#open starter :: everyone forgets about me...

[2cvri0vs4u]

The femme found herself drowned in her work asleep. She was asleep once again for some strange reason, she was asleep at her desk.

She usually never gets sleep because she's always working on something important, it wasn't every day that she worked until midnight. It was usually until she passes out.

[mondaymelon]

₊˚ෆ 𝐈 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓, 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔? | lyney, neuvillette, wriothesely x gn!reader

ˋ°•*⁀➷ cw: established relationship, fluffity fluff !! art by @/puna_822 on twitter, edited by me!

⤷ shh!! secret relationships with the fontaine men ₊˚ෆ

— Lyney will keep the secret well, of course. He’s a jack of all trades, and a little bit of misconception is nothing taxing for someone who can trick the eye with just a simple swipe of his hands.

…Though, his personality often brings much more to deal with behind the scenes. His every action is designed as a ruse, trying to draw any and every reaction from you - whether it be making you irritated as can be or practically burning from his smooth words. He’ll at the red on your face with a light smirk gracing his lips. “Embarrassed, now, are we? Mhm, best wipe it off your face though, lest anyone find out~”

Dealing with the magician was a headache. A delightful one, but painful nonetheless. He has a habit of saying whatever he wants, and it doesn’t help that he’s so good at it too. His tongue can twist poems out of thin air, or pickup lines at the drop of a hat. The number of times Lynette had glanced over at you with a concerned gaze was far more than you could count, and it would be only a matter of time before another carefully crafted sentence sent the entire mirage into collapse. The two of you had only decided to keep your relationship private in the first place due to work affairs. It’d just make things more frustrating if people were aware of the connection. In earlier weeks, you had tried to confront the man about the entire predicament, but he had only laughed it off with a shrug of his shoulders and a jesting beam. 

“Oh, don’t tell me that the words I tell you every day still make you so flustered? Archons, you really are a hopeless romantic, aren’t you? Although, for you, I suppose I’m no different…” 

When Freminet had eventually voiced his worries, gently holding your hands and saying, “A-Are you okay? Your face is really red, are you sick? Should I walk y-you home?”, there was no other choice but to shake your head, cover your flushed cheeks as best you could with a hand, and tell a blatant lie that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

There most certainly was, and it was the cat-like man who stood off to the side, a sly smirk on his face and one of his eyes closed in a wink. Not helping, Lyney.

When would the day come for you to be the one to make him flustered? Perhaps it was sooner than you thought, on his opening night for the new season. You weren’t sure if he had expected to see you in the crowd, but as he was performing his wonderous tricks, eyes sweeping over the hundreds present, his shimmering lilac eyes locked onto yours. His professional smile stretched a little wider, and as he pulled a dove out of his hat with a flourish of his arms, beamed. The astonished look on your face was something he’d be sure not to forget.

As soon as the lights dim onstage, he hurries off of it, giving Lynette a quick farewell and combing back his unruly hair with his fingers. He spots you standing by the exit, holding… a bouquet of roses in your arms? They were a beautiful sight, yet paled in comparison to how ethereal you looked in the moment, the spotlights afar illuminating your face with a glow and your eyes sparkling with delight. This always happens when the two of you are alone - he’ll switch from verbal affection to physical, and this time is no exception. He sweeps you into his arms, slotting his lips against yours as he pulls you into a deep kiss that leaves you breathless and red. However, this time, the blush dusting your cheeks is not only on your face but his, as he takes the flowers in his arms with a bright smile. 

“For me, love? Come now, I can’t possibly keep how good we are together from everyone else, can I?” ₊˚ෆ

— Neuvillette is… an interesting case. For starters, he’s baffled at the concept of keeping the relationship a secret. Elaborate that you don’t want to ruin his reputation as a perfect, just, and stone-cold judge, and he’ll oblige… reluctantly. He still doesn’t understand - just why can’t he show you how much he loves you in public?

