#Someday We'll Shine and she meant it

[nozomijoestar]

Utena 💕

HIMBO BABYGIRL MY EVERYTHING

Characters on par with Guts Berserk...To Me

[another-identityofmine]

Please can you write a little longer fanfiction about the reader being new at Humes high school and the teacher gives Elvis the task to show her around on the school and they develop a romance❤

—Someday, We’ll be together—

Summary: Reader just moved to Tupelo, and not so familiar with this foreign place. Elvis, volunteering, helps you know better of his home town.

Author’s note: hello, my regular customer. I swear, you gon be family to the shop soon 😭.This is, probably kinda shorter than what you meant, and if it is. Just tell me and I’ll be happy to write a part two or more! This is so cute, and I could just hug your creative brain, ah!I’m literally so so sorry for letting you wait this long. I swear, I’m probably sick with procrastination… but that’s no excuse. I’m really sorry, hun.

warnings: nothing at all, just some fluff and such. Also, I didn’t really uh, do any research so pardon me if some things sound inaccurate with Tupelo or any of that.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Being the new girl inside a new school and town was making your cheeks dark scarlet enough, but being late on the first day of school is just making your head hot.

Gripping your books to your chest, as the rough corners of the edges nudge into your wrists, you approach to a closed door. The door’s thick, faded brown with a flimsy title mat that reads, “Room 34.” You take a deep breath, fluttering your eyes closed and prepare yourself. Pressing your palm to the cool, rough wood, you push open and hold your breath.

Greeted with a wrinkled, depressed face of the old teacher, Mrs. Rothe. A dark shade of purple that’s displayed on her thin lips, and lines of boredom that’s around her eyes and cheeks. “Class, this is Y/N, Y/L. Please make her feel welcome, for she is new.” She rolls her dull blue eyes, and turns her front to the class. You smile weakly and also turn, gripping the books to your chest tighter with your sweaty palms. Your eyes trail over the groaned and heavy faces of the pupils. Dull, tedious, and bland.

You purse your lips, awkward but expected until your sight catches a bright face. Your eyes trail over his glowing features. His greasy hair, darkish blonde hair that’s molded just right but somewhat floppy over his forehead. A fine nose that’s planted just right in the middle, and compliments his shining blue “windows to the soul.” A bubbly warm feeling erupts into your chest, but you furrow your eyebrows as you see his eyes darting besides you.

“Ms. Y/l/n, ahem. Are you present?” A creaky voice interrupts your observation and you quickly whip your head to Ms. Rothe. She huffs and waves a bone thin arm in the air, “please take a seat.” You nod, and walk down the aisle between students. You can just feel eyes boring into you as you trail down. Finding a dusty old desk next to a wiry figure of a boy, and a neat, straight posture of a girl.

Plopping down, you suddenly frown. Ms. Rothe instructs the class while writing directions on the chalk board, but it’s not even the sound of the scraping chalk against the green material that makes you slightly upset. You realize that you sit behind the handsome boy that you met eyes with. You’ll have to say hi of course, but maybe in a few days. You don’t want to seem too desperate.

•••••••••••••••••••

When Mrs. Rothe finally stops talking, the clock ticks and shines for brunch break. You hear the excited and sudden shuffling around you, finally making some type of noise inside the empty classroom. The educator raises a hand up and the class grows silent. You just observe and watch.

“Now, now, before anything. I’d like a show of hands to help guide our newest student Y/N, around the quarters.” She croaks out tiredly and over it. You can’t help but bury your face into your palms and softly groan in embarrassment.

Silence. “Anyone?” Mrs. Rothe scoffs out, looking around the classroom to find no limbs or arms up with enthusiasm. You finally pull your face out of your hands and watch along the class to also find that too.

Until a slim, long arm raises up high and mighty, your eyes fixated on the features of the simple arm. “Here, ah’d be more than happy to help out Ms. Y/l/n.” A smooth as honey, southern drawl speaks out. Your eyes widen at the way his accent makes your last name sound, and you feel warmth upon your cheeks.

Your eyes find in meet with his. The same eyes from just earlier, that’s bright and smiling. Not only does his toothy grin spread wide and gorgeous, but the way his eyes light up with just welcoming joy.

“Ah, of course, Elvis, please and thank you, lead her along and show her what’s our daily routine.” Mrs. Rothe sighs out and you can hear the tease and snickers of the other students. “Teacher’s pet” and such being thrown around as the class rushes out.

When the class is finally out on the grass of the play and break field, the eager “tourist” pops up and approaches you. His broad shoulders, and tall frame catch you off guard a bit, but you regain consciousness.

”well, c’mon now, I’ll show ya around.” He smiles and hums and turns his back. But then he immediately halts and looks back at you. “Sorry, mah bad, I’m Elvis Presley.” He blurts out, slightly embarrassed on his small mistake. He brings out his hand and you smile. You take it and both hands interact with a gingerly firm shake.

“Uh once again, I’m Y/N and as you already know I’m new here.” You smile and giggle quietly. He nods and smiles, those round apple cheeks on those high cheekbones are displayed once again, “well, now that we got that outta the way. W-Wanna tour now?” He stammers out, and you can tell that he’s a bit of shy one on the outside. Probably a loud little ball of trouble behind closed doors.

••••••••••••••

The day lingers by, completely different from what you expected. You weren’t alone or isolated awkwardly in any way, instead being greeted so sweetly. You now know where all the bathrooms are, and which water fountain is the best to use. Elvis showed you around real good and you’re surprised that he doesn’t charge you for the tour.

Lunch time rings around and here you were being guided with gentle interlocked hands, through the field. He walks ahead, searching just carefully for his spot. He nearly walks so fast that you can’t keep up.

Finally finding your place beneath a rusty, creaky metal bench. Sitting beneath the rails of rows of seats, and he finally draws out a long huff. “This is my favorite spot.” He smiles out, before ruffling through his lunch box. Elvis then pauses and furrows his eyebrows when you sit besides him empty handed, and timid.

“Uh, did you forget your lunch, y/n?” He frowns and glanced at your empty lap and your embarrassed frown. You only drop your head and clear your throat, clearly not wanting to say anything to make you seem anything less of middle class.

Elvis quickly nudges you softly with his elbow to yours, and pulls out a sandwich wrapped perfectly in yesterday’s newspaper. “Here, c’mon, have some of mine.” He hums out without any hesitation. Before you can even open your lips to protest, he shakes his head and unwraps his sandwich from the wrapping. “It’s peanut budder and jelly, mah favorite.”

He places half of the sweet bread into your palms and smiles over to you, “go on now, c’mon, you can’t just leave some good food on your hands now, will ya?” He smiles out dorkyly, making you giggle and shake your head.

“No, no, of course not.” You snicker and quickly take ahold of your bread and press them to your lips. “Thank you, Elvis.” You smile out and smoothly scoot over to him, chewing on your half of bread.

From just that moment, he knew. From just watching your nervous and unconfident smile earlier in class, and now here with a cute nerdy smile on your lips.

Someday, we’ll be together.

••••••••••••••

Author’s note: it’s finally out…yup! I know it’s probably not really him, because I’d feel he’d be more shy but honestly I felt so so bad for letting you wait hella long.

[drainbangle]

Octopath Traveler II Tavern Banter - New Paper Plays

Unlocked with Temenos, Castti, Agnea and Partitio in active party while inside a tavern after completing any of the eight protagonists' stories.

Castti: By the way, Temenos, who wrote those paper plays of yours?

Temenos: Why, yours truly, of course.

Agnea: Wh-wh-what?! Did you draw the pictures, too?

Temenos: I certainly did. Is that so surprising?

Agnea: N-no... It's just that... those drawings are so cute...

Temenos: Yes, well, children won't pay attention to lifeless drawings or tedious tales.

Castti: Children are so very honest, aren't they?

Partitio: I get it. You adjusted your product to fit the needs of your client.

Partitio: You've got the makings of a merchant, partner. Something tells me we'd make a killin' together.

Temenos: I'll have you know I have no interest in coin.

Temenos: This is simply what I do.

Temenos: Not to mention I made these paper plays ages ago...

Castti: Oh? You don't ever think of making new ones?

Temenos: To be perfectly honest... the thought never really crossed my mind.

Agnea: Say, why don't you write a play about us? You can talk about our travels!

Temenos: ...You want me to create a play about our journey?

Castti: I think it's a wonderful idea. That way, we'll have something to remember our adventures by.

Partitio: Draw me all handsome like. Make me the sharpest merchant in the land!

Temenos: It is unbecoming of a cleric to lie...

Partitio: All right, then! I'll work so hard it'll become the truth! Just you wait 'n' see!

Agnea: Me, too! I'll practice my steps until I can step no more!

Castti: I wonder if your beautiful dances can be captured in a picture...

