#also this is Callen

[skywardknight420]

got a little set of acrylic markers from my beloved c:>

Never tried this medium before I hope I'm doing it "right"

[cheezyharu]

Since I'll be busy over the next while, here have this line concept 👍

Extra ramblings under cut so uh. Buckle up people.

This whole thing began from Ruka. I think I was in a "monsters aren't bad they're just misunderstood" phase and wanted to design a scary girl (cause girls are the only thing I was good at. I watched MLP and 90-00s magical girl/idol anime so what do you expect)

And so this girl is the result. Her entire purpose is to be self-insert. Girl had not a single bit of lore with her, and no personality either honestly, she's as flat as a slice of bread.

Haru was... also a self-insert! I think I just forgot abt Ruka for a time and so they began to exist I think? Their conception was also when I was super into making game self-inserts for some reason, like Ally (now Haru) used to be a FNAF OC... Then interdimension traveler so I can throw them into Undertale and Zelda, then I finally remember Ruka exists and so I just group them together out of convenience.

This is the where the whole "ex-human experiments" thing come in. Their initial lore was that as the oldest amongst the child experiments, they have to go out to the outside world and work odd jobs to get money for the kids.

...That was 2023, and only until NOW that the kids in question are finally conceptualized. Since I decided that both Haru/Ruka will be staying in the orphanage to take care of them now, I WILL need their actual appearance.

I would talk more of the kids... but I'll left that until I'm done coloring.

[slightly-stable]

callen my bestie how are u faring these days what’s going on with u how have u been ⁉️⁉️

here’s my cat btw

First of all, adorable cat

Second I'm doing good! I started working a night job for a couple of months so the hours I was on Tumblr flipped but then I moved states so now I'm looking for a day job because it turns out not seeing the sun kinda sucks

[stardustinthesky]

so far they’ve had kensi and callen pretending to be a couple twice and you know what? i dig it

[half-lightl]

someone on twitter put two gifs of ldpdl and alicent together and hell broke lose on the qrts cause people are incapable of being normal human beings when talking about fictional people from the tv

[genderkoolaid]

HIV research and monitoring has historically excluded transgender men, creating blind spots in understanding this group’s sexual well-being and happiness. Two recent studies—one out of New York and the other from Germany—suggest that transgender men who have sex with other men have a higher prevalence of HIV than the general population. The German analysis further finds that transgender men who have sex with other men face a host of inequities compared to cisgender gay and bisexual men, including reduced access to sexual healthcare and less satisfying sex lives. [...] Almost three quarters of trans MSM reported their income was insufficient for them to live comfortably, compared to about half of cis MSM. The researchers note that the income disparity could be due to the trans MSM participants being younger on average, but they also suggest discrimination could play a role. In terms of mental health, survey scores indicated both groups experienced various degrees of depression and anxiety from mild to severe. However, trans MSM were almost four times as likely to suffer from severe anxiety and depression compared to cis MSM (15% vs 5%). Furthermore, trans MSM indicated far more suicidal ideation than their cisgender counterparts (41% versus 16%). The survey results also pointed to gaps in sexual satisfaction, with more trans MSM being unhappy with their sex life than cis MSM (34% versus 22%). Trans men more often disagreed that sex was as safe as they wanted (18% versus 11%) and indicated less ability to say no to unwanted sex (23% to 12%). Trans MSM reported fewer sexual partners than cis MSM, and the study authors propose that difficulties in finding partners due to stigma may contribute to less happiness in their sex lives. On the whole, trans MSM also had poorer access to healthcare compared to cis MSM. Fewer had ever received either an HIV test (41% versus 24%) or an STI test (55% versus 45%). Drawing on other research, the authors suggest that one reason for this may be discrimination in healthcare settings, which may cause trans men to avoid seeking sexual health services. The authors go on to say that stereotypes, such as assuming trans men only have sex with cisgender women, may also interfere with providing adequate care. Finally, although trans MSM had higher rates of HIV than the general population, this was lower than amongst cis MSM (2.5% versus 10.7%). A different study conducted in New York City by Dr Asa Radix and colleagues of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center also found that HIV prevalence is higher in transgender men. In this retrospective analysis, the authors identified a racially diverse group of 577 transgender men who sought care at the facility between 2009 and 2010. Among this group of men (mean age 32 years), less than half (n=250) had ever had an HIV test. Out of the 250 individuals who had, 2.8% (n=7) tested positive for HIV, a significantly higher rate of HIV than the current US national prevalence of 0.41%. Of the 18 trans men who had sex exclusively with cis men and tested for HIV, two (11.1%) were positive.

[katsigian]

⭒˖ ݁ ⊹ ⁺˖ 𝒐𝒄𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 ˖⁺ ⊹ ݁ ˖⭒

I was tagged to do this quiz for some OCs by @inafieldofdaisies, @cloudofbutterflies92, @raresvtm, and @voidika - thank you! ♡ [also I made brand new OC headers/intros that better match the vibes of their world what do y'all think of them 😗]

﹛ 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 ﹜ ❝ 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯: 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴. ❞

This is so perfect for him 🫠 Valen's life from birth til now has been drenched in so much blood that it's no wonder he'd be it's patron saint - he's near swimming in it. Along with, y'know, being a vampire. He's spilled copious amounts of blood in the name of love, of devotion, of servitude, that the act of violence itself has become his own love language. What better way for Valen to tell a person they're loved above all else than to make others bleed for them? He, from his entire being to the fact that he is a vampire who needs blood to live, is a monument to violence being carried out for the sake of a heart and that which makes it beat. More often than not, it's not for his own. But what is a saint if not a martyr who sacrifices themself for something grander than them? Hold him the right way and he'll even make himself bleed for you.

﹛ 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒔 ﹜ ❝ 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘸: 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦? 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥? 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦? ❞

OUGH I like this for him - Gemini spends a lot of his life trying to a) make up for something or b) trying to fix something. The 'something' can vary and sometimes Gemini doesn't even know what he's fighting for besides a feeling that's deep within him - some kind of guilt, or maybe panic, keeps him going. What he'll never tell anyone is that he's taken on the weight of events that were far beyond his control and he holds onto that responsibility until it fuses with his bones and becomes a part of him. Who is Gemini if he's not fighting or struggling? That thing he holds onto arguably becomes him.

﹛ 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 ﹜ ❝ 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯. 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺. 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. ❞

OOF I'm sorry Vega 🥲 she goes almost her entire life convincing herself that she's not like her dad; she hardly spent any time around him growing up, he didn't raise her, so there shouldn't be any of his influence on her, right? Wrong! Eventually, Vega realizes that she is more like her father than she'd care to admit - that moment comes after she pulls some shit that Callen would most definitely do 🫠 her hands are nearly as stained as his after and that horrific realization alters her entire perception of herself. Is Vega really herself, or is she just a part of her father's legacy whether she wants it or not?

