#i did consider waiting until tuesday but oh well

[respectablesentiment]

“I need you to stay the fuck away from me!” Dina yells, cutting off the pothead before she can speak.

Ellie’s jaw clenches, sitting up and lowering her feet from where they’re propped up on the desk. “I don’t believe I’ve ever spoken to you,” she says calmly.

--

because what this fandom really needed was a college time loop AU where Dina slowly loses her mind

[stars-for-circe]

Bones and All - Part 1

Part 1, Part 2 - wip

Tags / cw: Cannibal!reader x Vampire!Ellie, reader is a psychopath, Ellie is over 100 but physically 23, reader is around 27-30, reader is sophisticated/classy, gore, blood, suggestive, dark themes - read at your discretion, murders, drugging, cannibalism, reader is rich

On Monday, you were reckless. Starved. It had been three days since you had last feasted. And even now, after catching a meal, it was only a leg. The poor victim crawling away in agony as you dined on his limbs. And when he dared to pause his escape, to look back at the sight of you tearing through flesh with your teeth - your white cocktail dress now wine red, drenched with his life - he screamed.

"Y-you fucking monster!" He was dry heaving at this point, saliva and snot and tears dripping out as his body tried to keep itself alive.

You merely turned to look at him, and grinned - bearing your red teeth.

"And what did your wife call you? When you hit her? When you killed her?"

He whimpered in realisation. This, this wasn't some random attack. This was planned, methodical. This was karma. Whatever god that ruled above had breathed a purpose into you, as a vessel of retribution. You simply took back what your victims stole. A life for a life.

"Darling, don't act so righteous. You and I? We are no different." You were almost patronising, void of any empathy, any remorse.

He promptly passed out. Either from the blood loss or the shock - or both, you considered - it made cleaning up easier when the mess wasn't screaming for help. Unfortunately, the pill you slipped into his glass didn't work for long. You realised as such when you noticed his brows scrunch as you dragged him out of your car and into the forest. God, there was so much blood. Painting the forest floor, the fallen Winter leaves now reflecting the colour of Autumn. It was nauseating.

And usually, you were meticulous. In choosing your victims (who were always as evil as you, in their crimes, their abuses), in luring them out of hiding, in drugging them until you killed. You made sure to be inviting, enticing, making them eager to have dinner at your manor, or drinks at a quiet bar.

Of course, dining at home was easier for you to slip something in their food, but most bars were dark enough for a dissolving pill to go unnoticed. And sometimes you enjoyed going out - the thrill of possibly getting caught, the clouded eyes of your victims thinking you were taking them to bed. Well, you did, but it was to their deathbed, rather.

You would undress them, bathe them, even talk to them. Because who knows? Maybe they could still hear you in their dreams, amidst all the drugs in their system. Then, in a bathtub filled halfway with warm water, you would slit their throat. And you would let them drain until there wasn't any blood left. Because unlike your other, more famous peers, you hated blood. Its metallic taste on your tongue oh-so unpleasant, when you'd rather savour the other delicacies in humans.

But this time, you had no choice. The son of a bitch woke up halfway home. You had to take a detour into the forestry surrounding the manor. You had to eat. You couldn't wait any longer. That sense of panicked urgency now overtaking your ravenous hunger. And as the drugs wore off, he was thankfully still weak enough to drag outside, and leave laying against a tree. But as the drugs wore off, he screamed and begged for his life when the glint of your knife shone under the moonlight.

You just begged for some peace and quiet while having dinner. But, some dreams would only remain dreams. And he would remain screaming as the knife sunk in.

So that night, you ate. A disgusting, bloody meal. But a meal nonetheless. It tasted horrible, but it would last you another few days - it was enough for now. The creatures of the forest would eat the rest.

On Monday, Ellie smelled the blood. It was fresh.

On Tuesday, Ellie found the source. 7 miles away, in some forest in the middle of nowhere. Wolves, surrounding a carcass of what was once a man, now just fertiliser. The leaves, damp from early morning fog, squelched under her feet as she got closer. And vampires, being at the top of the food chain, bowed to no-one. The wolves ran away at the sight of her.

"Holy shit..."

It was missing a fucking leg. A clean cut - the wolves weren't this clean in hunting. And it couldn't be because of the wolves - they never attacked people. This was a body, left in the forest, missing a fucking leg - and Ellie didn't know why.

For a moment, she suspected another vampire in her territory. This was in the outskirts after all, maybe they didn't recognise her markings. But vampires didn't do this. They were discrete - which was part of the reason why it was so difficult to hunt in this era, with the amount of fucking CCTV everywhere. Ellie herself hadn't eaten in weeks. This? This was a fucking mess. There were clothes thrown everywhere, the body was still identifiable, and the smell reached miles on every side.

But most importantly, there was blood. So much blood. And Ellie was a vampire, for fucks sake. Another vampire wouldn't kill for no reason - and this looked like the blood was avoided on purpose. Her mouth watered. Fuck, it was unintentional - this was so gruesome she could have thrown up at the sight. But the coat of fresh blood spread everywhere made her wish the body was still alive - still warm.

So Ellie was confused. And honestly? She was really fucking spooked, too. This forest was quiet - eerie even. There were no birds singing, no crickets chirping, even though they should have been wide awake. It screamed of danger, even to her. Vampires were predators, but for some reason, Ellie felt like prey. Her leg started twitching, begging her to run out of this place, lest it be next.

So she got out of there as fast as she could, in whatever direction was in front of her. The fog, still cold and damp, blanketed both the forest floor and herself, and Ellie couldn’t tell if it was the temperature or nervous that send the chill down her spine - but she ran. And after an hour, spent narrowly missing hidden branches and rocks (No, she didn't trip), she found a break in the clearing. Thank god.

Wait, was that a manor?

…

She ran the wrong way.

"Son of a-"

"Fuck these fucking forests and their fucking trees and their fucking rocks and houses-" She kicked a nearby tree, breaking the trunk in half. Then a rock, then the dirt. The volume of her yelling caused the birds to fly out of the trees. She glared at them, and then ran back to the proper way out. Fuck the blood for smelling so enticing.

On Tuesday, You heard commotion in the clearing near your house. But no human dared to come near, so you blamed it on the wild animals.

On Wednesday, You built an appetite. But so did Ellie. And this time, you were prepared.

On your bedside table sat a sugar bowl, a vintage style of ornate - only the sweets worthy enough deserved to be held within. It was rather beautiful, as the early morning sun gently reflected off the edge of it. It garnered your attention, as you slowly woke up. And slowly, as you leaned against the headboard of your bed, and reached over to sit it on your lap, your mouth watered at the promise of the treats inside. Today was the day.

You took the little gold lid off, eyeing the candy inside. Each piece wrapped in a different type of paper than the last. You licked your lips tentatively - what would you fancy today? Gooseberry? No, you had that one two days ago. How about Grapefruit instead? A tough choice to make, given the amount of flavours to choose from. Gently, your fingers circled the rim of the bowl, tracing the intricacies drawn onto the china, before you dipped your hand into the bowl and pulled a piece out at random.

The pastel green wrapper crinkled as you unwrapped it, before popping the candy in your mouth and closing your eyes as you savoured its taste. Green apple - an old favourite of yours. Though, it had definitely been a while since you last had that one in particular, because they were always the hardest to catch. Hidden in the ridges and bumps of the bowl, seen rarely, and chosen even lesser. Hm, you had your work set out for you tomorrow.

You clenched your fist in contemplation, and felt a poke from the crinkled wrapper still in your hands. You almost forgot. And at your favourite part nonetheless! You sat your self up, now cross legged on the bed as you unfolded the wrapper in anticipation. It was silent for a moment, as you raised a brow, absorbing the information in front of you.

Oh?

Written, in small font, was her information. Her age, her name, her crime. A lovely choice. And it was ironic, that out of all the ways she would be punished for it, you were her executioner. How cyclical, you thought. But never mind that, for she was just another victim to get rid of - nothing more, nothing less. You bit down on the candy, breaking it inside your mouth. It’s sour taste clouding your senses as you contemplated your methods. And yet, it would be a shame not to have fun with this one, after all, it wasn't often you feasted on one of her kind.

'Ellie Williams, 23, vampire.'

A dinner party at your manor would suffice, to lure her into your clutches, and to celebrate your forthcoming victory.

On Wednesday, Ellie was reckless. Starved. 3 weeks since she had last fed - and she was ready to do anything for another taste.

Taglist: @bready101 @elliewilliamsblunt @aouiaa @strangehuman101 @lov3lylotus @wishbones999 @seraphicsentences @les4elliewilliams @happysparklingshadows @irelandzo @r3starttt @iamaboringrattat @genderfluidlesbain999 @slut4mascss @rxreaqia @kylorey25 @massivepeacefemme @elliewilliamsfavborderhopper @ratdungeon @elxarw @mariasabanahabanabana @vvynia @abbyshands @littlegingerperson5 @flowersforvi

[sweetbans29]

Pups - CC

Pairing: Caitlin Clark x Reader

Summary: You and Caitlin just keep missing each other until she decides it's been long enough (based on THIS request)

Warnings: just fluff

Word Count: 2.8k

Sweetbans Masterlist

AN: I am switching the request up a little to make it fit a little better since it is set post-college for Caitlin and Kate, I hope it makes sense when you read it!

When you moved to Indiana for work, the first thing you did was head to the local animal shelter. It was your first time living alone and you hated the idea of being truly alone. You walked in expecting to come out with a sweet pup and ended up walking out with two, Pebbles and Bam Bam. When you learned they were surrendered together, there was no way you were going to separate them.

Bringing P&B home was nothing shy of eventful. The second they walked through the door, they were already making it their home. They are the reason your single ass upgraded from a queen bed to a king bed, ensuring the three of you would all have enough room to sleep comfortably together. Considering they were both medium sized dogs, you didn't really understand how you all didn't fit on your queen but your love for your two fur-babies was enough to make the switch.

Your two companions were the sweetest. They typically don't bark inside and are excellently trained.

Since you live in an apartment and work from home, you take them out often to make sure they stay active and so you don't go stir crazy. It works out well. You have found several local restaurants that love Pebbles and Bam Bam and have even met several people who frequent the same places as you. They have helped you build a little community in a place that is starting to feel like home.

It is late Tuesday morning when you take P&B out for their second walk of the day. As you set outside of your door you feel a immediate tug on Bam Bam's leash. You have just enough time to close your door before you are being guided in the wrong direction.

"Bams, chill out," you say as you gather yourself and adjust their leashes.

"Why hello there," a voice says. You look over to see a young man standing holding a trash bag. Bam Bam at his feet sniffing his shoes. Pebbles is much more reserved and looks at the man as if she doesn't quite know what to think.

"Hi," you say thinking the man was talking to you. You quickly realize that his full attention was on Bam Bam who is now running in circles greeting him. The man looks up and smiles lightly at you.

"Hi," he says, attention now on you. "I'm Colin, I believe I am your neighbor."

Colin looks to be a few years younger than you. Your first impression is that he is well-mannered and doesn't shy away from conversation.

"Hi Colin," you say and then introduce yourself. You extend your hand to shake his and you see P&B sitting politely as if they were waiting for you to introduce them.

"Your dogs are very well mannered," Colin says looking down at them.

"They are. I don't know how I was able to end up with them but it was almost as if they chose me when I walked into the shelter," you say with a little laugh. "This is Pebbles and Bam Bam."

"May I pet them?" Colin asks as he sets the trash bag he is carrying down and squats in front of P&B.

"Oh yes! Of course! They would love that," you say.

Colin puts his hand up to let the two dogs sniff it before he begins petting them. Bam Bam being the friendlier of the two has no problem with Colin right our the gate. Pebbles on the other hand, is still friendly but is more skeptical about the new person in front of her. She sniffs his hand but just stares at him.

"The one on your left is Bam Bam, he loves everyone and will be your best friend. Pebbles is on your right and she takes a little longer to warm up to people but once she does, she is a sweetheart and won't leave you alone," you say as Pebbles looks up at you.

"Are they Australian Sheppards?" Colin asks giving all his attention to Bam Bam who is eating it up.

"They are," you say. "I was surprised to see them in the shelter but they weren't there long. They were surrendered just a few days before I went in - sounded like their previous owner passed away."

Bam Bam now has Colin sitting on the ground while he sits right next to him, absorbing all the pets. Pebbles is still sitting at a distance but has laid down, now just observing Colin. You let them interact and watch at how much Bam Bam loves him.

"Bams is a fan of yours," you say. "Give Pebbles a few meetings then she will be just like Bam."

Pebbles stands and stretches as she hears her name, looking at you as if she is saying she is ready to walk.

"I sure hope so! They are already my favorite out of everyone I've met in the building," Colin says and you pretend to be offended. He laughs.

"I can't blame you, they are my favorite too," you say as you both head to the elevator. The two of you talk on the ride down and only part ways after Bam Bam says goodbye to his new friend.

You get back to work when you return from your walk. It is only Tuesday but your week has started off to be a good one.

Caitlin gets home and is exhausted from morning work-outs. When she enters the door she sees dog hair by the entrance and is curious as to where it came from. She just cleaned on Sunday.

"Colin!" Caitlin yells as she makes her way to the kitchen. "Why is there dog hair in the apartment?"

Colin emerges from his room with a smile on his face.

"It is probably Bam Bam's," he says as if Caitlin should know what that means. She gives him a questioning look.

"Bam Bam is the Australian Sheppard that lives next door. He has a sister, Pebbles but she hasn't quite warmed up to me yet. She will be in no time though." Colin says.

"Pebbles? Bam Bam? What are the Flintstones living next door or something?" Caitlin asks.

"Ahhh! That's why the names sounded familiar. I remember when mom and dad would put that on before school," Colin says. "And no, their owner was not apart of the Flintstones."

Caitlin laughs.

"You would love Pebbles and Bam Bam," Colin says. "They are the sweetest. Their owner was also pretty cute too."

Caitlin raises her eyebrows at her younger brother. "A cute neighbor?"

"Ya, not my type but she is cute. Honestly seems more up your ally but we only talked for like 10 minutes," Colin says.

"I don't have a type," Caitlin says with a little scoff. Now it is Colin's turn to laugh.

"You so have a type," he says as he makes his way back to his room.

Caitlin stands at their kitchen island and thinks on if she has a type. She wouldn't say she does, she doesn't feel like she has dated enough to have a type. Colin is just instigating. Yeah, that's it - her brother is just trying to get in her head about the cute neighbor. Caitlin tells herself that before heading into her room.