Agnea: Then why don't I dance beside them so people can see the real deal?

Temenos: I must ask you to refrain. If you do so, no one will pay attention to my plays.

Partitio: What if we said our own lines during the play?

Agnea: Oh, and if we use puppets, we can recreate my dances!

Temenos: Then it would be a puppet show and not a paper play.

Castti: Hehe. That's not a bad idea. We could become a puppet theater company.

Partitio: I like the sound of that! I'll be the impresario!

Agnea: And I'll find us an audience! I can sing songs during the show, too.

Castti: Then I'll take charge of everyone's health. We could even start a traveling clinic.

Temenos: That's all fine and well, but what about the story? You'll need to keep your audience entertained.

Partitio: And we will! After all, I'm gonna be the best merchant in the land!

Agnea: And I'll be a star!

Temenos: *sigh* Ignorance truly is bliss, isn't it? After all...

Temenos: Would the world's greatest merchant have the leisure of having an impresario?

Temenos: And would anyone allow a bright, shining star to venture into the streets and draw in her own audience?

Temenos: Not to mention I must someday return to the cathedral.

Partitio: I suppose you're right...

Agnea: Yeah...

Temenos: ...I apologize. I didn't mean to ruin the mood.

Temenos: It seems the drinks have hit me harder than usual today...

Castti: ...You know, Temenos, you never know what the future holds.

Temenos: Castti...

Castti: Before I lost my memories, I never once thought I would get amnesia.

Castti: Nor did I think I would end up on a journey with a dancer, merchant, and cleric, and sharing drinks with them at a tavern...

Castti: That's why I think anything's possible. Even the most far-fetched dream can come true.

Partitio: She's right! Maybe it'll happen after Agnea and I retire!

Agnea: B-but that might be decades away...

Temenos: ...Haha. That will give me ample time to prepare my new paper play.

Partitio: It'll be your greatest masterpiece!

Temenos: Your part certainly will be. The audience will be in tears... from laughing.

Partitio: Th-that's not what I meant...!

Castti: Let's toast. To the unpredictable future.

Agnea: To Temenos' incredible plays!

Partitio: To our promisin' journey!

Temenos: To exciting and beautiful friendships...!

[biggerbetterbat]

WITH YOU [7] OPERATION MERLE, OPERATION LAUNDRY

Daryl Dixon x OC (Charlie Reed)

Summary: Together with Rick comes more problems. When the group leaves to find Merle Dixon, Charlie finds out she's not meant to be a housewife and gets herself into trouble.

Warnings: language, violence

Song: Power Little Mix

A/N: Hello! This bad boy took me a while...I'm glad that I can post it finally. Like I said, I'm watching season 10 and I'm already writing chapters to that season. Anyway, hope you enjoy this one and see you tomorrow

DAYLIGHT ON WATTPAD

Charlie was standing next to Glenn, her arm around his shoulders patting it from time to time. He was standing with crossed arms, holding his tears as two men were clearly destroying his car.

"Look at them," he said. "Vultures," Glenn whispered. "Yeah, go on, strip it clean."

"Generators need every drop of fuel they can get. Got no power without it," said Dale and shook his head. "Sorry, Glenn."

"Thought I'd get to drive it at least a few more days." Asian boy said.

Charlie bit her lips and nodded, trying not to burst out laughing. "Maybe we'll get to steal another one someday."

They turned their heads to the sound of a car. Shane was back from his trip to the lake. That was probably the furthest he left the camp, and today he wanted to leave it more than any day, because of the unexpected comeback.

"Water's here y'all!" Shane called. " Just a reminder to boil before use." —— The sun was high on the horizon, shining bright as no cloud could be seen on the sky. Amidst the hustle and bustle of survivors going about their tasks, Charlie knelt next to a little girl, offering her a bottle filled with water that Shane brought earlier that day.

"Here you go, Sophia."

"Thanks," she smiled up.

"So, Sophia, tell me more about your life before all this craziness," Charlie said. "Carl always brags about what he was doing before."

"There's nothing to talk about," she shrugged, looking away.

"What were you doing for summer breaks? Any favorite games? Cartoons?"

"I don't know."

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"It's just...I'm different than Carl," she said.

Charlie reaches out, squeezing Sophia's hand gently, her expression softens, understanding dawning in her eyes. "It's okay. Everyone is different."

"I guess," she nodded.

"Hey, guys! What are you up to?"

"Just talking and resting. Join us,"

Carl plopped down beside them, his energy infectious. "You're doing exercises?"

"Yes, she does. So should you," Charlie said and gave him his book.

"Why? The world ended, there's no school, right?"

"Just do it, Carl."

Her eyes moved to Sophia's movements with a mixture of admiration and sorrow. Despite the harsh realities of their world, Sophia persevered, her determination evident in every stretch and bend. She was so obedient and calm, doing whatever she was told. Meanwhile, Carl's energetic antics contrasted sharply with Sophia's focused demeanor. He joked and laughed, his carefree attitude a stark reminder of the innocence they had lost.

"Do you want to hear a joke?" Carl's question was addressed to the little girl. "What do you call a walker with no legs? A crawler!"

He chuckled at his own joke, but Charlie's expression darkened, her brow furrowing in annoyance. "Seriously, Carl? Jokes about walkers right now?"

"Carl," Sophia gasped. "Show some respect. Those were people once."

Carl's grin faltered, realizing his mistake. "I just wanted to make you smile. I know it's hard around here."

"It's not just about what you meant, Carl," Charlie said. "It's about how you think. We're living in a world where every day is a struggle for survival, and you're making jokes about the dead."

Carl's face fell, his guilt evident, so he didn't say anything but turned around and walked away.

The group was scattered across the clearing, each engrossed in their own tasks. Despite the ever-present threat of danger, there was an air of cautious optimism that permeated the camp, a stubborn refusal to surrender to despair in the face of overwhelming odds. And then, in an instant, everything changed. Everyone's attention was turned towards the woods and their hearts stopped at the sudden scream "Mom!"

"Carl!" Lori screamed and began running towards the source of the noise.

The little boy ran into her spread arms and she hugged him, before examining if he had any scratches.

The rest of the group walked past them to see the horrific picture. All of them were armed in case there was something dangerous. And there was. Dead deer with three arrows in it, but the most disgusting sight was a Walker. It was kneeling and eating the deer.

Charlie grimaced her face because besides that it looked like it was from a horror movie, and the smell was even worse. Her heart started beating faster as fear overcame her lowly. She wasn't safe here anymore. None of them were.

The creature got up as it felt fresher meat, still alive with hot blood in it. He turned to them and started to move towards them. But they were quicker, simply cutting it head.

"It's the first one we've had up here," said Dale. "They never come this far up the mountain."

"Well, they're running out of food in the city, that's why," replied Jim, and hairs raised on her neck.

They heard rustling in the bushes and everyone was expecting more of the Walkers coming from behind them. So all the men got ready, holding up their weapons.

Daryl.

He looked surprised, with squirrels around his body. Dixon didn't expect to see all his camp waiting for him like that, so he stopped. His brows furrowed as he saw the deer with half insides gone.

"Son of a bitch." he cursed. "That's my deer. Look at it. All gnawed on by this filthy, disease-bearing, motherless poxy bastard!" he was yelling and kicking the dead, rotten, headless body.

"Calm down, son," said Dale. "That's not helping."

"What do you know about it, old man?" he raised his head and walked to Dale. "Why don't you take that stupid hat and go to On Golden Pond?" he asked and then turned around pointing at the animal. "I've been tracking this deer for miles. Gonna drag it back to camp, cook us up some venison. What do you think? Do you think we can cut around this chewed-up part right here?" he asked, looking at the damage that Walker did.

"I would not risk that," replied Shane.

"That's a damn shame," he said. "I got some squirrel, about dozen or so. That'll have to do." Daryl looked at Shane who nodded his head at that.

Then the head started to move its jaw, eyes moving in search of somewhere to eat.

"Oh, God," said Amy, holding herself from vomiting.

"Come on, people." huffed Daryl. "What the hell? It's gotta be the brain. Don't y'all know nothing?" he asked while shooting the Walker dead.

"Well he's already angry," said Charlie, when Daryl was gone. "Good luck," she whispered looking at Rick.

Daryl Dixon was going to the camp, looking for his brother. He was already angry, so telling him about Merle would be a clear shot in the knee. Charlie felt sorry for whoever would have to tell him.

Stupid Walker that killed that deer...

"Merle? Merle! Get your ugly ass out here. Got us some squirrel. Let's stew 'em up."

Charlie was looking at him and guilt washed over her. She once had brothers too, and she was close with them once, too. She wasn't supposed to do it, it was not her job. But when she saw him looking around, waiting for his brother to show up and say something stupid, she felt sorry for him. Glenn's words echoed in her head.