My taglist! Feel free to opt in or out ♡ if you're not feeling this quiz, just don't want to do it, or don't want to share your results publicly, then there's no pressure to interact with this post!

@opaleyedprince @ronqueesha @adelaidedrubman @wormskul @archonfurina @thelavellans @risingsh0t @noirapocalypto @florbelles @deadrlngers @rindemption @vanoefucks @genocidalfetus @balverine2077 @brightaxe @theelderhazelnut @thefrostyshepard @strafethesesinners @devilbrakers @mercymaker @dani-the-goblin @aldwirs @vampyretooth @vincentmatthews @simonxriley @aceghosts @carlosoliveiraa @imogenkol @shellibisshe @mapeslyrup @sh00kspeared @themermaidriot @westealtoys @thedeadthree @magicmissiled @desertpirate77 @strangefable @marictheirins @euryalex @hiddenbeks @ruvviks @xphantasmagoria @hexmaturgy @killyourrdarlingss @vivanightcity @quendiviner

[justindia]

Yesterday in Madrid we had a shipper reunion.

@cajon-desastre @bat-cat-reader and me, had a wonderful day, talking about ourselves, shippers, and of course, about our favorite couple.

Also we were at an Outlander’s exhibition, then we ordered a coffee, and believe me, it was a shame drinking that.

I’m used to being surrounded by people with whom I can’t talk about Sam and Cait, ‘cause they callen me crazy, and had time with shippers, people who respect SamCait, and respect your opinion.

For more days like yesterday.

Ayer en Madrid hubo una mini reunión de shippers. Fue un día fantástico en compañía de @cajon-desastre y @bat-cat-reader. Estuvimos en la exposición de trajes de Outlander y nos tomamos un café que daba pena bebérselo. Estuvimos hablando de las shippers, de nuestras vidas y sobre todo de nuestra pareja favorita.

Estoy acostumbrada a estar rodeada por gente que simplemente me llama loca por pensar que SamCait están juntos, y es una maravilla poder estar con alguien y decir tu opinión sobre ellos, porque sabes que la respetan.

Por más días como el de ayer

😘😘😘😘

[daughterofheartshaven]

So it's a very common opinion that Big Finish stories are not as good/interesting as they used to be. I don't know if that is actually a dominant opinion, but I see it a lot. I had a realization a few days ago that got me to a point where I feel like I can respectfully explain why I firmly disagree with this opinion.

To be clear! If you hold the opinion that classic Big Finish is better, than I still think that is a very valid opinion! I actually really hope that this post turns into a discussion with the classic Big Finish fans.

So, to clarify, my opinion is that Big Finish has always been good, but has notably increased in quality over time. For the record, my favorite thing Big Finish has done is probably the second half of the Doom Coalition subseries (published 2016-2017). Other favorites include Dalek Universe (2021) and the Purity Trilogy (2022-23).

My understanding of the criticisms of modern Big Finish are as follows: in the early 2000s, Big Finish was incredibly creative and was able to make some really dark and off-the-wall stories and create some really new and compelling characters, whereas today a lot of Big Finish is much more restricted in the sorts of stories they can tell and lean much more heavily on characters from the tv show, leading to stagnation and less interesting stories. I really don't want to be strawmanning here, so if I am mischaracterizing the argument, please let me know!

My main counterargument to this is that Big Finish is currently doing so much more than they were doing in the early 2000s. Back in those days they made what, 20-25 stories a year? These days, it's probably over 100 a year. And so, with this change, the amount of types of stories has allowed to increase dramatically. In my opinion, the really inventive, twisted stories still exist and are still being made frequently. They just aren't the main thing Big Finish does.

I should probably give some examples.

Stranded is a sixteen-part series starring the Eighth Doctor that I've compared to classic Big Finish before for having a lot of stories that are told in unconventional ways and going to personally dark places. The finale of the Purity trillogy, Purity Unbound, is an alternate-timeline cavalcade that feels like an shorter, Earth-based reimagining of the Divergent Universe arc.

But my biggest example is Torchwood. Especially the monthly Torchwood stories (This is the revelation that I had earlier). Big Finish Torchwood has been a massive collection of really dark, imaginative, up off-the-wall stories. And yeah, there are some of classic Big Finish that isn't kid-friendly that they couldn't do on Doctor Who anymore. They didn't stop making stories like that, though! They moved those stories over to the more adult and darker sibling series.

And re-characters - this is mostly from a youtube video I saw. I respect the youtuber (Council of Geeks) a lot, but she said that Big Finish is currently leaning on preexisting characters too much and isn't creating interesting characters like they used to - specifically citing Charley Pollard and Evelyn Smythe as excellent characters Big Finish had created in its classic days.

My counter argument to that is as follows:

New Big Finish characters created for Doctor Who between 1999-2004. Companions are bolded, and arguable companions are italicized: Charley, Evelyn, Erimem, Bev Tarrant, C'rizz, Kro'ka, Hex, Nimrod, Vansell, that unnamed Gallifreyan President, Cassie Schofeild

New Big Finish characters created for Doctor Who between 2020-2025. Companions are bolded: Raven, Naomi Cross, Hebe Harrison, Patrica McBride, Elise Kaplan, Elise's Ron, Tania Bell, Ken and Robin Bright-Thomson, Tony Claire, Tony's Ron, Aisha and Zakia Akhtar, Hieronyma Friend, Case, Callen and Doyle, Valarie Lockwood, Patricia Lockwood, Roanna, Kiera Sanstrom

I define a new character as an individual who appears on audio, is used for multiple releases within that time period, and has no prior appearances. I also restricted myself to stories starring the Doctor - I would be here all day if I went into other Whoniverse stories that didn't star the Doctor.

My point, if it wasn't clear, is that saying that Big Finish is making less characters than it used to is incorrect (unless I'm misunderstanding parameters). If you want to say that the 1999-2004 characters are better or more creative, then that would be a valid opinion to have! I don't agree with that, but that's a valid opinion.

And if you want to point out that Big Finish is also spending more time retreading old ground then it used to, then yeah. It is. But again, Big Finish is just doing so much more than they used to in general. They can do that and also do new stuff.

Okay, that's it for this, I think. If you have a response to my thoughts here, I'd love to hear it!

[onethousxndvoices]

his tummy hurt

oc creds! from left to right:

-Julian - mine -Ponytail (no name yet LOL) - @batgirlteeth -Callen @rinto190 -Harper and Ronnie - Our dear friend Cass!! -Chaeyoung - also mine lol -Dakota - @snailcomicz

[pilkypills]

tell me EVERYTHING you know about oin pretty please*

*so i can use it in a fic because i don't know how to characterize him like at ALL 😭

I’m by FAR not an expert on canon info about the Company, and if you want firsthand (maybe technically secondhand) facts about Oin's character and how the writers and John Callen constructed his personality your best bet would be to look for scans of the relevant pages from the Hobbit Chronicles books. (btw if anyone reading this is aware of a post containing these pages lmk! It'd be super appreciated!)

