#one could argue she's making herself sympathetic on purpose but like

[selfawxre]

posting separately as to not hijack flowers' post but realising that some of you guys may also not be as into ddlc and not know all the nuances and random tidbits about it and specifically monika. like, for example, the fact that monika's piano playing is a metaphor for her hacking the game/changing the code, the fact that every time one of the girls is acting particularly out of character she isn't present in the room, only to rush back in like "oh what happened? i had nothing to do with this!!", the times where she gets absolutely steamrolled in act 2 by yuri and natsuki and is so clearly taken aback despite the fact she's the one fucking with their codes to make them aggressive enough to do that, etc.

also just, all the lines in act 1 where she's so blatantly talking about her sentience but that you wouldn't pick up on unless you already knew she was sentient. like she is not even trying to hide it from the beginning, you just know when she talks about her "epiphany" she's giggling to herself like "oh they're never gonna believe what i mean by that"

[tea-cat-arts]

For today’s late night vague posting about a critique I’ve been seeing and happen to disagree with (also, usual disclaimer that I’m more defending the concept than I am the execution): the Flame Chasers becoming a found family is actually thematically consistent with Honkai’s story

Just for a quick run down of what this trope is so we’re all working from the same definition: A found Family is a group who are united by similar experiences and interpersonal understanding. Characters being in the same found family doesn’t inherently mean that they like each other. If you’ve ever seen shows like Glee or Firefly, you’ll have seen groups that argue all the fucking time but are still considered found family.

The flame chasers are kinda in a similar category of found family in that they don’t all love each other. With the exception of Elysia, it’s more like they have 3-4 people in the group they love and the rest they watch out for for varying reasons (friend of a friend, enemy of my enemy, simply because they’re a human being… they each got their own reasons). As far as fitting the basic definition goes- they have the shared experience of having to deal with the whole “either the Honkai will kill us all or the government will” situation, and by the end of the previous era, they can at least understand the others thought process, even when they don’t necessarily see eye to eye.

Thematically, them being a found family makes it so that even though the PE’s cold logical attitude lost them their war against the Honkai, the small faction that acted out of love and chose to sacrifice themselves instead of others were the ones who were able to give the next generation a fighting chance. I think this angle gets a bit lost in story due to the game’s over focus on the flame chasers themselves and an underdevelopment of the moths as an organization. Because we see so little of the moths themselves on screen (outside of Sakura’s introduction and Rin’s death), it’s easy to think that the flame chasers are the norm rather than the exception if you don’t read the manga/flame chasers files (which is like… Mihoyo- stop making your players do homework to understand your plot).

Anyways, my purposed solution given the limited screen time they’re allowed is just to make Dr. MEI explicitly a villain. Like, I do think she could be rewritten as a more tragic fallen hero type character (heck, I think it’d be alright to make her a sympathetic villain) and y’all are totally valid if you choose to take that angle, but she has the very convenient position of being a government leader and in a position of power. Not sure if it’s ever said how high ranking she actually was, but she was selected to have that power, it’s not something she sought out herself. I think it could be even more interesting if she was elected by the common populous in some way. Have her purpose a bunch of detailed, easy sounding solutions and have them win each battle, but cost so much that they’re slowly loosing the war. Idk, I have been working on a more extensive rewrite pitch, so I’ll probably go more into it later

Anyways, sometimes the images I post just straight up don’t show up in the tags, and that can get kinda frustrating when I spend 20+ hours working on a drawing, so I’d really appreciate it if any of you checked out my pined art list (there’s a Honkai sub-category if that’s all you’re interested in, but I do have other things there too)

[shitboy96]

I think that the people who dislike Abby solely because she killed Joel are a minority. There is no denying that Joel was a flawed character. Never was Joel portrayed as an innocent character; at his worst, he was downright cruel and was selfish to deny Ellie of what she believed her purpose was in life. Since the announcement of Part II, it was clear that he was living on borrowed time and would reap the consequences of his actions. Ellie is also not an innocent character, illustrated by her actions in Part II. She does things unforgivable and indefensible.

I think that the majority of the hate Abby receives is a product of poor writing, rushed storytelling, and her overall portrayal. Abby starts off at a deficit. She’s a character we don’t know and is introduced as Joel’s sadistic killer. It also doesn’t help that she’s surrounded by an unsympathetic supporting cast who, aside from Mel and to an extent Owen, seem to take pride in what they did to Joel. I don’t think that the story ever affords her a sincere opportunity to crawl out of the hole that Neil Druckmann started her in. Over the course of her story, she takes the inverse route of Ellie in which she is supposed to become a more sympathetic character while Ellie descends to new depths of depravity. On the surface, I think that this is a really compelling idea for a story that at its core is about all facets of love. That said, every moment in which Abby is shown “growing” as a person feels insincere while the attempts the story makes to tear down Ellie portray her as a comically evil villain.

Even the gameplay, which I agree is a lot of fun and really strong, goes out of its way to push a narrative that leaves no room for nuance or deeper discussion. Every enemy Abby encounters is a religious zealot with a hatred of trans kids and dogs. They don’t even speak to each other, instead communicating with whistles. Killing them, it’s hard to feel any sympathy when they’re barely portrayed as human outside of Lev and Yara. Every enemy that Ellie kills cries out for their fallen companions and displays emotion. The game also forces the player as Abby into bonding with Alice, Abby’s canine companion through not one but two fetch mini games. As Ellie however, the player is made to kill Alice in an unavoidable QTE. The inclusion of Alice and the other NPCs dogs feels like the game bashing you over the head saying “Don’t you see? Abby LOVES dogs so she’s GOOD but Ellie KILLS dogs so she’s BAD.” This comes off as not only an extremely simplified take on morality but also vapid and insincere.

Key moments in the story that were supposed to illicit sympathy for Abby failed to do so as well. At the best of times, many felt weak and at the worst, had me rolling my eyes. The scene in which Jerry saves the zebra is the most egregious example that begs the viewer to feel something for them without doing any heavy lifting. It feels like a carbon copy of Joel and Ellie’s scene with the Giraffe from Part I but has far less impact. Again, it’s a cheap depiction of Abby as a friend to animals and is therefore a good person.

After Abby, Lev, and Yara work together to narrowly escape the Seraphites, we start to get a glimmer of Abby’s better side. She’s able to put aside her prejudice and saves two kids who were previously her sworn enemies. That glimmer of goodness is immediately detracted from in the next scene when we get an extended cutscene of her getting railed by her intoxicated, expecting father, (ex?)-lover. We see her knowingly cuck somebody that she calls a friend and at no point in the story does she show any remorse for that. You could argue that this is a small facet in the grand scheme of things and I don’t expect Abby to be a perfect person but at the same time, that doesn’t really garner much sympathy for her.

Abby’s relationship with Lev is one of her strongest points and does the most for her character. She herself is a victim of factionalism and through her relationship with Lev, is able to overcome her biases and ultimately in the final showdown with Ellie, he’s the one that encourages her not to continue the cycle of violence. Even so, it felt rushed to me. While the kids did save her life, she’s able to put aside her long history of learned hatred for the Seraphites and risk her life numerous times over to help them in a matter of days. When next we see duo in Santa Monica, it’s jarring to see Abby joking and jovial when we didn’t get to experience any of that growth with her.

Ellie’s spiral is portrayed in a way that is much more believable than Abby’s growth. Even in some of her worst moments, I still felt more sympathy for her. After her brutal torture of Nora, she returns to Dina clearly shaken. She doesn’t gloat or take pride in any of her actions. Upon discovering that Mel was pregnant, Ellie is overcome with guilt and nearly becomes sick. Contrast this with the final showdown in the theater when Ellie reveals that Dina is pregnant, Abby callously remarks “Good.” While Abby obviously has no way of knowing that Ellie felt remorse for killing Mel and Owen, we as the audience know, so it makes it really difficult to see Abby’s response as anything but cold and uncaring.

In the Santa Monica section, the game makes one final attempt to make Abby come across sympathetically by literally enslaving her and Lev then hanging them up on the beach to die in an agonizing display. This was so over the top and carried a lot of weird connotations. Ellie’s continuation of her quest for revenge in this sequence felt very out of character for both her and Tommy who initially tried to persuade her not to go to Seattle and go down this path in the first place.

For a story about how revenge an unending cycle without any winners, the game ultimately seems to portray Abby as victorious as she sails away with Lev into what is hopefully a brighter future having taken away Ellie’s last connection to Joel: her fingers to play guitar.

I don’t hate Abby because she killed Joel. I hate Abby because I was never given a sincere opportunity to know and see her redeeming qualities. The game so obviously demonizes Ellie while placing Abby on a pedestal. Every attempt made felt insincere and beat the viewers over the head with an agenda, giving them no room to form an opinion for themselves.

What a well written essay? Did you have that prepared lol

I do agree with your takes on Abby’s clumsy and over the top writing. It did work on me and got me to like her but I get that was a bit forced in places.

I don’t know how this could really have been rectified unless the game spent more time being more delicate with Abby’s writing? I feel like writers have this balance between creating a character that’s nuanced and believable in subtle ways but at the same time it has to be big and obvious for the players less able or willing to interpret the smaller things. Maybe they went too far that way with Abby’s character.

[lord-of-innistrad]

Shadows of the Multiverse

Chapter Fourteen

Seth looked to the many heads of military, at peace for once, ready to make their sortie. Except they weren't really at peace and were arguing. Again.

"We must see into the plane! What if we get there and a legion of thousands is waiting for us?" A drake opined.

"Fool that you are!" Said a kor. "We only need to fight! Defend our homeland!"

Redaba and the rest of the Berbe faction were sitting silently while the militaries of their home almost went to war deciding how best to do war.

Seth yelled, "Silence!" The squabbling however still continued.

An axe was brought down into the wooden round table they were all sitting at, which finally shut them up. Seth breathed slowly through his nose before continuing. "We have horses, yes?"

"Yes," said a different kor than previously. "Are you suggesting a cavalry charge?"

"Not yet. I feel we should take our fastest horses and scout the area we shall enter in, and then return to tell the others."

This was agreeable to the military heads, and so horses were brought, and Seth himself mounted one. Redaba looked concerned. "What happens if you get there and everything goes wrong?"

"Well I'll improvise. I always do."

"Like hell you will. I'm coming with to make sure it all goes according to plan." A mechanical horse was brought for Redaba and they slithered into it, their snakelike tail poking out of the back.

Together, the two planeswalkers, a pair of kor, a gremlin, and a few vampires rode out onto the branches of Realmbreaker.

***

It was a hellish journey to the Dross Pits for Tessa. The rebellious Phyrexians told her of Urabrask's defeat at the hands of Elesh Norn. Many accused her of purposefully destroying their fellow.

Tessa let them think that. It was far easier than the alternative. The bubbling of the Pits slowly became louder and louder, until they reached it finally.

One of the more sympathetic rebels looked calmly at Tessa. "I know you long to alter your form. Your current one does not suit your purpose. Come with me to one of the labs."

Tessa didn't feel she had a choice in the matter and so went with them. It wasn't long before she was in a room filled with black shining parts, extra bits from various phyrexians.

"Take your pick. I shall be outside while you alter yourself." The other Phyrexian left. Tessa looked around, and began the arduous process of peeling chrome and porcelain off herself to patchwork in new parts.

She opened the door, after what felt like minutes but had been hours. Tessa had never looked stranger. Where once two porcelain horns had curled, the black ones she had taken in a fit of regret now sat, a physical reminder of her failure to save them.

A third arm extended out from their side, making it possible to use two hands on something, whereas before her only other arm ended in a blade. A tail made up of some of the discarded porcelain and new bits of flesh extended behind her.

Her wings were even more bat-like than previously, now instead of being fleshy red, they were black and somewhat ripped as Tessa could only find ripped wings.

If the other Phyrexian had a mouth with which to smile, they would have. "That is more like what you need. Turn?"

Tessa did that thing. The glowing chrome plate over her mouth had been torn away, replaced with a few bits of dark metal just at the sides, so she could smile, and did so, toothily.

"I feel like I could- are those hoofbeats?" Tessa interrupted herself.

"What?"

The Phyrexian was suddenly stabbed with a lance, and a group of people surrounded Tessa, threatening her with weapons.

None of them Phyrexian.

[papillon-mechant]

broken rules pt. 2| f.w. x reader

pt 1

word count: 2476

summary: Y/n and Fred have been fwb for a long time, and y/n broke the number one rule

warnings: smut, cursing, unprotected sex (dont to that), jealous freddie

a/n: you guys wanted a happy ending :) although i may have gotten a little carried away lol

It’s been three weeks since y/n let her feelings for Fred slip, and it’s safe to say that both of them were miserable without the other. The night he made her leave, Fred wanted nothing more than to chase after the heartbroken girl, but he couldn’t. Fred didn’t think he deserved her love. He had used her, played with her feelings, he even purposely brought Angelina around more often because he saw the effect it had on her. But he never thought it was because she had feelings, he thought she just didn’t like Angelina. He never meant to hurt her, but when she confessed her love, he froze. Because he felt the same. But he’s never been in a serious relationship, and the idea scared the red head more than he’d like to admit.

As for y/n, she was broken. In the weeks after Fred kicked her out, she had only gone to her classes a few times and almost never went to meals. She spent most of her time locked in her room, clutching a shirt she had stolen when Fred was sleeping. She wasn’t hurt because he didn’t feel the same, she was hurt because of the way he acted. He acted as if she was a monster for loving him, for breaking their rules. Y/n avoided Fred every chance she got. She changed her routes to her classes so she wouldn’t run into him, she switched partners in DADA so she wouldn’t have to endure the pain of working with him every class, she even stopped speaking to George, who was a good friend of hers, because she didn’t want to risk the chance of Fred showing up.

“Hello Earth to y/n.” Pansy snaps her fingers, getting y/n’s attention. She hadn’t even realized how zoned out she was until she looked at the faces of the friends she was sitting with. They were all staring at her, some with concerned expressions, some laughing at the dazed expression that was on her face. Pansy follows her line of sight, ending at the tall red haired boy seated at the gryffindor table, and the girl sitting next to him. Fred was speaking enthusiastically with friends, arm resting loosely on Angelina’s shoulder.

“Y/n you have to get over it babe, he isn’t even worth it.” Pansy gives her a sympathetic smile, feeling bad for the heartbroken girl. Being y/n’s roommate, she witnessed firsthand how the situation affected her. She saw each day how the girl cried herself to sleep, how she put on fake smiles everyday. It angered her, because y/n was such a sweet girl and she didn’t deserve to be treated this way.

“Yeah,” y/n sighs, no longer able to stand the sight in front of her, “I’m gonna go back to the dorm, I’ll catch up with you guys later.” She stands up and gathers her things, leaving the great hall without another word. On her way to her dorm, y/n felt her throat burn as she tried her best to hold back her tears. She made it a personal goal to never let others see her upset. Sadness was a sign of weakness, and she is not weak.

Later that night, y/n is seated on her bed in nothing but Fred’s shirt, arguing with Pansy over whether or not she will attend the party Draco Malfoy was throwing tonight. It was the last thing she wanted to do. But Pansy wouldn’t let up, and eventually the two ended up in the Slytherin common room, surrounded by their intoxicated peers. Y/n stands in a corner, nursing the drink that Pansy had handed her and watching the party unfold. She unconsciously scans the room for the familiar mop of orange hair, eyes finally settling on the boy across the room. He was seated on the couch, speaking with George. Hanging off his arm was once again the girl that y/n had grown to hate. Almost as if she could sense y/n’s eyes on her, Angelina lifts her head, making eye contact. A sinister smirk grows on her face as she tugs on Fred’s sleeve, gaining his attention and whispering something in his ear before dragging him to the dance floor. Y/n watches intently as Angelina brings Fred’s hands to her waist and sways her hips to the beat of the music, practically grinding against his hips. Y/n feels jealousy pool in the pit of her stomach as she watches Fred grip tightly at Angelina’s hips the same way he used to hold hers. Without another thought, she downs the drink in her hand and makes her way over to the identical redhead across the room.

“Hi Georgie.” She greets the boy, catching him by surprise and plopping herself onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug and glancing at the boy on the dance floor. He’s not dancing anymore. Instead, he stands still behind a still moving Angelina, narrowed eyes trained on the girl on his brother’s lap.

“Well hello to you too y/n.” George chuckles, wrapping his arm around the girl’s waist to steady her on his lap. He wasn’t stupid, he knew why she was here. He had seen the way his brother looked at the girl when her head was turned, and frankly he thought Fred was an idiot for ruining what they had. He knew he loved her, but he also knew it would take a lot to get him to admit it.

“I think you’ve got the wrong twin sweetness.” He whispers in her ear, causing her to involuntarily shiver at the pet name. The drinks were laced with magic, making one feel like the equivalent to three, so it was safe to say y/n was quite intoxicated. In her mind, it was a bit difficult to differentiate between the two boys. She knew she was seated on George's lap, but he looked so much like Fred, it caused a conflict in her fuzzy mind. Running her fingers through his hair, y/n pulls George’s head closer to hers, brushing their noses together.

“Has anyone ever told you how pretty you are Georgie?” She whispers, her lips lightly grazing his as she speaks. She knew this was wrong, but she couldn’t seem to stop her body from moving. She closes the gap between them, kissing the redhead with more passion than she meant to. George couldn’t help but kiss back, his brain lying in the same fuzz as hers. He moves his hands up her waist, squeezing roughly and coaxing a small whimper out of her. Suddenly, y/n feels her body being pulled away from the boy under her, catching her by surprise. She turns to face the culprit, face flushing in embarrassment when she realizes who it is. Fred stands in front of her, watching her with a furious look in his eyes.

“Fred I-” Y/n is cut off by a small shriek as Fred throws her over his shoulder, not speaking a single word as he exits the Slytherin Common room and makes his way back to his dorm.

“Fred put me down!” Y/n screams, landing blows on the tall boy’s back. She’s taken by surprise once again as Fred lands a harsh smack on her backside, causing her to jolt forward. She takes this as a warning, huffing loudly and stopping her movements all together. When they reach his dorm, Fred drops y/n on his bed, staring at her silently from across the room.

“Fred what the fuck, why am I here? Why did you take me away from the party? I was enjoying myself.”

“Yeah, it must have been a lot of fun shoving your tongue down my brother’s throat like a slut.” He spits, shooting her an angry glare. Y/n is taken aback by his harsh words, only ever hearing them during sex. She moves off the bed, standing directly in front of him with her arms crossed.

“Fuck you Fred!” She yells, shoving him into the wall, “You have no right to tell me who I can and cannot kiss.” Y/n was furious. How dare he kick her out, treat her like she was nothing for months, and then have the nerve to get angry when she shows any signs of moving on. It wasn’t fair.

