#feline father christmas

[sheepfilms]

[parad-ice-lostandfound]

Prompt: “Do you want to put the star on the top of the tree?”

Pairing: Mozus Trein and GN!Reader/Yuu/Prefect (Familial)

Genre: Fluff

TW: NA

AN: I don't really have much to say about Trein lol. Hope you enjoy!

"Oh, come here lil' guy," you hummed, gently scooping Lucius from his place on the bay window seat. The cat let out a disgruntled meow, signalling his dissatisfaction as he looked at you with judgemental eyes. You just smiled at him innocently, cradling him like the furry little baby he was.

"Just gotta... there!" Anna smiled, decorating the bay window with tinsel and fairy lights. Delighted by her own work, she took a moment to take it all in. Turning to you, she said, "Well, that's the last of it done."

"Anna! (Name)! Come help decorate the tree if you're done with the rest of the house!" Ella called out to the two of you, making you gently let down Lucius from his perch in your arms. The feline sauntered off, out the door of the library and into the hallway as the two of you followed.

When Professor Trein found out that you were going to stay alone at Night Raven College for the winter holidays, he extended an invitation to you to spend the holidays with him and his daughters. Mozus Trein had grown fond of you, to the point where he regaled his daughters with stories of your adventures in the academy through the letters they exchanged regularly; Anna and Ella had been worryingly happy to show you the letters, much to their father's embarrassment.

You had grown used to the cosy house that Professor Trein called his home in no time, mixing with his family like you were always meant to be a part of it. Anna and Ella were a delight to be around. The women had taken one look at you and declared you their sibling, spoiling you and Grim both throughout your stay.

Ella was the older, calmer pillar to the absolute bouncing-off-the-walls energy that Anna brought. Both women loved and respected their father immensely, refusing to let him do anything they deemed too strenuous while they were there (which was most things).

It was endearing to see the way both of them would intently watch their father whenever he moved through the house, eyes narrowing when they saw him trying to lift something, no matter how light. Ella's gentle taking of the object from his hands would be coupled with Anna's playful scolding, after which you'd be roped in to monitor the elderly man who'd be placed into a 'timeout' on the couch.

These 'timeouts' would lead to the two of you sitting peacefully on the couch, your respective feline companions dozing off or resting on your laps as Professor Trein regaled you with stories from his past, of trips to faraway places and beloved friends. You grew close with the Professor, soaking up his retelling of stories with such eagerness that for a moment Mozus Trein was reminded of days when he'd read stories to two young girls before tucking them into bed.

If he hadn't thought of you as family before, he did now.

Once you reached the living room, you paused to admire the Christmas tree that was being decorated by an enthusiastic Grim and a slightly exasperated but fond Professor Trein. Anna immediately bee-lined to the two with the aim of helping them, while nudging you to go and help Ella, who seemed to be dusting some pictures kept on the marble mantelpiece. You obliged with her wordless request, making your way to the older woman.

You spied her holding a photo with gentle hands as you came to a stop next to her. It was a photo of a younger Professor Trein and a woman. The woman held a baby in her arms, carefully lowering them so a young girl could look at the baby with curious eyes. You recognized the young girl as Ella, so the baby must have been Anna. And that would mean...

"This is my mother," Ella spoke, her voice softer than usual. "I think this is the last photo we have of all of us together. All other photos of Mother before she left us only have we three girls," she glanced at you, a soft smile on her lips. "Father isn't one for being in pictures himself you see, though he likes to take them," she explained, fingertips gently grazing the cleaned glass.

"... She was really pretty," you said, looking at the woman in the photograph. She really was. Her long and luxurious hair was the same shade as Ella's, and her eyes the same colour as Anna's. The way she looked at her two young daughters interacting with each other was kind and motherly. The younger version of Professor Trein in the picture seemed unaware that a picture was being taken, his attention fully focused on his three girls as he stood close to his late wife.

It was a beautiful picture of a perfect family.

"That she was," Ella hummed in agreement as she placed the picture back on the mantelpiece. "Father used to tell us that Mother was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. That, along with her beautiful face and agreeable nature, ensured that she had plenty of suitors back in the day," she smiled, then continued, "though he refuses to tell us how he managed to woo her. Anna believes that he serenaded her one night under the stars, and she fell for him. And that he's just too embarrassed to tell us that."

You laughed as a vision of a young Professor Trein, singing his love and admiration to his wife danced in front of your eyes, and Ella chuckled along. "Ridiculous, isn't it?"

"What is ridiculous?" Professor Trein asked from behind you, and your laughter increased. Ella looked at you in amusement, a hand on your shoulder to stabilise your laughing form as she gave her father an innocent smile, "Nothing father. Have you finished decorating the tree?"

Professor Trein looked behind him, where Grim and Anna were arguing about Grim wanting to eat the popcorn used to decorate the tree and sighed. He looked back at the two of you.

"Only the star remains. (Name), would you like to put the star on the tree?"

You look at Professor Trein with a slight surprise on your face. "Me?"

Professor Trein raises an eyebrow at you, the faintest hint of concern on his face, "Why, does the thought not please you? If so, then Anna or Ella could place the star; no need to fret."

You shook your head, "No! No, there's no problem. Uh... It's just that, back in my world... putting the star on the tree was kind of a big deal? It wasn't anything symbolic just... I remember fighting with my cousins to be the one to place it," you chuckled, trying to ignore the way your heart squeezed at the reminder that you didn't belong to this world. Your loved ones were not miles away, they were in an entirely different universe; who knew if you would ever see them again?

Professor Trein's eyes softened, and he placed a fatherly hand on your shoulder. "(Name). I would be happy if it were you placing the star on the tree," he said, giving you a smile you had only ever seen him give his daughters. A lump seemed to grow in your throat at the care and fondness in his gaze.

"Besides, if you require someone to fight with you for the position of honour, I'm sure Grim and Anna both would be more than willing opponents," he remarked, a side glance to the two who were still arguing about the popcorn.

You gave him a grateful smile, feeling the tell-tale burning in your eyes that signalled the coming of tears. Blinking them away, you said, "Thank you Professor Trein."

"You're welcome, kid."

Back to Masterlist...

[ask-ink-machine-chronicals]

More info on Felix🥺🙏🏾

This is gonna be one tough description for my version of the infamous old cat from 1919.

Let's start with his past

Felix is your ordinary guy who's been neglected by his mother and was told by his father who not only took great care of him but stayed with him, he was a Sullivan and was honoured to keep the generation going, especially with the magic bag.

That bag is not normal as you can see, It's a sign of a golden heart. Once given, the bag chooses who's worthy, one great grandfather to another great grandfather, only one in 6 generations was able to weld the Magic Bag. Felix Tom Sullivan, son of Pat Tom Sullivan was worthy of the bag which was given to him at his 10th birthday.

As a baby to a kid, he was living in a small town in New York, a small house, a small porch, a small car. It was his childhood. He had many friends, he loved leaving home to explore more of his tiny town, bringing nick-nacks and small objects to show his father, who was proud of him for having such an imaginable mindset.

Felix was in love with his one girl named Kitty who lived 3 houses down from him, when he explored, he always sees her in a white flurry dress with a big red bow in the back, he always loved it when she danced. When he was 12, he confessed his feelings and she accepted him, both were in love with each-other without even knowing. She was light-hearted but a hard worker for her parents, a top A educated student at her school, she also liked to go adventuring with Felix out around the neighborhood. When he hit 17 he wanted to go explore more of the world, he wanted to learn.

He was around the globe, writing on his diary about his adventures and was once told he should make his journaling into a book, he rejected but had second thoughts "It might not be too bad" so he accepted and made his adventures into a book series which was backed up with proof to those who doesn't believe him.

"The Robotic Menace Unleashed: Felix's Heroic Quest"

"Snowstorm Savior: A Christmas Adventure"

"Feline and Feather: A Pirate's Plunder"

Weird stories, right? But all has real time photos, and with a bit of exaggeration, he was able to be famous because of his adventures, but it wasn't fun for the cat himself, during his time adventuring, he gotten bruises and permanent scars. Each scar told a traumatizing tale. The ones that got him the most fame, was the scar of the fire tiger in the fan favorite book 25: "The Lost Letter of Princess Oriana" he was attacked and was brutally injured leaving a large scratch mark on his right hip to his stomach, he looked and spoke braver than anyone but in reality, he was very afraid. Felix was on the verge of death. But from a miracle, he came out on top and slayed the tiger, after saving the princess, he came back to his camp-post scared and still injured from the attack, he isn't all inevitable Y'know.

The other was his eye scar. The most frightening story Felix has ever wrote. Famously known as "Best Friends and Blood Tears" where Felix got a distressed call from a young boy, telling him that his town needed help, as heading towards the incapacitated town he saw someone he never knew was gonna be against him, his childhood best friend, Colin, both were close, very, and enslaving a town to close to enslaving humanity was terrifying for Felix, he tried to stop his friends actions and as it started to get bloodier, he broke and shouted cold words, he got aggressive and so did Colin. With a bright light.

