#i MISS this pink blob hOLY

[fortheloveofallthings]

Steddie Florist AU - Part 3

Part 2

Eddie was in the middle of bringing a half-keg into the bar when the florist walked in. He half wished he was doing anything cooler than that, like making a cocktail with added flare to his shake, or filling up a pint of Dragon’s Milk on tap and sliding it along the bar table to a customer, but instead he’d settle for trying to look stronger than he is carrying the half-keg now with one hand. Gods, please don’t let my muscles kill me tomorrow. He smiled and waved with his free hand then gestured at the florist to sit at the bar. Eddie could feel Chrissy watching him as she was making an Old Fashion for one of their regulars. Thankfully the taps were perfectly centered on the bar station and they could meet halfway for a quick exchange.

“Holy shit, is that him?” Chrissy eyed. Eddie set the keg down and slid it back into it’s place trying not to look to obvious that their subject of conversation is in fact 3ft away, “Ya that’s him.” Chrissy, not as carefully, stared from the florist to him, “That’s a bisexual if I’ve ever seen one. Go get him tiger.” She winked then continued to serve the Old Fashion.

Eddie pranced the few steps it took to get directly in front of the florist and leaned over the counter, “Glad you could make it!” The florist smiled a giant toothy smile and Eddie’s heart fluttered. This had to be the perfect man sitting before him, and even with the butterflies hatching in his stomach there was an air of comfort between them. “Ya me too, glad I caught you as you were inside. Still handling a keg too, and while you mentioned you probably wouldn’t be manning the bar, I’m still impressed with your fortune telling abilities,” the florist noted. Eddie chuckled and gave a soft nod, “I appreciate the flattery my good sir. However I have yet to fulfill the prophecy I have for-told… what is the drink that you desire? Remember on the house, but no top shelf,” Eddie hushed to a whisper and leaned closer to the florist, “…more flattery is required for that.”

Steve had stepped into one of the nerdiest bars he could’ve imagined. It felt like more of a medieval tavern than a bar. The walls were covered in comic posters, D&D posters, band posters, you name it and it was there. He would have to bring Robin and Vickie over at some point. If they ever have an all ages event he’d even bring Dustin, the kid would love this. It wasn’t too busy yet but he had a feeling it was going to get crazier as people started appearing for trivia night. The sign couldn’t be missed on his way in, the neon pink paper instantly catching his eye. Overall it was really welcoming. As he continued admiring all the decor, his eye caught on the familiar blob of curly hair carrying a half-keg with one hand. For a skinnier guy it really made his muscles flex in a way that Steve couldn’t help but commit to memory. Eddie was now sporting a black and purple Black Sabbath shirt that was half tucked into black jeans, simple but boy did it work for him. They exchanged a wave as he approached the bar, taking a seat promptly in front of the single dahlia that was now sitting pretty in a green glass bottle. He waited patiently as he finished setting up the new keg, then went straight into bantering than ended with Steve ordering a Jack and Coke.

“Jack and coke? That’s it? You don’t want something more frivolous?” Eddie questioned. Steve shrugged, his anxiety always got the best of him at bars. The last thing he ever wanted to do was ask for something annoying to make. Most times he just ordered beer. “Come on, there’s gotta be something you’ve always wanted to order but been nervous to. It’s slow right now… it would be the perfect time to ask for something atrocious,” Eddie teased, his demeanor still lighthearted. “You are the professional, I’ll let you surprise me,” Steve winked.

Eddie loved surprising people with drinks, it was one of the only times he could make what he wanted without any limitations. The florist asked for a Jack and Coke, meaning rum was on the table for liquors to go by. He went straight for one of the White Rums they had, grabbed a lime, some Grand Marnier, a few other ingredients, pouring each measurement in a shaker without missing a beat. Extra drama for the florist whose hazel eyes were burning holes straight through him. Eddie poured the drink into a narrow ceramic tiki cup designed to look like a red dragon. He pristinely placed a maraschino cherry on top then placed it in front of the florist. “I present to you, a Mai Tai,” Eddie bowed. The man giggled, “Wow this looks amazing! I need to take a picture of this.”

“One of the highest honors I could receive, thank you… uh. You know… I never actually got your name.” The man stared back confused, like he was quickly replaying all their interactions at super speed in his head, “Oh I’m sooo sorry. I can’t believe I never actually introduced myself. I’m Steve.” Steve reached his hand out gesturing for a handshake but when Eddie went to return it, the florist swiftly shifted their grip so Eddie’s ringed knuckles were facing up like a princess’s would in the hand of her knight. Steve leaned over and gently graced a kiss on Eddie’s rings, released his hand to grab his drink then took a casual sip. Eddie was blushing, full on red cheeks, hell, red face and he knew it. He could feel the fire radiating off them. I think I’m in love. He took a moment to calm himself before flirting back, “Well Sir Steve, if you keep this up you might earn the top shelf elixir after all.”

[blanc-et-n0ir]

Body Swap

(Decided to do "Writing rivals centric drabbles to feed #RIVALSTWT until the two of them lore stream again. This drabble is the Dream can turn into a Blob AU that happens in the DSMP. Day 17)

Dream blinked, slowly waking up as he pushed himself from the bed. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. His center of gravity felt weird, like it shifted—a lot.

He blinked and looked down, frowning at the sheets. His frown deepened when pink hair fell before his eyes.

His eye twitched.

If Techno found it funny to dye his hair while he was asleep then he has another thing coming.

He felt way too tired to deal with this and he willed himself to go into his blob form, at least this way he can annoy Techno.

A pause.

There was no cloud in sight and Dream didn’t lose a few feet.

“What the fu-” he jolted in surprise, his voice seemingly dropping in octaves. A little more than his usual morning voice.

He was about to stand up and investigate when there was a thump and then a scream… a scream that sounded a little too familiar.

Dream stumbled out of bed and pushed himself out of the room to come face to face with… himself?

“What?”

“Did you do?!” His face screamed at him, bright green eyes twitching in annoyance.

Dream stared at him before something clicked in his mind and he rushed out, “What makes you think it was me?”

“Because of course it would be you.” He- Techno?- hissed.

“Well, listen here- I did no such fucking thing.” “Then what happened?”

“I don’t know! We switched bodies?” Dream threw his-Techno’s- hands up in the air. This was weird. He felt heavier, stockier, and his height a tad bit taller. He couldn’t even reach out to his blob form. He involuntarily whined at that, a sound that caught Techno’s attention and made him glare even more heatedly at him.

“Don’t make that sound ever again.” “But Techno.” Dream whined. “I miss my blob form.” “What? Why?” Techno raised his eyebrow, “I thought you used it to annoy me?”

Dream pouted which was probably weird with Techno’s body cause the man pulled a disgusted face, “Well, yeah there’s that but I usually use it cause it dampens some of my emotions at times and only lets me feel happiness or amusement. I’m kinda… freaking out right now.”

Techno rolled his eyes, “Then maybe we can find a way out of this predicament faster so you can get back to your body.”

Dream perked up and grinned, nodding his head excitedly, “Right, how the fuck do we fix this?” “Never swear in my voice ever again.” Techno dragged a hand down his face.

Dream brightened up, taking his communicator out and recording himself, “Fuck.”

“You little-!” Techno tackled him to the ground and Dream wasn’t able to dodge in time and they fell to the ground. Dream hissed and pulled Techno off him a little too easily.

“Holy shit you’re so light- I’m so light?” Dream asked, looking at his body in horror. “Is that why you can carry me so easily?”

“Yes.” Techno deadpanned.

“You’re the worst.”

“I know.” Techno smirked, and Dream snorted.

“What do we do now?” Dream rolled his eyes, sitting up.

“We can figure out how this happened.” Techno paused before he smirked, standing up almost immediately, “Or, I can just ruin your entire reputation this way.” “You wouldn’t.”

In a flash, Techno was by the door, waving at Dream, “I would. I’m going to tell the whole world about how much you simp for me and how I’m better.”

“TECHNO!”

[justcourttee]

MariJon, where Valentine's Day is coming up and both of them are trying to figure out how to ask each other out without making it weird and turn to their mutual best friend, Damian. Lots and lots of awkwardness and pining please 😊

This is so cute and so fun to write. I hope you like it!

Damian Wayne: The Love Doctor

Valentine’s Day.

It’s the day that initiates feelings of romance and longing in people across the globe. For couples, it’s a day to spoil each other and gorge on chocolates and fancy dinners. However, for the singles, it’s a day of anxiety and stress hoping that someone returns their feelings or risk sitting dejected for another year alone.

For Jon, it was the latter. This year though, he was determined for it to be different. Thanks to Damian, Jon met Marinette this year. They were always hanging out in one of the League’s hideouts and after several months of begging, Damian finally introduced him. To say it was love at first sight almost felt like an understatement.

So if he felt this way, it should be easy to step forward and hand her the box of chocolates that he had clutched in his hands as he moved to the store’s checkout. Except it wasn’t easy, after all, he had no way of knowing how she felt and Jon wasn’t sure he could handle the idea of Marinette rejecting him.

“-and that’s how I found myself here. How am I supposed to ask her out if I don’t know if she’ll say yes?”

“Yes, that does sound quite perplexing.” Damian flipped the page in his novel, his eyes glued to the words. Jon was positive he wasn’t paying attention, but he had no one else he could go to. Taking a deep breath, Jon darted forward snapping the book from his best friend’s grasp.

The look that Damian gave him would usually be enough to send Jon running leaving the book in his tracks, but he was so worried about asking out Marinette, he honestly had no value for his life at the moment.

“What is it that you think I can do for you, Jon? I myself have never been interested in relationships. They are quite meaningless if there is nothing you can obtain through the partnership.”

Jon scratched the back of his neck as his eyes clung to the ground. Damian was right. He never had a relationship and never seemed to be interested in them so for Jon to ask him advice on how to ask out Marinette, well, it wasn’t his smartest move.

“It’s just-you see-I know that but-”

“Kent, for the love of whatever being may be out there, spit out your sentence.”

“You’re my only friend Damian!”

He hadn’t meant to shout it, the volume even earning a raised eyebrow from Damian’s usually stoic face.

“I’m just-I’m just desperate. I really want this to go over well.”

Damian’s stare sent a shiver down his spine as they stared in silence for a moment and then two. Just when he was sure his friend was about to snap, he did something that surprised him even more.

“Violets.”

“Excuse me?”

Breaking their stare, Damian reached behind him tossing Jon a notebook and pen without a second look.

“You better write this down Kent because I’ll only say it once. Her favorite flowers are violets so that’s where you’re gonna start.”

Jon’s eyes widened as he scrambled to open the first page of the notebook jotting down the words that were spilling out of Damian’s mouth. By the time his friend had sent him away, Jon was almost confident that this plan could work. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally find the courage to ask out Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was barely a day later when Damian Wayne found himself cornered yet again.

He was just trying to finish the last few pages of his book when the blob curled up on the other end of the couch uttered its first noise since it collapsed.

“Damian, can I ask you a question?”

“That’s counterproductive Dupain-Cheng, you already did even though you didn’t hadn’t had my permission.”

Using his book as a shield, he was able to block the incoming pillow assault before it made contact. “I apologize. Was the correct response; what can I do for you my liege?”

This time a shoe flew toward his face, one he narrowly missed.

“Jon. Is he single by chance?”

Damian couldn’t help the smug smile that pulled at his lips.

“What’s it to you whether he’s single or not?”

The red that crept up her neck confirmed his suspicions before her blubbering even began.

“It’s nothing to me! It’s just that Jon never talks about a girlfriend and it’s not because I don’t think he can get a girlfriend, I mean he’s a very attractive guy, but not that I think he’s super attractive, that’s just stating facts that everyone knows and-”

“You’re rambling.”

Closing his book, Damian turned his attention to his red friend, who’s pout brought a smile to his face.

“Damian, I think-I think I want to ask Jon to be my Valentine.”

Damian couldn’t help the snort that escaped earning a groan from Marinette as she buried her face in her hands.

“There were nicer ways to tell me it wasn’t possible you little demon.”

“Hey now, if you start pulling out cruel nicknames like that, I won’t help you.”

Instantly her head popped up, a doubtful expression monopolizing her face.

“Why would you want to help me, huh?”

Reaching down into his bag Damian bit back the sigh as he sacrificed another notebook to his friends.

“Let’s just say, I’m very invested in the outcome of this Valentine’s Day. Now get to writing.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two days had passed; Valentine’s Day arrived and Damian hated to admit how curious he was to if the two love-struck idiots had followed his advice.

He got his answer as he entered their favorite hangout spot only to find it covered in bouquets.

“Damian Wayne, you have some serious explaining to do.” Damian ducked on instinct as a batarang flew over his head impaling itself on the nearest wall. “If you were setting people up with the stunning Marinette Dupain-Cheng, why wasn’t I at the top of the list?”

“Sorry Steph, I didn’t think she was all that into blondes.”

“Wipe that shit-eating smirk off your face!” Damian moved to the side as Stephanie lunged at him, her fist dusting the side of his shirt. “You know good and well she used to be into blondes!”

“Jon beat you to asking.” With a shrug of his shoulders, he gently pushed her backward watching as she dramatically flung herself into the couch. “Now will you please shut up? Marinette will be here at any moment.”

As if on cue, the whirl of the Zeta tube echoed through the hangout snapping Jon’s attention into place as he fumbled with the gift bag in his hand. The soft click of Marinette’s heels confirmed her presence as Damian slapped his hand over Stephanie’s mouth.

“Oh mon Dieu, what is all this?”

Damian could feel the nerves rolling off of Jon slamming into him. It was almost as if he was begging him to swoop in and explain why the place was covered in her favorite flowers. He really was hopeless.

“Uhm, well, uh, you see, I-uh-I heard that you like violets. Which I thought was strange because your favorite color is pink but then I also heard that they are one of the few flowers you can always find inspiration from and I wanted you to have as much inspiration as you could ever need.”

It was quick like he was trying to spill his every thought in one breath, but at least he got it out of his mouth.

“That was very nice of you Jon. I’m sure I’ll never run out of inspiration now.” Marinette’s chuckle was soft and Damian was sure he could hear the blush from where he and Stephanie remained crouched. “I, uh-well-I got something for you.”

Without waiting for a response, Marinette shoved her gift box into his arms causing Jon to half chuck his gift at her as well. Their nervous laughter was too much, Damian felt like he was going to die of second-hand embarrassment for them. The sound of tearing paper and tissue flying earned enough of a curious glance from the boy.

Their gasps were in sync earning a small smirk from the boy. With the power of observation, he was able to read both of his friends like an open book.

“You made me a leather jacket? Marinette this is so cool! It looks just like Conner’s! How did you know?”

“How did I know? How did you know that I had been eyeballing this thread set? You’re amazing Jon.”