“I stood there for months and didn’t say a single word when I saw you with Angelina. I kept my mouth shut. And need I remind you, you kicked me out Fred. You ending things with me. So you have no reason to be upset. You can’t keep taking it out on me every time you can’t handle the way you feel.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He scoffs, leaning casually against the wall.

“I refuse to believe that you don’t feel anything when we’re together.” Y/n snaps. At this, he rolls his eyes and looks away, scoffing lightly. Coward.

“Believe whatever you want.” He chuckles emotionlessly. He's standing so far away, as if he couldn’t bear the thought of being close enough for her to touch him. His expression is unreadable, his lips are stuck in a tight line and his eyes are staring straight through her.

“I told you what this was from the beginning. Just fun, a stress relief, a good fuck. No. Feelings. Involved-”

“Then why did you come back!” She yells, slamming her fist into the wall next to her. He flinches at her sudden outburst and she can’t help but laugh at the thought of her scaring him.

“Why Freddie...why do you keep coming back?” His eyes widened at the use of his nickname, she hadn’t called him that in months.

“Every time you left me, you came back with some bullshit excuse just so you could hide the real reason why. The only reason you ever come back.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?” He asks, rolling his eyes. Y/n stares up at him with a mix of sadness and anger in her eyes and, taking a deep breath, she moves closer to him. With each step she takes, he backs away, and they continue the chase until his back hits the wall. She stands on her toes, bringing her face as close to his as she could get without touching him.

“Because you love me too Freddie.” She whispers, closing the gap and connecting their lips. Without a second of hesitation, Fred returns the kiss, hands taking their rightful place around her waist. He holds her tight, pulling her impossibly close as if she would disappear from his hands at any moment. After what feels like hours, they both come up for air, panting against each other’s lips. Wrapping his hands around the backs of her thighs, he squeezes lightly, signaling for her to jump. Fred places y/n on his bed once again, this time taking his time to lightly set her down, kissing his way down her neck in the process.

“Please Freddie.” She whines, bucking her hips trying to create some sort of friction to cool the fire between her legs.

“What do you want? Use your words love.” He rasps, already in the process of removing her clothes. He was rushing, wanting nothing more than to have her naked under him again. She was just as desperate, manicured nails clawing at the back of his shirt, silently begging him to take it off.

“Please, just fuck me already,” she whispers, lifting her hips to help him take off her last piece of restricting clothing, “I can’t wait anymore.” Fred wastes no time complying with her wishes, feeling just as desperate, if not more, than she was. He flips them over, laying back against the headboard and lines himself up at her dripping entrance. A sigh of pleasure and relief leaves both of their lips when she sits on his cock, her wet heat taking all of him perfectly. Fred’s hands instantly move to toy with her hard nipples, pinching and pulling on the swollen nubs, eliciting a string of pornographic moans from the girl on top of him. Fred watches her move expertly on his cock, entranced with the way her face contorts with pleasure. He was positive she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“So fucking pretty on top of me.” He moans, shifting his position so that he was lying down fully, giving him a better angle to move his hips with hers. Y/n whines at the feeling of him inside her once again. She never gets tired of the way he seemed to reach places no one else ever did.

“Freddie, gonna cum.” She moans, trying her best to keep a steady rhythm with her hips. Fred notices her struggle and takes initiative, flipping her onto her back with his cock still inside her. He fucks her slowly, snapping his hips rough against hers. The room was filled with nothing but the sounds of skin against skin and the occasional moan from one of them. Fred removes the hand she had gripping her leg, intertwining his fingers with hers. Y/n gasps at the loving gesture, not used to this side of him. Using his free hand, he rubs light circles on her clit, sending her over the edge. Fred holds her flush against his chest as her back arches off the bed in pleasure, her cunt spasming around his cock.

“Fuck, so beautiful when you cum around my cock.” He groans, chasing his own release. Y/n pulls him in for another kiss, one slower and more passionate than any of the kisses they’ve shared before. Breaking the kiss, she stares Fred right in his eyes and finds him staring back at her with the most loving look in his eyes.

“Cum for me Freddie, show me how much you love me.” She whispers, lightly biting his ear. Fred gorans at her words that send him over the edge, stilling his hips against hers and Y/n moans at the feeling of Fred emptying himself inside of her. Fred takes a minute to come down from his high before lying on the bed and pulling y/n on top of his chest, keeping his soft cock warm inside her. They sit there in silence for what seems like forever, focusing on the sound of each other’s breathing. Fred uses his hand to trace shapes on the small of her back, causing y/n to let out a small sigh of content.

“I do love you, you know.” He whispers, hissing her lightly on the cheek. She smiles, burying her face into his neck and breathing in the scent of him.

“I know Freddie.”

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

It's Just a Movie: Part 16 (Poly!Lost Boys x Fem!Reader) fic

<- Previous Chapter Next Chapter ->

Warnings: cursing, descriptions of blood/violence, child injury (a la Interview With a Vampire), angst

Word Count: 2563

Star was growing more miserable by the minute. She'd been a runaway, and she was happy to stay at the cave. Until she noticed that she was beginning to change. You had no choice but to watch her go through it, but you found that the boys didn't haze her nearly as harshly as they'd hazed Michael. You didn't know if it was because you were there to witness it, or because Michael had been a special case.

Either way, they still took her out one night, and you were tasked with staying at the cave, at home, until they returned. They were all a bit giddy, either with the idea of a bigger feast than normal or the nervous energy running through all of them. Paul was practically bouncing off the walls before he left, and he stole a sloppy kiss right in front of the brunette. Star had already become semi-accustomed to the relationship you had with all of them, including the platinum haired blonde, and you did your best to not be jealous as David kept up with the plot of the movie. He only barely flirted with her, enough to give her an idea, and the three others made sure you didn't notice David's absence. Well, Paul could probably do it completely by himself. 

Still, you caught her looking at the way Paul cupped your face in his large hands, bending over from his standing position so he could meet where you were curled on the couch. He practically trapped you back against it, and you knew that if you were to tangle your hands into his blonde locks he might decide to ditch the feast altogether. You almost wanted him to. You tugged on his bottom lip with your teeth, earning a surprised noise from him. A smile bloomed over his face as he pulled away, excitement swirling in his eyes. To your surprise, he said,

"Catch ya later, doll-face." Before he was whooping and hollering, bounding up the steps. Marko stopped to kiss you before he followed. It was just a quick peck so he wouldn't fall too far behind the other blonde, but far more sweet than the others had been. He gave your cheek a pinch, and he walked backwards as he gave you a mischievous smile. The way his lips curled distorted his angelic face, making it appear devilish in the fire-light. His fingers gave you an all too familiar wave.

"Goodnight, y/n." He teased, and you sent him a small glare. You called,

"Be good!" As he bounded up the rock wall to follow the tallest of the blondes. He cackled in response, and you knew that he had no intention of listening to you. You sighed, but Dwayne was quick to steal your attention. 

He, being the tallest, didn't even try to bend down to meet you. He simply sat besides you, one of his hands going to your lap to take one of yours. You supposed that all your boys could read you like a book, but Dwayne had a weird way of always knowing what you were thinking. You gave his hand a squeeze and let a small sigh escape your lips, letting your head fall on his shoulder. The hand not intertwined with yours curled around your jaw, massaging it lightly as if to massage away the inkling of doubt circling inside your mind.

"We'll be back soon." He said, but you avoided his eyes. You played with his fingers, a thought floating around your mind. When you looked at him, you knew he could see it clearly. You could stay. You thought, but Dwayne only gave you a sympathetic smile. He pressed a small kiss to your lips, and then one to your hairline. The actions spoke clearly, You know I can't. And you stopped yourself from letting out another sigh as he went to stand. He kissed the back of your hand before he let go, and you watched his tall form climb up the rocky entrance in a couple of well-placed lands of his feet.

The last was David. Most of the past week had been spent entertaining the other girl of your group, but it felt like an eternity. His ocean blue eyes claimed yours when you looked at him. You stood to meet him, and one of his gloved hands cupped your chin. You stared at him, silent words passing between the two of you. 

They already knew what to expect. They'd take Star to see what she was, she would refuse to eat, and then she'd probably end up taking some time for herself. Since this was the only place she could dodge the sleepiness the sun would settle on her, they knew she'd be back by morning. 

You looked away for a moment, catching eyes with the girl that stood by the fountain. She looked confused, interested, as if she was trying to catch whatever was passing between the two of you. Between all five of you. Your eyes flicked away and, on instinct, you reached up to touch David's cheek with the back of your hand. It was a simple graze, but it made him close his eyes for a moment. It spoke exactly what you needed to hear. David missed you just as much as you missed him, and, hopefully, in a few weeks they wouldn't have to worry about Max, the Frogs, Star, or the Emerson's anymore. He moved his head to kiss the back of your fingers before you retracted your hand, and then he said,

"You'll be fine." It was as affectionate as he'd been the past few days, being purposely vague and colder for the sake of listening ears. That was all he could promise, you knew. No matter how this went, you'd be fine. He gave your chin a squeeze, and then he was retracting his hand. You went to touch where his hand had been as he turned away, beckoning to the brunette with a simple gesture of his hand, and the two of them climbed up to where the others were. Leaving you safe, but wondering.

They returned a few hours later, with nothing much to tell. It had gone as expected, yet the rejection still seemed to weigh heavily on them. The five of you took the time to relax around the cave, now that there were no prying eyes or anyone to suspect anything. You sat in David's lap, playing with his fingers as he stroked your neck. You listened to his breathing, leaning up to brush your lips against his neck. You could practically feel the way he smiled, his hand smoothing over your hair as he pulled you tighter. Though, when you heard a clatter from above, David helped you stand from his lap and you went to Markos arms instead. You didn't know what you expected when Star came back, but the sight of her bloody and carrying a body in her arms wasn't it. You gasped, covering your mouth with your hand, and both David and Dwayne lifted to their feet in less than a second.

"What did you do?" David snapped, almost without a thought. They moved quickly, crossing the distance between her and them without pause. Marko, without thinking, moved you so you were behind him. He blocked you with his body, keeping you out of reach and out of sight. David and Dwayne were by the brunette girls side in less than a second, with Paul standing close but away from the smell of blood. You watched as David peeled the body from her arms, as he was always able to control himself the best. And Dwayne's mouth opened in shock as looked down at the body. Her words seemed to fall deaf on Dwayne's ears as she gripped his jacket, but you heard them all too well.

"I didn't- Please, god, help him. He's just a boy. I didn't mean- Please, help him, David." She shrieked, turning her attention to the blonde. David stared at the broken body in his hands, quickly telling her to,

"Shut up." Before he looked at Dwayne for just a fraction of a moment. Dwayne pulled himself out of Stars grip, taking long strides as he rushed past where you and Marko stood. You stared at Star, seeing the blood decorating her face, neck, and chest. As if she had tried to wipe it away with not much success. Then, you let your eyes flick to the body in David's arms. You couldn't see his face, but you could see his light brown hair. Long and splayed against the black of David's coat. You gripped Markos arm almost painfully, but neither of you could pull your eyes from the sight. Dwayne returned with a bejeweled bottle, and you caught Dwayne's arm without thinking. Quickly, you said, 

"Dwayne, he's-" But Marko pulled your arm away from the brunette, letting him resume his quickened pace and cutting you off. Dwayne walked away without so much as a glance, and had never been cold to you before. But Marko was stealing your focus before you had time to dwell on it. He turned away from the sight, acting as a block from the view instead of a block from just the threat Star posed. He took your face into his hands, quickly whispering,

"If we don't, he's going to die." Marko whispered, but Star obviously still heard him from the audible slap that came from her hand covering her mouth. She sobbed, and you saw out of the corner of your eye how Paul moved then. He pulled Star to his chest, pulling her away from David and Dwayne as they did what they inevitably had to do. You tried to argue with the blonde in front of you. Sure, none of you knew how Laddie would be turned, but it wasn't supposed to be like this. Marko smoothed his hands over your cheeks and said, "His heart is slowing. She took too much blood. He won't make it to the hospital." As tears gathered in your eyes. You stomped your foot in a feeble attempt at protest, but Marko was wrapping his arms around you and hugging you.

You didn't see them give Laddie the wine, but you could hear the way Star protested. The way she cursed the boys for making her what she was. How she struggled against Paul's iron grip hold. Blamed them for her attack of the boy in David's arms. Marko jolted you as he whipped his head around, snapping,

"You're the one that attacked him, Star. So, watch your fucking mouth." He snarled, and Star practically shrunk into the other blonde. Before he could say anything else, you placed a hand on his chest and whispered his name. He frowned at the girl, but turned his attention away from her to look where you were staring.

Marko had pulled away only a bit, but it gave you enough of a view to see the tallest of the blondes. He was staring ahead, at what you assumed was the sight of Dwayne and David doing their best to rescue the little boy the only way they knew how. His face was blank, and he held the brunette tightly. Rubbed Stars back almost absently. Like his thoughts were far off elsewhere.

Everyone was silent after Star stopped, opting to sob into Paul's shoulder. There was a long moment, and Marko turned so the both of you could see the little boy. He was still mostly hidden from the way David held him, only really able to see the top of his head and David's back. Both of the boys were on their knees, with Dwayne in full view. The bottle was in his hands, and he was gripping it almost tight enough to shatter. Finally, there was a little cough from the otherwise silent boy, and a blanket of relief seemed to settle over the room. David traded the boy for the bottle, and Dwayne had his eyes set on the couch. Both you and Marko moved to let him through, and the pair of you watched as he set him as gingerly as he could on the cushions. Dwayne brushed his hair from his face and Paul appeared from the side, a blanket in his arms. Dwayne took it without a word, the blonde being eerily just as silent. He set it gently on top of the boy, tucking him in as lightly as he could. Paul backed away, moving to stand on your other side. He placed a hand on your shoulder, and you reached up to give it a small squeeze. The three of you watched, and none of you noticed the way David approached Star.

With the bottle no longer in his hands, he approached her as calmly as he could. She was still sniffling, but she swiped his hand away when he went to reach for her. Still, he grabbed her wrist.

"What happened?" He demanded, and Stars looked away as new tears threatened to spill over. Davids threw her wrist away, grabbing her shoulders. Forcing her to look at him. "Star. Tell me." He said, and Star couldn't help the stream of tears.

"No one saw you." He said, covering up his reasoning for asking. David sighed. "This is your fault Star, so he's your responsibility. Got it?" He said, his words like ice. You looked over, finally being able to draw your eyes from the slowly recovering boy. From how Dwayne was gently cleaning him. Long enough to see how she nodded, before wiping her eyes and retreating to her room.

"I- I ran away and went- went farther down the beach. He was all alone. His parents- I saw them walk away and I didn't- I didn't think. I just acted." She said, and a wave of relief relaxed his hold. He let her go, lightly pushing her away. She hadn't killed his parents. Hadn't attacked anyone else. While it wasn't for lack of trying, she hadn't killed anyone. She was still a half. Their plan could still work.

Your eyes returned to the boy again when he whined, and Dwayne was quick to shush him. He stroked his face for a moment, and Paul left your side to sit on the arm of the chair, perching himself above him. He smiled down at the little kid, saying,

"Hey, bud. You're gonna be okay, okay? Just chill out and let Dwayne take care of you. Cool, man?" He said, as the child tried to blink away the pull of unconsciousness. Whether that was from the effect of the wine or of the blood loss, you couldn't tell. You rarely got to see the boys use their abilities, but you watched as David walked over and pressed a hand on Laddies forehead. He murmured the word, 

"Sleep." And then he pulled away. You saw how Laddies head rolled light to the side, and Dwayne only left momentarily to come back. He was ripping a shirt to shreds, and Paul started to whine,

"Dude, that's my-" Only to be silenced by a single glare from Dwayne. Quickly, he grumbled, "Nevermind." And moved as Dwayne leaned over the boy to bandage him up and stop him from losing anymore blood. 

[roberttchase]

Fluffy - comfort for brettsey 🥰

This...got away from me a bit. I didn't mean for it to get long, but I'm a big comfort fan. This is set late season 8, when the pining was intense. Enjoy 2k of sick, soft Matt and overly worried Sylvie.

“Has anyone seen Casey?”

Herrmann shakes his head from where he’s talking to Mouch about an idea for Molly’s. When Sylvie gets a head shake from both Ritter and Gallo, she sighs, not sure what else to do. She’s looked everywhere- his office, Severide’s office, the locker room, his rig, the common room. He’s nowhere to be found. Grabbing water from the fridge, the paramedic huffs and heads back to the bunk room, when she collides with Stella in the doorway.

“Woah! What’s up?”

Looking up, the blonde meets her best friend's eyes. “Have you seen Matt anywhere?”

Stella cocks an eyebrow and tilts her head a bit, a smug look overtaking her features.

“What?”

“Nothin’ just...I may have seen Matt somewhere,” her tone is teasing, and Sylvie wrinkles her nose at how foreign it sounds for the firefighter to say the mans first name.

“If you have something you want to say…” Sylvie inclines her head towards the other woman, who smirks.

“Nope,” Stella pops the end of the word, then rolls her eyes. “Last I saw, Casey was heading towards the turnout room to see what jackets needed to be ordered.”

“Thank you.” Sylvie turns before she can get another word in about her and Matt, and heads out to the apparatus floor. Moving past the squad table, she half heads Tony and Capp talking about some movie, but her head is mostly focused on finding the Captain, wanting to tell him about the good phone call she’d had with Amelia and Scott the night prior. Taking a left into the turnout room, she pauses when she sees the person she’s been searching for.

Matt’s leaning against the wall, clipboard loosely in his hand, head tilted back, eyes shut. He looks tired, like he’s purposely chosen this room to be in so the chaos of the rest of the firehouse can’t touch him. She debates on turning and leaving, letting him have some time alone that he clearly needs, but then she’s brought back from her thoughts when Matt makes a noise.

“Hey, sorry. Got lost in thought. Fancy meeting you here.” Though he smiles, it doesn’t reach his eyes like usual, and Sylvie’s already letting her eyes sweep over him, checking to make sure he hasn’t hurt himself.

“It’s okay, I can go and let you have some alone time.” She says it lightly, as if to be joking, but she’s serious. She doesn’t want to keep him if he needs to decompress- they’ve all been there- even if she hasn’t heard of any bad calls for truck today.

“No, it’s fine, like I said, lost in thought,” he clears his throat and stands up straighter. Sylvie swears she can almost physically see him put on his Captain persona. She hates it, hates that he can’t just be himself, even if she does understand it. She’s the paramedic in charge, which means she’s responsible for her and Foster. Matt’s responsible for the whole house.

Taking a breath in, Sylvie’s about to start telling him how her phone call went,  but she’s cut off when Matt coughs. The firefighter ducks his head away and into his arm, letting the coughs come as quietly as it sounds he can manage, finally straightening back up and clearing his throat again.

