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himeraturku · 7 days

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Himera esittää: Atte Elias Kantonen, Livia Schweizer, Michael Pisaro-Liu

Lauantai / Saturday 18.5. 19:00 (ovet/doors 18:30)

Tehdasteatterin Jokistudio

Liput 8/5€

Ohjelma / Program:

Atte Elias Kantonen - solo electronics

Livia Schweizer - within (1) for solo flute by Michael Pisaro-Liu

Atte Elias Kantonen

Atte Elias Kantonen (b. 1992) is a Helsinki, Finland -based sound designer, sonic artist and composer working mostly in the fields of experimental music and contemporary performing arts.

The aim of Kantonen’s sounding discipline is to sculpt sound into delicate forms that are constantly affected by a kind of mutant nature encompassing a variety of tones – ranging from glassy to organismic, earthly to ethereal. Kantonen’s composing process consists of creating sonic events that play with the idea of form, space and time as having incessant elasticity. When it comes to designing sound for a performance, Kantonen incorporates spatial and electro-mechanical layers to his designs, ranging from unconventional speaker arrangements to sounding kinetic sculptures.

Kantonen has a conceptual side project “ant spa ·)((“, which currently consists of a monthly experimental music radio show on IDA radio and experimental music and sound performance event edition “bugbath”. His work has been supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Music Foundation Finland and for the year 2024 by the Kone foundation.

Livia Schweizer

Livia Schweizer (b.1994) is a flutist, improvisor, educator and artistic researcher based in Helsinki. She is known for her interest in improvisation and non-conventional music notation as a tool of bringing together creative souls from different backgrounds, ages and cultures.

Livia grew up in Tuscany and has lived in Finland since 2014. Since moving to Helsinki Livia has been performing solo and in chamber ensembles for festivals such as the Flow Festival, Helsingin Juhlaviikot, the UNM Festival, Tulkinnanvaraista, Luosto Soi, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu, Jauna Muzika (Lithuania), SoundScapes (Germany), Hiljaisuus Festival and Musica Nova. Her passion towards contemporary and experimental music brought her to be part in several projects with the NYKY-ensemble, Avanti!, Korvat Auki, the UMUU-ensemble, Eloa ry and Tampering, and in 2021 she became member of the Earth Ears Ensemble, an ensemble focused on contemporary music from lesser heard voices.

Michael Pisaro-Liu

Michael Pisaro-Liu (born, Michael Pisaro, 1961 in Buffalo, New York) is a guitarist and composer and a long-time member of the Wandelweiser collective. While, like other members of Wandelweiser, Pisaro-Liu is known for pieces of long duration with periods of silence, in the past fifteen years his work has branched out in many directions, including work with field recording, electronics, improvisation and ensembles of very different kinds of instrumental constitution.

Pisaro-Liu has a long-standing collaboration with percussionist Greg Stuart, with over thirty collaborations (pieces and recordings) to date, including their 3-disc set, Continuum Unbound from 2014 and Umbra & Penumbra for amplified percussion and orchestra premiered by the La Jolla Symphony in February, 2020. Pisaro-Liu also has recurring (intermittent) duos with Christian Wolff, Keith Rowe, Taku Sugimoto, Antoine Beuger, Graham Lambkin, Toshiya Tsunoda and Reinier van Houdt. There are several recent compositions for orchestras of various kinds and constitutions – including commissioned work for the BBC Scottish Symphony, INSUB MetaOrchestra and the Grand Orchestre de Muzzix. Much of his current work takes the form of mixed-media assemblages, in collaboration with filmmaker/artist/writer Cherlyn Hsing-Hsin Pisaro-Liu.

Recordings of his music have been released by Edition Wandelweiser Records, erstwhile records, New World Records, elsewhere music, Hubro, Potlatch, another timbre, meena/ftarri, Senufo Editions, Intonema, winds measure, HEM Berlin and on Pisaro's own imprint, Gravity Wave. His work is regularly performed throughout the US, Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

Pisaro-Liu is the Director of Composition and Experimental Music the California Institute of the Arts.

within (1)

for solo flute

within is a series of six pieces for solo instrument, that were written for the 3-year project at the Zionskirche in Berlin, organized by Wandelweiser members, Carlo Inderhees and Christoph Nicolaus from 1997 to 1999. (3 Jahre - 156 Musikalische Ereignisse - eine Skulptur). It featured the premiere of a 10 minute piece every Tuesday at 7:30pm in the choir balcony of the church. (There were eventually about 30 composers involved in the project.) “within (1)” for solo flute, was the first piece performed on the series, in January, 1997. Eventually all six of the 10-minute sections were played the church.

The piece is built upon the individual colors of single flute tones. A tone is played once or repeated a number of times before moving to the next. Because of the sustained impression of the single tone, it functions like a “plateau”, whose level changes when the next note occurs (always following a silence). It is a slow moving, glacial, melodic landscape.

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playterranova · 6 months

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テラノヴァのデモ版を販売中!

みんなさん、お待たせしました！テラノヴァのデモ版を発表していただきたいと思います。翻訳者は小川公貴になります。過去の翻訳されたゲーム：Coffee Talk, A Space for the Unbound 心に咲く花, Sea of Starsなど。 itch.ioでリリースしましたが、まもなくSteamもリリースする予定です。テラノヴァは、皆さんの協力が必要です。デモ版が沢山売れると、フルバージョンのテラノヴァが販売出来ます。約700円ぐらいのデモ版を購入してくださった皆さんには、割引価格でお届けします。どうぞよろしくお願い致します。

ダウンロードはこちら

Demo version is now in Japanese!

For our demo, we decided to work with Kimitaka Ogawa-san, who did the localization work on Coffee Talk, A Space for the Unbound, Sea of Stars and other popular indie games. We are in Ogawa-san's debt. Just like we did with our Early Access Beta in English, we're releasing the demo in Japanese for about 700 yen for early backers. We don't have a set release date for the full game, but if enough people support us, we'll be able to afford to have Ogawa-san back to translate the entire game. We'd like to release the game in other languages, like Spanish and Portuguese, but we're working with a small budget being just the two of us. Thank you again for your continued support of us.

Check out the Japanese version on itch.io.

#terranova #テラノヴァ #indie games #nostalgia #日本語 #japanese #interface drama #livejournal #roleplay #interactive fiction #2000s nostalgia #yesterweb #web 1.0

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fanthatracks · 1 year

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Darth Vader (2020) #33 UNBOUND FORCE PART I After Darth Vader convinced Sabé to fully commit to the battle against the insurgent Jul Tambor, Sabé's fellow handmaidens tried to free her from the Dark Lord's control. But she returned to Vader, whom only she knows was once Anakin Skywalker. Having joined the Imperials fully, Sabé tricked Jul Tambor into revealing his plan to take over Skako Minor, causing his followers to revolt. Now Vader must contend with another threat to the Empire…. Writer: Greg Pak Artist: Adam Gorham Letterer: Joe Caramagna Colorist: Federico Blee Cover artist: Leinil Francis Yu Editor: Mark Paniccia Release Date: May 3, 2023 We ended the last issue as Vaders rage overtook him and he began to tear apart the Executor, and we discover why in the opening pages of issue 33, not by returning to Vader immediately but instead to Coruscant where Sly Moore and Mas Ameeda continue their long-standing bickering (and again, there's something deeply satisfying to discover that both survived right through the 19 year span between trilogys and right to the end of the OT - just because we didn't see them 40 years ago doesn't mean they weren't there). Moore suddenly yells in pain, blood pouring from her nose as we look up to see the root of the disturbance; the Emperors tower, emanating waves of power as the Emperor laughs maniacally. The Force has been ebbing and flowing for a number of issues, across a variety of titles, and here we see the results of that as Palpatines power takes down his own guards and he pauses, sensing fear as we return to Vader aboard the Executor and Sabé as she clears the hallway, Vaders powers out of control. He's literally tearing that section apart, and as Sabé calls to him to hold on, the fear leads to anger and he reaches out to Forcechoke her just as the bulkhead gives out and he is forcibly ejected into deep space. Sabé leaps into a shuttle to retrieve him, but as her two droids pull him in his powers kick in again and he begins to tear up the shuttle from the inside. Sabé jumps to hyperspace, exiting in high atmosphere as the shuttle disintegrates and she grabs a backpack that contains what appear to be plastic wings and swoops down through the debris to grab the tumbling Vader. They hit the water, bulleting down, down and then darkness. [gallery link="file" size="large" ids="144070,144067,144071"] Sabé opens her eyes, lying on a beach, footsteps leading away which she follows until she finds Vader. He tells her of the disturbance in the Force, how he has no control and Sabé explains that's why she brought him to this deserted beachfront where there is no life for 1000 klicks in either direction. His powers explode again and she runs, and we see Vaderkin flashing back to a previous life; leaving his mother on Tatooine, meeting the Jedi Council for the first time, the massacre on Mustafar, and Sabés face - Padmés face - and we see Sabé and Padmé together until Vader reveals that this isn't a test for him, but instead for her. He lifts her with the Force, and suddenly her eyes begin to glow and she has a choice to make as we end the issue, and what an issue. So many elements here fold in to the wider story, most specifically the ebb and flow of the Force (which goes a long way to explaining why Palpatine was so powerful at the climax of The Rise of Skywalker and how Vader had the strength to dispatch his Emperor at the end of Return of the Jedi), and how quickly that tide can turn. Sabé and her involvement in the story, especially at this point between Empire and Jedi (and Jedi is practically upon us) has been truly fascinating, layering on and on the reasons why the Vader of Episode VI is almost sorrowful, but receptive to Luke's offer of leaving with him. He does see a way out of being a slave his entire life, and while ultimately (and logically) that hope was only going to end one way, seeing inside his mind and the turmoil that rages within (remember,

we're watching Anakin Skywalker take steps on his final journey, one that will see him die a free man) continues to be essential reading. [amazon box="B0BWSP56NQ"]

#ComicReview

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beyondspaceandstars · 3 years

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While You Sleep

Chapter 12

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x Reader Warnings: kidnapping, violence Summary: Soulmate!AU - Throughout life, you’re given glimpses of your soulmate through dreams. As you sleep, memories flash in your mind showing you the life your soulmate has lived. Everyone around you raves about how their soulmate reads great books or volunteers in their spare time. But you can’t relate as your dreams end up being more like nightmares. Through initial images of death and violence, you come to learn your soulmate is the Winter Soldier.

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“They couldn’t take that from me. They could never take you.”

“I never want to bring you pain or worry, okay? That shouldn’t be what… we do.”

Bucky’s words rang in your head as you sat in the lonesome cell, fighting for release any way you thought to try. But naturally, these attempts of wrangling yourself out of this had fallen flat and you weren’t trying anymore, that’s for certain. It only made the restraints dig into your wrists more. Not to mention you were beyond tired hitting a point of exhaustion that you didn't know was possible. You weren’t given a chance to relax as you sat on edge, waiting. Waiting for what - or really who - you didn’t quite know.

Sure, you had an Avenger for a soulmate (at least, that was what you considered Bucky, despite his humbleness) but you weren’t exactly up to date on their enemies. From your understanding, between the looks of the facility and your soulmate’s history, this was seeming like the work of Hydra. But they had been abolished...right? Apparently, you didn’t know anymore and doubts rang in your head as you feared you weren’t some random victim.

The first signs of daylight were just beginning to peek into your cell from a very tiny, thin window located near the top of the wall beside you.

Suddenly, a grumbling voice called from outside the cell. “She’s up.” You whipped your head towards the sound, just barely able to make out a figure illuminated by the early morning glow. There was probably some comment to make to whoever this was about how you hadn’t really slept but you couldn’t find your voice at the moment.

“Excellent.” A deeper, possibly older, voice called from down the hall. The man sounded way too excited for your liking. Your stomach threatened to empty its contents as heavy footsteps began making their way towards your cell.

When the steps stopped, you tried squinting through the minimal light but still couldn’t make out much of either man. If you had to guess, they looked like some doctors of sorts in long lab coats with notebooks in hand. One thing you definitely could tell was that they didn’t hesitate to stare back. You could feel their eyes taking you in over and over again making your heart pound in a weirdly familiar way.

“Does she speak?” The first man asked with a humorless scoff. You twisted in your wrist restraints wishing for some courage to get up and maybe put space between you.

Mustering a scrap of energy, you turned away from the men, hoping maybe your matted hair falling in your face could block them out forever. Because really, couldn’t this be forever? How would anyone know what happened? Your best bet was your coworker noticing your absence but then you thought of Bucky… He was away for now and by the time he caught wind who knows what would be of you. Tears began welling in your eyes at the thought of this being it for you -- whatever this was. You still weren’t sure what about you compelled these men to kidnap you in the middle of the night.

“Hey,” the same voice called out to you this time, pulling you from your troubling thoughts. Slowly, you turned back to him, taking in more of the doctor (fake, you guessed) persona now. “I asked if you speak.”

“No,” you grumbled. You didn’t know where this smart response came from but it made you feel a bit better like you were coming back to yourself. Really, though, you were in no position to start getting smart with anyone.