"Daryl." Charlie walked up to him before anyone else could. She stood in front of him and lightly touched his shoulder. "Hey." She smiled and tried to look as honest as she could.

He was looking at her with furrowed brows. Not sure why she was touching him, talking to him, and smiling like this at him.

"We need to talk," she said.

"About what?"

"Merle," she said, still looking for the right words. "There was a, uh...tiny itty bitty problem in Atlanta."

"Is he dead?" he asked immediately.

"We're not sure," she answered.

"He either is or he ain't." Daryl raised his voice, clearly angry.

"No easy way to say this, so I'll just say it." Rick made his presence known.

"Who are you?" Daryl furrowed his brows.

"Rick Grimes."

"Rick Grimes." Daryl mimicked the way that a cop said his name. "You got somethin' you wanna tell me?"

"Your brother was a danger to us all. So I handcuffed him on a roof, hooked him to a piece of metal." Rick explained. "He's still there."

"Hold on, let me process this." Daryl turned back to Rick and made a few steps. "You're saying that you handcuffed my brother to a roof and you left him there?!"

"Yeah," Rick said.

Daryl launched his sting of squirrels and attempted to tackle Rick. Shane got involved by shoving Daryl from the side and knocking him down, where Dixon gripped his knife and got back up. Grimes caught Hunter's arm while the other cop grabbed him behind and dragged Daryl backward.

"You best let me go!"

"Nah, I think it's better if I don't," replied Shane.

"Chokehold's illegal!" Daryl groaned as his air access was limited.

"Hey, file a complaint," said Shane, strengthening his grip, who was still fidgeting. "Come on now, we can keep this up all day."

"I'd like to have a calm discussion on this topic," said Rick, looking Daryl in the face. "Do you think we can manage that? Do you think we can manage that?"

Shane forcefully let Daryl go, as he panted heavily.

"What I did was not on a whim. Your brother does not work and play well with others," said Rick.

"It's not Rick's fault," interjected T-Dog, who saw the scene as he came back with the wood. "I had the key. I dropped it."

"You couldn't pick it up?" asked annoyed Daryl, still panting for air.

"Well, I dropped it in a drain."

"If it supposed to make me feel better, it don't," he said as he finally got up.

"Maybe this will," said T-Dog. "Look, I chained the door to the roof so the geeks couldn't get him...With a padlock."

"It's gotta count for something," added Rick.

"Hell with all y'all!" Daryl yelled and wiped his face to not show tears. "Just tell me where he is so that I can go get him."

"He'll show you," said Charlie, looking at Rick. She couldn't care less about Merle, but seeing Daryl who was usually cold and never showed any emotions, was something that just moved her head."Isn't that right?"

They were sitting around the fire, cooking the squirrels that Daryl prepared. He was angry and his moves were nervous, but apparently there was a person in the camp that couldn't cope with his emotions even more.

"Could you just throw me a bone here, man?" They all heard Shane's voice as he followed Rick. "Could you just tell me why? Why would you risk your life for a douchebag like Merle Dixon?"

"Hey, choose your words more carefully," said Daryl.

"No, I did. Douchebag's what I meant." Shane answered Daryl's comment. "Merle Dixon...The guy wouldn't give you a glass of water if you were dying out of thirst."

"What he would or wouldn't do doesn't interest me." Rick shook his head. "I can't let a man die of thirst...Me. Thirst and exposure. We left him like an animal caught in a trap. That's no way for anything to die, let alone a human being." he explained.

"So you and Daryl, that's your big plan?" asked Lori in a skeptical tone.

Charlie could see how mad she was and how annoyed Rick made her. Minutes ago she was so happy that her husband was back and then, suddenly when he didn't want to do what she told him, she just stamped her feet.

Rick, on the other hand, turned to look at Glenn. He knew what he wanted without even telling. Asian boy closed his eyes.

"Oh, come on."

"You know the way," said Rick. "You've been there before...In and out, no problem. You said so yourself." Rick tried to convince Glenn. "It's not fair of me to ask, I know that...but I feel a lot better with you along. I know she would too."

And Glenn sighed, looking at Charlie by the corner of his eyes. She sighed heavily.

"That's just great," said Shane. "Now you're gonna risk three men, huh?"

"Four," said T-Dog.

"My day just gets better and better, don't it?" asked Daryl, who was focused on cleaning his bows.

"You see anybody else here stepping up to save your brother's crazy cracker ass?" asked T-Dog, annoyed by Daryl's comment.

Archer didn't even look at the man. "Why you?"

"You wouldn't even begin to understand. You don't speak my language."

"That's four," said Dale.

"It's not just four." Shane snapped back. "You're putting every single one of us at risk. Just know that, Rick." he turned to his friend. "Come on, you saw that Walker. It was here. It was in camp. They're moving out of the cities. They come back, we need every able body we've got. We need them here. We need them to protect the camp."

"It seems to me what you really need most here are more guns," argued Rick.

"Right, the guns." gasped Glenn and everyone's attention turned to him.

"Wait, what guns?" Shane asked.

"Six shotguns, two high-powered rifles, over a dozen handguns. I cleaned out the cage back at the station before I left," answered Rick. "I dropped the bag in Atlanta when I got swarmed. It's just sitting there on the street, waiting to be picked up."

Shane's eyes light up at the information. His posture changed. From being defensive and angry, he relaxed.

"Ammo?"

"Seven hundred rounds, assorted."

"You went to hell to find us. You just got here and you're gonna turn around and leave?" said Lori, who saw that she was losing Shane too.

"Dad, I don't want you to go," said Carl.

"To hell with the guns. Shane's right. Merle Dixon? He's not worth one of our lives, even with guns thrown in." Lori said again, getting up as she saw that Rick still hadn't changed his mind. "Tell me. Make me understand." she huffed.

"I owe that debt to a man I met and his little boy," he said. "Lori, if they hadn't taken me in, I'd have died. It's because of them that I made it back to you at all. They said they'd follow me to Atlanta. They'll walk into the same trap I did if I don't warn him."

"What's stopping you?" she asked.

"The walkie-talkie, the one in the bag I dropped. He's got the other one. Our plan was to connect when they got closer." Rick said, a little ashamed that he lost something so precious.

"These are our walkies?" Shane asked.

"Yeah."

"So use the CB. What's wrong with that?" Andrea made her idea known.

"The CB's fine," Shane said. "It's the walkies that suck. They're crap. Date back to the '70s, don't match any other bandwidth, not even scanners in our cars."

"I need that bag." he almost whispered to Lori, then he kneeled before his son. "Okay?"

Carl nodded.

"All right."

Daryl was already ready, waiting for a sign so he could get in the car and go find his brother. He was still angry, but the hope that they would find him made him a little bit calmer.

So Charlie walked up to him and leaned on the hood of the car. He gave her not the nicest looks, but softened a little when he realized it was her.

"Be careful, okay?" she asked.

"Why?"

"Because your brother is just not worth it," she answered. "You think he would do it for you?" she asked but didn't get the answer. "You have to come back here in one piece alive."

He looked at her suspiciously. "So I can bring back Rick Grimes and you lover boy?"

"No," she answered. "I mean yes. I mean no." she furrowed her eyebrows herself. "What I mean is...just come back. All three of you, okay?"

He shrugged.

Something warm spread through his body, making him feel bad that he snapped at her. At the end of the day, she was the one who came up with the idea of sending Rick with him to find Merle.

He watched her back as she was walking away from him.

Charlie huffed as she felt her trousers getting wet and her arm going numb from washing someone's shirt. She absolutely hated the situation and honestly would like to be in Atlanta, saving Merle Dixon, but no...she was here, playing housewife.

"Can someone explain to me how the women wound up doing all the Hattie McDaniel work?" she asked throwing the garment into the water.

"The world ended," said Amy. "Didn't you get the memo?" she smiled at her friend.

"It's just the way it is." Carol shrugged, focusing on her task. "But I do miss my Maytag." she smiled at Charlie.

"I miss my Benz, my sat nav," said Andrea.

"I miss my coffeemaker with that dual-drip filter and built-in grinder, honey." Jacquie closed her eyes as if she tried to feel the coffee on her tongue.

"My computer...And texting." sighed Amy.

"I miss my bathtub," said Charlie. "And I miss my Louboutins."

She sighed.

"I miss my vibrator," Andrea confessed.

"Oh!" Jacquie gave her a surprised look.

"Oh, my God." Amy gasped.

They all burst out laughing after quiet and shy Carol looked behind her and said: Me, too. It was the first time they talked like that together.

But the fun didn't last long as Ed approached them and killed the light atmosphere with his presence. "What's so funny?"

Oh, how Charlie hated this man. He was disgusting and thought he deserved everything, just because he's a man. She would kill him in his sleep if she was in Carol's place.

