#based on a post I’ve seen!! unfortunately I haven’t saved it so I can’t show it

[ameamedraws]

They’re so silly

[archivingdanganronpa]

hi everyone! here’s my first big update post, where i’m gonna show off everything that i have so far! i also added a theme to my blog, so it should be easier to navigate now.

so! let’s take a look in there.

the very first thing i did was download as many old videos from 10 years ago as i could find. thankfully, there were some compiled playlists which made things easier, and i’ve found a lot of the others myself. here’s... well, just take a look for yourself.

there’s still more beyond that, too... there’s a lot of stuff here . i haven’t even seen a fair amount of these! a lot of classics.

then i realised, hey, i should branch out beyond just videos... so i did! after that, i went and archived a lot of the official novels/text-based content that either hasn’t been released in english officially, or isn’t easily accessible. here’s what i got on that front so far! there’s still more i’m looking at.

some of these aren’t too hard to find out there already if you want to get them yourself.

beyond that, i got all the ripped assets from the psp version of dr1. that’s where we got all the sprites back in the day... i’m not gonna screenshot those, because you guys know what dr1 looks like. i hope.

in addition to the fandom-based videos, i also downloaded multiple fan-translated playthroughs of the games. in particular, a no-commentary LP of the original Project Zetsubou translation with all of the free-time events, a translated-text edited to be on the gameplay for sdr2, and multiple ‘live translation’ playthroughs of ndrv3. i feel these are worth archival, as they offer a look into how we used to have to experience these games...

and i prefer the fan-translations to the official ones...

anyway! after that, i really liked the idea of finding a bunch of the old fangames for danganronpa and saving those. i was actually able to find a fair amount!

there are a few still eluding me, unfortunately. i’ll make a post about those ‘lost’ games at some point in the future... but trust me, i spent around four hours looking for all of these games last night. it was really hard to find them!!! there are so many dead links out there now!

hey, who remembers danganronpa the animation? you might be thinking ‘surely that can’t be hard to find’, and you’re right... it’s not! if you’re looking for the official release. back in 2013, a translation group called unlimited translation works released fansubs of drta. i was able to find a single torrent with one person seeding it of their copies. thanks so much to whoever that was, out there!

and finally, i made some progress in saving various text-based lets plays of super danganronpa 2. i’m still working on that, and that will be likely what i do the most of today... but i do have some other things lined up...

thanks for tuning in! keep on hoping... or despairing, if that’s more your thing...

farewell, despair archivists...

[gb-patch]

Ask Answers: July 10th

I really let asks get away from me lately. I was super focused on working on that Patreon Moment. With that done I can finally think about doing other things, so here’s a new collection of answers!

Thank you for sending in questions everyone ^^.

For the new Patreon moment, will you be able to reference it in step 4? Or just like a tiny nod to it if you pick certain choices?

There won’t be. I’m sorry if you were hoping for that! The Patreon moment is meant to be entirely optional, it’s not something that gets you extra content in the main game.

Is the new CG artist the main one now? :0 I’ve noticed theres been a difference in the art style recently. Is the old CG artist still going to make art for the game? :0

The original artist still makes CGs for the game sometimes, but he mainly focuses on character sprites.

Are you going to put the NSFW our life moment on a website other than patreon? I would love to get it but I can't use patreon atm.

I don’t know. I'm afraid we can't release the Patreon Moment on a normal game storefront because we can't mix 18+ content with our family friendly game. If there's some other place similar to Patreon where it's not the normal type of full-scale public content releases we'd consider using that, but I’m not sure if there is another site that’s better than Patreon in that regard. I'm sorry.

Out of curiosity, in all of your games so far, which characters in each were the most fun to write? They obviously don't have to be your favorite characters!

Buffalo Seer in AFA, really everyone in XOD/XOBD is pretty equally entertaining to write, The Guide in LoV, and Cove in OL!

idk if you accept "personal" questions, but is there anything you've been watching/ listening to lately

Mostly, I’ve been watching/listening to Authortube videos as of late! It’s people who talk generally about the process of how books become traditionally published and/or share their own experience as they attempt to be published. I don’t have an interest in writing normal text based books, but it’s really interesting to hear about that world. I’m listening to a video about royalties right now as I answer these asks.

Will one of the desserts we get to pick be fudge? That'd be such a cute reference! 

Haha, yeah, it should. Unless I completely blank on it and forget when trying to include the various referential food options.

I don't know if this has been asked previously but what would be the approximate heights for the presets MC can choose from Step 2 ~ 4? Are there any measurement you had in mind? Sorry if I didn't make myself clear kk I've been struggling with my English lately 💀 

I don’t know, ahah. I didn’t have any numbers in mind for that. So it’s whatever you imagine it is!

I noticed a bug with the Patreon moment when it comes to what your character wears. When Jamie and Cove are kissing while my character only had dresses selected, I had both the option to remove the dress or to remove the shirt... Picking one of the options to interact with Cove, after he removed his shirt, it had Jamie remove their shirt followed by ther pants despite only having dresses picked. 

Thank you for reporting ^^

I keep refreshing steam to see when the new doc for xobd will be released. I noticed you haven't posted anything about it in quite some time. Would it be possible to ask about a timeline/potential date? (If it's even this year—) I know you and your team are probably working super hard, I'm just super curious! ~Thank you!~ 

There are more stories done, I just haven’t gotten around to publicly releasing them. Hopefully I will have a chance to spend the time on that sooner rather than later!

hello!! i’m not sure if it’s an update but i’ve just replayed our life and at the end i can’t propose to cove anymore? :(( i’ve actually tried playing twice but the options are not there anymore, did you guys remove the options? i’m sorry if you’ve answered this before!! thank you and have a good one :) 

I’m afraid things haven’t been changed or removed, so I think you might’ve accidentally picked the wrong things somewhere along the way and locked yourself out of being able to propose by mistake. Sometimes you meant to say you want to get married but instead you mis-click and have it so the MC isn’t thinking about marriage or something. All I can suggest is starting from the beginning of Step 3 and making sure to follow the steps listed in the FAQ. I’m sorry for that.

Did yall remove some of the options for when youre making out with Cove in the charity moment? I could've sworn you could grab his bonkadonk and its not there anymore 

This is the same situation as the above. We didn’t remove things and you’re not wrong that there are sometimes those options. But there are various choices you have to make to get those options and it sounds like you accidentally missed something. If your relationship isn’t long-term, you can’t do it for example.

HI IM SO EXCITED I CAN FINALLY GET THE STEP 3 DLC 

Thank you for getting it!

Is Shiloh super totally straight bc I’m very gay and a huge Shiloh fan, would my man make an exception?😩

Sadly, he is one of our super straight characters. I’m sorry.

Hi, I have a very dumb question. In Step 2 does Cove not wanna share his drink with us at the mall (or rather why he stops drinking it) because it's an indirect kiss? Or is it like ...weird to him to share? Because if I remember right he eats off our spoon in the birthday scene right? 

Yeah, he’s awkward about it because he likes the MC and it feels very personal to share a straw with his crush.

Hi! If you don't mind me asking, who is the artist for OL2? Their style is so pretty! 

Thank you for saying so! This is her Twitter- https://twitter.com/redridingheart

Do Beginnings & Always and Now & Forever exist in the same universe? 

Yep! XOXO Droplets also exists in the same universe. It’s one big GB Patch world, haha.

Do Pran's parents regret the way they raised him? Do they feel ashamed of it?

No. They’re the type of people best cut out because they’re not gonna change. Which is why Pran does go very limited contact when he’s an adult.

Hi! I just wrapped up my second playthrough of Our Life, and I absolutely adore it, but I had a question. I went to the gallery and found I was missing 2 CGS (specifically Step 1-3 and 2-3) and I had no clue where they would've shown up. Which moments are those found in? 

You get it by telling Cove about his dad offering you money to be his friend in Step 1 and Step 2. You can’t get both in one playthrough, since you can only tell Cove the truth once. I’m really glad you liked it!

Hi hi! Please, how tall is Baxter and Derek? Love the game so much and I can't wait to see more! 

I don’t know, aha. I think Baxter was around 5′10 and Derek was like 5′8/5′9, maybe. I really am not one who has specific heights for things in mind.

is adult cove a bottom, top, or switch? 

A switch, though would choose the top if he had to pick.

I was wondering if there is a way to transfer save data? Even if through the game files. I wanted to be able to transfer my save data from my desktop over to my laptop so that I could continue playing right where I left off from but I'm not entirely sure how to go about that. 

If you save the save folder/persistent data of the game from your desktop and put it into the game folder on your other device, that could work.

Hi! Is it possible for us to know the date when our life: now and forever comes out on steam? Sorry if you've mentioned it before but I haven't seen it and I'm looking foward to that happening and just wanted to know :) 

It’s gonna be a long time, I’m afraid. There’s no estimate right now.

I started playing Our Life with my sister a while ago, and I think you guys should know that we discovered your secret. >:)

L from death note and Cove are clearly the same person, and this whole game is just an origin story!!

I’ve never seen that show so I’m sorry to say I don’t understand the connection/reference you’re trying to make. I’m pretty out of the loop when it comes to media. I don’t watch movies or TV.

Will OL2 have options for disabled MCs?

I understand if it's too complicated, just curious

Unfortunately, it’s not really something we have a plan for. We couldn’t finish the game if we tried to include every disability and have it be meaningful. It’d just be too much content to create. But if we decide to only include a few, how would we choose which disabilities get to be represented and which are left out? I don’t know. It’ll probably have to be something we don’t include as an option again, sadly. I’m sorry.

playing our life > anything else 

Haha, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

Honestly, I would like to thank Our Life for helping me come to terms with my sexuality. Before, I never would've actually thought that it was possible to like boys romantically and still be asexual. Almost all of the BL visual novels I've read had unskippable sexual content in them and it honestly just didn't click with what I feel. I'm glad I found Our Life. I love the game, the developers, and this fandom so much. Now, I can safely come out as homoromantic AND asexual (at least anonymously here anyway; my parents are still huge homophobes 😂). 

Aw, it’s great to hear you felt comfortable being yourself in the game! That’s wonderful. I’m really sorry about your parents, though.

Will the demo for OL2 be on android? Really not sure if I could wait any longer than I have to aha 

Yeah, it’ll be available for Android once we eventually release a demo!

Do all these reveals perhaps mean development is progressing ahead of schedule? Please let that be the case I'm already obsessed with Qiu 

No, sorry, aha. Art comes along much faster than script/programming-work for us. It’s gonna be a long time before the game is a finished thing you can actually play. But at least we can look at the beautiful images.

Hey! First of all I wanna say I reallllllyyyyy loooovvveeee Our Life and XOXO Droplets! I have over 300 hours of playtime on Our Life… Anyways, I was just wondering, are the Derek and Baxter DLCs going to come out at the same time? If not, which one do you plan to release first? :3 

They will come out separately and Derek will be first! Glad you like the game.

I keep replaying Our Life to get every possible iteration and I am loving it <3 I was wondering if Cove gets locked out of his confession because MC was talking to Lee, would it be possible to confess to him in step 4? 

Yeah, you can avoid the confession in Step 3 and then get it in Step 4.

Hi, my Cove wears bracelets through step 2 and 3 but I still don't get an option to give him a bracelet? I didn't even know that was possible until I seen someone else ask about it lol 

Hm, did you use the Cove creator? Maybe there’s a bug where using the creator to add bracelets doesn’t fulfill the requirement to give Cove a bracelet in Step 3.

Wait, I'm dense, when does Baxter appear in step 2? Is it from big park firework? I feel so bad since i really love Baxter and waiting to buy his dlc. 

It’s in the Soiree Moment. You have to be just friends with Cove, indifferent, or crushing but not ask Cove to the dance at all. Then while there you can find someone new to dance with. But if you bring Cove to the dance while crushing, the MC won’t wanna dance with anyone else so you can’t get the scene.

In step 2 when we go to the soiree I made my mc go alone and baxter chooses the mc to dance, i'm curious, why did he pick the mc? sorry if this has been asked before! 

Because the MC looked to be around his age, seemed to also be searching for a partner, and had nice legs. A perfect option for him.

I read some of the FAQs, and I saw that we could tell Baxter about the condo that he rented there was previously the mean old grandparents. how do we get the mc to tell him that? 

It happens in the DLC Moment “Late Shift”. If you don’t have a job you instead get a longer scene with Baxter.

I don’t know if you’ve addressed this or not, but are you planning on paying voice actors for our life: now and forever? 

Yeah, we pay our VAs in all our projects.

hey can i ask how you did the moments thing in ol? im trying to get into making visual novels and while im VERY sure its out of my comfort zone and all that atm i kinda wanna know just for the future, bc im p sure it would work well for something i wanna do :O but its also fine if you cant say for other reasons :> 

I’m afraid I’m not sure what you mean. Are you asking how we programmed the screen or something script related? Adding Moments like that is pretty straightforward, though. You just have buttons that open to different labels and then the scripts are essentially individual short stories/vignettes. Good luck with your VN!

Since Autumn becomes gender fluid later in the game, will there be a character who remains as he/him to romance in game? 

OL1 has the he/him LIs, OL2 is all about other genders.

I don't want to impose on your creative plans, but a parrot could possibly make a good pet in an OL-type game? They're pretty long-lived and likely to still be thriving by the end even if the MC got them back in step 1. 

I do appreciate the suggestion, but I’m afraid it’s not likely going to happen. I understand there are technically some animals that could theoretically live long enough to last the whole game that or we could have the MC only get a pet after some years have already passed. But the many things that would have to be considered/accommodated for makes it just something we probably can’t manage adding. I’m sorry.

As time passes will we be able to see Qiu and Tamarack's other stage arts as well?

They are both so cute i can't wait to be friends with them!

Yeah, we’ll show content from other Steps in the future. It’ll be a little while from now, though.

Can you date Cove and still have your family comfort you in the car?

You can’t get Cove’s Step 3 confession scene if you have the family comfort you in the car. But that’s not the only way to date him. You can get together with him earlier in the game or later on in Step 4.

Is Mc always going to be the one walking down the aisle or could Cove do it? Also could you choose to have one of your moms walk you? 

No. Cove wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle like that and the MC automatically respects that. And the MC also gets to have their preferences respected, so it’s up to you whether they want to do an aisle walk or not. You also can pick who, if anyone, walks with you.

Once step 4 is out, will you be able to go the whole game on crush/love without either of you confessing? 

Yes, as long as you tell the game you don’t want to progress the relationship. Even in Step 4 it won’t force you to officially get together.

Howdy, so in Step 4, there will be any Romance with Derek that is not part of any dlc? 

He’s only a friend unless you get his romance story.

Will the step 4 in OL2 be one big step or are you considering moments? 

Step 4 is just an epilogue in both games.

hi kind of a weird question but!! we know tht cliff doesn't start dating again but. wht abt flings? like does he ever do 1 night stands or anything? thank u!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Nope. Cliff has a very small interest in sex. If he’s not in a real relationship with a partner he’s crazy about it simply isn’t something he feels a need for, so one night stands wouldn’t even cross his mind.

sorry if you've already answered this, but i was wondering if there were plans for there to be bonus love interests in OL2 like how we have derek and baxter in OL1.

Maybe! There are side characters who could be given romance stories, but whether or not it will happen depends on funding and how long everything else takes to finish.

I don't know if i'm allowed to ask about ol2 here yet, if not u can ignore this or answer it later. My question is can you date one of them and be good friends with the other? I don't want to be strangers with the other bcs i love them both a lot :<

Yes you can!

what patreon level do i have to be to unlock the nsfw moment? im on the $5 one right now, will that give me access to the moment, or just access to the moment progress? 

That’ll give you access! Tier 2 and anything higher allows the player to download it.

[elliesguitarstrings]

Just Friends

Masterlist

Pairing: Tom Holland x Actress!Reader

Summary: You and Tom haven’t seen each other since filming Uncharted, and you decide to surprise him at his Jimmy Kimmel interview. Although you’ve always been “just friends,” you can’t help but think there’s something more.

A/N: Hey y’all sorry it’s been a few days since I last posted, I’ve just been super stressed with school and stuff, but I actually really like this fic and I hope you guys like it too!

