#hough i could keep going but this is already so long

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

And on the protag's side, now that they're aware that their actions do in fact have consequences, it's not like they can just stop dying, particularly during the very hard noble fights. They can stop being so perfectionist about everything, even if maybe they fall back into bad habits when they stop paying attention, but the noble battles took me a lot of tries every time, even when I took the shortcut of starting in the middle of them again. So with every reset, that's more added guilt. If they've become, or already were prior to Hisui, a perfectionist, they already have that mindset of "I could be better, I should be better," but now it's got the added weight of guilt and anxiety and shame of "it's my fault for not being better at this already, I'm personally responsible for someone's suffering I can't afford to fail". That might make the noble battles even harder too, because now they're desperate to get things done quickly without dying, and the added stress makes them hasty and prone to bad judgement calls.

A lot of the time Ingo and the protag have a good relationship, but in this situation how could they possibly look at Ingo without drowning in their self-disgust? How could they possibly forgive themself - for being so blasé about their own life, for hurting him, for not being better - even if he himself has forgiven them? That's a lot for a kid to take, especially in an already stressful, high-stakes environment. They treated this like a video game, maybe to help cope with the trauma of it all, but what helped them get through things so far has completely wrecked another person's mental health, and there's nothing either of them can do about it. The protag quite abruptly realizes that the genre of the "game" they were playing was never adventure, it was survival horror, and they never noticed until it was too late.

And in the other scenario... god, why even try? After a few times, why even bother doing literally anything? Your whole life could be functionally reset, even if you're careful and cautious. And on Emmet's end, imagine if time isn't distorted to a few weeks. He could go years before, poof, he's back to when Ingo went missing. Years of his life, gone, to the worst moment and he never even gets the chance to save Ingo. That'd fuck him up so much, especially if he ever came to the horrible conclusion that things being reset means that, somewhere, somehow, Ingo probably died. And with every failed attempt to save Ingo at the start of the loop, the guilt and horror and desperation to find him before he dies again gets worse.

Everyone is having such a good time.

YES!! YES!!!

and like, the noble fights SHOULD be hard to win. they SHOULD take a long time to get right, because in-universe, you're fighting a monster with the power of a god, driven out of its mind by divine corruption and with its only thought being to tear and rend and destroy. and you are. a human. having a food fight with it. honestly, it's more unbelievable that non-timelooping protags pull it all off on the first try unscathed.

which is already so fucked for timeloop protag, b/c whatever their relationship to the looping was in the very start of the game (or if they were even aware of it), once they got to kleavor, they had to die. over. and over. and over. learn how to dodge this way for its first attack, only to get hit by the second. learn how to turn you both so that none of the onlookers are in the line of fire. the final loop they take looks like magic, them dancing through these deadly axes and never being touched, being perfect—of course galaxy and the clans send them after the next one, and the next, and the next. it seems miraculous, their ability. with a power like that, how could you not take advantage of it? nobody knows how much it costs them in twitchy reflexes and invisible scars. until somebody does.

bc like. this is going way the way back to that canon thing where galaxy is still considering the protag's worth after they've joined, and one of the conditions is if they get hurt and suddenly cost more resources than they bring in. they get kicked out. so protag can't just not die. they can't get hurt, period. or at least not bad enough to the point where they can't still work as a surveyor, which is like, in a fight with a noble, getting hurt with only a light scratch is much rarer than getting a limb snapped. so protag really does need to be perfect.

and then ooooof to them feeling pressured to get it right as fast as possible after finding out about ingo. at least once they know him, they can give him a warning or an explanation when they're about to be facing something that's going to be really hard...? y'know i typed that out intending to say something else but like. reading it back i feel like the protag thinking that's ok. like how the fuck would ingo consider that an acceptable statement. "i'm going to go throw myself at electrode a hundred times until i get a perfect run where i don't get hurt" the hell you are! isn't this what we were just talking about! just don't do the thing that gets you killed a hundred times! but then how do you suddenly convince everyone involved that you suddenly need to change your entire strategy for dealing with frenzies, without telling everyone about the entire time-resetting clusterfuck. there's kind of no good way, huh. and that's if they don't hear about time resetting and just agree that "ok, i guess you respawn if you die so just die over and over. it's been working out great so far. obviously this is what god intended." which you have no guarantee of. so protag's stuck between this really uncomfortable scenario of either trying to figure out some way to proceed without resetting, only to potentially defeat the entire exercise if they forget or slip back into perfectionist habits. or they can go against ingo's wishes and try to tank the frenzy anyway. both of which feel awful to them!

but like. even if they could somehow guarantee that they'd never die again, most of the damage has already been done. ingo just sort of passively assumes now that nothing he remembers is accurate, or at least, if anything is, it's such a small fraction of it as to be entirely unreliable anyway. even knowing that the loops are real and he isn't just dreaming them up, it's so hard to keep track of which things happened in aborted loops vs which things actually happened. he doesn't even keep track of days anymore. looking at a calendar or anything like that is almost nauseating, realizing how off his perceived passage of time is from what's "really" happening. just going through life in a fog. probably none of this is real, anyway. no matter how real it feels now, it might all evaporate in the next instant. which is made all the worse by the fact that i think ingo legitimately does have a very good memory, when all this shit isn't actively fucking with it as much as possible. he remembers it all so clearly—but nobody else does. and then things that did happen, according to everyone else, he doesn't remember at all. so this one thing that he should be good at has now been taken from him too.

and if protag does inevitably fuck up, imagine their own hurt when they next see ingo. you reset? trying to sound level and normal but with the undercurrent of please tell me you reset. please, tell me any of that was real. reminded all over again what they did to him, and will never get a chance to erase.

[spireclangen]

not entirely dead yet, hi

I have been neglecting this blog for Quite a while, but I am... finally working on it again. hough. OTL

SO. my current plan is to create references for all the current cats, and compile them into a height chart, so I can keep their sizes and designs more consistent. New cats will also get references as they join, and they will be updated as cats grow up

after all this is done, I have an announcement re: plans I have for how I'm going to run this blog. more details will come in a later post, but the TLDR is that I want this to be a collaborative storytelling project, and I've come up with a few ways you guys can directly interact with and influence the kingdom

included in that will be naming the other kingdoms, but that'll come up once they actually appear. all I will tell you now is that there's 5 of them

FINAL THING. the tumblr AI shit. 🧍 as a guy who posts his art online for all the world to see, I have Long since accepted that people are probably gonna take my art and use it in ways I don't want, but tumblr actively giving it away is a special kind of nasty

I enjoy running a clangen account, though, so I will keep posting, just gonna start watermarking my stuff OTL before anyone says anything I am already opted out of the AI stuff but I do not have hope that the AI companies will give a fuck about that

I am also going to stay on tumblr for the foreseeable future, but if there's another site that lots of people use (that i'm already on. i'm not making any new accounts), I could upload on there & tumblr? but like less watermarked on the other site. OR MAYBE I COULD MAKE A NEOCITIES??? it just occurred to me that i could do that

also thank you to everyone who is still following me, i will not let this blog die. for your sake.

final thing, here is a little treat of the kind of redesigns i'm doing. mr. gull in his new coat of paint. ANYWAY THAT'S IT FOR NOW, BYE !! ❤️

[ratcandy]

hi hello hi!! i just finished bingereading cogr and i hope you don't mind if i yell into your inbox about your fic lol

SO FIRST OF ALL. i never expected i would get so attached to zote. but now i am! i will never get the neglect achievement after reading this. but i can't even be mad it's so good

i have to say that it's a really, REALLY good example of how to add depth to a normally unlikable character! like by the end zote is still at least a bit of a bastard, but after knowing how horribly literally everything in his life has gone you can't help but feel bad for him and hope things start looking up.

plus, it provides an explanation for why he's Like That. genuinely if he got therapy to work through his multitude of issues he'd probably be, like, 10x nicer about everything.

also while i did read the tags, i can't say i expected it to be THAT dark, mostly because i was thinking "it's a fic about zote being a nosk it can't be THAT bad." but nope! this man is suicidally depressed and by the end he's barely even trying to hide it. i don't mind though, it's DELICIOUS angst

OH and the format of the fic, where it's presented as zote talking to Someone Else, is absolutely GENIUS for this fic. genuinely this choice makes the fic so much better. i mean ok to start off i normally hate first-person pov in fanfiction but this sort of format i like. HOWEVER that's not my main point here

this structure lets zote's personality really shine through. if it wasn't filtered like this, first of all everything would be revealed way too quickly but also the writing would lose all of its character and emotion. plus the tangents and mid-sentences corrections, the way he corrects and interrupts himself...it's all BECAUSE of how this fic is framed. i just...aaah!! i don't know how to FULLY express how much i love the way cogr is framed. just know that i think it was a perfect choice on every possible level

OH I JUST REMEMBERED!! it makes the ending possible, and holy shit the ending. it's SUCH a gutpunch to realize he's all alone, talking to nobody, and then he just...keeps on talking. i am still reeling from it as i type this ask. bravo i think this is one of the best endings to a fic i've seen, especially for a sad ending

other things i've noticed!! first of all, there is excellent use of zote's unreliable narrating for foreshadowing, as well as wonderful callbacks and parallels!! i don't remember everything 100% since i was admittedly reading pretty quickly but from what i DO remember, i'm pretty sure i could go through cogr and find a TON of good stuff like this.

one thing i noticed in particular, the way he based himself off of vessels...DELICIOUS parallels there. i don't remember everything like i said but i'm pretty sure zote says some stuff about how it was dangerous to express emotions in the nosk den? stuff like that makes the way zote chose to disguise himself as a vessel just...augh. perfection 10/10

i also LIVE for your nosk lore and worldbuilding. i don't have much to say about this i just really like worldbuilding and this is quality

i also decided to read the trivia doc and first of all. the yikes ending would have been...i want to say cruel but honestly i'm more inclined to say tragic? although cogr is already a tragedy...ooh that would be interesting analysis, although i don't really have fully formed thoughts on it yet

ON A LIGHTER NOTE, the au in the trivia doc with zote AND two siblings?? it's one of the only ways that this whole mess could go happily (although that's to be expected of a hollow knight thing tbh), and i am rotating it in my mind.

ANYWAY that's all i have to say!! or well it isn't but it's all i can think of and actually communicate understandably lol. anyway cogr is a 10/10 fic and i will be thinking about it for the rest of my life

I'M SO NORMAL ABOUT THIS ASK <-- SHE'S LYING SHE MIMED PUNCHING A WALL AND YELLED OUT LOUD "YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!" WHILE SHE READ

I am deVOURING this I . HOUGH. Big long ask about my big long fic I must consume it so vigorously. my TTEEETH are ripping INTO THIS

OK !! 1: GOOD That you're attached to Zote now!!!!! I love hearing that I've dragged people into Hell unimaginable!!!! Fuck yeaH!!!

AND 2: hhoughHHHhhgouh ;s;;;;; hhhhg;sh. This ask is so nice I am smiling so much and giggling and kicking my feet. also the hdgKJH "It can't be THAT dark!" hdgkJH YEAH. IT. Tends to blindside people from what I've heard!!!!!!

Hhoguhhh ;;; I wish I could respond in a more cohesive manner but I am jus. Gushing . Thank youuu thank you so much I'm so normal about getting complimented

ALSO YOU DRAWING THE PARALLEL BETWEEN HIS DIGUISE BEING A VESSEL .... I kid you not I Out Loud just went YES!!! and started clapping and hooting and hollering because i"m so normal especially when my Funny Symbolism gets noticed dhKSHDGKLHG

AS for whether CoGR counts as an honest Tragedy ... obviously I would DEVOUR any analysis on it BUT From My perspective. I go with a Maaaybe ? Since tragedies are like. The downfall is brought about by the protagonist's own actions. And like. Yes! But also ? but also Sort of! I'm not sure!!!!!!

AND SIBLINGS AU YES!!!!!! That one has been developed a bit more since that trivia doc thing!!!!! I'll tag the siblings au tag in the. Tags, an u can go through what we had for it!!!!! It is indeed the only happy version of the story (with some inevitable angst still sprinkled in of course) but!! YEA!! Bronze (Zote's brother) and Silva (Zote's sister) are my beloveds for all time

OK I'm normal now. I'm so normal.Yep. Thumbsup emoji THANK YOU SO much for this ask I .will be returning to it frequently I'm sure. just so I can go EEE and flail my arms around and rip my teeth into it <33333333

[hanarchy]

Hi friends, I illegally logged into tumblr on my work computer on the first working day of 2023 specifically to make this post properly. I don't have a good computer and I simply could not do this on my phone.

Ok, Time to get emo :)

I discovered SKZ at the end of last year, I personally date my anniversary to somewhere between December 29th 2021 and January 2nd 2022. It's a good thing too because I get overemotional at the end of the year anyway and now I can just schedule all my gratitude and emo times at the same time.

I want to start from the beginning bc the only reason 2022 was a good year for me was this discovery. this is a bit of recap for me because I wanted to do it. If you're tagged in it it means that you played a part in my year and meant something to me. Feel free to only read your little paragraphs (or nothing at all, theres no obligation), this is bound to get unspeakably long.

first, I want to give a quick shout out to the people I started talking to/followed more recently @hyunpic (I haven's checked twitter today, did hyunjin kill you yet or did he get all of that out of the way in 2022?) @mybodyfails (did u ever listen to stromae?) @jisungsjaistandjeekies (how was the first day of your new job?) The best thing about getting another year on tumblr is the promise of getting to know you all more <3

@quokki you were literally the first person I ever followed for stray kids content. It was around february, when I looked for fanart for the first time and reactivated my twitter and I found your hannies. It took a little longer but I'm so glad we are friends now. I really love our chats/meltdowns abt hanji and you're incredibly talented and kind and also just correct abt a lot of stuff lmao

@alexenglish alex, I know we don't talk that much but you were the first person to really talk to me abt k-pop stuff and I will never forget that. I also cannot thank you enough for showing me rolling quartz and for reading the stupid thing that i wrote that one time. it seems trivial but i literally do not show anyone my writing ever and anytime I do and it's a good experience it makes me a little braver so thank you, seriously. and also thank you for sticking around even when I'm a dick

my first comeback in march was soso special because I had people to freak out with. I was in Ireland at the time and even hough I was brand new in online stayville I felt a lot less alone than I could've.

in april i started talking to @sailsflyseaward but I honestly can't believe it has only been 9 months. We've met 3! times since then and you're already one of my most precious online friends and I feel like I've known you way longer. I have to try very hard to stay cynical and not believe in fate and the universe being a good place when I think about how we could've just never met.

I was EXHAUSTED the first 4 months of this year, I hated most of it. I turned 30 in april, i had been to ireland and to the north sea on vacation in march and april but all of it felt hollow and exhausting and terrible. In germany we say that may makes everything anew and it certainly was true for me this year. I planned a trip to toronto, I got a raise, I got to see mamamoo, ive and a bunch of others live and i spoke a little to so so many sweet people.

