#oh man how long has it been since i logged in to see sh posts again dhgddh

[tanakavox]

A look into the multiverse chapter 5

Soooo. Due to post limit im gonna have to reblog this post with the rest. Just tell y'all when you wonder where the rest is lol. Anyways intro for Winter is done by ExiledDarkness. Everything else is all meeee! On with the post.

A flash of light blinds everyone in the room. As it dies down, Winter Schnee is shown to be standing in the middle of the room.

"Winter?!" Weiss exclaims in shock. The rest of the cast, except for Qrow who groans in annoyance, keeps silent as Weiss explains to Winter about the situation they're in.

Winter nods. "I see. How interesting. I usually wouldn't do something like this but it appears that I have been given no other choice."

"Yeah, that seems to be the case with everything going on in my life." Jaune says while scratching his head.

The screen's light flickers on again and shows a boy setting up his computer and putting a helmet on his head. The sound of the computer starting up is heard.

"Link start!" With those words a flash of light appears with lines of color streaking across the screen.

"That voice sounded familiar …" Winter muttered to herself

"What was that Winter? Weiss asked, turning to her sister.

"Ah. It's nothing"

"Ah. Sword art online." The boy thinks to himself, sighing wistfully. "It's been a while since the beta. Wonder if they change anything?

A man in his early 20s with white hair looks and sees that ads plague the area around him.

"Oh c'mon guys, really? That's just disgusting." The man said to no one, his disgust at the ads was apparent.

"Yeah, seriously. That's just annoying. Qrow said with a grimace.

"Active Adblocker" A screen appeared in front of the young saying it was 29.99 for the Adblocker DLC. The man chuckled darkly. "I'm gonna burn this F***r to the ground.

"Please do!" Nora said a manic grin on her face.

The scene cuts to Blond man with long hair being tackled by a pig, the man blonde groaning in pain.

"That's Sun." Blake said almost immediately.

"How can you tell? Yang asked.

"I just know."

"Well he just got his ass kicked by a pig." Jaune said, laughing a bit

"Wow, Congrats. You were defeated by a pig." The white hair man was there looking down at Blonde unimpressed.

"F**k you man, that's like a pig from hell! The blonde cried, looking at the boar in terror.

"Really?" The white hair man smirked, and picked up a rock and threw it at the boar's ass killing it. It exploded into shards and a screen showed the exp he had got from killing it.

"Wow. This either that blonde guy sucks that bad or the other guy just that good." Mercury said with a grin.

"My god." He gasped with a shit eating grin on his face. "I've stumbled across the most powerful weapon in the game"

"Stop" The blonde whimper.

"The Mithril Pebble of pig smithing!"

"Please stop."

The white hair man takes a deep breath of air as the Blonde groans.

"My god, this sounds like something Whitely would do." Weiss said with an annoyed look.

"For you see, long ago, this pebble was forged in the fiery pits of tartarus,by the grand blacksmith of Lucifer himself. In a time before the world began…

The blonde facepalm as his party member continued. The sun had started to fall when the white haired man was finishing up.

"And thus, Mardoza, Guardian of the pebble, fell to his knees, and passed from this world, leaving behind the mighty weapon. For he knew... that one day, it's power would be required once more.

"Are you done?" The blonde asked.

"Yes." But then he whispered: The legacy of the pebble lives on.

"I have a feeling you get beat up a lot in real life." The blonde snarked.

"And he's using it as some kinda power fantasy cause he can't be that cool in real life." Yang added.

"Shut up! Here I have power!"

"Right, anyways, I've got a pizza coming, and I'm gonna meet up with some friends later.

So thanks for the quick tutorial on pig slaying and the not so quick tutorials on…. rocks…Shirou Yuki?" The blonde slowly wording out the other's username.

"Hey,no problem. I had fun taunting you." Shirou said with a grin. "Ballsdeep69"

"Yeah that's Sun." Blake said, shaking her head. "Only he would come up with such a dumb name."

Meanwhile Winter had a good idea who Shirou Yuuki was, but didn't want to say anything until she was 100% sure.

Ballsdeep69 laughs a bit. "Yeah it's uh, it's just a joke name. Just a character to dick around with while I get a hang of the game. I'm gonna make my real character later."

"Yeah yeah. No, I get it."

Shirou and balls look at each other awkwardly for a while when Shirou breaks the silence. "So uh...your pizza?"

"Right,right logging out." Balls swipes the air with his right hand and goes to log out but notices something odd.

"Hey,Shirou?" Balls called out. "Um, Totally noob question, but how do I log out?

"Are you serious, man?" Shirou asked exasperated.

"Yeah, Really dude? How hard is it to logout?" Jaune asked just as exasperated.

"Hey this Nervegear man. I can't Alt-F4 this sh*t.

Shirou sighs. "Alright fine. It's right…" He looked at his menu screen in confusion. "Here?"

"Oh thanks, player's guide." Balls deadpan.

"No it's here. But it's just blank."

Balls turns back to his menu and something catches his eye. "Oh wait, something scrolling Across mine. HahahahahahahaHAHAha"

"I get it." Shirou said with a frown.

"Wait, Wait, there's more. Ha."

"Riveting."

"Wait so they can't log out? What happened?" Ruby asked the rest of the confused viewers

"Eh no worries I'll just take the nervegear off like SO!" Balls reaches around his head and tries to take it off to no effect.

"Hey, dumbass, It doesn't work like that." Shirou sheerned. "The Nervegear disables your motor function so you don't move around in the game. Don't you remember all those videos of the beta testers?

The clip on Dustube plays, A man walking around in nerve gear is marlouving at the tech is shown. Someone, a friend of his walks up and offers a greeting to the man and he mistakes his friend for a troll and goes to pummel his friend into the ground.

It goes back to Shirou and Balls.

"So many lawsuits." Shirou muttered.

A few of the viewers had a good laugh at that.

"Uh, Do you feel tingly?" Balls asked before the two were transferred from mellow they were in a city square.

"No. Why?" Shirou asked casually. The two looked around and it seemed that other players were being teleported into the city square.

"What the hell is that?" Balls asked, looking at the sky going red.

"Well, I believe some people call it a Hexagon? Ain't 100% on that, gonna have to check my sources." Shirou snarked.

"Man f*ck off."