I can tell you what I've personally extrapolated from what I've seen, though it's entirely possible that some of it is incorrect, or just common opinion, or just my own opinion!

For starters, according to the WETA page on Gloin's statue (I can no longer find the official page on Oin's statue, it seems to just be in the ether) he and his older brother remember Erebor very clearly and consider restoring it to its former glory a very important mission, and very important to the line of Durin. It also says Gloin is a retainer. No idea if that title extends to Oin but I wouldn't be surprised. Makes his decision to stay in Laketown with Kili all the more impactful. He's a healer above all else.

He is canonically a midwife in addition to being a healer, and delivered Gimli. The idea of him dropping baby Gimli on his head came from somewhere and this fanart came out of it, which John Callen has seen and put his stamp of approval on (I cannot find a link to the social media post where he says this, but I've seen it!)

He is also well-read and very smart, which is no surprise. To clarify the bit about the word ointment, it's a word he came up with himself to refer to a mixture of his own invention. Clearly, he's a master of his craft! Very cool. (I really like the idea of him as a mentor for Fili, which is a fairly common headcanon these days)

I think it's very reasonable to assume he's a proficient user of Iglishmek given that he is hard of hearing, but this is just personal headcanon.

We don't know for sure how he feels about elves, but since he reacts to Tauriel's healing of Kili with awe, saying that "it is a privilege to see it in action", he either feels more neutrally about them than the other older dwarves, or perhaps feels that medical knowlege is a wonder no matter the source (perhaps a bit of both? I feel like no matter how he felt before, seeing Kili's life saved by an elf would make him soften up a bit)

In terms of personality, the little we know and see firsthand seems to point to him being quite gruff and straightforward, perhaps a bit cantankerous. We see him join in on the festivities at Bag End, even letting ale get poured into his ear horn and blowing bubbles with it, so he's not completely serious. I don't know if this is canon or popular fanon, but I've seen it commonly said that Oin pretends to not hear/wont use his ear horn when someone is saying something he'd rather ignore, so he has a sense of humor, too. I'm of the opinion that he's a very dry and sarcastic guy myself.

Oin is the one who "read the portents" that say its time for dwarves to return to Erebor (from the way he talks about the birds returning to the mountain this could also refer to him studying their flight patterns). I've read some fics that expand on this idea, including using geodes for fortune telling, which is a really cool idea! I feel like as far as religious thought goes among dwarves, he's probably on the more spiritual side. It would make sense, especially given that healers in fantasy works tend to pull double duty as clerics.

This is pretty much all I can tell you, I hope it helps!

[skywardknight420]

tried drawing my dnd oc a bit older, wrinkly man i love u

[ejzah]

A/N: After far too long, this story returns thanks to @perfectcomputerfire’s request.

***

Ain’t it a Kick in the Head, Part 16

Deeks ignored Kensi’s exclamation, swaggering out as though they weren’t in immediate danger and he wasn’t likely to collapse at any moment.

“I couldn’t help but notice you seem a little conflicted,” he said, and the brothers immediately stopped talking.

“This isn’t your concern, Max,” Dimitri told him. “Go back to your girlfriend. We’ll tell you once you’ve decided.

“Or, you could tell me now and then Bella and I can decide how far we want to take this.”

“You’re not in a position to barter,” Paul said through his teeth.

“And you could use all the help you can get. So, either tell me the plan, or we’re figuring our own way out,” Deeks warned, flipping from easygoing to calculating in a second.

Kensi didn’t know what he planned, or who Novikov was, but clearly he was important to Deeks. At any other time, she be impressed by his commitment. Now she hoped it wouldn’t get him killed. Either way, she didn’t intend to leave him behind.

“Or I could just shoot you and be done with all your talk,” Paul threatened. Deeks didn’t show any signs of fear, but Kensi tensed, ready to step in if needed.

“Yeah, who got us out of that warehouse? Your backup is almost gone and if you kill me, you’ll be fending for yourselves soon. I may be annoying as hell, but I’m also pretty damn useful.”

Deeks let that hang in the air, quietly smug, though Kensi noticed his left hand hovering close to his waistband in case he needed to defend himself. Paul’s wright shifted towards Deeks, and Kensi clasped the butt of her gun, sure this was about to get a lot more bloody. Then Dimitri pulled his brother back, regarding Deeks’ with disdain, but a resigned sigh.

“A business partner is arranging for a plane to take us to a safer location,” he said.

“Yeah, that’s a little vague. I’m gonna need—”

Deeks’ sentence was cut short by the door bursting open and shouts of “NCIS!” Kensi spotted Sam and Callen run in before the Kaisers’ two remaining guards charged forward, opening fire.

Kensi saw Deeks drop to the ground just as a bullet flew way too close to her face, and she ducked behind the pallet. She peeked out in time to see Sam exchanging one of the guards and Paul Kaiser. The other guard had hidden behind a piece of machinery. Deeks wasn’t anywhere in sight.

She checked her gun, preparing to pop up when there was a lull in the shooting.

“Well, this is cozy,” Deeks said, sliding in next to her. He had wood splinters in his hair and a half smirk.

“You’re insane,” she hissed, and he shrugged, looking around their barrier.

“You wouldn’t be the first to make that observation,” he told her, crouching next to her again. “You want to me to be the bait?” He nodded in Phillip’s general direction.

“No. Stay down and try not to bleed out,” she ordered, standing before Deeks could object. She aimed and fired three shots, each of them just missing Phillip, who turned and aimed, his bullets hitting the pallet a second after she’d ducked back down again.

Her second round, one of her bullets hit its target; Phillip jerked and fell backwards. Dimitri Kaiser took his place, but before she could even aim again, Deeks had moved in next to her, aimed, and fired. Dimitri grabbed his knee, collapsing to the ground with pained shouts.

In the middle of the room, Callen and Sam were taking custody of Paul, who seemed uninjured.

“See, I told you we didn’t need any backup,” Deeks said breathlessly, leaning heavily against the wall behind them. His jacket bunched up around his side, revealing fresh red blood soaking through the fabric of his shirt.

“Oh my god,” she murmured, reaching for him as he slid a few inches lower.

“But I might need that doctor now.” He gave her a faint smile, then sucked in a pained breath and went limp.

[tagsecretsanta]

From @pareidoliaonthemove

From @pareidoliaonthemove to @littleoldrachel

The Art of a Gift

Fanfic for the TAG Secret Santa 2024

@pareidoliaonthemove

NOTES:

For TAG Secret Santa 2024

Prompts: 1 Nightmare Before Christmas | 2 “Well, SOMEONE just made the naughty list…” | 3 Feeling sad but everyone expects them to be happy because it’s Christmas!