For now, he’ll have to chalk it up as more human affairs that he’s deemed too complicated to figure out. Ground rules have been laid out - no mentioning the relationship, no telling anyone either… not even the melusines, which was a fair case, since they’d be sure to spread the news faster than wildfire. The mortal realm is far more puzzling than it seems, he concludes somberly. An unfamiliar world that was arduous to coexist in. It’ll be alright, though, as long as he can intertwine his fingers with yours and look into your eyes and-

“N- Sir Neuvillette… not here!” You chide quietly, slowly withdrawing your hand from his. His face falls into an instant, brows furrowing. He’ll bite his tongue, for your sake, and remain silent, yet his fingers twitch. Archons, his hands feel so much better when they’re in yours. The man watches with dejected eyes as you whip your head around anxiously, before gesturing for Neuvillette to bend down. He complies, and matches himself to your height, yet immediately pauses any motion as soon as he feels your lips brush against his forehead. You brush a stray lock of his behind his reddened ears, a grin curving on your lips.

“Don’t be too disappointed, okay? I don’t want it to rain on my way back home~” You beam slyly as you lean away, witnessing Neuvillette’s expression undergo several stages - downcast, shocked, flustered… and then a small smile graces his expression.

“I’ll see you when I get home. Don’t wait up for me. The case might run late.” Neuvillette chuckles to himself, straightening his posture as he softly pinches your cheek, laughing at the way you begin to pout. It’s something the melusines told him to do, and he’s glad he listened - your face is soft, and he has to hold himself back from kissing you. He can hear people around the corner, their voices growing closer. “Get home safe.”

“Love?” Whenever the dragon enters home, he’ll call you by the name he’s unable to call you anywhere else - something he loathes with a burning sensation in his chest. “Are you…” His voice fades as he sees you curled up on the couch, eyes closed and chest slowly rising and falling with every breath. Had you tried to stay up for him? Cute. He takes you in his arms and brings you to the bedroom, carefully arranging the pillows and blankets around your sleeping form. You stir in your state, lids slowly fluttering open as you stare at the man above you with drowsy eyes.

“Neuvi?” The use of his nickname makes his heart flutter. It’s utterly incomparable to what you call him at work, “Sir Neuvillette.” Too rigid. You giggle at the sight of him, still half-asleep, and cup his face in your hands. “Welcome home… did I fall asleep? Ah, I’m sorry, I guess I was too tired…?”

The smile on his face won’t leave.

Yes, moments like these allowed him to continue this strange human practice.

He places his hands on yours, reveling in your warmth.

“Sleep, love.” ₊˚ෆ

— Wriothesley’s used to being professional. If he wasn’t, his work would be a lifetime more demanding than it was at the moment - although, perhaps even that’d be easier than keeping himself away from you until watchful eyes are no longer present.

He’s touchy whenever he’s with you. He likes leaning into your figure, even if you’re shorter than him, just to take in the way you embrace him back, but he loves the feeling of your fingers with his even more. It makes him feel… giddy, light, like he could drift away with the slightest breeze.

And that’s an issue. In order for you to remain safe, he’ll have to stay hushed about you being his lover. He’s made enemies, that much is natural. Of course, he’ll comply with your wishes to keep the relationship private. You could tell him to eat dirt and he’d do just that. Things like that are second nature now. Before, he had no trouble lasting weeks, or months in the Fortress of Meropide at once. After all, there was no driving incentive to head back to the city of Fontaine other than greeting the melusines, dropping off official papers, or, his guilty pleasure, ordering bags upon bags of tea from the mainland, so that he’d have more than enough to drink at the fortress. Now that you were here, however, how could he possibly stay away longer than a few days? If your hands in his were what made him float away, your smile brought him back, with a racing heart in his chest and a smile spread across his features. He’d give the world to see your smile, since it was his world. A single laugh from you would cause the background to fade to white, and rouse his heart and face into a flustered mess.

The prisoners notice a difference. Of course, they don’t know who this mysterious person the duke is seeing, but all they know is that they’re certainly working wonders. On miraculous, wondrous days, they'll even catch a glimpse of a smile on his face while he’s sitting at his desk, sifting through paperwork. As time passes, the news only grows more widespread, eventually reaching the ears of the ludex himself. It’s true, there is an apparent change - one that he captures on the duke’s more frequent visits to land. For a while, fables and tales of Wriothelsey’s mysterious lover spread throughout the city from ear to ear in hushed, excited whispers.

He’ll tease you about it, of course, but he’s really just rather intrigued. Has he really changed that much after meeting you? He doesn’t think so, but he wouldn’t put it past himself. “Darling, darling…” He repeats your petname when you don’t immediately react. “Darling, c’mon…” He can feel the pout creeping on his lips.