The noise died down and for a moment, Damian was worried they had reverted back to their awkward selves. Just as he was about to turn back for another look, two shadows loomed over his hiding spot.

“Holy shit! You guys are so quiet!” Stephanie fled from her spot, grasping at her chest. Damian allowed himself a second to exhale as well.

“Damiboo,” he cut his eyes at Marinette sending her a warning look, “did you perchance give both of us advice for Valentine’s day?”

“Tsk, I did no such thing.”

As if on cue, they both raised their matching notebooks, matching smirks on their faces.

“Aww, Dami does love us!” Marinette flung her arms over his shoulders, Jon followed close behind.

“Get off of me you delinquents. I only helped you so that you two would go out and let me finish reading my damn book!”

The two of them were a giggling mess as they finally released him, comparing their notes as they moved toward the zeta tubes. Damian watched precariously as his two friends slowly intertwined fingers, their laughter fading with them as the tube closed. Ensuring they would not pop right back in, Damian finally released a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding.

Moving to the couch, Damian fished for his book that he left hidden underneath the cushions. Just twenty more pages. The end felt like it would never come.  Just as he slipped the bookmark out of place, the weight on the couch shifted as Stephanie exhaled loudly.

“If you like playing Love Doctor so much, why don’t you ever set me up with anyone?”

“Perhaps it’s because I don’t hate anyone enough to set them up with you.”

Damian didn’t even bother to dodge the pillow that knocked his book from his hands. With a huff, he pulled out his final notebook making a mental note to have Alfred pick up some more.

“Here.”

The way she looked at him made him feel as though he had grown a second head, but she accepted the notebook, opening it to a fresh page.

“Who do you hate-”

“Don’t talk, just write. I really would like to finish my book today.”

Permanent Tag List:

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[kirindensetsu]

The Making of Fubuki

((Reposting from Den of Angels workshop thread because I wanted my friends to be able to see~))

After years of pining after dolls I couldn't afford as a broke teenager, my first BJD was a Bobobie Sprite I purchased for my 18th birthday. Unfortunately, she didn't live up to my expectations and I never really bonded with her. Her face was cute enough, but the Bobobie body lacked the grace and posing ability I imagined for the Unseelie faerie I'd been daydreaming of for years. Sueding and wiring didn't help, blushing and tattooing highlighted her blockiness, it was a mess. I packed her away and tried not to think about my disappointment for 12 years. In the meantime I learned to build and paint resin garage kits, inherited one of my sister's dolls, bought some others, took anatomy & physiology in college, and did a couple extensive restorations and full-body modifications. I was sure I had thrown her away at some point as a failed project, but last weekend I found her tucked away in a doll bag I thought was empty. Having just finished substantial mods on a Dollshe body, and awaiting an unfinished Unoa kit for my birthday in September, I decided that I owed it to her to try again. Doll nudity below the cut, looooong post--

My Sprite was originally going to be a pooka with golden eyes and extensive woad tattoos. The golden eyes are incredible, so those are staying, but she's now going to be a blue oni to fit in with the rest of my collection. My plan is to do extensive additive epoxy work, and then to use Krylon Fusion to give everything a unified finish. The goal of the project is to reduce the... idk, STRAIGHTNESS of the old Bobobie body. I was never going to be happy with it, the lines were all far too rigid.

Head: Modified mouth for a wider, smirking smile. Magnets added to headcap (old Bobobie used an S-hook iirc; I did this part back in 2008). Forehead drilled for 3mm brass rod armature, and epoxy used to sculpt horns over rod. Bust: Substantial subtractive modifications to breasts, which involved removal and readdition of nipples. Addition of epoxy clay to back and shoulders to give a more curved body line in profile. Deepening of shoulder sockets with 18mm eye bevel, followed by sanding to make shoulders narrower. Waist: Reshaping of upper torso joint into sphere for smoother range of motion. Subtraction of resin in back and addition of epoxy in front to enhance lumbar curve. Hips: Substantial reshaping of lower waist seam to more naturally follow the pelvic girdle. It reminded me of granny panties before  Added epoxy to butt, again for lumbar curve. Thighs: Suwariko joint mod (cut the thigh and added a PVC insert to enable swivelling at the hip). Added epoxy to make her thighs look less straight. Calves: Removed 1cm of length at the ankles and rebevelled the socket. Removed resin at the ankles to bring them in, and added epoxy at the calves to make them curvier. Feet: Sculpted little claws, which were cute, and then decided the feet needed to be 5mm longer. Cut across, drilled and pinned with brass rod for structural strength, gap filled with epoxy clay. I also modded her feet to have defined arches and balls back when I first got her. Alas, spitting into the ocean. I added S-hooks, but did so by drilling the ankle and inserting brass rod to form the axle for the hook. Arms: The proportions on her upper arms BOTHERED me! they were so SHORT! and I only just figured out that's what I hated about them last week! I added 5mm to the upper arms by cutting them in the middle and using SteelStik to make a structural repair (plumber's epoxy putty has a shorter open time but far greater structural strength than artist's epoxy clay). Sanded the heck out of the wrists to give them a more delicate taper. Hands: Beyond salvage. The hands were my least-favorite part of this sculpt. I tried to bulk them up to look less spidery but it was just too difficult... I've ordered a different pair of MSD hands which will have claws added, and then when everything is painted it'll all match. Thanks for reading this far! Here's a preview of what her golden eyes look like next to Krylon Fusion in Antique Blue.

((first progress post)) I think I'm mostly done adding epoxy clay (at least where it'll show; presumably the wrist sockets will require tweaks to fit the new hands), so now it's time for finish sanding. I start with 60 grit for shaping, then switch to a 120 grit sanding sponge. To check for scratches, pinholes, and inadequately feathered edges, I apply a wash of diluted acrylic paint. Once the paint has dried, I scrub the piece with a nylon scouring pad. Paint remains in the surface irregularities.

All sanded with 220 grit. I don't think I'll be going higher than 400 because I want there to be some tooth for the paint.

Any pitting in the epoxy clay that can't be sanded out is marked with a Sharpie and will be patched with Tamiya spot putty.

I did a test spray of the Krylon Fusion on the headcap and it's fantastic! Holy cow is it *poisonous* tho, I'm used to working with volatile chemicals but this was something else. Get OUT OF THE AREA between coats and leave it outside until it stops outgassing, not just until it's ready to handle.

This test piece is four light coats sprayed 1 minute apart, allowed to cure for 4 hours, and then wetsanded to remove the spray texture. It's pretty sturdy but I will wait several more days to see how it continues to cure before experimenting with matte sealants. ((progress update 2))

Haven't done much but sand-and-fill-and-sand-and-fill, but my 14mm beveller came in today so I can start deepening her elbow and ankle sockets. Added some epoxy clay to the insides of the eyewells so 14mm eyes will fit with no gap. I need a needle file to clean up the corners of her mouth... Monster feets! Nails on the right came out better than the left, still need to feather-sand everything.

Elbows progress. The early Bobobie elbows are I guess /technically/ double-jointed because the joint is a sphere with two slots, but I thought I could do better than that. You can see epoxy clay spliced in to make the sphere into a peanut: this isn't a structurally sound repair unless you pop it apart and drill/pin/glue-epoxy it back together.

View from the back. By keeping the joint heads spherical with no elbow-shaped detailing, there's some rotation as well as flexion, which I like.

Touching her face with one of her old hands. I hope the new ones come soon!

((progress update 4))

In good news, these parts are all ready for paint! It's really hard to do prepwork with no filler primer, hope I didn't miss any spots...

In less good news, her new hands arrived and they are... very smol ;u; I forgot that the new trend for slim minis means that everyone has TINY LITTLE HANDS.

They are, however, beautifully sculpted and a good 3D reference for what needs fixing and how. Bobobie palm is very short relative to fingers: I made a transverse cut behind the knuckles and added epoxy to lengthen More curved volume across the back of the hand: Not necessarily realistic, but looks a little cuter, plus it makes the transition into the cylinder of the wrist look less stylistically jarring. More defined joint angles: Some of these I did via cut-and-thermoform repositioning, mostly I'm aiming to fake it by building up and carving away at the weird smooth curves. The fingers are just TOO SKINNY: But obviously I'm not going to squish rice-grain-sized blobs of epoxy to the fingers, right? It's too fiddly, it doesn't want to stick. What's the solution? Brace for a truly hideous WIP image--

"AAAAAAGH WHAT IS THAT DARK GRAY MESS" it's JB Weld epoxy! It's like load-bearing, slow-curing modeller's putty! Slathering putty onto an armature and then carving it away to refine the shape is how anime figure artists make hands and detailed hair.  I was thinking about it from a polymer clay technique/perspective so I missed the obvious solution. Hand in the foreground has more layers than the hand in the background, every layer gets the shape a lil closer. ((progress post 5)) Parts set up on sticks so I can handle them without touching...

... and after 4 light coats!

Closeup of the head, lil' glossy because it's still drying. For the deeper areas like the joint slots, mouth, and the crannies of the ears, I'm going to have to decant some of the paint into a jar and apply it with a sacrificial brush.

((progress post 6)) I return from Depression! I finally finished sanding-and-spraying the Krylon Fusion coats, gave her a last polish with microfine to even out the texture, and have started blushing her. I'm using a mixture of Tamiya X-series acrylics applied via airbrush for basic contouring, then I'll go back in with pastel to add warm tones and details.

Fun discovery: in an attempt to cover some accidental overspray, I tried spraying the Fusion directly into the paint cup of the airbrush and using it to "erase" back to the base color. I'm NEVER using this product straight from the can again, it goes on so smooth and gorgeous from the airbrush! No orange peel or bubbles to sand away. I'm seriously tempted to get a can of pink and try blushing with it.

((progress post 7)) Doing a faceup over a spray-painted substrate is HARD I want to CRY. I talked about sanding out the spray texture to get an untextured surface, right? Welp, didn't/couldn't sand well enough in the corners of the mouth and the folds of the eyelids, so it's crusty-looking with pastels over it and now there's nothing I can do about it that doesn't involve stripping down to resin and starting again.

((final post)) Sueded and strung!

I didn't take pictures of the sueding process because I was using Barge Cement and it is messy and time-sensitive. I used masking tape to make templates of her joints, transferred to some thin gray lamb suede I found on eBay, and glued it fuzzy side out. The suede was thicker than real pliver, more like the thickness of silicone KIPS discs, but I think it worked out without too many fit issues. The trim store had 3.5mm elastic in a beautiful slate-blue color that I thought would look nicer in the joint slots, so she's strung throughout with thicker elastic. Some more poses to show off the functional mods~ Suwariko joints let her sit crosslegged, and more mobile wrists let her put her hands into the pose.

A more ball-and-socked shaped contact surface at her waist lets her slouch at a full range of angles instead of being locked into two.

With longer upper arms, she can reach the ground in this pose! You can also see how the modded waist joint lets her cock her hips.

She could always stand with locked knees. I think she needs some wire in her legs to let the suwariko joints hold their rotation against gravity, but I'll see how the elastic tension settles in first.

A parting shot out the snowy window. We've been having a hard time picking between a few names for her, but I think this settles it. Welcome back, Fubuki~

[bluejaytaco]

(We returned to the session with all party members floating in the waters of Fransland. The bar has “Welcome to my realm” written on it in blood. Outside of it there are strange, humanoid creatures walking around. We're in the water, Theodora had a young elf boy knocked out on her back and Art has Reita clinging to him because she doesn't know how to swim.

The water is, however, strangely buoyant.)

Theodora:(immediately swims over and hugs Koejin) I'm never letting you go again.

Koejin: (hugs back) yeah... uh, no more jumping through strange portals for a while.

Alabaster:(casts waterwalking and walks over to Art) Hello, my friend!

Art: (jumps at the sight) Holy Jesus! Hi, hello!

(We all end up swimming to shore and catching up a little bit. The creatures were something Team A was dealing with while we were in the separate universe. From the distance, some of us can see that the creatures are all attached to one cloaked figure sitting off to the side.)

Koejin: (shoots an arrow at the figure and hits it right in the head. The head pops off and rolls closer. It's Skelly)

Skelly: What the Hell?! What just happened?! Who shot me?!(all his minions just kinda stand around his head) Don't just stand there! Reattach me!

Theodora: Skelly?

Skelly: (After his head's back on, he notices us) Oh, hey guys!

Hennessy: What're you doing here?

Skelly: I don't know. Just one minute I'm minding my own business, the next I'm here with these guys (gestures to the shambling forms) Just making friends and hanging out.

Theodora: Are they.... friends by choice? (stares pointedly at the tethers)

Skelly: They're friends by MY choice!

Theodora: How long have you been here?

Skelly: A day... A week... two years and five minutes? Ehhhh....

Art: (moves to explore the tavern)

(As he moves closer, a giant red claw comes up and climbs onto the roof. Mrs. Red glares at the party. Koejin also notices humanoid Mrs. Red is on her back. Dragon Mrs. Red rears back and uses her fire breath on everyone, successfully melting Skelly into a pile of ash.

We also have a new party member, Jaquine. She is not as high of a level as us, so the blast would kill her.

But then a large tiefling woman jumps in and takes the brunt of the burn for Jaquine. She looks.... very familiar. Despite the fact that we've only really met like two tieflings.)

Tiefling woman: Everyone, inside! Now! (Jumps up on Dragon Red's face and they fly away.)

Koejin: Uh, yeah! Let's go!

Alabaster: (moving over to bring Skelly back to life)

(Skelly is now a strange pile of moving ash. He hasn't regained his original form.)

Vincent: Yesss.... burn.... (This is like... the third time he's gotten excited about some violence.)

Hennessy: Alright! You and me! We gotta talk!

(We go inside the bar to see a scawny looking white dragonborn behind the bar, cleaning a glass. Aside from him, there's only one other patron; a woman passed out in a puddle of her own drool with long, rainbow hair.)

Art: (eyes the bartender) Hey there... I'm Art... and you are? (he already knew the answer)

Dragonborn: (smiles creepily) Oh, hi! I'm Eltbalm.

Art: Right, right. (looks over at the passed out woman and frowns as he realizes it's Thia. He walks over to her)

Reita: (runs to Wreybar and points at a hole in the wall. She then dives for it and pulls out a rat. She tears the rat in half and hands part of it to Wreybar.)

Wreybar: Is it a gift or food?

Reita: (nods and bites into her half)

Wreybar, grinning: Thank you!

(Me: I'm a good big brother for letting this happen.)

(For a moment, we cut to Hennessy and Vincent talking to each other about the way he's been acting. Vincent, after being kidnapped and just all around having a shitty time, has adopted the whole idea of killing in order to make the world better. But, after a bit of talk, he's feeling a little better. Hennessy talks about how Theodora, Koejin, and Alabaster would be able to help him with whatever he needs to feel safe again. That seems to help.)

