#buying you food when she knows you can’t or don’t want to depend the money

[tvrningout-a]

being close with chiyo means she just might wipe your face like a mom wiping her kid’s face :’ )

[cerise-on-top]

ik that you just did something about what dates Valeria and Laswell who take you on butttt can you still do how’d they like to celebrate valentine’s day! Hope you have an awesome valentines 🩷

Hey! Sorry for not posting on Valentine's Day or yesterday, I was extremely busy with work and had some very long days ^^; But I'll post twice to make up for it today! Sorry this was a bit late as well ^^;

Valentine’s Day with Valeria and Laswell

Valeria: We’re just going to assume that she has time to spend with you this Valentine’s day and took a day off or something. Valeria doesn’t think too much about it, it’s just another day where people are taking the money straight from your wallet, either because there’s someone you love or because you’re single and need to eat your frustrations away. She doesn’t care at all about that day, and whether she does something for it or not entirely depends on whether or not you complain about wanting to go on a date with her that day. If you don’t then there will be no date. Because it’s only a cash grab sort of day, Valeria wouldn’t particularly buy you chocolates either. She really doesn’t like Valentine’s day. Complain enough and she’ll get you some chocolate straight from the chocoria, no matter how expensive. A few flowers maybe as well, but that would be it out of her own initiative. She’d much prefer to stay at home and watch some movie with you. One that isn’t about romance, just a normal action movie or comedy or something. Complain enough and she’ll sigh, grabbing her coat and ushering you outside. It’s not often that she does something like this, but you’ll be walking around Las Almas together, chatting a bit, getting some of the yummy street food out there. You’ll do something akin to sightseeing where she shows you all the places there are in the city and around it, except they’re all the places she found when she was still young and reckless. From the berry bush in the park no one knows about, to the abandoned mill by the countryside she used to hide from her parents in. Valeria is normally a classy woman who could buy the world if she wanted to, but her real signs of love would be when she isn’t spending money on you for once. It shows that you’re more to her than just another cost, another person who’s just out for her money. Or, at the very least, she trusts you to not be. While there still won’t be too much sentiment from her side, you’ll also go stargazing together if the sky is clear. She can’t tell you too much about the constellations, but you’ll just stand there and look at the stars. Valeria hasn’t had the time to do that in forever, so she’ll likely take a while.

Laswell: Again, we’re going to assume that she has the time to spend with you and isn’t out and about abroad, risking her life. Laswell has a much greater tolerance of Valentine’s day than Valeria does. She used to love that day much more when she was a teenager and was with her first girlfriend, but stopped caring as much about it as the years went by. While she doesn’t like how romance is being forced down everyone’s throat that day, she’ll tolerate it since she can’t change it anyway. However, Laswell is much more likely to do something with and for you on that day, she doesn’t complain either. Starts the day off with a kiss to your temple in order to wake you up, makes you breakfast, heart shaped pancakes with vanilla ice cream, before she gives you the chocolates and flowers she got for you. The flowers are fairly fancy, roses, dahlias, lisianthus. Anything that looks nice and could show you just how much she loves you is a-okay. After breakfast you’ll lounge around your home for a bit, doing chores together and stuff, until it’s time to leave that is. You’ll be going to a fancy restaurant together, eating at an all you can eat buffet until your hearts and stomachs are content. Of course, all of it goes on Laswell’s bill. Afterwards it’ll be something relaxing for the time being, digesting the food as you take a stroll through the park, for example. Whatever suggestions you may have, you may voice them now before the two of you will go to a jewelry store where you can pick out something gorgeous that fits you, your outfit, your eyes and whatever else there may be. After your stroll is over, you’ll likely go home together, cuddle on the couch and watch TV. It’s not the most exciting day there is, but Laswell is just glad she has a sweetheart she can spend the day with. You’ll end up watching some awful rom-coms together, complain about them and how bad they are, only to be watching the next one right afterwards. You will be eating popcorn together, salted, with caramel and maybe steal a few kisses from each other here and there while there’s nothing interesting going on at the moment. Again, it’s not much but Laswell is usually out and about just about anytime and wants to relax for a bit for once. Even better if she gets to do it with you.

[wambsgansshoelaces]

Waiting For You

Chapter 2; Beginnings

Siobhan Roy x fem!Reader

a/n: read the rest! I love shiv

Word Count: 3.349k

Shiv doesn’t come down to breakfast the next morning. You sit by yourself at a table, quietly eating a plateful of some of the best food you’d ever had. Silently, Kendall joins you, his chair making a muffled noise as it scrapes against the carpet.

Neither of you say anything for a while. This is normal for the two of you, though. Even though he was older than you and Shiv, you’d both always done the talking for him. You have extensive memories of pitching Logan on what to get for Kendall’s birthday, you and Shiv pretending like Ken hadn’t had told you what he wanted minutes before. You like to think he’d taught you how to appreciate silent company.

The dark bags under his eyes are deeper than usual, and he’s gripping a cup of coffee.

“Trying to strangle it?” you ask, taking a sip from your own mug.

“Pretending like it’s Dad,” he mutters back. “I don’t get why he can’t just leave me alone.”

You sigh. “I wish I could give you insight on that.” You poke at your food now, searching for something to say. “It’s always about the money, Ken. I’m sorry.”

He finishes with his food, but doesn’t get up. He leans back in his chair, staring into his hands. “You know…” He takes a centering breath. “I think we should hit him. Here. Tomorrow.”

You chew slowly. “We? What are we doing?”

“I want us to squash him before he has the chance to fuck me over.”

“How?” you ask carefully.

“Hostile. We’ll go straight for the shareholders first, and if that doesn’t work, I’m pretty sure we can convince the board to hand the company to us.” You meet his gaze. “And I want you and Shiv managing. You’ll both get seats on the board. I like you, Y/N, your head is screwed on right. And I trust you.”

You take another sip of coffee. “It’s an amazing offer. You think Shiv will like it?” you ask.

“If you can’t convince Shiv, let me talk to her. But there’s no reason she won’t listen to you. Besides, we’re talking about you right now. What do you think?”

You set your cup down on the table. “I think it’ll work,” you tell him truthfully. “And I know you’re a good person, Kendall. So just tell me what you need me to do.”

He gets to his feet, reaches over, and gives your arm a squeeze. “You’re a saint.”

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

Shiv finds you when you’re taking a stroll through the gardens. She hurries to your side, falling into step next to you.

“You’re up early,” you say drolly, glancing at the time on your phone. Noon.

“Hungover,” she says airily. “I woke up with the worst headache. Then I saw you from the window.”

You wonder idly why she joined you. “Feeling better, then?”

“No, I just wanted to walk with you.”

The weather is gorgeous, the sun warming your skin and brightly illuminating everything around you. The two of you stop in a patch of shade, a bench conveniently placed, protected from the sun.

“Did you tell Kendall?” she asks, sitting down next to you.

“Yeah, last night.” Your arms brush together. “He came to talk to me this morning, too.”

“Well?” She holds eye contact, the blue of her eyes unflinching.

“Well,” you repeat, taking a moment to get your thoughts together. “He wants to avoid it, obviously. Put a stop to the secret stock buying bullshit. He’s looking at just going hostile and booting Logan from Waystar.”

“Depending on the shareholders, it could work,” Shiv murmurs back, turning the idea over in her head.

“That’s what I told him. And I feel like he has enough power to fight management even if it fails.” You fall silent.

“What’re you not telling me?”

You hastily look away, before meeting her gaze again. “He wants to instate you and me into management. If a hostile takeover doesn’t work, and he goes to fight… us backing him gives him the win. I think it’s a win-win.”

The beginning of a frown is forming on her face. “What, and we just leave my dad?”

“Well, yeah. We’d be making more money and working for a better man. I don’t see why we shouldn’t.”

She’s truly frowning now, her pretty features wrinkling. “Don’t you think this is stupid?”

“The opposite.” You search her gaze. You don’t know what you’re looking for. “Shiv, we go through with this, we come out with bigger careers and making so much more fucking money. And you’ve been looking for a reason to cut clean from your father… Don’t you think this is it?”

She rests her head up in her hands, elbows resting on her knees. “Everything you’re saying makes sense. But I just… I have a bad feeling.”

“About what, Shiv? The logic is there. I feel like there’s nothing your dad can do after Waystar gets absorbed by Kendall. And you’ll be protected there. From Maria.”

She pushed herself back into an upright position, her thumb twisting a ring around her index finger. “What’s his plan?”

“He wants to serve Logan as soon as possible. While we’re here, so he can’t do anything crazy about it. And then they clash.”

“Does he need a definitive answer?”

“You can probably get away with not saying anything until after we’re back in the States. That’s when he’ll probably need a final list for the board and management.”

“I can get away with it? What about you?” Her brow furrows.

“I told him I was in. This sort of opportunity isn’t going to come again. I make more money, the stress in my life dissipates, I’m working for Kendall… I really don’t see any cons. I trust him, Shiv. Besides, I want you to be the best you can be. Climb the highest with your career. And I think you can do that on Ken’s side, not Logan’s.”

“Why’d you say yes without telling me?”

You pause. “I didn’t think I had to.”

She catches herself. “I mean, you don’t. It just would’ve been nice if we hashed it out together.”

“Honestly, Shiv, I didn’t think you’d be so opposed to it. This is huge. We can kill any influence your dad has, and Maria will fuck off with him. And, come on, Shiv, you’d probably only have to work a day in the week because of how much you’ll be fucking paid.”

“Since you’re doing it, I’m doing it too,” she says decidedly. “It’s… I don’t know, Y/N. I just have one of those feelings, you know?”

You, against your common sense, gently take her hand in yours. “I get it. And if something does go wrong, we’ll be fully equipped to handle it. You have nothing to worry about.”

Shiv gives your hand a grateful squeeze. “Where’s Ken, do you know? I have some ideas.”

You snort. “Like what? Illegally acquire a gun to shoot your father with?”

“That was my best idea when we were twelve,” she reminds you. “What I want to do is cause him some fucking problems.”

“So he’s otherwise occupied even back in the States.”

“My partner in crime. We’re on the same wavelength.” She tugs you to your feet, your hands still clasped together. “And I just want him to suffer.”

“Psychopath,” you mutter.

“You love me anyway,” she retorts. You can’t argue with that.

“What’re you thinking of?”

“I swear this isn’t just because I think she’s a bitch, but I’m almost a hundred percent sure Maria is drawing deals with the devil. So, we get dirt on her, make her look bad and Dad look worse.”

You continue your stroll together, deciding to turn the conversation elsewhere.

“What’s the schedule for the next few days?” you ask.

“Rehearsal dinner is tomorrow. Wedding the day after that,” she says. “The days after are all sightseeing tours. If I have to watch my father make bedroom eyes one more time I’ll kill myself. I don’t wanna fucking sit through this shit show.”

“What, watching your dad get married to his fourth wife or watching your dad attempt to commit murder on his son?”

“Both.” She plucks a white lily from a bush you pass by, twirling the stem between her fingers as you continue to walk. “Kendall should do it right before Dad walks down the aisle.”

“Jeez, Shiv. Brutal.”

“He deserves it.”

You have no argument for that. She plucks the bottom half of the stem off, shortening it, then stopping you form moving forward. She tucks the stem behind your ear, arranging your hair around it so it stays.

“Pretty,” is all she says before you start walking again.

“Lunch is soon,” you murmur, trying to distract from the butterflies fluttering about your stomach.

“Isn’t it on the ocean?”

“Something like that.”

“We should match. Wear those cute floral dresses we bought together before we came.”

You both get ready in her room, her flitting about, pulling her outfit together. You both had the same floral pattern printed onto the fabric of your dresses, but the style and color were completely different between you two. The cerulean blue offset her skin pleasingly, the cut accentuating her hips. You keep catching yourself staring. Her bare feet patter lightly on the tile as she hunts for a pair of heels.

“We haven’t even been here for a week. How’d you lose them?”

“I didn’t lose them,” she insists, clipping an earring into place. She disappears in the bathroom to inspect her makeup and hair, and you go to peek under her bed.

“Found them,” you call to her.

“Fuck you!” comes her response.

You hand them to her when she comes back, and she makes a face at you. “It’s not like I hid them,” you say adamantly. She toes the shoes on, reaching out to straighten out the fabric bunching over your hips. Her palms smooth over the divots of your waist, her eyes raking over you, inspecting. Her gaze snags on the lily. You’d thought it was cute, so you’d kept it in your hair. You forget how to breathe. Shiv doesn’t notice, instead picking up her purse and beckoning you out the door with her.

Still a bit dazed, you follow her out and into the back of a black SUV. She sets her sunglasses atop her head, pushing back her hair with them. She glances at you and gives you a tight lipped smile.

“What’s up your ass?” you ask, making a face.

“Nothing. Nothing.” She suppresses the smile, turning to look out the window as you begin to move.

“You’re thinking about something,” you point out. “I know you, Shiv.”

She doesn’t turn back. “Nothing important,” she insists flippantly.

“Whatever you say.” You turn the opposite direction, watching as the world passes by.

“It’s just,” she begins, “I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“That conversation we had last night. While I was busy regurgitating the contents of my stomach.”

“What about it?”

“I don’t know how to do anything I promised. So don’t expect anything.”

You roll your eyes. “Shiv.”

“I’m being serious! Any sort of affection is difficult for me to show back.”

“Affection?”

“Yeah, you’re so lovey. Attentive. I wanna be like that, too. It feels nice when you do it, so why don’t I return the favor?”

You feel your body flush with heat. “I think that’s just how I am,” you say, lying through your teeth. “There are no favors for you to return.”

She tsks. “I’m doing it anyway. I mean, I’ll try to. It’ll probably be shitty execution, like a latte for you every blue moon. But you’re a good person, Y/N. I want you to know that I’m trying, even though I’m fucking failing spectacularly.”

You can’t, for the life of you, discern the nature of this conversation. A part of you, the stupid, hopeful part of you, wants to believe she’s flirting. But what would you know?