The next time you run into Colin is on your way back into the building. It is a few weeks after your first encounter with him and Bam Bam goes crazy.

"Bams!" You yell as your pup takes off sprinting to Colin. Both you and Pebbles follow closely behind.

"Bam Bam1" Collin says with the same excitement Bam is greeting him with. Colin immediately sets down his bag and pets Bam.

"I've missed you buddy," Colin says as Bam wiggles his butt in excitement. Pebbles also goes up to Colin, sniffing his knee then looks up at him. Colin takes notices and holds one hand to meet Pebble. She sniffs him as her behind starts to wiggle a little in excitement. Colin begins to slowly pet Pebbles and she lets him for a little before making her way to sit right next to your foot.

"Well that is nice progress," you say with a little laugh. Bam still going crazy over seeing his best friend.

"Hey, I will take what I can get with her," Colin says.

The two of you talk on your way back into the building. He talks about how he is only here until his school starts up again and you talk about what you do for work.

"Is your apartment empty when you aren't here?" You ask as the elevator reaches your floor.

"No, it is actually my sister's apartment. She is here full time, I am only here when I am on break," Colin explains.

"Ahhh, I see. Well don't tell Bam Bam that, he is going to be really sad when you head back to school," you say.

"Just one more semester and then I will be here full time!" Colin says with an innocent excitement. "So he doesn't need to be without me for long!"

You laugh.

You end up inviting him on a Saturday hike with the pups which he immediately accepts. He mentions how that is something his sister loves to do but has work the Saturday that's planned. You mention having her join next time and he agrees.

The two of you build a friendship and you find yourself really enjoying Colin's company. Almost as much as Bam Bam does but you don't think anyone could match the excitement Bams has when he sees people he loves.

Pebbles, like you said, warmed up to Colin. She still greets him with hesitation but lets him pet her and love on her.

Colin tells Caitlin all about you and your pups. Little to your knowledge you are a hot topic in the Clark household. Every time Caitlin gets back from practice, Colin is quick to talk about your most recent outing. He starts off by talking about something cute that Pebbles and Bam Bam did then always goes into how cool you are as a person. It has Caitlin's desire to meet you grow into something she thinks about everyday when she passes your door. She will sometimes slow down in front of your door to see if she can hear you talking to your pups. That is when she realizes that she might actually be jealous of the time that Colin is spending with you. Hell, she hasn't even met you and is jealous. She blames Colin for saying that you are her type after first meeting you.

During Caitlin's next off day, she is determined to meet you. That isn't hard to do considering Colin has plans to go on a walk with you and the pups and she has every intention of crashing it. When Colin calls out that he is going for a walk, Caitlin immediately pops out of her room ready to join.

"I think I will join you today," she says already in athletic shorts and a t-shirt.

"Great!" Colin says. "Bam Bam will love you, he is the softy when it comes to meeting new people. Pebbles will be skeptical at first but just give her some time and she will warm up to you."

Caitlin nods and follows him out the door. Colin walks up to your door and give it a special knock.

"It's open," you yell from the inside and Colin moves to open the door. Caitlin didn't realize the two of you were on such close terms. Leaving your door unlocked for anyone to enter is wild to her considering she has to take so many precautions being who she is.

Once they step through the door, they are greeted by who Caitlin believes to be Pebbles and Bam Bam. Bam Bam makes his way directly to Colin and starts running in excited circles. Who Caitlin suspects to be Pebbles, sits and waits for Colin to come up to greet her.

Once Colin is done saying hi to Bam Bam, he make his way over to Caitlin. Caitlin crouches down and begins to pet the fluffy pup who is excited to meet her. She can't help but fall in love with him on the spot. Pebbles, like Colin said, was much more reserved. She sat at a distance from where Cait stood and just observes her. It is almost as if she is interrogating Caitlin and seeing if she is worthy of knowing her human.

"I'm ready," you say as you pop out of nowhere but head straight to the kitchen. Caitlin barely catches a glimpse of you before you are out of sight again. Colin is already putting Bam Bam's leash on. It's as if he has done it several times before, which he has.

"My sister is coming with us today, if that is okay," Colin says as he struggles with Pebble's leash as she looks at him knowing his struggles.

"Awesome! I finally get to meet her," you say as you grab water for the pups. You finally make your way to the front door with a big smile on your face. Caitlin reciprocates it when she realizes how beautiful you are.

"Hi! It is so nice to finally meet you," you say.

"Same to you, I have heard so much about you and these two little ones for months now but Colin has been keeping you all to himself," Caitlin says and wishes she could have met you sooner, a hint of jealousy reveals itself as she eagerly shakes your hand.

"Wait," you say stopping dead in your tracks. "You're Caitlin Clark."

Caitlin's smile widens at the fact that you know who she is, something she usually tries to avoid when she goes out to preserve any sort of normalcy she can. But when it comes to you, it makes her heart jump.

You turn to Colin and hit him on the shoulder.

"You didn't tell me your sister was Caitlin Clark!" You say to him and he puts his hands up in surrender.

"It is not something I usually go around announcing," he says.

"I don't blame you," you say after thinking for a second.

"Well it is so nice to meet you Caitlin Clark," you say as you reach out your hand to shake hers, introducing yourself. She smiles and repeats your name and it is in that moment that Colin knows he was right about his older sister having a type.

"I see you have already met Pebbles and Bam Bam," you say looking down at your babies. Bam Bam is still getting pets from Colin and Pebbles is sitting in between you and Caitlin while she stares up at her.

"I have, Colin has given me the run down," Cait says with a laugh. You join her with a laugh.

"Good, Pebbles will get there eventually - she is just very protective," you say and Caitlin looks down to see how Pebbles has made it clear that she will be staying in between you and Caitlin.

"Well, I look forward to earning her trust," Caitlin says.

The three of you head on the walk. Colin is holding Bam Bam's leash and is a few steps ahead of you, Caitlin, and Pebbles. Pebbles walks right in between you and Caitlin, only moving to sniff something and relieve herself.

You and Caitlin talk the whole time causing Colin to whisper to Bam Bam, 'I told you they would hit it off'. When you get back to your apartment Caitlin wishes the walk was longer.

"Would you and the pups like to come over for dinner?" Caitlin asks, surprising both you and Colin.

"Are you sure about that?" You ask, knowing some people don't like having animals in their home because of the hair.

"Ya, I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't sure," she says. You nod.

"We would love that," you say with a smile.

"Great," Caitlin says matching your smile. "Why don't you come over around 6ish."

"Sounds great," you say as you enter your apartment. "We will see you tonight!"

Caitlin and Colin head into their apartment and Colin gives her a look.

"You hate when I bring dog hair into the apartment," Colin says. Her inviting you and the dogs over will surely be a cause for there to be more hair than ever before.

"A little dog hair never hurt anybody," she says as she begins to go through the cabinets and fridge to see what she could whip up for dinner.

"Mmmhmmm, I'm pretty sure I remember you saying how it was going to be a 'pain in the ass' to clean when I first started bringing it in," Colin says teasing his older sister.

"Ya well, it's worth it," Caitlin says thinking about the way you eyes smile.

"It's worth it or she's worth it?" Colin asks.

"She's worth is," Caitlin says without hesitation.

AN: Okay but this is absolutely adorable and if you think otherwise, you are wrong. But still, let me know what you think! And as always, thank you for your love and support

[youkaiyume]

Hello, it's been a while since I did a rant. But WARNING for gross medical things:

SO it turns out my old nemesis the ovarian cysts have plagued me again. I found out about three weeks ago when a weird pain wouldn't leave my pelvis and went to urgent care and they suggested a CT scan. ONLY! for my insurance to deny me cuz they think I needed more probable cause for one so my doctor just recommended I go to the ER (which ironically is way more expensive for insurance to pay for than a simple CT scan but they did it to themselves lol).

Turns out I have cysts on BOTH of my ovaries FUN. But the left one is very concerningly big and probably needs to be removed but I can only do so by getting an approval of an OBGYN. So after finding one and waiting for my blood tests to come back so she can determine if she can surgically remove it--

YESTERDAY I had a SUDDEN AND SEVERE pain that hit me. I was at a solid 10 on that pain scale and vomiting and sweating so I drove myself to the ER again for the second time in two weeks. Frustratingly, the MALE doctor came back and was just like "well it looks like while we were doing your ultrasound you weren't consistently experiencing pain" which I was ready to bite his head off because let me tell you. While I was laying stretched out letting them do the ultrasound I was in the worst pain the ENTIRE time. And it was not a short ultrasound. It lasted over 20 mins and even after they asked me if I could survive sitting through the vaginal ultrasound after which would be another 25 mins. And those are painful just for the stick poking around in your yoohoo alone. I begged for pain relievers and when I described it they were like "oh that's labor level pains"

SO Mr. I don't have a Uterus doctor, DON'T TELL ME that your machine says I wasn't in pain. He even hit me with a "well I don't know what your pain tolerance is" as if to minimize or make me feel like I was overblowing what I was feeling. Like, fuck that guy. But because technically the imaging showed that the cysts haven't ruptured or caused my ovaries to twist it was considered "non emergent" and so the just gave me painkillers and then sent me home and reiterated that the only way I could get it removed at this point was to beg my OBGYN and convince her it was an emergency. In the meantime it was "oh you'll have to live with LABOR LIKE PAINS 24/7 until they let you have surgery." In the meantime they said I should only return to the ER after I've took all my pain meds and my pain doesn't improve OR if something worse happens. like a rupture.

WHICH btw are the exact same symptoms I have today so I was like how will I know cuz I can't imagine a worse pain than this one to which they were like "shrug"

I was in tears. Oh but it gets EVEN BETTER. Called my OBGYN this morning and she said my blood tests came back and that unfortunately they detected higher than usual levels of cancer markers in the cyst so that means she can't surgically remove them for me, she has to foist me to an Oncologist so THEY can remove it. She tries to say it doesn't necessarily MEAN cancer but hnnnnnggg that does not help with my anxiety at the moment.

Now calling the Oncologist to make an appointment today was a whole ordeal itself cuz their system kept going to voicemail so I had to call all the departments until they finally let me through but I had to run back to the hospital to try to get my Ultrasound discs for them. But even then they were like "your appointment isn't until next Wednesday" because THATS when the doctor meanders into work. So I'm like OH so like, in the meantime what if something happens??? And they're like well you gotta call back your OBGYN to see if you have other options. Which turns out she is also out. Until Tuesday. So I'm like. Guess I'll die then!

I don't even want kids!!! These ovaries have caused me nothing but trouble!!! Please rip them from my body!!

[mythosidhesdollhouse]

Ok y'all these things are HERE (as in they are available for purchase as we speak) so we're gonna talk about it XD

This is a long one, don't say I didn't warn you--

My opinion of Sapphire is largely unchanged--I still think her outfit is egregiously boring and her face is creepier than it needs to be, but I do like her tight curls (tho the hair pulled straight back from her forehead isn't doing her any favors).

That said...I think they did this line dirty by leaking arguably the worst doll first, because the rest of them...are not *that* bad? Are they the old RH we know and love? No. But as an intro level doll for small children? Actually kind of adorable. Yes I still have objections to the plastic clothing, and yes it's possible they would have looked better with inset eyes, and yes the lack of articulation is disappointing--but purely going from my gut reaction as someone who has collected dolls for a long time, long before inset eyes and multiple points of articulation beyond the hip and shoulder became the accepted norm--I can't make myself hate them. In fact I like some of them enough to consider adding them to my collection, and--spoiler alert--I have ordered one already, but more on that later.

Sapphire and Amethyst definitely suffer the most from the plastic clothing; on the other girls with dresses where the skirt is stitched directly to the molded top it doesn't bother me as much. They both have extremely pretty hair though (if you couldn't tell the hair is the main draw of this line for me), and I think they would both benefit immensely from a restyle. Daisy's sundress is fine-but-boring; the atypical hand sculpt is a choice? but I guess they feel the need to remind us that she's supposed to be kawaii (except OH WAIT this isn't Sunny--guess they forgot, too). Opal and Magenta both have the advantage of additional fabric elements hiding the plastic bits of their outfit, with Magenta's being the more successful of the two.

And then there's Indigo. Let's talk about Indigo. Y'all, I LOVE THIS DOLL. All my biases are showing--the deep purple, the micro braids, the dark skin representation--I'm here for all of it. Do I have a sneaking suspicion that, much like her big sis Krystal, MGA tossed Indigo into this line as an afterthought to avoid the inevitable backlash for lack of diversity in yet another Rainbow High launch (as indicated by her notable absence from the main promotional group photo)? Possibly. But at least they've learned from past experience, and as a result we get--and I say this in absolute sincerity--the best doll in this line, hands down. I think she's beautiful, I ordered her as soon as I saw the listings were live, and she'll be here on Tuesday, so lookout for me to gush about her a bunch more :p

PHEW ok folks I think I've exhausted my well of opinions on this subject for the moment XD I know the Littles will most likely continue to be a divisive topic in the RH fandom, but for now I'm just rolling with an 'it is what it is' attitude for this new development. MGA has had a lot of highs and lows over the years, and this isn't isn't the worst they've tossed out by a long shot. Eventually the wheel will swing around and they'll probably give us some actual high quality dolls again; until that time we've got...whatever this is.

[ch0wen]

@cellyx - Thank you for the love for Allies in Arles 💞 Here is what I threw together based on your request. Hopefully it is a fun read of Lemon and Reader with a sprinkle of Tangerine x Reader too?!

Cover | Lemon and Tangerine - Lemon and Reader - Tangerine x Fem!Reader

warnings: cursing & implied sex if you squint

———-

The jostled picnic table you are occupying, shakes your water bottle. Emitting that buzz of ringing metal. Without looking up from your book, you steady it.

You’re on a self-relaxation break away from home. Correctly, seated in a type of refuge, tucked away from the heart of the city. To be able to find a quiet place to soak up the beauty of Central Park was a surprise, as this area is seemingly always filled with other tourists. It felt good to concentrate on anything other than work. Admittedly, it was nice to not hear a dozen screaming 2nd graders, and instead listen to the quiet sounds of nature.

“Hullo.”

“Jesus!” Dropping your book shut, your hand flies to your chest as you lock eyes with a smiling, brawny, black gentleman seated across from you. “Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Lemon. I’m begging that you act like this is a casual meeting. Like we know each other.” He pleads through a strained, nonchalant expression.

You fix your bewildered face to something more relaxed, “What is this for?”

“This was the first thing I saw while running in here. I’m being stalked by these guys. They may harm me if they catch me.”