He let out a joyous laugh that sent far more fear through you. “The Soldier’s soulmate has an attitude, huh?”

Soldier? Bucky. Your heart panged at another thought of him. If that’s who they were referring to, this was to be about Bucky, you realized. These men knew him and whatever connection was festered there, it hadn't fizzled and you were caught in the crossfire. This actually couldn’t be them… But it looked like it.

Suddenly, the cell door opened with a loud screech, and the two men walked into the full glory of the morning sunrise. There, on their white coats, you saw an emblem of what appeared to be some tentacle-bearing creature. Your suspicions were regrettably confirmed.

They walked towards you, their eyes looking over you as if you were an experiment and they were memorizing you. With fear racing through you, you slowly began scooting backward trying to get as far away as you could. Your back eventually hit a wall and they just kept coming.

“Quite the squeamish one for being chained to The Soldier,” the second man observed, writing something down in his notebook. You could see now that he was much older, having that wiser look in his older years. You guessed he was a leader of sorts (at least, that was how you were going to file him in your head) and the other man, the one who was so kind to comment on your attitude, was some kind of assistant. You couldn’t take your eyes off the logo on their coats as it was practically screaming in your face. It all felt impossible and yet here you were, in the belly of the beast.

“W-What am I doing here?” You asked, your voice scratchy and nervous. Honestly, you were just glad you had the guts to make any noise. The assistant looked a bit humored at your question.

“Wow, she speaks full sentences,” he commented with an unsettling smirk.

The “leader” of the pair shot him a look before turning back to speak to you. “We have some observing to do, my dear,” he briefly explained.

The vagueness of it all was certainly not helping you - like anything realistically could in this moment. Still, you pursued it. “Observing?”

He hummed in response, turning back for a moment to write a few more lines in the notebook. Truthfully, you wanted to just kick it out of his fucking hand. Your eyes flicked quickly to the assistant but he wasn’t handing out any hints, just looking at you like you were something to be conquered. Oh, how you wanted to vomit on their shiny dress shoes.

“I will explain our intentions to ease your mind,” he snapped his notebook shut, “but first, you are to be moved.”

And just like, as if his words were keys, a hoard of men entered the cell and hoisted you to your feet. You tried kicking and screaming but they were strong. Maybe too strong. A strength you possibly could only recall in two other men you knew. But you didn’t have time to dwell on it as they corralled you easily and forced you down the hall.

Everything was dark again. There was no light from the windows in the hall, just some musty glows of lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. You didn’t know where to look so you just stared downward, taking in the metal flooring that made you chilled.

After turning a few corners, you were brought to a much larger cell. This one at least had a chair, but you didn’t think it was exactly a nice grand gesture as your eyes landed on the restraints attached to it. The second thing you noticed was some sort of computer-like machine and rolling tables which lined the side. If you hadn’t known better, you would’ve thought this was just another medical office.

You yelped as one of the large men threw you on the chair, not giving you a second to even adjust before your hands were unbound only to be rebound by the chair’s restraints. You tugged a bit at them out of reflex, finding them as sturdy as expected. Your legs were free, though, maybe offering some tactic but exhaustion and fear overtook you.

Once they deemed you settled in, the army of men left, walking in line as commandingly as they had entered. The leader and his assistant stayed, waiting for you three to finally be alone once more. The door shut with a disturbing bang, really sealing your fate. The assistant stayed off to the side, leaning against a wall adjacent to the chair. The leader walked over to you, taking a seat on some rolling stool. Wow, these guys really thought they were serious professionals or something.

“I hope the trip here was okay,” the leader said with a chuckle. “Comfortable?” He motioned towards your lounging state. You blinked. “I see we are losing that attitude. What a shame, really. I’m sure your soulmate loves a firecracker.” Your body visibly tensed at the mention of Bucky. The elderly man didn’t miss it. In fact, it seemed like you unintentionally gave him the perfect segue into his whole evil spiel.

“Ah, yes, your soulmate.” The leader nodded as if he had just forgotten all about it. “Well, you see, the fact he even has one was news to us,” he shrugged and glanced at his assistant who nodded in confirmation. “We were sure when we wiped him we were wiping everything, so imagine our surprise when we find out he’s out and about dancing - with you on his arm.”

Your throat tightened as the memories of you and Bucky at the dance hall flooded your mind. It had been so busy that night you never would’ve thought you’d have to worry about someone… It sounded so ludicrous to you. You almost wish he hadn’t said it as the thoughts of that night were suddenly a bit darker. The carelessness you two had held seemed foolish now.

The leader watched you carefully. When you didn’t say anything in response, just blinked away more tears, he continued, “At first, we were quite angry we had missed something so big. We could’ve sworn we broke every attachment time after time but, as I said, you just swept The Soldier right off his feet. So, naturally, our sights were set on eliminating you.” He let out a ridiculous hearty laugh. “But then my assistant here,” the man in the corner waved in response, “realized that that would be a waste. There could be potential here for you. For you and your soulmate. Potential rooted in a team. Two unbreakable soldiers, both in bond and skills. What more could Hydra want?”

You gasped, your eyes growing wide, at the explanation. You didn’t know what to do now, your body had a mind of its own as it began shaking your head furiously as your wrists tugged and tugged at the restraints. This wasn’t realistic. They were absolutely mad. What kind of foolishness was this? They couldn’t possibly -

“Now, now,” the leader chuckled and turned to his notebook. He began checking referencing stuff from the monitor to the paper. “Don’t get too excited. We’re still brainstorming the whole concept and while it’s not near execution, it is on the promising side. There is, though, a vital component we seem to be lacking: your soulmate.”

Bucky… Your heart felt like it was going to rip itself out of your chest. Was he walking into a trap? Assuming he was walking in at all? Who was to say he had any idea of what was going on with you? How long could this all be for… You let out a surprising sob.

The leader responded to your outburst with an annoyed scoff. “There’s no reason to cry, dear. He’s sure to be here soon thanks to that little bond you have. If he hasn’t already recognized your distress by now, well, he’s not as smart as we thought.” He shrugged and began typing away on the monitor’s keyboard. “The whole attachment may all work out in our favor after all. Eventually, you two will be reunited, and won’t that be just lovely?”

Truthfully, you didn’t know anymore. You had no doubt in Bucky’s fighting abilities but these guys were… Well, they were pretty much responsible for him and everything you had seen him be put through. Who knows what they could do if (and when) he walked through those doors. You were lucky you hadn’t passed out yet from this anxiety alone.

“Besides, as I said, it’s all later down the line anyway,” the leader said. It had suddenly occurred to you at that moment that you were very glad he hadn’t given out his name. You couldn’t imagine humanizing these monsters. “For now, though, we are interested in learning more about you. I’ll be honest, on paper you are quite boring. Barely finished high school, left college for a coffee shop job… The pairing is almost comical. We just can’t figure out what you offer him and while, really, who are we to question Fate? But I still think in time we can figure out...well, whatever it is about you.”

You shook your head slowly, your eyes barely even able to focus on him anymore. Everything in you felt so heavy. “I’m not special.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” the leader chuckled. “He makes you special.”

As if on cue, a chorus of screams erupted from the hallway. You all jumped and turned towards the door. There was a little window on it but all you three could see were the bodies of the army of men from earlier flying about.

“Sooner than we expected,” the leader mumbled and began furiously typing something into the computer.

You didn’t know what to do besides sit there and wait for whatever was coming. Deep in you, you knew it was Bucky, you could feel it. You could feel him. But there was also a part of you that could also sense… rage. A very familiar, unsettling rage burned within him. It made you wonder if you actually wanted to see him in such a state. Some sick piece of you wished they had just knocked you out.

There wasn’t much more time to consider what you were going to do as the door to the cell was ripped off. Literally, fully, ripped away at the hinges to reveal a very determined, very angry, Bucky. He had an expression you didn’t recall seeing before, even in the nightmares. He looked ready to murder everything in its path but there was no calculated strategy to the madness. It seemed to be just him and his pure desire to eliminate anything and everything. His eyes were locked deadly on the older man, seemingly opting to ignore you. The assistant had begun shifting further away into the corner of the space.

“So nice of you to join us,” the leader said with an unsettling laugh. “I’ll admit, we weren’t expecting you so soon. I barely got a chance to get to know your little darling here.” He motioned towards you.

“I’m only going to ask this once,” Bucky finally spoke, his voice strained, “let her go.”

The leader smiled, “I’m not sure you’ll be asking for anything in a moment, anyways.” He motioned towards the computer. You and Bucky followed his motion with matching bewildered expressions. “In fact, I think you’ll be the one doing what I ask.”

Bucky’s eyes widened. “No-,”

But it was already set in motion. With a simple press of a button, the room filled with an electronic voice repeating a series of words in a foreign language. You looked around, unsure of where this could even be coming from and what the hell was being said, Your eyes eventually settled on Bucky who looked completely… lost. You gripped the sides of the chair, begging for this to just be over, as you watched that was so familiar. You could feel the memories rising from the depths of your brain. Hidden away, nearly suppressed... You gasped. The nightmares. That’s what all this was. They had pulled the trigger.

As much as you loved and trusted Bucky, you couldn’t say the same for the other guy. If in that state, could he even recognize you? Like, fully understand your role? You didn’t want to find out, truly. The panic that was settling in now was unlike anything you had experienced that day. Not even the idea of Hydra goons kidnapping you had sparked this much within.

You were preparing yourself for the worst as you watched Bucky try to shake it off. The leader wore a proud expression while the assistant kept his lonely distance, watching everything unfold. Suddenly, Bucky began mumbling to himself as his hands made hard fists. You thought the blow was finally coming and he was going to be gone. Just like that.

But then Bucky lunged. In one swift move, he pounced on the leader, taking everyone in the room off-guard, especially the target of the aggression. The older man hadn’t even had a chance to put his arms up before your soulmate was punching him relentlessly. Bucky’s yelling in the process was of pure, expressive anger, completely drowning out the screams of pain from the leader. You didn’t know what to do. You wanted to look away so badly but you were also hypnotized. Bucky was so determined and unwavering in whatever goal was planted in his head. A bit thankful someone would go to such lengths for you, you had had enough of such danger in your sleep - you didn’t want it in your reality.

Bucky switched suddenly to strangling the man and that seemed to be the final straw for the leader’s life. The older man was soon just a lifeless, limp body on the floor. Bucky was still knelt above him, watching the soul drain from his victim. Your jaw went slack. You couldn’t turn this off.

The assistant didn’t help it as he made some foolish break for the exit but Bucky was just as fast. In a couple of determined strides, Bucky yanked the younger man back by the neck and threw him into the wall creating an artistic indentation. The assistant fell to the floor with a chilling thud.

There was no one left for his sights to land on except for you. Slowly, Bucky turned around. A shiver ran up your spine when your eyes finally met. You didn’t know who was standing before you. Whatever or whoever this was quickly began stomping their way towards you. You shut your eyes and flinched away, waiting for a painful, finishing blow from the Soldier.

But it never came.

Instead, all Bucky did was lean over to turn off the speakers and then began untying your wrists. Hesitantly, you turned to look at him but found he wouldn’t look at you, just was intensely concentrated on the restraints.

“B-Bucky?” Your voice was scratchy as you fumbled over his name.

“It’s me, doll,” Bucky responded with an exhausted sigh. He sounded normal to you, his demeanor not even looking close to what you remembered from the nightmares. He… He was okay. Bucky still wasn’t looking at you as he finished one restraint then went on the next.

“You’re not…”

Bucky shook his head. “Everything’s okay,” he mumbled. “We’re getting you out of here.”

“We?”

“The team is outside handling the other men.”

“You all came for me?”

Bucky finally looked up at you. For the first time, you could see just how tired he looked. A man nearly on the brink of defeat and enduring the fight. Your heart ached as all you wanted to do was crawl into his arms and take the longest naps of your lives.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Bucky nodded. Gently, after the last restraint was undone, he picked you up bridal style. You threw your arms around his neck and buried your face in his shoulder, letting yourself relax and the tears flow.

“Thank you,” you mumbled but Bucky didn’t respond as he carried you out of the facility

***

You must’ve fallen asleep because a few hours later you awoke at some sort of compound. You were lying in what appeared to be a hospital bed but nothing about this place looked like a typical hospital. The technology was too advanced and everything just seemed too quiet. You looked around, letting your eyes adjust to the bright light of the sun shining in from the large room windows. In the corner, you were greeted by the sight of Bucky sleeping awkwardly in a chair.

You twisted in the bed, trying to get more comfortable under the blanket. The super-soldier hearing must’ve kicked in because one ruffle of the blanket made Bucky’s eyes shoot open. He looked at you, panic shifting to relief when he saw you were awake. Quickly, in a few steps, he was out of the chair and at your bedside.

“How are you feeling?” He asked softly. His hand went to touch your cheek but he must've thought better of it and instead lowered it. Your heart broke a bit wondering what self-deprecating thoughts were running through his brain after everything he had to do.