Extra: Virg is my favourite but I’m happy with anything!

I hope this story fits the bill, and a wishing the recipient, and all the Thunderfam a very happy Christmas, filled with all the things you love the best!

Virgil Tracy approached the cluster of girls in the schoolyard nervously. While he knew the laws that governed the hierarchy of the school now allowed him to approach them, his gut instinct told him to keep away.

Boys who like art and piano do not associate with cheerleaders, and ‘in girls’.

But Candice Callen – cheerleader, ‘in girl’ and widely acknowledged as the prettiest girl in their year – had asked him on a date.

Virgil had been uncertain about accepting – things like that just don’t happen, not for real, but no matter the circumstances, boys like him don’t turn down girls like her – not if he wants to survive to graduate.

So Virgil had accepted, even if he spent the whole time waiting for her parents to chase him off their doorstep, or the football team to materialise and do god-knows-what to him (stories of past ‘pranks’ abounded throughout the school and had traumatised Virgil and all his friends before they even thought of casting eyes at girls).

But nothing bad had happened. Candice had introduced him to her parents as her boyfriend, and declared him as such to several other couples from her circle of friends that had been at the restaurant they had eaten at. At the end of the night, Candice had looked up at him shyly, and said she had enjoyed it, and would he like to go out again…?

Virgil, still in a state of shock and unsure about what exactly was going on, had stammered out an agreement, and somehow found himself going on a succession of dates with the prettiest, most popular girl in school.

That his father and grandmother were also doubtful about this new and unexpected relationship was also concerning. But Virgil couldn’t find a graceful way to extract himself from the situation while ensuring that he could walk the school grounds without being either shunned or beaten to a pulp, and time progressed until it was nearly Christmas and Virgil found himself attending a succession of Christmas parties that he would normally not have set foot on the same street as.

And when Virgil somehow found himself attending the Christmas party for his father’s company with Candace on his arm, wearing a dress that had his grandmother tutting with disapproval, his father frowning censoriously and asking pointed questions about Candice being cold, while his brothers eyes were out on stalks, and Virgil was afraid to touch her, lest he make contact with Something That He Should Not Touch.

It was much earlier than customary when Jeff summoned Kyrano to take ‘the kids’ home, to the poorly concealed delight of the five Tracy brothers and Kayo, and the pouting disappointment of Candice.

But Christmas was nearly upon them, and now Virgil was nervously approaching his girlfriend and her friends. He was spotted as he dithered a short distance away.

“Virgil!” Candice squealed, throwing her arms wide and running towards him. Virgil resolutely Did Not Look at the bouncing of her sweater front. She stopped a short distance from him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and leaned in, performing her customary European Double Cheek Kiss with two loud ‘muwah’s, her left foot raised behind her.

Virgil, at a loss what to do, had rested his hands just above her elbows, as she pulled away, he let his hands slide down her arms to catch her hands. “I, uh, I was wondering if, if it would be alright if I came around tonight to deliver your Christmas present?” he asked, feeling his face heat up as the cluster of girls behind Candice elbowed each other and tittered. “You know, with you heading out of state to visit family…”

“Oh, Virgil! A present? Oh, you shouldn’t have!” Candice cooed, and then she giggled coyly. “My parents will be home, so I hope it isn’t that kind of present…”

Virgil flushed beet red at the laughter from her cohort. “NO! No! Oh, no! Nothing like that!” Then Candice pouted and Virgil realised how his words could have been taken. “I mean, um, what, ah, that…”

Candice giggled again. “Silly. I was teasing. Of course you can come around tonight, you know my step-mom and dad like you and you’re always welcome!”

Virgil swallowed. That was true, Mrs Callen had been a friend of his moms, back then she had been in her first marriage, and had been a meek and nervy woman – Virgil had been too young to understand at the time; but with her second marriage she had flourished, and was by all accounts a ‘good match’ with Mr Callen, a well-respected accountant and volunteer firefighter in the town. Virgil had long been familiar with both adults, and they had been nothing but welcoming when he visited their house.

“Uh, okay. Would about five thirty be okay? Only I can’t stay long, because …”

Candice waved away his explanation. “Five thirty will be perfect, Virgil. And Toby has some dreary Rescue Scouts thing that I have to go to, and he’s got to be there for six-thirty.”

Virgil would also be at the ‘dreary’ Rescue Scouts ‘thing’: it was John’s last mid-year presentation, and he was being honoured as one of the thirty Scouts ever, world wide, to have accomplished all badges, and all three of the ‘Personal Improvement’ Challenges. John was particularly pleased to be receiving his recognition at the Mid-Year. It meant he had beaten Scott by six months.

Virgil nodded. “Okay. Um. I’ll see you at five thirty?”

Candice nodded, and pulling her hands free, turned, and hurried back to her friends, disappearing into their midst amid a tsunami of giggles.

Virgil backed away a few steps until he was sure they had lost interest in him, before scurrying back to where he belonged.

“All set, kiddo?” Grandma Tracy looked at Virgil slumped nervously his unaccustomed seat in the front of her car.

“Uh, yeah,” Virgil glanced at the back seat, where the gift was carefully strapped into one of the rear seats. Scott sat on the other side of the car, and grinned encouragingly at him. His eldest brother was back from College having turned in his assignments early, and having withstood his father’s interrogation on the subject, was now along for the ride to ‘support’ Virgil.

Jeff had taken his other three sons to the hall early to help set up, and Scott and Grandma would join in after dropping Virgil at the Callens house, and would be back exactly forty-five minutes later to collect him.

Virgil stared out his widow at the house. He was sweating, and it had nothing to do with the heater Grandma had on full blast in the car.

“It’ll be fine, Virg. She’ll love it,” Scott said. “Do you want a hand carrying it to the door?”

“NO!” Virgil yelped, before shamefacedly turning to face his brother. “Sorry, no, I’ll be fine. I’m just…” he waved a hand. “I’ve not done this before, okay?”

Scott grinned his unrepentant amusement, and Grandma chuckled sympathetically. “Come on, kiddo. Out you get. Faint heart, and all that…”

Virgil flushed again and scrambled to escape the car. He still remembered her giving Scott advice – rather graphic advice – about how to french kiss, when Scott had embarrassedly admitted to a disastrous attempt at a kiss with an early girlfriend. He did not want to hear what she might come out with for this situation.

It was with his Grandmother’s fond laughter ringing in his ears that Virgil mounted the front stairs to the Callen’s house, carefully carrying the large gift wrapped package. He waited a moment to ensure the car had turned the corner on its way to the hall before he rang the doorbell.

