#YES i just watched the rainbow bridge

[hawkeyeslaughter]

thinking about how radar puts blankets on the swamp rats when they fall asleep . he’s like their version of the tooth fairy except he comes bearing blankets and pillows instead of cash

[nariism]

across the violet sky — lyney

"you look beautiful in the moonlight."

synopsis. all that fretting was over nothing, because he's looking at you now and the only thing he can think of saying is...

wc. ~1.5k

— for @rintosei smooch 🫶🫶 | event masterlist ✉️

"You did what?"

Lyney flinches at his twin's harsh tone, the words seething out through her grit teeth. He pauses in his rummaging, deflating with his hands hovering over the open box.

You had originally agreed on helping them set up for their next show, even going so far as to personally arrange for all the props to be transported to the Opera Epiclese. But you're nowhere to be found now, leaving the magician sweating under the cold gaze of his dear sister.

"Lyney—" She sighs, fingers pinching at the bridge of her nose. And he knows he's messed up big time to elicit such a powerful emotion from her. "How could you do that? Y/N has been nothing but amazing in helping us through all of this."

It was true that you had been supportive to a fault ever since you first stumbled into a performance way back when. Since then, you'd always looked at the pair with stars in your eyes, perhaps hoping that one day your beloved would pull you onto the stage despite his repeated worries about props misfiring or sabotage.

He had never worried about that sort of thing until he was framed. He'd be damned if you were to be injured during one of his shows.

So he banished you to the audience, swore to himself that he would never endanger you by pulling you into the spotlight of the stage. And he upheld that promise to himself, until you finally broke him down with such honeyed smiles and even sweeter words.

Because he was weak when it came to those he loved, he caved in just to see the joy shining in your eyes. He didn't have time to regret his decision—not when you were already leaping into his arms with a chanting prayer of thanks on your tongue.

And now...

"I know, I know..." he huffs in frustration, resuming in busying his hands with the contents of the box. "But what was I supposed to do? I owed Father's friends a huge favour and this—"

"Are you really choosing Father's approval over your relationship?"

He stops again, eyes cast solely on the props in his hands. One of the associates of the House demanded that his child be put into the show as an assistant. You were visibly hurt when he had informed you of the last minute change, and hadn't heard from you since.

While he would have normally chased after you in such a moment, he was too preoccupied with preparing everything for the changes made to the performance to worry about where you'd gone or the extent of how upset you were.

"What would you have me do?"

Lynette saunters over to her brother's side, crouching down beside him. Her hand gently guides his own down to place the props back into their spots.

"Making sure they're okay would be a good place to start."

The magician makes a face, lip jutted out in a half-pout as he considers it. Yes, he would be distracted if you were on his mind this way after all. It would be better to clear the air before the show started. His sister was always the more level-headed of the two of them—the soft yet stern voice of reason when he was being careless.

"You're right," he concedes. Lynette was always right.

He doesn't find you at your home.

After knocking at the front door until his knuckles hurt, he deems that you must not be here. Clutching the bouquet of Rainbow Roses carefully to his chest, he makes his way to his next destination: the Fountain of Lucine.

With nearly everyone tucking away for the night, there's hardly a peep in the plaza. He approaches slowly, watching your figure come into focus.

Ah, of course you'd be here. You always came here when you needed to think.

There were a thousand things he wanted to tell you. He'd practiced on the way here: how to apologize, how to grovel for forgiveness even though you were so kind that he was sure you'd accept it in a heartbeat.

Still, you were the love of his life. He seldom expressed his vulnerability to you, but he truly did feel horrible for bailing you out of the show last minute—especially when you seemed so excited to finally be a part of it.

"Sweetest," he calls you. You don't respond, instead opting to quietly swish your bare feet around in the shallows of the fountain. His heart plummets at your lack of interest, so he takes a cautious step forward. "It's late. You'll catch a cold sitting out here."

Again, you're silent. He swallows, trying to think of a way to get you to even look his way.

Lyney has always been good with words—talented at misdirection and deceit. But he has no reason to be like that with you, to be dishonest or closed off or misleading. It leaves him tripping over his own tongue.

He loves you with all his heart, yet he doesn't even know how to talk to you without making a fool of himself.

His whole life has been about buttering up an audience, making a spectacle of words and dance and magic. But you're real. How does he handle that?

Slowly, he sheds his coat before draping it over your shoulders. He sits beside you facing away from the running water, the paper holding his beautiful bouquet together rustling with each movement.

The noise makes you look his way, eyes curious as ever. It was what he adored so much about you.

For a second, he sees the undeniable softening of your expression—a small but unmistakable smile gracing your face before it vanishes again.

"You'll catch a cold," you scold.

"That's okay."

Your gaze flickers between his eyes and his lips. He can feel the heavy tension melting away with every shameless glance up and down, smugness firing through his veins when he realizes you've missed him despite your avoidance.

"I'm sorry I made such a big deal about all this," you whisper, tearing your attention back to the way the water ripples with each movement.

Lyney reaches over quickly, hand swiftly turning you to look at him again by the cheek. "Don't apologize," he argues. "I was being stupid."

You nod, mouth opening then closing as you wait for him to continue.

He doesn't. He can't.

The whole walk here he had planned out exactly what he wanted to say, all the ways he wanted to tell you that he only gets so protective because his work can be dangerous. There were a million ways he planned to apologize, a dozen scenarios where he imagined you would walk out of his life for being so careless with your feelings.

But all that fretting was over nothing, because he's looking at you now and the only thing he can think of saying is...

"You look so beautiful in the moonlight."

You blink at him in surprise, instinctively burying your face into the warmth of his palm as you lean forward. There's a knowing in the way you look at him, as if able to read the words in his heart that he can't seem to get out.

"You're not trying to butter me up, are you?" You ask teasingly, an attempt to relieve his racing mind.

"Just being honest," he laughs. Another silence fills the air before he continues, "I'm really sorry. Next time, I promise to drag you onto the stage with me."

You stifle a giggle, pulling away to watch your feet prod at the surface of the water. "It's alright. I know I'm not exactly cut out to be a star."

The magician shuffles closer to you until your shoulders are bumping, then he places the bouquet of Rainbow Roses in your lap.

"You are a star," he mumbles. "The brightest star in the sky."

Dancing in the moonlight, bathing in it so beautifully. Lynette would hurl at him admitting something so corny, though.

"Really?" You ask with a laugh in your breath.

"Really really."

You hum softly, hand settling over his. Your bodies are turned opposite ways but he can imagine the smile spreading across your face, the warmth of it. You were always poor at hiding when he flustered you.

The soft sound of streaming water fills the comfortable silence. It's a stark contrast to the applause he's grown so accustomed to but he would choose this a million times over.

Your hand squeezes his. He realizes, then—you're a star no matter which spotlight you're under, whether it be under the weight of a thousand eyes or just for him under the quiet moon.

("Stop gagging! It wasn't that cheesy!"

"A star?" Lynette pales further, placing her head into her hands. "A... A star?"

"Oh, quit with the dramatics already!"

"I have a lovesick idiot for a brother... I'm going to throw up."

"Lynette!")

© ALABOADOA 2023 — please do not translate or post my works to other platforms.

[leviraaaaaa]

"LEEEVIII!"

Levi snapped his head back, eyes widening when he caught your figure hurtling through the air, the distance making you look smaller than you were. With a flip, you landed on the branch beside him, shooting him a grin.

"Hi."

Levi glared at you, as if to burn you with his eyes. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" He hissed, sheathing back his sword. "What are you doing here?"

"I got lost. Then I saw you." You beamed, uncaring of his outright pissed expression, all too used to him and the sharpness of his words. Your expression wasn't the slightest bit of upset that you got lost in a middle of a fucking forest filled with titans. Instead, you looked like someone just stuffed you with sunshine and rainbows.

"You got lost?" He said in disbelief. "How the fuck did you get lost? You were supposed to be with Hange. How do you lose Hange?"

"Ah well." You shrugged, looking down at the ugly little titan by the foot of the tree that was trying to climb up. "That's a pretty big one. Should we capture it?" You mused, tilting your head to see it better.

"No. Go back to your position." He seethes. "Stop pulling stunts. You're gonna get killed."

"Well, that's why you're here, aren't you? To stop me from getting killed."

Levi glowered, his jaw twitching.

"Fucking walls." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm two seconds away from throwing you down there."

"But you won't." You grinned. "You like me."

"Not enough to resist the temptation to shove your ass off here."

You reached for his head, playfully smacking him.

"Don't be pissy." You stood up, balancing yourself on the branch. Levi stood up with you, body tense like a cat, ready to catch you if you fall. His eyes warily flicked from the titan underneath to you. "It's less boring to work with you."

"Nice to know I'm entertaining." He huffed grumpily. "Being around you is like babysitting a fucking child. I will never understand how you became a scout in the first place with your brains."

"Rude. I ranked in the top 10 of my class." You pouted.

"Yeah, yeah." He waved you off. "Does Hange know you're here?"

"I told you I got lost."

He groaned. "One of these days you're gonna get in so much crap for pulling shits like this."

"I got lost."

"I'm sure you did."

"Okay, fine." You threw up your hands in defeat. "I just wanted to be with you."

His eyes softened, watching you as you sulked. "Fine." He let out an exaggarated sigh. "Fine. You can stay with me."

You face brightened up instantly and you hissed out a joyful 'yes' under your breath. But before you got to say anything else, he cut you off.

"But."

"But what?" You squinted your eyes in confusion.

He reached for the back of your head, pulling it closer and looking you in the eyes.

"But." He said. "You stick with me. Close. You got that?"

You gave a sheepish nod.

"Do not wander away. Do not try to look cool midair. Do not go off to kill titans, that's my job. Do not fall off of trees–"

"Hey, it was that one time and you startled me—"

"And absolutely do not get killed. Hear me?"

With a slight pull on your hair, he let you go. "Oi. You heard me?"

Rubbing the back of your head, you nodded. "Yes, heard you. Loud and clear." You mumbled. "What else? Would you like to carry me as well? Piggyback ride?"

Levi glared at you, but pretended not to hear your sarcastic remarks. With that, he pulled out the ODM triggers, flexing his fingers over it. "Do not get killed." He repeated.

"I won't." You reassured, bringing out your own triggers. "Cause I'm with you, aren't I?"

Levi scoffed.

-

Levi swallowed when they carried you out, his fingernails digging into his palm. Blood has seeped through the white cloth you were wrapped in. And though you were covered from head to toe, he knew it was you.

And they took you off. Somewhere. To put you in a hole 6 foot under and leave you there.

Alone.

You never liked being alone.

That's why you always seeked him. In expeditions and meetings, always finding a way to find a place beside him, to slot your hands in his and give him that oh maddeningly annoying grin that always pissed him off but never failed to make his heart flip. And that's why when nights you couldn't sleep, you'd find yourself curled up in his bed, softly ranting about some weird dream you had or some shitty gossip in the facility that he didn't give two shits about but he let you talk because he liked watching you.

And he never thought of himself as someone people would look for if they were lonely, but you had chosen him, from the very first day.

No you never liked being alone. Or quiet. Or still.

Look at you now.

You never liked being alone.

But Levi liked being alone.

But then you came and he doesn't know how to live alone anymore.

How cruel of you to leave him alone.

-

Levi sat in his desk. For how long, he doesn't know. But it must've been a while because his spine ached and his eyes were heavy.

He'd been staring at the file in front of him for a long, long time.

He couldn't remember the last time he blinked.

The last time he took a breath.

He only stared, eyes focused only on the words on top.

Your name was written in a blood red ink.

Like the blood that you had spilled.

And besides that.

On black bold letters.

Deceased soldier.

Deceased deceased deceased.

That's what you fucking were.

Dead.

He jolted when a something touched his shoulders, breaking out of his daze. He turned to look, his heart beating out of his chest.

It can't be it can't be it can't—

"..Levi?"

He exhaled sharply. No, of course not.

Hange stood beside him, their glasses gleaming as the fireplace reflected off their glasses, it magnified their eyes, making it look bigger than it was. But the concern in them was clear.

"Four-eyes." He muttered, his voice hoarse. It sounded strange even to his own ears, as if coming from a far away place.

"Levi?" Hange said again, grip tightening.

And for the first time in his life, Levi didn't push Hange away. He let them touch him. He needed something, anything to ground him. Something to latch his sanity onto.

There wasn't you any longer.

"..Hange." He mumbled. He was so, so tired. "..I think I can sleep tonight."

@sad-darksoul @anxious-chick @raginginferno267

[mygreatadventurehasbegun]

All the people at MGM who told Judy Garland she was ugly or fat can take a long walk off a short bridge.

Yes, I know they've all been dead for decades, but I've spent a long time with Judy over the past week...watching movie clips and video essays about her (check out Be Kind Rewind's YouTube channel, she has at least five videos that feature Judy in some way), in addition to being a lifelong fan of hers, and I've started to feel protective of her.

Her life was so difficult. Not just the insults of not being pretty enough (comparing anyone to Lana Turner or Hedy Lamarr is just unfair), but abuse, people stealing her money, mental health issues, and of course, her addictions.

But through it all, she managed to give us so many magical moments on the screen. From the wistful longing of "Over the Rainbow", to the joyous discovery of first love in "The Trolley Song" to the confidant new star experiencing the exhilaration of performing onstage in "Get Happy". She somehow managed to forget her troubles (sorry of the pun) and channel everything into her work. Yes, she caused delays on set due to her anxiety, but as many of her costars said: it may have taken a long time to get her there, but she got there, boy was it worth it. And you could feel how much she loved what she did...even when throwing herself into something dark or sad, she never went halfway. And despite all the darkness and difficulties in her life, she still felt like a light that drew people in. Watch any episode of her TV show and you will see how much she adored her guests and how much they adored her.

She was such a huge influence on me as a child. I used to dance around my basement while watching Meet Me in St. Louis, climbing on the furniture like it was a trolley, or doing the cakewalk with her and Margaret O'Brien. And watching all of these videos over the last week reminded me of how much I love to sing. I'd lost a little of my drive over the past few years (the pandemic and life being generally chaotic really screwed things up), but because of her, I've started working at it again, with a renewed goal to get my voice back into the shape it was back in the beginning of 2020, and to really go back to pursuing my goals in musical theatre. I've never really stopped auditioning or working, but I've been sort of lazy about it since things started opening up in 2021...just sort of going through the motions. But I don't want to do that anymore. It'll take a lot of work, but if I can get back to where I was before, if not better, it'll be worth it.

And I'll have Judy to thank for it.

@broadwaydivastournament

[shadyauthor]

"Could you possibly do a RF!Wally x male reader? 🥺 👉👈"

Request #1

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Rainbow Factory ! Wally x Male!Reader

Enjoy!♡

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Working in the factory was draining, physically and mentally, especially since you got promoted to head assistant, now you had almost twice the workload and twice the migraine having to deal with your boss.

You had been working in this factory practically all your life, working hard since day one, you of all people of course deserved this promotion, right? Right, that's what you'd think, but it felt like a punishment. Your boss constantly took his anger out on you, you didn't have a single moment away from him and his constant tasks he put on you.

And the constant time you had to spend with him all day everyday did not help your crippling crush on him, seriously, who couldn't crush over him??? He was muscular, his hair was beautiful, his voice was so deep and smooth and it made your knees want to buckle each time he spoke to you, and his hands oh my god don't get me started on his hands- "What?" A deep voice spoke up, you shook your head from your thoughts, turning red as you realized you were staring directly at your bosses chest "yes sir?" You asked, hoping he didn't notice "You were staring at me, what do you want." He asked, looking over his glasses as he sat at his desk in front of yours, having been reviewing papers for something important.

Your face seemed to turn more red by the second, he took his glasses off before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Are you gonna answer me or are you going to sit there with your mouth open?" He said, he was clearly tired, both of you having to stay late after sending everyone home. "I- well- no sir..I don't need anything my apologies." You answered, not wanting to embarrass yourself more.

After working in silence for a moment longer, a loud sound broke the silence, a loud bang coming from outside of the office. Both you and Wally lifted your heads immediately, looking to the door, he groaned before getting up "I'll be right back." He said before walking out of the office door, you got up following silently, curious as to what the sound was.

You watched him approach the door on the side of the reception room, covered in dust and the doors label scratched off. You watched him open the door and take a step in, assuming he was gonna walk in you started to follow after him, not realizing he had stopped moving already you stumbled into him. Moments later all you could hear was his breathing, you couldn't see anything, the darkness of what was now clearly a semi-long closet encasing both of you like a blanket. You didn't even notice how you were practically laying on his back, you just felt how warm he was, his heavy breathing, how firm and soft his back felt, then you noticed how you were practically pinning him to the floor.

Your face red as you tried your best to crawl off of him without elbowing him or making things worse, "I- Boss I'm so sorry!" You mumbled out, pressing on his lower back for leverage getting up before you heard a pop and the man under you groaning, you stilled, not knowing what to do or if you just broke your bosses back, you really didn't wanna get fired after all you've done for him. "Do that again" he said in a muffled voice, you almost didn't hear him, but you had to make sure you heard him right "what did you say?" He was quiet for a moment before lifting his face to grumble out "Do. That. Again." He said, face completely red.

You were in the closet, straddling the back of your bosses waist on your knees, and he was asking you to basically massage his back, could today get any better?

You once again pressed on his back "No not like that, harder" so once again, you pressed on his lower back with your palms, this time pressing your weight on him, and once again you heard a crackle then a pop and a sigh of relief coming from the man under you. "Okay now get off of me before I give you unpaid suspension for two months" he growled out, you scoffed, annoyed he didn't even thank you, I mean it was an accident at first but he could've been appreciative just a little. But you obliged and shuffled off of him, sitting on your knees in front of the door not being able to get up with him still on the floor in your way.

He stood up, standing above you now. His hand reached your head, palming your scalp "Move. I can't reach the doorknob behind your giant head" you groaned, trying to get up but failing so before thinking you grabbed onto his waist to use as leverage to get up.

Both of you stilled as you realized what you had done, "soooo......" you had started, a complete nervous wreck at this point "The doorknob right?" But you were met with silence, you couldn't see his face in the darkness of the closet and you were terrified he was furious with you now.

But what came next is something that you'd think would only happen in your wildest dreams, he slammed you against the closet door, smashing his lips onto yours in the process. Your eyes widened as both of his hands held your waist, pulling you closer to him, a muffled gasp escaped your mouth before you melted into his surprisingly gentle kiss. Closing your eyes you leaned into him, slipping your arms under his and pressing your hands on his back, pulling him closer to you.

Both of you making a mess of a closet as he slid you from the door to the wall, kissing your lips before pulling away, a string of drool connecting your lips to his before you felt it being wiped away. You opened your eyes realizing he had opened the closet door and was already heading for his office, you wanted to stop him, to ask him what this means for you two, but you didn't.

"I'll pick you up at 6 PM sharp tomorrow night, don't be late, now go home and get some rest. I'll finish up here" he said before entering his office, locking it behind him so you couldn't go in and continue to work.

Your heart fluttered and you touched your lips with the tips of your fingers, questioning if anything was actually real, what just happened? Did you just score a date with your boss?? Yes. Yes!!

You left the closet, closing the door behind you and heading to the elevator to leave before realizing you left your keys in his office, actually, all of your belongings in his office.

You speed walked to his office, knocking on the door in hopes he'd open it "Sir I left my keys in there can I please come get them?" Silence. You knocked some more "Sir please I can't get home" You heard him start whistling as if he couldn't hear you at all. "BOSS PLEASE I NEED MY KEYS" You frowned, knocking on the door more aggressively now. All you got was a slight laugh in response.

God you love this man

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I hope you enjoy this, it took me an entire day </3

Thank you so much for your request, feel free to do it again (please)

Toodles!

[lalachat]

"And there you were..."

Author's note: Hey girl hey... I'm back! Im sorry for the prolonged time between these late chapters:( Fixations are weird and frangible things. You have one for a month and then get tired of it, but come back to the same one every now and then. That's basically what writing is for me... I know it may not be fair to you readers but I am trying my best because i truly love you guys... This is not the best thing that I have written for this story, but we are finally at the end! It has been a rollercoaster for us all. Thank you for those who have stuck with me since day one and thank you for those who randomly stumble upon this shit show of a story and send me sweet messages<3 I hope this is good enough xoxo

Summary: Crossing over the rainbow bridge is not what you expected it to be, especially when you're told you cannot stay long, but everything was worth it in the end.

This is for all my Lucien girlies❤️

Warnings: profanity, potential grammatical errors, and a happily ever after!

Word Count: ≈ 2,237

Chapter 11: You're my mate

“Who are you and where am I?” you blinked rapidly at the blinding light invading your gaze.

“Welcome my child, you know where you are and you know who I am-” the voice sent a warmth through your body at the raw power it held, yet it was still tenderhearted.

You blinked a couple more times to readjust your sight at the most ethereal woman you have ever seen standing before you. This cannot be real…

“I’m dead, aren’t I?” you asked.

“Not quite, I fear I have taken you too soon,” she gave you a soft smile as the realization hit you. Only one person could take your life too soon.

“Oh my gods, you’re the mother!” You bowed to her immediately, unsure of what the proper greeting was for a celestial being. She giggled.

“No need for such formalities, stand up my child. I have something I wish to discuss.” She offered you her hand which you gladly accepted. You felt a zing rush through you at the touch. The power she held was beyond anything you felt from Rhysand and the other high lords.

“Of course,” you smiled, “What exactly would that be? Have I sinned too much to remain here?!”