When she opens the car door, she reaches behind her to take your hand. You’re assaulted by the bright flashes of the paparazzi cameras. Your sunglasses sit on the bridge of your nose, but they only do so much. Shiv, experienced, drags you through the crowd, head up, pace unwavering.

You get past the security barricade, and walk along a pier to get to a massive patio built on the planks over the water.

“This is nice,” you tell her.

“What did you expect? The more spoiled people are, the less they care to ask questions.”

“Doesn’t stop them from asking, though.”

The lunch itself is lush. Shiv’s wandered off, mingling with a group of executives, and you and Roman watch Maria make her rounds.

“God, she makes me want to vomit,” he says to you.

“You say that about everyone,” you remind him.

“Fuck you.” He opens his mouth to say more, then promptly shuts it, Maria turning to you both. “Mrs. Roy,” he says dramatically.

“Roman, Y/N. Pleasure to see you both,” she drawls. “Enjoying the festivities?”

“Yeah. Sun, sand, salt water. It’s great,” Roman says back, his arms crossed over his torso. “It’s great, really.”

Maria ignores him, instead asking, “Do you mind if I steal your friend?” He throws you a glance before leaving you with her. “I’ve been meaning to speak with you on our own.”

“Have you, now,” you reply, distracted, noticing Shiv’s eyes flickering your direction from across the room. She takes a strained sip from whatever it is she’s drinking, her conversation halted.

She takes your arm, leading you off the patio.

“You know I run my own press company.”

“What happened to not talking about work?” you ask lightly. You both walk slowly, the pier creaking under your feet.

“Sometimes,” she manages back, “things need to get done.”

“So.” The breeze tickles your skin. “What needs to get done?”

Maria stares off into the ocean. “Plenty of things.”

“I’m assuming at least one of those things involve me. Otherwise, I don’t think we’d be having this conversation.”

“You’re smart. Which is why I’ve come to you, specifically.”

“I don’t enjoy running erratically around the point,” you say lowly.

She sighs. “I would like you to consider your current position. You’re awfully close to Siobhan, given your positions at Waystar. And Roman, Kendall, Connor.” She smooths her hand over her dress. “And I figure it’s time we sever ties to those we find not helpful. Siobhan, Kendall, threats to the throne. Roman, Connor, media liabilities.” Maria glances at you. “Understand my meaning?”

“I do. But I’m lost as to how this has anything to do with me.”

“You’re in a perfect place to be… extracting information.”

You have to keep yourself from rolling your eyes. That’s what this was about- she wants an outlet for dirt to make herself higher in the line of succession.

“What are you implying?” you ask bluntly. “Because I feel like you’re implying I pry into my coworkers’ personal and professional lives and snoop.”

“Oh, I’m not implying anything. I’m just telling you, Y/N, that Logan and I have big plans for after we wed. And it’d be a shame if your potential went to waste while you go down with the rest of them.”

You frown. “Maria, what is the point of this conversation? You’re running in circles.”

“Y/N, we need someone with your skill set if we are to sever Siobhan and Kendall from Waystar. Someone competent, at that, that we can trust. And you’re all the above. If you see this through… lots of good things will come.”

“How is there any severing going on? What is ‘this’?” you ask, trying to dig. Not only are you trying to illicit information from her, you’re genuinely confused. She must’ve been watching too many crime syndicate movies.

“Just think about what I said. Enjoy yourself. We’ll talk again later.” You’re left confused, and slightly pissed off. After Maria steps away, and you’re back on the patio, Shiv’s at your side.

“What was that about?”

“You’re right to be suspicious about her. She’s… thought a lot about the succession.”

“Come on, let’s go sit in the sand or something. We should talk.” You both make your way to the beach, heels clutched in your hands. A hermit crab scuttles past you as you lower yourself into a sitting position.

“She basically just wants me to flip. Something about wasting my potential and the fact that you and your siblings are all threats and liabilities.” You stick your feet into the sand in front of you, the warmth seeping into your skin.

“That’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about us.” The wind picks up, blowing her hair back, exposing her jaw. “All of that stuff I said about being a better friend? Forget it. It's all bullshit.”

You blink, taken aback. “Oh.”

Shiv takes her sunglasses off, dropping them into the sand next to her. To your surprise, her eyes are watering, and she’s biting her lip.

“No, not like that. Not like that at all,” she continues, voice steady. “God, you’re fucking gorgeous, even when you’re fucking confused.” Your heart skips a beat. Hope blooms in your chest, a beautiful, ravaging feeling. “What I was trying to say last night, and earlier, in the car, was not that I want to be a better friend, but I want to be a lover. Your lover. I want to be with you,” she says bluntly.

You reach out towards her, stamping away her tears with your thumb before they fall. “Really?” you ask meekly. “Or is this some sort of sick prank?”

“No, never. You’re the fucking light of my life. I don’t get any of these feelings, Y/N, but I’ve had them for so long and I can’t keep ignoring them. I want you. That’s all I understand. That I need you so badly that I’d ruin my life for you, I’d fucking steal the stars from the sky if you asked.”

“I need you, too,” you murmur, barely a whisper.

Before you can even begin to articulate your next words, Shiv’s hands are gripping your jaw and yanking you towards her. Her lips crash against yours.

It’s a sloppy kiss. You’re both so needy, so hungry for each other neither of you know what to do. Her lips are just as plush, just as firm as you’d imagined. Her fingers dig into your skin, and she kisses you harder and harder. You manage to pull away, moving to press hot kisses down her neck and across her collarbone. An airy sigh leaves her lips, her fingers sliding up your jaw to tangle in your hair.

“Fuck,” she breathes. She sounds beautiful. She looks beautiful. “I’ve imagined this hundreds of thousands of times in my mind. It never amounted to the real thing. God, I fucking need you. All that fucking rambling earlier? I was just trying to ignore the fact that every time I look at you I can't fucking breathe."

She whines when your mouth leaves her neck. “We can’t get caught,” you say softly.

“I don’t give a shit who sees us,” she insists. “Besides, we’re so far from the pier, it doesn’t matter.” She pushes herself into her lap so she can tip your head back and kiss you again. She parts your lips with hers, greedy. She pulls away, hands cupping your face, and lets you press a kiss to her jaw.

“Slow down,” you murmur. “You’ve barely just confessed.” Your hands go to the swells of her hips, fitting perfectly, as if they were meant to be there. They slide along her waist, then back, before you give her a squeeze.

“I’ve been waiting so long,” she tells you, planting another messy kiss on your lips. “And so have you, by the way you’re feeling me up.”

“You love it, Shiv, don’t lie to yourself,” you tease, getting a smile to split her face.

"You're right, baby. I fucking love it."

[obsessedwithlute]

All That I'd Got ~ Lute x OC Fic *Chapter One*

@oneoftheeggs

"Heaven is just as fucked up as Hell is. Maybe even more so."

Adam took in a little girl and raised her to be his weapon. But something clearly went wrong when she fell in love with the Exorcist. So what to do besides banish her to hell? Clearly, he underestimated her, because she somehow manages to survive being Angel Dust's roommate.... And now she's out for revenge.

He was late. Why the hell was he late? Elorie had followed him for a week, memorized his schedule, enlisted a fucking hacker to gain access to his calendar.

And yet the one day her existence depended on his showing up, Angel Dust couldn’t be bothered to arrive at the bar. Such was her luck. The bartender stormed over to Elorie’s table and demanded to know why she hadn’t bought a drink.

Elorie decided not to mention she’d never consumed alcohol and ordered something random. She took a few sips of the drink while staring at the decrepit door. It tasted like shit.

Suddenly, the door slammed open and the very pink-clad spider demon she had been looking for stormed inside. Not one to wait around, Elorie made her way across the bar towards Angel Dust and clapped her hand on his shoulder.

The sinner spun around and stared at her. “What?” he demanded. “It’s my night off, so you can wait until tomorrow.”

“Not interested,” Elorie said. “Trust me, I picked your night off for a reason. We need to talk, free of distractions.”

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” the pornstar asked.

“No,” Elorie told him. “I’m just someone who needs your help.”

“This is hell, toots,” Angel told her. “No one helps anyone here.”

“Believe me, I’m painfully aware,” Elorie said. “But still, I’m asking for your help. Because what do I have to lose?”

“How am I supposed to know?” Angel Dust asked, winking.

“I suppose this is the part where I tell you my whole backstory and repent for all my sins?” she asked, tilting her head to one side.

“What…”

Shit. This is hell. Remember that, you idiot.

“Okay, so because you obviously can’t take anything other than a straight statement, I will simply give you one. I want to live in your apartment. I will pay half the rent. I will not be leaving except for when I want to and when we’re out of food.”

“Straight?” Angel laughed. “Perish the thought.”

“Yes or no? I don’t have all day,” Elorie hissed.

“Elorie, we’re dead. Neither of us need food.” “First of all, I like food. Second of all, why do you care? Third of all, give me a fucking answer.”

Angel Dust slouched into a chair. “Why don’t you answer a question of my own first?” Elorie towered above him, glaring. “And that question would be…?”

“Why do you want to stay at my apartment?”

“Uh, I need a roof over my head. I’m virtually broke but somehow Lucifer still implements fucking rent fees. And you’re my ideal roommate.”

“How the hell am I your ‘ideal roommate’?” Angel demanded.

“You like pink, you won’t be around a lot and you’re only ninety-eight percent an asshole,” Elorie said primly.

“Most people would consider that to be a high asshole percentage,” the spider demon said, batting his eyelashes.

“Well, it’s your lucky day, because I don’t!” Elorie announced. She stared at him. “Think of the extra alcohol you can buy with that money that won’t have to go to rent…” She waved her hand in front of his face like a crystal.

Angel smirked. “Well, who am I to say no to alcohol? Ground rules are feed Fat Nuggets when he asks and no asking questions.”

“Who or what is a Fat Nug-”

Angel Dust waved his finger. “Uh-uh-uh. I said no questions.” Elorie rolled her eyes.

c. 100 years previously

Elorie stomped her foot on the arrow buried in the ground. She let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a groan. She’d been trying for weeks to find a weapon she could actually fight with, but to no avail.

The arrow cracked in half and Elorie bent down to pick it up and throw it away. A few tears pricked her eyes, but she brushed them away quickly. “Crying won’t make you stop sucking,” she whispered to herself.

Elorie disposed of the arrow and stormed back to the training grounds, struggling to lift up a sword that was too heavy for her, but just maybe if she could wield it, it would show them just how strong she was!

Strong enough to be an Exterminator, to be worthy, to be noticed.

Elorie’s wings tensed as she dragged the blade over to a dummy target and swung as hard as she could at it.

She collapsed to the ground, out of breath.

“Wow,” someone said from above her. “Who the hell thought it was a good idea to have a little kid at the training area?”

Elorie looked up and wrinkled her nose when she saw who it was. “Lute,” she hissed. “You’re barely three years older than me. We’re both just little kids. But I need to practice so I can get better.”

“Mm-hm, and how’s that working out for you?” The angel rolled her eyes. “You can’t fight with that thing. I doubt that even I could.” “You’re not that good,” Elorie protested. “And besides, we both Adam would make me an Exorcist sooner than he would you.”

“I’m better than you. And I always will be. Just because you’re Adam’s sister doesn’t mean that you’re better than me. When has he ever played favorites with you?”

Elorie racked her brain for one time, coming up empty. “Well- well-” she sputtered- “If you’re so good, why don’t you teach me?!” Lute laughed. “Yeah, no. I’ve got better things to do with my time.” She paused, something strange flickering across her face. Then she sighed and searched in her pocket for something, removing a glittering, sharp javelin. She threw it in front of Elorie. “Here. Just… take it. Pretend you’re stabbing me or something.”

Then she raised her wings to the air and left.

[hekates-corner]

Apothecary Diaries | WN Translation | Arc 9 - Chapter 20

Hi and welcome!

For a number of reasons I ended up here. I go about translating to the best of my abilities, relaying all that happens in the chapters - pretty much playing wine-aunt.

So, be warned that all the spoilers are down below. Want some but not all? My dm's/asks are open!

New here or missed a part? Check out the Masterlist.

Enjoy & please take a look at the notes, if you're caught up!

Chapter 20 | A Twisted Past

Maomao checks with Kurumu: So you know the wind reading clan?

The self-proclaimed “beautiful girl” crossed her arms and grunted “Hmm/Well”.

Kurumu: I know, or rather, that’s what my great-grandfather used to call it when he was still living in the grasslands. Well, I only know very little/not much about it either, I’ve only asked my grandmother a few times.

Maomao: Can you tell us as much as you know?

Kurumu: Eh, what should I do?

Narrator-Mao notes that as she made a bad move, Kurumu got carried away.

Kurumu: I can’t say it’s free but/though

Grinning, Kurumu asks for money.

Taomei: Hehe, do you want to get turned in by/to the officials?

Eyes reminiscent of a bird of prey flashed behind Kurumu. Taomei looks on with a smile. Narrator-Mao notes that.. for some reason, the unrelated Basen cowered and the owl was trembling, its wings ruffled.

Kurumu’s face twitched.

As expected, Taomei is a scary wife who puts Gaoshun in place.

Maomao deliberately clears her throat.

Maomao(?): …… I think we’re making a concession here. You answer the questions. I won’t expose you to the officials. Also, depending on what you do in the future—

Taomei: Right, we can also discuss what to do with this owl

Taomei continues Maomao’s answer.

Kurumu: Understood. (it’s short and rushed, fitting for being gaslit like this). What I heard from grandma was that a long time ago, a nomadic family was hunted by slaves. I heard that most of the people who were hunted were killed, the women were taken as wives and the children were sold as slaves.

Narrator-Mao’s like “that’s info even I know”.. however, there is one thing that’s bothering her.

Maomao: I heard that the wind reading clan uses birds. Does this mean that the method of incubating and raising bird eggs has never ceased?