"Just swapping war stories, Ed," said Andrea. "Problem, Ed?"

"Nothing that concerns you," Ed answered rudely. "And you ought to focus on your work. This ain't no comedy club."

Charlie rolled her eyes, not feeling like a housewife even more.

"Ed, tell you what..." she got up and looked at him. "If you don't like how your laundry is done, you're welcome to pitch in and do it yourself. Here." She threw a wet shirt at him.

"Ain't my job, missy," he said and threw the shirt at her.

Amy was quick to put an arm on her friend's shoulder. "Charlie, don't."

"What is your job, Ed?" Charlie asked anyway. She wasn't afraid of him."Sitting on your ass smoking cigarettes?"

"Well, it sure as hell ain't listening to some uppity smart-mouthed bitch." said Ed straight into her face and turned to Carol. "Tell you what...come on, let's go."

"I don't think she needs to go anywhere with you, Ed." Andrea stepped in.

"And I say it's none of your business," he said and once again turned to Carol. "Come on now. You heard me."

"Carol." Andrea looked at their friend.

"Andrea, please. It doesn't matter." Carol whispered.

"Hey, don't think I won't knock you on your ass just cause you're some college-educated cooze, all right" Ed threatened Andrea and she gasped at his insult. "Now you come on now or you gonna regret it later."

"So she can show up with fresh bruises later, Ed? Yeah, we've seen them." Jacquie said, entering the discussion.

"Stay out of this. Now come on!" Ed snapped. "You know what? This ain't none of y'all's business. You don't want to keep prodding the bull here, okay? Now, I'm done talking. Come on."

Carol started following her husband, but Charlie stepped in front of her. "No, no. Carol, you don't have..."

"You don't tell me what! I tell you what!" Ed screamed and pushed Charlie to the side.

Carol was taken. aback at how strong the slap was, but she couldn't focus on that as she saw Charlie was hit too.

[previous] [masterlist] [next]

[wearykatie]

This past week I had the pleasure to go on a vacation with one of my D&D groups for the second year in a row. What made this one extra special was it lined up with the end of a four year campaign.

It was bittersweet. This is the game that brought all of us together, and while we'll definitely continue with another campaign, we were saying goodbye to characters who have been big parts of our lives.

A half-orc barbarian with a troubled past she's trying to put behind her who tamed a gray render to fight alongside her in battle. Then later she befriended a wizard whose soul was trapped in a sword and learned magic.

A young elven sorceress who left her sheltered life to find a cure for her comatose mentor. Who gained confidence and became a powerful spellcaster yet kept her infectious optimism and her moral compass.

An impulsive half-elf bard who left her hometown after framing someone else for a theft she pulled off. She overcame fear and inexperience to become a hero. She also named the group Defenders of the Forest so the acronym would be "DTF", then had a jacket made with those bedazzled letters on the back.

A tiefling paladin, slain seventy years ago and resurrected recently. Overcoming personal demons figurative and literal to become a shining beacon of hope in the world.

And me, an aasimar warlock and former teacher who'd become jaded with the world and wanted to leave it a better place even if it meant sacrificing herself. She found things to live for and used her wisdom to lead a religious order by example.

We built a wonderful story together with the DM that had lots of character moments and payoffs in the end. We may return to these characters and this world someday, but for now, this is the end. And it was wonderful to do that in person with everyone at the table.

Rest for now, Defenders of the Forest. Consider the forest defended.

[ccristata]

Mr. Abbott (A Rhett Abbott - Outer Range Playlist)

Spotify 2 hr, 8 mins

Simple Man Jason Manns, Jensen Ackles

"Be a simple kind of man/Oh, be something you love and understand/Baby, be a simple kind of man/Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?"

Last of My Kind Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

"Mama says, 'God won't give you too much to bear.'/Might be true in Arkansas, but I'm a long, long way from there./And that whole world is an old and faded picture in my mind. /Am I the last of my kind?"

Miserable Man David Kushner

"All we wanted/Was a place to feel like home./That's why we parted/From our ways to heal our souls./I'm a small town miserable man/That does what he can."

Dirt Road Don't - 717 Tapes Warren Eiders

"If you wanna see where I belong;/Where they'll bury this boy's bones,/Where this rebel soul calls home,/You gotta go where the dirt road don't."

The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie Colter Wall

"Foolish, foolish was I./Damn my foolish eyes./'Cause that man's lessons/Had a price, oh, sweet price./My sweet soul, everlasting/A very own eternal light."

God's Gonna Cut You Down Johnny Cash

"Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand/Workin' in the dark against your fellow man./But as sure as God made black and white/What's down in the dark will be brought to the light"

Something Greater Anna Bates

"'Cause they talk a big game when nothing's wrong,/'There's nothing more to life but hearing God.'/Guess I could believe that there's something else/But I never really liked asking for help."

Holy Smokes Anna Bates

"I saw all of the apostles in a cloud of righteous smoke. /I said, 'Hey,/Is this what you meant by saved?/To get so high it's spiritual/You just kinda float away.'/I said, 'Hey,/Will I see you when I die?'/He said, 'If you keep on puffing/Then it all turns out alright.'"

Me and the Devil Soap&Skin

"See, don't see why/People dog me around./It must be that old evil spirit/So deep down in your ground."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Forgettable David Kushner

"Hello, hello, do you know me?/They call me Mr. Forgettable."

Come Over Noah Kahan

"I know that it ain't much, I know that it ain't cool./Oh, you don't have to tell the other kids at school..My dad will strike it rich, we'll be the big house on the block./Someday I'm gonna be somebody people want."

Homesick Noah Kahan

"I would leave if only I could find a reason./I'm mean because I grew up in New England./I got dreams but I can't make myself believe them./Spend the rest of my life with what could have been,/And I will die in the house that I grew up in."

Tears Over Beers Modern Baseball

"That girl who's next to me, she don't know her worth in this town./Because her face starts to shine when that meat head behind me/Is grinning as he's checking her out. I said, 'All I can hope for is for you to get better/Because all I can take is no more./I'll hide where I can, away from you and your friends./Leaking tears over beers once again.'"

Come Back Down Tanner Usrey

"And it's, street signs and people, prescription pills and too much booze./All the things I use, tryna forget about you./And I still see your face, in every single crowd/'Cause you're never there to catch me/When I come back down."

Kiss Me When I'm Down Gary Allan

"Just an hour or two/Is better than none of you./I miss you. Come on over/Drink my wine./Waste my candles,/Waste my time./Tell me lies I won't believe/Just don't wake me when you leave./Come on over/Kick me to the ground/Kiss me when I'm down."

I Know The End Phoebe Bridgers

"So I gotta go/I know, I know, I know./When the sirens sound, you'll hide under the floor./But I'm not gonna go down with my hometown in a tornado/I'm gonna chase it/I know, I know, I know/I gotta go now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even If It Breaks Your Heart Eli Young Band

“Some dreams stay with you forever/Drag you around and bring you back to where you were,/Some dreams keep on getting better/You gotta keep believing if you wanna know for sure.”

I Walk the Line Johnny Cash

“You’ve got a way to keep me on your side./You give me cause for love that I can’t hide/For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide./Because you’re mine,/I walk the line.”

Get Off On The Pain Gary Allan

“‘Cause I love the long shot/And the left out lost causes/And hanging out in the back of the pack with the dark horses./I ride the wrong road just as fast as I can./God knows there's no one else to blame./Sometimes I think I get off on the pain.”

Rodeo Garth Brooks

“It’s bulls and blood,/It's the dust and mud,/It's the roar of a Sunday crowd,/It's the white in his knuckles,/The gold in his buckle/He'll win the next go 'round./It's boots and chaps,/It's cowboy hats,/It's spurs and latigo,/It's the ropes and the reins,/And the joy and the pain./And they call the thing rodeo./It's the broncs and the blood ,/It's the steers and the mud/And they call the thing rodeo.”

Copperhead Road Steve Earle

“And then the Sheriff came around in the middle of the night/Heard mama crying, knew something wasn't right./He was headed down to Knoxville with the weekly load/You could smell the whiskey burnin' down Copperhead Road.”

Nose on the Grindstone Tyler Childers, OurVinyl

“Well Daddy, I've been tryin', I just can't catch a break./There's too much in this world that I can't seem to shake./But I remember your words, Lord, they bring me the chills./‘Keep your nose on the grindstone and out of the pills.’”

Nothing On Me Chris Knight

“And they're sayin' that it's gonna get darker before the dawn/But you can bet your ass I'll keep the lights on,/Keep my babies fed and throw my dog a bone/‘Cause I'ma bring it on get her done don't run S.O.B./Times are tough/But they ain't got nothin' on me.”

Dear Rodeo Cody Johnson, Reba McEntire

“’Tween the almost-had-'ems and broken bones,/The dream of a buckle I'll never put on, I’m jaded./Woah, how I hate it./But somehow the highs outweigh the lows/And I'd do it all again, even though we both know/I’d still have to let you go.”