Warnings: Language, fluff, angst if you squint

WC: 2.4k

~~~~~~~~

It’s been months since you and Tom last saw each other in person.

While filming Uncharted, the two of you had become extremely close, hanging out in each other’s trailers and spending all of your free time together. In such a short period, you had become best friends, but neither of you could deny the spark of something more. Unfortunately, the two of you never got to explore that spark because of the short time limit. After wrapping, you and Tom went your separate ways, him to Atlanta to film Spiderman 3, and you back to your hometown for a well-deserved break.

That doesn’t mean you two haven’t stayed in contact though. You and Tom have texted and facetimed almost every day since you parted ways, or as much as his busy filming schedule allows. Throughout this time, however, you never seemed to discuss the obvious love connection between you two. Without actually speaking about it, you both seemed to agree that that conversation would be better to have in person.

This bring us to today, where Tom is backstage at Jimmy Kimmel, anxiously waiting for his interview segment of the show. He picks up his phone and decides to text you before he goes on to settle his nerves, wishing you were here to comfort him in person.

T: Are you watching the show yet?

Y: yep I already have my tv turned to abc! are you going on soon?

T: Yeah, I’m so nervous though

Y: why? you’ve been on the show before and you’re like amazing at interviews

T: Idk, Jimmy just said “be ready for a surprise” and he looked really suspicious so I’m scared

T: I just hope they don’t bring like Jennifer Aniston out or something because I would totally freeze and make a fool out of myself

Y: lmao that would be kinda funny tho, but I’m sure you have nothing to worry about

T: Okay we’ll see haha

T: Gtg I’m on in 10, I’ll facetime you after I’m done!

Y: kk, good luck tommy :)

T: Ahh thank you!!

What Tom doesn’t know is that you are ten times more nervous than him. While he’s under the impression that you’re sitting on your living room couch watching the show, you are actually in the dressing room down the hall from him.

Last month, when Tom told you he was going to be on Jimmy Kimmel to promote Cherry, you had the idea to surprise him. You emailed Jimmy not expecting a response, but to your surprise, he actually emailed you back and loved your idea.

So, here you are, waiting backstage and shaking with anticipation to surprise Tom. To be completely honest, you’re even more nervous now that you know Tom is expecting some big star like Jennifer Aniston, who you know has always been his biggest celebrity crush. But nonetheless, you shake off the nerves as best as you can, just hoping everything goes well.

“Please welcome our first guest… Tom Holland everyone!” you hear Jimmy’s voice over the speaker in your dressing room.

Now that Tom is on stage, you can safely leave the room without him seeing you, and you head to the side stage, waiting for your cue.

Tom and Jimmy talk about Cherry for a few minutes, and you can’t help but admire him. His voice, his face, his outfit, everything about him is just perfect. And even better, he’s here in person, closer than he’s been to you in a long time. It takes every ounce of self-control in you to stop yourself from running onstage and hugging him now. ‘Only a minute longer,’ you tell yourself.

“So, other than Cherry, what other upcoming projects are you working on?” Jimmy inquires onstage.

Almost there…

“Well, as most of you know,” Tom addresses the audience, “I’m filming Spiderman 3 right now, which has been going brilliantly. It’s definitely going to be the best one of all the Spiderman movies I’ve done. And I just wrapped on a film called Uncharted a few months ago in Berlin, which was so much fun.”

“Ooh, Uncharted, tell us more about that!"

“Yeah, well it’s based on the video game, and I play the main character, Nathan Drake, who’s on a quest throughout the film. It’s a lot like Spiderman in a way, with all the stunts and stuff, and I think it’s going to turn out great, I can’t wait to see it finished.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun! And if I’m not mistaken, you seem to have met a certain Y/N Y/L/N while filming?”

“Oh, Y/N, yeah, she’s great,” he starts to gush, and you immediately smile, “we became friends super fast, and I miss her so much. I wish she could be here right now, but she’s watching from home actually, so hey Y/N!” he looks directly at the camera and waves, as if he’s waving to you through the screen.

That’s your cue. You tiptoe onstage behind Tom, trying your best to shush the immediate gasps from the audience.

“Well Tom,” Jimmy smiles, “I think your wish may have come true.”

“Huh?” Tom looks around, confused, until his eyes land on you, and he completely freezes.

“Hey Tom,” you smile.

“Y/N! Holy shit! You’re here, you’re actually here!” he exclaims, not caring that he just cursed on live TV.

Tom immediately springs off the couch and sprints to you, arms outstretched. As soon as he reaches you, he picks you up in a tight hug and spins you around, both of you laughing. He sets you down, but still keeps you in a tight embrace, not pulling away until neither of you can breathe. He steps backwards to take you in, still trying to fathom that you’re actually here, with him, after all this time.

“Y/N, wha-, how? I thought you were at your house!” Tom can barely form a sentence, smiling wider than ever and completely out of breath.

“Eh, my house was boring. I thought it would be more fun here with you,” you smile.

He pulls you in again, whispering, “I missed you so fucking much.”

“You have no idea,” you whisper back, resting your forehead on his.

The two of you lock eyes, and for a moment, it’s like you are the only two people in the world. You both start to lean in, lips almost touching, when Jimmy interjects.

“Alright, you two, while that was very sweet, we do still have the rest of the show to get through, so why don’t you come sit down,” Jimmy laughs, bringing you and Tom back to reality.

“Right, of course,” Tom responds, trying his best to keep cool in front of the audience.

Tom ushers you to the couch, keeping one hand on the small of your back as he follows you. He keeps his arm around you when you sit, staying as close to you as possible without raising any more suspicions from the audience.

“So, you two, huh?” Jimmy smirks.

“What? Oh, no, Jimmy, we- we’re just friends,” you laugh trying your best to hide the obvious blush on your cheeks.

“I don’t know, that seemed like a little more than just friend behavior to me over there,”

“What do you expect, I haven’t seen her in half a year!” Tom exclaims, saving you from more embarrassment.

“Okay, okay, fine. Just friends,” he turns to the camera and winks, earning laughs from the audience.

“Anyways Y/N, we already talked about Tom, so tell us about you! How was your experience filming Uncharted?” thankfully, Jimmy moves on.

“Well, up until this point I had only really done small indie films, so it was definitely a major change. But Tom was so nice in helping me and it actually turned out to be such an amazing experience, probably the most fun I’ve ever had filming a movie…”

You go on for a few more minutes, talking to Jimmy about your role in Uncharted and your career in general, exchanging small glances with Tom, who just sat back and listened, completely entranced by you.

“Alright, well thank you so much for coming Y/N, it was great to have you! I’m afraid I have to keep Tom for a few more minutes for our next segment, but you’ll have him all to yourself soon enough,” Jimmy smiles.

You laugh, “Thank you so much for having me Jimmy, it was such a pleasure!”

You stand up and hug both Jimmy and Tom, giving Tom a small peck on the cheek before you walk offstage, waving to the audience as you leave.

You smile all the way back to your dressing room, completely overjoyed that you were successful in surprising Tom. As soon as you sat down on the small couch, not even two minutes after you walked offstage, your phone starts blowing up with notifications.

You see that your best friend texted you, so you check that first.

BFF: so you and tom huh? girl why didn’t you tell me?????

Y: what no???

Y: we’re just friends!!

BFF: that’s not what literally all of twitter thinks

Y: wdym? they don’t know anything

BFF: go check rn, i’m telling you they’re going batshit crazy over you two

You check Twitter and immediately see the fans already going crazy over you and Tom.

“just friends”????? bullshit did y’all see the way they almost KISSED?????

TOM AND Y/N I SHIP I SHIP I SHIP

did y’all see the way tom looked at y/n? he’s totally in love omg

UGH I’M SO JEALOUS AKSDHJSAHDSHD I WANT TO BE Y/N SO BAD

they’re so cute help omg

THE WAY Y/N FLEW OUT TO CALIFORNIA JUST TO SURPRISE TOM??? JUST FRIENDS MY ASS

Were you really being that obvious? You quickly call your friend, looking for some advice on what to do, and she picks up right away.

“Okay you were right, they’re going absolutely insane,” you start.

“I mean what do you expect y’all almost kissed on live tv!”

“Shut up.”

“Come onnnnn Y/N, I know you like him and he obviously likes you too so just talk to him! You already know that you two would be the cutest fucking couple ever. Plus you already have the approval of twitter what more could you need?”

You laugh, but you’re still hesitant.

“I don’t know, what if he doesn’t like me back?

“HE. ALMOST. KISSED. YOU. ON. LIVE. FUCKING. TELEVISON. I THINK HE LIKES YOU BACK BITCH!”

“Okay first of all we didn’t almost kiss, and second of all I don’t want to ruin our friendship. Plus how would I even tell him?”

“Okay YES YOU DID ALMOST KISS! And this isn’t middle school! Just tell him how you feel.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Think about what?”

You whip around and see Tom standing at your dressing room door.

“Fuck I gotta call you back,” you whisper, quickly hanging up the phone.

You turn back to Tom, still standing in the doorway.

“How much of that did you hear?” you ask, blushing profusely.

“Um, all of it I think,” Tom looks down and you immediately start to freak out.

Tom, however, looks back up at you and smirks.

“So you like me huh?”

You stay silent for a moment, a billion thoughts running through your head. You contemplate denying it and staying just friends with Tom. But then you think back to what your best friend told you just a second ago.

“Just tell him how you feel.”

“Yeah Tom. I like you. And not as a friend. This isn’t really the way I intended on telling you, and I get if you don’t feel the same way, but the way I feel about you isn’t just platonic. There’s a connection between us that I felt since the day we met and I can’t help but think that you feel it too. And then today it just got, like, ten times stronger and I-“

Tom promptly cuts you off by cupping your jaw and placing his lips on yours, sending a rush throughout your entire body. His lips feel like heaven, moving ever so gently against yours, and again, it feels like you two are the only people on Earth. The kiss is warm and loving, and although it doesn’t last long, the moment has already been engraved in your mind for eternity.

He pulls back, looking into your eyes, making sure he hasn’t made a mistake, but you only stare back at him ten times more lovingly.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” he whispers.

“Me too,” you whisper back.

He takes your hands in his, “Y/N, I do feel that connection, and I want us to be more than just friends. I always have.”

As much as you are relieved that Tom feels the same way, you can’t help but worry.

“What about the distance? Are you sure we can handle that?”

“Of course we can,” Tom assures you, “I don’t care how far away we are from each other, I love you, and I’m never letting any amount of distance take that away.”

“But these past few months have been so hard without you, and we haven’t even been dating, I just- I don’t want to be apart from you anymore.”

“Then move in with me. Come to London and live with me!”

“Okay,” you grin.

“Wait, really?” Tom questions, taken aback.

“Yeah, why not? I mean, obviously we won’t be able to be together all the time because of our jobs, but it’ll be the closest thing.”

“Are you sure? That’s a big commitment to move that far.”

“I’m positive Tom. You’re my best friend, and now, I guess you’re my boyfriend,” you giggle, “I love you too, and I want to be with you, even if that means moving thousands of miles to London.”

Tom smiles, “You called me your boyfriend.”

“Shut up you dork, come here.”

You pull him in for another kiss, still feeling like you’re floating. Your lips once again move perfectly together, as if they’re made for each other. You’re completely consumed in him, and him in you, and in this moment, you know that he is the only one for you. In this moment, you know that you want to spend the rest of your life with him, and only him, and it’s the best feeling in the world.

~~~~~~~~

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[marvelandponder]

How do you think the Human Sunset Shimmer movie would've gone? Honestly we were robbed omg. Maybe if fans push enough we could get it? Probably unlikely, but it's nice to dream. Also, I just recently started reading your work, and it's really good omg!!

Oh gosh, this is such a fun question! Who knows what Nick Confalone and the rest of the staff would’ve really come up with if given the chance? Whatever it was, it would’ve been so awesome to see it, and absolutely. We were totally robbed. Unfortunately, yeah, it’s pretty unlikely that Hasbro would bring it back (and all of the cast and crew have moved on to working on other projects by now!). But I’m so with you, definitely nice to daydream about what they would’ve done!! Also, aww, thank you! I’m really excited to share more of my stuff when it’s ready!!! Speaking of, this is the closest thing I can get to sharing spoilers: I can tell you what the rest of Empathy for the Devil is not :D It’s not this, even though this would be fun! Under the cut because it got a bit long!

So, okay, based on the pitch we just saw from Nick Confalone, the first thing that comes to mind is that the Human Sunset Shimmer is an antagonist, whether she wants to be or not. In the pitch, the main conflict is that the spell Sunset cast to open the portal originally created an imbalance that’s caused all of their problems even if Starswirl banished the Sirens here long ago and someone else dumped the Memory Stone but go off. And not only that, but our Sunset’s arrival “displaced” the other Sunset (seems like without our Sunset knowing). With that in mind, in true Equestria Girls fashion, the Human Sunset would probably be an antagonist with a particular character flaw that drives her. In her case, she’s vengeful as fuck. Spends years plotting some brutal and extravagant revenge Count of Monte Cristo style on our Sunset.  I’ve always thought it would be fun if the other Sunset was in juvie. It would explain why we haven’t seen her around or heard mention of her, but maybe that happened because our Sunset got up to some bad shit and Human Sunset took the fall (without our Sunset even knowing Human Sunset was caught for that). Let’s say Human Sunset was already a bad girl with a record and our Sunset just did something to push it over the edge, like stealing. I can’t imagine the standards and practices department at Hasbro allowing our children’s show protagonist to do much worse than that. But you get the point. And the reason I’m pitching all this is because it ties into the themes of the little description Nick wrote. “Ever since Sunset’s turn at the end of the first movie, her friends have reassured her that her past is in the past—what matters is what she does in the present. ...But they’re wrong.” This is the one thing consistent with Empathy for the Devil, honestly: You can only say your past is behind you for so long when it actually still impacts those around you. It’ll come back to haunt you. And maybe on some level, our Sunset knows that. She’s so focused on the future, maybe graduation’s coming up. And she just wants to forget all about her past since she thinks she’s outlived it. But, well, you heard Nick. She’s wrong.  Essentially what you want is for Sunset to literally have to face her old self, or at least someone like her old self. So Human Sunset’s a bad girl who just got out of juvie and holds a grudge for way, way too long.  That not only makes for some potentially funny scenes where our, more reformed Sunset gets aggravated in dealing with her old self, but it means she’s forced to deal with what she used to be like and how that STILL has a huge impact on people in this world. Plenty of potential there for emotional moments and real stakes in trying to solve the imbalance in the multi-verse.  Like, when Human Sunset finds out about the imbalance, she’d probably tell our Sunset the right thing to do would be to go back to Equestria and give Human Sunset her life back. And that would make our Sunset seriously doubt some stuff. But of course, again, in true Equestria Girls fashion, what saves the day? Empathy. Sunset’s magical ability, which is just an extension of her personal growth. By using the power that represents how much she’s grown, our Sunset figures out the Human Sunset’s deal. Kind of like admitting to herself all this vengefulness came from a place of hurt because, like our Sunset, the human Sunset was just a rough around the edges kid who needed actual guidance and a second chance. And she didn’t get one. Not until our Sunset forgives herself/the Other Sunset for her past. Everyone else forgave our Sunset for everything she’s done, now it’s her time.  And then you’d have the the little denouement scene where, I don’t know, maybe Sunset and the others are graduating but a new student enrolls at Canterlot High: Human Sunset. So our Sunset introduces her to Principal Celestia, and it’s real cute. (The guidance she needed! Hopefully they get it right this time!) Or, if you’d prefer, the Human Sunset fucks off to do something else haha! She’s her own person, so maybe she embraces that and goes to help kids like her, or gets to do all the stuff she wanted to while she was in juvie with some new friends! Take your pick! And then it’s implied our girls move on to have more magical, wonderful adventures post graduation, roll credits.  TL;DR: There are so many different ways you can take Human Sunset as a character. But I think what I really want in a doppelganger character is for them to highlight something about the original, or parallel them in an interesting way! They’re not the exact same person, but they’re the dark reflection of our protagonist. Tells us something about both of them! Plus it’s just really, really fun.

[livelivefastfree]

have you been working on any new fics?? (your stories are wonderful, ive drowned myself in polyburners thanks to you 😔 its a good place to be)

Not really anything new, although I’ve been picking away at some older ones that I never finished!  Namely the plot-heavy sequel to my telepathic soul-bond superhero AU, the intimidatingly complicated sequel to Save A Horse, Ride A Dragon, and my Burnerswap AU where the villains are all our new Burners and the Burners are villains.

Unfortunately since I’m a nurse work has been kind of stressful recently and also my brain only likes to focus on one thing at a time which is currently original novel things.  So process is pretty slow, haha.  But I’m glad I could bring more people into the polyburners fold!

I do feel bad that I haven’t had the energy to post much for a while; revamping my burnerswap doc is the most recent thing I’ve gotten work done on, so here’s a little bit of scene-setting!

Deluxe is a mass of spires and platforms, shimmering in the sunshine outside Red’s window.  Red stares up at the ceiling, at the pale golden glow of sunlight on the pale polymer.  He can hear the sound of someone loudly imitating an electric guitar, and faint thumps and thuds through the wall; Duke is taking his traditional lengthy shower and using up all their precious hot water.  From the smells drifting up from downstairs, Jacob is already up and in the kitchen experimenting.  Kaia is probably upstairs on the roof, tending to her plants, and Abraham had to go back down to the undercity last night.  His absence is a hole; no sound of him talking to Jacob in the kitchen, working out irritatingly on Red’s balcony, yelling at Duke for using up the water.  There’s always something slightly off, a little bit wrong, when part of their team is missing.

Red sits up, buckles his patch on over the remnant of his left eye, and pushes himself up out of bed to see what’s for breakfast.

Jacob is stirring something in a pan when he Red arrives.  There’s a heaping basket of miscellaneous vegetables on the counter next to him, so probably Red’s in for some kind of veggie abomination this morning—but it’s a veggie abomination Red doesn’t have to make and then burn, and he doesn’t really have a sense of taste anymore, anyway.  Red drops into a chair, and Jacob piles up a plate of fried vegetables and sets it wordlessly down in front of him.

It’s quiet for a while. Red eats as much as he can manage, and Jacob knows him well enough not to frown when Red has to push the plate away half-eaten.  

“Quiet night?” he says, eventually.

“All quiet in the pit,” Red says, and goes to the cooler to fish out a nutrient shake instead.  “No calls from Abraham.  No alerts, no bots, no Dragon.”

“Mm.”  Jacob shakes his head, making an unconvinced grumbling noise.  “They’ll come.  They always do.”

Red can’t argue that. He stayed on the edge of the platform until the small hours of the morning, looking down into the dark city far below, watching every gleam of light and flicker of movement, waiting for the first flash of red glass eyes or matte metal claws.

The others drift downstairs eventually, one at a time; Duke grimaces at the vegetable mess, but Kaia piles in with every sign of enjoyment.  Red sits back and listens to Jacob and Duke bicker, Kaia’s laughing jabs at both of them indiscriminately, and lets the sunlight soften some of the harsh, nauseated fatigue.

He doesn’t realize he’s beginning to drift off, but when his comms light up red with an urgent chime, it startles him badly enough he almost drops his drink.

“Come in,” Abraham’s voice says, flat and low.  “Red.”

“Copy,” says Red, and pushes himself up, already moving. The rest of his team reorders around him, Jacob heading for the garage, Duke and Kaia immediately running for their rooms, their weapons.  Red picks up his gloves, feeling the circuitry inside thrum hotly against his palms. “Incoming?”

“How did you guess,” says Abraham dryly.  “Three Climbers.  Two on North Side, one coming up from the East.  And she’s sending up the Dragon.”

Red falters in mid-step, then growls and heads down the staircase to the garage, taking the steps two at a time. “Can you make it up?”

“I can try,” Abraham says, but Red knows that tone to his voice, rough and grim.  “I think she’s targeting the medical complex on platform 18.  Don’t get distracted.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Red says, and Abraham gives a brief bark of a laugh and then cuts the call.

--

Deluxe looks beautiful in the sunlight, if beauty is something to pay attention to; Red has seen it a thousand times, growing up from the old undercity of Detroit like an indescribably huge tree made of silver and marble.  The platforms that make up the city itself look almost fragile from a distance, hovertech and superlight polymers, gleaming with solar panels and greenery.  The massive support structure that holds the city up grows dirtier and more patchwork as it descends into the bristling thicket of ancient, blocky concrete buildings.

Whole civilizations have made their homes on the platforms along that winding trunk.  Around its base, built onto the rooftops of old skyscrapers, Red can see the distant gleam of the Casino King’s sprawling compound, gaudy with red and gold floodlights.  There are urban legends about an entire lost city, one that made its living in among the building-sized struts and cables themselves, before some unspecified calamity cut all communication with them short.

Some of the midway settlements are against Kane, some of them are only indifferent, but Red can only assume that trying to bargain her way through was too much trouble.  Kane took matters into her own hands, and had her R&D invent the Climbers.

Red has eyes on one of them now; a long, low shape, slinking across the platform.  Six-legged, with four glowing eyes each, moving with an unnerving, artificial grace—the mechanical nightmare-offspring of a wolf and some kind of insect.  The tips of their claws hum faintly, lit up—plasma-cutter edges, sharp enough to sink into the polymer like hot knives through butter.  Red is a platform above them, out of their field of vision, but he’s seen the way the things scale vertical surfaces, faster than anything that size should be able to move.

As Red watches, one of them opens its mouth, showing hundreds of needle-sharp fangs lit hellish red from the inside, and lets out an awful, scraping snarl.

“I’ve got eyes on one,” Red says, keeping his voice low.  

“Yeah, yeah, we see ‘em over here too,” Duke says, tight and sharp with bravado.  “Easy.  Let’s get it done!”

“I’ve got your back,” Kaia says.  “Let’s show these things what—”

“Hey, Red,” says a voice, and something taps Red on the shoulder.  “Tag.”