"I like this guy." Mercury said with a grin

The sky started to seem like it was starting to bleed.

"And The sky's bleeding" Shirou observed, not seeming to really care."

"Yeah, they are really pushing for that M rating." Balls repsoned on caring as much as Shirou.

"Wow the sky bleeds and they don't even care." Winter said.

"Probably because they know it's a video game, Ice Queen." Qrow reposned

A hooded figure appears flooding in the air. A wave of dangers fills most of the players in the area.

"Oh it's a person." Expect for one player.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Jaune Arc, Head programmer!"The figure greeted."

"Jaune made this game?" Ruby asked, looking towards the blond.

"Nice Vomit boy." Yang said slapping Jaune on the back. Jaune grunted a bit but smiled towards Yang.

"Welcome to the unparalleled online Sword art onli-" Jaune was interrupted by the player being to talk frantically among themselves. Jaune tried to get them to focus their attention on him by muting them, but ended up muting himself.

"He knows he muted himself right?" Balls asked.

"Give him a minute." Shirou mutters. Jaune unmuted himself.

A few laugh at Jaune's mistake as the Blonde himself facepalms at his mistake.

"Alright. Just realized what happened there. It's very funny. But right now, serious time. How many of you have seen Tron?" He was met with complete and utter silence. Jaune looked over the crowd and was met with blank stares, not counting Shirou. "W-what seriously?! None of you have seen Tron?! " Jaune asked, completely baffled. "I was really banking on that."

"Seriously?! No one had seen Tron?" Jaune all but screamed.

A few viewers didn't want to admit to not seeing Tron either.

Jaune cleared his throat, and proceeded to wing the entire thing. "Much like the world of warcraft, none of you are here by choice anymore. Unlike WoW, however, your being held here by me, not by a need to escape your empty f*cking lives. There is no longer any way to log out of Sword art online. If someone on the outside attempts to log you by removing your Nerve gear, well… Has anyone seen scanners?

Jaune once again looked and was once again met with silence.

"Uh Scanners. It's a movie…. Seriously?! He grumbles to himself about how the people here had no class and pulled up a clip of a man's head exploding. "Okay. That was from Scanners… and basically that.

"First Tron, now Scanners?!" Jaune facepalm.

"You just trapped god knows how many people in a video game, and you're worried about what movie they haven't seen?! Weiss retorted. Jaune flinched and wisely kept quiet.

The crowd gasped in shock.

"Finally seeing some gears turning, making progress."

"Why would you do such a thing?!" One player cried out.

"Stephen? Stephen is that you?" Jaune asked happily "How are you enjoying that advance copy?"

"I'm playing it with my family!" Stephen repiled.

"Oh, that's right!" The hooded figure laughed. "Happy birthday Timmy!"

Little Timmy began to cry.

"Aw, They grow up so fast." He said, sighing. " Cherish these moments Stephen. Cherish these moments. So as I was saying, the only way to keep the nervegear from going Gallager on your grey matter, is to make your way through castle Aincrad and beat Sword Art Online!"

"So you want us to beat a MMO?" A random player asked.

"Essentially."

"F*CK YOU!"

"That is the correct response when someone says to beat a MMO" Ren said.

"Is it really that bad?" Oscar asked and he receive a loud

"YES!"

"WOAH! Getting a lot of hostility here. Do not appreciate it."

"Well honestly!" The same player began,"When was the last time you heard of someone beating Everquest?"

"When was the last time you heard of someone playing Everquest?" Jaune fired back. There was a slight pause.

"That's fair."

"Everquest…. That's a deep cut." Qrow said, sighing thinking back.

"Anywho, for all you guys that wanted to play as girls, and you know who you are," Despite not seeing his face they could tell Jaune had a huge grin. "I've got a surprise for you!"

A mirror appeared in everyone's hands and a light filled the city.

A young boy, no older than 14 was where Shirou was. He still had the white hair and was wearing the same clothes but was more lankey and shorter than the man who was once there.

"Shirou Yuuki?" The boy turned and a familiar face was shown.

"Whitely?!" Weiss cried out at the sight of her brother.

"I knew it was him." Winter said. The username gave him away, Not only is it the username for when he goes on forums, Shirou Yuuki has the same meaning as his real name.

"How do you know what username he uses when he's online? Weiss asked her sister, a question that went unanswered.

"You're not a girl!" A fat player cried out.

"And you're not 17!" Another skinner one also cried out."

"I'm okay with this!"

"Me too!"

"LOVE KNOWS NO GENDER!" Someone shouted out.

"A wise seminent. Ozpin said sipping his coffee."

[valeriemperez]

Tati, have you seen the deleted WA scene from tonight? It’s adorable and funny. Who do we complain too about it being cut?

I’m not sure who to direct the complaints to, but I think they’ll get the picture if we just tweet how cute and fun it was. You can tell @thejudalina and @samchalsen how much you liked the scene and how it’s too bad it was cut, if you like, but it’s not their fault it was.

ETA: If your issue is that WA always get interrupted, you can say that too.

I see you posted scenes from SG, are you watching again? If so, do you think James+Lena (Jamena) could rise? The others might not be so threatened by that pairing.

I am watching since I review the show, and yep it rose! But can it stay afloat?

Well, damn. I got the answer to my ask about James Olsen and Lens Luthor on SH. I saw a gif set in another log. #JamenaInFullEffect

Yup! It’s coming, though we don’t know how long it’ll stay.

Girl, I don’t even watch SG and those gifs of Lena and James were adorable. Now while I heard the SG cast was rude to the LGBT community at SDCC this year, I see that the Supercorp fandom can be entitled at times.

My thing is that I totally understand how the fandom could feel disrespected, and SG has a long way to go before it can be considered progressive. But that’s not James’ fault, and Mehcad’s been treated worse than almost anyone by these producers.

James Olsen haters are trash. T-rash. Nuff said.

I really don’t know what he’s done to anyone.

This is just like with Iris. When James had nothing to do, they pretend to like him, because of Mon-El taking the spotlight. Once he got something to do, people shit on him. People are full of shit.

Yup, people like them when they’re out of the way.

Haters say WA have no chemistry because of CP. They say GG has chemistry with almost everyone except CP. They’re sad people. Oh well. CP isn’t going anywhere. Iris West-Allen (God, I love saying that) isn’t going anywhere. WA are married. They’re happy. Whatever obstacles they’ll go through, they’ll beat them. Always have, always will. Tout a` l'heure!

