#i'm going to write down my realizations about the law and shifting on here from now on instead of letting it sit in my notes on my phone lol

[emmemmelyn]

The moment you decide to have what you desire it is done. Truly.

Deciding means being 110% sure of what you want and not taking no for an answer.

You are so set on your decision that nothing bothers you. You are not bothered by anything and everything that "goes against" your desire.

This is when you know you are living in the end without a single doubt. Because it is done and you know that it is done.

[uceyliyahh]

UNDER YOUR TOUCH

Summary: After her difficult breakup, Tiana wanted to start anew with her life. That's when she realized her life would be better when she met him.

This fanfic is 18+! NO MINORS ALLOWED

word count: 3585

smut warning; it’ll come in the story randomly so PLEASE PLEASE look out for it I’m not really good at writing ✍🏽 smuts but I’m improving at the moment.

Jey Uso x Tiana

AWFUL GRAMMAR IM GETTING BETTER I SWEAR LOL.

comments, likes, repost are appreciated I would love the constructive feedback in what area I need to approve in. 🤍

ALSO! I don’t not want nobody stealing my fanfics or take it as theirs that will be an issue fasho so keep it cute respectfully.

I only own my OC along with the make up scenarios

But I’ll be writing along the way since this story is in my drafts on Wattpad right now so yuh. 💁🏽‍♀️

TAGS ⬇️ lmk if you wanna be tag 🏷️

@paigereeder @pinkwithhearts @jstarr86 @biancasreign @angiedawn02 @fearlesschimera @empressdede

7.

TIANA It was eleven in the morning as I had woken up from my slumber, stretching my body and arms while yawing and seeing Jey still sleeping peacefully; I hope he had forgotten about beating Kai's ass today because, honestly, I didn't want him to do it. After all, Kai is just a waste of time.

I played with Jey's messy hair, causing him to shift in his sleep. I giggled while getting up to cook some breakfast for us before heading into the shower.

I threw on some comfortable clothes while going downstairs to the kitchen. Meanwhile, I saw Bianca sitting on the couch watching TV as her eyes darted towards my direction.

"Hey girl I didn't know you were here." Bianca said.

"Yeah, I was here yesterday," I said, grabbing the boxes of eggs from the refrigerator.

"What you finna make? Wait, is Joshua here?"

I nodded my head, yes, as a smirk appeared on her face. I just rolled my eyes at her—she was so dirty-minded—until she spoke, "Any tea?"

I turned my head around and looked at her. " Yeah, girl, it's a lot of tea." Once I had said that, she sat up quickly, ready for me to spill.

✧.* After cooking breakfast, I was spilling the tea to Bianca about Kai and Kehlani and how Jey wants to beat his ass today for putting his hands on me.

She rooted for him to do so because she'd been tired of Kai ever since he and I started dating each other for about two or three years.

"Girrrrrl, you need to let him do it, " she encouraged me as I stuff my face with food.

"I mean, I said I wasn't stopping him from doing it; that's his choice, not mine," I said as Bianca and I heard footsteps coming down the steps.

We both turned around, only to see Jey walking in the kitchen, getting something from the refrigerator. His eyes darted in my direction.

"Good morning, brother-in-law," Bianca said as I looked at her with a shocked expression.

He chuckled at her comment, "Hey, B." He came towards my direction as I stood up wiping my mouth with a napkin, he hugged me while I stood up on my tippy toes hugging him back as I gave him a kiss on the lips.

"Good morning, mamas. It smells good in here, " he said while grabbing a piece of avocado toast.

"Yeah, I decided to make some breakfast before I go open shop for today." I heard him sigh deeply.

"Do you gotta open shop today?" He whined softly as i chuckle at him.

"Yes, boy, you know my clients want their nails done. I mean, what did you have in mind?"

"I mean, I wanted to spend time with my shawty today." He said, flirting with me.

I smiled at him while playing with his messy mullet, "We can if you want to watch me work." He shrugged his shoulders, agreeing to it.

"As long as I'm spending time with'chu for the day I'll be ight mama."

'That nickname just rolls off his tongue like magic.'

"Also.... are Jon and Trin still in town?" I asked.

"Yeah, I mean, we can go hang out at my crib if you all want to, of course." Bianca and I looked at each other and then back at Jey, nodding our heads in agreement.

"Ight then, are you comin' in the shower with me or what?" Jey asked.

He didn't have to tell me twice as I followed him upstairs to take a shower with him.

✧.* JEY I was at Tiana's nail shop with her today. Since I'm off work and the tattoo shop is closed today, I just decided to spend time with my lady and see her do her work.

She looked so focused and polite with her clients. Even when they caught glances at me, her face would turn up instantly filled with Jealousy, but she knew to pay attention to these women who came and went.

I haven't forgotten about her ex-boyfriend either. I'm still standing on what I was doing to beat his ass when I see them because he doesn't got any right to be putting his hands on Tiana like that.

Twin📌: what's up Uce? Jey: y'all busy later on Uce? Twin📌: nah, why? Jey: I was thinking maybe we should hangout today at my Crib you know chill n shi Twin📌: I mean I'm down fasho, just don't be loud when you and Tiana fucking uce. Jey📌: mane that's my house last time I check 😭 Twin📌: ight my fault my fault.

Unknown number sent 2+ messages.

'Who the fuck is this?'

Unknown Number: Jeyyy babyyy I miss you please I'm sorry about what happened. Jey: Kehlani please gtfo ion' got time to be dealing with yo' delusional ass. Unknown Number: Nigga yk what fuck you, honestly is her pussy that good? Better than mines?

'This gotta be a fucking joke right?'

'Is she serious right now?'

Jey: that's none of your concern Lani, leave me tf alone dawg. Unknown Number: fuck you, you know she isn't better than me. Jey: she really is but ok😐

I blocked her ass while sighing I'm glad I broke up with her ass she was just a hoe anyways, I've seen Tiana scrolling through her phone as I walked up behind her wrapping my arms around her waist causing her to jump a little bit.

She hit me on the arm, making me wince from her little hits as I scooped her up by her thighs, kissing her face.

"You on break mamas?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think after these three clients, I'll be done for today. Have you talked to your brother?" Tiana said.

"Yeah, they're going to be there today, so bring your bathing suit." She smiled at me as I put her down, seeing someone pull into the parking lot while I went back to what I was doing.

✧.* We were at my crib chilling, smoking weed enjoying the weather as I was in the house talking to the guys about the whole situation with ol' boy.

They could understand where I am coming from because when I was with Kehlani ass she was fucking around with some dude that I had to beat his ass for being disrespectful but Kehlani didn't really seem to care about what she did.

She still went back to the dude after I whooped his ass just made me feel heavy.

"aye, uce you gotta do what you got to do, even if Tiana tells you no it's a waste of your time who knows when he'll show up and just do it again." Montez said.

"That's what I've been saying uce." I said.

"After all, we got your back if something pops off." Jimmy said.

I wish something would pop off at my crib because anybody will get fucked up honestly, I've seen Tiana talking with girls as she coming back inside to probably get another blunt.

She looked so good in her bathing suit but I knew I had to keep my composure since we had guest I ain't wanna beat her shit in while they're here so I'll wait.

But I've seen her facial expression changed when she looked at her phone, she looked at me then back at her phone me feeling concerned I went up to see to see what was up.

"Mama, what's wrong?" I asked.

She showed me her phone with messages between her and her ex-boyfriend when I read the messages I just smirked while chuckling darkly.

'This dude don't quit does he?'

"He wanna pull up?  Tell em he can pull up." I said.

"Josh ion'—— tell him he can pull up Tiana. I want all the smoke with ol' boy since he wanna play. Let's give him a show." I cut her off mid-sentence before she could say something.

She nodded her head lightly as she went back outside to the pool with the girls, as I did the same with the guys.

"What happened uce?" Jimmy asked.

"Her ex wanna pull up to 'beat' my ass, so I just told her to tell him to pull up. I wanna give him a show, yall got my back if shit hits the fan, right?" I replied. They all nodded their heads yes.

We kept passing the blunts back and forth to each other, waiting on this dude to come pull up because I've been waiting all day to beat his ass. I'll do him worst than I did the last time.

We saw a light coming through the window. When I noticed a car pulling up in my driveway, I just knew it was the ol' boy, so I signaled the guys to meet me outside.

I stood outside with my arms folded over my chest, seeing him coming out of the car with his boys, knowing that this would be a long night.

"Where's Tiana at?" Malakai asked.

"Why yo' ass worried about my girl?" I questioned him while maintaining my distance.

He chuckled a bit while putting his hands on his hips, staring at me, "Man, stop playin' bring her ass here."

'He's more delusional than I thought.'

'He's worse than Kehlani'

I called for Tiana to come here, and my voice was raspy and deep enough for her to hear me from the back. She came out front, confused as to why I called for her, and she turned her head, looking towards her ex-boyfriend.

My hand sneaked around her waist, pulling her closer to me as she held onto me.

"Kai, I think you should go home like fr." Tiana said as he scoffed at her.

"Nah, Tiana fuck that you think this bum can beat my ass? Please, I got help." He said.

"Me too, yo' ass ain't the only one with help, and again, if I were a bum, I would've been dressin' like yo' ass come up with something new." I said.

I looked over at Tiana, who stared at me with her deer-eyed eyes. I kissed her on the lips.

"Kai, I'm wondering why you want to embarrass yourself when you know you and your friends will get messed up, so go home, dude." She said, holding onto me tightly.

"You're coming with me, Tink. C'mon." She didn't move an inch as she continued to hold onto me. He looked back, seeing her not coming.

He looked pissed as he began to walk up on us, causing me to bring Tiana behind me, pushing ol' boy back, causing him to stumble.

"Go in the house, baby," I told Tiana as she went back inside with the girls.

Him and his boys began to run up on us as we began fighting each other, I was handling ol' boy ass punching him in his mouth causing him to fall down on the ground.

I got on top of him, bashing his head against the concrete while punching him in his shit. Meanwhile, Jon and Montez were body-slamming the other two on the ground.

"Yo,' ass wanna keep playin' with me, right? putting yo' hands on women? Let's give yo' ass a show, huh?" I spoke with aggression as I grabbed him by the hair, throwing him onto his car breaking his windshield.

I heard him groan in pain while holding his back like I gave a damn. His ass wanna keep playin' with me, and my girl ion' play that shit.

He tried to get back up to swing on me but missed as I sucker-punched him in his jaw as he fell back on the floor, seeing blood coming from his face.

"Next time you wanna threaten my girl, it's goin' to be worst for yo' ass." I said as I backed away from him.

Seeing him and his friends fucked up as they got back inside his car, "TIANA IMMA FUCK YO' ASS UP WHEN YOU AINT PAYIN ATTENTION!" I heard him making threats, making me run to his car, but Jon held me back.

"C'mon uce, he'll get what's comin' to him again let's go back inside the house and check on girls." Jimmy said as I nodded my head.

We went back inside the house, and seeing Tiana and the girls sitting on top of the couch, Tiana came up towards me, hugging me as I kissed her on top of her head.

"I'm okay mama, I just got a few scratches," I reassured her as she looked up at me.

She was biting the bottom of her lips, which turned me on a bit because she looked so innocent doing it.

"Honestly, he needs to be in jail, but I know his parents will bail him out," Bianca said.

"Yeah, I care about Tiana's safety for real ion' want nothing happening to her while his ass is around." Trinity said.

I was agreeing with what the girls were talking about.

"T, you gotta get a restraining order on him or it'll get worst."

She nodded her head, agreeing to the idea because that's what she needed. Anything could happen to her while she's at work or even at home when I'm not around, Bianca is not around, or Montez is not around.

"C'mon, yall let's go outback to enjoy ourselves ion' wanna keep talkin' about this." I said as we went out back to the pool.

✧.* OMNISCIENT

While everyone was swimming and smoking weed together, Tiana was sitting by herself, letting her mind take over, thinking about what had happened earlier between Jey and Malakai. She didn't know what would happen if he showed up again.

She was even worried about her safety as well, but she was concerned about Jey's safety, knowing that Malakai does own a gun, so anything could happen to him.

She felt someone touching her on her back, which made her snap out of her thoughts when she saw Bianca sitting next to her.

"Hey bestie are you okay?" Bianca asked.

"I don't know B, I'm worried about Josh's safety." Tiana said softly.

"Why you say that? You saw him hold his ground in order to protect you T." She said.

"Yeah, I get that but..."

Bianca looked uncertain as Tiana sighed, "Look B, Kai owns a gun, and I don't want nothing happening to Josh." She confessed with concern in her voice.

"You're just now saying something T!?" She yelled as everyone looked our way, including Jey.

"B! Yes, I know it's bad, but I completely forgot about that," Tiana said as she heard Bianca sighed deeply.

"Bestie, you can't be telling stuff at the last minute, even things like that. Now you have to go tell him you know what happened last time."

Tiana sighed softly. She didn't know how to explain to Jey that her crazy ex-boyfriend had a gun on him and could end up in the hospital any day if this kept happening.

She didn't even want to remember what happened last time.

FLASHBACK

"Don't point that at me Kai!" I shouted.

"Well, tell me that you won't leave me, and I'll stop pointing it at you, " he threatened.

'How could he be this manipulative towards me when all I ever did was love him and support him.'

"Kai, me and you both know that's not going to happen; you don't care about me anymore."

He scoffed at me while continuing to point the gun at me, causing me to back up.

"I! DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU?! WHEN ALL I EVER DID WAS CARE TINK!?"

"GIVING ME SEX AND THEN FUCK OTHER BITCHES ISNT CARING ABOUT ME KAI OR LEAVING ME IN THE DARK!" I shouted at him, feeling frustrated and scared.

Malakai stomped towards me as my back was against the wall feeling scared as his gun was pressing against my neck.

"I did not cheat on tink; you're just being delusional and in your head a lot," Malakai said.

He's so manipulative and a narcissist, trying to make me feel bad for feeling this way when I've been feeling like this for two years in our relationship.

It didn't seem fair that I was going through this with him. His parents think he's mentally ill, but I call bull shit.

He was pressing his gun up against my neck more further as I was shaking.

"So tell me, baby, are you goin' to leave me?" He questioned me as I shook my head not wanting to die.

A smirk appeared on his face as he pulled the gun away from my neck as I had tears coming down my cheeks while he gave me a kiss on the lips.

"Good, now go cook us something to eat because I am starving." I did as I was told, not trying to have that thing pressed up against me again.

FLASHBACK OVER.

"B, ion wanna think about that day please I'm traumatized," Tiana said.

She hugged me tightly as she pulled away. " Well, you have a man who can protect you and love you for who you are, T, and that man is Joshua. He would never leave you in the dark."

"You need to tell him he'll understand, T." Tiana looked over at Jey, who was staring at her, signaling her to come inside the house so they could talk.

She sighed as she got up from the pool and walked inside the house. He closed the door behind them, folding his arms over his chest.

"Is there something you wanna tell me mama?" He asked as he stared at her deeply.

Her mouth was opened, and she began to say something, but she closed it while looking down at her feet, fiddling with her fingers, picking at her skin.

She didn't know how to explain to him what she had to deal with when she was with Malakai. Yeah, he cheated on her, but that wasn't the whole story; she only gave him half of it.

Tiana heard him walk closer to her, and he grabbed her chin, making her stare at him. Her looking innocent made him turn on even more, but that had to wait.

"Talk to me, baby; I'm right here." Jey reassured her.

She sighed while folding her arms, "I didn't tell you the whole story of me and his relationship I only gave you half of it because I didn't want to think about all of things he did to me." She confessed as his eyebrows furrowed a bit.

"What'chu mean?"

Tiana gave Jey the whole spill about what had really happened between her and Malakai, how he would threaten her with the gun if she left him, causing her to feel trapped, her feeling manipulated by this man or gaslighting her about how she felt calling her crazy or delusional.

Telling him how she felt scared and didn't know what to do or how to leave him without feeling like he was going to kill her.