“I’m okay. Just a bit sore,” you shrugged but boy was it the hard truth. You hadn't been in a comfortable position in hours and endured being thrown around like some rag doll.

“Do you need any medicine?” Bucky asked, his voice suddenly having an air of panic to it. “I can call for help if you need it. Are you hungry? Do you need water? Or - Or just anything to drink? I can get you-,”

“Bucky…” You placed your hand on his to calm down. He flinched at your touch. “I’m fine. Everything is fine.”

He shook his head. “Nothing is fine, sweetheart. You were taken from me-,” Bucky cut himself off as his eyes began welling with tears. He looked wrecked as he stared down at you, taking in your current state. You felt the pain, wanting nothing more than to make all these torturing thoughts vanish. “You… You saw things that I just… I never wanted you to deal with-,”

“It’s over.” You took a deep breath. “I’m here, I’m safe, and you’re with me.”

Bucky closed his eyes as if preparing for something. “After what happened back there, do you even want me around anymore?”

Your jaw went slack at his question. Sure, there was absolutely no denying that the events of today scared you, most likely more than you realized. You had only seen Bucky that determined and violent in your nightmares so to see it just steps away was jarring. But you also knew nothing changed within him. He wasn’t a robot or anything. He wasn’t someone just taking commands. He had remorse. You certainly couldn’t say the same for who greeted you in your sleep. It may take you some time to adjust, sure, but you weren’t turning away. At least, you were going to try not to. Healing was just beginning.

“Of course, I do,” you said, raising your other hand to Bucky’s cheek. At first, he flinched but slowly he leaned into the touch, sighing like he was letting go of something. “Bucky, what happened back there… You had no choice. I don’t have to tell you that those were some very, very bad people. They had it coming and the fact you went to those lengths to save me is unbelievable.”

“I’d go to the ends of the Earth for my girl,” Bucky admitted.

You let out a weak giggle. “Thank you.” A pause. “May I ask how you figured out I was in trouble?”

Bucky smirked. “I had a nightmare.”

You raised your brows in surprise. “A nightmare?”

He nodded, “I started to feel weird after leaving for the mission like there was something I was missing. A little later on, I was taking a nap and you of course appeared but it was unlike any other dream I had ever had about you. It was… You were scared, deathly afraid of something, and then I saw what was going on. I practically watched it all play out from your apartment and on. It didn’t take too long to put everything together.”

You hmm’d. “Thank God for nightmares.”

Bucky chuckled and placed a light kiss on your forehead. “Thank God for nightmares,” he repeated in agreement.

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gameofdrarry · 3 years

Text

Wizards Hearts Recs: Accidental Bonding

Wizards Hearts was a four-month-long Drarry reading fest. Players were given a playing deck of 52 tropes, and were asked to find 52 different fics to read and comment on to fill their decks. To prevent the same few fics from being read, fics were restricted to only being used for the game three times before being considered ineligible for further points. The tropes and submissions list can be found here.

Check out the masterlist of fics for this trope below the cut!

📜 The Destiny You Sold by tryslora Rated: Explicit Words: 58872 Tags: Accidental Bonding, Knitting, Wandlore, Top Draco Malfoy, Bottom Harry Potter, Light Dom/sub, Dom Draco, Sub Harry Potter, Light Bondage, Kink Exploration, Kink Negotiation, Dubious Consent, Prick Cozies, Light Angst, Blow Jobs, Questioning Sexuality, Wandmaker Harry Potter, shop owner draco, Kissing, Living Together, Sharing a Bed, Shower Sex, Intergluteal Sex, Drunken Confessions, Outdoor Sex, Semi-Public Sex, Masturbation, Watching, Unintended Arousal, Untimely Arousal, Everyone Ships Draco/Harry, Domestic, Love Bites, Hickeys, Frottage, Hand Jobs, Sleepy Sex, Mutual Pining, Magical Prick Recovery, Multiple Orgasms, Harry Comes Out, Voyeurism, Accidental Voyeurism Summary: In which Draco knits, Harry makes wands, and things get very tangled up between them. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Catch and Release by shealwaysreads (onereader) Rated: Explicit Words: 11293 Tags: Forced Bonding, Wizarding Traditions (Harry Potter), Bonding Spell, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Well - Freeform, Enemies to Forced Bonding to Lovers, Touch Averse Draco Malfoy, also, Touch-Starved Draco Malfoy, THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED, Forced Proximity, Forced Cohabitation, personal boundaries, Bodyguard Harry Potter, Feels, minor harry/omc, Happy Ending, Happy Birthday Tacky!!, Touch-Starved Harry Potter Summary: Wizarding Britain is changing; a slow integration with the Muggle world has begun, and Draco Malfoy has been summoned from his quiet life crafting wards in France to help. But that’s not what this story is about. This story is about Potter, and magic, and the courage it takes to reach out. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Beautifully Unbound by breath_of_mine (tsundanire) Rated: Explicit Words: 54933 Tags: Post-Hogwarts, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Post-Second War with Voldemort, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Minor Blaise Zabini/Narcissa Malfoy, BDSM, Praise Kink, Dom/sub, Subspace, Safewords, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Blindfolds, Impact Play, Spanking, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Mental Health Issues, Therapy, Consensual Kink, Light Bondage, Angst, Holidays, Young Teddy Lupin, Mystery, Auror Harry Potter, Accidental Bonding, Bonding, H/D Erised 2018, Community: hd_erised, POV Alternating, Telepathic Bond, Gay Male Character, Bisexual Male Character, Dom Draco Malfoy, Sub Harry Potter, Bearded Harry Potter, Dirty Talk, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Gloves, Massage, Sex Toys, Mistletoe, Family Dinners, Misunderstandings, Past Relationship(s) Summary: Auror Potter is sent on a mission to clear out deadly artifacts from a Death Eater Safehouse with Draco Malfoy. What could possibly go wrong? ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 In Evidence of Magical Theory by bixgirl1 Rated: Explicit Words: 43747 Tags: Hogwarts Eighth Year, Accidental Bonding, Magical Theory, Magical Cores, Powerful Harry, Rimming, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Switching, Slash, HP: EWE, Falling In Love, forced bed sharing, Blow Jobs, completed fic, Bonding, Forced Proximity, Sharing a Bed, First Time, Loss of Virginity Summary: When a hex meant for Draco accidentally catches Harry as well, they're forced to learn to understand each other in ways they previously might have thought impossible. In which Harry and Draco can't fight, so they fall in love instead. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Awakening by Lomonaaeren Rated: Explicit Words: 29364 Tags: Bonding, Fluff and Angst Summary: Draco and Harry have a forced bond. Draco and Harry have trouble getting along. Draco and Harry want freedom from the bond--no, wait, that's only Harry. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Home by gnarf Rated: Teen and Up Words: 29377 Tags: Post-Hogwarts, Post-Second War with Voldemort, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Minor Pansy Parkinson/Theodore Nott, Auror Harry Potter, Curse Breaker Draco Malfoy, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Sentient Houses, Magical Theory, Accidental Marriage, Accidental Bonding, Fluff, Getting Together, Banter, First Dates, Kissing, Cuddling & Snuggling, POV Harry Potter, Drinking, H/D Erised 2019 Summary: When Harry was forced to leave his house because he couldn't take the things happening there any longer, he realised he'd need to ask for help from the best curse breaker the Ministry had to offer—Draco sodding Malfoy. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but nothing could have prepared him for what happened after he finally jumped over his own shadow. A story about an unsolved mystery, a few minor accidents, and finally finding a home. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 The Cupid Incident by meandminniemcg Rated: Explicit Words: 12663 Tags: Forced Bonding, Cafeteria worker Draco Malfoy, Crimescene specialist Harry Potter, Dubious Consent, wanking, House-elf culture, Witness Protection, Consent Issues, our boys need to learn how to communicate, Happy Ending, Blow Jobs Summary: Draco gets into the way of a potions attack and can't get Potter out of his head. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Let's not wait for France by gnarf Rated: Teen and Up Words: 17712 Tags: Hogwarts Eighth Year, Accidental Bonding, Hogwarts Hospital Wing, Kissing, Fluff, Quidditch, Blow Jobs, Study of Ancient Runes (Harry Potter), POV Harry Potter, Sharing Clothes, Sharing a Bed, Feelings, Falling In Love, Alcohol, Drinking, Party, Party Games, Feel-good, H/D Sex Fair 2020, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley Summary: All Harry had wanted from his Eighth year at Hogwarts was a little peace and a little privacy but, from the moment that he stepped onto Platform 9 3/4, it was obvious that nothing was ever going to be that easy. An accidental bond with Malfoy that resulted in them having to stay together at all times was the final straw. Things couldn't be worse. So much to a quiet year in Hogwarts. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Telling You Why (Better Watch Out!) by milkandhoney Rated: Explicit Words: 33429 Tags: Forced Proximity (sort of), POV Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts Eighth Year, Sorting Hats, Romance, Sexual Inexperience, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Resolved Sexual Tension, Smut, Comedy, Angst, Christmas, Post-War, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, 25 Days of Draco and Harry 2018, Advent Fic, Bickering, Curses, Pranks, Involuntary Acts of Kindness, Christmas Tree, Christmas Decorations, Weasley Jumpers, Animate Objects, Magical Theory, Mystery, First Time, Involuntary Acts of Not-so Kindness, Muggle Studies: Christmas Edition, Slow Burn Summary: Not many people realize Father Christmas has a sorting hat of his own. Why would they? He's the only one who uses it, and only once a year. Draco Malfoy just wants to get through his Eighth Year. He doesn't want to think about Christmas or how Muggles celebrate it, and he certainly doesn't want to think about why Harry Potter won't leave him alone. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Celestial Bodies by shiftylinguini Rated: Explicit Words: 20307 Tags: Bonding, Accidental Bonding, Auror Partners, Friends to Lovers, Getting Together, First Time, Masturbation, Blow Jobs, Oral Sex, Anal Fingering, Telepathy-gasms, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Auror Harry Potter, Auror Draco Malfoy, Forced Proximity, Space Magic Summary: “An astrological anomaly induced bond,” Harry repeats, deadpan, as the Head Healer of the Magical Malfunctions ward finishes announcing his prognosis. “Space magic,” says Draco, tapping long fingers irritably against the arm of his chair. “You’re saying we’ve been zapped by space magic.” The Healer huffs. “That’s rather simplifying things, gentlemen.” ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Feathers, Fire & Fate by agentmoppet Rated: Teen and Up Words: 25983 Tags: Veela Draco Malfoy, Unspeakable Harry Potter, Peacock Keeper Draco Malfoy, unusual careers, Banter, Pining, Loneliness, Dreamscapes, Accidental Bonding, Cursed Bonding, Guilt, Soulmates, Drinking, Minor Injuries, H/D Erised 2020, Creature Fic, Cursed Harry Potter, Fate, Dreams, Peacocks, Animals, Animal Sanctuary, Repaying Debt, Veela Mates Summary: Harry Potter ignites the Veela’s Curse and gets an unwitting Draco Malfoy bonded to him as his executioner… and soulmate. They’ll need to break it quickly, before it takes over, but Potter isn’t the only one running out of time. The sand in the hourglass has nearly fallen, and whichever way this ends, Draco is doomed. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Malfoys Never Get What They Want by cami_soul Rated: Explicit Words: 13258 Tags: Post-Second War with Voldemort, Hogwarts Eighth Year, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Accidental Bonding, Truth or Dare, Firewhiskey (Harry Potter), Drinking, Fluff and Smut, Sharing a Bed, Explicit Sexual Content, Dubious Consent Due To Accidental Bonding, H/D Erised 2018, Community: hd_erised, Sharing a Room, Albus Dumbledore Lives, Hedwig (Harry Potter) Lives, Kissing, Masturbation, Mutual Masturbation, Shower Sex, Frottage Summary: Hogwarts has been different this year, at least for Harry Potter and his friends. The school had been rebuilt over the summer and was pretty much back to normal unless you were returning to redo your seventh year. But just as Harry had started to settle comfortably into the school year, weird things had started to happen that Harry could find no explanation for. Draco had started to be nice to him, and then there was that kiss! Harry was just trying to figure things out when he and Draco were accidentally bonded! What will this bond do to the fragile relationship they were forging? ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Three Boxes and a Scrapbook by dracogotgame Rated: Mature Words: 30493 Tags: mention of divorce, flangst, Bill is a bro Summary: One year after being accidentally bonded to each other, Harry and Draco are free to move on with their lives. But perhaps, what they needed was here all along. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Chain Me Up or Set Me Free by alpha_exodus Rated: Explicit Words: 12956 Tags: Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Post-Hogwarts, Accidental Bonding, unbreakable bonds, Forced Proximity, Sharing a Bed, Roommates, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Arguing, Touch-Starved, Anal Sex, Falling In Love, Co-workers, Enemies to Lovers, Brief Mentions of Canon-Typical Child Neglect, Minor Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, H/D Erised 2020, Person of Color Harry Potter, Oral Sex, Anal Fingering, Apologies, Muggle Technology, unusual careers, POV Draco Malfoy Summary: This horrid bonding thing is all Potter’s fault, obviously. As for what comes after that? Draco’s not quite sure. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Allegiance by Ladderofyears Rated: Teen and Up Words: 4021 Tags: Hogwarts Eighth Year, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Accidental Bonding, Magical Accidents, Falling In Love, History of Magic Class (Harry Potter), Hogwarts Library, latin incantations, Getting to Know Each Other, dragon heartstrings, Hogwarts Hospital Wing, Powerful Magic, Blended Friendship Groups, Boys Kissing, Commitment, Love Confessions, Boys In Love, Plans For The Future, Happy Ending, POV Draco Malfoy, Drarropoly: Founders Edition - A Drarry Game/Fest Summary: When Draco finds himself accidentally - and irreversibly - bonded with Harry Potter he has to rethink his whole life and everything that he thinks he knows. Draco doesn't expect to find love in the process. ❤️ Read on AO3