@nevoono who makes literally the cutest fucking things ever and was my first german k-pop friend ever and also is just... really cool in such a unique way. idk I'm sorry I'm terrible at keeping up.

to @ambivartence who I don't talk to a ton but who also is literally the coolest artist alive and made me feel very happy to know that others also travel very far to see their groups. I stare at your paintings so much, i honestly should not admit it but there's just always so much to see.

and to @pvddins-art who is one of the sweetest and kindest and most generous people I've ever met, which is a high bar because I use those words for a lot of people, but for you they are more true than for anyone.

getting to go to a k-pop festival in germany as my first experience was so good too. I really had no idea what it means to ba a k-pop fan and the whole community and culture and incredible vibes around it when you're there in person. I had a very exhausting day and it was hot as hell and I had a migraine after but it was all worth it

interlude because I don't remember when I started talking to you:

@brianbangs tay my sweetheart, i love you so much. you're just one of the people who get it. like. idk, it's hard for me to put into words properly but you get it when I'm being a hater and you get it when I'm being emotional and you get it when I'm being horny and you accept all of it. I also think you're really fucking creative and talented and I love being here with you so much

then june came and it was one of my best months ever ever. I went to another festival and got to relive the music I loved as a teen. seeing the strokes 16 years after I was a fan made me cry a lot lol. I went to see my favorite people alive @starmotions, @fromadifferentphase (and the third one who is missing but u know who u are) in toronto. and I do mean this literally you're my favorites. I'm the most me when I'm with you, I think of everyone who knows me no one knows me so completely. there isn't anyone I share more parts of myself with. the 1 week I just got to hang out with you was so incredibly precious to me, it made me power through most of the rest of the year. moments of joy! I got to see toronto and got to spend time with people I love. one of my friends came all the way from salt lake city just to see me.

then I went to new york and now there's a long ass list coming because 1. it was the first time I met my beloved julia, 2. it was when i met my beloved kay 3. i got to travel with my beloved di and we got to explore new york and eat so many tacos and learn about queer art and history and also it was when I met both

@chanstopher and @lonelystreetlight and I'm puting you both in the same paragraph bc I started talking to both of you at the same time and also discovered that we're literally the same tumblr user, I cannot believe that I found the old 1D crowd again and the old glee crowd AND even the old starkid people. ok, I had to google the songs from the space tour just now but it's insane that I could text someone about both status quo by starkid AND zone by 3racha.

and lastly it was OF COURSE when i fucking saw fucking stray kids in fucking person (sorry) I was so numb from everything going on, and from the heat and from newark airport that I didn't even cry but looking back on it I honestly can't even begin to believe how lucky I was to be able to do all of that in just one month.

july was the month I went to see harry styles (meh) and hang out with an old friend because of it (yay) and I have literally nothing else in my calender for the entire month but I know I was a bit stressed. however I don't think it was a terrible time.

In august I went to the south of germany on vacation to celebrat my moms birthday, we went to the opera outdoors and I felt extremely fancy the entire time and also saw so many flowers. then we started the stayblr discord.

@snug-gyu @hanjesungs @ggthydrangea @littleclouds @shmalll @babychicklix and everyone else in there! I am so glad it's a space to hang out and message each other and talk about skz. I know I left very quickly (unfortunately group situations are terrible for my mental health and I felt very bad very quickly) but I still got to start chatting with so many cool people and I'm always so happy that we did that.

@bangchanies king of the dumpster that is new jersey, my absolute favorite eyeshadow model and another one of the bitches that just get it, u know? you just get what I'm trying to say and I am grateful to have you to text when I want to be annoying. (you're also secretly incredibly sweet and I think you're honestly just a very kind and empathetic person and i would be sadder without you but i will not tell anyone that you're secretly nice)

@cheekyquokka even though you're not IN the server, I feel like we started really talking around the same time so you're getting put in here as well. you're so generous and sweet to your friends, I remember the surprise and amazement from both bee and ale at the packages you sent them, you're such a great fucking mutual to have because you know yourself and you make really cool gifs, every time one of yours comes across my dash i know it. idek why. anyway, thank you <3

around september was when I finally started the group chat and seven made it complete, so here comes that bit. I needed to make sure you all know how much you mean to me.

@bourgeoix I swear in some off-kilter way we are soulmates. you make both my fandom brain and the little kid that didn't know popstars but could draw the shape of gorbachevs blood spot feel at home. you're soooo fucking smart and we have like debated moral philosophy and learning and reasoning styles at length so I won't go into it but it's one of those amazing fated coincidences that we both befriended seven and then each other. you think it's cool that I live near to Olaf Scholz's barbershop. you're my favorite of all the nerds. I could read the stuff you write for years and years and never get bored. I need to eat your brain (as jace or seven would say) and I love that we get to be both smart and very very very dumb together.

@hyumjim I honestly cannot top what mel said but you're like. my only grown up friend. You genuinely have a patience and kindness with people that is really hard to find. I know you don't show this to everyone but it makes me all the more grateful that I get to experience it. you're also insane. when seven first added you to the gc I had sth to say that felt really crazy to me and was nervous in front of you and seven said 'emily is also insane' and so i posted it in the gc and now we're friends. i don't remember what it was but you gave great advice and i sort of feel like we disagree and fight in all the ways that makes a relationship better and you make me insecure but in a fun way. you're a huge hater and yet you genuinely love people and humanity more than most people alive. thank you for listening to me.

@jellino jace idek how to describe you but you're like....... my little brother but not in a lame way. you're also older than me in some ways. idk, I just love how much you love stuff. I love how sure you are of what you're not, even while always wondering what you are. I think of you so much when I see sea creatures and ice age characters and dumb stuff. the other day I saw a squirrel irl and i thought 'I have to send this to jace' bc it reminded me of scrat from ice age. i cannot look at a penguin without thinking about you. I don't think I'll ever go to a zoo and not think of you. I also am always hoping that you are ok, that you find your way, that you know I'm happy and proud to know you...

@bewby my love. seven. I think it will never not be complicated how much I love you because I want you to be ok so bad. but it doesn't matter if you are or not for me to love you a whole lot. you're so funny and so smart and I say neither of these things lightly, like you have such a quick wit and you want everyone to be ok so bad and you love people so much and i hope that some day you will know that it is enough and you are enough. meeting you that one time was so fun, like we literally did not need more than a half hour to find sooo much stuff to talk about. I love having a german kpoppie friend, I love your tender heart, I love how understanding you are! I hope you know how much!

honestly it's all 4 of you that got me through fall and winter so far, it's venting and bitching and joking and writing insanely long messages to you that make me feel like a human instead of a gremlin. It's knowing that you like me and think I'm someone you want to listen to. You mean so much to me, I can never pay that back.

so much happened in my personal k-pop world in october PLUS most of my friends had their birthdays too so it was a bit stressful and it ended with my great uncle dying but i did get to see my old friends and family, so it was good in the end.

november was cold and dark as always but i got to feel so much warmth in scotland, just spending a few days going to museums and coffeeshops and nothing else and then seeing my love julia for the scond time, learning about history and eating pies. then I went to london to see @sunflowercocoa again after 5 fucking years and it was so much fun. I know you know how much I love you, I had such a good time, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for making me leave the house, thank you for being generous and fun and spending time with me. I know you're strong enough to get through the next year or so and I know you're gonna be so happy and so successful and you have a great life ahead. I know you're not here much anymore and that it kind of annoys you but you were a big part of this year and this is like my diary at this point tbh.

i also met @geniaparadox my homie and so much fun to hang out with. honestly our day together kind of made me wish i could've gotten to hang out with you in high school, i feel like we would have been friends. thank you for talking to me abt how underrated felix is and for looking at the bts stuff in hmv and despair because being a k-pop fan in europe is very sad and for buying japanese tea and just being cool. i am so happy that you get to not go back to that job

december was november but worse but I started it off sososo well, seeing julia the 3rd time and going to nuremberg and munich and being slightly tipsy at the christmas market everywhere and going swing dancing for the first time and trying so many fun food and drink things. It was a sad and anxiety-inducing month because so many people I know were ill or dying but in the end we mostly made it through and I am grateful. I got to spend the end of the year surrounded by babies and puppies and it felt good to not have to deal with grown-up things for a few days and just play.

[love-minor-poltergeist]

Hello!! I just wanted to say that I love your writing 😭😭 if you're still taking requests (your bio and pinned post said different things, I'm very sorry if they're closed!) could I humbly request fluff hcs for King Dice and a cupid type of reader, so it's a more forbidden love with the whole demon/angel pairing? Thank you for taking the time to read this!

A/N: Hough… this was a really fun prompt to work with! Sorry for the wait, Anon! I hope that you enjoy this batch, and if not, don’t feel free to shoot me a message if you’d ever want me to redo it! (; ω ; )

Also, I wasn’t particularly sure if you were going for the shorter/cherub-sized cupid variety, so I sprinkled in a few hcs that included that variety! Again, just shoot me a message if you want me to change anything!

                                             ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

                         “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven, angelface?”

                                              ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

King Dice x Cupid! Reader: 

King Dice wasn’t one to believe in fate. Nor did he consider himself a religious man. The irony that a sinner like him managed to net someone as sweet as you– a literal angel– is not at all lost on him. 

Given the Devil’s disdain for Heaven and its residents, King Dice takes great care to make sure your relationship remains a secret from him. While you can never visit him at work, King Dice sneaks out to visit you whenever he can. 

The two of you often meet up in the streets of Inkwell Isle III! He’ll often take you out to café dates or visit the theater house! 

Since he's unable to see you in person as much as he wants to, King Dice makes up for his absence with letters. He'll pay top dollar to ensure his letters arrive safely and discreetly in an unmarked envelope; the wax seal bearing the sign of a crown and the paper holding the faint scent of cologne serving as his calling card.

Said letters are filled with a variety of contents. Some filled with the mundane such as his daily life and plans for the casino. Others filled with a tinge of melancholy as he laments as he can't see you as much. Most of them, however, never forget how grateful he is to have you.

Though Dice would tout himself as a man above such cliches, he has a plethora of angel-related pet names for you: dove, angelcake, cherub, etc. A few others he uses, though a bit more rare, are cheri and mon ange. It’s been a long time since he spoke any creole, but he’ll slip into it when he’s feeling particularly affectionate. Luckily for you, you have a knack for drawing out the sweeter side of him~

Speaking of, you’re probably one of the few people on Inkwell who can draw out a nicer side to Dice. His line of work never allowed for such behavior– lest you want to be taken advantage of.  With you, Dice didn’t feel the need to be on edge; he feels completely safe around you. 

In all of his years of servitude beneath the Devil, King Dice developed an aversion to most flying things. You have to thank the imps for that one, by the way. Their erratic, rowdy behavior was already bad enough. Couple this with their sudden dive bombs and frantic movements, it’s enough to activate his flight or fight response.

However, he can make an exception for you. There’s a delicate air to your wings, the feathers downy soft and small like a baby bird; a far cry from the leathery, vein-filled membrane he’s used to seeing.  It’s enough to stoke the urge to run a finger along the ivory arch of them– if you’d let him that is. 

Please try to take him under your wing– literally. He finds it adorable when you try to keep him cool and comfort him by wrapping your wings around him~

If you’re small and short like the imps of hell, chances are King Dice will consistently tease you for it. He’ll scoop you up and carry you around, even if you shriek in protest; he’ll jokingly offer to dress you up like a porcelain doll; he’ll even call you “baby bird” since you’re so small. 

The height difference is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, King Dice can’t help but feel protective over your smaller stature– not to mention it’s hilarious getting to use you as an elbow rest. On the other hand, it’s a lot harder to kiss you… 

Guess he’ll just have to pick you up~

If you ever want to try and get your way, just bat those baby-doll eyes of yours. King Dice can’t resist and he’s quick to cave. You’re lucky you’re too cute for him to say no. 

                                              ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

[crhinge]

Breaking Down The Classic Rom-Com

I feel like I haven’t written a fun post in a hot sec so lets talk about one of my favorite subjects: Rom Coms

According to wikipedia, a Rom Com, also known as Romantic Comedy, is “a subgenre of comedy and slice-of-life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles.” In the past, Romantic Comedies have also been called “Chick Flicks” but I think this is devaluing of both women and  the romantic comedy genre. 

The other day, I woke up to find that the most wholesome rom-com couple of all time reunited: Matty & Jenna (Aka Mark Ruffalo & Jennifer Garner). This got me thinking about the beauty of the Rom-Com and how unappreciated they can be. It has been years since we have seen a rom-com with the cultural impact of 13 Going on 30, and I would like to petition for more of them after a sad and painful year. 

I can already hear the millions (in my head this blog is extremely popular) of comments “What about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before?!?” “What about The Kissing Booth?!?” And too that I say, "Good Riddance!” If you’re rating your rom coms on a TATBILB scale, or even WORSE The Kissing booth, I feel sorry for you. Truly I do. So let's dive into the best Rom Coms of all time, but first... 

What makes a Rom-Com good? Well let's start with a relatable as hell main character. I am talking a girl (sometimes guy), who has many flaws, but the audience can see themselves within her/him. Let's use Jenna Rink from 13 Going On 30 as an example. Well, she's literally a 13 year old in a 30 year olds body, but don’t we all still have a preteen hiding inside of all of us? She is 100% willing to be herself at every step, even if that means dancing thriller all alone. She touches on all of our insecurities, while teaching us how to break down our walls. 

Rom-Coms also need characters to make realistic choices. This does not mean that the movie itself is realistic, but rather than you can understand the choices the characters make. Again, 13 going on 30 does a fabulous job of this. Obviously, Jenna traveling in time because of wishing powder is not realistic, but the choices that her and her past self make are. Due to the insecurities of her childhood and a need to feel included, relevant, and powerful Jenna pushes important people out of her life, which happens to so many people in the real world. These decisions force her to miss out on the love of her life, and ultimately, the story ends sadly: the love of her life marries someone else and she is left with tears, wishing powder, and an old doll house. That is until she is able to travel back in time and change the course of her life. 

Lastly, Every classic Rom-Com couple needs to have chemistry. There. I said it. Hollywood loves just casting random famous actors without giving them a proper chemistry read. One great example of this is Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel in Safe Haven. Both fun, famous, Hollywood actors who have zero chemistry. Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner had more chemistry throwing back Razzles than those two did during an intimate sex scene. 

Alright, now that we have broken down the requirements of a Romantic Comedy, let's jump into the best and worst of all time.

Best: When Harry Met Sally. 9/10. A classic. A tale as old as time. Both Sally & Harry are very flawed, yet relatable characters. Sally is too picky and particular, while Harry is a player. They both suck at relationships, but make rational decisions based on their motivations. We all have friends like these two and their chemistry is on point, both on a friendship and romantic level. They bounce off of one another splendidly. 

Worst: Sleepless in Seattle. 1/10 I know, this is a strong take, but this is a terrible movie about a stalker. Meg Ryan (I don’t even remember her character's name) is the stupidest most unrelatable character I have seen in a long time. She is extremely unlovable, cheats on her SO emotionally, and flies across the country to stalk a man that she has never met before. And then you’re telling me that Tom hanks FALLS FOR HER? Nope. No. I refuse to except this. Plus, their chemistry in this is pretty mediocre (You’ve Got Mail is Way Better) and we only get to see them together once. 

Best: 10 Things I Hate About You. 8/10. I was tempted to leave all high School Rom-Coms off this list, but Heath Ledger is my exception. Talk about likability. Kat is a strong, powerful, independent woman who learns how to be more vulnerable while still being a feminist badass. We all wanted to be Kat growing up. Meanwhile Heath Ledger is the classic bad boy with a soft side, and who wasn’’t into that? Both characters grow into new people throughout the movie making them relatable, complex, and realistic. Not to mention the angel that is Joseph Gordon Levitt, who keeps the audience up beat and smiling throughout the course of this Shakespeare tale

Best: My Big fat Greek Wedding. 10/10.  Have you seen this film recently? Because it is an absolute DELIGHT and so relatable. It dives into the difficulty of family expectation and cultures merging. It also has the cutest proposal of all time with a realistic couple that fights for one another on a daily basis. You laugh. You cry. You get a dynamic cast with wonderful chemistry. You feel invested in the family and the relationship. Just a joyful wonderful film.