It was a suspiciously short time before the door opened. Mrs Callen was there, “Virgil! Come in, we’ve been expecting you.”

As Virgil shuffled into the house with his package, Mrs Callen scanned the road outside. “Your ride already left, Virgil?”

He nodded. “Yes, Mrs Callen. Grandma and Scott have gone to help set up the hall. Dad and the others are already there.”

She smiled. “Toby and his Dad are there helping set up, too.” A glance towards the stairs. “Candice takes a bit of time to get read, and I needed time to get the dinner sorted. So we’ll catch them up. If you’re going to the hall too, we can give you a ride?”

Virgil smiled. “Thank you, Mrs Callen, but I’m under strict instructions. I think Dad is looking for a way to make sure Grandma’s not asked to help in the kitchen again,” he added, conspiratorially and she smiled.

“I don’t think there’s anybody new enough to make that mistake,” Mrs Callen reassured him, then paused taking in the gift wrapped parcel, Virgil was clutching.

“Why don’t you wait in the lounge, and I’ll hurry Candice along? I promise, I’ll keep out of your way!”

Virgil flushed, muttered his thanks and followed Mrs Callen to the door to the lounge room. As she hurried off, Virgil carefully propped the gift up against the low coffee table, and turned to stand beside it, facing the door.

Virgil was always nervous when he performed, or when people saw his art, but it seemed to him that this was the worst he’d ever been. He felt hot and cold by turns, there was no oxygen in the room, and it took him a second to realise that what he had thought was some weird metal band being played at high volume was actually his own heartbeat.

This is stupid, he told himself. It’s just a present. I’m just giving her a present. He ran through the breathing exercises his music teacher had taught him and gradually he restored control of his own body.

Candice appeared in the doorway. “Virgil! You made it!” she squealed, and he had yet another repeat of the shoulder-grip double European Cheek Kiss.

“Uh, yeah. Grandma dropped me off. She’s got to pick me up in a bit…” Candice gave him a blank look. “Oh, um, so,” he picked up the package and held it out to her. “This is for you,” he said, awkwardly. “Ah, Happy Christmas?”

Candice blinked at the gift and took it, her face a wide, toothy smile. “Oh, thank you!” she cooed. She tore off the paper, letting it fall to the floor around her feet. Virgil shuffled slightly to the side as she held the revealed canvas out at arms length, so he could see her expression. For a second there was the blank look, then she frowned at the canvas. Virgil’s heart sank.

He knew the painting – a portrait of Candice – wasn’t his very best work, but it was very, very far from his worst. He’d had the realisation that he’d be expected to give her a gift a bit too late, but overall, he was pleased with the result.

He shifted a little, and Candice seemed to realise that he was watching her. The wide, toothy smile that plastered itself to her face was unconvincing, as she exclaimed, “Oh, it’s amazing, Virgil! To think you painted a portrait of little old me!”

Virgil relaxed. Maybe she wasn’t used to receiving art? It had long ago become his go-to. Paintings, drawings, small sculptures and specially written piano music were received with great enthusiasm by his family and the friends he gifted them to.

Candice set the painting on the lounge and looked back at him expectantly. Virgil flushed, his nervousness returning as he realised he didn’t know what she was waiting for him to do. “Um, I’m glad you like it,” he hedged. “I don’t normally give people portraits, not of themselves, but I realised I didn’t know what your favourite type of landscape was, and a still life seemed too, uh, generic, you know? Just … not personal enough? Ah, I’ll get it framed, I just didn’t know what type of frame … Mr Mishra, has a shop just off Main, I always get him to frame my paintings. Um, it’ll have to be in the New Year, though, he’s gone to India to visit some cousins…”

Virgil ran out of things to say, while he was waiting for Candice to … stop looking at him like that.

The silence stretched for a moment, and the frown began to form on Candice’s face. “Is that it?” she asked.

“Is what it?”

“Is that it? Is that all you’re giving me? A painting? Where’s the rest of my present?”

Virgil stared at her. “The frame. You’ll need to choose that…”

He cringed under the thunderous frown. “Virgil,” Candice said, very slowly and deliberately. “I am not your mother. This is not Mothers Day in kindergarten. This is Christmas, and I am your girlfriend. And some tacky painting you made yourself isn’t going to cut it. I know you know what I want. And I know you brought it. There was only one, and it’s gone now. The day after I marked it out for you.” She glared. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, turning up with this painting, but I’m giving you one chance to get it right. You hear?”

Virgil nodded, his knees feeling week.

“Good. I’m going to tell everyone that my present, my real present, had a problem with it, and it’s taking some time to get it fixed. You can give it to me once I’m back at school from my trip. At lunch the first day. In front of everyone. So make it good. Make sure everyone knows how valuable I am. Understand?”

Virgil nodded.

“Good. Now go. And. Fix. This. Up.”

Virgil went.

He was halfway to the hall before he realised what he was doing. He paused, shivering in the street as the wind cut him straight to the bone, as he considered his options. If he called for a ride, he would be both reprimanded for walking alone and so far in the cold, and interrogated for the reason for his quick departure from the Callens.

Virgil had to go to the Rescue Scouts presentation. Virgil didn’t want to go to the Rescue Scouts presentation. He wanted to go home. He needed to think. And he needed quiet to do so. Candice’s words had shaken him to his core. Tacky. Childlike. What if everyone though that? What if Dad, Grandma and his brothers thought he was tacky and childish and cheap giving them gifts he had made, rather than spending his money on them, like they did for him?

He started walking, only to stop after a few dozen steps. What if Mom hadn’t liked his gifts?

The cold that chilled him now had nothing to do with the wind.

Eventually Virgil managed to get his feet moving, Jeff’s long-held mantra kickstarting his thought processes. When problems dogpile on you, start working on the most immediate one. First up, Virgil needed to get to the Rescue Scouts Presentation, and come up with an excuse for not calling for a ride, or waiting for the appointed pickup time.

He still didn’t have a suitable explanation by the time he slipped into the Hall, and almost straight into his grandmother.

“Virgil! I was just heading out to pick you up!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here so soon?”

“I, um…”

He was saved by Grandma glancing over his shoulder. “Oh, Mrs Callen is here. I hope you thanked her, young man.”

“Yes, Grandma.” It wasn’t lying, Virgil told himself. He had thanked Mrs Callen, just not for what Grandma thought he had. He quickly sought to change the subject. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Grandma smiled at him, “You’re a good boy, Virgil. Yes, they still need help setting out chairs up the back.”

Virgil nodded, and fled to the back of the hall, on the far side from his father and brothers and started dutifully lining up chairs for the audience.

Caught up with trying to figure out which of the next of his problems, Virgil lost track of his familys whereabouts, and bumped into his father. “Virgil, you’re here early,” Jeff said, surprised. “How did it go, son?”