“Impatient, are we, Wrio?” You sigh as you turn away from your work, and his icy eyes light up in an instant. You stroke your hand through his hair gently, carding your fingers through the soft, dark strands, and you can see the way Wriothelsey simply melts under your touch. “You’ve been seeking me quite often these days, haven’t you?”

Maybe he has changed. Staring up at you with half-lidded eyes and a smile playing on his lips, feeling his ears warm, perhaps that conjecture has been solidified as the truth.

“Is it so wrong to wish for you, darling?”

(a/n) ngl i kinda hate this fanfic. everything about it. everyone seems so ooc and the prompt is barely even mentioned ew ew ew not my best work by far please dont tell me writers block is coming back i hate that big bad scary thing

໒꒱ || ᴛᴀɢʟɪꜱᴛ (open! send an ask or a comment ♡) : @manager-of-the-pudding-bank, @iamdedinside, @ilyuu, @achlysis, @swivy123, @scara-is-my-wife

[tarotbiscuits]

𝔭𝔦𝔠𝔨 𝔞 𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔡: 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔣𝔰

(this is for my female audience interested in men)

˜”°•.˜”°• Who are they?

What do they have to say to you?

What are their intentions towards you? •°”˜.•°”

We'll see what their energy (and the cards) say

Try to meditate on the piles beforehand and choose the one which calls you the most. If you don't feel drawn to any of them, close your eyes, take a deep breath and open your eyes. The pile you notice first is your pile!! If you feel drawn to two piles, i'd suggest choosing the one you're most drawn to, as the messages tend to be similar in nature.

𝔭𝔦𝔩𝔢 1 𝔭𝔦𝔩𝔢 2

𝔭𝔦𝔩𝔢 3 𝔭𝔦𝔩𝔢 4

PILE 1

Signs this might be for you:

444 is significant to you

you have a flowy red dress that you love wearing and it looks great on you (i see you turning around happily in that dress)

Who is your fs?

the hermit, temperance, page of cups rx, page of wands rx, five of swords, king of cups

Greetings, pile 1! For starters, i see that your fs is someone that you’ve already been in a romantic connection with. Your fs is someone who is more introverted or a loner at heart. He usually takes a lot of time for himself to balance his emotions out in his day-to-day life. He can be rather emotionally immature at times, not admitting his feelings for his love interests due to poor communication skills. I feel like he’s not the type to take risks. He wishes to be like everyone else, instead of standing out from the crowd. Your fs is a guy who doesn’t engage in conflicts much. Whenever he gets into conflict with someone, he tends to leave the situation to meditate upon it instead of lashing out. What I see coming for him is the fact that soon enough, he’ll be in his king of cups energy, because he took the time to get to know himself and seek answers to his problems. He’ll become an emotionally mature man, who can be honest about his feelings and support you emotionally when you need him.

His message for you

tower rx, four of cups, justice rx

“I’m sorry (i felt a lump in my throat right after that). Justice wasn’t done in our connection and it’s all my fault. I did you wrong big time and I don’t expect you to even forgive me, let alone take me back. I was a fool in the past when I denied your offer. I pursued other options over you (i don’t feel like this is a third party situation, just casual dating). Now I realized that having a lot of options won’t bring me emotional fulfillment and happiness if they’re not you. Our break-up was a traumatic experience for me and I did everything I could to numb my feelings and forget about you.”

His intentions towards you

death rx, ten of swords rx

Dear pile 1, I’m sorry to break it to you, but for now, your fs wants to heal from the connection. He feels like there are some demons from your past connection that still follow him and he wants to stop them from inflicting more pain on him. He wants to let go of the past and move on with his life. Considering he’s going to be your fs, the story isn’t probably over yet, i think?. Knight of cups rx is at the bottom of the deck, he feels like he can’t make a love offer rn. Under this there’s the queen of cups, omg he sees you as his soulmate. He deff still loves you, but is too heartbroken over the past. Give him time, pile 1. It’s just not the right time for the two of you to be together now.