“I’m sorry.” He’s blushing, Sylvie notices, which is kind of adorable.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You know you can talk to me Matt.” She reaches her hand out and puts it on his shoulder, their eyes meeting. She tries again. “What’s going on?”

Matt hesitates, swallowing, and then rubs at the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze, eyes snapping down. “I’m just….I don’t….” She gives him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder as he tries to explain. “I didn’t really sleep well last night. Guess it’s just catching up to me is all. Don’t feel all that great. But it’s fine.”

Oh. Without thinking, she moves closer, her hand moving from his shoulder upwards, palm gently connecting with his forehead. It’s warmer than it should be. Frowning, she notices his eyes have shut at the contact, and he looks younger. Matt’s eyes flutter back open when she moves her hand.

“Come on…” Sylvie jerks her head towards the door, walking through it, knowing Matt will follow. Sure enough, he does, even if he looks confused as he trails after her and into the ambo when she opens the back doors. “Sit.”

She almost laughs when he sits on the bench to the side immediately. Turning, the paramedic rummages through one drawer, and then another until she finds the small, white, plastic instrument. “Put this under your tongue.”

“Bossy...Sylvie, this is silly, I’m f-“

“If you say you’re fine, Matt Casey…” she trails off and lowers her stare at him. Slowly, he takes the thermometer she’s holding out of him, a little plastic cover on the tip, and guides it under his tongue. As they wait, Sylvie’s struck with how young and vulnerable he looks. She doesn’t think she’s ever seen him sick before, or if she has, it’s been when he’s hiding it.

After another fourteen quiet seconds, the shrill repetitive beep sounds, and Matt takes it out, glancing at it. His shoulders sag and he lets out a breath, and it’s all the confirmation she needs to know he’s got a fever. Taking it, she looks at the little screen that’s lit up red, the numbers ‘100.5’ flashing.

“Matt.” She knows he must feel bad. Keeping her voice low, she hesitantly reaches out and brushes some hair away from his forehead. The atmosphere around them is suddenly, intensely intimate. She finds that she doesn’t mind, that it doesn’t bother her. “I’ll tell Bo-“

“No! No, I’m...I can do my job just fine Sylvie. It’s barely anything, really. I’ll be alright.”

The look Matt’s giving her makes her nod, but then she levels him with her own. “Fine. But I’m checking your temp every hour. If it hits 101 I’m telling him. That’s putting yourself and your team at risk.” She knows he wants to argue, so she goes for the low blow. Her hand is resting on his arm now, but she has no intention of moving it. If she’s honest, she has no intention of ever breaking this spell cast around them, but, as if the universe wants to tease her, the alarm goes off for ambo and squad. Of course.

“Be safe out there,” Matt says with a genuine smile this time, getting out of the rig slower than usual, as if his body aches. She’s sure it does, even if he won’t admit to it. She moves to the front, and just barely catches the look Foster gives the Captain as she jumps in. Watching the rear view mirror, she sees Matt slip into the firehouse, unnoticed with all the commotion. Maybe he’ll get some rest.

Sylvie fully intends to bring Matt back a smoothie, but while they’re on the way to the coffee shop that has the best ones in Chicago, they’re called to another company's scene to help transport another victim. By the time they’re leaving Med it’s close to ten at night, both she and Foster are tired, and the idea to bring back a smoothie isn’t even in her mind anymore.

They get back to an empty firehouse. Sylvie wonders how long they’ve been out, and after checking with one of the temps in the bullpen, it sounds like they’ve been gone a while. She hopes it’s not a bad fire, though she’s sure if it was they’d have heard about it by now over the radio or from main. Starving, the paramedic goes to root around in the fridge, but when she opens the door, she sees two covered plates with a little sticky note on top.

Saved for Brett and Foster. DO NOT TOUCH.

It’s written in Matt’s neat but scribbled handwriting, and it makes her body feel warm. Even when he’s not feeling well he’s looking out for her. As she heats the plates up, Sylvie hears the apparatus bay doors slide up, and the missing rigs park back in place. Minutes later everyone is bustling in looking exhausted.

“Bad?” Emily asks as Stella drops herself into a chair next to them at the table. When the firefighter only grunts, they both wince sympathetically.

“Not bad, but we had two back to back calls. Even if they weren’t bad, it was just…a lot.”

Matt walks in and heads straight for the bunk room, not acknowledging anyone. Sylvie watches him go, playing with her watch anxiously. Stella shrugs when they make eye contact, as if to say she doesn’t know what’s going on either. Deciding to take action, she excuses herself and grabs her plate, ignoring the looks from her friends. The paramedic follows the same path the man had, but when she gets to his quarters, she sees the door is shut, and the blinds are drawn. Worry pools in her stomach.

Quietly, Sylvie knocks, knuckles hitting glass. When she’s been standing there for almost fifteen seconds, the blonde starts to turn to leave when the door opens, revealing a disheveled Matthew Casey. His skin is just slightly paler than normal, dark circles under his eyes becoming more visible. What stands out to her is the way he’s got his right hand’s fingers pressed gingerly against where she knows his lymph node would be on his neck.

“Hi...you can come in, sorry. I just don’t have the mental capacity to deal with Severide right now.” His voice is just shy of raspy, though that could be from having to call the shots at the scenes.

Stepping inside, Sylvie sits on the mans bunk, then pats the small open area next to her, hoping to coax him onto it, and eventually get him to lay down and rest. “How’re you feeling?”

Matt freezes, then shrugs. “Like I have some silly little bug that you’re getting too worried over,” he decides, looking at her pointedly. Setting her plate in her lap, she mirrors the same gesture she had done earlier, hand going to the firefighters forehead again.

“You feel warmer. Why don’t you get some rest. You can do paperwork later, you need to get some energy back up if there’s another call,” Sylvie tries to reason with him. It’s a testament to how he must be feeling that Matt just nods. She’s about to move when he puts a hand out on her knee.

“Will you stay? Just for a little while.”

Her first instinct is to pull him into a hug and hold him close. Instead, she nods and smiles. “Mind if I eat while I’m here?”

“Of course not…” Matt shifts so that he’s lying on the bed instead of sitting. The space makes Sylvie move too, sitting next to Matt, propped against the back wall. Eating with her right hand, she reaches out her left and plays with Matt’s hair hesitantly. She pauses when he looks at her.

“No, no...you can keep...it feels nice.” The pink on his cheeks increases tenfold, and Sylvie wishes she could take a photo. Instead of responding, she merely continues the motion, and soon Matt’s asleep head falling to her shoulder.

Looking down, she tries to memorize how he looks, so young and at ease, sleep allowing him to get away from the heaviness of being a Captain. The urge to kiss his hairline is strong, but instead she continues to play with his hair, mind wandering and imagining what it would be like to get to take care of him every day, call him hers. There are worse ways to spend shift.

[pepper-up-potion]

The early hours of the morning (Oliver Wood x Fem!reader)

Summary: Oliver helps reader sneak out so they can spend some time together.

A/n: This was very self indulgent. I wrote it last night when I was thinking about how much I wish I could sneak out and see my boyfriend. Since I can’t because of the lockdown I wrote a fic about it instead. This was initially going to be a blurb and I just went off so I hope you like it.

Warnings: mention of strict parents but other than it’s fluff. Prob writing mistakes. Let me know if you think of any that I missed.

Word count: 2620

(Y/n) paces her room, the letter from Oliver clasped tightly in her hand. She’s so nervous, her stomach is flipping upside down and then rightside up and upside down again. It’s the first week of July. (Y/n) has come back home for the summer to her muggle house in the suburbs. (Y/n)’s parents have always been strict. She was often the first to leave parties when she was little and rarely did her parents let her stay for sleepovers at friends’ houses. When old family friends her age have parties, they are very reluctant to let her go. It was then no surprise when her parents refused her request to go stay at her boyfriend’s over the summer.

(Y/N) can normally accept her fate but some might say Oliver has a bad influence on her. She would argue the opposite. Oliver brings out a side of her she’s never seen before. With him, she’s adventurous, wild, spontaneous, fun, goofy. She feels her age with Oliver. Oliver is teaching her that sometimes, most of the time, it’s okay to put yourself first.

Maybe it’s because she misses him. Maybe it’s because she’s tired of following the rules. Maybe it’s simply because she wants to, but something has taunted her to agree to disobey her parents. Oliver is on his way to see her and she’s pacing her room waiting for him. She feels excited, there’s something exhilarating about doing what she wants. She feels scared, her parents are in the room next door and they could catch her. She feels giddy, she hasn’t seen Oliver in a while and it almost feels like a first date.

The thought of seeing Oliver calms her a little. She‘s always felt safe with him. She knows that no matter what happens, he‘ll be there for her. It brings a small smile to her face. She settles on her bed and looks at Oliver‘s squished writing in his letter.

“I’ll meet you at 12:00am sharp.” She read before drifting her eyes to her alarm clock next to her bed. The clock ticks from 11:59 to 12:00. There’s a sudden knock that makes her jump. She looks to her door but it doesn’t open. She stands moving closer to the door. Her parents should be asleep by now so she assumes it’s Oliver. Her heart is quickly bumping her rib cage and she feels dizzy with nerves. There’s another knock but she realizes it isn’t coming from the door. The sound is too quiet and muffled to come from the door. She turns to her window and finds the source of the knock. It’s Oliver. Her Oliver.

She quickly walks up to the window, a wide smile on her face. She slides the window open and peaks her head out. Oliver is on a broom, hovering next to her house. He leans over and links his lips to hers. It’s a quick peck but it fills her stomach with butterflies.

“Miss me?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.

“More than you think.” She admits, unable to preserve her delight.

He smiles softly. “I missed you too.” He says, almost in a whisper. Lost in the moment (y/n) had not noticed Oliver was holding a second broom in his hand. Once he sees her looking at it, he puts his arm out for her to take the broom. His smile is mischievous. Maybe this is why people say he’s a bad influence. (Y/n) has a defiant look as she firmly grasps the broom and pulls herself onto her window ledge. She hops onto the broom and hovers alongside Oliver.

Oliver gives her another peck on the lips before flying off, (y/n) quickly following suit. They fly high into the sky, passing through the clouds. Oliver being Oliver makes flying a competition. He zooms through the sky and (y/n) won’t go down without a fight. She leans forward and her broom speeds up. She can hear the wind whooshing past her as she cuts through the air. The feeling of the wind is liberating. She feels invincible. Here in the sky, no one can tell her to come down. No one can tell her what to do.

She catches up to Oliver and smirks at the look of surprise on his face. They are tail to tail for the rest of the trip. One minute (y/n) has the advantage, next it’s Oliver. After many snarky comments and flirtatious tease, Oliver signals to slow down. Together they fly closer to the horizon, they’re out of the clouds and (y/n) can see a small town with little shops and houses scattered between tall trees. Oliver points to a house that she assumes he means to tell is his. They land on the outskirts of town and Oliver drops his broom and runs to pull (y/n) into a hug. He sweeps her up off the ground and twirls her as he exclaims in loud happy cheers. (Y/n) giggles and buries her head into Oliver’s neck. She smiles at the familiar feeling of his arms around her waist, his smell, his laugh. It fills her with delight. She’s convinced it’s the best night of her summer and the night has barely begun.

He links his hand with hers and guides her back to his broom. He bends down and picks it up before starting his trek towards town.

“That was a good fly. You kept me on my toes there.” He laughs happily, always up for a challenge. “I’d take you on my quidditch team any day.” He admits.

“Wow.” She exclaims. “That’s high praise coming from mister quidditch know-it-all.” It’s a playful tease, there’s nothing but adoration in the comment. Oliver bows his head sheepishly. (Y/n) giggles at his reaction, proud she could get him all flustered. He stops suddenly and turns to face (y/n). Her giggles are replaced with a look of confusion.

“What’s wrong? Why are we stopped?” She asks while scanning Oliver’s face for an indication.

“Merlin I’m so happy to see you.” He blurts, shaking his head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you’ve agreed to see me.”

“Don’t remind me. I’ll get so angsty that I’ll want to go back.” The thought of disobeying her parents fills her with guilt. “Let’s not talk about that. Tonight it’s just you and me.”

Oliver drops his broom and nods sympathetically before taking her broom and discarding it too. He gathers both (y/n)’s hands in his and places a soft kiss on each hand. He drops them and steps forward, cupping her cheek and kissing her lips. It’s a slow kiss. They relax into each other relishing in the feeling they’ve missed so dearly. It feels like coming home after a terrible bus ride. Everything else in the world is forgotten. It’s exactly what she wanted, just her and Oliver.

They kiss for a long time. When they finally pull apart, Oliver places his forehead on hers as he gently rubs her cheek with his thumb. She dips her head into his hand deepening the caress. His eyes are soft as he looks at her admiringly.

“You’re beautiful.” He whisperers. Butterflies flutter in (y/n)’s stomach again. She thinks Oliver should add it to his list of qualities. If he were applying for a job he could write: good at quidditch and giving my girlfriend butterflies and she would most willingly confirm the statement. She smiles and chuckles awkwardly before pulling Oliver into her arms. They hold each other in silence making up for missed time.

“I missed you so much.” It's a pained whisper. She can hear the emotion in his voice as he runs his finger through her hair. She squeezes him tighter into her arms. “I missed you too.” She whispers back. The moment feels so delicate and precious. It feels as though speaking in a normal register would shatter it.

They finally separate and start walking again. Once into town, Oliver points to all the different shops and neighbours’ houses as he provides detailed explanations of each place. It’s a small wizarding town she had never heard of until she met Oliver. He’s told her about it many times but it’s even better than he described. She secretly dreams of spending more time in the town. She hopes to one day walk through it during the day, getting to put a face to all the names Oliver is sharing.

Oliver stops in front of a house and turns to (y/n). “Well, this is me.” He says rocking onto his heels. It’s hard to see the details of the house, with the dim street lights but it has a cottage-like look to it. It’s a dark wooden, three-floor house with a steep roof and navy blue window panels. It looks a little crooked, much like the other buildings in the town. There’s a chimney puffing purple smoke that smells of lavender. It’s simple, small and homey.

“I love it.” She turns her gaze back to Oliver with bright eyes. His eyes widen and he smiles wide. “Wanna see the inside?” He asks, clasping her hand. She nods enthusiastically and he leads her to the front door.

“We have to be quiet, my parents are sleeping.” He explains before stepping in. The door creaks behind them and they both freeze, shoulders tight with worry. The house remains quiet and they take it as an indication to continue. Oliver guides her through the front entrance, into the living room and kitchen area. It’s (y/n)’s first time in a wizard house. She’s slightly disappointed with how “normal” it looks. The decor is rustic and simple. The house looks well lived in, everything has a purpose. It looks like a proper home. She finds it very comforting. Oliver places a hand on her lower back and stretches his other arm in front of him. She follows his arm and sees an open door that leads into darkness. She looks at him hesitantly and he gives her an encouraging nod and a gentle push on her back.

“It’s the basement. We’ll get more privacy there than in my room.” He explains in a whisper. She nods and walks down the stairs after lighting her wand. Once in the room, she looks around as Oliver turns on the candles. It fills the room with a soft glow as she takes note of the futon couch in the middle of the room, the bookshelf in the corner, the coffee table pressed up against the wall, the broom wax kit on the table. Everything about the room screams Oliver so it evidently becomes her new favourite room. She makes herself at home and throws herself onto the couch with a happy sigh.

She pats at the spot next to her on the futon and looks at Oliver expectantly. He chuckles as he settles next to her. “You’re an absolute delight.” He states, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

They start off the night by playing wizards chess. Oliver’s competitive side comes out as he tries to get under (y/n)’s skin. He pouts a little when he loses but she makes up for it in cuddles. They’ve moved the futon so it’s a bed rather than a couch allowing them more space to stretch out. (Y/n) is lying on top of Oliver. She’s running her hands through his hair as he rubs circles on her back. Oliver gives her all the news of the wizarding world. He talks especially about quidditch which she gladly listens to. She loves when his eyes light up and he talks fast and passionately and he occasionally emphasizes his point with hand gestures.

The rest of the night they make out on the futon, occasionally mumbling sweet nothings as they catch their breath. His hands travel all over her body as he pulls her closer to him. They get lost in the feeling of each other’s touch. It’s grounding, warm and she easily forgets everything else.

There are no windows in the room and she has no way to judge the time. She guesses they’ve been up for most of the night and it is now far into the early hours of the morning. At that moment, it’s not important, nothing matters other than him. Oliver’s strong build under her and his big arms wrapped around her make her feel safe and peaceful. She’s hit with a sudden wave of tiredness and soon she’s drifted off to sleep. Oliver continues to rub circles between her shoulder blades as she sleeps until he too, dozes off.

When she finally wakes she feels groggy and confused. They didn’t get much sleep, maybe two hours. Oliver is mumbling something but she can hardly make sense of it. A sudden wave of adrenaline hits her and she shoots up with a terrified look. Oliver props his head up to better look at her. He goes to ask her what’s wrong but she beats him to it.

“Oliver, what time is it?” She's shaking as he fiddles around her looking for his watch that he discarded somewhere. “Oli!” She whines impatiently. He finally grabs a hold of his watch and winces. “What? Oli what time?” There’s panic in her voice.

“7:00.” He states hesitantly. Before he can calm her down she’s up, gathering her shoes and jacket. He’s right behind her, stomping on a shoe after the other. They run out grabbing the brooms in the front entrance. She’s not three steps onto the street before she’s straddling her broom and pushing off the ground. Oliver mimics her, quickly catching up to her in the sky.

“Race ya.” He shouts over the howling wind.

“Oliver.” She scolds. “I am late!”

Oliver shrugs. “Can't change the time but you can make the best of it.” He states simply. (Y/n)’s eyes narrow as she darts forward. “See you there.” She shouts behind her, turning her head just in time to see Oliver’s shocked face.

Once in her neighbourhood, they carefully scan the streets to make sure they can hover down safely. It’s a Sunday morning, most people are still sleeping. They quietly fly to her bedroom window. She crawls back through it and hands Oliver the broom. “Thanks, Oli. That was the most fun I’ve had all summer.” She wonders why she hadn’t accepted to do this sooner. Oliver’s face twists into a mischievous smirk. “I‘ll see you tomorrow? Same time?” He raises a brow as if to say I dare you to say yes. She smiles widely as she pushes her upper body back out the window for one last kiss.

“Don’t be late.” She chirps. She shimmies back into her room blowing a kiss to Oliver as he flies away. She removes her shoes and jacket before curling back into her bed. There's a knock and she looks to the window. There’s no one there. She frowns slightly as her bedroom door opens.

“Everything okay?” Asks her mom. “I thought I heard something.”