She laughed yet again, “You are quite the humorous one, and no, I am not here to discuss your sins. I want to discuss the mistake I made with your mate.”

You stood there in pure shock, “Azriel?”

“Yes, I wholeheartedly apologize for fating you two together. That shadowsinger never got over his self-loathing I’m afraid.” You looked at her puzzled. “You see, when I fated the two of you, I had hoped his self-destructiveness would disappear once he met you,” she smiled at you again as you listened, “that was until Elain Acheron had stepped in and took that place before you ever could.”

“Believe me mother, I am well aware…” you sighed. “I tried so hard,” tears began to form in your eyes.

“Oh my love, I know you did, and this is all my fault. I am sorry for causing you so much suffering. It is clear to me now that I should have fated you to someone else,” she gave you her hand again, “Come walk with me.”

She led you hand in hand over to a cauldron. She waved her hand over it to reveal your friends still circled around your body, only this time a certain auburn-haired male began to awake.

“LUCIEN!” You wept at the sight of his chest rising and falling again, “He’s alive!”

The mother nodded, “I brought him here and sent him back, just like I am about to do with you.”

“I don't understand, why bring us both here in the first place if we are only going to be sent back?” You watched as your friends noticed Lucien’s movements as you still lay there cold.

“Because my child, I have been watching you for quite some time and realized that your love without a bond for another male grew stronger than any completed bond I have ever seen.”

“That’s not possible- nothing is stronger than a completed bond,” you looked at her and shook your head in disbelief.

“I never thought something like this would happen but you two have proven me wrong. You both have just done the impossible,” she smiled at you, and she took hold of both of your hands, “That male loves you more than anything.” Her thumbs caressed the small marking along your wrists, your eyes followed the movement as you chuckled.

“So, what’s going to happen to now?” you looked up at the creator of everything you knew.

“I am going to send you back,” she kissed the top of your forehead and you felt something inside you shift, “I am sorry for taking you both too soon, but it had to be done. I have now made things the way they should be,” she smiled as she gestured to the cauldron.

“What?” you looked at her in disbelief.

“Step into the cauldron, it will take you back to your loved ones.”

You looked in to see Lucien now trying to wake you as the others watched in awe of his liveliness, “Lucien did the same thing?”

“Yes,” she nodded as you began to slowly step your way into the cauldron. You were waist in before you stopped abruptly as anxiety ate at you to ask a certain question.

“I won’t have any special powers like Feyre, Nesta, and Elain right?”

“No, this is different than their rebirth. You will have no power; you will remain as you were before.”

“Good, that’s good. Powers would have been cool though,” you smiled as you submerged the rest of yourself into the sacred artifact. Just before your ears went under you could hear the mother say something to you before you left.

“Everything is alright now, I love you my child. You have made me proud.”

You smiled as the liquid surrounded you and sparkled against your skin. It almost looked like Starfall which made you smile reminding you of home. You were heading back home! You felt your body tense like it was being winnowed back to your reality. It was a weird sensation, but you could slowly feel the memory of the mother and everything she had done for you fade as you passed through a barrier.

“Y/n!” you could hear someone crying out your name. You were trying to regain your senses as firm hands caressed the hair out of your face. One of their tears fell onto your cheek. It almost felt hot. Your eyes squinted at the feeling.

“Lucien look!” Someone cried out, as Lucien’s eyes scanned over your face slightly scrunching up at the foreign feeling of a tear that was not your own on your face. He let out a small, relieved gasp.

“Y/n?” He wiped off his tear that had fallen as he saw your chest take a deep inhale, “Oh my gods!” He wept, “You’re alive… you’re alive!”

His hands caressed your own, trying to give your cold skin more warmth. Azriel letting some of his own tears fall at the sight of you breathing again, Elain was rubbing small circles on his back in comfort. Mor and Feyre’s hands covered their mouths in shock at the events unfolding before them as tears of joy left their eyes. Nesta had let out a much-needed breath she didn’t know she was holding as she smiled at the two of you breathing again. Cassian thanked the mother repeatedly as Rhysand grabbed Feyre’s hand with tear filled eyes.

You began to wiggle your toes and fingers, getting used to the feeling of yourself again as you opened your eyes to see Lucien with the biggest smile you have ever seen from him.

“Lucien?” you questioned. Your mind was foggy, unable to really remember anything except the fact the last time you saw him he was dead.

He pressed your hands to his lips, “I’m here…”

You began to cry, “You’re alive!”

He nodded his head as he pulled you into his chest, “And so are you!”

You wrapped your arms around him in an instant, “Don’t ever leave me like that again!”

“Like hell I would live in a world without you,” he smiled as he cupped your face and kissed you tenderly. It’s right then you felt something trying to ignite inside your chest, no restraints or walls were holding it back as it set your soul aflame. You pulled away from Lucien and looked at him in amazement as you sent that flame to where it was trying to pull itself to. Lucien’s eyes widened as he slowly felt his empty chest cavity burst into life filled with everything you were sending his way. Love. Passion. Trust. Protectiveness. He couldn’t but help but smile as he got to say these words again knowing he would be complete, “You’re my mate!”

You let out a laugh of relief at the words, “Mates,” as you kissed him so hard you both fell back into the earth beneath you.

“That’s impossible,” Azriel said in disbelief. Elain’s face was ghost white.

“Well brother, the mother can work in mysterious ways,” Rhysand smiled at you finally getting your happy ending.

Lucien pulled away from you breathless, “I love you.”

You gave him a toothy grin and kissed him once more, “I love you!”

The wind kissed your skin as you both got up off the ground hand in Lucien’s. The presence of the wind almost felt familiar to you. You looked up at your mate and saw he had the same expression. Both of you looked at each other before you both whispered a soft thank you into the wind to let it be carried away to wherever it was headed as your friends began to crowd you both. Feyre ran into Lucien’s outstretched arms as Mor crashed into yours.

“Oh gods I am so happy you’re alive!” Mor cried.

“I think that was enough bonding for a lifetime,” you laughed as you cried with your best friend.

“I am just glad you are okay!” she smiled as she let Feyre hug you next. She looked over to Lucien and gave you a warm smile, “I am so happy for you both, take good care of him.”

Rhysand and Cassian pulled you into a big group hug.

“What even happened? I saw you both die!” Cassian kissed your cheek fondly.

“I don't even know… I wish I could tell you both, but I'm just happy I get to keep my favorite bat boys around,” you laughed as Rhysand kissed your other cheek.

“Like I said to Az, the mother works in wonderous ways.” As they pulled you back into another huge hug.

“Stop you’re going to pop me!” you laughed as a pair of footsteps approached you. You looked up to see Azriel. He looked at you guiltily and you felt nothing towards the male. No hate, no resentment, no longing, no nothing. You took a deep breath as you said, “Bring it in Azriel, it’s alright…”

Azriel carefully joined the group hug, “I am so sorry…” you and the others just hugged each other tighter as a response. You heard a cough from outside the circle as Elain stood before you. Rhysand and Cassian gave you one last hug before they walked over to Lucien and the others. Leaving you with Azriel and Elain.

“Y/n if I had only known…” Elain’s voice trailed off. Their presence was a little much for you after knowing what they both caused, but without them you wouldn’t have your mate.

“Look, everything that happened between us is a lot to digest and it's overwhelming me right now, but I am willing to look forward and have a fresh start, just give me time.” You gave them both an awkward smile as you walked off to the others who were all showering Lucien in hugs like they had done with you earlier. The sight of it made you smile.

“Be careful with him! I just got him back,” you teased as everyone looked towards you.

“We just got you both back,” Feyre said with a soft smile, “Tonight we celebrate you both and your new bond!”

“Just don't feed him anything until we're gone,” Cassian quipped as he clapped Lucien on the shoulder. Lucien rolled his eyes at the comment as Mor whispered into your ear, “and when you do, you still owe us girls a story after all.” She winked as your face grew hot at the talk of the act of completing the bond together.

“Calm yourself darling, we have plenty of time for that later,” Lucien pulled you into his side, “Let’s celebrate with our friends yeah?”

“Fine, I guess we can let loose a little to celebrate beating death and finding our bond.” You smiled.

“Well, what are we waiting for?! Let’s go party! I’m ready to let loose after everything that just transpired,” Mor said as everyone left to go back inside. Lucien pulled you aside before you both walked in and pushed you against a wall as he kissed you with fiery passion.

“As soon as that little party is over, I am going to fuck you into the bed, wall, desk,” he began to kiss your neck as the fresh bond between you hummed in your chest, “Any surface that I can take you on till we’re both burning this court into ashes with our love.”

You moaned at his words, “You promise?”

“If that is what my mate wants,” as he stared into your eyes as you traced your fingers down his back.

“Only if mine is willing to live up to his words,” you smirked up at him.

“Oh y/n, you are going to regret doubting me,” he said before he gave you one last kiss on the lips before offering you his hand to lead you into the house where all your friends awaited to celebrate your miracle.

You giggled as you grabbed his hand and said, “I love you so much Lu.”

“I will never get sick of those words. I love you too,” he smiled down as your intertwined hands, “You really should get those tattooed.”

“Give me a few more like them and I will,” you teased pulling Lucien inside as he let out a small groan at the thought. Both of you eager to celebrate with your friends, and to finally be able to love each other fiercely for the rest of your lives.

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[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 01x35 - The Fairy of Odaiba! Lilymon Blooms / Flower Power

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Vamdemon didn't even realize he had the ultimate Chosen Children Collector's Item in his possession until he'd already taken it out of the package. Amateur move. Can you really even call yourself a Chosen Children fandom nerd if you can't even name all eight Partner Digimon? What a scrub. Fake nerd vampire.

This is another episode that I've been eagerly waiting for! Now, at long last, it's time for the best evolved Digimon in the show to debut. Yes, even the Ultimates/Megas.

We open on the Rainbow Bridge. Traffic is congested due to Vamdemon's fog bank, slowing traffic both for drivers and for the public transit system.

Tachikawa Keisuke, Mimi's dad, is on his way back to Odaiba. He checks his watch and sighs. It's 9:02 PM.

Keisuke: I'm screwed.... Announcement: Please excuse this interruption in your travel plans, but the train must slow down due to heavy fog.

We find Vamdemon up on top of the Fuji Broadcasting Center or FCG, which overlooks Tokyo Bay across from Daiba Park. Vamdemon is performing an eerie incantation with his hands, conjuring up the fog bank.

Vamdemon: Soon this fog barrier will be complete. Then this land will turn into Hell. Hmhmhmhm Ah Ha Ha Ha Ha....

In the dub:

Keisuke: (checks watch) Oh boy.... Announcement: Due to the continuing heavy fog, we'll be experiencing some delays up ahead. Please bear with us. (Cut to FCG Building) Vamdemon: Ha! It's almost done. Huhuhuhahahahaha!!! Soon now, not in fire or ice but in fog, this world will be mine! Huhuhuhahahaha HUHUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Kinda feels like "this world will end" would be the natural follow-up to "not in fire or ice but", but maybe that's just me.

Out in the playground late at night, Mimi is feeding Palmon. Unlike the other Partner Digimon who can just eat leftovers from their Partner's dinner, Palmon has to plant her roots in the dirt.

She's not impressed.

Palmon: Tokyo's soil doesn't taste very good. Mimi: Guess what? This place used to be part of the sea. Palmon: ... Mimi: ^_^ Here, you can have this. Palmon: Thank you!

Mimi's little anecdote there is an attempt to explain why Palmon's not enjoying the soil. Odaiba is a man-made island constructed from transported soil, some shipped in and some drudged out of the water. Palmon's eating ocean dirt.

Though they do have a bunch of parks there, so maybe Palmon's being snobby.

Mimi pours bottled water onto Palmon's roots for sustenance. Palmon seems much happier about that, right up until Mimi suddenly throws a sheet over her in a panic. She hears footsteps.

Mimi: (wrestling with the sheet) Shh! Quiet!

Keisuke, walking home from the station, comes into view and spots her.

Keisuke: Huh? Mimi! Is that you, Mimi!? Mimi: PAPA!!! Keisuke: What are you doing out here so late? Mimi: Uhhhhhh nothing special. I'm here to pick you up.

See, this is why Mimi rarely lies. Because she is the worst at it.

In the dub:

Palmon: Yuck! This soil's polluted! Tastes like gasoline and old candy wrappers! Mimi: I've got this bottled water! Try it; It's fresh and pure as a winter morning in the Swiss Alps! At least, that's what it says on the bottle. Palmon: Okay! Pour it on my roots! (enjoying) Mmm, yummy. Yodelayheehoo! (BLANKET) Mimi: Hush!

American kids aren't going to understand Mimi's comment about Odaiba's history, so the dub team came up with a different explanation for Palmon's dissatisfaction. American kids do understand pollution. Especially 90's kids, who grew up in a time when messages about personal responsibility to clean up our planet were everywhere.

The rest of Mimi's dialogue space is used for a charming exchange about mass-produced mineral water.

Keisuke: Mimi? Is that you? Mimi, what are you doing out here? Mimi: Oh! Hi, dad. Keisuke: You should be inside. Mimi: Well, you see... Uh... I was just waiting for you!

To sell her panicked claims, Mimi plops her hat down on top of the giant lump of bedsheet in her arms. Absolutely nothing to see here! Just a sweet and trustworthy face that is definitely not up to anything.

Nothing suspicious here AT ALL.

Mimi: You're home late today. Keisuke: The train took its time because of the fog. Hey, I have to ask, what's in the blanket? Mimi: EHHHHHHH!?!?

Mimi practically screams with alarm at Keisuke's question, then grabs his arm and starts speed walking home, practically dragging him along.

Mimi: Let's hurry home, Papa! Mama must be worried! Keisuke: Uh....

THE BEST at lying. XD Look, don't go to the Crest of Purity if you want talented deceit.

Dub Mimi lies a little better.

Mimi: So Daaad... Why are you so late, anyway? Keisuke: It's this fog. It's got everything tied up in knots. Say, what's that you've got under your hat there? Mimi: Oh, it's just a, uh... (Mimi grabs Keisuke's arm and starts pulling him) Mimi: Brr, it's getting cold out here! We better hurry up and get home or Mom will be worried!

She does not scream in her father's face because of the question, though she's still clearly trying to change the subject. Consequently, the original version is funnier, though I like the dub's addition of "It's cold out here!' to Mimi's avoidance waffling.

Once they're safely tucked away in Mimi's room, she explains herself.

Wow, her room is small. Taichi and Hikari's room is a lot bigger. Though, to be fair, it has to fit two kids.

Mimi: I'm sorry. It'd be nice if you got away with pretending to be a stuffed animal, but I don't want them to think I have bad taste. Palmon: Bad taste? (wilts) You mean me? Mimi: Ehehe, don't read too much into that. Palmon: :( (Long, awkward pause) Mimi: Tehe!

That last line from Mimi is basically like a "Teehee!" She's trying to raise Palmon's spirits. But Palmon is so fucking offended by what Mimi said.

In the dub:

Mimi: Sorry, I could have pretended you were my doll or a stuffed animal, I suppose. But I have a reputation for good taste to maintain. Palmon: I'm in bad taste!? (wilts) Is that what you're saying!? Mimi: Oh ho ho, Palmon, I didn't mean it that way! Really! Palmon: :( (long, awkward pause) Mimi: Really!

The wording's a little different but the core idea still gets across. Mimi says some offensive shit to Palmon and then fails miserably when she tries to backpedal.

This builds off of what we saw in the first episode of the kids' return to Japan. Remember when Mimi completely bailed on Palmon because she saw her human friends? All Mimi ever wanted was to get home, to be safe again, and to stop having to do all this Chosen Child and Digimon conflict. She took being drafted as a child soldier harder than anybody.

She has never wanted to be a part of that world.

Meanwhile, out in their tiny apartment's dining room, Mimi's parents are fucking adorable.

Satoe: I made kimchi fried rice and topped it with whipped cream and strawberries! How is it? Keisuke: (nom) Mm, it's good! This tastes so great! Satoe: Yay! Eat as much as you want! Say, 'Ahh!' Keisuke: Ahh! Satoe: Ahh!

That last bit is delivered over a closeup of the kimchi so it's not clear if she took the spoon and is feeding him or what. Either way, they're adorable. At least somebody in this group has zero family drama.

The Tachikawas may be squeezed into a fucking closet but they love and cherish each other dearly.

In the dub:

Satoe: I made this dish up myself. I call it shrimp-fried rice with whipped cream and strawberries. Well? Keisuke: (nom) You've really outdone yourself this time, honey. Satoe: You mean it!? Oh, I'm so glad you like it! You mean it!? Keisuke: I mean it! Satoe: Really!? Keisuke: Really!

Yeah, they're just as cute over here.

Though I have to say, the size of Mimi's tiny-ass apartment is inadvertently hilarious in the dub after all that time spent playing her up like she's the heiress to the Bezos fortune.

Meanwhile, across town at Cram School, Jou's life is ruined.

Narrator: Around this time, Jou was in the city outside Odaiba. Jou: A 54. This is the worst grade I've ever gotten in my life.

Gomamon pokes out of Jou's duffel bag.

Gomamon: Cheer up! Life's full of ups and downs.

This meager encouragement works, bringing a smile to Jou's face.

Jou: I should call home and tell them I'm being kept after classes today. (Jou tries to call) Recording: The number you have dialed is not in service. Jou: That's weird. There's no reception.

The dub cuts the shot of Jou's graded test. At this point, we're pretty far past trying to conceal Japanese text from the audience; In fact, there's Japanese text on the windows of his cram school, which the dub keeps. So I imagine they cut it so they can lie about what it says.

Joe: I can't believe I got a C! There goes Med School. And my dad wanted me to call right away and tell him my grades! Gomamon: (pops up) A C? Forget about Myotismon; This is a real disaster! Joe: (smile) You're right. Clearly this grade is the result of all of the stress from the monster attacks. Gomamon: Well, if you can't get into medical school, I'd try politics.

First off, they undersell the severity of Joe's bad grade. 54 isn't a C. That's an F. The Japanese system is a little different from the American one but 59 and under is still an F. Jou is here to prepare for his entrance exams, which will determine the quality of middle school he's able to attend, and he fucking failed the test.

It's a good thing this was a practice! Jou is brutally unprepared to return to academia. Probably because he just spent the last four months or so on an alien planet foraging for berries and trying not to be killed by monsters. It's hard to study algebra under those conditions.

I do like that the dub makes a direct connection between Joe's bad grade and the Digimon battles, though they undersell that too.

They also removed Jou's attempt to call home, which sets up the signal problems that Vamdemon's fog bank is creating for Odaiba. He mentions he's gonna, but he never makes the call and finds out Odaiba no longer has phone service.

Jou isn't the only one having signal reception problems. In Yamato's single-dad apartment, even tinier than the Tachikawa home, the TV's gone to static. He attempts multiple esoteric poses with the TV remote to try and bring the signal back.

Yamato: No! Come on, work! (pose) C'mon! (pose) How (pose) about (pose) this!? (surrender) Ugh... It was just getting good!

In the dub:

Matt: Oh no! Gimme a break! Come on! (goes through all the poses without saying anything, then surrender) Aw, man! Right when it was about to get to the best part!

So, bad nights all around, it seems. Let's not forget that Taichi and Hikari are out there having the shittiest night too.

While Vamdemon's doing his fog ritual up on the roof of the FCG Building, his father Hiroaki is working late inside. We join him at a vending machine, retrieving his change to put into his wallet. His eyes linger on an old family photo from happier days.

Suddenly, one of his colleagues runs past.

Hiroaki: What's going on, Chioka? Chioka: Ah! Ishida-san! You're awake? We've got big trouble! None of our station's transmissions are working! Hiroaki: What!? Chioka: No one knows what's causing it! It could be a system crash or something faulty in the electronics. Both transmission and reception are down!

Nobody ever suspects Rooftop Vampire. But, up top, Vamdemon finishes casting his fog spell.

Vamdemon: No one will escape. That includes, of course, the Eighth Child. Hmhmhm HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

The dub renames Chioka.

Hiroaki: Hey! What's going on, Charlie? Charlie: You're awake! I was just coming to get you! The whole system's gone down! Transmitters, satellite feed, the whole shebang! Hiroaki: What!? Charlie: If it's a system glitch, it's like the Godzilla of all systems glitches! But we can't even check it out because communications are down too! It's like the end of the world or something! (Meanwhile, on the roof) Myotismon: No one will escape! No one! Not even the Eighth Child! Hmhmhmwahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I really like Charlie referencing Godzilla, because that's a pop culture reference that someone in Tokyo might reasonably make.

Returning to wherever Jou's cram school is, we find him unable to return home.

Announcement: Due to heavy fog in Odaiba, we will not be able to provide train service to that area. It may be some time before service is restored. Jou: Even the public phone booths don't work. What a hassle.... Gomamon: (peeking out of duffel bag) This world has its problems too.

Over in the dub, the effects are even worse.

Announcement: Due to a systems failure, all trains will be delayed indefinitely. We apologize for the inconvenience. Joe: The pay phones don't work either! What's going on? Everything's falling apart! Gomamon: (peeking out) It could be worse. We could be stuck on the train!

All trains. The signal-scrambling fog in Odaiba is so bad that it's nuked the entire train network in the greater Tokyo area. Was that necessary, Myotismon? Little bit overboard there, bud.

Back at the FCG Building, Hiroaki confers with his team about what's happening. Well, with two of the three; Sakurada is listening to a tape cassette while Hiroaki chats with Chioka and Yuki.