The moment of shock is enough to freeze Red in place for a single fraction of a second, and that’s a hesitation he can’t afford.  A blunt edge slams into his ribs, knocks him over off his feet; he rolls, comes up on his feet again and sends out a blind shockwave of energy—throws himself to one side as a staff sweeps past where his ankles were, and this time when he lashes out he feels the impact strike true.

The Dragon of Detroit takes the hit and lets it bowl him backwards, turns the motion into a back-handspring and comes to a skidding halt, shaking overgrown brown bangs out of his dark eyes.  He’s laughing, smiling as wide and wild as he always does; the deep scar that stretches crookedly from his cheekbone to his chin twists his smile into something just slightly crooked and bitter, but his laugh sounds irritatingly, insultingly genuine.

“Chilton,” Red snarls, and the man spins his staff behind his back and sweeps a bow, grinning.  

“I’m guessing you’re not interested in doing this the easy way, kid,” he says, and Red clenches his fists, lightning crawling up his arms.  “Yeah, I didn’t figure.  Can’t say I didn’t try.”

“The fuck I can’t,” Red snaps, and Chilton huffs out a breath and shakes his head, ever-present smile never fading.  “If you really cared about not hurting anybody you wouldn’t be working for that—”

It’s the flicker of Chilton’s eyes that gives it away, and the faintest sound of scraping metal; Red dives to one side on instinct, just in time to avoid the snap of jagged metal jaws and six sets of wickedly-clawed feet.  He comes up swinging, lands a few solid hits; the Climber shrieks as one of its legs spasms and cracks, red lightning and dented metal grinding in one of its back legs.

“Backup!” Red snaps into his comm, and then there’s only the fight.

He’s being distracted, he knows it even while it’s happening, but he can’t break his focus away long enough to care.  Chilton is gone, he has to be raiding that medical compound, and Red is stuck here, fighting some stupid robot—

“Heads up!” yells a voice, and Red glances up and then back-pedals abruptly as a huge, blocky shape comes rocketing off the next platform up and drops like a comet onto the Climber’s head.  The back half of the bot gives a meaty crunch as Jacob’s construction rig lifts back off of it, leaking nasty, thick, black fluid as it tries to drag itself forward on its two remaining legs; Red steps forward, grimacing in distaste, tears a dented plate away and buries his hand in the things neck to deliver one final, merciless jolt.  The Climber whirrs, gives a gurgling growl, and finally goes still.

“Jumpin’ Josephat,” says Jacob, from inside the clunky, ugly cube he calls a hovercar.  “You still in one piece down there?”

“Where’s Chilton?!” Red says, and then jerks and looks up at the sound of a laugh, echoing off the white walls and walkways around them.  

The Dragon is standing at the very edge of the platform, silhouetted against the sky; he makes eye contact with Red, brief and grinning, one hand on the side of a stolen transport pod. Then he throws off a brief, mocking salute, and launches himself backwards off the edge of the platform into thin air, vanishing over the edge.

“Criminy,” says Jacob weakly, because Jacob is an 80-year-old man in a 20-year-old body.  

“Fuck,” Red hisses, and slams a fist down on the ground, leaving lightning-jagged scorch marks across the white polymer.  Takes a few breaths and repeats, “…fuck,” soft and hoarse, poisonous in his mouth.

“Yeah,” says Jacob, and his boots thump softly as he slides down, his hand settles carefully on Red’s shoulder.  “C’mon. Let’s get back to the others.”

[writersdaydream]

Open the Door

Prompt: please open the door

Fandom: Hemlock Grove

Character: Roman Godfrey

Word count: 2159

High school is supposed to be the best four years of a teenager’s life. So far; it’s a load of shit. Having a dad in the navy isn’t the easiest thing ever. In my 17 years of life, I’ve had the privilege of moving 6 times to different states. The longest place ever being Oregon, and my favourite. Only one more year until I can move out and be in my own place, living wherever I choose, for however long I choose.

2 years ago we moved to Pennsylvania, and it quickly felt like home. The aesthetic was perfect, the weather was perfect, and for once, I had friends I felt like I could trust. Moving place to place, I found it useless to make friends; keeping the ones I would meet online, never staying long enough to make friends in person. That’s not how Roman saw it however; I still genuinely don’t know if he wanted to keep me close to keep me quiet or if he wanted to be friends.

Whatever the case, we didn’t stay the same; I was quick to discover he was protective over those he gets close to. May be from losing people in the past or just how he was brought up and how he is with Shelly.  After saving my life the first time, there was something between us that quickly sparked. Long story short, he’s been my first boyfriend and I would not change anything for the world.

-

School that day was going by as usual, Roman came to pick me up, we got coffee and were in the parking lot smoking before school started. “What’s on your mind?” He asked, pulling me from a trance, but I just shrugged – not wanting to get into it this early in the morning. “Y/N, I know when you’re lying” but once again I shrugged.

This was the longest my family has ever stayed in one place; we always moved around just to be closer to my father, and it was usually around this time of year that we got news whether or not he would be relocated. I couldn’t say goodbye to this place; Hemlock Grove quickly became my home, no matter how dreary things got or how intense my life would become. I wasn’t ready to give this up. My anxiety was quickly rising, but I didn’t want to bother him with my family issues.

Roman turned to me, his hand on my exposed thigh and looked in my eyes. He always managed to calm me down and get me to start talking but I don’t know if I could tell him this time, I didn’t want to get him in a mood before I knew if anything was happening. Looking anywhere but my boyfriend, I saw it was 8:30 and we had 5 minutes to get to class. “Look, I don’t know if anything is happening, maybe I’m just having a rough day. Anyway, we have five minutes,” and without looking back, I grabbed my stuff and rushed towards the door.

-

All day, I could feel Roman staring at me. I wanted to look at him, give him some peace of mind – but I knew if I do that, I would start crying. I feel like I can’t leave, this is the one place I have ever lived that made me feel lucky. I had friends, I had a boyfriend, hell, I was supposed to be graduating at the end of the semester – I feel like I can’t let that go, but I had no power whether we moved or not. I’m still a minor, and my mom is legally allowed to drag me everywhere with her.

During lunch I decided to take a walk, try to clear my head and be fresh for the afternoon. Numerous calls and texts from my friends almost prompted me to turn my phone off until I got the one text I have been dreading all day.

We need to talk when you get home                                                                                                            

                                                                               -mama

Tears immediately brimmed my eyes, I couldn’t do it. I can’t leave this place, I’ve built too many things, had too many memories for it to be taken way from me in just two years.

After little debate, I decided I was done with school. It felt as though my heart was slowly being torn in two. I hadn’t even gotten complete confirmation of what was happening or why she needed to talk to me, but it was like a yearly clock work. We are going to talk, she is going to break my heart and we are going to pack up to wherever is closer to dad’s new base.

Where are you?                -Rome

Y/N, come on

               -Rome

Class is starting, are you skipping?

                                               -Rome

I wasn’t feeling well, decided to walk home

                                                  -Y/N

Bullshit

               -Rome

☹

               -Y/N

With that, I turned on do not disturb and enjoyed my quiet walk home.

-

Every house I walked by, every tree I saw would just make me more sad; knowing these would be the final times I would see these places. The walk way up the house already confirmed what my mom hasn’t told me; a real estate agent hammering a brand new ‘For Sale’ sign up in the front yard. Tears welled in my eyes, but I quickly shook them away – at this point, I should be used to it.

“Y/N? Is that you?” My mom yelled as the door slammed behind me, no point in trying to hide it – she had already heard my entrance. “Hi” I say, trying not to show the crack in my voice. “It’s only 1, don’t you have class this afternoon?” I shrugged my shoulders, really, I just wanted this conversation to end. “Y/N?” She asked again, but I just shook my head and made my way up to my room. Seeing the collapsed cardboard boxes resting over the door just made more tears well into my eyes. I knew there was no stopping this and I had to agree with what was going on; whether I liked it or not.

 Roman

After a couple more texts and no answer from Y/N, I realized I wasn’t going to get anywhere. Glancing at the clock, I had 20 more minutes of class, but I was not in the mood to sit through it. Y/N made class a little more bearable to sit through, and I was losing my mind sitting here. She wasn’t answering, she had told me she wasn’t feeling well; but I had a hunch there was something else going on. “Mr. Godfrey, is there somewhere else you’d rather be?” The teacher asked after I ignored yet another question, so I looked at him. “Yeah, thanks for asking,” and with that, I grabbed my things and left; hearing protests, but not looking back.

I had one thing on my mind, and it wasn’t schoolwork.

-

Pulling up to Y/N’s house, I immediately found out why she had decided to skip the rest of the day; a large, bright ‘for sale’ sign was posted up in her front lawn. I felt my heart sink, she had told us about her father relocating every so often, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon after her moving here. I kept my eye on the sign, as if staring at it would make it disappear, but that’s not how the world works; it’s also not how being an Upir works, unfortunately.

Shrugging it off, I put my car in park and went to the front door. Looking up at her room, the blinds were drawn, and her windows were closed; she loves hearing and feeling the breeze, so I knew she was sad. My heart broke for her, and all I wanted to do was hold her and make sure she was feeling okay. “Roman! Haven’t seen you in a while” her mother greeted as she opened the door, I smiled gently and accepted her hug. “Sorry about that, things have been a little hectic lately. Uh, is Y/N here?” I asked. “She’s up in her room, I must tell you, she’s in a little bit of a mood,” with that, her mother was down the hallway; most likely going to keep packing.

Stalking up the stairs, I couldn’t help but get chills. Y/N was an emotional person, you can feel her emotions as soon as she steps foot into a room. Either being able to lighten it, and make everyone feel better or at ease, or bring down the room entirely. She is human but has no idea how truly powerful she is. At the top of the stairs, it felt as though a ghost had passed through my body. The entire floor was cold, freezing even, but as I looked around, all doors and windows were closed; the sun was shining outside, I knew this was entirely being brought on due to her mood.

Gingerly, I knocked on the door; not expecting an answer but expecting at least a sign of life. Besides hearing her little cries, it seemed as though the life had been sucked out of here. “Go away mom” she cried, making my heart break, she was clearly upset and it made me upset for her. “It’s me” I whispered, there was a moment of silence, before she turned on her bed – most likely shifting her back to door. “Go away” her voice cracked. Her voice was breaking, telling me she was trying not to cry, but it was no use. I gently tried pushing the door open, but it was no use – she had locked it. “Come on Y/N don’t do that. Please, open the door.”

However, there was no answer.

I knew she was hurting, but I had no idea what to do. “Please” I whispered, starting to feel defeat. Before meeting her, I would have never shown this much weakness to anyone, no matter how close I was with them. That was something about her though, she had so much power it was insane, she knew my strengths and she knew my weaknesses; and she was the main one.

Resting my forehead against the door, I wasn’t willing to give up. Y/N and I were both very stubborn people, she should know better than to assume I would have left.

I don’t know how much time had passed, but I had ended up sitting on the floor outside the door. I don’t care how long it would take, I would not be leaving until I was able to see her, and see how she was doing.  I heard movement from her room, and suddenly weight on the other side of the door. “You still there?” She asked, I let out a little smile, turning my head. “I’m still here” I say.

Suddenly, the lock clicked. I knew she had unlocked the door, but I didn’t want to do anything she didn’t want me to. The door had opened, making me stumble and fall back into her body, her arms catching me slightly. “You know, you’re supposed to be in my place” I mumbled, putting a hand on her arm that was around my shoulders. “Let me have this, please” she said.

I did as asked, not daring to move. I could sense how she was feeling, and I didn’t want to do anything to disrupt her peace in this moment.

It was quite a long time before she finally spoke, her cheek pressed against the top of my hair, our hands interlaced. It was a peaceful moment, and if this is all I could give her in moments like this, I would do it ten times over. “We’re moving” she said, tightening her grip on my hand, and I nodded my head – not quite sure what to say to that. “I don’t want to say goodbye Roman; I don’t think I can” her voice cracked for what seemed like the millionth time today, and it shattered my heart. I hate how this girl can do so much, without doing anything at all.

I sighed, trying to think of anything to calm her. I turned in her arms, letting my head rest on her chest. Her heart beating millions of miles an hour, she was anxious out of her mind. “Calm down sweetheart, okay? We’ll do something, I’ll make sure you don’t have to leave” I promised. “How can you Roman? There’s nothing we can do, I have to move, I have to make new friends and start everything over again” she said, moving the hair from my forehead. I couldn’t help but to smile, she was so naïve it was a little cute. “Trust me, you won’t have to. I won’t let you leave,” her pupils dilated at my words. “I promise” I whispered, leaning up to capture her lips in mine.  

[hyperion-moonbabe-art3mis]

Caught In Between 17. Little Sparks

Summary: Athena Dumont has finally found a place to call home after many years of foster homes and traveling. She had finally tamed her supernatural side and just wanted to live a normal teenage life. She quickly discovers that there is nothing normal about her hometown, Mystic Falls and gets sucked right back into the supernatural world.

Post Date: 09.08.20

Word count: 3.6k

Based off: 03x14 “Dangerous Liaisons”

Masterlist

CIB Masterlist

The next day Elena had invited me and the Salvatore’s over to her house to explain something that happened last night, “It was their mother Ester who was sealed in that coffin,” Elena explains as she puts cleaning supplies away.

“As in the Original Witch?” I question.

“What? How is she even alive? I thought her hybrid freak show of a son ripped her heart out a thousand years ago,” Damon states.

“Umm...hybrid freak here,” I say upset at what Damon had just said.

“I was saying Klaus is the hybrid freak, not you,” He scoffs.

“I don’t know. I’m guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community. Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus,” Elena explains.

“She was supposed to be the weapon to help us kill Klaus,” Stefan states.

“Yeah, well, not anymore. At least not according to Elijah,” Elena responds.

“That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds,” Stefan stats making his way around the kitchen.

“Anyone else feeling used right now?” Damon questions as I raise my hand in agreement. 

“Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn’t hurt any of us,” Elena says before the doorbell rings. “I believe him,” She states. Elena makes her way to the front door and I and the Salvatores follow her. Elena turns around with an envelope in hand. 

“What is it?” I ask as she shuts the door. Elena opens the envelope and reads the contents.

“It’s an invitation. ‘Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o’clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration’,” Elena repeats what’s written on the card.

“Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?” Stefan asks.

“The original family,” You respond.

“It’s not bad enough they’re moving into town. Now they want a housewarming gift?” Damon questions.

“Wait. There’s a note on the back,” Elena flips over the card. “‘Elena, I think it’s time we finally meet. Esther,’” She reads.

The four of us make our way into the living room trying to figure out this whole ball thing, “If Esther wants to talk to me, maybe I should find out why,” Elena says.

“Well, that’s a dumb idea. She already tried to kill you once,” Damon states.

“No, Elena’s right. Bonnie was led to open that coffin for a reason. I think there’s more to this than just some family reunion,” Stefan says.

“Can we go back in time to the old Stefan who cared if Elena lived or died?” Damon asks.

“I agree with Stefan. I think we should find out,” I inject.

“Stefan and Athena have a point, Damon. I should find out what she wants,” Elena says.

“You can’t protect yourself,” Damon states.

“I’ll go, Klaus probably already sent me an invitation,” I say.

“No we can’t have your sired self, spilling all our secrets,” Damon responds.

“Ok, fine. Then I’ll go,” Stefan offers.

“You pissed off enough originals to last a lifetime. I’ll go,” Damon offers instead and plucks the card out of Elena’s hand. “End of story,” Damon says sternly before walking off. 

I follow Damon back to the Salvatore house. I make my way into my room, hoping not to find some envelope addressed to me. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but it wasn’t just an envelope. It was an envelope and a box sitting on top of my bed. I tried to ignore it but letting my curiosity getting the best of me I open the letter. The same information was written on the front. 

On the backside, it had a handwritten note written on the back, “Save me a dance. Fondly, Klaus,” I scoff at the note and go to open the box. As soon as I take the lid off, a blue dress is neatly folded inside along with a sunflower necklace atop it. I hear a knock on my door and set the dress down to see who it was. 

“Yes?” I question finding Damon at the door.

“I just wanted to see if you’re going to the ball. What’s that?” He asks noticing the dress laying on my bed.

“Oh, that?” I ask pointing back at my bed. “Just a gift from Klaus,” I say annoyed.

“So does that mean you’re coming? You do have a formal invite,” Damon smiles.

“By the look on your face, it doesn’t look like I have a choice,” I lean my head on the door. “Well at least I have a dress,” I say after Damon just nods his head.

“It’ll be great,” Damon says walking off.

A few hours passed as I sat there just debating on really if I should go to the ball, “Hey! You ready? The party starts in an hour,” I hear Damon say from the other side of my door.

“Uh, yeah. You guys can go. I’ll meet you there,” I yell back, but get no response.

I meet up with Elena who gives me a ride to the Mikaelson mansion. We make our way in and of course, are greeted by Stefan.”What are you doing here?” Elena asks him.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Stefan responds.

“Surprise. Surprise. Nice tux.” Damon says making his way to us. “You’re not supposed to be here,” Damon turns to Elena.

“Well, I am, and I’m not leaving until I find out what Esther wants, so shall we?” Elena explains. Both Salvatore brothers hold out their arms to escort us in.

“I’m going to find my secret admirer,” I say even though I knew it was Klaus. “Find out what he wants from me,” I say as Elena then wraps her arm around Damon’s arm. I walk off into the crowd of people searching for the one person I didn’t want to talk to but knew I should.

I make my way through the mansion but have no luck in finding Klaus, “Are you lost?” Kol says bringing my hand up for him to kiss.

“Uh, no,” I respond. 

“I--I remember you. You were at that lovely dinner. What was your name again?” He asks.

“Athena Dumont. Better known as my date,” Klaus says coming up to us.

“Ah yes. The second successful hybrid you made. You look lovely tonight,” Kol says and displays a charming grin.

“Thank--” I start.

“Get lost Kol. I’d like to spend time with my date,” Klaus steps in between you two.

“Fine. It was lovely to mee you Athena,” Kol says after the brothers have a staring contest, he leans over to look at me before walking off.

“Good evening,” Klaus turns back to me. 

“I need a drink,” I say before walking off.

I make my way back to the entryway where the Mikaelson’s are standing on their staircase, “Uh, If everyone could gather, please,” Elijah says from atop the stairs.

“Looks like that went well,” I say walking up to Elena.

“I hope it did,” She responds before we turn our attention to the family on the stairs.

“Welcome. Thank you for joining us.” Elijah starts as you see a woman, who you guess is Esther making her way on the stairs from the second floor. “You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it’s tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight’s pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom,” Elijah finishes and makes his way down the stairs.

Elena notices as Esther makes her way back up the stairs and gets ready to go up before Damon stops her, “Don’t even think about it.” 

“She wants to see me alone, Damon,” Elena states trying to head up but Damon stops her again.

“Well, it sucks to be her, then. Was I not clear this morning?” Damon asks.

“I was invited,” Elena states.

“You have to tell me before you walk into a lion’s den,” Damon whispers.

“Why? So that you can stop me?” Elena questions.