Haters are lying to themselves and each other, because Grant and Candice ooze chemistry out of every pore.

GG played a man in love, a man that has waited for the day to marry the love of his life. When he promoted the shit out of the wedding in the SG portion of the crossover, he knew that part was going to be special. Ladies and/or gentleman, find a man that looks at you the way Barry looks at Iris. Ya’ll deserve that someday.

100% accurate. The acted the crap out of that beautiful moment.

[theraputicwritings]

An Eye for an Eye Part 4

A/N: I’m so sorry this is late! There is so much going on in my life right now that it has been hard to find time to sit down and focus on writing. Maybe I’ll write a separate post on just that, but know that I’m okay. Enjoy!

Word Count: 3,357

Tagging: @learisa (Inbox me if you want to be added to this story or my others)

Summary: Jefferson and Sophia (that’s you) start their journey into the Enchanted Forest. Jefferson can’t wait to be rid of the ‘princess’ but will those feelings stay the same?

It had only been a few hours since Jefferson and Sophia had left the tower and he was ready to rip his hat apart. And that’s saying something because he loved his hat. She kept up fine, and she never complained. That wasn’t the issue. She just asked so many questions. It was like she’d never seen the world before. Granted she hadn’t but, Jefferson couldn’t understand why she couldn’t just look around and get the answers herself.

“No, I don’t know which mountain that particular stream flows from,” he grumbled, watching as she crouched to study the running water closely. And why should he know? It didn’t benefit him in any way so why would he care? “Well, I think it comes from Mount Korha. It’s supposed to be east of the tower. Which way is east?” Sophia rambled. That question Jefferson did know.

“It’s that way,” he said. “And it’s the direction we need to continue in if we’re going to make it to the next village to sell those night lilies. It’s only a few more days from here. Are you ready princess?” He ended the sentence with a smirk, knowing it would annoy her.

Sophia stood up, glaring at him. “I told you not to call me that. I’m not a princess. And yes, I am ready.” They continued walking in silence. Jefferson accepted the silence gratefully. It must have been from being alone for so long in that tower, but Sophia never seemed to shut up. Until now.

Suddenly the silence was interrupted by horse hooves galloping nearby. Jefferson grabbed Sophia by the arm and pulled her off of the path, just in time for a white carriage surrounded by an entourage of knights on horses to rush by. The party didn’t even seem to acknowledge the couple standing out of the way. It stopped a few meters behind them to move the fallen tree that they had just gone around. Jefferson looked back from where they came to see a hooded figure up in the trees, watching the carriage closely.

Smiling knowingly, Jefferson placed a hand on her back and pushed Sophia along. “Come, we don’t want to be in the way of true love happening,” he quipped. “What? What does that mean?” she asked whipping her head around to look where he had just looked. “Oh, nothing. Just predicting the future.” He continued moving her, ignoring her protests and questions.

After another mile or so, they took a break to rest. Night was going to fall soon, and Jefferson did not want to be out in the open when Sophia’s night lilies started to glow. That was just begging to be robbed. Or worse. “There’s an inn another mile from here that we can stay at. It’s quiet and we should be ignored,” Jefferson proposed, although there wasn’t room for Sophia’s input.

“You don’t like people, do you, Jefferson?” she asked, balancing her away across a log with both arms stretched out. Jefferson looked up at her from where he sat on a root. He couldn’t tell why she considered that resting.

“Let’s just say that I’ve had my fair share of dealing with ignorant people. I’d rather just not have to deal with people. Unless it benefits me.” Sophia hopped down from the log, a frown on her pretty face. “Sounds lonely.”

“Yeah well, I prefer to be alone. I get my work done quicker and I don’t have to argue with people who don’t know what they’re talking about in the first place,” Jefferson argued.

“Oh, give me break!” Sophia snapped, “Do you know how selfish that sounds? You’re a traveler and yet you’ve never connected with anyone on your journeys? If I’d had the chance to be around people and the chance to make friends who cared for me and I cared for them, I would have snatched it up and never let go! And you’re going to tell me that you prefer to be alone because people can be ignorant?! Bah!” With that last huff, Sophia grabbed her satchel and stomped off.

Jefferson sighed and followed after her. Not because he cared or anything, but because he knew if they were going to get to the village and sell those night lilies he was going to have to be with her. Mostly because it was her satchel that held the damned plants. So, if that meant having to be nice to her, then so be it.

He jogged to keep up with her, stopping in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her from going around him. “Look, Sophia. I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s just in my line of business, you must be wary of people. I can’t get attached when there’s a chance that they’re only using you for your skills. I’m sorry if that came off as selfish.”

Sophia looked up at Jefferson, surprised that she was getting so much emotion from him. “You don’t think I haven’t been abused by people? My father left me in a tower when I was three. I only got visits when my father sent people to harvest the night lilies for money. But I’ve got to believe that those type of people are only a select few. If I don’t then how am I going to survive out here?”

Jefferson shook his head, not necessarily agreeing with her. “I know. And I’m sorry. It’s not fair for me to put my opinion of people on you. You should make those decisions for yourself.” He let go of her shoulders and stepped into place beside her.

“Come on, we’re not far from the inn now, and you can do what I like to call people watching at dinner. It’ll be a good place for you to start forming your own opinions on people.”

When they made it to the inn, Sophia was surprised at how quiet it looked on the outside. It looked like it could be someone’s quaint little cottage and not an inn where tired people could take a break from traveling to rest. Jefferson led her through the front door, keeping a hand on the small of her back. “Let me do the talking,” he cautioned.

She didn’t know why he would warn her of that until they walked inside and were greeted with a loud booming voice. “Jefferson! You scoundrel! I can’t believe you would bring your face around my inn again! And bringing a lady with you to these parts? You ought to be ashamed of yourself”

Sophia looked up at the large man who was talking. He was very robust and she guessed he could very easily snap Jefferson in half and Jefferson said the wrong thing. She looked at Jefferson who leaned against the counter and smiled charismatically. “It’s good to see you too, Greyson. And believe it or not, she’s from around these parts.” The innkeeper looked over Sophia causing her to blush and look down at her feet.