Until she could finally escape him when Bianca and Montez came to get her one night when he wasn't around packing the things that she needed as she left with them.

Jey listened to her confess everything as he stood there quietly, keeping his arms folded around his chest. She stopped talking, looking up at him in his eyes, trying to read his facial expression.

She saw concern and a bit of sadness in his eyes. He didn't know that she went through all of that with him. He unfolded his arms while hugging her tightly.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you baby." Jey said softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She nuzzled her face onto his chest as tears poured down her face, thinking about what happened.

Crying quietly in his chest as he held onto her, comforting her, kissing her on top of her head.

His eyes darted toward everyone else who was staring at them. They didn't know what was going on except for Bianca and Montez because they knew that this was hard for Tiana.

He pulled away for a second as he cupped both of her cheeks, rubbing her tears away from her face.

"I will protect you with my life Tiana and I mean that shit, I'm here for you baby I will never leave you in the dark like his dumbass did. I love you Tiana." Jey said as he kissed her on the forehead.

Tiana smiled lightly while nodding her head, "C'mon, let's enjoy ourselves, okay?"

They both walked outback with everyone else, enjoying the rest of the night.

Under Your Touch.

biancabelairwwe, MontezFordWWE, shelovekai and 288,000 people liked your post.

tianasworld: it's a healing journey. ❤️‍🩹 uceyjucey: we are doing it together mama yk I got'chu mama. 🫶🏽 tianasworld: @ uceyjucey 🥹🥹 biancabelairwwe: yes it is girl you're doing a good job. 🤍 shelovekai: what fucking healing journey? 🙄 I didn't do anything to this girl. uceyjucey: @ shelovekai gtfo. theyhatelani: pick meeeee 🙄 biancabelairwwe: @ theyhatelani girl don't get yo' ass beat you'll be next on the list hoe 💁🏽‍♀️

Read all 56,000 comments.

tianasworld replied to your story: 🥹 i love you. biancabelairwwe replied to your story: WIFEY??? Is that a sign you'll actually be my brother in law??? trinity_fatu replied to your story: IKTR BROTHERR Jonathanfatu replied to your story: wifey? you goin' make it official? lmk about the wedding uce. 😭 theyhatelani replied to your story: tuh you callin her wifey now? remember how you used to say that to me? shelovekai replied to your story: that's funny.

Welp Malakai and his goons got they asses beat yet again and I feel like bad for Tiana that she had do go through allat with him I'm glad Jey is being there for her.

Lmk what yall think in the comments. 🤍

Stay Ucey.

[onlydemonz]

Beneath The Surface || TWD x Fem!Surgeon!Reader

a/n: Chapter one part 4 is here! Catch the previous - ℬ𝓁ℴ𝓌

Ah, yes. Here we go again with another part! I'm not sure when to give this fanfiction a break so I can work on another one, but I really don't know. There's just so many fandoms to write about! So many scenarios, gifs to be made and fawned over-it's too overwhelming! Guh!

P.s. We got ourselves a shorter chapter here, gals. I didn't think it was possible but please, enjoy, my sweets.

18+! Adults ONLY!

Word Count: 4k+

Chapter One Summary: You are, [First/Name], [Last/Name]. A 24 year-old surgeon with a deep dark rooted secret in a small town hospital in Georgia. The best in the business. Knowing your worth, you are very into yourself. You don’t follow rules nor do you obey laws (except for medical ones. Sometimes.) A troublemaker turned surgeon. A damn good one, though. One day, a cop is rushed to your hospital. You are quick on the job and perform surgery on him. After resting for a while, you check up on the patient. However, you realize he might be in a coma.

Chapter One Content/Warnings: hurting your pretty lungs with cigarette smoke, age gap, drugs, strong language, Boujee Egotistical Reader, long, bratty (Please let me know if there is any others I should add)

Chapter One - Before The Fall - Part 4

Shane Walsh’s House

The Very Next Morning - 13 Days Left

Shane awakes feeling groggy and slightly in pain, a dull aching throbs behind his eyes. He lifts a hand to his temple, wincing as it pounds firmly against his skull.

“Ugh…” He groans. “...what the fuck…?” 

He hears a faint ringing near his feet, fading in and out. Slowly, he shifts around, testing his limbs but they’re stiff and sore from sleeping on the floor. 

Trying to open his eyes, the sun from his window beams into them, blinding him in the process. “Agh…!” he groans, squinting as he moves his body, dragging himself out of the glare. He blinks a few times, vision blurry, until his dark brown eyes finally adjust to the light. He starts tilting his head from side to side, getting a better view of his surroundings.

A bed. A dresser. Pictures on the wall. Trophies lined up neatly on a shelf across the room.

Right. Now he remembers. He’s at his house. More specifically, in his bedroom.

He gradually regains control over his limp and manages to sit up. That piercing ringing again, it's sharper now. Shane glances down, searching for the source. There, his phone sits by his foot, but what really catches his attention is that his pants are down by his ankles. His thick, exposed morning wood has dry cum and crusted saliva caked on its outer walls.

Some lazy, hungover smirk stretches across his lips; he totally got laid last night but…by who? He can’t seem to remember who this woman is. In all honesty, he remembers partying. Probably a lot more than he’d like to admit to himself. As he tries to recall the events from the prior night, the woman’s face is blurred, a smear of images but the sensation-the drugs. Kissing that woman…

Shane lifts a shaky hand to his parched lips almost in a trance, the effects of the drugs still wearing off.

Still dazed, he turns his gaze back toward his feet. The phone buzzes relentlessly against the floor, its vibrations rattling in his already aching skull. He reaches for it, hand sluggish, unsteady, and squints at the screen, eyes narrowing against the harsh light.

Maybe it’s her—the woman from last night.

Whoever she is. 

But instead of an unfamiliar name, a short, four-letter one flashes across the screen.

Lori.

Lori...? He thinks to himself. He blinks at it, confused. It takes Shane a moment to realize who this person trying to contact him is, the name repeating over and over again in his head until then.

Lori..? 

Lori…

Lori!

Dark brown eyes wide, he scrambles to answer, fumbling with the phone before clearing his throat and trying to pull himself together, forcing a casual tone into his voice.

“Hey,” he says, low and a bit hoarse, as he slowly, steadily stands up and begins to fix his pants.

It’s quiet on the other end. The silence from her side makes Shane a little uncomfortable. “Lori…?” he repeats, this time more hesitant. “Are you okay?”

Another moment passes.

Then, softly, “I need you, Shane ...I need someone I can talk to. You’re the only one who knows me…” she says, her accent coming through, broken and vulnerable.

While he is fixing his pants, Shane couldn’t help but take in what Lori said. It causes him to stop for a moment as he looks off into the distance; thinking about the women he made love to.

 So, it couldn’t have been Lori because she lays with him after.

“Yeah… I’ll be over shortly,” he mutters, raking a hand through his dark, tousled hair.

“Thank you…” she replies quietly, the shame in her voice barely masked.

“…Yeah,” he echoes, trailing off as it becomes quiet again, and then ‘click’. Lori hangs up and Shane just stands there, phone still pressed to his ear, staring at nothing.

Lori… she’s something.

But that woman from last night...

She’s still lingering in his mind. Her touch, her mouth, her…everything. He needs to see her again. Needs to know who she is. At the very least, put a name to the blurred face.

But first… he has to go see Lori.

With a low sigh, he pushes himself into motion. A quick shower to rinse off the remnants of the night. He then gets dressed and without another glance back, Shane steps out the door.

It’s a short walk to Lori’s house, and before long, Shane is climbing the stairs and knocking on the door.

A few seconds go by.

Finally, the wooden blocker creaks open, revealing Lori. Her eyes puffy and red-rimmed, brown hair unkempt. She sniffs quietly and steps back, silently inviting him inside.

Neither says a word, the door closes softly behind them.

He waits until Lori leads the way, following behind her once she does. As they move through the house, his eyes trace over her form—watching, analyzing.  In the kitchen, she moves to the cabinets, reaching for a cup.

“Would you like somethin’ to drink?” she asks, her voice thin and strained

as she tries to break the silence. 

Shane smiles awkwardly, shaking his head, “nah, I’m fine. Thank you.”

She nods, holding herself up as she leans over the counter, head down, clearly carrying more than she can say. Shane cautiously walks up to her and rests a strong hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. 

Lori hesitates… then slowly turns to face him. Her features are now bundled in his chest as Shane strokes her hair delicately. Doing this soft gesture makes Lori look up at him with hurt, crushed eyes. They both lean in and sympathetically kiss.

His mind starts to flash back to his interaction with this woman. How her lips felt on his. The way she tasted…

Without meaning to, Shane deepens the kiss, thinking about the woman from last night again. Lori suddenly pulls back, timid, breaking their liplock. Shane gazes down at her, breath caught, but she won’t meet his eyes. “My bad, Lori. I didn't mean to-”

She lifts a hand, stopping him gently, “No-” she murmurs, then lets her hand fall softly against his chest. “It’s just… Carl gets off school soon.” Her voice is distant, more distracted than cold. “Look, I’m sorry, Shane. I shouldn’t have called you. I’m just… not used to this.” She pauses, “maybe for today, we just…” She trails off, motioning subtly towards the door, an unspoken invitation for him to go.

Shane’s arms fall to his sides and he takes a step back, giving her space.

He doesn't say another word and allows Lori to guide him to the entrance. She solemnly opens the door and they both avoid eye contact, guilt and discomfiture hitting their guts like a fucking train. Lori’s head is to the ground as Shane passes her and she watches him exit the house with a dour expression. “I’m sorry for making you come all the way over here,” she softly mentions, one hand buried in her pocket, the other still holding the door open.

“It’s no problem, Lori,” he says, glancing back at her with a coy smile. “You know I’ll always understand—I’m here for you.” His voice is gentle.

Lori smiles at him, genuinely, as a soft breeze passes between them. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear with her free hand and gives a small, appreciative nod. Then, quietly, she closes the door. Disappearing behind the walls, gone without a trace. 

He turns on his heel and starts walking down the stairs but he takes a glance behind himself before he does.

Shane eventually makes his way to Harrison Memorial Hospital, like he usually does to check on Rick.

His police cruiser is still parked out front, untouched, just where he left it yesterday.

Mmm. Yesterday.

Fuck, last night.

He still can’t remember who that woman was. The one who pulled him out of his shell, who made him feel alive again—like back when he was wrecking shit and pulling dumb pranks. She got him to take risks again.

Huffing, slumping shoulders, Shane heads inside towards the  receptionist desk. They exchange words, give information, and the woman sitting behind the glass kindly gestures for him to take a seat as someone will be with him shortly.  He does so, shuffling over to an empty wad of chairs and grabbing one of them in a corner. 

As he is waiting, the body begins to relax in the comfort and safety of an authoritative and regulated space. His eyes begin to drift backwards and his head falls heavily forwards. He sinks into the  chair, elbows on his knees, mind still clouded with flashes of lips, sweat, and the sound of laughter that doesn't belong to Lori. No incertitude when he passes out, yet again.

“Ahh-! Shane-!”

His eyes snap open when he hears his name being called, which abruptly brings him back to actuality. Standing up, he swiftly shambles next to the nurse, looking through her for a second and then back at the hallway in front of them. “Thank you,” he mentions, soullessly. 

Suddenly, the nurse halts unexpectedly, causing a heavily hungover Shane to nearly bump into her. She turns around, revealing Patty. His old high school girlfriend. She works at Memorial, now as a respected nurse, though he rarely runs into her. Their relationship didn’t work out and they both kind of moved on with their lives. “Hey, you okay?” she asks, her tone soft. She reaches out, gently grasping his wrist to catch his attention, giving it a small shake before letting go, “I feel like I haven’t seen you around.”

Shane doesn’t even blink, but just gives a curt nod. “Yeah… I’ve just been dealin’ with shit,” he replies, blunt, flat, and honest.

“Well, of course you have, Shane. With what happened to Rick… I’m sorry—again,” she says, correcting herself just in case, her eyes dropping to the floor.

Shane gives a small warm expression and a sincere smile, returning her balmy , “-Thank you-” He quickly cuts in so she won't try to doubt herself or feel foolish for caring. Her face no longer gazing at the floor, their eyes meeting. “How are you? How’s Gary and ‘Scumbag’?” He asks, chuckling.

Patty smiles back at him and laughs too, “I’m really good-they’re both good, but you know dad. He’s still warming up to Paul. He’ll stop calling him scumbag eventually.” 

“I’m sure of it.” They both softly chortle to each other as Patty takes a glance at her watch. 

“I gotta get going. You know your way from here, right?” she questions.

“Yeah, I should be fine. Thanks, Patty.”

“You’re welcome, Shane. Well see you around?” She starts walking in the opposite direction, waving casually at him.

“Bye, Patty.” He waves back at her, then turns and heads toward the elevator.

He presses the button for the second floor. The doors slide shut in front of him, sealing him into a brief silence as the elevator begins to rise, carrying him to the floor just above.

Once he reaches the upper floor, Shane steps out of the elevator and begins to saunter down the corridor, surrounded by the quiet bustle of nurses and doctors moving through their routines. His eyes drift across the hallway—until they land on someone. Someone that barely stops him in his tracks.

Doctor (First name), (Last name).

Shane pauses, staring in your direction and as if you could feel the weight of his gaze, you turn and do something completely out of character.

You smile at him.

Not an arrogant smile or a disgusted one. Not fake nor forced. No, this smile is…genuine. Shane can even feel the literal warmth from here as he walks past you. The fact that your very first impression of the day is a soft, sincere smile; it leaves Shane genuinely bewildered.

Then, mid-task, you glance back at him. Just a flick of your eyes, but it’s enough. That single gesture is all Shane needs to draw his conclusion. It’s you. The woman from last night is you. He’s sure of it.

In front of Rick’s room, just as Shane reaches for the door, something pulls at him. He glances over his shoulder. You’re across the hall, busy with your duties. Speaking with other nurses, flipping through charts. You pull a file from the cabinet, exchange a few words, then set the folder aside.

His eyes linger on your form.

The light catches your gaze just right, making them glint. You’re simply standing there, working, but to Shane, it’s different. He finds himself gawking, barely even blinking.

Then suddenly, you turn and your eyes meet his once more, but Shane quickly looks away, heart skipping, and ducks into Rick’s hospital room with a faint flush crawling up his neck.

+

“Just give it a few days,” you say, offering a reassuring smile to the patient seated in front of you, “and if it doesn’t get any better or starts getting worse, just come back in and I’ll take another look.” You say to a patient with a discolored rash on their leg.

“Thank you, Doctor,” the patient replies, truly grateful, as they begin gathering their things. You nod, stepping away, heading back to the nurses’ station and placing the file of the patient in the correct alphabetic row.

“Hey, Doctor (Last Name). Can we talk?” A familiar voice suddenly appears behind you, but you aren’t startled in the slightest as you have been waiting for this all morning. 

Sneaking a cheeky smile to yourself, you turn around and walk to the other side of a desk to get closer to him. “Oh, Officer Walsh,” you greet, voice light and pleasant, not a trace of malice. “Pleasure to see you.” You rest your hands casually in the pockets of your white lab coat, leaning back against the desk in a relaxed, composed stance.

“It’s nice to see you too,” he says, folding his arms as one dark brow lifts. “Think we can step out for a second? We gotta talk about somethin’.” The way he says something… That slight squint in those rich brown eyes, tells you everything. He’s caught on. Or at least, he seems pretty damn sure. Not that you made it hard. The shift in your demeanor this morning was deliberate. You wanted him to notice. And now that he has…

Keeping your expression smooth and unfazed, you give a polite tilt of the head. You play it cool, acting as though you haven’t the faintest idea what he could be talking about.

“Talk?” you echo, one hand slipping out of your pocket. You tap a finger thoughtfully against your chin, brows gently furrowing as if trying to puzzle it out. “About Mr. Grimes?”

