#oc: Seaboard

[fearwasalwaysanoption]

Back at it again with an art dump! First one is a redesign of my first WOF oc from my fantribe the Shiftlings, second is a fullbody I made of a Sharkie i recently obtained, and last is a noofing :)

Pacific Rim custom for someone on Amino

New oc, Seaboard- a NightLight x Albino Night Fury

[zponds]

Here’s another profile pic of me. The hat is light blue and regular blue with the Union Pacific logo on it. The shirt vertically halved with sunburst yellow on one half and CNW green on the other half, with the Chicago & Northwestern logo on it. This setup references the historical fact that both Union Pacific and Chicago & Northwest jointly operated three streamliners; The City of Los Angeles, The City of Denver and The City of Portland. That is until October 1955 when CNW pulled out and the Milwaukee Road took over CNW’s operations on the streamliners in November 1955. This setup also references the fact that UP and CNW were long-time partners for many decades, all the way to the point where UP absorbed CNW in 1995.

This profile picture has a hat that’s white and green with the logo of the (USA) Southern Railway on it. The shirt in this profile pic is coal black with the shirt collar and outlines being N&W red with the Norfolk & Western logo on it. This setup references the railroad history fact that Norfolk & Western and Southern Railway were rivals back in the day and later merged into Norfolk Southern in June 1982.

The hat is white and green with the (USA) Southern Railway logo on it. The top half of the shirt is dark green with the Seaboard Air Line logo on it while the bottom half of the shirt is royal purple with the Atlantic Coast Line logo on it. This setup is referencing the fact that prior to the late 1960s, the Southern Railway, Seaboard Air Line and Atlantic Coast Line were the 3 giant railroads in the southern United States.

[heepthecheep]

Oof even though I'm not the biggest fan of apocalypse/post apocalypse stories I'm having brain rot for this one idea I had....

Basically, in the 1930s, there was a massive break out of a filovirus disease. Because there was a very poor understanding of viruses and an even poorer, if not entirely non-existent, understanding of filoviruses, this virus rises to pandemic levels. It infects humans, but maybe it has the ability to jump to other mammals as well? Like, not over night, but maybe eventually there'd be a strain that infects cattle, or a strain that infects horses, or something. The virus also seems to linger, in the soil, in the water, again, in ways that the people of this time couldn't understand.

So a lot of people die. Infact, it would seem that most people died from this disease. Of course, there are several places where this disease didn't kill everyone.

Four generations after the initial outbreak of the disease, there are several small communities that eek out an existence for themselves. Because of the break down of any sort of mass or quick communication, these settlements genuinely believe that they are the last people left on earth.

First, there is a settlement deep in the mountains of Appalachia. They were remote when the pandemic began, and protected themselves by enforcing strict boundaries and physical borders. These people are deeply religious and superstitious. From this group comes "Johnny"

Another group lives in what was once coal mines, that they've converted the mines into a space somewhat habitable for humans. They've also expanded these mines. These people fled underground during the pandemic, and have kept themselves somewhat healthy by avoiding the aboveground. I think it would be neat to explore how they made food and resources, and what exactly their culture got up too. I think they'd be somewhat...impersonal? Like, purely utilitarian, to the point where they avoid close relationships, and only have intercourse to reproduce? Anyways, "Eve" is from this group.

Finally, there's a scattered group of people that lives in what remains of human buildings and homes. These people protect themselves by staying far apart from each other, only communicating through systems of messages that they invent. Children are raised by a single parent, a person who has proven themselves to be an efficient member of the community, until they are eventually left alone to care for themselves. From this group comes "Anne"

Anyways, for there own reasons, each of these people leave the group that they were raised in, and find each other. Something happens, like maybe they have to go and find a cure? Or uncover government plans for a vaccine? Or something idk. I'm just fond of these kiddos owo.

Uhh.... Pennsylvania hopeful post apocalypse story

[sketchy-lizards]

New StEx oc alert ‼️⚠️ Her name is Cordelia

~Character info under cut ~

Google told me her name means daughter of the sea and I thought that fits for a CSX character (it was formed as a merger between Chessie system and Seaboard)

Cordelia and Jessie have a sister like relationship. Jessie trained Cordelia through the early 80’s before her retirement. CSX has Cabooses/ Shoving platforms, so Cordelia is still in service :)

Don’t worry! The line Cordelia works on runs next to the museum Jessie lives at. They get to see each other all the time :3

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Instant regret

Book: Open Heart (Pre Series)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!OC Estelle Campion, Tobias Carrick

Word count: 2383

Catergory: Angst

Warnings: language, sexual references

Rating Mature end of PG

Summary: It is coming up to the end of Estelle’s third year and she is focused on residency applications. A chat with Ethan does not go well.