“And I suppose you expect me to give you two a room tonight? Are you planning to pay for it this time?” Greyson asked, his eyes going back to Jefferson. Jefferson held his hands up in offense. “Now, Greyson, when have I ever not paid you? I always enjoy your hospitality!”

Greyson let out a bark of a laugh. “Ha! If that were true, then I’d be a rich man, considering how often you stay here. Yer lucky that I enjoy your stories and you always bring me interesting trinkets from yer travels. Otherwise, I’d make you sleep in the stables whenever you came.”

Jefferson’s smile grew and Sophia continued watching the interaction between the two with fascination. “So I’ll take my usual room then? You’ll like what I brought you this time, I guarantee it.” Greyson grunted with annoyance, although his eyes shown with affection.

“Go on then. I expect your payment in the morning! And don’t let it disappoint me, or I’ll be feeding you slop for breakfast!” He turned to grab a key from a board with hooks and slid it across the counter. Jefferson snatched it up and grabbed Sophia’s hand, leading her down the hallway.

She waited until they were out of earshot. “You know for someone who doesn’t like people, you got along with him just fine,” she pointed out, as he led her up a set of stairs. “I’m a salesman. I might not like people, but if it benefits me, I’ve learned to pretend,” he retorted. Sophia wondered if there was more than he was letting on.

Jefferson stopped in front of a door and turned the key to unlock it. Once inside, Sophia frowned. “There’s only one bed,” she saw. “Normally when I travel, I’m just by myself. There’s no need for two beds,” Jefferson explained, grinning at her discomfort.

“Oh. Well, I guess, I’ll just sleep on the window seat then,” she decided, placing her bag gently down on the worn-out sofa. “Be my guest. I don’t think it’ll be very comfortable though.” Jefferson moved to the small table in the room and placed his bag on it, deciding to take the time to go through his inventory later that night when the inn had quieted down.

He glanced over at Sophia who was at the window seat. Jefferson liked this room because it had one of the best views in the entire Enchanted Forest in his opinion. And obviously, Sophia agreed. She could see as far as the mountain range in the distance and miles upon miles of forest surrounding them. Jefferson took off his hat and placed it gingerly on the table before walking over to her and sitting opposite of her.

“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly, her eyes not leaving the window. “It’s okay, I guess,” Jefferson shrugged, even though he agreed with her. She rolled her eyes, before turning to look at him, tucking her knees into her chest.

“Greyson, was it? The innkeeper? He said you traveled a lot. How far have you gone?” she asked. For once, she saw a light in Jefferson’s eyes that she hadn’t seen before. “I’ve been all over. To lands, you wouldn’t believe existed,” he explained, his voice light and dreamy. As if he imagined himself in those lands now.

“How so? That much travel would take a life time,” she guessed. Jefferson paused, eyeing his hat and wondering if he wanted to share more about that part of his life. “I’m a portal jumper. My hat allows me to travel between worlds. People ask for my services and then I go to these lands and perform them. Whether that’s collecting items or finding information.”

“That’s amazing. Do you enjoy your work?” Jefferson nodded, taking his turn to look out the window now. “Yes, I do.” Quiet fell between them before Jefferson seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts.

“Are you hungry? Greyson’s wife is an amazing cook,” he asked, pushing himself off of the window seat. Sophia nodded, a bit taken back by the change in moods. “I guess I could eat.” Jefferson grinned and held his hand out.

Sophia took it and Jefferson placed it in the crook of his elbow. Together, the two walked down stairs and into a large dining area. It was quiet with only two other people in there. One a young woman sitting in the corner, her nose stuck in a book. The other guest, a man surrounded by beer mugs and another one in his hand. His eyes landed on Sophia and she quickly looked away, a feeling of unease crawling through her stomach.

Jefferson noticed the man eyeballing Sophia and placed his hand on top of the one in his elbow before moving to sit across the room. “Come on. I can smell Rosalyn’s cooking from out here.”

Sophia took a deep breath, smelling the aromatic scents wafting from the kitchen. “It smells delicious,” she stated, a smile stretching across her face. “You’ll love Rosalyn’s cooking. She’s the best in the entire Enchanted Forest,” Jefferson promised as he pulled a chair out for Sophia.

“Oh, quit Jefferson. You’ll make an old woman, like myself blush.” Sophia turned her head to see an older woman standing behind them, a tray balanced on her hip. She walked over and placed hot bowls of stew and a plate of bread in front of them. “And who might this be? Has our dear Jefferson finally settled down?”

Sophia smiled when she saw a hint of a blush spreading across Jefferson’s cheeks. “This is Sophia. I’m just helping her get to the village,” he explained. “Well, it’s nice to see you being so charitable for once, hun,” Rosalyn teased, ruffling up Jefferson’s hair. Jefferson rolled his eyes, smoothing back his hair. “You embarrass me, Rosalyn. Please,” he returned, a smile on his face.

Sophia observed quietly, fascinated by this side of Jefferson that he hadn’t shown her yet. He had said it was just a façade to help his business, but she wondered how much of that was true. She jumped as Jefferson said her name.

She looked around to see that Rosalyn had walked off. “Oh, sorry,” she blushed, turning towards her food. Jefferson grinned cheekily before handing her a slice of bread. “Here, dip this in the stew. It’s the best way to eat Rosalyn’s beef stew!” he instructed. Sophia did as he said, closing her eyes when the hot stew touched her tongue.

“Oh yum,” she moaned, taking in the different flavors she tasted. “This is delicious!” Jefferson laughed, catching Sophia off guard. It wasn’t a rehearsed laugh that he used with Greyson or Rosalyn. Nor was it a haughty laugh he used when proving a point. This sounded like a genuine laugh and honestly, Sophia could have listened to it all day.

“So, you like it then?” Jefferson questioned, already knowing the answer. As expected, Sophia responded with a resounding, “I love it!” With that discovery made, the two dug into their bowls, both enjoying the food too much to make small talk.

Occasionally though, Sophia couldn’t help but look up, feeling eyes on her. The same man was staring at her and each time they looked up, Sophia quickly looked back down. She still felt uneasy but wrote it off as just not being used to people yet.

Once done with their meals, Rosalyn came back out to take their bowls. “Do you still like your tea the same way?” she asked Jefferson. “Is there any way to have it?” he asked a cheeky smirk on his lips. “To most people yes. I don’t understand how you can have tea with no sugar or milk in it. It’s far too bitter like that,” she commented, making a face. She then turned to Sophia. “What about you, darling? Would you like a cup of tea?”