Worst: Something Borrowed. 0/10. If you’ve never seen this movie, don’t. Ginnifer Goodwin sleeps with her best friends fiancé and we’re supposed to be okay with it because she liked him first. Hard pass. And she ignores John Krazinski who is right in front of her. She is unlikable, unreliable, and makes dumb decisions that no one else would. 

Best: He’s just not that into you. 9/10  I will go to bat for this movie. It follows several realistic storylines in a Love Actually manor, except they actual seem legit. A woman realizing her boyfriend is never going to marry her. A girl facing the fact that maybe some guys just aren’t that into her, and she isn’t an exception to the rule. A man slowly making the decision to cheat on his wife as they are growing apart. A woman realizing that she is worth way more than her bastard husband. A woman realizing that the person she’s sleeping with will never leave his wife for her. It's compelling, has realistic characters that we can relate to, and still warms your heart in the end. 

Best: The Big Sick. 8/10. Okay to be fair, this is based on a true story so it automatically has realistic characters and decisions. Maybe I should leave this off of the list, but I wish this film got the recognition it deserves. Two lovable main characters who make mistakes that are understandable. Wonderful chemistry between Kumail and his girlfriend as well as her family. 

Best: About Time. 11/10 This is hands down the best Rom-Com of all time and Potentially the best film of all time as well. If you don’t cry in this movie you do not have a heart or soul. The characters are SO insanely likable and adorable.It touches on the importance of family and valuing time and how little of it we have. The chemistry within the whole cast is palpable, and we can all relate to at least one character, whether it is the protagonist Tim, his wife Mary, his sister Kit-Kat, or his father. 

Well it is important to point out the obvious here: this list is lacking diversity in a huge way. All but one of these movies follow a cis, straight, white couple, and that is extremely concerning. People have attempted to make more diverse rom-coms over the past few years, but they all seem to be lacking one of the three core components of what makes a rom-com great: Relatable, realistic, and great chemistry. For example. Crazy Rich Asians was a fantastic film, but the high level of wealth that Nick Young comes from, made his character difficult to relate to, and I’m sorry but the chemistry just wasn’t there for me. Always Be My Maybe’s characters fell flat and it’s not a film I would want to watch more than once. Love Simon made some huge waves for LGBTQ representation in the media, but that ending kiss was unrealistic along with his friends reaction to fining out he was lying, which left the movie anti-climactic by the end. 

Now, the most recent film on this list was made in 2017. And before that 2013. So where have all the Rom Coms gone? Why don’t we see more of them. There are a few Rom Coms that could be contenders on the “Best” list from the last couple of years that include a small amount of diversity: 

Yesterday 7/10. The big question here is does this count as a romantic comedy? The love story isn’t the main plot, but is definitely a large sub-plot. This movie features an interracial couple and is highly re-watchable. The main characters are entertaining, relatable, and have pretty good chemistry. We will see if it stands the test of time. 

The Broken Hearts Gallery 7/10. This movie has gotten NO recognition. The main character, Lucy, is an extremely likable 20 something, not unlike our Ginnifer Goodwin in He’s Just not that Into You. The plot is fun and predictable but keeps you watching. I don’t know if this one will stay on my list long, but it’s definitely up there. 

But here is my challenge to Hollywood: create some new, beautiful Rom Coms that celebrate diversity but that don’t throw away the relatable, realistic, and high chemistry characters that we are just waiting to fall in love with. It’s got like 16 ideas up my sleeve, so just give me a call Hollywood. 

[popculturebuffet]

House of Mouse: Max’s Embarrassing Date Review

Hello House Mouses and welcome back to the house of mouse. Another comission by Kev and my second House of Mouse for the valentine’s season. This time we’re not tackling a Valentine’s Episode necesarily, but a romantic one all the same as fan faviorite couple Max and Roxanne finally go on a date.  I always liked Max. Even as a kid when I wasn’t the biggest fan of “A Goofy Movie”, didn’t like the darker patches like the principals office scene or the Pete Hot tub scene.. though in hindsight both had legit greviances with Max... it just dosen’t make either less terrible as the principal still told an innocnet man who wasn’t responsible for what his kid did and was trying his best that his son was going to become a crminal because of one stupid but mostly harmless prank, and Pete.. is just an abusive, unlikeable and unlovable ass in both Goof Troop and Goofy Movie, and I hate how he treats his son, don’t blame his wife for leaving him or taking their daughter and dog, and am really sad he got custody of PJ somehow. And for the record this isn’t ALL petes, just this version. The rest are fine and just the right level of asshole. 

Point is despite my problems with the first film, I had none with the second and even now I like it due to having some really good ideas and concepts while also being gloirously rediclous due to the loveably dated X-Games element. While I do have a spot in my heart for the Dana Hill and Shaun Fleming versions, especially the latter once upon a christmas is awesome, Jason Marsden’s version is the best by the mile having the right amount of ego mixed with self doubt to make him likeable enough to brook him being an ass to his dad a lot. He’s a good character.. and it baffles me Disney NEVER uses him nowadays. No really, the last time he showed up was in twice upon a christmas and no one liked that because he was dating someone who wasn’t Roxanne just to rehash the same plot they’d already rehashed better in Extremley Goofy Movie. I REALLY need to rewatch that one. Hmm.... gonna see if I can squeeze that one into May or later in April. That’s for another time. 

But yeah while he’s at one of the disney parks, that’s it. The character just .. vanished, and hasn’t been brought back in any way shape or form. Though I could see either a Disney Plus reboot of goof troop or a goofy movie with max having his own kids. That could be intresting. Also bring Roxanne back as weirdly this episode i’m reviewing, a goofy movie and now her ducktales cameo are her ONLY apperances. 

Seriously I get she’s not the most fleshed out.. but then flesh her out. Like Max she’s crminally underused and while I get her absence as a character in the sequel, the plot really didn’t need her, he still could’ve been dating her off screen. Though clearly the two worked things out and tried again as this episode came out AFTER extremely did. But did this episode work out? Join me under the cut to find out. 

As i’ve decided is my standard for House of Mouse Episodes, shorts first, then wraparound, then Mickey Mouse live sex celebration. Though I will say i’ve picked up there are two kinds of formats for the show: They either use two of the longer Mouseworks shorts or just one close to 11 minute short, a medium one, and one of the little two minute segments. There might be a break from this in the future, we shall see but for now those ar ethe two standards. This time we have two longer shorts. 

Pluto’s Penthouse Sweet: 

I’ve mentioned in the past I dont’ really get why Pluto is part of Disney’s sensational six along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy. And I stand by that: While he’s had his own cartoons they just aren’t as entertaining and creative as MIckey’s or hilarous and relatable as Donald and Goofy’s. He’s just an average cartoon dog. He works fine in tandem with Mickey, but on his own he’s just nothing and his spot should be taken by pete, who while not a goodie all the time, again the goof troop version needs to step on a rake and fall into a well.. somehow. i didn’t think my insult through. Point is pete is better.  And this short isn’t BAD .. but to me it’s what some fans THINK the disney shorts are: Bland, maybe one or two good jokes but almost nothing new or intresting. As I found out last year, that’s far from the case, as a lot of the Donald shorts are still hilarious today and a lot of the mickey shorts are shockingly creative, like Thru The Mirorr where he goes .. well thru the mirror into a wonderland like world where all the inanaimate objects are alive and he can shrink and what not via astral projection, or Mickey’s Mechanical Man, which I sadly didn’t know about when I did the MIckey Birthday Special and for some reason isn’t on disne plus. In it Mickey creates a robot and has it box a monsterous looking gorillia. 

How has Mickey piloting this thing but giant sized against various kaiju been a thing yet? And if it has someone tell me. Seriously with all the comics and animated series how. I’d even settle for a Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse episode. Just bring this guy back. Point is there was far more invetnion than it seemed.. at least at first as it slowly died out as they went by the late 50′s. But Pluto just seemed even in their hayday like your standard pet gets into antics thing without the creative slapstick of tom and jerry or the likeablity of sylvester who never could get that asshole Tweety Bird. This is just weak sauce and whiel I could forgive the older shorts, as their from another time and likely lead to say Tom and Jerry... I can’t forgive this which was made probably in 1998 and released in 1999 originally. Comedy had evolved a LOT by that point and unlike the Goofy how to shorts, which are a format that is immortal and still evolved to match the times and felt fresh, these just feel stale and boring and like the last Pluto short I covered this one was a chore to sit through though not nearly AS bad. 

Still though the premise is about the same, Pluto’s left to his own devices, and finds a female dog, though in this case she’s VERY intrested in him. I”m also not entirley convinced she’s a dog, but instead one of Jumba’s experiments and that Lilo and Stitch later had to journey to.. wherever these shorts take place to fetch him. Or more likely the house of mouse. I mean Proud Family, Recess, American Dragon Jake Long and Kim Possible all take place int hat universe, why can’t house of mouse? Also tell me you wouldn’t watch an avengers style team consisting of Kim, Ron, Jake, Penny, Probably TJ, Lilo, Stitch and Donald Duck. If you wouldn’t i’d call you a liar because you would be. 

Seriously the eyes give her away.... just look at them. Very experimenty. But before Pluto can do it like they do on the discovery channel he has to get past the guard dog.. though how he does produces the one great gag of the short, as he BUILDS A GIANT, TROJAN HORSE ESQUE PLUTO OUT OF JUNK. Just holy shit that’s awesome> It gets him inside, only for him to find his lady friend is a bit TOO affectionate and he has to escape, he does so, and MIckey wonders if he missed him etc lame button. This short was a vacuum of comedy outside of GIANT PLUTO. Seriously where’s my disney giant mecha series. YOu have five main characters, and Pluto among with MANY, MANY side characters, frmo scrooge to the boys to hopefully Della, to even possibly pete and mortimer who could have their own mech against the heroes but maybe join them in the last episode. Maybe max and pj could have some, have a father vs son thing with PJ and Pete. I”m just saying, i’d watch it. I know my nieces would watch it. I know my nephews would watch it. Greenlight it. Or i’ll make it.. somehow. 

How to Ride a Bike: Speaking of the How To Shorts, as usual for the House of Mouse era ones.. this was awesome, pretty much what you’d expect, some goofy, pardon the pun, gags about goofy riding a bike and then a fun climax of him in a bike race. Not a ton to add, other than that hamster bike above is genius. Just needs some tweaking. Really funny, really simple, and really good as you’d expect from a good Goofy Short. Easily the best part of the episode. 

Max’s Embarrassing Date: So this was a disapointment. Like i’d try to be nice.. but I had high hopes given this brought Roxanne back, and while the premise was stock maybe they’d do something funny with with it. 

But no the plot is pretty standard, very predictable and fairly obnoxious. Max has a date with Roxanne, and is playing it cool and what not, but is worried his dad will find out.. which he somehow did offscreen. Probably Clarabelle.. I mean they do go out sometimes in this one, wouldn’t surprise me. 

So Max pleads with the rest of the HOM staff to keep him away because he fears his dad will overdo things, which.. is fair and one of the few things I like> He dosen’t want him to overdo it on the mood because this is well.. a first date. He dosen’t want to pressure her or himself and just wants it to be nice and calm. The problem is it’s framed like him once again being embarassed by his dad and having to learn better.

At this point we’d had TWO movies do this already, one of which was only two years old at the time of this episode. This plot is stale as old toast even if it dind’t have goofy in it. And the twist is predictable: the HOM crew end up also overdoing it: Minnie comments on how cute they are and wants candles brought, Daisy gets them a bigger table forgetting how dates work,t hough we do get a great gag of hte 7 dwarves stacked, and Mickey while having .. some.. gopher? I honestly can’t tell who it was, usually i’m better at the cameos. Speaking of which they also have a runner of beast going on a date with Cruella Devile. 

I mean is he cheating on his wife? Is she holding his wife hostage? Is this before belle because we see a post transfomratoin beast too so maybe the House of Mouse is an intersection of space and time? That’s.. actually the most resonable answer I can think of honestly and when i’m focusing more on how the hell your gag works than how funny it is, you clearly failed somewhere along the line. 

Point is Mickey puts his good friend in a pothole, and not only calls max little max, which while an understnadably close family thing to do is still embarassing, but also takes pictures while their eating the spagetthi.. which i’m 100% sure was Huey’s idea nad had Mickey not interrupted, would’ve been tied up down the middle for a lady and the tramp thing. It’s his signature move. Well that and having a panic attack. That’s also one of mine the others being lettterkenny refrences and sex jokes about disney characters.  But yeah this just.. dosen’t work. Them being as embarassing? that’d be fine.. if they weren’t wholly unsympathetic for not only keeping their friend from WELL INTEITONEDLY trying to help his son on his date, something his son shold have no problem with since ROXANNE’S MET HIM. AND IS FINE WITH HIM. AND NEVER CARED ABOUT YOU BEING HIS SON LIKE THE DICKHEADS AT SCHOOL. MINUS BOBBY WHO YOUR FRIENDS WITH FOR SOME REASON. My point is this plot bothers me a lot, and it makes the mickey crew come off like assholes for doing this to thier friend instead of just talking to him like a person. Especially since only ONE of them is a parent and Conviently donald is mostly absent. Likely because he realized this was going to end badly and just agreed to tie the spagetthi like huey taught him to keep his involvment in this shit show and gaslighting his best friend to a minimum. 

Eventually Mickey takes things a step too far and has Sebastian almost sing kiss the girl. Max cuts him off though yelling that he just wants them to back off, he just wants them to relax and he TOLD them this, which makes them come off worse as they KNEW he didn’t want this and did it anyway and never apologize becaue apparently the first rule of house of mouse is never apologize for anything, huh huh. Goofy naturally steps in, tells them off and agrees to serve them and Roxanne finds him entertaining and gives him a nose kiss for being a good dad. He’s a good guy that Goof.  Roxanne then whispers something in max’s ear at the end of the date... which gives him an audible erection. No really. And given his age is vauge here I’m suddenly super duper uncomfortable so let’s move on. 

So max tells them she liked it and wants to come back.. 100% sure that wasn’t what she said but what she said isn’t fit to print and you’ve seen what i’ve said and what I put in the we’ll be right back. Point is he’s happy, though Mickey says we’ll try to make it extra special next time. Mickey.. did you do a space mountain’s worth of pills and cokea nd just forget the entire evening? Did you take some of those hangover roofies/ Why would you do that? Was that pete’s new plan to steal the house of mouse? To drug you guys and make you forget you already paid the rent? Did PJ stop him? Inquiring me wants to know. 

Final Thoughts: Yeah this wasn’t a very good episode. Roxanne is wasted despite having a suitable replacment Roxanne voice in Grey Delise, with no real depth just to rehash the plot of the first and second goofy movies. And this one didn’t have an inexpilicable beatnik cafe, PJ getting laid and finally being happy for once, a standard college fraternity plot  surgeically infused with an out of nowhere obession with xtreme sports that was nowhere in the first film, Goofy in an afro, Goofy finding love, That disco sequence, and a climax in which Goofy carries Brad Garret out of a fire, then Brad Garret probably kills the villian of the film who certainly deserved it. My points are this episode was an underwhelming rehash only saved by some good shippy moments and a good goofy short. It was weak, not all that funny, and not all that intersting.  My other point is that an extremley goofy movie is awesome and also kinda insane and I love it for that. I’m glad I saw this one but i’m really disapointed in how bleh it was. Next time I visit the house of mouse is.. actually in a few days as Pete Does a One Man Show. So yeah already 100% better just by having THAT musical number in it, see you then and if not, there’s always another rainbow. 