Extra:

likes reading a lot

also likes ducks (and other feathered animals)

zodiac placements: virgo sun, water signs (cancer, scorpio, pisces) in big 6

PILE 2

Signs this might be for you:

33 is relevant to you

you have sneezed recently or you sneeze a lot

Who is your fs?

three of pentacles rx, three of wands, king of swords rx, seven of wands, ace of wands horizontal (yes, i take horizontals as advice cards), eight of swords, the world (bottom of the deck)

Hello pile 2, hope you’re having a great day! Your fs is someone who’s independent – he prefers to work alone than in groups or in collaboration with another person. He’s likely an adventurous type who travels a lot for work, but also in his free time. When he travels for fun, he likes to explore the natural wonders of our planet: hiking in the woods, tasting the freshness of the water streams around him. On the downside, he can be rather arrogant with his words, feeling like he’s above others intellectually or that people aren’t as honest and truthful like him. He can get a lot of backlash because of this, which makes him feel like he needs to defend for himself most of the time. I see that your fs wants to pursue a new creative endeavor, likely stemming from one of his passions, but he’s afraid. He is advised to take a leap of faith and do it anyway. He won’t know what’s in store for him unless he tries.

You two will probably be in a long distance relationship for a while. He’ll deff open you up to new experiences, getting you out of your comfort zone. Since he’s well travelled, count on him when you two are booking a holiday destination – he tends to know the coolest spots for taking pictures :)

His message for you

sun horizontal, page of pentacles horizontal, three of swords rx, king of cups, four of cups, five of pentacles rx

“Hey baby, it’s okay. The sun isn’t shining today, but that doesn’t mean it won’t shine tomorrow. Tomorrow is a new day. I know you’re afraid to take a new beginning, you’ve been hurt so bad by love and all I want to do is take away your pain. I promise you, I’ll take away your pain one day, okay? Just don’t close yourself off to new possibilities, heck even in love. Don’t wait for me. Live your life, explore other options. See what you like and what you don’t. Just remember, you’re never alone. There are people who will love you for who you truly are, your family loves you (i sense that you might have had a difficult upbringing, a dysfunctional family, especially an absent mother, but your fs doesn’t know that yet). I will. You’re never alone, remember that.”

His intentions towards you

the high priestess rx, wheel of fortune rx, the star, nine of pentacles

Pile 2, your fs is closing himself off from your connection in the higher realm for now. Like pile 1, he feels like now is not the right time for you two to be together – your connection is divinely guided by the Universe and his higher self is guiding him towards some hardships in his personal life to learn valuable lessons, which are needed for your connection. He’s hopeful that you exist and he knows that you will be reunited at some point, but for now, he’s happily single and he wants to focus on maintaining his independence.

Extra:

rice is very significant (either his origins are from Asia or he strongly loves/hates rice)

zodiac placements: strong sagittarius, especially sagittarius sun/venus, gemini sun (it might be aspected with pluto, i see mostly conjuncting pluto or squaring/opposing pluto), gemini mercury, leo in big 6 (mostly ascendant and mars)

PILE 3

Signs this might be for you:

you have blue eyes (sorry guys, i can’t get any more signs for this one; he’s also telling me that you’ve eaten something specific recently but i can’t see what; i'm hearing mozarella sticks? lmk if it resonates, i'm not sure on this one)

Who is your fs?

five of pentacles rx, the tower rx, the emperor rx, temperance, page of cups rx, eight of wands, the star (bottom of the deck)

Woahh, pile 3. When i was shuffling the cards for this question, a lot of them fell down. Your fs has a lot to tell you about himself!! I think he has been often told to shut up by others. That’s what made him keep to himself a lot, but with you, he wants to tell you everything. Hahaha, now he's got a much calmer energy. Pile 3, your fs is the type of person that has outbursts of anger and he lashes out everything, but after that he’s like a lamb lmao. I see that your fs has been through some deep, dark shit in his past, likely involving his parents. Either his parents divorced at some point and it affected him deeply or his father abandoned him at a very young age. This broke down his world at the time, but i see that he has healed from it. He wished he had a happy childhood, but he just wants peace now and he got it. I felt his energy for a moment where he kept saying “I just want the fights to be over already” and then he kept repeating “over” again and again in a very demanding tone. I’d say his unhappy childhood still haunts him at times (i got death rx on the bottom of the deck when i clarified the first 3 cards), but he does believe in true love. He’s someone who tends to keep his feelings in check and his life in moderation. He can act immature at times, but i feel like he does feel sorry for his actions and tries his best to become a better person.