“Well, not exactly-I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk about it here,” he says, hushed. His eyes lock onto yours, unwavering, searching, maybe even pleading, just a little. He’s hoping you’ll take the bait., hoping you’ll say yes.

You glance around the vicinity, then flag down a nearby nurse with a subtle gesture. She approaches quickly, and you lean in, whispering something. It takes just a few seconds. The nurse nods in understanding and shuffles off without question as your hands slide back into your pockets. Pivoting on your heel, you begin walking towards the hallway with a set of double doors. You throw a glance over your shoulder at him.

Shane gets the message and trails after you without a word. You both reach the double doors and you lift your badge and press it to the scanner. Flickering a soft green light as it buzzes, and then a click.

The doors slide open on their own, and you walk between them, Shane follows, toe-to-toe like a curious, restless puppy. His head darts left, right—up, down—scanning for witnesses. Tracking the cameras as they walk a little further down the long corridor and then you make a sharp turn down another hallway. He sticks close behind, both your footsteps echoing softly against the sterile floor.

You come to a halt, your back still to him. “So,” you say coolly, “what’s up?” Turning to meet his gaze.

Just a few feet apart, Shane looks down, takes off his hat, and starts fiddling with it between his fingers. A small, bashful chuckle escapes him. He doesn’t quite understand this intense fascination with you.

His heart hammers in his chest, and the shy smile that he had curled on his lips slowly fades away. When he lifts his gaze to meet yours, his lips part, quiet and caught in awe. It’s like Shane’s seeing you for the very first time, standing there in your lab coat. Not just the woman he knows, but the real you. Fierce and alive. It’s as if every time he’s seen you before, you were covered in shadows and now, suddenly, the full picture of you is clear.

Shane’s eyes roam across your face, lingering until they lock with yours. There’s passion in them, burning and intense. He sees it as plainly as you see it in his.

“I—ya… well…” He stutters, not breaking contact with you. “Did we fuck last night?” he asks bluntly.

You lean your back to the hospital wall, lifting one foot and planting it flat behind you for support. Digging into your pocket, you pull out a pack of cigarettes, slipping one between your lips and lighting it.

“So what if we did?” you say flatly, taking a drag. “Would that be so bad? Would you be embarrassed?” While you speak, Shane keeps glancing around the hallway,  shoulders tense, like he’s expecting someone to pop out at any second.

“I don’t think I’d have much of a problem with it,” he admits, distracted. He looks back at you and you snort.

“What? Scared you’ll get in trouble?” you tease, taking another drag and blowing the smoke lazily in his direction.

He scoffs, stepping through the slight, dispersing fog, closer and closer until he’s between your legs, spreading them without warning as he leans in. “Nah, I’m not scared,” he mutters. “But I do want to know what we did last night.” He mentions, pressing himself between your legs, forcing them open for him. He stares down into your eyes, a lustful glare present in his brown eyes.

“Oooh, you really want to know, don’t you? You question, playfully.

“I do,” he breathes.

“But why? Isn’t it better to keep some things in the dark?”

“Maybe for some,” Shane almost hisses, “but not for me. I don’t like shit being hidden from me.” His expression softens slightly. “Just tell me-was it you I was with last night?”

Then he scoffs, shaking his head. “Bet you don’t even remember.”

You laugh, dry and sarcastic. “Of course I remember.”

Shane’s eyes narrow slightly. “Then quit dancin’ around it.”

You lift the cigarette slowly, holding it out to his lips, still wet with your gloss. “Here,” you say, watching him carefully. “Since you’re so desperate for a taste of the truth.”

Shane scoffs, eyeing you. “You think that’s cute? Messin’ with me like that?”

You smirk, completely unfazed. “Maybe I do.”

Shane’s eyes flicker to your lips, then back to your eyes, heart pounding harder than he wants to admit. He hates that you have this control over him. How easily you draw him in with just a look and a dare. His mind races, half resisting, half wanting to give in.

Taking the cigarette feels like surrendering, but also like claiming a piece of whatever this is—whatever it was last night.

He presses the filter to his lips, breath shaky but eyes locked on yours as he takes a slow drag. An amused smirk spreads across your lips. “Ooooh, bad boy—I like that,” you tease, leaning up until your lips are barely touching his. You take another hit, smoke slipping from the corner of your mouth. “Yeah,” you exhale slowly, “it was me.”

He tilts his head a little, a smirk plastered on his face as a low growl erupts from his throat and, his index finger hooks under your chin, keeping it lifted. “You really fucked me up last night,” he mutters, his hand applying enough pressure to your jaw to give it a gentle but a firm squeeze. A delicate reminder of the kind of man he is. Dominant. Controlling. A man who thrives on putting women in their place. Too bad you’re always the one doing the placing.

“But it’s one you won’t soon forget,” You teasingly say, then boop his nose. “Officer.”

A dark laugh escapes him, “You just love this, don’t you, Doc? Teasing me like this. Wanting me to want you.” His pink tongue snakes out from between his lips and he gently drags a slow, wet stroke along your upper lip.  You moan breathlessly, feeling the wet warmness of his tongue leave lingering strings of  his saliva. With your mouth slightly agape, he takes this as his cue and traces your bottom lip with the tip of his tongue before slipping it past the seam of your mouth, catching your lips in a kiss.

The morphing of your lips combining actually sends you and Shane into a lustful brume when you return his tongue play, kissing him back with a bit of force. Tasting each other, feeling up on one another; tongues swirling around. Breathing heavily into the kiss.

Shane grinds himself onto your pelvis, his hardened, clothed, shaft pressing firmly against your now, soaking and aching pussy. You pull him closer, as if that’s possible. Soft moans slip out, tangled in each other's mouths. 

“You wanted me without me even trying,” you breathe between moans, a cheeky smile breaking across your face. You’re clearly having fun with this, and Shane sees it.

Shane groans softly and bites his lip. He does want you. More than he’s ever wanted any woman—and that’s really saying something.

Your lab coat slides off your shoulders, bunching around your elbows as his rough, veined hand cups one of your breasts. Flesh warm, soft,and spilling slightly through his fingers as you arch into his touch.

“I do. I do want you,” he murmurs, deep and husky against your ear. His other hand is already tugging at the hem of your shirt, pulling it free from where it clings to your body, snug in your waistband.

You flick the cigarette to the floor, still burning at the tip, and grab his jaw, kissing him hard. Tongues clash, lips crash, both of you gasping into the heated mess of it. “Aah-”

Out of nowhere, a series of consistent beeps buzzes from your lab coat pocket. You both pause, breathless. Reluctantly, you pull back from the kiss and reach into your pocket, tugging out your pager. A small message blinks: Need U ASAP – 2ND FL.

You sigh with softly swollen lips and Shane takes that as a sign that your little engagement has to stop early, much to his dismay.

“Well…” you murmur, wiping your chin with the back of your hand, still flushed. You begin tucking your shirt back into your bottoms while Shane casually wipes your gloss from his mouth with a swipe of his palm. The glitter still sticks. He runs his tongue over his bottom lip, savoring the taste.

“Mmm,” he hums, licking slow, “You are fucking delicious.” 

Your cheeks flush deeper. Unable to help yourself, you grab his jaw once more and slam your lips against his, stealing one last kiss. You pull away abruptly, your fingers still warm on his cheeks. He stands there, dazed, grinning.

“You ready now?” you ask, matching his smirk.

“Mhm.” He falls into step beside you as you head back down the hall. “But I’m gonna need those lips again later.”

You roll your eyes, shaking your head with a grin. “Shut up.”

Your keycard hits the scanner—beep. The light flashes green. The double doors swing open, and together, you both exit. A moment later, you part ways. But neither of you has truly walked away.

[eddieisashifter]

.　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔦𝔫! 𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔞𝔩 𝔟𝔬𝔶 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔞 𝔟𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔨 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔠𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔠 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔨 𝔞𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔠𝔲𝔭 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔢𝔞!

　. 　 ˚　. halò, salutations, insert other greetings of your choice

my name is edmund, but I usually go by eddie. and I usually use the surname crowley in my drs. you can also call me crow or literally anything as long as you're not thinking about me in a cis way. pronouns are he/they/ey usually, but you can call me whatever you want as long as it's not she/her.

scottish by blood, american by bad luck. somewhere between lawful evil and chaotic neutral by nature, intj by happenstance, and audhd by serendipity. gemini sun, aries moon and leo rising. which all basically means I'm insane, but really good at hiding it in public amongst the average folk.

currently living at eighteenyears old with the soul of an nineteenth century tortured artist, the looks of a punk librarian, the manic eyes of an ancient prophet, and the humor of an utterly incomprehensible drunk girl in the pub bathroom. chronically without shame, yet also spirals on a daily basis.

𝔴𝔥𝔬 𝔞𝔪 ℑ…𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶? an impossible question to answer. In the grand face of the multiverse, who aren't I is the better question? depends on the day.

i'm the boy in the forgotten library. the person you aren't quite sure if you imagined or not. the one dancing down the city streets with his own soundtrack in his head. the one that will always stop whatever he's doing to pet a cat. the one with a sketchbook in his hand and paint under his fingernails. the one with chronic wrist cramps from hours of writing.

also the type to be seen muttering to myself in public. it's fine. I'm likely just having a one-sided conversation with lady brigid, lady morrigan or lord loki.

also, autistic as all hell. hot as fuck and bad at realizing when I'm being flirted with. meticulous plans for how to approach the grocery store and/or the cute barista at the coffee house. adhd with a bad case of object permeance. also probably several more disorders I probably should contact a therapist about.

basically a real life shakespearian tragedy with a sprinkle of nihilism and big helping fluctuating empathy

𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖋𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖏𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖞

i found shifting in 2020 with literally everyone else. i survived the insanity that was, however from the sidelines. I ingested all the shiftok drama second-hand from youtube and pinterest.

my first dr was mcu, in which I thought I was a girl. oh how the tides have changed. i created more drs afterwards, but eventually crashed because of the lack of results. I found shiftblr in 2022. crashed again late 2024 due to lack of results again before returning in december2024/january 2025 with a new sense of self.

I have shifted, just as we all have. we shift every single second. choosing to write this was me shifting, you choosing to read it was you shifting. however, my 3D is lagging far too hard for my liking. I sit here, twiddling my thumbs and watch my reflection in the black screen as it buffers. my reality is already here, no more trying or pleading needed. i am the one in control, as I have always been.

𝖊𝖉𝖉𝖎𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖆𝖛𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖘

(also known as the place where you learn the most about me)

I have one true love. one in my whole life. any life. every life. it is the star wars universe. there is nothing you can do that would ever make me hate a single thing in this glorious universe. i have been consumed by it. after watching the movies as a wee child, unbeknownst to the monster that was about to be unleashed, I was driven to obsession. now, I have watched shows, read books and comic, played games...all in this universe. it is my one true love. my one specialist interest. I love you star wars.

I also adore...sherlock holmes in all his iterations (literally me in another universe, I swear to you), gothic literature and early sci-fi (mary shelley, h.g. wells, and robert louis stevenson my beloveds). cutting apart old clothes, pinterest, and making themed playlist (someone take spotify away from him already)

five braincells functional at any given time. one is thinking about the star wars universe, one is playing half of a song, one is coming up with new story ideas, one is dedicated to ahsoka tano and the other is dedicated to hozier

certified bookworm and bibliophile like every other depressed academia student.

my top five books may surprise you! some may have seen this coming. the legendborn cycle by tracy deonn, six of crows and crooked kingdom by leigh bardugo, the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde by robert louis stevenson, heir to the empire by timothy zahn, and the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde

i need to watch far more movies, my expertise is almost entirely in books. i will always take recommendations and unroll my tbr list as it becomes a new path behind me with the length of it.

𝔪𝔶 𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔰

⋆˙⟡ sherlock holmes (arthur conan doyle's version)

⋆˙⟡ tech (star wars: the bad batch)

⋆˙⟡ jonathan sims (the magnus archives)

⋆˙⟡ leopold fitz (agents of s.h.i.e.l.d)

⋆˙⟡ thrawn (star wars)

⋆˙⟡ john keating (dead poets society)

⋆˙⟡ viktor (arcane)

[theboywiththepurplesocks]

Okay so I am not going to write this, so I'm just going to share it here as a little nothing.

Also, this is NOT the BuddieTommy fic sitting in my drafts, this is just something that popped into my head 5 minutes ago.

Buddietommy (tangentially inspired by) Jupiter Ascending but with magic. Featuring the red string theory.

The first time Tommy kisses him, Buck feels the universe shift around him but brushes it off a general euphoria from being kissed and the surprise from this new self discovery.

After the break up and then the subsequent one night hook up/crash and burn the morning after, Buck has a reluctant realization that his feelings for Buddie are actually stronger than the normal friendship.

And the universe shifts again. Only this time it fully tilts and then folds in upon itself and then suddenly Buck is not in LA anymore.

Buck, Tommy, and Eddie have been pulled into another reality. A world where fantasy and science have melded together and people have obtained various psionic abilities boarding somewhere between the line of science fiction and fantasy.

The three are told that they are the new incarnations of the world leaders, the most powerful psionic users ever to live who rule as a triad, living, dying, and then reincarnating to be together for eternity.

Only this time, when the previous Triad died, instead of being recanated, their souls merely shifted to another reality, drawn by the shared connection between their alternate counterparts.

Their powers will grow as their connection to each other grows, eventually giving them near godlike abilities. In the meantime, the people need someone to rule them, and law dictates that only the Triad can rule.

Tommy is still not over what happened.

Eddie is deeply confused as to why he's here.

Buck discovers he has powerful empathetic and telepathic abilities.

The spirits of the previous Triad are haunting each of their counterparts respectively.

Eddie's counterpart pointing out to him the obvious attraction he has to Tommy and his affection for Buck so loudly that he can no longer ignore it or try and push it down. Encouraging him to act on his desires. Helping him to untangle any confusion and discovering new aspects of this identity.

Tommy's counterpart helping him feel connected to a people by teaching him about the world they are in and encouraging him to open up and talk to Evan.

Buck has to learn emotional control and discernment.

Buck's counterpart knows something about how his Triad died...or were murdered.

They meet alternate universe counterparts of the 118 and Harbor crew.

As their bond improves, Eddie develops telekinetic abilities that have the potential to alter things at the molecular level.

Tommy gets time based abilities. Speeding up or slowing down the aging process on objects and people.

The question arises about getting home to their friends and family. Eddie being worried about how long they've been gone and who is taking care of Christopher.

Tommy realizing that even though they've been gone for a while there probably isn't anyone he left behind that would even be missing him.

Tommy being filled with a desire to stay because he's needed here.

But Buck and Eddie need him, too.

[anheliotrope]

So here's my WR run. It's uncommented so frankly it's kind of boring. I'm going to use this post instead to babble about my Journey.

Hero Beggining

I started out because I saw Nitram and Ramisme doing a DXRando race on YouTube and I thought it was the coolest shit ever.

I've missed the train on a lot of online activities in the past. There are more communities and gaming eras I missed out on than I can count. Largely due to EF or lack of knowledge or just... passivity. I decided I can't let another one just slide past me, so I joined.

The community was very encouraging and after doing my first run at 3h12m I was thinking... damn this shit is exhausting and I can't imagine ever being as good as Ramisme or Nitram!!

3h-2h30m

I kept going though. I didn't want or need to be the best. I was enjoying myself and knew there was a lot of room to improve. By the time I got down to 2h30m I realized I could beat the time of the head developer of the mod. I found the idea very appealing for whatever reason and made it my target.

Feeling like I had so much room to improve and entering this iterative process was amazing. Not a lot of games give you that. You often progress through games and you often add more layers of complexity, but it's actually quite rare for an experience to be centered so much around self-improvement and doing better. It's even rarer that you actually feel that improvement pretty much constantly. I can get significantly better at Starcraft 2, or AoE2, or MOBA, but thanks to EloGPT I'm generally not going to feel it as much. And there's so much stupid bullshit those games throw at you that it often distracts you from being an effective improooover.