I Can Still Make Cheyenne George Strait

“She never knew what his calls might bring/With a cowboy like him, it could be anything/And she always expected the worst/In the back of her mind.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carry Me The Secret Sisters

“I’m ashamed of the things that I've done./Feeling love is like facing a gun./The closer you get, the farther that I'm gonna run./If I keep on hiding, how will I be known?/I keep telling myself I'm better alone.”

Treehouse Alex G, Emily Yacina

“‘Do Not Enter’ is written on the door way./Why can't everyone just go away?/Except you,/You can stay.”

Ran In The Family Brian Fuller

“I won't take one down,/Pass it around./Cause I know where that leads./I hope years from now/I’ll be proud that ended with me.”

Parachute Chris Stapleton

“You only need a roof when it's raining/You only need a fire when it's cold/You only need a drink when the whiskey/Is the only thing that you have left to hold./Sun comes up and goes back down/And falling feels like flying 'til you hit the ground./Say the word and I'll be there for you/Baby, I will be your parachute.”

Learning How To Bend Gary Allan

“I’m still learning how to pray,/Trying hard not to stray,/Try to see things your way./I’m still learning how to pray./I’m still learning how to trust,/It's so hard to open up./And I'd do anything for us./I’m still learning how to trust.”

Right Where I Need To Be Gary Allan

“There's a plane flyin' outta here tonight,/With an empty first-class seat./‘Cause I've finally got all my priorities in line,/And I'm right where I need to be.”

Crazy Girl Eli Young Band

“Baby, why you wanna cry?/You really oughta know that I/Just have to walk away sometimes./We're gonna do what lovers do,/We're gonna have a fight or two/But I ain't ever changin' my mind.”

Jackson Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash

“Yeah, go to Jackson/You big-talkin' man./And I'll be waitin' in Jackson/Behind my Jaypan Fan.”

Gold Teeth Girl Oliver Hazard

“Dress me up, in all kinds of leather/Let me love you, til the cows come home./Southern girls/Dress for the weather./I’m eatin' brussels sprouts in the kitchen with you.”

Should've Been A Cowboy Toby Keith

“I should've been a cowboy/I should've learned to rope and ride./Wearin' my six-shooter, ridin' my pony on a cattle drive./Stealin' the young girls' hearts/Just like Gene and Roy/Singin' those campfire songs./Woah, I should've been a cowboy.”

Troubadour George Strait

“Sometimes I feel like Jesse James,/Still trying to make a name./Knowing nothings gonna change what I am./I was a young troubadour,/When I rode in on a song./And I'll be an old troubadour,/When I'm gone.”

[soyouthinkucanwrite]

July 2nd - Daniel Ricciardo

Based on New Year's Day by Taylor Swift and this request by @spikejonzed

Fluffly, mentions of sex, banter, nothing graphic.

BTW, I don't know how I've never paid attention to this song, it's so so beautiful and honest. I've thought about this concept before though: the "Sunday afternoon effect", when all the excitement of the weekend wears off and you're just hanging out with your friends, laughing about silly stuff, or cleaning up the house after the party. The thing is, the friends that stay till then are the ones you wanna hold on to, and the same goes for lovers. I feel kind of bad... well not BAD but you know, must be hard... when you're famous and rich, to recognize the good ones from the beginning before you give yourself too much away and it's too late.

To be honest with you guys, I think Daniel must feel a bit lonely sometimes. We all do, but to think that people are only interested in you for your fame and money must be tough... something you worked so hard, that you keep dedicating your life to, to think that that thing is the reason for your heartbreak, to your loneliness... It's a two-edged sword, isn't it? Anyway, I wrote this little something with Daniel in mind, hope you guys like it. Hope he finds someone to be like this someday. Hell, hope I find someone to be like this someday. I think everyone deserves that.

Daniel woke up in his bed, no shoes, but jeans and party shirt still on. The light coming through the windows, shining directly on his face, threatening to make his headache even worse. He let out a groan and turned to the side. There's someone on his bed with him. Shit. He just remembered. Last night was the first time he was introducing (y/n) to his friends. His birthday "small get together" (or at least that's what it was supposed to be) was the perfect opportunity for testing the waters and giving the "next step" without making too much fuss about it, after all, they've only been going out for a couple months and with his tight schedule it meant a lot of facetime calls and weekends, but almost no weekdays and routine stuff.

Yet, he was absolutely smitten with her, she was fun and easygoing, passionate about her own work and friends, but still caring and interested in him. They had amazing chemistry, mind-blowing even. But Daniel had lived enough to know that hanging out with someone on the weekends and knowing their best side was one thing, living through daily and mundane stuff was a completely different thing. Where this could go was still a mystery to him and he didn't want to raise too many expectations before he was sure. Still, she looked so beautiful sleeping, a true vision. He tried to remember if something had happened last night, but judging by his clothes still on, and hers as well, he guessed not. As if on cue, she smiled, with her eyes still closed.

"Stop being creepy" she said smiling. "I can feel you watching me sleep"

"You're not even asleep anymore" he smiled and she opened her eyes. He was taken back by her eyes staring directly into his.

"Still creepy though" she laughed, getting closer to him. He held her and they stayed like that for a while.

"Are you ok?" he asked her.

"What do you mean?

"Aren't you hungover, or sick?" he asked again and she laughed.

"Not at all. I have this really weird superpower, you know, I don't get hungover. Ever, actually" she laughed.

"I don't believe you. I have the headache"

"No, it's true. We did drink a lot yesterday, though" she commented.

"Yeah, well, welcome to having Australian friends. No such thing as light drinking with those guys" he laughed but grimaced at the pain in his brain.

"I'll get you something"

"Huh?"

"For the pain" she explained getting up from the bed.

After a while she returned with a pill and a glass of water, passing them to him.

"Thank you, baby" he took the glass, finishing it. "Come back to bed now"

"Your house... like, I'm not even sure if I should tell you to take a look or just pack your essentials and abandon it" she smiled.

"Uhh" he groaned. "I'll call someone later"

"Like a constructor with a wrecking ball?" she laughed.

"It can't be that bad"

"It's bad" she started. "But we can manage it" He looked at her intrigued. "After a shower" she pulled his hand. "Join me?"

"If I ever say no to that question, just put me in an asylum" he said. "I need a kiss though, as motivation" he smirked.

"Noo... I have morning breath"

"What? Me too" he said pulling her down and kissing her anyway. "Uh, no. You're right. Yours is worst" he said laughing while getting up and walking into the bathroom.

"Asshole!" she laughed following him.

They stripped and got into the shower, taking turns in letting the water run through their bodies.

"Come here" Daniel said, putting some body wash in his hands and spreading them over (y/n) body.

"Hum... this feels nice" she said.

"You're so beautiful" he said kissing her shoulder.

"You're so wasted" she laughed lightly.

"Hey! I'm sober. I'm just too tired. Give me a couple hours to recover, and I'll claim my birthday privileges"

"Birthday privileges? It's not even your birthday anymore" she laughed.

"Okay, but first, it's the weekend of, and second, I didn't get any time alone with you yesterday"

"Fair. And what will be your requests, may I ask?" she asked teasingly.

"Humm... you're so creative" he said kissing her. "I'm sure we'll think of something"

They finished the shower after a while, enjoying each other's company and the comfortable silence.

"Did anyone crashed here?" (y/n) asked when they were stepping out of the shower.

"I have no idea" Daniel answered. "I just remembered going to take a nap and waking up this morning. Shit, we didn't... did we?" (y/n) laughed out loud at that.

"Wow! Really, Dan?"

"We did not. I would've remembered"

"Good save. Such a gentleman" she laughed.

"I drank way too much. Sorry. Don't be mad"

"It's fine. I'm messing with you, I don't remember anything either. To be honest, I don't even remember joining you on your 'nap'" she said making air quotes.

"We're the worst hosts" he said getting out of the bathroom and going into the closet to get some clothes.

(y/n)'s heart swelled at the thought of hosting a party with Daniel. There was something so intimate about that statement, so homey.

"You want a shirt?" Daniel asked from the other room, waking her up from her daydream.

"Yeah, sure" she took the shirt, some underwear, and some sweats. Then brushed her wet hair and looked in the mirror. Not a trace of makeup left. She sighed thinking about how falling into a routine with Daniel meant letting the barriers down.

"Alright, snap out of it" she said to herself, getting out of the bathroom and walking outside, to the living room where Daniel was standing rubbing his neck and looking around.