His message for you

six of swords, nine of pentacles, the well rx (i'm using ethereal visions by matt hughes it's my only deck ;-;), knight of swords

“Be strong. You have walked away from so many storms, that you’ve become this beautiful butterfly on your own. And if you haven’t walked away from those toxic people – do it NOW. I’ve walked away from my parents and friends, was it easy? No, but I’m much better now. You gotta be who you truly are as a person, you’re so fricking valuable. You need to be upfront and direct with people. I’ll teach you if you can’t. Why have you blocked your creative juices? Was it because of pain? Don’t let past hurts hinder your light. You are this beautiful goddess that is above EVERYONE else (i can really feel this feminine energy coming from you). I’ll worship the ground you walk on. Just don’t let them win.”

Pile 3, i feel like some of you are healing from a break-up, but you are already almost fully healed. You’re glowing and your fs adores that.

His intentions towards you

six of cups rx, page of swords rx, king of wands rx, wheel of fortune horizontal (yes, i take horizontals as advice cards)

For some of you, i feel like you already know them. Your fs might have been a childhood friend, a neighbor or a classmate that you used to hang around with when you were kids, just doing fun stuff. I don’t think he was in your life for a long time, you probably lost contact for some reason. I also don’t think you two were romantically involved, but if you did, it was more of an innocent fling.

For others of you, this is someone completely new and the six of cups rx might just point out to his unhappy childhood. He’s been pondering on it lately and feels very sad, maybe even depressed.

Either way, I feel like he’s going to enter your life really soon, but it won’t be at the right time. He’s not someone that is guided by a higher force, his intuition is quite blocked and he tends to act on his impulsive feelings without thinking of the consequences too much.

If you already know him, he might tell you about some harsh truth. Either point out to something you do which isn’t right, so he’s gonna call you out on that or he’ll say something regarding the times when you hung out as kids, which didn’t sit right with him.

If you don’t know him, he’s probably going to show off to you in a very “look at me, I’m better than the other guys” kinda way.

Whether you already know him or you will in the near future, i do feel like he has romantic feelings for you and he feels like he has got a chance to be with you, but like i said, the universe is saying that right now is not the right time for your union. It’s very likely that he’s still in school/college and is very focused on it. He doesn’t know if he should choose to pursue you or his career rn. This last bunch of cards just flew so this has been heavily on his mind. I’d say don’t engage too much with him, this is only the beginning of your love story. It will solve itself out when the timing is right.

Extra:

bichons/havanese dogs might be significant to your or them

zodiac placements: heavy aries and leo energy (i wouldn’t be surprised if most of his birth chart is filled with fire placements), libra sun or an afflicted sun (with lots of squares and oppositions)  

PILE 4

Signs this might be for you:

you had a very hard time picking a pile (yeah, i literally didn’t know if i should make this pile or not)

your fav color is purple

Who is your fs?

three of swords horizontal (yes, i take horizontals as advice cards), the emperor horizontal, three of cups rx, nine of wands rx, knight of wands, six of wands

Pile 4!!! Spirit was telling me to do this reading asap because it’s urgent (and then i got a call lmao). Your fs is likely a very busy guy, getting calls all the time. Damn, I just saw him in a suit. He’s someone influential in his career for sure, probably works in business. Even the cards hardly came out, like he didn’t want to talk because he’s too busy atm. I see that for your fs, career is everything. He is used to declining invitations to social events and parties because he would rather spend his time and attention on making money. He’s very VERY successful in what he does, i see massive recognition here, because he seizes every opportunity to advance in his career and he goes for them!! Sadly, he wasn’t always like this. At times he felt like the competition was too much and that he won’t succed, but in the end he gave his all, despite his feelings. He is advised not to become too bossy with the people around him, even though i feel like he isn’t like that anyway. I also believe that his overfixation on his career comes from a past break-up that he hasn’t processed fully. He is advised to process it and move on, instead of trying to simply forget it by doing something else.

His message for you

The chariot rx, queen of cups, page of pentacles clarified by two of swords, eight of cups clarified by seven of cups, five of pentacles rx clarified by the hermit, five of swords rx clarified by the king of wands

This is more about his ex and what happened to him, I feel like he really needs to vent so be gentle with him pile 4

“I wasn’t ready for her. I wasn’t ready for our relationship, but my feelings for her were so much, I just couldn’t hold them inside of me anymore. At that time I believed this was a new beginning for us, one that we would both (and i emphasize both) build for, something which would have lasted for a long time (i’m hearing everlasting). I felt like something was off from the beginning, but I thought it was only my imagination playing tricks. I wanted to take it slow because I wasn’t sure…oh boy, was I wrong. I had to leave when I found out that she was cheating on me this whole time. I poured my heart to her and she cheated…I don’t want to remember what happened after. It took me a long time to get over it, get over her (i’m hearing sleepless nights). I felt so alone and abandoned, I didn’t want to talk with anyone, I drank myself to sleep. But this experience made me into who I am today. I know I’m strong. I weathered storms no one would have imagined and I came out victorious. But I’m never leaving my heart to anyone else.