Disclaimer: characters (except Estelle) belong to Pixelberry

Authors note: So the most recent Tobias Carrick appreciation week has inspired me to hop into my Time Machine and write some more fics based in their Hopkins days. Some of this will be from Tobias’s perspective so enjoy the ride.

🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

It was a sunny day in Baltimore. End of year exams were fast approaching, plans for summer being made and for the cohort in their third year of medical school, decisions about where to apply for residency needed to be made. Estelle Campion was yo-yoing between third and fourth of her cohort, the residency world was her oyster. She was drawn to Oncology. There were plenty of hospitals that would help her fulfill her ambition, however there was a very important person she needed to take into consideration. Her boyfriend, Ethan Ramsey. They had only being together officially for six months, by far her most serious relationship but how do you broach the subject of your future when you are not sure where you stand. She knew of the abandonment that he had endured when he was eleven and how that had coloured his attitude towards relationships and how it was the main thing holding him back in starting the relationship that they had but she wanted to start an out future dialogue.

So she took a break from her thoughts and met with the other person who knew Ethan well enough. Tobias Carrick. She had gotten close to both of them and she had found Tobias attractive and his company enjoyable, however she got to know Ethan more as she worked on similar projects with him and found herself more attracted to him. She did enjoy a friendship with Tobias. It was also comforting to have someone talk to about Ethan and his walls.

“Estelle,” greets Tobias as he gives her a hug. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“As much as I enjoy your company T, I am wanting to talk with you about Ethan.” Said Estelle.

“What has he done now?” Questions Tobias

Estelle chuckles. “Nothing, well at least not yet…”

“I hear you both you know, it is not just study dates you two do…”

Estelle blushes. “Not what I meant and you know it, and hey I am pretty sure you have learnt plenty from what you overheard.”

“Hey!” Exclaims Tobias somewhat offended. “I already know plenty. Thank you very much, what about Ethan do you want to talk about?”

“How does one broach the our future discussion?”

“Why are you talking to me about this? Shouldn’t you be talking to Ethan?” Asks Tobias.

“Because I do not want to freak him out but also, if he still sees us being well, an us , it will influence where I apply for residency.”

“You know he will say that he should have little to do with such a decision.”

Tobias shakes his head in disbelief. “And he is an obstinate ass for believing that. Being top 5 though, you would get multiple offers though. I know the western seaboard has you well away from your parents, but there are plenty of great programs that are not New York or Connecticut. I mean there are several other options in Boston alone and if Ethan does miss out on Edenbrook you can still transfer.” Said Tobias

“We all know that Ethan will get Edenbrook. You may not be in the throes of application yet but I know he has started and it is impressive.” Stated Estelle, “ I do not want to screw things up between us but I do not want to be deciding which residency without his input.”

“All I can say is be honest, tell him how you feel and for the love of all things holy please do not dance around the obvious for too long.”

Estelle chuckles. “He is cooking me dinner tonight so I will open a dialogue tonight.”

“Ahh yes, “cooking dinner” says Tobias. “Good luck and don’t worry I will not be home to interrupt what I am sure will be a pleasant evening.” Said Tobias smugly. They enjoyed their meal and went their separate ways. Estelle was buoyed by her chat. Be honest, how hard can that be? She thought to herself. She went home and did some study then got ready for her date night with Ethan. She knew that they were to have a serious discussion but she still picked one of her new lingerie sets, after all, if all went to plan, well they would be fucking each other senseless afterwards. It had been a busy few weeks for both of them after all.

She made her way to Ethan’s unit. She knocked on the door and he called out to enter. He was already in the kitchen, very much in his element. It was a pasta dish that he was cooking and it looked and smelt delicious. They sat and they ate. After a glass of wine and some kissing she felt that she should not delay the inevitable chat anymore.

How much of a future do you see for us?” Ethan was perplexed initially but he knew that Estelle would be applying for residency and that assauged his surprise.

“Is this because you want to know where you should apply for residency?” Asked Ethan

“Partially, residency is a big deal and if you still see us being an us, we’ll that will impact where I apply.

“And why should I be a consideration. If the best opportunity for you is on the west coast then we will sort something out.”

Estelle was shocked. She knew this would be an Ethan response but it was still a shock, it was not like she was putting her career on hold.

“Do you even care about us Ethan?”

“Stelle, in all honesty, I thought we would be talking residencies when you got accepted, not before you even started applying.” He took a breath

“And yes I do care about us but you also need to know that you also need to do what is best for you career wise.”

“Life is not all about career Ethan.”

“It is a big chunk of our lives though”

Estelle is starting to feel hurt.

“Is care all you feel?”

Ethan paused, things were going well, so he thought. He really did like Estelle but for him,6 months was too soon surely.