(Meanwhile, Art is gently shaking Thia awake. He gets her to snap her head up but that's about it. He gestures to Eltbalm to get them some water for her.

We all try to get her to wake up and talk with us, but to no avail. However, all of us agree that this might be the best time for a long rest. But before that)

Hennessy: Art, can I speak to you?

Art: Uh... yeah. What's up?

Hennessy: Your sister. She's still got that pink stone embedded in her back, right?

Art: Yeah... we haven't been able to remove it... why do you ask?

Hennessy: Well, while we were all superpowered by the gods, I came across a spell that might be helpful. We could create a clone copy of Reita and remove the stone from her original body. Then, if anything were to go haywire, then we can put her essence into the clone.

Art:.... I want you to think about this for a second.. Put yourself in my shoes and Vincent in Reita's.... would you still trust it?

Hennessy: If it means saving his very life and the lives of millions, then of course!

Art: Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying no. It's just... a lot. And, I mean, it's not like we can do it right now anyway, right?

Hennessy, seeing that Art doesn't fully trust the idea: Yes, but... to ease your worries... it might help to keep in mind we have a genuine necromancer on our side. (Gestures to Alabaster)

Alabaster, seeing that gesture and looks over to find out whats going on: Hello, yes!

Art: You're a necromancer now?!

Alabaster: Why yes. It's an interesting tale but yes. And I would be able to help your sister, given the situation!

Art: (looks at the Skelly blob then up at Alabaster tensely. He then turns back to Hennessy.) It's not something we can do now anyway so....

(Everyone took a look at the stone. Hennessy discovered it was an ancient magic while Art recognized it as tiefling magic. Theodora offered to cut the magic and see what might come of it, but Art was afraid it might hurt Reita. He might be a little over protective.

This is around where we took our rest. As we're rested and trying to figure out our next move, the tiefling woman steps in through the door. She has in her hands the fifteen foot battle axe and is covered in blood. She walks up, demands a beer from Eltbalm, and walks back over to the table where Thia is still passed out. As she takes a sip, she gestures to all of us to gather around.)

Tiefling Woman: Must be pretty confusing for all of you.

Art: That's putting it lightly.

Tiefling Woman: So, let's start with an introduction; I'm Elsie. Elsie Red. I'm the only form of Mrs. Red here that's a tiefling.

Art: ...yeah, why are you a tiefling?

Elsie, shrugging: Don't know. Don't have any memories of anything outside of here. But, hey! I gotta gift for you (looks over at Eltbalm) Hey, you! Go get her. And you better not have touched her!

Eltbalm: Aww, but- (interrupted by the battle axe embedding itself in the wall next to him) coming up!

(Eltbalm disappears for a moment and returns with a bound Mrs. Red. It's our Red; missing tongue and all. He sits her down next to Elsie.)

Hennessy: Elsie, is your story anything like our Red's? It's quite the tragic tale.

Elsie: I don't know. I dont remember. That smiling bastard sent me and all these reds here. It's like we're some kind of experiment or something.

Theodora, nodding: Sounds like Ticket Master, alright. He is quite an asshole.

Hennessy, turning to Red: Do you still have the diary I returned to you?

Red: (nodding in her condescending, mean girl way)

(Art tries to reach into her satchel in order to show Elsie only to get bitten for the trouble.)

Art: Ow, hey! You bitch!

Red: (glaring at him)

(Art gives Elsie a rundown of what they know about Red's backstory. It sums up to Red ending the war and starting her reign of terror after the death of Eltbalm. At that, he points to the scrawny dragonborn at the bar.)

Elsie: Uhhh, no. I remember being married to a tiefling woman. He's not really my type....

Art: Our Eltbalms haven't looked like that. They're more....uh... Koejin, describe Eltbalm.

Koejin: Oh... He's just so hunky and buff. He's covered in shiny white scales. Like, a beautiful man just... (chef's kiss)

Elsie: Yeah, still no.

(We eventually decide that our Red's inability to speak was making this hard. So, we ask Vincent if there's anything he can do.

Turns out, DM rolls high enough to where Vincent pulls out a mechanical tongue.)

Vincent: Now, you gonna go and bite me the moment I go to put this in your mouth?

Red: (nods with a 'Well, duh' look on her face)

Vncent, putting the tongue on the table: Then you can do it yourself.

(Elsie undoes Red's hands and Red immediately dives to put the tongue in her mouth. She doesn't take long to secure it.)

Red, pointing to all of us: Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuuuck you. And a special 'fuck you' to you! (points at Elsie)

Alabaster: Charming.

Red: You took away everything from me and expect me to do anything for you?!

Art: Oh, you mean like what you've been doing to us?

Red: Oh, you fucking little shit. Why the fuck would I care?! You interrupted everything and stopped my ascent to finally killing that smiling asshole you call Ticket Master.

Art: Please, you went toe to toe with him and couldn't take him down.

(We ended up arguing with Red for a while and trying to get her to help us and figure out the parts missing that kept her from doing it. Then...)

Thia: (grabs the empty beer bottle and smashes it against the table. Holds it out to Red) put that to your neck.

Red: (loses control of herself and immediately follows the order) Wha-?

Thia: How do we get out of here?

Red: I- (is comanded to press in deeper. Starts to cry.) I... I don't know. I don't know. I can't remember!

Thia: Then remember.

Red, freezes for a second: I... remember everything...I... (turns to Art) I'm your mother.

Art: I... Wh-wait.... what?

Red: It happened so long ago now. I... Eltbalm and I... were tieflings. We were very much in love. We were happy... Eventually, we were blessed with a beautiful baby. A little girl... but, the land told us, no. Our girl would become a charming handsome boy. Not too long after, we were granted our beautiful, sweet Reita... but... but the war came to our land. They killed Eltbalm, my love. Right in front of me... So I prayed to the land for a way. To stop the war. To protect my children. I was turned into a dragon and given the power to end it all, so I did. And I prayed for a way to bring my husband back. And the land granted me the stones. All parts of Eltbalm.

I didn't know I would be worshipped by our people. I just wanted you to be safe... so, I prayed for a way to the land. And then.... he appeared.

I was so full of rage, but Ticket Master offered me a way. I sold him my soul and I asked that you and your sister were raised by tieflings. To be sure you were kept safe. And he did...

I tried to make it so Reita could be strong like me. Even in my rage and my forgotten memories, I wanted to keep her safe. She was so... helpless. Art, I am so sorry it turned out this way. I lo-

Thia, interrupting the last part: slit your throat.

(Red follows the order and immediately starts bleeding out. Her body collapses on the ground.)

Art: (immediately moves to save her)

Thia: Stop.

Art: (Fails a Con save and is forced to stop)

Theodora: (moves in to heal Red)

Thia: Sit down.

Theodora: (Fails a Con save and follows the order)

Hennessy: Now, wait ju-

Thia: Cover your mouth.

Hennessy: (Fails a Con save and follows the order) Mmmph Rmph!

Koejin: Thia, why're you doing this?

Thia: It's what you guys taught me. you have to kill in order to get to the top. In order to get anyone to listen. To get any type of power.

Koejin:...I thought you just wanted to do drugs and run your bar.

Thia: I did. But then this shit started happening. And you guys started killing generals. And you guided me here. That's when I realized that yes, this is the only way.

Theodora: (trying to do Lay On Hands to Red as Thia's distracted.)

Thia, noticing: Go lay down in that corner, far away from her and don't move.

Theodora:(fails the Con save and does that.)

Art: The leader shouldn't be influenced by their followers.

Thia: I wasn't your leader. Cloak was. And look how much you cared about her death. (glares at Art) not that you're one to talk about not killing. You signed a contract for the God of Death and Deceit.

Art, glaring back: To save my sister.

Thia: still.

Hennessy: (still screaming behind his muffled hands)

Art, casting Sending to get what he was trying to say: Hennessy says "we have been nothing but merciful as instructed." He also said other things, but it got caught off.

Thia: Fine. Remove your hands and speak.

Hennessy: We have been more merciful to everyone of these generals. Green, your own father, was spared and look now! He's one of our strongest allies! Purple returned to their gem under our influence!

Thia: And what about Orange? And Blue? And Yellow?!

Hennessy: Orange was.... an unfortunate circumstance. And Blue gave us no choice. But Yellow; if I recall he willingly died.

Art, tenses: Uhhh, Hennessy...? Yellow was Thia's mother. And she didn't.

Thia, clearly even more angered: I'm starting to think this world needs to be wiped clean so we can begin again.

Art:.... Please don't think that.

(As if hearing her, the roof of the tavern is torn off and there stands Shmoogie. He's staring down at us.)

Shmoogie: Pelor knew you would see the light. (puts his hand down to her) Come now. There's much work to be done.

Thia: (climbs onto the hand)

(Everyone scrambles to look for a way to stop her from leaving with him. In his panic to keep her there, Art uses Black Tentacles to try and pull her out of his hands before she goes out of reach. Thia sees it and tries to order him to stop, but gets smacked in the face by one of them and is now sporting a huge mark near her eye. She disappears through a white portal in the sky with Shmoogie.

But the spell is then released and they can move.)

Art, rushes over to Red, torn in what he's about to do: Okay, I kinda shouldn't care but after all that now I don't want you to die. There's waaaay too many questions to be answered, but you're still an insane bitch. Okay, I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna save the life of my...mother...mortal enemy... fuck.... How the fuck did Alabaster do this? Here we go. (casts spare the dying on Red)

Red: (Alive and no longer bleeding out, but out cold)

Reita: (watching her brother in confusion)

Art, noticing this: Uhhh... hey, uhhh... There's a lot to explain but.... once I understand what's going on, I'll explain it all. Okay?

Reita: (lifts some of her half-eaten rat to her mouth)

Art: (pushes it back down slowly)

(As Art is healing Mrs. Red and talking to Rieta, everyone is discussing the best way to get out of here. Theodora and Koejin have some private talks with the DM and come back, but seem reluctant to do the things they were talking about.)

Theodora, to Elsie: You think you can turn into a dragon and help us out?

Elsie: You're asking this from the only Mrs. Red that can't.

Koejin:... I think I have an idea. (digs through her bag for a gem she had.)

(She summons a carriage labelled Koejin's Brews and it's pulled by a horse with sunglasses.)

Horse: Heeey there, Koejin! Ready to ascend to your position?

Art:... Koejin's a god... I mean, why not? Why the fuck not? (heads to the carriage to immediately drink his face off.)

(We all pile on the carriage to find a fully stocked tavern with plenty of room. Like a bar version of a Tardis. "A Bardis" as Theodora's player starts calling it. And, as we ascend, the bar shakes a little as if experiencing turbulence, but then we end up in a world of light.

It's bright and white. Everything is white. Including the people.

Me: Sooo, Racism?

DM: It's Pelor's realm.

Theodora's Player: So, yeah, racism.)

(As we step off the carriage, we pass by people and see a letter hanging from the gate. On it is written "To Alabaster.")

Alabaster: (takes the letter)

Letter: Alabaster, you used to be so devout and loyal, but seem to have been corrupted by the influences around you. I will cleanse this world of all that is dark. Come see me and will do the same for you. It isn't too late. Not for you and not for your daughter. Come see me, my boy.

Pelor

(Attached to the letter is a picture of Eris, Alabaster's daughter. Pelor is holding her by the head.)

((DM wasn't kidding when he said this would be pretty intense.))

((Koejin's Player: So... I've been hitting on Art's dad...))

[knowingoverseer]

==> Reunion

As quickly as you were wanting to resurface, Elsa started to slow the further up you went, worried about your reaction to the sudden change in pressure. Thankfully, as they hadn't gone down as far as they could have, and the fact you were breathing in water not compressed air, you weren't seeming to have too bad a time. Ears popping, feeling more lightheaded than ever, sure. But you’d live. You try to push them forward, extremely curious of the two dinosaurs that had shot up out of the Loch’s depths.