📜 Intertwined by bluefay Rated: Explicit Words: 25086 Tags: Memory Loss, Memory Alteration, Accidental Bonding, Magic Gone Wrong, Post-Battle of Hogwarts, Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, Malfoy Manor, Self-Harm, Dark Mark (Harry Potter), Serious Injuries, But they're not very graphic so don't fret!, Self-Hatred, Angst, Enemies to Lovers, Established Relationship, Sort Of, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Blow Jobs, Hate Sex, Childhood Trauma ,Flashbacks, St Mungo's Hospital, Sharing a Bed, Angst with a Happy Ending, First Time, H/D Hurt!Fest 2020 Summary: On May 3rd, 1998, Draco Malfoy wakes up with no memory of Voldemort, the war, or Harry Potter, his supposed boyfriend. ❤️ Read on AO3

#accidental bonding #drarry #drarry recs #game of drarry #wizards hearts #wh masterlist

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galacticlamps · 2 years

Text

ugh i haven’t had much free time lately but i still cant stop thinking about this companion chronicle set that’s supposed to finally be coming out this month, and it’s not like i’ve got anywhere else to rant about it so lemme do that here real quick & hopefully clear out some brain space -

obviously i wanna listen to it as soon as that’s a possibility - i “held off” on pre-ordering it for “a long time” but even that was like. well over a year ago now (which is its own very big yikes, especially since i hardly ever do that) - and i really like the range & its format in general and it’s dwindled down so much now.... but at the same time - i really like the range & it’s dwindled down so much now, and i’ve been waiting for it for so long already - i definitely dont wanna just binge it all at once, and again, haven’t had much free time lately anyway - so i guess im hoping it doesnt come out too soon & maybe holds off toward the end of the month when i’ve got a better shot at having time to appreciate it? is that hoping for too much from a boxset that’s been torturing me with its release date for actual literal years now?

& maybe it’s just bc i’ve been paying more attention than usual, but i feel like bf just rapidfire released a bunch of pretty highly anticipated stuff in the last, like, week and a half (apologies if my perception of time is a little wonky rn i could be wrong w that) and tbh i was relieved every time i saw it was stranded and unbound and the new first doctor range.... and now the cc’s are the only doctor who range left with a release slated for april, yet we’re only halfway thru the month - but they’ve also got two torchwoods, a blakes 7, and a thunderbirds which could very well be next up given the gerry anderson promotion - so maybe they will hold off for another week or so, just to spread out the dw ones? not that that’s something they’ve been worried about this month so far of course... and then another part of my brain is like, they seem to like dates over there even if they don’t like announcing them, and there’s a jamie backstory(?) episode on the set.... it’s not impossible they’d put it out tomorrow, the in-universe anniversary of the character’s introduction...but then again again it’s the day before sea devils & they might not wanna put out anything at all too close to that, but then again again again im assuming they dont view sea devils & 2nd dr companion chronicles vol 3 as being aimed at the exact same audience (even tho i personally think they should, whatwith all the queer ppl in this fandom who enjoy letting this show ruin our lives) so maybe they could? judging by the, well, everything about this boxset, i feel like it’s safe to say it isn’t expected to be a tremendous draw, so maybe they’d see no harm in its release so completely paling in comparison to the tv special?

i dont know????

anyways there’s only one thing i know for sure & that would have to be the fact that i’m overthinking this, so hopefully typing it out will somehow export the question from my brain a bit since it literally. does not. matter. at all.

#honestly if tumblr had a poll function i wouldve asked everyone when we thought it'd be out ages ago #just to see if anybody could guess it correctly #ah well #there are soo many things i've been trying and failing to make time for in my personal life this is absolutely low on the list #much as i love it #but i've noticed every time bf put something out lately i spent a tiny moment panicking a little until i knew what it was #perhaps it's just a question of 'what does it even look like to live in a world where no part of my mind is waiting for this release?'#it's been so long i've forgotten what it feels like to not have it out there in the future nebulously #oh companion chronicles the things you do to me

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blakescoven · 4 years

Note

11 with Xavier 🥺 plz!

11. Telling them a dumb joke just to see their smile

A/N: cant believe I actually wrote something after MONTHS. This is trash I’m sorry :( and things got out of hand because it’s about 2k words oops, but thank you for the ask darling, I had fun🖤 (Despite my proofreading there might be grammar mistakes because of my italian illiterate ass, so please be nice)

Warnings: they’re ghosts here, but honestly just dumb jokes, fluff and a heated moment but if you blink you’ll miss it haha

It’s one of those mornings. One of those mornings when the sunlight peaks through the window waking you up. But why even bother sleeping when you’re dead? Well, call it a habit, call it boredom, call it not wanting to let go that crumb of routine which, as much as possible, allows you to keep holding on to whatever is the shred of humanity left within you; like a fading flame that, for some reason, is still burning. Or at least this is the only way to not dissociate from reality and preserve your sanity.

Based on the amount of light, it must be almost 9 am.

Before even opening your eyes, you already know that he isn’t there. It’s when you turn to the other side of the bed that you get the confirmation; he’s not beside you, just crumpled sheets cold to the touch.

It's one of those mornings you perfectly know where he went. As much as he may not want to admit it, Xavier is pretty predictable.

Halloween has just slipped by, and all of you however-reluctant-residents of Camp Redwood spent 24 hours of complete freedom from that hellmouth, that place which does nothing but constantly remind you of that life that none of the souls stuck there had the chance to live. 24 hours to do ‘whatever the hell you want’. On this occasion, you guys are used to split up and part from each other; it has become a sort of established practice not talking about what you did on those hours, a somewhat “private full-day experience” that you all have this silent agreement to not share.

But then there was Montana being Montana, who enthusiastically bragged about how many frat guys and girls she hooked up with and then mercilessly killed at those wild college gatherings, despite your well-known disappointment on killing innocent people in cold blood. But actually, you’re almost a hundred percent certain that she and Trevor annually spent that day together, doing crazy things and partying all night long. For the first few years, after becoming aware that all the trapped souls are somehow unbound from the invisible restraints and free to step outside the borders of the ‘slaughter camp’, acclimatizing to the evolution and changing of times has been particularly challenging.

You were the one of the gang that for years had used those 24 hours to find a way to set you spirits free from redwood, once and for all. You talked to mediums and psychics, charlatans, coming close to obsession; it has been Xavier who persuaded you to let go, begging to just give up.

“Xav, there must be a way out of this, a loophole…something that could release our souls and let us move on, I-”

“Babe stop, we tried hard enough, but that's just the way it is…and then at least there’s a bright side,” he claimed with a faint smile, stroking your cheek with his thumb.

“And what on earth can that be?” you sighed.

“We've got all eternity to be together.”

He’s always been your rock. A hotshot and a dork too, but still. You wouldn’t want anybody else by your side for the rest of your non-life.

So, from that moment, once a year, you and Xavier chose to make the most of your ‘day off’ going on dates, like normal couples do. For over three decades.

Then, as they say, the sun comes up and reality sets in.

And every time, without skipping a year, having to go back to the camp and dealing with that dreadful reality killed Xavier’s mood drastically. His aching heart led him to want to pass the day after in complete isolation, lost in his thoughts, grieving about what he has lost.

“I need to be alone for a while, Y/N” he used to mumble with a shrug, his usual confidence gone all at once, “This ‘let’s play humans’ thing was a mistake.”

And every single year you let him walk away, respecting what has now become a sort of ritual, of cathartic moment. Year after year seeing all those people living their lives, achieving their dreams, having a purpose, or just solely breathing was too much for Xavier. Realizing that he won’t ever have anything of this. For this reason, you always gave him space. But not today. You’ve always felt powerless; all you want is finding a way to let your boyfriend know that, as he had said decades ago, ‘it’s time to move on and accept your new reality’. No more sorrow. If there’s something you know is how to cheer up your favorite aerobics instructor.

On this November 1st of what should be 2020, Xavier is, as well as the last twenty years, sitting on the dock by the lake and staring off into space, surrounded by a disturbing silence.

“Boo” you seductively whispered in the shell of his ear, appearing out of nowhere kneeled behind him.

“Nice try,” he replies sarcastically, albeit his tone was rather emotionless, plain. “…but I can tell when you’re around.” He doesn’t even turn, totally unimpressed by your weak attempt of scaring him.

“Lame” you smirk, suddenly getting up, “Thought you could use some company, tough boy.”

You can’t see his face but you’re sure he is rolling his eyes now. He just sighs. Oh, and do you love his drama queen manners.

Without a real invitation to join him, you sit down again, this time right next to him, swinging your legs off the dock. You stare at the same direction he’s looking at, nervously tapping your fingers on the hard-wooden planks to the beat of an 80’s song.

“So,” you casually begin, though he seems pretty lost in his own thoughts, “Why don’t we skinny dip? I bet that could wash away that sad face.” you grin, biting your lip.

You’ve never been this cheeky before, but what’s wrong in testing the waters?! Honestly, you’re not even sure he is actually paying attention to what you’re saying; you feel almost lucky he acknowledged your presence. You sure as hell won’t budge or back off this time, you won’t indulge his annual pity party. This time you are more than determined to make your boyfriend feel better, even unleashing your secret anti-sadness weapon.

Evidently caught off guard from this unusual boldness, Xavier lifts his head and turns to you with a surprised look on his face, but frowning at the same time.

Damn it, how can he be so attractive even when he furrows his brows like that?

Right now, the glare of sunlight on the water is perfectly reflecting off his sharp features, and, in this one moment, it’s like everything else falls away, and it’s just the two of you. Nothing else matters but him. Just a few seconds and you’re positive you’re going to forget the reason why you are there in the first place.

It’s the soft sound of his voice that brings you back to reality.

“I’m not sad.”

You shoot him a spare-me-that-bullshit-glance, that doesn’t go unnoticed, since he immediately emphasizes what he said in an attempt to make it sound more convincing, a few octaves higher.

“I’m not sad, Y/N!”

Very well Xav, time to bring out the big guns then.

With what you think is the most serious and straight expression your face can make in that moment, you tenderly place a hand on this cheek, which results in his brows furrowing even more, as if he’s silently questioning your sudden change of demeanor. He’s already preparing to get your lecture when instead you come up with:

“Do you know why ghosts are terrible liars?”

With a combo of a dramatic pause and a poker face, you bite the inside of your cheek noting his confused and puzzled look, “You can see right through them.”

Xavier’s blue eyes suddenly widen, shocked by your brainless joke that you’re certain he wasn’t expecting. You remain silent and he looks at you with his mouth slightly open, completely speechless.

“No way, no no no,” his eyebrows raised even further, “You didn’t say what you’ve just said.” and despite his apparent grimace, he lets out a loud laugh he really can’t hold back.

“Any chance to unhear this cringe-worthy joke?”

“Oh stop, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Are you kidding me?” he dramatically snorts. Theatrical might be the right word to describe the way your boyfriend always reacts when he’s at a loss of words.

“If you were searching for a non-physical way to kill me, you just found it.” he puts a hand on his forehead.

“Then why are you laughing, blondie?” you tease him.

“Because you’re the worst comedian ever, baby.”

Yeah? A bulb glows on your head.

“I disagree. Now tell me, what do you call a ghost-comedian?”

“Don’t you dare.” he warns

“DEAD-FUNNY” you scream back, then bursting into laughter.

It starts as a chuckle, but soon Xavier can’t help but mirror your reaction, cracking up himself.

It’s a laughter that fills his lungs, so hard that it takes his breath away, loud yet so warm and pleasant. The lack of oxygen doesn’t matter. All the distress of the past few days melts; as long as you two stay together, the tension is relieved.

“Jeez, you’re lucky you’re the love of my life,” he lightly shakes his head, “...otherwise I would run away from you as fast as I can.” he lies, lightly bumping your shoulder.

Fixing quite unconsciously his signature bleached hair, always perfectly styled, has been his tic for ages. The first time you noticed it was when he nervously tried to divert attention from his blushing, finally bent on making a move on you. You two were friends, but head over the heels for each other.