Kurumu: That’s it. Ah, that was a bad thing to say. The wind reading clan was destroyed. The divided half

Maomao: Half?

Maomao and the others stare at Kurumu.

Kurumu: That’s right. They must’ve been going around the grasslands for some kind of festival or something. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to move in parts, rather than all at once. There was also a means of communication using birds.

Maomao nods, saying that’s certainly true.

Maomao: But what happened to the remaining half? It seems that the wind reading clan is thought to have disappeared. Was the festival not continued?

Kurumu: Yes/Hmm. I don’t really understand/get it. Apparently my great-grandfather was one of the surviving members of the family, but he died when grandma was about ten years old. Granny said that he had taught her a lot about birds, but he was no longer grazing and was living in the city. However, there was a regular customer who would buy the pigeons he raised, so he didn’t have to worry about food/eating them.

Maomao: A regular?

Kurumu: Well, I was told that he must be some kind of big name, but I haven’t heard any details about him. I mean, even grandma didn’t seem to know much about it.

Everyone falls silent at Kurumus testimony.

Kurumu: Huh? Did I say something weird?

Maomao?: No, thank you very much.

As narrator she goes on ask-stating if that’s what’s meant with a horse coming from a gourd, which is a literal translation from a saying about a joke/something very unexpected actually coming true. But then she argues that she’d assumed it could be somewhat related to the wind reading clan, it just got to the core of it all more than she expected.

Kurumu: Compromise. Can I take this one home? I found a place that looked like a good spot for releasing (owly).

Maomao(?) asks if she’s actually going to let owly go if they hand owly over and Kurumu explains that that’s what she’d intended to do and what she’d been taught by her grandmother.

Maomao makes eye contact with Taomei. Taomei nodded quietly, so Maomao handed the cage containing owly over to Kurumu. Kurumu smiled broadly.

Maomao: May I ask you one more question?

Kurumu: What is it?

Now that the bird had been returned, Kurumu seemed to be in a good mood, saying this with her teeth showing.

Maomao: You said that your father and Gyokuou-sama’s mother are related, but is it okay to assume that your mother is also part of the wind reading clan?

Kurumu: I can’t say for sure, but…… She seemed to like birds and was used to handling them.

Narrator-Mao notes that if Gyokuou’s mother is from the wind-reader clan, there would be various connections.

Going on to think: I got some useful information though

However, Narrator-Mao’s like.. if they believe Kurumu’s story, several contradictions will appear.

Maomao thinks: If the wind-reading clan had not perished, perhaps they could’ve continued the festival even after that.

Which would mean they’d have to question what the meaning of what Nenshin, who’d become a serf, was doing actually was.

And why did the wind-reader clan become extinct?

Narrator-Mao thinks that a strange/suspicious point just appeared.

In her mind, concluding that one possible possibility is…

Maybe they pretended the wind reading clan was destroyed and used their abilities for something else. (also got that they destroyed them to use their abilities)

“The faster information is transmitted, the stronger it is” - she points out in her head.

Once you surround them with the fact that they perished, there’s many ways to use them. This isn’t strange, considering that Kurumu’s grandmother was already living in the city. It also makes sense that Kurumu’s great-grandfather passed away so early.

Maomao goes on thinking, about great-grandpa’s premature death, that once the technique has been passed down - those who know the past are in the way. (because they know too much)

Kurumu: Hey. Nee-chan. Can I go home now?

Maomao startles as Kurumu pokes her. She seemed to be in deep thought.

Maomao: Sorry. Could you please give me/us your contact information? I might also be able to introduce a customer who also wants a small bird.

Kurumu: …… Eh, I’m kind of scared

Narrator-Mao notes that Kurumu doesn’t seem to be fooled by her fake smile. (Maybe) There was a look on Maomao’s face as if she was going to let a valuable source of information escape.

Taomei: Hehe. I(?) would never do anything terrible to a child. Hey/Listen, could you please introduce me to your father?

Taomei’s eyes light up.

Kurumu reacted timidly, nodding.

Mind-Mao’s like: She’s just too strong

Going on as narrator: Even though she’s a different type from Suiren and the Madam (granny from Verdigris)

Mind-Mao thinks that it’s quiet around her/that it’s no wonder everyone around her (Taomei) is so quiet.

Chue is not as bubbly/outspoken as usual and Basen has a selfless look on his face, one that resembles Gaoshun. Maomao wonders if this is how today’s Gaoshun was created.

Once Kurumu was sent home with a/her servant, Taomei looks at Maomao.

Taomei: From the look on your face it seems like you’ve come up with a few things.

Narrator-Mao notes that this seems to be a polite way of saying: If you know something, tell me.

Maomao: This is just my assumption and it may be (wild and?) absurd

Recently, Maomao has had some antipathy with her adoptive father, Luomen, but she is basically faithful to his teachings. She doesn’t intend to judge things based on speculation without evidence.

Taomei: But my-, our master isn’t looking for a definite conclusion every single time/for every single thing. He’s a master of taking everything into his own hands, but could you please speak with him once so that we can plan for possible future countermeasures?

Taomei looks at Maomao with the eyes of a bird of prey.

Maomao?: Well then—

Maomao opens her mouth to tell Taomei to tell Jinshi her story.

Taomei: No, please meet and talk with him directly.

Maomao: I don’t think there’s a problem with talking about it here

As narrator Maomao doesn’t think that Taomei would twist around the speculations she told her.

Taomei: No. Sometimes I need a distraction

Maomao: Huh?

Maomao could only narrow her eyes at Maomao, who gave her a slightly mischievous smile

Notes

This shit’s getting wild xD

– Please note that this was originally Arc 10. I wrongly assumed since it's going to be LN 10 it would line up, but it was brought to my attention that 2 of the arcs are split up due to how long they are. It doesn't change much per se, since it's still future LN V10, but I'm sticking to the promised honesty, if I get something wrong somewhere. I've gone ahead and renumbered all the posts by now.

– A bird of prey is a bird like an eagle/hawk that kills and eats other birds/animals

– The line about the horse and the gourd was an actual chain of kanji. You can google it and it'll come up: hyōtankarakoma xD

– Which, btw is unrelated, but Basen’s often coming up in translators as “Horse flash” which is always funny. Taomei is peach(es)

– The “selfless” expression mentioned from Basen towards the end is “muga no kyouchi”, a state of self actualization. It’s a state where a person has surpassed his/her limit and starts to copy and execute techniques that he/she has seen/experienced in a random pattern. And yes, this is part of Prince of Tennis xD

– One of the only things I don’t know this time is who’s servant Kurumu leaves with.

– I most often got that sometimes Taomei (aka “I” not “you”) needs a distraction, which.. She's a married wife, with grown kids, her husband in tow - I did get it a minimal amount that sometimes “you” need a distraction, but with Maomao’s reaction and Taomei’s mischievous smile.. 6 and 9 is a number once added up that equals yoga between the sheets.

– I also got it a couple of times that Taomei has a couple of potential clients that could want birds from Kurumu’s dad, but for now I settled on one (Jinshi, the obvious target)

I hope you enjoyed. Buckle up, this is going somewhere. I just love that Taomei is domming anyone and everyone like they’re all just clay in the palm of her hands. Stay safe and I’ll see you soon!

[demoiselettes]

hi! i saw you were doing matchups and was hoping if you could match me up w one of the guys please??

appearance: i’m 5’1 w a curvyish body and tan skin. my hair is black and straight, it reaches a little past my shoulders and i have bangs. my eyes are basically black and my fashion is all over the place. i go from wearing goth, to y2k, to smth really girly w a mini skirt. my fashion taste is also not exactly conservative and my friends like to joke about how i always have my tiddies out bc i always wear cami tops, tank tops, crop tops, or bralettes so do what you want w that info 👨🏻‍🦯👨🏻‍🦯

pronouns: she/her

personality: i’m not shy but i kind of hate having to talk to others im not close to and am usually quiet. i also don’t hate physical touch but i do hate when someone i don’t know touches me and make it obvious w my facial expressions. i also hate crowded areas and have a really short temper when i’m in one. despite all that, i’m really easy to get along w and make friends really easily. when im w my friends im kind of loud and never stop talking bc i always have smth to talk about. i also actually really like giving physical affection and love holding my friends hands, hugging them, and even kiss them on the cheek sometimes. i’ve been told i need to be meaner bc i have a hard time saying no and end up doing thing i don’t want to. like buying food for people, giving people money, and giving test answers. i’m a hopeless romantic and love reading romance stories and seeing couples in public. i also love cats and always pet them, hug them, and kiss them (despite being severely allergic) i also feed stray cats whenever i have the chance. i also kind of have a dirty sense of humor and love teasing my friends whenever i have the chance. i love being able to help people and one day i hope to become a nurse or a detective (mostly nurse) i’m also the friend that whenever someone is scared i offer to hold their hand

likes: cats, pastries, reading, going for walks, romance books, comic books, action movies, coffee, spicy food, and im absolutely obsessed w anything horror related

Eventide

I match you with Sanemi Shinazugawa!

•Your relationship with Sanemi starts off rocky

•Like if you’re on a boat and the kraken decides it does not like you kind of rocky

•Your first interaction would probably be him asking you about something related to a mission— if you’re a demon slayer it could be you being partnered up with him or if you’re a civilian it’d be him asking you if you’ve seen unusual demonic activities

•Whatever the case, you give short answers and give him war flashbacks of his fellow water hashira and he prematurely decides he hates you

•But he also kind of doesn’t. because now mans can’t get you out of his head and it’s his poor trainees that are facing the brunt of his infatuation

•So Shinobu, having had enough of treating the slayers that come to her after his training, decided to start a friendship between the two of you by hosting.. meet ups

•Soon, Sanemi warms up to you very gradually but he’s still as harsh and cold as ever

•He notices you’re not all like Giyuu and decides that he doesn’t hate you as much he never did he’s just dumb af

•He’s a goner the moment you give him a hug or a kiss

•He’s probs gonna push you away(gently) but he also can’t stop thinking about how nice you feel,,,

•It’s both a blessing and a curse to be around you bc of the clothes you wear

•See, Sanemi drinks his respect women juice and would never try anything without your consent but god dammit he’s going a lil crazy with those clothes you wear..and he doesn’t mind it a lot

•He sees anyone taking advantage of your kindness or generosity and they’re losing either their fingers or their arm, depending on how nice he’s feeling

•Unfortunately for you, Sanemi rarely gets scared buttttt he wouldn’t mind you holding his hand still.

•He’d come up with this super half assed excuse like ‘your hands are as cold as a corps’s wtf’ or ‘you’ll get lost’ but you know better c’mon

•Sanemi gets that you love cats and all but he’s never letting you near one bc of your allergies. Like if he sees you drifting towards one he’s gonna casually throw you over his shoulder and walk away

•If you’re a nurse at the butterfly estate, he’s gonna demand to be treated by you only

•Like he could be bleeding out and this mf will still wait for you to come and patch him up like we get you’re down bad but stillllll

•He turns bright red at the mere mention of one of your dirty jokes and it’s all cause his mind takes a deep dive down the gutter

•He might just start screaming if you start teasing him

•But he finds it very amusing to tease you about your height difference and loves to flex by lifting you up to help you reach something

•You can be talking non-stop about whatever and he’s gonna mumble this really quiet ‘shut up’ but like don’t bc at this point he’s drunk on your voice lmao

•He gets used to your love for physical affection in the later parts of your relationship but he still gets close to having a hear attack whenever you touch him

•He’s gonna try his best not to bring you to crowded places but if you have to be in one he’s gonna hold your hand and give it little squeezes or run his thumb over your knuckles to calm you down

•If anyone you don’t know tries to touch you without your consent haha they’re as good as dead

•So Sanemi isn’t a hopeless romantic since he’s been raised in sort of a less than desirable way and he believes love can’t exactly solve anything

•At least that was his mindset before he met you bc now he finds himself dreaming of a future alongside you at night when he can’t sleep and god, does he hate it

•But that still doesn’t mean he’s a firm believer in love since he’s scared he might lose you. He practically thinks he’s a death magnet to the people he loves

•Mitsuri has definitely sensed that the wind pillar is totally head over heels for someone and she has tried to help

•Of course he pretends he doesn’t listen but why do you think he’s gotten better at romance? Mitsuri’s advice is quite useful ya know :)

•He often absentmindedly twirls a strand of your hair around his fingers. He usually does that when something’s bothering him

•He can never keep up with your changes in fashion taste, but he does notice and honestly you look good in anything to him

•If he notices you’re going for a specific style, say, the girly style, he’s gonna try and get you clothes that fits after seeking Shinobu’s help. Like for example, he can buy you an awfully cute kimono! Bc we kind of in the Taisho Era here and then practically shove it in your hands unceremoniously

•He starts making you lots of ohagi after he finds out you like pastries and by that i mean a lot off ohagi, it’s like you arranged a subscription or something

•So, Sanemi sort of isn’t fond of horror related stuff since being a demon slayer is an entire lifetime’s worth of horror, but for your sake he might try to recall the traditional scary stories his mum used to narrate and proceed to narrate them to you

•He might get a few details wrong though

•He’s learnt to always order spicy food whenever you go to restaurants and he watches you eat them with the widest eyes ever

•He’s not gonna be writing to you much at the beginning and you might think it’s bc he doesn’t like communicating with you but when he gets comfortable with you he’s gonna admit to not being able to write

•If you decide to teach him to write he’s gonna be super thankful internally, but also he’s gonna take so much time to learn cause the entire time he’s staring at you and when you catch him staring he’s gonna be like ‘what’re you looking at’ the hypocrite smh

•At this point the entire corps knows he’s into you but he thinks no one knows 🤷‍♀️

[purplesurveys]

1532

1. Are you embarrassed / uncomfortable dancing in front of other people? For the most part, especially if it’s a choreographed dance. I think the only three settings I’d be fine with dancing in are at a bar, at a concert, and at a club and that’s obviously because nobody cares when people start dancing in those places haha.