2h30m-1h50m

Once I got close to 2h, improving at the game became easier because it took less time to get a complete run. The iterative process became even smoother now. Every run had a dozen low hanging fruits I could get better and better at picking up.

This is where I became better than the devs, which was quite satisfying. Of course, they spent most of their time actually making the game, but I'd take anything I could get! This was still in the range of "any dedicated gamer could probably get this".

Also towards the end of this segment I had memorized all the goal locations (which are exhaustively listed on the wiki and can be seen via an in-game feature too!) and most of the important datacubes. A significant chunk of annoying busywork was now finished and I could focus on the fun stuff.

I would say that 2h10m to 1h40m was the most enjoyable segment overall. It had an ideal balance of exploration and optimization, of enjoyment and tryharding.

1h50m-1h30m

Once I hit 1h50m I was getting closer to the top two runners, but I still thought that there's probably no way I can ever beat them. After all, they'd pump out 1h30m runs on average.

I thought I could at least get to 1h30m. You know, my best could be as good as their average, right? So I made my way there. This segment was weird and still very enjoyable. The weirdness comes from running out of low hanging fruit and having to shift approach gradually.

Getting closer to 1h30m is where a lot of tricks become more relevant. You unlock a plethora of them because earlier it wasn't worth doing them. Saving half a minute when your total time is 2h is nothing, especially since you have more important things to improve on. As you go below 2h, this changes.

You learn how to jump over laser tripwires, where to use thermoptic camo to phase through said tripwires, places to jump to avoid triggers. You learn you can shoot the LAW through solid walls because it spawns the rocket a bit in front of the player model. You learn how to quickly fall down ladders and catch yourself at the last moment. You learn you can go down one path in the game, memorize or write down a code, then load the game so you don't need to spend time backtracking. You learn you can shoot weapons while in water if you emerge from the water in a specific way and shoot at the right time. You learn you can destroy the generator by throwing a LAM in a completely different room because the generator is part of a family of objects in the engine that don't do LOS checks for explosions.

Some of the tricks are annoying to do, others feel good to have in your belt. Overall, the game is mercifully sparse on heavy micro tricks. The developers intentionally made the speed+jump aug cost 1 energy when you activate it, to avoid creating a meta where you activate the aug, jump, deactivate, activate on land, jump again -- this would reduce your energy cost to 0 and make you almost as fast as using the aug the regular way. We lucked out that the base game isn't very micro-exploitable and the devs took decisions to minimize that as well. I really really liked this because it allowed me to focus on the things that felt meaningful in the game.

Race Interlude

At some point I participated in my first race. Just a while ago I was admiring Nitram and Ramisme as shiny gods in that YouTube video of their race. And now I'm racing alongside them! The race was exhilarating and humiliating. I ended up over 10m behind them, which looks really bad when all the video feeds are playing side by side. But I did not regret it and for at least half an hour it looked like I could have kept pace.

1h30m-1h20m

I went back to focusing on speedrunning rather than races. I had joined to do races, but I was hooked on getting closer to the WR. I wanted to see how close I could get. For races you needed to find people to do them with and there was some pressure to broadcast them on Twitch, which made speedrunning the easier activity to reach for.

My behaviour became more competitive and a bit degenerative, but the way I approached it was highly effective. I would quit very eagerly the moment I made a major mistake or knew that the current seed wasn't good enough.

I was told I shouldn't do that because I'll never learn later levels or never learn how to recover from a mistake. This is true, but irrelevant for winning the world record. My goal was to not make mistakes on an ideal seed. As I got closer to the WR, this behaviour intensified.

It made my early game much better than my late game for sure, but that's fine, because the early game is simply more impactful. The pace you establish, the resources you get or miss, these things set the tone for the rest of the game.

This is also where frustration started mounting and managing my emotional state became an actual thing.

The truth is that resetting seeds a lot was the most unfun part of the experience. I developed a whole list of heuristics to decide when to reset a seed. My criteria was brutal compared to the other runners.

Because they would often by streaming, there was probably some social pressure to not reset too much. Since I wasn't streaming most of the time, I felt no such pressure. But yes, there was a part of the game that was hella grindy.

No aug upgrade can in mission 2? Restart. Boat is at Filben's? Restart. No biocells found in UNATCO? Restart. Bad Plasma? Hmm. Bad Plasma and no GEP Gun? Restart. etc.

My approach worked.

This is also where I complained to the devs a lot to try to change the game in ways that will reduce the incentives for resetting early. But the problem is fundamentally unsolvable on a game design level and I can maybe get into why in a different post.

1h20m-WR

Once I got to 1h20m and maybe a bit before that, my attitude changed even more. I had gone from "WR is not something I should even try" to "maybe I could get WR some day" to "it is only a matter of time until I get WR. I'm better at this."

I was overplaying and the grind was a drain. My high level of confidence actually made finding a good seed frustrating. And sometimes when I found an amazing seed, I'd still fuck it up and the level of pain this would generate was immense and maybe a bit delectable. Conversely, managing to improve at this point felt rather momentous.

I was definitely playing more than was optimal for improvement and for enjoyment. There are a lot of activities I've suddenly lost interest in over the course of my life. Never gaming as a whole, but I've definitely had moments where, in a couple of days, I went from really wanting to play a game to not wanting to play it at all. I was terrified this might happen. Or that somehow the community would fall apart or disappear. I wanted to ride this experience for all it was worth now, not later. I didn't want to have another "I wonder what would have been" entry in my life.

When I was on my WR run, I was sleep deprived and somewhat dispirited. I was feeling like the seed is probably not good enough and that I've made way too many mistakes. It was the last run of the day, it was well past midnight.

I had a near WR run where my hands were shaking at the end, something I get rarely. I had a bit of that during the WR run too -- it was caused by getting a lucky break that elevated the run from "hmm probably not good enough" to "oh god, I HAVE to perform now. I CAN'T waste this."

And I didn't waste it! I got the WR! I already don't even remember the feeling well all that well. Being so sleep deprived didn't help. It felt somewhat surreal. I'm not the most emotionally reactive person, but I was definitely happy. I was happy the next day. And the day after. Then I started getting the "oh shit what now" feeling. Which is why it took me so long to even talk about this here.

Closing Remarks

In retrospect, I really wish I could redo my journey before hitting 1h30m or so. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. But you can kind of only do that once. A "you can play Dark Souls the first time only once" sort of thing. Which is why I'd really like to see more people playing, but this is a pretty niche activity.

Because of the grind of resetting runs and finding good seeds, I don't think I will ever target WR like that again. I think speedrun races, where players play the same seed with no advance knowledge are strictly superior. They can be done async provided the runners trust each other. They are a fundamentally healthier and more sustainable way of approaching the game. WR speedrunning gets less fun the more optimized the WR is.

Additionally competing for WR is something only a few people can do. Doing speedrun races is something anyone can do provided they find at least one opponent of a similar skill level. It's an underappreciated and esoteric way of gaming, but it's good!

Speedrung DXRando was a valuable experience and I'm not sure that I could have gotten it from any other game. DXRando is lighting in a bottle! The way you iteratively improve at the game can be likened to Hades or maybe Binding of Isaac in some sense, maybe? The difference is that the former two are roguelite and their action component is entirely different from DXRando. Additionally their time pressure component is highly optional, the game isn't built around it.

DXRando is a very unlikely game to exist. It's very unlikely any gamedevs will make a game that is anywhere similar to DXRando at all in terms of gameplay. It's basically a high time pressure roguelike FPS/RPG. It's possible that for a decade or even my remaining life, I won't see this kind of gaming experience replicated.

The high time pressure part is so important. I cannot overstate how important it is. Deus Ex is a game that is incredibly easy once you have advance knowledge of it. There just isn't that much skill to defeating the AI.

You can wrack your brain trying to think how to fix this from a game design perspective. Imagine you could mod the game however you wanted -- what do you even do so that veteran players still feel engaged? Or even just players that are good at this type of game? You can add more exploration, that always works. But adding things to explore is one of the most costly approaches in terms of game development. It takes a team 8 years to make a new campaign for Deus Ex which I finish in 15-40 hours of gameplay.

Time pressure however solves it extremely well. People tend to hate time pressure, but I think it is severely underexploited. It can turn trivial encounters into harder ones without needing to make the game more complex. It's a niche but very valuable game design tool which is often ignored, frankly for good reason, but in this case it reinvigorated and transfigured a game that I thought had permanently dried out for me in terms of enjoyment.

Maybe something similar already to DXRando already exists out there and I'm ignorant of it. I'm pretty ignorant of most randomizer content. A lot of randomizer stuff comes off as silly. Even DXRando has a very funny memey picture of JC Denton associated to it. But the gameplay value is way beyond that of funny hijinks.

[yet-another-deanw-girl]

Chapter 1: The girl and the werewolves

||The Prophecy Series||

She knew for 15 years that this day would come. She knew her destiny had already been written. That her death had been foretold.

She knew she would have to stop him. She knew she would have to kill him. And she thought she was prepared for all of it. But the day she met him she realized how wrong she was…

Set in Season 10 Pairing: MoC!Dean x Female!OC

Warnings: the usual SPN, language, violence, blood, injuries

Episode mapping: The end of episode 4 of season 10 "Paper Moon"

Note: The events of this story are following season 10 of Supernatural and are taking place between October 2014 and July 2015. I tried to make sure that all the references to weapons, tech, etc. are accurate with the time period.

AN: This is my first time writing a fanfic but the story has been in my head for too long and it just needed to get out. I hope you like it.

AN: English is not my first language, I apologize for any mistakes.

It's official… I hate the States.  I have been driving for over half an hour and there is nothing around.  NOTHING!  Here you can just disappear and no one will ever know. Long distances, distant people, crappy coffee…  I really miss the coffee…  Well, at least, the food was decent most of the time… I'm impatient to go back home, so I'm overdramatic. Moreover, I haven't really spoken to anyone for more than two weeks… that alone drove me crazy and irritated. Thank God this mission is over now! Take a deep breath and make a plan. That always calms my nerves. First, I have about three or four more hours of driving until I get to the private airstrip where the plane is waiting for me… that's insane… how is everything so far apart here… Deep breaths… Then, about a ten hour flight to Prague.  I'll probably sleep the entire time…  Or I can write my report…  First I’ll write my report, then I’ll sleep. After landing, I'll have my debriefing… and real coffee. Then… go to my apartment… pack a bag… and go to the airport… I have been waiting for this vacation for so long. To see my family…

I'm entering a small town and I see the local diner on my side of the road. Going through my plan in my head has improved my mood significantly. I always function better when I have a detailed plan. But I still need coffee. So with a dream of a latte or cappuccino in my mind, I park the Jeep and walk into the diner to get whatever excuse of a coffee they have. Five minutes later, with a to-go cup in my hand, I'm climbing back in the monstrous car. I really love this car. It's always funny to see the looks I'm receiving. I'm not the shortest woman in the world, but I'm no more than 1.70m (it's about 5 '7) and this Jeep is enormous. But I like driving it. And, I like all the modifications I've done on it over the years. While driving out of the town and the buildings are more and more apart from each other, a cabin catches my attention. Well, not the cabin itself, but the two figures going inside. Just before they went inside, their faces shifted. What day is it? It's not a full moon, right? I count the days in my head. It is a full moon. Great! Werewolves. I hesitate only for a second, before I stop my car down the road so they will not see me coming. Driving a car like this has some disadvantages after all. I push several buttons on the car's dashboard screen, to check my armory and a weapon is produced for me to use. When the central console on my right opens, I reach out to take the gun. I scowl at the Beretta 92 that is inside.

Created with Microsoft Designer

"Of course!" I mutter under my breath. "I can't even use my own guns here!" I remind myself that I'm not supposed to raise any suspicions or to give any clues about who I am and who I'm working for. It's hard when you are a person of details and when you like things in a certain way. Unfortunately, my custom guns are locked in the car safe, until I'm boarding the plane to Europe. I take the standard US law enforcement gun and two spare magazines with silver bullets and I'm on my way to the cabin. "Fuck… I haven't even finished that coffee!" Engaging in those kinds of situations is not really in the scope of my operation here. Actually, it is way out of it. But I can't just walk away, keep driving and pretend I haven't seen anything. Not when there are innocent people in danger here… probably… 'Probably' is the key word… So I decide, I'll just look at what is going on in there and if, indeed, there are lives being threatened, only then I'll get involved.

Of course there are lives in stake. When I look inside the dimly lit building, I see the silhouettes of two men being tied to the pillars. Three werewolves are inside with them, the two men I saw earlier, and a younger blond woman… girl actually... It looks like she is in charge or has some authority over the others. I take in the layout of the place and make a map in my mind, all the people, the exits, the pillars, the piles of junk, the old furniture... Every little crack, every window and every beam…  And I make a plan…  And a backup plan…  And a backup plan.  I have it all laid out in my head, a perfect tactical assault mission.  In reality, this takes only a couple of seconds. My mind works in a strange way, but that's one of the things that makes me good at my job and has helped me climb the ranks quickly. I go in from the back door and immediately shoot down the two men. The girl with the long blond hair is standing in front of one of the hostages tied to the columns and puts her claws to his chest when she sees me.

Created with Microsoft Designer

"Put down the gun, or I will gut him!" - she says to me. Another blond girl barges in and stops abruptly when she realizes the situation. "Tash, what are you doing?" she exclaims, looking at the girl threatening one of the victims. "Kate! Come here and help me!" - the girl says. Now, when I have a better look at her she looks really young, maybe just finished high school. I take advantage of everyone being distracted, and shoot. The girl hits the ground. I turn around, aiming my weapon at the second girl. "No, no, no!" - the two men yell in unison. I lower my gun and the girl runs to the body of her dead sister. At least they look like sisters.

I holster my gun and take the knife from my boot turning around to cut off the ropes of the two men. No, no, no, no…  I definitely fucked up…  What the hell…  I NEVER fuck up!  I was not supposed to make any contact with them. I was here to observe and report. Fuck, fuck, fuck… Shit! Ok… I'll just cut them down and then I'm on my way to the airstrip. I start cutting the rope tying up Dean's hands above his head. I have to stand on my tiptoes and I barely can reach the rope. "Hey, shortstack, do you need a stepping stool or something?" Sam teases and I snort at his comment. "Short or not, I'm not the one tied up by a highschool girl…" Fuck! Those boys are really tall up close!

I'm almost done when Sam yells "Watch out!!!" I press the knife into Dean's hand, so he can finish cutting the rope himself and pull out my gun while turning around.  Sharp pain stings my abdomen before I'm able to pull the trigger.  The gunshot rings in the air of the cabin followed by a heavy thump. I clench my stomach. That's bad.  That's really, really bad.  How did this all happen?  Where did he come from?  How did I miss him?  Maybe he came after the second woman… girl… My mind is racing, trying to analyze every little detail and every possibility. But it doesn't matter right now.  This must be the unluckiest day of my life! First, I stumbled on my targets, and now this!  I know this will not kill me.  This is not the way I'm supposed to go and now is definitely not the time. But it hurts like hell, nonetheless and for a moment, panic sneaks in my mind.  I haven't been in such deep shit in a long long time. I have been in far more dangerous situations, but I hadn't screwed up like this in years. Deep breaths… make a plan… "Hey! Are you ok?" Dean asks me when he is done untying his brother. "Yeah!" I say through my clenched teeth and without even turning to them I start walking to the front door. I'll just have to go to my car, stitch this up, and then…  My head starts spinning.  Shit, I'm losing too much blood. I'm not going to make it to the car…

The woman had barged in, shot all of the rogue werewolves in a matter of seconds and without saying a word was now walking to the front door. "Wait a minute! Where do you think you're going?"  I yell and run after her.  Just when I'm reaching to grab her arm to stop her, she collapses and I manage to catch her at the last moment. "What the hell!"  I mumble but then I see the gash in her stomach. It's deep and she is losing blood too fast. "Sam! Find the first aid kit and get the car! NOW!"