He smiles at himself; even the thought alone of spending the eternity in that purgatory without you is inconceivable.

“Why don’t you write a book with all these bad jokes?!” he mocks you.

“Only with you as a ghostwriter!” and proud of your quick-but-cheap pun, you put on a massive shit-eating grin on your face.

“Are you fucking with me, Y/N?” Xavier smiles at you lovingly, pinching your side that he knows is a ticklish-weak-spot.

Your body twitches to escape his hold and push his hands away, but when you grab his wrists something shifts inside you. Are your eyes clouded with…is it lust? You’re not sure what it is, but you give him a little smirk, and, much to Xavier’s surprise, you straddle him placing your hands on his toned chest.

“Not yet, babe…unless it is what you want.”

“God Y/N, you suck at flirting” he claims but the groan that slips out means he can’t hide his arousal as much as he would.

“Teach me, then. Still got the moves?” you slightly shift, making sure to adjust your position with a slow grind against his half-boner. He hisses and lets out a little moan in response.

“Very well, but I think we should work on your flexibility first.”

What follows is a series of slow open-mouthed kisses on your jaw and love bites on his neck. You will never get tired of this, not even in a million years.

“Hey, Romeo and Ghouliet! Stop fucking your brains out and get over here…we have a sort of guest.” Chet screams from the lakeshore.

“We are not!” You both manage to say, reluctantly interrupting your heated kiss.

“I’m dead dears, not stupid.” the brunette winks.

Damn cockblocker.

“A guest?” Xavier questions, tilting his head and looking at you as if you know what Chet is talking about. You shrug and ask the athlete who this person is and what exactly they want.

“I think it’s about our…condition. Clairvoyance shit, I don’t know. Her name is Billie Dean Howard or something.” Chet explains, not sure either what all this is about.

Xavier is the first to get up, helping you do the same.

“Maybe she’s just a ghost-obsessed freak who wants to reopen the camp?!” you wonder out loud and tenderly link your hand with your boyfriend’s, ready to go.

“Yeah, maybe. But it wouldn’t be a bad idea, though.”

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erudite-rebel · 3 years

Note

💘 + have you already got Qrowbleck? If you have, make it unbound fate instead.

(I have not gotten Qrowbleck, but if you wanna send the latter again go ahead)

send me 💘 + A SHIP and i’ll tell you—

(under cut because LONG)

where they first met and how

On the Beacon roof. Oob ran away from the cafeteria because he refused to sleep in the crowded room and Qrow ended up meeting him up there. Their introduction was extremely brief and Qrow beat a fast retreat.

how long their ‘flirting’ phase was before feelings got involved

Flirting didn’t begin until Oob worked up the courage to approach the unapproachable again in the library. He spotted Qrow reading in the corners and avoiding people and approached him, and when Qrow didn’t tell him to piss off he sort of glommed on and they became friends. Flirting was unconscious on Barty’s part. He had a stupid crush and he paid a lot of compliments, and they both existed in squishy existence for some time before someone made a move, which in fact predated any dating.

who fell for who first ( if applicable )

Barty, but he wasn’t really aware of the nature of it at first. The more Qrow grew to like him and how honest Barty was the quicker he fell after.

where their first date was and what it was like

Barty asked Qrow out, and he took him to the natural history museum because he found out Qrow didn’t know what a dinosaur was.

who asks who out and how ( with a sign? spelled out on a cake? just a simple ‘will you go out with me’? )

Barty asked Qrow. He was nervous and he stuttered over it and Qrow was terrified Barty had figured out who he was.

who proposes first

I am not actually sure at all. Neither of them consider themselves the marrying type, and it entirely depends on how the relationship progresses. Chances are Barty does the asking though, and he tries to follow any tribe traditions if he’s learned about them.

if they keep / kept their relationship secret or let everyone know right away

Neither would scream it to the roof tops, neither would hide it

where the proposal happens and how ( kiss cam at a baseball game? on a hillside surrounded by ducks? at a disney park? )

Alone in the woods, in nature

if they adopt any pets together

A dog and many cats. Qrow wants an unusual looking dog, Barty wants a big one, and they settle on an afghan. Both of them are guilty of cat adopting.

who’s more dominant

They both fluctuate but Barty is more dominant in bed most of the time.

where their first kiss was and what it was like

Qrow kissed Barty to shut him up. It lead to a bit of a physical FWB for a bit while neither of them admitted they had feelings.

if they have any matching couples stuff ( mugs? sweaters? pillowcases? )

Mugs, a necklace

how into pda they are

They are both not shy at all about PDA and in their youth they definitely got up to no good in semi-public places

who holds the umbrella when it rains

Barty tol, he holds the umbrella

where their usual ‘date spot’ is ( if applicable )

Picnics in the woods or quiet home dates

who’s more protective

They are both extremely protective and are quick to throw hands tbh but Barty’s more open about it. He’s the angry little dog, Qrow’s the brooding cat.

how long it is before they sleep together ( can be as in ‘had sex’ or as in ‘shared a bed’ )

TBH wasn’t long before they shared nap. And they slept together before they were dating because Impulse Control is not a good thing

if they argue about anything

Morals and ideals can cause a bit of friction. While Barty’s very stick it to the man, sometimes Qrow’s laxed morals can spark a little heat

who leaves more marks ( lipstick, hickeys, scratchmarks etc. )

Qrow leaves tons of marks. Barty is encouraged as well. He’s gotten pretty good at his make up to keep his throat respectable

who steals whose clothes and how often

They are equal opportunity thieves of clothes but Qrow more often steals

how they cuddle ( spooning? facing each other? )

A tangle of limbs. It’s ridiculous. Looks like two stickbugs having a nap

what their favourite nonsexual activity is

Camping

how long they stay mad at each other

It can go on for awhile, weeks even, before one of them breaks and goes to the other.

what their usual coffee / tea orders are

Both of them like cream and sugar, though Barty’s a honey latte guy and Qrow just as quickly reaches for tea.

if they ever have any children together

They’d adopt. Adoption is near to Qrow’s heart. Otherwise they might look for a surrogate and Barty would be the biodad.

if they have any special pet names for each other

Sometimes they call each other pretty bird

if they ever split up and / or get back together

They would potentially split up post Beacon if life doesn’t align well for them, or try to maintain a FWB or open relationship. They’d get back together later, when Qrow was starting to get clean

what their shared living space is like ( messy? clean? what kind of decor? )

Messy. Barty has his chaotic system and Qrow goes with the flow, so sometimes it kind of gets neglected. It’s full of trinkets and books and things

what their first christmas / hanukkah / etc as a couple was like

Barty enjoyed every moment of Qrow’s explanation of Yule and wanted to recreate it all

what their names are in each other’s phones

They are a slowly evolving and changing system of silly unintelligible nicknames and inside jokes

if they have any ‘couple traditions’ ( buying a new mug for their collection every year? baking every friday evening? )

Camping as much as possible during off breaks

who falls asleep first and who wakes up first

Again depends on Torpor. Barty sleeps far longer when he does, otherwise he doesn’t sleep. Both of them are notoriously late risers and bad night owls

who’s the big spoon / little spoon

They swap out but Qrow prefers little spoon

who hogs the bathroom

They can both be pretty vain about their care routines though Qrow won’t admit that much. Barty is probably worse tho

who kills the spiders / takes them outside

Both of them are the catch and release type with spiders, though both of them are live and let live. Qrow has an unfortunate bird brain problem with them too though, so he’s likely to just eat them.

#notes in the margins; ooc #//god these are so long #dcstinythief

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innerpostmentality · 5 years

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Breakfast at Tevis

Four thousand years ago gods and magic shaped and ruled and were plentiful in the world. Man and all the creatures were shaped and marked by it. Then things began to change. Gradually those things of magic diminished and the things of science took precedence until magic became a myth tucked away safely in children’s fairy tales and skilled entertainer’s parlor tricks. It’s been a thousand years of progress unmarked by true magic. …………………….. Things are about to change.

This fic is part of a collaborative AU created by my talented friends @tornbetween2loves @kennaxval and myself. This part was written 50/50 by myself and @tornbetween2loves. Special thanks to @tornbetween2loves for the gorgeous mood board for Crown Prince Aeneas and the beautiful Sarissa Disclaimer: all original TRR characters and references belong to Pixelberry, however we are claiming their beautiful children as our own creations. Please see the Series Master List here: Arcana Unbound Series Masterlist Pairing feature: Aeneas X Sarissa Word count: 4300 + Warnings: mild angst, erotica Tags: @darley1101 @gardeningourmet @speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject @bobasheebaby @carabeth @sawyeroakleyscowboyhat @riseandshinelittleblossom @stopforamoment @teamtomsato @furiousherringoperatortoad @indiacater @sirbeepsalot @alesana45 @strangerofbraidwood @museofbooks @furryperfectionlover @ao719 @blackcatkita