[tomfreakinghollandneedsaoscar]

Post It's

Pairing: JJ Maybank x You

Summary: JJ and you both work at the hotel. Never meeting each other, you leave notes on the others locker.

Word Count: 1,787

Warning: Fluff that's its tooth rooting.

Note: Knowing that JJ works as a bus boy in the show and seeing how well he looked in episode 5, I couldn't get this idea out of my head. Tumblr was keep messing up as I was writing this so I'm going to post this and throw my phone out of my bedroom window now :) I hope you love it! :)

━━━

"DON'T EAT SOMEONE ELSE'S LUNCH!"

"Or what? ;) - JJ"

"I'll end your whole career. Side note: I found out who ate my PB & Jelly sandwich and it wasn't you so don't get any idea's now. - Y/N"

━━━

JJ bullshit his way through the hiring process. It might not be his dream job, but it was easy. He had to do something when he realized he had to grow and man up. His father didn't teach him that. His the reason.

The small tips he gets from all the older women after he gives them more attention than their husband's - they're either on 'work' call or still playing a game of golf - doesn't hurt. It's adds up quick. He normally buys more groceries for him and John B as an unspoken thank you for letting him basically live with him. Then he treats himself with new weed. He needs it after surrounded by Kooks and playing the part of a little bitch for them.

As soon as he clocks out for the day, he undo the tie harshly. That's another thing he hates about this job - the uniform. White button up long sleeves, black dress pants with black dress shoes. If it's a morning and evening shift, the finish touch is a black vest. For nights, it's a black tie. Even if he is only walking around to give people refills, asking if they're doing fine, and cleaning up afterwards, his hair must look well put together.

He is unbutton his shirt when he stops in front of his locker. He's smiling at the post it on his locker before he even reads it. He knows who it's from.

It started a month ago. Someone left a message taped on the fridge in the break room for everyone to read. He knows he didn't have to, but he wrote down a response on the piece of paper. He wasn't expecting one back. When the front and back got filled up, he started looking for the same name on a locker. He left a post it note.

He reads the newest one on his locker.

"Fun fact of the day: you're reading this. - Y/N"

He rolls his eyes. He pulls it off and opens his locker, grabbing his normal clothes to go change. He adds it to the pile with the others.

JJ decides to stop at use book store. When a co-worker asks him if he is back for extra hours, he says no. He's carrying a shopping bag.

━━━

Your morning doesn't start on a good note. Your mind wakes you up ten minutes after your alarm should've gone off. You didn't plug in the charger all the way last night, so you're phone is at 14%.

Somehow you get to work on time. You notice you forgot your nametag.

At least there's a new post it on your locker.

"Funny. Not. Look inside and thank me later ;) PS. Don't write your new comb on the back of your lock again. - JJ"

You curse at yourself underneath your breath. You start laughing when you read the title of the book he left for you.

"365 Jokes For Kids: A Joke A Day Book."

You put it in your bag and grab your clear water bottle before closing your locker to clock in.

━━━

The giant clock on the wall taunts you. Only ten more minutes until your break and you can finally eat something.

From the dinner-room area a cute blonde starts walking towards you. By his outfit, you can't help to silent pray that he isn't a boy on a vacation and just knows how to look hot as hell all dressed up. Underneath a black vest, the long white button up shows off his muscles and the sleeves are rolled up, which is just another level of attractiveness itself, and his legs look long and firm in the dress pants. It's his hair that got your attention in the first place and now you can't help to watch as he pulls it, running his fingers through it.

Checking out cute guys all day is definitely a perk for you. Sitting behind a desk all day and being first person people see as they walk in, helping them check in or out, and answering calls is not how you wanted to spend your summer.

Last month your dad pulled some strings over a game of golf to land you this job. He sounds like a robot every time he tells you that you need to work your ass off to get the money you deserve. How is this doing that?

You get out of you thoughts when the cute blonde doesn't go in front of the desk. Instead you have to spin your chair sideways. He learns over the pull-up door and does a hand gesture, telling you to come over. You do.

"Hey."

"Hi?" It comes out as a questin since you're confused as to why he is keep looking back at the dinner room. He seems like he is afraid of getting caught. "Can I help with you something?"

"Can you make an announcement? Over the speaker loud enough for all they to hear?" He looks over again and points.

"It all matters about what you want me to say."

"Say that it's hard as fuck for me to do my job when lil Satan's are running around and how great it would be if parents tell them to stop before I do. I can't get written up or life my job because of them."

You try to hide your excitement when you find out he works here. He's not wearing a nametag. You know that it's only bus boys who don't. Briefly, you wonder if he knows JJ.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could but I can't. Parents will come up and start yelling at me that I should keep my mouth shut and thoughts to myself."

He clenches his jaw and mumbles, "yeah. Right, of course."

"When I come back from my lunch, you can-uh everytime you want to lose your shit, look over here, and I'll give you a thumbs up for not killing someone. Especially the kids."

His laugh makes you wish he is JJ.

Someone comes from behind him to release you. He doesn't say anything before walking away.

But later, you lose track on how many times he looks over at you and mouths, "help me".

━━━

The next day on his day off, he gushes over the front desk girl to his friends. "She made me not want to hurt a room of kooks. I think she has superpowers or some shit."

Kiara takes a hint of his blunt. "I'm kinda jealous, not going to lie. What's her name? I need her to tell how she did it after talking to you for only a couple of minutes when I've been your friend for years."

"I don't know. She wasn't wearing a nametag and I forgot to ask." Pope slaps him on the back of the head. "You forgot or worried she wasn't Y/N?"

"Oh my god!" Sarah squeals, "What if the front desk girl is also post it girl?"

JJ chokes on the hit he was taking. "Life doesn't work like that." For me. He thinks to himself. He makes eye contact with John B. Curse him for being able to read him.

"I think it's time to ask Y/N meet up, dude."

━━━

When he walks through the front doors, he catches himself getting upset seeing someone else at the front desk. He still waves and says good morning. On the door of the back room, there's a sign.

"MANDATORY STUFF MEETING WEDNESDAY, IN THE LOBBY AT 6PM"

On the very bottom, he notices Y/N handwriting.

"Looks like we'll finally meet. ♡ - You Know Who"

He kicks the door open.

━━━

He is still thinking about the stupid little heart when a waiter calls him to come over towards the kitchen. "Can you bring this to the front desk?"

"This isn't a drive in restaurant- you know what? I shouldn't be surprised and know not to ask stupid questions." He salutes the waiter and grabs the bag.

He stops dead in his tracks.

The front desk girl is now there, talking on the phone and writing stuff down. When she feels someone looking instantly at her, she looks up. She smiles and gives a small wave.

JJ cringes at himself and tries to not trip over his own two feet. He puts down the bag, and looks at everything and anything but her as he waits for her to finish the call. When she does, he quickly states, "Someone ordered food to get pick-up."

"Ah yes, Mr. Hough. He called saying he was carving for some of the all you can eat bread rolls."

When she says the name, it's like a lightbuld goes over his head as he remembers. He doesn't listen to the rest of what she says.

Before he can ask, the phone is ringing. "I should answer." She smiles and it makes him feel a tug in the corner of his mouth. "See you at the meeting tonight?"

"Yeah. I should go back to working too."

━━━

Your eyes go wide when the cute blondie sits next to you at the same time the manager says the meeting will begin shortly.

"Hey, how are you?" You ask after a few seconds of awkward silence.

"Fine." He splits out.

"Doesn't sound like it." You cross your arms against your chest. He doesn't say anything, only rolls his eyes and takes his red snapback hat off. In the corner of your eye, you watch him pull on the loose trends.

Grabbing your bag off the ground, you open it to see what you can do to pass the time like him.

"Holy shit."

You look up at him, confused. You notice he is staring at the joke book JJ gave to you. With the way he makes eye contact with you, you can tell that he is nervous.

But why would he-

"Oh my god."

"JJ, Y/N." Both of almost get whip flash to look and listen to your manager. "Pay attention please."

━━━

You're going through all the post it's in your locker, dropping some when an arm wraps around you and your boyfriend. He kisses your cheek. "Are you ready?"

"To meet your friends? I'm kinda nervous. But you've told me so much about them that I already feel like I know them."

"Trust me, they'll say the same thing about you. Ignore the names they call you."

━━━

"You're the peanut butter to my jelly. - JJ"

"That's the cheeses thing you have ever said. Say more. - Y/N."

━━━━━━━━━━━━

Taglist: @harrysbbby @sunflowerbecca @latenitewolves @outrbank @katerosexx

[youngsoli]

Caught Up \\ pt.2

Chwe Hansol Vernon

Pairing: sub!vernon x dom!reader (f/m/x)

Warning: this writing is meant for 18+ readers, assuming you’re going to read it anyways please be cautious and prepared for crude topics

wc: 3.2k

Genre: smut, dom!reader, teasing, orgasm denial, male penetration

A\N: Vernon is kinda hard to sub...(and let's say all “precautions” were taken beforehand)

Part1 Part2

The situation that occurred that morning played in your head too many times, making it hard for you to focus on your work.

Needless to say, you’ve never been so horny and hoped you could continue what you started when you got home.

Vernon tried his best to get his mind off his hard-on, feeling conflicted about what he just experienced. Between attempting to write, watching movies and eating, his mind still wandered back to replay the words you whispered in his ear.

{ “you’re mine” }

Giving him goosebumps every time.

Finally, all paperwork was done and you slung your bag over your shoulder, striding out the door and hopping in your car.

You had subconsciously driven 15 over the entire way, keen to get home.

You fumbled your keys into the lock, sliding the door open, cautiously slow as if you were expecting something to jump out.

Vernon stood up swiftly but quickly sat back down, not wanting to seem overly enthusiastic that you were finally home.

You weren’t sure why but your stomach immediately burst into nervous butterflies, dropping your bag and keys onto the side table. Noticing his lack of attention, you went to grab a glass of water.

“Welcome home babe” he swallowed, lifting himself off the couch and over to you.

His arm reaching out for your waist to pull you towards him, as he usually would when you got home.

Not until the last second did you grab his wrist, arms outstretched, away from your side.

Both of you looked at each other with widened eyes, neither one was sure where to go from this point and also surprised at your reaction.

Your chest tightening and utterly confused on what to do, you took your other hand, placing it on his hip, guiding him back to the fridge.

“We’re you good for be baby?”

You were slightly embarrassed, still settling into this foreign dom space

He swallowed hard, nodding his head.

“Use your words, baby boy”

He immediately squeaked, trying not to smile. After hearing his reaction, you bowed your head trying not to show your own amusement with the name. This could be fun.

Collecting yourself the best you could, before looking back at him.

“I won’t tolerate being ignored” a firm hand on his jaw

“y-yes I was good”

You softened your grasp, leaning onto the balls of your feet towards him and pressing your lips to his, tugging at the seam of his shirt.

Vernon pulled away from you, his cheeks slightly blushed.

“Actually babe, c-can we eat first?”

You snickered at the seriousness of his tone, but such a simple question.

Lowering yourself back flat on your feet,

“Yeah of course! You sound like I’m gonna be mad if you ask”

“You’re just intimidating when you’re like this, that’s all” He lets out a nervous chuckle, sliding off the fridge door.

Blushing slightly, unsure if you were flattered by his comment, you clicked open the fridge door. Empty.

“Well looks like we’re ordering, what do you want?”

“Something with noodles”

Your teeth gripped harshly around your lip

*use your manners....bunny?*

Playing over in your head a name you could call him, baby boy seemed too lax.

You smirked at your own thoughts, picking up the phone and ordering Pho.

Slumped on the couch scrolling through a movie list, waiting for the food.

The more you thought about the entire situation, the more anxious you felt, but there was an underlying thrill you felt about it.

Vernon stepped out of the washroom just all the doorbell rang, reaching out to open the door and expect the food.

“Ahhh finally I’m soooo hungry” easing off the couch and towards the kitchen island.

It wasn’t long before both of you had cleaned your dishes to the last sliced carrot. Cleaning up and flopping back onto the couch, Vernon following your suit.

You had abandoned the movie and were 3 episodes deep into a show you started together. You were glued to it, but Vernon couldn’t be more distracted. He kept glancing over at you over the course of the current episode, hoping you’d glance back.

The credits began to roll, his hand wrapped around your shoulder, his fingers reaching down to your shoulder and brushing against your skin.

Being probably the most ticklish person on the earth, you shot him a lookout of the corner of your eye. He might as well be tattooed saying ‘fuck me!’ across his forehead.

You immediately felt the sexual tension around him, cursing at yourself that you were so immersed in the show.

Your body shot up in a tingling sensation. Looking at you still, he saw your eyes grow darker if that was even possible from the already dim lights.

Shifting your weight and kneeling on one leg, you pressed your hand on his chest insinuating you wanted him to lie down. You followed him as he slid down the couch. You were still very aware of your surroundings, but you felt some strange persona take over.

His lip was trapped in his teeth, his eyes racing all over your face unable to tell what you were thinking.

Rolling your tongue over the ridges of your teeth, the anxiousness you felt earlier was no longer present.

Leaning down, an intense make-out taking over the empty moment. Grazing your lips over his cheek, sucking at the hot skin of his neck, leaving red marks down his neck that will only become more evident and purple the next morning.

Your hands slide underneath his grey t-shirt, hands shifting across his torso and grazing his nipples.

He tried to keep his whimper in, fortunately for you, he was unsuccessful. Moving your mouth back up to his face, your hands glide back over the small tips. Not bothering to hold back the sounds, muffled by your tongue running over his.

You ended up in the same position as before, but now his hands locked to the bedpost, tugging at his restraints.

Peppering kisses over his chest, letting your tongue graze over his nipples. He closed his eyes, a shiver running across his skin.

His clothes had been lost at some point in the process, having also lost your shirt, leaving you in your pants. His hesitance vanished, allowing himself to accept the submissive position he had been placed in.

Your legs were thrown over one of his thighs, your fingers grazing over his legs up to the centre of his stomach causing his stomach to clench. You slipped off the bed and went over to your dresser.

Restraints and blindfolds weren’t new to either of you, only you were normally the one in them.

Slipping out a wide strip of black silky ribbon, unsure about using anything else, but picking out plug you hadn’t seen before. Vernon obviously had other intentions for it, not expecting the first use to be on himself.

You turned around closing the drawer with your shoulder.

Positioning yourself back to your previous spot, dragging the metal toy across his stomach. He looked down at what was in your hand, eyes shooting right back up to yours, his face flushed and nervous.

“Only if you’re okay with it ‘sol” softening your expression in hopes of calming his nerves.

“I mean-” he paused

his chest dropped, letting out his breath, “L-Lets try it?” still apprehensive but trying to convince himself.

Nodding your head “we can stop anytime baby, just tell me. “Give me a safe word”

“I’ll use the same ones you do”

Your words evidently reassuring him, his head bobbed. You reached the ribbon around his head, tying it semi firmly, laying back to admire him. Of course, you forgot the lube, rushing back over the dresser to grab the bottle.

“Y/N?”

“I’m still here baby boy” it was almost cute how nervous he was, making you silently giggle.

The bed sunk as you kneeled between his ankles, pushing them slightly apart.