"This is bad" he said when he saw her joining him. There were empty beer bottles and cups all around the living room and balcony, pizza boxes (with half-eaten slices left behind) in the coffee table, party decorations hanging from the ceiling, and the kitchen was even worse, with liquid spilled on the ground and bottles everywhere. There was glitter all over the floor and the couch - someone had brought some of those party poppers, which looked so much fun yesterday, but no so much now. But the best part was the polaroids, left all over the house with the craziest poses.

"Pack your stuff, we're deserting this goddam hellhole" he said and she knew he was joking, he said that about everywhere, but she still shook her head and rolled her eyes, picking a polaroid photo from the ground.

"Everyone had so much fun" she showed it to him. "I loved meeting your friends"

He took the photo from her hand, it was one where (y/n) was sitting on the couch with two of his buddies from Australia, making funny faces while holding cups. He remembered the moment because he was the one who took the photo.

"How's the headache?" she asked him.

"Almost gone"

"Good. So you don't have an excuse. Move your ass, where are the trash bags?" she laughed going into the kitchen.

"Hey! That was very sneak of you" he laughed but followed her anyway.

They spent the next hour collecting bottles, vacuuming glitter, and just cleaning the whole house. Daniel complained the whole time, but in truth, he was very glad to have her there. Sure, he could just ignore the whole mess and hire someone on Monday to clean everything (he probably would still do that anyway, for the heavy cleaning like bathrooms), but it was really nice of her to just stick around, seeming unbothered by the housework. When she finished tying the last trash bag and putting it on the entry hallway she flopped on the couch besides Daniel, who had called it a day some good 10 minutes ago.

"Done?" he asked her.

"I feel like punching you for asking me that" she answered playing annoyed. He lifted his hand in defense.

"What? I did my part!"

"Men" she shook her head. "I'm surprised you haven't complained about being hungry yet"

"Well, I'm starving! Was just waiting to suggest going out, or ordering in"

"Ordering in, please. I don't want to get off this couch any time soon"

Daniel got his phone out to order some food. It was almost noon, so he thought about something like pasta, some carbs would be nice right now. Then he felt (y/n)'s head drop on his shoulder, her hand caressing his arm. It was such a sweet gesture, so understated, he just stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

"What?" she looked at him.

"I'm really glad you're here. Thank you"

"It's nothing" she smiled.

"I don't mean the cleaning. Well, that too. But just, thank you for being you and wanting to hang out with me, you know, after the party"

"I'll always wanna hang out with you, partying or cleaning bottles" she said and leaned in to kiss him. "Happy birthday old man" this made him smile through the kiss.

"Thank you, young lady" he said still smiling. "Let's feed you now, yeah?"

"Please! Let's get some carbs on this house!" she smile.

"Hey, guys!" (y/n) and Daniel looked up to see Luke, one of Daniel's buddies walking out of the guest bedroom.

"Dude! I didn't know you were here" Daniel laughed.

"Yeah, just woke up. Definitely wasn't hiding in the bedroom waiting for the cleaning end to get out" he grinned making (y/n) and Daniel laugh.

"You know what? Just for that, you're going downstairs to pick up the food when it gets here, and taking out the trash!" (y/n) teased him, tossing a pillow from the couch at him.

Daniel just observed while his friend and his girlfriend joked and laughed. He thought about how right now he was enjoying a feeling of contempt that wasn't really natural or much appreciated by professional athletes, but this time felt right to indulge in it. He felt safe like someone's got him, finally. He took (y/n) hand on his and squeezed it three times, he knew this was already a good thing, something to last. She looked at him, she knew exactly what he meant.

[sirfrogsworth]

Attack of the Pink Elephants

SPOILER WARNING: Mild allusion to a kinda/sorta spoiler for the new Masters of the Universe show.

I really liked Masters of the Universe. But I knew after the first episode there was going to be backlash from the manbabies.

I think they all suffer from Pink Elephant Syndrome. It is a psychological condition I am trying to get into the DSM.

These MRA and anti-SJW types are so afraid of their media being too "woke" that they cannot watch anything without hyper-analyzing it for excessive wokeness.

If you tell someone not to think about pink elephants, they are going to think about pink elephants.

They can no longer just enjoy things. If they sniff even a hint of what they consider "social justice" in their content, that is all they can see—all they can think about. They are unable to judge the actual merits of the storytelling. And it has now gotten to the point where they can't avoid seeing it, even if it isn't really there.

"Was that line too woke?" "Was that character forced diversity?" "WHY ARE GIRLS IN MY BOY SHOW??"

They see pink elephants even if the content doesn't really have a huge social justice angle. It can be as simple as including Black people or women or even *gasp* a Black women.

"A gay person? Why does everything have to be so political?"

Why does the existence of gay people being acknowledged have to be political? Gay people happen in real life! And wait till you hear about other identities existing in real life.

If the original Star Wars movies were released today, they would say Carrie Fisher played Leia as an assertive feminist because she took charge.

"A princess firing a blaster? So unrealistic. I bet she can't even name all the space guns. I am sick of 'Girl Boss' movies. Ugh."

Masters of the Universe had a decent story with women as the protagonists. It wasn't anti-men or excessively woke. There were plenty of cool male characters to identify with. And all of them had tons of muscles. Everyone had muscles. This was a very musclebound show. But I saw no strong political agenda behind it.

And, to be fair, "He-Man" is not in the title. It's meant to be an ensemble and I suspect in part 2 other characters will get more time to shine.

Sometimes women are going to be the protagonists in modern media. Not because it's woke, but because they exist and are 50% of the population and some people have realized that statistically, that makes more sense. And maybe someday we'll have more gay protagonists and trans protagonists and non-binary protagonists and all kinds of other folks that aren't straight white men.

And straight white male representation might happen less. But men shouldn't fret. Because let's be honest, it will go from like, 90% to maybe 75%.

We'll be okay.

[startanewdream]

Dancing lessons

Summary: Lily shares a few dances with her son.

Notes: For @sweeethinny who asked me both for a story with Lily teaching Harry how to waltz and for family moments, and for the Anon who asked for a little of Harry jealous with Krum.

This story ties with 'Emergency Meeting', 'Hope' and 'Shotgun wedding' in this Jily Lives AU. Banner thanks to @the-dream-team!

On AO3 or below:

‘Merlin, this is stupid,’ Harry declares, right before he steps over her foot for the third time. ‘Sorry, Mum!’

Lily smiles, even though her foot hurts now. For someone who seems to have two left feet, he managed to hit her precisely in the same place all three times.

‘That’s fine, Harry,’ she tells him quietly, coming closer to him again. ‘No, hold my hand firmly. Yeah, like that. You are supposed to be leading me in the dance, remember?’

‘Yeah, right,’ he murmurs, not all convincing. Lily has seen him less nervous before he faced the dragon than he is with the prospect of the opening dance at the Yule Ball. At least, he didn’t call her so urgently with concerns about how to deal with a dragon.

‘One, two, three,’ she calls loudly, helping him guide her through that rented room in the Three Broomsticks. ‘One more time… now you spin me.’

He does, albeit with a little difficulty; Lily is still taller than him, though she knows this won’t last long. She remembers how James went through a growth spurt around fifteen; and she remembers what also happened with him during that time, all those teenage hormones.

Harry grew up so fast...

‘Very good,’ she compliments him. ‘Don’t forget she’ll be wearing dress robes, so be careful not to step over.’

‘Not step on the foot, not step on the dress — why did they invent dances?’

‘You might enjoy someday,’ she tells him, a knowing smile on her lips that Harry doesn’t understand yet. ‘So, tell me about this girl you are going with.’

Harry frowns. ‘Parvati? She’s nice. Ron is going with her sister.’

‘Oh, double date, then?’

‘Date?’ Harry blinks, surprised, then scandalized. ‘It’s not a date!’

‘You are going as friends?’

‘Yeah, but —’ he still looks lost. ‘Do you think she thinks it’s a date? Should it be one? What do I do?’

‘Breath, for starters,’ she tells him and, for good measure, Lily waits until Harry takes a deep breath, the panic in his eyes dimming. ‘I think you would know if it were a date. People do know these things, you know?’

Harry doesn’t seem like he knows it at all, but he nods, suddenly much more at ease.

‘Is she the girl you asked your father about weeks ago?’

A blush comes to his cheek. It’s rather adorable, she thinks, but she keeps from showing it. Harry is really shy when it comes to his feelings; one wrong word and he’ll crawl back into his shell and she won’t be able to take any word out of him.

‘No, that was… someone else.’

‘Didn’t work?’

His shoulders slump. ‘Someone else had already asked her out.’

‘Oh, it happens.’

‘Yeah.’ He looks dismayed.

‘You know, it happened to me once. I was going to ask your father out, well, at least that was what I tried to tell myself, but then he already had a date.’

Harry’s eyes widen. Lily remembers James speaking how unfathomable it is to Harry to think of his parents being with anyone else.

‘He rejected you?’