“Do I really like you? I thought the answer to that was obvious but beyond that, we have only been together for six months…”

“What are you that afraid to fall in love Ethan!” Exclaims Estelle

Ethan pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Stelle, you know me entering a relationship is a big deal. A relationship, hell even the friendship I have with Tobias was not something I foresaw.”

“E, I know that I am your first serious relationship, hell even this relationship is serious by my standards but I need to know, do you see a future for us?”

Ethan took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.

“I don’t know how to answer that question honestly. I understand why you are wanting to know this, however asking me to even guess where we will be, I am having trouble imagining that…”

“So you don’t see a future for us, is that what you are saying?”

“I did not say that….”

“Yeah that is what it sounded like!” Said Estelle crying. She picks up her bag and makes her way to the door.

“Stelle, please, can we talk about this?” Calls Ethan, following her towards the door but he is not quick enough and she walks out the door and slams it in his face.

Ethan is confused and upset. Tonight was not meant to end like it had, he decides to

Let Estelle cool off and call her tomorrow.

He sits down, dejected and angry at himself and trying to figure out what he did actually feel. He knew the answers were not what Estelle wanted to hear but surely she should have preferred him to be honest now instead of being proved wrong this time next year. He found the bourbon stash as he needed something stronger.

Meanwhile Estelle was a mess. She knew he had a wall and she had suspected that she had been enabling Ethan by letting him behind that wall but hearing he had not thought about a future that included her, letting her make what she thought was a decision that needed input from him. He did not explicitly state it was over but it sure felt like that and a fresh set of angry and sad tears flowed. She had no idea how long she had been wandering aimlessly but she was shocked when she happened upon Tobias. Tobias was also shocked to see her. He could see she was upset.

What happened?” Asked Tobias

“Ethan and I had a fight, he does not see a future for us.” More tears fall, Tobias is torn, he wants to be there for Estelle but also wants to see Ethan. Estelle then cuddles into Tobias. “I really love him” she says in between sobs, “how can he treat me like this?”

“Did you tell him you love him?” Asked Tobias.

“I did not get that far. He has not thought about us, it really hurt Tobias.”

Tobias offers to get Estelle home. Estelle decides she needs a drink while they are on the way and they stop off at the bar. They have a few drinks, talk about the fight, talk about school. They both drink more than they should have, and as such their inhibitions were lowered. The thoughts that Estelle thought she had long buried about Tobias came to the fore. With the courage that the alcohol offered, Estelle kisses Tobias. Tobias is shocked. He found her attractive but it was clear to him that she had eyes for Ethan, so he thought.

“Me and Ethan are over T” she whispers before kissing him again. Tobias decides that they should go. As much as he knew he should leave, he did want to make sure that Estelle got home safely. They make their way to Estelle’s where she kisses him again. This time Tobias ignores the voice in his head telling him to stop.

They enter the unit and make their way to her bedroom. Again the voice in his head told him he needed to stop but he again ignored it. The kisses get hungrier and they disrobe. As soon as Estelle unbuckles his belt she is down on her knees. He was taken aback by her prowess and as the night went on, he was surprised again. He could not deny that the sex was great, even Estelle was satisfied multiple times but the regret set in right away.

He discretely got up from the bed and found his clothes. He left her a note stating that he had gone home and he embarked on the walk of shame.

He arrived at the unit he shared with Ethan. A part of him hoped that Ethan would be in bed but he was not. He could tell his friend was upset and that he had been drinking.

Are you upset about you and Estelle breaking up?”

Ethan looks at Tobias, his look of sadness changing to anger. In that moment Tobias just knew he had been lied too.

“We had a fight, yes but I did not end it, she was very upset that I had trouble seeing a future and I suppose she took that as me ending it but she stormed out before I could discuss it further.”

Tobias took a breath. He knew this conversation was going to hurt his friend but he decided he was going to be honest. He took the bottle on the table and poured himself a drink before continuing.

“Well, Stelle is spinning a different story, she told me you were over, I am sorry”

Tobias could see hurt and Anger in Ethan’s eyes.

“Sorry for what Tobias, what is going on?”

Tobias decides to continue to tell the truth.

“I bumped into Estelle, she told me about the fight. She was pretty upset so I wanted to make sure she got home safely, anyway we stop off at a bar and had quite a few drinks and she kissed me. She assured me you were over and kissed me again…”

“Did anything else happen?” Asked Ethan, through gritted teeth.

“I had sex with Estelle.” Said Tobias. “If I had known she was lying I wouldn’t have. She told me that you were over.”

“And you believed her?” Said Ethan, angrily.

“What was I to think? She was crying and wandering aimlessly and very upset when our paths crossed.”

“You could have thought with your head and not with your cock for starters.”

“I did not plan it, it just happened.”