Sophia smiled in return. “I would love a cup of tea. Do you have honey I can put in it?” Rosalyn grinned before patting her on the shoulder. “At least she’s normal!” She then went off to the kitchen before shortly returning with two steaming hot mugs.

Sophia took a sip and sighed in relief. It was just right. “Delicious,” she promised Rosalyn. “How did you know that I liked Earle gray?” Rosalyn grinned knowingly, “I make it my job to make people happy. You just seem like the type of girl who likes Earle gray.” “It’s my favorite.”

The rest of the night went on with Greyson coming out and sitting across from Jefferson with Rosalyn ready to hear one of his stories. Sophia listened carefully as he relayed a story about on his adventures in a land known as Neverland where little boys roamed and never grew old. Apparently, he got into a scrap with a mermaid there but was able to make it out alive thanks to his daring wit and bravery. Those were his words, not Sophia’s.

Once finished, Sophia, Greyson, and Rosalyn clapped politely, all of them having enjoyed the story immensely. As Sophia looked around the room to see what the other two guest’s reactions were, she stopped when she saw the man was still staring at her. When their eyes met this time, he grinned, revealing a row of yellowing and crooked teeth. She quickly turned back towards Jefferson who had watched the exchanged.

“Are you alright?” he asked, concern on his face. “I’m fine,” she replied, but her voice gave away the nerves that she was feeling. “Come on, we should probably go to bed if we’re wanting to leave early in the morning.”

Sophia nodded and once again took his arm as he led her back upstairs. Jefferson felt that her grip on his arm was tighter and he patted her hand gently as they walked. “Are you sure, you’re okay?” Jefferson questioned, looking down at her. “Yes. I think I’m just tired from all the walking today. I’m not used to it yet.” Jefferson smiled some, even though he knew she wasn’t telling the truth.

“Well, maybe with the money we make from your plants we can get you a horse. Those are always nice to have,” Jefferson suggested as he opened the door to their room. Sophia shrugged as she removed her hand from his arm. “Maybe. But I’d probably complain about my bum hurting if I did that.”

Jefferson laughed and moved to the table where he started unpacking his bag to take inventory of everything. Sophia sat on the bed against the headboard with her knees tucked into her chest as she watched quietly.

At one point, Sophia started to wonder just how big his bag was. “How are you able to fit all of that in there?” she asked, watching as he pulled out a long rope and a deck of cards. “I had a friend enchant it a while back to be able to hold as much as I need it to hold without ever getting heavy,” he explained. “That must come in handy,” she decided. Jefferson grinned to himself, nodding. “It definitely has been.”

Quiet fell over the two as Jefferson continued his inventory, writing down what he was low on, on a pad of paper. He noted he’d have to make a trip to Wonderland soon, already dreading the thought.

Jefferson looked up at one point, wondering when it had gotten so quiet. He looked back at Sophia on the bed, seeing that her head was propped on her knees and she was breathing deeply. He shook his head and grinned.

Of course, the little minx would wind up on the bed. But he’d be damned if he was going to sleep on the window seat. He only needed to make that mistake once. Quietly, Jefferson put his belongings back into his bag before standing from the table. He walked over to the bed and gently moved Sophia so she was laying down on her back.

She stirred slightly, murmuring something as she curled onto her side. Jefferson couldn’t help himself as he smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her head. He blew out the lantern on the table and then returned to slide into the bed next to her, leaving enough space between them to be respectful.

Watching her sleep, he wondered how Sophia would like Wonderland but then shook his head, reminding himself that this arrangement was just temporary. Jefferson would probably go crazy if he had to handle her for too much longer. But then again, there was a part of her that drove him a different kind of crazy. A crazy he didn’t know if he liked.

He sighed to himself, deciding he needed to keep his distance from her. He’d learn that getting attached to people was a bad idea. Starting in the morning he would be more withdrawn towards her.

Deciding this, he closed his eyes and started to drift off, not even noticing how subconsciously he reached out for her and pulled Sophia into the curve of his waist, his arms lazily wrapping around her waist.

[pen-of-dunwall]

Tales of the Heart, Ch. 15 - Now I Got My A’s and Z’s

by essie-essex

for citywatchoverseer

City Watch Guard

“He taught himself how to read.”

There oh... uh... once was a cat named Ollie who lived in a co-cozy ho-hose... hoss... a house, a cozy house, with his Mama, Papa, Bro-Bruh-Brother, and... Sister. But Ollie was no oh-or-di-na-ry cat. He was very c-curious and... oh-often got into tr... tr... trou-ble.

Un... One cold w-win-ter eh... ehven... even... e-ven-ing, it beg-an to s-snow...

...and s-snow, and snow, and SNOW. Haha.

“Oh, boy!” said Ollie. “My f-first w-win-ter!”

Ollie le-leapt on-to the... the, uh... the w-win-dow-sill, his eye-eyes fo-fol-low-ing the stra-strange white dots as they flo-a... flo-floated to the ground. He put his paws up to the cold gla-glass, rai... rais... rais-ing himself up on his two hi-hind legs to get a bet-better look. Brother and Sister played ou-out-side, thro-throwing hand... fuls of white po-po-pow-powder at each other, their ch... cheeek... cheeks and noses red and ro-round. Ollie's tail swis... swis-sh... swished with, oh boy, ex... exit... exit-me-excitement as he watched them.

“How I would love to play in the snow,” Ollie said, his eyes filled with de-des-desire. “I would buh... buh... bur... burr-ow under it oo... uh-until I found the per-fect spot, warm and dark.”

The cat til-tilt-tilted his head back, pee-king at the door. Papa sat in his big chair reading a book, and Ollie could hear Mama in the kit-kitchen.

Surely, they would not not-notice...

Ollie ju-jumped to the gro-ground and cro... croch... croached... no, crouched, he crouched low, ti-tip-tip-toe-ing his way to the front door where the ch-child-ren would be re... ret-returning at any mo-ment, and when they open-opened the door, he would spr... sprin... sprint out into the snow and bur-bury himself in it before they could catch him.