2. Would you ever consider styling your hair as a mohawk? No. It wouldn’t be my style.

3. Do you have any friends that only bother to communicate with you when they need something from you? Or, do you do that to any of your friends? I haven’t felt this from any of my friends; on my end I also try to be watchful with my interactions so that I don’t come off as this type of person. I do have a high school batchmate who reaches out at least once a year to ask for monetary support for her family (she has three kids). As much as I want to help, I just don’t want her to end up being too dependent on others - as is unfortunately very common Filipino behavior - especially since I’ve heard she does this with every one of our batchmates. 

4. Have you ever curled up in front of a fireplace, whether alone or with someone? I’ve never been anywhere with a fireplace. I’d be surprised if I saw one in this country.

5. Do you ever drink directly from beverage containers because you don’t want to dirty a cup? No. I feel like that would mess with the beverage and make it go rancid sooner, so I’ve never done that.

6. When you come across surveys with poor grammar, do you fix it or pass on doing the survey because it’s too difficult to comprehend? I’ll fix it.

7. Have you ever accidentally dumped something sticky into your keyboard? How did you go about fixing it? No, fortunately. That would drive me crazy; even just food crumbs irritate me already so I can’t imagine how agitated I’d be if my keyboard (and laptop) got all sticky.

8. If you were in a situation where you had only enough money to pay for either a necessity [medicine, hygiene products, food, whatever] or something you just wanted - would you honestly purchase the thing you needed over the thing you wanted? Yes. That is something I would like to call The Effect of the Pandemic lmao. There was one point we really only had to buy the essentials every two weeks, and we also ended up having to sell one of our cars. My dad also had to take up a side job as a delivery rider so that he could earn during the time all cruise ships stopped services and he couldn’t go back to his work.

9. Of all of the electronics you own [excluding kitchen appliances], which one do you use the least? The Switch.

10. Do you know any men that wear slippers? Yes. Is it supposed to be unique if men wore them? Lmao Filipinos wear slippers and flip-flops all the time so this question comes off as strange.

11. Are there any smudges on your computer screen? Do you neglect to clean it? Not really smudges but like small specks of dirt here and there on the screen. I clean my laptop at least once a month or as soon as I start to feel icky.

12. ^ Have you ever sneezed on your computer screen? No, I always turn to the side before I do.

13. Would you [now or back when you were younger] be more interested in karate classes or gymnastics? I feel like I would have been interested in karate and I’m pretty sure my 5 year old self had even raised this with my mom. I feel like I was the only Filipino kid who never enrolled in a taekwondo class lmao; I was made to take up ballet instead.

14. Is your bath tub [assuming you have one] big enough for two people to lay in comfortably together? We don’t have a bathtub.

15. How often do you get sock lint between your toes? I don’t wear socks enough for this to happen. < Same.

16. Have you ever created anything in either Bryce or Poser? What is this even talking about? Are they software apps? Hahaha.

17. If you carry a purse, roughly how big is it? What do you carry in it? I have a handbag, rather than a purse. It’s definitely too big for the stuff I usually carry, but I like the extra space for cases I’ll suddenly need to put extra things in it. Anyway, I never leave the house without my wallet, vaccination cards, phone charger, and my tumbler. Occasionally I’ll bring my laptop too.

18. Of all the pets you have had throughout your life, which one has meant the most to you? Is there a reason why? I love all the pets I’ve had and have, of course...but there would never be anything like my relationship with Kimi. He was with me in all the turbulent moments of my life, just patiently sitting by, being. Our need to be physically close to one another was consistently mutual, and he was, and continues to be, essentially an extension of my identity. I also didn’t go through suicide in the handful of times I planned mine because of him – because I didn’t know who else was going to look out for him as much as I did.

19. Have you / would you ever go spelunking? Sure! I had the chance before, just didn’t have the appropriate footwear haha; next time I find myself near a cave I’ll make sure I’m bringing the right shoes so I can finally join.

20. If you could either be fire resistant or breathe underwater, which would you rather be capable of? Fire resistant. Can come in handy during fires and animals would need to be saved.

21. Would you rather live in a cabin up in the snowy mountains, a busy city, or a house by the beach? Busy city. House by the beach is great as like a vacation spot that I’d visit a few times a year, but I don’t want to live permanently by the water; I’m scared of losing the magic I usually feel when I’m by the sea.

22. Do you find the idea of space more exciting or frightening? So exciting. I just want to keep learning how big it is and what else is out there.

23. Do you know anyone who works / has worked in a fast food restaurant? Do you look down upon people who work in such environments? I don’t think so, but I know my cousin worked at a café at one point. No, I don’t look down at any career and I have so much respect in particular for anyone in the service industry - fast food staff, department store crew, security guards, all of them. Some customers won’t be the nicest, so I try to do what I can to just be kind.

24. Assuming you have blown bubbles in your milk before, were you yelled at for doing it as a kid? Yeah we were lightly chided to not play with our food, but I wouldn’t say we were yelled at for it.

25. Do you think that fake plants are tacky? Have you ever seen any that looked real? No, I don’t think they’re tacky.

[lovemesomesurveys]

what is your favorite kind of ice cream? Strawberry, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, birthday cake, and a lot of the “fun” flavors from like Baskin Robins and Cold Stone.  if people could read your mind, what would they usually find? My mind is a jumbled mess.  who do you talk to on the phone most often? I very rarely talk on the phone.  what's a song that makes you feel happy? Hmm. what celebrity would you like to meet? Alexander Skarsgard. 

what's the best concert you've ever been to? The Green Day concert, probably. Honestly, though, concerts are just awesome in general. It’s a fun experience. what is your favorite clothing store? Boxlunch and Hot Topic.  how did you meet your best friend? She’s my mom.  do you need money to be happy? No, but it can help with some things that may bring happiness and alleviate some things, which would be nice. It wouldn’t change or get rid of everything, though. I’d still have my depressed brain, feel the way I feel about myself and aspects of my life, and it wouldn’t heal the health stuff i’m dealing with.  what is something you do well? Nothing.  what's a good idea you've had recently? Uhh. what is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? I like eggs (even better with country gravy, spinach, cheese, or guac, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro), toast, waffles, hash browns, cream of wheat.  how far in advance do you prefer to plan? It varies, depending on what it is I’m planning and the things I want to do.  do you like to wear high heels? No. how many slices of pizza do you usually eat? 1-3, depending on where I get it from and the size. Can you remember life without technology? what was it like? I mean, technology was still a thing when I was a kid lol we just didn’t have some things yet that I have now, like my iPhone and MacBook. Anyway, it is crazy to think there was a time I wasn’t glued to a computer screen and actually used to play outside. I spent a lot of time outside, which if you knew me as I got older you would find hard to believe cause I’m an indoors, homebody type of person. 

what gift would you like to receive? Hmm. what's the last thing you paid for? Bills.  what's the last movie you watched? The Gray Man.  do you remember your dreams? Rarely.  do you play any instruments? No. do you always smile for pictures? I just do a little closed mouth smile.  what are you most excited about right now? Nothing.  if you had $5 in your pocket what yould you spend it on? I don’t know right now. It would likely be food or drink related, but I can’t have either one right now.  how often do you buy things via the internet? Often. I love online shopping.  would you like to live in a different country? if so which one? No. what animal would you see first if you went to the zoo? Giraffes.  if you could switch places with someone for a day, who would it be? Someone healthy and happy with a beach house, ha.  do you prefer the aisle, middle, or window seat on a plane? I’ve only sat in the middle the few times I’ve flown on a plane.  what's your favorite song from a movie? There’s a lot of good soundtracks.  where would you like to volunteer? At my church.  would you rather go out for dinner or cook at home? I’d like to get takeout.  who sent the last text message you received? My Nana.  what's your favorite flower? I don’t really have one.  what's the last song you listened to? I don’t recall.  do you like being alone? Sometimes. I do need my alone time.  what was the last thing you ate? The last actual food I had was a cookie and some chips. I can’t believe that was almost 3 months ago. :( how do you find new music? Spotify, generally.  what is your dream travel destination? So many places.  if you could play any instrument what would it be? Piano.  what's the last youtube video you watched? An ASMR video.  where are you going on your next trip? I don’t know. I won’t be able to go anywhere for a long time. :/ what are you currently addicted to? Stranger Things,

[yourtoradorasextendedwarranty]

So this lovely young lady has gone viral in a tweet that I can’t find. But I haven’t looked very hard. I HAVE seen the video, but let me quote it best I can.

All I can ever thing about, is the fact that this is not the way life is supposed to be. Working your life away, just to have a little bit of money, a little bit of free time. Time to do things that you actually enjoy. It’s such a waste of life and the older generation, will be the first to call my generation lazy for saying things like that. Not realizing that they’re just a bitch to capitalism and they’re  brainwashed. I hate my stupid, racist, xenophobic ancestors who set up this system that sucks for everyone except for like the one percent. This stupid capitalist society has made it to where no one can do things for themselves anymore  because we’ve been brought up to depend on everything.

Grocery stores, restaurants on every corner. A convenient store on every corner, because we can’t do anything for ourselves and we have no community. All we rely on is people who are getting paid and overworked their whole lives to get things that we need. That’s not community, it’s all nothing but a capitalist hellscape that sucks the life out of everyone. I just hate all of this. I hate my ancestors, I hate everything that has happened throughout history~

So I’m going to have a TL;DR at the end. However, this lady is a moron. Or she is just ignorant to history in general. Do any of you KNOW how long of hours most farmers work? Ok, do you understand that back in “Your ancestors times” they farmed for 12-18 hours a day just to have enough food for their families? Do you know how long it took to make clothing? Do you know how much food had to be offset by hunting and foraging? 

You can easily just go move out into the deep woods, Build yourself a shelter, foregoing ALL THOSE PESKY tools made by capitalists. Don’t buy any seeds because you’re also still using capitalism. Make your own clothing. Build your own car. Go ahead. MAKE. A. TOASTER.You can’t. It’s only through capitalism that you have the technology IN YOUR HAND to even make that video, and have people see it. 

WHAT YOU are talking about is not capitalism. It’s Corporatism.Now if you WANT to go back to working 12-15 hrs on a farm and hunting for your own food, by all means be my guest. Just remember one thing. You are a white woman, who likely has no idea who her ancestors really are, who looks to be using hair dye to be a ginger. Maybe i’m wrong. But she also has a decent amount of makeup. Fact is we aren’t lacking community because of “Capitalism”. We are lacking community because you have been taught a lie, and are currently deep up that lies asshole. And it’s why other people who you COULD be part of a community with, generally dislike you, and honestly don’t want anything to do with you, except maybe try to get in your pants. 

Try working pre the 1900′s. Hell try working in the pre 1950′s. YOU DON”T KNOW what a hard days work with no free time is. And in those days? You might very well be hung as a witch. Things back in the day were insanely hard, and you are too arrogant to realize that. Back when there was no 9-5. It was sun up until sundown. So yeah to the generation before you and the one before that, you are EXTREMELY sheltered, and if you think 8 hrs a day 5 days a week is hard, they didn’t use to have off days. It was ALWAYS sun up to sun down until winter. And even then you worked to have firewood and still go out in the snow to hunt. 

TL;DR, good luck surviving on your own without a lowes or home depot.  

[samc1025]

Field Work #6: How does the news media cover social class and inequality?

Everyone is different when it comes to managing money. There are people who are really good with money, and there’s just people who shouldn’t have control of their bank account at all. I’m someone that shouldn’t have any control. I don’t think someone could live off two dollars. I’m sure there are some people who think differently but I don’t think you can. A bag of chips and a bottled water is $1.50 alone, plus tax. I spend at least 30 dollars a day on just lyfts, and that doesn’t include me wanting to buy food from McDonalds, Chick Fil A, and Popeyes. I can’t manage two dollars for two days. Its completely impossible.

Max weber argues that social class is the power, property, prestige if you have one. If you have one of these it is easier to obtain the others. He also thinks that division of labor and tasks everyone must play a part to get the job done. My article consists of artists having marketing teams to build their fanbase. All artists that are signed by a record label has a marketing team; it’s almost required. Marketing teams help you get your name in the media no matter the circumstances, to build your fanbase and support system. This has been going on since we can remember, but it has become a bigger thing as social media became bigger over the years. The article shows Lil Nas X and other artists like Lil Yachty speaking about artists having marketing teams and how they all play a part. I think this goes into this social class because it shows how everyone must play a part to get the job done. Once you have in this case, power, it’s easier to obtain the others.

That Rapper You Hate is Better at Marketing Strategy Than You (chantellemarcelle.com)

Pierre Bourdieu argues that value, norms, knowledge, and beliefs that are valued in a society depends on your social class. He says your cultural capital plays a role in your power and status within society.  My article consists of ten incredible powers that the queen of England had before she passed away two months ago. The article lets us know things that the queen could do that actual citizens that lived in the UK couldn’t do. She could drive without a license, travel without a passport, and she’s the only person that could declare war on another country. This ties into the social class of beliefs and norms. This is a cultural thing in some countries that other countries and cultures might not agree with. These are social norms in the UK that people in the United States might side eye.

10 Incredible Powers That The Queen Of England Has - The Fact Site

Karl Max determined that there were two different types of social classes. The bourgeoise and the proletariat. The bourgeoise were the owners of production in society, while proletariat were the workers. They were the poor that would do anything to pay the bills on the first. Even though this was over 100 years ago, things like this still happens throughout the world. They make people work in fields, warehouses, and factories just to pay them 10.00 dollars an hour while they’re making nearly 10,000 dollars a week. This ties into minimum wage while your superior is making 30x more than you. They lower the cost of things like production and increasing sale prices just to put extra money in their wallet. My article above shows how people are surviving by getting minimum wage in jobs that are making thousands of dollars. Some are even making less than minimum wage, but they’re still coming in everyday because they're determined to make ends meet.

Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2020 : BLS Reports: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

[tenseoyong]

bambi liz i am like two seconds away from taking in a stray cat. backstory: we have strays on campus mostly from pandemic times when people got rid of their pets. last year a new cat popped up near my apartment dorm and she is so so friendly and allowed pets and rubs and at one point had a makeshift house.

but now the novelty has worn off now that we’re back from summer break and when i see her sometimes she keeps getting skinner and people have stopped feeding her and her makeshift home is gone and i don’t know where she stays when it rains and we just had a thunder storm 🥹

and the cherry on top is that i learned from my professor that she used to be a past student’s cat cause she was spayed and everything and it just makes me feel so bad.

all this to say do you have any tips on how to properly take in a stray especially on a limited budget? my roommates are offering to pitch in as well for like food and supplies but i’m thinking more along the lines of vet stuff

i just really want to help her because we truly believe she’s not gonna be healthy for much longer

considering she’s technically not a “true” stray ie a completely wild cat, makes this waaaaaaay easier. she’s apparently very friendly, used to people and is fixed so hopefully that means she’s also vaccinated (because that’s really the biggest concern with stray animals, what they may have contracted), and is probably used to being inside until she was dumped.

maybe a bit controversial to say, but cats are ridiculously easy to care for—they do most of the things themselves, you just have to provide for them.

a private litter box is pretty much an absolute to have for a cat, especially one that’s been outside (I don’t have science behind it but I swear there’s something about outside cats not liking being seen when they potty, i think it’s something that leaves them exposed for ambushes so….), a plain litter box with just a basic cardboard box around it is more than enough. and I’m not sure where you’re from but the dollar store has cheap cheap boxes and litter, like maybe $2-5 dollars, along with a scoop so. litter is probably what’s going to be the most expensive part because you have to clean it twice a day.

as for food—sometimes it’ll depend on how much of a brat she is. our outside cat is a snob, and won’t eat the cheap stuff anymore and only wants wet food, so good luck hopefully she isn’t that finicky. but again, dollar stores have cheaper alternatives, usually about $3-7 for a bag. a nice scoop in the morning and at night is all she’ll need, especially if she’s lost a lot of weight, you don’t want to overfeed her and hurt her tummy. then, you can upgrade to some “better” stuff, (i switched my cats from hard food which isn’t the best for them, think of it as like junk food for people. it’s good, yeah, but not the best. and ended up buying cans, which they like waaay more and seems to give them more energy). maybe even your people will pitch in for a nicer end wet food here or there.

toys are simple. a ball of paper will do. but again, dollar stores have really cheap packs of little puff balls and feather toys to entertain her.

something to scratch, again, even a cardboard box is pretty good. if you spray it with catnip, she’ll have a ball.

i don’t know her temperament, but no doubt she’ll need a flea bath so. you don’t have to buy expensive soaps, i always used just straight dawn dish soap. make a line around her neck so the fleas can’t get into her face and just absolutely smother her body in it—fleas won’t have a chance.

As for vets, if you said she’s fixed she’s probably vaccinated but if you could pull the money I’d get her checked out. she might have ear mites, fleas and probably ticks or something akin to that you’ll need to get medicine for.

I think that’s about it, but do keep me in the loop! i wanna know what happens and if you need any more help im here!!

[trilliastra]

glitch mode

[Jaeyoung x Sangwoo. When Sangwoo said he only uses hyung with family members, my brain immediately went ‘oh, does he have an older brother perhaps????’ and the fic practically wrote itself. POV outsider.]

-

“Mom wants you to visit her more often.”

“I’ve been busy.” Sangwoo answers and he knows it’s true because Sangwoo is such a bad liar, these days he rarely even tries to fool them. Their mom has always been able to stare him down until he confessed, though when he didn’t she would ground him anyway, because she always knew.

He still remembers the day his brother was first placed in his arms. Even though he was barely five, Sangwoo was so small, he had no problem holding him, picking him up when he started crying.

Depending on the onlooker, five years can be a big age gap or not, and Sangwoo always had differing opinions, depending on the occasion. If he told him to turn off the computer, Sangwoo would complain about having to do what his older brother says; if he gave him money to buy a new video-game, Sangwoo would smile in that smug way only he knows how to.

Still, when Sangwoo was a kid, he was already in high school; when his brother graduated from school, Sangyeon was in the military. Their lives never quite lined up and he missed most of the changes, most of his brother growing up.

“It’s been over a month.” Sangyeon says, eyebrows furrowing when Sangwoo orders a weird concoction with strawberry and cream instead of simple iced coffee. “No coffee?”

“Not anymore.” Again, not a lie, but there’s something missing, something different and he still can’t quite put his finger on it. “Are you staying long?” 

Sangyeon smirks into his coffee. Some things change, others don’t. “A couple of days. Maybe a week? A month?”

“Sangyeon.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow, don’t worry.”

“I’m not telling you to leave.” Sangwoo says. “I just asked.” After a beat, he adds. “It’s good to see you. I miss mom too, some days.”

Suddenly, their mother’s words come to mind and he understands what she meant when she said she’s been worried. Something happened, Sangyeon realizes, something big and not exactly bad, but– different. 

“I think I’ve been– lonely?” The words are not louder than a whisper, but Sangyeon hears anyway and his stomach twists as he watches Sangwoo’s eyes widen in realization. He clearly did not mean to say it, the words, the feelings, as unexpected to him as to Sangyeon.

He notices Sangwoo’s hand moving to his arm, scratching at it nervously, as if there’s an itch he’s unable to get rid of.

“Are you okay?” Sangyeon asks, moving his head towards Sangwoo’s arm when his brother looks up.

“I– I don’t know.” He answers, shakes his head when Sangyeon offers his help, confused but still, at his core, worried. “No one can help,” he says, “it’s a programming error.”

“Can’t you get someone to help you with it?”

Sangwoo shakes his head again, his expression less pensive and more defeated. Sangyeon doesn’t remember even seeing him like this. “The error is in me.”

*

He doesn’t tell their mother about it, knows she will worry even more, might even catch the first train to Seoul just to drag Sangwoo back home and Sangyeon feels that will not help his brother at all.

Still, Sangwoo seems to find a way to fix his problem anyway.

“That was quick.” That defeated expression will not leave Sangyeon’s memory so early, but he still manages a sigh of relief. “And you are okay now?”

“Yeah.” His brother answers, “someone helped me with it.”

Someone.

“Really?”

“Really.” Sangwoo answers and his voice sounds lighter, like he’s smiling.

Someone.

“I– I’m glad.”

“Yeah, me too.”

*

The next time they meet Sangwoo is wearing a leather jacket two sizes bigger than him.

Their mom fusses around, scolding him for buying a jacket that doesn’t fit him properly and their dad makes an off-handed comment about the price, but Sangyeon sees something else.

He sees Sangwoo checking his phone constantly, sees him taking pictures of their food and smiling when a new message arrives. He sees a different cologne brand on the bathroom shelf, sees the fading mark on the back of his neck.

He sees his Instagram and the pictures of red and yellow leaves, the Han river and always, always two plates of food. He sees Jang Jaeyong’s comments, the heart emojis, the ‘I miss you’ and the ‘wish you were here’ in every photo Sangwoo posts.

When he opens Jang Jaeyong’s profile, Sangyeon sees the leather jacket Sangwoo is wearing and the fit is perfect, he sees the pictures of Paris and how in almost all of them he mentions his boyfriend.

Especially, he sees Sangwoo, grown up, happier, making plans about his future, working on his game every day and every night, even during Christmas, even when they are supposed to be resting because he’s in a hurry, as if he has somewhere to be, as if his plane to Paris is about to take off.

*

“Hi.” Sangyeon looks up from his book, but Sangwoo is not talking to him. He is on his phone, smiling again.

He hasn’t noticed him and Sangyeon tries not to make a sound, holds his breath and tries not to feel like an intruder in such a private moment.

But he is. This is his little brother and he helped change his diapers and now, Sangwoo is someone’s boyfriend.

“You can do it if you work hard.” Sangwoo adds, “I lived twenty years without you, I’m fine.” The following answer makes him laugh softly. “Of course it would be better if you were here, but work is optimal, especially at the beginning of–” he gets cut off and after rolling his eyes, his expression softens, “I miss you, too.”

Sangyeon has had a number of girlfriends, with some he even entertained the idea of living together, but he knows he never spoke to any of them like this. This level of love, intimacy and open adoration, he never knew such a feeling could exist in real life.

*

When Sangwoo comes to greet him at the train station, he’s not alone.

They make an interesting pair and though they are not touching in any way, it’s clear to Sangyeon that they are together. Sangwoo never looked quite as comfortable next to someone who’s not a family member before and Jang Jaeyong’s entire body language is attune with Sangwoo, from the way he’s slightly turned to him, smiling, to how his hands are hovering close to Sangwoo’s, as if he can’t wait for the moment he will be able to hold it.

“Sangyeon,” Sangwoo greets him with a smile, not quite as big as the one he shows his boyfriend, but genuine, “this is my boyfriend.”

It’s the first time Sangyeon hears him say the word out loud and though he knew for a while, it’s clear his brother is not saying it just for him. Their eyes are shining bright enough for Sangyeon to notice how much it means to them.

“Hello.” Sangyeon says after a moment. “Nice to meet you.”

[mrpenguinpants]

Genshin: Roommate HCs [V1]

To be honest, I just wanted to ramble some more and let my brainworms take over. This is sorta late but Happy Valentine’s everyone! I was gonna post this earlier but this honestly took me a long time to write so I moved it to today. 

Once again, this is 90% crack 10% content. Seriously, as much as I love writing this non-serious fics. Why do you people like this?

—

Based off my ramblings with Keqing anon: Link

Genshin: Holding Hands [V1]

Genshin: When you’re cold [V1]

Genshin: University AU [V1]

Genshin: Royalty AU [V1]

[Masterlist]

—

[taglist]  <- if you want to be added, please read this first.

@youaskedfurret @diaxfeliz @wintergreen-aix @kaechu @thegayrubberducky @lovelykittycatmeow @yuunoagivesmelife​  @dokidokisama @rokipersonal​@minakohasmanyhusbandos​ @strwbrry-lia @tigerpriestess​ @yuu-yuukurotsuki​ @hanniejji​  @mikeysbike @unionwitch @musekala @sunnshiii​ @stanzastic @akaasea​ @xoneaboveallx​ @adoring-ghost​ @asheseiler​ @childelover​ @dilucsz​ @dai-tsukki-desu​ @thicmitten​ @nonniechan​ @htnicayh​ @genshins1mpact​ 

---

Diluc

What? Diluc has a roommate? Did you blackmail him in living with you? Is that even possible? Did you throw yourself in front of his car because you needed someone to pay for your student loans and the easiest way was to file a lawsuit? In this economy no one would blame you. Diluc seems like such the self-isolated character that would murder his roommate in cold blood but in reality, he act’s detached from the world because he forgot how to socialize and he’s desperately trying to cover it up without choking. That or he’s trying to learn how to astral project. If he could drink away the pain he would but instead he buys 20 packs of grape Kool-Aid and injects it into his veins. 

Does not and will not ever have a normal sleeping schedule. You’ll wake up to him working, come back home to him working, and will sleep to him still working. His daily dose of Vitamin D is from the brightness of his screen rather than the sun and he’s filter feeding at this point. It’s concerning. He’s going to crumble and he’s bringing the world down with him. Through the power of tax evasion. But as soon as he needs to walk out into society, he pulls movie magic and looks like perfection. It’s both physically and mentally disgusting. 

He’s actually is a really nice roommate to have just so long as you give him space. Great cook and knows to clean up after himself. Though he does have crash and burn days where’s he’s completely out of commission. You could set the entire apartment on fire and he would sleep through it. The entire two weeks are dedicated to zombie eye marathons and then he’ll suddenly collapse and sleep for 46 hours straight. When he wakes up from his hibernation he’s the most groggy and nonsensical person. His life blood is coffee because you keep hiding the 5 hour energy away from him because, you know, life is enjoyable and those cancer bottles will actually kill him.  

“University sucks our money out of our bodies faster than our will to live.” 

Beidou [Happy Birthday Queen 💕]

Despite her appearance, she’s actually really strong and it scares the piss out of you when you’re doing something or scrolling through your phone mindlessly and you suddenly get your spine re-arranged when she slaps you on the back to ask what you’re doing. Likewise, when she hoists you up and throws you over her shoulder so you come with her on her 3am convivence store raids for alcohol. It’s either you change now or else we’re walking out of the apartment in your t-shirt and no pants self. She can and will carry you under her arm that way. It’s both incredibly attractive and horrifying at the same time. 

She’s really friendly and a great talker if you’re alright with her “I must hold you in my arms, fresh prince of bel air style”. It doesn’t matter if you’re taller than her, she’s doing it. She does however, get in a bit of trouble from her rowdiness and you often get noise complaints but Beidou just passes them off to Ningguang and everything is fixed. She has ovaries of steel when neighbors rather confront her personally and she’s ready to 1v1 in the parking lot. You’re trying to desperately hold onto her shirt to stop her from pile driving your neighbors for the third time this week but she’s too strong.  

She’s constant party until we die attitude and suffers the hangover in the morning. It’s actually really funny to catch her in her hangover moods because whatever filter Beidou had, which is none, is gone. She really takes “cursing like a sailor” or the next level and the amount of creativity she comes up with is actually impressive. She can be a bit messy but she’s really likeable and always down to go anywhere with you as long as you’ll do the same. It’s a very ride together, we die together situation. You’re my best friend, you’re dying with me. I’ll see you in hell. 

“Imma T pose over my dad and then crash the car into the parking garage.” 

Kaeya

Kaeya on the surface seems like such a chill roommate. And he is for the most part. But he’s such an ass. Your things are his things, no questions asked. If you just bought a really nice sweater or you had leftover food, that’s his now. He’s innocent until proven guilty even if he’s literally holding your lunch. The pure amount of bullshit he can spit out to convince you that no, he did not pull the fire alarm because he wanted an excuse for not going to work, puts him on Shakespeare level. He’s also very pretty, way too pretty, sir can you share some of your genes? 