Virgil froze, he had no story ready and no desire to tell his father exactly how badly he had messed up.

Mr Callen came to his rescue. “Jeff, honestly, what a question! Would you have told your father the particulars of a meet-up with your girlfriend at his age?”

Jeff chuckled. “I guess not, at that.” He smiled at Virgil. “I’m sure she loved her present, son. I just like seeing you get the appreciation you deserve.”

Virgil’s heart sank at the words. What did his father mean by that? Did he really think Virgil deserved praise? Or was that a way of saying that Virgil deserved the scorn and disdain Candice had just shown him? He forced a smile. “Thanks, Dad,” and fled with another chair.

Virgil was living in a nightmare.

It was less than a week to Christmas, and every waking moment was taken up by trying to figure out how to fix the problems he suddenly fond himself faced with.

He had nearly two hundred dollars in his hidden wallet. One hundred and ninety three dollars and eighty cents, to be exactly.

One hundred and ninety three dollars and eighty cents. One week to Christmas. Four brothers, and two adults. And a girlfriend who had apparently told him what he was expected to buy. Her comment about how ‘valuable’ the gift was to show her to be suggested that he was supposed to give her an expensive present.

Virgil threw himself into all the chores and after-school jobs he could, trying to scrape every last cent he could to firm up his personal finances, while he tried to figure out what to do. Should he use all his money to buy a present for Candice and try to save his hide at school? Should he commit social suicide and try to buy acceptable gifts for his family? Virgil couldn’t decide what to do.

And all the while he went to school, and tried to focus on his lessons; continued his usual after-school lessons and activities; and fulfilled his Christmas-related obligations – playing piano for carol concerts for the hospital, and two of his Grandmother’s fundraising extravaganzas. All the while he tried to hide the true extent of his misery and confusion.

He knew he wasn’t managing it: reprimands for daydreaming in class, followed by concerned questions about his health from teaches; teasing comments from his brothers about ‘moping because he was missing his girlfriend’; and frequently being felt for fever and having his throat and glands checked by his father and grandmother, who were concerned that he was coming down with a seasonal malady. Virgil desperately tried to deflect all this unwanted attention, it was a distraction he didn’t need. There were concerned looks, but everyone backed off, not wanting to provoke a quarrel this close to the time of peace and goodwill.

But time ticked steadily away, and Virgil was very aware of the looming deadline that grew nearer and more ominous.

It was two days before Christmas, and Jeff Tracy was worried. Virgil had been quiet, withdrawn and anxious for nearly a week and for the life of him, Jeff couldn’t figure out why. If he had to make a guess, he would say that the exchanging of Christmas gift with the Callen girl hadn’t gone well, but Virgil had denied it when asked. Although it hadn’t escaped either Jeff or Sally’s notice that there didn’t appear to have been a reciprocal gift.

Both Jeff and his mother had been surprised when Virgil had announced that he had a date with the girl – she wasn’t in his usual circle of friends, and didn’t appear to have anything in common with Virgil; but now that surprise was becoming a vague concern.

Sighing, Jeff pushed his concerns aside. Failed romances were practically a right of adolescence, and at least Virgil wasn’t indulging in the drama that had accompanied some of Scott’s early forays into the world of romance.

He turned his attention back to what he was supposed to be doing: wrapping Christmas gifts. His main gifts had already been wrapped and slid safely under the Christmas tree, protected from Gordon and Alan’s inquisitive fingers by the barrier of the booby-trapped old playpen. But, it had almost become tradition for Jeff to make last-minute purchases – that little something that always seemed perfect when he saw them – that could be wrapped and used to sate the boys exuberance Christmas morning before everyone was ready to face the day.

He pulled the small bag towards him, and pulled out the box it contained. He had been surprised to find a jewellers catalogue open on the kitchen table, a scribbled circle highlighting a diamond and titanium tennis bracelet. The only person who could have done it was his mother, and it was unlike her to show a particular interest in jewellery, but he had a vague memory of her speaking of her grandmother and a bracelet the woman had always worn. It had gone to a cousin, as Jeff recalled, claimed by her uncle as his right as the oldest son to bestow it upon his daughters. Maybe the bracelet reminded her of her grandmothers? The two thousand dollar price tag was expensive, but he could afford it now, and it was Christmas.

He had only managed to cut down the wrapping paper and find where the tape and ribbon had disappeared to when there was a knock on the door. Desperately flipping his comforter over the mess on his bed, Jeff called out, “Who’s there?”

“Jeff, you’ve got a phone call. Simon Callen. He says it’s very urgent he speaks to you – privately.”

His heart sinking, Jeff went to the door and, carefully blocking his mother’s view of the bed, slid outside, firmly closing the door behind him. His mother was twisting her hands anxiously in the corridor. Jeff understood her anxiety. Simon Callen, the father of Virgil’s girlfriend, making an urgent and private phone call from his holiday; what had Virgil been up to?

“I’ve transferred the call to your study, and I’ll keep the boys away from the main phone,” Sally told him.

“Thanks, Mom,” he caught and squeezed her hand. “I’ll find out what all this is about, and I’ll let you know.”

Hurrying to his study, Jeff again secured the door behind him, and slid into his chair, as he accepted the waiting call. The video screen flared to live and he was surprised to see a devastated looking Simon Callen. All sorts of scenarios filled his mind. “Simon, what…?”

“Jeff, I’m sorry to bother you, but I thought this needed to be dealt with immediately.”

Jeff’s heart sank. Oh, god, what?

“Do you know what Virgil’s gift to Candice was?”

Jeff blinked. That was not what he expected from Simon’s greeting. “Um, a painting. I think it was a portrait of Candice?”

Simon bit his lip. “So he hadn’t brought anything else, some jewellery?”

A niggling thought began to worry at Jeff’s mind. “Not that I know of. Virgil always gifts things he’s made – paintings, sculpture or music he’s written.”

Simon nodded. “That’s what I thought.” He sighed. “Jeff, Mary and I overheard Candice talking to a cousin today, she was saying how Virgil was going to ‘fix up’ his screw up with the present he’d given her, that he’d tried to ‘cheap out’ on her by trying get out of giving her some bracelet she’d indicated to him she wanted, and she knew he’d brought.”

Everything suddenly clicked into place. Jeff swallowed. “I can promise you that Virgil didn’t buy the bracelet. He probably didn’t even know he was supposed to buy it. I found a catalogue with a bracelet indicated. I thought it was my mother highlighting something she liked. I brought the bracelet.” Jeff smiled thinly. “Virgil wouldn’t have been able to afford it, at any rate.”

Simon sagged with relief. “I’ve told Candice that she’s not going to be seeing any boys, and especially not Virgil. From what we’ve gotten out of my niece, Candice has been pulling this kind of racket for a while. She set her sights on Virgil because she’s decided that you’re rich, and he’ll pay to be seen with her.” His lips tightened. “I’ll be contacting the school, to ensure that they know to keep an eye on her, and try to get some information about other boys she might have been … pursuing.”