Aeneas led Sarissa out to the limo and Evan opened the door for them. He climbed into the car and held his hand out for her to help her in. "I was not sure you would join me this morning. And I do apologize for the early morning. I wanted to be certain I spoke to your father before there was any news of us." The ride to Tevi's was short this early in the morning. Tevi's had expanded over the years since Liam and Hyclea had first gone to breakfast there. When Hyclea gave them the Queen's seal, a personal endorsement, their business doubled then doubled again. But the quality was always maintained in their food. And at least once a month the royals would come visit. "Sarissa," He kept her hand and was stroking gentle circles around her knuckles with his thumb. "It is early so I do not think any press will be there when we arrive. But it is a possibility when we leave. Have you considered what you want to tell them?" Sarissa’s brow furrowed as she thought about Aeneas’ question. “Honestly I hadn’t thought about it much.” She squeezed his hand and looked at him sheepishly. The press never really paid much attention to her, they would bypass her and swarm her brother. “Do you have some pointers for me? Maybe I could just follow your lead.” She looked away, suddenly nervous. She knew that she would be in the spotlight being courted by the crown prince. This would take some getting used too. She was trained to fade into the background, be unnoticeable. She looked up into his violet eyes and knew he was worth the nervousness and any awkwardness she might feel being in the spotlight. She smiled at him warmly. “Can’t we just tell them the truth?” Aeneas looked pained as he held her gaze. His voice was that deep, soothing velvet that was almost mesmerizing. "If this Social Season were only about me I would call a press conference and tell them how completely remarkable and enchanting you are. But Social Seasons.." he sighed before he continued "Social seasons garner support for the crown from the nobility and the public. It is like a lottery where every person feels like they might win. I," he shook his head, "I have to be perceived, initially at least, to be fair. And that is so contrary to what I feel." “I understand.” She looked deep into his eyes. “So once the social season starts you will be spending equal amounts of time with all the women who participate.” She broke their gaze and looked down as hot tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Her voice was soft and filled with uncertainty. “What if you find you like one of them better than me?” "No." Aeneas lifted her chin. "Look at me Sarissa." His voice was serious and he waited until she met his gaze. "Listen to me. I need you to hear me not only here." He touched her head gently. "I need you to hear me here." He touched the center of her chest over her heart. "This is exactly what I was trying to tell you last night when I told you that my brother was the better catch." He shook his head and looked in her eyes then gently turned her head so she could look out the window as he pointed at all the traffic and people. He shifted so that he was right behind her and she could feel the warmth of his body as he spoke gently in her ear. "There are billions of people in the world. Millions in our country that I must think of. That I must care about. That I must try to take care of. And if you chose to sit beside me it means that you will have to share me and I will have to share you. Even beyond the social season we will have to watch each other dance with others and share intimate conversations with others. We will be apart negotiating alliances, trade deals, attending summits." He turned her slightly and gently stroked her jaw as he urged her to face him again, his features held a deep longing hopefulness. "But in the midst of all that, at the end of all that, I want to believe, I need you to believe in this." Aeneas brought his mouth to hers. His fingers trembled as he threaded them into the silkiness of her glorious hair. Passion like he'd never known unfurled in him and he was vaguely aware as he groaned his need for her. He was completely torn between his rational side that knew he needed to stop and recover his composure, and the imperative of his emotions that drove his body to passion. Sarissa was overcome as she felt her own emotions and passion rise to meet his. She could feel how desperately he wanted her, no, needed her and any small shred of doubt she had was gone. This was exactly what she wanted. Her whole life had been preparation for this moment and gave her strength. She was meant to be his queen. She just knew it. And she would jump through whatever hoops necessary to get there. He released his grip on her hair and tried to pull away from her but she kept her lips on his as she grasped his hand and pressed it to her chest, covering her heart. After lingering a few moments longer in their passion, she pulled back, breathless. Their lust-blown eyes locked together as Sarissa cupped his face in her hands. “I hear you, Aeneas. I know what it means to be with you. To love you.” She brought her face close to his again. “You’re worth it. You’re so worth all of it.” She kissed him again gently, deepening the kiss as she stroked his cheek. He was shaking his eyes closed when he broke the kiss finally. He pressed his forehead to hers. "Sarissa.. oh God..." He let her go and leaned over. "Give me a minute. We are going to be at Tevi's in a few minutes and I cannot get out of the car like this." He struggled as he tried to control his breathing and calm himself. He chuckled and turned his head to look sideways at her. "You are dangerous." Sarissa scooted over a few inches on the seat to give him some space as she smiled at him innocently. “Dangerous? Me?” She winked at him playfully. He reached out and grabbed her hand and held it as he closed his eyes and just breathed slowly. "Have you been to Tevi's before?" She nodded. “Sure. They have great coffee.” She squeezed his hand gently. “Are you ok?” "Well this is not exactly how I pictured this morning. And it amuses me on some not completely mortified level. You are so beautiful. Do you know that?" Sarissa blushed and smiled at him shyly. “Thank you. You make me feel so wonderful. Everything you say to me makes me feel like I’m the most special girl in the world.” She looked up into his eyes, her cheeks still flushed. “So what will we tell the press today? Because I fear that they may take one look at us and know what we are feeling.” He smiled at her the violet of his gaze intense. "You are. I need you to remember that through all of this." He chuckled. "The press will always speculate. But if we are pressed I shall tell them that we are planning a surprise party. That should calm them a little." The limo pulled up in front of Tevi's and stopped. They waited a few minutes while security confirmed everything was ready for them. Evan opened the door and allowed Sarissa to exit the limo a moment later Aeneas exited the car. He stepped out and smoothed his jacket and offered her his arm. They were escorted into the courtyard dining area and to a table situated next to a beautiful Jacaranda tree. Aeneas pulled her chair out for her before he sat down across from her. The waiter handed them menus and asked them what they would like to drink. Aeneas smiled at her. "I requested this table. It's rather special to my family. It was where my parents had their first official sort of 'date'. That was back in prehistory. And the walls were built to keep the larger dinosaurs out." “How lovely. You’re such a romantic.” She smiled. “This is utterly charming. Having our first date in the exact spot where your parents had theirs.” She giggled. “Good thing we don’t have to worry about those dinosaurs anymore.” Aeneas got lost in her eyes for a moment. He blushed. "Yesterday I would not have thought that I was a romantic. I was pretty methodical studying the files." He frowns. "Was I mistaken thinking that you had a class this morning? I was surprised when your dad said 7:30." Sarissa’s face reddened as she dropped her eyes to the floor. “Yes, I was supposed to be in class at 8. But I wasn’t planning on going, even before you showed up.” She looked up into his eyes curiously. “Do you have a file on me Aeneas?” "Of course. Sarissa, you wanted to be a royal guard." He shook his head and chuckled. "And when I asked for files on the ladies attending the season they were thorough. I have files on Calais and my mother. I have no idea how that happened." She smiled at him, her eyes sparkled. “Well you can officially move my file from the ‘royal guard’ pile to the ‘attending social season’ pile.” She giggled. “So what kind of stuff is in my file? Do you find that it’s accurate? Will I be able to have any secrets from you?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Or maybe you should just throw that file in the trash and see what impression I can make on you?” Aeneas started to speak but then the waiter came back with their drinks and asked them about their breakfast preferences. He ordered them a basket of assorted pastries, pieces of cheese pie, and a sliced fruit plate. "I hope you do not mind me ordering for both of us?" He looked thoughtful for a moment as he thought about the contents of her file. "You are described as a dedicated student with excellent skills. You are a senior with emphasis on security, infiltration and threat analysis. You excel in your physical combat courses. You are 21, two months younger than me. Red hair. Gray eyes. 5'7". Daughter of Bastien Lykel and Olivia Nevrakis-Lykel Duke and Duchess of Lythikos, second child of the couple." He grinned. "It is woefully inadequate. Tells me nothing about which side of the bed you sleep on. Whether you snore. Does not tell me if you prefer the orange walnut sticky rolls or the chocolate eclairs. It's basically useless." Sarissa giggled as she took a sip of her coffee. “Interesting. Well, I prefer to sleep on the right side and I will always choose the eclairs. As far as the snoring goes....” Her eyes danced as she gave him a sultry look. “...you’ll have to wait to discover that for yourself.” “Would it surprise you to learn that I also have a file on you? And Calais? And Leo? And your parents?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “And I’ll bet my files are a lot more detailed and informative than yours.” She smiled as she thought of her father teaching her to remember details about those she wished to protect. Not just the public knowledge details, but personal details. Observations. Even her mother had encouraged the idea. She had figured that the files would come in handy if she ever chose to take a different path and attend social season. He grinned at her wide enough to show his dimple as he selected a cardamom cream horn and shook his head. "I know who your parents are so it does not really surprise me. But I am curious since you have been studying me. Is there anything that surprises you about me?" Sarissa tilted her head to one side as she reached for a pastry. She contemplated his question for a moment as she took a bite. She smiled at him brightly. “To be honest, everything about you surprises me Aeneas. From a fairly young age my dad taught me to maintain a certain distance from you. Not a physical distance, a personal one. He said it was important for me to maintain a professional relationship with those I aspire to protect.” She smiled as she licked a bit of frosting off the tip of her thumb. “So even though I was aware of certain personal details about you, I’m finding you to be nothing like I imagined. You are so kind, passionate and protective. I feel so safe around you. And not just because of your guard detail.” Cream filling clung to his upper lip as he continued to smile at her. "I am glad you feel safe with me. I shall always do my very best to keep your faith in me, Sarissa." He sipped his coffee and the cream filling disappeared. He looked thoughtfully at her for a long moment. "How many more classes do you have to finish your degree? I know you are a senior but I also know people who have the credits to be a senior but have changed majors so are not so close to graduating." He laughed and shook his head. "Then there is my sister and brother. They are just set upon making me feel like the slow child." Sarissa giggled. “You, the slow child? I find that hard to believe.” She smiled as she sipped her coffee. “I have never changed my major, I have always known what I wanted to study and who I wanted to be. So I will be graduating after this semester.” Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. “I plan to finish my coursework online for the remainder of the semester.” He nodded as he took another bite of the cream horn. "Sarissa I know you were really upset with Calais and Xiphos last night. I was too. Then I realized what happened with me. I do not think either of them were really keeping something from us. I mean I do not believe they were really together before yesterday." Sarissa nodded in agreement. “I didn’t understand how they could feel so strongly for one another in such a short time.” She locked her eyes on his violet pools and her voice was deep and sultry when she spoke. “But I do now.” His eyes flashed and then he sipped his coffee and took a bite of his cheese pie. "Yes...." He studied her intently for a moment. "Anyway, Calais was pretty upset about upsetting you. And Sarissa, I think they are... very serious. I hope that doesn't upset you." Sarissa took another bite of her pastry, then washed it down with coffee. She nodded in response. “I’m not upset that they’re serious.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m upset because your sister has had this crush on my brother for months, maybe even years, and she never told me.” She sighed and looked down at her cheese pie as she picked at it with her fork. “I guess my feelings are just hurt. I thought we were best friends. But Calais kept this huge secret from me.” Her voice was shaky as tears welled in her eyes. Aeneas looked sympathetic as Sarissa got emotional. "I wish we were private. When you are upset all I want to do is hold you and somehow make it better. Sarissa.." His voice was soft and soothing, "Calais does consider you her best friend. She is..." His expression got pained and serious. "When she came back from school to work on her doctorate sculptures here she was much more closed off.” “Has she talked with you about what happened?" Sarissa avoided eye contact as she shook her head. “No. I always knew something was different. She came back changed.” She took a deep, shaky breath and exhaled slowly as she wiped a tear from her cheek and looked him in the eye. Her expression pained, she smiled at him sadly. “Another secret she’s keeping from me.” He extended his leg under the table and pressed it gently against hers. He looked in her eyes, his were full of sympathy. "Not just you Sarissa. She hasn't told me what happened either." Her head snapped up as a shocked look crossed her face. “She didn’t tell you? But..... she tells you everything.” She looked away, suddenly feeling very ashamed. Here her best friend had gone through something so traumatic she couldn’t talk to anyone about it. And all Sarissa could do was be angry at her for finding happiness with her brother. She buried her face in her hands. After a long moment she raised her head to look at Aeneas with remorse. “I’ve been acting like a selfish brat. I’m so sorry.” She shook her head. “May I ride back to the palace with you after breakfast? I’d like to speak with Calais.” He nodded and handed her his handkerchief. "She did not tell me about her feelings for your brother either. I do not know what happened. But I know she was hurt badly by someone." Sarissa nodded as she dabbed the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief. After taking a moment to compose herself she cleared her throat and smiled at him. “Enough sadness. This is supposed to be our charming, romantic first date.” She winked at him with a smile. “So what are your plans today Aeneas?” He lifted a brow at her and smirked. "I have a couple of meetings after my cold shower. Then I am heading to the children's hospital to take some stuffed lions to the children. I have a fitting. Then another meeting with father and the Italian ambassador about an upcoming trip. Then I expect to fall over from sleep deprivation and dream of you." He smiled and winked at her. Sarrisa’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Are you always this busy?” She rolled her eyes at herself. What a dumb question. Of course he was always this busy, he was the damn crown prince! She sighed and closed her eyes as her cheeks reddened. “I-I’m sorry. That was a pretty stupid question.” She smiled at him sheepishly. He smiled. "We are a working monarchy. Father insists that we have regular contact with the people in addition to the state affairs. Most people still envision something more like sitting around on couches being fed peeled grapes I expect." He shook his head. "There are no bad questions Sarissa. You are welcome to ask me anything." He called the waiter over and asked for a basket of pastries to take with them. "For mom and dad." he explained. "Are you ready? I think we may have dodged the press if we leave now." She nodded and drank the last of her coffee. “Thank you for breakfast. I have very much enjoyed your company, Aeneas.” She smiled at him again, her dark eyes sparkling. Once they were back in the limo Aeneas looked at her shyly. "Sarissa, would you mind.. might I hold you?" Sarissa beamed as she scooted close to him on the seat. “Of course.” She reached out and tentatively placed her hand on his knee, drawing small circles with her fingertips. She fought to keep her breathing steady as she felt his arms around her. Her stomach fluttered as their eyes locked together. Her voice was soft, barely a whisper. “Aeneas....will you kiss me again?” He grinned. "I think you are plotting to keep me in the car." She laughed and he kissed her. Gently he explored her mouth. He stroked her cheek then he moved to feather kisses along her jaw to her ear. He whispered hoarsely, "You are so beautiful." he gently nipped her earlobe and then kissed it, playing with it with his tongue. Sarissa moaned softly as he nipped her ear, her hand slowly moved from his knee to his upper thigh as she kissed his neck. She smiled into the crook of his neck and whispered, “I could stay in this car with you like this all day.” She trailed kisses up to his ear and nibbled gently. “But then you’d have to cancel your meetings and your trip to the hospital, your fitting and your meeting with your father and the ambassador.” She pulled back breathless to look into his eyes, her eyes dark with lust. “And the cold shower would not be necessary.” A groan was pulled from deep inside him. He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss into her palm. His eyes were blazing, luminescent violet rings around his lust blown pupils. His voice a deep velvet caress as he murmured, "If I expire from need you will have to explain to my parents and yours why they can't remove my smile." She smiled and kissed his lips softly, speaking into the kiss, “I don’t mind explaining. I’ll even take all the blame.” "Sarissa… I.." He closed his eyes as he struggled. Then opened them to look deeply into her eyes. "I told your father I would respect you. You have no idea how much I want you. But you deserve so much more than the back seat of a car." He pulled her tightly against him and kissed the top of her head. His whole body was tense and almost vibrated with his restraint. Sarissa pouted as she snuggled against him. She could feel him tense next to her and she placed her hand on his thigh. She sighed deeply and said in a very serious tone, “You’re right. We wouldn’t want to piss dad off. Especially not before you find a milk producing yak.” She chuckled softly, her body shaking against his. He held her tightly as he controlled his breathing by counting in his head. Dizzy with her scent and her softness and the feel of her in his arms. He laughed with her as he murmured in her hair. "I promise I will find that yak if it is the last thing I do." "Hey... Thank you for talking with Calais. You really are her best friend. I think your brother and I made peace last night when he was leaving. Forgive him, Sarissa, do not carry hurt with you." Sarissa nodded. “We’re all going to be okay aren’t we Aeneas?” She sat up straight and turned to look him in the eye. He grinned. "Well yesterday I would not have been able to answer that question with any kind of conviction.” He kissed her knuckles still as he looked into her eyes. "When I look at you, when I hold you I can't help but believe that we all are going to wind up fine." She smiled at him as she lightly stroked his cheek. “I feel the same way. It’s amazing the difference a day can make.” Aeneas opened his arms to hold her while they were taken to the family entrance of the palace. He stroked her back. "I wish we could just spend the day together. I hope we will be able to manage that before the insanity of the season gets underway." Sarissa kept her hand on his thigh, making circles with her index finger. “An entire day? That would be amazing.” She looked at him hopefully. “Can we try to make that happen? Pretty please?” She stuck her bottom lip out in a small pout and batted her eyes at him. He chuckled and tugged gently on her bottom lip.. "Does that work with your dad?" He kissed her forehead. "You know I will try to make it happen." She grinned widely at him. “Actually, it does work with dad. Well most of the time anyway. I’ve always been daddy’s little girl.” She turned to look deep in his violet eyes with a sultry gaze. She leaned close and kissed his lips softly. She pulled back after a moment. “Imagine what we could do with an entire day together.” "My virtue feels imperiled." He couldn’t help himself. He knew he shouldn't but he stole another kiss before he signaled for the guards to let them out of the car. "I will talk with you later Beauty." She climbed out of the limo, his taste still tingled on her lips. “Thank you for breakfast Aeneas. I had an absolutely wonderful time.” He bowed over her hand, flipped it and kissed her wrist softly before he let her go.