But aside from that, he’s actually super dependable. You forgot something at home? Sure, he has nothing better to do so he can bring them for you. We’re missing eggs? No problem, he’s just by the store. You’re 95% sure that he just wants to be cheeky and make you thank him for 20 minutes before he actually hands you what you asked for. It’s better for you if you never tell him anything you’re afraid of because Kaeya has no social cues, or more like he throws them out the window, and he’s probably a psychopath. 

He’s incredibly private of his room and things despite his attitude towards yours. You’re convinced he either has a secret lab or that’s where he’s storing the bodies. I was the good guy but due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to stab a bitch. But he’s a really good serious talker for those 3am, because everything happens at 3am, talks about life and the meaning of the universe. It absolutely wrecks your sleep schedule but some of the things you talk about are the most crackhead things like what’s the lowest amount of money someone would have to pay you to walk outside without clothes? It’s a legitimate question. 

“Never before have I been so offended with something I 100% agree with.”

Jean

Okay, what world did you save in a past life to live with his absolutely wonderful woman? Mother Teresa take a load off, take a seat. You have nothing to worry about. She’ll bring home little treats back home and it’s the most wholesome thing ever?? Is this what love and affection feels like? We’ve been starved for so long. She says it’s not a big deal and anyone would do it BUT THE MOMENT SOMEONE BUYS FOOD FOR YOU. IT’S A MAGICAL MOMENT. They are forever stuck in your will until proven otherwise. An absolute ray of sunshine that must be protected. 

She does get super busy so you don’t often see each other or get to hang out as much. She’s a bit of a workaholic but a lot more easier to talk her into taking a break. She’s also a pretty decent cook but she prefers baking and jesus christ, girl can you calm down? Be still my beating heart, I’ve been smitten. Has mother hen vibes that you’re not sure if she’s your roommate or if she adopted you into her family. It’s time to start a petition for the Jean protection squad. Given the opportunity, I would aggressively hold your hand. 

She’s always open to whatever you want to do. Any recommendations or things that you like she will try out at least once despite her busy schedule. She’s lowkey lonely because work consumes her so any time you want to hang out or do something together, she jumps on it like she’s feral. She get’s a bit shy to ask if she can join in on your plans because she doesn’t want to bother you or intrude no matter how many times you tell her that’s okay, she still get’s a bit iffy about it. Please save this girl before she trips. In your arms. Platonically. Just kidding haha. Unless?

“I can’t wait to see you happy and not hating everyone again haha.”

Childe

First impressions of Childe were great, until he opened his mouth and you realized how much of a two brain cell child(e) he was. He has two braincells because they constantly have to 1v1 in his brain. He’s lived with a lot of siblings so he has no social awareness or concept of privacy that you’re lucky if you come home and he’s half-dressed. It doesn’t matter if you’re 2 weeks older than him, he’s going to call you 82 years old and why your bones aren’t being fossilized at this point. He’s such a little shit, this fucker licks the yogurt lid peel.  

He get’s really restless when he’s stuck under house arrest, because apparently 1v1ing in the parking lot of a Wendy’s is illegal for some reason, so he makes dying whale noises until he get’s to go outside again. But he’s actually a really wholesome guy, probably because of his younger siblings, that he’ll sometimes get you something because you seemed down and it’s such whiplash? Who is this man and where did he come from? You’re starting to have a change of heart before he tells you that he got banned from the library for accidently punching the school’s computer. How you “accidently” punch something you have no idea but Childe always comes home with some sort of injury. Maybe he’s just incredibly clumsy. For your sanity, you’re going to go with that. 

He’s actually so uncultured that it’s crippling. You can’t blame him too much considering his upbringing and it’s great that he’s so interested in learning new things but...child no...It makes you want to take your spine out of your ass and rip it like a Beyblade. Watching him take chopsticks and stab his food like it’s marshmallows makes you want to fall into a blackhole and let the chair consume you. 

“I, too, fantasize about beating the living shit out of people.”

---

Is this another tag yourself game cause I resonate with Diluc. I’m crying in insomnia. As much as I enjoy writing these fics I absolutely hate tagging them. I remember I used to have a tag anon but that was back when I wrote for bnha. 

Valentine’s Day was fun tho. I had a drinking game with friends as we played league then ended it off with a movie night. 

[illyaana]

credits to the artists who made the fanarts I used!

Dorm Life - Shoto Todoroki

Thanks to @missuga for this collab! Sorry I gave to you late TwT Do check out their collab over here!

Tags: Shoto Todoroki x Reader, Binaural, Fluff, Cursing, Minor Angst, Kissing (escandalo)

Synopsis: A compilation of drabbles of your life during the pandemic, quarantined in the UA dorms.

Word Count: 2734

⋯⋯ ⫍ SFW Masterlist ◍ Navigation ⫎ ⋯⋯

Like my writing? Do you want a drabble specifically made for you about your love life with a character of your choosing? Check out my 50 followers event over here!

CLASSES

The Sun let its light brush against your skin, giving you a warm hug in the morning. You awoke to the pale blue skies that were painted so elegantly it made you stare. The cumulus clouds softly danced on its stage, etching a smile on your face. You looked around the room, checking for the clock to see what time it was currently.

10:00 a.m. - You were supposed to wake up at 8:00.

Worry rushed through you. The fear of you being late for class thrummed as you tried to get out of your bed.

Hint: tried.

You turned to your side and looked at the male beside you. His hands had found their way around your waist, pulling you in. His head was pressed against your shoulder. His twin-colored hair was disheveled thanks to him turning himself all through the night, His long eyelashes framed his closed lids, his lips slightly parted. Small snores came out in intervals as he snuggled into you, his vice grip around your body tightening even more.

You could help but trace his lips with your finger - it was so soft, you had to.

You pressed a kiss to his forehead, then laid your forehead against his.

“Get up, Sho - class starts in 10 minutes,” you said, rubbing his shoulder.

“I don’t want to, this is too comfortable,” he mumbled, rubbing his head on your shoulder.

“What are you, a cat?” You joked, placing your hands on his cheek, “Let me at least get my laptop on - I can tell Aizawa we’re sharing my laptop and we can just join the class here.”

“Getting the laptop means that you move - and you are not moving,” he said, tightening his grip on you.

“You know we’re going to be in trouble if we don’t join the class, right? Oh yeah, it starts in 5 minutes,” you said, slightly annoyed at him.

Shoto sighs in defeat, “Fine - but, hurry up,”

You pry his arms off of you and rush to your table to get the laptop on. Thankfully, you managed to join the class 3 minutes before it began.

“Aren’t you coming back in here?” Todoroki whined, patting the space beside him.

“Are you finally awake?” You question him.

“Kind of?”

“ ‘Kind of?’ “

“Yes, I am awake - I no longer need to sleep,” he groans.

You take your laptop and place it in the space between the two of you as you sit back on the bed. You pressed another kiss on his forehead, making him smile.

“Good morning, snowflake,” he says as he returns your kiss with one on your forehead.

“Good morning, Sho.”

“Now that you both have shown a great deal of affection, Y/N and Shoto,” Eraserhead says from your Zoom call, “Can my class finally begin?”

⁜

⁜

⁜

LUNCH BREAK

“I got the money from Aizawa for our meals! Can you all go through the menu and tell me what you want on the class group chat?” Momo shouted from the living room.

“Imagine eating great food for free?” Uraraka smiled, enjoying how our meals were paid for by the school itself, “The pandemic is amazing yet so annoying at the same time.”

You chuckle at the brown-haired girl, seeing her awe-filled expression.

“What are you getting?” You ask her.

“Hmm… maybe Udon? It’s been a long time since I ate it, and since it’s not coming from my pocket…” she eyed the menu, “I’m getting the most expensive one.”

“You know he gave a set amount for the whole class right?” You look at her mischievous expression.

“I’m pretty sure we can stay within the budget. Our class generally doesn’t spend much money on food, right?”

You looked across the room to see Kaminari and Kirishima going through the menu.

“You think those two will be reasonable with their spending? Knowing them, they’re most probably buying the whole menu plus snacks,” you say, looking at their joy-filled grins.

You saw Shoto walk beside Iida, heading towards the two males. Intrigued, you and Uraraka walked towards the group of four.

“Hey,” you say as you hug Shoto from the back, “Everything okay?”

“These two,” Iida said, anger laced in his words, “Ordered everything on the menu.”

You held back your laughter, unlike Uraraka.

“Your skills in predicting the future astound me, Y/N L/N,” she says, covering her mouth.

“Hush,” you say, smiling.

“The two of you…” Iida began, looking at the two wrongdoers, “I don’t know how your closer friends handle you two.”

You look at the scene unfolding in front of you, smiling.

Iida was full-on lecturing the two males, his hands moving in all ten directions. Kaminari and Kirishima just stood there, dumbfounded. You could see the two of them slowly spacing out from the ‘conversation’, but Iida kept going on.

“Hey,” Shoto whispered, “Wanna have a mini-date tonight? I’ll order a few things and get them sent here, and we can watch a movie together?”

“Don’t use the money Aizawa gave though - we don’t need a third victim of Iida’s lectures,” you whisper, earning a smile from the stoic male.

⁜

⁜

⁜

MINI-DATES

You opened the door to Shoto’s room, comfortably dressed in your Axolotl onesie. In your hands, you brought a hard drive filled with movies that you felt that you both would enjoy. Seeing that Shoto wasn’t in the room, you laid on his bed, waiting for the arrival of the owner of the room. Your eyes went straight to his mirror. He had slid multiple polaroid pictures of you and your friends in the corners of the mirror. Each one of the photos had a small remark, reminding you of all the memories you’ve made throughout your years in UA.

Your hands grazed on the photo he kept on the bedside table.

It was a picture of him and his mother smiling.

Your chest panged when you saw it. He had told you the story behind his scar and his life within the Todoroki household. His hatred for his father grew every day, yet he could never hate his mother - the very person who gave him the scar on his face.

“I love that picture, but not as much as I love this one,” Shoto said, pointing at a photo in the top-left corner of his mirror.

It was a picture of both of you visiting his mother with Fuyumi and Natsuo.

“I’ll admit Natsuo was not the most welcoming to the idea of me dating you, but he slowly loved you as a sibling. I did talk about you to Fuyumi a bunch of times, but she had her suspicions - that all changed when she met you, though. Mom…”

He hesitated, “...she didn’t like the idea of me dating anyone. Yet, you managed to make her like you so much, now she only asks about you whenever I call her,” he chuckled.

“My family loves you - except Endeavor, of course,” he groaned.

“He’ll come around, eventually. You, however,” you walk up to him and cup his face, “Need to talk to him properly - no filter, just say everything.”

You lie back down on the bed, patting the space beside you, “Hurry up - the snacks you bought are calling me.”

After multiple small banters, you both finally decided on Shrek and began to watch the movie.

After a while, you found yourself lying on Shoto’s chest, playing with his fingers as you focused on the movie. Shoto, however, stared at your cute expressions, taking mental notes of all the small things you did when a scene disgusted you, made you laugh or made you feel sad.

“Y/N,” he whispered in your ear once the movie ended, “Thanks for loving me.”

You turned to face the fire user, cupping his face in your hands. His fingers found their way in your hair, enjoying the feeling of your soft locks against his calloused skin. Your thumb began to move in circular motions, eager to feel his soft skin against yours. You stared into his dual-coloured eyes, enjoying the brown and icy blue flecks within each eye. He relaxed against your touch, warmth radiating from him to you.

“I love you so much, Sho - and I will no matter what happens later on.”

You shared a kiss under the glow of the pale moonlight, but all you cared about was how perfect the man you were kissing was.

⁜

⁜

⁜

TRAINING

“Hey Sho,” you say, nudging the male beside you, “You wanna train after this?”

“I can’t,” he said, looking down, “I asked Midoriya to help me with some things. The only time he’s free is after this, so…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask Uraraka!” you say, kissing him on the cheek, “Good luck with whatever you’re doing with Mido.”

Soon, both you and Uraraka headed to Ground Beta to train your hand-to-hand combat.

“Luckily all of us are vaccinated, or the training grounds wouldn’t be open,” you say, thinking.

“Okay, okay - you wanted to work on hand-to-hand combat, right?” You nodded.

Both you and Uraraka got into your positions, mentally preparing yourselves. You were ready to move towards her until you heard sounds coming from the entrance.

“Well, well, well - isn’t that two students from Class 3-A?” Monoma snickered.

You groaned before turning to face him.

“Hello, Monoma? Where’s Kendo?” you ask, hoping that the ginger would come and stop him.

“Kendo’s eating right now - don’t want to disturb her. I don’t mind messing with the two of you, though.”

“What’s the difference, Monoma?” Uraraka added, “We usually keep quiet, but Y/N and I would like to train, so it would be greatly appreciated if you either kept quiet or left.”

“Why would you want to train with them, though?” He said, looking at Uraraka, “They’re the weakest bitch in your whole class, aren’t they?”

“The fuck, Monoma?!” you shouted, “That’s going a bit too far, don’t you think?”

“What? I’m just stating facts; you entered the class later than everyone else, you’re quirkless since you depend on your weapons, you need to train with others so that you can win 10% of the time - don’t the facts say it all?”

“Monoma, you might want to - ”

“Stop? Why should I?” he laughed, “It’s about time someone told you the truth; you’re useless, unneeded, a waste of space, and never going to be a hero - not even a sidekick.”

“So, the student who single-handedly served you your own ass in a fight doesn’t deserve to stay, but your weak fucking self can stay?” Shoto chuckled darkly, his hand slowly freezing Monoma’s shoulder, “That’s a lot of self-confidence for someone who hasn’t fought well for 3 years straight.”

“Next time you talk shit about Y/N, don’t expect to leave without losing any limbs,” he shouted, scaring Monoma.

“Shoto,” you begin, “Let me fight my own battles.”