Blood spilled out of his face, blood covering his eye.

His own best friend.

After that he and Colin fought till the death leaving the world in shambles, until he was banished away and never to be seen again.

That scar was permanent, it was visible.

After the 2012 type apocalypse, he rushed back home to his father, knowing he would never see him again as the house was collapsed and on flames, the only thing was left, was the hat.

Now let's talk about present Felix

He's no longer the happy cat everyone knew him as, he was paranoid and was diagnosed with depression at the age of 23, the death of his father and innocence took a toll on him, the only people he got left was Sheba and his nephews.

He's willing to keep the legacy and the family name alive and still running. Even with depression, he kept going and pulling to explore more, his curious mindset was all over the place. His fans were telling him to retire because of his issues but he rejected them "I'm fine! I promise" He kept denying he needed rest, he was Felix the Cat for crying out loud! the world's protector and adventurer, almost everyone knows him. But he has been guilting himself so much for his father's death, he almost feels like ending it all, the day he leaves earth was the day he meet Bendy and Boris, that's how the story begins

He is a good, sweet man with a golden heart who turns heartless if spoken wrongly. A bi-curious old man is still going around the world and bringing imagination to life among all ages.

Relationship

His and the gang's relationship is Father bondly, he acts like a protective parent towards each of them since he's the oldest going by a whooping 27 years old. He's always kind to them and comes to their aid if needed.

His and Oswald (with the circus) has a very healthy friendship, both understand each other well, I didn't make Felix all lovey dovey towards someone who had their heartbroken from a lost loved one, they have a deep connection and it's unbreakable, although Oswald tends to forget Felix is someone else and not his wife but he understands because he's still recovering after 5 years.

He and Sheba always have each other's back no matter what life throws at em both, Sometimes in life, She would accompany him in his adventures.

[brw]

5 headcanons about Beast!

5 headcanons about Wonder Man!

And for an encore, 5 Wonderbeast headcanons. :)

For Hank!

Really enjoys cooking but does so extremely rarely because of the whole fur thing. Sometimes he'll just stand behind someone in the kitchen with his arms crossed like an Italian father at a construction site so he can feel involved. Jarvis quite liked having the company.

Has a quite deep voice, particularly when singing. My explanation is that he sings Sinatra in the tub and Sinatra's a baritone, and you know Hank has had enough karaoke nights to know his range.

We've never seen it but I choose to believe he visited Wanda and Vision and the twins at least once! Definitely brought a large collection of books that were way too advanced for some 8 month olds but justified that they'd be old enough for them eventually. It affected him more than he's ever really articulated that they never got to that age, because they were the first superhero couple he really knew to have a family.

I think the Scottish side of his family is from Nairn and I think he visited there once as a child and absolutely hated it but couldn't say this and slightly dreads the thought of ever going there again (his mistake was visiting over Christmas. Nairn in Winter is fucking miserable)

He's an anonymous patron to various art galleries and museums, along with Charles Xavier. Talking to each other about art is the closest Hank feels to Charles and is something he values to try and remind himself of all the good Charles has done for him and all the opportunities he's given him (said through gritted teeth)

And for SIMON.

Played the violin from a young age. This wasn't something he was necessarily forced to do but it was something he kept up for far longer than he would have liked to because of his fear of disappointing his father etc. He's still quite good at it but doesn't make a habit of playing. Eric was taught the piano and if Simon does ever play he's always imagining piano keys accompanying it.

To go with Hank, sings in a surprisingly high pitched register despite his actual voice not being that high. It just makes sense these two would match each other very well for karaoke. Does this count as a Wonderbeast headcanon. Oh well.

Puts on a kind of generic Californian accent most of the time but slips into that run-on, very fast-paced Transatlantic when he speaks to Eric and Vision. Occasionally Hank, if he's not watching himself, and it's something he's oddly self-conscious about.

Every time he returns from death his powers seem to jump forward. Part of his long standing fear of death was the knowledge that it came with him becoming more and more unrecognisably human. Going off the 90s Wonder Man solo, he probably should be able to stop time if he thought about it next time he dies but luckily for everyone he's not going to think about it.

The very few times something penetrates his ionic skin, the underneath glows a harsh magenta until he can concentrate on covering it up with human-appearing skin.

And finally! <3

They do each other's ties before any formal function. I think this started proper at Simon's first premiere and I think the few times they ever did stuff like that during Hank's feline form it's something Simon took very seriously and Hank was very emotionally touched by like the sap he is.

They would be extremely pretentious about their vinyl collection together. Sarah Vaughan is the soundtrack to every lazy Sunday morning.

They can't watch movies together because Simon takes a kind of perverse joy in telling Hank what assholes some actors are to work with or like background rumours and it completely distracted from what Hank calls his cinematic experience.

Simon isn't allowed to go shopping alone because once he bought an entire aisle's worth of eggs because he doesn't know how either shopping or the food requirements of ordinary people works. Hank can no longer eat omelettes as a consequence.

Both of them have pretty good night vision so occasionally they'll be up late chatting or basking in comfortable silence and absolutely scare the absolute shit of some unwilling Avenger coming for a midnight snack and sees a pair of glowing red and yellow eyes hovering in the living room. They make an accident but very creepy pair. Or maybe it's not 100% accidental, who's to say.

[tortellini-tankini-art]

1717. The Golden Age of Piracy. Wealthy UnderRealm Grifter William (Montague) Widemouth set out to find adventure and renown on the high seas. Things did not go as planned... Our Flag Means Pasta: An OFMD x Pastamonsters/Creepypasta Crossover AU

v Characters and Lore Below v

Or, check out everything I have stored on this AU in the Miro Board I've created for it! I update it with time as I create more artwork, characters, and add to the storyline, and even make episode timelines!

Characters in this AU:

The 'Retribution' Crew

Mr. Widemouth (William Montague Widemouth) as Stede Bonnet / Ben Drowned (Benjamin Lawman) as Lucius Spriggs / Jeff the Killer (Jeffrey Sepulveda-Ramirez) as Black Pete / Homicidal Liu (Liu Sepulveda-Ramirez) as Jim Jimenez / Eyeless Jack as Oluwande Boodhari / Ticci Toby (Tobias 'Toby' Eren Rogers) as Frenchie / Seedeater (Eedie) as Wee John / Kagekao as the Swede / Dr. Smiley as Roach / The Rake as Buttons

The 'Queen Lucia' Crew

Grinny (Oscar Delgado-Reyes)* as Edward Teach / Shadowlurker as Izzy Hands / Masky** as Fang / Hoodie* as Ivan

*Grinny is an OC of @oakmovies , however, for this AU, he is essentially a nearly different character, as his lore and background are vastly different.

**Masky and Hoodie in this AU are NOT the same people as their versions in Marble Hornets, and are instead entirely different people with different backstories.

Other Characters

Smile Dog (Smilin' Sam Dogham) as Calico Jack / Nurse Ann as Spanish Jackie / Splendorman as Nigel Badminton / Slenderman as Chauncey Badminton / Ms. (Priscilla) Pencilneck (another OC of @oakmovies) as Mary Allamby / Nina the Killer (Nina Rodriguez-Hopkins) as Archie / Jane the Killer as Mary Read (Jane Tod Richardson) / Clockwork (Natalie Ouellette) as Anne Bonney / Pinkamena (Bi Qi/碧琪) as Zheng Yi Sao

Character Backgrounds:

In this AU, and in this given time frame, the UnderRealm aristocracy is made up entirely of either monsters or spirits who were born and raised in the UnderRealm. Anyone who comes to the UnderRealm from the Surface world (killers, cursed, undead, etc.) is considered other, an outsider, and of lesser status, and this gap created upholds the aristocratic monster class. People who are born half-human are also considered lesser, and unless they were born to a monster of already aristocratic standing, they have very limited options in life in the UR.

UnderRealm: Widemouth, Ben (see also Spirit), Seedeater, The Rake, Shadowlurker, Slenderman, Splendorman

Spirits: Ben (Human from UK, died, then UR as corporeal spirit), Kagekao (Demon; Japan)

Half-Human:

Grinny (Mother - Mixed Taino/Spanish / Father - (Lower-class) Monster)

Smile (Father - UK / Mother - Cave Hound)

Ms. P (Father - UK / Mother - (Upper-class) Monster)

'Killer' Humans: Jeff, Liu, Toby, Dr. Smiley, Masky, Hoodie, Nina, Jane, Clockwork

Cursed/Possessed/Undead/Cannibal 'Humans': EJ (possessed/cursed/cannibal), Nurse Ann (Undead), Pinkamena (Cursed/Cannibal)

Lore (What's Different from PM/OFMD?)

Grinny/Oscar - The child of a feline-monster from the UnderRealm, and a half Taino woman from Puerto Rico. His mother was dragged to the UnderRealm by his father when she was a young lady, and lived in an abusive situation with him, until Oscar kills his father when he's 12. He runs away from home after this, and joins the crew of Captain Doyle (Hornigold for this AU - I have yet to draw another version of him for this AU, so here's @oakmovies rendition of him on IG). There, he meets Sam and Shadowlurker, and after they mutiny Doyle, he goes on to make a reputation for himself as the feared monster pirate Captain Grinny.