“Yes,” Damon quickly responds.

“She doesn’t have to tell you anything,” I inject.

“It would be rude not to dance, you know,” Damon says putting his hand out for Elena to take.

“It is tradition,” Elena reluctantly takes his hand. 

“Well, while you two dance. I’ll wait out here,” I say as they start to head off.

“I think you have someone waiting for you,” Damon says gesturing his head to Klaus waiting in the doorway. I sigh and shake my head as I make my way over to him.

“May I have this dance?” Klaus asks holding his hand out.

“I’d hate for you not to have a partner so I guess so,” I respond taking his hand as he smiles at me.

We make our way into the ballroom and get into formation for the dance. As we start to dance, I notice Klaus’ affectionate look at me. One I hadn’t seen in a while. Klaus spins me around and I fall into his arms, feeling his soft touch on my waist as we dance around in a circle with the other couples. It reminded me of the first time Klaus had taught me how to ballroom dance, preparing me for moments like this. When we were in our room practicing as I stepped on his toes.

“I’m glad you came,” Klaus says as we keep dancing.

“It seems that you and the Salvatore’s didn’t let me have a choice,” I respond.

“I’m am truly sorry for what I did. I never meant to hurt your family, to leave you without one,” He says.

“You’re lucky I found one here,” I respond.

“And for what it’s worth--” He starts.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I responded coldly.

“Very well. On to more mannered subjects then, like how ravishing you look in that dress,” Klaus says.

“I didn’t really have time to shop,” I respond.

“And the sunflower necklace I gave you, what’s your excuse for wearing that? Seeing as you’re wearing your family’s necklace along with it,” But I gave no response to Klaus’ question.

“You must’ve practiced since I’ve taught you. You’re quite the dancer now,” Klaus compliments noticing you haven’t stepped on his feet yet.

“Well, it helps when you’ve had a good teacher and had a few balls you’ve had to go to,” I respond.

“I’m glad it paid off,” Klaus smiles. We continue to dance to the song as you are passed off to another person, that being Damon.

“So any sparks?” Damon asks as we start to dance together.

“Damon,” I shake my head.

“What? It’s worth an ask,” Damon responds.

“I--I don’t know. I guess I feel a slight pull, this sire thing is really hard to keep back. But I’m trying my best to stay away from him,” I say.

“That seems to be going well for you,” He says.

“What is your plan with me? You wanted me here, so I am,” I question.

“I don’t know. Guess I’m trying to test the waters of you and the sire bond,” Damon says before I’m passed into Matt’s arms.

“Hey, there,” Matt says as I’m greeted with his smile.

“Hi,” I respond.

“So, this thing you have with Klaus. Is it because of the sire bond or past feelings?” Matt questions.

“uh...I don’t know both?” I sigh.

“Well, whatever it is. I just hope you’ll be happy. I know you deserve it. We all do in fact,” Matt says before you all break up as the dance was over. I knew what Matt said was what he believed but I didn’t want to hurt my friends over some little feelings for Klaus, the one person who destroyed their lives.

As I make my way into the bar area I’m stopped by a hand on my waist. I turn around hoping it wasn’t someone I disliked. Luckily it was Elijah, the one Mikaelson I actually enjoyed.

“Hey,” I say turning around.

“Hi. I didn’t think I’d see you tonight,” Elijah smiles.

“I didn’t think I’d be here tonight either. I thought it would look good as a founding family member,” I respond.

“That’s not why you’re here tonight, is it? I see you’re wearing the dress and necklace he picked out, it’s for Klaus, isn’t it?” Elijah questions.

“Uhh..yeah,” I drop my head. “I just can’t help but feel a pull to him. And it’s getting mixed up with the sire bond and my past feelings. They’re almost indistinguishable,” I confess.

“Look, Athena. When you figure it out, I just want you to do what will make you happy. I know there’s a room here for you and he’s offered it already. I would love anything for you to join us here, but I just want you to choose what you feel is right,” Elijah says squeezing my hand before walking off.

I walk outside to gather my thoughts and figure out what I want to do. I notice Caroline watching the horses attached to the carriage, “Hey,” I say making my way to her.

“Hey, come to get away from the craziness too?” She asks.

“That and figure out what I want to do and where I need to be,” I tell her going to pet the horse.

“What do you mean?” She asks.

“You know that ever since I’ve been made a hybrid, I’ve felt this pull towards Klaus. But what you might not know is it’s not the sire bond kind of pull like Tyler has. I mean I’m sure it has something to do with that. But it’s like my feeling for Klaus just decided to pop up. Out of nowhere,” I start.

“Yeah,” She says softly.

“Well, I’ve been fighting it as much as possible. But the more I do the harder it gets. My heart is telling me to go with him, but both my brain and even a part of my heart is telling me to fight it, stick with you guys. I don’t want any of you to get hurt because of my feelings and my choices but it’s getting harder fight and everyone keeps telling me to do what makes me happy, including Matt. And besides the Salvatores,” I confess, spilling my heart and thoughts out to Caroline.

“Well for what its worth. I agree. I know you’ve been trying your best to stave off this sire bond. But the way you’re putting it, it sounds like its not just that. I know you want to protect us, but everyone deserves to be happy, including you. If being with the Mikaeson’s makes you happy do that, if fighting the sire bond makes you happy do that,” Caroline says.

“Thanks. In all honesty that doesn’t help much,” I chuckle. “But I just don’t want to cause any problems. I feel like I’m being pulled on two different ends of myself. I’m just not sure what to do,” I say.

“I think whatever you do you’ll make the right choice,” She says and hugs you. “Speak of the devil,”  She says as you notice Klaus sauntering up to the two of you.

“Evening ladies,” He says.

“I’m gonna go and uh, find Elena,” Caroline says before walking off. 

“I remember when you found that horse on the side of the road and helped it get back on its feet,” Klaus says recalling when you had helped a hurt wild horse. “You were always good with animals,”

“You remember a lot,” I chuckle. “Including my favorite color,” I say looking at the dress.

“Of course, how could I forget,” He responds.

“Why did you invite me here? Personally.” I ask him.

“Because I still fancy you,” I send a glare his way after he answers. “Is that so hard to believe?” He asks back.

“Just a little,” I respond.

“Why? You’re beautiful. Y--you’re strong. You’re full of light. I still love you,” Klaus confesses.

I laugh, “After I betrayed you, left you? Klaus, I vowed that you lost me after killing my pack and hurting the people I care about,” I say.

“And yet you’re here,” He says back.

“And yet I am,” I mutter to myself.

“It intrigues me honestly. I mean I have done the worst to hurt you. I dragged you with me across the country, with no choice,” Klaus starts.

“Klaus please don’t’ start,” I say feeling my eyes water.

“I unintentionally killed your pack, hurt your friends,” He continues.

“Klaus please,” I say feeling tears streaming down my face.

“And I made you the one thing--” 

“Nik! stop, please,” I cut him off as the tears continue to fall. 

“It’s ok sweetheart. I did it because I care about you and I never want to lose you,” He says pulling me into a hug.

I find my self sobbing into his chest, “What are you trying to do? Win me back?” I then quickly shove him away. 

“I just want you back. You complete me,” He responds as you notice the sad look fall upon his face.

“Yeh well, listing off the ways you hurt me. Is the wrong way to do it,” I respond.

“Athena, you are the love of my life. My mission isn’t going to be complete until you realize that you are. I love you, Athena. I will do anything to get you back, anything. I know it’s not just the sire bond that pulls you back to me, I know you still love me,” Klaus responds wiping the tears from my cheek.

“Oh what, so now I’m some little mission to you now?” I ask as my voice wavers.

“No, not that’s not it. It the fact that you make me feel--” He starts.

“Stop just stop. I know you, Klaus, you won’t stop until you get your way. But you’re not just gonna get your way with me, not with how much you hurt me. So if you truly love me and would do anything to have me again. You’re gonna have to fight harder than this, you’re gonna have to prove to me that you still care, okay?” I explain trying to hold back any more tears.

“Athena, you know I will--” Klaus starts again.

“No, no. You don’t get the last word in this conversation. Just listen ok?” I ask as he just nods. “I know you love me, you proved it a long time ago. But you’re gonna have to prove it again. And I know you know how, you just have to do it the right way. And I’ll leave you with this, Klaus, just so you know how hard you really have to fight,” I pause for a moment to gather myself and take a deep breath. 

“I do still care for you and I know that deep down, no matter how hard I’ve tried to keep it down, that I still have feelings for you. It’s not something that I can just forget. The first time you made me feel like I belong somewhere and the first time that I felt like someone cared for me, loved me, and would look out for me is not something I can just erase. But you yourself have to realize that I’m not just gonna fall into your arms again not after how much you took away from me,” I confess not only to Niklaus Mikaelson but also myself. I stand there waiting to see if he had some remark to make but he just stood there, looking almost defeated. Not long after I make my way back into the mansion. 

I quickly make my way to a bathroom to clean myself up, in hopes that no one stops me in the process. I make my way back into the entryway and find Elena and Elijah talking.

“Hey, you alright?” Elijah asks noticing how shaken up I am. I notice the concerned look on both Elena and Elijah’s face, they must be reading me like a book. 

“Uh, yeh I’m fine,” I’m able to make out. “Your mother is about to make a toast,” I turn towards Esther standing on the stairs as I take a glass of champagne from a tray.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Waiters are coming by with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I’d like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers,” She says raising her glass. Everyone else follows then taking a sip from their glasses. As I down the entire thing.

“You sure you’re good?” Elena asks noticing that my entire glass of champagne is gone.

“Yeh, I uh just needed something to get me through this night. And that just did it,” I say setting the empty glass down on a tray as a waiter passes by. “Alright, I think I’m gonna turn in for the night. Please thank your mother for her hospitality,” I turn to Elijah.

“Will do, It was good to see you,” He responds.

“I will see you later, night Elena,” I say hugging her.

“Night Athena. Get home safe,” She says pulling away from me.

Once I got back to the Salvatore house, I quickly change into comfy clothing. As I get ready for bed, I notice a slim box sitting on my nightstand, “Really,” I sigh to myself. I open the box and unroll the paper inside. I find a drawing made by Klaus with a note on the bottom, “Thank you for your honesty,” I read quietly to myself.

I quickly put it away not wanting to think about the conversation we had and get into bed. 

A/N: It’s really all out in the open now. Athena really is “Caught In Between” with her feelings for Klaus and her will to keep her friends safe. I hope you enjoyed this part! Thanks for reading.

🏷: @tristanacarry | @commentaryfanfic | @april-14-blog |  @simonsbluee | @awkwardspontaneity | @keiko0

BONUS CONTENT!!!!!

So @awkwardspontaneity​ made this amazing piece of artwork of Athena. All I gave her were my physical appearance descriptions and all the creative freedom. She drew her in the ballgown that Klaus gave her with the sunflower necklace. I love this so much and am high-key obsessing over it, I really can’t get over it. Please check her other artwork she’s posted out! And enjoy this drawing of Athena. 

[creating-my-chaos]

There’s this man.. he’s amazing, charming, and charismatic in all ways. I can’t find a single flaw in him no matter how hard I try.. He’s my drug.. he probably doesn’t know that, but I’ve tried to show him. I’m bad it.. I’m bad at a lot of things, everything really.. especially love..

Let me take you back to the start.. It’s early in the morning and I’m doing my paperwork. I happen to come across his file and was drawn to his unique name. Of course I had to see what this man looked like with a name like his, so I take a peek. He has dark brown hair and is very handsome, unfortunately I knew it could never happen due to our association.. The first time I met him was very short lived. Our interaction lasted only about ten minutes and had minimal conversation. He was still very charming and there was something in him I knew I could love endlessly..

On July 19th I received a very unexpected Facebook message, it was him. I hadn’t been at my job for months and he wasn’t from here, but somehow our paths crossed again. We messaged nonstop for about a week until we decided to meet up. We made plans with mutual friends to see each other. When our friends decided to skip out, we were both very disappointed. I had my parents car at the time and wanted to go pick him up. Sadly I didn’t have the gas money to get there.

He sent me the $40 he had in order to get gas and bring him here for the weekend. I drove two hours away from home to a place I had never been and my parents didn’t know I had taken their car that night. It was about 10pm on July 24th by the time I could leave my house. I made it about 30 minutes from his house when my cell phone died. I have no idea where I am or who I can ask for a quick charge. Thankfully a stranger at a local Arby’s was able to lend me a charger for a few minutes. After what felt like eternity, I finally make it to him. We sat in the driveway and smoked before we headed back.

The trip back was long and we were both exhausted and hadn’t slept, but that didn’t stop us from having a good time. We were listening to music, laughing and making jokes. When we hit roadwork on the interstate, I told him we should take a cone. He laughed and told me to stop the car. He opened his door and shoved the cone in the backseat full of moving boxes. We finished driving to my house and went to sleep after that.

We spent the weekend having fun and making memories. He didn’t want to leave just as bad as I wanted him to stay. He ended up spending another week with me. We continued to have a good time and enjoy each other. I felt like myself for the first time in years.

The week ended and I had to let him go home. I dropped him off at the bus stop down the road from my job before I had to go to work for the day. When I got to work I sobbed. I thought it was going to be the last time I’d ever see him. I thought he would go home and forget about me. I was only supposed to be a weekend fling anyway. I was already falling for him and knew it would hurt so I prepared myself the best I could to be ghosted.

Thankfully, I was wrong. Our messages and calls continued through the next week. We connected so well and decided to give it a shot. By the end of the next week he was living with me. He left his belongings and moved hours away from his family for a girl he hardly knew.

The first few months of our relationship was undeniably incredible. He payed so much attention to me and treated me like a goddess. He would do anything I asked of him. He liked to touch me every chance he got and loved having pictures of me. He would even take pictures of me sleeping or just doing things around the house. He would send me relationship goal posts all the time and remind me that he loves me. He posted me on his social media. He always listened and had my back. He doesn’t know how much those things mean to me.

I’ve craved attention my entire life and done many things I regret to get it. It was weird at first because I wasn’t expecting him to show it like that. He made me feel like I was amazing just being myself and I’ve never felt wanted like that before. I’ve always had a low self image, but his attention and affection boosted my confidence and made me feel like I was on top of the word.

Our lives haven’t been great the past year. We’ve struggled a lot. Our house needs a lot of priority things done in order to live safely. We’ve had to choose between food or bills. Life has continued to throw curve balls our way. It’s constantly been two steps forward and ten back. Despite all the BS, we kept our relationship strong and never let anything come between us. We were each others peace and happiness.

As months progressed, the stress of everything was wearing on us. I’m not sure exactly when things started to change. First he stopped paying attention to me sexually. I’m not a goddess in bed and thought I was doing something he didn’t like. I don’t know any of his turn on spots and when I asked, he said he didn’t know. I’ve tried to spice it up for him, but had no luck. I usually get turned down because he’s too tired or not feeling well. When he gives in and we do, I feel like it’s a chore for him.

He started a new job with a ridiculous amount of hours, not to mention he was nightshift too. This meant we had very limited time together. Usually the only time we seen each other was when he dropped me off at work and when he picked me up. We had opposite shifts and one car, it was definitely difficult. He worked most Saturdays, so we really only had one day a week to spend quality time together.

Sundays were his only days off, which would have been our time. During our time, he was constantly online. Most of the pictures he was liking online were to promote his career. However a lot of them were other girls that didn’t pertain to anything. I asked him to stop liking the girls photos. He told me I was acting dumb, that it’s just a picture. I know how girls work, liking a selfie we post is you saying please message me. He stopped liking pictures of girls he knew and started liking ones he didn’t.

At this point he had already stopped giving me attention like he used to. He didn’t post me or send me goals anymore. There were no more pictures of me sleeping or Snapchat screenshots. It made me feel less wanted. I can’t explain the lack of messages or pictures, but not posting didn’t bother me because I know his social media posts are based around his career. When he changed his profile picture to only him, I began to think he was trying to hide me.

I looked through his phone. He was texting girls he didn’t know online often. He would talk to them on his breaks at work, through the day, even while laying next to me in bed like it was nothing. He sent money to do things that I wanted to do the whole time we’ve been together, he saved pictures, he likes their stuff.. He gave them my attention.

I don’t know how to get it back. I try to keep him happy and please him, but I still can’t figure out how to. It seems he’s always in a bad mood and I feel like I’m being annoying or that I’m just another burden to bare. Maybe if I knew where things went wrong, I could fix it. I want my best friend and the love we had back. I can feel myself slipping into the dark place he pulled me out of. I don’t want to be there.

I don’t want to be who I was before I met him. My life was a mess and still is, but they are two very different types. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life and regret most of my choices. He makes me forget those and who that person was. I’m better with him and I want to be better for him. I need my baby and I’ll do anything to keep him. I just don’t know where to start..

[dagmartoons]

A Detailed Discussion on Lupin's R.

So I put way more thought into my most recent animatic than I have for really any other video I’ve done so far and so I decided to make a post discussing all the visual and storytelling choices I made for it. Spoilers if you haven’t seen the video yet and also there will be mentions of suicide and death and things like that under the cut so you have been warned.

First a note about the song itself; I boarded this video specifically with Rachie’s lyrics in mind because they’re the ones I’m most familiar with with this song. As I was working on it I found a really pretty French cover which I debated also using (because, y’know, Lupin’s French) but decided not to because, again, the video was based around Rachie’s version.

Since I’ve wanted to make an animatic set to My R for ages now I thought a lot about how I wanted it to look, specifically in terms of composition and symbolism. There are a lot of rhyming shots, specifically during the choruses, the scenes where characters are being introduced and the scenes where they all walk away from Lupin. For these shots I used the same layout and basic template for all of them (unfortunately this resulted in me accidentally saving over the CSP file for Jigen’s chorus oh well). The three “girls” in the video (these being Jigen, Goemon and Zenigata) are introduced with their backs facing the audience, and at the end when Lupin is about to jump his back faces the audience too.

In fact, the final scene is meant to mirror the other verses as well, not just with the aforementioned Lupin’s back shot. Lupin holding the rail is a reference to Goemon holding the rail in his verse. Lupin holds a cigarette during the “watching my braids all come undone” shot, similar to Jigen as he’s “the girl with braided hair.” Lupin’s jacket is meant to mirror Zenigata’s “yellow cardigan.”

Originally the instrumental bit before Zenigata’s scene was just going to be pure white, but then I thought that would be too boring so I stuck in a shot of the rail instead.

Alright so let’s talk about the characters and why they’re all up on the roof! Each character represents a different struggle that Lupin has, and I’ll be going through each of them one by one.

First off, Jigen! Originally the person in his flashback was just going to be some random ex of his but then I decided to up the feels by making it Lupin. Jigen represents Lupin’s struggle with being abandoned; Jigen felt Lupin abandoned him for Fujiko, just as Lupin felt abandoned by his family. Lupin was “robbed” of his grandfather, mother and father/innocence (that shot of the rail is meant to represent the train bombing from the manga; it can be interpreted as either him losing his dad or him losing his innocence by forcing him to hide his real face to cover the scars. Or both, if you’re so inclined). The shots of the characters walking away all sort of mirror each other; when Jigen walks away, Lupin is upset at how much was stolen from him in his childhood.