He heard fa-faint la... lau... log... log-ha... lag... la... laugh-laughter as the ch-children ne-nea-neared the door and his ears per... perk... perked as he heard moo... muh... muffleh... muffle... muffled sto-stomp-ing.

“Ready... Ready...” he said to himself. He dar-dared not move. It was almost time.

The door click-clicked as one of the children turned the dork-door-doorknob, the door crack-ing open a mom-moment later. Ollie star-star-ted to change-charge but stopped sud-den-ly as the cold breeze cau... caused his skin to shiv-shiver. The children enter-ed the house, brus-brushing white powder from their coats.

“The door will close soon,” Ollie said. “This is my last chance!”

He took a deep breath, cr-crouched low, and chan-charged outside.

I let my arm drop, still holdin' the open book between my fingers, and sigh.

When I got this book from the library, the lady told me that this was for kids, but Ollie the Cat's First Winter by T.J. Brownstone ain't no easy reader. I can feel myself gettin' tired, and my head kinda hurts.

I probably shouldn't be readin' durin' my shift, but it can get real borin' just standin' here waitin' for somethin' to happen. It's kinda rainy today, so the market ain't too crowded, so that means no fights over the last fresh fish to break up, no youngsters stealin' sweets to chase after, and no pretty ladies to holler at. Nope, nothin' to do but just stare at the sky... or read if you know how.

I hear laughter from in front of me and spot two boys in worn clothes whisperin' to each other. I guess the rain didn't keep everyone away. They stop, the larger one takin' a few steps towards me.

“Hey, aren't you reading Ollie the Cat?” The boy looks up at me with tight lips and somethin' that ain't just innocent curiosity hidden behind his eyes.

“Yeah, what about it?” I say, pullin' my shoulders back. “Shouldn't you kids be at home anyways?”

“It's a free city,” the boy says. “We're just walking home from school.”

“Yeah, well, keep walkin'. I gotta job to do,” I tell him.

“You didn't look like you were doing your job. You looked like you were reading an Ollie the Cat book.” The little brat smirks.

“Well, you kids just don't know any better. Now, scram.”

The boy snorts, his mouth tight and his face red. He looks back at the other, who has the same expression on his face, like he thinks somethin's funny.

“That's a kids' book,” the boy says. “Like for babies. I read all the Ollie the Cat books when I was nine.” He turns to look at his friend behind him, who giggles.

“Yeah,” says the smaller boy. “Me too. Isn't that the one where Ollie goes outside in the winter and freezes--”

“Hey!” I scream. “Don't give it away! I ain't read the whole thing yet!”

The boys jump at the sound of my voice, but pretty soon they ain't scared no more and start laughin'.

“Wow, City Watch Guards really are dumb!” The taller boy says. His little friend giggles along with him, but I'm about done with their shit.

I draw my sword and lunge towards 'em, like I'm about to attack.

“Yeah, keep laughin' when you're in damn pieces on the ground!”

The boys scream, scurryin' away like rats, and I watch until they're out of sight, takin' a deep breath to calm myself.

“It's okay, Murray,” I say. “They're just a bunch of spoiled kids.”

That's right. They're a bunch of spoiled schoolboys. Not everyone had the money to go to school when they was kids.

I grew up during the Morley Insurrection, when spyin' on your neighbor, makin' sure they wasn't helpin' the Morlish (or the “Morleyans” as we was s'posed to call 'em, just to piss 'em off), or that, stars forbid, they was Minnows themselves, was much more important than goin' to school or doin' any kinda work that wasn't helpin' the Empire win against the rebels.

There was plenty of jobs with the war on, and the factory fatcats was glad to get their hands on any children, so they could work 'em hard. An eighteen-hour workday, each and every day, is what I remember from my childhood. But there was bread to eat and bunks to sleep in. Sure, they was dirty, but they was indoors. I sent my pay home to my parents so they could take care of my sisters and brothers who was too young to work.

So, no, I didn't have no time to read like the little brats these days, but that don't make 'em better than me. Hell, I'm better than them, since I learned how to read all on my own. That's right, all by myself. No one helped me learn my letters.

Now that I know how to read, though, there's plenty around to practice with. It's crazy how many signs they got posted 'round the city, and there's even more than usual in the marketplace with words like “FRESH FISH” “HOMEMADE SOAP” “GARDEN VEGETABLES” “RARE FRUITS” and “BAKERY”. I tried to read them all when I first started learnin' my letters, but now those signs are so easy to read, I can understand 'em all in just a second or two.

I've learned a lot from readin' posters on the walls and such, too. Like the recruitment ads for the City Watch say guards are s'posed to make a whole four coins a day, and Officers make six coins. I ain't never seen more than three coins in a day, and lately they've been givin' me just two. I told this to the others so maybe we could get together and ask for our real pay, but they just told me to quit bein' so smart.

“You read it on a poster?” Jackson was the first one to speak when I told the boys about our pay.

“Yeah, we're s'posed to be gettin' four whole coins a day,” I 'member foldin' my arms and leanin' against my bunk, thinkin' I was somethin'. Like I was gonna start some kinda movement, leadin' all the guards in the Watch through the streets holdin' up signs. But that attitude didn't last for long.

“I think he's just makin' that up,” another one of the guards said from across the room. “You can't even read anyways.”

“I learned,” I said. “Well, I'm learnin', but the poster really does say that. There's one right next door. Just come with me, and--”

“You tryin' to get us fired, Murray? Quit bein' so smart.” Jackson turned toward the door. “Now, I'm gonna go steal me some food, and then I know a certain lady who's waitin' for these two coins in my pouch. You all comin'?”

The others followed Jackson, leavin' me alone. Just a year ago, I never would'a passed up a night with  a girl, but sometimes a man just wants somethin' more.

I'd thought that by learnin' to read that maybe I'd feel better about myself or the world or somethin' like that, but I don't know. Now instead of others makin' fun of me for bein' dumb, my own fellow guards make fun of me for bein' too smart.

But now that I can read faster, I'm startin' to get why there's people that actually like to read. Some books are really interestin'.

My shift ends, and I head back to the bunks while the others go for a drink.

I wish that boy from earlier today hadn't told me what would happen to Ollie the Cat. So, he freezes to death? I take the book out of my bag, flippin' through it and lookin' at the pictures. On one page, I can see Ollie racin' out the front door into the snow. I turn the page and see a picture of a sad little cat, all curled up in a ball, with icicles hangin' from its fur.