Chapter 2: Protocol EG-64 initiated >>

||The Prophecy Series||

[wildflowerteas]

hella got through chapter 6 everyone cheer!

i don't know how to respond to this coherently so i'm just going to scroll down and let the word vomit happen:

the choice of emoji reacts to some of these . . . i'm surprised hella hasn't killed you guys. keeping gin away from this mess is the last thing on my mind, unfortunately *stares at the BEAST tag*

ARRGHHHFGHHH IM SO GLAD YOU GUYS LIKE SSKK. they're such a breath of fresh air, and writing them comes so easily to me. while i like writing skk ( fucked up as they are--even at this point in the story ) and the fast-paced nature of their relationship, this is romance writing work coming from the guy whose only other fic had a first kiss at uhhh...160k words.

yesenina did serve too hard. i imagine her as similair to the others, but with a Rita Hayworth-like air of ambition about her, and that's a serve. and it's what gets her killed.

Chuuya Yuan history coming in SOON. actually. Next chapter. seeing hella lose it over Chuuya's internal monologue here has been absolutely hilarious and kind of rewarding. I Knew All That because I'm the author ( duh ) so i never really grasped how strange the shift to Chuuya's thoughts about the relationship would be. I mean there's snippets of it, like the diner scene, but you're right, it's fanfic and so that is a lot easier to sweep under the rug.

ACAB. I considered putting a line from Doc Riedenschneider in The Asphalt Jungle ( 1950 ) "Experience has taught me to never trust a policeman. Just when you think one's alright, he turns legit." in a divider chapter between part I and part II, but I thought was too on the nose following 7 ( and a bit pretentious considering this is just ao3 fanfic and not a published work or anything ) so i grabbed myself by the metaphorical monkey backpack and didn't. Mafia Nepo Baby 😭 I love Hella HUGE WIN FOR ME. I was so nervous because i needed to balance Chuuya being observant but also quite literally *out of the loop.* He's not from the same world as Dazai--he's not involved with the murders or the politics or the mess going on yet. He comes across as oblivious at times because Dazai's POV is purposefully designed to make you see him that way. Dazai's so sure he's in control of what Chuuya knows that he doesn't realize he might have met his match.

ZSKK are uhm. yeah. all im gonna say there.

the "PARDON." IM CACKLING

argh. the switch up with this chapter...why the hell am i getting nostalgic for something i wrote less than two months ago ( ican't believe i've been grinding through this fic so fast jesus ).

i love unhealthy dynamics, truly. this fic was really a test to see if i could write soukoku making each other worse. which is a pretty stark contrast to my other stuff.

HELLA. OH MY GOD. that bit about their careers . . . i can't believe she noticed that. Chuuya started the fic genuinely ambitious, wanting the spotlight, wanting to defy expectations set upon him by his looks, his race, and his past. Dazai's a cop, sworn to uphold the law, but he doesn't feel like a good person. He can't ( interlude chapter . . . stares out the window ), but he can use everything about who he is to give Chuuya the life he wants. like a guardian ange--*gets taken out by a sniper chapter 8 style* Their original goals aren't gone, per se, they've simply been reoriented.

can't wait for chapter 7

i know it'll make Hella want to hunt me down for sport, so i'll sleep with both eyes open for the forseeable future.

[lyemohan]

Eulogy

I don't know what to type here, or what to say. I've never been good at facing my own death, with me feeling like I am only now starting to live again.

I guess the beginning is appropriate. At least, how my life started.

I was born to a broken home, my mother and father not even married, yet still together for the time being. They didn't get along at all, but to my mother, I was everything. She sacrificed so much for my well being, fought hard to keep me, to show me the love few others have shown in my teenage years. With my father being as neglectful as he was, it was easy for my mother to become sober and earn my custody through legal law.

My father had other plans. When it was time to pick me up, my grandparents took me on a very long road trip outside of Texas. I was gone. I remember the movie I watched constantly in that Lincoln was "Quest for Camelot", a musical about a group of people fighting a dictatorship. It was,,, bad. But it was a memory that stuck with me.

Musicals, animated musicals, were my favorite movies to watch. The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie growing up. The time I spent with my grandparents wasn't perfect but... I did feel a sense of love and affection from them that I never felt with my father. There are many memories I still have of them, memories that cancer took away from me.

After my grandmother died of leukemia, I felt a shift in my life, a path falling out from under me into the unknown, a divergence from what I could have been, into what I am now. My father only knew of me as a perfect child, a term of love used by my grandparents because of how dear they held me. My father took it literally, and started to expect nothing less of his perfection.

I descended into Hell. My step-mother took out her frustrations on me, punishing me for everything I did wrong. Threatening me. Harming me. My father punished me for every deviation from his standard. His punishments were harsh, and felt like they didn't have an end. I was deeply affected by this. I became depressed, stressed, I wanted to just get away, to never go back, I wanted it all to end.

His actions still affect me to this day.

I always leaned in a feminine direction. Something my father hated. I never understood why. His issues didn't need to be mine. He projected his insecurities onto me, and forced me to live through them. I was an investment, a drain on resources that didn't live up to his standards. I wish he saw this, but he didn't. He didn't care.

I only found out I was trans in 2019. The signs were there, but I didn't realize it until much later. I always thought I was trapped, until I finally realized that I wasn't. HRT saved my life. It saved my soul. It started my recovery, because finally, who I really was deep down got to come out for the very first time.

I'm in too deep though. How I envy the eggs that haven't started yet now. How I envy the woman and men who finally finished their journey. I envy you all, because my journey is going to be cut short.

45's orders have escalated in violence, he's cut more funding, abusing the office and acting just like my father. My father had one motto he lived by. And to this man, he thinks, 100%, that "It's my way, or the highway."

My death is no longer a matter of if. Not anymore. It's now a matter of when. So I write this to... Come to terms with my own life, my own joys, desires, needs, wants, dreams.

I dreamed of being a game developer, making stories that would touch others the same way they touched me. I dreamed of being an electrician, wires powering and improving the lives of many. I dreamed of love, another person who would love me unconditionally and deeply, something I never had in my life.

These dreams are quickly being dashed away. There will soon be a world here where my existence as a Trans-Woman will eventually be a crime. I have so many dreams I never accomplished. So many things I never have done. I can't fight what's coming, because it's already put in motion.

But you can.

You, reader, you can do what I might not have the power to do.

If you're Christian, please hearken to the words of your heart, and not the words of the beasts who wish to tell you lies about the book you read. I grew up in your religion after all, and I know, without a doubt, that your savior would have loved all of us the same way they did now as they did back then.

If you're comfortable in your identity, find joy in who you are. You may not understand the trans experience, but at our core, we want the same joy in our identity that you experience from day to day. It's why we are set on this path. We want to be happy, just like you are. I implore you to please, grant us the freedom to have this joy too, because I assure you, it is worth more than gold.

If you are straight, happily married even, know that we also want the same love you feel as well. We may not share attractions, but that doesn't mean we do not desire the same companionship you have in your union. Love is very powerful, it helps us exist. It helps us all live. Please, do not deny us this love.

If you are white, then you know the sorrow I feel as well. In my upbringing, I was cleaned of all cultures, forced to only be proud of one thing and one thing alone. I am happy to have found my Native American heritage again, and I promise you, there's joy in knowing where you come from. There's even joy in sharing it as well, as I vow to give a bit of myself to everyone I meet. I promise you, you are no blank slate. No puppet. You have a culture too, and you have the power to claim it again. Fight for that joy. Fight to find the joy of who you really are, and sharing that with all else you see.

And lastly, this is for those with the power to do something. Fight. Resist. Do everything in your power to prove why the Old English Empire could not keep us down. Your efforts will not be televised, but I see them. We all see them. Even if it is hopeless, you must fight, for our founding fathers fought fiercely, and they won proudly.

With that. I've finally come to terms with my own morality and what may be the uncertain future. I do not know where I'll live, or die, but I do know that I'll be ok, and I will do everything in my power to stay as such.

Thank you, Tumblr, for the best place I've ever had the pleasure of being on.

And for those who oppose me. I cannot convince you to change your course. If you feel some level of sorrow seeing this, then know it isn't too late to stand up and resist. But if you've went all in...

...then you know the die has been cast already, and I have nothing else to say to you.

[inkbeanjo]

2, 3,4,5,6,7 for Moni and Retro on the character ask please. i love hearing about your characters

houuhghghjK i will do my best to answer retro's half, though i'll open with some behind the scenes that might shed some clarity on neo-a's weird existence in the real world.

Neo Automisia came about after I'd been playing Moni in a shadowrun living community for like 3 years, and after a point where i decided I wanted to break from that system's lore/canon out of desire to write my own shit and also out of disagreement with a lot of SR's writing- irl i've never really grown up in places or had the same friend groups for more than 3 years at a time, and my experience in making friends has been a series of meetings and farewells since I was little.

Ironically enough this's how a lot of my time playing Moni wound up being- games in the living community were sign-ups as opposed to set player groups and set tables you'd normally expect from a tabletop setting- think billboard with job postings kinda vibes, with things happening during/after/between jobs. As such, at least when it comes to fellow runners/key npcs, I'm doing my best to translate friends characters I've not gotten to really play with/hear from in years- or at least haven't had space TO do things with, life happens/things get busy etc etc you get it. Retro is OracleofMaya's wonderful gremlin, and a lot of my ability to write consistent/in-character dialogue for her comes from the fact that we talked/wrote a LOT over the years and i have an active crush on her/like writing stuff with her u///u

Long lead in over here we go:

It really depends on circumstances for the both of them- they're incredibly awkward and dealing with a lot of baggage individually/mutually, but with the right company they tend to light up. In Moni's case if worst comes to worst, she's anxious enough that even in bad company/bad circumstances she'll still titter out a giggle before realizing this isn't the time nor place.

[DATA EXPUNGED]

From my time playing alongside Retro, it never felt exactly an easy thing to earn her trust; partly due to the fact of her being a technomancer in a world that readily exploits and/or abuses them to the nth degree, and partly due to the fact that a lot of the people she and Moni worked with were either opportunistic or WAY too prone to oversharing critical information. Add [DATA EXPUNGED] to the mix and its really hard to blame her for shutting others down or out but again right company/right circumstances made all the difference in exceptions or changing that.

On Moni's end, her depression and various horribly negative experiences with people she loved or trusted have oriented her, for the most part, not to trust other people- or at least, that's the direction she tries to orient herself toward in some attempt to protect herself, and others from her. That obviously hasn't and doesn't work up to the current point in chapter 3, as Moni is basically an easily excitable puppy in a metahuman's shape.

In Retro's case, extremely- I have zero doubts that had Moni ever not kept self-vigilance up and spilled the beans regarding Retro being a technomancer, Retro WOULD have made good on that promise to fry her brain.

Distrust is fluid for Moni/liable to shift and change with circumstances and her mood- in this case I'm going to opt to make a slight shift and say that, with specific and wrong buttons pushed, it is very, very, very easy to earn a lethal grudge from Moni as opposed to solely distrust.

Both Moni and Retro are not only Nightrunning criminals for hire, but also staunch Anarchists living in the hellscape that is late stage capitalism and continued global warming/corporations having just about zero regulatory oversight or consequence placed on them. Laws on paper are not synonymous with justice or systemic equity, and both growing up in the fringes of the Seattle metroplex 100% plays into how they see the reality of how those laws actually play out in favor of the rich, powerful, and influential.

In the time I played with Oracle, Retro's nostalgia often times followed similar patterns to Moni if that tracks; both of them are rooted through warped sentimentalities and fractured memories for pasts they either can't fully remember, or remember in better contexts and through rose-tinted glasses than honestly- at least for a time. I don't wanna spoil too much in this regard, nor for the more positive ways they hold nostalgia for genuinely nice times/moments, so that's all I'm gonna say.

For Moni: 22. Jealousy is weird for Moni, because it's only really ever happened when Retro had started seeing/dating(?) a magical psychologist character of mine who has a hate boner against moni and vice versa. Moni herself is polyam, pan, and for the most part easygoing when it comes to interpersonal relationships; she doesn't really have explicit desire for material stuff barring cybernetics to cram into her meat suit, or good food tucked in the pockets and hole-in-the-wall joints of wherever she's living. Even in the case of the aforementioned psychologist, the jealousy stemmed more out of her overt fear of a mage who could root through, tweak, or otherwise puppet your brain like a marionette. 23. Envy is also weird- as mentioned the material things she does want are things she has zero problem waiting or saving for, and when it comes to relationships/the relationships of her partners and metamours she's open/patient. But a core piece of Moni I'm in the process of explicitly laying out/continuing to lay out is her absolute impulsiveness- the things that she DOES envy are immaterial and more abstract, in ways that to most would just sound like complete nonissues. It's something yet to be brought up, but Moni genuinely envies her peers and coworkers who have or are working toward a definite retirement plan, or have the intention TO retire because they have something in mind. For Moni at this point, she did not for one second in her career think about what retiring might look like or that she could/should- it was utterly foreign to be asked "what're you going to do after you're done running?", and to look inward only to find an answer along the lines of "what?". She envies people that have desires beyond what's immediately in front of them- not because they have it better, but because for all of her attempts to she can't figure out what she wants- no matter how hard she tries there's something missing that, to her at least, makes her feel like she was never supposed to be metahuman. This's one example but you get the gist, it's wanting to feel like you know where you're going and where you want to go/otherwise self actualize and feeling like you're drowning.

[dewdrop-writes]

i was wondering: what if (friendship lv.10) yanfei was the only one to side with the imposter au reader? i imagine the whole “those who dare wear the face of our god/goddess must be punished blah blah blah” is not only unfair & unlawful but also like,, have any of them *cough* zhongli, ei, xiao and diluc come to mind instantly *cough* ever thought that perhaps their deity decided to bless the “imposter” who’s just been minding their own business and not trying to abuse their lookalikeness by giving them the same looks???? bet they’d feel stupid after the truth comes out and they realize yanfei’s the one who saved their god from getting murdered on spot. . .

srry for rambling. this yanfei main just wants any crumbs for their main;-; + i rlly don’t think she’d go “must kill the heretic” without at least hearing us out bc shes a lawyer and stuff and there’s no way she won’t be able to find a loophole/obscure law to protect us from everyone’s wrath while we’re finally given a chance to share our side of the story

In the name of justice

You are absolutely right, anon! Yanfei cares about justice, and is an overall kind person, so I would imagine she would not be one to jump on the "imposter" hate bandwagon just like that!

PS: this is super late of a response but I was really feeling a Yanfei mood recently so here it is! It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I might write more eventually!

Length: 2k words

cw: slight mention of injury

Screaming.

There was so much noise.

Your shaky feet bouncing off the pavement as a warm hand engulfed yours like a flame, dragging you behind them.

Dragging you through the labyrinthine streets of Liyue.

Only when the crowd's horrific angry sounds were muffled by the distance, did the warm hand release its grip on yours. You were quick to snatch it towards yourself, fearful eyes raking over the figure of none other than the legal advisor of Liyue.

She motioned a raised index to her lips, ushering you towards a smallish cramped building - you were unable to speak due to the ashy metallic taste in your mouth - lungs burning from the recent fleeing.

Finally, as she'd seated you down and bolted up the door, you managed to gather yourself enough to utter out a few words in succession.

"Why are you helping me?"

She frowned.

"Well, you're clearly being unjustly persecuted," she stated, crossing her arms huffily.

"Yes, you may bare a striking resemblance to the creator - but so what? If anything, people should take it as a divine blessing," she ranted, beginning to pace in front of the bolted door.

"Besides, its not as if you were claiming you were the creator," she added, raising her hands in frustration.

"I mean, I tried to reason with the Qixing on this - but I suppose when it comes to the creator, everything goes out the window," she sighed, leaning against the door once more.

You nodded slowly.

You were still somewhat confused by the whole creator aspect, but Yanfei seemed to be on your side at the very least.

You supposed you could do worse in terms of allies.

"I see...thank you, Yanfei."

She smiled brightly, before the expression faltered.