Chioka: The broadcast system's been going haywire ever since the fog showed up. Hiroaki: So it happened while I was tossing out the papers.... Yuki: None of our phones are working either. (Hiroaki throws on his jacket and starts to walk away) Yuki: Where you going!? Hiroaki: Isn't it obvious? I'm going to investigate. That's our job. Yuki: Understood.

Yuki and Chioka move to follow Hiroaki. Without missing a beat, Yuki yanks the headphone cord out of the radio on the desk, disturbing Sakurada.

Yuki: Sakurada-kun, let's go. Sakurada: O-Okay!

With the headphones unplugged, we can hear that he's been listening to the chanting of sutras, like the one Jou used to weaken Bakemon way back when. Something to chase away the ghosts and demons that could be emerging from the fog.

In the dub:

Charlie: Everything started going wonky ever since that fog came in. Yuki: Even my cell phone isn't working. Of course, it wasn't working before but still... (Hiroaki throws on his jacket and starts to walk away) Yuki: Hey, where are you going? Hiroaki: To earn my pay! To investigate this thing. That's what I do, after all. Yuki: We'll come with you. (Yuki pulls out the headphone cord) Jeremiah: Huh? Radio: Believe in yourself. Say it. "I believe in me." Good.

Yuki's expositional line that all the phones are down is replaced by a laugh line. We're kinda losing track of the fact that the phones have been disrupted. This is two references to the phones that have been replaced, with the only remaining one being Joe's ambiguous statement that the pay phones in the train station don't work.

Yuki says nothing when she yanks out the headphone cord so now it looks like she was messing with Sakurada, now named Jeremiah as revealed later in the episode, for funsies.

As with the Bakemon episode, the religious chanting has been replaced by self-help affirmations. Next time I meet a possessed kid, I'm taking them to a TED Talk. Apparently that's the trick.

At the Yagami residence, a terrified Hikari peeks out at the night through the curtains.

Hikari: ...Tailmon....

Taichi sits up and leans out of the bottom bunk.

Taichi: (determined) Wait for tomorrow. I'll call everyone tomorrow morning, and then we can go save her. Agumon: Hikari-chan, Taichi is worried too, but you should get some sleep. Hikari: (closes curtains, defeated) Mm....

Hikari climbs up into the top bunk and pulls the blanket up.

Taichi: Can you sleep? Hikari: (covers her face with the covers) I'll try. Taichi: Good. Leave everything to me.

Hikari is distraught. Holy shit, her face in this scene is heartbreaking.

In the dub, Kari wakes Tai up on purpose.

Kari: Hey, Tai? Do you think Gatomon's okay? Tai: (empathetic) Sure she is, Kari. First thing tomorrow, we'll go find her. Agumon: Don't worry, I think we'd better go to bed. We'll need our rest to fight Myotismon. Don't want to fall asleep on the job, do ya? Kari: Okay.... (Kari climbs up into the top bunk) Tai: You scared, Kari? Kari: (covers her face with the covers) Not really. Tai: Attagirl. Leave everything to me.

Tai and Kari talk about Gatomon like she just ran away from home. Agumon goes too far the other direction. Uh, no, Agumon; Kari does not need her rest to fight Myotismon. The plan is still that she goes nowhere near him.

I do like the way the dub uses Kari's last line. Juxtaposing her dialogue against the animation of her hiding her face under the blanket, to convey that she's not as tough as she's trying to act. Her voice even quivers a little. That bit is perfect.

Mimi peeks out of her room to say goodnight to her parents.

Mimi: Have a good night!

Then she realizes Palmon popped out with her and has to stuff her back into the room, while still awkwardly smiling to her parents.

Parents: Good night!

Meanwhile, at Yamato's place, he's written a letter to his father.

Letter: To Dad: There's boiled mackarel in the fridge. Underwear in the laundry. Yamato: He's working overtime again.

Yamato tries the TV again, but still only gets static.

Yamato: This is so weird.

In the dub:

Mimi: I'm dying my clothes pink again! (Mimi stuffs Palmon back into the room) Satoe: Okay!

At 11 PM!? Why!? Weird-ass line change!

The dub cuts Yamato's letter but keeps the dialogue.

Matt: Looks like Dad's working late again. (Matt tries the TV again) Matt: Something weird's going on!

No boiled mackarel for Dub Hiroaki, it seems. Gabumon probably ate it all.

Hiroaki and his team continue working to bring the FCG Building back up. They've taken a van out to go scout the mystery fog and figure out how far it extends.

Hiroaki: And so, this is what the fog encompasses. Chioka: It only covers Odaiba. Yuki: It's like someone is controlling the fog. Like a wizard or something! Sakurada: ...maybe we should go back to the station.

Superstitious Sakurada is not pleased about being out in the Ominous Wizard Fog. He's immediately proven correct when the ground shakes suddenly, rocking the van. A colossal monster stomps through the night, passing in plain sight near their van.

Sakurada: K-k-k-k-- Chioka: (claps a hand over Sakurada's mouth) Quiet! Yuki: You saw that too, right!? Both: Mhm!

The Fuji team pile out of the van for unclear reasons.

Hiroaki: Perhaps the fog has something to do with these kaiju....

Yamato's dad is on the right track. These things are, indeed, related.

Over in the dub:

Hiroaki: The fog's disrupting our entire area! Charlie: Why isn't any other part of town seeing fog? Yuki: It's like some alien power's controlling the fog bank with magic or something. Jeremiah: Magic? Stop trying to scare me! (Giant Digimon stomps past) Jeremiah: What's that!? Charlie: (claps a hand over Jeremiah's mouth) Keep it down. Yuki: You both saw it!? Both: Mhm! (Everyone exits the van) Yuki: Good! At least I know I'm not the only one going crazy! Hiroaki: What's the connection? Somehow, the fog's tied in with all these monsters we keep seeing.

Pretty straight adaptation. It's phrased very differently but all the key points are hit. Yuki also gets a silence-breaker as they're exiting the van so she can punchline the "You saw it too!?" moment.

Suddenly, getting out of the van is proven for the bad idea that it was.

A swarm of Digimon attack the crew from all directions. Yuki screams while the narrator goes into the rundown.

Gizamon is a Child-stage Virus-type Aquatic Mammal Digimon. The name comes from the onomatopoeia for a sawing motion. Gizagiza. They're the sibling evolution to Gazimon, evolved from a Pagumon that didn't get hugged enough. Their evolutions that have appeared thus far are Devidramon, Flymon, and Raremon.

Narrator: Gizamon. Though they prefer to live underwater, these ferocious Child-stage Digimon can jump like frogs on land. Hiroaki: Careful, everyone!

The swarm descends upon the Fuji team.

In the dub, the Gizamon do their own rundown.

Gizamon: Let the human scream! It doesn't bother us Gizamon! We travel in packs, creating terror! Whether on land or underwater! Hiroaki: Everyone, get in the car!

Good advice! I don't know why we got out of it!

We leave our Fuji crew there, under Gizamon assault. Time passes, and we come to the following morning, when news crews outside the city have discovered what's become of Odaiba.

Takeru and his mother Natsuko are watching the news, where a helicopter pilot reports on the fog bank.

Reporter: It's fog! This fog has completely covered Odaiba! We cannot contact anyone inside! The safety of Odaiba's residents remains unknown.

Takeru dramatically drops his spoon in his cereal bowl and stands up.

Takeru: (determined) I have to go. Natsuko: Takeru! Takeru: (more firmly) I have to go! Onii-chan and Papa are in there!

Staring at the fog bank on the screen, Natsuko's mind drifts to images of Yamato and Hiroaki superimposed against the fog. Then Takeru snaps her out of it.

Takeru: Let me go! Natsuko: ...okay, we'll go together.

They're going to have a hard time getting into Odaiba, but Natsuko agrees to go look for Yamato and Hiroaki.

In the dub, they use Takeru's point about Yamato and Hiroaki as a silence-breaker, in place of Natsuko thinking about them herself after he says it.

Reporter: An impenetrable fog has sealed off the main district of the city. Incoming reports also verify that all communication systems appear to have been rendered useless. T.K.: (drops breakfast and stands up) I'm coming, Matt. Nancy: T.K.! T.K.: I have to go! You don't understand; Whatever happens, they'll need me there. Nancy: Mm-mm. T.K.: Aww, mom! (superimposed images) Matt is there! And so is Dad! We can't just leave them! Nancy: Oh... Alright, then. We'll go together. Get your coat, son. T.K.: Yeah!

I feel like, as a parent, she should be scrutinizing the line "Whatever happens, they'll need me there," a bit. That's a weird thing for her kid to say about a mysterious weather phenomenon.

Takeru can come off like a scared kid who's just determined to help his brother and dad, but T.K. said a weird thing and Nancy should be questioning it.

Meanwhile, Hiroaki bursts into Yamato's room. His clothes are ripped and ragged and he's shoveling food into his mouth from a bowl while using his foot to nudge his son awake.

Hiroaki: Yamato! Wake up! Yamato: D-Dad? What happened to you!? Hiroaki: I'll tell you later! Hurry up and get dressed!

No change in the dub.

We next move to Shimbashi Station, pinpointing Jou's location. The sun has set and come back up, and still Jou hasn't made it home.

Jou knocks back an energy drink before getting up and starting to walk.

Gomamon: Jooooou... Where are we going!? Jou: Hinode Pier. Maybe the boats are still working.

That's a good idea. For reference on the map, the Red Marker is Shimbashi Station, where Jou is now. The green circle is his destination, Hinode. It's not too far; About a mile's walk. The black circle, as usual is Daiba Park, with Odaiba to the south and east of it.

The dub cuts Jou's energy drink. Poor Joe; He has to deal with fatigue the old-fashioned way. It also takes off the specific location reference, but keeps the main point.

Gomamon: Joe, where are you going? Joe: Down to the pier. Maybe we can get in by boat.

Meanwhile, in Odaiba, Yagami Susumu (Taichi's dad) is at the train station trying to commute to work. A clock shows the time as 6:02.

Announcement: Due to an unknown incident, train service has been suspended. Susumu: What the...?

Before he can even think about that, the station is filled with the sound of screams. Phantomon enters, flanked by four Bakemon.

Phantomon is a Perfect-stage Virus-type Ghost DIgimon. You might think they're the evolved form of Bakemon. That'd be the natural conclusion to make. Weirdly, no. Though Phantomon is a Nightmare Soldier, they do not evolve naturally from any Digimon and exclusively require Jogress, like Pumpmon.

Bakemon's natural evolution is Vamdemon.

Susumu: W-WHAT ARE THOSE!?!? Narrator: Phantomon. A Perfect-Stage Ghost Digimon whose giant scythe with chains is his trademark. His special attack is-- Phantomon: SOUL CHOPPER!!!

Before the narrator can even finish the rundown, Phantomon cuts him off to attack the ceiling display. Presumably to get everyone's attention.

Phantomon: By order of Vamdemon-sama, you are all coming with us!

Yeah, this quiet conflict has been getting steadily less quiet with each "mysterious kaiju battle" but now it's gone loud. With the revelation that the Eighth Child has been found and not by him, Vamdemon is not playing anymore. This is an invasion. You are all under attack.

The dub seems to get a little confused here.

Announcement: An announcement will be made when service has been restored. We apologize for any inconvenience. Susumu: Poor kids... (Screams and ghostly wailing) Susumu: Huh? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT THING!?!? Phantomon: (rundown) I'm Phantomon. You don't want to be near me or my frightening little friends when I start to swing my... Phantomon: SHADOW SCYTHE!!! (Phantomon cuts down the display) Phantomon: Myotismon requests your presence and he won't take no for an answer.

Susumu's line, "Poor kids...." seems disconnected from anything that's happening. The only explanation I can come up with is that maybe they think he's in Shimbashi Station, watching Joe leave dejected?

I can see why they might think that. We cut from outside a train station to inside a train station so logic follows that it's the same train station. That is such an easy mistake to make, if that's what happened here.

But it's not; Susumu is in Odaiba trying to go to work. Vamdemon's forces are not rounding people up on the outside of the fog bank.

Morning comes to the Takenouchi residence. Piyomon seems to have recovered from her Pyokomon cooldown.

Piyomon: Where are you going so early in the morning? Sora: Soccer club's morning practice. I'd like to talk to Taichi about what we should do, as well. I'll be back by breakfast, so keep quiet, okay?

On her way out, Sora says farewell to her mother, who's chopping vegetables in the kitchen.

Sora: I'm off! Toshiko: (unenthused) So long. (thinking) Again with soccer....

Toshiko's still not about Sora's hobby.

In the dub:

Biyomon: Are you really going to soccer practice today? Sora: Tai will be there, and I really need to talk to him about our plan of attack. Besides, I could use the practice. (Sora heads out) Sora: MOOOOM!!! I'm going to soccer! Toshiko: ... Sora: Mom? Toshiko: ... Sora: Well, I'll see you in a little bit. Toshiko: ...

Toshiko gives Sora the complete cold shoulder. Fucking harsh. Continuing the trend of dub Toshiko being meaner than original, who at least gave Sora a courtesy goodbye.

A minor note, but Toshiko's activity changes between versions. She's chopping vegetables in the original but washing dishes in the dub. We see her doing something at a kitchen counter, and the sound effects fill in the blanks.

At this point, I'm fairly convinced that they would give the editors a silent copy of the animation and everybody's voice recordings, and the editors just had to cut it together with whatever sounds looked right for the scene. There's a lot of these little effects changes or outright missed sound effects throughout the series.

Meanwhile, at the Yagami home, Taichi and Hikari are trying to call around like promised. Unbeknownst to them, an army of bakemono, of wicked spirits impersonating a human guise, have invaded Odaiba and are moving from home to home.

Taichi: (at the phone with Hikari) This is weird.... Yuuko: Taichi, don't you have morning practice? Taichi: This isn't the time for that! Yuuko: Oh, is that so...?

At once, in synchronized motions, the bakemono ring many doorbells.

Yuuko: (teasing) Look, your teammates came looking for you.

Yuuko prances off to go get the door, leaving Taichi and Hikari with the malfunctioning phone.

Yuuko: Yes, yes, hello there-- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

The clearly inhuman bakemono pushes Yuuko down, then drops its guise and reveals itself to be a swarm of Bakemon. Three Bakemon swarm into the house. Agumon throws open the bedroom door, firing back at them with a Baby Flame to protect Taichi and Hikari.

Taichi & Hikari: (relieved) AGUMON!!! Yuuko: TAICHI!!! HIKARI!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! Taichi & Hikari: MOM!!!!

Three Bakemon carry Yuuko away while more flood into the apartment.

In the dub:

Tai: Oh, great. The phone's still out. Yuuko: Oh, your poor father. I hope he's not stuck in the subway. Tai: We're not watching that video again! Yuuko: The TV's still out, sweetie.

This is a little confusing but the "video" Tai's referring to are grainy shots of the bakemono moving into position and ringing the doorbells. The dub implies that the Kamiya family are watching this happen as a movie while it is also happening in real life?

I think the grainy horror movie effects on the bakemono shots might have thrown the dub team.

(Doorbell) Yuuko: I wonder who'd be dropping by unannounced? (Yuuko gets up to go answer) Yuuko: Coming! Hello? ... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! (Bakemon attack; Agumon fends them off) Tai & Kari: AGUMON!!! Yuuko: TAI!!! KARI!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!

The original version of this scene flows better, because Yuuko riffing Taichi about skipping soccer practice connects directly with Sora's preceding scene. Though the dub version does try to connect to a previous scene as well, through Yuuko fretting over Susumu.

After commercial, we go to a few more homes under bakemono assault.

Keeping Palmon under a blanket, Mimi and her parents find refuge in an elevator.

Keisuke: It's okay now. Satoe: What were those things!? Mimi: Mama, I can explain--

Before Mimi can explain, the elevator arrives at its destination and opens to about a million Bakemon. The Tachikawa family screams in unison and we cut away.

In the dub, Keisuke takes charge with a silence-breaker.

Keisuke: Run! This way! Hurry! (Family enters the elevator) Keisuke: Alright, we're all safe now. Satoe: Yeah, but honey, what are they!? Mimi: It's a long story, Mom! (Ground floor, Bakemon central)

Mimi doesn't even try to bring them up to speed this time.

Cut to the Takenouchi home. We arrive in time to see several Bakemon blasted out the door by a beam of Magical Fire. Toshiko is about having a heart attack.

Toshiko: Y-You... You're not a stuffed toy!? Piyomon: (fiercely) Where does soccer club hold their morning practice? Toshiko: (shaking with terror) In the elementary school's schoolyard.... Piyomon: I have to hurry. Sora's in danger!

When Piyomon says that, Toshiko suddenly stops shaking. All of her fear evaporates in an instant.

In the dub:

Toshiko: You just talked! I saw you! I thought you were a stuffed animal! Biyomon: Well, life's full of surprises! Where's the soccer field? Toshiko: It's down at the school! Why do you ask? Biyomon: All you need to know is: Sora's in trouble! I've got to find her!

She did a little more than talk, Toshiko. She blew a bunch of ghosts away with a spiraling death beam. XD

The Bakemon gather the people of Odaiba together at the Big Sight convention center. Vamdemon instructs PicoDevimon on where to go from here.

Vamdemon: Separate the adults from the children and have each of the children meet Tailmon. We'll go through them all in sequence. PicoDevimon: Why overcomplicate it? Killing them all would be much quicker. Vamdemon: That doesn't suit my aesthetic. But.... (Tailmon is raised by a crane behind him) Vamdemon: You understand, of course? If you play dumb, they will all die for it.

Vamdemon doesn't have a good answer for PicoDevimon but honestly, Vamdemon's right. If you kill all of the kids without ever confirming that the Eighth Child is among them, then how can you really know for sure that you got them? What if they weren't here after all? What if they got away?

If you didn't get them, then you won't even know that this isn't over.

And even if you did, you won't have the certainty of it.

Set the haystack on fire without finding the needle and you'll never really know. You'll never have peace of mind again.

All this talk of mass slaughter's a bit too dark for the dub, of course.

Myotismon: We'll start by separating the children from their parents. Ah, how they'll scream and weep! Delicious!

The next two lines between DemiDevimon and Myotismon while they fly in are cut, replaced by various Bakemon going "Gyarkle snargle blark". Miscellaneous monster noises in place of tactical discussion.

Then, as Gatomon's being raised on the crane, she addresses Myotismon.

Gatomon: I guess you're not as powerful here in the real world as you thought you were! Myotismon: Power isn't anything I'd concern myself with if I were you, especially since you don't have any! You little traitor!

She's awfully uppity for someone who's hanging limp from a crane while Myotismon is holding all the cards and there's no sign of impending rescue. I don't know what about this situation could possibly make her think this is an appropriate context for an "Aha, see how weak you are!?" type Gotcha.

Cut to Yamato, Gabumon and Hiroaki hiding out on a scaffolding. Evidently Hiroaki's "GET THE FUCK UP AND COME WITH ME" moment earlier was him successfully getting his son clear of the impending bakemono assault. Good for him.

We've also skipped the recap on Yamato's part, it seems.

Yamato: Tell me what's happening! Hiroaki: I don't know either! But in the meantime, both of you stay safe here. Yamato: What about you, Dad?

Through the construction beams of this little hidey-hole they're in, the FCG Building can be seen right across the way.

Hiraoki: I'm going to the station. I need to contact the outside world and tell them what's happening here. Gabumon-kun, is it? Protect Yamato for me. (Hiroaki starts walking away) Gabumon: Yes, sir. Yamato: Be careful! Hiroaki: Yup. (Hiroaki leaves) Gabumon: Are we sure about this, Yamato? Yamato: We have to trust my dad.

Gabumon's iffy about letting Hiraoki go out there alone, but Yamato has faith in the man.

(I don't. What happened to the rest of his crew? Did they get eaten by Gizamon?)

In the dub:

Matt: Now, will you tell me what happened, Dad? Hiroaki: I hardly know, myself. But I want you to stay here out of sight. Matt: Where are you going? Hiroaki: The station. To try to find some way to communicate with the outside world! Smoke signals! Anything! You'll be safe here; Stay with Gabumon. (Hiroaki starts walking away) Gabumon: How do you know about me!? Matt: But Dad... HOW!? Hiroaki: Never mind how! Just be safe! (Hiroaki leaves) Gabumon: You know, I think he likes me.

According to the dub, Matt has said nothing to Hiroaki about the Digimon and just dragged Gabumon's limp, heavy frame over here. Nonetheless, Hiroaki is so well-informed that he actually knows all about Gabumon already. Uh. Somehow.

In the dub's defense, we did skip Yamato recapping things for Hiroaki and that is a little confusing. The giveaway that Hiroaki has very recently learned about Gabumon for the first time is when he addresses him as "Gabumon-kun ka."

Using か ka to end a sentence recontextualizes the preceding sentence as a question. It's basically the Japanese question mark. Hiroaki is saying Gabumon's name as a question, as if he's unsure about it.

This is implicitly something they already had to talk about on the way here, and Hiroaki only kind of gets it. But it's still pretty vague and rushed-through, and as a result the dub winds up making a grand mystery out of it. We're never going to find out why Hiroaki has known about Digimon all this time, because he hasn't.

Meanwhile, at the Yagami family's apartment complex, Taichi has a plan to save Yuuko.

It is exactly what you'd expect of a Taichi plan, and it does not go well.

Yuuko panics when she sees Greymon explode out of the apartment complex. Presumably the neighbors' bad days also just got worse because that did a lot more damage than just taking out one apartment.

In fact, the Yagami apartment is about two or three floors down from the top of a thirteen-story complex. They made sure to go down to first or second floor before doing this. So none of the apartments they just cratered are theirs. XD

In any case, Yuuko quite reasonably flips the fuck out when Godzilla joins today's festivities.