Jeff and Liu - Since Black Pete and Jim Jimenez in OFMD are not at all blood siblings the way Jeff and Liu are, but I was already set on them being these characters, I've created this backstory for them:

Jeff and Liu grow up with their family on a blood orange farm in St. Augustine, when one Christmas night, a gang known as the Siete Búhos attacks and kills their entire family. Instead of killing the siblings as well, they mutilate them, and set Jeff, and the rest of the farm, on fire.The two siblings manage to run away from the burning farm, and are taken in by a Satanic Nun.

The Nun raises them to master the art of killing, but only for the purpose of revenge. Jeff, however, has a different idea, and uses his new skills to rob and kill people for money. The nun acts to kick Jeff out of the convent, but Liu refuses to be separated from their brother, and leaves with him. Eventually, they meet Eyeless Jack, who gets them a job with Spanish Ann.

However, they find out that one of her husbands is the leader of the Siete Búhos, so one night, they get him drunk enough to restrain, torture, and kill him. After Ann finds out about this, she puts a price on Liu's head, and Jack has to escape with the two siblings, where they then join Widemouth's crew among The Retribution.

[lunarwildrose]

Happy Life-day/Birthday to my big boy, Brandon! 🤍

A sweet little boy who is getting so big now! Brandon loves The Aristocats most of all, and is quite the gentleman, always taking care of his siblings. He is also my brother Micky's favourite Little Crow Goblin, hehe. :3 🤍

Brandon shares his birthday, May 7th, with Darren McGavin, who is an old favourite actor of Micky's, best known for having played Carl Kolchak and the father in A Christmas Story, hehe.

Ofc, we watched The Aristocats again, as Brandon started the tradition of us as a family watching our favourite feline film together~🐱💖

[mykey-and-bobby-koopa]

Outside 02: Happy Father’s day

| Versión en español |

| First | Next |

((This story takes place chronologically after the current plot, I hope you enjoy it. I apologize for uploading late, I had some difficulties.))

__________

The young Koopa were having dinner with Kamek. Everyone was there except for the king of the Koopa

Lemmy: what time is daddy coming home, Kamek?

Kamek: lately he has been very busy in meetings with the Mushroom Kingdom

Wendy: doing what?

Kamek: sorry, I don't know the details. When he arrives, he eats and goes to sleep to repeat his routine the next day.

Ludwig: wow, so much like that?

Mykey: It must be hard to take over an entire kingdom

Roy: oh yeah. There are times where we hardly see it

Ludwig: Also, there are times when he comes to the castle, he just sits on his throne and rests there. Kamek practically has to use his magic to transport him to his bed.

Bobby: When was the last time he had a day off, mr. Kamek?

Kamek: since christmas

Mykey: from last year? Oh…

Kamek nods and using his magic wand picks up the empty plates and takes them to the kitchen.

Kamek: Excuse me guys. I have things to do. Please continue to enjoy dinner.

Kamek leaves and the other boys continue sharing and talking. Mykey was thinking about something while Ludwig was talking to him.

Ludwig: and well, that's practically always the case

Mykey was still in his thoughts, to which the blue Koopa noticed him distracted, so he tries to get his attention by putting his hand on the purple-haired Koopa's shoulder

Ludwig: M-Mykey?

That brings it back to reality

Mykey: oh! Yeah?

Ludwig: What's wrong with you?

Mykey: nothing, it's just that… I was thinking of Mr. Bowser and how hard it must be to be king and father at the same time

Ludwig: well… there's not much we can do

Iggy: It's true. One of us will inherit the throne one day and will have to take over like dad does.

Roy: I’d not want to be king if there will be that amount of work

Wendy: don't worry, with your little brain you won't have to be the king

Roy: thanks sis, I’d not… hey! What did you mean?!

Bobby, Larry and Jr. chuckle. Mykey smiles a bit and decides to change the subject.

Mykey: hey… tomorrow is Father's Day, we could organize something for Mr. Bowser. He deserves to get some rest, don't you think?

Iggy: Not a bad idea, but what can we do?

Jr.: a little party…

Bobby: with lots of balloons!

Larry: and music!

Wendy: lots of decorations!

Lemmy: colors everywhere!

Morton: AND LOTS OF FOOD!

Roy: guys, you're thinking about a birthday

Iggy: that's true, but I agree with them, plus we still have the decorations for Jr.'s birthday, which was a few days ago

Jr.: two celebrations in one week? The best birthday of my life!

Roy: Sounds good to me, what do you think, Mykey and Ludwig?

The older Koopas look at each other thoughtfully and smile at the same time, then look at Roy.

- That seems perfect to me! –They both say in unison.

- Hurrah!! –the little ones exclaim while the others nod and smile. In that Kamek arrives somewhat confused

Kamek: What's that fuss, for the feline bell's sake?

Ludwig: oh, we were just talking about…

Mykey: (interrupts putting his hand over her mouth) we were talking about the magical effect of magnetic resonance.

At this comment, all the other Koopa children look at him very confused, as well as Kamek, who scratches his cheek. Mykey signals to Bobby with his eyes, which the little boy picks up on.

Bobby: Sure, magnetic resonance mixed with the magical effect of the muslin.

Now the boys were looking at Bobby with more confusion than before. The magikoopa is silent for a few seconds before sighing.

Kamek: well... carry on with yours, but please don't make noise (he leaves murmuring) these kids these days...

The kitchen door closes. Back to the Koopas...

Roy: reso… what?

Wendy: mus… what?

Larry: magnetic?

Morton: MORTON HAS A BRAIN HURT...

Mykey: don't worry, I was just rambling

Ludwig was fluttering from lack of air, his face somewhat bluish. Mykey notices and removes his hand from Ludwig's mouth, who is breathing heavily.

Mykey: s-sorry, Luddy…

Ludwig: (gasping slightly) why was that?

Mykey: is that I would like Mr. Kamek also rest that day. Since he does so much for us too, I want him to have the surprise in the same way.

Iggy: I understand

Wendy: I think that's very sweet of you, Mykey

Jr.: and it's true, Kamek is like our second dad

Lemmy: Are you saying that because he scolds you more than us?

Jr.: that's not true

His brothers look at him with a skeptical smile, to which Jr. looks away in embarrassment.

Jr.: well, yeah

Bobby rubs him pats him on the shoulder, smiling nervously.

Ludwig: Okay, okay, let's get to work. We will have to organize

Mykey: let's do the following...

Mykey approaches them and whispers something unintelligible from afar.

After about fifteen minutes or so, the boys nod and smile. At that moment, Kamek arrives with King Bowser at the dining room.

Bowser: Hello, my children. Sorry for the delay (yawns covering his big mouth) today I had too much to do

Ludwig: welcome, dad!

Mykey: it's time to rest

The other guys nod smiling as they chuckle to themselves. Bowser is so tired that he does not notice the looks of his children, much less than they have planned, so he sits down, takes a sip of wine from his glass and instantly prepares to eat dinner. .

After a few minutes, most of the guys get up from the table, leaving their plates there. Mykey and Ludwig also get up, but they both start picking up what their brothers have occupied. Kamek notices it

Kamek: you don't have to do that, guys

Ludwig: Don't worry, Kamek. We want to help. You rest

Mykey: yes, you and Mr. Bowser do a lot for us, we want to support them

Bowser smiles at them and pats each of their heads, who smile. After that, both boys go to the kitchen leaving their things and prepare to take care of the dirty dishes, Mykey being the one who washes them and Ludwig who dries them.

When they both vacate, they look at each other face to face.

Mykey: (whispering) okay, let's put the plan into action

Ludwig: (whispering) aha!

As Bowser and Kamek were finishing dinner, the boys return to where they were, facing them, staring at the king, who looks at them somewhat doubtfully.

Bowser: what's up guys?

Ludwig: Dad... do you have to work tomorrow Sunday?

Bowser: w-well... yes... I have an errand, why?

Mykey: Mr. Bowser, if it's not too much trouble, could you postpone it? It looks like you need a day off

Ludwig: yes, dad! You’ve been at work a lot. You hardly spend time with us anymore

The king sighs, barely able to open his eyes.

Bowser: I know, and I'm sorry, but I've had a lot. The Summer Festival is coming up and I want everything to be in order and…

The king does not finish his sentence due to his tiredness. The young Koopa look at each other worried, so they let Bowser dine in peace, but not before saying a few words to them.

- good night! Sleep well –the two young people say as they leave.

Bowser: see you tomorrow, children!

Kamek: sleep well

When they leave they go to Ludwig's room quickly

Ludwig: and now what will we do?

Mykey: we will not give up. You go round up the boys and tell them to go ahead with the plan. I'll think something.

Ludwig: very good. Good luck!

They both shake hands and go about their business.            

…………………………

The next morning, Ludwig goes to the dining room, trying to find his father and Kamek before they go about his business.