(Y/n) mumbles some gibberish pretending to have been woken up by her. Her mother concludes it was just (y/n)’s owl and retreats back to her room. (Y/n) plops her head back onto her pillow as she lets the effects of the night settle. The excitement of sneaking out of her house and into his. The wind in her face as she zoomed through the sky. The feeling of her lips on his. It was all so exhilarating and she couldn’t wait to repeat it again tomorrow.

[letsbeoutoftouch]

Back in December 2016, during a sleepover, my friends and I decided to watch EXO's Chanyeol's most recent movie, "So I Married an Anti-Fan". It effortlessly became one of my favourite movies, so much so that I rewatch it —at least— once a year.

Therefore, when it was first announced that South Korea was going to produce a drama based on the same story, I was thrilled. The feeling only increased when I found out that the male lead was Choi Tae-Joon, whom I loved because of Suspicious Partner. Later (to be more precise, this year), I discovered that the other lead was the one and only Sooyoung from SNSD!

The drama was filmed back in 2018, and it was supposed to air a loooot sooner, but it had a few problems and it finally came out this year. Since I don't like waiting for episodes to come out each week, I waited until it finished airing to watch it... And, today, I finished it!

So, here's my review, fresh out the oven!

· · ·

So I Married an Anti-Fan is a 2021 South Korean drama, featuring Choi Tae-Joon, Choi Sooyoung, Hwang Chansung and Han Ji-Ahn. It's based on the novel "그래서 나는 안티팬과 결혼했다" (So I Married an Anti-Fan), written by Kim Eun Jun and published in 2010.

· · ·

♡ PLOT:

The story revolves around Hoo Joon (Tae-Joon), a well-known idol, and Geun Young (Sooyoung), a magazine reporter. They meet during an event, where a series of misunderstandings leads them to have a bad impression of each other.

For this reason, when Geun Young loses her job, she's under the impression that it was Hoo Joon's doing and is therefore keen on "reveal" Joon's real character. However, her retaliation backfires, and she attracts a lot of attention as his "anti-fan".

Later, a TV producer approaches them both to star in a reality show. Geun Young and Hoo Joon accept and think to give each other a hard time on set. But, as time goes by, they get to know each other better and better.

· · ·

♡ EPISODES:

It's made up of 16 episodes, running for an hour each (i.e., your typical k-drama).

· · ·

♡ CHARACTERS:

-Geun Young (FL): She's the best character, hands down (I swear I'm not being biased because I love Sooyoung).

For some reason, I've seen a lot of bad comments about this character. I don't truly understand why some people said that she didn't stand up for herself or that she was so-so, when she dealt really well with everything that had happened to her. I'd like to see all those people in her shoes—I bet they'd have cracked up quickly.

Also, she's like the least toxic character I've ever come across in a drama. She waits patiently for Joon to deal with his problems and doesn't jump to conclusions regarding his relationship with In Hyeong and Jae Joon. She lets him do his thing, is an independent woman, and tries to be as little of a burden as she can to the people she cares about. So, props to her!

▫ ▫ ▫

-Hoo Joon (ML): Although I overall liked his character, I admit that if I hadn't previously watched the movie, I'd probably be wary of him at the beginning. But, don't worry: as the story progresses, you get to know him better. He's patient and thinks of other people's feelings and well-being a lot (sometimes, a little too much for his own good, but he's a good boy).

I felt the need to include that there was this one scene where he acts... In a way that I didn't find appealing. Fortunately, he isn't like that all throughout the drama. Also, he isn't toxic like a lot of the male leads in drama-land. If you're wondering which scene I'm referring to, here's a spoiler: *SPOILER ALERT* When he and Geun Young start dating, they are requested to film an advertisement together. In the filming, he acts all "jealous" because the dress she was wearing was too short for his liking. I'm sorry, but she's the only one who has a say on how short a dress she's wearing is—not you, not even if you're her partner *END OF SPOILER ALERT*.

▫ ▫ ▫

-JJ/Jae Joon (SML): Jae Joon is the second male lead, and he was portrayed by 2PM's Chansung.

I'm sorry, but I never could come to terms with this character, not even during the last episodes. If the writers' intention was for me to hate him, they (and Chansung's acting) totally achieved that purpose.

He is incredibly selfish and keeps this attitude up to episode 13/14. Towards the ending, the story tries that the audience feels some sympathy towards him—it is shown why he acted the way he did. Nevertheless, in my opinion, while his past may explain his actions, it doesn't justify any of them. That's why I couldn't bring myself to feel sympathetic or empathetic towards him. *SPOILER ALERT* In fact, I think Hoo Joon was too nice to be there for him in the last two or three episodes. *END OF SPOILER ALERT*

He's also outright abusive. *SPOILER ALERT* I mean, he slapped In Hyeong and broke her laptop ¿?... Even though I didn't like her that much, nothing justifies that kind of violent behaviour. *END OF SPOILER ALERT*

▫ ▫ ▫

-In Hyeong (SFL): She's the second female lead, portrayed by actress Han Ji-Ahn.

Oh, man. I had a hard time trying to wrap my head around this character. I was just going to say that I couldn't stand her because she was always purposely putting a spanner in the works, making everyone's life difficult.

However, as I was drafting this review, I began reflecting on the character and felt sympathy for her. She was in a vulnerable place—leaving aside that she felt abandoned by her first love, she had trouble trying to make her career take off, and she was in a really abusive relationship. It could be argued that JJ and In Hyeon were both toxic to each other, but it was clear that he was the one with the upper hand (he was the CEO of her new agency, which brings a real disbalance of power).

Moreover, it was hinted several times that all she went through took a toll on her mental health (*SPOILER ALERT* she was always taking pills to calm down, and she freaking tried to kill herself!!!!!!! *END OF SPOILER ALERT*). I believe she needed professional help to put herself back together, so she could let go of her past and finally leave that abusive relationship.

· · ·

♡ COUPLES:

Since this drama mostly gravitates towards romantic relationships, I'm including this section.

▫ ▫ ▫

-Geun Young x Hoo Joon: They are your typical enemies to lovers.

In the beginning, their relationship was tainted by a lot of misunderstandings, which led them to hate each other's guts (but, where's the charm in a k-drama that isn't filled with misunderstandings, am I right?). Once they started to spend more time together, they began understanding each other better. In time, they were able to leave their pride aside and got rid of their prejudices (yes, the story gives Jane Austen-ish vibes, so much so that "Pride and Prejudice" is mentioned a few times).

Their chemistry was alright. I would have changed some parts of the script that made a lot of scenes to be super cringey—especially, before some of their kisses (like, what a way to ruin such an awaited moment!).

The thing I liked the most about them was that neither of them was toxic, and they knew how and when to give the other person space. They were sweet, but not unbearable sweet—just the exact amount.

▫ ▫ ▫

-In Hyeong x Jae Joon: I don't know if they can be considered a true couple, but I'm adding them here just to repeat that I HATED THEM TOGETHER.

· · ·

♡ SOME PERSONAL INTERPRETATIONS AND THOUGHTS:

For me, the story tries to show the two sides of the same coin: things that may seem completely different, but are essentially the same. You can see it with Hoo Joon/Geun Young, their friends, and even with Hoo Joon/Jae Joon. Of course, this could be argued—it is just my personal impression.

Also, while the drama condemns some of the toxic fan behaviour, it sometimes romanticises it. *SPOILER ALERT* one fan freaking kidnapped him, and everything was suddenly alright ¿¿ Nuh-uh *END OF SPOILER ALERT*

· · ·

♡ DRAMA VS. MOVIE:

As I mentioned above, there's a prior Chinese movie from 2016 that was based on this novel. It features EXO's Chanyeol, Yuan Shan Shan, SNSD's Seohyun, and Jian Chao.

For obvious reasons, the story is shrunk down in the movie. There are a lot of things that weren't included in the movie, other things were overly simplified, and some stuff was missing and/or changed.

If you want to have a good laugh, then I recommend you to watch the movie. It's filled with non-sensical comedy that, in my opinion, China excels at. However, if you are more inclined towards drama, then the South Korean version is the one for you (you'll laugh, too, don't worry).

· · ·

♡ SUMMARY:

This is, basically, a sweet enemies-to-lovers, famous-person-and-normal-person story. If you like any of those troupes, then you're in for a treat.

It's a really lighthearted story that will make you laugh. Don't expect a complicated plot because there won't be one. It's ideal to have a break from all those dramas where you can't miss a single detail because you'll get lost, or from those dramas which plots are so heavy they end up tiring your mind out.

I loved the cast, and their acting was great (especially Chansung's, because he made me hate his character with a passion, lmao).

ALSO, if you like Sung Hoon (My Secret Romance, Oh My Venus) like me, then WATCH THIS DRAMA, lol. He has a guest role in some episodes!

· · ·

So I Married an Anti-Fan is available on VIKI!

· · ·

If you read the whole review, thank you very much! I hope you liked it.

[alternateafterthought]

Arcane

Ø  Meaning: Secret, Mysterious, Understood only by few. MAGIC

Ø  Pairing: Panther Hybrid Min Yoongi x Reader

Ø  Summary: Some secrets are kept for the good of people. Some secrets are kept for abuse or power. Yoongi had been a victim of abuse and power, and he wasn’t going to let anyone else use secrets for that purpose. So, when Y/N comes into his life with secrets, he doesn’t want to fall into that rabbit hole again. He doesn’t want to give all his trust to someone who will abuse their power over him. But maybe Y/N’s secrets are a good thing.

Ø  Genre: Hybrid!au, fluff, angst, eventual smut

Ø  Warnings: None

Ø  Word Count: 1897

Ø  A/N: Hey guys… this is my first Min Yoongi fic!! After finally finishing my first ever BTS fic, GOLDEN TIME, I started working on this one!! If you haven’t noticed, I really love Hybrid stories and I seem to love writing them just as much!!! So, I really hope you guys love and support this fic like you did with GOLDEN TIME!! If you want to be added to a tag list, message me or leave a comment or ask!! Thank you so much!!

NEXT

Training a house dog was one thing. Walking around parks and seeing them full of dogs playing and learning to sit, come, stay, roll over was something rather cute.

What wasn’t cute was walking past those same parks to see full grown adult hybrids learning the same tricks as dogs. They may have animal genetics, they may have eats and a tail, and some attributes of their animal counterpart. Yet, it gives no proper reasoning as to why hybrids needed to be trained to sit, stay, come, roll over for a treat like they were lesser.

Hybrids might have been part animal, but they were also part human. A small detail lots of humans seemed to miss themselves.

Y/N walked through the park, having slipped away from her overbearing parents 30 minutes ago, loving being by herself. Even though it was loud, children running and playing, their parents running and shouting after them, hybrids playing with children, dogs running around. There was so much noise, so much around her, and yet it was the most at peace Y/N had been in months.

She was never allowed this type of freedom, not since she was a kid, and so she basked in the walk alone. The rays of the sun warming her up as she stood in the middle of the grassy area, head raised to the sun, eyes closed. The light cardigan over the dress she wore in the summer breeze moved as she looked around, happy to be alone, even for a while.

“HEY, I SAID SIT YOU STUPID ANIMAL!”

A rather loud, high pitched shout caused Y/N to open her eyes. Y/N blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the bright light of the sun, only to catch the ending of a tall woman hitting a hybrid.

From where Y/N stood she could make out small golden ears on top of the hybrids head, the same colour of the mop of golden hair on the hybrids head. A long golden tail wrapped around the hybrids own thigh as the hybrid curled in on themselves, their hands moving up to cover their face.

The hybrid was obviously scared, and it was even more obvious that no one was going to help the hybrid. Human and hybrids alike just looked as the woman punished her hybrid for not listening to her before looking away. Y/N noticed some hybrids, the closer ones and younger ones looked at the hybrid sympathetically, but the whole world knew that no one could help the poor hybrid. Like Y/N, all they could do was watch, before turning away herself.

Moving off the grass, Y/N followed the path to the edge of the park, joining the crowded streets of people. Y/N only had so much time to herself before her parents found her again, and that was an argument she could wait for. After all, this was the reason she had convinced her parents of this trip to the city, having planned the whole trip out.

Checking her watch as she moved across the street, Y/N only had 3 more hours before she had to meet her parents back at the hotel. She was already setting something up that would undoubtedly give her parents some type of heart attack, the least she could do was be on time.

Well as on time as a daughter can be in adopting a hybrid without her parents knowing she would.

Following the GPS on her phone, Y/N finally made it to the shelter, quickly opening the door. She was welcomed by a lively room, what was obviously once white walls were now covered in pictures of hundreds of hybrids. Some playing by themselves, some obviously posing for the camera and some with the biggest smile and humans, just having been adopted. The people in the room seemed to be just as lively, smiles and laughter coming from everywhere.

Y/N could tell who worked at the shelter, the purple shirts with the words “HOPE Sanctuary” on the back told her just that. It seemed there was a small family who had just happily adopted a dog hybrid, from the looks of it the young hybrid must have been the same age as the son he currently played with. There was also an elderly couple who had just adopted a cat hybrid, the younger feline standing next to the elder woman who gave the hybrid such a warm grandmotherly smile.

“Excuse me?” A voice spoke from behind Y/N. “Can I help you?”

A young woman stood next to Y/N; the purple shirt she wore matched the purple hair she sported. She was beautiful, the smile on her face was infectious, the soft dimples making her look that much younger. Y/N could tell she enjoyed working here, it was always good to see that there were humans like her that only wanted the best for hybrids.

“Hi yes. I called a few days ago about adopting a hybrid?” Y/N recalled the conversation she had with a very cheerful man.

“Ah yes, the older hybrid, right?” The woman’s eyes seemed to spark something. “If you would just take a seat, I will go get the owner.”

“Oh okay, thank you.” Y/N bowed her head  before moving to sit in one of the chairs.

Sitting on one of the free chairs, Y/N’s phone buzzed, reaching into her handbag to check the screen. She breathed a sigh of relief, thanking every god she could think of it wasn’t her parents. It was just a reminder, a needed reminder, but just a reminder to take her medication.

It was a simple enough task, one she did willingly, taking the small tablets then the water in the bottle she always carried around. She may not like it, she may not like the effects of them, and she may not like how her parents treated her like some child. But at 24 years old, she knew when to argue about something, and when to accept her fate and do as she’s told.

“Hello, Miss Y/L/N?” A familiar voice made Y/N look up as she screwed the lid tightly on her water bottle. “I’m Jung Hoseok, but please, J-Hope is what everyone calls me. I believe we talked on the phone.”

“Yes, Mr. Jung…” Y/N caught his eyebrow raise before laughing a little as she stood, taking the man’s hand in a handshake. “J-Hope.”

“Would you follow me to my office?” J-Hope gestured towards an office door, and with a nod they both moved towards it. “Can I just say, when we got your call that you were interested in one of our older hybrids, I just had to take your case personally.”

“Oh?”

“It’s nothing to be worried about, trust me.” J-Hope smiled widely, letting Y/N know he was excited. “It’s just when it comes to hybrids, people normally go for the younger children or even teens. I worry about the older hybrids, and unfortunately any hybrid over the age of 21 is considered old.”

“Really?” That was news to Y/N, her eyes wide as she took a seat opposite J-Hope.

With a sad nod from J-Hope, he moved some paperwork around, obviously finding the right stack; “So when you said you had interest in older hybrids, I just knew it was a case I had to take.” He finally found the right stack of paper with a small sound of approval. “We currently have 6 older hybrids here and I would love you to meet them all. Though with 2 of them unavailable you will only be meeting 4 of them.”

“What species of hybrids are they?” Y/N sat up straight in her chair, intrigued and happy. “The ones I’ll be meeting at least.”

“Two dog hybrids, a fox hybrid and a cat hybrid.” J-Hope looked up and smiled as he handed over 4 files to Y/N. “These are everything about them, you can read them first or you can meet them first, which ever you choose first.”

Looking down at the 4 files, she quickly flipped through them, a picture on the front of each yellow file. All 4 hybrids were males, first was a golden retriever hybrid, sandy blonde hair, the same colour as his floppy ear. He had a boxy smile, large eyes that shone brightly and he seemed to have been playing in mud as the picture was taken. Mud covered his clothes, parts of his face and hair had muddy stains, he seemed to be having a great time, even in the picture.

The second was a German Sheppard hybrid, large ears stood tall, tan and black, his head was tilted to the side. He looked to have been caught off guard, a book sat on his lap, his mouth opened slightly. He looked tall, even sitting on what looked to be his bed, his large hands looked like they wanted to move up to block the camera from taking his picture. There was a small note on the front of his file “Would be best suited for someone who lives close to the outdoors.”

Third was a very handsome hybrid. Anyone could tell that hybrid or not, he was truly very handsome, his black hair matched his shorter black ears. His eyes bore into the camera it seemed, welcoming anyone who looked at the picture. His smile was almost childlike compared to his eyes, his lips looked so soft and pink and honestly Y/N could stare at them all day. Y/N saw that he was the oldest of the 4 hybrids, and yet he could easily be mistaken for so much younger than his age.

The final file was of the only feline hybrid in the pile. A hand covered most of the view of the hybrid, but from what she could see was a pair of intense eyes. They looked almost black, his hand covered one of them, but still they drew her in, if not making her shiver. His hair was jet black, as were his small ears, in the light of the photo there was almost purple streaks. There was a small note left for him too; “If he is not adopted in the next 6 months, he must be signed up for the breeding program.”

“Um… could I meet them maybe?” Y/N lifted her gaze up from the feline hybrid. “I just… I think I would feel a lot better if I was able to meet them before making a decision.”

“Of course, you can. Would you like to meet them all together, or one at a time?”

“I think it would be better one at a time.” Y/N moved the files to sit on her knees.

“Perfect choice.” J-Hope stood. “Follow me and I’ll take you to a meeting room.”

Soon J-Hope had set Y/N up in a room, large windows that completely illuminated the room, two comfortable looking chairs and a table between them. J-Hope had left to go get the first hybrid as Y/N paced a little around the room. She was scared to meet them, but she was more scared of walking out of the shelter without a hybrid.

It was the one thing in her life that she truly needed right now, she needed independence. A hybrid would give her that. 

NEXT

Tag List

@ariana-winchester95​ | @haven-raven012591​ | @gracehiii​ | @larenelizabeth​ | @legazix​ | @jiminot7​ | @narcissism-iskey​

[mrmallard]

Boston Legal Curated Watchlist - Season One

Boston Legal is a courtroom dramedy that aired from 2004 to 2008. It stars James Spader as Alan Shore, a plucky champion of the underdog who tilts at windmills with incredible charm, and William Shatner as Denny Crane, a gun-toting, cigar-smoking fatcat with an ego the size of Texas.

The show is set within the offices of Crane, Poole and Schmidt as the cast tackle an assortment of cases, from the deathly serious to the absolutely ridiculous. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably retch a little before it's all said and done. It's Boston Legal.