"I never did introduce myself," her brows furrowed as she cast a confused look your way. "How did you know my name?"

You stuttered, nervously glancing around the room, searching for an answer.

"Well...of course I know the legal advisor of Liyue...you're known far and wide," you laughed nervously, shifting in your seat.

"Oh. Well...I'm glad to see my reputation precedes me," she rubbed the back of her head, an awkward smile on her features.

"Where are you from, then, creator lookalike?"

"The name's (Y/n)," you spoke nervously, trying to stall for answers. As your gaze shifted over a worn map hung up on the wall, your eyes scanned the nations.

"And I'm from a small village in...Natlan."

"Oh, that's quite far away! I don't think I've met another person from Natlan before!"

You smiled and nodded nervously.

"Oh! Where are my manners," she chuckled. "Would you like some tea and a bite to eat?"

You nodded eagerly - the long sequence of running having drained you of all energy.

The meal went by without much fanfare - Yanfei made idle conversation, and you spilled stories of the nation you claimed to be from - mostly stringing together what little content there was about it in game and outside of it. For the most part - she seemed content with what you provided her with.

"Well, I say its about time for you to get some rest," Yanfei stated after glancing at the time.

"I'm afraid it isn't that safe in this shabby place - but no worries! I have a safer spot in mind," she explained, rising to her feet and hopping over to an antique teapot.

You recognized the item immediately, having had a similar one yourself in game.

She smiled at you mischievously.

"Hang tight!" she warned you, before raising the lid of it.

In a swirl of colors, you awoke on a quaint meadow - the skies painted gold with an eternally setting sun. Occasional sandbearer trees along with bamboos covered the mostly flat ground. Off in the distance, you could see a couple more floating islands.

You stared at your surroundings in awe, coming to a halt on the three story Liyue-styled house that had a lovely garden of wildvests and glaze lilies sprawling around it.

Yanfei came to a stop before you, reaching out a hand. You took it gently, allowing her to pull you to your feet.

"Let me show you my real abode," she said giddily, ushering you inside.

You were greeted by the scent of a roaring fire - and a sight of bookshelves littering the walls.

"That's...quite a lot of books," you spoke, awed.

She smiled sheepishly.

"As a legal advisor, I've collected every edition of Liyue law!"

"And have you had the time to read all of it too?"

She nodded happily.

"I've had more time to study than most people would think," she winked, hinting at her true nature as an adeptus.

You nodded slowly, following her through the entry hall.

"I've got a spare bedroom for you - it's right through here," she explained, before pushing a wooden door open.

The room was simple - clad in amber and brown hues - a bed by the wall, along with a matching dresser, bedside table, and a folding screen with a lovely scene painted upon it.

"It's not much, but I hope you don't mind - I haven't had guests in a while," she admitted, smiling sheepishly once more.

"No, no! It's perfect!" you exclaimed, taking in the room with a befuddled expression.

"That's a relief," she sighed. "Anyway - I have some work to do. I need to start building your case," she spoke, glancing at the looming library behind her.

"We gotta make sure you'll be safe from the rest of Liyue once we leave this place."

You nodded.

"I don't know how to thank you..."

"There's no need for that! I'm simply doing my job. Where there's an injustice - I will always be there to object."

With a brief goodnight, Yanfei set off to do research. Having nothing better to do, you settled in - getting changed out of your dirtied rags and into the silky salmon sleepwear you found in the drawers of the dresser. You crawled into bed, and with a heavy heart, you manage to battle your way to sleep.

Days in the teapot went by peacefully -Yanfei was pouring over legal papers throughout the days, accompanying your for meals and doing her best to host you. You felt yourself opening up to her a little more - sprinkling in little truths about your life back home and the friends and family you'd left behind.

A part of you ached to tell her the full truth - but you'd gone so long with those little white lies that you could never really speak your mind, afraid you'd lose the little haven and support you'd found.

Yanfei seemed to sense there was something you were keeping from her, but never pressed the matter - she was always cordial and understanding with you. It was no wonder most held her in such a high regard. She was kind, intelligent and sociable - everything packed in a fiery little package.

Eventually, the calm days of the teapot had to come to a conclusion, however.

"I think I've finally built up a case strong enough to present to the Qixing," she stated as she poured you a cup of tea, her chipper voice having an excited edge.

"Wow! That's great!" you responded eagerly, grinning up at her.

"I think - if it's fine with you - we should go and meet with them today."

You nodded slowly, feeling excitement mixing with anxiety in the pit of your stomach.

"You'll have to wear something concealing while we get there, though," she hummed in thought. "I should have some clothes with a hood. Something to hide your face with."

You allowed her to pick out a nice silky robe for you - one with a large hood that cast a shadow across your face - making you unrecognizable and unable to stand out too much in a crowd.

With that done, Yanfei gathered up her notes - her tomes, and grabbed your hand in her delicate warm one - exiting the teapot and stepping foot back inside that dingy house in Liyue.

"Well. Let's be on our way, then," she spoke, holding her hand out for you to take.

"Let's prove to the world you're a blessing, not a curse, hm?"

You chuckled.

"I like the sound of that."

"We are here to request a hearing with the Qixing," Yanfei spoke to the secretaries, allowing you to keep a slight distance.

"It's concerning this so called 'imposter' situation."

Soon, there were footsteps hurrying away to gather up the members of the Qixing.

You felt anxiety squeezing at your lungs, restricting your airways.

Yanfei cast you a reassuring smile.

You could do this.

"So, you've brought the imposter to us, very good, Yanfei," Ningguang spoke from her seat across the room, her gaze landing on your uncloaked form. You swallowed thickly, feeling her gaze pierce through you as sharply as the rocks she commanded.

"No, actually," Yanfei spoke firmly, pulling out her paperwork.

"I'm here to prove they're not breaking any law just by existing."

"Oh? Is that so?" Ningguang spoke, leaning forward, placing her elbows elegantly on the table before her.

"I'd like to see how you can argue that, when they're stood right beside you, wearing the face of the creator."

"They were simply born with that face. If anything, it should be a blessing."

Ningguang scoffed - her reaction mirrored by the other members of the Qixing.

"Our law dictates that no one is to be judged by their social or financial standing - nor their appearance," Yanfei spoke, flipping trough her book to find the according law.

"I would say this situation falls under this law."

"Maybe so, but you are forgetting that there is also a law dictating that you may not impersonate someone you are not."

"If I may be so bold - they were not claiming to be the creator. They simply entered Liyue - and were attacked and chased before they could even do anything," Yanfei had a confident smirk on her delicate features, her back straightened proudly.

"Well...yes, I suppose that's true, but still.."

"And as long as they never claim to be the creator - we have no right to persecute them on any grounds," Yanfei continued, confident in her win.

"I know this situation concerns the creator - trust me, I too take such matters very seriously, but we must not act rashly. It could reflect badly on Liyue, if we turn someone blessed by the creator, into a petty criminal."

Ningguang leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms and seemingly deep in thought.

"I suppose you are right in that regard..."

Yanfei grinned.

"Alright. I suppose we will not convict them of any crime. But we will be needing to keep a close eye on them - lest they get any ideas."

You cast your gaze aside, feeling anxious.

Would Ningguang's employees dig into your supposed past? Would they find out you had none in this realm?

"Alright. I suppose we will call off this hunt for them. And the two of you are free to go. But I do warn you - we will keep a watchful eye on you," she spoke, staring directly at you.

You felt a chill run down your spine.

As you turned to leave, you kept your gaze glued in front of you, back straight and trying to seem as confident as you could. However, you cursed your clumsiness as you tripped over your own feet. In mere moments, you were plummeting towards the ground.

Your head made contact with the smooth polished floor below you with a sickening thud.

Your ears were ringing as your vision swam - you were certain you could smell something tangy and metallic lingering in the air around you.

Suddenly - you heard multiple pairs of feet rushing towards you - the soft thuds echoing throughout the room and amplifying the ringing in your ears.

"Someone call a medic!" you heard what sounded like Keqing exclaim.

"Your grace! Oh geo lord..." you heard someone else speak frantically.

Slowly, your vision faded to black, along with the voices echoing around you.

[mvrtaiswriting]

Hi hi ! I hope you’re doing fine ! Can I request prompt 8 with Kid or Law please ? Thank you and have a nice day/night <3

Eustass Kid x prompt 8: when they lean forward a fraction as if to kiss the other person, then realize they shouldn’t and pull back to stop themselves

hullo! I'm doing fine(ish) and I hope you're okay too <3 I decided to write for Kid as I actually received another request about him with this exact prompt (by @artisticmalamute)! This came out a lil angsty and definitely more.. naughty then expected but what can I say? This man drives me insane. Also, apologise as this is rather long. I hope you enjoy this and I hope it meets your expectations!!! have a wonderful night / day <33

sfw; nsfw is kind of implied at the end. slight angst but happy ending.

feel free to reblog, like, and leave a comment. i would very much appreciate it. if you enjoy my works, click here to read more or buy me a coffee. - from this event.

"Okay, fine! Do as you wish, captain!" you screamed, not even giving Kid enough time to answer. Bursting outside the room, you slammed the door behind your back, making clear you didn't want him to follow you around, the conversation was done - and maybe you were too. Done with all the continuous teasing and pining, the lack of gratefulness for every damn time you were there for him.

"Not a word." you threatened Killer, who just happened to stand exactly outside the door. You didn't want to talk about it, you didn't want to hear any pointless excuse Killer would come up with to justify your captain's behaviour; you truly had enough.

At times, Kid would truly the best - the softest giant in the whole world, always being loving and protective to those closest to him. And although he had his own way of showing he cared, it worked; it was unconventional, but Kid would always make you feel safe, and loved. Other times however, he just liked to hit you exactly where it hurt the most - just because he enjoyed the way your face would light up at his provocations, how quick you were to bite back. He loved teasing you and get the worst out of you - these were some of his favourite moments, actually. He could see your true colours, how similar the two of you truly were, how you didn't care about his position and just confronted him regardless. Kid admired your pride, the fierceness that characterised your arguments and your strength when things would get too heated and the dining room became a battle ground for the two of you. He liked being pinned against the wall, with you threatening to 'kick his ass' - he found it adorable, and so endearing. These were the moments that gave him butterflies.

"You know it doesn't mean it." Killer reminded you calmly, putting an hand on your shoulder. Shaking your head in response and shifting your shoulder just enough to make Killer's hand slip away, you stomped your way to your room. It was exhausting. Was love enough? Surely not - especially if it only depended on you. And you were tired of loving a man who constantly kept you on the edge, testing your adrenaline response and detonating every bomb inside you all the time. Tired of interpreting his actions and mixed signals - one day he was the best you could ask for and the other he would act like a bully, 'out of love' as Killer would suggest.

Entering your room without even bothering to knock, Kid stood at the end of your bed and looked at you with an arched eyebrow, arms crossed across his chest.

"Done with your tantrum?" he asked, pungent as always.

"If that's your way of apologising, it sucks and it's not working." you get up from your bed, reaching the door and holding it open for him. "You can go." you continued, indicating the way out with your hand, faking a smile and doing your best to avoid a second fight.

"Oh, heartbreaking, really." he pouted, reaching the door to just lean on it, his figure now towering you. He looked down at you and flicked your forehead, causing your cheeks to turn scarlet red almost immediately.

"Get the fuck out." you said with grinned teeth, locking your eyes on his. For some unexplainable reason, he never looked more handsome than in that exact moment. Maybe it was because his muscular body was almost completely over you, maybe it was his usual arrogant smirk. A part of you wanted to strangle him, the other just wanted make him yours, engulf his body into yours until he felt numb enough to just shut up.

Kid dangerously leaned towards you for a second, getting so close you could feel his warm breath caressing your skin. He stared at you for a second before slowly tailoring his gaze to your lips, just to stare back at you moments after. For seconds that felt like an eternity, the two of you maintained eye contact, getting ridiculously closer to each others' lips. Something must have clicked into Kid's mind when he finally pulled himself back, scratching the back of his neck.

"Listen, it's on me. I'm sorry." he sighed, putting his hands up as he admitted his wrongs. "It wasn't fair, you're right! You're right." he continued, unsure of what to say.

Kid's words truly surprised you - this was the first time he actually made the effort to apologise. Usually, he would have just let you cool down and then act like nothing happened, or send Killer to try and dampen the situation. You kept silent as you stared at him, trying to understand what was happening. Why would he do that? It wasn't usual for him to just stick around after being shouted at - but there was no reaction this time, no laughter, no clap backs. He stood there with open arms, waiting for you to say something.

"I'm tired of this." you finally say, feeling defeated. You appreciated his gestures and deep down you knew he cared - the two of you shared so many precious memories together. There was a reason why you fell in love with him and although you did find his cockiness attractive - to a certain extent - what you loved the most about him was how caring he could be. He would have risked his life without a second thought for you, he would fight anyone who crossed your way - he would even carry you on his shoulders if you were too tired to walk.

Kid sighed again, rolling his eyes. Cupping your face with his hands, he pressed his forehead against yours.

"I promise I'll tone it down. I just like it when you get mad and smash me against the floor." he said laughing, squishing your cheeks between his hands. "You know I care." he said more seriously, lowering his voice.

"I can do it for free, you know?" you laugh in response, causing Kid to raise an eyebrow at you.

"What? Smash me?" he asked confidently, causing you to lightly hit him by banging your foreheads together.

"Oh poor thing, was that the reason you kept staring at my lips and eat my body up with your eyes?" you realised, teasing him once again. This was the bickering you liked: flirtatious, romantic, filthy.

"Actually.." he said, picking you up and making your tights wrap around his torso and shutting the door of your room. "I have an idea or two, just for, you know, be forgiven." he grinned, kissing the tip of your nose. You smiled in response, wrapping your arms around his neck and letting your fingers play with the hair at the base of his nape.

"There's a lot of work to do, I'm afraid." you answered, finally pressing your lips onto his, starting a passionate, heated kiss - tongues quickly finding each other. A soft 'damn it, I love you' escaped Kid's lips as he gently laid you on the bed, quickly positioning him over you, never letting your leg move away from his waist.

[astra-nomy]

ASTRA'S BEST ADVICE: another long post (summary at the bottom)

To start off: doubts only hold whatever power you give them. I know I've said this a million times, but it's true. You hold all the cards here. All the power comes from you, and you can pick and choose which thought to give power to and which ones you don't. Yes, that requires some self control. Don't allow yourself to indulge in "What Ifs" and doubts. If they arise, simply acknowledge them, maybe even thank them for trying to protect you (I do this a lot when I notice I'm being too harsh with myself), and part ways with them. They do not serve you. They are powerless. Like I always say, treat them as itty bitty flies and swat them away. They are irritating, but insignificant.

You believe in yourself more than you think. When I was a year deep into my shifting journey, I used to say "oh I have a test tomorrow, so I'm not going to try to shift" and then I was like babe, clearly part of you believes you can shift because you're saying stuff like that? It took many instances of things like this to realize that it's not that I don't believe in shifting, it's that I'm unsure of my ability to do it. Even so, a little part of me believes I can, and that is enough to keep me going. Realize that you believe in yourself, probably more than you think. You wouldn't be bothering to read this post unless you thought you had a chance of success.

But even so, you don't have to believe 100% to be successful.

Go out on a limb. This is something I do when the doubts are just buzzing around my head and I feel like they're holding me back. I take a deep breathe and say to myself, "From this point on, I am acting as though I have no doubts because they cannot hold me back." or some variation of that. Basically I say that and then proceed to operate as though I know I will shift or I know I will wake up with my desires because I just set my doubts aside for a bit. They're still there, but I'm basically just ignoring them and acknowledging that they don't have any power unless I give them power. There is absolutely no harm in putting aside doubts for a bit, and it can be extremely helpful.