There he finds his father alone, drinking his morning coffee and reading the newspaper, wearing glasses while he reads.

Ludwig: good morning, dad

Bowser: Good morning, son. How did you sleep?

Ludwig: well… uh… don't you have to go to your meeting?

Bowser: No. I received a telegram: apparently the meeting was postponed for another week, since the princess has a cold.

Ludwig: I see...

Bowser: yes, it's weird... when I met her yesterday she looked fine, but anyway; she should take care of herself.

Ludwig: so… will you spend the day with us?

Bowser: No, son. I have more important things to do

Ludwig: what? How is that…?

Bowser smiles and interrupts him, stroking his hair.

Bowser: Just kidding, Luddy. Of course I'll spend the day with you

Ludwig: oh dad!

The young man pouts and crosses his arms, somewhat blushing and at the same time wagging his tail with happiness. At that moment Mykey enters

Mykey: is that true, Mr. Bowser? Will you have the day off?

Bowser: uh… yeah. How did you know?

Mykey: I have a good ear (smiles)

Bowser: right… (scratches his cheek)

Mykey: Excuse me, Mr. Bowser, I'll borrow Ludwig for a moment.

The purple-haired young man grabs Ludwig's arm and they both leave. The blue Koopa flaps its other hand while confused and dragged looking at his father. Bowser laughs to himself and continues reading his newspaper while he drinks his coffee.

In the next room…

Mykey: we are doing very well, now it is a matter of preparing the details

Ludwig: Good thing you won't have to go anymore

Mykey: yep, the plan worked

Ludwig: huh?

Mykey: it's that I spoke with princess Peach and she told me that she agreed with this and made up that excuse

Ludwig: (surprised) how does it…?

Mykey: I secretly went out to the mushroom kingdom last night and asked to speak to the princess. I was lucky that she left me. I explained the situation and then she said that she would send him a message.

Ludwig gasps and processing what Mykey said, and then clears his throat and slowly smiles at him.

Ludwig: that’s amazing, Mykey.

Mykey: It's nothing. Everything is because you and your siblings spend a nice day with him.

Ludwig: thanks a lot (chuckles) then to work. I'll tell the boys to get ready

Mykey: come on

So the Koopa kids sprang into action and started decorating and setting up everything. Mykey was with Bowser and Kamek, talking with them while distracting them. As they talked, the young Koopa looked at his watch from time to time. After about an hour Mykey received a signal with a small chime at a great distance, something that only he was able to capture.

Bowser: …and that's why the blue mushrooms shrink you down in size.

Mykey: wow, that's very curious

Kamek: anyway, I have things to do, so I'll leave you

Mykey: w-wait, please. I would like to ask you two to accompany me to the main hall

Kamek: why?

Bowser: Is something wrong?

Mykey: well, you'll see when we go

Bowser and Kamek look at each other somewhat confused, to which they agree to go, somewhat worried.

Upon reaching the great hall, both notice that the curtains are closed and everything is in shadows.

Bowser: all is dark

Kamek: I'll call the guards so…

Mykey: (raises voice) now!!!

After saying that, the torches magically light up. There were all the Koopa kids, including Ludwig, who had flicked his wand in the direction of the torches.

- Surprise!! –they all exclaim. There were balloons, streamers and lots of confetti falling from the ceiling. In the distance there were also many tables with cookies, sweets, many snacks, sodas and hot chocolate. Bowser and Kamek look at each other even more confused than before, to which the boys get closer to them and lining up exclaim— HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! –

Bowser, hearing that, smiles at them and is moved

Bowser: Oh guys! Thank you so much! I didn't even remember this day

Ludwig: we know, and that's why we organized this

Wendy: we want you to enjoy all this

- Yes, Dad! Have fun! –say Jr. and Larry

Kamek: aww the boys really appreciate you, my lord

Bowser: you’re right

The eight children go to hug their father, taking turns and being caressed by the king. For their part, Mykey and Bobby look at each other smiling and go to Bowser, hugging him between the two of them.

Bobby: I hope you have a good time, Mr. Bowser.

Mykey: you are like our second father, we wish you the best

Bowser is surprised at that comment, gasping. His eyes fill with tears. The kids notice this and look at him somewhat worried.

Larry: are you okay, dad?

Wendy: What's wrong with you?

Bowser wipes his tears, but doesn't avoid spilling more, to which he smiles and hugs Bobby and Mykey a little more.

Bowser: T-thank you, kids. It’s an honor to be considered like this

The king wipes away his tears and then strokes Bobby and Mykey's hair, which smile and wag their tails with delight. The other children also smile and are moved

Bowser: okay, my children, let’s eat! This day will be for us

Kamek: I'm sure you'll have a good time, my lord

Mykey: you too, Mr. Kamek, don't think we forgot about you.

Kamek: m-me… too?

Mykey hugs him without Kamek having time to react.

Mykey: thanks for all your patience

Roy: yes Kamek! This celebration is also for you

- of course! –Iggy and Lemmy say.

Kamek doesn't know what to say, to which Mykey's hug corresponds seconds later.

Bowser looks at Mykey and can't help but remember something, to which he closes his eyes.

Bowser: (thinking) my friend… I wish you were here with me. I wish you a happy day too. Your kids are in good hands, I promise.

After that thought, Bowser widens his eyes and takes a small breath in and out, then laughs out loud, drawing everyone's attention.

Bowser: very good, everyone! Let’s celebrate!!!

Larry pulls out his synthesizer and starts playing his electronic music and everyone in there starts moving his body to the beat. A great uproar is heard in the great hall. One of the guards approaches and Kamek signals for him to go to where he is.

Kamek: (whispering) nobody interrupt us please, unless it's something very urgent, is that clear?

Guard: on command, master Kamek

Said guard withdraws and closes the door. From Kamek's back someone carries him, it’s Roy. Kamek is surprised

Roy: don't miss this, Kamek

Roy deposits him firmly but gently close to the boys. Bobby hugs him and then offers him some sweets, which Kamek gladly accepts.

Kamek: thank you very much, son

Morton, Jr., Lemmy and Larry eat some snacks; Roy, Wendy and Iggy get ready to dance to the music in the center; Bowser shakes his head as he pats his knee, all smiling, before turning his gaze to the older Koopas.

Bowser: thanks a lot, my children (gives them his thumbs up)

Mykey and Ludwig smile at each other and give each other a fist bump with their forearms.

- Mission complete!! –they say to each other

 END

__________

| First | Next |

[ggukkiedae]

[12:06am kst, december 27]

hi guys!

i've actually been posting quite a bit recently, which is something i'm happy about 🥰 you can look forward to me posting more again!

anyway, with the new year coming around, i might be changing my visual representations of yoonmi and ari (keyword: might)

if you guys have any suggestions,feel free to send them in through ask or dms!

notes:

i use the term visual representation over face claim bc these are people similar to how i would want to imagine just like how soobin looks like minhyuk or how kazuha looks like suzy

they don't necessarily have to look like the current visual representations i have

yoonmi is a half korean (father's side), 3/8 chinese and 1/8 filipino (mother's side) 01 liner who looks somewhat feline doll-like

ari is a tall 3/4 korean and 1/4 japanese 03 liner who pulls off both feminine and masculine auras and has bunny-like features

but yeah, i just want to hear opinions on that :3 i'll be back in a few hours with another post!

merry christmas, happy holidays!

sending all the best vibes! please spread~ until next time! <3

~cia💕

[rockheadcd]

@electrivolt said: "Hey, love—" he's trying to be gentle waking him up, careful kisses as he's basically laying on top of him under many layers of blankets. It's a wonder he even managed to wake up before Roark in the first place, and it took its own amount of effort too, but— it's worth it to surprise his love, isn't it? Just a little impatiently waiting for him to wake up now. "Merry Christmas, love." And the gifts are carefully wrapped and stacked in a neat pile on the nightstand for Roark to notice, a sweater covered in silly dinos, a set of dinosaur shaped taco holder and a dinosaur waffle maker he couldn't just turn down the moment it crossed his search, now could he? Are half of those a bit of a joke gift? Absolutely, but he knows his love very well by now, he knows what Roark will laugh at and cherish. Besides, the handmade card sitting on top of the pile is very genuine, a few more words of affection and appreciation getting to share another day like this with him. He's a little in love, isn't he? ( a lot. it's a lot in love. ) "We can go down and get breakfast when you're ready." They do have something to try out now after all, right? / chrimmy goodies.

All that really comes out is disgruntled groaning, the mandatory days off kicking his poor, overworked body into rest mode—sure, that usually meant he was up at a normal hour of the morning versus before the sun was up, but in between that was the scheduled visit to see his father and all of the 'mons living on Iron Island as well, chow down on some good eats, and then enjoy a nice evening exchanging gifts and drinks in front of a toasty wood fire. He probably was recovering from that ( what can he say, egg nog was good! ) more than anything, but part two was upon him in the form of a pound of blankets, the love of his life, and a bunch of kisses to bring him back to the land of the living.