“I'm sorry, catch and harm you? Are you a good guy or a bad guy in this scenario? I don’t—. Am I going to get in trouble for aiding in a crime?”

“Okay. Excuse me but, fuck, too many questions! I really should've doubled my coffee this morning. But Tangerine had to cite statistics on why that was unhealthy from one of those God damn medical pamphlets he found!” That spewing of input is not meant for you, because he doesn't even look for a reaction. He was only putting his frustration out into the world.

Wait. Now, who the fuck is Tangerine?

"But to answer you, it's debatable. I consider myself to be a good guy. At least, the kind that calls his mom three times a week. But when it comes to my job,” he shrugs with a click to his teeth, “It truly depends on what side of the situation you’re looking at it from. I do what I'm told and get it done. Minimal mess maker but will clean up after my brother.”

A pause, to contemplate if there were any additional traits he felt would be worth sharing.

“I think I am a pretty sound guy, yeah.”

“I feel like I have more questions after that. But okay, I'm Y/N.”

Quietly, he sat there with his hands clasped. You glimpse over his shoulder to the park’s entrance gates. Two angry-looking men jog by, pause, circle back, and continue running in the other direction. Lemon's back is to them but your eyes follow the blurred men until they're out of view.

They didn’t even look over here. Believing this stranger was safe from whatever threats those men held. You spot a blotch of crimson on his blue sleeve when you look at him again.

“Oh, you’re bleeding!”

You’re already reaching into your purse, for the ziplock baggie you call a first aid kit, as Lemon fingers the stain. He rolls up the fabric to expose his wound. You hand over a bandaid and he smiles at your kindness.

Getting a good look at the source of his bleeding, your eyes comically widen. How did this man get a gash that large on this random Tuesday? What kind of weapon would leave a slash like that? Who was he running from?

“Now looking at it, I’m not sure one bandaid will be enough,” you’re passing over your last three bandages. His smile is still present as he unwraps the aid, “honestly, you may need stitches.”

“Well for now something is better than nothing.” He’s holding the second bandage up for emphasis, “and I thank your Blue’s Clues characters for their service.”

You let out a chuckle, “I am a teacher, I swear! And I have a nephew! They’re all accident-prone. Those are the only characters at the moment that cheer them up when they get scraped.”

“Apparently, me and your wains have a few things in common.”

———-

Lemon’s head lurches forward, suddenly. A man appeared behind him. He had a trimmed mustache, disheveled curly hair, and rolled-up sleeves, exposing drying blood that may not be his. Clearly, he was the one that smacked Lemon upside the back of the head.

Lemon pivoted in his seat to scowl at this new man. He doesn't seem scared, so maybe this isn't one of the dudes after him. His eyes followed the guy as he walked around to the side of the picnic table, before dropping down next to him.

The angry man speaks, “Why the fuck did you run off?”

“You were holding your own in the cellar. I got cornered on the main floor and booked it.”

Lemon dodges an incoming smack. Seizing the mustached man's wrist midair and manipulating his open-palmed hand to point at you.

“She was assisting me with cover.”

Finally, Mustache looked at you. Subconsciously sitting up as he assesses you. Hopefully, he liked what he saw. It looked as though his eyes hooded slightly after locking with yours. Oh, you're delusional.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to use language like that in front of you.”

Your face warmed for a second time today. Except it was a sense of timidness towards this attractive man, not embarrassment like before.

“She was a proper nurse to me. Tended to my wounds and everything.”

Tangerine quirked a brow while Lemon turned his arm to show the once-fresh bandaids, now soaked. It's a bit macabre seeing Magenta and Blue's cheerful faces stained in red blood. Also, those are absolutely doing nothing to slow the blood loss. But Lemon is acting like you performed a successful surgery on him.

Tangerine eyed the cartoonish bandaids with a frown. Shot you a side glance then looked back at his brother.”

“Suits you.”

———-

You all sat together waiting to ensure the coast was clear. Thankfully, there weren't any awkward pauses. However, you felt it peculiar that they answered your questions in an odd way. Their responses held some truth but clearly censored typically normal facts, like their job description or real names.

You were able to learn that they're brothers. As if the bickering that interrupted the chat a few times didn't already give it away. They were both quite friendly while getting to know.

And maybe it was your own wishful thinking but you felt like you saw Tangerine observing you throughout the gathering.

“We’re still technically working, but I think the right thing to do is to walk her back to her hotel. The streets aren’t safe today," Tangerine suggests after fifteen minutes of scanning the park from his spot.

“Ever the gentlemen, T. But the higher danger level is because of us.”

“Don't," Tangerine warned.

“Figured honesty is the best policy. There are a shit ton of episodes of Thomas on that.”

“Stabbing you in the arm to deepen that wound may be the best policy to shut you up.”

“Okay, well now you’re definitely frightening her.”

“I am? Maybe the continuous reminder of looming death is doing the job already.”

Lemon paused,

“Right. Forget about that, love. You’re safe with us as your escorts back!”

You raise out of your seat with an ‘OK’ and Lemon’s arm in yours. Tangerine trailing behind like a guard dog with his head on a swivel.

———-

It has been a couple of hours since your afternoon meeting with the Twins. You immediately needed rest after getting back to your hotel room. Overwhelmed with your afternoon run in. You wake up with the idea that it would be best to clear your thoughts with a lengthy shower.

Wrapping a short hotel bath towel around your damp body, you brush out your hair. You’re blurred in the foggy mirror. Unexpectedly, the window in the adjoining room rattles. A dark mass behind you in the reflection.

Turning you witnessed a body climb through and crash onto the floor. You’re muffling your scream as your brain processes who just broke in.

"Tangerine? What are you doing here?"

“Dreadful etiquette coming in through the window, I know.”

He leaned against the door frame with a smug expression; Looking so unbelievably good. You can tell he has freshened up also. He wore a bone-white T-shirt and dark denim jeans. The golden rings he had on each finger kept catching in the light over the vanity.

"I wanted to give a proper thank you for helping out my brother before. Is that alright?"

For him, the biting of your bottom lip was your quiet confirmation. Still, he waited to hear you squeak out a ‘yes’ before invading your personal space.

He pressed you up against the cool, marble counters. His lips gently kiss your reddened skin, either from your hot shower or this gorgeous man in front of you is causing a full-body blush.

He ran his hands over your wet skin. Licking kisses against your neck. Pushing his bulge into your bare thigh. The grip on your towel loosened.

As it fell, his hand slid up in between your legs.

———-

[mariana-oconnor]

The Priory School pts 2-4

So, I was away and then I was sick, so this has taken a while to get around to. Sorry! In case you've ever been curious, going on a plane with a cold is an utterly miserable experience and 0/10 would not recommend. Don't do it. My ears still have not recovered. They should not be crackling like this.

Last time, a young boy whose parents had separated (leaving him with apparently the parent he liked less as primary caregiver) was shipped off to boarding school, from which he disappeared after receiving a letter allegedly from his father. A school teacher disappeared the same night along with a bicycle. The father of the child didn't want scandal so he's not telling anyone that his child is missing - I guess he really wasn't interesting in that father of the year award - and he and his secretary came to tell Holmes to back off.

Lots of people seem to suspect the teacher in spite of the fact he appears to have left in somewhat of a hurry and only one bicycle was missing. I find the secretary suspicious mainly because he's become such a fixture in the narrative (and because he's the one who's providing a lot of the information for the case and also the guy who posts the Earl's letters for him... was it an earl? My heart says it's an earl. Personally I think marquises are criminally underused, but it's more likely to have been an earl.)

Did I remember it all?

Part 2

"He had obtained a large ordnance map of the neighbourhood, and this he brought into my room, where he laid it out on the bed, and, having balanced the lamp in the middle of it, he began to smoke over it, and occasionally to point out objects of interest with the reeking amber of his pipe."

I assume that this means objects of interest to the case, but considering it's Holmes it could mean anything at all. Which is a far more charming image. Just Holmes poring over the map and occasionally saying 'oh, look here, Watson, the contour lines are very circular here abouts.' 'How does that pertain to the boy, Holmes?' 'What? Oh, not at all, but it does suggest some kind of ancient burial mound might be concealed there.'

"...there is no side road for a mile either way."

Excellent. It does make things easier.

Oooh, a map. A map. I do love a map.

Although, that inn is definitely called the Fighting Cock Inn, not the Fighting Clock Inn (there's one with a similar name nearish where I grew up).

Yep, that's Fighting Cock Inn.

Wait a sec... Heidegger's Body? Is Heidegger the German Teacher? Is he dead? Did I miss him dying? Oh... RIP Heidegger. I'm not sure your body has been discovered yet in the text, but apparently it's out there.

“In the van of the gipsies who camped on the moor. They left on Tuesday. To-day the police traced them down and examined their caravan. This was found.”

Well it's not them, unless they're someone else in disguise. I suppose they could be working for his mother. But thank you for the reminder of the racism, I guess?? I had almost forgotten about that in my eagerness to read the story.

"Now, Watson, there is cocoa ready in the next room. I must beg you to hurry, for we have a great day before us.”

Well, at least Watson got cocoa this time? Last time I don't think he got anything until after a long train journey, so this is better?

“I am familiar with forty-two different impressions left by tyres. This, as you perceive, is a Dunlop, with a patch upon the outer cover. Heidegger's tyres were Palmer's, leaving longitudinal stripes. Aveling, the mathematical master, was sure upon the point. Therefore, it is not Heidegger's track.”

OK, Holmes knowing 42 types of tyre track, fine. Makes sense. THe Maths teacher knowing what the German teacher's bike tyres looked like? Weird. Unless he also has bike tyres as a special interest.

"The more deeply sunk impression is, of course, the hind wheel, upon which the weight rests. You perceive several places where it has passed across and obliterated the more shallow mark of the front one. It was undoubtedly heading away from the school."

I don't... understand how that works. Surely it would have crossed over the front tyre track no matter which way it was going?

“But we have a long way still to go. Kindly walk clear of the path. Now let us follow the trail. I fear that it will not lead very far.”

Hey, Holmes looked at the map too! I joke, I joke. But yeah, sorry Heidegger. You seemed like a good guy.

"That he could have gone on after receiving such an injury said much for the vitality and courage of the man. He wore shoes, but no socks, and his open coat disclosed a night-shirt beneath it. It was undoubtedly the German master."

And thus to part 3. Poor Heidegger did not deserve to die. He was doing his best.

Part 3

As we approached the forbidding and squalid inn, with the sign of a game-cock above the door, Holmes gave a sudden groan and clutched me by the shoulder to save himself from falling. He had had one of those violent strains of the ankle which leave a man helpless.

Part 3 starting out strong at the Fighting Cock Inn. And please, Watson... like we believe Holmes has twisted his ankle. Please tell me that by this time in your association you did not believe Holmes had actually twisted his ankle? The man once pretended he was dying. He once pretended he was dead. You cannot tell me you honestly believed he had twisted his ankle.

“Look here, my man,” said he. “This is really rather an awkward fix for me. I don't mind how I get on.” “Neither do I,” said the morose landlord.

Look, I know he's a dick and he's the landlord of a pub named after animal cruelty, but still... I kind of like Mr Hayes. His level of fucks given is very Life Goals.

“Pals of the Dook, I suppose?” said the landlord, surveying our mud-stained garments with ironical eyes.

Ah. he's a duke. Well, I remembered the rest. Marquises are still underutilised.

“Because we bring him news of his lost son.”The landlord gave a very visible start.

And that's not suspicious at all.

Again a swift change passed over the heavy, unshaven face. His manner was suddenly genial.

Oh my god... maybe try not to react? I take it back, this guy gives far too many fucks. All his idgafuckery is an illusion. He's a fraud.

“Strange, Watson, that we should see tracks all along our line, but never a cow on the whole moor; very strange, Watson, eh?”

Oh bloody hell, the cows were horses all along. I can't believe I didn't think of that. I trusted Holmes to know the difference between cow and horse tracks, but I guess hes taken up too much brain space with tyre tracks and tobacco ash for animal tracks to be in there as well.

"By George, Watson, it was no brain of a country publican that thought out such a blind as that!"

Classist.

“The Duke's secretary!” cried Holmes.

Vindication! cried I.

Holmes keeps 'crying' things when they are trying to be stealthy.

Wilder doesn't seem like the type to cave someone's head in with a blunt object. Presumably he was on the dunlop tyred bicycle and someone else (the innkeeper, perhaps) was on the horse cow with the boy.

I know a lot of children say they want their teachers to die, but if this kid watched that happen and was unaffected then he's severely lacking in empathy and I in turn will be severely lacking in empathy for him.

“I fancy that I see your Grace's cheque-book upon the table,” said he. “I should be glad if you would make me out a cheque for six thousand pounds. It would be as well, perhaps, for you to cross it. The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch, are my agents.”

Holmes is being exceedingly mercenary in this one. He does not like this guy, it seems. Perhaps the man he saw in that window was the Duke himself and he had his own son kidnapped in order to... idk? Incriminate his wife so that he could divorce her properly or something? I imagine kidnapping would be grounds for a divorce even in Victorian times.

“I accuse you,” said he. “And now, your Grace, I'll trouble you for that cheque.”

J'ACCUSE!

And so to part 4.

I'm pretty sure in the first part I said the guy either knew exactly where his son was or he was the worst father ever. I mean, those two things were never mutually exclusive, were they?

Part 4

“I hardly understand your Grace.” “I must put it plainly, Mr. Holmes. If only you two know of this incident, there is no reason why it should go any farther. I think twelve thousand pounds is the sum that I owe you, is it not?”

We gonna indulge in a little bribery, huh? As a treat? Going to throw some money around and pretend like a man wasn't murdered because of our petty family squabbles?

Heidegger was worth more than £12k.

(That's about £1.2mill today btw)

“I fear, your Grace, that matters can hardly be arranged so easily. There is the death of this schoolmaster to be accounted for.” “But James knew nothing of that. You cannot hold him responsible for that. It was the work of this brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortune to employ.”

Pretty sure that's still a crime... that resulted in a man's death... for literally trying to save your son.

With all due respect, your grace (and that is none) Fuck. You.

"He lost not an hour in breaking entirely with the murderer. Oh, Mr. Holmes, you must save him—you must save him! I tell you that you must save him!”

My dudes, is the duke fucking his secretary? Kinda seems like the duke is fucking his secretary. This is the first time he's shown concern or emotion for anyone other than himself this entire time. Sure he knew where his son was the whole time, but still...