---

This is the first installment of a curated watchlist I'm putting together. The purpose of this watchlist is to collect all of the best episodes of the show, and to cut out the ones that are either outright bad, extremely sleazy or which have otherwise not aged well.

It should go without saying, but this list is my opinion and I accept that people may feel differently. Leave a reply with any episodes I missed that you want to see represented, and I can amend the watchlist if I agree.

Right off the bat, though, I can say that season one is one of the most cohesive seasons. I found myself going like "oh yeah, THAT episode!" for a majority of the season, and two thirds of season one is on this list. It hits its stride at episode 8, starts firing on all cylinders at episode 11, and it has the hottest streak of episodes all the way down to episode 17.

For season one, this watchlist is a formality. If there was any season that you should just outright watch, season one is it. And the ones I miss actually set up a lot of Denny Crane's character arc - so I would go as far as to prompt you to use this guide as a starting point to test whether you'll actually like the show, and then decide whether you want to commit to a whole season or not.

---

Disclaimer: this show ran between 2004 and 2008, during George Bush's second term. The characters are sleazy and sexist at times, and the depiction and discussion of such issues as LGBT rights have a long way to go - though I would argue that season one has an episode that is significantly ahead of its time in that regard. And while the show can be a sleazefest, it does has a liberal slant.

I enjoy the show for its solid heart and great character interaction, but this show is very much a product of its time and I want to give a fair warning to potential viewers that it should be viewed within that context.

---

Episode 1: Head Cases

Description: Edwin Poole, a named partner at the law firm Crane, Poole and Schmidt, has a mental breakdown. This comes as a shock to Denny Crane (William Shatner), a fellow named partner, who has to contend with losing a friend at the office.

The question is raised as to how long Denny has to go before he suffers a similar fate - he's seen as bloated, egotistical and past his prime. Despite being a legendary figure in the profession, he tends to be a liability as much as an asset to the firm nowadays. Who'll hold out for longer - the firm, or Denny Crane?

Meanwhile, Alan Shore (James Spader) settles into his role at the firm. He finds a few familiar faces, as well as opposition from firm hotshot Brad Chase - a former marine, staunch conservative and vocal critic of Shore's demeanor and courtroom antics.

Why it made the list: It's the first episode of the show. It introduces Alan Shore and Denny Crane, it sets up the character dynamic for most of the series's runtime, it has a courtroom scene that defines the sort of jokey bluster the show will be known for, and it kickstarts Denny Crane's character arc. Episode one is essential viewing.

---

Episode 6: Truth be Told

Description: Alan represents the husband of his old crush Samantha, who's running for mayor. He flirts with the idea of getting back together with her as the case unfolds.

Convinced that he's slipping, Denny takes a test to determine whether he has Alzeimers.

Why it made the list: My recollection of this episode is a bit foggy. The main reason I picked it is because it's an early episode dealing with Denny's mental health - as far as I'm concerned, it's essential viewing.

But upon scratching the surface, this is also a good early episode depicting one of Alan Shore's old flames. This episode works best in tandem with episode 5, which leads into Denny's plot in this episode.

---

Episode 8: Loose Lips

Description: Alan Shore is tasked with defending a mall Santa who was fired when his perchant for cross-dressing is made public. Convinced he won't be able to win, Brad makes a bet with Alan that he'll lose the case.

Lori, another attorney at the firm, is drawn into her therapist's concerns about a client who may be at risk of killing his wife. Lori wrestles with morality and doctor/patient privilege as she debates whether to inform the client's wife about his violent fantasies of killing her.

Why it made the list: This episode is the reason this list is being written. It is the best episode of Boston Legal up to this point, and it's one of the best episodes of the entire series in my opinion.

First of all - the mall Santa character is played by Jim O'Heir, who would go on to play Jerry in Parks and Recreation. That's a novelty of the episode, but he also puts in an incredibly powerful performance as a person who deviates from heteronormativity in an era where it was still very taboo to be such a person - or even to depict one in a serious, sympathetic manner on primetime television.

Which leads into my second point: this episode is incredibly sympathetic to Jim's character. Not only is he a crossdresser, which is depicted as him being a sexual deviant by his employer (and thus grounds for dismissal) - but he's a mall Santa. There's an added layer of scaremongering in that he works with children. And yet he's depicted as nothing but competent, caring and sympathetic, as opposed to furthering the stereotype of the gay pedophile that has dogged the queer community for decades.

Alan Shore has nothing but respect and empathy for this man, and he does everything in his power to get his job back by proving his competence at the job and his natural affinity for the role against the charges of degeneracy and wrongness levelled at him by his employer.

Another reason why this episode is so good is that it pays off a joke from the first episode. Without spoiling anything, Alan's first case involves a courtroom antic devised by Denny Crane. This episode sees Alan utilize the same courtroom antic on Denny's advice - essentially christening himself as a disciple of Denny's larger than life style of practicing law. It begins a theme of legacy that goes on until the end of the show.

A fourth reason I love this episode? The plot with Lori is fantastic. Alan and Denny are the main guys in this show, and other characters tend to fall by the wayside. But other characters have moments of brilliance as well, and this episode is Lori's time to shine.

To sum up - the A-plot was ahead of its time in the kindness and respect it shows to a character who would be a queerphobic butt of a joke in another show, and the B-plot is a thrilling argument between professional ethics and moral duty. All in all, this is a dynamite episode with very few weak parts. It's an excellent episode of television, and arguably a Top 5 episode of Boston Legal.

Caveats: Despite all the praise I just heaped upon this episode, it didn't entirely escape the trappings of its time. And it manifests in a form that the show will continue to be tested by - Denny Crane.

Denny is a gun-toting Republican, and he's unabashedly homophobic. This is demonstrated by the fact that he drops the case due to his bigotry and openly admits how uncomfortable he is about it. It's that dismissal that drives Alan to pick up the case in his stead, and as I mentioned, the show goes on to knock this storyline out of the park.

Alan is depicted as a more lefty type of character, more on the precipice of the new PC atmosphere that was coming in at the time. He's not a leftist persé, more of a left-leaning moderate the longer the show goes on - especially exemplified in the way he treats women - but Denny is a Bush-loving, Cheney-idolizing Republican fatcat. That's the POV he represents, wholly and entirely.

A big part of the show is how he and Alan get along despite their differences, but it does involve Denny expressing bigoted points of view at times. But please understand that his viewpoints are depicted as regressive and oafish by other members of the cast, tying into this conflict between the great Denny Crane of old and the liability that he is today.

And it should be emphasised in the face of that point that the show still shows Jim O'Heir's character with more dignity and respect than the contemporary atmosphere of the time it was made in. Even with Denny's objection to it, this episode is greatly resonant to this day, and I genuinely do believe that it was ahead of its time.

---

Episode 9: A Greater Good

Description: The firm takes the case of a woman who's taken out of a clinical trial for a drug that could cure her terminal disease.

Tara, a love interest of Alan, is able to glean privileged information for a case by flirting with opposing counsel in a bar. However, Lori points out that they can't use that information without risking disbarment.

Why it made the list: It's a great early episode of the show, particularly for the B-plot with Lori and Tara. But the A-plot is a good mystery plot - why was the client taken off the drug? Was it out of prejudice or bias? She has a terminal illness - should she not be allowed to take the drug at great risk to herself? So you're wondering about the true nature of the study and the drug. The eventual outcome of this plot is pretty good.

---

Episode 10: Hired Guns

Description: Alan Shore takes the case of a woman whose estranged partner keeps kidnapping their children for the holidays despite their custody agreement. After winning the case, he's confronted by the man at work, who takes him hostage in the middle of Crane, Poole and Schmidt and threatens to shoot up the place after killing him.

Why it made the list: This episode has one of Denny Crane's best moments. A lot of his character up to this point is unchecked braggadocio, which is entertaining to watch despite his outdated viewpoints. But this episode is where the zany nature of both the setting and the character really takes hold as Denny takes matters into his own hands. Must-watch episode, hands down.

---

Episode 11: Schmidt Happens

Description: Crane, Poole and Schmidt has three named partners. The first one is Denny Crane, one of the stars of the show. The second one is Edwin Poole, whose mental breakdown kickstarts the first episode of the series. So who's Schmidt?

Answer: Candice Bergen.

This episode introduces Shirley Schmidt, Denny Crane's one that got away. She begins her run by firing a prominent cast member, cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Why it made the list: Shirley Schmidt is a central character of the show from this point on, so this episode is essential viewing. Candice Bergen is a great addition to the cast, and her introduction bumps the rest of this season up a notch.

---

Episode 12: From Whence We Came

Description: The firm defends a school superintendent who fired two science teachers who refused to teach creationism. Alan has concerns about his new secretary.

Why it made the list: This episode is important because under Shirley, the firm isn't just taking wacky feel-good cases any more. They're a law firm, and they need to make money. So they take cases like this, where they have to be the ones who are essentially defending the teaching of creationism in schools.

But the show doesn't necessarily depict Creationism as a positive. The narrative around the case is about the rise of the religious right, and the ethics of teaching something that goes against scientific evidence in a science class.

In all, it muddies the ethics of the characters that we've come to expect, but that doesn't mean that they're in favour of what they're meant to be defending in court.

This episode is also notable for introducing a recurring character named Catherine Piper - played by Betty White! That alone is worth tuning in for.

---

Episode 14: 'Til We Meat Again

Description: Alan Shore starts a bar fight while out on a date with Tara - he's pushed around by a big guy who he could never hope to beat, so he starts paying people $100 each to whale on him. The man subsequently sues Alan for aggravated assault.

The firm takes the case of a steakhouse operator whose steakhouse has been shuttered. Concerns over Mad Cow Disease has led to a growing concern over red meat as a whole, which led to the business's closure. As he and Shirley learn more about Mad Cow Disease, Denny becomes convinced he has it - rationalising his love for red meat as a potential cause of his mental health concerns.

Why it made the list: Mad Cow Disease becomes an important touchstone for the Denny Crane character. Whenever he does something eccentric? Mad Cow. Whenever he acts inappropriately or forgets something important? Mad Cow. So this episode is essential viewing for that.

But what's significant about Mad Cow Disease is that its symptoms mirror the effects of Alzheimer's when it manifests in people. A few episodes ago, Denny took an Alzheimer's test - a driving force behind his character is the concern over whether he's slipping, and what his ultimate legacy will be. This episode is essential viewing.

---

Episode 15: Tortured Souls

Description: Shirley asks Alan to try a case with her where they need to defend a police officer charged with torturing a detained suspect for information.

Catherine befriends recurring character Bernard, who's appeared in several previous episodes.

Caveats: I'll admit that it's been a hot second since I've seen this episode, and I remember feeling very on the fence about it. They're defending a police officer who tortured a detained suspect - what the fuck is that doing in a silly, irreverent show like Boston Legal?

It's an especially hard sell in today's climate, where intense, systematic police misconduct is widely discussed and the reputation of the police force has taken a beating. Even if the core message is that the police are fucked up, does anyone want to see a show where a police officer who tortured a detained suspect gets defended by the main cast? I don't blame you if this premise turns you off the show.

I'm recommending this episode because it's another episode showcasing this early trend of Shirley taking on morally murky cases for the sake of the firm. It's ruthless - she's taking any means necessary to get the job done, which is to secure clients for Crane, Poole and Schmidt, which the firm needs to keep its doors open. It's an important facet of her character.

It's also interesting to see what this does to other characters who try these cases with her, despite having a strong distaste for the position they're arguing for. Alan tends to be more of a puckish rogue at this point, taking on a lot of cases that appeal to his values and to a clear sense of justice. And as later episodes show, overextensions of the law are one of the causes he chooses to fight against.

So why would Shirley pick him - the quippy character everybody's rooting for - to defend a police officer who tortured a detained suspect for information?

That's the intrigue of the episode.

Why it made the list: I went over some reasons just now, but I also want to mention Catherine Piper's relationship with Bernard. Betty White's story arc at the tail end of season one is a highlight of the season, and it's worth watching.

---

Episode 16: Let Sales Ring

Description: Milton Bombay is a legend in his field. A man with public recognition, an immaculate legacy and immeasurable respect. A man who's considered an equal and a close friend of both the bragadocious and self-absorbed Denny Crane, and the ruthlessly successful Shirley Schmidt.

Milton Bombay wants to be cryogenically frozen so that he may be revived in the future, free to continue his legacy in an era that can accommodate his advancing age. And as cryogenic preservation isn't legal in Boston, he enlists the aid of Crane, Poole and Schmidt to make his dream a reality.

Alan and Chelina, an attorney who joined the firm a while back, are tasked with representing a conservative teen who thinks that his school's refusal to air Fox News is unconstitutional.

Why it made the list: The Milton Bombay plotline is fan-fucking-tastic. The A-plot concerns incredibly weighty topics that affect both Shirley and Denny, which I won't reveal out of fear of spoiling the episode's plot. Ageing plays a part in it, as does legacy. It's a very good plotline, and both William Shatner and Candice Bergen knock it out of the park.

Caveats: I remember this episode bugging me with the Fox News plot. I have nothing to say specifically because I can't recall it too well, but I would advise viewers to keep a wide berth in regards to the B-plot. The show is occasionally a bit iffy - as we'll eventually see in season two with a character I heavily dislike - and I think this is one of those occasions.

---

Episode 17: Death Be Not Proud

Description: Alan accompanies Chelina on a case in Texas involving the death penalty. Chelina's client insists on his innocence, but he's days away from execution and they don't have a lot of hope in saving his life. Alan is a certified wildcard at this point - if anyone can pull this off, it's him. But how will he fare in a Texan court?

Why it made the list: This is another serious, gritty episode of the show. The stakes are incredibly high - a man's life is at stake, and Alan Shore is the last line of defence. This episode has it all - drama, action, perhaps even romance???

It's also the season finale of the show, and season finales tend to be pretty okay. And much like other episodes in this guide, it sets precedent and it builds towards future episodes.

Caveats: This episode can be a tough watch. It's not just the death penalty; racial discrimination also comes up as a factor in the client's arrest and placement on death row. It's a heavy episode, and I advise caution to people who feel like the subject matter may be too much for them.

---

Overall, season one of Boston Legal is incredibly solid. There's so much charisma and mirth, and a lot of stuff I grew to dislike about the show hadn't manifested in a big way yet.

I didn't mention him at all, but a big shoutout to Rene Auberjonois as Paul. He serves as a straight man to Alan and Denny's lunacy. He's often in league with Shirley, and overall he's a very memorable part of the cast.

The thing about Boston Legal's cast is that people tend to drop in and out over the course of the show. By season two, almost half the cast is shifted around. Lake Bell has already left the show at this point, and the waning screentime of the supporting cast signals their imminent demise. But on the bright side, it makes room for a bunch of new characters - Julie Bowen has a prominent role in the show, years before she got huge on Modern Family. It's all a matter of preference.

[mittelfrank-divas]

Dance of the Black Heron chapter 3

In which Dorothea attempts to sort out how to teach Hubert to dance and words are exchanged. 

AO3 link here!

===

"No, no, no." Dorothea dropped the spoon that she'd been using to tap out a steady rhythm on the side of an overturned crate, letting it clatter onto the sun-bleached wood. "Are you dancing, or are you attempting to recite chapter five of our tactics textbook to Professor Byleth?"

Hubert dropped his stance to fold his arms together. Twenty-five minutes into their dance lesson, and he already felt sweaty and overly warm in his uniform. The afternoon sun beat down on them despite the mid-autumn season, making him regret his preference for black. His long hair was already starting to stick to his cheek on one side, and he was pretending not to notice this. "I do not understand the question."

Dorothea advanced on him across the small room. Well… "room" was a generous term for the location of their private lesson. Hubert had spent weeks sniffing out the more abandoned corners of Garreg Mach when they first arrived at school. The monastery grounds were a maze of ruins, both above ground and below, and many of the abandoned locations appeared to never be included on the guards' regular rounds. Of course, he had always imagined that when he utilized such hidden spaces, it would be for much more nefarious purposes than practicing for a dance competition.

The size and dimensions of this particular building were reminiscent of the knights' hall, but whatever use it had seen in centuries past was long since lost. The wood roof had long ago rotted and caved in, and no door remained in the doorframe. But the tile floor, once cleared of debris, made for a smooth enough surface to dance on without risk of tripping, despite weeds pushing up between a few of the cracks, and the brick walls offered some amount of privacy while they practiced. The open door faced away from the monastery, and the path here was overgrown enough to dissuade anyone from choosing to wander in this direction, so he could be confident that none would be nearby to witness his humiliation. In essence, they had their own private courtyard in which to stage their lessons.

Dorothea took him by the shoulders and gave him a shake, even though she had to reach up to do so. "You're too stiff! You look like a waiter in one of those fancy Enbarr restaurants where they fold the napkins to look like doves."

Strictly speaking, Hubert had hardly visited any restaurant, in Enbarr or anywhere else. Restaurants existed for those who were socializing or traveling, or who did not already dine in the actual Adrestian Palace, served by the royal family's own chefs. But he had a vague impression of what she was describing. "And I am to understand that that is a bad thing."

Dorothea's hands flew to her head in a dramatic fashion. "Yes! The point of dancing is movement! You cannot move and be rigid as stone at the same time. The scowling doesn't help, either."

Hubert felt himself flush. "I was merely concentrating."

Dorothea pursed her lips sympathetically, but her voice retained some of its impatient edge. "Concentration is important, but you'll need to learn not to let that show on your face. The judges want to see a smile. Can you do that, Hubie? Do you know how to smile?"

With some effort, Hubert conjured the most pleasant smile his face could allow.

Dorothea visibly recoiled, her hands leaving Hubert's shoulders so she could step back. "Never mind. You look like you intend to flay me alive. Don't smile like that at the judges, alright?"

Hubert tried to ignore the sting that her comment induced. "I was not intending to be sinister." Not at this exact moment, anyway.

"I've never met someone who could be threatening by accident, but somehow you manage it." Dorothea threw herself back onto her seat and took up her spoon again. "Fine! Let's start from the top!" With that, she began drumming out a beat for him. With a groan, he went back to it.

It surprised Hubert how quickly the dance came back to him. He had not even thought about waltzing for years, let alone put it into practice. His feet still remembered the steps, his shoulders still remembered how to set themselves as though preparing to cradle another in his arms. The basic mechanics of it were really quite straightforward.

And yet he could feel Dorothea's eyes on him, evaluating his every movement. The steady drumming of her spoon on the crate provided a simple enough beat for him to keep time to, but it was a grating sound, one that reminded him with every strike that he was not simply one dancer among a crowd. He was alone on an empty floor, foolishly dancing along to cutlery. Could the entire school hear the noise? Would a face appear in that open doorway any moment? He felt horribly foolish and woefully exposed.

"Augh, just stop!" Dorothea suddenly snapped, the spoon slamming down on the crate. "Honestly, could you look any more miserable? You act like you don't even want to be here."

