sometimes she was even brave enough to hazard a conversation with the woman who ran the gift shop, even as she reminded herself that her time there was limited.

She could sit in the chair she’d placed up there in her second week, maybe get her kettle and a tin of cookies out of the cupboard that shared space with the one in the kitchen. It would be a long and probably boring wait.

But for the moment she leaned against the railing. It was cold, with the damp wind coming off of the ocean. Even this far up in the worst storms she sometimes got hit by spray, but it was completely calm, not a cloud in the sky, just a myriad of stars embracing a full moon. She breathed in the salt of the air and watched the silver light of her magic and the moon play on the calm, flat water.

A ripple cracked the moon’s reflection.

Wren gripped the railing, leaning out as far as she dared. 

Something moved through the bay, straight for her. Fast, like an arrow fired under the water. She could just see something glowing beneath the surface, heading straight for the cove. She glanced at the net, it looked strong and uniform, and the light glowed brightly like a secondary moon.

She braced herself for an impact, ready to push back against whatever was so determined to come into the cove.

It swam directly to the base of the rocks and crashed through the surface, sending a wave that hit her, clear up at the top of the lighthouse, soaking her straight through even with her robe.

She shoved her sopping hair out of her face and saw a dragon.

It was a sea dragon, glowing a pale green, body smooth and glistening like a whale. Its head was slightly domed like a beluga, its fin-like wings spread out on either side of it. It clung to the rock face so its face was even with hers, turning its head to regard her with one shining blue eye.

‘Wren Ackerly?’

Wren winced back, the voice was loud, and layered with the dragon’s true language underneath it, making the words confusing to her ear. “Yes?”

‘I am Ceta, a messenger of The Sea Witch, and I come bearing fantastic news!’

Wren dropped into a bow, her wet robe pooling around her. “I am ready to receive it.”

It wasn’t a holiday, as far as she remembered. Just a normal night before the sea chimes started. Now she knew exactly what had set them off. 

Still, there were rules and propriety when it came to greeting a messenger of the great Sea Witch, and any dragon demanded a certain amount of decorum, though she was still dripping wet, shivering, and in her nightgown and robe.

‘She has declared that you, Wren Ackerly, are now a full sea witch in your own right!’ The dragon proclaimed. Magic formed fireworks around her, dazzling and bright blue, glittering all around the lighthouse.

Wren was confused, but didn’t voice it out loud. She hadn’t completed her internship, she hadn’t even started on her thesis, let alone her master project. Maybe it had been a mistake.

‘Congratulations, as the new Keeper of the Dragon’s Nest Cove Light!’

“Wait, what?” Wren lost all sense of politeness. “I’m…assigned here? For how long?”

‘For as long as the Sea Witch sees fit! You have performed the duty excellently, and the Sea Witch has assigned you as the permanent Keeper! Congratulations again, Wren Ackerly, on your status as a full witch. Here is your familiar!’

A bundle of wet seaweed fell onto the roof next to her.

‘Farewell, Wren Ackerly, until we meet again!’

“Hey, wait a second.” Wren started forward. “This is an internship, unpaid even, I can’t just stay here, what about-”

But the dragon launched itself off of the rocks and back into the bay, showering her with salty water once again. She stood, frozen, for a moment, trying to process everything.

The bundle of seaweed moved.

For the second time that night she shoved her hair out of her eyes.

A little face stared up at her. It wasn’t a bundle of seaweed at all, but a very large leaf sheep, magical enough to live above the waves. It crawled up her leg and latched onto her arm, nuzzling against her shoulder, the green tendrils on its back shaking.

“I didn’t agree to this.” She pointed at it. 

It didn’t seem to care, a soft purring noise vibrating its tiny body.

She sighed. Since the dragon had set off the sea chimes, she could go back to bed. Maybe in the morning she would discover this was all a strange dream.

More likely, she’d have to come to terms with being the keeper for a very, very long time.

She thought about the gift shop owner and sighed. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

“C’mon, Wooly,” she said, naming her familiar the first thing she could think of. “Let me show you around the tower.”

[starlitangels]

Lighthouse

Avior’s back and I have to celebrate! That lighthouse line punched me right in the gut so here we go! 2.2k words

—

“Two Years” Ago...

“Well what can I say—kissing you makes me think all kinds of things. Some of them are even nice,” Avior said. He chuckled—a sound that I wished I could bottle and get drunk on—and leaned in close to kiss me again. His hand found the hem of my shirt. “Can I put my hands on your skin?”

“Please,” I pleaded quietly.

His hand dodged underneath, sliding up until his palm was splayed out on my chest. Directly over my racing heart. His other arm was cradling my shoulder blades and holding me close to him.