This scenario had occurred once or twice in your head but never would you think it would be happening. You grabbed the hough of his legs, bending them over your hands. He hasn’t made a peep, but his expression was calm, glancing up to him every so often. Opening the lube bottle and dropping a small amount onto a few of your fingers. You crawled up between his legs and up so your face was above his, propping yourself up with arm as the other made it’s way down. Dragging your fingers over his tip then down to the base, applying more pressure as you grazed over his taint. He released a shaky breath, fists clenching. If only you could be him, his body rushing with anxious tingles and butterflies fill the pit of his stomach. A buzz was radiating off him, and you could feel it, it only making you that much more eager. Gently moving, teasing at him before slipping one finger in. His breath hitched, holding yourself in that position before slowly moving in and out. His hands form a death grip around his own palms, a couple whimpered curses leave his lips.

You were trying your best to take your time but it wasn’t long before three of your finger slipped in him, his head lulled back, clear that the stretch was no longer affecting him.

Your pace quickened and your lips came down to meet him, obviously distracted as he barely responded back to you.

You curled your fingers in search of his prostate. The chains of the cuffs clinked as the stiffened against the post, pushing in the spot you just had, you smirked, feeling pleased with yourself.

Being the man he was, releasing onto an already dirty t-shirt or literally into a sock was not new to you. Which is why the shirt on the floor, clearly not new, caught your attention on the otherwise clean room. Your face grew hot out of embarrassment, but also annoyance that he didn’t follow the one rule you gave him.

You pulled your fingers out abruptly, causing him to flinch. Washing your hands and coming back to sit on his stomach. You lifted his blindfold, sliding your hand down to grasp his jaw. He looked very unsure, your eyes dark, but no longer with thrill and lust.

“did you disobey me baby?” sternness coating your voice.

He remained unresponsive, trying to avoid any direct eye contact

“oh I see, going to be a brat are we?” shifting yourself off him.

“I-” you interrupted him,

“I thought you had been good for me, baby boy, I was going to give you what you wanted tonight”

his throat bulged as he swallowed

“I’m sorry Y/N”

“You call me Ma’am from now on understand?” fiddling with the metal plug in your hands.

Vernon nodded his head, face flushed red.

“I need to hear you say it”

“Yes Ma’am”

It felt like you were switching between different moods every few minutes. You weren’t only horny, but disappointed, and excited about the things you were going to get to do.

After smoothing lube over the plug, you position yourself between his legs, still bent from a moment ago. His face scrunched up as the first ball slid in, trying your best to keep composure, your stomach tensing you from seeing him in such a vulnerable state.

The second one in and his hips pull away. Your hand grasps the crook of his hip and yank him back. You weren’t the strongest person especially against Vernon, but he slid right back towards you.

“Okay?”

His breathing increased and managed to nod his head.

“Just relax baby”

Third and fourth in at once, he gasped and his hands fell heavy on the restraints. Goosebumps covered his legs and arms.

Teasing him to get him used to the toy, you tried to distract with peppering kisses across his neck and lips. His dick had become hard the minute you put the plug in, but now it was really erect, pressing lightly up against your zipper.

You shuddered at the thought of just saying fuck it, ripping off your pants and riding him. No, you were this far in it would be a shame to stop.

It wasn’t long before a set of whimpers were let out, his head pushed into the pillow below him. Leaning back and taking your hand off the plug, leaving it in. Regardless of the fact he had a blindfold on, he lifted his head up as if to say ‘what the fuck?’

“Did you forget you were a naughty boy today?”

He lowered his head and let out a whimpered sigh. You smacked his stomach and gripped his chin,

“You did this to yourself, baby boy. Now flip over for me”

Vernon did so promptly, wrists resting on a railing of the bedpost.

It genuinely was a pretty sight, maybe admiring too long, Vernon’s legs shifting so he was resting in his heels.

“Sit up” you demand in a cold tone.

Moving up against his ass, your hands covering the skin of his sides and back and moving down his thighs. Your hand drifting over his length, his hips buck.

“ohhh you’re so sensitive baby” chuckling as you bring your fingers to circle over the swollen tip causing him to twitch in your hold.

A soft groan leaves his lips and your hands gripping him lightly.

All kinds of sounds were coming out of him as you stroke, increasing the tightness of your grip.

You almost forgot he had a butt plug in, glancing down to find the base and covering it with the pad of your thumb.

You push the base up and down, causing it to shift slightly in him.

His moans choked, head dropping.

You didn’t stop your ministrations, if anything his groans made you increase the speed and pressure around his cock. He shifted himself so he could grasp the bar he had been leaning on.

“Are you close? Tell me when you’re gonna come okay?”

He nodded his head and hisses out.

“ I-I’m gonna come”

Your hand drops from his cock abruptly, and you slip out the plug.

Whining out, you didn’t even hear what he said, it just sounded like fussy gibberish.

Setting the plug to the side, you ran your hand through his hair, nudging his side to flip back over.

His face was visibly flushed, and you couldn’t help but smile at how worked up he had gotten.

“mmm-ma’am?” He stuttered out

“Yes Vernon”

before he even got a chance to say anything, you slid your fingers back into him. He choked out, turning his head to hide them behind his arms.

“mmm, my baby boy sounds so good”

The corners of his mouth twitch, his cheeks blushing out of embarrassment but clearly welcomed the praise.

His breathing quickened and his knuckles were white.

You slowed yourself down, giving himself a chance to catch his lost breath, but didn’t hesitate to hastily continue once he had. His length was stiff and red, you were sure he’d blow at any moment.

“shit sh-shit, I’m gonna come” his voice husky from constant groaning.

His hips buckled forward, breath hitched. His cock twitched and you didn’t let up on hitting his prostrate, not until he forcefully yanked on the cuffs and let out a cry from overstimulation.

You get up to wash your hands and he lets out a disappointed sigh.

“sooo— do I get to finish?” he trails off, reluctant to even ask.

“Are you not happy with what I gave you baby boy?”

Silence.

You had gotten back from the washroom, resting your hand on his cheek, his body jolts at the unexpected change in distance.

“answer me baby” a now firmer hold on his face

“n-no ma’am”

His cock was still semi-hard, it was a struggle to make him wait, edging him was fun but getting him off might be better.

You straddled his waist, your hands cross his chest before landing over his nipples; lightly pinching them between your fingers. His mewls are soon muffled as your tongue slips into his mouth. You genuinely couldn’t wait any longer, lifting your hips up and grasping his length with your hand.

“Do you want to come baby boy?”

Sitting back above his knees, your pace started intensely.

His face scrunched up under his blindfold

“Ma’am i-it hurts” he hisses out

“Don’t worry baby, give it a minute”

You move your other hand down to fondle his balls, his teeth gritted and his breath seethed.

“now why should I let you come, have you learned your lesson baby boy”

It was obvious this whole experience of sensations was overwhelming, Vernon struggles to form coherent words.

“Ple-ease ma’am”

“Please what sol’”

“I want t-to come, I’ll be good” he stuttered out

you scoffed out, figuring you teased him enough.

His legs starting to twitch next to yours, you lean down and drag your tongue around the tip. Hot breathe guiding over him.

“fuu-uck” choked up at the sudden stimulation.

It was absolute torture for him to not be able to watch what you were doing.

“Can I... can I come?”

you hummed out in approval

“Good boy for asking, go ahead”

Moving your head out of the way just in time, strings of white shot out across his stomach and drooling onto your hand.

You kept your pace, and his hands yank out on the cuffs. Taking your hands off and wiping it off on the shirt on the floor. The pace of his breathing was still quick, and a smile had spread across his face.

“ thank you, ma’am”

“So well behaved already, I guess punishment works hmm”

You undid the cuffs and slid off his blindfold.

Vernon glanced down at his stomach as he shifted himself up, slight disgust as he got up to clean himself off.

Grabbing his arm before he walked off,

“Let me do it baby” Your stomach blew up butterfly’s and your face went hot. You tried to hide the smile, tensing your lips.

Your hand reaches up to stroke his hair, before glancing down at the substance which was now on his thigh.

A slight giggle and a tug on his arm before you had a warm cloth in hand and him sitting down, his face flushed pink.

“So...was that okay?

He tries to avoid eye contact but the raise in the corner of his mouth and the redness in his cheeks gave a clear answer.

You went to grab him a glass of water as he got comfortable in a clean bed.

Taking a big gulp from the glass, choking out the water as a familiar hand slid across your shoulder.

“Get back in bed I’ll be there in a minute” recovering from the intrusion of liquid down your esophagus.

“But- you didn’t really get to...you know” he shyly stated.

“Vernon I’ll be fine, maybe next time” you grin at the fact he seemed to care, but your cheeks became red at the sudden thoughts of what next time might be. Leaving him in the kitchen once again as you headed to the bedroom. His tongue brushed the inside of his cheek, his face no longer carrying the innocent expression he had only moments ago.

@spnningtop

part 3 is posted just not linked yet

[yandere-ac]

Can we get more of the villager reader x yandere human villagers? I was wondering if you could do a yandere human Lucky x villager reader?

Yandere Human Lucky X Villager Reader

Not so lucky

Silence. Silence. Silence. That was all your ever heard most of the time, how everyone in you predicament heard most of the time. But make no mistake, that wasn’t a bad thing. When there’s silence, no ones there to hurt you, no ones there to take you away. So a silent day was better than a day with noice down here. Today however, was not one of those days. The faint sound of footsteps and a conversation was getting closer and closer to you and your friends position, which only made everyone more and more tense. The silence was interrupted by one big creaking metal door opening and the owner, Maxie turning on the lights. Everyone covered their eyes instinctively as they winced at the sudden change of setting. The lights flickered for a few seconds before returning to normal. “So who will it be? Do you have any specific villager that you want or are you just browsing?” Maxie asked the current customer as they both walked around the “store”. The store being full of big metal cages where a bunch of villagers were trapped. One of those villagers, being you. Y/N the A/T. You were a bit away from the two men, lying in the corner of your cage, you’ve been here for such a long time now that you knew how to get around. Key point is to not interact or make eye contact at ALL. You pitied the people in here who were amongst some of the most popular villagers in the community. They were always the first ones to go. You however, you were just a simple A/T. You had some fans but nothing too big. As such, not a lot of people came to specifically look for you. and still, there were always the people who had their niche interests. After five years here, you were actually gonna be sold off. Tomorrow you would leave this retched place forever, and it terrified you. With the new internet service, people didn’t have to come to the store if they wanted a villager, but they would most likely be charged more. Right now you felt helpless, you were doing so well keeping out of interest but it seems like your efforts were doomed to fail.

“Well, right now I’m searching for Maya the Cat? You know the one?” The customer asked. Poor cat. Maya had been in here many times before. Every time someone bought her, Maxies goons would already have found a new copy of her somewhere. In fact she was currently in the cage next to you. Looking over at her, you could see that she tensed up as she heard this. You normally didn’t do this, I mean, your rule was to ignore everything and everyone during the payments. But something about how she looked, you had seen it a bunch of times, like you said, you’ve been here for such a long time. You’ve seen people come and go, but one thing was for sure. Every time they were chosen, they’d have the same horrid expression on their face. And you felt bad every time you saw it. Maya was currently curled up in a corner of her cage. It was the corner that was directly next to your cage. So, without a word. You simply crawled over to that side of the cage and tapped lightly on the metal bars, gaining her attention. Losing her was gonna hurt since you two had become so close. Rule number two you had was to not interact with any of your fellow prisoners. Attachment will only lead to pain when they’re eventually bought. But it wasn’t your fault that Maya had started to talk with you. She was your cage neighbour after all, and after a while you just couldn’t ignore her anymore. And while it was risky to interact with the person that was gonna be sold off, it didn’t exactly matter to you. You were already gonna be shipped off, it wasn’t like things could get any worse.

You grabbed her tiny paw and she quickly took ahold of it with both of her paws. She was squeezing them tightly as the sounds of footsteps approached you two. Now you broke your second part of your rule: don’t make eye contact. You looked over at the two and almost let out a yelp. The man standing next to Maxie...he was wearing layers above layers of bandages on his face. The only part of his face that you could see was his ears sticking out of the bandage and the top left part of his face which was not wrapped up. The only thing you could see was his eye. And my god what a captivating one. His eye was very round and was yellow. And he was currently staring you down with such wonder and intensity that it actually made you tense up and shrink down under his gaze.

“So yes, here we have her! She’s in popular demand so you better act quick mr...?” As Maxie said this you could feel Mayas grip getting tighter. “Lucky. Mr Lucky. How many tickets?” The man In front of you asked to which Maxie let out a laugh. “Nonono, we don’t take tickets.” “Oh? How many bells then?” “We take real money. She costs 200 dollars.” As Maxie said this you could see the mans eye narrowing. “And there’s no way I can get a lower price?” “A lower price?! What do I look like to you!? If you’re not gonna pay then get lost!” The customer, Lucky, walked closer to Maxie, rummaging around his pocket. “I see...what about them? Y/N? How much do they cost?” As he said this you felt your hand start to shake slightly. How did he know your name? Was he...was he a fan? Maxie wouldn’t sell you to this guy...would he? “Sorry pal, they’ve already been bought. Now quit trying to change the subject! Are you gonna pay or- HOUGH!!!” The air became as ice once Maxie stumbled backwards, a knife stuck in his chest and a huge blood stain pouring out of it. He looked at it in shock and could barley notice as Lucky walked up to him and pulled the knife out of his chest. Blood started to pour everywhere as Maxie let out screams of pain. You froze up, looking petrified as the brutal scene was unfurling before you. Eventually, Lucky took his knife and drew it through Maxies skull, striking the final blow, killing him In an instant. Everyone was quiet for a few seconds, staring at the corpse that used to be your seller. You couldn’t say he didn’t have it coming but still, it was weird and scary to see someone who had been moving less than 10 seconds ago now lying on the floor. Dead. And the fact that you were in the room with the killer didn’t make it any better. Speaking of which, Lucky started to prod around the body, checking his pockets until he could feel something. He pulled it out from Maxies pocket, it was a key. The key to all the cages. Oh no.

The first thing he did was go over to your cell and open up the door. You let go of Mayas hand and hastily crawled back to the end of the cage. Not like it did much because Lucky followed after and dragged you out if the cage. You began to thrash around and struggle but he held you tightly against his body with his strong arms. But that didn’t stop you though. In fact the more he held you, the harder your struggling got. It escalated so much that he had to push you up against the prison bars, holding you completely still by the shoulders. “If I released all your friends, wound you come with me then?” ...what? This utterly shocked you. Would he really? “...what’s the catch...” you looked at him, your voice seemed to catch him off guard for some reason, however he regained his stance quickly. “Like I said, you’ll have to come with me. Willingly. And rest assure. If I let them go and you run, I will kill them all...what’ll it be?” Hmm, you would basically throw your life away...you didn’t know what this person would do to you. If he could kill Maxie, he could kill you. But either way, you’d either end up dead or alive. You might as well be useful to the others in the process. “I’ll do it...just, please promise...” After you said this, Lucky walked over to Mayas cell and tossed the keys inside. “Unlock your door and then everyone else’s okay? But do it 5 minutes after we’ve left.” Lucky said, or well it was more of a demand. Maya quickly nodded her head in fear as she grasped the keys with her frail hands. Lucky looked down at you.

“Let’s go”

And so, he grabbed your hand in his big one and walked out. You never took your eyes off of him while he led you away. Now that you were out of the store you could truly see what he looked like. He had a couple of black curls sticking out from under his bandages. His skin was a darker shade and his clothing. His clothing was special. His entire torso and up was wrapped in bandages, he was wearing a brown puffy jacket and some matching pants. But he had no shirt, just the bandages protecting his body. He took notice of your curiosity and pulled you closer to him. “I think you and I are gonna become close...” as he said this he stopped in front of a boat. He helped you board it before going up himself.

“Very close...”