Hubert bent over to catch his breath, hands on his thighs. There was a reason that he devoted most of his energy toward magic, something that allowed him to stand perfectly still while still fighting with deadly force. "This may come as some shock, but no part of this experience delights me. I am here for my duty, nothing else."

"Really? You think I love being here, pretending to be happy about you getting chosen over me?" Something in Dorothea's voice broke. Hubert tilted his head up to look at her through the sweaty bangs hanging in his face, and realized that she was on her feet, hands clenched at her sides.

He stood upright, hands still clutching at the stitch in his side. Hellfire, was he out of shape. "Is that what you think this situation is?"

Dorothea snorted. "At least have the decency to be honest with me. You and Edie just couldn't have your class represented by a commoner, could you?"

Hubert would have laughed, if he had the breath for it. Instead he merely stared at her in confusion. "Where in Cichol's cursed name did you get that idea?"

"Come on, Hubie. We both know I'm the best dancer in our class. And you come to me with the flimsiest of excuses for why I wasn't chosen? That you need me to concentrate on learning magic? Dancing is a magic class! There is no reason I couldn't do both." Furious tears were pooling in her eyes, threatening to spill. "I'm not an idiot, Hubie. I know there are plenty of people who think I don't deserve to be here. And maybe that would be enough to sully our house's reputation, having someone like me represent us. I just thought you and Edie were above that sort of thing."

Hubert tried to work out where exactly this situation had gone horribly wrong and saw that he'd mishandled it from the start. He should have seen how this would look to her. He straightened his jacket and laced his hands behind his back, feeling that he owed her at least some proper manners. "On the contrary, the thought of watching you outmatch those pitiful nobles and inflict upon them the shame of failure that they have too rarely encountered in their wretched lives fills me with a joy that I rarely know. Yes, you are in every sense the ideal candidate for this competition, and the Black Eagles would be proud to have you represent us. Not despite your origins. Your unique experience is exactly what makes you so adept at what you do. You know what it is to hone your skill for professional use, not as some parlor trick. It was not I who argued against your candidacy, nor was it Lady Edelgard. It was the professor's preference."

Dorothea processed this quietly, her green eyes fixed on something behind him, her arms crossed defensively. "I really thought they believed in me more than that."

"They do," Hubert said flatly, not wishing to obscure the message with what might seem to be insincere reassurance. "Enough to ensure that you do not deviate from your aspirations. Dorothea, why exactly did you come to the officer's academy? Gaining admission while working full time as a Songstress could not have been an easy task."

Dorothea sniffled, giving a dismissive shrug. "Oh, you know. A school filled with Fodlan's wealthiest young noble bachelors? How could I pass up an opportunity like that?"

Hubert rested his chin on his palm, letting his gaze drift to the tall, sun-dappled grass outside the door. "If that is your goal, then it's certainly not the worst plan for going about it. In fact, I would call it downright shrewd. But of course, the fact that you would also be learning skills here that could be used in any number of positions in the future must have crossed your mind. A backup plan, as it were."

Dorothea snorted, though it came out more as a sniffle. "I mean, what gal wouldn't want to learn how to strike a guy with lightning whenever he gets a bit handsy?"

"Indeed, but you could have learned that in Enbarr. There are other schools, easier schools to access." Dorothea said nothing, impulsively reaching to fix her long hair, as if it were ever anything less than perfectly coiled about her shoulders. Hubert persisted. "I have read your application."

Her gaze snapped back to him, wide-eyed. "But that's--"

"Highly confidential, of course. I don't trust just anyone to have such free access to Lady Edelgard. I need to know just who is sitting behind her chair every day." It had not, in fact, been a remotely easy task to gain access to the academy's records. Hubert was still trying to puzzle out where the bishops hid their archives. Fortunately, Professor Byleth was not quite so paranoid about the files they were given, and so he had managed to leaf through the documentation on the Black Eagles. Would that the other two professors could give him such ready access to their own classes.

"It's also very rude," Dorothea muttered.

"I do not tend to concern myself with what is polite." Hubert felt a faint smirk tug at his lips. "Quite an impressive application, actually. Your test scores were average, but your essays were most engaging. You have a practicality that many others lack. You do not allow the big picture, as it were, to blind you to facts. You have valuable insights that our class needs."

Dorothea flushed, looking away from him. For someone who seemed to thrive on attention, she did not seem to know what to do with this sort of praise. She sighed impatiently. "Is there a point to all of this, or are you just heaping compliments on me so I'll drop it?"

"My point, Dorothea, is that you did not come to the officer's academy just to be a Songstress by a different name. The professor fears that making you a Dancer would send a signal that you are valued only for your appearance. That it would lead you to limit yourself. Frankly, I would be inclined to disagree, had I not seen you in action."

"They said that?" Her voice hitched a bit when she said it.

"That is what they told me. That they want to see you succeed as a gremory, a class that very few ever manage to achieve. Though I do not agree with our professor on every front, their instincts on our class composition have been largely accurate. Do not think I haven't noticed you studying the chapter on Meteor, a spell so complex that I doubt even Linhardt would be bothered to learn it."

She gave him a startled glance, but did not deny it.

Hubert nodded to her. "So I ask you again: why did you come to the officer's academy? If you are happy remaining as a Songstress, if you would be satisfied only to become a Dancer and nothing else, then I will gladly end this farce and accompany you to persuade Professor Byleth to change their mind. But if you came here to prove something, as I suspect you did, then I would be remiss to allow you to make such a sacrifice."

Her eyebrows arched disbelievingly. "Hubie, that almost sounded generous of you."

He chuckled. "Lest you mistake my actions for kindness, allow me to remind you that I seek only to ensure that Lady Edelgard's people are maximizing their potential."

"Right, of course. You could not possibly be trying to help your friends achieve their dreams the way you're always talking about helping Edie with hers." She was smiling now, even as she wiped at the corner of her eye with her sleeve. "To answer your question, I... I don't know if I have just one answer for you. But I do know that I have been around simpering nobles my whole life. And I would give just about anything for the chance to wipe the smile off their faces. And beating them at their own game? Learning the spells that all their fancy tutors and expensive libraries couldn't teach them? I'd like that very much."

Hubert smirked in triumph, and offered her a low bow. A proper bow, the likes of which he normally reserved only for Edelgard. "Then, Miss Arnault, I suggest a trade. I will help you reach your goal if you help me reach mine. Teach me to survive this blasted competition and I promise that all I know of magic is at your disposal."

Dorothea laughed. "Okay, okay, no need to turn this into the opening of an epic drama. Though... hmm. I think I have an idea of how we're going to present you now. You are actually quite charming in your own way, Hubie. There's no reason to try to cover it up with a fake smile."

Now it was Hubert's turn for skepticism. "Somehow I doubt there is much charm for you to find."

Dorothea waved him off. "Oh hush, you'll see what I mean soon enough. Anyway, we're focusing on your stance right now. Here, take my hand." She stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder and held out the other for him to hold.

He surveyed her in confusion. "Does the contest not require each contestant to be performing alone?"

Dorothea huffed. "Yes, despite the waltz being a couple's dance. It's a silly requirement, really. But right now you're letting your nerves get in the way of your movement. You need to stop being so embarrassed about me watching you. So let's take out the audience factor entirely. There is nobody left to watch if we're both participating, right?"

Hubert sighed as his gloved hand took hers, the other resting lightly on her waist. "Perceptive, as ever."

She grinned up at him. "That's why I'm your teacher. Now, you lead. Teach me to waltz as though it's my first time. I'm a lowly commoner who's never been allowed to join in on such a high class dance before."

Hubert chuckled at her, pulling them into a slow, steady rhythm. Dorothea followed smoothly, exposing her lie for what it was. "Does that work on the brainless nobles you seduce? Pretending to be clueless?"

"Some of them." She smirked, unapologetic. It was harder to match each other's steps without music, but Dorothea was a professional. She adjusted to Hubert's pace, reading his body language well enough to anticipate his steps. "Good. Loosen your grip on my hand a bit. You're directing me, not pulling me like a dog on a leash."

"Quite the analogy."

Her head quirked in an approximation of a shrug. "You'd be surprised how necessary that comparison is. Far too many noblemen can't tell the difference."

"Not as surprised as you might think." He complied with her instruction, letting her hand simply rest in his rather than gripping it.

"Better, but you're still too rigid. You're worrying too much about what I'm doing. Dancing with someone is about trust. Which I know is in short supply with you."

"What gave you that impression?" Hubert tried not to stare down at her feet, certain that he was about to tread on her toes.

"I can't believe I have to tell you this, but my eyes are up here." She laughed at his startled look. "Trust, Hubie! You need to trust me that I know how to keep up with you. And you need to trust yourself. You know these steps, right?"

Hubert studiously kept his eyes on hers, realized his hand had tightened around hers again, and pointedly loosened it. "Knowing and doing are not the same."

Dorothea sighed. "Alright, stop. New plan. I'm cashing in that magic lesson right now."

Hubert let his hands fall away from hers as she stepped back, and tried very hard to keep pace with Dorothea's shifting moods. "I did not realize you were in such a hurry to learn."

"I am now. The wall makes a good enough target, right?" She moved to stand beside him so that they both faced the same direction, with only a wall of bare brickwork ahead of them. "So? What's the most basic Dark magic you know? What's the spell you can cast in your sleep?"

Hubert regarded her. "You are aware that Dark magic and Black magic are quite different, I'm sure. Black magic utilizes the elements, while Dark magic draws on something more internal and primal."

Dorothea sighed impatiently. "I have read chapter one of the textbook, yes, thank you Hubert. Show me anyway."

Hubert puffed out a breath. At least this would be a respite from his stumbling around. "Alright. The simplest Dark attack is Miasma Δ. It goes like this." It was easy. So easy to gather the dark magic in his chest. To draw his hand across his body as he muttered the incantation, feeling the cold sting of power spreading its tendrils down the length of his arm. To flick his fingers outward just as the magic reached them, casually lobbing a sphere of crackling darkness at the bare wall. The impact resonated with the magic's hollow sound, leaving a blackened scorch mark on the bricks. How strange that trying to dance had felt like wading through waist-deep mud, but casting this spell felt like stepping back onto dry land, as light and easy as walking on a summer day.

"Hmm." Dorothea experimentally moved her hand across her chest. "Like this?"

"Palm inward. Arm parallel with the floor." He reached over and tilted her elbow up a few degrees. "You want to draw the magic in toward your hand before you expel it. If you allow your arm to droop, you risk casting at the floor rather than at your target."

Dorothea imitated his movements, right down to a small flourish in her wrist that, strictly speaking, was not a necessary addition to the spell, but that Hubert habitually added on principle. "And your feet? Do you step forward with your right or your left?"

"Always lead with your casting side."

"Right. Of course." She practiced the motions again. Hand across the chest, elbow out, step forward, flick of the wrist. Again and again she repeated the steps, imitating him perfectly without the actual orb of magical darkness firing from her hand. And then she tried it again using the other hand.

"Dorothea, what are you doing?"

Dorothea flicked one hand in front of herself and then another. "What's it look like?"

Hubert crossed his arms. "It looks like you are being very smug."

She grinned, but did not stop her impromptu dance routine, working in much more hip sway than the original spell called for. "Don't I have a right to be? I'm finding all your secrets, Hubie."

He could not help the amused smirk that crossed his face. "I very much doubt that."

"Well I've found one, anyway. You are a good dancer when you're not getting in the way of yourself. We just have to draw it out of you. What is spellcasting other than a very precise dance routine with a purpose?" She did a careless twirl, her hair fanning out around her. It looked so effortless.

"Ah yes, deadly magical force is naught but prancing about." Hubert watched as Dorothea spun the movements he had taught her into an intricate routine that grew with each new iteration. Here he was, betrayed by his own lesson.

She came to a standstill, grinning in triumph. Whereas Hubert felt bedraggled and exhausted by dance, she looked invigorated, her peach skin glistening radiantly. "From now on, we'll warm up our sessions with a magic lesson. It's something you're already confident in, so it'll get you into the mindset you need. Come on now, let's get back to it. We've got lots of time yet before the sun goes down."

Hubert groaned, casting his eyes up at the treacherously clear blue sky, still shining bright with the low evening sun. If only he believed in the Goddess, he might be tempted to beg her to nudge it towards the horizon just a bit faster.

[thefossilwhale]

i filled out this super cool button character profile by @extraordinarymage for sabrina! thank you for making this, it was a lot of fun to fill out <3 the bulk of it is under a cut and oh boy is it long !!!

Short, Quick Reference

Name: Sabrina Wiseman

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Love Interest: Kent

Main personality trait: Confidence

Secondary personality trait: Morbidity

Relationship with Nick: Full of love, haunted by unaddressed guilt and frustration. But mostly full of love.

Nickname for Nick: Saint Nick (used sparingly)

Resentful or accepting?: Slightly resentful

Main strategy (interpersonal, insightful, innovative?): Insightful

Ethical or expedient?: Expedient

GENERAL

Name: Sabrina Larkspur Wiseman

Nickname(s): Sab, used by anyone; Sabby, only Nick and Sally; and, of course, Button for Nick.

Birthday: I think I made her an October Libra for the purpose of a template I did months ago, but I’m not sure! No concrete birthday yet, I’m always very slow to nail down details like this.

Age: 20

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Hair color + style: Blonde. A little past shoulder length, sometimes wavy. Usually a middle part. For Aeon, tied back in a bun.

Eye color: Blue, entirely because of the section of Frank O’Hara’s “Meditations in an Emergency” that goes, “My eyes are vague blue, like the sky...”

Height: 5′5

Piercings: Multiple in each ear, but a couple have started to close.

Tattoos: None yet! Sab likes the idea of a tattoo but is worried about finding the perfect design, whether she’d end up hating it, that the pain might be greater than she expects and she’ll look like a baby in front of her tattoo artist. I’d like to think she eventually consults Sally and/or Glitch to come up with an idea that she falls in love with, but I haven’t come up with what that would be!

Clothing style: Mostly solid colors, not a lot of patterns. Nothing super bright, but a fairly varied mix of pastels, neutrals, dark colors, black. Partial to denim skirts and sweater tops. Ankle boots. Likes a good turtleneck. She’s bolder when it comes to formal wear, and especially loves suits. Big fan of silk and satin.

Since she has a pretty accurate face claim, I’ll link some gifsets I’ve rb’d for appearance ref if you are so inclined.

STATS

I’m always adjusting minor things and swapping scenes around, but these are from my most recent Sab run! Most scores hover somewhere around these values.

Personality:

Confidence: 53%

Humor: 5%

Morbidity: 22%

Resentful: 57% | Accepting: 43%

Strategy:

Interpersonal: 12%

Insightful: 50%

Innovative: 10%

Ethical: 43% | Expedient: 57%

KEY DECISIONS:

What is Nick’s nickname and why?: Saint Nick, used very rarely. It’s a joking reference to the time she thought Santa was an evil Ment out to ruin Christmas, and a point about Nick overdoing it with the cheer. “Saint Nick” is usually code for “I know you mean well, but please mind your own business.” Otherwise, she just calls him Nick.

What is their favorite type of cookie (and its name and why?): Salted caramel chocolate chip! No special name.

What was their initial reaction to Sally hugging them, as kids?: She just froze. That could just be me projecting adult Sabrina onto her childhood self; I don’t imagine that she was as uncomfortable around strangers or quite as cautious back then. But that’s what I’ll stick with.

How did they ace the ASE test?: The in-game option she takes is “My entire life has revolved around strategic avoidance,” but the one about being just plain smart also sounds like her. If Sab has the chance to thoroughly (over)prepare for something, she will do it. Her mind blindness also has her constantly (over)analyzing situations. So, hard work and relentless anxiety!

Did they manage to win their first assignment? How?: Yes, by having Sally block the door. I’ve headcanoned some slight differences in how it plays out, which I wrote about in-depth here. To summarize, Sab thinks of blocking the door as a desperate last resort, not a clever loophole, and she pushes back against Rosy’s praise because she wishes she could have done it the “real” way. Rosy goes from being impressed to being annoyed that she’s willfully missing the point.

What was the primary emotion Button felt during the Aeon bombing (love, gratitude, etc?): Guilt. She feels very guilty about how much Nick has given up for her in general, but I think that in the moment, it’s on a smaller scale. The fact that Nick was on the phone with her when it happened, coming to her rescue like always, becomes emblematic of their whole relationship for her, and she really fixates on that.

Who drove them home from the hospital from and why?: Glitch. Sab responds to her initial text with “Are you sure?”, and is relieved when Glitch takes that as “Yes, please.” She doesn’t relish the idea of being around someone more connected to her family or Nick at that point.

How do they feel about Nick riding around in their mind?: Worried, at first. Just because it’s so unknown and absolutely insane. After seeing Doctor Amari, she’s excited! Sab is thrilled to be a Pollard Five and intends to take full advantage of it. I am not looking forward to seeing how she reacts when that’s taken away from her.

Why did Button agree to do the undercover mission?: To prove she still deserves to be an MIV. Sabrina feels stupid and reckless for putting herself, Nick, and Aeon in this position, but she knows she’s smart, and she hasn’t worked this hard for nothing. She wants to prove what she could do with a normal Pollard Score and make herself too valuable to give up even when she’s back to Zero.

Told Glitch about your mind blindness?: Depends on the playthrough. I’m constantly going back and forth on whether Sab meets Glitch for coffee or wanders the city with Nick in her second chapter 5 slot (after trying to track down Kent). If she does meet Glitch, though, she absolutely tells her; with how touchy Sab is about privacy, she couldn’t stomach not warning Glitch that Nick could hear everything they said.

Figured out K’s secret?: Nope. She finds enough of the clues to be given the “I knew it!” option in-game, but she didn’t actually put it together. Sab is too angry and embarrassed by learning that Kent is an AMO to find any reason to interrogate it. “The random guy I met before school just happens to be a jerk” is a perfectly sound explanation to her.

Found Noh’s clues?: Not at the metro station. Sometimes she sees the Vengeance brooms in chapter 5 (again, depending on the playthrough), but that’s it.

ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP:

Love Interest: Kent

Why them?: Sab feels an immediate kinship with Kent after learning about the NPO program. It’s kind of funny how quickly he moves from the least sympathetic position in her eyes (Ment who got past me and read my mind without my knowledge) to the most sympathetic (non-powered child of a prominent family aiming a league above where he “belongs”). A lot of new respect for his competence. Her fate is sealed when she realizes that his kindness at the hospital wasn’t him trying to make up for some wrongdoing, but just him being very sweet. (She had scoffed over “You needed help.” But now she’s like, “Oh. He meant that?! Fuck.”)