I was absolutely drowning in him, and I had no qualms about it. I’d kissed him first—and he let me. After so long of the two of us alone and testy around one another, having him under my hands and against my lips and surrounding me on all sides, I was addicted and I needed more.

I had no idea what the internal anatomy of a demon’s physical form might be like, but he had a heart. I could feel it pounding through his hand’s barrier and against my own body.

He leaned, bending me backward. His arm across my shoulder blades shifted to cushion my head so it wouldn’t hit the rock. “Is this okay?” he asked.

I nodded frantically into his hands. “More than okay. Please,” I breathed.

He set me down on the obsidian ground and sat up. His golden eyes, glittering in the firelight, drank in the sight of me.

With one swift twist of one arm, he removed his black polo shirt and practically fell down on top of me, catching himself a hair’s breadth before colliding with me.

—

Avior peeled his eyes open. The human he’d been trapped with was tucked against his side, his arm loosely held in their hands. He stared at the way the fire of the hellscape set their bare skin glistening with a gentle shine.

Not sure how he’d fallen asleep with his heart still pounding in his chest the way it was, he phased his arm through their fingers and got off the bed he’d summoned from thin air when things had turned too heated for simply making out on the rocky ground.

He stood in one fluid motion and left the little cave the two of them had been carving out a little base for themselves in.

He needed to think. And for that, he needed a walk. He’d rather be adrift in his astral form in Aria, alone, for a good long think, but that couldn’t happen now. So he’d make due.

Avior, despite being a demon, had never been good at emotions. Particularly his own. He’d had a tendency to push them aside in favor of logic and objectivity. He’d been astounded the first time the human here with him had met his gaze and his chest felt warm when they actually smiled at him.

He’d nearly fallen off the edge of the Second Circle when he actually understood that he was legitimately in love with them.

He kept walking. The farther away he got from them, the more confusion eddied in the whirlpool of his spiraling thoughts. Sure, a demon could detect magic—especially human Cores—from farther away than a human could.

But why could he still feel their Core as if they were walking right beside him?

He twisted in a slow circle. He was alone.

If he closed his eyes, he could... he could feel the distance between them. He could sense the human’s Core at its true distance.

But the moment he’d placed his hand over their heart earlier... something shifted. Humans and demons couldn’t bridge. Bridging required Threads and a Core. Which demons didn’t have. And yet... the effect of the shift was something he could only assume was similar.

Their Spellsong met his, sensed his melody, and immediately took up a perfect harmony. The notes winding around one another indelibly.

“I’ll never be able to let them go,” he breathed, realization dawning on him. Love was too shallow a word for these newfound emotions. Circinus had told him about how deeply demons felt emotional attachments. Avior had always brushed them off—believing that wasn’t really a situation he’d ever particularly encounter.

And, oh, was he wrong.

That harmony winding around his magic, drawing him back to the human still asleep on the bed his magic was holding in place... it was familiar, almost.

The dancing of their two Spellsongs together felt like Aria.

Their magic singing along with his twinkled against him like home.

Like starlight on his skin.

Avior released a breath he’d been holding and leaned against a pillar of onyx, staring through the smoke toward where the sky should be.

Starlight, starlight, starlight... his mind spiraled.

My starlight.

—

“One Year” Ago...

Avior stood at the opening in the Meridian. Looking out at his human. His starlight. No matter where he went in the hellscape, their harmony to his melody always pulled him back here. He could always feel them.

He knew that was probably because, physically, their bodies really weren’t far from one another. His suspended mere inches away in the fabric of the Meridian from where they were walking somewhere. It was just his mind that felt like he’d wandered miles away into the Ninth Circle or back up to their little base in the First Circle.

The base he’d carved out into a little hovel. Better than a cave, but not a home. The cave had been almost a home with his starlight in it. Now... now the blazing hot hellscape was cold and emptier than it had ever been.

He sighed and swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

Adrift. He was set adrift after he pushed them out of the Meridian with all the magic he had left. A ship pushed by waves and currents with no desire to resume its proper course. Neither knowing nor caring where the shore was anymore.

His starlight’s harmony beckoned him again. A beam of light splitting the fog.

A lighthouse guiding him home.

Home... a home he couldn’t reach. His home was his starlight, and they’d been ripped away from him. He’d done it to protect them and was facing the consequences. Alone. Exhausted. Devastated.

He sank to his knees on the black stone ground and closed his eyes. You’re safe, you’re free. That’s enough, he said to himself. Again. He’d repeated it like a mantra for what must have been a year now. The effectiveness of the thought was starting to wear off.

He pressed his hand against the gap in the Meridian. Feeling that driving force push him back. As always. He could still feel them through it. His magic could reach through. Wrap around them. But the force pushing him back would drag them back into the trap with him.

And as much as he longed to see them again... he couldn’t do that to them.