When you both finally reach the surface, the first gasp of air leaves you choking, water having a hard time leaving your gills. It takes a few hacks, but you’re breathing normal again soon enough, though your head feels like it’s swimming. Hoo, you were dizzy. But Elsa had you and you just needed to hang on.  You’d resurfaced roughly in the middle of both shores, and the two dinos from before were surfaced and huddled against the shoreline. They both seemed very distressed. The sun had gone down by now, and there was a cold chill in the air. You couldn’t imagine it was comfortable for either of them. As Elsa swam closer, you tried to take note of their appearance. Ultimately, they looked like very large Lapras to you, just, really smooth and lacking a shell, or ears. And their heads kinda looked more like a fish than anything else. Reptile fish, not quite like a shark. One, the larger one, was mostly black. Or at least, in the dark of night that’s what it appeared to be, with a lighter grey underbelly. The other, who was smaller but only by a bit, was more of a beige-y brown with darker splotches on it’s topside. Neither was the bluegrey you’d hoped they’d be. Yet.... you were pretty sure neither one had made that horrifying sound earlier either, so you still had hope. Both only had about half their body out of the water, their back flippers trying to push them further up to shore, but that seemed rather unwise. Maybe they could move themselves on land, but you were worried they’d just beach themselves. You weren't really sure if you could calm them, but you don’t end up with the chance to get close enough to try. Before you could even get half way to the shore, something comes up from under you both and sends you flying out of the water. What, you couldn’t tell, in fact you’d almost say it was the water itself. You both crash, and you no longer have hold on Elsa. Swimming back to the surface, you find yourself being hit this time from the side, again it just seems to be water that’s hitting you, but it’s water that has a very solid shape of it’s own. Not ice, but maybe a water spirit or elemental? Or a waterbender?? It pulls you under with it, then throws you back into the air, and if you weren't already so dizzy you’d try and stay there, but no you’re crashing back into the water once again. At least it had thrown you more toward the shore, though a ways off from the two dinosaurs. It starts racing toward you, kicking up water as it does so, yet still seemingly just water, but Elsa gets in between the both of you, taking the brunt of the hit but kicking off an Ice Beam attack, sending your attacker reeling back. There’s a cry of anger, and your ears flap upward cause holy fuck, you recognize that noise! It was a pokemon! Your elation at recognizing the cry is short lived as a Hydro Pump gets directed at the both of you in retaliation for that Ice Beam, and once again you’re sent flying backward, even skipping across the water at first, only to hit the shore hard. You’re thankful for your armor, but you can feel a scrape or two along your arm, even if the underarmor hadn't torn. Rocks were rocks, man. As you’re trying to push yourself up, Elsa is spinning though the air, having dodged the attack, and going after the creature in a more direct manner.  Still seeming to be fighting water, Elsa plunges into the last known spot the Pokemon had been, before coming back up releasing a few Power Gems. What seemed to be a blob of water twisted itself about, trying to avoid the gems but failing, splashing back into the Loch moments later. Before hitting the water themselves, Elsa released a flurry of Swift attacks into the water, the little stars chasing after your attacker.  You watched as the glowing bright stars chased an invisible enemy under the rolling waves, and Elsa took this chance to return to your side. Whatever had attacked you seemed to be outmaneuvering the stars, however, just a bit too quick. Still, they couldn’t dodge them forever, swift couldn’t miss, it would keep chasing them till it hit something- Or, well, soon the water blob had sprang up on shore, taking form into a glistening pink Vaporeon, who bolted toward you, then past, and the next thing you know you’re being pelted with swift stars, which had you falling back over again. Ugh, great.  The Vaporeon, the Shiny Vaporeon, turned to growl at you, positioning theirselves between you both and the dinos, almost bristling. It seemed to be protecting them. “yo- hey, wait a minUte we’re not trying to hUrt them-” But before you could even try to negotiate, Elsa was launching another Ice Beam at the Vaporeon, who dodged and returned with using Surf, forcing more water from the Loch to wave up and crash into the both of you. Again, you were knocked to the ground, and gosh you were so dizzy you just didn’t want to stand back up again. Elsa was furious now, spinning toward the Vaporeon with an aggression you haven’t seen them fight with in a long time.  “no- stop, elsa! qUit it!” The Vaporeon dodged, but seemed startled. Elsa was veering up for another Ice Beam, but you interrupted. “elsa damnit, Up is down, day is night!” The Starmie stopped charging up it’s ice attack, huffed a bit, and then blasted at the Vaporeon with a confuse ray. It didn’t seem to be necessary, however, because the Vaporeon was looking between the two of you extremely confused already. It promptly sat down, continuing to look between the two of you, it’s eyes progressively getting wider, glossier, like it was on the verge of tears. Carefully, you got back to your feet, trying not to fall back down again. This... had been a chaotic night so far, but hoo boy you were not expecting to find a pokemon out here.  “y-yeah, s-so like i was... was saying, we’re not here trying to hUrt anyone. are... are yoU okay?” You take a few shakey steps toward it. The Vaporeon really does start crying now, yelping, and bolting forward. It tackles you to the ground, again, and you grown in pain, fully expecting more attacks. But, no, the Vaporeon is seemingly trying to cuddle you? Aggressively? And it’s crying. At first, Elsa had seemed ready to defend, but backed off..... You sit up, putting an arm around the poor thing, and it presses itself into you. It’s crying so hard, and you didn’t understand, but you hold it all the same. “hey, hey, it’s okay, yoU’re okay. we’re not going to hUrt them, or yoU, anymore. are yoU okay? dear, are yoU okay?” Elsa is now close, gem glowing a soft purple light. At first you think it’s an attempt to be comforting to the Vaporeon.... but. ..... “bloodmoney?” The Vaporeon absolutely wails a sob, clinging now to your neck, and licks your cheeks aggressively. You hold him tightly, absolutely stunned.  This.... this was..... This was Meenah’s Vaporeon. “oh gosh.... bl-bloodmoney, holy- holy fUck, how did yoU even get here? oh gosh, is meenah here with yoU???” You pull him away to see his response, but if any of the sobs thus far had been bad, the response to your question was utterly heartbroken. He almost seemed to be trying to curl in on himself, and you pull him close once again, finding yourself crying now too. Holy shit, holy.... holy shit. Meenah and her pokemon had been missing for years now. Sweeps. But at least you always thought they’d been together. Oh gosh, oh shit. You hold him tight, and Elsa huddles against you both, an old friend of BM’s.  By the time things quiet down, you realize the two dinos had left their scared spot on the shore, and were now swimming just offshore, staring at the spectacle you three were making. You assumed they must know BM, and this was probably really uncharacteristic for him. Sniffing, he finally removes himself from your person. You’re sure he had questions, and he seemed to be looking around for where Chess, your talking Absol, might be.  “chess isn’t here, we’ve been stranded.... it’s jUst me, elsa and a ninetales named oz i’m afraid. oz is on the other side of the loch.” You point off in the direction of the Bed and Breakfast you had left him in. BM’s face fins fell, but he shook it off. It would be harder to communicate, but they’d figure it out.  Instead, he turns and barks up at the dinos. You don’t know what he’s saying, but they get closer to you after that. The smaller even bending it’s long neck down to sniff at you both. You’re still disappointed that neither were showing signs of holding a shard, but you’re delighted at the interaction regardless. And even if you don’t find a shard or titan at all. Finding Bloodmoney made literally this whole 3 plus month endeavor worth it, tenfold. You sit there a while, letting everything sort of catch up to you. Let your dizzyness pass, and actually absorb everything that just happened. Meanwhile, BM and Elsa chatted between themselves, and the two dinos slipped back below the surface.   It was starting to get really late, and you needed to get back to Oz soon, so after about an hour your stand up and tell the two water pokemon to come on. BM seems hesitant, looking off more inland, then back to you both. He barked, looked back, then back at you again. He wanted to show you something, or.... he had somewhere he needed to go.  “we need to go back and get oz, bloody, woUld that be alright? maybe.... maybe we can follow yoU tomorrow morning? woUld that be alright?” BM thought about it, then finally nodded. Yeah, that would work, it seemed. The three of you headed back into the water, only ferrying across the surface this time, back where you had started. It seemed like your adventure wasn’t done yet, but you were tired, Elsa was tired, and you couldn’t even begin to imagine how BM was feeling right now...

[october-rosehip]

Smite

So, @icylook​ and I have been discussing the times our mage characters have had Holy Smite inflicted upon them. The following scene was based on something that actually happened in game. I was sort of sleepwalking through the Tower. I may have played this game a time or two before.... So I wasn’t really thinking about it when I had Macsen walk first into the room with the possessed templars in it. That went poorly.

And yet, it made a lot of sense to me in terms of the story of it. Who would see that coming? He’d been raised to think mages were uniquely susceptible to possession. He’d have a bias against expecting that. And probably trying very hard not to think overmuch about who he’s fighting, anyway.

Story bit from the Broken Circle part of Strange luck under the cut for spoilers for the intervening 60K words.

Macsen knew by now that someone waited for him on the other side of that door. He tried not to think. Plunge ahead, kill whatever attacks, sort out everything that didn't attack after the fact. The strategy, such as it was, came naturally, and nobody friendly needed to be in front of him when he let the lightning go.

He flung the door open and saw nothing but a flaming blue light. Malice speared through his skull, and then all went dark.

Alistair watched in horror as Macsen hit the floor like a blob of pancake batter. Dust crumbled from the stone walls as a result of the blast of five Smites at once. Maker, can he even survive that?!

“Oh, no!” Leliana cried from behind him.

No time to think about it. “Stay back, Wynne! I'll keep them busy.”

How can this be? Those are templars. They're ensorcelled, or are they possessed? He tried to call to them. Was that Clyde? Shannon? Feminine laughter echoed across the room. Alistair spun towards it. A naked woman the color of winter clouds beckoned to him and smirked.

Alistair shook his head to clear it. Obviously a demon, and strong.

The templars fought onward towards Alistair. “Oh, Maker, no...”

He stepped in front of Macsen; had to defend him. Bashed his shield into the largest man. It didn't help. Alistair's opponent readied his bastard sword to chop downward past Alistair-

No! I owe you, Silvana. I promised.

A shield bashed Alistair from the left. He flew. Crashed. Righted himself- too slow.

A rock hurtled into Alistair's recent attacker, but the large man... Clyde? rushed Macsen's defenseless form.

A shadow darted in between. A blade arced, took Clyde's head in the seam between helm and gorget. It rolled with a clang and a rattle.

The shadow slid to the floor with an exhaled groan and a the creak of studded leather. Tanned skin, leather rather than plate- a specialist tracker. He threw his sword away.

What?!

No time. Shannon returned, bore down on Alistair. Swords clanged, shields hit breastplates. Alistair struck again and again- good hits. Shannon spat blood and assaulted relentlessly with his shield. Alistair spun backwards; landed hard.

He heaved himself back upright. Too slow. Shannon stabbed downward straight at Macsen.

“NO!” yelled Alistair. He ran to beat the templar away.

“Alistair, move!” yelled Wynne. A giant chunk of  hurtling stone bowled Shannon over. Alistair ran over to finish the man off. Where'd his sword go?!

A scream tore across the air. Leliana kicked her opponent in the balls as she tried to get enough space between them. Alistair ran behind him and shield bashed him over the head. Leliana trotted backwards down the hall, firing rapid arrows as she went.

The other templar had Wynne furiously casting. He cleansed the area as often as she could work magic. Fortunately, that kept him as busy as it kept her. Or, it did until a flurry of arrows found his weak spots.

Alistair turned to the demon. Wynne's magic had hurt it... her? Oily tendrils pried into his mind, but she'd kept these men trapped for weeks, possibly. Her fatigue was lucky for him. Demons fell to swords well enough. One more rock smashed into her, and Alistair chopped downward, finishing it. He turned to see how Wynne and Leliana fared- it was over, the last templar down.

He shoved his thoughts on that to the back of his mind. Later. He could have a nice, thorough meltdown when all of this was over.

Alistair turned to Macsen- teeth gritted, fearing the worst. There'd been no time to check on him. The man who had thrown his sword away lay draped across Macsen, gasping in pain. Alistair had thought him gone. A broadsword ran right through his lower right side. That's what happened to Shannon's sword. One of Leliana's arrows stuck out of his left arm.

Momentum almost carried Alistair to chop the man's head off and be done, but something was off. The demon was gone, but even while she'd remained, this person had assisted... Oh. “You're his... man-friend, aren't you?”

“Was,” he hissed out. “Never thought I'd see him again this side of the veil. If here counts as... a side.” His voice came out strained. He coughed, but it wasn't bloody. That was something.

Wynne bustled over. “Alistair, I'll need your help. I have no idea what that many smites do to a person, and Phelan's about to bleed out.”

“Let me,” he groaned.

“Don't be so melodramatic. Alistair, hold him up just a little. Gently! Leliana, slide Macsen out from under...” She continued barking instructions. Macsen was breathing and had a regular, slow heartbeat. His skin blistered and had reddened, and he'd hit his head badly on the way down. She sent a heal at him. Leliana bound a poultice to his head to reduce swelling.

The templar's injuries were complex. Alistair held him steady as Leliana drew out the sword and arrow. His leathers had sustained too much damage to be useful again so destroying them to remove them safely was no great loss. Wynne poured a stream of magic into the worst wound. She went completely silent in her focus.

“Really, don't waste time on me,” their patient protested, again. He'd only stopped begging them to leave him to scream at the sword's removal.

“Don't be an idiot,” said Leliana. “this is hardly... your fault.” She ripped a length of gauze with her teeth and pressed it to the cleaned arrow wound. The arrow had gone through the bicep, missing the bone.

“Whose, then?” he sighed and fell silent.

Alistair understood. Templars supposedly protected against this sort of thing. But now all the templars milled around outside, waiting for more so they could safely kill everyone to a man. Alistair honestly didn't know if they'd spare the children or not. Macsen obviously didn't think they would. And inside, templars had fallen prey to possession as the mages had. Worse, even. The mages had practice resisting demons. Alistair's mind flashed to the moment of Silvana's death. This entire predicament- could it be laid at templar feet?

No, he decided. These mages had turned to blood magic, and nothing excused that. And yet, the younger ones had been led into it. Plenty of blame to go around and none of it mattered right now, anyway.

Wynne cursed under her breath as she moved on to tend Macsen more thoroughly. “Blast it. I think he's bleeding internally. I've never seen this.”

“By the way, what does that do?” Leliana asked Alistair.

“One or two would knock a mage unconscious, and stun anybody nearby. It also drains their power and separates them temporarily from the fade.” Alistair swallowed. “Some have petitioned the Divine for permission to experiment with more, but it was always denied. 'Inhumane', they've always been told.”

“How could they even ask? That's terrible.”

“The Chantry is terrible,” Phelan cough-laughed bitterly.

Alistair looked over at him in surprise. “You think so?”

“You don't?”

“Well, not all the time. And you took your vows.”

“I’m told my parents were mages.”

“Oh.” That did sum it up. The Chantry had him from birth, then. They'd put him to work somewhere.

“He's coming around!” Wynne exclaimed. Her hands still glowed blue. Macsen's skin looked more pink than red.

Macsen's eyes opened. Alistair sighed in relief.

“Macsen,” Wynne rested her palm against his face. “Can you hear me?”

He croaked like a dying frog, but Alistair supposed it was an answer of sorts.

Not good enough for Wynne, though. “Blink twice if you can understand me.”

He did. Then he started to cough and shake. Wynne rolled him over far too quickly for Alistair's liking and Macsen vomited blood.

“Can I help?” Phelan asked. His voice still sounded strained.

“You can stay put and keep your insides where I left them, young man.” she snapped. “You've done enough.”

His face fell and he nodded.

Macsen struggled to look over at him, eyes wide. Wynne held him down with one glowing hand. “I know, I know. He's going to be fine. You need to worry about yourself for a moment. We have no idea what this has done to you beyond burn you inside and out. That's rather enough in any case. Leliana, please fetch me my herbs. I need to make an infusion. Alistair, please start a fire in the kitchen hearth. Boil some water and bring it to me.

So people actually get sent to boil water, Alistair mused. Not that he minded. It beat staring awkwardly as Wynne did all the work. It took him a while to find an intact kettle and scrub it clean. At least he had plenty of practice at that sort of thing.

When Alistair returned to the others, Macsen lay propped on a rolled up carpet with his... friend sitting next to him. Macsen held onto his hand for dear life, in spite of his pink and blistered skin. Wynne stared at them with obvious disapproval. She smoothed her features into her more usual businesslike attitude when Alistair cleared his throat. She thanked him and threw a muslin-wrapped bundle of herbs into the pot he brought. The cool scent of herbs filled the room.

Sorry, nothing from inside his head this time, but there’s how it happened. Macsen’s least favorite injury.

Conversation snippet from when he’s fully all right, again:

“I suppose I needn't continue flirting with you, then?” Leliana smiled and looked at him sideways.

Macsen chuckle-coughed weakly. “I was trying to figure out the most polite way to say 'yes I noticed, and thank you but no thank you'.”

[talonted]

I can’t really believe that it’s been a year since the last round up, but here we are! If you want to see what made it into 2017’s favourites post you can read it HERE (spoiler, there may be some repeats as we all know I’m a creature of habit!) But let’s crack on with my 2018 favourites!

This has been a strange year for me, both in general and when it comes to beauty. I started my own business at the start of the year which I’m incredibly proud of but it has also meant that blogging has taken a bit of a backseat for me. I’m hoping to find a better balance in 2019 as I do miss writing and sharing my discoveries with you all, thank you to everyone who has stuck around through the quieter times – forget make up, YOU’RE my true 2018 favourites!

As with last year, I’ve tried to list every make up product in order of application rather than in order of preference. Some of these are products I’ve used for years, some are very new discoveries, but for me all of them are worthy of the title of ‘best of 2018’.