As they spend more time together, Sab realizes how weirdly similar they are in other ways, too. And she starts to feel safe/secure around him in a way that she’s extremely not used to. Growing up surrounded by Ments, Sab has a lot of issues about being too much, too difficult, needing to “be worthy” of love. So someone like Kent who is not a Ment, who has no “obligation” to care about her, and whose judgement she trusts implicitly? Being around him and being loved by him mean a lot, and I think will go a long way towards helping her reflect on her other relationships!

What are their first impressions of each other?: Okay, there are like 3 first impressions with Kent. First: he’s tall and handsome and secretly adorable, and they have similar career goals, so she’s drafting a five-month plan to woo him and get his number. Second: he’s a lying, self-obsessed loser who owes her many explanations. Third: oh no, the first impression was true! And he’s been continually, selflessly kind to her in spite of her overt hostility. Scratch the five-month plan, because the crush was only fun when it was entirely superficial; now she really, really likes him and that just sucks.

We know that Button makes a good impression on K by stopping for their dogs, but apart from that... I mean, the “we confused each other” from chapter 7 is very apt. Sab has lots of shifting personas, and Kent sees pretty much every one within 24 hours. The prevailing impression before everything gets cleared up is probably just that she cares a lot? About everything? Her stopping for the dogs, how seriously she takes the first assignment, the way she seems so deeply affected by something he said or did that morning. It’s a rare side of her to meet first because she usually pretends to be above everything.

What feature does your Button find most attractive in their RO (ex. appearance, personality, etc.)?: Probably his composure. And his... steadfastness? The way he seems unruffled by anything, his soothing presence. She really admires that about him and finds the calm contagious.

What do they do to spend time together?: Going on drives together! Kent driving while Sab plays songs she thinks he’ll like, talking or not talking. Cuddling on the couch while reading their own separate books. Museum dates. Walking the dogs together.

Do they argue? How do they handle arguments and disagreements? How do they make up?: I imagine that the first month or so of their relationship would be difficult, just because they’re both bad at expressing themselves and not used to relying on other people. Kent kind of negates a lot of Sab’s impulses to get defensive or hostile, so instead of arguments, I think there are more likely to be awkward periods where she’s just stewing in something without addressing it. Most of their fights would be, like, one of them becoming really distant for a concerning number of days until the other tries to awkwardly check in on them.

What does their future look like?: Uhh some random lore: I think eventually they do get married, despite neither of them caring that much about it. Sabrina would be excited to have something to plan, and she knows it would make the people around her happy. They have a long engagement; there’s never really an “official” proposal, just an acknowledgement that yeah, they’ll get married one day, and then eventually they get rings. The engagement is almost Sab’s favorite part, honestly. She likes planning and showing off her ring and calling Kent her fiancé, a lot of fanfare on her part for a wedding that ends up being very modest and chill.

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS (Feel free to go in depth!)

Relationship with Nick: When I first started developing Sab, I thought that with as difficult/prickly as she can be, her relationship with Nick would be worse than it is. Never bad, but certainly strained, with more jealousy/resentment on her side. However, she rejected this. She is resentful, but never towards Nick—she internalizes the negative parts of their relationship so they manifest as guilt instead. And that’s the problem, not resentment. Sab thinks he’s overprotective, but that doesn’t make her angry; it just makes her sad. She wishes things were different and he didn’t feel so responsible for her, but she also doesn’t know how she could manage without him taking on so many of her burdens. So, guilt! So much love, but always looming guilt.

Having Nick in her head has helped. It’s added a new kind of guilt (“I’m a horrible person for being so giddy that people can’t hear my thoughts even though that requires my brother to be in a coma”), but getting inside Nick’s head for once and really feeling his love for her changes things. Makes her feel way more secure, I guess? It’s easier to see her brother as human person, a friend who loves her, rather than a perfect selfless paragon who sacrificed everything to raise her, which is an important shift.

There are also Things happening with self-presentation in the fact that they’re both models, and flirts, and pretend to be shallow. And the ways that they’ve responded to vastly different expectations. And selflessness versus selfishness. But I have no idea how to talk about that yet.

Relationship with Father: Strained and distant. Sabrina doesn’t necessarily blame him for leaving, but she hates how he’s handled it. She’s incredibly frustrated that John insists on keeping them in this miserable limbo of uncomfortable visits, even though moving away was (to her) a tacit acknowledgement that she and her parents are better off without each other. He’s trying to force a relationship that Sab thinks is ultimately harmful for everyone involved. For Nick’s sake, she’s willing to grin and bear the visits, but it never works because John can obviously tell it’s an act. He pushes her, she gets defensive, and so on to infinity.

Relationship with Mother: Like with John, Sab doesn’t resent Hope for the incident itself, or for leaving afterward. It was terrifying, and the idea of being around Hope makes her panic—but she thinks of that as just another irrational anxiety symptom, and she’s trying to work through it. What she does resent Hope for is letting it get to that point at all. Sab is incredibly bitter that Hope will suffer silently to the point of almost killing her (during the incident) and potentially herself (with the BRS), while Sab has no choice but to be completely open. Especially because they’re so similar in that way—she’s almost jealous. “Oh, so your silence is allowed to almost kill me and it’s ‘nobody’s fault’ but I can’t pretend to enjoy a single lunch with Dad without him calling me out for lying?”

And even though she doesn’t hold the incident itself against her, Sab is very hung up on “Why are you never quiet? Why are you always there?” She knows, on some level, that this was not a Personal Judgement against her. But because Hope keeps so much quiet, this is the only honest expression of her mother’s feelings that she can remember! It would take a lot for Sab to believe that Hope was really, genuinely interested in reconnecting with her, rather than just pretending to love her "enough” this time because to do otherwise would reflect poorly on Hope as a mother.

Relationship with Sally: Besties <3 Sally is the only member of the Wiseman inner circle that Sab doesn’t have complicated feelings about. They both have hidden morbid streaks that they bring out in each other, and can laugh about. They both have competitive streaks that work well together because they’re always on the same team. And their wants/needs from the relationship complement each other well, I think. Sally has always felt valued because she’s useful and not because she’s loved, while Sab has always felt smothered by love/care without feeling like she genuinely adds value to other people’s lives. So it means a lot to both of them that they’re able to help each other practically, while also genuinely loving and supporting each other outside of that.

Relationship with Gray: Full of trust and genuine care, but predicated on distance. Sab loves him a lot for being so careful not to cross any boundaries, physical or emotional, with her. She’s grateful that he’s there for Nick in a way that she doesn’t feel she can be. But "I like Gray because he doesn’t push me and is good to Nick” means that any hand he extend makes her defensive, because she’ll either view him as an emissary of Nick or start to panic because their normal routine is being disrupted (she doesn’t tell him about Hope in ch 3, for example).

They get along very well in a friend-of-a-friend sort of way, and bond over being cautious counterparts to Nick. Also, Sab never had a crush on Gray, but she is not immune to tall superhero and thinks it’s fun to fake flirt with him. (You know Isabela’s “You have pretty eyes” routine from DA2? Sab does that to Gray when conversations steer towards things she’d rather not talk about.)

Relationship with Glitch: I’m really excited about these two! They click from the start, and Sabrina feels immediately comfortable around Glitch, which makes her feel distinctly uncomfortable whenever she catches herself. Externally, they have pretty different personalities, but they’re both perceptive and... socially manipulative? aware of their self-presentation?... in ways that they both pick up on right away. So it’s a lot of conversational maneuvering and trying to figure out what the other’s game is, while also genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

Relationship with Kent/Kenna: I could go truly insane here. See the romance section above instead.

Relationship with Kim: Sab wants him to like her sooooo bad. He’s one of the only people to ever really get through to her, re: my headcanon conversation after the first assignment. Authority figures tend to treat her as special, whether that’s negatively because of her mind blindness or positively because she’s such an overachiever. She had no idea how to respond to that not being the case (and didn’t handle it well at first), but chapter 6 solidifies her respect for him.

It also turns Rosy’s opinion of Sab around; he was impressed by her in class but left his office thinking she was self-absorbed and naive. But the bombing is a reality check, and her response is very measured and practical in a way that surprises him.

Relationship with Lev: She doesn’t mind the comparisons to Nick or the “maybe one day they’ll fix you” comments as much as you might think. They aren’t her favorite, but she prefers that sort of thing to the inspirational platitudes belied by coddling that she got from her family growing up. Sab has fond memories of Lev and is grateful that he’s always been kind to her, but doesn’t have any particular feelings apart from that.

Relationship with Clarence: Holds a grudge against him for causing a scene, making her late, and generally being a jerk. But she can’t fault him for being right, after what happened! Mostly she just wants to avoid him, but she’ll be thrilled to lord her success over him if/when she proves herself.

Relationship with Dean Branham: Like Rosy, another authority figure that Sab desperately wants to impress. But without the personal investment she has in Rosy’s validation, more “Oh, this person is in charge, so I should make her like me!” Despite Nick’s and Rosy’s reservations, Sabrina doesn’t really have a problem with being “strongarmed” or manipulated into cooperating; for now, she figures Branham was just doing her job and respects her tactics.

Relationship/attitude towards Ments in general: Mostly just uncomfortable and wary around them. Sab doesn’t want her mind read, and she figures that no Ment wants to be forced to read it either. So she has a pretty strict “no Ments” rule for close personal relationships (excluding Nick, Sally, and Gray, of course. But only Nick really counts because he’s the only one who can hear her thoughts whenever she’s nearby). Not out of hatred or resentment, just because she knows it will be easier for everyone in the long run.

Do they have any other important relationships, past or present? (Relatives, friends, etc.?): Not many, but yes! Sab dated around a lot in the 2 years before Aeon (more like year and a half, because she completely shut it down once she was more focused on preparing for the MIV program), but there are 2 relationships that were formative/important for her. A high school sweetheart, and someone Sab met through modeling. She doesn’t keep up with her high school ex, but the model is her best friend outside of Sally and Nick, and they still keep in touch! I’m still developing them/the relationships, and I’ll probably post more about them someday. They’re fun!

PERSONAL BIO

Describe their personality: Confusing and contradictory. She has two main modes that confuse people who meet both (e.g., Kent). She’s either cold, stuck-up, and sometimes hostile, OR she’s charming, frivolous, and sometimes flirty. Mode 1 is tense but stoic and inexpressive; mode 2 is seemingly relaxed but very posed and insincere. Mode 1 is for when she feels uncertain or has no agenda apart from “get to point B”; mode 2 is for when she’s more comfortable or trying to manipulate someone. Her actual personality is a bit closer to the second, but she doesn’t pretend not take things seriously or hide when she’s annoyed.

Strengths: Analytical, methodical, detail-oriented. Very driven and hardworking. May not always act like it, but does have social skills/charisma; a great liar, if you can’t read her mind. Unfailingly loyal and loving to her favorite people, so so so warm and affectionate and supportive if she really loves you. Very perceptive.

Weaknesses: Way too proud. Can be petty and vindictive. Self-absorbed (she doesn’t mean anything by it, but it’s hard for her to see past herself sometimes). Stubborn, hates being wrong. And... emotional isn’t the word, but strong negative emotions can really cloud her judgement. It ties into her being proud, petty, and stubborn; if she’s really upset about something, she can cling to that emotion instead of re-evaluating it or moving forward.

Phobias: From this ask about the phobias that are planned to show up in-game, there are a few that I could see fitting Sab, but I want to wait to see how they’re implemented before I fully commit. Which is very metagame-y, I know (and I am very metagame-y about IF), but “fear of X” is so broad that it really does depend on when/how it manifests in the text.

That being said, agoraphobia is almost a lock; crowds do make Sab very anxious if she can’t keep track of everyone within a certain distance, and if she can’t leave when she starts feeling antsy. Claustrophobia is a maybe. The choice that triggers it (in chapter 4, about hating MRI machines) suits Sab, but I’m not sure if she hates MRI machines because she hates tight spaces, or if it’s more related to her general anxiety about hospitals, medical tests, etc. Which she definitely has!

What activities/club did they do in school?: She avoided anything group-oriented as far as possible. She took piano (maybe violin?) lessons and did recitals, but wasn’t in orchestra. The one exception was maybe National Honor Society or some equivalent, which she would have joined for her resume’s sake. And I think she would have tutored!

Where do they escape to when they need space?: A little used library corner, where she can people watch without being seen/heard.

How do they feel about/cope with their mind blindness?: Sab hates it but tries not to dwell on it. She knows that it’s no one’s fault, and she mainly just tries to... minimize it? Drown out her thoughts, limit her contact with Ments. And, least healthily, very rigidly managing herself. Because there’s so much of her that exists outside of herself, without her control, she tries to either filter or completely suppress everything else. Part of why she got into modeling, she can perform and be perfect and have total control over the final product of her body in the photographs for whatever campaign. Some Day This Will Be Better. But definitely not where she is in current canon.

How has your Button changed since the Incident with Hope?: Developed many new anxieties and disorders and syndromes :) She also became way more self-conscious, as in literally conscious of and way more tightly monitoring herself, what she’s thinking, what she’s expressing, how she’s sitting, etc. Less emotive face, more rigid posture.

If they weren’t an Aeon student, what would they be doing?: Sab would have beaten herself up forever if she “proved everyone right” by avoiding Unity/Ments entirely, so she’d want to stay in the family business somehow. She probably would have ended up doing scientific research on mental agility. Maybe even working for Mirrortech or some other biotech company, which I imagine would have been an interesting conversation to have with the family.

RANDOM FACTS:

Zodiac sign: Like I said, I assigned her Libra months ago for the sake of a template. But I don’t know enough about astrology to commit. Libra or Leo, probably.

Hobbies: Music, reading poetry, “cooking” (i.e., sitting on the counter and not helping while Nick makes dinner)

Likes: Watching other people (Nick) play video games, dressing up, taking long showers/baths, dark chocolate with caramel, back hugs

Dislikes: Being patronized, hot weather, going to the doctor, driving, doing anything she is not good at

Type of bedsheets: Bamboo.

Drink of choice: Cucumber mint lemonade! For hot drinks, some kind of caramel coffee. For alcohol, she refuses to get drunk because she’s terrified of having even less control of her mental broadcast, but at home/around people she trusts she’ll have a glass or two of wine. Doesn’t know enough to be picky, but doesn’t like it too sweet.

Favorite food: Probably some pasta dish Nick makes with asparagus and tomatoes and a lot of garlic.

Favorite color: Like a light turquoise!

Favorite music: Music to her was another mind-shielding tactic before anything else, so she tends to like upbeat-ish electronic/pop stuff. Catchy and repetitive, and/or with lots of personality to drown out her own thoughts. On the other end of the spectrum, she does have a soft spot for crackly, lo-fi, old or old-sounding slow songs—something about fuzzy recordings simulating a weak telepathic signal.

Favorite season: Hmm, spring and autumn are both good. She likes either side of winter.

Anything else you’d like to share: My heart and a long, fulfilling marriage, with anyone who reads all this 💍

[there-must-be-a-lock]

wings & the way down - part 5

Derek Morgan x Spencer Reid

Word count: 1465

Warnings: One scraped knee, one cranky Spencer, and several mentions of homophobic high school bullying. 

Catch up right over here! 

Thursday, January 9

Of course they chose today, Spencer thinks bitterly, inspecting the damage to his bike chain. 

At least there wasn’t anybody around to see the fall; no sports practices on Thursday, and chess club ran late. There are only a couple cars left in the senior lot. 

So, yeah, no witnesses, but…god, that stings. No broken bones, but there’s plenty of broken skin, and the knees of his favorite jeans are shredded and bloodstained. 

His eyes feel hot and itchy, but there’s no way he’s going to cry, not here, not now. He has things to do. He can handle it. He’s fine. 

And in a few months, he can leave, and he’ll never have to see Charlie fucking Hankel ever again. 

Spencer grits his teeth as he gets gingerly to his feet. His knee throbs when he moves, and Spencer hisses at the pain, trying to bend down and pick up the bike without putting too much weight on it. 

Someone’s coming out of the school doors, and Spencer almost ducks his head and starts walking before he realizes it’s Emily. 

“Spence!” she calls. Just behind her, looking up from his phone as he hears her shout, is Derek. 

Of course. 

Emily winces sympathetically when she sees the damage, but she doesn’t look surprised. Derek, though, goes all wide-eyed when he realizes Spencer’s hurt; he half-jogs over. 

“Shit, you okay? What happened?” He reaches out and puts a hand on Spencer’s shoulder in a gesture that’s probably supposed to be comforting. Spencer shrugs it off. He’s standing close enough that Spencer can smell him, and that’s — 

Nope. Not gonna think about it. 

He looks down at his ratty Chucks so he doesn’t have to see the genuine concern in Derek’s eyes. 

“The usual?” Emily asks Spencer, which, duh. “Hey, wait, how do you guys know each other?” 

“We met in the park the other day,” Spencer mutters. 

Emily waits, one eyebrow raised, but he doesn’t volunteer any more information. She looks between the two of them shrewdly — Derek’s got his hands in his pockets, hunched a little like he’s anxious — and Spencer wonders what she sees. She’s gotten herself a reputation for being the rebellious, no-fucks-given type, but she’s a hell of a lot sharper than most people give her credit for. 

“Do you need a ride?” she asks, before the pause can get too awkward. “I gotta get home to my French tutor or my mom’ll shit bricks, but I could drop you somewhere on the way.”

“No worries, I’m fine. Don’t think my bike would fit.”

Emily drives a cherry-red convertible Bug that’s basically the same size as his bike. She also drives like an idiot. 

“Suit yourself,” she says, and waves at both of them as she goes. “See you Saturday, new kid!” 

“We’re working on a project together,” Derek tells Spencer, even though he didn’t ask. “Hey, I’ve got the truck, we can just throw your bike in the back and I’ll give you a lift.” 

“I’m okay.” 

He is. He will be. He can take care of himself just fine. 

“Your knee looks rough, man, you really shouldn’t walk on that.” 

Spencer stares at him. He’s about a second from screaming, he’s so done, and maybe some of that shows in his face, because Derek recoils slightly, hands raised in surrender. 

“Shit, sorry, I was just trying to help.”

Aaaand now Spencer’s an asshole. 

“Yeah, okay,” he sighs. “That’s — sure.” 

He walks (limps) his bike over to the truck he remembers seeing at the Morgan’s, Derek slowing his pace so that Spencer can keep up, which is infuriating. Derek lifts the bike into the bed of the truck like it weighs nothing. 

It’s not until they’re pulling out of the school lot that Spencer mumbles, “Sorry. Just been a rough week.” 

“Yeah? You wanna talk about it?” 

“Not really,” Spencer says, attempting a smile, but he’s never been very good at hiding his feelings — which is even more problematic than usual, right now, because he can’t stop staring at Derek’s profile as he drives, or the confident, capable way he shifts gears as the old truck wheezes onto the main road. 

“Fair enough.” 