////////////////////

So last time I focused on the humans taking advantage of their positions to have control over the villager reader. This time I wanted to focus on the buying of villagers (not trading, no I mean those sites where you can totally buy Raymond and Ahnka for $20! It’s not a scam what are you talking about?).

[esperelle]

      ❝ Terra...? Terra! ❞

     Eyes fluttering open softly, the now familiar voice calls to the half-esper. It is not with panic or concern that the blonde awakens now but instead, with a soft comfort. Azure hues gradually adjust to the world, soon casting their gaze upon a woman in her bedroom doorway. The woman’s face is familiar and, in some ways, it’s as if looking into a mirror or Terra’s own self.

      ❝ Oh... I’m sorry; did I oversleep? ❞ comes the question with a slight yawn, a hand now idly rubbing at her eyes briefly before getting up.

     ❝ Oh, you and your father are the same. If I didn’t come to wake you two up, then you’d probably sleep the whole day away! ❞ the woman now responds, her tone one of a scolding but offering her daughter a smile nonetheless. Upon seeing it, Terra can’t help but smile in return, as well.

     It’s been just shy of a week and yet, she’s had a taste of what it’s like to be raised lovingly by a mother... By a father.

     As Madeline, the esperkin’s mother, now leaves the doorway, Terra gives a small stretch as she begins to get ready for her day. The change had been, of course, jarring at first. After everything Terra has been through, who would blame her for being skeptical? Yet... Despite her concerns and worries, everyone within this new place treats her with care, respect... And even love. It’s all so new and strange but at the same time, such a welcome event.

     This isn’t real, she realizes, and yet despite that, the blonde still finds herself so mirthful in this new environment regardless.

      ❝ Ah, there she is! ❞ the loud yet kind voice now fills the house as the esperkin makes her way downstairs and into the kitchen now, cerulean hues looking at the figures present now. Seated at the table is an Esper; his horns make him appear more intimating than he actually is, but Terra knows better that he is far softer than anyone could ever suspect. At the other end of the table, readying to seat herself, is a woman who looks very similar to Terra herself; her eyes are kind but contain a confidence that others could only hope to have.

      ❝ It’s a good thing we were up before you... Otherwise, I’m sure your kids would have jumped on your bed until you woke up! ❞ the Esper, Maduin, now says, giving a loud and hearty laugh at the end of his words. Though he makes no motion to the window nearby, the eyes of the half-esper drift over to it as she hears the sounds of children yelling and laughing. 

     She can see them now; the children of the orphanage all playing outside, screaming and making a ruckus as children are known to do. She can’t tell just what game in particular they’re playing, but she knows it to be one they love due to their shrieks and laughs of delight as they run about the field. But...

     This can’t go on forever.

     As the smile fades from her visage, the blonde now takes a seat at the table now, making no motion to even try and grab at any of the food available on the tabletop now. As pleasant as this ‘dream’ has been, echoes of a choice have been repeating over and over within Terra’s head. ‘Stay here forever, in this fake world, or go back’. At first, she had thought of it to be an obvious choice and almost laughable but after being so openly accepted and loved... Well, the young woman can’t say it’s any sort of joke now.

     Concerned, the parents now spare a glance at each other before looking back to their daughter, the room uncomfortably silent. Wringing her hands within her lap out of anxiousness, the esperkin looks up a few times and opens her mouth as if to say something... Then stops entirely. How is she to word her current thoughts? How is she to say that this is all merely an illusion; that the loving parents before her are nothing more than a fantasy?

      ❝ I’m... I... ❞ looking up once again, the blonde looks out the window to the children playing outside. She stares for a while and as she does so, her brows furrow; she begins to seem as if she’s about to start crying at any given moment. As she struggled to speak, the children yelling outside as they play harkens her attention once more, the now miserable looking blonde looking back to the window.

     As she does so, however... Two hands now set themselves upon hers on the table. One is small and almost delicate like her own while the other is large and clawed. Looking back in alarm, Terra’s azure gaze now sets on both of her parents now looking at her with their hands on her own, their own eyes melancholic but supportive as they look at their daughter now.

     Though she lacks the words to tell them how she feels, it seems that Terra’s parents are already aware of her feelings and what is currently going on; what she is experiencing. While they, too, share a pained expression with their child, the two of them spare a glance at each other... Before looking back at the half-esper once more.

     “ You can’t stay here, “ her mother soon says, her tone quiet yet somehow cutting through the blonde’s soul like a knife nonetheless.

     “ You have people waiting for you... That are still waiting for you, “ her father now finishes, smiling with pain at his daughter now. As the pair continue to gaze at and perceive her, Terra feels herself... Crumbling. It’s been a while since it has happened so sincerely but this time... It’s different.

     It hurts so much more than she ever could have imagined. 

     So for the first time in a long time, she starts to cry. The tears begin to roll down her cheeks and, eventually, Terra breaks out into full on sobs.

     Why couldn’t she choose to merge this imaginary world with what she knows? Why must life always be so cruel and rip things away from her? She continues to hold onto her parents’s hands, mostly to feel their love for the first and last time... But also to try and hold onto their affection and support for as long as she can... And while she struggles to vocalize this through her sobs, it seems that both of her parents understand this.

     And they look at her with understanding.

     Their looks are enough to tell the esperkin that, even if this place isn’t real and is merely an imagination, her children will still be taken care of. That, despite her absence, everyone will be alright. It is for this reason alone that Terra even feels comfortable coming to terms to with imaginary realm the people within it, so that she may return to her children in the real world someday; because she knows that this place is so full of love.

     Something she has always wanted within her childhood.

     But... Now she has to go. She has to go now because if she doesn’t, she’ll never leave this place (and maybe she’d never want to leave eventually; that scares her). Wanting to stop the pain as soon as possible, the esperkin immediately shoots herself up from the table, making a mad dash for the door. Swinging it open with some force from adrenaline, she is quick to continue running.

     She does not want to turn back and see the children looking at her surprise and confusion, wondering where she is going. She does not want to look back and see if her parents are standing in the doorway, watching her run off. All she can do is keep running, no matter how much it hurts, and hope that she will see one of those people waiting for her again.

     (She’s kept them waiting long enough.)

[voidselfshipp]

Saved

Cw: violence, food

Ok to rb

It was late, she knew she shouldnt be out at this hour.

Yet here she was, a bag of food in her hand, another with her keys ready, her breath quickens as she feels the presence of someone behind her.

She had the strenght to take them, she knew she could defend herself.

But there is no worse enemy than fear, she speeds up, and the Man behind her also does.

Shes praying, seeing her appartment was two blocks away,trying to start running.

Another Man walks infront of her, she cant see his face,just a black and white mask, who as soon as she passes him gets infront of the stalker stopping him.

-- get out of my way, asshole-- the stalker said.

-- what where you doing following her?

She knew that voice,or well she heard it before,the moon shined as some clouds move away.

Rorschach...

She didnt think the anti-hero would be around this block, but thank goodness he was there.

The stalker resists and rorschach in a swift move makes him fall on the ground-- leave the woman alone-- his foot stomped on his chest-- go back to the hole that you crawled out of,you Filthy Scum!

The stalker freaks out and bolts running away from the anti hero.

He turns to face jerico,walking some steps towards her-- are you hurt? Did that bastard do anything to you?

--No, thankfully, thank you uh...for saving me...

--im happy to help, can I Scort you back to your home?

--yeah id love that...

Both walk togheter in silence, the appartment building was silent as ever, she says her goodbyes and enters the building.

Rorsarch, or well, Walter, sighs, scratching the back of his neck, the woman he saved was so beautiful, If she started talking while walking he wouldnt know how to react, hed get nervous, his face would heat up and wouldnt be able to utter a Word, surely making a fool out of himself.

He stuck around the block for a little longer, and Walked up the Fire scape stairs, he peeks his head and there she was, fifth floor, asleep on her bed, something curled up besides her, she rested soundly,and he lets out a loved full sigh, putting a hand on the locked Windows glass it started to rain, and he then sighed in annoyance.

And so he went back home,making sure he wasnt followed either.

He took routes nobody knew, he checked every corner and alley, nothing,no-one tailed Him to his home.

The door clicks Open, he locks it behind her and takes off his mask,breathing the fresh air.

Taking off his clothes changing into normal ones,leaving the others in his secret Office.

As he enters the kitchen hes greeted by this tiny pomerarian jumping at his feet, he picks the dog up and kisses its forehead-- hello princess,did you miss me?--the dog barks and he makes himself something to eat.

After dinner, altough, late dinner, he went to sleep,clinging to the pillow,thinking of the woman he saved.

And so, destiny kept making them meet, or more so, rorschach would always make sure shed be safe, even during the day.

Silently following her from a distance,oh how much he blushed when he heard her laugh, her sense of style, it knocked the breath out of him sometimes.

He wished he could do something,anything to talk to her, but he cowered every time.

One particular Day,she had it rough, when the day ended he saw her throw herself on the bed,and pass out shortly after.

Hed got her some chocolates and roses, left them there in her room as she forgot to lock the Window,he left them on her desk, silentely stepping out and closing the Window.

--Good night dear...--he smiled under his mask.

Jerico woke up by the licking of her pet dragon she sits up hugging him--mornin...

The dragon squeaks and she looks at the desk, finding the gift someone left for her, walking up to it she reads the note attached to the box of chocolates "I know you had it rough yesterday, I hope this helps, I know nobody gave you flowers before... I hope todays better.

-W "

Who could they be? How did they gor in there-- im...such...an...idiot-- she locked the Window and put the flowers in a base filled with water.

After eating breakfast she sat on bed, laptop on her lap, writing the next chapter of her second Fantasy novel.

Unkown to her, her savior did enjoy her first book.

Now rorschach wasnt a Man of fiction, but her writing was just so catching and interesting.

So here he was drinking coffee while Reading on his kitchen, princess sitting on the table eating her food.

He found out she was a writer when he snucked into her home and found the first book of her novel, "the clan of the Rose dragon" he decided to buy his own copy, and he was enjoying it very much.

That same night he did his patrol and stopped in jericos home.

There he was, hand on the glass, wishing he was there cuddling besides her, specially tonight,a very cold and rainy night.

-- are you gonna come in or Will you Keep there brooding

Seeing her Open her eyes while talking to him makes rorsarch jump back, she opened the window-- come on its cold outside

--i uh...didnt mean to bother you

Jeri chuckles-- nonsense, come on

He steps in taking off his trenchcoat, he sits on the chair right infront of her desk, she sits on the edge of the bed--thanks for making sure im always safe ror

He smiles at the petname,--just making sure that creep isnt around to harm you

She chuckles--y'know...I was thinking...I got some roses and chocolate the other week, did you get them for me?

Hes surprised,howd she knew?-- yeah...--he said scratching the back of his neck -- howd you figured?

-- well...youve been brooding in silence these nights...and the roses and chocolates...I just figured...I liked the detail, thank you

--im glad you like them...

Both stay in silence,he then looks outside and yawns.

--Want to stay the night? Its too late

He snapped his head to her -- what?

--want to stay the night? Its late, and youll catch a cold,cant have my savior sick -- she winks at him and he looks away with blush creeping up his cheeks.

--i uh..I dont wanna bother but...if you insist I can take the sofá

--no no..come here stay in the bed, its warm already, ill take the sofá in case you want to take your mask off, to give you privacy

Normally anyone would kill to see his face..but there she was, geniunly respecting such boundary.

--dont do that, ill take the sofa its your bed...besides I know I wont get too much sleep

She got into bed and patted the space besides her-- come here then,lets share

Hes taken back, jumping slightly in his Seat, blushing red, he was stuttering,she was so beautiful, he didnt know what to do with himself.

--i dont want to look like a creep, its your personal space

-- Its not being a creep if I invite you

He sighed in defeat and took his scarf and shoes off, he locks the Window and draws the courtains laying on the bed with her.

--Night ror-- she said her back facing his.

--night-- he whispered back looking at the bedrooms door.

The Next morning he woke up with breakfast on the nightstand, just a coffee and she made pancakes.

He ate the breakfast with the happiest and biggest of grins, he washed the dishes, hough the sun was already out, he stayed the whole day and at night he would go back home.

Both shared lunch and dinner, not too much speaking was involved, but her presence was soothing.

And now at night he was just about to leave,he hugs her tightly and whispers a soft goodbye.

She caresses his cheek-- come back tomorrow?..

His hand lifted her face by the chin--of course sweetheart --He caresses her Lower lip and presses his lips against her forehead, even while using his mask,the kiss was as if he didnt have the mask on.

He left back home missing her terribly, his lips longed for hers, to hold her, have her wrap her arms around his back...

Rorschach sighed in love, he loved her so much.

So the Next night he came back and as soon as he stepped into her room lifted her up, hugging her tightly and taking off his mask, at least up to his lips to kiss her.

She kissed back and pressed him against the wall where the Window is,he grippes the Windowsill with one hand, the other ghosted her Lower waist as her arms wrapped around his neck.

He parted his lips, she smiled pressing hers against his again, hugging her tightly he drops her to the bed where they cuddle the night away.

Its late, the rain hits the Window and the thunder struck the Sky.

She caressed his cheek, rorsarch sighed--can you promise me something?--he asked.

--Of course...what is it?--she asked leaning in.

--If I take this off, Will you Keep my identity a secret?

She nodded--of course,I adore you too much...id never snitch on you ror

He licked his lips at took the mask off, oh wait, she saw him before, he would follow her around the city,she always knew he was familiar to her in some way,never really knowing what seemed so familiar of him.

She kissed rorsarch holding him close, he hugs her tightly.

-- I love ya so much--he said hoarsely, kissing her again.

-- I love you so much too...ror

He smiled-- my names Walter...you can call.me Walter

She nodded and hid her face on the crook of his neck.

Theyd spend the night like that.

Theyd be okay togheter.

[photolover82]

The Masked Singer Season 4 Episode 1: Group A Baby, Premiere Time! Guesses & Commentary

Hello my fellow Masked Singer peeps!! It’s that time, I’ve been waiting for this for so long and I can’t wait for this season, it’s looking super promising I’m so excited! So I am going to try to do these every Friday (since I watch The Masked Singer on Hulu the day after it comes out, which is Thursdays)... so stay tuned. This season, there have been 2 huge changes, the lack of audience (they were digitally edited in which I am not a big fan of) and the Golden Ear Trophy (where the judges put their first impression guesses and the judge(s) who got them correct get a point so we’re going to be talking about that too... I’m gonna call the segment Golden Ear Time every time someone gets eliminated)... alright so here we have Group A:

First and foremost we have the first eliminated contestant of the season who was: 

*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

The Dragon

Ok, so I kinda saw this coming (both who it was & that he was going to get eliminated), I’m kind of bummed out about it being so soon but everybody was so great that it was super hard to say that I wanted one to be gone.

Ok let’s first talk about his performance like always (if you haven’t seen my recaps before, 1st welcome! I’m Ana, nice to meet you... 2nd my format starts with the eliminated contestant and first I commentate on their performance, reveal them, and do clues how they match/the judges’ guesses now with the Golden Ear thing and then I do the same for the remaining contestants, the clues & commentary): I am not gonna lie, I enjoyed the dragon even though he was one of my least favorite performances (I am not the biggest rap fan, it’s not my least favorite genre by any means, but it’s just not my cup of tea even though this performance was fun af, like you could tell this was a real rapper... we’ll get to that later tho). He was awesome, it is a shame he went home so soon ngl. 

Anyways, let’s look at who the Dragon was revealed to be, shall we? Ahh it’s good to be back typing that: 😄

*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

Busta Rhymes!!!! 