"I am right glad to hear it, if it will not react upon the fate of James.” “Your secretary?” “No, sir; my son.”

Oh... they not fucking. Nope... well that... let's draw a line under that shall we and back away from that entire line of thought.

Mmhm

God the duke is a dickhead.

"When I was a very young man, Mr. Holmes, I loved with such a love as comes only once in a lifetime."

Oh fuck off with that shit.

"...I gave him the best of educations, and since he came to manhood I have kept him near my person."

You couldn't have helped him get a job that... wasn't connected to you. So he could be his own person and not basically his own father's servant for his entire life?

So , let me get this straight. You didn't acknowledge him - even just to himself - you arranged and controlled his life and then when he found out he threatened to expose you? Honestly... fair.

And understandable that he hates the legitimate kid, too. He really shouldn't be taking it out on the child, obviously, and he's an arsehole, but it's absolutely understandable.

"All her pretty ways, too—there was not one of them which he could not suggest and bring back to my memory."

There comes a time when this stops being sweet and starts being creepy.

Why send him to school and not to his mother, which is.... further away from your jealous illegitimate child?

"I answer that there was a great deal which was unreasoning and fanatical in the hatred which he bore my heir. In his view he should himself have been heir of all my estates, and he deeply resented those social laws which made it impossible."

He may be a terrible person, but he does make some good points.

"I found him safe and well, but horrified beyond expression by the dreadful deed he had witnessed."

So Arthur's the best guy in this family, huh? Poor kid.

“This is indeed a most serious matter. Even more culpable in my opinion, your Grace, is your attitude towards your younger son. You leave him in this den for three days.” “Under solemn promises—”

Yeah, because people always keep their promises. Particularly when there's the chance of blackmail involved.

Worst Dad of the Year?

"What he will divulge I cannot tell, but I have no doubt that your Grace could make him understand that it is to his interest to be silent."

Not sure what he can offer a guy who's literally going to die either way? A quicker, more painless death perhaps. He doesn't seem like the type who would care about other people.

“In that case, your Grace, since you have yourself stated that any unhappiness in your married life was caused by his presence, I would suggest that you make such amends as you can to the Duchess, and that you try to resume those relations which have been so unhappily interrupted.”

I don't know the woman, but I know she does not deserve that. Holmes, you have got to stop trying to play matchmaker between rich dickheads and the women they have hurt. It's not a good look for you.

“These shoes,” it ran, “were dug up in the moat of Holdernesse Hall. They are for the use of horses; but they are shaped below with a cloven foot of iron, so as to throw pursuers off the track."

That explains Holmes' confusion.

Holmes folded up his cheque and placed it carefully in his note-book. “I am a poor man,” said he, as he patted it affectionately and thrust it into the depths of his inner pocket.

Well that's only true relatively, Holmes. I think almost everybody is poor compared to him. And you're being a right little shit about this, aren't you? Not that he doesn't deserve it, but still.

So that was the case. The duke at the time of initially talking to Holmes didn't know where his son was so he really was just a terrible father in so many ways.

I hope the Duchess tells him where to get lost and keeps living in France on his dime, tbh. And that Arthur goes and lives with her because clearly his father doesn't actually care about him at all.

[melissamasakari]

Confessions you didn`t notice

Chapter five. Solstice thingies.

The next week was quite routine. A bunch of small tasks, replenishing the warehouse, hunting for all sorts of monsters outside. Nothing special. And then on Sunday fireside Gale announced the grandiose construction of the century. According to him, the neighboring government had finally agreed with Portia to build a road to Sandrock. For this purpose, a huge bridge and transport network were designed. That sounded like tons of interesting orders and it was promised that orders will be posted tomorrow. For now, I can check materials and prepare.

So on Monday morning I already got the first specific task. Wow, that's a big deal. Fortunately, the deadlines are not as tight as is it customary with external investments. I made a plan, ran around abandoned ruins, and returned home. In the evening I heard a familiar stomp at the gate. Wow, who got here! And I already missed him a lot by now.

“Melissa, are you home?” Arlo kicked the gate a couple of times. Red-block-head, I'll just kill you! I just fixed the fence!

“What, smoking furnaces in the yard are not enough evidence for the great detective?”

“Well, knowing you, they are not. You can easily fire up the grill and go somewhere. I have to look after your stuff from time to time.”

“Come in, stop yelling over the fence. You'll scare away the neighbors' chickens.”

“You asked to knock. So I knock. But usually it doesn't help.”

“OK. What do you need now? Some great feats or something simpler?”

“Personal,” oh, that’s a smile. Okay, red-block-head, you’re off the hook.

“Did you broke new dummy within a week, or is something rotten in the warehouse?” I inquired, while trying not to show embarrassment and excessive interest.

“No! Are you going to the fest tomorrow? I got busy and completely forgot that there was also a snowball battle there.”

“Fest? Tomorrow?”

“Well, yes, Winter Solstice. We celebrate the end of the year, make wishes, and share plans for the next year. This kind of stuff.”

“We just didn’t celebrate this. There was something similar, but it was in the fall. Tell me about what will happen there.”

Redhead told in detail how they celebrate here in Portia the date that I usually call the New Year. The part with the big pot of shared soup is a little unclear to me, but overall it sounds very interesting. It's probably worth going. Wait. He just invited me to a public event. It doesn’t seem like a date; I don’t even dare to consider it so. But it turns out that we will be together in front of a crowd of people all day long, won’t we? Well, if I will not blush too much and stutter, no one will really notice anything. At the same time, I’ll piss off Nora. Moreover, I still don’t know what he decided about her, maybe he has a harem of little sisters formed through my efforts.

“How does it sound? Will you go?

“With you? Yes, with you I'll even go through the jaws of Death. And back.”

“I hope it's unnecessary. So, meet me at Alice's store in the morning.”

“Fine. Why there?”

“Approximately equal distance.”

“Fair point. I don’t need to run to the guild in the morning,” I nodded at the traditional chaos around the assembly site. “I have full bunch of orders until the end of the spring.”

On Tuesday morning I dresses up, grabbed gifts for friends and headed to the meeting place. Holy Mr. Peach, just how nervous I am! This is definitely NOT A DATE, why am I so worked up? Oh, there he is, waving his hand. Somehow I got there too quickly.

“Hey!” Arlo offered me his hand, inviting me to grab his forearm.

“Glad to see you so cheerful. That’s your favorite event, I guess?”

“Sure thing. A city hotpot is a big deal, especially when it's so cold and snowy. That’s nothing better than a hefty pot of hot, spicy soup in such a weather!”

“Is it so very spicy?”

“It depends on how much pepper and ginger the townspeople throw in there. And what?”

“Do they usually throw a lot? I don't really like spiced food while I can still stomach ginger or mustard. But I was sick tired of hot pepper even in Barnarock. For some reason everyone there was obsessed with it. What a nonsense, there is a wild heat all around, and they are still have to put it inside themselves also. Brr.”

“Then it’s better not to. Or grab a portion at the very beginning. Well, it's a pity. I thought you liked it somewhat spicy too. You've been cooking spicy food recently.”

“There was almost no pepper there.”

“And it still turned out very tasty. Maybe you can share the recipe?”

“No way! Then you will stop dropping by.”

“You don’t think I have no reasons to visit you other than dinner, do you?”

“Well... I don’t disturb public order. I don't eat kids for lunch. I don’t slander my neighbors. What else is within your responsibility?”

“Fires, for example. A disgusting thing. In summer, the meadows often burn. Come, help yourself before they fill it up. And I'll wait.”

I poured myself a portion, threw in a communal pot a couple of peppers myself, and together with Arlo we walked away from the cauldron to the bench so as not to disturb anyone. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed church attire in the crowd. I wonder if Nora was staring at me or ogling the redhead now? She was probably not pleased that she wasn’t invited by him. And Arlo didn't seem to notice anything yet. Great.

“Well, is it okay? Not too spicy for you?”

“It'll do. But after my intervention, it probably became much more scalding.”

“What did you add there? I'm not familiar with this type.”

“Duvos pepper. Two full pods. Remy once asked for a spicy crepe with duvos powder. Well, I still had some spare pods lying around.”

“Then I’ll run to try it before it was diluted. Be right back.”

While he was pushing towards the cauldron and fiddling with the plates, Nora suddenly approached me. Surprise. And what for?

“Are you enjoying the holiday?”

“Yes, we don’t celebrate that one where I am from. A curious event. Did you want something?”

“I wanted to challenge you!”

“To challenge me? Such an honor! Aren't you afraid of denting your robe?”

“I mean snowballs,” she hesitated. “After the hot pot. On the field.”

“Don’t you think that you and I are in very unequal conditions?”

“Elaborate.”

“As far as I know, you are from a region where snow is common. But this year, I think, is the first time I’ve seen snow myself.”

Very flushed Arlo loomed behind Nora. I wonder how much did he manage to hear? And how will he react.

“That didn’t stop you from running with everyone else at the last festival.”

“It didn’t hurt to run. But it was inconvenient for you to hide.”

“And I wasn’t hiding at all! Everything according to the common rules by the way! Well, do you accept the challenge? Or are you afraid of embarrassing yourself?”

“Ha. No way I'll refuse! If you want a battle, you'll get it. Just don't cry too much.”

“Are you chatting, girls? Great. I hope you two will become good friends.”

“We'll see, honey.”

Nora shuddered. She chuckled and, looking like an insulted princess, headed towards the gate. What a spirit! I hope Arlo won't be too upset when I’ll make her spit snow. Again.

“What were you talking about?”

“Didn't you hear?”

“In outline. It's quite noisy here.”

“Nora wants a snowball fight with me. Is it time for me to run scared?”

“Just drop it. She's a nice girl. Try to get to know her better and you'll see.

“I will try. But I don't promise anything. Cause I think we have nothing in common, you know.” Well, except for the same crush I guess.“Do tell me what do you think of my secret ingredient? I remember Remy even cried. I didn’t get if it was from nostalgia, happiness or l from mucosal burn.”

“It’s a fine brew. You should at least have given a warning, you hooligan. Otherwise you will have to be detained for sabotage. The children, over there, are just spitting from it.”

“You understand that your flimsy cage won’t hold me, right?”

“It shouldn't. But the fine to the workshop’s rating and the ban on taking government commissions will do better.”

“Oh, so you’re a sly one! You’re looking too pleased for such serious threats,” feigning offense I lightly hit him on the shoulder with my fist.

“Let's go, people have already gathered on the field.”

Now it dawned on me why no one cleaned the scenery from the last feast. The decorations were the same, except that the children had built more snow fortifications around. Today's snowball battle had half the time allocated compared with the last feast. I need to use it wisely.

“Well, are you ready?” Nora inquired capriciously. “I can give you a ten-point head start.”

“I reject. Make sure you don't need an advantage yourself.”

“Redhead, do calm down. You'll scare away all the townspeople.”

“Fine point from a redhead yourself. Are you on offense or defense?”

“I hope to have time to play both parts. Besides, I promised you.”

This sly blockhead first went to the side of defense and throughout the battle looked after and protected Nora from my tried. So, are they dating or not? If they are dating, then why did he invite me? Lost in thought, I missed the hard hit. Ugh! Well, now you BOTH will hear from me.

“Keep your eyes open!” Arlo shouted, made a funny face and rolled into another shelter.

I took the opportunity and landed a fine projectile into his “little sister”. Hey, he didn’t have enough time to cover her this time. And she asked for it herself! I'll make her cry later. I dodged her retaliatory projectile without any problems, as well as the Arlo's attempts to provoke me into a rash attack. Changing my position, I took careful aim, pretending to be aiming at him. As I had planned, he deftly dodged, exposing my real target for my attack. Nora was left without a hat. And then that sly redhead got hit in the face. Victory is mine!

“Kid, is it just me, or are you too aggressive today?” Sam slapped me on the shoulder from behind.

“Blame the hot pepper. Don't worry, I'm cooling down quickly.”

“Ugh, I'm not playing against you anymore.” Shaking out the snow from under his jacket, Arlo said, coming closer. Nora was not with him, so I can hope that she will not dare to take revenge soon.

“You signed up for this yourself. There is sparring. There is the Land Run. There are snow-fights now too. What's left there?”

“Fishing.”

“Ugh, disgusting! Any other options?”

“Ghost hunt. And the harvest festival.”

“You don’t participate in that two. I have a hard time imagining your attempts to grow a champion pumpkin.”

“I can eat up a champion pumpkin. But I do not want to. It's too sweet so I'll have a terrible headache.”

“Guys, the second round is starting, we’re dividing into teams again,” reminded Sam, who had observed our skirmish from sidelines earlier.

I didn’t want to go to the defense of the “castle”. Arlo kept his promise and didn’t play against me either. Somehow, completely imperceptibly, the game turned into “escape from the redheads.” Almost our entire team dropped out early, and the two of us really gave our opponents a cold one by the collar. Take that! Quite suddenly, evening came and it was time for the annual group photo. The townspeople flocked back, gathering under the Wishing tree. Wait, why did Nora decide to stand next to me? Is she trying to befriend me now? Was it HE who advised her to stick up to me? Hey, my opinion is not taken into account? Okay, girl, just smile. Hmmm, well, my face got somewhat too ghastly. I just hope Arlo won’t lay this photo on his dresser.

“Sam, don't go away yet.”

“I wasn’t going to; I’ll just gather our team.”

“Okay, I'll wait by the swing. Let the crowd disperse a little.”

Taking advantage of the respite, I rummaged through my bag. Luckily, all the packages are in place, so I can hand them all over.

“Remy, this one for you. I think it will come in handy,” I handed my friend the package, through the packaging of which the fabric was visible.

“New jacket. Cool, thank you, this is exactly what I wanted. And this is for you, open it quickly.”

Inside the small box I found brand new blue boxing gloves. Unable to contain my joy, I hugged my friend tightly.

“My turn! Here you go, little fella. It's your size, I checked twice. I know that your old one is completely worn out.”

“Wow! It's good that I didn't have time to order it myself. I'll be back in my favorite uniform jacket when it gets warmer. Now it’s your turn. It wasn't easy to get.” Sam pulled out a warm blanket with a picture of a horse from the bundle, beamed and hugged me.

“Thanks, kid! Remy, let's go. I'll help you with your knee, you’ve put a lot of strain on it today.”

“Arlo. This is for you. I thought you could use a replacement. This one should be sturdier and fit for a slightly heavier load,” I handed him a brand new arm stretcher with reinforced springs.

“You noticed then? I was just about to order a new one from you. Thank you! Now wait a minute.”

He began to rummage through the inner pocket of his jacket.