Poor Ollie.

But the book's not over. There's more. I turn the page and gasp. Papa carries Ollie into the house. He's alive!

I turn the page again. Now he's in front of the fireplace, and on the next page, he's smilin' and warm, and on the next—wait.

I slam the book shut.

No, I gotta read it. I can't just look at the pictures.

Cold and wet, Ollie had no energ-energy to run from Papa and, in-stead, curl-ed... curled up in his arms, shiv-shivering v-vio-vio-lent-ly. He cried when Papa tried to put him down, hanging on tight to his clothes with his sharp claws. Fin-finally, Papa man-aged... managed to set Ollie on the floor, where Sister and Brother waited for him with two flu-ffy to-wels. They dried him off as well as they could, and handed him to Mama, who w-wrap-ped... wrapped him in a soft blan... blanket.

“Let's put you some-place nice and warm,” she said, cudd-ling him in her arms. Papa picked up a box and took a woo... wood-en stick from it. Ollie watched the stick, which nor-normally, would have looked very fun to play with, but he was far too cold to play. With a quick g-g-gues... gest... gesture, Papa stuck it against the box, making o-rang... o-range light come from it.

“How strange,” Ollie said, tilt-ing his head to the side. Thog...though Papa had now cau-caught his at-ten-ti-on, he was still much too cold to do anything but watch laz-lazily from Mama's arms.

Papa put the stick into a hole be-hind a grat-grating. Ollie had never not-not-noticed that hole before. It looked like a great place to hide. But Ollie was too cold to think of hid-ing there now.

Wips-wisps of smoke and then orange waves grew from the bo-ttom of the hole, con-sum-ing the large chunks of wood in its in-ter-i-or. Ollie watched the flames. They were like nothing he had ever seen before. Mama took him closer and set him down, and Papa replac-ed... replaced the grat-ing, ob-scur-ing the dan-king... dancing fig-ur-es... figures. Ollie was dis-a-ppoin-ted. He wanted to watch them dance, but he was too cold to arg-argue. He lay in front of the fireplace, feeling the warm-th flow from it. Oh, how good that warmth would feel ag-ainst his skin. How good it would be to bury himself in warm orange waves.

Ollie stood, get-ting closer to the fireplace, but Mama st-stopped him.

“No, no, Ollie. That is fire. It is hot. You cannot get too close, or you will get burn-ed... burned.”

But Ollie did not un-der-stand. What was hot? Like a hot sum-mer's day? He could almost puh-purr, think-ing of the past summer when he lay out under the sun, while Mama stood near-by fan-fanning herself with her hand.

“W-hew, it's so hot today,” Ollie re-mem-ber-ed... remembered her saying. “It feels like I'm burn-ing up out here.”

So, hot was not bad at all! Mama mig-might not like it, but Ollie lov-loved when it was hot.

Hearin' voices outside, I look up from the text and close the book. The boys are back, drunk and loud as usual. I have a bad feelin' about this story, but I'll have to finish it later.

But I'm so worried about Ollie that I can't even sleep.

That mornin', the boys and I reach the marketplace and then go our separate ways, heading to our posts. Up ahead is Lee, who does the shift before me. He's singin' a song. I can't make it out at first, but as I get closer I hear the familiar tune of the A's and Z's song.

“A, B, C, D, E, N, G/ haych, I, J, K, elementally,” he sings.

I can't help but laugh.

“It's not 'elementally'. It's 'L, M, N, O, P,'” I almost say, but I don't wanna come off as a smart-ass.

It's funny how easy it is for me to sing that song now. When I first tried to learn it, I couldn't understand it. It was just a bunch'a sounds. How could anyone memorize it?

I 'member first hearin' it bein' sung by a bunch'a little kids goin' to school. They walked behind their teacher in a straight line, and she sang right along with them. It was the weirdest song I'd ever heard. It didn't have no words in it – at least not until, “Now I know my A's and Z's/Tell me what you think of me.”

Now, I was at least smart enough to know that A's and Z's meant letters. So that's what all that gibberish was. The kids was learnin' their letters!

Every mornin', I tried to listen to the whole song, but I never caught the whole thing, and I still didn't know what any of it meant. Finally, one day I just went up and asked.

I 'member the teacher saw me comin' and slowed down before she put her arm out to shield the children.

“Hello, Ma'am,” I said, rememberin' to be polite, of course.

“Good day,” the teacher said. She eyed me real cautious, like she was scared I was gonna attack her or somethin'. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“No, I mean, yeah. I was, uh--” I took a deep breath. “I just wanna know what that song is you're singin'.”

“What song are we singing?” The teacher's eyes got wide, and she looked at me like there was somethin' funny. “It's the A's and Z's song. We're reciting the alphabet.”

“So, that's letters, right?” I asked.

“That's, uh, that's correct, yes.” The teacher nodded. “Um, is there anything else?” she asked, after I didn't say nothin' for a moment.

“Could I learn it, too?”

The teacher opened her mouth and closed it again.

“I – sure. I mean, I could.” She stopped to think for a moment. “We could use an escort on our way to the school. I much prefer walking my students there to letting them go by themselves, but I would feel much safer with an actual guard to protect us.”

I knew I wasn't supposed to just leave my post, but I only had to walk them to school and then I'd be right back. Plus, there was other guards nearby.

“Sure,” I agreed. “And you'll teach me the song?”

“You can learn right along with us,” she said. She took a piece of paper from a bag hanging on her shoulder.

“Oh, I can't read,” I said, lookin' at all the funny symbols on the paper.

“Well, each one of those is a letter. So, here's A, B, C...” she pointed to each as she said it. “Let's get going. Children? A's and Z's, but let's sing it very slowly so... Sorry, I didn't get your name.”

“Murray,” I told her.

“And I'm Helena Delaney,” she said, smilin' kinda quick and then turnin' to the kids. “Okay, let's sing slowly so that Murray can read along with us.”

The moment I heard her say those words, I couldn't help but think how strange it sounded. “...so that Murray can read along with us.” Me. Readin'. How crazy was that? But I guess it was also kind of excitin'.

The school kids' voices interrupt my thoughts, and I wave Lee off and take his place.

“Murray! Hi, Murray! Good morning, Murray!” the kids all say as the line approaches with their teacher, Miss Delaney, at the front.