So, I’m kind of shook and proud of myself because I legit heard a sneak peak of like 20 seconds of him rapping and I got it instantly even though I only know Busta Rhymes in passing by songs he’s featured in with other artists. Ok, let’s look at the clues, shall we? 

Clues:

“Dressing up in outrageous costumes isn’t new to me”= known for crazy costumes

A lot of gold= gold records  

Weights= has a love of weightlifting

Now it’s time for *fanfare* Golden Ear Trophy Time (and also a little bit of making fun of the judges... aka only Ken this time because this is kind of ridiculous)

Nichole & Robin each got 1 point with their guess of Busta Rhymes... yay!! They got it! 🥳

Ken: this wasn’t his 1st impression guess but his final guess legit makes me want to roast the crap out of him... Michael Phelps (like look at that performance and don’t tell me that you think that guess is actually a good one... like not even close 🤨)

Alright, now that that’s out of the way, let’s now talk about the remaining 4 contestants: 

1. The Sun

Performance: She was amazing, like one of my favorites from this episode. Her rendition of Because I Love You by Lizzo was gorgeous, she has a beautiful voice and she’s such a star man, I really do believe that she will go very far. 

As for my guess, I really do have believe it is singer songwriter...

LEANN RIMES 

I think this because of the following clues: 

Mickey Mouse shape= Disney= LeAnn Rimes sang multiple times for Disney, especially the song that appears during the fireworks show at Disneyland and had a Disney Channel special back in the day.

Fell into a deep depression= was sought into treatment in 2012 and is very open about her mental health going down after being a child star

Judges’ Guesses 

Jenny: Demi Lovato (not a bad guess, a lot of people agreed with this... I just don’t feel like the tone matches up) 

Ken: Madonna (say what now? That doesn’t even sound close to Madonna, but whatever Ken is Ken... what else is to expect?) 

2. Popcorn

Performance: She was great, I can tell she is a legendary singer. I had high expectations because this is like my favorite costume of the whole season, and I was a little bit let down not gonna lie. She sang “What about us” by Pink and I didn’t really love the song choice if I’m honest. Hopefully, she’ll do better, since I really want her to advance really far. 

As for my guess, I am not 100% sure, but my closest guess is legendary singer...

TINA TURNER 

I think this because of the following clues:

Mickey Mouse shape= Disney= LeAnn Rimes sang multiple times for Disney, especially the song that appears during the fireworks show at Disneyland and had a Disney Channel special back in the day.

Built a career around love= idk about this 

Proud Merry Go Round= ik too obvious but I really can’t think of anyone else especially due to the voice 

Judges’ Guesses

Jenny: Tina Turner (my guess exactly... I am still not 100% sure)

Nicole: Mary J. Blige (that’s pretty good but I’m not sure) 

Ken: Carole Baskin (wtf Ken? Please Masked Singer never have her on this show, I’ve had enough with her on DWTS)

3. Giraffe 

Performance: He was great and it was fun to watch, but I feel like he could do better. If it's who I think it is, I know he could do better than that first performance of Let’s Get it Started by The Black Eyed Peas. 

As for my guess, I have a feeling it could be Broadway legend, Hamilton superstar...

DAVEED DIGGS?

I honestly don’t know about it based on the clues:

He says music is in his blood

Was the butt of jokes but now he’s like super successful = this one sounds kind of probable but the clues are too general 

Judges’ Guesses

Robin: Vanilla Ice (I also heard this a lot online... maybe but the clues make no sense with Vanilla Ice) 

Jenny: Travis Barker (maybe... not a bad guess) 

4. Snow Owls 

Performance: Oh my god the first pair ever, how fun! I hope they keep doing this more in future seasons! They were literally my favorite of the night! Their rendition of “Say Something” was so stunning, I was shocked. 

As for my guess, I really do have believe it is sibling duo...

JULIANNE & DEREK HOUGH

I think this because of the following clues:

Family reunion, haven’t done anything together in a while= they used to work together a lot and now they have been pretty separate with her doing her singing stuff and him on World of Dance and Dancing With The Stars (if he’s on this too, damn he’s on all the channels haha) 

Christmas clues= they just did a Christmas show together in 2019 and came out with christmas music

He’s a prankster= Derek really is one, just look at his TikTok haha 

Also they sang this exact song together in one of their tours back in 2017 and it sounds really similar, here’s the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhC9dkmliTM

Judges’ Guesses

Jenny & Nicole: Donny & Marie Osmond (I mean Donny was already the peacock on season 1, I doubt that he’ll be back)

Ken: Eugene Levy and Catherine O Hara (they’re not really related so idk how it makes sense but not a bad guess.. I genuinely think it has to be a brother and sister duo)

Anyways, that’s all for today woohoo! See you guys next week, omg it’s great to be back! I am so excited for what’s to come, time for a rollercoaster of a season. Bye everybody! 👋🏼

[shortpirateking]

An unlikely friendship (SkekTek and UrTih)

(A/N: For the lovely @pun-and-laughter, the first place winner of my giveaway ^^ I hope you enjoy it!)

Never within SkekTek’s life, had he ever thought he would find a kindred spirit, someone who understood his intellect. He was a skeksis of science, within a land of magic and madness.  For him, it was a challenge, bringing order in something with none. Many of the skeksis saw him mad, and perhaps he was, but he was determined, determined to prove to them he was more than a simple madman.

Because of this determination, SkekTek seldom left the castle of the crystal, abhorring to leave the safety of his lab, into the cold and cruel, filthy world. More and more cyborg than skeksis, he feared rust and grime getting within the gears of his mechanical leg- and yet, he could not remain locked up forever. An herb, something he needed to grind down into a simple extract, a key component for the oil made to keep his leg clean and working. The podlings were incompetent, and the gelfling too busy with the commands of the others to serve him. And so, he left the safety of his lab in search of it.

However, this day would bring about more than a simple, dirty search, more than an irritating day wasted in the outdoors. When he finally found the first sign of the plant he needed, he reached out-

Only to have a blunt and strong hand wrap around it too, covering his shaky and thin talons in its gentle warmth. Eyes raised, cold yellow meeting warm amber.

A mystic. 

Eyes widen, the scientist yanking his hand away from the plant as he hissed in defense. “Cretin! What is your kind doing upon skeksis land?!” His hackles raised, teeth bared to make himself seem more terrifying than he truly was, but the flinch, the look of startlement caused him to pause.

The mystic, ever wary, shook his head, gently plucking the herb from the ground.

“I do not wish to stay long” He finally answered, “I ran out of a few rare herbs UrNol could not make…” Eyes narrowed, and at first he was tempted to yell at the accursed mystic for daring to encroach upon skeksis land- until the herb was held out to him. “You need it for lubricant, yes?” came the soft reply, “I have already gotten a few for myself…”

Suspicion coursed through him, but SkekTek gingerly took the offered herb anyways, knowing better than to refuse a rare gift.

...though he made sure to check for tampering.

“There are more within the meadow, if you require more” came the reply of the mystic, pointing in the direction of the aforementioned meadow. “I was headed there myself.”

“...Why are you telling me this?” 

The mystic, in all his gentleness, smiled, offering his hand. 

“Life is too precious to waste on being cruel” 

--

The Mystic, UrTih, was a kind and gentle being, SkekTek found. Having helped him search for the herb he needed, as well as pointing out others that would strengthen the oil made. When asked how he held such knowledge, the mystic simply smiled. 

“Trial and error” he would finally reply, “many tests and many attempts”

When the third brother began to fade, they parted, one returning to the valley of the mystics, while the other returned to the castle of the skeksis, many new herbs within his claws, and a feeling of emptiness within his heart.

---

SkekTek had promised himself he would avoid the mystic, this UrTih who shared his curiosity to learn. So he tried to lock himself up once more-

But time and time again he found himself having to scavenge for something he was missing that he couldn’t get another to do, and each time he would find the mystic not too far behind. Each time it was accidental, each time he would try to avoid talking to him-

And each time he would end up sharing more information with him, learning more of the world than he ever could fathom.

Each time, they’d leave with new information. Each time Skektek would come back with armfuls of materials good for his experiments.

And each time Skektek would promise to never return.

He would ignore the hole within his heart.

--

The second brother was bright within the sky when the Alchemist found the scientist, pride hurt and murmuring curses in skexish.

“Sniveling, pompous ingrates!” The ire within his speech palpable, “I give them all I have, and yet they demand more! Gluttonous! No one recognizes my intellect! Without I they would be forced to live like the podlings!”

SkekTek continued his angered tirade, hands moving about frantically and dramatically, as if his words were simply not enough to communicate his rage. UrTih simply listened. 

When his voice finally faded, Skektek found a warm and gentle hand wrapped around his own. Yellow met amber, yet he did not pull away. 

The Third brother began to fade within the sky, and skektek loathed to leave the comfort of the other.

---

Their friendship- though SkekTek refused to call it as such- was an odd one to say the least. Both held different views upon the philosophical, had often debated it, and yet, both would seek the answers to the world, though both seeked it differently. One through removing the insanity of the living world, the other seeking the knowledge through such insanity.

It made no sense to the Scientist, yet many things about this arrangement made none. And so, he dared not question it, even as he buried his beak within the comforting embrace of UrTih. 

---

“The fault obviously lies within the scientist.”

But it was not! He was not the one who tried to steal the essence!! 

The cries of the skeksis were loud, cheering over what punishment would befall him, even the ones who had originally sides with him. 

Turncoats, the lot of them. 

“Sire, Scientist is still skeksis….perhaps would do good to have...peeper beetle”

No! Anything but this! 

He had cried and pleaded with the emperor for mercy, even as he was dragged away-

Pain erupted from UrTih’s right eye, the feeling of something not there digging into his socket, eating upon the soft flesh. He cried out, shrieking and howling in agony that was not his. The others had immediately gathered around him, comforting him with what they could, but the Alchemist felt nothing besides the fear and betrayal from his other half-

Lips parted, whispering Skektek’s name as his vision fell dark.

He dreamed of a single being, crying out in pain and fear, bright and luminous form holding onto himself as agony wracked through his frame.

And when he awoke, UrTih found himself running into the woods.

---

His breath was ragged, his sides ached, and yet he dare not stop. Not even as the familiar form of SkekTek appeared into the meadow both had often gathered at. He didn’t stop, until his arms were wrapped around the other’s waist, feeling their shaking body against him.

The Scientist crumpled against him, soft and heaving sobs escaping chapped lips. Talons dug into rough hide, yet UrTih dared not even think of letting him go.

As SkekTek finally calmed, both settled upon the ground, hands held tightly, refusing to part themselves from the other.

“Come with me” begged UrTih, squeezing shaking hands. “When my brothers hear what had happened, surely they would allow you with us. You will be cherished, safe from the ones who harmed you”

It was a wish, hope, hope that he would say yes, that he would take up his offer…. But UrTih knew Skektek well enough to know he would not, not until the skeksis tore him apart, broke him down from the inside out. 

Yet, Skektek held closer still, silent in thought. 

“I tire of being the scapegoat for feckless beings” He finally answered, “You were closer a companion than any of the others ever were....” Relief and joy spread over the mystic, the weight of his worry leaving his shoulders. Without thinking, he nuzzled against the skeksis. An intimate motion, yet the scientist returned it, leaning into it with a mix of desperation and care.

So long as UrTih was with him-

So long as the Scientist was safe by his side…

Everything would be okay.

[angelcfdvth]

𝚒’𝚍  𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙  𝚊𝚗  𝚎𝚢𝚎  𝚘𝚗  𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖  ;   that  there  is  JAIDA KING  ,  notorious  for  being  (  irritable  )  and  ( deceptive  ) ,  but  there  are  times  when  she  can  be  (  compassionate  ) and  ( adaptable ).   i've  heard  that  she  could  pass  as  a  LOGAN  BROWNING doppelganger  ,  but  i  don't  see  it  .   the  ( thirty six )  year - old  FEMALE has  been  in  town  for  (  seven months  )  and  they  are  a  ( defense attorney  )  by  day  and  murder  suspect  by  night  .   they  tend  to  spark  images  of  cigarette smoke laced with the thick scent of candy ; the crisp feel of old, dusty library books ; shredded converse shoes paired with bomber jackets with too much wear and tear ; grass stained knees ; the last wisp of smoke from a burnt out candle ; the dying heat of a bonfire ; the crunch of the leaves of fall ; the first blinding rays of sunlight after opening the curtains in the morning ; arriving early with fresh black coffee ; the burn of your first shot ; walking into the sharp edge of a desk ; the heaviness of the sky before a storm .   you’ll  know  when  they  walk  by  because  they  always  seem  to  be  blasting  bad dream  by  RUELLE.     it  truly  explains  why  they're  known  as  THE  FINAL GIRL.  

Though Ronald King and his two children, Jaida and younger brother belonged to the third and fourth generation of Kings to call Taunwick home, they were the first to break the new found tradition, and became the first, to leave it. 

Raised in a moderately respectable household, there was nothing overly exciting that ever really crossed their front porch. Nothing that would cause rumor or doubt to flourish of the community man Ronnie had always been. An upstanding citizen that never sought to brush even slightly closer to the depravity that found so many. A family man who never believed in the concept of a means to an end, and saw every blemish as an opportunity for something better. A passing wisdom that he ensured his children both understood and practiced with every new day that met them with the rising sun. Perhaps, one might have believed he’d have considered a thing it a good things when something far darker than a silver lining cast a shadow over their home the year their mother, Leona had an affair with a coworker and inevitably moved to the other end of town as if any of them could just, pretend it never happened. Jaida witness a certain light die out in her fathers eyes. One that she was convinced would be eternal for as long as he held the warmth of family within his grasp. Unlike some, her first experience of heart break, was watching her fathers. A sturdy man, caught within the headlights of an oncoming train that made no sound, the loss of his marriage was something she wasn’t certain he’d ever recover from. 

But sturdier men had never been built. Though it was rough, such an uneasy time brought a then fifteen year old Jaida and her eleven year old brother closer than ever with their father and they got through the harrowing rift of a broken home together. Mending the missing pieces with anything and everything they could form memories with - anything to distract from the gaping hole their mother left in a once complete home. 

Between helping raise her brother and making sure her father cracked a smile, Jaida had high hopes for what she might find beyond high school. The hours spent skimming through design magazines had been purely a fluke that etched itself in her system merely one thing among many that she found herself deeply entwined with.Though she wasn’t overly popular in school, her fluency in sarcasm and an unabashed affinity for a healthy argument often enough to turn some away, she had a hand in a little bit of everything. Along with the two part time jobs she worked after school, throughout the years, Jaida joined cheer, the homecoming committee, helped with the yearbook, tutored and still found the time to be as social as anyone truly could be. Unwittingly, the majority of it was indeed, to keep her distracted from the whole new family her mother had settled down with, an effort to ignore the broken pieces of her family, but truly, she couldn’t help herself, with an inability to turn down any opportunity, before long she couldn’t really handle having nothing to do at any given moment. Never quite straight edge enough to be considered a loser - and not twisted enough to go off the deep end, she fit in everywhere - and nowhere at all.

All of which might have been a lot, even without adding to it the untimely passage of falling in love. Blindsided by the nature of something she hadn’t even considered among other things, when Harry St Francis had come calling for a way to win over Kayla, her best friend, she certainly didn’t expect the fleeting feeling that coiled in the pit of her stomach to become a fully fledged feeling. One that had hands, fingers, a voice that could pull her from any state and features that she could inevitably trace out on paper, in the dark. That the state in which she landed on the very real feeling that felt almost crippling at first, would be something reciprocated in any capacity - and yet, Harry, despite his unyielding flaws, became a pillar in her life that, though terrified to lean on, was all consuming.