Don't scour Tumblr. If you're overcomplicating the law, chances are you're scouring Tumblr, looking for every little tip and trick you can find hoping to find that magical bit of knowledge that makes everything click into place. Spoiler: you're not going to find that outside of yourself. Looking for bit after bit after bit of information without actually applying the law is going to complicate the process so so much, so think about taking a step back. Write down how you plan to manifest, what's your "routine", no more than 2 to 3 steps. Write it down. That's your lifeline. Get off Tumblr, TikTok, Instagram, whatever social media you use to learn about manifesting and shifting, and turn back to those steps whenever you have the urge to get back on. Focus on what you already know instead of trying to learn more.

Try not to worry about shifting or going into the void when you're not actively trying to do one or the other. If you're like me before I successfully shifted, you're probably worrying about whether you're going to shift or not at time when you aren't actively trying to shift. You hype yourself up and psych yourself up before the moment even arrives. Stop doing that! Whenever it comes up naturally in your mind, just reply to the thought, "I am going to shift/go into the void tonight" and leave it at that. Go back to whatever you were doing before and don't spend a single second agonizing over something you haven't even attempted yet. If you build up those worries/fears/doubts/negative assumptions whilst you're not actively trying to shift or go into the void, you are just giving a platform to useless negativity that, if you let it, can effect your ability to clear your mind and give shifting/going into the void a proper go.

Decide, don't hope. Part of manifesting is deciding. If you're meek and "try" to manifest as though what you seek isn't certain to come to you, it won't. You have to be assertive. You have to be demanding. You have to claim what is yours and have confidence in your ability to manifest. Stop "hoping" to do something right. Tell yourself you're doing everything right, because you are, babes. Decide to shift, don't hope to shift. Decide you have your desired face, don't hope you affirm enough that you wake up with it. Claim what is yours with open arms and know you have the power to get it the instant you desire it. Have confidence. It's the key to acknowledging your own power.

Don't worry about undesired outcomes. I once heard that if you're skiing and you're worried about hitting trees so much so that all you think of is "don't hit the trees," you're most likely going to hit those trees. Instead, focus on the path. Don't think about what you don't want, think about what you do want. Give your attention to the right things and eventually they will become your reality.

TOO LONG, DIDN'T READ: A SUMMARY

✮ Your doubts only have the power you give them. All power comes from you, so don't waste your infinite potential on negative thoughts. They are itty bitty, pesky flies and nothing more. Swat them away and move on.

✮ You believe in yourself more than you think. Chances are you're not doubting the law, you're doubting yourself. But if you didn't believe in yourself at all, you probably wouldn't be here, looking for my posts. Realize that you believe in yourself more than you think. It's motivating when you're frustrated.

✮ Act as if the road is clear. Allow yourself to put all doubts and road block on hold for a minute. Assume there's nothing in between you and getting your desires. Operate under that feeling for a little bit and see what happens

✮ Stop scouring Tumblr! There's a high chance that you already know exactly what to do, you're just struggling to apply it. Take what you know now, which I can assure you is more than enough, and get off of Tumblr. Do what you can with what you know, and once you feel comfortable with that, come back for the extra tidbits.

✮ Don't worry about shifting/going into the void while you're not actively trying to do it. When you worry about it during the day, you build up expectations for something you haven't even done yet. That's unfair to yourself. Don't worry about it until you're actually doing it.

✮ Stop hoping and start deciding. Hoping for success does nothing. Deciding you already are successful paves the way to getting everything you want. Don't "hope" to shift. Decide to do it. Don't "hope" you wake up with your desired face. Decide you have it right now. Assert your power and confidence.

✮ Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Give attention to the good and that is what you will bring about. Worrying about getting what you don't want does absofreakinglutely nothing. Focus on the good, don't even think about the bad. It's not what you're getting. You get what you assume you have, so assume the best.

CONCLUSION

I promised you guys another ABA and here it is!! I know this was a bit more "Don't do this" heavy and I am sorry for that, but a lot of my journey came from recognizing what I did wrong and adjusting. I'm sorry if I came off a bit strict as a result of that lol, it was definitely not my intention. I hope this helps you guys, and THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH FOR 1,000 FOLLOWERS!! It's so crazy to think that this account I started just a few months ago (!!!) has gotten so so popular in such a kind community. Keep being kind to one another and I thank you endlessly for your love and support.

<3 Astra

[nonbinarydeity]

How to choose a method

I'm tired of parroting every other fucking person who says you "have to do things a certain way" because you don't. Here's how to make a method that will fit what YOU want manifesting to be like.

Decide how you want to manifest. Do you want things to be easy? Do you want a method that requires steps? Do you want to do nothing and still get what you want? Anything can and will work, so customize to your heart's content.

Throw out your old beliefs about the Law (if they don't match up with what you want). Do you think you have to do things a certain way? No you don't, you do things your way from now on.

Create a placebo. Do your method, and however you desire, attach intention to it. It can be as simple as saying, "when I do this, my desire will come" As you attach meaning to your method, your brain will start to connect the dots and realize what you want your method to do, and it WILL show it to you. Think of this as wiring your brain manually. You do an action, you get a result. It's simple!

Do your method. If it doesn't work on the first try, don't give up! This shit will take practice! Do you think everyone manifested on their first try?? Do you think everyone shifts on their first try? NO!! Practice your method until it feels comfortable to use, even if "nothing" happens, you will get into the habit of using your method!

Persist persist persist. Don't do this for one day and give up, do this for as long as it takes, because once you have it down, you will have a foolproof method that you enjoy doing that will manifest for you every single time.

Boom, you have a customized manifesting method!!

It's as simple as training yourself to associate your method with manifesting what you want.

TIPS!!!

Train your brain to accept your method faster by using it with intention. Do your method before doing an action and attach that action to your method (for example: Jimmy likes to write, so his method is writing what he wants down on paper. Jimmy writes: I want food. Jimmy also writes: writing this down will get me food. Jimmy then goes to get food. He does this for many things, such as going out to eat, getting a present, etc. Eventually, Jimmy starts getting what he wants without needing to do anything but write down what he wants!)

You don't have to force anything or do anything you don't want to. If doing 3 backflips is too hard, then don't incorporate it into your method! This also applies to things like affirming 3000 times, visualizing, or ignoring the 3D. If it's too hard, don't make it a necessity!!

You can make this as easy as you want. You can literally do nothing all day and get what you want. It's entirely up to you!!

Anything can be a method!!! You want to eat and get your desires? Boom, method. You want to breathe and get what you want? Boom, method.

You can do this with as many methods as you want. Literally if you want EVERYTHING to be a method then it can be.

It takes as long as you want. If you want it to be instant, then it's instant!!! Don't give up because it "didn't work" fuck that! Keep going, your brain will figure it out eventually.

[beautifulmadnesss]

"Slowly Sinking, Wasting" Rafe Cameron x Maybank!Reader Part 2

Summary: Rafe goes from being a total jerk to once again being there for her, only further complicating their relationship. Warning: child abuse and drug use.

A/N: the main character started to become more defined as I wrote this part (and the next one 😆) so I ended up just making her an OC, so her name is Cassie.

Part 1

I gave Rafe a quick smile as I passed by him to serve a nearby table. He glanced up at me, but didn't return my smile. Instead he looked rather nervous.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" I asked the customers in front of me while pulling out my server book to write down their order.

"I cannot believe you slept with a Pogue, dude and you're not even going to tell us her name?" Kelce's sentence pulled my attention away from my current task.

"There's no way she was that easy, especially not for you." Topper added.

"Excuse me, I said do you have any gluten free croutons for the salad?" The woman had the audacity to snap her fingers in front of my face after I had apparently waited too long to respond.

"I'm sorry, give me just a moment." I muttered as I was already walking away from their table.

I heard Rafe say something about the bathroom to his friends. Soon after we made it inside, his footsteps quickened, following me toward the utility closet.

"What the hell Rafe?" I exploded the moment the door shut behind us.

"Its not my fault you Pogues sunk Topper's boat."

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about and how does that have anything to do with you telling your stupid friends we hooked up?" I shot back.

"Pogues vs Kooks, that's how it's always going to be." He stated as if it was one of the fundamental laws of nature.

"I thought-" I stopped. "You know what forget it. What's the actual price of a bag?" I shoved my hand out expectantly, noting how it was already trembling despite the fact that I had a line before my shift this morning.

"You don't have to pay me." He said, already handing me a bag.

"Here's $40. I'm not owing you anything." I shoved the money against his chest and stormed out of the room before he could give it back.

I was so stupid to think he might actually be any different. He really is just a stuck up kook who thinks he's better than everyone else. Why did I let myself feel anything for him?

I hid in one of the staff bathroom stalls while I quickly snorted a line before returning to my shift so I didn't lose my job. It wasn't much longer before my boss sent me home early because multiple customers had complained about incorrect orders and slow service.

As usual JJ was not here, but my dad was, which meant I had to face him alone.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" He asked from the couch as I walked in.

"I got sent home." I replied, walking into the kitchen to look for something to eat.

"Rent's due." He said as he came into the kitchen behind me.

"I don't have much, they sent me home after only a couple tables and tips were shit today." It wasn't entirely true, but it wasn't a lie either. Anything was better than telling him I spent almost all the tips I earned on coke. Only he was allowed to use our money to buy drugs.

"Empty your pockets." I jumped, having not realized the he was right behind me. I turned around to face him, shrinking back against the counter as he trapped me by placing his hands on the counter on either side of me. My throat immediately dried up as I tried to think of some excuse. "Now!" He yelled, backhanding me hard enough that I immediately felt my lip split.

I forced my trembling hands into my pockets and pulled out the $37 I made in tips and the bag of coke I got from Rafe. He immediately snatched the wad of cash and stuffed it in his pocket. As soon as his eyes landed on the small plastic bag hanging from my hand, he laughed.

"Damn, I always thought JJ would be the one to turn to the hard stuff." Hot shame creeped up my neck and across my face. "What would he think if I told him about this?" He took the bag from my hand and dangled it in front of my face.

"Please, don't!" I begged. I couldn't fathom how angry JJ would be with me if he knew. I suppose it would at least get him to acknowledge me, which is more than he's done in weeks.

"Why not, huh? Don't want him thinking you're some degenerate like your old man?" He sneered, clearly enjoying having something to hold over my head. "Nah, I think I'll wait and see. Maybe I'll tell him, maybe I won't." He turned and left without another word, letting the door slam behind him.

I only waited a few seconds before running to my room and shutting the door behind me. The sobs escaped before I could stop them and my legs gave out. I heard the door open and immediately covered my mouth, not sure if it was my dad or JJ. Neither of them were a particularly great option, so I stayed where I was, crying into my hand until I didn't have anything left.

Eventually I got up and crawled into bed, simply kicking my shorts off and going to sleep without changing.

I woke up to JJ pounding on my door.

"Yeah, I'm up." I called back. He immediately came in. "That doesn't mean just come in!" I complained.

"Sorry." He turned away from me to face the door. I just scoffed and got up, grabbing the same shorts from last night, but quickly throwing on a different tank top. "Pope wants us down at Heyward's this morning."

"Me?" I asked, immediately hating how it sounded.

"Yeah, John B is missing, so we needed some extra help."

"Oh." I'm just the extra fill in. "I'm ready." I said, trying not to let the hurt seep into my voice.

He turned back around to face me, freezing as soon as we were face to face.

"Did he do that?" His thumb gently brushed over my lip, causing me to wince slightly and he pulled back instantly. I just nodded. "I'm sorry, I should've been here."

"It's fine." I said flippantly. "Let's go." There was a part of me that was happy to see that he cared, but I also thought of what my dad found last night and I still didn't know if he would tell JJ about it. If he ever did, I knew JJ would hate me the same way he hated our dad and I couldn't bear that.

JJ, Kie, and Pope were talking about some fight they got in last night with Kelce, Topper, and Rafe at the movies that they didn't invite me to. I was pissed that once again they were leaving me out, but I also realized that must have something to do with what Rafe was saying about a Pogue sinking Topper's boat.

"Pope, there's someone here to see you." Mr. Heyward interrupted their conversation and we all looked up to see Shoupe hovering behind him, handcuffs in hand.

If you would've asked me the person I thought would've been least likely to sink Topper's boat, it would've been Pope. Topper himself was more likely to sink it than Pope. He was an honor student and basically a Boy Scout. The rest of us broke the rules on a daily basis, but not Pope, he was always the voice reason. There was no way he did this and we were all following after Shoupe as he led Pope to his car in handcuffs, trying to tell him this.

"It wasn't him!" JJ yelled so his voice could be heard above all of us talking at the same time. It worked and we all turned to him as he said, "it was me." He was walking toward Shoupe and still talking, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. The blood was pounding in my ears and I couldn't hear anything over the ringing. It wasn't that I didn't think JJ did it, that was more believable than Pope, but I couldn't believe that he was going to be arrested. We had been so distant lately, but there was no way I was letting my brother go to jail.

"No, let him go!" I launched forward and because I had stood so still and silent, no one expected it and there was no one to stop myself as I started pulling on Shoupe's shirt and hitting him. Instantly he let go of JJ and tried to grab my arms, but I just kept hitting.

"Cassie, stop!" JJ yelled, but couldn't do anything with his hands in handcuffs. Pope was frozen in place and Kie looked on helplessly. Mr. Heyward was the only one to act, but he was only successful at stopping me momentarily. "Cass, please, don't!" JJ was begging me, but it was like all the emotions I had shoved down were coming out at once.

I felt the cool metal on my wrist before I heard it snap shut. "Cassie Maybank, you're under arrest for assaulting a police officer." Shoupe was out of breath, but was able to use my handcuffed hand as leverage to pull it behind my back and secure the other side of the cuff to my other wrist.

"You can't do that!" JJ yelled.

"Both of you, just calm down, this is not helping," Mr. Heyward cut in.

"I'm just going to take her down to the station to cool off. If she cooperates, she can go free when your dad comes to get you." Shoupe said, while pushing me into the back of his truck. I stopped fighting, both because it wasn't worth it and because I just realized how much trouble we were both in. JJ slid in next to me and we shared a look, knowing the wait in jail was going to be nothing compared to what our dad was going to do to us when he picked us up.

A/N: thank you so much for the support on part 1! Part 3 is up!

[luckyshotwrites]

Ch. 63 // The Downburst: Part 2 // Day 47

Contents (Warnings): The Downburst part two (No tags today, sorry!). Read full chapter on - A03

Wordcount: 4.000+ (A little rough)

Side note: This will contain experimental writing; first person (Lynette's view) will be implemented alongside third person for the two other essential characters, (mostly) Alexander and (occasionally) Drake. All their text will be italicized for those third-person moments, with the characters' names in Bold at the start and their thoughts in Bold. There may be other characters I write for using this.

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(Nov. 11th, Friday)

Alexander

He took a breath and a sip of his drink. He couldn't believe the pack followed him out onto the balcony. He thought he'd escape the party for a while, because he felt antsy. 

Not that he didn't like seeing Viola, but her partner was here too. And...her scent bugged him. As a frequent giver, her energy was higher than average for a human. So it was all the more tempting.

Speaking of, his body tensed when his nose caught another smell. His eyes shifted to the balcony on the other end; of course, shrimps out here too. He thought to himself. Sunday could not come soon enough.

"Wenna would not stop raving about her two new little sisters and little brother," Viola said with a chuckle. "I never would imagine it would be Lynette. It means someone has to start being nicer to her." Viola glanced up at Alexander.

Why does everyone assume I'm fucking evil. I don't even do much to her. Alexander rolled his eyes with his crossed arms. His eyes went from the now-empty balcony to Elise again.

Drake bobbed his head, "Mhm...Lynette's my sister-in-law..." He took a sip from his cup. Drake seemed like he still couldn't get over it. Alexander leaned his back on the balcony.

"You all seem to know her before this," Koi said, whipping a few crumbs from her pastry off her shirt.

"She works with us," Viola mentioned, then smiled at Drake and Alexander, "And now this all makes sense as to why she-"

Drake held worry. Viola realized what she almost started to say and continued. 

"Was so powerful." Viola was briefed on the lie.

Koi raised a brow. "uh-huh..." There was a suspiciousness in her tone.