#choices trr #trr fanfic #trr au fanfic #arcana unbound

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theantisocialcritic · 4 years

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Archive Project - January 7, 2014 - Most Anticipated 2014

Onto Day 3 of the First Annual Hummy Awards! To paraphrase Moviebob, 2014 looks like it's going to be the year filmmaking forgets. 2015 is shaping up to be the biggest year in film… well maybe ever. Major Blockbuster movies like: Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars: Episode VII, Man of Steel 2, Ant-Man, Jurassic World, Fantastic Four and Fast & Furious 7 will be hitting the big screens. This year is the red carpet to next year's big Blockbuster Blowout but from the looks of it, it will be a fun walk into 2015!

Here I have assembled a list of some of this years biggest movies! Lets see what 2014 has to offer!

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Upcoming Films in the Immediate Future! ————————————————————————————————————————— Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 1/17 Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite books and movies! An awesome cold war espionage tale with a message on Soviet Communism. In the next two weeks we will be given a reboot of Red October's main character, Jack Ryan with Chris Pine dealing with his first mission. Given the circumstances of this movie I don't expect something great but i'm assuming if it is successful it will be the means of jumpstarting a franchise. Lets see where this goes…

I, Frankenstein 1/24

Justice League: War 2/4 Warner Bros Animation has been on a roll lately with it's animated movies: The Dark Knight Returns, Superman Unbound and The Flashpoint Paradox. I have a lot of confidence with them as they do the origin of the Justice League on this straight to video adaption!

The Monuments Men 2/7 Really cool concept and a lot of talent being put into this movie. Definitely worth a look!

The Lego Movie 2/7 This seems dumb, but also very awesome! CGI animation being made to look like LEGOs, from the animation team that made Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and that appears to be genuinely funny. Sign me up!

Robocop 2/12 Robocop is a classic. Rebooting it is probably a bad idea. This could go either way but i'm still excited to see this!

Son of God 2/28 The Bible really is a good source for potential storytelling for film. Unfortunately not a lot of movies about them get made. This one slipped through the cracks and it appears to be pretty interesting!

Mr. Peabody and Sherman 3/7 This movie offends my childhood on a deep personal level. I grew up watching Rock and Bullwinkle cartoons. THAT BEING SAID. It can't be worse than the Rock and Bullwinkle movie and if it's at least funny I MIGHT give it a pass.

Grand Budapest Hotel 3/7

Need for Speed 3/14 A movie adaption of a video game that isn't really story driven that looks surprisingly similar to Fast and Furious. Lets see...

Muppets Most Wanted 3/21 Your thoughts on this movie begin and end with the title...

Noah 3/28 Speaking of Bible movies.. Who's up for a little blasphemy? Russell Crowe apparently..

Captain America: Winter Soldier 4/4 YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

Heaven is for Real 4/16 Based on the, i'm assuming, successful book, this Christian film looks to be a pretty cool drama with a lot of heart!

Transcendence 4/25 Johnny Dep is in this movie and it's not Jack Sparrow. Thats about all you need to know.

Earth to Echo 4/-- We don't know much about this film yet other than the title and general release date but it sounds pretty awesome!

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Blockbuster Season 2014 ————————————————————————————————————————— Amazing Spiderman 2 5/2 I'm a vocal detractor of the first film as a movie that exists only to keep the rights to Spiderman movies from going back to Marvel and that it heavily ripped off a lot from Batman Begins and Twilight (to paraphrase Moviebob, once again..). This movie doesn't look all that great but its a Spiderman movie and i'd at least say its worth seeing once.

Godzilla 5/16 HOLY CRAP THE TRAILER IS AWESOME!!

X-Men: Days of Future Past 5/23 The X-Men movie's current mission statement is the wipe away X-Men Last Stand and X-Men Origins out of the movie's canon and it appears that this movie is one of the last steps to fulfilling the mission they set in X-Men First Class. I'm very excited for this!

A Million Ways to Die in the West 5/30 If your a fan of Family Guy and Ted than this is a movie that should interest you! Seth MacFarlane directs and stars in this comedy-western, along side Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson and Neil Patrick Harris.

Malieficent 5/30 Live action prequel into Disney's classic Sleeping Beauty? Hmm. Interesting.

Edge of Tomorrow 6/6 Tom Cruise stars in an action movie….. YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!

How to Train Your Dragon 2 6/13 This is one of the coolest concepts to a sequel i've heard in a long time! The first movie is a great animated film and i'm very excited for this!

Transformers Age of Extinction 6/27 LeBuff is gone! The transformers are redesigned! The Dinobots are showing up! If we are lucky this should at least match the quality of the first Transformers movie!

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 7/11 Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a surprisingly great movie that in hindsight shouldn't have worked as well as it did. It ended up being one of the most notable Science Fiction films of this decade and a well done character drama. And now we get a direct sequel that ties that movie in with the classic Planet of the Apes movies! Thats something to get excited about!

Guardians of the Galaxy 8/1

SPACE AVENGERS! If the end credits scene in Thor: Dark World was any indication, this movie will be one of the most insane things ever put to film. Its the biggest risk Marvel has taken since The Avengers and some of the characters, despite their comic book origins, seem too weird for any film out of context: namely Vin Diesel as Groot the Tree and a Raccoon that runs around with Rocket Launchers!

TMNT 8/8 If I cared about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles i'd probably be offended by this. Whatever, this film is set to be a very notable film in any case.

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Fall 2014 ————————————————————————————————————————— Intersteller 11/7 Christopher Nolan is a great director and this film looks to be his most original film since Inception and as his first venture after the conclusion of the Dark Knight Trilogy, its definitely notable!

Big Hero 6 11/7 Disney's first take at an animated Marvel movie! In the wake of Frozen and Wreck it Ralph, I could not be more excited!!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 11/21 I really liked Catching Fire and i'm excited to see how the series plans to start finishing it's story.

The Hobbit: There and Back Again 12/17 Finally ending 2014 with a bang is the long awaited third part to Peter Jackson's trilogy based off of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein. If you DON'T know why this is a big deal than I DEMAND you go check out the first two Hobbit movies RIGHT NOW. Watch Lord of the Rings while your at it!!

—————————————————————————————————————————

And my personal pick for most anticipated movie of 2014 is…

of course..

Captain America: The Winter Soldier!!

Based on the famed Winter Soldier arc from the more recent Captain America Comic books, the choice of bringing the Winter Soldier into the Marvel universe brings forth a lot of interesting possibilities for upcoming stories concerning Captain America and their universe. This movie has me more excited than any other this year!

Runner-Up: Guardians of the Galaxy

—————————————————————————————————————————

For more on upcoming movies in 2014, Check out Moviebob at the Escaptist http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/moviebob/10862-Here-Comes-2014#HHbbGGGE1AQoZTP8.99

Thank you very much for reading!

Live long and prosper!

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peacekaleandyoga1 · 4 years

Link

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with CES Pirie Hotel (SA) Pty Ltd., an entity wholly owned by Chip Eng Seng Corporation Limited, to develop a new Hyatt Regency in Adelaide. The new 295-room hotel will mark the return of a Hyatt branded hotel to Adelaide, continuing Hyatt’s expansion in Australia. With construction planned to commence in early 2020, Hyatt Regency Adelaide is expected to open in early 2023.

The Hyatt Regency brand offers a stress-free environment for event, leisure and business travelers alike to enjoy a productive and energized experience. Guests can enjoy a seamless and intuitive service alongside refreshing food and beverage concepts and flexible spaces suited for work, collaboration or relaxation.

“We are grateful to work with CES Pirie Hotel on the opening of the new Hyatt Regency Adelaide and are excited to bring the Hyatt Regency brand, which has a strong legacy and following, back to this vibrant city,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “Located in Adelaide’s city center, the hotel will provide guests with the tools to stay connected and benefit from the hotel’s intuitive and personalized service.”

Hyatt Regency Adelaide will be located on Pirie Street in the center of the city’s central business district, giving guests unparalleled access to major corporate and government offices as well as shopping and dining venues. When completed, the hotel will offer facilities including more than 8,000 square feet (750 square meters) of event space, a Market Café, a Regency Club, swimming pool, fitness facilities and a rooftop bar.

“The development of the new Hyatt Regency Adelaide will mark an important re-entry into Adelaide for the brand and also fill a key gap in Hyatt’s domestic Australian network,” said Monika Dubaj, vice president real estate and development, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt. “The hotel is part of our strategy to provide more offerings to travelers as we expand in Australia, with new destinations such as Adelaide and Brisbane that will complement our current portfolio of seven hotels in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra.”

“Hyatt Regency Adelaide will add to Chip Eng Seng Corporation’s strategic presence in Australia,” said Mr. Raymond Chia, Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Chip Eng Seng Corporation. “We have selected Hyatt because of its established reputation and leadership in the hospitality industry. We will work closely with Hyatt to create a hotel which will become an excellent representation of all the elements that make the Hyatt Regency brand so successful over the decades.”

For more information about Hyatt Regency hotels, please visit hyattregency.com.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on making travel free from stress and filled with success. More than 190 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in more than 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient personalized, high-touch business meetings to energizing family vacations. The brand offers stress-free environments for seamless gatherings and empathetic service that anticipates guests’ needs. Designed for productivity and peace of mind, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert meeting and event planners who can take care of every detail. For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow @HyattRegency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #HyattRegency.

About Chip Eng Seng Corporation Limited

Chip Eng Seng is listed on the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited since 1999. Chip Eng Seng is one of Singapore’s leading construction and property groups with businesses spanning across the five core pillars of the business – construction, property developments, property investments, hospitality and education. Over the past years, Chip Eng Seng has established a strong presence in Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Maldives and New Zealand. For more information about Chip Eng Seng, please visit www.chipengseng.com.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 19 premier brands. As of June 30, 2019, the Company’s portfolio included more than 875 properties in over 60 countries across six continents. The Company’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Ziva

, Hyatt Zilara

, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, Joie de Vivre®, tommie

, Hyatt Residence Club® and Exhale® brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the rate and the pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the real estate and hospitality businesses; changes in distribution arrangements, such as through internet travel intermediaries; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees, and hospitality venture partners; the possible inability of third-party owners, franchisees, or development partners to access capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; risks associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions, and our ability to successfully integrate completed acquisitions with existing operations; our ability to successfully execute on our strategy to expand our management and franchising business while at the same time reducing our real estate asset base within targeted timeframes and at expected values; changes in the competitive environment in our industry, including as a result of industry consolidation, and the markets where we operate; our ability to successfully grow the World of Hyatt loyalty program; cyber incidents and information technology failures; and other risks discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

If you enjoyed this post, you should read this: Clijsters on second comeback, Australian Open air quality & doing the splits

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pendragonfics · 7 years

Text

No Light, No Light

Paring: Kylo Ren/Reader

Tags: female reader, angst, feels, fluff, Phasma is the friend everyone deserves

Summary: Reader is conflicted with feelings she has for her master and superior, Kylo Ren, who she attends to. Kylo Ren wakes to feel someone in deep pain -- and goes to investigate.

Word Count: 1,416

Posting Date: 2016-05-22

Current Date: 2017-05-10

HERE’S A LINK TO THE SONG SO YOU CAN LISTEN WHILE YOU READ!!

Slowly the day breaks. Your knuckles are already raw and your breath shaky. No, you cannot be. You have to be tough. You're to be the pillar for the great Kylo Ren, his attendant that he daren't harm. It had started as just a job, but now, you're in deep. You're too deep, and you can't help but hate it. You're in love with a killer. A sith.

He's yet to wake, and you're in the training room Hux's officer Phasma frequents. An attendant of a Knight of Ren must have fighting skill, but now, you're beating and breaking and berating yourself for what your stupid heart has done without consulting the head.

It's so easy to say it to a crowd. You might just shout it to the stormtroopers, before you faced Kylo Ren with your immature, inappropriate feelings. He would turn on that sabre of his, the buzzing of the bright red blade would frighten you - and you would be no more. You might just shout it to the galaxies, to the outer-rim, to the Resistance, to the whole universe. If you had made such a mistake, let them all know.

"You're going to break your hands, _______." the familiar voice of Phasma's modulated voice in her shiny mask interrupted your rant. “Stop. Why are you doing this to yourself?”