Despite whatever bigger dreams she might have had, Jaida settled on the bitter truth that Taunwick was a place that she always intended to stay. Her whole life contained in one place - It was home and there wasn’t really any singular place that could have been better than that, regardless of whatever lay beyond the town borders. It wasn’t necessarily enough to break her, the idea of leaving her brother and father for any reason at all seemed absurd. They were family - the three of them against the world and it might have stayed that way, if It wasn’t for a visit from extended family at Christmas. Images her cousin described so vividly about New York and the Pratt Institute School of Architecture in Brooklyn was far more than she’d ever truly expected. The turmoil that built within her chest enough to make her sick with envy for those that could sever ties to childhood and family to follow a greater path .. but really all she needed was the grades and cash to move out and make it on her own.

For some, perhaps dreams were meant to remain elusive, like smoke through fingertips. With the world crumbling around her once more, the gut wrenching truth of Harry’s extracurricular activities, Jaida had found herself with the bank balance she’d needed, and on the precipice of her own graduation, she wondered whether everything she’d once amounted home to, was simply a childish truth to cling to. With her brothers encouragement and her fathers praise, intention had been to cancel all plans and spend the night tracing their way back through their childhood together - their favorite places, their favorite movies - food orders, shakes, their lookout. A night filled with the King family treasures - moments and memories in time, relived knowing that Jaida would soon find herself in a whole new city, with all the promise of the world But, perhaps dreams were meant to remain elusive, like smoke through fingertips....

Awaiting their father, who’d promised to finish work earlier than usual and meet them, Jaida and her brother had taken to tossing the football at the high school, just shy of the heavy covering of trees that led towards the hideout. A timeless pastime and one that she’d cherish for far longer than she ever believed. 

In hindsight, it was the last moment that, despite her heartache, she felt whole. 

The scream that tore through the air chilled her to the bone, wrought icicles in her stomach and caught both her and her brother with such shock that she’s not sure they ever went back for the football. Again, it rippled the air around, eerie and hallowed. Her brother made a break for it - towards the car, towards his phone. The possible overreaction unheard of, the pair knowing all too well that, that sound, was something they’d never be able to brush off as someone fooling around. Before she knew it, she’d breached the tree line, her first thought being that perhaps someone had fallen, broken something.. But the harrowing silence that followed such a piercing scream crept across her skin like insects, scratching for something beneath the surface and finally, in the thick of trees... she’d never felt more alone. 

Except, just as her father had told her, over and over and over again ---  she was never alone. The glint of silver in the rising moonlight through the trees was barely enough, the blade slicing through her palm, crimson splashing across brittle stones as she spun and clawed her way back towards the school. Never quite out of reach, and never, ever alone. By the time feet found the softened touch of grass; her voice was hoarse, her own screams echoes of those they’d already heart. Vision blurred and clothing mottled with more blood than not, Jaida couldn’t tell how long it was before she blacked out - how long it was before the far off sound of her brothers voice faded from reality and etched itself into the makings of a nightmare that would never let her rest. All she knew, was darkness.

In the weeks to come, the knowledge of Chasity’s murder added insult to injury - her friends life cut so short while her own spared felt.. unforgiving somehow. Yet despite it all, she remained as strong as she could. Willed herself to remember as many details as possible for the authorities, relentlessly swore that she’d testify if and when the time came - and when it finally did... It marked a milestone in her life.  The end of her home as she knew it.  It was with her father, and brothers blessing that the King family moved from Taunwick, saying goodbye to what was once every warm memory, now tainted and wounded. A life in New York would see to it that she’d find something more - find something that could help her heal from wounds and demons that she couldn’t feel, but knew existed. But dreams were elusive, and Jaida never made it to Architecture school, instead finding herself on the path to truth - to justice, and even then.. things never quite turned out how she might have planned. Nothing did. 

The nights grew colder, no matter how many days passed to put time between real life horrors, they never let up their grip of her. Every session and therapist that she sought out as useless as the last until finally, the facade she’d held up for almost twenty years snapped within her grasp. A world no longer held up by sticky tape and glue crumbled and buried her in the rubble. The feeling of home gone from within her bones and a warmth missing for entirely too long, Jaida put in for her vacation time.. and incidentally extended it with a further grievance leave, moving back to the one place she knew all things existed, that wouldn’t quite slip through her fingers. 

Statistics. Pinterest.

[nicotinemaiden]

Your Guardian Angel

[Infinite Songs for her Smile - Ch.13]

Read on AO3 →

{Obiyuki Modern AU}

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Seasons are changing and waves are crashing and stars are falling all for us. Days grow longer and nights grow shorter. I can show you I'll be the one.

Use me as you will, pull my strings just for a thrill. And I know I'll be okay t hough my skies are turning gray.

I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven.

[The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus]

Clank. The metallic sound of the closing locker wasn’t enough to divert his attention to anything that wasn’t his own thoughts. If it weren’t because there was just one hour left and he already promised to Kiki that he won’t be skipping class anymore he’ll be already home. It wasn’t a good day. To be honest, it hasn’t been a good day for months now. His family was as “not-really-a-family” as it could be. Most of the time either of their parents was home, not that he needed them anyway. He, also, was as much time as he could away from that place. He joined the drama club after class just to have another excuse, even if he liked it a lot more than he imagined. After all those years pretending the weird thing would have been not being capable of acting.

The hand on his back made him jump in surprise. This wasn’t him. He was always conscious of what his surrounders were. Being surprised like that wasn’t normal. “Are you here?” He turned to her, her blonde hair tied back and her squared red and black shirt was tied right up her navel. “Not really” Before she could say anything, he added: “And please, don’t tell me: I told you. Because I know, you told me, this was bound to happen.” She shrugged, making even more clear that she was going to say it. “I don’t think you have lost your opportunity just yet.” “She’s been crazy about him for almost eight months now Kiki. Now that they’re together I don’t think I belong there. Not anymore. He’s… He’s like a prince. I should be happy for them.” “You’ve been in love with her for more than four years. Four years Obi. She has the right to know it. She’s like… your best friend? It’s difficult to see her without you and vice versa. I know I’m a great friend of you two but you.. you’ve been together since you were kids. Who knows?! Maybe she’s going out with him to forget you.” The bitter laugh he pronounced should have been enough answer. “Don’t be stupid. Is smoking affecting your brain? You’ve been with us the whole time. Have you seen any sign of her caring about me as something more than a best friend?” “Are you blind?! Do you remember Alissa? How much time were you with her? Two months? Remember how every time she was with us Shirayuki had something to do?” “Yeah, I thought she didn’t like her.” “She didn’t like her because she was with you. Isn’t it obvious?” Kiki drew her hands to her head, a mix between angry and disappointed. “YOU, you are the stupid here. You can’t be happy and also don’t want her to be happy. You… you should look at you, at the impact you have on others. You should see how many girls approach me every week just to see if I can introduce them to you. But I know you, I know you don’t want something like that. You rather go to a bar and have a one night party, don’t you? You play with them just because you can’t have her. Because if you had her I know she’ll feel like a princess, you would cook for her, buy her things, accompany her home everyday… you won’t let her down. And I know all that because that’s exactly how you have been treating her until now. You are the worst.” The finger with which Kiki was stopping him for leaving left his chest, his eyes widen with her words. He had no right to say anything because she was right. Every one of those words was right. But it hurt even more if she almost shouted them at his face. And even more, if she just leaves him there, without saying one other word.

Kiki was still walking away from him when another voice startled him. “What’s wrong with Kiki? Something happened?” This, exactly this, was the voice he didn’t want to hear. Not now, at least. Even so, he had to go through this if he wanted to keep up with his life. “She's mad at me.” Turning to see her, smiling, he added. “But don't worry about it, she'll calm in a while.” In front of him, the girl of his dreams was looking at him with that bright in her eyes that said that she was glad to see him. “I see. You two are always the same, like a pair of newlyweds.” “Just without the love and the great sex.” He laughed softly when she giggled. At least he still managed to make her smile as always. “Any plan after class today? We can go for pizza.” This was too similar as before, too normal. This was them, as they always been. He asking her to go out with some silly excuse just to see her a bit longer before saying goodbye another day, any older ideas about keeping her distance from her totally discarded. “Sure. Just remember me not to order that one with bacon and black olives. Arg.” She got out her tongue in a disgusting expression and he smiled again, a lot more tender than he expected. Shirayuki could ignore his defences so easily that Kiki’s voice resonated in his head. It was not possible that she wanted something with him, something more than this. She seemed so happy, so honest, so… herself. It was a selfish thought but he wanted to share all that with her. And if she wanted her new perfect boyfriend to have it too… all right. He will always be Obi, her childhood friend, her best friend. It wasn’t as if he could be so easily replaced. “Actually Obi… do you mind if we eat together tomorrow? Zen just texted me he wanted to go to a French restaurant. I really wanted that pizza tho’…” He praised every one of his acting classes in the club, because his smile did not falter, not a tiny bit. “Don’t worry Red, I know your prince won’t take a ‘no’ for an answer. You don’t have to eat with me.” He messed up her hair with his hand before starting to walk the same direction as Kiki. “Also we’re really late. See ya!” He didn’t want to look at her again, not even for the little purpose of saying goodbye. At the same time, he didn’t want to go into the class. He just wanted to disappear. He was no good for anyone, least of all himself.

“Are you home?” The screen flashed before him, the hour coming suddenly to his eyes. 2:24. Why was she texting him at such an hour? Yeah, it was Friday and he was watching a marathon of Misfits in his laptop but her? She was that person that always went to bed before 12, like a modern cinderella. And more to it, why was she asking where he was? He unlocked his phone and tipped quickly. “Yh y? wth? ru truble?” It wasn’t more than two seconds when she answered. “Can you write like a normal person instead of using hieroglyphics?” He forgot that part. They usually were together so they texted very little. “You know letters are also hieroglyphics? And I wasted 3 seconds writing that fucking word. Yes, I’m home. What happened?” “Can I go over?” He paused for a moment. She was asking him if she can come over to his house, that she knows he is alone in, at almost 3 in the morning. This was bad. The definition of bad. “I’ll pick you up.” “Actually I’m at the door…” This girl. What was he gonna do with her? He got up as quickly as he could and ran towards the door. He was lucky his body remembered so well the stairs or otherwise he would have fallen a couple of times. At the other side of the now open door Shirayuki looked terrifying, her skin almost as pale as the white door to his side, her hair messed up a lot more than when he saw her that morning and her clothes were still there but clearly weren’t there before. She dressed up in a short amount of time, or so it seemed by the weird patron of the buttons of her shirt. He couldn’t see her face, hidden under the shadows of her hair, but he could hear the little sobs she was making. He launched himself to her, rounding her body with his arms. “Did he do anything? I will kill him if…” He couldn’t end his sentence before she interrupted him. “No, no. It’s… it’s a long story. Can I come in?”

“I feel horrible.” She said it while letting her body fall on his bed the same way she did it when she was exhausted from studying. “Are you gonna tell me why?” He didn't turn on the light, allowing the soft and blue light from his screen light up the room before sitting at her side in the bed. “I thought I was ready.” The red-haired girl looked at him for a moment before hiding her face on his pillow. “But I was wrong.” He smiled tenderly at her, caressing her hair, trying to calm his dear friend. He didn't need more details to know what happened but he felt at ease knowing that at least Zen has been a gentleman with her. “You don't have to worry about that. Everyone has his own pace for this kind of thing. I'm sure your blue prince will understand.” Covered by the hard pillow her voice sounded off. “That's not…” She got up, just a bit, just to see him, leaning on her arms to support her. “I had to stop because I was not thinking about him. I didn't want him to do that kind of things.” That was weird. He just assumed she wasn't ready for her first time, he could understand that, but thinking about another person? That's something he wouldn't have expected. “You mean you were ready to do it but not with him?” Her eyes soften, relieved that he could understand her so easily, and she nodded. He drove a hand to his face, pressing with his fingers the bridge of his nose. It sure seemed as if he could understand everything she was saying but he couldn't. “So?” He needed further explanation. She's been talking about Zen non-stop for months and now she was thinking about another in what was mean to be a big step in her relationship with him and in her life. “So what?” She looked confused, not quite catching the sense of his question. “Does that means you have another crush this week? Should I call Kiki? She's missing the news.” She laughed, high pitched and short, before dismissing the idea with one of her hands. “Leave her, she's on a date tonight. And besides, she already knows.” Surprised he leaned near her, tickling her stomach. “You little betrayer. I was the first to know this kind of things before.” Laugh filled the room while they played, Shirayuki trying her best to get away from his torture. For her, this was the touch Zen was missing. These were the hands she was missing that night. They just played with her as if playing with their little sister. They weren't searching her body or untying her clothes but she felt as if waiting for a cake in front of the oven. Hot, hungry and needing. Also, her personal cake was just being prepared for another person's birthday, she had no right to touch it. “Red?” She blinked for a couple of seconds when she realized she was looking at him fixedly which wouldn't have been so weird if they weren't in quite a compromising position. She had managed to stop him by climbing on top of his legs and pinning his hands to the mattress, but she released them and leaned her hands on his chest. He was so f**king handsome she wondered how could anyone not be attracted to him at first sight. His shirt raised a bit on the bottom, showing a little more of his skin and the tonified muscles of his abdomen. Without thinking about any kind of consequences she decided she wanted to touch it. Not like a sister, not like a friend. She wanted to kiss every corner, to let this internal flame consume her to the full extent. It wasn't the first time she'd felt something similar about him, but it was the first time she dared to venture her hand under his shirt. Maybe she had too many things in her head. Zen’s face when she said that he was not what she wanted. All the time loss speaking about Zen to Obi to try and get some kind of reaction that wasn't just ‘if that makes you happy’. She wanted him to be jealous, to give her a reason to stop all of this, all this little play she convinced her mind to play, tricking her heart in the process. “Red.” This time it wasn’t a question. It sounded more like a warning. She didn’t know where she was knocking, but he did. He didn’t try to stop her, he just said her nickname as if to wake her, as if wondering what was she doing. Her hand wandered a bit more, caressing his abdomen while lowering herself to him. He was scanning her, his eyes never leaving hers. They’d been close before, maybe closer than this, but in a strange sense this time it felt more intimate. When his face was so close she could feel his unstable breath in her lips she wonder what would be better: Explaining it to him with words or with actions. A little smile tugged at her lips at the thought. It wasn’t even a decision, she knew perfectly well because she knew him like no other, because… it was always him.

And so she gifted herself the pleasure of kissing him, nervous, trembling, her other hand in the base of his neck, searching for his warm with a couple of fingers under his shirt. It was less than two seconds until he responded, two terrific seconds where she thought she would die before admitting she was wrong for feeling like this. His touch was tentatively following her lead, his body slowly getting up until they were both standing, she sitting over him in a much less innocent way than what they had before. When his fingers bruised her nape, mixing with her hair, she opened her mouth to him. She started this adventure and she wasn’t ready to stop it, not now that she felt the universe at her feet. At the touch of his tongue in her lips, she moaned softly without even realizing it until he stopped the kiss, breaking apart just enough to look at her. She wondered how she looked to merit that emotion in his eyes, to deserve it because by all the gods the world came to know until now she knew she would create a cult for this one. The one that was looking at her now with a hunger worth a hundred lives, with the love of a thousand love movies and with the care of her one and only best friend. It wasn’t the first time she thought something similar but he couldn’t be human. No human could achieve perfection so easily. No human could show you heaven with a touch and a chaste kiss. She wasn’t a religious person, and thank her god for that because, right that moment, she felt saved.