Elise gave Alexander a small wave. He didn't realize he had looked at her longer than he should have. Viola narrowed her eyes at Alexander.

"Don't you get any ideas, or I'll throw you off this balcony." It sounded like a soft threat but a real one, regardless.

Alexander grumbled, "I wasn't." I'm not going to eat any guests at the party. I'd never hear the end of it from my dad, Edgar, and Ulysses. He grumbled. He knew Wenna would join in scolding him for fun. Regardless of his hunger, he had a lot of energy to keep himself together, and...he didn't even feel like playing games.

"It's okay, Viola. If he needs it, I'll be happy to help." Elise offered.

Alexander shuddered. He didn't want to turn down an offer. 

Viola lifted Elise and tucked her under her arm, "Alexander does not deserve you. Let's go."

Elise laughed as she was carried by Viola, "sorry, Alexander!"

His stomach growled lightly. He hated when Elise teased him with offers. Why did Viola have to be with a human.

"You ate before the wedding," Drake remarked. He heard Alexander's stomach.

"Yeah, and you drank before it, your point." He gestured to the glass of blood Drake had.

Drake just sipped it, ignoring him.

Koi rested back near the balcony entrance, "how has that been going for you, Drake? Wenna told me you've been drinking a lot lately. Are you practicing magic again?"

Drake pretended he didn't hear the second question, "It's not a big deal. I'm fine."

Alexander turned to Drake, "Have you?" That explains your push for the training this morning. 

"Drop it, Chase," Drake replied.

"This isn't about the whole-"

Drake flicked his head to Alexander. He was about to speak, then pursed his lips like he kept something to himself. Then he forced a smile and chuckled. "Are you scared I'm gonna catch up?"

Alexander knew there was more, but Drake continued.

"I'm gonna get another drink." He went back inside.

Alexander faced away, looking out and over everything on the balcony. Annoyed. Even the breeze seemed to mock him as it picked up speed throwing his bangs under his glasses to poke his eyes. 

"Did you guys have a fight recently?" Koi asked.

"When do we not fight?" Alexander said, without much effort to joke.

Koi patted his shoulder. She could tell he wanted to be left alone, "Be nice to each other." She said, going too. She knew he wouldn't tell her anything if she pried. 

He let his eyes look over the maze in front of their balcony. 

Drake's getting antsy, Lynette's now going to be part of the family, I got her brother to worry about, and Ulysses and Charletta are...bound.

His eyes followed those near the maze, speaking of the shrimp. He figured she was going with her brother, then he recognized that cyan hair. You're fucking kidding. Ace? He didn't know why Ace would be going anywhere alone with Lynette. 

Maybe he wants to take her energy? Alexander questioned in his head, then sneered. "You go off stupidly alone, and your brother's nowhere to be found." 

He shrugged; not my problem. If he does something to her, that's Wick's fault, not mine...

Alexander watched them disappear within the hedges and took another sip of his crested alcohol. It had a contorted, bitter tea-like flavor that he didn't enjoy. Yet he drank it for the energy and similar buzz. 

The stormy light blue eyes tracked the others moving from the bonfire. His dad and Edgar are in the distance. He wondered why they were coming back. 

He shut his eyes and exhaled aloud before chugging down the rest of his tankard. 

It didn't help much. He pulled his eyes away and then noticed Ace again. Except he's alone. Where's the shrimp?

She wasn't lagging behind Ace. He squinted at the maze. He probably drained her and left her there all by herself. 

He turned around to forget about it and stopped, his legs twitching. She'd be fine...no if they found out I just watched- 

Fuck.

Alexander flipped back, ran forward, letting go of his empty drink, and jumped off the balcony. His feet slammed onto the ground, creasing his dress shoes. He bolted into the maze, following her scent. He didn't smell any other threats, but that didn't totally denote the possibility of another monster being there.

If she got herself fucking eaten, I'm leaving her ass. Let Wicks handle it. Since he wants to act like I'm the worst... 

His chest hurt at his thoughts. He couldn't get the image of his dad out of his head. He continued forward. Her scent got sweetly stronger the closer he got. It didn't help his hunger at all. And after he turned one more corner, he reached her.

...

Wicks

"BOSS!" Garter called, slammed into Wicks, and the lanky male picked up, surprisingly possessing far more strength than he looked to have. 

Wicks gave up in the hug and hung there. He whispered, "I said you don't have to call me boss."

Garter laughed a devious snicker and let Wicks go. He was a whopping 6'8, skinny tree-like lad with long dark hair, though his vibrant crystal blue eyes were where his real personality shined.

"Sorry, I'm late! BUT listen to this we got a lead on...you know who.~" Garter nudged at Wicks.

He immediately turned left to right to see the few guests dancing nearby. "Not the-" He knew Garter's excitement would lead to him spilling the beans. Wicks then got behind Garter and started to push him towards the stairwell. "Outside." 

Wick's eyes scanned over the floor. He didn't see Lynette right away. He figured it'd be fine...it wouldn't take that long. Besides, he didn't know how much she wanted to be around him.

He started to walk with Garter down the stairs. "I told you to take a break, Garter."

"I did. It was nice. I was enjoying the finest of kid cuisines." He said with a smile.

Wicks smirked, "That's not the finest."

"It is to me, most human food, you put WAY too many spices. It completely overpowers everything." He had a slight disgust on his face, then smiled and continued, "But human frozen dinners are mostly perfect." He said, swaying back and forth as they made it to the lobby downstairs. It was pretty empty. But he wanted somewhere a little more secluded. 

They went outside the back and around to the fair corner of the building, the same size as the maze. They ensured no one was around, and Wicks did the "lay it on me" gesture.

"I found one of those seller's hideouts, and they seem to be working with Andras." Garter clapped his hands together, "So we can stake it out, we catch him, I can use my eye get information from them and-"

"Why couldn't you tell me this at the office? This is not the place to mention that name. Remember their families involved with him."

"Someone from the agency is also helping supply his people with fake licenses." Garter's tone drifted, "I don't know who. They have to have a higher rank, at least a class 2 like you, but if they're higher, they'd be a real problem." 

Wicks smirked, "And you didn't tell the head?"

"She knows. She was the one who explicitly told me to tell you in person. She doesn't think they're part of the chaos unit, but mine, recon." Garter sighed.

"Did you tell her my sister just got married?"

"Yeah."

"And she still wanted me to hear about this now." Wicks shook his head but didn't look mad, "This is why I told you to take breaks, Garter." No, don't worry, I didn't have enough with that Cerberus run-in or "The Pure" group. He sighed, "So come on, tell me the rest."

...

Alexander

He could see the tears streaming down her face, outlining its shape. Why the hell is she crying? He gave a few light huffs, settling down as Lynette spoke.

"What are you doing out here, Xander?"

Alexander quickly gave an excuse. "I wanted to take a jog and get some air...why are you out here?"

He saw her poor attempt at a smile as she continued to look down, "I needed some fresh air too."

"You should head back to the party," Alexander said.

She chuckled. It sounded strained. "I will soon, don't worry. Enjoy your jog."

Alexander squinted heavily at her. He approached, but she didn't flinch like she usually did. He wanted to grab her and drag her back.

"Are you going to stupidly stay out here?" I know you will. You have one of the strongest magic families protecting you.

"Enjoy your jog." Her voice held nothing. 

If I fucking grab her now, then what? She'd tell Wicks. So what do I do? Leave her here? He wanted to leave. But if something happens to her, he'll blame my ass because he'd be able to sense I was here, wouldn't he?

He took a deep breath and lied. "I need a rest anyway."

He sat beside her on the bench.

He hoped she'd get up, tell him she'd just head back. She didn't. And he didn't understand why. What the hell happened? He didn't see a point asking or even know how to ask. 

He followed where she stared at her soaked flowery pink dress. Its fabric stuck to her tights underneath from the water her eyes expelled. 

The silence irked him. Neither of them said a word to the other. He didn't even bring his phone with him, Wenna borrowed it after the little dance. 

"I wish I brought my drink," Alexander said to the scrunched up Lynette. She kept her legs and feet close to herself. 

It took her a moment before she undid her form and bent down. She reached for the glass she put beside her and brought it up to him. "Here."

Alexander took it in his hand. Wine. He could smell the scent of it and stopped before he drank.

It was only about a two week relationship. But in those two weeks he said more to that Kitsune than he should have...

I'm fucking stupid too.

"You know, you were pretty idiotic to tell Drake, of all people, about the journal." Alexander chuckled to himself. His eyes studied the wine. "He told me what it contained the first day of the festival."

He started to swirl around the wine in the glass. It reminded him of tiny waves.

"Did you think I'd get some dumb ideas from it?" He rolled his eyes at the thought. Mara was crazy, lying, and manipulative.

"What she said before we fought and what I saw solidified it in my head. I knew what the journal would say..." He quit swirling the red liquid, the waves crashing at the edges. He didn't realize he was spinning it too quickly. 

"I don't understand why you'd try hiding it from me." That's the only reason I can think of. You think I'd try to do the sick, useless things she'd do to you, like- The thought made him shiver. Humans tasted fine without anything. 

He dropped his shoulders, "You hated the deal, and I would have been fine reading something I already anticipated..." His voice trailed off again. She knew too much about me. The dreams thickly moved in his mouth and forced his lips to whisper out. "Or maybe not."

He pulled himself away from the wine. His eyes panned to her slowly, and he let out a sigh, "regardless of the annoying outcome..." his voice muttered, "Thank you for doing that."

His eyes met hers, Lynette's glistened, filling with tears once more, and her lips curled up with a wobbly smile. What did I say? Why are you doing that?

Her voice left in a soft croak, "You're welcome."

He started to take note of the closeness and her size again. Don't look at me like that.

He took another breath, quickly turned away from her, and chugged the drink. He turned his head in disgust, "This isn't crested."

"Huh?"

"It's an energy-made drink that evaporates in the body and leaves a nice feeling, somewhat like alcohol." He remarked as he finally got up. I have to digest this later.

Alexander stood up, "Now come on, Shrimp. If your brother decides to look for you and sees us together, he'll kill me."

She shakily got up as if she hadn't stood on her two feet before. His body jerked, ready to catch her if she fell on reflex. She didn't. 

"My brother's way too nice to do that." She said, walking beside him when she got her footing. He went slow for her.

Alexander chuckled and turned to her, "You're fucking kidding." He had a smile on his face seeing the naivety in her response. "You're brother's a psycho."

"Says the human eater."

He rolled his eyes as he turned another corner with her, "Ha, the shrimp is also going to give me shit for that, too, huh?" 

Now I know where she gets it, Wicks. 

"If people have been telling you stuff about it, then that probably means it's a problem."

Alexander smiled as they reached the maze's end, "Tell me every little thing you got because I'll just pay you back for all of it on Sunday."

There it was, her slight jump. "That's what I'm talking about; you're crazy."

Crazy. You've met crazy, and so have I. You're just difficult and should just-

"LYENNTE!" Wicks's voice reached Alexander's ears. He turned his attention to the force that came hurling at them. Wicks made sure to get between them and held Lynette. "What are you doing alone with that thing?"

"Thing?" Lynette's confused.

Alexander growls, "Fuck you too." He flicked off Wicks and walked toward the party building again. He passed a tall, long-haired stranger with Wicks, who he didn't recognize. The stranger raised his hand in a friendly gesture. Alexander didn't wave back, but he shouted, "TAKE CARE OF FUCKING SISTER." 

...

Ulysses

He returned from the bonfire to get a few drinks for everyone. Standing by the table near the stairs, he saw Ace come along. He smiled at him.

"Hey, there you are, I sent Koi looking for you earlier, and she couldn't find you. I'm heading back to the bonfire..." His smooth tone slowed. He rarely saw Ace look so frustrated. "Family issues?"

"Why didn't you tell me Lynette was a human?"

Ulysses almost dropped a drink. He fumbled with it but kept his grip. He placed it down. He tried to play it off, "What? She's a Payton."

"She admitted that she was adopted, and you knew. I can't believe you wouldn't tell me." Ace started to pour himself some crested drink. 

"She told you?" I thought Charletta told her not to. "Well, you shouldn't say that so loud."

Ace scoffed, "Why? They shouldn't have adopted a stain if the family didn't want to ruin their reputation."

Ulysses stopped making the drinks too. He turned back to Ace. "That's my wife's sister."

"Then why would they act like she's something she's not? They're embarrassed by her." Ace said, "I might as well scream it from the heavens."

Ulysses's shoulders raised, "What is your problem? You will not talk about my family in front of me with such disrespect." He felt a tenseness in his chest. 

"My problem?" Ace smashes the glass in his hand, and the shards fall. "You want to act like your all that because you got to marry the perfect prodigy incubator." 

Ulysses's eyes widened before they sharpened and came down. His teeth slammed together. He had heard this from Ace once before but had yet to repeat it since then. Since the last time, Ulysses told Ace to never disrespect Charletta again. 

It had been fine since, but that was a long time ago. Ulysses then smiled, twisting with their curl. He threw his arm around Ace and whispered while he was close. 

"You may be stronger than me in magic, but if I hear one more dumb word come out of your mouth before you leave, I will not stop until I remove your tongue and vocal cords." Ulysses gripped harder as he could feel Ace pull. "Do not ever do anything against my family, now go." He let go. 

Ace pulled away, and his eyes glowed, then faded as he scanned the room. His lip raises with a snarl, but he turns around and goes to leave, bumping the table as he does. 

Ulysses' hands were trembling. He had a history with Ace. Other than that, he might have lost it. He took a deep breath in, then, after holding it in for a few seconds, he released it. He grabbed the glasses and put up his smile. 

He passes Alexander coming in and invites him to the bonfire. Alexander declines, saying he's going to find Drake first.

...

Drake

Why was the empty tankard on the balcony? He groaned in his thoughts. He went down the staircase into the main lobby below, the wedding hall behind him, and to either side were hallways that led to dressing rooms.

He thought he heard Pete's heartbeat down the right.

Is he with his dad? I don't hear his... Drake slowly and silently went down the empty hall, passing a room or two before he arrived at the groom's dressing room. He listened at the door. 

He heard his own dad's voice. "Pete's."

"I can't act all happy, aren't you worried? Now Ulysses is involved with all of this." Pete's voice was a whisper, yet it held such anger.

"We've talked about this-"

"WE were there; you've seen what they've done! Those children helped destroy Yexodele." His voice trembled. Drake had only heard Alexander's Dad's anger one other time.

What are they talking about?

Edgar stammered, "Pete's, if they had bad intentions, why pick my family? We aren't powerful."

"Why else, Danee? She's involved with many other monsters. She's built connections and foundations among them. They want to destroy it all again." Drake could hear a loud THUD along with Pete's declaration.

There was a silence between them. Drake could hear the rapid beats from Pete's. They were so loud they almost started to deafen Drake. Then his dad's hum came through.

"We have to move on; I can hear it from them. I don't think any of them really mean harm." It went quiet for another second, "if they do, I'll handle it."

"You or I together can't win, and you know that." Pete's replied.

"I'll do anything to protect my family. You wouldn't be fighting for my mistake."

"Don't start with me, Eddie. You know I'd die for you first."

His father laughed, "Just for that, out of spite, I'll die first." There was another sigh as they kept throwing jabs at one another, "We should head back. I don't want Danee to storm the halls and assume things when she sees us alone together."

"It's understandable..." The flirtatious joke left Pete's mouth, "You do love to take advantage of your prey alone, don't you, Eddie?~"

Drake scrambled to get off the wall near the door. He hurried down the hallway and back toward the exit as he heard his dad yell at Pete's for the comment. He ran and almost crashed into Alexander, who had entered the lower level main lobby. 

They both spoke in unison, "Where the fuck have you been?"

...

Hey, you, thank you so much for reading. It means a lot that I put out a story that people can enjoy! So, I hope you continue to enjoy it as WE have a LOT more to go! YOU BETTER KEEP PROSPERING! (Nonnegotiable).

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