Once you’ve finished reading, please do head to the comments to let me know what your 2018 favourites were so I can check them out!

PRIMER

Winner – Sofina Primavista Long Keep Base

Highly commended – The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer

I am an oily gal so a primer is always necessary in my make up routine. If you’re not a primer convert, you can read more about primers and why I recommend them to everyone HERE: they’re a wonderful way to help your make up go on smoother, last longer, hydrate the skin, add glow… so many benefits! I stocked up on the Primavista primer in Japan at the beginning of the year as it’s wonderfully light but keeps my foundation in place all day – however it’s ridiculously expensive to buy here so I apologise for including it (and haven’t linked it for that reason), but I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t use it! If you want something more affordable and accessible, The Ordinary primer featured in last year’s round up and I still really like it, but all the Deciem founder drama put me off using it if I’m honest.

FOUNDATION

Winner – Make Up Forever Matte Velvet Skin*

Highly commended – L’Oreal Age Perfect

The MUFE foundation is probably the newest entry into my 2018 favourites, having only launched towards the end of the year, but it is BRILLIANT: it’s matte and lasts really well on my oily skin, but doesn’t cling to my dry patches; it looks glowy without being greasy; and it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. The L’Oreal Age Perfect foundation is very similar to one of my all-time favourites (L’Oreal True Match) but is a little bit more glowy and natural-looking so I tend to swing between those two when picking my base. I’ve reviewed it in full HERE.

  CONCEALER

Winner – Sephora High Coverage Gel Concealer

Highly commended – IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye*

This Sephora concealer is another non-mover in my favourites. Unfortunately Sephora have now stopped shipping to the UK so I’m loathe to include this product but it really is my most used concealer. It’s high coverage but light enough for the delicate under eye area and affordable (if you’re near a Sephora!)  The IT Cosmetics concealer is pricey but believe me when I say you need to use a blob the size of a grain of rice for both eyes, so it’ll last ages. This is the one I use when I need to bring out the big guns (e.g. red wine hangover…)

POWDER

Winner – Bourjois Poudre De Riz De Java loose powder

Highly commended – Vichy Dermablend loose powder

I can’t count how many years I’ve been using this Bourjois powder, but it just ticks all the boxes for me. Very finely milled, with a slight sparkle to reflect the light (ideal for under-eyes), and doesn’t annoy my eyes – it does contain fragrance but it’s never annoyed my skin. If you’re very sensitive to fragrance, you may prefer the Dermablend powder, which is a great standard setting powder with a matte, sparkle-free finish. It’s more pricey, but it’s a huge pot.

  BROWS

Winner – Maybelline Brow Precise Micro Pencil

Highly commended – GOSH Shape & Fill

I love a strong brow and am quite picky about the products I use, especially as brow products for blondes are tricky to get right… many are either too warm or too ashy. The Maybelline brow pencil reminds me a lot of the Sephora version …. which I originally bought as an Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz dupe! All three have a fine nib and give a very natural, but long-lasting, finish. The GOSH brow product has a wedge-shaped pencil on one end and a powder on the other end (which I don’t use). If you like a stronger brow, I think the latter will be a better fit for you.

  EYESHADOW

Winner – Urban Decay Naked Heat*

Highly commended – Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance*

This category was tricky as I would say my Urban Decay Naked Heat palette was definitely my most used again this year, but I fell hard for the ABH Modern Renaissance palette (but didn’t use it nearly as much). Naked Heat featured in last year’s favourites post, which shows just how great it is. If you’re a fan of warm eyeshadows (or have blue/green eyes) then this will be so far up your street. Modern Renaissance is quite intense, with a high proportion of darker pink-toned shades so it’s definitely not for the faint hearted, but I do a little sigh every time I open it!

BLUSHER

Winner – Glossier Cloud Paints (P.S. that’s an affiliate link that will give you 10% off your order and me a credit on my account for sending you! Win-win!)

Highly commended – CanMake Cream Cheek Tint

Another new discovery for me (but not a new product by any means!) are the Glossier Cloud Paints. You can read my post about them HERE, but since then I’ve bought two more shades – I now have Puff (pale pink), Dusk (nude brown), and Beam (pale peach). These are cream liquid blushers that are lightweight on the skin and quite subtle so you can build them up really nicely. Following on my cream blusher obsession this year, I stocked up on CanMake cream blushers in Japan. I first discovered these on my first Japan trip a few years ago and they are brilliant – very easy to wear and ridiculously affordable (about £4 so please don’t pay the £30 some Amazon sellers are asking for!)

HIGHLIGHTER

Winner – Glossier Haloscope ‘Quartz’

Highly commended – Maybelline Master Strobing Stick Highlighter

I can’t believe that I avoided Glossier for so long as I didn’t buy into the subtle, natural make up look they embody. What a fool! The Haloscope highlighter is flipping dreamy: it gives a beautiful sheen to the skin without making you look greasy or like a glitter ball. I’ve been using it non-stop since it arrived. Before Haloscope converted me, I used the Maybelline stick highlighter. It’s a great stand-in if you are looking for a high-street option. I apply both with my fingertips to avoid disturbing the make up underneath and don’t think I’ll ever go back to powder highlighter!

MASCARA

Winner – Maybelline Lash Sensational

Highly commended – N/A

If you’re a regular reader you can’t be shocked by the inclusion of Maybelline Lash Sensational. It was my favourite last year and I have no doubt that it will be my favourite next year. It is my holy grail mascara and I will probably be buried with it. It lifts and separates lashes, is very black, doesn’t run even with my incredibly sensitive watery eyes, and doesn’t flake or transfer onto my brow bone. Plus it’s always on offer in Boots or Superdrug. Hand claps all round!

EYELINER

Winner – NYX Jumbo Eyeliner and Eyeshadow Pencil

Highly commended – Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow Stick*

I haven’t used liquid eyeliner or traditional pencil eyeliners much this year, but chunky crayon-type eyeliners will always be staples in my make up bag. Both the NYX and Bobbi Brown crayons are wonderful for either defining the eyes, an overall wash of colour, or building up a smokey, smudgy eye.

LIPSTICK

Winner – Sephora Cream Lip Stains

Highly commended – Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks

This is always the hardest category for me as lipstick is what makes me happiest when it comes to make up. But when I think of my most used and relied-on, the Sephora Cream Lip Stains are always number one. The name is a bit misleading, as they don’t stain at all – they are a standard matte liquid lipstick – but they do last very well, don’t dry the lips, and the colour range is great. You can watch a video containing swatches of my collection (I’ve added even more since!) HERE. The Kat von D lipsticks have an even better colour range (if you prefer more unique shades!) I find the formula a bit hit and miss, with some lasting all day and some fading within an hour so I have to pick and choose when I wear them but the colours are enough to keep me going back!

PERFUME

Winner – Shay & Blue Black Tulip*

Highly commended – Atelier Cologne Tobacco Nuit*

I was gifted Black Tulip last December and I’m still wearing and loving it – it’s warm and sweet without being cloying plus I think it’s a great size for the price. I always get comments on it because it’s pretty but slightly unusual as well. Atelier Cologne is a pricier brand but if you want to treat yourself, I think perfume is absolutely the way to do it. Tobacco Nuit is the sexiest perfume I own – tobacco flower, tangerine, labdanum… if you’re near a stockist I really recommend going in and smelling the entire range because they are just stunning. The only reason this isn’t my 2018 favourite is because I only have the travel-sized bottle and so I’ve been eking it out! There’s also one called Orange Sanguine that is summer in a bottle and it’s on my wishlist for next year.

  NAIL VARNISH

Winner – Essie Go Go Ginza

Highly commended – Essie Tart Deco

Choosing favourite nail varnishes is like choosing a favourite child for me… basically impossible. But I purposefully wore Go Go Ginza for our trip to Japan as I knew we’d be visiting Ginza, so that polish has such lovely memories for me. I need to replace my bottle as it’s severely depleted, but it is a beautiful pale grey-toned pink so I knew it would go with anything I chose to wear over those three weeks. The runner up, Tart Deco is a cult classic Essie shade for a reason – it’s like summer in a bottle for me, the perfect peach colour.

  And that’s your lot! So many amazing products, a lot of which are keepers from last year’s favourites which I think is a really good sign. Don’t forget to head straight to the comments to let me know what your 2018 favourites were!

Lex

*PR sample. Links may be affiliate. For more information please see the Disclaimer or Privacy Policy tabs at the top of the page.

== PIN THIS IMAGE TO READ LATER!==

2018 Favourites: The Best Beauty Of The Year I can’t really believe that it’s been a year since the last round up, but here we are!

[emblemevents-newyear]

Team Noble Shroud: Marisa!

@girls-from-the-emblem

“Noble Shroud made up some ground with a great run from Danielle, and now Marisa, the sword-wielding mercenary, is up next to take on the course! Let’s see if her reputation speaks for her performance here today!”

Big Red Balls: 18 (17 seconds)

“Wow, look at her go! She needed a running start, but she’s just bounding across those with only short pauses! She doesn’t look like she’s lost her balance even a little! That’s one good way to start a run!”

Sucker Punch: NAT 20 (10 seconds)

“By Naga, she didn’t even bat an eye as she went straight for the wall! She doesn’t seem intimidated by anything, and she definitely hasn’t lost stride- and look at that! Not even a slight graze as she keeps going onward! What an amazing performance so far!”

Shape Shifter: NAT 20 (10 seconds) 

“Marisa does it again! She keeps her full momentum as she dives straight through the triangle and looks entirely unfazed! This is insane! Probably the best performance of this entire tournament so far! Can anything put a stop to her stride?”

Trampoline Sweepers: 17 (20 seconds)

“She has to wait for an opening, but there goes the pink-haired mercenary once again once she sees it, jumping over the first sweeper just fine...and she’s ready for the second, and over it without much trouble at all! This is absolutely sublime!”

Fender Bender: 13 (28 seconds)

“Marisa finally finds something that throws her off balance a little bit, the fenders being a bit too shaky for her liking. Woah, she almost slipped off there, but she keeps going! A bit slower across these with a couple narrow misses, but there she goes, clearing the fenders. Time for the finale!”

The Blob: 11 (-1 bonus)

“Marisa’s missing some of that momentum because of the fenders, but she hits the blob! Hector goes flying a ways, but not too far. It’s enough to take off some time though, and that’s what matters!”

Total Time: 84 seconds

“...that was definitely the best performance from anyone in this tournament so far. Right now, I think Marisa is the one to beat! Holy cow, that was unbelievable, almost flawless!”

[wr12jk]

Chasing Ghosts

Emerson’s P.O.V.

My name is Emerson Wichley. I’m an eighteen year old girl in my senior year at Indiana High, a boring old school in a boring old town. If you couldn’t tell from this boring intro, or the amount of times I’ve used the word ‘boring’ in the last sentence, this small little town is exactly like every other small little town – boring. But that’s ok, I actually rather like it this way. I mean, I figure it’s better to be a town in which nothing ever happens than being a big old city with its constant barrage of crime sprees and terrors. Then again, I’ve never been to a big city so my only source of information is from the town drunkards at the pub, shouting “back in my day!” while chugging down a barrel full of beer. But anyway, what was my point with this? Oh right, you can’t miss what you’ve never known. Just like it’s kind of hard to miss what you’ve always known. Especially when ‘it’ is constantly up in your face.

Now, you must be wondering what this ‘it’ is. Well the ‘it’ I’m talking about is ghosts. Not the cartoon sheet blobs that go around shouting Boo!, I’m talking about the real deal. You know, the remnants of a human being who remains on earth to resolve their biggest regret. So yeah, in short, I can see ghosts. Bam! There it is, the unholiest of holy gods, my deepest, darkest secret. I know, I should have used this as my hook instead of yapping about a boring old little town in the middle of nowhere but hey, priorities. And it is my number one priority to keep anyone, dead or alive from finding out about this… little “gift” of mine. Now that is something I don’t want to deal with again. Why, you ask? Well why don’t I show you instead? It all happened when I was 5 years old…

~~~5 year old me~~~

“Hi scary girl with red eyes! Do you want to play with me? I have a pink teddy bear!” I said, grinning up a gap-toothed smile  at the scary girl in front of me.

“No. Go away.” She replied, glaring at me. My  lower lip trembled and my eyes became moist.

“W-why are you being so m-m-mean to me? I only asked y-you to play!” I whimpered, fully prepared to turn on the waterworks.

“You’re just another dead brat, so go scram you rug rat and go bother someone else!” The girl snapped, and her eye twitched in annoyance. I took in a deep breath.

“WAHHHHHHH!” I wailed at the top of my lungs, dropping my favourite pink teddy bear into the mud. I raised my chubby little hands to my eyes and screamed as loud as I could. My mom, a countryside blueberry farmer came running out into the yard at my shrieks.

“Darling! What’s the matter now?” she asked in an exasperated tone. “This is the third tantrum you’ve thrown today!” I quieted down and started sniffling.

“She won’t play with me!”

“Who won’t dear? There’s no one here but us and daddy, but you know daddy is busy with his work-“

“NO!” I cried, getting frustrated.  “She’s right here, she’s right here!”

“Honey!  Calm down sweetheart, I can’t understand you when you’re crying like this,” my mother said with a tired voice.

“NO!” I stomped my feet. “NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!”

“Sweetheart-“

“Why can’t you see her mommy? Is mommy going blind?” I started crying harder at that thought.

“No no darling, I can see well, but there really is no one here.” She said pulling me into an embrace.

“Wait.” The girl whispered. My head spun around. She was talking now! Maybe mommy could hear her!

“Mommy! Look she’s talking! Can you hear her now?” I asked.

“Hey! You!” The girl yelled suddenly.

“Sweetheart there really is no one here right now.”

“You’re a human? But how? You can clearly see me?!” The girl’s red eyes shone with glee.

“Mommy she’s scaring me…” I whimpered, and hugged my mom closer.

“…You’re a human...” The girl murmured, eyes moving around wildly, unfocused and clouded.

“What’s going on sweetheart, who’s scaring you?” My mom had a deep frown on her face, starting to worry about what was going on.

“...Who can see ghosts…” The girl’s head snapped up, her mouth widening jerkily into a twisted grin. She started walking towards me, slowly.

“Mommy I’m scared-“ I turned away from her to watch the red-eyed girl.

“Why don’t we play together? C’mon, it will be…fun.” The girl walked faster suddenly sprinting straight towards me with that creepy grin on her face. Terrified, I screamed and shut my eyes.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-HA AHA HA HA HA!” My scream turned into laughter. Horrified, I tried to shut my mouth, but my body refused to listen to me. My head rotated slowly to face my mom at an unnatural angle. Her fearful brown eyes locked in with the red eyes occupying my body.