“Well you could have said no.”

“If we had not detoured that probably would have happened.”

“So what, were you waiting for me to screw up before you had your way with her? Or were you…”

“I am going to stop you right there Ethan. Yes when I first met Estelle I did find her attractive but she only had eyes for you.”

Ethan is furious. Furious at himself, at Tobias and also Estelle.

“I can not believe that you, my supposed best friend, slept with my girlfriend.”

“Which part of she said you had broken up are you not getting?”

“That does not matter, you still fucked her! And more importantly, fucked her right after she thought that we were over!”

Ethan storms out, feeling more hurt then what he did when his mum walked out when he was eleven.

Tobias wants to go after his friend but he knew that neither were in a state to discuss this maturely. He was angry at himself for ignoring the voice that said stop and mad at himself for betraying the trust that he knew Ethan did not give freely. He knew it was going to be hard coming back from this but Ethan was the brother he wished he had and he would do anything to try and keep this relationship. He calls Estelle and he is also angry at her. Angry for giving up on Ethan, angry for wanting another man in her bed so soon and angry that she lied to him.

After hanging up with Estelle he went to bed, hoping to clear his head before Ethan came back.

——-

Authors note: that awkward moment where you have already done large amounts of dialogue in the events of this night in part 2 of the medical school series which is found here. I have added some little extra bits. The next part will have some more parts lifted my series again with more added as I did want to do more from the perspective of Tobias and I also wanted to showcase a bit more the friendship that Estelle had with Tobias and how that was also ruined too.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @alj4890 @cariantha @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @youlookappropriate @bex-la-get @a-crepusculo @crazy-loca-blog @tessa-liam @schnitzelbutterfingers @binny1985 @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[mongoose-bite]

OC game: 23, 41, 43

23. Introduce OC that has changed from your first idea concerning what the character would be like?

Meet Dyce. Created for the skyrim kink meme, I just needed a slut to fill prompts with, whose only aim in life was to fuck and/or be fucked, but as I wrote him in more stories, as people started becoming his fans, he turned into a reluctant hero, a relationship anarchist who sincerely loved so many people even if it hurt, whose superpower was empathy rather than sex and who would move mountains to save someone.

41. Has anyone drawn fanart of your OCs? If yes, maybe show a picture or two here (remember sources & permissions!)

Yes! I'd rather not repost art, but the links should all be public.

Dyce undercover in a modern AU by Topsy.

Dyce and Topsy's own OC Ahz

And some more Dyce by Topsy.

It's not all Dyce. Sadly I can't remember what I tagged the art of Rath Topsy drew.

Urazai did an amazing job with Matthew Cromwell of Lightning Country.

Topsy drew Lalita from Seaboard beautifully too.

43. Do you have any certain type when you create your OCs? Do you tend to favour some certain traits or looks? It’s time to confess

Uhhh...yes. >.> Morally ambiguous silver foxes (gender nonspecific.) Sometimes I wonder if it's becoming a problem.

Thank you for the questions!

[anamelessfool]

Lil WIP of Chapter 12 because flashbacks are the best

Context: Primo's mother left the Church after being pushed out by Secondo's mother. Primo in his early twenties has only recently returned.

1974

The piano music pulsed, danced in the air, loud enough to be heard beyond the closed door of the common room. Nearly every afternoon there was a stirring rendition of some whirling Beethoven tune, or a dizzying work of Liszt. Siblings and Clergy alike would slow their pace as they walked in the adjacent hall, lingering to hear the stream of wondrous sound. But they would never open the door. They knew the artist preferred to play alone, and those that were ignorant of that knowledge learned quickly.

Primo had no such qualms of interrupting the pianist. After delivering his mother's ashes to the Ministry crypt, his stay of a week “just to get back on his feet” had extended into a few months, to now over two years. He had cemented himself as a helper, a can-do sort of fellow and found some secret satisfaction from being appreciated for completing simple tasks. It was an odd existence, living in a Satanic Church where magic and evil was real and actively worshipped. But there was a simplicity to living in a quiet community beyond all the noise of modern life.

And he had never had brothers before.

Primo opened the door to the common room, the music blasting forth in full volume out into the hall. The hands of his half-brother Secondo flew across the piano keys in effortless abandon. There was always an inexplicable storminess to the boy’s expression, but as he played the instrument his body swayed in time with the music, his face softened as if dreaming. Smoke curled from the cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Primo stepped forward, breaking the spell at a moment of pause in the performance. He pulled the cigarette from the boy’s mouth and stubbed it out in the ashtray on top of the piano. “Again with the smoking, Secondo…”

Secondo opened his eyes, staring into his elder brother. The serenity of his face was disturbed, replaced by a quiet, hovering fury. The boy had an aged, ancient look far removed from his thirteen years. Secondo snapped his eyes shut again, diving into a furiously complex arrangement of dazzling notes. The dark tones roared beneath intricate small plinks and chirps as the instrument was played to its limit.