“Come closer. Here. Freeze,” he took a bright blue piece of fabric from the package.

Is this... Bandanna? Is it the same as his? While I looked at his gift in surprise and delight, Arlo carefully folded the bandanna in half and began tying it around my neck. He fiddled with it a little, straightened it, smoothed it out, and walked back a couple of steps to admire it. I'm sure I'm blushing A LOT right now. He carried it with him all day after all.

“What, Am I supposed to get hugs? Or did I guess wrong?”

“Why not? You guessed just right” I looked around, but no one seemed to be trampling around. So...OK.

“Then I’m waiting,” he spread his arms invitingly.

Gathering all of my courage, I rushed to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, reached out and quickly kissed him on the cheek, quietly saying “thank you.” Wow, his beard was so soft. And his herbal scent made me melt. Oh. Stunned by my determination, I just as quickly let him go, walked away to a decent distance and started running away, hiding my completely blushed face in my hood.

[gwenmontrose]

A little snippet from Long Live

Hi everyone! Chapter 1 is already underway, but a long week of intense study is waiting for me (at least until next Tuesday), so in the meantime I present to you a little snippet of what is about to come in Long Live...

“That’s my mother in a nutshell, Your Royal Highness,” she declared. She sounded almost… proud? “She likes to think she can still terrorise me. I find it quite amusing, to be honest.”

Inexplicably, a true, genuine smile appeared on Lily’s face, nothing like the fake, sardonic one he had been receiving from her since they first saw each other that morning.

James gaped for a moment.

Then he sagged against the car’s leather seat, quietly collecting himself from the surprise.

“It’s so weird,” he said, ultimately. “She is exactly like my mother.”

“I guess that’s why they get along so well,” Lily replied, unaffected. Then, she looked at him, eyes shining with a mocking expression. “That’s one thing we have in common, Potter. Both our mothers are absolute menaces.”

Minerva loudly coughed from the passenger seat.

“Oh, my,” Lily exhaled, sounding not even a little bit concerned. “Have I just committed high treason, speaking of our monarch like that?”

She really needed to stop being so funny.

He couldn’t let her have the satisfaction of making him laugh. He just couldn’t.

“Don’t worry,” he replied. “After what you did at the ball, she is already considering exile for you.”

The corners of her mouth twitched, almost as if she was trying to suppress a smile.

“I would very much like to be sent away from here,” she declared. “I was wondering, do you have a secret dungeon in Buckingham Palace? I’d rather spend a few months there than tour the country with you, to be honest.”

“Your feelings are completely and utterly reciprocated,” he fired back. “Sadly, we closed our dungeons to the public last year. Now they’re only used when one of us needs a secret room to have very naughty sex with the likes of Christian Grey.”

“Mr Wales,” Minerva almost barked, her voice bordering on hysteric, but James wasn’t paying attention.

This time, he had seen it. On her face, clear as the sun, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it quick.

A smile. Small, reluctant. Amused.

Ha, he thought. Take that, you hellish demon.

[yesyourstalker]

Neta: ok everything is set up. Just a couple interviews. Warabi!

Warabie: hmmmmmm

Neta: warabie

Warabie: hmmm what?

Neta: I need you to manage for a little until Mahi comes in. I forgot they had orientation today and they had no time to reschedule everyone. (Clap clap) [Signing] Seth, I know you have four clients scheduled today for piercing. Help warabie when you're able to.

Seth: cool

Warabie: hmmm My stomach still hurts from the tattoo and it's still healing.

Neta: *sigh* then sit down or lean across the counter. I don't know what you want me to do. You shouldn't have gotten that if you can't handle the pain yet.

Seth: I told you it wasn't good to do it all in one sitting, I could have scheduled you for another session. But I have to say you did take it like a champ

Neta: I have no time to argue with you I have interviews I have to get to. If someone asks for an interview to send them to the back of the office.........

___________________ interview one_______________

Neta: so what would be your greatest strength?

Naomi [inkling]: uhhhhh...ummm.... I ....I'm regsijtfh

Neta:....I'm sorry can you repeat that.....

Naomi: uh.....I'm.........................hm

Neta: take your time I'm in no rush.......... It says here on your resume that you're an artist you intern at inkpin publishing you worked on several mangas. That's pretty impressive want to tell me about that?

Naomi: uh....uhhhhh..........I'm sorry......[ Leaves]

Neta: oh.... wait! Uh...ok...*sigh* She left her phone. She'll be back maybe she calms down.. we can get somewhere.

_________________Interview two__________________

Neta: where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Vinny [betta fish] definitely not in prison again hahaha! Uhh ohh shit ummm.... Being serious in 5 years? Maybe a manager or an assistant manager of this store.

Neta: really? Ok.... You used to work in a kitchen

Vinny: it was more like a cafeteria but yeah I used to prepare the food I actually made the menus for the week. See I used to tell the corrections offic-uhhhh- I mean my head manager what they needed to order for the week so I can get my team to learn the recipes and to make them meals.

Neta: so you like cooking?

Vinny: not necessarily. I kind of got into it because I just wanted to belong and be a part of something and I didn't want to join a gang..so.....uh.....

Neta: uh huh

Vinny: I just really like that kind of busy work environment. It keeps me on my toes and keeps me preoccupied. I really work well in high stake environments and I like being involved with people who also enjoy that environment. I also really like music and I used to be in a punk band back in the day it was called D.I. DIE.... Kind of sounds like DIY like do it yourself-You get it.

Neta: That's interesting... What did you play?

Vinny: drums, I used to play drums. It was really good at it never played in a while. I hope Betty didn't sell my set after I got locked up

Neta: ok ........ All right. Here's the thing this interview was pretty decent..... Once the background check is complete. Expect a phone call.... Next week around Tuesday okay?

Vinny: really?

Neta: yep... We just need to do the background check and you're set

Vinny: ..... Right, my background check...uhhhhh about that

Neta: listen man... I don't judge. What you've done in the past I probably did worse. You came here, you applied for a job you passed the interview. It's very obvious that you want to turn over a new leaf. I'm willing to help you with that... Just expect the phone call and an email and will be....SET AHH

Vinny: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! HAHAHA

Neta: ah ha ok ok you can put me down now....hehe cod you're strong....

Vinny: I also took up weightlifting when I was inside.

_______________ interview three__________________

anemone:...........................

Neta:.................................... So.... What would you consider to be your greatest strengths

anemone:...ehhhh ...... I don't know...... My honesty I'm very honest person

Neta: ok ...... That's good.... Resume seems fine.... You said that you play guitar and you're in a band. Tell me about that

anemone: ugh..... I'm in a band and I play guitar That's it.

Neta:...................*sigh* shit he's one of those.......ok. in a group setting, how well do you work with-

anemone: okay let me just lay it straight to you. I'm available Monday through Thursday. I do not work Fridays. I'm available in the mid shift and closing shifts. I don't do mornings I never have and never will. You have my resume and my phone number you can call me on weekdays around 12 to 5 . After that I'm not picking up see Tuesday. Bye.

Neta:................................ .*sigh*........ We need more closers anyway.

__________________ interview four________________

Neta: what would you consider your biggest achievement

Fugue [puffer fish] My great is achievement? I would say I was one of the few to be picked to play at the scuba dome during the rainbow night symphony orchestra. I was one of the youngest only 15 at the time.

Neta: Yes That's very impressive. I actually read that in the paper you used to Seiche high of the arts. I'm trying to get my daughter into that school next year.

Fugue: yes that was me. Played the tuba It's a wonderful school. I'm sure she'd love it.

Neta: That's very impressive. So why do you want to work here?

Fugue: well I'm trying to save up to go to college I'm trying to get into Brackish University they have a really good music program.

Neta: Brackish!! get out of here! My fiance goes Brackish!

Fugue: oh I'm well aware, ikkan right? That's very impressive, he must have a good reputation. They don't really take back many people once they drop out. If it's too much to ask, what instrument did he play for his audition? I'm assuming it was a bass an upright one right?

Neta: you'd think that but he actually did play the bassoon. He's actually the only one in his marching band in high school to play the bassoon

Fugue: He must have been very skilled. You don't see that many bassoons in band.

Neta: yeah.. he's very talented and hard-working. Most of it was self-taught you know outside of school and everything

Fugue: yeah.... Are you self- taught?

Neta: yeah.. I taught myself... I used to watch music videos and I used to copy their- oh Man we're out of time. I'm sorry we trailed off. I didn't even get to finish the interview

Fugue: oh I'm sorry so do I reschedule or

Neta: nah... you have the job kid. You seem like a really good kid and you have a lot of head of you. I'll send you an email and call you Tuesday okay?

Fugue: thank you sir.

Neta: aw what fine young man. We need more kids like that in this world.

_______________________________________________

Neta: it seems to be everyone... I still need to do the baristas but I have to wait for AHhhhhhh.....uhhh Stefan, you're here..... Great.... You could have said something

Stefan [betta]: sorry.... I didn't mean to startle you.....so...... Let's talk I'm thrilled to be a part of this store expansion

Neta: right.... First, how are you doing? How's business?

Stefan: business is great. I finally have my coffee in Mako March. I never thought I'd seen my brand...................in a discount chain store...............umm

Neta: I mean hey! If it makes you feel better It's the most expensive one in there.

Stefan: well of course it is. It's the best quality coffee out there. It should be the most expensive........ Anyway, did you hire me a barista for the shop

Neta: yes.....well I do have a candidate for that store. They are my last interview. They should be here in........ Maybe 30 minutes ......

Stefan: um...

Neta:..........so............. How's your father?

Stefan: he passed finally

Neta: oh.... I'm sorry to hear that.

Stefan: don't be. Its what we all wanted.

Neta: Was it peaceful?

Stefan: it was. he went in his sleep.... We were all prepared for it to happen so we had everything ready.

Neta: yeah that's how my mom passed. My aunt told me she just closed her eyes, dozed off and just never woke up

Stefan: and that's all we can ask for, no pain no suffering just go, when you're ready, you're ready...... I buried him with his prize possession

Neta: let me guess a coffee machine-

Stefan: A stove top espresso and coffee maker

Neta: of course

Stefan: it was his first ever coffee maker and used to make My mother and I coffee with that every day till the day he died. He cherished it like it was a child, Unlike how he cherished me.

Neta: oh...ok that's uh

Toguni: excuse me. I'm here for the interview for the barista job

Stefan: he's early..... Very Punctual

Neta: Right you must be ehhhhhhhh.......... Toguni!! You're the one I sent the email to!

Stefan: hello you must be my apprentice

Toguni: oh uh...wow your...

Stefan: Stefan the reinventor of coffee. Yes I know. Nice to meet you. sit down please I insist make yourself come through right next to me.

Toguni: Yes sir

Neta: well thank you for showing up today the interview will be short and simple I just want to get to know you and you're just going to answer some questions-

Stefan: Tell me what's your relationship with coffee?

Neta: Stefan

Toguni: un-

Stefan: what is your favorite type of coffee?

Toguni: I love coffee

Stefan: what is your opinion on cold brew

Toguni: hu-

Stefan: if I give you three cups dark roast, medium roast and light roast, how fast could you tell them apart? And if abel can you tell me what brand of coffee I give you?

Toguni: iiiiiii

Neta: Stefan, you're making him nervous

Stefan: what is an Americano?. Huh what is that? That's a genuine question. What is an Americano like what is that? What does that even mean? Neta you know history? What is that?

Neta: the Americano is named after a location during the mammalian period it was the first to be destroyed during world war-

Stefan: I don't need to hear one of your history lectures!!!!

Neta: your the one who asked

Stefan: what is the difference between a cortado and a flat white

Toguni: oh! I can actually answer this-

Stefan: quiet! be quiet, shut your mouth and I've had enough.......................

Toguni: ..........

Stefan:........................ I like you.... You don't sound like you're from here. Where are you from?..... Don't answer that.... I like you. I really do

Tagami: * gasp* really so I'm hired

Stefan: no. Not yet. You need to make me a single cup of coffee. Your choice.

Neta: We have a coffee maker in the break room but it only uses K-Cups

Stefan: no, he's not making that type of coffee. That's what you call coffee is an insult and abomination and you need to be ashamed of yourself for even suggesting that we use that coffee machine!!... *Sigh*.... here's my house address. You shall show up to my house at 7:00 a.m. I have all the materials needed. You make me one cup of coffee and if I like it........ You're hired.

Toguni:.........uh.................yes sir you said 7?

Stefan: Great! Be there at 7:00. I'll see you then. I see a lot of potential in you. Good bye....

Toguni: ......... .. ......

Neta: I'm .....so sorry. He's a fucking weirdo I don't know why I agreed to work with him. Listen you don't have to do any of that if you don't want to... I can

Toguni: I can't believe I'm going to his house. I'm going to Stefan's you make him a cup of coffee. I thought this was just going to be like a crappy part-time job

Neta: hurtful

Toguni: I have to. I have to go home. I have to practice I have to .. Make coffee....bye thank you for the interview!

_______________________________________________

Neta:* inhale* * exhale*.......

anemone: that guy was a fucking weirdo

Neta: ...... yeah he is ....... Why are you still here?

anemone: I just wanted to see all the other freaks I have to work with....... And they're definitely freaks *huff*

Neta: well, you're going to have to tolerate them.... Hey, maybe after a couple days you might actually like some..... Maybe you can let go of this mean facade you have on and actually make friends.

anemone: I have friends

Neta: ehhhh I don't believe you ... Trust me this whole 'thing' that you have going on, that's how I wasted my teenage years. Trust me.

anemone: *humpf*

Neta: *sigh* I still have that Naomi girls phone wonder if she's-

Naomi: I'm back! I'm sorry I panicked....uhhhhh I uh i.........

Neta:...........

anemone: heh...

Naomi [faces away. Eyes closed] .....*sigh* One of my greatest strengths. I like to show up early and on time I don't like being late. I know that I didn't show it today, but I am actually very reliable............ I don't really have a uh......uh...... Life..... outside of work so I am available whenever you need me. Just call me at any time and I will show up.

Neta: what did you choose this job?

Naomi: Truth is that.. My therapist wants me to go outside and interact with people... .... and suggest getting a part-time job...... to further improve my social skills....... I decided on rockshock because I like music. ........ and I like the alternative community and that it caters to.... People in the alternative community, though they look scary. They are actually very welcoming and patient and I feel like that would be a good environment to start my journey in to social interaction

Neta: well I must say you were right on that......... You forgot your cell phone on the table...... I'll call you next week for orientation okay?