He offers Volkner a sleepy smile, returning any kiss that lands against his lips. "Hold on.." Roark envelopes him in a warm hug instead, yawning, squeezing him tighter, then finally letting go when he's done. Getting out of bed is hard, but he doesn't even notice that Volkner brought his presents to him until he has to find his glasses to really see anything up close, surprised and content all at once. "Ah, you didn't have to bring them up here, love—" he comments, even as he's moving to sit up and put everything in his lap, navigating around his love, perpetually cold during this time of the year.

One at a time, he opens them up, more and more excited as he turns over each one, even burying his face into the sweater and contemplating putting it on now. "Aha, I think we have to make pancakes for the morning now with this, I can't say no to dinosaur bites." When he finally reads the card, where Volkner often put his most eloquent thoughts down, he just can't help but smile warmly, carefully putting it aside to hug him again and give him another kiss. "Merry Christmas—I love you so much!" Man, if he didn't have some presents under the tree, getting out of bed would have been impossible today.

"Alright, alright. I'm kinda hungry, so I guess we can make some breakfast. You also have your gifts to open up, too. They're under the tree and all."

As for those? Well, he knew Volkner to be one to try to not stand out, but he couldn't help when he found another feline-themed hoodie to keep him warm, little ears on the hood and all. The next, a simple thermos—the purpose isn't clear at first until he looks at it as if it's a blank canvas. Something to decorate, and something to keep his hot chocolate warm in this snowy, freezing season. Another is a pack of markers on the more expensive side in their purpose, Roark having done some research into his gifts, apparently. He can't really help it though, he tries to find things practical! And finally, as if Volkner needed another thing to sleep with, a heated blanket in blue that he'd certainly end up sharing with all of the Sunyshore 'mons, a nice, heavy wool to hold in all of that much-needed heat.

"C'mon, let's get out of bed—"

[nicolanoodles]

Aaaaaaand we’re back! Shoutout to @lunar-rainclouds for being the sweetest person ever ❤️ hope you enjoy the next instalment of Roomba AU :)

Waterworks

The holidays don’t go smoothly…

Word Count: 2100

Gentle paws kneaded the blanket as Petra scritched Nigel under the chin, the black cat emitting a steady purr. Her other hand rested on the large swell of her stomach as the baby kicked and wiggled. Fairy lights twinkled on the Christmas tree as the tv droned in the background, reruns of an old sitcom lost to her as bliss enveloped her on the sofa.

Levi brought the steaming mug in from the kitchen. He gazed for a moment at his wife as she doted over the beloved pet, the very picture of maternal bliss. He allowed the tiniest smile to form on his lips as he watched the scene from the doorway. Not long now. Nigel met Levi’s eyes from his spot on his favourite human.

The cat hadn’t left Petra alone since the early weeks of her pregnancy. Everywhere Petra went, the feline followed. If she sat down, he was there head butting at her stomach. When she lay down to sleep the cat was close to follow, kneading at the blankets covering her midsection. As she’d progressed through the months and watched her feet disappear, Petra had nearly tripped over the cat an alarming number of times, much to Levi’s distress.

“Damn animal’s obsessed with you”, Levi mumbled padding into the room as Petra sat fussing Nigel’s ears.

“He’s just excited to meet his new sibling, aren’t you my little bread loaf?” Nigel shot Levi a triumphant look as he curled his tail round, nestling further into the knitted blanket draped over Petra’s stomach. “Hey maybe he’s kneading at me so much coz he knows I’ve got a bun in the oven? Eh, geddit?”

Levi rolled his eyes. He could hardly talk though. Since Petra had announced her pregnancy, Levi had doted on her. It had revealed his most tender side; rubbing her back during the bouts of morning sickness (which Levi grimly found out weren’t just a morning thing), putting lotion on her stretch marks, massaging her feet when they got sore. Turns out her only major craving had been carrots, but Levi made sure to keep a good stock in the fridge.

The first scan, he was woe to admit, he nearly cried at. Seeing their baby for the first time on the fuzzy ultrasound screen and hearing the sound of its heartbeat opened up a part of his heart he hadn’t been introduced to until that moment.

Sure he was nervous. Not having a father figure in their life would affect any new dad - and no, Kenny didn’t count. But he’d had a strong as hell mother to raise him to be the man he was this present day. He was determined to raise his own kid giving it all the love his mom had poured into his upbringing without the worries over basic shit like he’d had growing up.

Petra eagerly accepted the herbal tea off her husband, “Thanks, I think I overdid it earlier”

Levi gave her a chastising look, “You’re supposed to rest until the brat makes an appearance. Doctor’s orders”

“The baby’s due in just over a week, I think I’m past the point of going into premature labour sweetie”

Levi grumbled under his breath as he settled onto the couch next to her.

***

Since being condemned to bed rest a month ago, Petra has gone into full on nesting mode. More than once Levi had come home to a completely reorganised apartment, the contents of cupboards spilled out across their home as Petra frantically rearranged and re-sorted their belongings. “It just didn’t feel right - I just reorganised a few things!”, Levi stared in exasperation at the now completely re-stacked bookshelf and empty bottles of windex littering the living room. He decided to ignore the rickety ass stepladder propped up against the wall.

“Tch, definitely my kid”

***

They cuddled on the sofa as the rain continued tapping the windows. Spencer rolled in, sporting a small knitted hat as its brushes whirred across the laminate. Levi gave a withering look to his wife.

Petra answered with her own beaming smile, “Oh don’t look at me like that, he just wants to feel festive”

“It’s a fucking Roomba!”

Petra kissed up his jaw, “Shh, don’t shout at the pregnant person”.

____________________

The rain had continued to pour into the next morning. Levi looked out at the miserable sky with distaste before turning back to his wife in annoyance.

Petra scowled back, “Levi seriously it’s just Braxton Hicks, you need to stop fussing”

“And you need to take it easy, stop trying to move furniture!”

“It was getting dusty behind the crib!”

“That’s what the robot vacuum’s for!”. Levi stomped back into the living room.

Petra waddled after her husband, determined to prove that she wasn’t an invalid. Getting her best pout on, she was ready to unleash a month’s worth of bed ridden pregnancy hormones, but stopped when she caught Levi staring at the TV. A local news reporter channel. She watched as horror slowly spread across his face.

“-devastating scenes of Karanes trailer park this morning as flood water swept through the area leaving hundreds without power or-”

Petra gaped at the distressing scenes pictured on the television screen. She opened her mouth to say something but Levi was already rushing to the hallway, digging through the closet for some boots.

Petra shouted down the hallway, “Levi at least call her! Search and rescue might already-!”

But he was gone.

____________________

A few hours later Levi had returned, soaked to his skin but thankfully with a relatively unharmed Kuchel and a small bag of her belongings in tow.

Now the three of them sat at the kitchen table, steaming mugs of tea in hand. Levi’s foot tapped against the tiles as he prepared for the incoming argument.

Kuchel set her cup down on the coaster, “You don’t have to fuss honey, I really am fine”. He would have believed his mother if she hadn’t started sneezing immediately after. He offered her the tissue box, “Tch like hell you are, I told you that something like this would happen eventually”. He muttered darkly about ‘damn idiots building on flood plains’ as he went to refill their mugs.

Petra reached across the table to hold her mother in law’s hand, “It really wouldn’t be any trouble Kuchel, we’d love to have you and we’d definitely feel better knowing you’re safe and dry in the apartment rather than in a trailer park prone to flooding”.

“I know what you’re saying sweetheart, but I really can’t impose on you like this. You’re gonna have a little one to take care of very soon and the last thing you need is for me to be in the way”

As if to prove a point, Petra winced as the baby kicked.

Levi’s jaw tensed. He turned back to his mother.

“You’re staying here”, Kuchel opened her mouth to protest but Levi held up his hand and carried on.

“The park is flooded with no electricity and by the time it dries out it’s gonna be damp for weeks, maybe months if the heating doesn’t kick back in. You’ll get sick. You’re staying with us until I deem the trailer inhabitable for you or you find an apartment. End of discussion.”

Kuchel’s eyes softened towards her son, “Thank you sweetie, though I could always give Kenny a ring”

“You are not living with that psycho”. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he exhaled deeply, sliding back onto the wooden chair, “Just let yourself be taken care of for once, please”. Petra’s hand squeezed his knee under the table.

Petra turned to the older woman, “Look, let’s talk more about this in the morning. It’s been a tough day for everyone and the main thing is that you’re safe and dry and more than welcome to spend the holidays with us at the very least ok?”.

Kuchel smiled at her daughter in law, conceding the argument for the evening, “Only until I find an apartment”.

Three empty mugs later and one mother settled onto the pull out sofa for the night, Levi finally rolled into bed with Petra. Sleep didn’t come. His mom was incredibly caring and grateful, but stubborn. She was too used to working herself into the ground if necessary for the things she had and Levi hated it.

The alarm clock ticked its steady rhythm.

He shut his eyes and fell into restless slumber.