Goemon’s bit gave me PROBLEMS because I didn’t really know what to do with him. I knew I wanted his struggle to be how he feels he’s disappointed his masters/ancestors, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the “everyone steals” line. But then I thought... GOEMON’S GRANDMA!! OF COURSE! His grandma could be the thing that was “stolen” from him! Goemon represents Lupin’s fear of failing to uphold his family’s legacy and disappointing his ancestors. Lupin’s flashback here details his father’s abuse of him as well as his struggle to live up to his and the rest of his family’s expectations of him. When Goemon looks back, it’s sort of meant to imply that he understands Lupin’s situation; here, Lupin laments how much he’s been ignored and treated as a disappointment by his family.

The three characters in the breakdown are Rebecca, Yata and Ami because I didn’t know who else to put. I had the thought to include Clarisse instead of Ami but decided against it for some reason. Also originally these shots were gonna be black with the characters’ outlines but then I thought that wouldn’t be in line with the rest of the video’s visuals so I decided against it.

And now we come to Zenigata. Oh, Zenigata...

(Side note: I completely forgot today is apparently his Miyazaki birthday.)

Zenigata’s bit was the first one I fully completed because it was the one I had thought the most about. His struggle is that of failing to protect those he cares about; those being Oscar and Toshiko. He couldn’t save Oscar and he failed Toshiko by not being a good enough dad. These two instances left “scars” on him that he can never truly be rid of.

And that’s what messes Lupin up so much; both he and Zenigata have had people in their lives that they couldn’t save, they couldn’t protect (Lupin more so than Zeni probably), and so he can’t do anything to stop Zenigata from wanting those “scars” to go away because he wants them to as well. He tries to stop him anyway even though he knows he can’t, and that’s what causes him to break down.

(Another side note: originally the “hey don’t do it please” part here was gonna show Lupin actually saying it, but then I thought that looked too close to a different animatic I saw and also the frames looked off to me so I replaced it with just text.)

Going back to the mirror shots I discussed earlier, the camera moving from Zeni to Lupin is meant to represent Zeni helping Lupin, not the other way round like it was with Jigen and Goemon. Zenigata smiling at Lupin during the “I guess today is just not my day” part is sorta meant to represent him trying to comfort Lupin by letting him know that he’s gonna press on, because he knows Lupin deals with the same insecurity he does. Lupin looks confused as Zenigata walks away because he thought that he wouldn’t be able to stop him but was.

Like I said earlier, the final shots are meant to parallel prior shots of the other characters. Originally Lupin was going to still have his jacket on, but I decided against that. There wasn’t really much behind Fujiko being the one to stop him; she was the only gang member who hadn’t already been in the video at that point and in my eyes she and Lupin have one of the more complex relationships in the series, so it made sense. (IIRC Fujiko was originally gonna be in Zenigata’s place before I thought Zenigata would be sadder.)

That’s basically everything I can think of! I put a lot of effort into making this and all day I’ve been getting really lovely comments from people about it so thank you all for that! Thank you for watching! Peace!

[nobody-knose--archive]

hi everyone it’s me, local lemon demon & tally hall fan, posting about a band that you’ve never heard of and is only tangentially related to lemon demon & tally hall but still more related than i ever expected to be. the fullerenes, and their final ep, the temporary boyfriend ep. enjoy

-two disclaimers i have to get out of the way. the first is that this isn't my first time listening to this album, that was earlier today, and i'd even listened to a couple songs on their own before then. the second is that 90% of this is just going to be me gushing about how fantastic this album is because holy shit it's good like the mixing is amateur the lyrics are about cishet love but i don't care i love this goddam ep

-bassline. piano. dischordancy. what's not to goddam love

-the story of this song is some guy being in love with a with an androgynous name (& is not referred to with any gendered language!) whom he's never spoken to, only like bumped into once some time. i don't hate it because i know exactly how much worse it could be. that's my stance on all of the fullerenes' love songs honestly

-i bring up the androgynous name because i will hc adrian as enby to the death. i'll do this with any fictional character honestly

-alright back to the song. fast-paced as any fullerenes song will be, but the piano riffs/melody have barged into my heart where they pay rent & tip each week, more than making up for anything lackluster in the drumming/guitar aspects

-as if there would be any

-unfortunately i'm going to have to pause like. a lot. even more than i usually do with an album. because the songs are fast paced & go by quickly & i can't quite keep up with them

-that bass riff. i can tell there's some real musical knowledge behind it. and if you're going to put your musical knowledge anywhere the bass is like the 1st best place for a rock band & the 2nd best place for an ann arbor beginning of the 2000s quintet that dresses smartly with matching ties at live performances & is traditional rock with a keyboarder and other miscellaneous instrument useage/experience. what's tally hall

-ok to completely ignore the last thing i said this soft guitar arpeggio combined with the vaguely harmonious feedback was a 2-hit combo of tally hall flashbacks (i know it's just the same & two wuv, respectively) the first time i heard it and i don't know how long it'll take till that goes away

-good lord the lead singer isn't the most skilled person in the universe but these harmonies! they kick me in the head and save my soul i want to get lost in this rock & roll

-by far the most emo song on this album, broken down, and who doesn't need a little emo. by which i mean the lead vocalist screams sometimes there's not a whole lot more angst by comparison beyond that

-the hooks. this song's got a hook. and the keyboard. the keyboard. watch me fill up this whole liveblog with just mentions of the instruments & musical components

-practically the only thing pushing this song past the 2 minute mark is the guitar/keyboard solo & i sure as hell can't complain about that it slaps

-i won't lie this bit with the vocal filter is a very silly reminder (to me) of lemon demon's first 2 albums. i mean. i think this ep & those albums came out about a year apart. and neil was a fullerenes fan. so maybe my remembrance is based in something more

-temporary boyfriend the song itself. i literally haven't listened to their full discography but if i had to pick a song to introduce people to the fullerenes & it couldn't be little fits then it'd definitely be this one alright

-it's got the most typically pleasant vocals, keyboard accompaniment the whole way through, gentle & groovy guitar, very well done vocal harmonies, lyrics aren't alloromantic shit, it's the perfect intro to this band

-also, i can already tell it's going to be stuck in my head for goddam ages & i'm only listening to it for the 2nd time

-i wonder if this band's anywhere on spotify? or any other music platforms? i would bet money against it honestly i only found it through a hella deep rabbit hole, their yt channel is tiny, and they aren't selling the album for any money on bandcamp. if anyone's still into logan whitehurst & the jr science club today maybe they'll find their way towards it but otherwise you'd probably have to encounter it a. the same way i did or b. through me specifically

-because i've only had the fullerenes for half a day but if other people don't start hearing about them i'm going to make their life hell

-that meme doesn’t translate well directly onto text. especially when you don’t want to bring up su*cide. moving on

-yknow. if you've seen my deporitazposting then get ready for that part ii except now there's even even less people who care about this defunct 1998-2002 music group (put group in quotations for deporitaz's part)

-oh and onto the finale. this is the song i've heard once or twice before the album and like. it's fast paced angery breakup song but in a vague bubblegum rock style.

-sure the love song aspects aren't my favorite but i enjoy these hooks and the power chords are tight. can't hate it!

-catch me, an ace/aro, never intend to & never have been in a ~committed relationship, belting the lyrics to this one at the top of my lungs at 4pm on a monday

-shit i need to update my "no love song writers are allowed in the alloromanticism" meme with. whoever's the lead songwriter for this band. is it ryan? ryan something? i don't entirely know yet but in my defense the fullerenes have a practically nonexistent internet presence, let alone general multimedia (non-musical) presence

-i had also listened to the love me true demo before going through the whole album and i've gotta say it doesn't sound a load rougher than the average fullerenes song. which could either show that a. fullerenes songs aren't terribly studio finessed, b. this demo is really well done, c. i have low standards, or d. i don't know the fullerenes' style well enough to point out how this is unfinished

-the vocal harmonies are on full display in this track- far more than the other ones even, i think.

-i guess you could say it's on ~fullerenes display haha

-oh the album's over. yeah it's only an ep & the songs aren't too long. the other ones have a shit ton more tracks at least. good times!

[hchan]

(pt.1) ahahaha aww! :’> that’s so great to hear and no worries about when you get back to me ahaha we all got lots of other things on our hands i’m sure of! ^^ and AHHH!! a very happy birthday to him! ^^ I hope he and you and your family all had a great time celebrating together! :’) and I absolutely agree! All the joy and love going around is always a pleasure to be around ^^ And aw having a lot of your family owning farms sounds really lovely!

HIIIIIIIIIIII💖

(pt.2) There’s a lot of farms around where I live and seeing them whenever I’m commuting is really like, there’s something about them that makes my heart really warm if that makes sense! :’DAND AHH did I shadow write this bc 👀👀👀 THAT’S A BIG MOOD AHAHA I’m a big introvert myself as well and in a way I’m a bit thankful to have so much time away from things to kind of mentally recharge I suppose? LIKE HAHA don’t get me wrong I absolutely love my friends but I’m also a bit of a homebody as well

(pt.3) and in a way I’m a bit thankful to have so much time away from things to kind of mentally recharge I suppose? LIKE HAHA don’t get me wrong I absolutely love my friends but I’m also a bit of a homebody as well >< and!!!!! I’M AN INFP AND A SCORPIO AS WELL AHHhHhh??? what a coinky dink! I also just did a couple things to find out my life path number and it’s 4! (from what I’ve read about so far I can’t say it’s 100% accurate to myself though! ahaha maybe 50/50 😂I’ll definitely look into

(pt4) it a bit more though!)AHH ME TOO they’re kinda dangerous for me 👀 but I can definitely say that more about stationary stores! 😂😂😂 atm I’m not working on anything specific in particular but I’m an art student and so you can definitely say that craft stores are kind of a second home to me LOL but I was mainly just checking out different kinds of mediums I can add to my paint! ^^ I’m definitely a big window shopper so I didn’t make any purchases this time haha :’D And AHH I feel that!

(pt5) That’s definitely a hard decision! >< I remember being curious about when they were dropping their season’s greetings this year and they had literally dropped them later that day and i was like!!!!  👀 I stayed strong and held off for this year since I was saving up to buy both versions of pt.2 (which pleasantly arrived today woohoo!!) But OOF if they had released an nct 2020 season’s greetings...... consider my bank account empty LMAO And yes I love playing games! Ooh I’d say ac is

(pt6) definitely a favourite since I’ve been playing the series since I was a kid but hMM at the top of my head, I also really like botw, undertale, earthbound, maplestory and osu! ^^ hbu do you like any other games?  (and ooh if you ever get ac, feel more than welcome to add me! ^^ I’ll gift you some cute stuff on there hehe ^^) AND OOOOOH HORROR!!! horror’s a lot of fun! do you have any favourite horror movies? I can’t say I’ve watched a whole lot of horror recently (I actually watched Eli

(pt7) around Halloween and it was alright! Definitely worth a watch with the slow unravelling of everything! ^^) but my favourites would probably the two It movies! I’d also definitely recommend anything from A24! I haven’t watched a whole ton of horror from them other than Hereditary but they do have a pretty solid selection and from what I’ve seen from some of their non-horror titles, their film quality is just 👌👌 (I also watch this really great horror movie based youtube channel and they do

(pt8) mainly film summaries/reviews and they’re a lot of fun to watch since they do a lot of lesser known films too ^^) I’ve also been meaning to watch the original Suspiria movie! The cinematography in it is super beautiful 🥺 I’m also a big chill/r&b/lofi fan as well! 🥺 perhaps to go with your gift, I’ll also throw in a playlist of recs for you! ^^ and I’d absolutely love to hear some of your favourites! Ahh absolutely! Cooking for others is always such a sweet gesture :’D also here’s a

(pt9) recipe for you! Unfortunately tumblr won’t let me send links but! if you google betty crocker cake mix crinkle cookies, it should be the first result! It’s my go to recipe for everything whether it’s someone’s birthday, there’s an event going on at school or if I just feel like making something easy and sweet! There’s also only 4 ingredients (plus vanilla if you want but it’s not necessary) and you can use any flavor of cake mix or even add additional chocolate chips/fillings if you want! ^^

(pt10) I’ve tried it with red velvet cake mix and white chocolate as well as with vanilla cake mix and crushed oreos and they always come out super great! ^^ And aw that’s okay! :’))) What song drew you to them? Oof personally I feel like an nct granny LOOOL I remember the day smrookies dropped jeno’s teaser photo and I thought he looked SO YOUNG (jokes on me tho bc I’m only about 6 months older than him HAHAHA) and yeah for sure!!! it’s so wholesome to see! ^-^ AND!!! absolutely xiaojun this era

(pt11) just.. let’s say he reALLY rode up my bias list in the shortest amount of time AHAHA and yesss 90s love was super cute! (my inner Canadian is thriving at the whole hockey concept LOOL) and AHH when everyone else joined in and theY ALL SANG FROM HOME TOGETHER I JUST- a single tear definitely escaped HAHA AND AHH OF COURSE Faded in my last song definitely takes the cake too and I’d say the same with Music, Dance and Deja Vu too!! Honestly their whole album is such a great time ahh :’) AND!!!

(pt12) AW I think you’re super fun too!!!!!! (AND SUPER SWEET??? I’M- I don’t know hOw many times I’ve had to stop myself from accidentally liking a post of yours (your gifs are lovely!) or following you BUT!!! expect a lot of that when I reveal myself LMAO) :’>>>> fjghdkjhfg Talky squad! ^^ And that’s great to hear!!!! My heart stOPPED when I sent each one bc tumblr didn’t give me the mssg that they sent and I FREAKED OUT AHAHAHA and that’s great to hear! and aw that’s really sweet that you guys

(pt13) got to chat! And thank you! My day is going quite okay thanks! a little downside is that my work contacted me this morning and said there were a couple positive cases at one of my job sites when I worked a couple weeks ago so at the moment I’m chilling in my room for the next few days just in case. I’ve been feeling just fine so I’m hoping all will be well soon! On the positive side, my albums arrived today and I pulled a Xiaojun pc and died aHAHA and I’m really loving all the freebies

(pt14) that came with it! Stickers are always a delight to get :’)) (even tho I’m usually too scared to use them! xD) I also got a chance to talk to some kind people at work and that’s always nice! ^^ and aw that’s so great :’000 i’m really happy you guys had a great time and got to eat yummy food!!!!! Here’s also a burning question for you! Do you possibly have a favourite hyuck era? Asking for research purposes ofc hehe 👀👀👀

(pt15) hope your day is going swell so far! p.s. will try my best to keep these a bit shorter bc i can only send 5 asks per hr :’o + also you're an infinite fan aaa!!!!! i used to be a big fan back in the day hehe - ss☃️🎄

Thank you!!! we did have a great time :>

Farms are fun, I just love spending time away from the city sometimes hahaha KJFNDVKJDNK yes, I honestly am ok with being at home for long periods of time (huge homebody here), but it’s been a year already and I just want to go out and sit under the sun for a few minutes HAHAHAH (for a few minutes only bc I usually can’t stand being directly under the sun OTL) 

OOOOHHH INFP Scorpio twins eheheh, when’s your birthday??? must have been recently so I’m wishing you a late happy birthday💕 and yes, I need to look a bit more into numerology as well because I have no idea what my number means fdkjndfk. 

OMG!!! an art student!!! That’s so cool :< I hope I get to see some of your art after the event! eheheh. What’s your favorite medium? Favorite thing to draw/paint? :) 

I was so curious too!!! I loved NCT Dream’s Season’s Greetings concept last year! and I don’t have any NCT merchandise so I just jumped in for it this year kjdfnkdvfk I liked both concepts but I decided to get 127′s! BOTH VERSIONS OF PT.2!!! EXCITING! Whic PCs did you get??? (Also who is (are) your bias(es)??? omg dkfjnfvkjd) !!!!!!! I absolutely love botw too!! and I play osu as well :D but lately I’ve just been playing Genshin Impact and Overwatch! (OMGGG  I’ll definitely let you know if I do!!!) 

I know Hereditary!!! I haven’t watched it yet! but I have watched The Witch from A24 and it was really interesting! (which youtube channel? o: I love watching movie analysis videos!!) LKFDNKFDMFL and yes, please, I love getting songs recs, discovering new music is so fun! I’ll share here some songs that I’ve been listening to a lot lately!:

Nlve x Sam Kim — Like a Fool

DPR LIVE — Jam & Butterfly

SOLE — haPPiness

eaJ x Seori — It just is

eaJ x keshi — Pillows

Woosung — Face

OMG I just watched a video that showed similar looking cookies!!! they look so yummy! I’ll save this recipe and maybe I’ll try to bake some for Christmas eheheh thank you!!!!

I knew of NCT since their debut but AHAHAHA you see, I felt a bit funny because I’m older than many members JKFNDJK so I avoided them until around Superhuman/Boom when some friends exposed me to their music during a trip we made for a Got7 concert, a week with them was enough for me to go back home straight to search more about NCT, and here I am now : D 

AND YESSSS when they all joined to sing From Home on the stage :((( I’m also about to cry each time I watch the  MV for the rearranged version KJNVFNKD (omg!! I’ve always wanted to go to Canada! I can imagine the hockey concept was exciting ahahah) but yeah! I absolutely agree, love love LOVE the album!

Awww :< <3 that’s SO relatable LMAO I was just saying to my friends the other day “don’t you sometimes get the urge to like your own anon on you event person’s blog????” AHAHAH thank you for thinking my gifs are lovely;; I just started giffing this year and it’s been really fun so far :D 

Oh god :(( I hope you’re okay! that sounds a bit scary;; please take care :< but I’m glad that your albums got there and that you got to talk to nice at work! (stickers are always great!!! yes!! though I tend to save them and never use them as well ahahah)

FAVORITE ERA? god that’s a difficult question KJFNDVKJ well, my favorite Dream song is MFAL but I have no idea if it’s my favorite era...... I also really really really liked Superhuman (his silver hair????? gorgeous) so maybe those two would be the answer kjndfkdk and yes!!! I’ve been an Infinite fan since their debut! and Sunggyu was my bias until Haechan happened hahahah (I’ve been a kpop fan since around 2008 :        D hbu???) I think I asked here earlier but who’s your NCT bias/es?? o: are there any other kpop groups that you really like? :)

BIG EDIT: RIDIN’ ERA HAECHAN IS A BIG FAVORITE TOO his hair was at a beautiful length and that eyebrow piercing.............*cries*

Big edit 2: .......ridin’ is the favorite era, I stil like MFAL as a song more, but Ridin’ era haechan is......deadly

[redthreadoffate]

falling [tony stark]

a repost, originally posted in my former writing blog

relationship: tony stark x stark!daughter!reader

warning: swearing, none; mistakes here or there

request (anon): hey! would you wanna write a tony stark x daughter reader where like tony didn’t die and mysterio actually wants to get revenge on tony himself instead of poor spider boy :( and like beck ends up involving tony’s daughter in it somehow?? just very angsty but fluff at the end,,,,i just love tony being a dad

notes:  i got carried away with this, i realize there’s not too much angst but i hope you still like it. also, i made pepper the mother here.

summary: y/n stark has been taken, and it’s up to tony to save her

After Tony’s near-death experience during the war with Thanos, you can’t help but stand by him almost 24/7. It’s not that you don’t trust him alone, it’s just that…well, yes, you really don’t trust him alone. He could fall over and need help getting up, he could be having nightmares and you aren’t there to wake him, and most importantly, he could be calling out for you and you’re not there to give him a hug and say it’s okay; he’s done that a few times, call you out, thankfully you were right there by his side.