Naomi: ok .....*huff* ok. ..... I'll be going. Thank you... he's so nice.

Neta: It's no problem.

anemone: I gave give her a week

Neta: shut up

anemone belongs to @fish-at-fish-fish-resort

And Toguni belongs to @conkreetmonkey

And neta belongs to...oh me he belongs to me nvm

[panicatthediaz]

Whoop, here we are on part 2. I was a little too impatient to wait until Tuesday, but updates are supposed to be weekly so I can write a little bit ahead. Keeping a regular schedule is tough, y'all. [Part 1] – [Part 3]

@madaboutmunson @lamburrito @benjaminrussell @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @dijkstraspath @swiftiebuckleys @spectrum-spectre [Let me know if you want to be tagged!]

Pin a String to My Chest – 2

A chance meeting

He might have never been interested in anything physical, but he had eyes, and people watching was always entertaining. Sometimes, that led to watching specific people. Sometimes, those specific people took issues with his watching.

(Sometimes, some rare times, people didn't seem to mind it, much. Sometimes, it even seemed they agreed with what he had to say. It's how he ended up with the current iteration of Corroded Coffin, beyond their shared interests.)

And Eddie would notice things. He had noticed his mom stopped fighting against his father's verbal and emotional abuse, so he started doing it instead. He had noticed that some of the things he heard at school were pretty close to shit his father used to say, and Eddie simply refused to be anything like him.

It was a lot easier to be loud about shit when he realized that not everyone could be. His mom, Gareth, and that one kid he found in the school parking lot in his sophomore year. It brought the attention onto him, but he handled Richard Munson just fine, right?

He'd never expected anyone to come to his defense; loud and opinionated metalhead that decided being different actually made more sense? Yeah, right. He wasn't even considering the fact he lived in the trailer park with his uncle.

(No offense to Wayne, of course, the man knew what most of the town thought about them. He just repeatedly urged Eddie to stay safe.)

Eddie, though, was the protector of his little group; drawing attention to himself then running with it, often literally. He could take a punch or two. Had taken quite a few in this school year already.

He had taken a couple of punches just now, so Grant, newcomer to Hellfire that he was, could get home unhurt.

"Hey!" The next punch never came, and Eddie looked up to see Jackass of The Week being pulled away by none other than King Steve himself. "That's enough, get out of here."

Eddie frowned, but neither the Jackass nor Harrington were looking at him; Steve was simply staring the guy down. At least it wasn't anyone from Hargrove's little group, this whole mess would've gone oh so well…

A soft touch to his arm startled him out of his musings as Steve started moving and taking Jackass with him, and he crossed his arms over his chest on instinct.

"Oh, geez, I'm sorry!" The girl next to him exclaimed. The hallway was pretty much empty after Steve left, save for a few stragglers that were doing a terrible job of not watching them. She grimaced and added, "I didn't mean to startle you, or anything."

Eddie shook his head and glanced around. He prided himself in paying attention to the people around him, but he couldn't think of a reason why sophomore cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham would be talking to him.

"Here." She held out a tissue, offering a small smile. "You got, uh..." She grimaced once Eddie took the tissue, and gestured to his face. "You're bleeding."

And yeah, okay, he could feel the sting now that everything was calm once more. He turned to Chrissy with a faint smile, pressing the tissue to his lip and trying not to wince. It could've been worse, but the split lip was going to be annoying anyway.

"Thanks."

Her smile widened, and she was quick to say goodbye after that. Something about cheerleading practice, "not that I think you'd know much about it," but it was said without malice. It sounded somewhat like I know it's not something you're interested in and that's okay. Like I listen, actually.

Realizing, later, that Chrissy Cunningham did listen, and even seemed to consider some of the things he'd said?

It was refreshing.

Which made seeing the downward spiral that much worse.

[aniron48]

Love Letters - Day 7

Welcome to Day 7 of Love Letters, a 00q choose your own adventure! We are in the final stretch now--there will be one more poll tomorrow night, and then we'll wrap on Tuesday, 2/14 around 9:15ish EST.

If you're joining for the first time, you can catch up here: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6

And if you've been voting with us all along, finally--finally--you've unlocked Eve Moneypenny! Well done, chaos muppets. Day 7 starts below the cut. 💜

He didn’t know what had brought Moneypenny to Bath, but it was imperative that he follow her and find out.

Bond waited in the shadow of a newsstand, pretending to look at magazines, until Moneypenny came out of the patisserie, carrying a small pink box wrapped in twine. After a moment, he began to follow, taking care to stay out of her line of sight. This close to the river, the February air had a wet chill to it that made Bond grateful for the scarf he’d brought with him from London. He wrapped it closer around his neck, taking care to arrange it so that it would further obscure his face from view if Moneypenny turned around.

He followed her south for awhile, and then west, toward the Pulteney Bridge. As Bond dodged patrons coming out of a coffee shop, Moneypenny suddenly turned down an alley behind one of the shops.

Bond picked up his pace, trying not to lose her. When he turned the corner, he found Moneypenny aiming a gun at him. Again.

“Once wasn’t enough, Moneypenny?”

“Jesus, Bond,” Moneypenny said, lowering her weapon. “You might want to consider redoing your surveillance training. I realized I had a tail three whole blocks ago. What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I might ask you the same thing.”

“I’m meeting someone.”

“Meeting whom, exactly? Did Mallory send you?”

“There you are, Eve,” said a voice from behind them. “Have you seen—“ Tanner stopped in his tracks. “Oh. Bond.”

“All right, what’s going on?”

Tanner opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Moneypenny grabbed him by the hand. “Fine. You’ve caught us. We’re having a bit of a lover’s holiday.”

Tanner looked from Moneypenny’s face to their joined hands and back again before saying, “Yes. A lover’s holiday.”

“I thought you were seeing that redhead in accounting. Brenna something.” Bond said.

“Yes, well, that’s why we’re sneaking around in Bath. Tanner hasn’t broken it off yet. Poor thing, she’s going to be devastated when she finds out.”

“Oh my god,” Tanner said faintly.

“But people bounce back. Brenda will bounce back, Tanner.”

“It’s Brenna.”

“Anyway, Bond, I don’t think you ever told us while you were here.” Moneypenny folded her arms.

Bond folded his arms back at her. “I’m here to buy Q a Valentine’s Day present. He’s been on about Bath since he watched Persuasion with you.”

“So you’re here to buy him—what, exactly?”

Bond reached for the first thing that came to mind. “A snow globe, if you must know. Of the city.”

“That’s surprisingly sweet. Let’s see it.”

“I haven’t bought it yet. I’m still looking.”

“Luckily for you, there’s a souvenir shop just around the corner,” Moneypenny said breezily. “Shall we go together?”

Twenty minutes later found Bond driving back to London with an extortionately-priced snow globe featuring a replica of the Bath Circus, and Tanner and Moneypenny crammed into the passenger seat of the DB8.

“We really could have taken the train back, Bond,” Tanner said.

“Really,” Moneypenny added, turning away to tap out a message on her mobile, accidentally elbowing Tanner in the stomach as she did so.

“Nonsense,” said Bond. “I insist. This will be much quicker. I know it’s a squeeze, but you lovebirds don’t mind a bit of a cuddle, do you?”

“Not at all,” Moneypenny said, smiling in a way that suggested she’d quite like to cut his brake lines.

“Unless there’s a reason you wanted to take the train, of course. If there is, just let me know, and I can drive you back to the station.”

“Well—“ Tanner began.

“No, no reason,” Moneypenny said. “I’m sure we’ll all enjoy the drive.”

“I know I will,” said Bond. He pulled up the music app on his phone, searched for the album entitled “Scotland: Bagpipe Classics,” and hit play.

Back in London, he dropped Tanner and Moneypenny in front of her building. Before they could walk away, however, Bond rolled down the driver’s side window. 

“Moneypenny,” he called after her. “Why were you and Tanner really in Bath?”

She walked back to the car and bent down to look in the window. “You first. I want the truth, Bond. Were you really there for Q?”

“Yes, I was. I can promise you that.”

She studied him for a minute, before saying, “Then let’s just say we have a mutual interest.”

She turned and walked away, lifting a hand in farewell.

Two days later, Bond received a package in the mail. It was a small, narrow box wrapped in brown paper, addressed to Bond in Q’s unmistakeable handwriting, and bearing a postmark from Bath.

Inside the box was an elegant fountain pen, the same cloudy-grey color as the Aston Martin, with the initials ‘JHB’ engraved on it in a looping monogram.

It couldn’t be.

Bond examined the pen from every angle, taking care not to drop or shake it, even though surely Q wouldn’t have sent the pen through the Royal Mail if it contained explosives.

At least, Bond didn’t think. 

He ran his fingers over the pen one more time, feeling for a catch or a hidden button, but aside from its beauty, the pen appeared to be unremarkable. Unless—yes. There it was.

There's no way I'd let you accidentally blow up Bond right before the end of this choose your own adventure, right? *OR WOULD I...???* 😁

[nowoyas]

Edible Arrangements 31

First - Prev - Next - M.list - Ao3

A/N: FORMATTING THIS FOR MIDNIGHT FROM AT 11:53 PM YEET

Chapter Summary: January flies by as you begin a new semester. Izuku falls deeper and deeper. You begin to fear you may never pull him out.

Warnings: off-screen minor character death, murder talk, blood

Word count: ~3300 words

January comes like an old friend, the cold biting, the snow settling over the house and the lawn in a gentle, untouched blanket. Izuku has spent most of it—all of it, except for when you drag him out somewhere—inside, focusing on grading, on work, until the exact moment he can break away to his real project of the day:

The Fucking Death Adder.

("Fucking" is not part of the man's serial killer alias, but it might as well be for how Izuku thinks of him.)

Four days into January had woven the threads Izuku had been collecting into a dead end. Nothing seemed to be happening anywhere—had the man gotten injured and was recovering? Or had he decided to lay low in light of too much attention? It couldn't be that he knew Izuku was getting closer—his habits hadn't changed except for you. Still he spent his time inside, squashing the occasional media request from a desperate journalist who still remembered his past and focusing more on his students than on things like getting an appropriate amount of sunlight for a vampire or remembering to drink. Still he isolated himself. Still he appeared to research, and teach, and teach, and research.

He wants to be grateful for his time spent studying languages, but his decent Russian only gives him enough to know that the news site he's scouring has nothing to say about mysterious murders matching the description. Neither does any of the others—in other words, just as much information as he had before. The man could be anywhere, and here Izuku is, sitting still.

Sitting still and waiting.

~

It is with great displeasure that I must inform you that suffering does not come to an end. Not even minor sufferings, or medium-strength sufferings that beg you for a steady supply of extra-strength Tylenol.

Or, in this case, not only one familiar face, but two, the first sitting just across the aisle from you in a bigass auditorium in a too-cold building on campus so that you’re stuck shivering with an arm not yet healed enough to make long sleeves comfortable.

Blond hair and a resting annoyance face.

Further ahead, towards the front of the room (you think making a point not to turn around and be forced to acknowledge Neito’s presence) is a head of fiery hair. It seems Itsuka and Neito still aren’t getting along. (Did they ever?)

Neito waves at you. You consider dropping out of college.

(If Izuku weren’t now also paying your tuition, too, you might.)

(You should really consider getting a job.)

On the bright side, suffering comes with good things! On Tuesday, there Mina is, TA’ing your general education credits-mandated dance class! When class lets out, you hang around and walk out of the building together.

“You didn’t intentionally take my class, did you?” she teases, eyes playfully narrow.

You snort. “No way. How do you even TA for dance? Gonna be grading papers this semester? Proctoring dance exams?”

“Oh, totally. For sure. Definitely.”

You check your phone. For the millionth time since New Year’s.

“You good?” she peeks at you.

You shrug. “I just… Did Tenya happen to mention why…”

“Oh. That. He hasn’t said anything… maybe ask Tsuyu? I know she and Tenya have been hanging out, like, constantly.”

Something in you twitches in discomfort. You can’t place it—why should you care? They’re your friends. If anything, you’re pleased that for once, people are getting along, seeing as how you tend to collect people who are incompatible on a fundamental level. (Case in point: Tenya and Izuku. Case in point: Neito and half of your friends.)

(Whether Neito counts is debatable.)

So you’re glad, really. And you don’t care! You don’t have a reason to care about something like that!

“Since when?” you ask.

(Dammit.)

“Since New Year’s, I think. Chalk it up to bonding over not being drunk at the party, I guess.”

“If only that worked.” You force a smile. It comes too easy to you. Why do you have to force it? “And yet the usual two are still at each other’s throats.”

She snorts. “Got that right. I’m not sure you’re ever getting those two to agree on anything, sorry.”

“Haha, yeah.”

(God, you really just said “haha” out loud.)

(It’s worse than you thought.)

Mina arches a brow your way. You hate her nose for these things. Ear. Whatever. She should take a journalism course and leave you to not acknowledge your problems. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing! Nothing’s wrong. I think I’m just stressed. You know, all the classwork, and I didn’t really get any rest over the break, and—“

“Oh?” Her voice drops low, teasing. “What were you up to?”

You roll your eyes, batting at her shoulder. “Shush. I was doing some personal research.”

“On what? Vampire anatomy?”

“I’ll bite you.”

“Go for it. Bite your hot landlord first, though!”

“Oh fuck you,” you reply, though there’s no bite to your words and you both know it.

She smiles. “There’s [name]! You were getting all gloomy there for a bit.”

“Was I?” You tilt your head. Maybe you were. It’s already slipping away, though. Fuck, are you experiencing mood swings? Do you need to call up your old therapist? “Weird. I already can’t remember.”

She hums suspiciously. “You’re a good actor, though…”

“Really!” You take on a mocking tone. “You just make everything unimportant slip away, my dearest—“

Now she’s laughing and hitting your arm.

Whatever it was, it’s gone, and with it, the pair of you go, too.

~

Neito to [name] at 3:47PM

Neito: You probably don’t care, but I wanted to tell you:

Neito: I called the number for the therapist you gave me.

[name]: that’s great!

[name]: like, genuinely

Neito: Regrettably, it seems that I’ve been put on a waitlist. Who knows when she’ll actually be available, but I thought I’d tell you

[name]: oof

[name]: that sucks

[name]: she’s totally great though. worth the wait

Neito: I sure hope so. You said she’s good with trauma-type things, right?

[name]: oh yeah totally

[name]: did I ever tell you my roomate freshman year stabbed me?