I don’t know if you exist…I’m feeling strong now, but what if it’s just a façade? Do you even exist? (death is on the bottom of the deck , under the death card is the queen of wands rx, he really doesn’t feel like you exist). I feel like the world is filled with harsh people, people that only want to benefit from others and I’m not letting others exploit me anymore.”

Pile 4, i honestly feel like he has so much love to give to others, even to you, but i’m not sure if he sees that. He will make a great partner, i can feel this already. Please show him that you will be there for him and that your feelings are genuine. He needs it.

His intentions towards you

four of pentacles, page of wands, ace of cups, seven of swords

Well, he’s deff focusing on his finances rn for sure. I see that there will be a passionate, new beginning in your connection. I don’t think you two have met, i feel like this is a fresh energy. I heard that you will have to make the first step tho. He will open up to you quite fast after that, but he will also feel a bit wary in the beginning. He doesn’t want the past to repeat itself. I see him trying to peek into your phone when you’re texting someone, just to make sure you’re not cheating on him or anything. He does have the tendency to become paranoid, which can get out of hand if not addressed. My advice to you is to have open communication at all cost. I see a lot of love between the two of you. Don’t let it go to waste.

Extra:

zodiac placements: capricorn in big 3, sun/ascendant conjunct saturn, strong sagittarius and leo in big 6, mars in aries or sagittarius, scorpio energy in big 6 or pluto is significant

[theladycarpathia]

Happiness, love, cohabitation (Clipboards and couches notwithstanding)

a.k.a. Tommy's still smitten by Clipboard Buck. (sequel to To Do List: Me (Buck's Tasklist)

“I hope you’re ready for this,” Eddie says under his breath, just as the moving truck pulls in.

“Ready for what?” Tommy asks, shielding his eyes against the sun. “Happiness? Love? Cohabitation?”

Eddie just gives him a look. Perhaps there’s a reason that he’s the only person from the 118 that volunteered to help today. Hen and Howie were conveniently otherwise engaged. Cowards.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he says darkly, nodding at the gleam of Buck’s truck down the road. It sounds ridiculous but Tommy’s stomach still dips a little at the mere suggestion of Buck.

“Evan’s moving in today,” Tommy says, choosing to ignore every single thinly veiled, ominous word out of Eddie’s mouth. “I swear to you, I have no idea.”

“Yes, you do,” Eddie says, as Buck pulls in, the flatbed still somehow piled high despite the large truck filled with Buck’s belongings. It hadn’t made a lot of sense for Tommy to move into Buck’s loft so it had been an easy decision. Tommy lives close enough to the 118 that it’s not that much more of a commute for Buck. “But you’re being a dick about it.”

“I told you,” Tommy says easily, as Buck climbs out, balancing a box on his knee as he shuts the door. “I’m happy.” Eddie just shakes his head.

“We’ll see how long that lasts,” he promises, as Buck bounds over.

“Hi,” Tommy says and Buck beams back, beautiful and soft.

“Hi,” Buck returns, almost looking uncertain. Tommy’s had to face a few wobbly moments in the past few weeks. But he gathers that the past few times Buck’s moved in with someone it hasn’t gone very well.

“It’s not until Eddie pointedly clears his throat that Tommy realizes they’re just standing in the drive, with the removal men waiting patiently.

“Sorry we were a bit late,” Buck apologizes, looking as flustered as Tommy feels. They’re still in the ‘honeymoon stage’ as Hen likes to quip. Which is bull, because Tommy knows that when it’s the right person that it never just goes away. Hen and Karen for starters, are not exempt. “There was some trouble getting the furniture down the stairwell. I don’t remember it being so difficult to move in…”

“That’s because it was flat packed, Buck,” Eddie says and rolls his shoulders. “Where do we start?”

And then - alright, so Tommy had been expecting it, he had - Buck reaches into the cardboard box and pulls out a clipboard.