He stares at you and sighs. His vice grip on Monoma loosens as you walk towards him.

You run your sword against his hands, small cuts forming.

“Talk shit about me again and you won’t be standing. Get the fuck out, dumbass.”

Monoma runs out of Ground Beta, making you chuckle.

“Damn, Y/N,” Uraraka says from afar.

“That’s my lover,” Shoto says, smiling.

⁜

⁜

⁜

NIGHTMARES

You woke up to the sounds of Shoto whimpering in his sleep.

His clothes were soaked by his sweat, trails of tears strung down his face.

He was shaking - shivering.

Small screams of Natsuo, Fuyumi and Rei’s names escaped his lips along with soft sobs.

“Shoto!” You shouted, shaking him, “Wake up, it’s only a dream - they’re okay, they’re alive.”

You heard your name.

You heard his voice become louder, screaming your name in pain.

“I’m here, I’m fine,” you whisper in his ear.

“I’m right here, Shoto - I haven’t left you. I am here, hugging you. Wake up, okay?’

You heard his whimpers stop as he wrapped his arms around you. He nuzzled his face into your chest as you patted his head.

“Y/N…” you heard him mumble, “Y/N… you’re fine, right?”

“I’m fine, Sho. I’m here hugging you, aren’t I?”

He nodded, pressing his head against your chest.

“You want to talk about it?”

“No…” he trailed off.

“Okay, don’t worry,” you say, kissing him on his head.

“You want me to get you something? Milk, water…?” you ask him, slowly prying yourself off of him.

“Don’t go anywhere.”

“Ok then, koala - I’m not going anywhere,” you say, chuckling.

You hummed a song as you rubbed Shoto’s back, giving him warmth. You wiped the trail of tears and pressed kisses on his cheek.

If he needs you to be his haven, you’ll be an oasis from all the bad.

⁜

⁜

⁜

CLASS FUN

“Ok, so - everyone is here, right?” Mina said as she stood in the middle of the living room.

You looked at everyone in the living room. Everyone was excited - after all, it’s been a long time since you all did something together as a class.

“I think everyone’s here, Mina,” Shouji said, passing you your drink.

Shoto placed his head on your shoulder, groaning.

“What’s wrong with you?” you ask, worried.

“I wanted to just sleep in today…” he said, sulking.

“Come on, it’s been a long time since we did something as a class - who knows? This might be our last little thing as a class,” you retort.

He hummed in agreement, “Fine.”

“Great! Let’s bring back an old classic, shall we? The game that made all the couples in this classroom, the game that made the impossible possible,” she looked at Bakugou and Izuku, “Spin the Bottle Truth or Dare!”

“This fucking game?” Bakugo cussed.

“Relax, Kacchan~,” Kaminari said, teasing the other blonde.

“Shut up, dunce face,” Bakugo said with anger.

“Keep quiet, you two. Mina’s getting angry,” Kirishima said, eyeing the pink-haired female.

“So what if-”

“Kacchan, shush,” Izuku said, glaring at his partner.

“Thank you, my green-haired savior,” Mina said, smiling at Izuku.

“Let me re-explain how the game works; Person A will spin the bottle in the middle of the circle until it stops on Person B. Person A will play truth or dare with Person B. Clear?” Mina said, smiling.

The game soon spiraled out of control, just like everyone expected.

Kaminari danced in a maid dress, Shinsou was forced to call Aizawa and Present Mic ‘dads’ in a call on speaker, Kirishima was forced to scream “I’m hard!” out loud, and Mina sang Baby Shark to her lover - something we never thought Kirishima would enjoy.

In the last round, the bottle landed on Shoto.

The person who spun the bottle was Sero.

You knew he had something planned - you could see it in his eyes.

“Shoto Todoroki, truth or dare?” He said, smirking.

You looked at him, begging him to not choose dare.

“Truth, I guess?” he said, looking at you.

Phew.

“What do you and Y/N do when you’re alone?”

Shit.

“Take dare, take the dare, take the dare…” you mumbled under your breath, hoping he’d listen.

“Can I take the dare?” Shoto said, questioning your actions.

Phew.

“Make out with Y/N right here.”

Shit.

“Give them some privacy, Sero!” Uraraka shouted on your behalf.

“He already evaded the truth question, I’m not modifying the dare,” Sero said, huffing.

“Y/N,” Shoto said, looking at you, “Is it okay?”

You sigh in frustration, “I put us in this situation, Sho. Let’s just get it over with.”

Shoto smiled, looking at your pissed expression.

“Look at me,” he whispered in your ear, raising small goosebumps on your skin.

His hands slowly went to your cheeks, eyeing the flecks in your eyes - how they sparkled just for him and him alone. His thumb reached your lips and parted it - enjoying how you were putty in his hands. His hand slowly went from your cheek to your chin, raising it to make your forehead meet his.

“Geez, Y/N,” he said, lust filling his eyes, “You’re so perfect.”

He softly pressed his lips against yours. He sucked on your lips, enjoying the strawberry lip balm you put just before you entered the living room. Your hands gripped on his dual-colored hair, fingers entangled.

The soft kiss soon turned desperate, needy.

In, out, in, out - the synchronization of your lips.

The need for breath soon came and your lips parted from his.

“Well, that was something,” you said, laughing.

⁜

⁜

⁜

[zvnphoria]

- how being koko’s best friend would be like

a/n - had too much fun with this. THIS IS VERY LONG UM. this is an apology for being inactive.

contains - fluff, teeny bit of angst, just platonic because YEAH, fem!reader, implied strong reader, reader has mommy issues (definitely not projecting), reader had a friendship with akane and looked up to her like an older sister

you and hajime go way back since you were kids. you two met in an interesting way but not necessarily in a good one.

you were walking to the nearest park to get out of your crazy house because your mom kept screaming at you over the littlest thing again. you forgot to wash the dishes (you didn’t necessarily forget that’s for sure). you stopped once you saw a boy around your age getting beaten up by some older kids. his hand gripped tightly on what looked like a school bag and protected it like his life depended on it.

it didn’t matter anymore because you had just knocked out both of the bullies in no time without a thought— almost as if it was normal to you. when you looked at the boy, he had blood going down from his forehead to his cheek, heavily panting and on the verge of passing out. he’s not the fighting type, huh. luckily you had a towel wrapped around your neck since you had just gotten out of the shower when you walked out your house, you weren’t gonna spend much time at the park anyways

you kneeled down and wiped the dripping blood off his face and noticed a bigger figure running towards you both. it was.. a girl?

“hajime-kun! what happened here?!” she panicked as she checked your surroundings

“akane-san.. it’s no big deal i promise..”

“no big deal?! i knew something was up when you rushed the other way. and my bag also happened to be missing! why didn’t you ask for help? you don’t need to be independent all the time.”

“and you,” she began, making eye contact with you

“are you okay? are you hurt?”

“no no! i’m fine don’t worry.”

“she was actually the one who knocked them out, akane-san,”

the older girl looked at the unconscious bullies, then back at you with shock and amazement in her eyes

“you did this? that’s amazing!” she says as she quickly takes your hands and wraps it around hers

“uh.. yes i promise it’s really not a big deal. i’ve dealt through worse, trust me,” you say as you gaze at the direction of your house

“worse or not this is still definitely something! even i cant beat someone up, and i’m way older than you!” she chuckled

“well it’s not like you have the heart to do something like that, akane-san,” the boy comments

“hahah you’re right, you’re right. anyways we should get going now— the sun is gonna set very soon, and you should get home as well. is your house nearby? we can walk you if you’d like,”

even ‘til this day you still don’t know why you didn’t decline her offer. was it because she was nice? it didn’t matter anymore, because if you had declined, you wouldn’t get to meet such amazing people.

it’s been a few months after meeting hajime and akane, and you had also met akane’s younger brother who was your age— seishu! you four would often hang out, whether it was at the inui home or at hajime’s house. getting to know them was pretty fun, and very interesting because a certain someone had a crush on akane.

it was definitely not seishu because they’re siblings and that’s just weird, definitely not you because akane had reminded you of your older sister who was almost never in your life, so that only left one choice— hajime.

his crush on her was so painfully obvious that you couldn’t stand seeing him try to impress her every now and then. he even ditched his glasses and bought contacts just for her to compliment him! he’s whipped huh..

one day you decided to help him out a little with his crush. it was another day of your usual hang outs except this time it was at your local mall! akane’s birthday was coming up and you three had collectively agreed to take her to the mall and see if she would see anything she’d like. turns out she was eyeing some platforms with red on the bottoms, and you took notice.

seishu dragged her to go to the food court with him because he was “hungry” so you and hajime took the chance to buy the heels. you were both now at the cash register, waiting for the register person

“i don’t understand you,” you began

“i don’t understand why you like her so much. i mean— i get that’s she’s amazing and nice and pretty and all but.. there’s another reason why you like her. something must’ve happened for you to be so attached to her so what is it?” you meant no harm with this question whatsoever. you were simply curious and that’s all.

before he answered, he smiled to himself and looked back at you

“she’s the only one that makes me feel not under pressure all the time. she’s the one who constantly reminds me that i shouldn’t be so independent and that i should always ask for help.” as you took a breath in to reply, he stopped you

“before you say anything, i know. i know she doesn’t like me. i know she’s just being nice. but there’s nothing wrong with a one-sided crush right?” he grins

even though he was beaming with a smile in front of you, you knew. you knew this wasn’t how he truly felt. you knew that deep down he was hurt but it was understandable. after all, he was just a kid wasn’t he? you saw right through him.

it was a shame after what happened the next couple of weeks after that conversation. it all happened so fast and none of you were prepared for it. you weren’t prepared for the incident that had happened to akane. a few days before it occurred, koko proudly told you that he was planning to confess and you were way against it.

“huh?! but i need to get this off my chest, y/n! i don’t care if she rejects me or not!”

“haji, i have a bad feeling about this.. i’m serious. you know how i always get bad feelings and they turn out to be true!”

he groaned and scooted far from where he was originally sitting which was right next to you. you sigh and got up to sit down next to him and laid your head on his shoulder so he wouldn’t escape

“i just don’t want you to get your hopes up, that’s all.” deep down you knew the truth. akane wasn’t interested in boys one bit despite all the confessions she had received almost every week.

“fine. you have a point. but im still going with this,”

all you could do was do nothing but let him. oh how you wished you protested more, because in return all he got was a huge burden on his shoulders.

“please ma’am, just please tell me what room akane inui and seishu inui are in,” you shouted as tears were rolling down on your cheeks. “107, right down the hall and take a left ‘hon”

you bowed and quickly made your way into the room. as you burst the door open, your eyes immediately go on seishu who looked so sad to the point where he didn’t even bother to look up at you. you hug him with a feeling of relief flowing in your body, but soon that feeling was gone when you asked where akane was.

you stood outside the door, not knowing why your feet couldn’t move. what’s wrong, y/n? her voice rang your ears. go on, don’t worry i’ll be right here next to you and if you get scared, just hold my hand! right. that was the time you were at a “haunted” house together and you were scared to go in. why are you being reminded of this right now?

you gulped and slowly opened the doorknob and found a crying boy in front of you, hands grabbing on the sheets with his head on the edge of the bed. you couldn’t do anything. all you could do was sit next to him with your head resting on his shoulder while you were crying.

a few years after that, you both acted as if nothing had happened. not because you wanted to forget akane, but because you knew akane would’ve wanted you both to continue living on without her.

despite not dating, you two would always have couple tendencies like feeding food to eachother or hugging often but you’re just THAT close to the point you can probably kiss without feeling any romantic attraction whatsoever

you couldn’t hang out with him as much anymore because of all the gang related things he’s doing. to make it up to you, he knocks on your window late at night and sleeps over most of the time. you talk to him about the usual— have you been eating? you should get more rest. and so on.

you were the one who got him to start wearing eyeliner! at first he just looked at you with a confused face when you handed him it as his present, but then you explained that if he wants to go fully dedicated to the black dragons, the wings of the eyeliner would represent the wings of the dragon. he didn’t wear it at first, all he did was ruffle your hair and said he’d think about it— and he kept his word! so now he’s the iconic money-making genius that wears eyeliner.

after all that’s happened between you two, there isn’t a single awkward moment you share. you know those friends who bring up an adult related topic out of completely nowhere? you two were those friends.

“i was walking by an alley and i heard a girl getting fucked,” he says while chewing the piece of gum you handed to him

“..and??”

“i’ve never walked away so fast in my life.”

there are days where you’re sad but, of course, you don’t tell him. in fact you don’t need to tell him because he’ll know when you’re upset.

“so are ya gonna tell me what’s wrong?” he says as he rests his head on your thighs

“ugh how do you always know..”

“because we’ve been together for the longest, duh.”

he doesn’t show it much, but he cares for you more than you think he does. overprotective and can’t help but show it at times, but don’t worry! he’s doing it because he loves you. remembers the littlest things you talk about and are interested in. he’s also constantly on the lookout so that you don’t get hurt or even worse.

when he’s the one who’s upset, you immediately know. he’s quieter than usual, zoning out a lot and just not paying attention to what you’re saying to him, almost like he’s in his own little world. before you initiate a conversation, you play with his hair so he’ll feel comfortable as a way for you to convince him to tell you what’s wrong.

even though it happened such a long time ago, he still thinks about her. you cant blame him, you do too! if you were to describe your best friend with one sentence, the first thing that would pop up in your head was weak little boy. not weak as in physically weak, but weak as in mentally weak. he can’t help but get emotional when it comes to her, which is understandable.

“it’s not your fault, hajime. she left you with no proper closure, and now you’re carrying guilt and burden on your shoulders. anyone would feel the same or even worse in your position.”

he didn’t respond but he doesn’t need to. all that matters to him is that you’re next to him, comforting him with your kind words like you always do. you both have some differences which caused a few arguments, but in the end you would still be best friends.

speaking of arguments, you argue either over the dumbest things ever or over serious topics. one time you got mad at him because he was beating you in a video game and his smug expression was not helping at all. you kicked him out of your house because you were just THAT frustrated. you felt guilty so you decided to walk to his house and apologize but stopped once you saw a certain figure trying to climb up to your window.

in the start of the serious argument, it was completely something different than what you were yelling at each other about now.

he showed up at your house with your favorite boba and snacks. you demanded him to put those down.