Yuuko: A DINOSAUR!?!? NO!!!

As Greymon turns, Taichi and Hikari are on his left shoulder.

Taichi: This isn't what it looks like, Mom! Greymon, save Mom! Yuuko: NO!!! MY CHILDREN!!!

Greymon stomps over towards Yuuko, but he's suddenly cut down by a sharp slash to his arm, spraying black blood everywhere. His assailant, Phantomon, leaves it at that.

Phantomon: It's useless to resist. (thrusts his scythe to indicate direction) Now! Take them all to Vamdemon-sama!

The Bakemon force-march their captives in the direction Phantomon indicated. Yuuko desperately tries to push through the crowd

Yuuko: TAICHI!!! HIKARI!!! Greymon: MEGA FLAME!!!

Greymon suddenly lobs a sucker punch at Phantomon from his spot on the ground. Phantomon teleports before it can hit him, causing Greymon's shot to "harmlessly" blow off another chunk of the complex. But it buys them a second to act.

Greymon: I'm sorry, Taichi. I promise to save your Mom later! Right now, we have to run!

Given that it's been less than twelve hours since we tried MetalGreymon and only got one shot out of him, Greymon's probably right. We aren't in good shape to throw down with Phantomon. Greymon bails, leaving poor Yuuko down there not understanding a thing she's seeing.

Taichi & Hikari: MOM!!! Yuuko: SOMEBODY HELP!!! MY CHILDREN!!!

Right now is a bad time to be a parent in Odaiba.

In the dub:

(Greymon explodes from the building) Yuuko: Oh no! Another monster! Tai: Don't worry! This monster's on our side! Get my Mom, Greymon. Hurry! Phantomon: SHADOW SCYTHE!!! (Greymon falls to the ground, bleeding) Phantomon: Well, Greymon, it looks like your time is up. (thrusts his scythe to indicate direction) Get the rest of the crowd! Yuuko: NO!!! STOP!!! Greymon: NOVA BLAST!!! (Greymon chases off Phantomon with a sneak attack) Greymon: Sorry, Tai, I'm losing it... We'll get your Mom later... Right now, we've got to get out of here! (Greymon books it) Kari: MOMMY!!! Tai: MOM, WE'LL BE BACK!!! Yuuko: KARI!!! TAI!!!

Gotta say, I love Phantomon's dub voice. In the original, he's a high-pitched fast-talking goober. The dub plays him for ~woo spoo~ooky ghost but with a hint of menace and edge in it that really works.

Very minor quibbles: "A DINOSAUR!?!?" was a funnier reaction than "Oh no, another monster!" Also, Phantomon doesn't call his attack in the original; Greymon suddenly stopping and spewing blood comes as a total unexpected shock.

Over at the soccer field Taichi was supposed to be at, Piyomon and Toshiko have a great plan foiled by a timing.

Pulling back the hoods on their makeshift Bakemon disguises, Piyomon and Toshiko look across an empty soccer field already pilfered by bakemono assailants.

Piyomon: We were too late.... Toshiko: (fearful) Sora....

The dub seems to think there's a trail here.

Toshiko: We'll follow them and find out where they've taken her! Biyomon: But will it work? Toshiko: ...we'll see....

It's not clear who they intend to follow, since the Bakemon are already long gone and they're standing alone in an open field. Maybe they plan on finding some other Bakemon at work elsewhere in Odaiba and following those ones.

In any case, they will be at Big Sight next we see them, so this dialogue serves as a gap-bridging purpose to explain how they get there.

Following their train of thought, we find Sora among the crowd at Big Sight. Mimi creeps up on her from behind.

Mimi: (grabbing Sora's shoulders) Sora-san! Sora: Ah! (Mimi sits next to Sora) Sora: They caught you too, Mimi-chan? Palmon: (peeks out from under the blanket) Want me to evolve?

Sora takes a quick look around the shopping center.

Sora: The enemy is all around us. Let's lay low for right now. Palmon: Got it.

The girls have an ace up their sleeve. They just need to pick their moment.

In the dub:

Mimi: (grabbing Sora's shoulders) Sora? It's you! (Mimi sits next to Sora) Sora: Oh no, Mimi! They got you too? Palmon: (peeks out from under the blanket) Psst! I can Digivolve any time. Just say the word! Sora: (looking around as she speaks) There's too many people and too many of them. (finishes) Let's see how this plays out. You'll be our trump card for later. Palmon: Got it.

Differently phrased but same ideas.

Sora takes a look around the station and finds Yuuko with Susumu. Yuuko is weeping inconsolably.

Yuuko: The children... THE CHILDREN.... Susumu: Calm down! Yuuko: I CAN'T!!! That orange dinosaur must have eaten them by now....

Sora approaches Yuuko to offer what she knows.

Sora: Please don't worry. Yuuko: Sora-chan? Sora: The dinosaur is with us. He's going to come here with the other good Digimon and save us.

I'm glad someone was here to explain this to Yuuko. Can you imagine?

In the dub:

Yuuko: I can't stand it! I can't stand not knowing! Susumu: Calm down, dear.... Yuuko: How can I calm down!? For all we know, that monster's devoured the children by now! (Sora approaches) Sora: Don't worry; He's one of ours. Susumu & Yuuko: Huh!? Sora: There's a lot more where he came from. We've got some powerful friends. Besides, we've got truth and justice and all that good stuff on our side!

Susumu comes off as a dick in both versions. Japanese Susumu tries to get Yuuko to stop crying by barking it at her as an order. Kinda harkens back to his drunken "WHERE MY CHILDREN AT!?!?" midnight antics from the OVA. Susumu's in that grey area where he's not abusive but he still kinda sucks.

Meanwhile, dub Susumu has this whiny sound to his voice like "Ugggggh I can't believe she's doing this right now...." He's passive-aggressive instead of aggro-aggressive but still comes off as unsupportive.

Hey, Susumu? Your children have been eaten by Godzilla. You could stand to care a little about that.

Without the context of what she's talking about, Sora sounds a little deranged in both versions. But original Sora is concise and to the point about her wild rambling, while Dub Sora wanders wildly off-topic and starts ranting about superhero themes.

In her defense, she's 11. Static Shock took a lot of cues from Batman comics early in his career, before he was retconned into the DC Animated Universe proper and met Actual Batman.

The actual problem with the dub version is that Yuuko provides zero contextual information that Sora could possibly use to realize she's talking about Greymon. Sora has to conclusion-jump to her role in this scene based solely on the description, "that monster".

Dressed in their Bakemon disguises Toshiko and Piyomon arrive at Big Sight.

(You know, there's something deliciously ironic about a human masquerading as a fake bakemono. Turnabout is fair play, assholes.)

Toshiko: Where could Sora be? Piyomon: Let's have a look inside. Toshiko: Yeah. ...um, Piyo-san, this might be a strange question but has Sora ever said that she hated me? Piyomon: Never! In fact, what she said was this.

Piyomon flashes back on Garudamon's debut episode, just after they escaped Vamdemon.

Sora: I was acting just like my Mom. Pyokomon: Sora.... Sora: That's when I realized my Mom loved me all along. Pyokomon: Ehehe! I felt it too! I felt your love! Sora: Hehe, I'm sorry about that. (Return to Present) Toshiko: (taking off her hood so we can see her smiling fondly) That girl....

Aww, now Toshiko's up to speed on Sora's character development.

In the dub:

Biyomon: Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Toshiko: Now let's go inside and find Sora! Biyomon: Right! Toshiko: Wait. This may be a strange question but, did Sora ever say... Did she tell you... Does Sora hate me? Biyomon: What!? Oh boy, do you have it wrong! (Flashback) Sora: Then I realized I was worried about you just the way my mother worries about me, and now I know for sure. My mom loved me all along. Yokomon: And it was your love that helped me Digivolve, Sora! Sora: I'm glad! (Return to Present) Toshiko: (taking off her hood so we can see her smiling fondly) Sora....

The start of this version flows awkwardly. They have Toshiko be the one to say we should go look inside, and then Toshiko interrupts Toshiko's plan to ask her question.

Also, I don't think Biyomon knows what that phrase means. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" would have been a great line the first time we saw the Bakemon disguises. However, for the second scene that they're disguised in, it comes out of nowhere.

Inside Big Sight, the parents and two Chosen Children make plans. By which I mean, Susumu is trying to get himself killed in a fit of machismo.

In addition to the Yagami and Tachikawa parents, Hiroaki's crew have joined the party.

Susumu: Understood? The men will take down the guards. While we're keeping them busy, you take the women and children and you run. Yuki: Understood!

Susumu's plan of attack is "We'll get 'em with our masculinity!" This is why women live longer. That said, I see where Taichi gets it.

Suddenly, a big green mascot pats Yuki on the shoulder.

Chioka: Eh? Susumu: Do you want to help too? Mascots: (silently nod) Satoe: (standing up) Excuse me.... Susumu: What is it? Satoe: Please don't make my husband participate in such a dangerous plan! Keisuke: Huh? Hey, now-- Satoe: (to Keisuke) Not now, Sweetheart. (to the group) There are plenty of men here, so my husband doesn't have to join in, right? Susumu: Uh, ma'am, that-- Satoe: (bawling) HE'LL DIE!!! IF MY HUSBAND DIES, I'LL FOLLOW HIM IN DEATH!!! Susumu: Uhhhhh okay, okay, I understand! Well then, Tachikawa-san, you escort the women outside. Satoe: (stops crying INSTANTLY and embraces Keisuke) Isn't that great, Sweetheart!?

I also see where Mimi gets it. Tachikawa Satoe is Life Goals. She just made Yagami Susumu back the fuck off. This woman is pink as fuck and stone cold.

The dub cuts out Susumu and Yuki's initial lines, opening this scene on the mascots joining the conversation. It also gives them dialogue.

Yuki: How could it be worse? Mascot: You could work for minimum-wage in a foam rubber suit with kids kicking you all the time. Right guys? Mascots: (nod) Right! Satoe: (standing up) Ahem. Mimi: What is it, Mom? Satoe: I just can't stay in this place one second longer! Keisuke: Well, you've been wanting to get away; Look at this as a vacation. Satoe: (to Keisuke) WHO ASKED YOU TO TALK!?!? (to the group) I'm sorry, children, I didn't mean to yell. It's just that I'm not used to being held captive by creatures from another world. Chioka: Don't worry, lady; You'll get used to it. Satoe: (bawling) But I don't wanna get used to it! I wanna go home and sleep in my own bed! I wanna live life to the fullest! I wanna clean lint out of my dryer! I wanna pick up after my doggy! I wanna know what's happening on my soap operas! Wahhhhhh! Satoe: (stops crying INSTANTLY and embraces Keisuke) I'm so glad I got that off my chest.

This whole exchange sucks. They cut Susumu's entire ill-conceived plan of attack and replaced it with the mascots whining about their jobs. Uh. Nice filler dialogue but we were talking about something important.

This also means that Satoe sticking it to Susumu to defend her husband's safety gets cut. Instead, she just whines for ten seconds straight then abruptly stops for no reason. Where the original was a nice "Like mother, like daughter" moment, here we see "Like daughter, like mother"; the dub screws Mimi like this a lot too.

Keisuke and Chioka's lines are pretty bullshit too. "Think of being kidnapped by Thriller like it's a vacation?" "You'll get used to being abducted by monsters?" What the hell are these men on about?

Before the attack begins, Sora notices that Sakurada has been hugging his radio and listening to a tape through this entire conversation.

Sora: What is he listening to? Yuki: Sakurada-kun? When he gets stressed out, he listens to sutras. Sora: Sutras?

Sora flashes back on what she learned from her Jou-senpai back on File Island.

Jou: To counter ghosts, you have to chant a sutra and pray for God's grace! Sora: Chant what!? Jou: By chanting the sutra, Bakemon-sama will lose his power!

Back in the present, Susumu is raring to go.

Yuuko: Honey.... Susumu: It'll be fine. Now, let's go, everyone!

The men suddenly attack the Bakemon crowd. Susumu, Chioka, Sakurada, and the mascots all grab metal bars and start swinging at any ghosts they see.

(Credit where it's due, getting them with raw masculinity seems to be working.)

Yuki: EVERYONE, STAY WITH ME!!!

Unfortunately, all of Susumu's ghost-punching doesn't amount to shit once the crowd is past him. More Bakemon descend on the fleeing Odaiba citizens from the front.

Sora: Listen to this!

Sora turns on Sakurada's stereo at full volume, blasting the Bakemon with Buddhist sutras. They fall helpless to the ground.

Sora: Now! Hurry! Hurry!

The crowd of hostages escapes Big Sight into the daylight! Well, what daylight can pass through the fog bank, anyway.

In the dub, since we didn't use the planning scene to plan, Sora abruptly decides we should come up with a plan.

Sora: Enough of this! We need a plan! Yuki: Yeah, Jeremiah! Why don't you help us instead of listening to those mind-over-matter tapes all the time? Sora: What'd you say? (flashback) Joe: The only way to weaken Bakemon is with mind over matter. Sora: Huh!? Mind over what!? Joe: It's an old Roman technique. You repeat a phrase over and over again and it helps you focus your mind. (Return to Present) Sora: That's it! We need some of you to attack the Bakemon, creating a diversion while the rest of us come up with a Mind Over Matter chant! Yuuko: What's that mean? Susumu: Just do what she says, alright?

Having to remove the religious elements of the Bakemon episode now has a knock-on effect that makes this scene absolutely ridiculous. Sora's plan is rooted in absolutely nothing but a bunch of nonsense Joe said to her one time that inexplicably worked.

Made even funnier because of the way they butchered the previous scene. Like. All of these adults were ready to sit here and wait to die until Sora said we should give the Bakemon a self-help seminar. And now they're like, "FUCK YES. I pledge my sword to the inane ramblings of this preteen." XD

So the assault begins.

Susumu: Half of you come with me! LET'S GET 'EM!!! (Charge!) Yuki: Women and children, follow me! (Bakemon attack the crowd) Sora: PUMP UP THE VOLUME!!! (Sora holds up the radio) Crowd: BAKEMON LOSE YOUR POWER!!! BAKEMON LOSE YOUR POWER!!! (The Bakemon fall to the ground and the crowd escapes)

The curse of the Mind Over Matter chant continues to plague this scene. Sora said we need to come up with something but then they just reuse Joe's. I guess they got impatient.

More glaringly, the plan is for the crowd to chant something. When Sora holds up the radio, nothing comes out of it. They have no recording saying "Bakemon lose your power". How would they? It's the crowd that all chants the words at once.

So. Like. Why did she take Jeremiah's radio away from him and then brandish it at the Bakemon if it has no bearing on this fight?

Escaping into the foggy daylight, Satoe cheers.

Satoe: Yay! We made it outside!

Whoops, too early for jubilation. We have a third new Digimon to analyze this episode.

DarkTyranomon is an Adult-stage Virus-type Dinosaur Digimon. They're from the Pagumon evolution tree like Gizamon, but are not available for Gizamon to evolve into. They're basically peak evolution for their tree's Adult-stage; A well cared for Pagumon will become Gazimon, and a Gazimon that's well cared for and supremely well trained will become DarkTyranomon.

Satoe: There's another one! Narrator: DarkTyranomon. A ferocious Digimon whose heart and body were infected by a computer virus. His special attack is Fire Blast.

While everyone panics, Keisuke gently pushes Satoe off of him with a fierce look on his face. He runs off into the crowd.

Satoe: Where are you going!?

Jumping into a nearby motor scooter, he scoots into action to avenge his earlier emasculation.

Keisuke: I am... A MAAAAAAAAAAN--

DarkTyranmon's gigantic claw slaps the scooter and sends Keisuke flying ineffectually through the air to his doom. This is why women live longer.

In the dub:

Satoe: We made it! We're safe at last! DarkTyranomon: (exists) Satoe: Oops, spoke too soon. Palmon: (rundown) It's DarkTyranomon! He was actually a nice guy once until he was taken over by an evil computer virus and his personality did a 180. (Keisuke suddenly separates from Satoe and runs into the crowd) Satoe: Huh? Where are you going? Keisuke: (scooter) YOU COULDN'T BE IN SAFER HAAAAAAANDS-- (Swipe)

A lot of the comedy of this scene didn't make it through. Satoe's reaction to DarkTyranomon is too reserved. Since we lost Keisuke's emasculation in the earlier butchered scene, we also lose the punchline to it here; He suddenly makes shockingly bad choices for no reason and it's not half as funny.

That said, Palmon's diegetic rundown covers all the pertinent information and is good.

Watching Keisuke fly through the air, Mimi has feelings. That she punches DarkTyranomon in the face with.

Mimi: PAPAAAAAAAAA!!!

Palmon rushes through one of the fastest evolution stock animations we've ever had to preserve the momentum, then uppercuts DarkTyranomon to the ground. Our ace in the hole has now officially been launched.

While Togemon's keeping DarkTyranomon busy, the Tachikawa women hurry to Keisuke's side.

Satoe: Are you okay, Honey? Keisuke: I am, but I made a fool of myself. Satoe: No, that's not true. You were very cool out there! Keisuke: Really? Satoe: Really! (hugs Keisuke) Keisuke: REALLY!? Satoe: REALLY!!!

While Gomez and Morticia are enjoying each other's company, Togemon and DarkTyranomon are still having it out. DarkTyranomon has hoisted Togemon up into his claws, giving her a great vantage from which to juggle punches into his face.

Mimi: Hey, this isn't the time for that! Keisuke: Once in a while doesn't hurt. Satoe: Yeah! Mimi: But you're always like this!

Mimi's parents wear their hearts on their sleeves. Again, it's easy to see where she gets it from.

In the dub, Togemon gets to quip as she comes out.

Mimi: DAAAAAAAD!!! (Palmon evolves and Togemon uppercuts DarkTyranomon) Togemon: Back to the Stone Age with you! Mimi: Dad! Daaaad! (The Tachikawa women run to Keisuke) Satoe: Honeybunch, are you okay? Keisuke: Ugh... I guess I made a fool of myself, huh? Satoe: Mm-mm. Don't be ridiculous. That was the bravest thing I ever saw! Keisuke: Really? Satoe: Really. (hugs Keisuke) Keisuke: You mean it!? Satoe: I mean it! Keisuke: Oh, honey.... (Fight raging) Mimi: Uh, Mom? Dad? I hate to ruin this love fest but maybe we should run for cover or something!

Dub Mimi is a lot more supportive of her parents' mushy PDAs, which means we lose a funny gag and a fun bit of characterization.

Unfortunately, the fight takes a turn while the Tachikawa parents are having their moment.

DarkTyranomon throws Togemon down on her back, then follows up with their Fire Blast.

Mimi: Ganbatte, Togemon! Togemon: (pained) ...I'm trying to ganbatte....

As a reminder, ganbatte is the Japanese cultural construct of perseverance in the face of tremendous hardship, using hard work and dedication to pull through and overcome the impossible.

While Togemon's struggling, the Bakemon regroup. They chase the crowd back inside the convention center. Sora runs around blasting the sutra with Sakurada's radio, but there's only so much she can do.

Mimi: Why? Why!? Why are they doing this to us!?

We see Susumu's group inside, still fighting it out with the Bakemon. Back out here, the regrouped Bakemon swarm towards Mimi's parents.

Mimi: (tears in her eyes) I can't let this... I WON'T LET ALL OF THESE DIGIMON DO THIS!!!

The dub puts a commercial break on Togemon getting Fire Blasted, which is a pretty good pick for a commercial cliffhanger. Then we return on Mimi inexplicably telling Togemon to abandon everyone.

Mimi: It's no use! Save yourself! Togemon: (pained) I got it under control, no problem.... (Bakemon regroup) Mimi: Oh, this is the end. It's over. Myotismon will rule the world. (Bakemon swarm towards Mimi's parents) Mimi: (tears in her eyes) This is terrible! Now my family's going to suffer and so are my friends! There's got to be something I can do!

The dub doesn't play Mimi's meltdown half as hard as original Mimi's. Mimi has never wanted to be a part of that world, and now all the hardship and trauma has followed her home. She's never understood why this has to be her life.

Here, it's basically a tantrum that actualizes her power. Not unlike the one from that destroyed Devimon's Black Gear. Not unlike the one her mother just used to vanquish Susumu. The Tachikawa women channel incredible power when they let their feelings run wild.

Mimi doesn't want to have to fight these Digimon conflicts. She just wants it to stop. So her feelings erupt and she claims the power that will make it stop. Mimi fights so that she won't have to fight again.

Dub Mimi falls into despair because the bad guys are winning. Then she quietly decides to try and help, and somehow that's sufficient to light her Crest. It lacks both the emotional power and the resonance with her storyline to this point.

Mimi's overwhelming feelings cause her Crest to ignite. Togemon CHOU-SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Let's have a warm round of applause for the best evolved form of an Adventure 01 Digimon, Lilimon!

Mimi: Togemon evolved? Lilimon: FLOWER CANNON!!!

Lilimon announces herself by pelting DarkTyranomon in the chest with her Flower Cannon, and we go into her rundown.

Lilimon is a Perfect-stage Data-type Fairy Digimon. She would not release as a V-Pet until several months after this episode aired, when she became part of the 0.5 rerelease for Wind Guardians - Replacing Blossomon as Togemon's Perfect evolution.

Mimi: Lilimon? Lilimon: Hi! Mimi! Narrator: A Perfect-stage Fairy Digimon who flies through the sky using the four wings on her back. That is Lilimon! Her special attack is Flower Cannon.