Secondo had played piano already for close to a decade, after crawling onto the bench himself and testing some keys with little childlike fingers. His mother had encouraged his talent, traveling with him across the eastern seaboard to tour as a “Modern Mozart” before the age of ten. Here was a rarity of steely resolve, of storm and sunder that channeled the dark creative powers of the Void soon after he could walk on his own. Here was a figure raised from birth to be Papa Emeritus.

Primo found himself stunned into silence.

At last the final notes of the piece was pounded down by Secondo’s expert fingers. The notes lingered in the air, proof of his work. He sat up, shaking his head as if returning from a dream, then glared again at Primo, wordlessly returning the cigarette to his lips.

Full Fic on AO3 Young Primo x OC Papessa

Tags: Mystery, Action, Horror, Noir, Dark Magic, Satanic Panic

[sullustangin]

15 Questions for 15(ish) friends

(Definitely can't tag 15 because it seems tumblr doesn't let you tag more than a few people in a post these days, so heavy emphasis on the ish)

Tagged by @vexa-legacy (the turnaround for these things is less than a month now! I'm getting better!)

ARE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE: Yes, my dad's caretaker when he was child with 2 working parents (day shift/night shift, so there was an in-between)

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED: Probably something related to my spawn rejecting me (I'm the working parent, yet mama. She doesn't like it when I go to work, gets mad, and takes it out on me by pushing me away while wanting me home and to be in my lap all the time at the same time. Toddlers are not geniuses.).

DO YOU HAVE KIDS: Indeed!

WHAT SPORTS DO YOU PLAY/HAVE YOU PLAYED: I played softball in high school -- not well. Very Charlie Brown in that department.

DO YOU USE SARCASM: Sometimes. I teach, and I've noticed that students are less able to detect sarcasm, hyperbole, and even jokes. My job relies on clarity, so I'm very Spock with them -- the clever ones notice the snark, though.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE: Whether they make and maintain eye contact.

WHAT'S YOUR EYE COLOUR? Brown with heterochromatic yellow rings.

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings!

ANY TALENTS: I cook and bake well. It may not be the prettiest thing, but it's the tastiest thing. I also knit.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN: Eastern seaboard, USA

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES: sewing, knitting, baking, fan fic writing, reading academic stuff

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS: 2 cats; one half-Siamese smoke black cat who thinks she's people and would fistfight God; and one technicolor calitabby who has one eye and is afraid of pistachios

HOW TALL ARE YOU: 5'4" -- my fan fic OC Eva is about the same height, but she compensates with lifts.

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: It used to be math up until junior year of high school. Then I latched onto the Middle Ages (whose denizens did hold math in high regard -- astronomy, geometry, arithmetic, and music get you closer to God)

DREAM JOB: It used to be a professor at a 4-year university with a nice research stipend, but higher ed has a reckoning about to hit over the next five years .... A job that would let me write and publish my academic book.

~~

tagging: @astrifer-bound ; @villainship ; @stars-ephemeral ; @wampawave ; @rustic-space-fiddle ; @queen-scribbles @shabre-legacy

[andrewtheprophet]

Economic Consequences of the Sixth Seal (Revelation 6:12) https://andrewtheprophetcom.wordpress.com/2025/02/01/economic-consequences-of-the-sixth-seal-revelation-612-32/

[wildfirehq]

CHARACTER NAME: Wolfgang “Wolfie” Moore

CHARACTER FACECLAIM: Tom Blyth

CHARACTER AGE/DOB: 29 (October 28, 1995)

CHARACTER PRONOUNS/GENDER IDENTITY/SEXUALITY ETC: Male, He/Him, Homosexual/Homoromantic (Closeted) 

OC OR CANON: OC

WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY LOCATED & ANY IMPORTANT ALLIANCES OF NOTE: Lalock, Pennsylvania (A small town in Western Pennsylvania alongside the Allegheny River. About halfway between Pittsburgh and Erie) Lalock itself is very divided, with various factions scattering across the River. 

IMPORTANT CHARACTER INFORMATION TO NOTE AND SHARE (this could be important headcanons for initial plotting, mini bios etc, supporting docs etc): Wolfgang Moore and his brother, Carmine Moore, were part of a high profile case– The murder of Nathaniel Moore, a famous philanthropist and socialite. He was fifteen at the time, his brother thirteen, and the two of them were at large when the outbreak happened. 

Very barely making it out of Brooklyn before the bombings via a very, very shitty pair of stolen kayaks, the two of them continued to be on the run, from the dead and living alike. 