Lily lets out a laugh. ‘Rejection is a strong word, I hadn't even asked him out when I found out he had other plans. It was by the end of our Sixth Year, the last trip to Hogsmeade, and he went with this girl... Let me tell you, it was a miserable summer for me afterwards.’

‘Oh.’ Harry bits the inside of his cheek, thoughtful. ‘Because he was dating someone else?’

‘That was the funny thing, I didn’t know if he was with someone or not, because I was too afraid to ask and make it evident that I was fancying him just as he used to... well, in any case, no, what made me the most miserable was not knowing what he’d say if I had asked him out.’

‘I know,’ he sighs. ‘I mean, at least I know Cho didn’t deny it because she didn’t want to, but because I was too late.’

‘Cho?’, she asks, keeping her voice light. His blush intensifies and Harry spins her again more to gain time than because it was the correct step. It is a nice spin, though. ‘Is she in your year?’

‘No, one above.’ He stops, unsure. ‘Does it make a difference? If she is older?’

‘One year is not much,’ Lily assures him, and then Harry starts moving again as this weight is lifted from his shoulders. ‘And for older — I’m older than your father.’

‘For two months.’

‘Still makes me wiser,’ she promises him, making him laugh. ‘Well, you can ask her out some other time. You can even ask her for a dance at the Yule Ball!’

He sighs heavily, a disbelieving expression coming to his face. ‘Oh, she wouldn’t accept it.’

‘Come on’, she winks at him. ‘Being a Triwizard Champion must come with some benefit.’

He grimaces. ‘Her date is one too.’

‘Cedric?’ she guesses. ‘Oh, bad luck, Harry. He is nice.’

‘He is bloody annoying,’ he mumbles, then his eyes meet hers. ‘Ops, sorry.’

‘Oh, you should have heard what I used to call Cecily,’ she replies easily, shrugging, feeling silly for her young self.

‘Who?’

‘Cecily Jones, the girl who went on that date with your father.’

‘He never mentioned —’

‘I doubt he remembers, Harry,’ she laughs. ‘It was one date — they weren’t going out in the summer, after all — and it didn’t matter afterwards. If you and this girl, Cho, are meant to be, you’ll find your path to each other eventually.’

‘You think so?’

‘Well, you wouldn’t be here if your father and I didn’t,’ reminds Lily. ‘Just remember — always take a leap. And if you ask her to dance, well, I think you’ll do just fine.’ She pauses them. ‘You didn’t step on my foot once in the last five minutes.’

‘Oh!’, amazement shines on his eyes. ‘I can dance!’

‘A waltz at least,’ she agrees, ruffling his hair fondly. ‘Our summer project will be teaching you to loose your hips.’

___________

The ginger boy has a crossed expression on his face when Lily pulls him to the dance floor.

‘Mum,’ he calls, annoyed, as she places his hand around her waist as she did years ago. He grimaces, but takes her hand, moving rather graciously for someone who is wearing the wrong body. He still remembers, she notes gladly.

‘Son,’ she answers back, teasing.'You know, you could have been born like this.'

'What do you mean?'

'Ginger like me, but with your father's eyes.'

The boy doesn’t look like her or James at all, but it’s a nice thought all the same. Lily always wondered how another child of her and James might look like...

'So people you just give me the "you look like your mother but have your father's eyes"?'

'That would be a change.'

'Not really,' he mumbles, distracted. His eyes keep moving away from her, and judging by the way Harry sighed when the bridesmaids first appeared during Bill and Fleur’s wedding, she knows who he is looking at.

And it’s not to the bride’s young sister.

‘You should ask her for a dance.’

‘Who?,’ he asks guiltily, looking back at her. Lily raises one eyebrow, not impressed with his attempt to playing dumb.

‘While you can. Before you leave.’

‘I —’ he stops, conflicted. His face is all wrong, not one single resemblance to her son, and yet his expression is the same in the face of that muggle boy Harry is impersonating for the day. ‘It’s because I’m leaving that I can’t.’

‘The things we don’t do haunt us more than the things we do,’ she warns him, and Harry looks wistfully, his longing evident. Then an annoyed furious expression crosses his face, and he presses her hand as if to stop himself from taking his wand; when Lily follows the direction of his gaze, she sees Viktor Krum going to the table where Ginny and Luna are talking happily.

‘I could hex him,’ Harry murmurs darkly. ‘I wouldn’t regret that.’

She smiles, amused. ‘I thought Ron was the one with problems with Krum?’

‘I’m starting to agree with him,’ he replies. ‘A toss, really… Thinks he is so great because he is an international Quidditch player, big deal…’

Lily doubts this will matter to Ginny and, sure enough, as they watch, Ginny shakes her head at whatever Krum is saying, and Krum leaves, clearly dejected. Harry grins, satisfaction all over his face, and as if she can sense his stare, Ginny turns towards them.

Harry turns away quickly, but Lily knows it was not enough.

‘Harry…’

'She will accept it,' he mumbles, dismayed. 'Maybe not Krum, maybe not today, but her future is so free whereas mine…'

'Is bright too,' she finishes for him, voice stern now. 'Self-doubt will not take you anywhere, Harry. And you may have not noticed while you were brooding in the corner, but she kept throwing glances at you too. She wants to dance with you.'

'Oh. I… I would step on her foot.'

'Of course not, I taught you well,' Lily tells him with a smile, breaking away. 'I am going to find your father.'

There is a whole new trouble on Harry's face now and Lily refrains from sighing.

'I'll see you later. I’ll just stick around here for a while.'

'Mustering the courage?' she guesses wisely. He flushes. 'Remember, if you are meant to be -'

'We'll find our path to each other. Yeah, I know.'

She places a quiet kiss on his cheek, enjoying the fact that for the first time in a couple of years she is taller than him.

'Things will be fine, Harry. Don't lose hope.'

_____________

Harry is beaming, happiness written all over his face, wrinkles at the corner of his eyes more prominent than ever. Lily enjoys the fact those wrinkles come from laughing, not worrying.

Next to them, the bride and the groom's father are making a mess on the dance floor, spinning each other out of control, giggling crazily, and Harry looks at them with fondness.

'I thought Dad knew how to dance,' he says, amused.

'He does, but you know him. He likes to show off.'

Harry laughs. It's a carefree sound, not a single weight on his shoulders today.

'Well, let's show him how it's done, then?' he suggests, offering her his hand and Lily takes it graciously, letting her son conduct her to the dance floor.

He really waltzes well.

'You've been training,' she notes. Harry smiles guiltily.

'I like to dance in front of the mirror. Helps me to relax.'

'We only need to upgrade your dancing moves.'

'Ginny has this project, don't worry. We have a record player at home, she is teaching me all the good old wizarding songs. Sirius will help me with the Muggle ones and next thing I'm hitting a dancing club.'

She smiles at the idea of Harry in a nightclub; he is past twenty now, married and living away, but he is still her child in many ways.

'We should make him or her take dance classes,' he adds as an afterthought, his gaze falling to her belly, though there isn't any bump there yet. 'Make sure they won't get embarrassed in a school dance when they are older.'

'Nah, big brother Harry can teach them how to dance.'

He nods happily, spinning her around. The movement makes them get closer to James and Ginny.

'Switch partners?' James suggests, winking at them.

Harry laughs and spins his mother one last time, just as James does the same with Ginny. Lily finds herself in the arms of her husband, who stops long enough to kiss her tenderly, before drifting her away to the dancing floor.

Her husband waltzes nicely when he wants, Lily thinks joyfully, and with her pregnant, she knows he will be extra careful. James is cautious like that, but she lets him enjoy that protectiveness. It doesn’t come attached with any other worry — no war, no threat on their lives, and that’s something she can learn to live with.

Her gaze moves to the other couple. Harry and Ginny shine under the lights of the tent, today no other couple holding a candle for the happiness that irradiates from them. Her gaze drops and she watches as their feet move in synchrony, Harry always careful to avoid stepping over her long wedding dress.

Yes, she thinks. I really taught him well.

[lunaefall]

RWBY Soundtrack Analysis: Rising

With the V7 outfits now done, I’m moving on to the extremely dope V6 soundtrack! Easily my favourite one by far, the songs, like always, don’t fail to impress, and Rising, the opening theme of the volume, sure is dope as hell!

Well, then. Let’s begin analysing this song for it’s awesomeness!

Stay close

Move fast

The darkness cannot last

No hope

No path

But we've got a dream to catch!

This opening already sets the general mood of the song — and it’s somewhat dark. Things are looking bleak for our heroes and they’ve got to stick together if they wish to survive. The situation with Salem’s immortality is looking hopeless, but even with this new development, Ruby and her friends choose to stay together and keep fighting for Remnant, because that’s their dream and what they signed up for — to protect people no matter the cost.