Between letting Phantomon cut him off and now changing up the typical rundown format so he can respond directly to Mimi, the narrator's rundowns have been pretty fun this episode.

Lilimon: (teasing) Am I in bad taste? Mimi: Not at all. You're so pretty! And cute! Lilimon: Thank you!

Once the rundown's finished, Lilimon immediately pays off the "bad taste" bit from earlier and makes Mimi eat her words. As she should because Lilimon Best Evolution.

The dub calls her "Lillymon", not only changing out the second I for a Y to shore it up into English but then promptly misspelling the word "lily" with a second L. Um.

Mimi: Where'd she come from!? Lillymon: FLOWER CANNON!!! (Lillymon blasts DarkTyranomon) Mimi: Whoa! Who are you!? Lillymon: It's just li'l ol' me! Lillymon: (rundown) Or should I say "little old us"? I'm Palmon and Togemon too! This is just my fully Digivolved form. You can call me Lillymon! Lillymon: Am I in bad taste? Mimi: No way. I'm sorry I ever said that. Lillymon: No biggie!

Dub Mimi apologizes for the objectionable comment, while original Mimi gushes over how cool Lilimon is. Both are valid ways to play this scene. It does make Dub Mimi come across as a little more mature than Original Mimi, but it wouldn't be the first time.

Though I'm not a fan of how 2/3 of the dub exchange including the rundown have to be spent explaining how Digivolution works to Mimi. Really? We're how many episodes into this?

DarkTyranomon tries to take a swipe at Lilimon from behind, but she's too nimble and easily dodges it.

Lilimon: Ehehe! Try and catch me if you can! Mimi: Be careful! Lilimon: Hey, Mimi! Your tears of purity helped me evolve. I want to cherish that heart of yours. That's why.... Mimi: What are you going to do? Lilimon: Watch this! HANA NO KUBIKAZARI!!!

Though her Flower Cannon is spoken in English, her second attack Hana no Kubikazari is in Japanese. It translates to "Flower Necklace". Lilimon zips around DarkTyranomon's neck, creating a ring of flowers that pacifies them.

Lilimon: I've removed the evil virus from them using my flower power. They're not our enemy anymore. (pets DarkTyranomon) Good boy. Mimi: SO COOL!!!

Lilimon can produce flowers that unfuck viruses. There is so much we could do with that!

In the dub:

Lillymon: Whoopsy! You'll have to be quicker than that! Mimi: Be careful! Lillymon: Your wish to save your family and friends brought me into existence. Mimi, you're a very special girl even though your wardrobe sometimes clashes. Mimi: What do you mean? Lillymon: Later! Right now, I have a dinosaur to tame! (Lillymon creates the Flower Necklace but doesn't call the attack) Lillymon: My flower wreath counteracted the evil computer virus, so he ought to be as gentle as a lamb from now on. (pets DarkTyrannomon) Nice Tyrannomon. Thattaboy.

Lillymon's too busy quipping to queue up her decision to use the Flower Necklace, despite the fact that explaining said decision is the point of her heartfelt monologue. She chooses mercy for DarkTyranomon to reflect Mimi's disdain for all this violence and desire for a peaceful life.

Mimi fights so that she won't have to fight anymore. Respecting her values, Lilimon uses her powers to end this without having to fight.

Unfortunately. And very symbolically. Mimi cannot have the peace she desires.

Vamdemon: Are we having a tea ceremony? BLOODY STREAM!!!

Mocking the hyper-femininity of this sweet moment we're having, Vamdemon cuts in and executes DarkTyranomon. One lash of his attack is all it takes to make DarkTyranomon disintegrate into pixels. The only thing left behind is the Flower Necklace, which hangs in the air for just a moment before falling hopelessly to the ground.

Vamdemon has seen Mimi and Lilimon's mercy, and answered that there will be violence. There will be blood. Mercy is not an option so long as he's driving this war.

Lilimon: How could you do that!? Vamdemon: Hmph. All I did was rid myself of unnecessary rubbish. You're next. BLOODY STREAM!!!

Vamdemon lashes at Lilimon with his whip. She darts away, dancing around his attack and returning fire with Flower Cannon. The fight is back on.

From here, the dub starts putting scenes out-of-order again. This is the last scene in their version, so we're gonna come back to this when the dub gets here. For the original, we leave Mimi here for the episode to go check in on how everyone else is doing.

Jou has finally made it to Hinode, only to discover that the boats are shut down too. He's so distraught, he starts complaining about the education system.

Jou: The boats won't work either... How do I get through that fog? Gomamon: Jou, don't they teach you that in cram school? Jou: Of course not! Stuff like how to make a fire or how to wash dishes? You never learn that in a cram school! Gomamon: Then what do they teach you? Jou: Who cares about that? What matters right now is that fog.

In the dub:

Joe: I should have known. What made me think the boats would be running when nothing else is? Gomamon: It could be worse. We could be stuck in some crazy-- Joe: Please stop saying it could be worse. I have news for you, pal: It is worse! The whole world is stuck in turmoil and we're waiting for a ride into town! Gomamon: We might as well just give up right now. Joe: Well, I wouldn't go that far. After all, it could be worse. Myotismon: Ahahahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Joe: Huh!?

Jou's dissatisfaction with the education system is replaced by a funny exchange about the phrase "it could be worse". Which is then inexplicably interrupted by Myotismon laughing so hard he can be heard three miles away at Hinode Pier. DemiDevimon must have just told a hell of a good joke.

I think they just couldn't come up with a valid reason for Joe to suddenly look at the fog when Jou says "What matters right now is that fog."

Takeru and Natsuko are on a train heading in; They're still far enough out that they haven't been stopped yet.

Hiroaki is sneaking around the FCG Building, avoiding a patrolling Bakemon.

Hiroaki: (thinking) Maybe if I try the satellite broadcast... That might work.

In the dub:

Hiroaki: Maybe if I can just get to that satellite dish....

Taichi and Hikari run past the scaffolding where Yamato's hiding out with Gabumon. Taichi is carrying the exhausted Agumon on his back. He's also holding Hikari's hand so she doesn't fall behind.

Taichi: Are you okay? Agumon: Eh, sort of.... Yamato: TAICHI!!! Taichi: Huh? Yamato: Over here! Taichi: Yamato!?

Taichi joins Yamato inside the partially constructed building. The boys go talk things through while Hikari tends to Agumon's injured arm.

Hikari: Does it still hurt? Agumon: It's gotten a lot better. Yamato: WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!? Taichi: It's true! Hikari is the Eighth Child!

So now three of the eight Chosen Children know the truth about Hikari.

In the dub:

In the dub:

Tai: You okay, Agumon? Agumon: I've felt better. Matt: TAI!!! Tai: Huh!? Matt: UP HERE!!! Tai: Matt!? Is that you!? Hey, we gotta talk! (Cut to interior) Kari: You feel any better? Agumon: A lot better; Thanks, Kari. Matt: What!? You're kidding me! Tai: No, it's true! Kari is the Eighth Child!

I really like Tai's "We gotta talk!" here. Delivered with all the urgency of someone who has news that will blow Matt's mind. And he does!

Meanwhile, back inside Big Sight, Sora's plan has run its course. This little rebellion is over.

Phantomon destroys Sakurada's radio, disarming Sora of her only weapon.

Phantomon: Try chanting the Buddha's name this time so you can die a peaceful death!

Phantomon is referencing a Buddhist belief that dying with the Buddha on your mind will positively affect your dharma and allow you to reincarnate into a better form than you would otherwise. You don't have to do the chanting yourself; Others can chant it for you. The important thing is that the Buddha is the last thought on your mind when you pass.

Two eerily grounded Bakemon approach Sora, grabbing her by the arms.

Phantomon: Your life is mine! Bakemon?: Not so fast! Phantomon: What.

Toshiko and Piyomon shed their garments, with Piyomon evolving instantly. Birdramon rushes Phantomon and the Bakemon horde, buying Toshiko and Sora a moment to reunite.

Toshiko: (embracing Sora) Sora... (After a moment, they stand up) Sora: Mom... Toshiko: You have to escape, Sora. Sora: You come too!

More Bakemon reinforcements close in on them. Toshiko stands out in front of her daughter, barking at her.

Toshiko: HURRY UP AND GO!!! Sora: MOOOOOOM!!!

Toshiko and Sora may not be able to connect over their interests, but if there was ever any doubt that Toshiko loves her....

The original episode ends here on Sora's scream.

Over in the dub, Phantomon has the unenviable task of having to try and make a deadly threat out of a self-help mantra that wasn't even coming out of the radio to begin with.

Phantomon: Enough! That new-age psychobabble won't help you where you're going, my pretty little miss!

He almost succeeds but then he gets super weird in the last four words. He also then clarifies that this wasn't a veiled threat; He really is dialing the violence down and just intends to put Sora in captivity.

Phantomon: Seize her! Take her away! Bakemon?: Boo! Phantomon: ...what? (Biyomon Digivolves) Phantomon: Oh, it's just a bird. A large bird, I grant you. (Birdramon rushes them) Phantomon: A LARGE ANGRY BIRD AUUUUGH!!!

Though the "Boo!" line is weak, the silence-breakers added to Birdramon's attack are amazing. Gold star. XD

Toshiko: (embraces Sora) Sora.... Sora: Oh, Mom. I'm so.... Toshiko: There's no time now, Honey. You've got to get out of here! Hurry! Sora: But what about you? (Bakemon reinforcements arrive) Toshiko: GET MOVING!!! I'LL BE FINE!!! Sora: NO!!! MOTHER!!!

This lands almost as hard except for one confusing point. Was Sora about to apologize to Toshiko for this morning's drama? Apologize for what? Going to soccer practice?

Maybe she meant to apologize for being unfair to Toshiko over the knee injury way back when. There was blame to go around there. But in recent memory Sora hasn't done anything wrong.

I don't know. It's not bad or contradictory for Sora to have apologetic feelings towards her mom given their relationship as a whole. Just a little awkward that she's trying to apologize right now for something that has barely been touched on in this episode, in a scene she wasn't part of.

Finally, while the original ends here with Toshiko's sacrifice, the dub loops back around to end with Mimi and Lillymon facing off against Myotismon.

Mimi: We woooooooon! Myotismon: We'll see about that. Back to the Digital World with you! (DarkTyranomon dies returns to the Digital World safe and sound) Lillymon: You are such a bad sport! Myotismon: You meddlesome little flower child! It's time I plucked your petals! CRIMSON LIGHTNING!!!

They then cut the footage of Lilimon dodging Vamdemon's attack and returning fire with her Flower Cannon, leaving her fate more ambiguous and desperate than seeing her give as good as she gets against Myotismon might have otherwise.

Narrator: Will Lillymon withstand Myotismon's Crimson Lightning or will Mimi lose her best friend? Next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

XD None of the above; She dodged it, asshole. Fuck out of here with your patriarchal false dichotomies!

Assessment: Lilimon is the best and her debut episode sees the plot ramping up, as Vamdemon abandons all pretense of a stealthy infiltration now that he's narrowed down the Eighth Child's location to a single district. We aren't sneaking around doing Animorphs shit anymore; We are going loud and doing last five or so Animorphs volumes shit.

The parents are now in on it, to varying degrees, and it's great to see them stepping up for their kids. Mimi's parents are adorable and hilarious, Sora's mom is trying to reconcile, Yamato's dad is a badass, and Taichi's dad beat up ghosts with a metal bar.

I said it before, but you really can see the traits that trickled down into the Chosen Children embedded in their parents. Where they inherited their best qualities, and also their worst.

The dub is fantastic for about 2/3 of the episode but then shits the bed once we hit Big Sight and never fully recovers. It does slowly recover, but never fully.

[queen-of-the-avengers]

A New Adventure

Pairing: Thor x Goddess!Reader

Word Count: ~2.5k

Warnings: naked thor, arrogant Zeus

Request by anon: What if with thor x reader. He was at olympus on a mission then he got caught and the snap hes nude then he notice y/n near ares in robe shes a demigodess , a child of hera and shes surprised while she misses him

Summary: You long to get out of Olympus and do something with your powers that actually means something, but your father won't let you leave. When a mysterious stranger shows up looking for Zeus, you figure he's the way to getting the hell out of there.

Squares Filled: free space (2022) for @thorbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Most people know you as Hebe, the Goddess of youth but you like to be called Y/N. You have never left Olympus to explore other worlds and bestow your gift upon others. People come to you from all over for you to give them their youth back, but you can do so much more than that. You can restore youth for any living thing, which is why you’re in charge of restoring nature back to its glory days.

There are plentiful goddesses that deal with nature who can do a much better job than you, but you were tasked by your father, Zeus, to do this. No one disobeys him or questions him, so you have to do this. Not that you mind much since you love being out in nature and taking care of it.

You walk past some bushes that are wiltering a bit so you run your fingers over it to give them their life back. They bloom back to life as if they were years younger. The flowers on the bushes bloom with bright colors as they are restored to their youth. You do this to the trees in the area and watch as the leaves go from a sickly brown color to bright green.

There are thousands of other planets that can benefit from your powers but Zeus won’t let you leave. Your mother, Hera, has tried hundreds of times to get all of her children to leave but he won’t listen to her. So, instead of doing something meaningful with your life, you’re stuck on Olympus doing the same thing every single day. This place is filled with gods and goddesses that come and go while you’re stuck wishing for something more to happen.

You’ve just finished restoring life to a tree when something glints off the sunlight in the sky. You cover your eyes so you can see what’s going on when a large ship comes crashing to the surface of Olympus. You jump out of the way just as it crashes down on all the nature you’ve worked hard to restore. Two goats are on the outside of the bow. A rainbow bridge follows in their footsteps and disappears once they’ve landed.

Four people get out of the ship without a car that they’ve destroyed something as delicate as nature. They walk right past you despite the shocked look you’re giving them. No one else seems to care about the falling ship except for you.

“What the hell is your problem?” you ask and jog to catch up with them. “You ruined my garden.”

The second biggest of all of them turns around to tell you off but stops. He used to think Jane was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen but that all changes when he locks eyes on you. This is Olympus full of beautiful goddesses but you’re nothing like what he’d expected. He has a time-sensitive mission but he can put it on hold for five minutes just to talk to you.

“I’m sorry,” Thor stutters.

You have to admit, he is quite attractive but that doesn't mean he should get away with what he’s done.

“Who are you four?”

“My name is Thor, and this is Jane who is also a Thor but not the true Thor like I am. She used to be human, which she still is, but she is able to pick up Mjolnir which is why she can be a Thor,” Thor stutters.

“What he’s trying to say is that he’s Thor, she’s Jane, this is Korg and I’m a Valkyrie.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about you,” you say to Thor. “I heard you released Sutur to destroy your home. You aided in the fight against Thanos.”

“Yes, that was me,” Thor blushes.

“I’m going to scout this place out,” Jane says and takes off flying with Mjolnir.

Valkyrie and Korg leave Thor alone with you to scout on foot.

“Who are you?”

“People know me as Hebe but I like to go by Y/N. I’m the Goddess of youth. I was just restoring youth to that garden you so rudely smashed into.”

“Sorry about that,” he chuckles nervously. Something clicks in his head and it shows in the way his eyes light up. “Your father is Zeus.”

“That bastard,” you roll your eyes. “He’s practically everyone’s father around here but yes, he’s my biological father. I hate his guts.”

“Maybe you can help me then.”

“What are you guys doing here? It’s not every day that someone comes crashing out of the sky. Or did you just want to ruin my garden for nothing?”

“No,” he chuckles. “I need to talk to Zeus. Is there any way my friends and I can do that?”

“I’m sure there is but you can’t do it privately. He likes to host meetings with all the gods and goddesses as a sort of touch base. One is happening very shortly.”

“Great, let’s go,” Thor says and walks past you.

“Hold on hot shot,” you say and turn to face him. “It’s an invite-only.”

“Are you invited?”

“All the children of Zeus must attend so yes, I am.”

“Great! You can get us in.”

You walk toward Thor and put a hand on his very muscular chest.

“Why would I reward you for ruining my garden?”

“I’m sorry?”

“No, I don’t want your apology.”

“What do you want?”

“I want a kiss. Right here,” you point to your cheek.

“Really? Okay,” Thor shrugs.

Thor leans down to press a kiss to your cheek but you move your face at the last second so that your own lips capture his. He’s shocked but doesn’t pull away from you. He thought you were beautiful the second he laid eyes on you, so kissing you is a plus. Your mother is the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth so naturally, flirting and romance come easily to you. You pull away from him after a couple of minutes and produce a ticket for him.

“Wait, I have three friends with me.”

“No, only you,” you smirk and walk away from him.

You should have known he was going to find some way to get his friends into the meeting. You’re sitting next to your siblings and mother but notice four people walk in wearing disguises. You can see past Thor’s disguise and can only assume his three friends are the other ones in disguise. Thor scans the area until his eyes land on yours. You smile and shake your head to which he shyly shrugs.

“Zeus! Zeus! Zeus!” everyone chants to welcome the most powerful God.

A thundercloud appears high in the room as he creates a platform for himself and his entourage. Everyone cheers when he makes an appearance but you roll your eyes in boredom. He conjures his special thunderbolt and throws it into the air. It splits into several smaller bolts and flies into the air all around the room.

As soon as the introduction is over, everyone falls silent so that they can hear what Zeus has to say.

“First order of business is where we should hold the orgy!” Disgust fills your face at the thought of participating. “The second order of business is to discuss the winners for the most human souls sacrificed in the name of a God.”

You groan and face plant into the palm of your hand wishing you could be anywhere but here. Thor’s whispers to his friends can be heard even from where you’re sitting, and that doesn’t go unnoticed by Zeus.

“Excuse me, who is talking?” Zeus asks and everyone looks at Thor. “You there! Why are you interrupting me?” Thor stands up to talk but is a bit quiet due to being put on the spot. “No, I can’t hear you. Please come up to the stage.”

Thor hates being put on the spot like that but knows this has to happen. He makes his way to the stage in front of everyone nervously. Now that he has everyone’s attention, he begins talking about the real reason why he’s here.

“Gods of the universe, I come here to ask for your help, to raise an army. Gorr, the God Butcher has made himself known and is slaughtering Gods in his path. He’s left nothing but chaos in his wake. With your help, we can crush him before he kills anyone else.”

As pressing as this issue is, Zeus isn’t interested in hearing about it.

“That guy killed a couple of low-level Gods. Boo-hoo. If that’s all, go back to your seat and be quiet.”

“Did you not hear what I just said? He’s murdering en masse.”

“I’ll tell you this one time. Sit down and be quiet or else you won’t get invited to the orgy.”

Of course, your dad will pass this off as nothing.

“Zeus, we must do something! You have to listen to us!”

Zeus gets impatient and sends bolts of lightning to Thor’s wrists which he shackles to the ground so he can’t go anywhere. Zeus’ platform lowers to the stage so he can be closer to him.

“I’m going to take off your disguise so I can see you for who you really are.” Zeus flicks the clothes off Thor but flicks too hard and ends up stripping him naked. Your mouth drops open at the sight of his cock. He’s really big for a God. It’s not surprising given his nature, and he’s not even hard. He looks over at you and you close your mouth to give him a smile and a thumbs up. “What about the others? Should I flick them too?”

“Nope! Disguise gone!”

All three of his friends stand and take off their disguises so the same thing won’t happen to them.

“Ah, Asgardians. I thought we’d seen the last of you when Odin died. You are Thor, the God of Thunder.”

“Zeus, this is bigger than us. He’s taken Asgardian children!”

“Who do you think we are? The God police? Every God watches over their own people so Asgardian problems are Asgardian problems.”

“Why won’t you listen to what he has to say?” you ask loudly and stand up. “People are dying and you don’t even care?”

“Sit down young lady,” your father points to you.

“Y/N, sit,” your mother says and yanks you back down to your seat.

“How the mighty have fallen. My hero, Zeus, afraid,” Thor glares.

Everyone gasps at the insult which Zeus doesn’t take lightly. He leaves his platform and steps onto the stage. He walks over to Thor to speak to him privately even though there are hundreds of eyes on them.

“A couple of things,” Zeus says quietly to Thor and gets really close to him. “Yes, I am scared. Gorr has the Necrosword which means he can kill us. Not good. Two, I know you’re trying to do the right thing. I understand and admire that about you, but all you’re going to do is cause panic and that’s not good. We are safe here. You, my friend, are safe here. Three, don’t talk back to me. I flicked too hard. I’ll put your clothes back on.”

Zeus steps back and uses his power to put clothes back on Thor, and you find yourself wishing he kept them off.

“If you’re not going to help us, then let us use your weapon,” Thor suggests. “We need your lightning bolt.”

“My lightning bolt is called Thunderbolt. If you’re going to use someone’s secret weapon then you should at least get the name right when you ask.”

“Fine, can I borrow Thunderbolt?”

Thunderbolt!” Zeus yells and summons his weapon. He begins showing off the thunderbolt by throwing it in the air, spinning it on his finger like a basketball, and snapping it in half only to slam it together. He turns and throws Thunderbolt into the backdrop where his throne sits. You roll your eyes at the way he’s behaving.

“No!” Zeus smirks. “Don’t worry, the God Butcher won’t reach Eternity!”

The smile is lost from your face at the mention of Eternity. Every universe in the multiverse compiles into one being called Eternity. Whoever reaches it first will be granted their desires. What might happen if the God Butcher reaches it first? What might be his desire?

“If he seeks the Eternity altar, that means he could wipe us out at once,” Thor says. “Zeus, we must act now.”