Until they both decided that, just like their their adopted father Nathaniel… Those hunting them didn’t deserve to live. 

Wolfie and Carmine became prolific hunters of the dead by the time Wolfie was twenty and his brother was eighteen. They were well known in Virginia, near the coast, until they were attacked by a group of survivors and separated. 

For years, Wolfie worked on trying to find his brother, traversing much of the Eastern Seaboard alone until he got a lead that his brother was taken somewhere in Western Pennsylvania. Wolfie now resides in Lalock, though he’s hardly put down roots. He only hopes to gain more information about his brother before moving on.

ONE SONG THAT HAS YOUR CHARACTER VIBES: Setting Fires - The Chainsmokers

ooc information:

NAME/ALIAS: Junestar/June

AGE: 26

TRIGGERS: ooc drug use, ooc animal harm/death/illness

[freequizbank]

Peter Klinken: Truth hurts for WA uni sector & its failures in course innovation to keep up with change _ FreeQuizBank.com - Free Exam Practice Questions for LANTITE Numeracy, Mathematical Reasoning - OC, Selective and Scholarship Tests @acereduau #NSWeducation #AusEdu @AusGovEducation @ServiceNSW

[zponds]

Having revealed my OCs from from the Burlington Route, Chicago & Northwestern, Milwaukee Road, Chesapeake & Ohio, and Baltimore & Ohio… I do have more OCs from nine additional railroads, and they are the…

Union Pacific ✅

Southern Pacific ✅

Northern Pacific ✅

Great Northern ✅

Santa Fe ✅

Norfolk & Western ✅

Southern Railway (USA) ✅

Seaboard Air Line ✅

Atlantic Coast Line ✅

Illinois Central ✅

Gulf, Mobile and Ohio ✅

Missouri Pacific ✅

Rock Island Railroad ✅

P.S.: a ✅ will show that I’ve completed the specific railroad.

[vprogresseducation]

Peter Klinken: Truth hurts for WA uni sector & its failures in course innovation to keep up with change _ FreeQuizBank.com - Free Exam Practice Questions for LANTITE Numeracy, Mathematical Reasoning - OC, Selective and Scholarship Tests @acereduau #NSWeducation #AusEdu @AusGovEducation @ServiceNSW

[rusty-anchor-bar]

Ahoi! got some are on what SeaBoard would be doing in about 10 years or so.

[rusty-anchor-art-hall]

Like I said in the description, this is a place to post art trades and fan art. This none is from Kvetina7 from an amino I once was on.

[jerzwriter]

Something New

Book: Open Heart (Post Series)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC, F!OC x M!OC

Rating: Teen

Words: 2,100

Category: Fluff

Summary: It's a special day for Ethan, and his daughter, Emma, has a big surprise in store for him.

A/N: Alexandra Lenarychyk is my FC for Ethan & Kaycee's daughter, Emma. She recently posted a photo of her and a friend as children and now... and this idea was born. I hope you enjoy it. @choiceschallenge-may2023 | falling in love, childhood friends.

It felt like the rain hadn’t stopped all week, and Kaycee officially had enough. As she white-knuckled the steering wheel to avoid a large puddle in the middle of Storrow Drive, the meteorologist speaking on the radio nearly did her in.  

… one more inch of rain, and we will have a record! And trust me, we’re getting at least another inch of rain today! This will officially be the wettest week in Boston’s history!

“Of course it is! I’m glad he’s so happy about it! But this is just….”

While Kaycee was becoming increasingly flustered, Emma was unphased. Blissfully smiling at a text she just received, it seemed like nothing would dampen her mood. But as her mother began spiraling, Emma slipped her phone into her pocket to offer an assist.

“Mom,” Emma interrupted. “It’s going to be OK. The party is still three days away. Let this rain get out of the way now.”

Kaycee turned to her daughter with a weary smile.

“But Emma, it’s supposed to rain Saturday, too.”

“So? Does the venue have an indoor space available?”

“It does,” Kaycee sighed.

“Well, there you go.”

“But it’s not as nice and… I want this to be perfect for your father. We all do.”

“I understand. The Ethan Ramsey finally agreed to retire….”

“Well… retire as much as the Ethan Ramsey can,” Kaycee laughed. 

“True. I’m still astonished he even agreed to this party!”

“There may have been some arm twisting involved,” Kayce chuckled. “The Board really wants to honor him for all he’s given to Edenbrook through the years, but he would never agree to it. That’s why they called me in.”

“Smart move,” Emma grinned. “No one can convince him to do something like you can.”  

“Or you,” Kaycee replied. “You’ve had him wrapped around your fingers since the day you were born!”

“So, you see! We’ll both be there, and everyone else Dad loves will be, too. That’s all that matters in the end. It will all work out, Mom. It always does.”