_____________________

The next morning, brought little resolution. Every avenue they looked into pointed to one blaring conclusion. They were gonna need a bigger boat. Or in more actualistic terms, a fucking mortgage and more square footage. Visions of sleazy estate agents trying to glaze over poorly hidden structural issues flooded Levi’s mind. Petra had spent the morning trying to soothe her husband’s nerves.

“You know it could actually be a blessing, we could find a house with a garden”. Petra stretched her back, “And it’s not as if there’s a massive amount of stuff between us all, we could always have a garage sale…minus the garage”.

Levi leant against the counter and let out a heavy sigh. It was true that they would certainly be hard pressed for space if his mother came to live with them and there was definitely going to be arguments about how stuff was done around the home. They’d have to set clear boundaries and rethink the nursery to accommodate a spare bed while they searched for a house. But the thought of having his mother go back to the ruined mobile home with no guarantee that it wouldn’t flood again made bile claw up his throat. No. His mom had had it rough raising him on her own. She’d sacrificed so much for him growing up. All the clothes she’d mended, the jobs she’d worked, the jewellery she’d pawned to make sure they always had food on the table. She’d even sold her car to help pay for his tuition to get into a good college. No way. He was not gonna send her back to some damp ass trailer no matter how much she protested. It was the least he could do.

A loud splash broke him out of his thoughts.

“Damn cat! Knocking shit over”, he groused as he grabbed the tea towel to mop up the mess.

He paused.

Something was off with the scene in front of him. He’d expected to be met with a mess on the table cloth, maybe even a chipped glass, and a startled cat. However Nigel was perched on top of the fridge, innocently cleaning his asshole. The table cloth remained intact, no stain to be seen. Petra’s empty breakfast bowl sat on the placemat ready to be washed up.

The full glass of water sat resolutely on the table.

Levi’s eyes tracked down to the puddle on the floor directly under Petra’s feet now soaking into her slippers.

He watched as his wife doubled over letting out a hiss of pain.

Oh.

Fuck.

_____________________

The next few hours seemed to happen in a millisecond and in slow motion all at once.

The drive to the hospital was a blur. Then there was the checking in and the anxious phone calls from his mother. Then the waiting. And the waiting. And the waiting…

And finally, in the late hours of Christmas Eve, Rowan Ackerman entered the world.

Levi sat in the chair next to the hospital bed as Petra slept, cradling his son. He pulled back the blanket a little as the infant squirmed, a little tuft of jet black hair sticking out. The baby yawned and tiny amber eyes gazed up at him briefly before settling back into slumber. God he couldn’t stop staring. Minute fingers curled themselves round his own as Levi readjusted the blanket (lovingly knitted by the newly appointed Grandma). The colours were a little uneven and the edges were stretched to an odd shape but it didn’t matter. ‘This way I can give my Grandbaby a hug every night’, Kuchel had told him as she handed it over at Petra’s baby shower.

Anxiety at his mother’s (and by proxy their own) living situation tried to claw its way up but found no purchase. For the first time in the last 48 hours Levi found nothing but peace staring back at him. It would all work out. Levi looked at his family and his heart filled over.

Between all the drama and happiness and hurt and surprises along the way, they would be still be here.

And Levi couldn’t be fucking happier.

END

Ackerbaby’s name is in no way a reference to any sort of big ass trees. No sir.

If you’re still following this silly little AU of mine then welcome back! Sorry for the mini hiatus but life got BUSY (much like Levi and Petra’s is about to here ha)

Thank you again for reading, you’re the best ❤️

[rockislandadultreads]

Book Recommendations: National Pet Day

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for--or rather, demands--the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners.

Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Through their travels, the cat and Rintaro meet a man who leaves his books to perish on a bookshelf, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publishing drone who only wants to create bestsellers. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge--the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter...

Brood by Jackie Polzin

Over the course of a single year, our nameless narrator heroically tries to keep her small brood of four chickens alive despite the seemingly endless challenges that caring for another creature entails. From the forty-below nights of a brutal Minnesota winter to a sweltering summer which brings a surprise tornado, she battles predators, bad luck, and the uncertainty of a future that may not look anything like the one she always imagined.

Intimate and startlingly original, this slender novel is filled with wisdom, sorrow and joy. As the year unfolds, we come to know the small band of loved ones who comprise the narrator's circumscribed life at this moment. Her mother, a flinty former home-ec teacher who may have to take over the chickens; her best friend, a real estate agent with a burgeoning family of her own; and her husband whose own coping mechanisms for dealing with the miscarriage that haunts his wife are more than a little unfathomable to her.

It Started with a Dog by Julia London

All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she's worked so hard for—which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family's coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street.

When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He's a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she's an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like scary movies, greasy food—and most of all, dogs. It's a match made in heaven...until Jonah finds out that Harper's the one about to put him out of business.

Only one coffee shop likely can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs, and patrons vote with their dollars for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. As the excitement builds for who will be crowned King Mutt and king of the coffee hill, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend.

This is the second volume of the “Lucky Dog” series. 

Other People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes

La La’s world stops being whole when her mother, who never wanted a child, abandons her twice. First, when La La falls through thin ice on a skating trip, and again when the accusations of “unfit mother” feel too close to true. Left alone with her father—a locksmith by trade, and a thief in reality—La La is denied a regular life. She becomes her father’s accomplice, calming the watchdog while he strips families of their most precious belongings.

When her father’s luck runs out and he is arrested for burglary, everything La La has painstakingly built unravels. In her fourth year of veterinary school, she is forced to drop out, leaving school to pay for her father’s legal fees the only way she knows how—robbing homes once again.

As an animal empath, she rationalizes her theft by focusing on houses with pets whose maladies only she can sense and caring for them before leaving with the family’s valuables. The news reports a puzzled police force—searching for a thief who left behind medicine for the dog, water for the parrot, or food for the hamster.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts...

An instant international bestseller and indie bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles has charmed readers around the world. With simple yet descriptive prose, this novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru's longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe...

With his crooked tail—a sign of good fortune—and adventurous spirit, Nana is the perfect companion for the man who took him in as a stray. And as they travel in a silver van across Japan, with its ever-changing scenery and seasons, they will learn the true meaning of courage and gratitude, of loyalty and love.

[uroborosymphony]

⠀⠀Quinn&Taiyang

Traditions always tasted foreign to Ara. In a world where yesterdays were only made of sorrows and tomorrows of uncertainty, her mind remained closed to the joy of celebrations, out of protection of her own soul that could only feed on hope. Hope. One that was lacking in this side of the city where dawns came with poverty and sunsets, with crime. Yet, a gift that was given to her every year since she met him, which gave colors, love and warmth to holidays they shared. Their first christmas together, she remembered. A little too chaotic and overly emotional, it was only a few months after they started dating in their early twenties, in a time where her mother was forced back into psych on christmas eve. Disturbed - she was - and despite her iron strength of mind and the composure of ice Ara always was displaying, she collapsed in Tai's arms. It was the first time ever, her, who had to fight for her life every breathed second, that she allowed herself to rest her head on someone's else shoulder : his. Since that day she knew she was not alone and would never be alone in these colder times of the year but together, with him.

Five years later, here she was, in their small apartment downtown, working on dinner for the both of them. A big meal for a small table of two, one they would make by themselves every year : a little mix of korean dishes and taiwanese ones. At first it was out of lack of money and then, it became a tradition. In her red dress, barefoot in the kitchen, she was moving and humming to the music played on the radio while starting on the dishes, waiting for him to come back home as he was on a last minute groceries duty. The past year have been of many adventures for them : light ones, darker ones - they knew the upcoming months would change everything for the two. Now under his father's gang protection, they could take a break from the prices on their head after their heist fiasco from a few weeks ago - one that shaken the entire underground scene. With the money of their previous successful robberies however, they would be able to move out soon, to something bigger, perhaps a place in these high buildings with a view that Ara always dreamed of. As she heard keys in the door opening, a wide smile spread on her lips. Hurrying - she made her way to the door like a cat. "Finallyyyy!" She exclaimed, her tone full of sun and shine as he returned, wrapping her arms around his neck, dragging her furthur inside as she was walking backwards, her body pressed against his. "You've left for a little too long my prince, all that time for a couple groceries, were you causing havoc on christmas night without me?" Ara teased, her pouty lips linking with his into a kiss. Her kisses to welcome him back always were filled with this hunger, passion and pull that said : Don't leave like that. Even for 40 minutes, I like you here better. She was teasing, of course, knowing he would never go anywhere without her, especially if it was for some fun in the shadows - she just wanted to hear him to say it. "I already got started on dinner, I'm starving though, I might eat you first," She then added, her finger catching him by the colar to drag him along with her, her playful felineness still on, for him to follow her there. On the counter : a knife, ingredients, a dish ready to get heaten on the stove, a little bit of a mess, there was barely space for more. "How's the city like tonight? Lee said the Spiders would strike again, wreck the neighborhood, that these little shits get high on clowning on celebrations. Mm. Might get messy." She questions resting her lower back against the counter. The Spiders - another fresh gang in town, like a dozen popping every week, none that would survive however, the biggest ones were always quick to kill these in the womb : and now that the duo started being affiliated, more and more names were spoken to them - theirs were also spoken about to. "That is if they have the balls or want the attention, everyone is watching," She carries on, her hand catching her knife again, playing with the tip at edge of her finger. "Or maybe we will get a night with no fire? It might be our last christmas here after all," She adds with a smile on her face, head full with the thought of their new place again.