The look that Eddie gives him is very nearly worth it.

“I fucking told you,” Eddie says, tipping back the bottle of water until it’s empty. “God, I just knew it.”

“So you did,” Tommy says and Eddie crumples up the bottle.

“Are you telling me that you don’t see it?” he demands, tossing the bottle towards the recycling. “Are you seriously telling me that Clipboard Buck is just…Buck to you?”

Tommy’s been hearing about Clipboard Buck for nearly as long as he’s been dating Buck. Like Maurice, the jinx and the heist, it’s one of those things that seems to just pass into the 118 lore. Clipboard Buck is like a unicorn that occasionally appears before vanishing once more. If unicorns wore frowns and clicked their pens if you forgot to follow his exacting instructions.

The thing is that Tommy doesn’t mind. Everyone has their quirks. Howard smacks his gum, Hen frequently forgets to turn off her mothering, Eddie veers to the over dramatic. It’s just one of those things you learn to live with for someone you love.

“It’s endearing,” he says defensively, while Eddie snorts. “Besides, you just have to know how to use it.”

Eddie pauses, mouth open, before he wrinkles his nose. It didn’t take him long to think of the implications.

To be fair, it hadn’t taken Tommy all that long either the first time he’d seen Buck with a clipboard.

“Actually,” Eddie says, grabbing a few new bottles of water from the fridge. “I really don’t want to know.”

“Want to know what?” Buck asks, appearing in the doorway. It’s been hard work - it’s a beautifully sunny Los Angeles day and even with Buck’s loft, there’s still an astounding amount of stuff that needs to be moved in and arranged. Tommy’s - now theirs - bedroom has a significant pile of boxes lined up against the far wall.

Absolutely nothing obstructing the bed. Tommy had been very clear about that.

“What you do with that clipboard,” Eddie says bluntly and ducks out. Tommy reaches out to grab hold of Buck’s waist and pull him closer, deftly removing the clipboard from his grasp.

“This isn’t unpacking,” Buck says against Tommy’s bottom lip. Tommy slides a hand down the curve of Buck’s rear and isn’t surprised that Buck doesn’t take a whole lot of persuading to lean in. They’re pressed together, chests down to knees, and Tommy is pretty sure that Eddie handing out water to the removal guys can at least buy them a few minutes.

“We deserve a break,” Tommy insists and kisses him.

And yeah, a break turns into a few minutes of making out like horny teenagers against the kitchen island but sometimes you take what you have to to get through the day.

“This is going to make it very difficult to move the bookcase,” Buck sighs, letting Tommy kiss along his jaw.

“How’s the list?” Tommy asks, because that’s another, unforeseen advantage of Buck’s clipboard. Aside from the very memorable occasions where Buck writes out every awesomely filthy want in his head (to be ticked off meticulously) it also gives them an end goal for when everyone else goes home.

“Getting there,” Buck says, sliding a hand around Tommy’s neck. “A few more boxes, some bigger items. Are you sure all this stuff is going to fit?” Tommy shrugs. He hadn’t worried about it too much. He’s got the space and they’re both off tomorrow. Tonight they can christen the bed and unpack Buck’s essentials and tomorrow they can make a start on combining their lives.

“We’ll manage,” Tommy soothes. He can hear noises outside and they don’t have long but he wants to keep Buck here for just a moment longer. He smells faintly of sweat and lemon shower gel and Tommy wants to just keep breathing it in.

But when they emerge from the kitchen - the back of Buck’s hair rather obviously ruffled - they encounter an obstacle in the living room. Literally.

“We’ll have to shift that,” Tommy notes, because there’s not quite enough space for his couch, Buck’s couch, and the armchair. “It’s not exactly going to…Buck?”

Because Buck is staring, wide-eyed at the collection of furniture currently crowding Tommy’s front room.

“You have a couch,” Buck says and Tommy blinks.

“Yes,” he says. “Most people do.”

“I have a couch,” Buck says and Tommy is completely lost. He’s learned a lot of things about Buck by now - the jealousy (the incident with Sal was a good indicator,) the insecurities, the abandonment issues, and the obvious Clipboard Tyrant tendencies. Not one of them has been a deal breaker, despite Buck’s concerns.

But this is new.