Kaycee squeezed her daughter’s hand as they approached a red light.

“You are a smart young woman,” she beamed. “Your parents must be so proud of you!”

“Yep. They taught me well.”

~~~~~~

All that worry was for naught; Saturday arrived, and it couldn’t have been a more glorious day. The sun shone in the azure sky, and not a single cloud was found on the horizon. A delicate breeze wafted the scent of roses through the air, and no wonder, it seemed every bud on the Eastern seaboard was adorning the patio where Ethan’s retirement reception was being held.

Emma was sitting alone at the table, nursing a glass of rose. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched her parents in the distance, laughing, socializing, even dancing… she had never seen her father so at ease. If only the same could be said for her. Her eyes anxiously ricocheted between the entrance and stealing quick glances at her phone. The pattern repeated until, finally, a warm glow spread on her face. A tuft of dark hair was all she saw at first, but she didn’t need anymore to know that it was him. Before he even saw her, she was at his side, playfully pulling him behind a flower wall and lovingly peppering him with kisses.

“Emm… mmm.”

She silenced him with a kiss, and as much as he wanted to pull away, he knew resistance was futile. The man was putty in her hands. Still, his warm cocoa eyes shot open when he remembered where they were. He had to retain some control, at least for now.

“Emma…” he whispered, gently pushing her away. “What are you doing?”

“Isn’t that clear?” she sang in response. “I’ve missed you, Julio.”

“It’s only been two days,” he smiled as Emma mocked indignance.

“Are you saying you didn’t miss me?” she pouted.  

The young man couldn’t keep a straight face but managed to keep his laughter low enough to avoid attention.

“Has anyone ever told you you’re impossible, Emma Rose?”

“Mmm, frequently. But you love me this way.” With a playful kiss, she nudged him forward. “Come on, let’s go join the party.”

While Emma was happily on her way, Julio turned pale as a ghost. Reaching for her hand, he brought her to a halt.

“Emma… you’re sure this is a good idea, right?”

“What?” she questioned with a tilt of her head. “Julio, we’ve been best friends since second grade. My mother invited you personally… how could there be a problem?”

“The problem is… I’m not just your best friend anymore.”

“Oh, that’s a problem,” she winked coquettishly, and Julio looked like an impish schoolboy once again.  

“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” he snickered. “Just promise you’ll visit me after your father lands me in the hospital.”

“Mmm…” she hummed with a wicking grin. “At least Dad’s retired now, so you won’t have to worry about seeing him. Uncle Tobias or my Aunt Sienna will take good care of you after you’re admitted.”

“It’s so much fun being in love with a comedian,” he smirked. “You know, if law school doesn’t work out for you, it’s a valid career choice.”

“I agree. But seriously, Julio. Six months is long enough to keep what we have under wraps. It’s time to let the whole world know.”

“I agree, mi amor. But… maybe your father’s retirement banquet isn’t the best time and place to make the announcement?”  

“Well, it’s not like I’m telling him before his speech,” she grinned. “That would be stupid. My Mom is going to be over the moon.”

“Yes… and your dad is going to kill me.”

“My dad loves you,” she laughed.

“Your Dad loved your best friend, Julio. He loved the little boy who always ripped the cheese off his pizza to give to you because he knew you loved it so much. He loved your friend who jumped in to take you to the prom when whatever that asshole’s name was….”

“Roy.”

“Yes! When Roy stood you up at the last second. He loved the man who hopped in his car to drive from Hopkins to Princeton in the middle of a blizzard just to make sure you were OK after your accident.”

“Well, he did think that last one was a little idiotic.” She put her hands on her hips and did her best Ethan imitation. “Son, while I appreciate what you did. But Emma was already safe, and you could have been killed!”

“I could have been,” he said, brushing a stray curl from her face. “But did he think I could hear that my Emma was in the hospital and I wouldn’t move heaven and earth to get to her?”

“Mmmm, but I wasn’t your Emma then,” she teased.

“You were always my Emma.”

Overcome, Emma leaned forward, and the young couple’s lips met in a passionate kiss. It wasn’t that they didn’t care that two hundred of her family’s closest friends and colleagues were on the other side of the wall… but, at that moment, they were the only two people in the world. Emma pulled back and lovingly gazed into his eyes for a moment before kissing him again. Lost in a world of their own until…

“Ethan!” Kaycee signed with relief. “I’ve been looking for you! It’s time to make your speech, and…oh….”

Emma’s body froze; she tucked her head into the crook of Julio’s neck and prayed that her alarm would go off and ensure this was just a dream. But her boyfriend's racing heart, and her father’s screaming silence made it very clear… it was not.