Jeff nodded. It would be humiliating for Simon and Mary. They were good people, and certainly wouldn’t have raised Candice to be like that. “I’m sorry, Simon. I appreciate how hard this must be for you. I’ll talk to Virgil, in the meantime. I’ll do everything I can to help you through this, Simon. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if any of my boys had done something similar.”

Simon smiled sadly. “You’re a good friend, Jeff. I just wish…”

Jeff nodded. “I you and me both.” He offered a smile of his own. “I know it’s going to be awkward for you, but I hope you have a good Christmas.”

Simon sighed. “It’ll be hard, but we’ll try, Jeff. The same to you and your family. And I’ll be in touch.”

As the videophone went dead in front of him, Jeff sighed. Oh god. Now wonder Virgil had been moping. His thoughts went to the catalogue and bracelet in his room. Two thousand dollars. How did the girl think Virgil would be able to afford that?

Jeff had a moment of doubt. He hadn’t doubted until now that his mother had highlighted the bracelet. Could he be wrong about the girl?

Jeff left his office, slid into his room and gathered up the catalogue and jewellers box. Bundling them into a jumper he pulled off the chair Lucy had always insisted she needed in the bedroom, and Jeff had never had the heart to remove permanently, Jeff went in search of his mother.

“Jeff, what did he have to say?” He indicated the kitchen and shut the door after her before turning to face her.

Jeff pulled out the catalogue. “Mom, did you mark this out?” he handed her the paper, cover folded back to show the advertisement for the bracelet.

She took the catalogue, glanced at the page and shook her head. “No, wh-” her eyes went wide in shock. “She didn’t?”

“Apparently she did,” Jeff said grimly. “Simon and Mary overheard her bragging about it to a cousin.”

Her eyes turned to the door. “That poor boy. No wonder he’s been so quiet.”

Jeff nodded. “I’m going to have to talk to him. Can you keep the others away from my study? I know it has the best soundproofing, but you know what they’re like.”

Sally nodded. “You take care of Virgil. I’ll sort out the rest of them, Jeff.”

A grin. “Don’t be too harsh on them, Mom.”

She snorted, and pushed him gently towards the door, tucking the catalogue into his grip. Jeff took the hint and went to the lounge, where the boys were all playing a board game, Virgil only giving it half his concentration.

“Sorry to interrupt, boys, but I need to talk to Virgil.” The five of them looked up, Virgil’s expression stricken, as the others were surprised.

Jeff held out an arm to his son, and Virgil reluctantly stood up and shuffled towards his father. Jeff swept his arm around his sons shoulders and started guiding him towards the study. Behind him, Jeff could hear Gordon snickering, “Well, SOMEONE just made the naughty list…” before John and Scott shushed him, and his Mom pounced, chivvying the boys to some chore she suddenly desperately needed completed.

Jeff directed Virgil to a chair in his study as he shut the door behind them, and dragged his office chair around to face his dejected son. “I’ve just had a call from Simon Callen,” he began cautiously.

All the colour drained from Virgil’s face. “Wh...what did he want?” he asked, his voice unusually high.

Jeff pulled out the catalogue and handed it to Virgil. “Have you seen this?” he asked. Virgil took the catalogue frowned and shook his head. Then something caught his attention, and he – almost impossibly – paled even further, his lips moving inaudibly. Jeff lipread his sons words ‘Two thousand’.

“I thought your grandmother had highlighted the bracelet,” he said. Pulling out the box and offering it, open, to his son.

In shock, Virgil accepted it, and considered the bracelet. “It’s pretty, but it’s not really Grandma’s style,” he finally managed. “She’d probably prefer a hinged circle type. Um, kind of like a tighter fitting gypsy bracelet?”

Jeff considered, and took the box back, examining the bracelet again. “You’re probably right on that,” he conceded. “I thought it maybe reminded her of a bracelet her grandmother had had, that went to a cousin.”

Virgil gave a silent ‘oh’ in response. They remained silent as Jeff closed the box, and again re-wrapped it and the catalogue in the jumper which he sat on the desk. Jeff sighed. “Did she ask you for other presents?” Jeff asked gently.

Virgil shook his head. “No.” He paused. “I didn’t know she had ‘asked’ for the bracelet until I gave her her gift.”

Jeff nodded. “How did that go, Virgil? Honestly, this time.”

He was alarmed when Virgil’s eyes immediately filled with tears. It took a moment before Virgil managed to say, “At first she made out like she liked it. But then she was … waiting. Like she expected something more, you know?” Jeff nodded. “Then she said … she called the painting tacky, and said that it was childish giving a painting I’d painted.” Virgil stopped, taking several deep breaths before he continued. “She said she knew I’d brought when she’d wanted, and I had one chance to ‘fix it’. I had to give her her ‘real present’ at school in front of everyone. And they had to know how ‘valuable’ she is.”

Virgil bit his lip, for a long moment, then looked up at his father, his eyes threatening to overfill with tears. “Dad,” he whispered, “am I childish and cheap giving people presents that I made?”

Jeff swallowed the lump in his throat, and ignored the burning in his own eyes. “No, Virgil,” he managed, ignoring how his own voice caught, in his throat. “We all, that is your brothers, Grandmother and myself, all know how much time and effort you put into your gifts. It’s the thought you put into what you make, considering what people like, and how best create it.” Jeff smiled wryly, “Between you and me, it can be something of a relief to know that I’m guaranteed one present that isn’t more pairs of socks or underwear, you know?”

Virgil stared at him, and suddenly, uncharacteristically, threw himself at his father, wrapping his arms around him and burrowing his face into his chest. Jeff quickly felt the shuddering breaths and developing damp patch on his shirt front, and his heart broke a little more. Gently rocking his son as though he were several years younger than his actual age, he began stroking the back of his head, quietly waiting out Virgil’s emotions.

It was a long while, but finally Virgil’s breathing settled and sniffing embarrassedly, he pulled back. Jeff let him go a little way, but kept his hold. He examined Virgil’s face carefully, before offering his handkerchief. “Feel better?” he asked as Virgil scrubbed at his face.

Virgil nodded. “I’d been all twisted up, I didn’t know what to do.” He pulled back again, searching for his seat, and Jeff let him go. “I didn’t know what Candice thought I’d brought, and I just felt sick thinking that everyone might think the same as she did…” His breath hitched again. “I didn’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do.”

Jeff looked at him in askance. “Candice is one of the ‘it girls’, and everyone says she’s the prettiest girl at school. You don’t say ‘no’ to her. Not if you want to survive at school.”