“hajime. food— no. MONEY cant keep me happy forever, and that also applies to you!”

“then what else am i supposed to do?!” his voice started getting weak. he was never the type to argue because he’d always get emotional.

“what am i other than a money-making genius? other than a wallet?”

“i cant do anything about my situation, y/n. nothing. because that’s all i am. just a stupid wallet for everyone to use.” he says about to walk away until you grab his sleeve to stop him.

“that’s not even true. you’re so much more than that, hajime. i’m sorry.. i’m so sorry.” you were crying into his chest and he couldn’t help but cry with you.

he spoils you 100%, no doubt. there was a point in life where you would always decline but you had just gotten so used to the offer that you got tired of fighting back. i mean, how could you? he was so willing and eager and most importantly HAPPY to do this for you.

hajime cant drive motorcycles and you constantly tease him about it, which he just responds to you by squeezing your cheeks together so you could shut up. the bad thing about this is that you guys always have to walk or go on a bus to the specific place you’re going to which is pretty tiring at times. although that doesn’t matter because what matters is that you both have each other.

back to the overprotective part.. you got called by this boy to meet him at the rooftop by the end of school and you already knew what was about to go down because of your shoujo manga reading sessions. the first thing you did was call hajime and he immediately got there to warn you about what you were gonna get yourself into.

“don’t you already have someone you like??”

“uh.. no?”

“i couldve sworn you liked that ‘tora dude..”

“keep your mouth shut!”

“…so you’re gonna reject him right?”

and you did! nicely, of course. hajime advised you should make come off as mean so he wouldn’t bother you again but you just ignored him and pretended like you didn’t hear anything.

being his best friend contains some ups and downs, but that’s the point of true friendships— it’ll never be perfect.

[saphirered]

I’m in love with your writing and binged your entire page one night lol

Could I request a story with Caleb where the M9 find a wounded reader on the run from people who want to use her for her very powerful magical abilities. She doesn’t trust Caleb at first because he’s a wizard and just as she opens up to him and starts to develop feelings discovers he has been studying her powers - thought with no bad intentions. Some good old angsty enemies to lovers type of beat. Preferably with a good ending but do what you wish ;))

Apparently I'm giving you more stuff to binge as this is looking more and more like a several parter 😅. Prepare for loads of angst and conflict and some good hurt/comfort to come but for now, here comes part 1! 😘

Nobody pays attention to a vagrant dressed in rags, looking about a week past their last proper bath begging on the side of the road for money or standing by a shop, mouth watering at the food. Nobody pays attention to what they don’t want to see in their pristine cities. Not unless they want to chase you away because you’re in their way or you’re tarnishing their image. Speaking about image, sometimes some rich folk will take pity upon you, casting a coin your way to make themselves look good and generous in the eyes of others.

That’s exactly what you became when you needed to disappear. You needed to become unseen, unnoticed and a shadow among a crowd. You succeed casting away all remainders of your previous life because in the end, your life is worth more to you than your earthly possessions. Survival above all. You’ll live this way until you can get somewhere where no one will question you, or where you’ll be under the protection of others, far away where your enemies cannot reach you. Maybe Vasselheim is a good place to go? They’re not fond of the arcane magics. Sure you’ll have to give up using some of your own gifts but it’s worth being able to live your life freely.

You’re still a ways away from Vasselheim and you don’t have the funds to get there yet. Even if you make it to a port, stowing away on a ship is fine but you can’t trust them to not throw you overboard or leave you stranded at the nearest island to save provisions. And that’s if they don’t hand you over to any authorities and risk you getting back to square one. You’ll have to wander around Wildemount until you’re able to book passage or find somewhere to lay low, forever on the move. It’s not the worst and you get used to it pretty quickly.

Weren’t you lucky when you saw the recent champions of the Victory Pit were strolling around town flaunting their winnings. You need food. You need warm clothes. And most of all, you could do with some extra change in your pocket. You wouldn’t be stupid enough to steal all of it of course. Just enough to get by and they wouldn’t notice. So you trail them, sticking to the shadows. They don’t seem to notice you.

Then you struck. You got the coin pouch from the ostentatious one. It was child’s play really. He didn’t even notice you lifting the pouch from his belt when you brushed against his shoulder muttering an apology. You were already amidst the crowd when you heard the tiefling exclaim his coin pouch was gone and he put two and two together quickly, the charlatan he is so before you knew it they were on the lookout for someone fitting your description. You had to move quick, buy your necessities and get out of the market. You know just the place to hide out; the Evening Nip. Nobody asks questions there.

Once you found yourself safely sipping on the shitty ale served at the Evening Nip you didn’t expect the colourful group of strangers to stroll in. It was already too late when you spotted them and you had no where to go. Still your quickly gathered up the coin back into the ornate velvet pouch and put it in your own pocket hidden beneath the layers of your clothes putting your hands behind your back as you tried to make a break for the exit. They did not let you pass, a relatively buff looking woman gripping the handle of her sword stepping in front of you while another one, though shorter blocked your escape by interposing her staff.

“No funny business, friend. You have something that belongs to my companion here, and he wants it back.” The half-orc speaks as you grit your teeth. You’d really hoped to avoid this but you weren’t stupid enough to bring out the big artillery… yet… so you lift your hands in surrender and allow them to lead you over to one of the tables taking a seat of your own accord while you’re flanked by the buff woman on one side, the purple tiefling on the other and the rest of them takes up seating of their own around the table keeping an eye on you.

“Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way…” The half-orc leads as the tiefling next to you holds out his hand brushing his other over your shoulder in a soft push, mimicking what you had done when you pickpocketed him. Are they mocking you? Bastards.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, friend.” You speak innocently. You know they won’t buy it anyway, their minds already made up, but it gives you just a second more to get a grasp on all of them. You’re already plotting your escape, despite the odds being turned against you. You have to try.

“Oh, I think you do, and we simply want a conversation. You wouldn’t want to tarnish this new friendship now would you?” The tiefling grins as you look at him. You can feel the strings of enchantment pricking into your mind but you know how this works. You’ll just have to play along. You smile, like being faced with an old friend, just as the spell would have you have, letting your defensive mannerism fade.

“You’re quite right. It’s no way to treat new friends. Let’s not get off on the wrong foot.” You glance between all of them and you feel a pair of blue eyes stare into you, right through you. There’s just something about him that doesn’t add up and you’re almost afraid he knows you’re not under the tiefling’s spell after all but you do whatever you can to not show that on your face and play along.

“Should we get some drinks to commemorate new friends?” You suggest about to get up but the woman in blue’s staff moves across the table right onto your shoulder urging you to stay in place. You don’t look fazed and merely amused with this action as if it is a harmless joke and not a threat. The tiefling moves the staff from your shoulder as you turn your attention back to him as he smiles.

“I think that’s an absolutely wonderful idea. Drinks on me.” He stands with you and begins leading you over to the bar. Clive takes the order and begins pouring the ale as requested while the tiefling keeps conversation with you, completely oblivious and detached from his friends. You play along and when you reach to the coin pouch, you pull out the coins owed to the barkeep. The tiefling smiles and you can see from your peripheral the red head notices too. Both confirm you have the coin pouch. So once you pay you reach for your pocket grasping for a short iron rod placing it in your hand, whispering words under your breath as the tiefling talks to the barkeep, your hands begin to move according to the familiar motions and before the redhead can warn his lavender companion, the tiefling is frozen in place unable to move and you’re making a break for the door.

Spells fly left and right and you dodge a few, take the damage from others as the fighters dependant on close range rush for you. A crossbow bolt hits your thigh and a large cat’s claw appears in front of you. You try to dodge it reaching for you but it catches you and holds you in place despite your struggling to get free. They circle you, bind your hands, take back the coin pouch and your own limited belongings from you as you fight back trying to keep them away from you but you’re just alone and they are the many.

You feel helpless and desperate. That’s when you make eye contact with the blue eyed wizard. There’s a look of recognition in his eyes. Not for who you are directly, but the way you’re acting and lashing out, like some caged animal wishing desperately to be free, like a creature on the run, like you’re two sides of the same coin. His eyes reveal to you pain and suffering and pity but you don’t need his pity. You don’t need anyone’s pity.

“Why did you steal that coin?” The wizard asks as you glare at him from your seated position on the ground.

“Why does anybody steal anything? I’m hungry. I’m cold and I’m broke as hell.” You spit none too kindly.

“Then get a job. Make some money. Or at least learn to be a good thief.” The rude woman snorts. You roll your eyes. Typical. You know plenty of people like her, maybe you even used to be like her but not anymore. You grew out of that the hard way. She will too, in time.

“None of you noticed until you went to pay for something.” You grin and the woman is about to lunge for you at your provocation. So easy to piss that one off. Funny, actually.

“I don’t think she can just get a job. Not a regular one anyway.” The wizard observes as he stares into you. “You don’t have anywhere to go, do you?” Your silence, biting your lip says enough. You don’t have anywhere to go. Once you did but that’s gone. Torn away from you.

“How about this? You spent a good deal of my friend’s coin but we’ll give you the opportunity to make it back as a repayment. Stick around for a little bit and go our separate ways when the debt is repaid?” There’s some protests but the half-orc quiets them down when the wizard speaks up in your favour. He doesn’t trust you, not after the stunts you just pulled, especially not when the look on your face mirrors his own so closely but perhaps it’s something within him that calls to him to make right a wrong, or prevent another soul to be lost to the troubles he’s faced.

With these idiots bound to make a scene they’ll call attention to themselves and by default that means away from you. This might work in your favour. They’re adventurers and given that they seem somewhat familiar with the Evening Nip, you can only assume they’re not exactly always on the right side of the law. You’re not judging but that gives you some safety and assurance should things go south or you need a quick way out. And if things really do turn in your favour, they’ll be your cover to places and funds to get you far far away from this hell hole.

“Looks like you got yourselves a new companion then, friends.” You don’t smile, only displaying an expression so neutral that makes the wizard think for a second he might have made a mistake but for now you have mutual interests and if there’s anything he can count on, it’s the reliability of a common goal, and a lot to lose should you get outed.

So next you know, you’re somewhat absorbed into their little group, learning their names and where they’re from, chatting happily but you can’t help but notice that yours and Caleb’s stories are similar in some ways, mostly the lack of detail. You’ve been raised within the Empire, but found yourself on a less fortunate path fending for yourself. The only difference between you and him is that he found Nott on his path while you had remained alone. The group didn’t seem to mind your lack of details, going with the excuse you’re not about to bare your life story to the people you only just met and you’re lucky. You hadn’t told anyone what happened since you’ve been on the run and you don’t plan on doing so anytime soon, especially not to people who haven’t earned your trust yet.

Of course you’ve been roomed with Caleb and Nott, finding yourself in one of the most expensive inns in the city, paid for by the group. Unlike Nott, who goes through your stuff when she thinks you’re not looking, Caleb is the perfect roommate. He doesn’t cross any boundaries, ask too many questions or has any annoying habits. He just reclines on his bed, going through his spellbook, transcribing new spells to add to his own collection. Every time he does you get extremely uneasy and snappy and do whatever you can to not be in the same space as the wizard. It doesn’t do your roommate relationship any good and may leave you at odds at times. Caleb may not understand why but it’s not his place to ask questions, nor does he think you’ll actually answer them. Instead you make up excuses, helping Beau with training, letting Jester braid your hair, keeping Fjord company while Molly claims their room for one of his escapades, getting some booze for Nott, or when Yasha is there, watch the storms with the woman, anything to get you out of that shared room with the wizard.

————

Rain hits the window of your room in the Pillow Trove as the redheaded wizard strolls in throwing his backpack on his bed and sitting down with a deep sigh. You look up over the edge of the book you’re reading seeing the wizard soaked through the bone wringing out his hair best he can. With a wave of your hand and words uttered under your breath you grin as the water evaporates from Caleb’s form, leaving his hair slightly more curly and frizzy, and his clothes warm and comfy. He gives you a look as you continue reading as if you’re completely unaware of anything going on in the room, completely absorbed into your book. Ignoring Caleb.

“I didn’t take you for the type that reads smutty romance novels.” He comments and gestures towards Courting of the Crick. You finally look at Caleb as if he only just gained your attention, as if you’re only just aware of his presence in the room. Both of you know better but this is how it is.

“You wouldn’t. But according to Jester you enjoy them very much.” You grin, having gotten to hear all about their little trip to the Chastity’s Nook. Caleb gives you a disapproving look as he begins to unpack his things, taking out the fresh ink and paper, setting out his spellbook and you mark your page, putting the book on your side table as you quickly get up and go for the door.

“Where are you off to all of the sudden?” Caleb asks as you grit your teeth. Can he not just leave you alone? Does he really trust you so little you’re not allowed to leave of your own accord?

“I’m going to see Jester and Beau in their room. Now I will bid you good day unless you think I need an escort for the room two doors down.” You snap. Okay, that may have been unnecessary. You could have at least been neutral. Too late for that now. Caleb waves his and as if dismissing you. Act like a child, get treated like a child. So you leave the room letting the door fall closed a little harder than you normally would in protest and make your way over towards Beau and Jester’s room.

Jester, happily lets you in and while Beau has definitely warmed up to you, things are still rocky. She wouldn’t go as far as calling you a friend, but more that one neighbourhood kid her parents tried to get her to play with despite the two of you never really having been friends at all. At least you can bond over your slightly criminal tendencies. It’s Jester who’s completely accepted you as one of her own, questioning you about anything and everything, preaching to you about the Traveler, gushing about her romance novels, specifically Oskar, which you’re pretty sure is actually reflecting her major crush on Fjord but let the girl dream. Who knows what will come of it?