“Oh, shit,” she muttered softly.

An astonished Kaycee bit her lower lip and looked nervously between her husband, daughter, and the young man who wanted the Earth to swallow him whole. Her heart was thundering for a second, then she broke into the biggest smile.  

“Juilo!” she beamed, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so glad you were able to make it! And just in time for Ethan’s speech!” Kaycee turned to Ethan, imploring him with her eyes. “Isn’t that wonderful, Ethan?”

But Ethan hadn’t heard his wife’s words, nor anything else. He looked even taller when he stood like this, erect, face set in stone, seething in uncomfortable silence.

“Uh, Ethan,” Julio fumbled. “Congratulations… sir… I’m really glad I could be here for….”

“I bet you are,” Ethan bristled.

“Dad,” Emma jumped in. “I’m sorry you had to find out like this. Julio and I planned on telling you both today after the party. It’s just that….”

“…he had to paw my daughter like a wild animal during one of the pivotal moments in my life first.”

“Oh, Ethan, for heaven’s sake,” Kaycee groaned with a shake of her head.

“It was a kiss, Dad! It’s not as if we were getting naked!”

“Emma, please think of better words….” Julio shivered.

“How long?” Ethan snapped. “How long has this been going on?”

“For six months,” Emma replied.

“For six… for six… for six months you’ve been sneaking around behind our backs?”

Kaycee moved next to her husband and nudged his arm. “Ethan, our daughter is twenty-two years old. Can you stop acting like this… it’s embarrassing.”

Ignoring her, he stared daggers at Julio. “And you kept this from me?”

“Ethan…” Julio started.

“I think you should revert to calling me Dr. Ramsey.”

“All right, Dr. Ramsey…. I really wish we could have told you the way we planned. But trust me, Emma and I didn’t want to disrespect or hurt you. It’s just… we’ve been best friends most of our lives, and before we told everyone, we just wanted to be sure….”

“Sure of what?” Ethan interrupted.

“That this was it. That we were really… in love…,” Julio took Emma’s hand. “I love your daughter, sir. I think I always have. I regret that you found out this way, but I don’t regret loving her. I don’t regret the last six months, though I have some regrets that it took us both so long to see what was right before our eyes this entire time.”  

Ethan turned to his daughter with sadness in his eyes. “You kept this from your Mom and me for six months?”

“Oh, Ethan, stop!” Kaycee spat. “Shall I drag Alan in here to tell them how long we were together before you told him?”  

“Kaycee,” Ethan whispered. “This isn’t the time….”

“It’s exactly the time. Ethan… this is wonderful news!”  Turning to Emma and Julio, she squealed. “Oh my God, you tow…. You’re in love?”  

“Mom, I’m so in love and, Dad, Mom is right… this is wonderful. You always told me you wanted me to find someone who would love me the way you love Mom and… well… I have.”

“She has…” Julio whispered. “I swear.”

Kaycee wrapped her arms around the young couple. “You know there is no one in the world that we’d rather see Emma with! This is the best gift you could have given us today…. Right, Ethan?”  

Ethan’s shoulders visibly dropped as his expression softened, his eyes meeting Emma’s, and he swore she looked like she was six years old again when she smiled at him.

“I suppose… I suppose it could be worse,” he mumbled.

“Kind of like she looks appropriate?” Kaycee mocked.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Ethan stepped forward and embraced his daughter. “I am happy for you, baby. It’s just hard to accept that you’re not my little girl anymore.”  

“And here I would have thought paying four years of tuition at Princeton would have handled that?”

“You had inherit your mother’s sass, didn’t you?”

“Would you have had it any other way?” Emma giggled.

“No,” Ethan smiled, tears welled in his eyes. “That’s exactly how I hoped you would be.”

“Good! And Dad, I’m grown now… but you know I will always be your little girl.”

“That’s it,” Kaycee said, handing Ethan a tissue. “Make him cry before his speech, sweetheart.”

Ethan approached Julio and extended his hand, and when the young man went to take it, he pulled him into a hug.

“I’ve always liked you, Julio, and I am happy for the two of you. But after my speech… we’re having a talk.”

“Absolutely, Dr. Ramsey.”

“Please… let’s go back to Ethan.”

“Gladly,” Julio smiled.

“Now, I hate to interrupt this love fest, but you have a speech to give, dear. Let’s go!”

“Yes, dear….” Ethan sighed. 

They began to walk off when Ethan turned around. 

“Emma… Julio… would you like to join your mother and me on the podium?”

The young lovers looked at each other and smiled. “We’d be honored,” Emma replied.

Kaycee wrapped her arm around Emma and gushed. “Tonight, you are giving me all the details, young lady… I mean all the details!”

As the two women walked ahead, Ethan put his arm around Julio.

“I still plan on talking to you after the speech,” he assured.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Julio laughed.  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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