“He won’t reach it. He doesn't have the key.”

“Fine, then we’ll just have to go at this alone.”

“I don’t think so,” Zeus smirks. “This place is known only to Gods and if you leave, the God Butcher could use you to gain our location. This isn’t good. Now you must stay. Guards!”

Four guards walk onto the stage to take Thor prisoner and he looks over at his friends.

“Hey, can we go with my plan now?” Valkyrie asks.

“Yes.”

“Hell yeah!” Jane shouts and throws her hammer at a guard, killing him.

All three of his friends and Thor attack the guards that come onto the stage, and you watch with shock at the fight. Thor and his friends seem to be doing okay at killing every guard that comes onto the stage, and Zeus takes this as a sign to step in. He grabs Thunderbolt and throws it at one of Thor’s friends, Korg. Thunderbolt penetrates his chest and is summoned back to Zeus.

“Korg!” Thor yells.

“Thor, I’m perishing!”

Korg crumbles to rocks and Thor turns to Zeus with anger in his eyes.

“You’re next Odinson!”

Zeus throws Thunderbolt at Thor but the God catches it in his hand. His eyes shine bright blue with electricity and turn Thunderbolt into a blue one. He throws it back at Zeus which goes straight through his heart. You gasp and stand up as you witness your father fall to the ground dead.

More guards come rushing in to avenge Zeus’ death as Thor goes to his rock friend. He’s not dead but he doesn’t have a body. He’s only a face that they can use. Valkyrie ties him to her back as she fights, and he sounds the mystical whistle to call for the goats. Seconds later the same boat that crashed into your garden comes crashing through the glass skylight. The goats fly around everywhere without a place to land.

This is it. This is your opportunity to get the hell out of Olympus. You use all your strength to jump onto the platform high in the sky and grab Thunderbolt. Thor jumps onto the platform to see you with the weapon he needs in your hand. Everyone else is already on the ship so it’s now or never.

You can either go with them or hand over the weapon.

“Well, what is it going to be?”

You look at your mother who gives you a thumbs up. That’s all you need to make a decision.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Let’s go,” he chuckles.

You two jump onto the boat just as Thor uses Stormbreaker to put his war clothes back on. This is it. This is the adventure you’ve been wishing for.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[coffeeghoulie]

i feel like #11 from the physical guestures list would fit rulti...maybe swiss trying to distract rain while he's restringing his bass?

any inaccuracies about restringing basses are on me, I was a percussionist and the last time I touched a string instrument was like 14 years ago and god knows they wouldn't have let me restring a rental violin lmao. Hope you enjoy!

prompt from this prompt list: placing kisses on your lovers shoulder and nape as they are bent down, trying to focus on their work though they're very hot and bothered

"Hand me the knife, honey?" Rain asks, not looking up as he extends a hand, focused on the fretboard of his personal bass. He sits on the edge of his bed, dressed casually in a black binder and basketball shorts, hair loose and falling against his shoulders.

Swiss hums, pulling his utility knife out of his pocket, flipping open the wire cutters, and setting it gently in Rain's palm. He's sprawled out on his back, lounging on Rain's bed in a similar state of dress, watching Rain work.

He loosens each string, fingers almost reverent on the tuning peg as each string goes slack, clipping it near the pickups and carefully unwinding it from the guitar. Once the fretboard is bare, he grabs a cloth he had set aside, cleaning the guitar with gentle, back and forth motions.

Swiss whistles low, gold eyes lazily tracking the up and down motions of Rain's hand, wrapped around the neck of his bass as he cleans the fretboard. Rain snaps out of his reverie, looking over his shoulder at the multighoul, an easy grin twisting his lips. "Alright, enough, you guitarfucker," Rain teases, laughter spilling into his tone as he smacks Swiss's shoulder with the rag.

Swiss scoffs, matching Rain's grin. "I'm sorry I'm bored and I find you attractive, Rainbow."

Rain rolls his eyes, but he's still smiling softly. "You and I both know that you're not sorry. Be patient and I'll give you attention."

Swiss grins wider, baring his bright white fangs as he crosses his arms behind his head. "You promise, Rainy?"

"Yes, you needy, needy ghoul," Rain says, jabbing his webbed fingers into Swiss's flank, making the multighoul squeal in laughter. "Let me finish this and then you'll get your attention."

Swiss settles back against the mattress as Rain turns back to his bass, starting to thread the new strings through the bridge. Rain lips are pursed as he focuses, the tip of his forked tongue peeking out from his lips, an adorable little furrow in his brow as his hair hangs in his face.

Swiss stares, watching the water ghoul's expression as he works. He sighs as his gaze trails down to Rain's shoulders, bare blue skin spattered with silver, iridescent freckles. On impulse, Swiss sits up behind him, resting his big, warm hands on the cool blue skin of Rain's waist, thighs bracketing Rain's own.

"Patience," Rain says, not even bothering to look back at him as Swiss's body heat rushes into his system.

"I'm being patient, Rainy," Swiss promises, even as he bends down to press a kiss to one of the silvery freckles on Rain's shoulder.

Rain chuckles, pausing his work to run his fingers over Swiss's tight curls as he starts to press a kiss to each freckle. "This doesn't seem very patient to me, Swiss."

Swiss laughs, the sound melodic, his lips right against Rain's finned ear. "I'm not stopping you, Rainbow."

Rain shivers as his breath hits his fin, ear twitching against his hair. Swiss noses against the blue black waves as his kisses migrate to the nape of his neck. "Swiss," Rain breathes, warning in his tone.

"Tell me to stop, Rainbow, and I swear I will," Swiss says, lips pressed to the back of Rain's neck, breathing in the scent of his tea-tree shampoo.

There's no response, and Swiss just grins against Rain's skin, teeth pressed harmlessly against that first vertebrae, the spade of his tail smacking against the rumpled bedspread. Rain huffs, turning back to his bass, laid out precious in his lap, and continues restringing it.

Swiss grins even wider as Rain's tail curls slowly around his thigh. He purrs, chest rumbling against Rain's spine, his dorsal fin pressed against Swiss's warm skin. Swiss lets go of Rain's lithe waist, instead wrapping his arms around the water ghoul, careful not to knock into his arms as he works. He trails his kisses around the side of Rain's throat, kissing just at the edge of one of his sensitive gills, and Rain swears.

"Swiss, the longer it takes me to finish this, the longer it'll be before I can give you my undivided attention," Rain says, starting to thread the last string in place.

Swiss laughs again, rubbing his stubbled cheek gently against Rain's gills, grinning as he feels the gust of breath from Rain's throat and hooking his chin over Rain's shoulder. "Take your time, Rainbow. I like watching you work."

Rain hums, tilting his head to press his cheek against Swiss's horn, tightening the tuning key and plucking at the thinnest metal string, humming a note and trying to match pitch.

"You're sharp," Swiss breathes, humming slightly lower.

Rain rolls his eyes, knocking his horn against Swiss's as he loosens the key. "Show off. Not all of us can have perfect pitch."

Swiss just grins. "Trying to be helpful."

"And I appreciate it," Rain says, finding the right pitch, plucking the string several times. "I trust your judgment."

He nuzzles against Swiss's cheek as he finishes up, handing the multighoul back his utility knife.

"You done?" he asks, smile growing brighter as Rain pushes at his arms.

"Let me up, Swiss, gotta put her back," Rain says, successfully getting the multighoul to let go of him as he stands, taking his bass in gentle hands and setting it back on its stand.

Swiss's tail wags rapidly as Rain turns back towards him, smile easy as he stands between Swiss's legs. He cups Swiss's cheeks in his hands, smoothing a thumb over his stubble as the multighoul grins up at him. "Is it time for attention now?" Swiss teases, turning his head to kiss at the webbing between Rain's unglamored fingers.

"Yes, you needy ghoul," Rain says, shivering as he kisses the sensitive membrane. "You have all of my attention. Kiss me."

Swiss surges up, eager to oblige.

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP Weekend | Tagged by @thesingularityseries ❤️

More from John and Sabrina's AU first chapter, where he's acting absolutely normal and acing a phone call.

"Lead the way then, before you freeze." "I'm totally fine, John.", Sabrina glanced back at him as she started walking down the sidewalk, eventually coming to a stop in front of an old Ford Bronco while she searched for her keys. Something about his silence must have made her think he was experiencing a surprise at her choice of vehicle, because she added, "Go on, ask why I'm driving that at my age." "I wasn't going to." "No?" All he could offer was the truth, sensing a certain level of attachment to her vintage ride, "It suits you." "Oh? Should I feel offended?", she parroted his earlier words with a grin as she opened her door first and climbed into the driver seat, then reached over to unlock his as well. "No.", he settled next to her, reveling into her closeness when she pivoted to throw her bag on the backseat of the truck, "It was a compliment." His gaze drifted up to small metal butterfly charm paired with a couple of rainbow beads that hung from her rearview mirror as she put the Bronco into drive, "A butterfly?" "Hm?", she snuck a peek from the corner of her eye, another strange expression passing over her dimly-lit features. "A butterfly.", he repeated, grasping at the ornament carefully as he examined it, "Interesting choice."

Rin-Rin? It was what the beads spelled, and despite the fact she said nothing at his remark he could feel something about her demeanor shifting while she chewed on her lip nervously and did her hardest to keep her eyes on the traffic light she was waiting on to turn green. "So… did you at least have a good flight from, uh-" "Atlanta. And not really. No." That captured her interest, "Why's that?" "Hardly enjoyable when someone is sleeping on you mid-flight." Yet he couldn't say he would be saying the same if she was the one sitting in the middle seat on that plane and leaning on him. She let out a laugh, "That bad?" He frowned at the awful memory, "I swear he was snoring and close to drooling." "The wonders of public transportation." "Yes, I was envious of the pilot." "Oof, I wouldn't.", she shuddered lightly, "Imagine being responsible for so many lives and flying…" He was about to ask if she had fear of flying, when she changed the subject, "Awful flight, larceny, dead phone, you must be having a blast in Portland." "Don't forget Lenny sleeping on the job, but… my night is frankly starting to look up.", John retorted as he watched the lights from outside dance across her skin. Where during any drive, he would usually stick to minimal conversation and keep his gaze trained out of the window, from the second he had sat in the Bronco he had found himself being unable to look at anything but her, hating how every new turn and street brought them closer to his destination. To saying goodbye. In the daze, he had barely noticed they had driven over a bridge. "I'm glad to hear that.", her voice was small. Are you thinking the same, Detective? Feeling… disappointed?

The truck rolled to a stop in front of the brightly lit circular entrance of his hotel, his mood soaring at the very sight he was dreaming of seeing throughout his whole flight. "See, arrived in one piece, with your briefcase intact.", Sabrina quipped, finally turning in her seat to face him. "Thank you for the ride.", images of leaning in and stealing a kiss invaded his mind, but he shook off the outlandish idea as he reached for the door handle and swung the door open. Stop thinking if she'd going to taste just as good as she smells. Stop. The words echoed and did little to reign in his thoughts while his feet carried him away. Away from the moment. From her. From whatever he felt anytime she looked his way and said his name. "John.", her voice rang out, making him swivel around to face her and finding her leaning across his vacated seat to peek at him from the passenger side window. "Yes?" Go on… Ask to see me again. You're feeling it too, aren't you? Instead of giving him what he wanted, what he knew would be highly inadvisable, she uttered out, "Good night. I hope you get your things back soon. And… I'm sure you're not going to let the perp get away with it, Mr. Duncan." Damn right.

Her smile and small wave haunted him as he entered the hotel and crossed over the spacious lobby towards the reception where a petite blonde was in a deep conversation over the phone. As he got closer, she raised her index finger in a signal for him to wait while she scanned him from head to toe. Minutes flew by where she tried to resolve an issue a guest had with their room before she finally hung up the call and offered him an all-too-familiar grin. It bore a striking resemblance to the one Penny always aimed his way before trying to seduce him. These were his first sign to make his escape from the potential legal trouble brewing on the horizon. "Welcome, Mr-" "Duncan. I have a reservation.", annoyance creeped in at her flirtatious tone and heated look that made him feel like she was undressing him with her eyes. Her face fell at the cold reply, but he couldn't bring himself to correct his demeanor, feeling too tired of keeping up the usual charming facade, and of entertaining people in general, "Yes, yes, of course. One moment." Her fingers flew over the keyboard, and she shifted her gaze to the monitor in front of her, slight panic spreading over her features when her green eyes moved back to him again, "Uh-" "No.", he shook his head, sensing another thing was about to go awry. "I'm afraid there's been a mix-up. The room, we have on record for you is already occupied." He rose to his full height, resting his elbow onto the desk as the ruthless attorney in him came to the surface, "I have a reservation, miss." "I-I- understand that, Mr. Duncan, but…" "I flew 5 hours from Atlanta. My assistant made the arrangements weeks back. All has been paid in advance. I expect this "mix-up" to be fixed immediately. I'd hate to see this escalate further and ruin both of our nights." Starting with stripping all the stars your hotel has first thing in the morning.

The woman took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "I will get you settled into another room right away, sir. You can take a seat, it won't take long." "Thank you." John sauntered to one of the leather couches she had pointed at, making a show of checking his phone as he sat down, a part of him enjoying the anxious glances the woman sent him while she thought he wasn't paying attention. "Mr. Duncan.", the receptionist called out, depositing a black keycard to him the second he reached the desk again, "You're on the third floor, room 309. If you need anything, I will be at your service, just a simple call way.", her last words came out in a sultry tone, suggesting she had quickly recovered from previous tense interaction. Her eyes darted behind him in search of his suitcase, "Do you, uh-, you're traveling light, I pressume?" "No.", he offered nothing else despite her visible confusion. "Alright.", she gestured to a set of elevators to his right, "Have a good rest of your night, sir… and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any assitance." For heaven's sake- He set off without another glance in her direction, pressing the call button with way too much force and taking a calming breath at her excited parting wave, seeming completely unaware of his mood as the elevator doors closed.

John moved on autopilot to his room, unlocking the door and tossing his bag on the bed with a sigh, still refusing to believe he was finally there after the chaotic day he had lived through. After searching the bedside drawers for a charger, he plugged in his phone in last ditch effort at reviving it, then stripped off his suit jacket and matching vest as he stared at the empty street below. She's long gone. And I'm just another good deed under her belt. With his watch off and placed on the nightstand, he moved onto loosening his tie while thoughts of Sabrina doing the same emerged in his mind. How her fingers would work on the buttons of his shirt next and push it off his shoulders. Glide over his chest until they'd reach his dress pants. The whole time, her eyes would drink him in, paired with a caress that would set his skin on fire. "Fuck.", he groaned out, having no recollection when his own hand had slithered beneath his boxers in an attempt to mimic her ghostly touch. His feet carried him over to the bathroom while he slipped off his underwear somewhere between the doorway and the shower, depositing the garment on the counter before stepping under the stream. Hot water cascaded down his body, soothing his muscles and washing away the 5 hour-flight as his fingers wrapped around his erection. He shut his eyes tightly, picturing her in front of him at that moment. How he would finally kiss her until he'd almost lose himself in her taste. Her lips tracing a path down his chest and past his abdomen before closing around his length. His hand tangled in her hair to guide her and set the pace, hazel eyes looking up at him full of desire.

Out of nowhere, the water turned ice cold just as he began feeling his climax building up, the shock making him yelp out a string of curses as he fumbled with the knobs to no avail. The stream remained freezing, the universe deciding he was in a dire need of a cold shower. "Fuck that. Fuck this city and this goddamned hotel.", he exclaimed, hand traveling down his abs again as he imagined how Sabrina would squeal at the cold droplets raining down and plaster her body to his in search of warmth. Her giggles at the irony and his misfortune quickly transforming into moans as he'd thrust deep into her again and again. John leaned his forehead against the tiles, strokes picking up and making his body feel hot all over despite the biting water temperature. Her name left his lips as his release spilled out in spurs, then he focused on washing up in record time thanks to the shivers that racked his form. Completely spent, he stepped out of the shower and wiped off the stream that had gathered on the mirror, preparing himself for the usual guilt and emptiness that would settle in. The same ones he dealt with anytime he'd give into what his parents deemed sinful urges. He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection, eyes slowly filling with disbelief as he gripped the sink for support. Yet no matter how much he stood there and waited, the dreaded feelings never made an appearance. Instead, the place reserved for them over the years was occupied by thoughts of her. His body felt lighter, giddier, like every ounce of stress had left him at once. A current coursed through his limbs while his lips twisted into a smile. For once, the grin he wore wasn't forced or part of the mask he let people see, rather than real, like the few she had squeezed out of him during their interaction.

"What did she do to me?", he mumbled as he secured a towel around his waist and tip-toed back into the bedroom, collapsing onto the bed, body practically melting into the soft matress. His hand felt around the sheets blindly, in search of his suit jacket, fingers slipping into its pockets to fish out a business card. The one he had grabbed from Sabrina's desk without her even noticing before they had left the precinct. John rose back up to a sitting position, eyes drawn to his phone on the nightstand, "I'd be damned." The screen was lit up, showing the charging process. Before he could stop himself, he dove for the device and turned it on. "Thank God.", he exclaimed, completely ignoring the usual array of messages that always awaited him. His spontaneous plan to call her and hear her voice again had just been granted the plausible excuse he needed. Impatient fingers flew over the phone screen to input her digits and dialed her despite the small numbers on top telling him it was well past midnight and she was probably already asleep. Ring after ring sounded in his ear as he ran his hand through his damp hair, dreading getting to voicemail.

"Hello?", her smooth voice came through instead, surprising him for a brief second and prompting her to repeat, "Hello?" "It's-", he cleared his throat, suddenly feeling unsure, like he was making his very first phone call, "John. John Duncan." Where most would demand to know how he had even gotten their number, Sabrina only laughed, then added, "Don't tell me you're in trouble. Feels like I dropped you off 5 minutes ago." "Does a broken shower count?", on her side, he could hear water running in the background before it suddenly shut off. "John?" "Yes?" Her question carried another hint of amusement, "Are you, like… making up excuses for the call?" He frowned at the baseless accusation, "No. Of course not." "It's okay if you are… I mean, it would be a bit strange, but, I-" "I'm not, I promise. What did you say before? Cross my heart?" "Okay.", she mumbled, not sounding at all convinced he was telling the truth, "So… why did you call then?" "You said to await a call from the detective that would be in charge of my case. I finally managed to get my phone to turn back on and thought-" He wanted to slap a hand over his mouth, to stop the ramble from coming out so fast and furthering her suspicions of the nature of his call. This is going brilliantly. "John, uh, can you give me a second?", she thankfully interrupted his unrestrained explanation, sounding a little distant like she was talking from across the room out of a sudden. "Are you alright?", he asked slowly, wondering if whatever bad luck was plaguing him had rubbed off on her, too.

Her voice was back to normal, aside from the laugh she forced, "Just peachy. You caught me as I was coming out of the shower, you dialed my work number… anytime I get a call on it, it's some type of development on a case, so I rushed out without thinking." "Oh.", was all he could get out, the visuals of her admission making him shift on the bed. Was I on your mind, too? Were you touching yourself, wishing I was there? "John?", her tone made him worry he had spoken his thoughts out loud on accident. "Yeah?" "You got really quiet over there, I thought the call dropped.", a drawer slammed shut somewhere in the distance, "I was saying, that seeing how it's not an emergency, I thought I could put some clothes on first, instead of…", she trailed off, then added more quietly, "sitting around in a towel and talking to you." "Because that would be weird?", he looked down at the towel that was concealing another inevitable "situation" in the making. "Yes. So just… pretend I said nothing." He leaned back on his free hand, pressing the phone closer to his ear, "And if I don't want to?" "Why would you-", she thought better of it, "Never mind." It would be a miracle if I wake up tomorrow and she doesn't have a restraining order in place. "Would it help if I said I'm dealing with the same issue? So I won't exactly judge you." She breathed into the receiver, no doubt shocked at the revelation, the sound going straight to his one body part that needed it least at that moment, "No. Not really. Is this a joke?" "No."

"Okay. Um, wow.", he could hear shuffling from the other side, a door closing, "So what's your excuse?" John ignored the question, "Did you get dressed?" "Yes. I told you I was going to.", the long pause before she responded fed his curiosity, "Are you trying to dodge my question?" "Stolen suitcase, remember? Or did you imagine me sleeping in my only suit? I suspect my client wouldn't appreciate that when I go to our meeting in the morning." That won another laugh out of her, "Yeah, you probably wouldn't be too comfortable sleeping in it, either way. Now, about your phone… is this the number I should pass along to Stockton?" "Yes." "Alrighty. I will make sure he gets it." "Thank you." He lay back down on the bed, knowing any second she was about to wrap up their call. For once, he genuinely wished to talk to someone, and he somehow ended up making things awkward. A muffled yawn, followed by a quick 'sorry', filled the silence, "I know I probably shouldn't have called, Sabrina. You could have been sleeping." "It's okay. But next time, if it's not absolutely urgent, you could maybe text, keep the line free for tips." "What are the chances of you giving me your personal number?", he pushed his luck further, then checked the screen to make sure that she was just thinking over the idea in silence, that the call hadn't disconnected or she hadn't finally had enough of his blunt tangents and hung up.