It’s been months since then but nothing has changed between him and you. You’ve relaxed a bit more; only looking behind you from time to time when you’re both working in the lab, not feeling jittery at every sound you hear, like the spoon clattering on the ground or cough and wheeze, but you’re still always alert and by his side.

One day, you were looking through some paperwork Tony had asked you to go through with him. You didn’t like doing anything that had to do with paper, especially when it came to those working for your father as you thought everything was supposed to be between them and him for now, but your dad asked you ever so nicely and you couldn’t help but say yes. Sometimes you think he’s taking advantage of your love for him, but you just laugh that off. ‘Of course not,’ you think with a smirk and a roll of your eyes.

So here you are, on the dining table with papers scattered around you and Tony on the other side with his Stark technology running through some systems, You stare at the hologram before looking down at the physical pieces of paper. You ask him why he still kept papers when his awesome geniusness could file his work easily.

“Sometimes good ol’ paperwork is good for the brain, y/n. Easily editable with a pen. It’s exercise. Doesn’t strain your young eyes much…yet.” He shrugged. “And also, I didn’t make that, one of my earlier assistants did.”

You nodded your head slowly. ‘Well that explains things.’ You look again at the scattered paper before sighing. You were so used to using your dad’s gadgets that when it came to proper work, aside from studies, you couldn’t fathom using a pen to edit anything in front of you. You’d rather be touching the screen, typing and swiping away as the data  was backed-up every time even a slight change was done.

Before long, you’ve reached the last employee. Quentin Beck. He was an older man, younger than Tony but definitely older than you. His facial hair reminded you of your father’s. And in some weird way, despite that fact, you found him kinda cute. You raised the paper to show your father and ask if the man still worked for him.

“Ah, Quentin Beck, yeah, I remember him. He helped out with the Binarily Augmented Retro-Framing.”

“The B.A.R.F.?” you clarify.

“That’s the one.” Tony nodded and pointed at you with his index finger. “He was pretty unstable so I had to fire him. Well, I asked Pepper to fire him. He was a good one, could be considered a genius. But again, he was unstable and we couldn’t have that.”

You look again at the picture and decide that it was best he was fired, who knows what he could have done?

So you mark the paper as ‘terminated’ and placed it in a pile with the rest of the fired employees. “What would you like me to do with these stacks, Dad?” you ask. You’ve got four stacks now labeled EMPLOYED, TERMINATED, RETIRING, RESIGNED. “Garage? Study? My room?”

Tony gave a small smile. “Put the EMPLOYED and RETIRING in my study, the RESIGNED and TERMINATED in the storage room in the garage, I’ll have a look at them later.”

“Which means never,” you correct, smirking.

“That is not true. I need to check my former employees, too.” Tony chuckled. “I have to focus on the now but I swear I’ll check out those two piles as well. Keep them nearest the door so I have no choice but to stumble upon them soon…er, or later.”

You giggle. “Okay. Sure, Dad.”

You grab the pile EMPLOYED and placed it inside one box, writing the name on the side, and doing the same for the rest of the papers. You stack the EMPLOYED and RETIRING together, then the TERMINATED and RESIGNED together. First you bring up the two initial boxes to Tony’s study, carefully placing it beside his chair. You go back to the dining room and grab the latter boxes and walk to the side of the house where the door to the garage is.

Entering the darkened room with only the moon as the source of light coming in from the open door for the cars, you walk slowly to the corner and enter the larger-than-most storage room. Switching on the lights, you place the boxes down near the door as instructed and dust your hands. “Job well done, y/n. Job well done.”

As you switch off the lights, you were aware of a movement from behind the car. Thinking it could be a cat, you shrug it off. But the shadow loomed closer and it was in the shape of a person, not a small animal. You were trapped. “Dad,” you croaked. You thought you could hide your fear but obviously not. “Dad!” you tried again.

“Hello, y/n.”

Then everything went dark.

You finally woke up to the sound of machines zooming around. It was bright and you blinked your eyes a few times to adjust to it. You noticed your hands were bound together with a rope and you sighed in defeat knowing fully well that you’re nothing without the technology from the lab.

So you look around the area again. You’re in the corner of a very large room. There were railings nearby and you could see how high you were, probably at the topmost floor of a very big building, maybe it was an old factory once.

There were people around you but they paid you no mind. You were tempted to call one of them but your voice was dry and you realized how thirsty you were.

Thankfully, your feet and legs were free and so you tried your best to move around, even trying to stand up, but they were jelly-like and you couldn’t get off an inch from the ground. Sighing in frustration, you glared at those around you, hoping to be noticed.

Later, after a few minutes of people-watching, someone came forward and looked at you, tilting their head as if you were some new specimen. “You’re awake.”

“I can’t believe you can tell,” you reply with an edge in your voice. “Who are you supposed to be?”

“Dr. Riva,” he introduced himself. “It’s good that you’re unharmed.”

“I better be, my dad will freak.”

“Oh, we know.”

You snap your head back a little. ‘So this is for my dad,’ you thought. ‘He hasn’t done anything these past few months to make any new enemies.’

“You’re probably wondering who we are,” Dr. RIva continued.

“No shit, Sherlock.” You look around again for any signs of a video recorder, or if any more people were listening to the conversation between you and Dr. Riva. “And where am I supposed to be?”

He shrugged. “We’ll let Mr. Stark find out for himself. Now, why don’t you make yourself more presentable.”

“Am I not presentable?” you taunted.

Suddenly, another man appeared. Taller, broader, more handsome. And you’ve definitely seen him somewhere before. Quentin Beck. “Hello, y/n.” He smiled at you, his hands pointing to different directions. He was wearing a funny outfit but now is not the time to laugh. “I see you’ve grown. Haven’t changed much, though.”

“You know me?” you wonder. You’ve never seen him before aside from the picture earlier so why was he talking like he knew her form before. “I’ve never seen you before in my life.”

“I was a Stark employee, y/n. I’ve seen many things come and go from the home of Tony Stark. Unfortunately, I wasn’t important enough to be remembered.” He gritted his teeth. “I wasn’t important enough for your daddy dearest to give me credit with my own work! He even fired me! Do you know how that affected me?”

You begin to shy away from him slowly. ‘This guy is unstable,’ you remembered, ‘gotta keep him away.’

“But I swore that I’d get my revenge,” Beck continued. “And so I have you. Now all we have to do is wait for Mr. Stark and we’re all set.”

Meanwhile, back in the Stark home, Tony had been looking around for you. He’d gone to every room, checked yours more than he can count. He scouted the area near the house for any signs of you but you were, as he feared, missing.

“Pep, have you seen y/n?” he finally asked. He was afraid of asking his wife, he didn’t want her worrying about anything for the time being. She, too, had gone through a lot. “I can’t find her anywhere.”

Pepper uncrossed her legs from the sofa and looked at Tony worriedly. “She’s gone?”

“Afraid so.” He scratched the back of his head. “But don’t worry, I placed a tracker on her phone. I didn’t want to use it because ‘teenage privacy’ but I guess I don’t have much of a choice now.” He sighed and turned on his phone. After a few seconds of fiddling with it, he frowned. Pepper noticed and asked what was wrong. “It’s been messed with.”

“Oh, Tony.”

“I got this, I got this.” Tony held onto her hand to assure her. As he was thinking of what else he could do, the doorbell rang and the intercom came to life. An idea popped into his head. Pepper went to answer the door as he ran to his study.

He was ready to check every camera that was attached to his house but he decided it was best to start with the garage since that was where you said you’d be the last time he saw you. ‘And I will see her again,’

Back in Quentin Beck’s base, he was still watching over you, and you would sneer at every chance you could get. That’s when he heard it. “He’s here,” he announced. “He’s here! He’s finally here! Everyone to your positions!”

You heaved a heavy sigh. ‘Dad.’

Tony Stark, in his latest suit, burst through the door and flew midair. He raised his arms in two different directions and took out as much guns and blasters as he could, aiming them all in different areas. His head shifted around looking for signs of his daughter. “Where’s y/n?” he demanded when he couldn’t see you.

“Mr. Stark!” Beck called out. Tony calculated quickly that you were both on the fiftieth floor. “It’s me, Quentin Beck! You remember me, don’t you?”

From behind his mask, Tony glared. “I don’t give a damn about you, Quentin. Where’s my daughter and I won’t harm a single employee in this building.”

Beck laughed. “Oh, Mr. Stark. Since when have you cared about anyone but yourself?”

“Give me back my daughter.”

“Not until you admit that I’m a better genius than you!”

You rolled your eyes. ‘Here we go.’

“Fine, you’re a better genius than me, now where’s y/n?”

Beck laughed again. “You have to mean it, Tony. You don’t just say it. You have to mean it.” He shook his head. “Mean it like when I gave my heart and soul to that holographic illusion system and you just said that it was your creation and even gave it that stupid name!”

“B.A.R.F.,” you reminded him.

“Shut up!” he exclaimed. He turned back to your father and said, “I told you we could have done great things with it! But what did you do? You turned into some therapeutic shit! The world doesn’t need that, Tony!”

“Tell me, Beck, what have you done with that technology? Hm? Tell me what you’re going to use it for.” Tony was slowly flying up to the topmost floor, his blasters still at the ready. “Enlighten me, Beck.”

Beck smirked. “I’m going to be the greatest superhero the world has ever seen.” He turned to an employee and shouted, “Now!”

To yours and Tony’s surprise, a cyclone monster appeared. Your eyes widened, you’ve never seen anything like that before. “Dad,” you murmured. But someone had carried you from the ground and brought you closer to the railings.

Tony was busy fending off the cyclone. He used his blasters to hit certain areas and you could see that the monster was getting transparent in some areas. Without finishing off the hologram, he flew to the level you and Beck were in and landed on the floor. “Don’t forget, Beck, I know how this technology works. You’re not fooling me.”

Beck gave an evil grin. “Oh, I just did.” He snapped his fingers and the person holding you threw you off of the rails.

“Daddy!” you screamed.

“Y/n!” Tony called out.

You were falling and falling and falling. The bright lights made you more scared as you knew that if you looked down, you’d know exactly where’d you be. “Daddy!” you screamed again. You could hear Tony screaming your name but he was too far away. You closed your eyes as tears fell and floated away. “Dad,” you called out softly.

Then you stopped falling. You didn’t know where you stopped, how close you were to the ground, and you didn’t care. You looked up and saw that Iron Man was carrying you and you were both floating in midair.

“I got you,” Tony whispered, “I got you.” He pulled you in for a hug and you wrapped your arms around him. “I got you.” And you sobbed.

You didn’t know where Quentin Beck ran off to. But Tony was able to call his friends and arrested the employees they were able to gather up. Dr. Riva was not one of them.

For the rest of the night, as you and Tony stayed in the area to help out if you could, he wouldn’t leave your side and you would lean on him from time to time, just to make sure he was right there with you. “So much for me being by your side all the time, huh, Dad?”

“I think it’s time for a change,” he replied. He saluted at your godfather Rhodey before turning back to you. “You know I love you, right, y/n?”

You smiled. “I love you, too, Dad.” After a few minutes you said, “I want a cheeseburger.”

[gb-patch]

Ask Answers: January 5th, 2021

How exactly can we get the option to gift cove a bracelet at the start of step 3? I really only get that option with having a ponytail-black shirt-black pants-no accessories cove but i dont know the specific requirements for the option to show up

Cove’s gotta wear a bracelet in Step 2. If he doesn’t it means him liking bracelets isn’t a very long-standing trait and so the MC wouldn’t think to get him one as a gift.

I am very sorry if this was asked before but I have noticed "Our Life: Beginnings and Always" and "Our Like: Now and Forever." Did I miss something? Is "N&F" going to be a sequel or DLC? Are we going to see a geriatric Cove? (haha) Thank you in advance for the reply. ^_^ 

Our Life: Now & Forever is a new game in the franchise, but it’s not a sequel. It’ll have a new cast, new story, and new setting. It will still have all the best features of the original game and be about creating your own character/growing up from childhood!

Is there a specific reason why Cove gets so flustered and has to jump out if bed and walk it off when they share a bed in step 3? It seems a bit over the top for something they've already done twice! Once with the late night visit when Cove finds out his mom is coming and once in the RV.

Is just because they are older and the implications are different, even though the crush was already there in the RV/latenight visit scenes? Or did I miss something that made Cove more reluctant or more apprehensive towards sharing a bed/touching?

Sharing a bed with the person he likes/love is different for him at eighteen than it is at thirteen. Some things get easier when you grow up, like he’s more comfortable sharing food, but some things get harder/more complicated to him. Sharing a bed is one of those for Cove. It feels a lot more intimate and meaningful as time goes on, rather than less of a big deal.

Hello! First, I wanted to thank you and congratulate you for this amazing game. I enjoyed every single second! In a year full of stress, this was a little cozy light. Do you have any plans to make it available for other languages? Thank you again 💕 

Thank you! I’m afraid the game is still in pretty active development so we can’t consider translating the script in it’s semi-incomplete form. And we’re not a big enough company that we can promise translations will definitely come when the game is done, unfortunately. We can see what things are like when all the words are truly set, though.

Did Cove's name come from that Cove restaurant on Holden beach? Whenever I search up his name I always get those results haha 

No, haha. His first name was based on his character and the game’s theme, his last name is a reference to something of a personal joke.

Will the NSFW DLC have CGs too?

Yep!

So, to start off, I need to thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart, for creating Cove Holden. I want every single one of my MCs to be able to get engaged and married to that precious angel, so I was wondering how transitioning into step 4 using save files will work? Will I be able to load up a save file saved right before the end credits after step 3, or will I need to load one from before the transition section after step 3? I’m sorry if this has already been answered somewhere, but if it has, I haven’t been able to find it. Thank you!!!!!! 

Thank you very much c:. You’ll be able to load any save file, unless it was taken as the credits were actually rolling, and the Step 4 epilogue will simply start going once you’ve played through whatever was left of the main game and seen the credits. There are rare cases where a save file breaks between updates, but generally continuing where you left off should work for people.

Hi! I absolutely adore our life, and I was wondering is there a way to have Shiloh remember the MC and Lizzie in step 3?

I’m glad you like it! Sadly, no matter what you do Shiloh will act the same in that scene.

Hi! I'm the Australian that asked about ever including an Aussie VA, do you have any future plans for Our Life 2 or any other games to include an Aussie character and VA? 

Right now we don’t have any guaranteed future Aussie roles. But we don’t have fully developed character lists for our upcoming games yet, so that may still change.

Will OL2 also follow the tradition of "Blonde Adult That We Cannot Date"? 👀

Haha, maybe. There isn’t one right now, however we still have a lot of side characters to plan.

Hey, are the houses in the game furnished based on items in the Sims 4? I’ve noticed some similarities, but I’m not sure if it’s just a coincidence. (If it is, that’d make me building it in TS4 MUCH easier...)

For me, I use real world pictures as references as well as text notes. I loved Sims 2 when I was young but haven’t gotten into a new Sims game since. I don’t believe the artist checks Sims 4 when creating their work, though it’s not impossible. Maybe they do.

is it possible to still get your name in the voiced dlc [I'm not sure how you would do it, is it from patreon ??] or is it too late ?? 

Currently there’s no way to get your name voiced. But we are looking into opening up a method for that one more time later this year. You can keep an eye out for that!

Will we be able to ask Derek out to the dance if we get his DLC? Not a Derek fan but I'm planning to surprise my friend with this 

Yeah. Taking Derek to the dance is part of his DLC.

Hi! I have a question I've been curious about, if you're comfortable with answering! If Cove and the MC remain just friends into Step 4/MC dates one of the other guys, will Cove canonically be in a relationship with/interested in somebody else at that point or shortly after? Thank you!

He won’t. There’s not really anyone in his school, and certainly not the neighborhood he grows up in, that he’d be into other than the MC. As a pretty newly independent adult he hasn’t had enough time to truly find a special someone in Step 4. It takes a while for him to make that kind of move, haha. It’s totally fine to headcanon that sometime after Step 4 he finds love with someone else, but it won’t happen in-game.

i just wanted to share this cute little playlist that i made about cove! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5wM7GNiJh5eRqhvLBperfQ?si=4FocdBsNTpeF053yOwaLSA

Cool! Thanks for sharing it with us.

No, no, no create longer ask answers please. 😌

The ask answers are not too long. If anything I'm greedy and wish they were longer... I'm already subbed to your guys patreon and I still can't get enough 👀 I'm in love with you guys 

Will you post more of those long form ask posts? I love them 🥰

Haha, thank you for these messages. I’m glad you’re enjoying the content.

——————————————————————

Thank you very much for all the questions! Also, if you prefer to just see the main posts without all the asks/reblogs, feel free to follow our side account instead: GB Patch Updates Blog

[angst-fairygodmother]

On Her Father’s Wings (The Umbrella Academy S2 Fic)

CHAPTER 2: FATHERS

What if there was one more thing left in Five’s care at Hazel’s untimely passing? Something more precious than a briefcase, more useful than a tape, and infinitely more infuriating. A smart-mouthed girl determined to pick up where her father left off and help save the world, whether the Hargreeves like it or not.

Word Count: 5230 Rating: T for canon-typical violence, swearing

Warning: this chapter contains major spoilers for both S2:E2 (The Frankel Footage) and plot twists later in the season. Read at your own risk.

Cross-posted to AO3: here Previous Chapter: New Sidekick

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“So that went well…” Piper drawled, leaning back against her elbows on the edge of the bar.

Five startled, causing her to snicker.

“How did you get in here?” he asked, sounding less surprised or impressed than she’d hoped and not even bothering to look up from his drink.

“Fun fact, they’ll let anybody in when you’re dressed like a cigarette girl,” she said wryly. “So what are you going to do now? Besides mope into a whiskey?”

I don’t know,” he admitted with a sigh. “I’ve struck out with both siblings I’ve been able to find.”

“So far. But you all landed in the same place, and Elliot said they all went back to the alley looking for the rest of you, so odds are these two aren’t the only ones that stuck around Dallas. Just have to keep looking.”

“And what if I say no?”

“Then I’ll kick your scrawny ass and do it myself.”

He looked up at her finally, surprised by her determination, only to quickly look away again, blushing from her sequined and very revealing outfit.

“Do you want me to stick around, keep an eye on this brother and see if he leads us to the rest?” she asked, tilting her head to one side.

“No need. He said he thought we were all dead.”