Curling up into a ball in front of the window to Elegy, he comforted himself in the memory of them. 

The grumpy look on their face the first time they were injured and he offered to heal them. The light in their eyes as they actually started trusting each other. The soft, but dry chap of their lips when they kissed him for the first time and the way it lit his whole body on fire. The hammering beat of their heart under his hand as he kissed them back. That moment their two Spellsongs met and wove together. The pool of molten gold he’d made when despair had been hanging heavily in their heart and he had to try to lift them out of it with distraction. It had worked. That “night” was burned into his memory. The joy singing between the two of them. The intimacy unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.

Their last night in the cave together. The quartz stars in the ceiling. Believing they’d be free together. The quiet love filling the space.

Avior forced himself to only remember the good things. He didn’t let himself remember any of the bad.

He wished it made him feel better.

Their Spellsong’s harmony to his was still there. Ringing through the hellscape.

But Avior himself was empty. 

The emotions he’d always pushed aside as a young demon only interested in logic and facts had never left him empty before losing his starlight. He’d thought he was entirely emotionally fulfilled before ending up trapped in the Meridian.

Now, he was in an emotional void that must have paralleled the physical one his body was hanging in, suspended as it was in the weave between worlds.

He choked out a sob.

—

“A Few Days” Ago...

Dissonance. Musical dissonance.

It felt wrong. Setting Avior’s teeth on edge.

They were back. He’d broken down. He’d caved in. Brought them back. Pulled them into the Meridian with a broken heart and a chasm of loneliness yawning open within him.

But their harmony that he’d been depending on for two years was wrong now. They hadn’t had any memory of him before, when they were out in the real world. The Meridian had kept those memories. But their harmony had still been singing with his.

Now, though, facing him, looking confused, their vague curiosity brushing over his empathic senses—their Spellsong felt wrong against his. Like an out-of-tune clarinet or violin squeaking instead of playing the right notes. Or, instead of a one-three-five harmony, their harmony was trying to be a half-step above and it sounded jarring. Making the roots of Avior’s teeth vibrate uncomfortably.

“What’s this? A visitor to my glorious hovel? However did such a boon come my way?” he asked sarcastically. The mask of the prickly, snarky demon falling into place. Protecting them from the past they once shared with him. Protecting him from breaking down again. “Oh wait. I brought you here.”

Their emotions turned a bit icy. Defensive. Protecting themselves from someone made of sharp edges and willing to be cutting.

Avior’s heart broke again. Into even more pieces.

Like the lighthouse beam he’d been following while adrift at sea was flickering. No longer a steady, swinging beam. Wavering. Unstable.

Unreliable for making his way home.

He couldn’t go home. Home wasn’t there anymore. Their memories of him were gone. Their perfect harmony to his melody was set in the wrong key. Everything was wrong. Rubbing him the wrong way.

Avior kept the mask on. He’d do what he had to in order to get free of the trap and then...

Then what? When they were both free, what would he do?

Would he love them enough to let them go? Or would he break and tell them everything? Could he even be strong enough to let them go, memories of their time together gone?

One step at a time, he reminded himself. That would have to be a bridge he crossed when he got to it. He’d spent his life trying to think several steps ahead. This time, though, he simply couldn’t. There were too many variables to even try to factor in.

—

Present...

“You... you really remember? All of our time together?” Avior asked breathlessly.

I nodded. “Like the memories never left. Like I never forgot.”

His gold eyes were warm in the chill Dahlia December night. “And how... how do you feel about that?”

I took a few steps closer and pulled him in. He met the kiss I placed on his lips with fervent desperation. Like he was drowning and I was air for him to breathe. Demons didn’t actually need to breathe but the simile’s point was the same.

—

Perfect harmony. It was back. The lighthouse beam burned bright and strong, drawing Avior in and guiding him home. A home he could reach again. A home waiting for him.

No longer adrift, hopelessly lost at sea.

He was with his starlight again. Cradled in the steady beam of their lighthouse to his senses.

Even as his starlight wandered the grounds of the academy stadium, searching for survivors after the shade disaster, he could feel them. The same way he had the first time he found their Core’s resonance lingering around him. Like they were right next to him, despite being much farther away.

He carried survivors back and forth from the grounds to the triage stations. The vague auras of other demons danced at his senses. Department employees, he assumed. Helping with the disaster. He wasn’t among their number, but no one questioned his presence. There was too much going on to care about credentials. And help was help.

His starlight’s magic led him to each and every wounded human they found until the grounds and the stadium were clear.

Now it’s time to get out of here, he thought, following his lighthouse one last time to where they were tiredly plodding back toward the main gathering of people on their own after Avior’s last survivor run.

He slid to a stop in bloodstained grass.

The tired smile they gave him warmed his heart. Their Spellsongs singing in perfect harmony again.