Jeff’s eyebrows rose. “So you dating her…”

Virgil shrugged. “She asked me. Maybe one of the footballers, or someone like that might get to turn her down, but me?” Virgil shook his head. “It’d have been like declaring war on the popular kids, Dad.” Virgil looked down, embarrassed. “And, I think, I liked that she asked me.” He coloured. “But I didn’t really like her, you know?” Jeff nodded. “We had nothing in common, but she kept asking me out again, and telling people I was her boyfriend, and I kinda … never had a chance to say otherwise.”

Jeff nodded again. “Well, you won’t have to tell her ‘no’,” he offered. “Her parents are banning her from seeing any boys, and they’re going to explain to the school what’s happened. I think they’re planning on following up with other boys she’s done the same thing to. Make her pay them back for the, uh, ‘gifts’ she’s asked for.”

Virgil offered a tight smile. “That might be a long list.” Then his shoulder’s sagged. “I’ve been an idiot, falling for this, haven’t I?” he asked despondently.

Jeff reached over to lift his face up with gentle pressure under his chin. “No, Virgil,” he said, firmly and maintaining eye contact. “You’ve been young. You’ve been inexperienced. You’ve been trusting. And you’re not the only one. There’s no shame in what you’ve done. Understand me?” He waited for an affirmative response. “And the next time you come across a woman like her, you’ll be older and wise for this experience.”

Virgil stared at his father. “You really think there will be more like her?”

Jeff sighed. “Yes, son. I’m afraid there will be. The business is starting to move ahead, and we’re … better off than most in town.” He shrugged. “Somewhere like New York, nobody would notice us.” He smiled. “Well, you’ll have to watch out when art galleries and music studios start to recognise your talent. But the rest of us?” Jeff shrugged again.

Virgil managed a smile. “Until the business gets even better again.”

Jeff chuckled. “I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, son, but I think you’re being a bit fanciful there. I might manage big in Topeka, maybe even Wichita, but even I don’t think an ex-astronaut will have the nous to pull it off world wide.”

“I guess we’ll see, then,” Virgil said.

“I guess we will,” Jeff agreed. “And speaking of seeing, will I be seeing another round of socks and underwear Christmas morning?”

Virgil grinned, a bit of his customary mischief back in his face. “I guess we’ll see,” he repeated.

Jeff chuckled. “I guess we will at that,” he agreed. “Now, get going. Go save your brothers from your Grandma, and have some fun.”

Virgil shot to his feet, “Yes, sir,” he offered a poorly executed salute before scurrying the door.

Jeff heard his feet thundering down the corridor. “Gordon, you had better not have messed with my pieces!” He chuckled at the shouted admonition from his mother for Virgil to walk, competing with Gordon’s protections of innocence and Scott’s assurance he had prevented all attempts to cheat.

Picking up the sweater, Jeff headed back to his bedroom. He had some gifts to wrap, and he had to decide what to do with the bracelet. Virgil was right, it wasn’t really his mother’s style.

Jeff smiled, daydreaming a little. If Virgil was correct, he would have to get used to making such high-stakes decisions...

[2g-1k]

I know i know i made a new blog just for this sorry

2G1K - 2 Guys 1 Kingdom

"I was a guy going on vacation but suddenly I got transported to a land inhabited by tiny people and now I'm the cause of the nation's main conflict!" ahh story. Gulliver's Travels rip-off isekai sort of thing.

I sure as hell do not know what I will eventually contain in this story either. But I do know I swear a lot like my characters lol. Also, I may eventually move on to explore objectification, dehumanisation, deification. I may unintentionally offend people with my writing.

Note that this will not have a consistent upload schedule. I have trouble with maintaining my motivation when it comes to things. Try not to have high hopes for good plot or character development as I legit just wrote it on a whim.

Profile picture of Evans by none other than @tthevoic3s (I held him at knifepoint for this art)

[*] indicates that it is optional to read, they mostly just shed some light on worldbuilding and/or lore. Or the plot

Prologue*

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Jaori Post - Issue 1*

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Dear Diary - Callen

Chapter 7*

Chapter 8

2G1K Art

Eye in the Window by literally myself

Callen telling Evans to KYS by @tthevoic3s

Callen and Evans by, again, @tthevoic3s lol

Over the Prison Wall by @isumietokyo

Um...... What? by @ohnobrooo

[strikefourth]

Fourth Strike Dec-Jan-Feb Roundup!

(It's Bandcamp Friday. 100% of today's proceeds go towards California wildfire relief)

Hey everyone! It's 2025 now, and while January was tied up with prepping and releasing we've been the garages, it's February now, which means: Roundup time!

Our first roundup of 2025 is absolutely FILLED with new music, podcast appearances, and disintegrating perceptions of the self, brought to you with love from Fourth Strike. Also, cool shirts.

Let's jump into it:

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The Garages released another EXPANSION single! "I'm Starting to Lose My Sense of Self," by @rosieeeeeeeee is out now on Bandcamp.

It'll be up on Spotify as a double single with Shark Hunter soon, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears primed! And pre-order the album if you haven't yet :)

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2. Two years ago, Skates wrote an indie horror game about women's rowing team. Now, in the wake of increasingly hostile sentiment and policy against trans folks, especially trans women (including a new American executive order ban on trans women in sports), they're giving 100% of game proceeds from this month to Athlete Ally and Callen-Lorde.

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3. Resni released a whopping 62-track soundtrack for their game, Stardust Demon. Let me say that again: 62. Tracks.

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4. @girltentacles and friends made a Christmas song! It came out on Christmas; we're just late to the party. Don't waste any more time not listening to it!

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5. New @girlballz music! Demos, covers, and new originals, oh my!

Fae're also doing February Album Writing Month, where it's challenged to write 14 songs in 28 days. You can follow along with faer progress here:

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6. Bertie's new band, Cardboard Chords, released two singles in the last three months, with another one set to drop on Valentine's Day. Pre-orders open now!

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7. If you missed them last time around, Yuppie Supper ( @thwackamabob ) shirts are back! They'll stay up until sizes run out... or a new EP releases 👀

The band's also migrated to BlueSky--you can catch up with them here!

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8. Sister Sickness released its new single "Break My Bones" on SoundCloud! Check it out here:

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9. @clemkesh is doing a guest run on the podcast Quest Friends! as the singing voice of player character Sparky! Her first appearance is on Episode 46: "Swanshine!"

There're also extended versions of the songs released as separate cuts--you can find those over on the Quest Friends! website:

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10. Louisa also wrote, co-sang, and produced a duet for this year's Secret Samol, a Friends at the Table annual fanart exchange:

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10. @robnotes's part of a 48 hour charity stream for Children on the Edge! They're managing the stream today--at the top of the hour, actually-- and they'll be hosting the feed on Sunday, Feb 9th from 10am - 3pm GMT. Come say hi!