With a final blow to the model, you turn to your colleague and superior. Your entire being aches, from your toes to your soul, and it may be okay just to hurt everywhere. Isn’t that what Kylo Ren does in battle? Hurt himself to become more powerful.

“I’m stupid.”

She takes her mask off. “You’re not stupid. You’re one of the most bravest people I know.” Her plain face shows concern, shows something you haven’t seen for a while. Care. “Tell me everything.”

----

Daybreak empties its yolk over the world, over the Finalizer. It’s distant, and cold, yet its bright enough to perpetrate the being of Kylo Ren. His eyes flutter, mind dredging its way through the layers of consciousness, mouth dry from his nightmares. Kylo Ren might instil fear into the galaxy, might kill and ruin lives and break dreams, but he is a man, and a man dreams of his failures.

“Father,” he whispers.

Usually, by now, his attendant would have sensed his consciousness, and aid him to begin the day. ______ was force sensitive, but not enough to become a warrior like himself, or his uncle. No. She was a maid forced to be near him for all her days. What an existence.

Standing, Kylo Ren feels his joints pop into place, his vision blink away sleep from his face, muss his hair with a hand to rid any trace of his sleep. General Hux never slept, and when he did, it was never enough to turn the thin general into a more amicable man. With a dark chuckle, the Knight of Ren wondered if anything could make that redheaded moody man into a more amicable man.

“_______?” he called out. By now she would have him dressed into his tunic, cleaned his sabre, broke his bread for him. But the assistant was nowhere to be seen. Wherever could she be?

Was she in danger?

For a moment, Kylo Ren felt a tug inside his chest; much like when he battled the scavenger in the snow. The Force. In it, he usually felt emotions and thoughts, tugging them and assessing, them, tossing aside what wasn’t useful or exciting. But now, he feels an ache, deep in his hands and his chest, like he’s being dragged across a frozen wasteland like Hoth, bare as birth, both inside and out.

Who is feeling this way?

---

Finally off to the showers, you strip off your layers of clothes, stinking with sweat and the unbearable feeling that you’re being hunted. By now, your master would be wondering where you are, and why you are incompetent, and you know exactly what you would say.

“I’m completely and utterly, inconceivably, head over heels, toes over nose, in love with you,” you tell the shower head as it rains a calm rush over your head. Kylo Ren might be darkness, and you mightn’t be dark at all, but there was no place for a sun in the vast void.

Quickly, before the trooper monitoring the water used could complain, you complete the washing ritual, and dress in new clothes that you would be comfortable in if you weren’t serving the man you were in love with in them. It might have been a good idea for you to create a cover story for yourself – Kylo Ren is not a relenting man, a forgiving man. He killed his father to remove the light from his soul, but even you felt that there was some left in him. Whatever was tethering this tortured young man in limbo?

You’re hardly focusing, now with your aches dulling the pain of this love, your mind blearier than when you woke yourself in a sweat over the emotions. Kriff. You’re not focusing at all, and you run into the chest of a dark-clad man.

“Sir! I apologise.”

Kylo Ren’s mask is as unforgiving as usual. “______. Follow me.” He is not inviting you. He is instructing you. This you know well, and you do your best to keep up with his giant stride as he makes his way back into to the room the both of you knew started it all. His room. “Why were you absent this morning?” His voice modulator, much like Phasma, showed no signs of mercy, and deep inside, your wits left you. “You were absent when I needed your attendance. You are an attendant, are you not?”

“Yes, sir. I am an attendant, sir.”

“Your absence was err. You are pained.” He states, and lifts you arm. It aches, from all the physical exertion you applied it to, from all the skin crackled and broken over your unbound knuckles. “Is it this which pains you?”

You are silent.

“Have you lost your tongue, ______?”

“I am plagued with…feelings. Sir.” You reply. “I was not in attendance to you to work out these problems so not to bother you with their triviality.”

He drops your hand, the sudden movement paining your limb more than it should be. Before you have time to wince in pain, his mask is released from his shoulders, revealing his jagged scar. The mark mars his face, splitting it as if in two, symbolic of his struggle. The skin around it puckers, as uneven as your heartbeat.

“I’m sorry, sir,” you add, quieter. The _______ you were before, punching in the training room is gone.

Kylo Ren’s gaze softens.

---

“You want a revelation,” he asks you, watching you carefully. Walking around your still form, he watches you like a predator to prey, a tutor to a student, “Some kind of resolution, to these feelings?”

She nods. “I do. I never knew daylight could be so violent. It rips me open, sir. I am plagued with them, I can’t – I can’t function as I do usually, for you with them. Heaven help me, I need to make it right.”

He nods, but instead of agreeing, the great Kylo Ren sighs. “You can’t choose what stays and what fades away. Even if it’s feelings. Are they for an officer? The General?”

She shakes her head.

“Captain Phasma?” he adds.

She shakes her head.

“Who? Who has rendered you to a mess standing before me? Who pains you? Who makes you this?” his voice climbs in tone, and for a moment, he can see fear in her eyes at his raised voice.

“You,” she whispers.

---

You take a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, sir.” You add, quickly. “I’m to be executed, aren’t I?” She breathes. But Kylo Ren is silent, unblinking. It’s as if he’s frozen in a frame of time, and life has gone on and left him behind. Your fear jumps, heart thumping. “Tell me what you want me to say!”

But he doesn’t say a thing. He takes a step forward, and cradling your head in his great hands, your lips are on his.

---

You are the hole in my head

You are the space in my bed

You are the silence in between

What I thought and what I said

You are the night time fear

You are the morning when it's clear

When it's over you're the start

You're my head, you're my heart

#kylo ren #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren/reader #kylo ren x oc #star wars fanfic #star wars x reader #ben solo x reader #the force awakens fanfic #the force awakens x reader #chaotic--lovely #pendragonfics #Female reader

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tmbacorbett · 5 years

Text

Release Blitz: Unbound Spirits by Christine Pope

Title: Unbound Spirits

Author: Christine Pope

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Cover Designer: Christian Bentulan (Covers by Christian)

Editor: Katherine Tomlinson, Story Authority

Publisher: Dark Valentine Press

Publication Date: March 20th, 2019

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

Are they the hunters…or hell’s hunted?

With the troubling aftermath of Project Demon Hunters’ first investigation still heavy on his mind, Michael Covenant awaits Audrey Barrett’s arrival in Tucson to film the second episode.

Except she never shows up.

Michael's sense of foreboding is confirmed when his psychic gift pinpoints the exact spot outside the airport terminal where her panic and terror have left an indelible impression. Someone has taken her against her will, and it’s anyone’s guess where she is now.

Audrey can’t believe her eyes. Her kidnapper is a demon wearing a dead man’s face — a demon furious that she and Michael closed the portal he’d been using as a direct connection to hell…a demon who’ll stop at nothing to take his revenge.

Like a homing beacon, Audrey’s very soul reaches out for the man who broke her trust but still holds her heart — Michael, who fears that even if he reaches her in time, their fight with this particular demon has only just begun….

Buy Links:

Unquiet Souls | Unbound Spirits | Unholy Ground

USA Today bestseller Christine Pope is the author of the paranormal romance Witches of Cleopatra Hill series and the Djinn Wars series, among many other books (sixty and counting!). Researching UFOs brought her to magical Sedona, Arizona, where she now makes her home. Find out more about her books at christinepope.com.

Author Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4181354.Christine_Pope

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X9svOI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinePopeAuthor

Web: http://christinepope.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/christinejpope

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christine-pope

Buy Links:

Unquiet Souls | Unbound Spirits | Unholy Ground

They headed toward the space where Susan had left her Subaru. However, they’d only gone a few yards when Michael stopped, his entire body going cold, as if he’d just been pushed into an unheated swimming pool.

“What is it?” Susan asked, pausing as she looked at him with some concern.

“I don’t know,” he replied. His teeth wanted to chatter, and he clenched his jaw. “Something dark. Something evil.”

“Here?” She looked around in bewilderment at the parking lot, at the rows of cars shimmering under the bright sun.

He could see that sun, but he couldn’t feel its warmth. Even though he felt as if his legs couldn’t move, they were so numb, he somehow managed to force himself to take a step forward, then another one. Slowly, the icy feeling dissipated until it was gone entirely.

Just to be sure, Michael began to retrace his steps. At once the cold surrounded him again, so tangible, it was like walking into a wall of ice. It seemed to emanate from a single parking space they’d passed. He went to it, and experienced a sharp shock of horror and surprise, gone quickly but still somehow thrumming in his bones.

Those weren’t his emotions, however. Somehow he knew he was experiencing what Audrey had experienced in this very spot less than an hour earlier.

“Michael?”

He turned and looked back at Susan, who stood at the edge of the parking space, her expression a study in confusion. Clearly, she couldn’t feel anything, was only responding to his own reactions.

“I don’t know where Audrey is,” he said slowly. “But I’m fairly certain she’s in very grave danger.”

source https://www.tmbacorbett.com/2019/03/release-blitz-unbound-spirits-by.html

#booklove books read tmbacorbett

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un-enfant-immature · 6 years

Text

Swiping right on virtual relationships

There’s an episode in the latest season of the Hulu original series Casual, where the main character, Alex, tries his hand at dating in virtual reality. He quickly meets a woman and develops a big, adrenaline-inducing crush only to realize she’s a scammer out for his credit card information.

The season takes place around 2021 or 2022, when technological advances have made dating in VR both possible and socially acceptable. We’re not there yet, and we probably won’t be there as soon as the writers of the show think, but it’s time to imagine and plan for a future when entire relationships exist in and as a result of virtual reality.

Sextech entrepreneur and advocate Bryony Cole has built a career around the assumption that a full pivot to VR will happen in our lifetimes.

She’s the chief executive officer of Future of Sex, a podcast-turned-media company and sextech accelerator. Future of Sex has just released its inaugural report on virtual intimacy and plans to produce content on other topics at the intersection of technology and sex.

Today, most people are more interested in Magic Leap’s new Angry Birds VR game than the ways in which VR can aid struggling relationships, but the report is full of interesting nuggets on how tech, like teledildonics (Internet-connected sex toys), is transforming intimacy.

There’s a whole class of startups named in the report embracing the notion that human experiences can be improved when powered by apps and devices. No, they aren’t advocating for you to bring your smartphone to the bedroom, but rather claiming that customizable tech can heighten the senses or create new avenues for exploration.

Kissenger, for example, has a mobile app that lets you exchange a kiss over the Internet. Fleshlight and Lovense sell Bluetooth-connected vibrators. And CamasutraVR streams virtual versions of real-life porn stars.

VR is the future of couples therapy

VR, Cole says, is a the forefront of the sextech industry’s transformation and if used correctly, can bolster relationships.

“It’s a new way for couples or thruples, or whatever relationship you’re in, to bond,” Cole told TechCrunch. “The ability to empathize with another person is enriched in this context, which is great, especially for understanding a lover.”

VR can facilitate more meaningful interactions for couples in long-distance relationships. If used right, it can fill the “intimacy gap,” or the space between a couple’s shared happiness and an individual’s personal happiness that, when too big, leads to many couple’s demise.

As a safe space for experimentation, two people can explore fantasies, engage with educational content and even visit a couple’s therapist in VR.

The release of the report is hot off the heels of Future of Sex’s fourth sextech hackathon. In New York, the company asked participants to create tech-enabled solutions to reinvent sex education for teenage boys, among other prompts.

Women in sextech

Future of Sex partnered with porn site YouPorn to co-host the event and asked hackers to come up with ways to leverage YouPorn’s content, which includes VR porn, to improve the sex lives of viewers. VR porn is not a new phenomenon and while it can allow for more personal sexual experiences, researchers have warned that blurring the line between the real and the virtual could lead to ethical issues. How, for example, do you give consent in VR?

Women, who are often exploited for the purposes of sexual entertainment, need to be at the table while this content and other sextech are in development. Fortunately, Cole says, women are entering the sextech community in droves.

“[It’s] exploding at the moment and more and more women entrepreneurs are having a go at building a company,” she said. “It’s Important to highlight why women are getting involved in sextech especially in the current climate of #MeToo.”

Unbound makes pleasure fashionable

On stage at TechCrunch Disrupt SF this year, Unbound, which makes fashion-forward vibrators and other sex toys for women, took home the second-place prize.

“Our dream at Unbound is for female sexual health to be viewed through the same lens as male sexuality — as a part of our overall health that deserves a conversation, platform, and shopping experience that doesn’t feel like a flaming pile of garbage,” Unbound founder Polly Rodriguez told TechCrunch’s John Biggs.

Rodriguez is a close friend of Cole’s — the community is still small — and she’s appeared on the Future of Sex podcast.

The podcast, hackathons and the 12-week accelerator program for sextech startups are part of Cole’s effort to expand the dialogue around VR & sextech, invite new voices into the movement and remove the stigma around having open and honest conversations about sex and intimacy.

“There has to be a way to invite more people into this conversation,” she said. “If we can normalize the conversation, we can raise the standards around talking about sex.”

#TechCrunch

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