[sassenashsworld]

All cats go to hell

I spent the first year of her life calling the feline female living with me Le Chat (the cat)… because. Then a man came into my life and he was very surprised to know The Cat (le chat in french beeing masculine) was pregnant. I told him this cat was called Grizoune, named by the father of my three sons, who left the house without the sons and without the cat.

So we started to call her…… Grizoune. Until this day, it remained… Grizoune gave birth to two kittens, a male and a female. Having children, I fell for the perennial "can we keep at least one" and I chose the female, because my nephews have their birthdays in October and February respectively, so I offered to have the male operated and give it to my nephews as a birthday and Christmas present, with everything that would need in order to take care of it. I called the female Neby for 'Nebula Panther' because of her stains and manners. My sister’s cat, I called it temporarily Crok because she had a cat called Monsieur and the Croque-Monsieur is a snack. She renamed him Garçon, boy in English. After a few months, my sister called me to complain about Garçon’s behavior… and ask me if I would take it back because she wants to get rid of it… and I accept because… So, in my house, I have three cats; Grizoune, Neby and Garçon (whom I strive to call Crok and he comes to no longer know who he is, which amuses me infinitely) Grizoune is a pussy of a certain character, she loves hugs and getting scratched under the neck, but hates we take her in our arms. She then turns into a real fury. Neby is invisible. Most people who come to my house don’t know I have a third cat, she’s hiding in the basement where my room is. She only comes out at night, when my kids are in bed, and then she rubs and rubs and rubs herself against me purring like I could love her. When I go to bed, she lies on top of me and then I feel her vibration through the blankets. Also, she will meow in my ears until I pet her. I don’t need to pet her for long, but I MUST. Which is kind of boring. Then Crok… poor Crok. The kids' cat. Officially. My youngest boy spent his childhood carrying him ALL THE TIME in his arms, sleeping with him, giving him more affection than he needs. His younger sister did the same. The other two appreciated his docility. Crok is a HUGE cat, twice as big as his mother, but softer than a rag doll. Ironically, when my youngest goes to school or to his father's home, Crok lies down on me, a soul in pain that requires attention, instead of enjoying his freedom as a cat should. So finally, after this talk about my three cats, you’ll ask me where I was going with this?

To absolutely nothing. I’m just trying to get used to the idea that despite my aversion to animals in captivity, with my aging children, I’m most likely going to turn into a crazy cat girl, a loner, writing novels while driving her dreams at night… surround by cats...

Holy shit…

[p1x1e-sims]

 An excerpt from Gwendoline Townsends diary, 1931

 Dear Diary, 

  Benjamin has given us a camera for Christmas! It’s remarkable how cheap the things are these days; back when I was younger we would have to sit for hours and shell out quite a bit of money for a portrait. Now we can just snap a photo as fast as we can blink! I do wish I was wearing nicer clothes in this photograph however...but my housework these days calls for practicality rather than style.

  Later, we posed the girls as well and took their first portrait. Ginny sat just fine and was perfectly patient for her father. But it seems like Maggie doesn't like to sit still for more than a minute these days. Really, I’m not ashamed to admit that I've started counting down the days until they can attend school. 

  In other news of Benjamin, the man has gotten married! Her name is Theresa, a sweet young girl from town. Sam demanded the two come over so that he could take informal, and very amateur, wedding photographs. Isn’t Mrs. Zimmerman a doll?

 I do wonder how that chatterbox managed to woo shy little Theresa, but I suppose opposites attract. And I’m glad to have another woman down the road from us. I was getting quite tired of walking five miles to the village just to socialize. 

  A certain feline has been taking up quite a bit of our film. Sometimes I think Sam loves that cat more than anything else in the world. Though I don’t blame him. Pockets may be an aloof old cat, but I suspect he’s even warmed up to me. He’s getting along in age though, and we’ll all be sad when he’s gone. Perhaps then I’ll get the girls a dog.

  Sincerely, 

  Gwendoline

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[usagirotten]

Movie Review: The Garfield Movie is joke-free entertainment for a new generation

Much has already been said here and in other places about the adaptations of characters no longer for the big or small screen but rather what is aimed at the new generations, characters that aim to entertain in a modern world carrying a clearer and more current message about the things they occupy. The above may or may not work partially, some will be interested and others will think that this has nothing original or new beyond wanting to compete and fill places in a movie theater or be the star of the moment on the list of a streaming platform. One of these characters was born from the creative mind of Jim Davis in 1976 in a comic strip format originally published locally as Jon and then distributed nationally starting in 1978 as Garfield, a cat who lives intense adventures with his son. human owner Jon Arbuckle and his inseparable companion the dog Odie, a cynical, selfish, boastful character who loves coffee and lasagna, has been liked by locals and strangers over the years, with the 1980s being when he had his greatest popularity worldwide. The popular comic strips that appeared in newspapers were compiled in 1980, having 79 volumes in a black and white booklet format and the special ones in color. One of the special characteristics they have is that the titles refer to the weight of the feline, The complete collection is titled Garfield Fat Cat, and the Ballantine publishing house has new editions now called Garfield Classics that have been printed and distributed since 2001. Comic books, posters, t-shirts, folders, notebooks, collectible stuffed animals, stamps, and endless items have been part of their merchandising over the decades, animated series and television specials enjoyed great success among which we can mention Garfield and Friends (1988), The Garfield Show (2009), Garfield Originals (2019) and the specials Here Comes Garfield (1982), Garfield's Halloween Adventure (1985), Garfield Goes Hollywood (1987), A Garfield Christmas (1987) and Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989), his time on the big screen was with Garfield: The Movie (2004) by director Peter Hewitt and its sequel Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) by director Tim Hill. In 2024, this popular feline has a new opportunity with The Garfield Movie directed by Mark Dindal, a film that promises to be a reinvention of the character with a new origin story and a great adventure.

What is the movie about?

Garfield (Chris Pratt) is a Monday-hating, lasagna-loving house cat who is about to have an adventure in a world away from home, after meeting his long-lost father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) this cat in the company of his inseparable friend Odie (Harvey Guillén) is forced to abandon the life they know to join Vic and save him from his pursuers to be a family although this has great risk finally. The idea of adapting a classic character from comic strips and animated series after his previous film failures this has been a great challenge, a character with a defined personality now faces the modern world and the demands of a new generation. This new animated film based on the comic strip by Jim Davis has been directed by Mark Dindal and written by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds, taking their characters to live a new adventure that tries to be of interest to locals and strangers, Modernity does not always work and there are things to consider among them that the slightest of changes will affect the development of a successful trajectory so that new generations know and probably identify with some of them. The Garfield Movie tells us a new origin for this cat, the film opens with a small Garfield being abandoned by his father on a rainy afternoon/night where he meets Jon Arbuckle who is having pizza for dinner in a nearby restaurant, to the sympathy of both. This man decides to adopt him take him home and give him a new home in which he will inevitably be the one who dominates and sets the rules for everyone. Years later he reunites with his father Vic, who in reality did not abandon him since in all these years he has been keeping an eye on him, what he wanted was for him to have a chance at life that he couldn't give him at that moment.

We know very well that this cat Vic is a criminal who has gotten into one problem after another that he must now face to stop escaping and have a peaceful life, but first, he will have to face a new character, Jinx ( Hannah Waddingham) a thief cat who was caught because of Vic and who now intends to make him pay for that time with a big milk theft, with the help of her canine henchmen Roland (Brett Goldstein) and Nolan (Bowen Yang) this villainess will know a side different from his rival having the opportunity to plan better revenge now also against his lost son Garfield. In this adventure full of craziness and some nostalgic references, Garfield will have to use all his ingenuity to save his father. After the failed milk theft he meets Otto (Ving Rhames), a bull who will help him in exchange for being able to see. his girlfriend and be with her permanently, this conditional treatment will make them realize that the value they have is greater than any of their fears, and overcoming it will give them the ability to stand out on their own in a world that has considered inferior like a domestic animal and a farm animal as well as the importance of helping others face their problems and overcome them. After half-solving the problem and returning home, they will leave it again to rescue the father who abandons him for the second time after stealing the milk. Garfield understands that his father is a stray cat and a small-time criminal who has always wanted and proof of this are the marks he has left over the years on a tree in front of Jon Arbuckle's house. They leave one problem to enter another and things change, in a magnificent sequence aboard a train, Garfield finally saves his father and puts things in order by returning home and inviting his father to be part of his new family along with Jinx's former henchmen, finally seeing that he can belong to both worlds, the one inside and the one outside the home, that he is so adult and independent that he can live this and more adventures. In summary, this is the story of Garfield: The movie, a film whose central plot is that of the toxic relationship between a selfish father and a dominant son who thinks and believes that he is the center of the universe and that everything his human pet possesses. It is what he rightfully deserves for being simply Garfield, with this come subplots that involve Otto the Bull, Jinx and his henchmen, and Jon Arbuckle and Odie, the narrative structure sends us from the present to the past in the very helpful flashbacks that we get providing data to understand the situation in general. Although the film has good and very funny moments, not everything is smooth sailing, the script very conveniently relies almost for the most part on the nostalgia that is left behind to give way to a new personality of this character, from the beginning they establish the rule that Garfield can break the fourth wall by addressing us as the audience and tell us his story in his very own style based on his sympathy for the hedonism and disobedience that determine the morality of his actions and the very poor and not very credible justification of the actions. themselves.