~~~Back to Present~~~

               So uh… yeah, that’s why I try to hide my little “gift”. We were both totally fine, my mom and I. She locked me up in my room, called over a medium and exorcised the ghost inside of me, no biggie really. She’s got nerves of steel I tell you. That’s the only way she survived with me as her child. It was a bit traumatizing, being possessed by a ghost and all at the tender age of five… my poor, poor childhood… although the ghost girl was probably more traumatized than me. And although from that point on I actively tried to ignore these ghosts, shades, wraiths, phantoms, whatever you want to call them, they didn’t make it easy for me. Why, you ask?

Because they looked like regular humans.

And that, my dear reader, is why I met Jonathan. The ghost boy. I’ll let him tell his story to you.

Jonathan’s P.O.V.

               Thanks Em. For some reason I feel like I’m taking part in a relay race… Anyways, I’ll try to remember what happened on that fateful night.

I didn’t know what was happening.  One moment I was walking down the street, and the next I was standing next to my slumped body in a pool of dark, red blood. I knew I was dead for sure; there was no question about that. But I didn’t know how I died. I was shell shocked. It felt surreal, as if I was watching someone else die, not myself. I remember thinking to myself, Is this the afterlife? I don’t know how long I stood, wide-eyed and silent, staring at my dead body as if that would somehow revive it. I just stood, staring at the growing pool of blood until the faint sound of sirens could be heard.

               Soon enough a rusty makeshift ambulance and a police car pulled up to the scene. I- no, my body was carried onto a stretcher and transported into the ambulance while the police sanctioned off the area. I watched from afar, listening in to their conversation, hoping to find out what happened.

               “Officer Brown, have you identified the victim yet?” A dark haired man with a crew-cut asked.

“Yes sir! The victim’s name is Jonathan Morten, he was an 18 year old student at Indiana High. Your typical popular high school jock.” A tall and lean man answered.

“Such a pity,” The dark haired man shook his head. “He was so young… What was the cause of death?”

“Only an autopsy will prove it for sure, but Mr. Morten is presumed to be a victim of a hit-and-run.”

               Ah, so that’s what it was, I thought. I didn’t feel anything, not sadness, remorse, annoyance, just numbness. I just stood there, not feeling the sharp bite of the wind against my skin. Until *someone* walked straight into me.

Emerson’s P.O.V.

               I rubbed my hands together, trying to generate some heat against the stinging wind. I buried my face into my warm, soft scarf and-

-walked into someone. Someone named Jonathan Morten. Geez, I thought to myself. Great job you’re doing there, not watching where you’re going…

“Hey uh Jonathan? Sorry for walking into you…” I trailed off at his shocked expression. I wonder what happened, I mean I couldn’t have scared him that much right?

“Hey is there something wrong?” I asked. He just stared at me with wide eyes. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a few police officers milling around a giant bloodstain on the ground. My heart sank. Oh no the poor boy, did he see someone die? I opened my mouth to ask him what had happened when two policemen walked up to us, interrupting me.

“I’m sorry miss, but this is a crime scene area, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could step back from the yellow tape…” said a tall, lean officer.

               “Oh sorry sir, we’ll be on our way.” I replied, cheeks burning in embarrassment.

               “…We?” he asked, confused.

I froze, the familiar feeling of dread creeping up on me. I turned my head slowly until I was facing Jonathan Morten. It made sense, why he looked so shocked when I spoke to him, why the officers couldn’t see him. My eyes widened. Oh no.

               “You can see me?” he asked.

[alphacrone]

Hmmm zimmbits camping would be cute!! Also good luck with your gastric situation :)

thank you! and i apologize, this started as a camping fic and quickly turned into a Summer Camp AU – i hope it’s close enough to what you prompted! :)

(on ao3)

Bitty watched fondly from his perch on the dock as Jack blew his whistle. Again.

“Only two people on the Blob!” He barked, pointing at the four B-Compound boys who had turned the yellow, inflatable monstrosity that was the Blob into their own WWE arena. “All of you — ten minutes on the dock. Blob privileges revoked for the day.”

The four boys chorused their protests, but this late into term no one bothered to argue with Jack when he was in lifeguard mode. The first few weeks spent down at Lake Faber, Bitty had thought Jack was an unnecessarily grouchy and strict lifeguard. But after he’d been assigned the ropes course for a few rotations, Bitty realized something incredibly important: children were kind of dumb and excelled at endangering themselves and others.

Now Bitty found Jack’s lakeside tyranny endearing. Technically this was Bitty’s free period, when he should have been enjoying the meager A/C of the offices or using the ancient staff computer to check Twitter, but lately Bitty had found himself drifting down to the lake after finishing his morning Arts and Crafts shifts. He told himself it was because Lardo often joined him for sunbathing and gossiping, but he and Lardo both knew it was because a certain lifeguard tended not to wear a shirt while on duty.

(Shitty didn’t either, and Bitty was beginning to suspect that was the reason Lardo joined him in the first place.)

“Did you hear about Holster and Esther?” Lardo asked, doodling on Bitty’s back with sunscreen.

“No,” Bitty said, not bothering to look back at her. Jack was currently leaning over to say something to a group of girls in the water and Bitty’s view was fantastic. “What happened? Did they finally hate bang?”

Lardo snorted. “You can say fuck, dude, none of the campers can hear us.”

Bitty made a noncommittal noise. A small part of him still felt that his mama would know if he dropped the f-bomb, even from hundreds of miles away.

“Anyway,” Lardo continued, her doodling turning into soft little scratches at the back of Bitty’s neck, just the way he loved it. He sighed in contentment as she continued, “Not only did they hate-fuck in the mess hall-” Bitty gasped, appalled. “-yeah, I know, gross. But they also were holding hands at flagpole this morning.”

Bitty abandoned his view of Jack to turn around to look at Lardo. “Seriously? They can’t even stand to be in the same room together, and now they’re- what, dating?”

Lardo shrugged, her grin half glee, half incredulity. “Ransom’s been pissy all morning.”

“But he’s been hooking up with March,” Bitty said, sitting up. “Lord, straight boys are so confusing.”

“Speak of the Devil,” Lardo muttered, and suddenly something large and dripping with water was blocking Bitty’s sunlight.

“Bits! Lards!” Shitty shouted, plopping down next to them. Technically he was also on lifeguard duty, but Shitty took a more…hands on approach than Jack, and usually ended his shifts soaking wet and carrying at least three giggling children. “The kids wanna see a chicken fight.”

Lardo raised an eyebrow, looking cool and impassive in her large, dark sunglasses. “Good for them?”

“Nah, brahs,” Shitty — or Shaggy, as the campers called him — said. “The kids wanna see a counselor chicken fight.”

Lardo folded her arms across her chest. “It’s my free period. Make Ollie and Wicks do it, they’re on canoe duty.”

“But Lards,” Shitty pleaded. “We would totally kick Bits’ and Jack’s asses.”

“Is that a challenge?”

All three of them looked up to see Jack standing a few feet away, eyes still trained on the kids in the water.

“Zimmermann, you beaut!” Shitty shouted. “C’mon Lardo, Bits, please?”

And that was how Bitty found himself balanced on Jack Zimmermann’s shoulders, standing in the shallow edge of the lake as all the kids cheered from the dock. He couldn’t be sure, but Bitty was almost certain he saw a few of them taking bets.

Being on Jack’s team for chicken was…distracting to say the least. Bitty was all too aware that his groin was pressed right up against the back of Jack’s head, thighs gripping tightly at his neck. It was the bastardization of a position he’d imagined himself in countless times, but somehow fewer clothes were involved now than they had been in his fantasies. The universe — or possible Shitty — was trying to kill him.

At least Lardo was in the same boat, though she was clearly handling it with more poise than Bitty. Shitty, on the other hand, could barely contain his glee and the fact that he’d probably dreamt of dying with Lardo’s thighs wrapped around his head.

“Hang on tight, Bittle,” Jack murmured, patting Bitty’s knee. “Lardo fights dirty.”

Against his own will, Bitty’s thighs tightened around Jack’s neck. “Try not to drown me,” Bitty said. “I’ve got a Wilderness Skills shift after this.”

“I’ve got your back, Bittle,” Jack said, squeezing his ankle. It made Bitty feel marginally better.

It was then that Shitty and Lardo charged forward, Shitty hollering out some approximation of the Xena, Warrior Princess battle cry. Lardo immediately went for Jack’s ears, tugging on them sharply. Bitty gasped and splashed water in her eyes, but missed and got Shitty instead.

Lardo laughed and shouted, “You’ve blinded my steed! You’ll pay for that, Bittle!”

Bitty laughed and caught her arms as she lunged at him. “You tried to maim mine! Fair’s fair, Lards.”

She scowled at him, then grinned, pulling from his grasp and jabbing him in the ribs. Bitty lurched sideways, falling off Jack’s shoulders and crashing face-first into the water.

The cold of the lake hit Bitty harder than he’d expected, and the wind was knocked from his lungs. He somersaulted downwards, disoriented, unable to determine where the surface of the water was. Everything was dark and cold and distorted by bubbles and lake weeds for a moment, then Bitty was hauled to the surface by two large, warm arms.

“Bittle, are you okay?” Jack asked, hoisting him onto the dock. “Can you breathe?”

Bitty sucked in air, then coughed raggedly as water rushed down the wrong pipe. “M’fine,” he choked out. “Hit- hit the water- hard- totally fine.”

“Is he okay?” Shitty asked. Jack nodded, hand resting on Bitty’s knee. “Cool!” Shitty shouted. “We win!”

As Shitty and Lardo began a victory lap around the shallow part of the lake, Bitty managed to stop coughing long enough to whisper to Jack, “They’ll never see you coming.”

Jack laughed and winked at Bitty, then dove to tackle Shitty into the water, sending Lardo flying. The kids on the dock cheered, screaming in delight as Jack surfaced with Shitty hoisted across his shoulders. Lardo popped up a second later, grinning at the boys, and swam over to pull herself up next to Bitty.

“Have you ever seen anything more attractive?” She asked him, shaking the water from her hair. “Like. Holy fuck, dude.”

“I hear ya,” Bitty sighed. “It’s like the good Lord himself is tryin’ to murder me.”

“Completely unfair,” Lardo said. “At least you’re pining for the hot one. My brain has to go and lust after the weirdo with the porn ‘stache.”

Bitty laughed and knocked his shoulder against hers. “I do worry about your tastes, Lardo. But you know Shits is gone on you, right?”

“Maybe,” Lardo said, slipping on her sunglasses again. “But he acts like that with everyone.”

Bitty snorted; they’d had this conversation a thousand times. “Sure, but he only looks at you like you hung the moon.” Lardo sighed and looked away. “Okay, okay, I’ll drop it. But I’m telling you, if you went up to him right now and kissed him, I guarantee Shitty would either kiss you back or pass out from excitement.”

“I heard they’re having chicken tenders in the mess hall tonight,” Lardo said loudly. Bitty was taken aback for a moment, then realized that Jack — with Shitty still on his shoulders — was fast approaching.

“Really?” Jack asked, grinning. “‘Swawesome.”

“Again?” Shitty groaned. “Is that all they bought for this term? I swear we have them every other meal.”

Bitty laughed as Shitty was unceremoniously dumped onto the dock. “Maybe Jack bribed Work Crew to keep serving them.”

Jack grinned at him. “Maybe I did.”

The bell to signify the end of the period rang over the ancient loudspeakers, and Bitty and Lardo stood reluctantly.

“Bye, y’all,” Bitty said. “Come sit with our cabins at campfire tonight.”

“Duh,” Shitty said. “My boys love your boys. If we join forces with Lardo’s girls, we could probably set fire to half of Samwell.”

“Or,” Jack said, going back into counselor mode as the kids dutifully lined up to get their ear drops. “We could just roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories like everyone else.”

Shitty shook his head in disgust. “Only you, Jacques Laurent, could make roasting marshmallows into some buzzkill-y.”

“Bye, losers,” Lardo said, looping her arm through Bitty’s. “We’ve gotta teach some small humans how to make friendship bracelets. If you’re lucky, we’ll bring you our rejects.”

Shitty grinned at her with hearts in his eyes. “I will gladly accept your ugliest and most deformed friendship bracelets, Lards, as long as they’re made with love.”

The very tips of Lardo’s ears went pink — the only signifier that she was shaken by Shitty’s flirting. “Maybe. No promises.”

Jack waved to Bitty with his elbow, hurriedly trying to get eardrops distributed to all the campers. “Make me something red, Bittle,” he said, and Bitty knew he was absolutely, truly fucked.

“Sure, Jack,” he said. “Anything you want.”

At campfire that night, Jack and Shitty’s campers came over to sit with Bitty and Chowder’s campers and the girls of Lardo and Camilla’s cabin. Shitty was wearing about twelve friendship bracelets on both arms, each uglier than the last, and Jack was very proudly sporting a thin, red thing that Bitty had spent far too much time on.

At the fire next to them, Bitty could see Ransom glaring daggers at Holster and Esther, and Nursey and Dex bickering about burnt marshmallows, and Caitlin Farmer desperately trying to catch Chowder’s attention.

Bitty smiled softly, knowing he could help at least one person in that group. He nudged Chowder gently and whispered, “Caitlin’s checking you out.”

“What?!” Chowder all but shouted. “She is?!”

Bitty grinned at Chowder fondly. “Go say hi. I’ll be fine with the boys.”

“Thanks, Bitty,” Chowder said almost shyly. “Was she really checking me out? I really like Farmer, Bitty, she’s so cool! She’s studying marine biology and knows about hockey and I really like her and I don’t want to ruin our friendship but I really really like her-”

“Sugar, breathe,” Bitty said, holding up a hand. “That poor girl had been trying to get your attention since we got here. Go put her out of her misery. I’m thinking she really really likes you, too.”

The smile Chowder gave him was blinding, and then he was off to the next fire pit, almost knocking Caitlin off her log in his excitement to say hi. Bitty laughed to himself, grinning when Caitlin gave him a grateful nod.

“Oooooooh!”

The boys had gathered around Bitty, also watching Chowder and Farmer. There were only eight of them and they were all in their tweens, but Bitty’s campers were exhausting. “Chowder’s got a girlfriend! Chowder’s got a girlfriend!” They sang.

“Shh, let him have this,” Bitty said, shooing the boys away. “Chirp him in the morning.”

Unfortunately — and this was something Bitty should’ve learned long ago — derailing the campers from one topic only led to him becoming the new target.

“Do you have a girlfriend, Bitty?”

“Is Lardo your girlfriend?”

“What about Camilla? She’s super hot.”

Bitty couldn’t help but laugh. He busied himself with putting a new marshmallow on his stick, then said, “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. Lardo’s just a friend. Yes, Camilla is very beautiful, I agree.” He glanced over to where both Lardo and Camilla were double-teaming a ghost story for their campers, sound effects and all. He didn’t think they could hear him.