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate.", she concluded flatly. "Why?" "You're a victim involved in an ongoing case." John rolled his eyes at the poor excuse, "That has nothing to do with your division, Detective." "You're from Atlanta." He was starting to worry about her inevitable appearance in court, "That sounded like an insult." "It wasn't meant to be one." "Try again." He could physically feel the sigh she let out, "Why did you really call me?" "Should be obvious." "Why, John?", she repeated. Fine, I will bite. "I wanted to hear your voice." Yes. She's definitely getting a restraining order now. When Sabrina said nothing, he tried again, "So, the number? One I could call you on." "I will think about it." It wasn't the answer he wanted to hear, but still, it was better than a straightforward 'No' or 'Fuck off, you creep.'. "Okay.", the word was followed by more shuffling, this time sounding like rustling of sheets, like she was turning in bed, getting comfortable. "Are you in bed?", he inquired, not taking any time to think better of it. "Are you?" He smirked, "'On it' would be more accurate." "Ah, semantics, why am I not surprised."

Her playful tone urged him on, "And you're wearing-" "an old T-shirt, an absolute sight to behold and write home about." "Show me.", the request came out as more of an order. "What are you asking?" "Send me your number.", he muttered before hanging up. He knew chances were that she might not entertain the idea, but taking a gamble when the outcome was worth it wasn't anything new to him, and neither was weighting up his odds. He could only hope her curiosity and the interest he had observed earlier were strong enough, louder than her professional reasonability. John held up his phone, waiting for a message to pop up until the screen went dark and minutes passed by without anything coming through. He got up, putting away the only clothes he had and scowling at the wrinkles that had formed on his shirt and how he would have to show up to the meeting with Mooney wearing yesterday's suit. He eventually dragged himself back to the bathroom, switching the towel for his boxers. The smile he wore minutes prior was long gone, substituted by a frown over the realization Sabrina wasn't going to text him and the fact he was still hard for her. "Shitstorm.", he muttered under his breath and exited the bathroom, his gaze falling on the hotel phone as he remembered the offer the girl at the reception had made. "No." He had tried that before with every time ending up the same - with him feeling that wretched emptiness once the high was gone and wanting to kick the woman out of his bed as soon as possible. He had no doubt if he was to call her up, he would only find himself imagining someone else - Sabrina, which would only complicate things even more.

His mood was getting darker by the second just as his phone pinged with a new message, the sound making him cross the room with quick strides. He clutched the device, hope taking flight within him as he opened the notification. A number. Sabrina had given into her curiosity, thrown caution to the wind. "Or she's texted me a random number and is having a laugh at my expense." He dialed it without wasting any time in wondering about the most likely outcome or how his look in the mirror had shown him as a less put-together version of himself. Anticipation climbed up his spine as the rings sounded off, and her face filled the screen. "Hey.", she said in a greeting, rubbing at her eye before propping up her head against her hand as she regarded him. He drank her in as she reclined back against her bed's headboard- from the shy smile pulling at her lips to the messy bun her hair was in and how the soft light in her room teased her features. "I was starting to think you'd gotten cold feet." Her hazel eyes shone as she let out a laugh, "If I had to bet, I'd say you'd be the one getting cold, Mr. Duncan, stolen clothes and all that. I feel like I can skip on asking to see what you're wearing." "Ouch.", he rubbed at his chest at the jab, "That one hurt." "Too soon?" "Mhm. Now, I was promised a sneak peek, or should I say, undeniable proof?"

She matched his smirk, panning the phone down while she announced in a hushed but still dramatic tone, "Behold. The most exquisite sleepwear you will ever see." His gaze took in the dark blue short-sleeved shirt she was covered by, worn-out and equally as alluring with how it hugged her body. The cotton material left little to his imagination. She moved the camera back to her face way too soon, "See?" He nodded thoughtfully, "Designer brands have nothing on it." "Truly." His mind drifted to the unknown man in her phone and her speaking quietly, "And you're alone?" Definitely didn't sound creepy or anything. "No.", his heart sank until she added, "A whole harem of guys is keeping me company, actually. They're currently fighting who will be sleeping on my tiny bed, and who's taking the ground, pillowless. A true form of punishment, I tell you." "Sounds entertaining." "Oh, absolutely. Wish you were here, huh?" His voice grew serious, huskier, "You have no idea." "Though, chances are you'd probably end up on the floor too, I love my bed too much to share it." Sleeping on the ground had never sounded more appealing to him, sore back and everything.

Tagging, @madparadoxum @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @strangefable @strafethesesinners @florbelles @chazz-anova @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @g0dspeeed @aceghosts @adelaidedrubman @poisonedtruth @purplehairsecretlair @corvosattano @euryalex @trench-rot @voidika @v0idbuggy @cassietrn @simplegenius042 @jillvalentinesday @stacispratt @nightbloodbix @theelderhazelnut @shegetsburned @dumbassdep and anyone with something to share ❤️

[ricky-tiki-tah]

If you're still looking for Ego prompts, maybe Wilford? 👀

Yes! I’ve had an idea for him banging around for a little bit.

—Story Time—

Mornings were always a quiet affair. Most of the other egos figured that Wilford needed his coffee to wake up in the morning, as any attempt to interact with him before then was largely unsuccessful. Only a few of the older egos knew the truth.

“Good morning, Wil.”

William hummed a quiet greeting to Dark, nodding towards the Jims at the kitchen table as he grabbed his mug, once again thankful that Dark gets up early enough to make coffee before everyone else is awake.

“Morning Not-so-Pink Jim!” One of the two Jim’s currently at the table spoke up.

“Mornin’ CJ.” William responded, turning around to lean against the counter and sipping his coffee.

Dark turned to grab the sugar and whipped cream, in preparation for Wilford’s memories to slot into place. “Any plans today, love?”

William shrugged, closing his eyes to just enjoy the quiet. “Got a meeting with Kathryn later. Think I’ll work on new interview questions til then.”

At this point the pink was returning to his hair and mustache, so Dark passed him the sugar. “Tell Kathryn I said hello, would you?”

Wilford nodded, reaching for the whipped cream and digging through a cabinet for the rainbow sprinkles. “Oh sure! Here’s to hoping she doesn’t mention the mess that happened yesterday!”

Wilford clinked his overly sugary mug with Dark’s, pressing a kiss to the other’s cheek before turning to head towards his studio. “Later Jims! I’ll look over your footage after my meeting.”

“Later Pink Jim!” The duo chorused.

AJ turned to look at Dark, who raised an eyebrow at him. “What?”

“Reporter Jim wants to interview William.” CJ spoke up.

Dark shook his head, finishing off his own coffee. “That’s not advisable, Jim. Wilford doesn’t know about his lapsing into William, and I would rather not find out what would happen if he were to find out.”

“Permission to interview Wilford, Demon Jim?” AJ asked.

“If you don’t ask about William, I don’t care AJ. Goodness knows what you four will do otherwise.” Dark replied. They had long since given up arguing with the Jims that they weren’t a demon.

—

“Wil, I can’t find Roosevelt!” Artie ran up to the pink journalist.

“Well then I’ll help you look! She’s bound to be around here somewhere.” Wilford pat the boys head reassuringly before turning towards his manager. “Excuse me Kathryn, this is of upmost importance. Roosevelt is expecting and Artie here has been busy making her a comfy little nest.”

Kathryn sighed but nodded. “Well we were nearly done already. I’ll leave the notes on your desk. Nice to see you Artie.”

“Nice to see you Kathryn!” Artie waved, tugging on Wilford’s hand. “Let’s go Wil!”

“Later!” Wilford waved. “Oh, Bim was wanting to talk to you too.”

“Alright. Good luck Artie.”

“Thanks!” Artie was finally able to pull Wilford away and towards his room.

“Have you looked in your treehouse yet, King?” Wilford asked, watching Artie tug him along with amusement.

“Yeah, she’s not actually missing though. I just had to think of something to get you out of the meeting.” Artie admitted, opening his door and making a beeline to his window.

“Oh really, whatever for?”

“Roosevelt had her babies!!” Artie explained, leading the way across the rope bridge to his treehouse.

“Oh did she now! That’s wonderful!” Wilford laughed, following the boy’s lead in staying quiet and moving slowly.

“Look!” Artie pointed towards one of the nest holes. “They’re so tiny!”

“Indeed! What do you plan to name them?”

Artie hummed deep in thought, milling it over as he studied the squirrel kits. Wilford smiled fondly, petting another squirrel while he waited.

“I think I’ll call that one Sherbet, that one Rocky, that little one Obi-Wan, and that one Moose.” Artie finally decided, pointing to each kit as he named them.

Wilford laughed. “Lovely names, I’m sure they’ll grow right into them!”

Artie beamed. “Oh they will! I’m the best King of the Squirrels ever and I’ll make sure they grow up to be big and strong little squirrels! Oh, the Jims want to interview you again, by the way.”

“Of course, they’ve only done so twice this week, I was waiting for them to come looking for me again.”

—

“There you are, Darkling!” Dark looked up as the pink ego appeared in their room.

“Hello Wilford, how was your day?”

“Oh it was great!” Wilford started, sprawling across Dark’s lap. “I scheduled another interview, and that meeting with Kathryn went splendidly! Oh say, did King tell you about his baby squirrels? They’re so adorable and tiny! And of course the Jims interviewed me again. This time they wanted to know how some of my hair is pink and I told them ‘well how should I know? It just is!’”

Dark smiled, setting his book aside and carding softly through said pink hair while he listened to Wilford ramble on about his day.

[volivolition]

Helloooo hi <2 <3 we have. music for you again :3c

1. Bad Astrology by Flower Face!! cw for suicide being mentioned halfway through the song though!

REALLY good song, we've been waking up with it stuck in our head recently,, This is very much a Diamonds and Spades song™ tbh (they loooove Flower Face) personally I lov how blue it is and how the instrumence™ sound. Flower Face might be becoming one of our favourite musicians actually FJDJSKFKD

2. Counting Cards by Rainbow Kitten Surprise!

Ok this one's a favourite for a starmate that you'll probably neverrrrr meet HDJXJSKFKDSJ his name's JJ and he fronts. SO IRREGULARLY FJDJDJFJDJ

BUt!!! RKS is also one of our favourite bands collectively, they've got such a good range of music, from soft acoustics to heavier rock songs, they're awesome omg. This is a good one to get started with their discography imo! The singer's voice in this one is just wonderful and the guitar is very Brain Scratchy for us I love how repetitive it is!

It's ALSO very blue, bout the same dark shade as Bad Astrology actually, which is. Kinda funny, like I wonder what abt each song makes them so similar to each other that they're damn near the same shade synesthesia-wise if that makes sense JFNDSNFJD

also also also. We made you a playlist!! Of every song we've sent you so far! here's a link to it! It'll be updated w the newest song recs whenever you post our asks 👍 if you want us to like. change anything about the description or playlist title do let us know HCNXKZKC <2 wly! -Dark

HELLOO HI BELOVEDS!!! :3c WAUHGH yall are!! EVERYTHING TO ME HKJH thank you so much for making a playlist for me wahhh :'] i really truly appreciate it!!

Bad Astrology - YAYY FLOWER FACE!! thank you for the cw <33 i do associate Flower Face with Diamonds and Spades (and Clovers) like, every time hkgjh i love the beginning sorta synth sounds, its sounds like thrumming before all the instrumence surge in with the vocals, i love the singer's vocals as per ALWAYS, the delicate sound of the bridge(?) "Palisade honeymoon / I'll only see what you want me to see~" it's really gorgeous and quietly intent, the lyrics hurt my heart hkjh :'] <33

Counting Cards - [claps!!] oooh JJ song!! i saw yall talking about RKS earlier, hell yeah :] OH REAL, the guitar is VERY NICE i love the "du-du-du" motif hehe <33 the lyrics are very clever and i love how they're sung, it sounds so smooth?? but with a sadness to it. like a background tragedy, a side character aware that the story they're in ends sadly for them and singing knowing it. i love the slow-to-quick "fa-ay-ded by-y-y / in time withth'back'o'yo'bedam i…" is sung and the pitch UP on the "watch me murder… THIS~ ✨" like YES NICE!!!!! <33 i also think this a great intro to them, this is very cool!! 

blue songs!! thats so interesting that both of them share similar shades of dark blue :o!! i think they both feel a bit melancholic, so this makes sense to me <33

AGAIN!! PLAYLIST!! WEEPS /POSITIVE HKGJH THANK YOU SO MUCH :']!!! yall don't have to change a thing, i think its perfectly lovely, brings me joy :'] <3333 <2222

[fountainpenguin]

"The world's smallest violin really needs an audience, so let me play my violin for you..." (x)

---

New Origin of the Pixies chapter today!

Chapter 43 - “Letters and Numbers”

Read on FFN || Read on AO3

Start from Chapter 1

---

Since Sanderson came into his adult wings last chapter, it was only a matter of time before his younger coworkers did too. Tensions rise as Longwood and Smith begin to assert their dominance, and H.P. does what he can to ensure his position as Head Pixie remains secure.

Next time we see these kids, we'll be off to war...

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

---

Letters and Numbers

Spring of the Yellow Tailfeathers

---

Longwood hovered by the tram station, his shades pushed into his hair and his arms crossed. As I drifted up to join him, I raised an admittedly exaggerated brow. "And you're absolutely sure you don't want me to call your Refracted counterpart?"

"I am."

"You realize that after today, you can never enter a Daoist shrine again. Without her kiss as a juvenile, you're impure. Your window of opportunity will have closed. If you ever want in again, you'll have to travel to the High Kingdom and meet on her territory."

"I get it, H.P." He smiled thinly. "I'm Zodii. I'm all Zodii."

I suppressed my sigh. "All right. No ceremonial coming of age kiss. Well, if we're not going to be spending the evening witnessing a dance, I'm glad we're going out instead." I picked up my coat and pulled it on while Sanderson watched from the stairs. "Where do you fancy? Preferably someplace with soda."

Longwood sized me up with a rueful sideways glance. "H.P., I'm 164,000. Adult wings or not, I can't legally drink for 25,000 years."

"… Right. I knew that. So where do you want to go? Hawkins and I went hiking, and Wilcox and I spent the weekend soaring above the cloudlands as geese. You and I have to go somewhere- anywhere you want. A getaway for just the two of us. That's Pixie tradition."

"I want to go to the Leaves Temple and present myself before Thurmondo."

Oh. I wrinkled my nose. "Um. That place by the Frozen Garden Palace? That's what you want? Am I even allowed to go there?"

Longwood nodded. "You're allowed to be on the lower two levels. The echo chamber is on the top floor. H.P., I know you don't believe, but I want you to come and meditate with me. That's my birthday wish."

I watched his face for any hint of ulterior motives. "What exactly do you plan to do while I'm there?"

"Just pray, and think, and listen. It's the Temple of Curiosity. It's sort of a play area up front for the nymphs and pups, and more of a museum in the back. Lots of little puzzles to fiddle with and solve. You'll like it."

"Okay. If that's what you want." I glanced over my shoulder. "Sanderson, you're in charge. No parties."

"Yes, sir."

We took the pilgrimage without magic as best as we could. I would've been content to ping there and be done with it, but Longwood insisted on the trams. At least using magic on the way home wasn't against their self-imposed rules. Longwood and I arrived in Cornflower City on Wednesday, then paid the temple a visit in the morning. I'd glimpsed the temple in passing: lush plants that betray the frosty outdoors and all of that. I'd never been inside before. Longwood walked me to the door. We entered together.

The noise hit me first. Longwood led onward and we stepped from the hall into an enormous brightly lit room.

"Holy chaos…"

Everything was a puzzle. The floor. The walls. The tables and chairs. Puzzles of cloudland cities. Puzzles of the Rainbow Bridge. Puzzles of famous monuments. Puzzles of planets. Puzzles of farms, animals, factories…

I turned a full circle, sliding my hands up to grasp my hat. Mazes of wire. Mirrors that alter your appearance in nonsensical ways. Children's toys strewn all over the ground (Ah, so that's how the Zodii lure you in young). Fairy nymphs and Anti-Fairy pups raced and poofed back and forth, shrieking and chortling as they zipped from one place to another. Amused parents sat on benches along the walls.

Longwood looked at me, awaiting any further reaction on my part. "If it's too much, sir, on the other side of the room, there's a door that leads into the meditation hall. It's quieter there."

I squinted. There was laughter, and crying. Bright construction paper. Train sets with engines and tracks. Interactive wall panels. Tunnels. Slides. Climbing bars. Trampolines. Squishy blue mats. Ringing rainbow xylophones. Spinning hoops. Wooden blocks. Sports balls. Foam balls. Toy blasters to fire those foam balls. Adventure quests and target games you could work your way through with a pretend wand in hand. Scoreboards?

It was every doctor's office waiting room, playground, splash pad, nymph gymnasium, and socializing nursery I'd ever imagined contained under one roof. My awareness zinged in a thousand directions at once, trying to track every rapidly moving kid, shot ball, and thrown toy. Every toenail, every hair, every dust flake, every skin cell.

Howls of pain. Bruises? Blood? Snot? Barf? Pee? There was no way to know what wild kids did when ducking through the tunnels and enriching themselves where adults couldn't see them. I am almost positive everything in there was liable to give you some contagious disease at the simplest brush of your hand. Nothing in there was sanitary. Nothing in there was safe. It wasn't right.

"Longwood," I whispered, "I can't do this. I can't stay in here. Nothing in here is organized. I'm going to have a meltdown. In front of all these people."

"Really?" He looked again around the Temple. "I thought you'd like solving the puzzles and filling in the coloring sheets."

"I will. Oh, I will. Longwood, I'm glad you have the ability to focus on just one thing at a time. To set up just three of a hundred dominos, to rotate a wheel filled with beads just half a turn, to flip an hourglass over when it hasn't timed out, to roll a play cloudcar a short ways across the floor, and then move on with your life."

I met his gaze, tugging my hat lower. "But if you start me on this, I swear I am not leaving until every one of these puzzles is done at the same time, and stabilized that way. And I do not care how many nymphs or full-grown adults I have to bowl over to do so. Either let me absolutely loose, or get me out of here- now."

[Cnt'd on FFN / AO3 - Links at top]

[nyxlaufeyson]

You're Sitting in my Seat!

Oneshot Masterlist - Main Masterlist

POV: Second

Ship: Loki x Y/n

Type: Fluff

Wordcount: 1,500

TW: None

Synopsis: You accidentally sit in Loki's seat at a movie theater

You grab a handful of buttery popcorn and shove it into your mouth, savoring the taste. Movie theater popcorn was the best.  It was like the Mcdonald's sprite of movie theaters! You were at the movies getting ready to watch a new film that you had been dying to see.

You had fairly good seats, as you were able to pre-book. You liked to sit near the middle, not too close, not too far; the Goldie Locks of theater seating. One of the perks of the pandemic that seems to still haunt the world.

 You didn't, however, realize that you had sat down in seat 5E instead of 5D. So, when another person came looking for their seat, they had trouble figuring out where they were supposed to sit. 

"5A...5B...5C...5D...5E." The stranger muttered under his breath as he came to a stop in front of your seat. You made eye contact with him as you took a sip of your slushee. Sluuuurp

"Excuse me miss, I think your in my seat." The stranger said, running a hand through his raven-colored hair. 

Your face turned red as you looked on your ticket stub and back at your seat number. "Ohmygodimsosorry!" You say, quickly getting up and moving to the left one, sitting in seat 5D this time. 

The man chuckled and waved it off. "Don't worry about it." He said with a smile. You nodded in appreciation as the 'silence your cellphone' ad came up onto the screen for the fifth time.

"I'm Y/n, what's your name?" You ask the man, who had sat down in his seat. "Loki." He said simply, eyeing your popcorn. 

"Want some?" You offer, and he looked at you weird. "What is it?" He asked, and your jaw dropped in disbelief. How could someone not know what popcorn was?!

"You've never had popcorn?!" You ask, shocked. Loki shook his head. "I'm new to the area." He said simply, as if it wasn't a big deal. "New to the area? Popcorn is popular everywhere!" You say, chuckling at the end of your sentence. 'Popcorn' and 'popular' sounded very similar.

Loki bit his lip and looked at the ground before looking back at you. "I guess you could say..." He broke into a smile "... That I'm out of this world." You burst out into laughter at the cheesy line, and he joined in. 

"So, where are you from Mr. Alien." You inquired, smiling at the last two words. Loki hesitated "Asgard." He said, and you laughed, thinking it was a joke.

"What, so you're like, Loki the God of mischief?" You joked, but Loki's face was serious. "Well, yes, that's exactly right." He said, and you looked at him shocked.

"No freaking way! So you're really from another realm?!" You asked excitedly, recalling some of the mythology books you had read.

Loki nodded, and you smiled at him. "That's so cool. What was it like? Asgard, I mean." You ask him, eager to learn more about the places that you could only ever dream to see.

"Well, there's a big rainbow bridge leading out of the bifrost and to the castle. The castle is made out of mostly gold and is enormous. Me and Thor always would stumble upon new rooms and pathways as kids. In fact, I stumbled upon another library that I hadn't known existed just my last visit to Asgard." Loki said, reminiscing in his past adventures with Thor.

You envisioned Asgard in your mind. You wondered what it would feel like to stand there on that golden bridge, to look up and see a gleaming gold castle towering above you.

Loki looked at your face and noticed how your eyes had lit up when he spoke of Asgard. He took in the way your e/c eyes complimented your h/c hair. He had noticed earlier the cute faces you made when talking to him, and he couldn't help but find you adorable.

As you slowly came out of your daydreaming, you saw Loki's eyes gazing into yours. You took a second to just look at him for a moment. His black hair fell just below his shoulders, and his green eyes sparkled like emeralds in sunshine. You took in his perfect jawline and found yourself checking him out.

Loki cleared his throat, but not until after he was done taking his time checking you out. A blush arose to your face as you realized you had just been caught checking this guy out.