“Good morning, Murray,” she says, smiling.

“Mornin' Miss Delaney. Mornin' kids,” I say, givin' them all a big wave.

“Shall we carry on?” says Miss Delaney, and they head off, the A's and Z's song startin' automatically as I line up behind them.

“So, Murray, how is the reading going?” Miss Delaney asks.

We've arrived at the school, and all the kids are gettin' ready for the day and sittin' at their desks. I notice the familiar A's and Z's chart at the front of the classroom. I can recognize all the letters real easy now, and to think I used to not know what any of it meant.

“It's goin' pretty fine,” I answer. “I'm readin' a book about this cat. His name's Ollie.”

“Oh, Ollie the Cat. A bit too advanced for my children, but I'm still very familiar with those books. Which one are you reading?”

I lift up my helmet to rub the back of my head.

“It's the one where it's snowin' and Ollie goes outside.”

“Oh, that one.” Miss Delaney frowns and shakes her head. “Those books are always so tragic for an animal lover like me, but that one was especially sad.”

“Don't tell me!” I nearly yell, holding my hands up. “I haven't finished it yet.”

“Okay, okay!” Miss Delaney chuckles, putting her hands out. “Calm down, I won't spoil it for you.”

“Thanks,” I say, relaxing my arms. “Well, I gotta go back to my post. I'll see you tomorrow.” I turn to the kids. “Bye, kids!”

“Bye, Murray!” They all say, and I turn to leave while Miss Delaney starts class.

Time to get back to Ollie.

The flames wigg-led wiggle-wiggled and pop-popped, dancing in a way that made them almost ir-re-sis-ti-ble... irre-sistible to a cat like Ollie. He watched the emb-ers float into the air and disappear as he w-hipp-ed... w-hipped his tail back and for-th, his eyes con-cen-tra-ting in-ten-se-ly on the tan-ta-li-zing fire.  

But how would he get past the grating? He would have to move it, but sure-ly Mama or Papa would stop him before he could get past.

He sc-scanned the room, noticing-noting that the children had gone to bed and Mama and Papa sat do-doz-dozing off on the nearby sofa. So, he stood, war-i-ly stepping forward, his eyes locked on the nearly-sleeping couple. Creep-ing toward the bar-bar-ri-er s-se-pa-ra-ting him and the fire, he put his claws through the grating and yank-yanked it right down. It fell to the floor with a loud cla-clank that nearly made him dart in the other di-rec-tion, but he clamed-calmed himself and jumped on the grating, ready to make the final po-pounce.

“Ollie! No!”

The sound had wo-ken Mama and Papa, and they stoo-d, making their way to him. Ollie pa-nic-ked... panicked. He didn't have much time. The warmth from the fire toa-toast-toasted his skin like a hot summer's day, but he wanted those fla-mes flames for himself. He pounced, ready to trap the w-rig-gling w-riggling fire under his paws, as Mama sc-rea-m-ed... sc-reamed from behind him.

But soon he was the one sc-rea-ming.

“Hot! Hot! Hot!” he scree-ched... screeched. The fire was too hot. He bat-ted at the flames co-ver-ing his body, trying to keep them away, but it was no use as the fire cha-char-red... charred his bea-u-tiful fur, turn-ing it to the color of ash. Ollie screamed and screamed and screamed until his black-en-ed... blackened body went still, his life having fl-fled his us-use-useless co-corpse.

The End.

I can't believe it.

“Hey, Murray, you comin'?”

What in the Void just happened?

It's the end of my shift, and my buddies are all ready to go, but I clutch the book in my hand, my heart banged up and all but broken.

“No, you all go on. I'm gonna take a walk,” I say and push past 'em without sayin' another word.

You know, I figured things wouldn't turn out good for Ollie, but still the endin's left me kinda down. I got just as much into that book as someone would get into a story bein' told 'round the fire--

The fire.

Emotion hits me and leaves me with a bad feelin' in my stomach. Why'd that cat have to be so damn stupid?

I curse Ollie and T. J. Brownstone and the damn librarian that gave me the book and the goddamn library that kept the book on its shelves like it wasn't nothin' but another kid's story, just like the rest.

“Murray, what are you doing here?”

I walk into the classroom, and seein' the look on Miss Delaney's face, I let the tears fall.

“Is something wrong?” Miss Delaney asks. Her eyes get real wide, and she looks from side to side, but I'm too busy blubberin' to notice.

“Ollie died,” I sob, sniffling between words. “He... just jumped into the fireplace... and burned up.”

I look up at Miss Delaney, who, for just a moment, smirks before putting on a sympathetic face.

“It ain't funny,” I cry. “Why are you laughin'? Don't laugh!”

“Oh, Murray,” Miss Delaney approaches, putting her hand on my arm. “You didn't know?”

“Didn't know what?” I swallow, trying to keep my sobs at bay.

“Murray... Ollie dies in every book.”

The tears stop, and I stare at her through blurry eyes.

“W-What?”

“The cat dies in every book.” Miss Delaney replies. “That's the theme of the series. It's supposed to teach you not to be so curious that you get yourself into trouble.”

“I... wait a—What?”

Miss Delaney smiles a bit and then giggles, taking a handkerchief from her pocket.

“You poor thing!” she says, dryin' my eyes. I take the cloth from her, rubbin' it all over my face, wet with wasted tears.

“It's the same cat in every book? But how does he come back to life?” I hold up my finger. “Wait, wait, I know this. Cats got nine lives, right? So, as long as he doesn't die a whole nine times, he's okay.”

“Not quite,” Miss Delaney chuckles. “I think the trick here is that Ollie isn't a real cat. He's just a book character.”

“Well, that ain't realistic.” I sigh. “I could write a better story than that.”

“Maybe,” says Miss Delaney. She raises an eyebrow. “Are you looking to be a writer now?”

I laugh, feelin' my eyes dry up. Look at me, cryin' over a book.

“Oh no, nothin' like that. I just wanna read a better story. Somethin' happier.”

“Well, the library's still open. Maybe I can help you find some books you'd like to read.”

I nod, thinkin' of the possibilities—plus maybe Miss Delaney has a better taste in books than the librarian.

“Yeah, that'd be nice. Just no sad endin's,” I say. “And no cats.”