One of his campers, Caleb, narrowed his eyes at this. “But Lardo was, like, all over you at Faber today. You should ask her out if she’s not already your girlfriend.”

A few feet away, Shitty had an amused look on his face that told Bitty there would be no lectures on heteronormativity to save him tonight.

Well, two could play at that game.

“Oh, I don’t think Lardo’s interested in me,” Bitty said casually. “She has her sights set on someone a little…taller.”

The boys laughed at this, and Shitty visibly perked up.

“Does Lardo have a crush on someone?”

“Bitty, you gotta fight him! Or grow more.”

“Guys, who put poison ivy in my s’more? Jackholes.”

Bitty sighed. “Eating poison ivy isn’t funny, boys, you could kill someone like that. And don’t say jackholes.”

“But you just said it-”

They fell silent when Bitty gave them his sternest glare, the one he’d learned from watching Moomaw run Sunday School back home. There was an awkward chorus of apologies, another (brief) silence, and then Xiaosong asked, “So who does Lardo like like?”

There was a muffled screech of laughter as Camilla slapped both hands over her mouth. The girls had finished their ghost story, and now everyone around the fire seemed invested in Bitty’s conversation.

“Yeah, Lardo,” one of the girls — Ceci — said. “Who do you like like? Is it Bitty?”

“No way, did you see her and Ransom at the stables yesterday-?”

“-Lardo and Chowder, sittin’ in a tree-”

“Alright, alright,” Lardo said, standing. There was something mischievous in her eyes, and Bitty couldn’t help but grin. “I do like someone. And he’s sitting at this campfire.”

The kids shrieked. Shitty looked like he might pass out.

Slowly, dramatically, Lardo walked around the fire, until she stood in front of Jack and Shitty. Jack looked like he wanted to give them space, but then Lardo was in his lap, sprawled out theatrically in a swoon.

“I’m afraid I’ve been pining for Jack this entire time,” she declared, waving an arm to the heavens. Jack was smirking now, wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her from falling off his lap. Shitty looked utterly lost.

The kids giggled nervously until Jack said, in his dullest monotone, “You know my heart belongs only to you, Lards.”

And then he kissed her on the cheek, loud and wet.

The kids screamed like a masked man had just jumped out of the woods. Bitty knew how they felt.

“Alright, nuggets,” Lardo said, clapping her hands together and sliding off of Jack’s lap without preamble. “Lights out is in ten minutes, let’s get a move on.”

Low enough that only Shitty and Bitty could hear, Jack murmured, “But how can we be parted so soon?”

Lardo snorted loudly and punched Jack’s shoulder. “I think you’ll manage.”

“Night, y’all,” Bitty said, waving at the others. He couldn’t help but notice how quiet Shitty was being, or the intense look he was sharing with Lardo. Jack caught his eye and shrugged, waving goodnight. Bitty grinned, very much looking forward to the deets he’d be demanding from Lardo in the morning.

When Bitty got back to the cabin, eight sugar-crashed campers in tow, he felt like he could pass out as soon as he hit his pillow. But then Chowder came in as the boys were crawling into their bunks and Bitty was brushing his teeth, bouncing and grinning like he’d just won the lottery.

“Bitty, Caitlin’s my girlfriend!” Chowder exclaimed as he joined Bitty at the small, nasty sink. “I’m so happy! I asked and she said yes!”

Bitty paused in his brushing to pat Chowder on the shoulder. “Congrats, sugar,” he said, spitting the toothpaste down the drain. “She’s a very lucky girl.”

“Please,” Chowder scoffed. “I’m the lucky one! Cait’s the coolest. Did you know she plays Volleyball for her school? Varsity team.”

“That’s great, sweetheart,” Bitty said, rinsing off his toothbrush. “I’m really happy for y’all.”

Chowder grinned at him. “This is the best feeling in the world, Bitty. Liking Cait and knowing she likes me back and finally getting to kiss her! It’s so great! I think this is the happiest I’ve ever been!”

Given Chowder’s sunshiny disposition, that last statement was probably debatable, but Bitty pulled him into a tight hug regardless. “That’s great, Chowder. Cait’s great. Y’all are very cute together.”

“Thanks, Bits,” Chowder saying, pulling back. “Gosh, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep, I’m so excited!”

Bitty laughed and went back to his nighttime routine as Chowder wandered back into the cabin to check on the campers. When Bitty joined him a few minutes later, Chowder was already passed out in his bunk, right on top of the covers. Bitty shook his head fondly and turned off the lights, one minute until the 11 PM curfew. Then, he slipped out the door, hoping none of the boys wondered where he was going.

As he stood outside, breathing in the muggy, summer air, Bitty caught sight of a figure perched on the steps of Jack and Shitty’s cabin. Drawing closer, Bitty saw it was Jack, who was leaned back to watch the stars. He noticed when Bitty approached and waved.

“What’re you doing up?” Bitty whispered, sitting down on the step next to Jack.

“Couldn’t sleep. You?”

Bitty shrugged. “Just thinking about something Chowder said.”

The stars above them were thick and bright, in a way that Bitty had never seen. Light pollution hadn’t been too big a problem in Madison, but Camp Samwell was the most isolated place Bitty had ever been and the night sky never failed to take his breath away. Sometimes, in moments like this, he wished he could live at Samwell forever.

“Yeah?” Jack was giving him a strange look, curiosity mixed with something unreadable. Bitty felt his face burn on its own accord. “What was that?”

“Oh, um.” Bitty chewed on his bottom lip, feeling a bit shy. “He said- well, I don’t know if you saw, but Caitlin kissed him at campfire tonight. And when we were getting ready for bed, he said that there was no feeling in the world that could beat the happiness of knowing someone likes you as much as you like them.”

Jack nodded, making an understanding noise in the back of his throat. “Yeah, I…that sounds nice.”

“Yeah,” Bitty sighed, training his gaze on the stars again. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Really?” Jack sounded genuinely surprised, which made Bitty’s heart flutter with nerves. “You…back home?”

“I’m not really out to anyone but my college friends,” Bitty admitted with a small shrug. “And…no. No one’s ever been interested in me before.”

Jack’s reply was immediate. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, trust me,” Bitty said, a bit bitterly. “I’m not the most desirable person, I know. No one’s ever wanted to date me.”

Jack frowned at him. “That’s not true,” he repeated. “Trust me.”

And- oh. Bitty felt the air hiss from his lungs, blood drain from his fingertips and rush to his wildly beating heart. “Um…wait. Really?”

Jack ducked his head and even in the dark Bitty could see the flush on his cheeks. It was adorable. “Yeah, really,” he admitted, sounding embarrassed and resigned, like he’d just been forced to spill his deepest secret. And in a way…

Bitty stopped thinking after that. Instead, he grabbed Jack by the front of his sleep-shirt and pulled him in for a kiss, chaste but forceful, as if he could convey everything he’d ever felt for Jack with just his lips.

Then Jack opened his mouth and Bitty found himself pushed back against the top step, one large hand at his ribs, the other gently cupping his cheek. Jack nipped at his lips, teeth clacking, then pulled back, resting his forehead against Bitty’s.

Chowder had been right. Bitty tingled head to toe with the knowledge that Jack liked him, Jack kissed him back and wanted to date him. It was like fireworks were going off overhead and every cheesy love song he’d ever heard on 94.9 was playing on max volume. He could die happy in this moment, with Jack gazing adoringly at him with soft, blue eyes.

“This is a pretty nice feeling,” Jack said, grinning goofily. He traced Bitty’s cheekbone with a calloused finger, trailing down to Bitty’s mouth. “I can think of a few things that would feel nicer.”

Bitty swatted at Jack’s chest, squawking a little in surprise. “Mr. Zimmermann, we are not hooking up right outside where our campers are sleeping.”

Jack’s blush darkened, but his grin didn’t falter. “I didn’t mean that, though I have it on good authority the mess hall is a great place-” He cut himself off laughing at the look of horror on Bitty’s face. “I just meant…being with you. Kissing you more. Holding your hand at flagpole.”

Bitty pulled Jack back in for another kiss, hands snaking up Jack’s deliciously muscled chest. Then he was hoisted into Jack’s lap, elevated just enough to adjust the kiss into something more comfortable. Bitty followed Jack’s lead, nibbling at his lips and sucking the tip of his tongue. Things were quickly getting hotter, wetter, and a familiar heat was building low in Bitty’s abdomen.

“Wait,” he breathed, pushing back a little. The dismayed noises Jack made was so utterly endearing that Bitty almost forgot why he stopped. “Jack, if you don’t plan on ravaging me in the Arts ‘n Crafts shed, you better stop kissin’ me like that.”

Jack’s eyes darkened and his smile widened. “You know, no one goes down to Faber this time of night…”

Bitty scowled at him. “If you think you can get me in that water after dark, you got another thing coming, mister.”

Jack laughed, soft and low, and ducked his head to press his lips to Bitty’s pulsepoint. Then Bitty felt tongue on his skin, then teeth, then a sweet, wet tug as Jack sucked on his neck. It sent a trembling warmth down his spine, and Bitty all but moaned on the steps of the cabin.

Spurred on by Bitty’s quiet whimpering, Jack’s bites quickly grew harder, his sucking longer and more intense. Bitty knew there would be marks — embarrassing, obvious marks — on his neck in the morning, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He was half-hard in his favorite blue shorts and the boy he like was giving his the first — and best — hickey of his life, hands firmly planted on his ass.

“Jack,” Bitty said sharply. “If you don’t take me to the Arts n’ Crafts shed right now-”

He didn’t even have a chance to finish his threat as he was slung over Jack’s shoulder. His shriek probably woke up half of E-Compound, but the realization that he was now eye-level with the greatest ass at Samwell kept him from caring too much.

Jack yelped in a slightly less embarrassing way when Bitty reached out to pat his ass. “Bittle,” he hissed, laugh evident in his voice. “What are you-?”

“Act like a caveman, get groped like a caveman,” Bitty retorted, making Jack laugh loud and deep.

“C’mon, I believe you and I have a date with a shed that reeks of Elmer’s Glue and bugspray.”

Bitty huffed. “Better than sunscreen and pondscum.”

“Changed my mind,” Jack said. “I’m throwing you in Faber instead.”

“Hey, I nearly drowned this morning,” Bitty said dramatically. “I deserve to have my way with you in the crafts shed.”

“Well, if you insist,” Jack said.

“I do,” Bitty said primly.

As it turned out, the Arts ‘n Crafts shed was already occupied by Shitty and Lardo, a sight which would haunt Bitty until his dying day. But, in the end, the docks turned out to be very romantic.

When Bitty came to flagpole the next morning with hickies on his neck and a sleepy Jack Zimmermann draped against his shoulders, Bitty was forced to endure the screaming and chirping of not only his entire cabin, but of half the counselors as well. Shitty cried a little, and Lardo told Jack — in her best impression of his monotone — that she would never recover from his betrayal.

“You’re coming down to the lake on your off period today, right?” Jack asked as their cabins walked to the mess hall for breakfast.

Bitty shrugged, biting back a smile. “I don’t know, I was thinking of ogling boys at the archery range — did you know Holster wears sleeveless shirts when he teaches archery? He says it’s because the sleeves get in the way, but we all know it’s so he can show off his guns. Which, really, are very impre-”

Jack cut him off with a kiss and a knowing look. “So, Faber?”

Bitty melted against Jack’s side, too giddy to keep teasing his boyfriend. “You know you’re the only one I want to objectify. Are you wearing the blue swim trunks?”

Jack flushed a little, a pleased smile spreading across his face. “I am now. You like those?”

Bitty nodded. “They’re tighter. And they bring out your eyes.”

Jack kissed him once more as they parted to join their own cabins for breakfast. “See you later, Bits,” he said softly.

“Later,” Bitty said, watching fondly as Jack walked away.

On his wrist, a small, red friendship bracelet hung proudly. Bitty grinned and turned to join his own cabin, who all looked fit to burst with chirps for both him and Chowder. Chowder cast him a gleeful look, and together they faced down their horde of campers and the terrible, hilarious chirps that they’d spent all morning devising.

[saltandsilverstories]

Gargoyle

A blob of hand cream, pale pink and scented more like FreBreeze than the cherry blossoms on its packaging, rolls onto my palm. I cap the tube with my teeth, rubbing the cream into my skin. February’s chill had seeped through my gloves, drying out my hands. The cream seemed to coat my fingers more than repair the damage the cold had done.

My legs vibrate against the seat, the keychains on my purse jingling just louder than the rumbling of the subway car.

Most people were sitting, while one or two people stood up, swaying in place as the subway turned down a tunnel. Someone’s music was turned up too loud, the faint screeching of electropop prominent over the shuffling of shoes and crinkling of jackets. Someone down the car coughs, the sound overlapping the voice of the PA system.            

“Arriving at: Museum. Museum station is this stop. Doors will open on the left.”

I drop the hand cream back into my purse, swapping it for my phone. The train jolts as it stops, the doors chiming as they slide open. Bodies change places beyond the threshold of the doors, a biting breeze slipping in between them.

My phone lays in my hand, face down. I flip it over, my finger tapping the screen twice. We flood its blackness. 10:24 in bright white rests on our heads. Me and you, the “One Year Sober” chip between your teeth, the stick of a lollipop between mine. Your hair’s parted in the middle, mine a bit to the right. Our outlines are fuzzy, blurring us into blobs of grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.

---

You had a few of the same sweatshirt, keeping them on-site for convenience, you said. You wore one at the graduation party, its sleeves and chest all dotted with stickers of stars and moons.

They didn’t have a lot of food at the clinic, so I left ten minutes after I got there to pick up a cake from Fortino’s. They were still setting up decorations -- sad, droopy things -- when I got back. Staff placed the cake between the cups and plates, the bubblegum pink and canary yellow of the streamers making the room look a little more like it was meant to house a celebration.

“Jackie!” You held a celery stick in your fingers like a cigarette, bouncing on the balls of your feet.

Your hair smelled like dad’s shampoo when we hugged. “Hey.”

With how often I visited, you didn’t bother with a tour, but instead brought me to your dorm.

“No cards today.” You were rooting around in a drawer where the deck usually was.

“Why not?” I shifted where I sat, trying to see over your shoulder. “Hey, wait.”

“What?” A pair of socks landed on the tiles.

“You’re making a mess.” My arm reached for the socks.

“Stop it,” you swatted me away, “It’s fine.”

“Okay, okay.” My legs crossed themselves.

“Here. Look.” You held a package, wrapped in napkins from the cafeteria, held together with tape and elastic bands.

In my palms it seemed so tiny. “What is this?” My voice was tinier still.

���A lil’ something.” You hooked some of your hair behind your ear. “A thank-you.”

The elastics came off easy, and the tape didn’t resist my tugging at all. The bare box seemed like it used to house earrings, or maybe it still did. I popped off the lid.