The fact that he’s not pushing for answers makes Spencer feel like even more of a dick. 

“Turn up there, by the way,” Spencer tells him, and then, when the silence starts to stretch awkwardly, he asks, “How’s your first week going?” 

“Not bad. Met a couple cool people. Emily’s a badass.”

Spencer snorts. “Yeah. She really is.”  

“You guys hang out a lot?” 

“Not really,” Spencer says, because they don’t, at least not outside of school; he doesn’t really hang out with anyone. “We usually sat together at lunch, last semester, but we don’t have the same lunch period any more.” He doesn’t want to admit how much he misses that. Emily’s one of the few people who’s always been nice to him — other than JJ, which doesn’t count, because JJ is nice to everyone — and beyond that, she’s the only person who’s ever really stuck up for him. 

“Apparently we have a friend in common. She used to go to school with my girl Penelope, I guess, and we’re gonna all hang out this weekend. You wanna join?” 

He comes to a stop at a red light and shoots Spencer a sweet, easy grin, and Spencer just blinks at him for a second. 

“Why?” he blurts out. 

Derek laughs. “What do you mean, why?” 

“Why do you want to hang out with me?” Spencer sputters, and when Derek gives him a blank look, he gives an exasperated sigh. “You’re new. And you’re — I mean, you’re good-looking —” 

“Aw, shucks.” 

“— and you’re a jock and you’re cool. And you’ll have it easy, you’ll have friends, you’ll have girls falling all over you, but — not if you hang out with people like me and Emily.” 

He says quietly, “You two are the most genuine people I’ve met since I got here.” 

“Yeah? You know what genuine gets you around here?” Spencer snaps, before he can stop himself. “Messed-up bike chains and a whole lot of time shut in lockers. Not to mention —” 

“Wait, really? Somebody did that on purpose?” 

Spencer rolls his eyes and barrels on. “Emily gets by, because she’s loaded and she’s pretty and she knows how to fight back. But I — the second day of high school, when I was a freshman… this guy was making fun of my clothes, and he said, ‘What, are you gay or something?’ and I said yes. Because I didn’t know it was something you were supposed to hide, and —” 

“Oh,” Derek says quietly. 

“Yeah. And I’m not — I’m no good at hiding, and it wasn’t like I’d be cool anyway, it’s not like the kids who run things around here would be inviting me to parties even if that hadn’t happened, but it’s not —” Spencer is babbling, and he makes himself stop, take a breath, before he continues. “Just… trust me, okay? You could have it so easy.” 

Derek’s quiet for a long moment, and Spencer realizes they just missed the turn to get to his house. Maybe it’s better that Derek doesn’t pull up out front, though. He doesn’t know what kind of day his mom is having. 

“Turn right up here,” Spencer mutters. “You can just drop me at the end of the block.” 

Derek parks there without a word, and then he parks and gets out to help Spencer with his bike. Spencer goes to take the handlebars, but Derek doesn’t let go, at first. There’s a fierce, intense expression on his face that Spencer can’t quite read. 

“I’ve been one of the cool kids, and it’s not — I don’t care. That’s not me.” Spencer opens his mouth to argue, but Derek cuts him off angrily. “No. I’m sick of hiding shit, it doesn’t get you anywhere, and — fuck it. Just cause people think I look or act a certain way… I’m not interested in those people.” 

It’s Spencer’s turn to let out a soft, “Oh.” 

Derek sighs. He seems to shake himself out of it, and his voice is calm when he asks, “So how about it? Will you come over Saturday?” 

What the hell is Spencer supposed to say to that? 

“Yeah, okay,” he mumbles, and Derek gives him one of those disorientingly bright smiles as he steps back, releasing the bike. 

“Cool.” He gets back in the drivers seat as Spencer stands there, just watching, but before he closes the door he calls, “See you soon, pretty boy.” 

Spencer raises a hand in a wave before wheeling his bike around and starting to limp home. 

.

.

.

[mihrunnisasultans]

Not the spanish princess making me, an Irish history nerd who dislikes henry Viii, pity henry viii 👁️👄👁️

Frost can always do the unbelievable, right? Like I’m sure that in that time period Henry still cared about his appearance to create positive image on the ladies and whole kingdom, not that of a dishevelled lunatic that is incapable of doing anything than having sex and throwing fits actually.

However, I don’t feel sorry (and I can bet neither you Anon) when he keeps crying and complaining how CoA the wanton whore cast him in Hell and made him a sinner. Frost legit made him believe in what he said because he’d lost his mind and I’m here sitting like what does she want to achieve by that? Maybe not to make him sympathetic, but IDK preserve her “grand love story” - Henry loved Catherine, but then he lost his mind after Francis beat him up & I suppose also Wolsey made use of poor Henry for his schemes (replace beating up with joust and Wolsey with Cromwell and we get a too-well-known narrative spread in some circles. Henry was okay until he got hit in the head and targeted Anne).

EF did not even make him hot and made him absolutely unshippable and yet some people still ship Anne x Henry in TSP when we see him clearly abusing his wife both physically and mentally at the same time? And what if she lied, Henry lied too about having slept with Juana, and CoA was actually informed by her father about this and warned about marrying this man based on that. Catherine simply decided that Juana was lying on purpose to destroy her life. It’s weird how this lie was not mentioned again, of course not by Henry because he’s a self-righteous hypocrite, but by CoA herself, or reminded in any flashback? And NGL even this Anne does not look happy to me to be told by her Dad to court this pig, she has to smile and laugh in front of him, but I don’t see her happy at the prospect at all... There is this idea here that Thomas Boleyn is doing everything to keep his family safe precisely because he knows about Henry’s “humours” and it’s not only ambition, but also fear that makes them want to be in the king’s favour. Same with Maggie. He is so visibly crazy everyone just ass kisses him out of fear. It’s... actually really sad? Like I can’t comprehend how people can ship it, especially in TSP, sorry. 

Despite Frost’s boyfriend’s comments how “witch” Anne destroyed CoA’s happiness with Henry, there was nothing of this in the show because it was clear all the marital mess had nothing to do with Anne. He turned vile before  becoming interested in Anne and yet people still want this gross man, who treats his wife so abominably, for their fave??? I feel sorry for her because she clearly feels obligated to please this asshole for her family’s sake, and if anything we should have all prayed CoA actually killed him in this crazy show when she got the chance and did herself and Anne a favour lol.

CoA was also Henry VIII’s victim and some people (who mostly care about their ship, not fans of AB in general) gloss over the fact that this man dragged through the mud a woman who was a good queen and wife for so many years, conspired behind her back with Great Matter, made a huge drama around her virginity, divulged private information about her and his brother’s private (intimate) lives, humiliated her multiple times, spread rumours about her being “diseased” and being of doubtful reputation etc. etc. and only wake up when he begins to use similar tactics to the other half of their ship (and yes it ended differenly simply because he could not just execute a woman with such powerful connections in Europe). But he got hit in the head and evil Cromwell appeared, I forgot. Poor Henry truly believed in his accusations against Anne and suffered until the end of his days  😭 😭 😭.

IDK some people behave like he just came and politely asked her for a divorce so that he might sire a son with another woman and she simply refused him out of sheer spite because she didn’t want him happy with another. And I won’t even mention people who apparently believe falling out of love with your spouse was enough for divorce in 16th century and I’ve seen takes based on that as well.

And sorry, but I do believe he was well aware of CoA’s virginity or lack thereof when they married and it simply never bothered him until he decided to use this to make himself 100% right and the wronged party in divorce proceedings. He was historically sly enough to do so, unlike his show counterpart. The dispensation definitely covered for such possibility and the English were the party that wanted to have that assurance:

Both sides agreed that a papal dispensation was needed. The couple had become, at least in theory, related in the first degree of affinity when Catherine married Arthur. The issue of Catherine’s sex life raised its head again for, if she had stayed a virgin, there was no real affinity. The marriage treaty  explicitly states that a dispensation was required because ‘her marriage to Prince Arthur was solemnised according to the rites of the Catholic Church and afterwards consummated’. Two months later, however, Ferdinand was telling his ambassador at the Vatican, who had orders to seek the dispensation, that it was all a lie. ‘The truth is that the marriage was not consummated and that the princess our daughter remained as whole as she was before she married,’ he wrote. ‘Even though this is true and known to be so where she is, the mad English ... [believe] that the dispensation should say that the marriage was consummated.’ This, he explained with startling prescience, was ‘in order to get rid of any future doubt over the [rights of] succession of the children that, God willing, will be born of this new matrimony’. The English, he meant, wanted the pope to state clearly he had taken into account the idea of consummation with Arthur when giving Catherine a dispensation to marry and have legitimate children with Henry. Popes in the sixteenth century were, however, smooth political operators. Julius II knew how to hedge his bets. The dispensation he eventually sent to England stated that the marriage had ‘perhaps’ been consummated. That single word meant the matter would be argued over for centuries.

Taken from: Giles Tremlett, Catherine of Aragon: Henry’s Spanish Queen 

Moreover Isabella of Castile asked to make the case even clearer:

Henry and his council, meanwhile, became increasingly obsessed by the brief – a copy of which had already been presented in Rome. Henry’s representative there, Gregorio Casale, confirmed that it seemed to close any loopholes left by the original bull. It widened the reasons Julius gave for allowing her to marry Henry, adding to the primary cause of fostering peace the words ‘certain other reasons’. As these last reasons were not explicit, they were impossible to argue against – even if, confusingly, the document also stated that she and Arthur had consummated their marriage.

Taken from: Giles Tremlett, Catherine of Aragon: Henry’s Spanish Queen

Even if we assume Henry wanted to contest the validity of actual papal dispensation & papal authority and just stick to Scripture literally:

In both cases, after all, ‘carnal knowledge’ existed. Henry was also worried. In this respect extramarital sex was, indeed, legally considered as important as marriage itself. It meant that Anne was related to Henry ‘by affinity’. Henry’s ambassadors in Rome, then, were given a double task. Not only did he want his and Catherine’s marriage annulled, he also needed to clear the way for her rival. That would require a papal dispensation allowing him to marry Anne, despite his previous sexual relationship with her sister. The dispensation, it was suggested, should allow him to marry a woman who might ‘be related ... in the first degree of affinity, arising from whatever licit or illicit intercourse’. The double standard was remarkable. On the one hand the pope was being told it had been wrong for Catherine to win a dispensation to marry her former husband’s brother. On the other hand, he was being asked to write a dispensation for Henry to marry his former lover’s sister.

Taken from: Giles Tremlett, Catherine of Aragon: Henry’s Spanish Queen

[spiral-ingoutofcontrol]

Where the Ocean is the Sky Part One: Memory

A/N: AHHH happy pride month! I’ve been sitting on this plot for a while and I figured, what better time to start posting a wlw wizard101/pirate101 crossover than pride month? This part is just shy of 1800 words and I hope y’all like it!

xxx

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Andy mumbled to Captain Avery as they watched Madame Vadima peer over her cauldron. His expression was distorted by the candlelight of Vadima’s enclave, but she could still see that distinctive grin. Nothing ever made that man happier than knowing that he was winning.

He scoffed, not even sparing her a glance. “You’ve had nothing but gold in your eyes since I told you how much the client is paying.”

Andy’s eyes stayed trained on Vadima as the woman dropped what looked like batacuda eyes into the potion she was weaving. Ew. “Maybe we should take some time to rethink the Grizzleheim angle.”

“You can’t sneak into a small community like that. They’d have you made in a second. The client said that this would work.”

She tried to keep her face from scrunching up in disgust at the way he talked down to her. Years building up her reputation and Avery still talked to her like he did when she first came stumbling onto the island, wide-eyed and on the run from the Armada. They were gone now, thanks to her, and Avery still refused to speak to her like she was an adult. The only time he even acknowledged what she’d done- not only for him, but most of the damn spiral- was when he wanted something from her. Clearly he knew she was one the best. He just refused to actually say it. Subodai was convinced that he had a grudge because she had clearly surpassed his own skill level. Bonnie Anne thought that he was just an asshole and Andy couldn’t help but agree with the fox.

“Still,” Andy argued, watching Vadima sprinkle crushed cammun root over the mixture. “I’m not exactly in the habit of trusting people that won’t even tell me their real name. Or you.”

Avery let out a boisterous laugh at the last bit, clapping her on the shoulder. “Scared that I made this all up to poison you?”

“I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“It is ready,” Vadima announced, catching their attention. “And it is not poison.”

Andy took a step toward the cauldron. What had once been the clear blue water of skull island had turned into a thick, silvery liquid that shimmered as it reflected the lights around it. A large bubble rose slowly to its surface and popped. It looked more like liquid metal than something that was actually ingestible. Still, if there was something she’d learned over the last few years on the island, it was to never doubt Madame Vadima.

She sniffed the potion slightly. Cammun root. Figured.  “So I drink this and it’ll make me look like a ghost?”

Vadima looked unimpressed with her question. “It will mask your life force and allow me to transport you through the spirit’s realm.”

“So a ghost, got it.” She glanced over at Avery, the wisps of a nervous expression on her face. “This is a lot of work for some old man’s staff.”

“It’s a lot of work for a lot of money, which we’re splitting 50/50.”

Andy rolled her eyes at his last minute attempt to renegotiate. “Nice try. 70/30, my favor. And don’t think I forgot to tell my crew that you agreed to still give them work while I’m gone.”

“The Steel Heart’s crew still has a contract, Captain,” he replied with a sigh. “Although I would have preferred you to hand the reins over to someone other than that wretched fox.”

“We need to act before it begins to boil.”

She smirked at him with pride. She might have done that on purpose. “You’ll get over it.”

Andy looked back over at the woman and the potion at her interruption. “Right.”

Quickly but carefully, she began to remove anything that would immediately identify her as a pirate. Her hat, coat, and vest all had to go, leaving her in a loose white shirt and her tight fitting pants. Her weapons belt was the last thing she removed, tentatively placing it in Avery’s open palm. Andy suddenly felt a lot more vulnerable than she’d been in a long time.

“I’m coming back for those, Avery.”

“Of course you are, Captain.” 

If she was more naïve she might have thought that he was trying to reassure her, but she knew that he was only assuring himself. He was sending one of his best contractors into unknown territory unarmed and underprepared. This was a big job and they knew next to nothing about it. Andy didn’t even know how she was going to get back home once she stole the staff that Avery’s buyer was looking for. She had no idea how long it would take her to case the joint, form a plan, and wait for the right moment to execute it. The only thing that was certain was that she was going to be gone for a while. It crossed her mind, as Vadima handed her the silver coated ladle, that this might be a convoluted plan to get rid of her without outright killing her. She pushed the thought from her mind, spoon raised to her lips. Avery loved money more than anything else, and she was probably his most reliable supplier of it. He’d sent her on plenty of death defying missions before. She would be fine.

Despite it’s strange list of ingredients, Vadima’s mixture tasted oddly like vanilla. She never really understood magic, and she didn’t intend to learn. She was perfectly fine with shooting, slicing, and leaving all of the mystical nonsense to others. The vanilla bit at her tongue.

“You should feel it begin to take effect-”

Andy lurched toward Avery as a wave of lightheadedness washed over her. She watched his arms reach out to catch her but never felt his hands. The only thing she could sense was the cold. Like a freezing hand was wrapped tightly around her heart and was dragging her through a thick pool of water. She couldn’t tell seconds from hours. It felt like everything was happening in the blink of an eye and in the passing of days at the same time. Then her lungs started to scream. They were collapsing and being filled to their bursting point at the same time. She moved her arms wildly, searching for some kind of purchase, but there was no way to know up from down. Her hand found a piece of stone that was so cold that it burned, but it was firm. Strong. She pulled herself up.

Andy coughed and sputtered as she hit the cobblestone pavement, fighting to regulate her breathing. She could vaguely register the screams around her as she popped out of seemingly nowhere, but she couldn’t be bothered to take in any of her surroundings. The icy darkness of the spirit’s realm was clashing hard against the heat of this world’s sun and her body was going into shock. It had happened before- deadly injuries were common in her line of work- but she had had her crew with her then. People that she trusted. All she had here was a group of strangers staring at her with wide eyes.

“Give her some room!” Andy didn’t see who said it, too busy dying on the sidewalk. Someone gently took her head in their hands, resting her on their kneeling thighs. All Andy could make out of their face was the way that the sun streamed around them like a halo. Her vision began to blacken. And that’s when her savior started to hum.

It was soft and airy, a melodic tune that she didn’t recognize but felt oddly familiar. The song was calming in an unexplainable way, Andy could feel her heartbeat begin to slow and breaths even out as the woman continued her song, fingers resting lightly on her temples. Warmth radiated from the girl’s fingertips and it tasted like oranges on Andy's tongue. Magic. It had that same powerful tinge as Vadima’s potion, but where the potion was sour, this magic was sweet. Like indulging in Karamellian chocolate on a blissful summer night.

The feeling tapered out as the girl stopped humming and removed her hands. Andy took the opportunity to sit up, fingers running through the tangles in her hair once as she turned to look at the girl with the sickly sweet magic. She thickly swallowed as she finally got a good look at her savior. The girl's long dark tresses and light brown skin stood in direct contrast to Andy’s pale hands and fiery red hair. Her angel’s soft, symmetrical features were almost as ethereal as her eyes, big and brown, with just a hint of gold running around the edges. Andy felt like she couldn’t breathe again, but this time in a way that made her heart sing instead of seize.

“Are you alright?” Even the way she spoke made Andy feel dizzy.

“I . . .” she tried to speak but came out as only a breathy whisper. “Thank you.”

The brunette smiled at her sympathetically before placing her hands on her own thighs and pushing herself into a standing position. And just like that the spell was broken. Andy needed to get it together. This was a mission. She was here to steal something, not stare doe-eyed at the first beautiful woman she ran into.

“Alright, show’s over everyone. Get to where you’re going.” Footsteps started around them along with a few annoyed groans as the crowd began to disperse. The girl reached a hand down and Andy gingerly took it, letting the girl help her to her feet. Andy swayed purposefully as she stood, stumbling into the taller girl’s chest like she was still dizzy. It worked like a charm, the girl quickly wrapping her hands around Andy’s shoulders and looking at her with concern. “Let’s find you a place to sit down.”

“By Bartleby, Nora, what’s going on out here?” Andy’s head swiveled to the new voice, taking in the old, bearded man who was wearing the most ridiculous set of clothes the pirate had ever seen. His blue star-spotted robes looked like pajamas and his hat seemed to defy the laws of physics to balance on top of his wrinkling head. In his left hand he held a staff that clearly doubled as a walking stick, the golden head curling around  a glowing blue orb. She recognized that staff. Avery had shown a drawing of it to her three days ago when she agreed to take this job. “Who is this?”

The girl- Nora looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to tell them her name. Andy’s mouth went dry. “I- I don’t know.”