“Cheerful. Could he be lying? I mean he wasn’t exactly thrilled to see you from where I was standing. Maybe he thinks he’s protecting them?”

“Protecting them? From me?”

She shrugged. “Anything’s possible. I mean you are a time-travelling assassin. And I don’t know what family Christmases are like at your house.”

Five sighed in exasperation. “Stay if you want. I’m going back to Elliot’s. He’s still, unfortunately, my best lead.”

He continued to sip his drink. She rolled her eyes, not liking the feeling of being dismissed. Still, she decided, she may as well spy on his brother and Jack Ruby while she had the opportunity.

Just as she was about to walk away, Five finished his drink, muttering about how their father should have left Luther on the moon as they both watched the larger man “escort out” a drunk. Then he stood, the pocket of his jacket catching on the back of the chair and tearing away to reveal a bulky yellow box. He took it out, staring at it, puzzled.

“Do you know what this is?” he asked her almost absently, voice sounding like his mind was far away.

“No idea,” she answered, eyes fixed on the label, on handwriting as familiar to her as her own. “It was in your pocket. Why would I know about it?”

“I think Hazel put it there. When he saw those goons get off the bus.”

“Well, it’s probably important then. You should go figure out what it is. I’m going to stick around here and see if I can’t find out a little more about your brother problem.”

Five frowned, glaring as she turned the tables, dismissing him for once, but she was already walking away, a cheerful smile plastered on her face as she held out her cigarette tray in question to one of the other club patrons.

Not long afterward, Piper watched as Luther exited through a back door, and followed, keeping far enough back that he wouldn’t notice, or at least she hoped not. He seemed to freeze, staring as he watched a mystery woman climbed into a car near the payphone out front. Piper couldn’t see his face, but she didn’t really need to to recognize the shock written across his entire body. The woman stared back for just a moment, confusion on her expression evident.

“Vanya,” she heard Luther whisper as the woman shut the car door and drove away.

Luther turned, watching her go, and Piper caught a glimpse of his distress before she ducked back inside to avoid getting caught tailing him. Back inside, she leaned against the wall, biting the nail of her thumb as she debated sticking around to see what other events unfolded for the night and reporting back to Five that she had at least some idea of where another sibling was.

Her decision was made for her though, when an unnervingly large arm pressed across her, pinning her to the wall by her shoulders.

“Who the hell are you?” Luther asked, face mere inches from hers and twisted into a scowl.

“Relax, there’s no need for violence here,” she said, trying to placate him.

“Why are you following me?”

“I’m not. I mean I was. Sort of. I mean it was more general surveillance than ‘following.’ Although it did…also involve following…”

“Shut up and answer my questions.”

“Um, which of those would you like me to do? Because I can’t simultaneously shut up and…speak, which I need to do to answer your questions.” She tilted her head questioningly to one side and put on her most charming smile.

He pressed his arm harder across her collarbones, shaking her, the pressure making it momentarily harder to breathe until she adjusted to it.

“Quit playing games. Who. Are. You?”

“My name is Piper Rofa. I’m with your brother, Five. A fact that he’s not super thrilled with because of his whole grouchy loner thing, but I’m not about to let that stop me. I stayed behind to keep an eye on you in case there was more you knew or something, even though he’s willing to write you off as a lost cause. Because I’m not about to let the world end based on the fact that your asshole family can’t get their shit together.”

His hold on her slackened, though the arm was still large enough that even slight pressure kept her in place. “I don’t know anything. Until Five showed up, I thought everyone was dead.”

“So that wasn’t your sister in the car?”

“It…was. But tonight was the first time I’d seen her since…”

“Since she blew up the moon and tried to kill you all? Or was that the other sister?”

“No…that was Vanya. How do you know so much about us?”

“It’s a long story. One I’ll happily tell to all of you once you’re rounded up in the same room but I really don’t want to have to keep going over.”

“I’m done with that life.” By now he had released her completely, but she remained rooted in that spot anyway.

“But they’re still your family. Don’t you want to see them?”

“Are they?” his voice was soft, pained. “All I’ve ever done is push them away and hurt them. It’s better for everyone if I just…don’t go back.”

“Bullshit. Family’s hard, but also family’s family. Whatever you’ve fucked up, they still love you. Or at least, the one I’ve met does. You should have seen his face…”

He stared at her, mouth open in shock, face twisted in uncertainty. “How…how many of them are together right now?”

“None. But we can make it at least three, possibly four if you give me that address, and you come with me back to our makeshift base of operations. We still haven’t found Allison or Klaus?” she hesitated, unsure she had the names right. “And the other brother is locked up in an asylum which Five for some reason decided not to spring him from, but that’s…fixable.”

“I’m not going to give you this address. I don’t even know if Vanya actually lives there, but if she does…I don’t know you, no matter what you claim. And I need to talk to her first. Alone.”

Piper rolled her eyes. “Fine, suit yourself. Just, when you’re done, both of you should come to Morty’s Television and Radio.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I guess that’s all I can ask,” she shrugged. “Now unless you’re planning any other secret sibling reunions or interesting events, I should probably be off.”

She gave him a wink and wave as she sauntered away.

~

“I can’t tail a car on foot!” she shouted in frustration as Five raged. “And what else was I supposed to do? Fight your brother for the wallet? He could snap me in half like a toothpick!”

“You incompetent…useless…” his face was rapidly reddening. “What is the point of you if you can’t even do a simple task?”

“Hey!” she glared, folding her arms over her chest. “At least we can confirm that she’s still in Dallas. And that she’s either a very good actress or didn’t recognize your brother. Neither of which we’d have without me sticking around, which you called a waste of time. Besides, Luther all but said he was going after her, so we can tail him there.”

“Don’t bother. Let’s just focus on this tape from your father and hope it’s more helpful than you are.”

She bit back the first retort that came to mind, sticking her tongue out petulantly. “Do you have the magic power of film development now too?”

His jaw flexed as he gritted his teeth angrily. “No. I don’t have the power to develop the film. But I’m sure I will find someone who can.”

“Some stranger? When there could be signs, clues, or references to the apocalypse? Great plan. Definitely won’t lead to panic or getting arrested as a terrorist or anything. Especially if you drag them out of bed to do it.”

He sighed angrily. “What would you suggest then?”

“Wait until morning, see where these came from,” she gestured to the photos around the loft. “Until then, do some more research through all this junk to see if we can find where the last two siblings are?”

She watched him struggle with himself, not wanting to admit that she was right.

“Now pass me that box,” she gestured to a large cardboard box overflowing with sheets of paper and newspaper clippings, clearly things that Elliot thought were important but hadn’t gotten around to sorting into his desk or “conspiracy wall.”

~

Hours later, Elliot shuffled out of his bedroom, setting up a pot of coffee before noticing that the two time-travelers were there, each wrapped in their own heads and oblivious to the world.

“Do…do you like eggs?” he asked them, stammering out an offer for breakfast, cutting through their thoughts. “Or cereal?”

Piper looked up, smiling politely as she accepted and Five waved him off, muttering about “just needing coffee.”

As the girl and Elliot ate, Five looked around again, eyes falling to focus on some of the strange images on the walls.

“Elliot, did you develop these photos yourself?” he asked, leaning in to look closer at one of them.

“Of course. Can’t exactly drop that stuff off at the neighborhood Fotomat,” Elliot stood, walking across the partition with his bowl of cereal. “Government has eyes everywhere.”

Piper rolled her eyes, half listening as they discussed the lack of darkroom and Five asked him to develop the footage her father had slipped him.

As Elliot began listing supplies and excuses for why they were difficult to get, she rose, moving to lean in the doorway, arms folded.

“Elliot,” Five said, face taught with frustration.

“It’s like five, maybe six hours.”

“Would it go any faster with a sweet ride?” she asked, spinning her keychain, complete with neon orange rabbit’s foot, around on her finger.

Elliot’s eyes lit up at the prospect and Five became distracted by the call over the radio.

“The hell is a code 3-15?”

“Fugitives on the run,” Piper and Elliot said at the same time, glancing at each other in surprise before focusing back in on the rest of the call.

“Oh, Diego,” Five sighed, pressing his lips together and turning his eyes toward the ceiling as if to ask God ‘why?’

“Who’s Diego?” Elliot asked and Piper gave him a puzzled look.

Hadn’t they talked about it the day before, when he’d shown Five the mugshot? Or was the at least 30 hour day starting to mess with her memory? She shook it off, surreptitiously pinching the flesh of her own upper arm, the quick, sharp pain waking her up some.

“Imagine Batman, then aim lower,” Five explained before turning away from the radio.

She snorted at the description, which just about matched up to what her father had told her.

“You get started on that film,” he told Elliot. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

“Actually, it’s probably faster for you to go alone,” she pointed out with a shrug. “I mean you can just pop to him and sort things out without…awkward introductions or sidetracking. Plus, I can get the supplies, help Elliot here; we’ll know what’s on that tape a lot sooner.”

Five hesitated. She flashed him a reassuring smile.

“I promise,” she said. “We’ll play nice. I mean, I can only hope the feeling’s mutual but I like Elliot, and this is something actually useful I can do. Now go teleport after your crazy-escapee brother.” She waved her hands in a shooing motion and Five rolled his eyes, heading for the door.

“Alright, Elliot,” she said, turning back to the man and planting her hands on her hips in an exaggerated, almost-superhero pose. “Hope you’ve got a shopping list and some cash because I have neither. But I’ll drive.”

~

Several hours later, she sighed, brushing hair out of her face as she bent to the task Elliot had given her, focused intently as they neared the finish line. Suddenly, something heavy clumsily smashed into the side of her head and she staggered away from it, dropping her tools and turning, shifting instinctively into a defensive stance to face her attacker.

“Elliot?! What the hell are you doing?” she shouted, watching the nervous little man drop the lamp he had swung moments earlier.

“I saw the footage!” he shouted. “I know what you are!”

Her head throbbed from the blow.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, frowning. “What exactly did you see?”

“I saw enough! And I won’t let you get away with it!”

She sighed, uncoiling her fists and trying to be as nonthreatening as possible. Holding up her hands, palms flat and facing him, she locked eyes with Elliot.

“Calm down Elliot, please,” she said, voice trembling almost imperceptibly. “I don’t know what you think is going on, but I promise there’s an explanation.”

“I’m not going to let you warp my mind!” he shouted. “You’re some sort of demon or alien or…or Russian spy!”

“What?”

Rather than responding, Elliot charged at her and swung a wild haymaker, so unexpected (and surprisingly quick) that it caught her off-guard. Striking on the same side he had already hit her, it drove her to her knees, vision swimming. The last thing she noticed as the world fell away were hands on her wrists and her only thought was that she had failed.

~

When Piper woke up next, she was somewhere completely dark. She could feel that her wrists and ankles had been bound together, trapping her in a hunched over position. Luckily, her captor (Elliot she suspected) made the mistake of putting the ropes in front of her, and probably didn’t know about her training in escape artistry. Gritting her jaw against the waves of pain and nausea that her movements triggered, she set to work, among other things discovering that she was in the darkroom closet.

Outside, she could hear shouting, and then, worryingly, the blast of a gunshot. Elliot wouldn’t actually shoot Five…she hoped. Though she also didn’t expect him to knock her out cold and tie her up, so maybe she didn’t know the nutter as well as she thought. And even if he wouldn’t really shoot Five, she couldn’t say the same in reverse if Elliot threatened him.

Finally, she felt the ropes go slack and stood.

“Where is she Elliot?” she heard Five ask through gritted teeth.

Her hand stilled momentarily on the doorknob, curious to hear where this would go.

“The one you left here to kill me when I found out the truth?” she heard Elliot snap. “I took care of her. Bet you weren’t expecting that.”

She rolled her eyes. So dramatic.

“I swear, if you hurt her…”

“Who are you talking about Five?” she heard another voice ask. “Is Allison here? …or Vanya?”

So that must be Diego then. Before things could go any further, she decided to make her grand entrance.

“Christ,” she said loudly as strode casually out of the converted closet, shaking the remaining ropes off her wrist. “That was uncalled for.”

Elliot stared. Diego and the mysterious woman with him stared. Five pointedly avoided looking at her, but she thought she might have caught a flash of relief cross his face.

“Seriously,” she smiled at Elliot who she now noticed was pinned down by the one she assumed was Diego. “That was an impressive punch from such a wimpy-looking guy,” her face fell into disappointment and she held out the rope, “but it was super unnecessary.”

“He managed to take you out with one punch?” Five asked, tone somewhere between mockery and incredulity.

“I mean, there was the element of surprise. And I think a lamp?”

“I had to do it! You people are dangerous! I know!” Elliot shouted, trying and failing to struggle as the strange woman tied his legs together.

Piper rolled her eyes. “You don’t know shit, Conspiracy Brain. Which would have been obvious if you let me explain instead of giving me a migraine. Now you had better have aspirin somewhere or I am going to be very annoyed.”

“Who the hell is this girl Five?” his brother asked.

“I like her,” the woman chimed in, earning her a glare from both Hargreeves and a smirk from Piper.

“My name is Piper Rofa, it’s really nice to meet you,” she called as she rooted through the bathroom medicine cabinet. “Do you want to explain the rest, Old Timer, or shall I?”

“Rofa…why does that name sound familiar?” Diego muttered.

Piper caught sight of Lila’s eyes, narrowed and studying her shrewdly. Something about her calculating look put the younger girl’s nerves on edge and she looked back with the same faux-casual inspection.

“Let’s just watch the film, see what’s got Elliot all worked up, and we can do introductions later,” Five said, brushing aside Diego’s curiosity.

They tied Elliot more securely, to one of the dental chairs he had inexplicably laying around. Lila dug out an old bottle of sickly green nail polish and began doing her fingernails and the captive man’s toes. Piper couldn’t help but chuckle from where she sat with her boots resting up on the corner of the kitchen table; the other woman was really doing a bang-up job of playing the loon.

They all sat in silence as the tape began. And then, realizing what it was, Diego leaned forward with a new intensity of focus.

‘He really is obsessed with JFK,’ she found herself thinking. ‘Professional interest or crush?’

“How do you have this?” Diego asked his brother.

“Hazel died to get me this footage,” Five explained, eyes flickering to his brother, and then to Piper who tried to hide her distress behind a blank mask, before turning back to the projector screen. “It must be the key to stopping doomsday.”

“It had better be,” Piper muttered.

“Hazel?” Diego said with an accusatory frown.

Piper stiffened, swinging her legs down to the floor. She did not want to deal with a confrontation right now when her headache was finally going away, but she wasn’t going to stand for anyone disparaging her father’s memory either.

“Long story,” Five said dismissively, still focused ahead of him.

“What’s doomsday?” Lila asked, looking pathetically up at Five from her seat.

“Longer story.”

“What exactly did he say to you?” Piper’s eyes flickered to Five’s face, equally curious for his answer as his brother was.

“Well he was killed before he could explain. But whatever he wanted us to see, it’s on this film.”

Her teeth found the middle knuckle of her thumb, biting down on it gently while she wracked her brain for something her father might have told her that could help, feeling useless. How could she claim to have known him, to be his protégé or fill his shoes if she didn’t even know what he died for?

Four sets of eyes flickered determinedly over the screen as chaos unfolded, only Lila looking away, confusion and fear on her face as she instead watched the watchers. Suddenly, Five muttered something under his breath and moved to rewind the tape, shifting the projector around to change the focus. Whatever he saw, Diego noticed the second time around, hesitantly unfolding himself from the countertop, mouth hanging open as he approached the screen in shock to get a better look. Elliot meanwhile, was thrashing about and struggling in his chair as if he still thought he could get away. It was distracting, and for a brief moment, Piper considered the lamp and returning the favor just to get him to calm down.

“This can’t be,” Five said, his focus fixed.

“Okay are you going to fill me in now?” Lila snapped. “What the hell is this shit we’re watching?”

“No that’s impossible,” Diego’s statement might have been a denial but his face seemed to say that whatever the realization the two Hargreeves had come to, it was as plain as the hair on their heads now.

“Clearly it’s not.” At least Five had the decency to sound awed at the new information.

Information Piper still didn’t understand.

“What…what is it?” Elliot asked from around the makeshift gag in his mouth.

The two remained transfixed on the grainy image in the center of the room.

“I gotta say I’m with Lila and Elliot on this one. You two might recognize the mystery blur, but the rest of the team’s,” she gestured around, “in the dark.”

“Dad…” they both said softly.

“Oh shit.”

To call what followed a discussion would have been giving far too much credit to the participants, and vastly underplaying the childishness of their sniping at each other.

“No, you’re jumping to conclusions,” Five said, pacing back and forth.

“What the hell else is he doing standing on the grassy knoll, holding an open black umbrella, on a sunny day, in Dallas, the exact same moment the president gets shot?” Diego shouted, gesticulating wildly at the screen.

“It doesn’t look good, I admit,” Five snapped back.

“I mean your father clearly had a thing for umbrellas, given the academy, tattoos, etc. so that could be nothing,” Piper drawled, inspecting her nails as the brothers went around and around in circles, physically and metaphorically. “Or it’s for shade, and maybe he’s there to watch or meet the president, like everyone else in Dallas? He’s not a supervillain, right?”

“You think it’s a coincidence? No. He’s the signalman for the whole goddamn thing.” Diego turned to face her, eyes ablaze. “And what would you know anyway? Who the hell are you?”

“I told you. Piper Rofa. I’m…a friend.”

“Bullshit.” From seemingly nowhere, he had drawn a knife, pointing it at her threateningly. “I saw your face while we were watching the footage. You know something.”

“I wish I did! I wish I could answer your questions or villain monologue or whatever it is you’re looking for. But I don’t know jack, except that the world is ending. It might be connected to Kennedy, it might not.” She shrugged, slapping her hands back down to her sides. “My father is dead, and he told me that The Umbrella Academy were the best chance at saving the world. So get your stupid knife out of my face, and figure it the hell out.”

“Who…?” Diego looked momentarily taken aback. “Who’s your father? How does he know about us?”

“Piper, don’t,” Five cautioned. “Now is not a good time to be bringing that up.”

She sighed, turning away from both of them and folding her arms around herself. “Hazel,” she admitted softly, almost apologetically.

She thought she heard Lila gasp and frowned at that, but there wasn’t time to address it as Diego seized her shoulder and slammed her into the nearby doorframe.

“Your father killed my…friend,” he hissed through clenched teeth, knife pressed to her throat and face in hers.

She rolled her eyes, undaunted. “Oh cry me river. Good people die all the time. Besides, that’s in the past…or the future? And I’m not him. Nor will killing me do anything, other than make a mess of this lovely apartment and delay what’s important. So can we focus back on your dad, who you apparently think is just as bad or worse than mine?”

He growled, pressing the blade harder into her neck, enough that she felt a thin trickle of blood, clearly not taking kindly to her opinion on the matter.

“Easy Diego,” Five interrupted, placing a hand on his brother’s arm and drawing him away.

Piper rubbed at her neck and shoulder where the majority of Diego’s weight had been, adding them to her growing catalogue of bruises to expect.

“Seriously,” Five sighed in exasperation.