Your gaze snapped back to his, and he gave you a cheeky smile. "Like what you see?" He teased, and you rolled your eyes, feeling your cheeks burn up.

"Whatever you say, Mischief." You tease him back, and at first he looks surprised, but quickly takes on his mischievous persona. "Nicknaming now, are we darling?" He said, and you felt a definite change in the theaters temperature. The theater must have turned up the heat!

Just then, the movie started to play. You were a bit sad that you had to end your conversation with Loki, but you also were relieved. You weren't sure how much more of this guy you could take before you would melt to the ground.

You focused on the large screen as the vibrant colors lit up the cinema. It felt like you were being sucked into the movie, becoming the characters. Loki, on the other  hand, kept glancing back at you as you watched intently. 

-Time skip-

You were in tears an hour into the movie. The main character's best friend had just died, and you felt it leave a wound in your heart.

You knew it was just acting, but it still hurt. Of course, sometimes you just need a good cry, and movies can do that sort of thing to you. At least, that's what the Greeks thought with their early conceptions of  theater. 

Loki noticed you crying and frowned. "What's wrong?" He asked, wondering why you were crying. 

"They killed Penny! That's so sad! If Jenny hadn't opened that letter,  Penny never would've died!" You sobbed, cursing the writers for killing Penny. You had grown fond of her character and were devastated that the writers killed her off. 

"Sometimes characters have to die for people to change." Loki suggested, but that didn't bring you any comfort, and he noticed, putting a hand on your shoulder. "Let's watch and see how it plays out." 

You tensed at first when his hand came to your shoulder, but then relaxed into his hand, turning your attention back to the movie. 

-Another short time skip-

After the movie was over, you were in more tears. At least they were happy tears now. Loki was right, Penny needed to die for Jenny to change. Without that death the way it happened, Jenny would have continued her life in drugs and debt. Jenny was able to make something out of herself, and continued Penny's legacy. 

You were walking right beside Loki as you threw your empty popcorn bucket and drink into the trash bin. 

"So, did you like how the movie ended?" He asked, and you nodded with a smile. "You were right, without Penny dying Jenny wouldn't have changed." You replied, and he smiled back at you. 

You narrowed your eyes at him. "How did you know that anyway? Did you use your magic alien powers?" You tease, and he chuckles. "I don't know, I just had a feeling, you know?" He said, gazing into your eyes. 

For a moment, you couldn't tell if he was talking about the movie, but you shook off that idea. You thought this man was way out of your league. 

Funny, actually, because Loki thought the same way about you. He thought that someone as gorgeous as you wouldn't like a monster like him. 

You two continued out into the lobby of the theater, where you stopped before the doors. "So Mr. Mischief, does someone as ancient as yourself happen to have modern earthling technology called a phone?" You asked, smiling. 

Loki winked before walking out the door without a word. You were stunned, wondering why he just blew you off like that. It wasn't like you expected him to be interested in you, but you wanted to at least be friends!

Sighing, you went to brush a strand of hair out of your face, when you realized you were holding a piece of paper in your hand.

You didn't remember picking anything up, and you curiously unfolded the paper. There, written in the most perfect handwriting you had ever seen, were 10 digits, followed by a signature: 

Loki

You smiled to yourself as you realized that you had not, in fact, been blown off. That trickster! You immediately saved his contact into your phone in case you lost his number, and walked out of the movie theater feeling like you were on top of the world.

A/N: Make sure to like and comment any suggestions/requests! Would love to hear some feedback :) Love ya! xx

[charlesandmartine]

Saturday 27th April 2024

We awoke early this morning, now trained to go game watching at silly o'clock. I thought the air conditioning must be on, but it was the roar of the Falls that can constantly be heard from our room. The immense spray can be seen rising from the gorge hewn by the water.

The sun beat down on us yet again. 32° on the rich, the poor, the just and the unjust. Our personal guide showed up on queue, bundled us into the back of his minibus and swiftly drove us to the Falls some 1km from the hotel. The Chinese were ahead of us already doing the selfies. Imagine if you will the holiday slide show happening soon in the home of the Pings, downtown Shanghai. What picture is this asks daddy Ping? That's Victoria Falls says Shing. Where Falls says daddy Ping, all I see is your ugly face. You got any other picture of Falls? Shing falls silent for a moment, then brightens and says yes, I took picture of Falls me and Ting. But Victoria Falls is World Heritage Site, is 107m high, 1737m wide and has 1100m3/sec, 300,000 gallons per sec. flowing over it why only picture of ugly face. Was same with Taj Mahal, London Bridge, Sydney Bridge. Last time I pay for holiday! (Names changed to protect the innocent)

This thing is immense and awe inspiring and the most amazing waterfall we have ever seen. It's construction is of several falls: Devil's Cataract used in previous days as an animal sacrifice area in times of hardship, the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls and Armchair Falls. In terms of scale it is 10th widest and 13th by volume but figures combined make it to the top three waterfalls in the world. The spray from the crashing water hitting the bedrocks far below rose high into the air forming fine rain soaking us through despite wearing cagoules. Whole areas were hidden intermittently due to the low cloud formed. The viewing walkways have been planted with rainforest vegetation and palm trees because after all, it is warm and it rains continuously and ideal conditions for such a beautiful tropical creation. Astonishingly, on the Zambian bank, possibly Livingstone Island, feet from the precipice edge sat a small pool, quiescent from the thunder of the current passing just inches away before crashing hundreds of feet to the melee far below. Those with an incredibly low IQ were able to enjoy this free gratis jacuzzi provided by nature despite certain death so close at hand.

The first European to find the Falls was of course David Livingstone in 1855. The Chobe River we were by, is one of several feeds to the Zambezi which tips over the Zambian side of the Falls allowing the Zimbabwe peoples to get a good look at it. Livingstone, whose statue we passed, spent his life in Zambia, dying in Chitambo in 1873. He apparently said his heart lay with Zambia, so whether he meant this literally or not, we shall never know for sure, they cut his heart out and buried it there and posted the rest of him back to Westminster Abbey. The railway bridge which also forms the border with Zambia, passes close to the Falls and is an integral part of the Cape Town to Cairo railway a dream of Cecil Rhodes. A jaw dropping engineering project from the late 19 century. Well it would be but it ran out of steam, navies and engineers by the time it reached Tanzania due to sickness and being eaten by lions and it didn't get any further. The 156m bridge was designed by the same guys who built Sydney Harbour bridge; prefabricated in Cleveland, England and shipped out in kit form; an amazing achievement in itself. It was completed in just 14 months in 1905.

Now the Victoria Falls Hotel is quite a closed community with its internal staff coupled closely with the outdoor security staff that have the appearance of a small army! They parade around the grounds keeping non-guests, locals, undesirables and baboons firmly under control and away from the bricks and mortar. They are not that keen on guests either and are likely to ask what your room number is. After recuperating from our dousing at the Falls this morning, we spent an hour or so in the sun by the pool and then felt strong enough to escape to promenade the high street. From the minibus it all looked very jolly; full of curiosity shops, the odd eating place and bar. So off we went. Now I'm sure that they are all very nice people in their own way, but I began to understand how an impala felt just popping out to where the lions live. To start with there were stares similar to those I imagine a black person might get in a white enclave. Then the hard sell starts; carvings, little wooden bowls, statuettes and bright African things. All highly valued in their own way but no I don't want one is not the right answer. You are accompanied along the street having the goods yet again thrust in front of you in case you hadn't previously realised just how much you needed one of these. Then there's the person who is convinced you want a supermarket, maybe for water and he's your man to help you find one. Then there's the honest beggars. A call will be heard from inside a shop you may be passing. It's like the entire Zimbabwe economy must depend on what's in your pocket. We felt desperately for these people but we really don't know what we could do for them. We've done as much as we can simply by coming, staying in a hotel which employs local people. I took a photo of a discarded steam engine and we legged it back to the security of the hotel just mentioned our room number to the host of guards patrolling outside once or twice.

Jungle Junction not being for us tonight we decided to eat on the terrace restaurant. The official currency in Zimbabwe is the US dollar although they have in the last couple of weeks announced for the first time ever their own currency although from what I've heard it's plummeting faster than a bucket down a well. Items purchased and meals are unusually expensive here in the hotel probably due to the link with the dollar. Meal last night was not too far short of $100!

ps Zimbabwe flags are all flying half mast because 3 brigadiers were killed in a motor accident.

pps Tomorrow we will be boarding the Rovos Rail for the next four nights to Pretoria. WiFi might be scarce.

[setaripendragon]

Cress - Part 3

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 I really enjoyed writing this one and playing about with just the entire concept of dreams and the Dreaming and... I love the world building in Sandman so much, okay, and playing in this sandbox is just -happy author flailing- The Princess of the Dreaming comes home.

The Dreaming is in ruins. Ever since the library disappeared, there’s been nothing for Lucienne to do except watch the rest of the Dreaming crumble. She’s tried, as best she can, to hold it together, but she’s only a dream of a memory in the end, even if she has been favoured by their Lord. She hasn’t got the authority to order anyone to stay, and she doesn’t have the power to shape the dreamstuff back into what it was.

It’s an exercise in futility, and though Lucienne has never fallen prey to the fear that their Lord has abandoned them, has always believed that he will return when whatever is keeping him is done, she still finds it all exhausting. Even just existing these days is exhausting. The dreamstuff that makes her up is just as inclined to crumble back into its base state as the dreamstuff everywhere else, and holding herself together has become its own chore these last few years.

“Uh… Loosh?”

Lucienne sighs, and turns away from her consideration of the ruin of her Lord’s castle to face Mervyn with a forced smile. “Yes? What is it?” she asks. Back to business. Someone has to try and keep order while their Lord is away, and it might as well be her.

Mervyn makes a sound like clearing the throat he doesn’t actually have, and looks down. “We’ve got a new dreamer,” he tells her. Lucienne grimaces. Once upon a time, that wasn’t even an event to be remarked upon. These days, it’s an ill omen. How broken must everything be, for a new dreamer in the Dreaming to be a bad thing?

“Well, we may as well do our best to make them comfortable while they’re with us,” Lucienne says briskly. It’s the last kindness any of these dreamers will ever know. As the mortal world has – presumably – grown better at dealing with people who cannot wake, they survive longer, but they still haven’t discovered a way to convince the Dreaming to let them go again. So many dreamers have died in the Dreaming in the last seventy years, and if their Lord were here, perhaps that would grant them a second life here in the Dreaming like it had for Lucienne, but… There is no Dream Lord to claim them, and so they can only go with Death when she comes for them.

“Yeah…” Mervyn sighs. “That’s gonna take some work with this one.”

“Oh?” Lucienne prompts, suddenly wary. “Why is that?”

“Cause it’s a baby, isn’t it?” Mervyn asks, shoving his hands into his pockets with an air of deep discontent.

Lucienne doesn’t blame him one bit. She closes her eyes against the news. They’ve seen their fair share of children, toddlers, and even infants since their Lord left, but it’s never gotten easier to bear. The Dreaming is meant to enhance the lives of the dreamers, not steal their entire span of years away from them.

She caves to a moment of weakness, and takes her glasses off to rub at her eyes. She’s a dreamthing; she shouldn’t get tired. And yet. “Where?” she asks on a heavy sigh.

“The shores,” Mervyn tells her, and so off they go; leaping across the rubble and fragments of the bridge, across the now barren plains where Fiddler’s Green once lay, through the Gates of Horn and Ivory, which blessedly still stand, and out onto the soft shores of the Dreaming. Raw dreamstuff stretches out endlessly, waves of the Sea of Sleep lapping at its edges, and Lucienne finds she doesn’t need a guide any more.

The sight before her punches a soft ‘oh’ right out from the depths of her lungs. She’s not sure if it’s joy or sorrow. There’s no missing their new guest, because she’s wrapped up in a dream. A soft-edged infant’s dream of rainbows, bright primary colours fuzzing into each other, making strange shapes as they drift around their dreamer, tipping the babe from one vibrant cradle to another and sending sparkles of pure joy into the air.

Lucienne hadn’t known any such gentle dreams yet survived.

“Huh. Thought the little ones were all gone by now,” Mervyn says, echoing Lucienne’s thoughts with uncanny accuracy.

“I suppose we missed one,” Lucienne says helplessly.

She doesn’t know how long she stands there just watching, unable to bring herself to interrupt and end this moment. It’s such a small thing – such a small dream, for such a small dreamer – and yet that tiny thing lodges in her chest and grows until it threatens to burst. So she stands and watches as an infant dreams of rainbows, until quite suddenly, the babe is tipped from amorphous blue to bubbling orange, and falls right through the bubbles and into nothing.

Mervyn swears, covering the sound of Lucienne’s gasp.

“She woke up,” Lucienne says dumbly, staring as the dream twists in on itself, condensing down into a little blob of ever-shifting colour. It shifts, sliding around on the dream-sand of the shores, as though it’s looking for its absent playmate.

“Ah, damn. Come here, you,” Mervyn says, striding – more like staggering – forward to catch the attention of the dream. “Better get you somewhere safe, before you dissolve like the rest. What’s your name, then? I don’t recognise you t’all.” He sounds very indignant about that last part, which is fair enough. Mervyn was generally well acquainted with most of their Lord’s creations. Perhaps this one was made right before he left, and it never had the chance to become known to the other denizens of the Dreaming.

The dream fluctuates indecisively for a moment, and then turns a startlingly uniform shade of vibrant yellow. “Aureolin,” Lucienne says, when Mervyn flounders. The dream sparkles. “It’s very good to meet you, too,” Lucienne agrees. “I’m Lucienne, the Royal Librarian, and this is Mervyn Pumpkinhead, the… Royal Caretaker.” Mervyn humphs, but doesn’t contradict her “Now, let’s get you settled somewhere a bit safer, shall we?”

Aereolin agrees, and dutifully follows along behind as Lucienne turns her steps not back towards the Castle, but further into the Dreaming, towards the Houses of Secrets and Mysteries. These days, it’s safer there than it is in the Castle. One never knows when another set of rooms is just going to disappear in there.

Abel is absolutely overjoyed to see another dream, while Cain is significantly more disgruntled about being asked to babysit. Lucienne, having expected this, blandly suggests that if it’s too much for him-

“Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not as if we’ve got anything else to do around here!” Cain snaps, cutting her off before she can even begin to suggest Aureolin comes to the castle with her, and Lucienne smiles smugly.

“Of course. Thank you,” she says indulgently.

“Gregory! Look, Gregory, a new friend for you!” Abel calls to the gargoyle nesting on the roof. Gregory chirrups in confusion, and hops down, scattering roof tiles as he goes, to nose at Aureolin curiously. Aureolin blooms into a riot of colours in the air around Gregory, who yelps and rears back, turning on his hind legs to try and look at everything all at once, only to fall back on his rump when he overbalances.

Aureolin flares around him in a riot of sunshine yellow and neon orange and crystal white. Gregory shakes himself, then wriggles with more intent. Abel has just enough time to shout, “Gregory, no-!” before Gregory pounces. He catches most of Aereolin under one large paw, right up until Aureolin bleeds itself into the ground, turning the grass coquelicot and heliotrope and gamboge.

Then it springs back into the air like a mist rising out of the ground, coalesces into a rainbow, before darting off into the trees, a rippling ribbon of colour against the dreary Dreaming, with Gregory in hot pursuit.

“Where’d you find that one, then?” Cain asks suspiciously.

“On the shores,” Lucienne says blandly.

“What was it doing down there?” Cain demands.

“What we’re all doing these days,” Lucienne says, a little harder now. “Getting by.”

Cain harrumphs, but ceases attempting to interrogate her. Good, because Lucienne does not want to see what frenzy the last few residents of the dreaming might be driven to by the notion of a dreamer who isn’t stuck. They’d swamp the poor child, and probably cause no end of trauma.

She returns to the palace, for want of anything better to do, and catches herself looking mournfully at the once-vibrant stained glass windows of the throne room. They’re dull, these days. Even if there was more than the watery light of their non-weather, the glass is no longer jewel-toned and ready to glow at the touch of the sun. Lucienne hasn’t seen colour like Aureolin’s here in the dreaming for at least the last twenty years.

Somehow, she’s not surprised when Mervyn comes to fetch her again what feels like mere moments later.

“She’s back, Loosh.”

And so she is, when Lucienne goes back down to the shores to see. The child has called Aureolin back to her, and they’re playing on the sand together. And it happens again. And again. Lucienne begins to track time by days instead of years again, keeping an eye out for the infant. Sometimes Aureolin doesn’t come, and Lucienne will pick the child up and carry her back through the gates and into the palace, just because it’s better than leaving her lying on the dream-sand.

Some many days and nights later, Lucienne finds the infant on the shore again, and while Aureolin isn’t there, another dream is. Or, rather, a nightmare. An infant’s nightmare of cold and sharp, with no finesse to its form. To Lucienne, it looks a little like a soap-bubble, covered in pulsing spikes like shards of broken glass, surrounded by a glimmer of diamond-dust.

The infant is being cradled by the spikes, and her tiny little hand keeps closing around one, and then letting go with a whimper, and then trying to close around it again. And the nightmare, for all that it is what it is and it’s fulfilling its purpose in allowing the child to explore these things that scare it in a safe environment, is being so incredibly gentle with her as it holds her aloft, shards tip-tapping over the infant’s skin as it explores in turn.

It is not… typical, of her Lord’s creations, she has to admit. Neither is Aureolin. Even the children’s dreams and nightmares have had forms beyond their function, as far as Lucienne can remember. Human dreams with human shapes, the better to know those they’re meant to serve, and to communicate with the aspect of their Lord in charge of them.

These… are not human.

Perhaps, Lucienne dares to think, this is the Dreaming beginning to heal around their Lord’s absence? After all, their Lord is the Dreaming, and the Dreaming is him. It is not a creation that bears the mark of her Lord’s experienced hand, but… it must be of him, else it could not be. So perhaps they have simply been born of some part of her Lord that is… less than intentional. Impulse over artistry.

It keeps happening, too. The child grows, and as she does, more complex dreams bloom out of the dreamstuff as she needs them. Tesseract joins Aureolin and Dearth, as she discovers shapes, as she grows strong enough to operate her limbs properly and finds the world has substance, and then Schism, as she begins to walk and learns to fear falling, learns to dream of flying.

The first new dream to have a recognisable form is a spider, large enough for a small child to ride, covered in a thick fuzz of glowing white fur, and graced with a pair of magnificent translucent wings coloured like stained glass windows. Its eight eyes are all different sizes, from huge and liquid to small enough to be freckles, all of them black as night, all of them with eyelids far more like a human’s than any kind of insect.

The girl rides it across the dream-sand, sometimes shrieking with glee, sometimes yelling in triumph, and sometimes talking to it. Lucienne exchanges a look with Mervyn when they realise. It’s been a very long time since either of them has been around children. She’d forgotten they start talking that young.

“Should we…?” Mervyn asks. Lucienne looks to the girl, and after a moment of teetering indecision, nods sharply. Mervyn grumbles a wary agreement and, together, they start across the sand.

No matter where she is when she wakes, Lucienne notes, this girl always returns to the Dreaming here, on the shores, where all is raw dreamstuff like shifting sands, nurtured by the shushing shores of sleep. It’s curious, because most dreamers used to slip straight to whatever dream or nightmare called to them that night. But this girl never appears in the Houses of Secrets and Mysteries, nor in the palace rookery where Schism had taken to nesting, nor in the library where Tesseract tends to follow Lucienne around like a faithful hound.

They always come to her, instead.

On spotting them, the girl gasps in delight and immediately makes grabbing motions in their direction. In response, the dream immediately begins to skitter in their direction, wings flapping hard enough to lift it off the sand by a few feet, and then stopping, and then starting to buzz again.

“Pun’kin!” the girl cheers, as the glowing white spider skids to a stop at their feet, kicking up a cloud of shimmering golden dream-sand. “Birb!”

“Hello, little one. Little ones,” Lucienne greets, smiling a little tightly in her confusion.

“Hi! Hi, hi, hi,” the spider returns in a truly beautiful voice, while spinning around in a circle in its excitement.

“Up, pease!” the girl demands, raising her arms. Lucienne sighs, then bends down to pick her up and settle her on her hip. The spider scuttles up her legs, around to her back, and perches there like a backpack, front legs clinging to Lucienne’s shoulders.

Lucienne takes a moment to study the girl. She looks, perhaps, to be from somewhere in the Mediterranean; with warm skin, eyes such a dark brown they look nearly as black as the spider’s, and hair as glossy black as a raven’s wing. Mervyn leans in to study her, too, eyes narrowed. “Did you call me Pumpkin?” he asks.

“Pun’kin,” the girl agrees.

“This is Mervyn,” Lucienne corrects, refusing to laugh only because she knows it would annoy Mervyn. “And I am Lucienne. Who are you?”

“I’m Kess,” the girl says firmly. “Kessida!”

“Cressida?” Lucienne guesses. The girl nods in a full-body bobble. “That’s a lovely, name,” Lucienne tells her. “And who’s your friend?” she adds, turning her head to try and look at the spider still clinging to her back.

“I’m Arthur,” the spider announces sweetly.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Cress, Arthur,” Lucienne says entirely by rote.

“Luffly t’meechu, Looshen, Merfy,” Cressida echoes dutifully.

Mervyn winces. Lucienne doesn’t blame him. That’s a little bit too close to one of their Lord’s names to be anything but painful at the moment. “Maybe stick with ‘Punkin’, kiddo,” Mervyn suggests dryly.

“Kay,” Cressida agrees.