And we cannot wait

Trust the way we're made

The sparrow's born to fly

The mountains tower

The river knows to reach the sea

Rain will help the flowers be

We're the same, you and me

Even though the situation isn’t looking good for our heroes, they’re not going to sit on their asses and wait for the world to burn. Like certain things are meant to do what they do, like the sparrow is meant to fly and the mountains are meant to tower, the protagonists have to protect the people because that’s their job.

The lightning doesn't take advice from anyone

The willow doesn't need to learn to stand

As sun seeks day

We'll find our way

And we'll catch that dream together someday soon

We're rising like the moon

The heroes have spent the first five volumes of their miserable and pathetic lives listening to Ozpin’s crap without questioning whether he was being truthful or not, and with the recent developments regarding information on Salem, they’ve realised that they can’t let Ozpin decide what’s best for them.

Even though Ozpin is not a bad person, what he’s done by hiding important information is wrong and the entire team is upset. But that doesn’t mean they’re ready to surrender.

Like the lightning doesn’t need to listen to anyone’s BS and the willow can stand by itself, so can the heroes fight this war without listening to Ozpin. They’ll find a way out of this situation and, somehow, they’ll fulfill their duties as Huntsmen and Huntresses by saving the world.

Stand firm

Outlast

We won't be beaten by the past

One goal

One pact

Looking forward, never back

Even though the heroes have gone to hell and back before and during the events of this show, they won’t let their traumatic experiences bring them down. While they still carry the scars of their pasts, they won’t look back at the things they have endured. They choose to keep moving forward even with the pain.

And we're on our way

Love's the choice we've made

We're looking to the sky

The light will guide us

The rose will grow to be a seed

From every life, another leads

Born the way we're meant to be

The heroes choose not to be consumed by bitterness and hate, instead choosing to be guided by love and make peace with everyone. They’re still hopeful as they follow the light. Even though they’ve been through difficult situations, they can still be reborn and have a fresh start in life. Because that’s what they’re meant to do — keep fighting.

The sky is turning black

Light is fading fast

But we don't surrender

Shattering the night

Radiant and bright

Armored in splendor

Shining forever

The situation has grown dark, but with their hope and strength, the protagonists choose to bring light into the world and wash away the hopelessness and bitterness of everyone. Even though things don’t look too good, they’ll still have smiles on their faces and will never go back to their days of sorrow.

We are paragons of virtue and glory

Death can't bind our endless story

Infinite and unbound

This part of the song is no doubt about Pyrrha. She died fighting a battle she knew she wouldn’t win, but the point is that she knew her fate and made her decision anyway, because that was her job as a Huntress. Even though she’s long gone, she’ll always be remembered as a hero and a legend for as long as humanity is on Remnant. Her death was not in vain and the heroes refuse to let that be the case.

The basic message of this song is that, while the situation looks like a losing battle, our heroes will still fight till their last breaths because that’s their job. They won’t give up the fight no matter how hard it is to move on, because they’ve grown stronger and, even though they may bend, they won’t ever break.

I absolutely love the beat of the track, the gorgeous imagery in the lyrics and the message of the song. Basically, this is my favourite opening track of RWBY till date and my second-favourite anime opening in general, standing right below Unravel from Tokyo Ghoul.

[muse--memes]

÷ Sentence Starters

"I was born inside a small town."

"Friends and family filled with envy when they should be filled with pride."

"And when the world's against me, is when I really come alive."

"I need to get in the right mind and clear myself up."

"I look in the mirror, questioning what I've become."

"I'm well aware of certain things that can destroy a man like me."

"I am happy on my own so here I'll stay."

"I used to think that nothing could be better than touring the world with my songs."

"I chased the picture perfect life, I think they painted it wrong."

"I think that money is the route of all evil, and fame is hell."

"Ain't nobody want to see you down in the dumps."

"You're living your dream and this should be fun."

"I beg you don't be disappointed with the man I've become."

"I guess you know I've been away."

"Where I'm heading, who knows?"

"My heart will stay the same."

"I was younger then."

"I found my heart and broke it here."

"I can't wait to go home."

"I miss the way you make me feel."

"We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill."

"Had my first kiss on a Friday night... I don't reckon I did it right."

"Maybe I came on too strong."

"Maybe I waited too long."

"Maybe I played my cards wrong."

"Baby I apologise for it."

"I've been known to give my all."

"Don't call me baby unless you mean it."

"Don't tell me you need me if you don't believe it."

"So let me know the truth before I dive right into you."

"You're a mystery."

"I have traveled the world and there's no other girl like you."

"What's your history?"

"Do you have a tendency to lead some people on? 'Cause I heard you do."

"The club isn't the best place to find a lover."

"Girl, you know I want your love."

"Your love was handmade for somebody like me."

"I may be crazy, don't mind me."

"Boy, let's not talk too much, grab on my waist and put that body on me."

"I'm in love with the shape of you."

"We push and pull like a magnet do."

"I'm in love with your body."

"Now my bedsheets smell like you."

"Although my heart is falling, too, I'm in love with your body."

"I never knew you were the someone waiting for me."

"We were just kids when we fell in love, not knowing what it was."

"I will not give you up this time."

"Darling, just kiss me slow."

"Darling, you look perfect tonight."

"Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know."

"She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home."

"We are still kids, but we're so in love."

"I know we'll be alright this time."

"Be my girl, I'll be your man."

"I see my future in your eyes."

"I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight."

"I know I have met an angel in person."

"You look perfect tonight."

"Baby, I just want to dance."

"She shared a cigarette with me while her brother played the guitar."

"You know she beat me at darts and then she beat me at pool."

"She kissed me like there was nobody else in the room."

"I was holding her hand, her hand was holding mine."

"I swear I'm going to put you in a song that I write."

"You look happier."

"I saw that both your smiles were twice as wide as ours."

"Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you, but ain't nobody love you like I do."

"Promise that I will not take it personal if you're moving on with someone new."

"You look happier, you do, my friends told me one day I'll feel it, too."

"I'll smile to hide the truth, but I know I was happier with you."

"Everything's reminding me of you."

"You're happier, aren't you?"

"I know that there's others that deserve you, but my darling, I am still in love with you."

"I know I was happier with you."

"I knew one day you'd fall for someone new."

"If he breaks your heart like lovers do, just know that I'll be waiting here for you."

"Tribal tattoos and he don't know what it means."

"But I heard he makes you happy so that's fine by me."

"I'm just keeping it real."

"I'll be trying not to double tap, from way back, cause I know that's where the trouble's at."

"Let me remind you of the days when you used to hold my hand and when we sipped champagne."

"I guess if you were Lois Lane, I wasn't superman, just a young boy trying to be loved."

"If it was meant to be, you wouldn't be calling me up trying to fuck."

"I'm positive that he don't wanna know about me."

"I know you're missing all this kind of love."

"In the back of the club kissing a boy that ain't him."

"You're still a young girl trying to be loved."

"When you're with him I know you're lonely."

"Please, remember you're still free, to make the choice and leave."

"She is the sweetest thing that I know."

"You should see the way she holds me when the lights go low."

"Oh we're in love, aren't we?"

"I feel safe when you're holding me near."

"Love the way that you conquer your fear."

"You know hearts don't break around here."

"Spent my summer time beside her, and the rest of the year the same."

"She is the lighthouse in the night that will safely guide me home."

"I'm not scared of passing over or the thought of growing old, because from now until I go, every night I'll kiss you."

"We could change this whole world with a piano."

"I'm just a boy with a one-man show."

"Love could change the world in a moment."

"The revolution's coming, it's a minute away."

"I know, I'm all for people following their dreams."

"The future's in the hands of you and me."

"You are the one, girl."

"How would you feel, if I told you I loved you?"

"So tell me that you love me, too."

"We were sat upon our best friend's roof, I had both of my arms round you, watching the sunrise replace the moon."

"We were sitting in a parked car, stealing kisses in the front yard."

"I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up."

"A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved."

"I hope that I see the world as you did."

"A life with love is a life that's been lived."

"I've got two left feet and a bottle of red wine."

"We're going somewhere where the sun is shining bright."

"You're like something that God has sent me."

"I lost my shoes last night, I don't know where I put my keys."

"I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time."

"My heart is breaking at the seams and I'm coming apart now."

"Always say what's on your mind."

"I was twenty four years old when I met the woman I would call my own."

"Her daddy said, 'No, you can't marry my daughter.'"

"I'm gonna marry the woman I love."

"Never had I seen such beauty before."

"I never worried about the king and crown."

"I gave all my oxygen to people that could breath."

"I gave away my money and now we don't even speak."

"I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me."

"Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels."

"I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills."

"All the ones that love me, they just left me on the shelf."

"So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself."

"I'm here again, between the devil and the danger."

"Before I blame someone else, I've got to save myself."

"Before I love someone else, I've got to love myself."