“No, it makes sense,” Diego insisted, shifting instantly back to the topic of Reginald Hargreeves and JFK as if there had been no interruption at all. “This is what Hazel was obviously trying to tell you.”

His eyes flickered over to Piper and she shrugged. Lila stood up, offering to help her with the wound and hesitantly she accepted, both women leaving the brothers to argue.

“We have to stop dad from killing the president,” Diego declared dramatically.

Piper rolled her eyes and caught Lila doing the same. She frowned. There was something about this woman…something that set her teeth on edge but felt very familiar.

“Do I know you?” she asked.

“No. I don’t think we’ve met,” Lila answered with a smile that seemed to waver uncertainly. “But I can tell we’re gonna be good friends.”

Piper bit her lip, wanting to say more when Five’s voice cut through again.

“Dad’s clearly in Dallas, right? Let’s just go talk to him. Maybe he can help us fix the timeline.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea,” Piper muttered, brushing aside the rest of Lila’s first aid to return to the main room in case she had to referee between them.

“Dallas is a big place,” Diego pointed out. “We need to find him first.”

“Gee, if only we had some magical, old-timey way of finding people and their addresses.”

Piper tossed the October 1963 phone book at Five, “Or should I pull another fast one on the 911 operator?”

He dropped in on the table. “Let’s start simple, his name.”

Before he could, Diego had already opened the book and bent over it, scanning for ‘Hargreeves’ with increasing frustration. When they didn’t find it, Five suggested looking for his company instead.

“D.S. Umbrella Manufacturing Co.”

“Yeah, I know the name,” Diego shot his brother a look.

“Seriously, more umbrellas? I think it’s time to consider it was a fetish,” Piper joked, drawing a laugh from Lila and a disgusted shudder from Diego.

When they found what they were looking for, the two almost immediately turned to go, rolling up the screen and heading for the front stairs down into the showroom.

“He okay to leave here like that?” Diego asked quietly.

“Yeah, he’s fine. What about the girl?” Five answered.

Both men looked behind them to find Elliot, still tied and gagged, and Piper flipping aimlessly through a magazine, once again leaning back in a chair and resting her feet on the table, making it all to obvious  that she was eavesdropping. There was no sign of Lila.

“Shit,” Diego muttered, turning back.

Five sighed. Piper pointed over her shoulder to the darkroom closet Lila had scurried off to as soon as their backs were turned. He sat down across from her while Diego went to check on the other girl.

“Are you coming with us?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

“No. I think I’m going to stay here. We still need to find the rest of your family as fast as possible, and I have a few ideas. Plus something’s not quite sitting right with me that I want to follow up on. And I don’t think your brother likes me much.”

Five chuckled. “Diego doesn’t like many people.”

“He likes Lila a hell of a lot. You sure that’s not going to be a problem?”

“No, I’m not. But it’s one we can deal with later.”

She sighed, fidgeting with her hands on the table. “You wanna take my car?”

His expression softened, understanding the gesture of trust it was meant to be.

“No, I don’t want to draw attention.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“It’s a very flashy car, Piper.” The tone of his voice sounded almost like a scolding father, or like her mother’s not-quite-disapproval when she’d cut the picture out of a magazine and pinned it to her corkboard at fifteen. It made her smile sadly, rubbing at the sting of loss she hadn’t let herself feel completely yet.

Diego emerged from the cupboard, Lila following behind a few moments later.

“You three play nice now,” Five said, faux-sternly. Diego turned to him, surprised, but his face was blank, showing no sign that he might have just made a joke. “We’ll be back soon.”

~

Piper waited until Five and Diego had been gone for some time, and until Lila had finished painting Elliot’s nails, in case things went south – it would be rude to leave him with only two thirds of a mani-pedi after all.

“We need to talk,” she said sternly, setting aside the article she had been reading and sitting up to face the other woman, arms folded across her chest.

“About what?” Lila’s tone was the epitome of innocence and Piper found herself impressed. She was one hell of an actress.

“You’re Commission right?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lila frowned in confusion.

Piper scoffed. “Oh please. My father was a Field Agent til he met Mom and settled down. But you knew that.” She cocked her head to one side in question, inviting Lila to deny it again. “He taught me how to spot another agent, in case they ever decided to use us to force him into un-retirement or something.”

Lila tensed, body movements subtle but still there, noticeable to a trained eye like Piper’s as she got ready to attack.

“You can relax,” Piper sighed, waving a hand in the air dismissively. “You don’t get in my way, I won’t get in yours. Or rat you out.”

“And what if our missions are incompatible?” Lila’s eyebrow quirked, finally dropping her ‘scared little crazy girl’ act completely.

“Still no reason to bring extra parties in. If it comes to that, we settle things the old fashion way, and may the best woman win.”

The two women locked eyes, sizing each other up, baiting each other. The air practically crackled with electricity. Elliot, still bound and gagged and distinctly uncomfortable, tried to mumble something as his eyes flicked frantically from one to the other. Surprisingly, Lila broke the stare first.

“Yeah sure, I’ll agree to that, at least for now.”

“Excellent,” Piper smiled wryly. “Like you said, I can tell we’re gonna be good friends.”

[lixuagi]

The Cure for Death - chapter 1

(Since some of you said that they would really like to read my Valdemar/MC FF -I’m so happy!!!- here’s the first chapter. This takes place before the actual Arcana storyline, when the Plague is looming over Vesuvia. MC’s abilities and character are based off of one of my ocs that I will introduce in another post. However I didn’t write about her appearence so everyone can imagine their own character, she’s a girl though and she uses feminine pronouns. I hope this doesn’t ruin the reading for anyone. Enjoy! Here’s some context): MC is Asra’s young and kind apprentice. She has a talent that even her master couldn’t teach: a natural talent for healing. But with great powers come great responsabilities, and she’ll learn that ending up working as a nurse for the infamous Quaestor Valdemar. However, a greater danger lurks in the shadow. Will her light still shine if faced with the dark?

Somewhere, in a world suspended between reality and intangible, someone was watching me. -I must have that power. It’s indispensable. – A voice too deep and greedy to not be evil. -I need it for everything to go as planned. I need it to succeed. I have to have it. I must… have her.- But I couldn’t know. . -Here we go. It’s all right now. Try to move your arm- I smile kindly at the little girl sitting in front of me in my shop. She does what she’s asked, smiling back with an even bigger grin that’s missing a canine. -Wow! You’re such a witch! – she giggles, waving her slender limb a few minutes earlier fractured by a bad fall. -I prefer mage, but thank you.- I sneer, watching the faint emerald light leave my palms. -Yes, as you wish! Mother told me she’ll come by in the morning to pay you properly.- I help her get back on her feet, and off the stool. -Tell her it’s not necessary. It was just a small thing.- I take her hand and walk her out the door. - Really?- Her big eyes open wide, glowing with amazement. I nod softly. -Thank you! You’re the nicest witch in the world!- just the time to give me a hug, and the little girl hurries out of the store. I follow her with my eyes, shouting: -Don’t tire that arm too much! And watch your steps next tim– I stop, realizing that, far away as she is, she probably can’t hear me anymore. I cross my arms, shaking my head and muttering to myself: -These kids…- I sigh, turning to go back in, but I find myself in front of Asra, my master and colleague. -A very good job as usual, MC.- he puts his hand on my shoulder with his usual politeness. I sense that’s not all he wants to tell me, so I wait for him to continue. -But you don’t eat with selflessness…you know times are hard. -I look down, feeling naive. -She was just a child…How could I ask her for compensation?- I know he doesn’t like to scold me, but his eyebrows, white as his thick hair, show that he’s already decided to do it. -You know that her mother is the wife of one of Vesuvia’s richest merchants. He would have paid us handsomely. Yours is a rare if not unique gift. No one has such mastery of healing magic as you. This must be rewarded.- I remain silent, my eyes fixed on the floor. Really, I’m a fool. How could I miss such an opportunity when people are starving outside or worse, consumed by the plague? Noticing that I’m silent, Asra sighs, just tightening his grip to reassure me. -It’s okay, MC. -I don’t want you to be hard on yourself about this. I didn’t mean to hurt you.- I put my hand on his, raising my eyes to meet his gaze of a soft violet, strong contrast to his amber skin. -I know. Maybe it’s just… - I swallow, looking for the best words. -I don’t want to be somebody who makes money off other people’s suffering.- he seems to get indignant and gets ready to argue about it, but I interrupt him before that happens. -I just want to help the cause. I just…want to save all those lives.- these words seem to calm him,and his expression comes back relaxed and apprehensive. -You’re not an Arcana. You’re a human being and you can’t save everyone. You have to accept that. You can’t keep accusing yourself forever after– I barely raise a hand to put a stop to his words. I don’t want to remember, but it’s inevitable. -If I had tried harder, if I had resisted…that man’s children would still have a father. He would have loved and protected them… - I cover my face with my hands, while the images of that day manifest before me like apparitions. The man had entered leaving a copious trail of blood behind him. He could hardly speak, given the numerous stabs he had received, from what I could understand, thanks to a robber. Every wound, extremely deep, that I could barely heal, deprived me of so much energy. When I got to what would later be his fatal cut, on the carotid artery, Asra had to tear me from the patient or I would end up going beyond my abilities and dying with him. He took it upon himself to tell the family of the deceased. I didn’t eat for a week after it happened. I felt like a murderer. The guilt gripped me, and was a painful grip. One day the doorbell rang, and I went to open the door. Even though Asra kept me from receiving any more customers while I was so exhausted, now he couldn’t do it because he went shoppingshopping for necessities. On the threshold were two children, brother and sister, the eldest being no older than eleven. -Daddy’s dead, and it’s your fault! -The hate with which the infant stared at me was unspeakable, while just behind him his little sister sobbed incessantly. I stammered something, pale in the face. Days later I saw them again in a wagon. He took the victims of the Red Plague to the Lazaret.

-Sometimes, when the door opens and the bells jingle, I think it’s their ghosts.-I whisper, looking down and staring into nothingness. A tear runs down my cheek, but I don’t realize it until Asra dries it with his thumb, bringing me back to reality. He doesn’t know what to say. Seeing me like that always breaks his heart. He

clutches me tightly, resting his chin on my head. I can feel his jaw tighten. He holds me like this for a few minutes, like he’s afraid I might disappear at any moment. After a long deliberation, he finds the strength to do what’s right. -What would make you happy? -My heart melts to feel he’s putting aside his fears for my well-being. -I want to go out there. I don’t care what happens next. I need to redeem myself, or I won’t be able to go on. -A doubt grips him though, forcing him to give it voice: -Let’s consider the possibility of a repeat of…that unfortunate event. How would you handle it? - I think carefully about the answer. -I’ll have to make it up to it again. For every victim there’ll be three times as many healed.- I clench my fists and I get out of the hug. Even the young man notes that my eyes are full of determination. -if not more. Every night I’ll go to bed exhausted and if not I’ll have to continue even when the moon is shining. It’s my nature, Asra. I was born for this.- I run to the back room, where we both live. His lips open in an expression of utter amazement. Ever since I was a child he has taken me under his wing, finding me in the middle of the road healing pets for pennies. By now he knows me like the back of his hand, or so he thought. He had never seen such passion in a girl who was usually shy and caring. I’ve grown up. At this moment, Asra Alnazar ceases to think he educated me personally. He took care of me, like a gardener watering his flower, just waiting for me to bloom on my own. And at this point there’s nothing he can do. He realizes that if I wanted to, he would have to let me go.

When I return, I have the bag over my shoulder, loaded with everything that could be useful to me during my journey, including, of course, my deck of tarot cards. Although my specialty is healing magic, over the years I have been taught to master the white one discreetly as well. Black magic is still an unexplored

territory, and frankly I hope I never have to experience it. It was always Asra who left me alone in the shop

during his expeditions in who knows which corner of the real world or magical realms. Now it’s my turn.

Let’s call it a declaration of independence.

-Where will you go?- he asks me, eyes veiled with sadness as he suppresses a “will you come back?” -Where’s the need for me to be.- I smile at him, but it’s not enough to calm him down. I look at his worried

face. -This isn’t a good-bye, Asra.- - Promise me.- He’s holding out a hand while also holding something

back. I hand him mine, and he drops a necklace in my palm with an emerald pendant amulet. -What is it?- I

don’t swear. Anything could happen out there. I may never get back to him. -When you need me, if you’ll

ever do, you can contact me with this. I’ll always be with you, MC.- He’s coming up to me, putting his arms

around my neck. I blush at the proximity of our faces. As soon as I hear the click of the necklace closing, I

pull away. Many times I have wondered if in all these years of living together Asra had ever wanted me to

be something more than an apprentice or a friend. But even more I wondered if I wished that too. These

moments with him seem to give me the illusion that it wouldn’t hurt to be with him for the rest of my life.

After all, he has never been anything but kind to me, and a thousand other good things. However, although

these reflections confuse me quite a bit, a part of me wants our relationship to remain pure, genuine. It’s

too precious, it goes beyond physical attraction. It’s so deep that it’;s platonic. If I ever had to make a choice,

I’d die for him. And I’m sure he’d do the same for me. -I have to go- I whisper to him with my head down

without having the courage to look at him again. I put my hand on the door knob and turn it, opening the

door wide. -MC.-I turn to him, and it hurts. For a moment I have the impression that he wants to reveal

his deepest confessions and his innermost thoughts to me. Then he bites his lip like he’s taking it all back. -

You haven’t promised yet.- I smile at him. -I’ll come back,I promise you that.- I didn’t think the first time I

left Asra would be the first time I could lie to him. But with those words,I disappear from his sight,not

knowing for how long.

.

I look around. The streets of Vesuvia have never been so deserted. A boiling wind lifts the sand from the clay soil, creating a vermilion mist. I decide to pass through the market, usually the place that is swarming with people, especially in the late afternoon. Few stalls have the courage to continue selling, the merchants constantly exposed to the incurable and deadly disease. In the distance I can see the stall of Selasi, the baker from whom Asra and I used to go every morning to have breakfast, in more pleasant times. The closer I get, the more I notice the scarcity of the goods: even for him the raw materials are now unobtainable. When he notices me, the man makes his gaze lighten towards my figure, then looks away, as if terrified. To say the least, a peculiar behavior given his joyful character. I remember how his face lit up at the sight of every customer, who he treated daily with all the warmth that a friend would give. Now I stand a few meters away from him when I feel that something is wrong. A familiar aura surrounds him: that of someone who is suffering. My slow pace becomes fast as I approach him: -Selasi!- he jumps. His face looks very emaciated. It’s not just the famine. -Ah, Miss MC… -What can I offer you today?- His voice is a tired, almost inaudible rale. Even stranger, since he is used to shouting to be heard by crowds. His gaze is firmly planted on the ground. -Selasi… you are…- -Don’t come any closer!- I back away, surprised by that shout. Then he continues, mortified: -Please…I don’t want you to…- The question is enough to convince him to look me in the eye. His are injected with blood, his sclera is totally vermilion, his skin is pale and cracked. I have never seen a plague patient so closely, but I can recognize them thanks to Asra’s stories and the medical documents he had given me. He had never allowed me to treat one in the shop, he was afraid that I would be drained of any strength or worse, infected. I wonder if I’d be able to do anything. -Why didn’t you come to me? You’re a friend.- I’m trying to get closer, but he’s reluctant. -I can’t risk causing anyone’s death, I just can’t. I try to keep my distance, but… - one cough interrupts him. He tries to turn around, but when he does, blood splashes on a loaf of bread. The disease takes its course in three days. The first you have a harmless fever, the third you’re at the Lazaret, waiting for your body to be burned among hundreds more. -Please, let me help you. I’ve treated sick people before, certainly not this kind of pathology, but I’ve never been infected. Please, Selasi.- the choice is not difficult for him, after all what does he have to lose? If he doesn’t try, he’ll die soon anyway. -I don’t have much on me, but…- -No, I don’t want anything. I just don’t want you to suffer anymore. Your offer almost hurts me. I’m not that kind of person, not anymore.- Somehow I’ll find other ways to make a living. I extend my hands to his face, and this time he won’t retract. My palms glow bright green. The brighter it is, the greater the effort. Now it looks so bright that I feel like I’ll be blinded at any moment. However, I’ve been practicing a lot since the accident. I am able to endure this, and even more so as I close my eyes to concentrate. My energy penetrates under his skin, looking for the focus of the discomfort. I can feel it flowing, it is liquid and it expands throughout his body, everywhere. It’s… the blood. The problem is now all over the circulatory system, and it’s invading the other organs with disarming speed. I have to stop it. I channel my magic into every single artery, vein and capillary. Nothing must be left uncovered. My being, meanwhile, is now in a total trance. I am no longer aware of the outside world. All I see is my light branching out into thousands of wires and tunnels. When I have invaded every zone, I try to keep my breathing regular, ignoring the dizziness that begins to manifest itself, and I begin purification. I hope that Selasi is feeling instant relief, it would mean that it is working. My stomach is writhing on itself, nauseated, and my legs are made of butter. I can do this. The darkness is about to disintegrate, I can feel it. My temples are throbbing. The heavy air comes in and out of my lungs quickly. I slowly close my fists, calling the light back to me. -Purify and return.- I whisper the formula needed to end the spell. I feel the energies come back to my hands, even if they have now decimated, they have finished their task. I hope it has been successful as I squint my eyelids. My feet touch the ground again. Apparently I was really floating. -Selasi…? -I hardly whisper. I can’t find any answers. For a moment I’m afraid I lost him. My vision is blurred and distorted, I can’t distinguish shapes and sounds come to me muffled. Maybe he’s talking to me, but I can’t hear him anymore. The darkness overwhelms me as I abandon myself to its warmth.

Immersed in the darkness, I can only hear the echo of my thoughts. It’s ridiculous. It would be pathetic if the first time I left Asra, I died. Maybe that’s exactly what happened to me, though. Maybe there was a reason I was never allowed to treat Red Plague patients. Maybe it would have been fatal. At least I saved a life. At least I redeemed myself. I remain immersed in that dense shadow for what appears to be an infinite amount of time. Then I see a pristine light, the famous light at the end of the tunnel. Where is it taking me? When I try to walk towards it I find myself unable to move. But it’s getting bigger, it is the one who is getting closer. My ears ring, it’s deafening. Where am I? When I come out of the luminous aura, I begin to struggle to distinguish a figure. They’re dressed in white, they have a gown, a strange headgear of the same colour in the shape of horns, the skin… green. My imagination is playing tricks on me. They wear a ruby coloured brooch on their chest, it’s shaped like a beetle, and their eyes are bloodshot, with a feline pupil. I’ve never seen this individual. The ringing in my ears fades to make room for sound. The figure is talking. -Oh, you’re waking up, I see.- -Mm…am I dead? Are you an angel?- A giggle answers me. -Oh, no, to be precise, I’m quite the opposite.-

.

Notes: thank you for reading! If you enjoyed it please leave a like/reblog/comment with your opinion and/or how would you like the story to go on! Ik that we meet dr vivisexy just at the end but this is just the beginning, things will change :3 Please keep in mind that english is not my native language so padron me if I made any mistakes!