The studio's interest in presenting a modernized and more current version of a character that is already concretely defined and whom we identify as cynical and amusingly selfish changes here using a new formula and the classic references from which it wants to move away to now have a new one. pleasanter and more entertaining personality that is in line with a new and demanding public that is more conformist every day with what is presented to them, something that cannot innovate on itself and that remains only as something that entertains adults more than the public to which it is originally directed. This project and its final result confuse the audience, on the one hand, it tries to keep true Garfield fans interested, and on the other hand, it wants to enter the field of current technology through unintentional and poorly focused humor with jokes and jokes. that not everyone will understand if they do not have a prior background of the characters, which makes these sequences feel boring and heavy, the narrative rhythm is so convenient that it goes from something moderately interesting to something that does not have much to do with it and resumes the rhythm To make it fun, with so many changes in such a short time it is intended that we maintain interest and the opposite happens. The script has flaws, and it is more than clear that this work is completely far from its original material, if something that characterizes this character is his peculiar way of seeing things and how he provides solutions to his problems, it is not the same humor black and cynical and with this, I am not saying that in his comic strips, he intended to educate because that is not his function but it was what gave him that more adult touch very much in the style of Schultz's Peanuts, these original materials were intended to be for children but they They were understood more by adults, it is very convenient to do it through CGI animation than another version that mixed real action with digital special effects and not because this was cheaper but because the trend now is this type of films. It is very convenient to fall into a comfort zone that presents a preview of what could be either an animated series in this same format or a new saga of films in which we see new and "renewed" adventures of these characters, another big mistake. and it is where it loses all its essence that these animal characters move their mouths and humanize them more with more human attitudes and movements such as the fact that almost all of them walk on 2 legs, finally, it is worth mentioning that their biggest failure is in the voice cast, we were already used to it and we as an audience already identified what their personality was like. There are many failures and its script goes more towards the side of the shameless moral discourse that the family is the most important thing, the love of a father for his children, what he is willing or not willing to do for them, family love, inclusive coexistence and acceptance of the consequences of actions and all this aims to semi-educate new audiences and identify with them in the real world, it aims to be a pseudo role model of what the path of the hero is like and the advantages that It's about being responsible in a highly competitive environment. The film as such entertains at times but is not a precedent that can promote something more in the future, what the director and screenwriters are proposing is an origin story mixed with an adventure that involves a dysfunctional family environment and an absent villainess with his henchmen and who decides to reduce Garfield's relationship with the human who adopted him to a minimum along with his relationship with his housemate the dog Odie, this is changed by a supposed adventure that will have ups and downs and a fight between good and evil, between doing what is right and what is not. In the case of the antagonists, we do not fully understand where she comes from, what she did before, and how she met her henchmen who ultimately redeem themselves and do the right thing. It is also not very clear to us if what they propose is that this Persian cat is the central villain. In other words, the world is full of dangers that a domestic cat has to face, Jinx's motivations are more cartoonish than something deeper, she is evil because yes, she wants revenge for having been betrayed, yes, but this is not something new, we have seen it countless times in other genres and with other actors in other situations where this can take on importance and relevance for the development of the story, here that does not happen and remains only a bad joke. of a very badly done and very mua ha ha evil.

In the end, we have as a result something lacking in emotion in a subplot of parent-child reconciliation in a climax that aims to move us in the face of the insistent comedy of entanglements and chases to have a result that may be able to keep this forward as a new way of narrating things and to give these characters the unnecessary opportunity to modernize and please everyone, it is evident that their scriptwriters did not understand what this central character was about nor did they know how to develop him, creating a new profile that would please without having to break their own rules. The situations it poses are very hypocritical in themselves, a cat that can enter and leave a house and pretend that it can fix the world without having consequences for it, it is so comfortable to see that everything is done in favor of a very good animation but nothing impeccable, a palette of colors invented by CGI that show a partially happy world where it doesn't matter what you do or the means you use to achieve your goal because in the end you will come out ahead and you will be congratulated and loved for it. Nobody here intends to follow a specific line of events, everything is structured so that these characters work on their own and apart from everything, the problem comes when you put together all these elements that together do not work, it is intended to be as if we were turning the pages of those old strips comics and we will go from one self-contained situation to another and so on until its end where we confirm that this work is only a commercial device that seeks to revive a merchandising franchise for old and new generations. This is what is annoying and outrageous, that a character who could have had better treatment and who could have preserved his essence and personality is left only at the disposal of a studio that we do not know for how long he can continue to remain in force, it seems that the trend in cinema and this type of films it is about experimenting to see if it works out well for us to continue with other things that involve what it occupies and not to have quality material that can be presented and that exalts its original base in various new ways and contributes something new and enriches what we already know and above all, that we feel attracted once again to this eighties fashion.

Garfield The Movie Voice cast

The cast is made up of Chris Pratt, Samuel Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, and Snoop Dogg and once again we turn to the old and reliable they did what they could with what they had, voices that are good but do not quite fit the profile of the characters and the version dubbed into Spanish better not even talk, tries to emulate a popular folklore where every joke is transformed into something with a double meaning that does not cause the slightest thank you.

Who composed the soundtrack?

The soundtrack composed by John Debney, who has had successful works for films such as Hocus Pocus, End of Days, Sin City, and The Jungle Book, falls far short of what was expected, the musical pieces are not a complement to accompany the sequences, here everything is heard and seen separately, each thing on its own, as independent material or for an action movie it would be better placed, in this case it doesn't work. In conclusion, The Garfield Movie 2024 is one of many animated projects in which time, money, effort and talent have been wasted. If this is intended to be the beginning of something more like a saga of new films or a series for some streaming platforms have started in the wrong direction, a product that entertains but that is not going to be distinguished by being something famous neither for new nor for old generations, it is something that in the media is left in favor of time and the audience decides whether or not this can continue or that it remains as one more example that there are characters that should not be modernized just to satisfy the need of some studios to remain relevant in an industry that is increasingly sinking. Garfield The Movie is now available in movie theaters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3XjsSvwSuU Read the full article

[dzmoot]

This is Ignatius "Hampire" Krattz

There's something quite therapeutic about drifting through space in a tin can, watching the stars, planets and everything else pass by like streaks of neon balls and Christmas lights. As a vampire, I enjoy the solitude amongst the stars, clumps of shiny glitter upon the black canvas of space. It makes me miss my cauldron and potions a little bit less. I know what a lot of them are thinking, how can I travel to all these worlds and not disintegrate in the glory of their respective suns. Truth is, I've been quite lucky. Most of the suns I've encountered haven't really had any effect on me. I guess it's only the yellow suns that prove fatal to a vampire. Unfortunately, we found ourselves on a planet with a yellow sun today when a cosmic space cat, cruising through the cosmos with a rainbow in it's wake, careened into the Spaceslinger seemingly out of nowhere. Of course, Siobhan and her father were getting into an argument and those two knuckleheads were napping in the backseat with me so we didn't really see the feline coming but IT CAME, heavily damaging our sleigh.

We were forced to make a landing on the nearest planet. Wouldn't you know it, it was a hot wasteland desert of a place and upon landing on it's sandy beds, I immediately got sunburnt. I knew it was going to be one of those sunny experiences, so I worked my magic and coded all of us with the proper desert protective against the sun's rays attire. Funny that I can remember that lengthly spell which was only available in the index of my spellbook, Zenius Unum.

Anyway, we trekked across the desert which Siobhan came to call simply the Blue Sand Planet. No sign of civilization until, what's this, a stray wonderer, trotting through the desert just like us. We told him about the Spaceslinger and the creature led us in the direction of a repairman, a space ship repairman, standing at his station like a little boy selling lemonade on the street corner. What a coincident!

The creature was called Snozcraggle and he agreed to fix our ship, but it would cost us about 250 of this money they called Croopies. He then pointed us in the direction of the nearest village where we spent the night in a ramshackle, withered desert tent. For the first time, the Tuuns had no choice but to eat the nosh I brought along with me. They slurped up every potion and nibbled on every morsel of my banana slug casserole with engorged ticks. The entire night long, sandstorms whipped at our tent as did garbage from the village. The Blue Sand Planet sure was an unsanitary place. Hopefully, we'll be able to conjure up the money we need in the morning. Zappy has an idea. I sure as hell hope it's a good one!