[name]: *roommate

Neito: she WHAT

[name]: right? it was totally out of nowhere

[name]: yeah apparently a girl with a transformation quirk totally replaced my roommate for no reason

[name]: like my roommate was just a random sort because I didn't really have any friends to room with so we'd never met or anything

[name]: anyways so she was dead before we ever met afaik shit was wild

[name]: some other stuff went on around that time too so I just bucked up and forewent some meals to pay for therapy lmao

[name]: all that to say doc fuyumi's great! aside from the scar it's like it never happened lmaoooo

Neito: well, that's a rave review if I've ever heard one

Neito: but are you just like a magnet for trouble or something?

[name]: hey, that's not nice

[name]: apparently I'm ALSO a magnet for vampires, thank you very much

Neito: I'm sorry but I'm failing to notice a difference

You roll your eyes and pocket your phone. You're sort of hoping your troubling vampire magnet tendencies will help you find the answers Izuku's looking for. Best not to curse it.

~

The time flies on. Maybe it's your nose being in so many books and classwork, maybe it's the looming presence of your lack of a job (completely for lack of trying, mind you) in the background of everything, but it flies.

(Izuku's no longer sure what day it is, let alone the time. He's trying, really! But sometimes things are more important than sunlight and keeping regular schedules, and Sbeve is good at reminding him to eat every now and then. So if he sleeps at his desk more nights than not these days, that's between him and his desk.)

And then, as January melts into February, you check your email on your way in the door after class. It's an absent scroll—you're worried about a paper draft for your Quirk Genetics course; you've been checking for a notification of the feedback obsessively every day since you submitted it. You've been working hard on this paper, dammit, and—

(He's replying to an email from a student. Run of the mill questions, but he's sure they just missed the line in the syllabus they need. No big deal! A quick reply, and—)

Anyways, that's not the issue, not really.

(His fingers still on the keyboard, head tilted in confusion.)

The issue is that, as always, the house is eerily silent. Some days it's been like you lived alone in this mansion. You hate it—not because Izuku can't spend his time doing as he wishes, or because you're finding that the meals you've grown used to just having have started trickling out, but because Izuku is steadily growing worse along with it. You can barely count how many times you’ve had to remind him to feed, how often you have to drag him away from his damned desk to make sure he sleeps and dresses himself.

(His desk phone is ringing, the one intended for work calls. His desk phone never rings. Of course he picks up—he's got tunnel vision, but he's still doing his job! It's probably just a matter of something his colleagues need to know. Not a big deal, either!)

(If his hands twitch with nerves and his eyes skim a news article on his second screen as he picks up the phone, that’s between him and Sbeve.)

And you've tried to help! You have! But there's only so much you can do when the man doesn't even look for information in a language you speak half the time. It's shit like Russian, which admittedly is extremely cool but completely unintelligible to you!

(Whatever he had been typing is gone from his brain. The words on either screen are gone.)

But still.

(Dr. Midoriya? Are you there?)

The mansion's silence feels heavier than usual.

(“No, no!” he replies, voice strained. “Yeah. No. Sorry. Just… yeah. You get it.”)

(I do. No one’s gonna blame you if you take a day or two off work, you know.)

(He navigates to a new tab and pulls up his email. He’s got someone to contact. “Oh, I won’t be doing that. Can’t fall behind, you know? But I’ll give the poor kids a day off. Uh, yeah.”)

You set down your bag and scroll back through your emails, searching for any point of interest. Feedback, or a new assignment, anything to keep your mind off of how useless you're being while Izuku falls deeper into tracking a serial killer who might be dead by now anyway.

(“Does anyone know yet?”)

(The chancellor sent out the memorial email earlier. Depends how many have checked their email, I guess.)

Your breath hitches on the words "In Memoriam" in your inbox.

~

from: uofomsgs@uofo.edu

A message from the Chancellor

February 2nd, 2051

Fellow Ravens,

I am deeply saddened to inform you about the loss of one of our Senior students, Momo Yaoyorozu, an undergraduate student completing a degree in Biochemistry.

Momo was an exceptionally bright student. In addition to her work in the International Honors College, she worked in the KUC as a tutor, offering her expertise to all students in many fields. She participated in the university debate club and has won many awards in the College Bowl since her beginning at the school. Momo had accepted an offer to join a Master’s program with Ossenfelder beginning in the fall, furthering her education in biochemistry.

Our thoughts now are with Momo’s friends and family, those who cared for and loved her, and other Ravens who are touched by this loss.

Visitation for Momo will be held from 7:00-9:00 PM Saturday, February 11th, at Respite Funeral Home, 48th Street. A memorial celebration will take place at 5:30 PM Monday, February 6th, in front of the Kevin University Center.

The U of O Counselling Center can provide support to any students and other members of the campus community affected by the loss of Momo. The Dean of Students Office may also be a useful support resource for students and may be reached during hours Monday through Friday.

Sincerely,

Shouto Todoroki

Chancellor

~

There’s a bliss that comes with this. You’ve known it since the first bite, and you’ll know it to the last. In the time following a fresh bite, your mind is clear, your emotions lulled, the waters calm ahead. You’d like to think that it somehow soothes Izuku, too, to drink from you like this. He needs it, of course. Idiot’s been forgetting.

He pulls back, buries his face in your freshly-bitten neck. His exhale is heavy, but no heavier than yours, which comes out more tired sigh than you’d have liked. If you’re holding him too tight, if he’s holding you too tight, well, you’re both used to that.

“Did you know a Momo Yaoyorozu at the university?” he mumbles eventually, and you still.

“I was trying to convince myself I didn’t,” you admit, voice already creaking with tears. “She was one of my TAs last spring.”

His words come slow, halting, haunting. “They aren’t publicizing the circumstances around her death out of respect for the family. Those of us on faculty have been told to keep a close watch on all of our students for the rest of the term.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean—“ He pulls away, stares you dead in the eyes so you know he’s serious. “They think she was killed. Her family had a lot of money, but we can’t rule out other motives if she was killed. The police want to question any of her professors, in case they know anything.”

Your blood hasn’t warmed since you first read the email. This doesn’t warm it now. “Did—did they say why they think it was a murder?”

He stares for a second, eyes hard, and then looks away. “She was in one of my classes. I don’t know when they’re coming, but just in case, you should cover your arm and your neck.”

“What? You don’t think—“

He sighs. “If it is what I think it is, then it’d be best if they didn’t see me living alone in a massive house with someone covered in the same kind of wounds as the murdered student.”

Your eyes are blown wide as you nod. “Right! Yeah, of course!”

He smiles, drops his head against your shoulder again for a moment. “Thank you. Now let me deal with those wounds.”

He pulls out his usual bandages—these ones covered in tiny, smiling bats—and smooths them over the bite marks as always. His thumbs linger on the edges, eyes somewhere far away.

“Izuku?”

“Be careful, okay? I-I won’t force you into anything, just… m-maybe stay in at night when you can for a little bit? Just in case?”

You let out a breathy, tiny laugh. “Yeah. I’ll be careful.”

~

The cops come, just as expected, two days later. You’ve got a scarf on, and long sleeves that scratch, but aren’t nearly as uncomfortable as you were expecting. Too bad you had to go almost the entire winter before you were able to wear long sleeves again.

When you answer the door, it’s two men—one who looks more detective than cop, and another who looks more cop than detective. “Good afternoon, there. We’re here looking to speak to a Dr. Midoriya Izuku. Does he live at this address?”

You nod, studying them closely. Given the tails on the more-cop one, you can guess that he’s just got an animal quirk. On the other… nothing jumps out at you. He looks perfectly normal. Nothing that would indicate a quirk at all. “Um, yeah. I think he’s in his office. If you’d like to come in, you can sit while I get him! But be warned, our cat bites.”

You lead them to the living room, let them sit on the sofa. Before they can thank you, you’re bounding off toward the stairs, careful to maintain a calm persona even though you know what you and Izuku both want out of this situation.

It’ll be rough trying to get it, especially without casting needless suspicion on fifty year-old baby-faced Izuku.

Cops probably expect a healthy amount of nerves, right? Polite smile, wide eyes? But Izuku would have obviously known they were coming and what for, and if you live here, of course you have an idea, and—

You’re overthinking it.

You poke your head into that damned hidden office, eyeing Izuku carefully. He’s looking better than he has in nearly a month, hair as untamed as always but clean, clothes that he definitely wasn’t wearing yesterday or the day before. If nothing else, thank fuck those cops didn’t give a specific date for when they’d show up. Izuku has been forced to pay at least a little attention to himself in the meantime, not knowing when he’d need to be presentable.

“’Zuku, it’s the cops,” you say, gentle. He’s easier to startle these days, too, with tired eyes and the occasional growl sent your way if you don’t telegraph your entrances enough. “C’mon, they’re here to talk to you.”

He raises his head with a resigned sigh. Even having planned for them to show up (you more extensively than Izuku… I think) he’s unprepared, dragging himself after you. You’re careful not to say anything strange, not knowing the quirks of the cops sitting on your living room couch. The cat one likely has better hearing than average; the normal guy? Anything’s fair game. Best not to chance it.

You split from Izuku as he greets the cops (“Good afternoon, g-gentlemen!” with only the slightest stutter) and poke your head in to ask about drinks. If you’re listening, if you leave your phone on the buffet with the recording app on, no one has to know.

Friendly chatting, quiet, forced laughter from both sides. The kind of laughter you would expect to hear from men talking about a dead girl—trying to be jovial in spite of awful circumstances. Failing, just a little bit. You’ve got drinks down in front of them soon enough—water, tea, and the most concentrated coffee you can manage for Izuku. (A sludge, really.)

You linger in the doorway to the kitchen, unsure of whether they want you out of the room or not. They don’t seem particularly bothered by your presence, but the normal guy flicks his eyes between you and Izuku as if trying to decipher something. You can’t place it until you do, and then it hits you in the chest.

You miscalculated.

It’s real nice to think about keeping suspicion off the uninvolved Izuku, lest they realize he’s in his fifties and connected to a very high-profile case, but—

I’ll be honest, her wounds were… strange… one of the men says from the other room. Almost like bite marks.

You stride back in, keeping up the pretense of chasing Sbeve. You scoop the little terror up, cuddling him to your chest and lingering behind Izuku.

“If possible, we’d also like to talk to your… um…” The normal guy has his eyes flicking between the pair of you again, confusion written on his face.

At once, you and Izuku are reaching for an explanation, because shit, yeah, doesn’t it look suspicious if the professor connected to the dead girl has a similarly-aged girl living in his secluded mansion for no apparent reason?

“Tenant!” you blurt. (“R-roommate!” Izuku yelps.) “He’s my landlord. I rent a room upstairs.”

(The visible relaxation on Normal Guy’s face makes you even more tense.)

“Uh, the name’s [name],” you follow up lamely.

He believes you. More than his cat-faced partner seems to. Easily, too. Completely and totally easily.

And that?

That stresses you out even more.

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[running-in-the-dark]

I had a bunch of errands to run today, and absolutely nothing went right lol

it rained so hard almost the entire time, so I was soaked like 30 seconds after leaving the car for the first time - when I left, it wasn't raining that hard so I figured a hoodie would be enough. it wasn't. I later noticed that there was an umbrella in the trunk, but by that time it was too late lol

the most important thing was picking up my prescriptions from two different doctors. when I got to the first one, the sign said they closed two hours earlier. I went in and up the two stories to the office anyway because I figured I'm already here, and at least it's dry inside, so might as well check. and they were actually still open! so that was good. that was the only thing that went well, haha

then I got to the other doctor's office. it's not actually my doctor - that one is on holiday, so I had to get my prescription at this other place. I've never been there before. the sign said they'd close about 10 minutes after I got there. but they were already closed. I rang the doorbell, I called the number on the sign, just in case someone was still there. nope, nothing. awesome! that was the important prescription! I couldn't make it any other day this week so it's my own fault that it was this late, but now I only have enough Colestyramine until Saturday. if I can get the prescription on Monday, I'll probably get the medication on Tuesday. that sucks. but it'll (have to) be fine, I guess. ugh.

everything after that went wrong too. I had an embarrassing interaction at the bubble tea store (with a guy that I guess I have a bit of a crush on maybe? so it's kinda embarrassing every time. but it was worse this time because I've been there like 20 times already but I misread the sign anyway and felt soo stupid, then blamed it on my glasses being wet from the rain, and he offered me napkins to clean them and I said that'd probably just make it worse haha and then I wanted to die :) )

it stopped raining a few times, but every time I left a building it had gotten even worse than before. I didn't find most of the things I wanted to buy. I had to wait five minutes at the gas station because the guy in front of me just did not come back, and there was a lorry/truck behind me so I couldn't do anything about it. I stepped into a puddle and I was wearing sandals because I thought it wouldn't rain too much. paying with my phone didn't work in exactly one of the stores I went to, but I had gotten too confident that it would work everywhere, so I had left my wallet in the car and had to run there in the rain to get it.

I had promised my mother I would drop something off (and I really wanted to get rid of it because it has been in the way since we moved here and it made me mad every time I saw it), so I had to go there, but my clothes were completely soaked so I was cold and annoyed, and I forgot to eat so I was super hungry and just wanted to go home. it took two hours because she wouldn't stop talking.

I did get a couple 40 year old wooden index card boxes from her basement though! she didn't even remember she had them. I saw them a few times like 10-20 years ago and I guess this is the kind of information my brain thinks it should keep 🤷 and I saw some fabric that she wanted to get rid of, so now I've got that to practice sewing on! and some empty glass jars that were the exact size and shape I've been looking for. so I guess it was worth it in the end! still very annoying though.

oh!! I mentioned the other day that her cat had probably been killed by an animal. well. she turned up a day later! she had hidden between the shed and a bush, so they couldn't find her. she's okay! just a few scratches and missing bits of fur, but nothing deep. she's doing pretty well considering (the vet said she's more affected than a healthy cat would be because she has ataxia, which is also why it's incredible that she was able to get away!)

the good thing is that my mother has said she won't let her outside on her own anymore. she still lets her other (healthy) cat out, but she's old and stays in the backyard too.

the vet also said it was probably a raccoon that attacked the cat. apparently they've been getting pretty aggressive here lately. and the neighbour has had raccoons in her attic a bunch of times, so it seems pretty likely.

[kalpasio]

The Several Attempts To Make You Aware

Attempt 6

A 5 + 1 Kalpas x Reader request, chapter 6, the final chapter below!

Staying mad at Kalpas didn’t work very well. Within the day, Emile was coaxing you down from your anger, and venting to Sakura while blasting mechs helped immensely.