An envelope lay inside, folded, bent in place with two bobby pins. They clattered inside the empty box as I fished open the envelope.

“Dear Miss Evelyn Santos, we are pleased to inform you…” My voice tapered off so my brain could process the meaning of each word. “Do mom and dad know?”

You nodded, your smile warping your tone. “Called them when it came in the mail. I wanted to tell you in person, though.”

“Evelyn, holy shit.”

“I’m back in action, baby!” Your arms went up in a cheer.

A giggle, mine. The first of the day. It built beneath my tongue until laughter broke free. I embraced you, tighter this time.

“U of T, huh? You’re really cleaning up.” You let go of me. I hoped you could hear how proud I was.

Your left cheek dimple peeked out as your smile deepened. “Wouldn’t have tried if not for you, so thank you.”

“You know I’ll always look out for you.” I handed you back the envelope. The letter had details you needed for registration, or I would’ve kept it in a frame.

“I know, and I hope this, uh, shows you that I’ll be okay. You’ve done a lot for me, and I’m gonna be fine now. It’s time you get back to focusing on you, Jackie.” You placed your hand over mine.

In the main room an hour later, you stood on a fake stage, behind a podium, and a mic on a crooked stand. Your sponsor was right beside you, hands in the pockets of his sweatshirt.

You tapped the mic. “I just wanna say something real quick, if that’s okay?” There was four of your voice, all in different pitches, all muddled by the prehistoric speakers they’d dug up.

Your sponsor nodded.

“Uh, so, heh. I guess, one year ago, this isn’t where I thought I’d be. I was supposed to have graduated by now. From school, not here. There was a point where I, like, wasn’t really myself at all, not even just because of the morphine. It came after, and I don’t remember a lot of it, but I do remember my sister, who’s here with me today--” You pointed me out like I was the one graduating. The warmth that blossomed somewhere under my ribs… If I could’ve bottled it I would have. “--just about dragged me out of our house and got me here. I’m on this stage because of her, and I promise you, Tony and Jackie, and everyone else I’ve come to support here, that once I leave here tonight, I’m never gonna be back.”

Someone else beat me to starting the standing ovation. It died down too quick, just as your sponsor handed you your chip.

You brought an extra lollipop with you when you came back to your seat. Yours was gone by the time the last of the graduates had finished up on stage. I saved mine for after, when you hooked your arm through mine and pulled me over to the windows. The sun wasn’t out anymore, but the streetlamps were, dropping spotlights every few feet along the sidewalk.

“Here,” I handed her my phone, putting the lollipop in my mouth. Rainbow didn’t really have a flavour more complex than just ‘sugar.’ “Take a photo of us.”

Your eyes got really wide as you took the phone, holding it out in front of us. You held the chip between your teeth, maybe trying to match me and my lollipop stick.

“Don’t do that.”

You turned your head before I could grab the chip. “Shh! Just smile.”

We did smile, yours wrinkling by your eyes. You tapped a few things when you were done, holding up the screen for me to see after.

“It’s your lockscreen now.” The chip was in your pocket.

“It’s perfect.”

---

Our selfie vanishes, the screen tired of waiting for my input. My reflection blinks up at me from within the confines of my phone screen. I tap the screen again, opening up WhatsApp. Nothing new greets me in our chat. There’s no service anyway.

“im out w friends”

                                                                                                        “Do they use?”

“it doesn’t matter m’m not like that anymore”

                                                                  “Yeah, but what if you get hurt? You’re 

                                                                                    almost done your master’s. 

                                                                     Don’t let all our  hard work slip away.”

“relax if i was gonna relapse i woudlve already”

                                                                                     “I just want you to be safe.”

“i am safe i am more than safe u gotta let me live a little”

“Now arriving at: St. Patrick. St. Patrick Station is this stop. Doors will open on the left.”

I blink, glancing at the blinking lights of the line map. Just two more until Union. I lock the phone, shoving into my coat pocket.

Laughter trickles down the car until it’s beside me. I follow it to its source: two girls, one in pink earmuffs, the other in a black toque, hunched over a phone in earmuff’s hands.

My gut folds itself in half, sharp edges digging into the inside of my abdomen.

---

I was in the bathroom. Listerine sloshed around inside my mouth, my study sheet taped up on the mirror. Still had to get to my skincare, and floss before going back to review the rest of the review notes I’d left lying in my room.

The exhaust fan was on, and it clunked every few seconds. The squeak of the knob on my bedroom door was only just louder than the fan.

I spat the mouthwash out, wiping my mouth with one hand, the other unlocking the bathroom door.

The light was on in my room. A shadow flitted around inside. Papers rasped, drawers groaned open and shut.

You were in jeans and a shirt I didn’t recognize. Your hair was up in a bun on top of your head, off-centre. You knelt by my bed, one of your arms lost beneath the space between it and the floor.

My lips pressed together, leaning against the doorframe. I faced the hallway.

The box scraped along the hardwood as you unearthed it.

Maybe you’d leave the change in there. Maybe you’d only take the change. Maybe you’d only take what you needed. Maybe you were adding to my savings. Maybe you’d pulled out a normal shoebox instead.

Coins jingled, and any other maybes dissipated.

           The photo of us, of me, you, mom, and dad, hanging by the stairs was obscured. The glass caught the light leaking from my room, blotting out the four of us.

The box replaced itself, your footsteps dampened by your socks.

The light switch clicked. The door shut.

Your eyes were on me, and mine were searching for you in a photograph.

---

“Now arriving at: Union. Union Station is this stop. Doors will open on the left.”

My legs wobble as I cross the car, the motion of the train working against my heels.

The walk to the Tim’s is short, or maybe it’s long and I’m fast-forwarding the in-between. My phone buzzes in my coat pocket. Once, twice, again.

I forget to check the caller ID. “Hello?”

“Hey. You close?” The inside of the store spills out with your voice.

“Yeah, I’m coming in now,” I huff, my breath blooming in front of my face. I pass through the cloud, pulling open the door.

“Jackie!”

I turn towards the call and see you in a booth for two, one arm waving me over, the other placing your phone into the pocket of your scrub shirt.

I drape my coat over the back of my seat. A French Vanilla sits on my side of the table, mirroring yours.

“Cold out there, huh?” You start, pulling your drink towards you.

I nod, taking my seat.

Your scrubs are clean and without wrinkles. You iron them. Your hair is smooth and curled at the ends. You style your hair. Your eyes are lined with thin wings, your skin airbrushed. You do your makeup now.

My jeans were bought two years ago. My hair is in a bun. I’m bareface and in a sweater I wore two times this week.

Chatter and a grainy remix of Bad Romance fills the space between our words.

“How’ve you been?” I ask right away. It’s all I really need to know.

You sip from your drink, nodding. “Good, good. Work’s good, I’m good.”

Are you using? “That’s good, yeah.”

“What about you? You guys working on anything new?” You sound curious. Genuine.

“Uh, not yet. We’re between projects right now.” I rotate my cup with my fingertips. “The last game didn’t do very well, so we’re just brainstorming.”

“Ah, okay. I’m sure you’ll figure out something.” A smile.

I return with my own smile. It ends at my cheeks.

We take a sip from our drinks.

“Okay, I’m just gonna say it before I can’t.” You exhale sharply.

“Say what?” I hear myself ask.

You look down at your drink, then at me. “I can’t do this.”

“What do you mean?” I regret drinking anything at all.

You nip your lower lip, pushing some of your hair behind your ear. You match the tiny photo of yourself on the ID pinned to your shirt. “I can’t… If… I don’t want us to not talk, you know? And if you’re gonna freak out and try and micromanage me again…”

My head bobs. “I get it, Evelyn. I… I will always look out for you, but I get it, and I’m trying. I’m trying to give you what you want. Youve gotta know why I worry, though.”

You hold your drink with both of your hands. “I know, I know, but sis, it’s been like six years. I’m around the stuff every day and I don’t have urges. I don’t wanna be where I was before. I’m okay now, and I need you to know that, like, really know that if I’m gonna let you back in again.”

What if you get hurt? What if I could stop you but I don’t? A long exhale escapes through my nose. “Okay. Yeah, okay. I, uh. You’re right. I backed off for this long. I trusted you, I do trust you, and yeah. I get it. You’re okay now.”

You don’t need me anymore.

“Thank you.” You take my hand across the table, squeezing for a second before letting go. Your smile is large, pushing even your eyebrows up higher. Those used to be untrimmed, bushy things, but now they were slim, framing your eyes. You’re okay.

I smile back. It goes a little farther this time.

[melodybumpandme-blog]

So, this is now how we announced Melody and Rox’s little sibling.

People loved it. Also, I know my kids cute. She’s beautiful.

We had our scan, baby was measuring at 11weeks and 4 days. But i am sticking with my initial due date which is in fact 29th August. The estimated it would be 4th September but i’m 100% going in August. If it kills me.

The scan is nerve racking. It doesn’t matter how many kids you have. Unless you have a football team. I was shitting myself the entire time. Till i seen that little blob with arms and legs bobbing about in my tummy. Then the little pulsation of the heart, aw it melts me every time.

Now, one thing i should mention is the pain. The pain of having a fucking scanning device poked right into your stomach pretty much touching your fucking back. Holy shit it hurts. Obviously it is necessary to find the raspberry sized being inside of you, but seriously. DO NOT CRY - you will look like a little pussy ass bitch. Also, ASK for photos. Last time i went i got about 30 EACH TIME. But this woman left me with 2. I have numerous family members. Witch. If you would like me to talk to you about the script you need to read before getting a scan, i know it off by heart.

Also, the jealousy of seeing people with bumps going to a scan is ridiculous. You’re currently at the in between stage. Where you look like you’ve eaten enough for the entire day and it’s only 11am. Don’t worry, you will soon blossom and look ridiculously pregnant, that you will wish you were back at the in between stage.

This 12 week period is great. Because the second you see that scan and know that the baby is okay, you get to announce it to the world. Think about it carefully. With Melody we posted a picture from google saying ‘Pink or Blue, cant wait to see. We are expecting our First Baby’ no caption or anything else. Just that. How fucking shite. I wish i put more thought into it. Idiot.

You are also nearing the end of your First Trimester. Which means you are 1/3 of the way there! My first pregnancy dragged in, like DRAGGED and I gave birth at 35weeks-ish so i never reached the end. Imagine i do go over… holy mother of god, that would suck. BUT if you are doing a job you love, have hobbies and friends or another child(ren) then it is going to go quick. I cannot believe i have missed 3 PERIODS and that it is February! To me, its mental.

Good Luck. The hardest part is on its way, believe me! You are gonna hurt like fuck, just shortly.

Melody, Bump & Me💖

[melodybumpandme-blog]

So, this is now how we announced Melody and Rox's little sibling. People loved it. Also, I know my kids cute. She's beautiful. We had our scan, baby was measuring at 11weeks and 4 days. But i am sticking with my initial due date which is in fact 29th August. The estimated it would be 4th September but i'm 100% going in August. If it kills me. The scan is nerve racking. It doesn't matter how many kids you have. Unless you have a football team. I was shitting myself the entire time. Till i seen that little blob with arms and legs bobbing about in my tummy. Then the little pulsation of the heart, aw it melts me every time. Now, one thing i should mention is the pain. The pain of having a fucking scanning device poked right into your stomach pretty much touching your fucking back. Holy shit it hurts. Obviously it is necessary to find the raspberry sized being inside of you, but seriously. DO NOT CRY - you will look like a little pussy ass bitch. Also, ASK for photos. Last time i went i got about 30 EACH TIME. But this woman left me with 2. I have numerous family members. Witch. If you would like me to talk to you about the script you need to read before getting a scan, i know it off by heart. Also, the jealousy of seeing people with bumps going to a scan is ridiculous. You're currently at the in between stage. Where you look like you've eaten enough for the entire day and it's only 11am. Don't worry, you will soon blossom and look ridiculously pregnant, that you will wish you were back at the in between stage. This 12 week period is great. Because the second you see that scan and know that the baby is okay, you get to announce it to the world. Think about it carefully. With Melody we posted a picture from google saying 'Pink or Blue, cant wait to see. We are expecting our First Baby' no caption or anything else. Just that. How fucking shite. I wish i put more thought into it. Idiot. You are also nearing the end of your First Trimester. Which means you are 1/3 of the way there! My first pregnancy dragged in, like DRAGGED and I gave birth at 35weeks-ish so i never reached the end. Imagine i do go over... holy mother of god, that would suck. BUT if you are doing a job you love, have hobbies and friends or another child(ren) then it is going to go quick. I cannot believe i have missed 3 PERIODS and that it is February! To me, its mental. Good Luck. The hardest part is on its way, believe me! You are gonna hurt like fuck, just shortly.

[melodybumpandme-blog]

So, this is now how we announced Melody and Rox's little sibling. People loved it. Also, I know my kids cute. She's beautiful. We had our scan, baby was measuring at 11weeks and 4 days. But i am sticking with my initial due date which is in fact 29th August. The estimated it would be 4th September but i'm 100% going in August. If it kills me. The scan is nerve racking. It doesn't matter how many kids you have. Unless you have a football team. I was shitting myself the entire time. Till i seen that little blob with arms and legs bobbing about in my tummy. Then the little pulsation of the heart, aw it melts me every time. Now, one thing i should mention is the pain. The pain of having a fucking scanning device poked right into your stomach pretty much touching your fucking back. Holy shit it hurts. Obviously it is necessary to find the raspberry sized being inside of you, but seriously. DO NOT CRY - you will look like a little pussy ass bitch. Also, ASK for photos. Last time i went i got about 30 EACH TIME. But this woman left me with 2. I have numerous family members. Witch. If you would like me to talk to you about the script you need to read before getting a scan, i know it off by heart. Also, the jealousy of seeing people with bumps going to a scan is ridiculous. You're currently at the in between stage. Where you look like you've eaten enough for the entire day and it's only 11am. Don't worry, you will soon blossom and look ridiculously pregnant, that you will wish you were back at the in between stage. This 12 week period is great. Because the second you see that scan and know that the baby is okay, you get to announce it to the world. Think about it carefully. With Melody we posted a picture from google saying 'Pink or Blue, cant wait to see. We are expecting our First Baby' no caption or anything else. Just that. How fucking shite. I wish i put more thought into it. Idiot. You are also nearing the end of your First Trimester. Which means you are 1/3 of the way there! My first pregnancy dragged in, like DRAGGED and I gave birth at 35weeks-ish so i never reached the end. Imagine i do go over... holy mother of god, that would suck. BUT if you are doing a job you love, have hobbies and friends or another child(ren) then it is going to go quick. I cannot believe i have missed 3 PERIODS and that it is February! To me, its mental. Good Luck. The hardest part is on its way, believe me! You are gonna hurt like fuck, just shortly.