“Really, we all saw it coming,” she spoke while standing out of your way, “As soon as he got on that plane, it was his mission.”

“Well yeah, but what am I supposed to do?” You had calmed down considerably, but the irritation still lingered. “If I go without him, he throws a fit, if I go with him, he wrecks the whole job!”

“He’ll find something else to complain about even if you do take him. I think leaving him here would be for the best.” Sakura tried to reason with you, but it just led to you grumbling to yourself. It’s easy for her to say you should leave him; she’s not the one who has to deal with him when you get back.

The rest of the week went by as though nothing had happened while you tried to figure out what to do. Kalpas still spent as much time—probably more—with you as he did with Sakura or Emile. When Tuesday came around, you had come to the decision that Kalpas couldn’t join you on missions, but you’d spar with him more as a compromise. Since he and Emile would be meeting you in the café later that day, you decided to tell him then.

Before that, though, you had to have a ‘chat’ with one of your recruits and planned to meet at the same coffee shop just out of convenience. Considering the fact that you managed to get through the whole conversation without the guy blowing a fuse or crying, things went surprisingly well. So well, in fact, that you now had a couple of minutes to yourself before Emile and Kalpas would arrive.

Now was the perfect time for you to get another drink while you waited, so you headed over to the counter. The barista who took your order looked like she was about to fall asleep at the register, but her co-worker was the complete opposite.

Brian—he’d told you while excitedly pointing at his nametag which had so many stickers on it you could hardly read it—spent more time chatting than he did actually making your drink. When he finally handed it over with a wink, he continued speaking so you couldn’t go back to your seat without rudely ending the conversation.

You continued to stand by the counter nodding and humming when appropriate until you were about halfway through your cup. At this point, you truly had no clue what the guy was going on about, and you really hoped Kalpas would show up and do that thing where he scares everyone into being quiet. When you noticed Brian staring at you expectantly with his hand out, you realized he must’ve asked you a question.

“Sorry,” you gave an uncomfortably polite smile. “Just staring off into space. What were you saying?” Brian flashed you his never-fading grin and repeated himself.

“Can I refill your cup? On the house! I really appreciate you staying here and talking with me!”

“Oh, um, sure?” you handed over the paper cup. “I really don’t mind.” You did, Brian had been talking your ear off for what felt like years, but you couldn’t ring yourself to be rude. People on base regularly treated the staff here like dirt, and you didn’t want to be the beginning of someone’s bad day.

“I really look up to you MOTHs, you know?” The barista busied himself while he spoke, and you noticed the beginnings of a blush on his cheeks. Seeing him all shy almost made him look cute, and you smiled at that as well as the compliment. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to work here! But um, you. You’re especially—ahhh…hmm.” Brian set your finished drink on the counter and frowned at it while he looked for the words.

You knew exactly where this was going, and just wanted to grab your cup before things got awkward. Maybe if you moved slowly, you could sneak it out from under his gaze. Once you had it in your hands, you should probably text Emile to meet somewhere else to avoid the awkwardness of staying there.

Suddenly, Brian’s face rose to meet yours, and you stopped reaching for the drink, almost paralyzed. Oh no. Don’t do it, you mentally begged. His eyes were so bright, and he was so eager, you already felt bad even though there was nothing you could do.

“Would you want to go on a date with me some time?”

Unintentionally, you tensed, and your face drew into a wince as you heard the words. Before you could try and let him down, an arm came around your shoulder and pulled you towards someone so roughly, you lost your balance and had to lean against them completely. Kalpas didn’t seem to notice, holding you in place, the warmth from his chest allowing you to identify your ‘attacker’ despite being unable to see him. What you also couldn’t see with your face half plastered to him, was the death glare Brian was receiving right now. Great, now instead of being sad he was scared out of his wits.

“Get lost.”

Brian didn’t even blink, continuing to stare wide-eyed straight ahead as though petrified. It was Kalpas who ended up leaving, with you in tow, seeing as how his firm grip still had you stumbling and unable to stand properly. Once you were out of the coffee shop, he eased up, and you pulled away and attempted to look slightly less rumpled. Emile was nowhere in sight, probably inside apologizing, or he’d be here soon.

“Thanks,” you sighed while Kalpas stood glaring at the shop as though it would catch fire form his gaze alone. “That was quick thinking; pretending we’re a couple,” you gave a smile that lasted only for a split second before that burning gaze was directed towards you. The heat behind it was still just as furious on you as it had been on the shop, and Kalpas’ voice was just as angry.

“What?”

You blinked, confused at his question, but the second you opened your mouth, he spoke again. “What do you mean ‘pretend.’”

“We’re not—”

“Like hell we’re not dating. I’ve been trying to ask you out for—” he cut himself off and held his hand up, counting the fingers one by one. Covering your mouth, you tried desperately to stifle your laughter. This was a very serious conversation after all. “Four months! How have you not noticed?! Flirting with some ba—”

“Why didn’t you just say something?” you through back to all the time you’ve spent with Kalpas, but you truly couldn’t find any evidence he liked you as more than a sparring partner.

“You…” his voice was low and dripped with rage, only trailing off when he couldn’t find the words to tell you just how pissed he was.

“Remember every time I stabbed him at dinner?” Emile came out of the coffee shop, drink in hand. His cup had a little heart on it along with a phone number, but you weren’t going to question it. “I was trying to avoid this from happening.” He gestured between you and Kalpas.

“Now that the cats out of the bag, do you think we could skip all the arguing and go straight to you two getting along? Brian and I want to go on a date next week, and if you two come with, I won’t have to worry about someone setting the base on fire.” Emile sent Kalpas a side eye that was not helping the situation. “Plus, it’ll be a cute double date,” he sent you a grin, and you knew what Emile really meant. He just wanted to watch you and Kalpas flounder on your first date. Unfortunately for him, you were just as cruel and fully intended to make him miserable for trying to make you look like a fool.

“Sure!” you gave an uncharacteristically sweet smile, “sounds great!” Kalpas didn’t know what you both were planning, but he knew you well enough to not want any part of it.

“Stop that,” he growled, and you and Emile both looked over to him. “Go on your own damn date or your boyfriend will be nothing more than a pile of ash.” Emile waved off the threat even though both of you could feel the temperature around you rising.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m just sick of watching you two be idiots.”

“It’s your fault!” Kalpas fumed and took a threatening step forward, only stopping because you grabbed his hand on the way.

“This has all been wonderfully entertaining, but I never got my coffee, so can we go back in now?” You smiled at both men, and almost shivered with how suddenly the temperature dropped now that Kalpas wasn’t about to strangle someone. He scoffed as though he didn’t want to go head inside but held your hand tighter and was the first to start walking.

“That bartender better have it still,” he grumbled.

“He’s a barista and my boyfriend!” Emile was practically pouting next to you, making you laugh. Kalpas squeezed your hand silently, refusing to look at you. He’d never say it out loud, but if he got to hold your hand and hear your laugh like this, even if it was just once…

Those four months of waiting and five failed attempts at confessing were all worth it.

I am legally obligated to include "get lost" in every story at least once. Also I'm thinking specifically about that conversation Kalpas has with Mei where she asks how many Herrscher's he's killed and this man starts counting on his toes. I love dumb fiery man. Thank you SO MUCH for reading! I hope you enjoyed the story, and the editing wasn't too horrendous. <3

[housegrouch]

July 2nd, early morning

I've decided to use this blog as a journal part-time whenever I have something on my chest I need to get rid of.

For the past 8 months (before May), I was a student in a course-based graduate program. I made a friend on orientation day in September, and we quickly became what I would call best friends. We talked on campus every day, and we had the same classes because our program was designed that way. I was glad that I had made a friend so quickly after moving to that city because I'm introverted and autistic and making friends doesn't come easily to me.

In May, we all split up to start our respective research placements for the summer. Almost all of us were doing them at different places, but most of us were doing them in a specific region. I am one of the students who is doing their placement quite far from the others - across the country, in fact. The last time we all hung out was at a potluck that I organized for our class back in April. At this potluck, my best friend told me (while tipsy) that she considered us best friends, the type that stay friends for years and years. I was glad that she'd said that, and so happy to be her friend. I haven't had that many friends in my life, and I've been bullied before by people who I'd previously called my friends. Before we all split up, she told me that we should video call each other weekly during our placements so we could stay in touch and update each other about our research.

Moving to my placement was difficult for me. Not just the move itself, but settling in as well. Any change to my routine is already difficult for me, so this major change to a place where I had no friends and no family was pretty much excruciating. I didn't have (and still don't have) a support system. In the last city I lived in (where I met this friend and started the program), I moved there with my dog, and it was a three-hour drive from my hometown, so my mother could visit me easily (and she did, many times). This time, because of the distance and the fact that my apartment building doesn't allow pets, I didn't bring my dog with me. I miss her terribly. I was expecting my friend to contact me the day I arrived, if not a couple days later, because that's what she said she would do. But she didn't.

I tried contacting her many times. I asked when she would be available for a video call. She would say "Oh, I'm free next Tuesday in the evening." I waited until then, but no video call. I let it slide the first couple of times because I knew she was busy with her placement. But I could see her stories on Snapchat and Instagram. She was out with her other friends every weekend watching local amateur car races (there's a special word for them - I can't remember what they're called), and it looked like she was having fun. To be honest, I don't really believe her when she says she's busy. So I stopped trying to reach out after a month of this. She never reached out to me first. In fact, it took her a month and a half after I moved her for her to text me first.

I'm left wondering if she was ever really my friend. Typing that really hurts me, but it's true. Because I would never treat her like this. I don't want to sound clingy, but I would have liked to stay in touch with her more often besides some distracted texts of "How's your placement going?" "Oh, it's going slowly. Kind of struggling to get by." The second text in this example of conversation is typical of what I would say to her. I even straight-up told her I was depressed and she said she couldn't answer right then because she was at her placement, but she would answer after she got home that evening. I never received her text, and she hasn't brought it up since.

Look, I'm not expecting her to be my therapist or anything. I don't want to talk to her about how I've been feeling since I got here. The two straight weeks of me lying on my bed in the dark, too depressed and paralyzed by executive dysfunction (I have ADHD as well, for which I'm not medicated due to issues with picking up my prescription in a different region than the clinic who originally prescribed the medication) to move or do anything. I don't want to tell her that it got so bad that I couldn't make myself things to eat, despite having a full refrigerator and cupboard of food. I ordered myself meals on a food delivery app, then left the garbage to rot (literally) on the floor of my room. I once tried an avocado milkshake of some sort, and hated it. Instead of throwing it out, I left it to sit on my desk. Over the days, the contents produced gas which burst the soft plastic "lid", letting fetid avocado juices run all over the desk and soak into my things which I'd left on the desk because I didn't have the energy to put them away. I don't even want to tell you about how my room smelled. I didn't shower for weeks, if not more than a month. I ran out of clean laundry because I couldn't make myself do my laundry in the basement because I could barely manage to wake up most days. I reeked, and I felt vile. I felt inhuman. I got sick twice (once with stomach flu, another with a pretty bad cold which may have been COVID, though I'm vaccinated against it) and I ate once a day. Just a 70-calorie can of chicken noodle soup. I felt like I was dying.

All I needed to hear was her (my friend's) voice. Don't get me wrong, it's not her fault that I was (and still am) this depressed. Having a video chat with her wouldn't have cured me, and I don't expect it to. I wasn't going to tell her any of this. I just wanted to feel some connection to a human being in my life. I have a roommate, but she spends all of her time with her boyfriend (who I don't like) and I don't like my roommate as a person anyway, so I would never consider being friends with her. I've gone days, if not a week at one point, without speaking to a single human being. Don't even get me started on the touch starvation. I've been very tempted to hook up with someone just to relieve that pain, but I've only done that once so far. It was a good experience, all things considered. But it still wasn't enough.

You could say that maybe my friend was also depressed or having a rough time, and that was why she wasn't answering my texts, "forgetting" to answer them, or too "busy" to video chat with me. If that's the case, all I would have needed from her is a simple "Hey, I'm not doing too well right now emotionally, so I may not be available a lot this summer to chat." That's it, that's all. But I didn't receive any kind of message from her like that. I would never, ever, tell her in real life how I really feel about her not holding up to what she said to me at the beginning of this summer and how much that hurt me. I would feel embarrassed and vulnerable if I told her something like that. It's one thing to tell her about how other people have hurt me (such as my mother, which I have told this friend about), but to tell her that she's hurt me to her face is another thing entirely. I'm scared that if I did that, she'd either try to excuse and/or explain it by saying that she was having mental health issues of her own (totally valid, I would just have appreciated more communication if that was the case) or just say that she didn't realize that I was lonely and that all I would have needed to do was straight-up tell her what I needed.

Respectfully, as an adult, I don't think I need to be the one to tell her (or anyone) this, that I was expecting clearer communication from her and that I wanted to talk to her more often as my friend. The onus should not be on me to deal with that. That is something that I think she should either already know or be able to figure out as a mature adult. I'm so fucking tired of people putting the onus on me in my life to deal with things that aren't my fault. Even though my mother is the one who hurt me so much and one could even say emotionally abused me, the onus is on me to deal with the pain through therapy (that I would need to pay out of pocket for, which I can't afford to do) and find a way to move out of her house (which she would never let me do permanently and which, again, I can't currently afford to do). Even though my mother has never genuinely apologized to me for her behavior and she continues to act that way, the onus is on me to deal with the pain and make sure that I don't do something harmful to myself because of it (I never have). The same applies to my father, except he's no longer in the picture because they're divorced and I stopped talking to him years ago (not that he ever talked to me much in the first place). I'm just so tired.

At the same time as all of this is happening, I feel like ridiculous pressures are being put on me. I have a research placement to complete, a final report to write, a presentation to prepare. I have to somehow pay rent each month, despite not having a job and having my mother get angry at me when I need to ask her for money each month to pay the rent. I have to deal with an emotionally abusive, narcissistic and controlling mother who keeps trying to micromanage my finances and gets mad at me when I so much as buy a cup of coffee without her permission. I have to eat. I have to find some loud music to listen to as my roommate has sex with her boyfriend two rooms away for the umpteenth time.

I'm just really fucking tired, and so, so angry, and there are a million things that I need to do for the research placement that I haven't been doing because I feel so depressed that I feel like my soul is screaming in pain every day. Except no one can hear it but me. And anytime that I've tried to tell my mother about any of this, she starts giving me "solutions" and "recommendations" that I didn't ask for to "solve the problem", but I never asked for that. All I ever wanted is for someone to listen to me.