“Still not seeing the problem here, Evan,” Tommy says. Eddie passes by the open doorway, hands now empty of water bottles. He sticks his head through, and briefly makes a confused face at Tommy behind Buck’s back.

“My previous couches came with girlfriends,” Buck explains and Eddie hurriedly disappears again.

“Did this couch come with a girlfriend?” Tommy asks, eying the blue three-seater that’s been wedged up against the wall.

“Look, I never had a couch because I lived in a frat house and then with Abby. And then couch one was chosen by Ali, who left me. Couch two had to go when Taylor moved in and then she moved out and I didn’t have a couch. And then my mom bought me a couch but Cameron had her baby on it and Couch four had to go to Goodwill because it was chosen by Natalia the Death Doula.”

“I see,” Tommy says, although he really doesn’t. But there’s not a lot of point in trying to decipher Buck when he babbles like this. “So. You bought this couch. By yourself?”

“No girlfriends,” Buck says and gestures to the couch in question. “Statistically, I don’t have the best luck with couches. Or girlfriends. If I get rid of this couch, I’m starting the cycle all over again. I know Hen told me to stop counting but if I buckle on this it’s very not Buck 5.0.”

Not one word of that made sense to Tommy. But he knows when Buck is spiraling and for some reason right now, Buck is spiraling.

“Evan,” Tommy says and rests his hands on either side of Buck’s face. He strokes his thumbs over Buck’s cheeks until he stops talking. “It’s fine. We can keep your couch. Mine can go downstairs or we can move the armchair. You don’t need to get rid of it.”

“I don’t?” Buck asks, looking dumbfounded.

“No,” Tommy says firmly. He still doesn’t quite understand it but the thing is that he doesn’t need to to soothe Buck. Buck’s worried about something and he can fix it. That’s all there is. “We’ll sort it out tomorrow. Your couch looks nice up here.”

“Okay,” Buck mumbles and then slumps against Tommy. “Thanks.”

“Of course,” Tommy says and presses a kiss against the port-wine stain of Buck’s birthmark.

They stay like that for a while, wrapped around each other, Buck tucking his head in the curve of Tommy’s neck.

“I knew there might be complications moving in together, I just didn’t expect something like that,” Tommy says frankly when Buck finally lifts his head up.

“I’ll explain later,” Buck says, looking a little sheepish now that the moment of panic is over. “We should get the rest of the stuff in. Where’s Eddie?”

“Run away like a chicken,” Tommy says. “Does he know about the couch theory?”

“He knows,” Buck says darkly. Okay, maybe this is another part of the 118 lore - and Tommy needs to remember to ask later about the Buck labeling system. What was Buck 1.0? Does he even want to know?

When they emerge out into the sunshine again, the removal men and Eddie are sitting on the grass out front, drinking water.

“All good?” Eddie asks and Buck offers him a hand.

“Good,” he says, pulling Eddie up. “Are we nearly done?”

“You tell me,” Eddie says, putting his hands on his hips and looking at Tommy. It’s very much saying ‘You asked for this.’

But all Tommy can think as Buck hurries back inside for his clipboard is that yes, he absolutely did.

[what-eats-owls]

Show vs Tell, Or: Please Stop Making Things Difficult for Yourself

I said a while ago that I'd write a brief essay about the most misused craft advice in writing once I wrote 10k words, and for once I actually held myself to that! So now, I'm here to tell you about Show vs Tell, or why people make it more complicated than it needs to be.

First, a basic primer for anyone who hasn't heard this term before: "Show vs Tell"/"Showing vs Telling" refers to "showing" the audience information instead of "telling" it to them. You may be thinking, gosh, that sounds unspecific to the point of being readily misapplied, and you would certainly be right! Lots of folks throw it around without fully grasping what it means, how to use it, or when it doesn't actually apply. And I'd really like everyone to stop making it harder on themselves when there's a very straightforward way to conceptualize it.

So for starters, Chuck Palahniuk has an old but good essay about eliminating "thought" verbs from prose that holds the hell up. But I'm going to tell you an even simpler way to conceptualize the difference between showing and telling:

Eliminate the inner thoughts entirely.

Ask yourself, if my narrator's interior monologue was inaccessible to the audience, how would I convey the same information—literally showing it?

Forget for a moment that your medium is the word, and imagine you only have dialogue and visuals. If this was taking place on the screen or in a graphic novel, how would you convey that this character has a crush on someone in their class? That they're hotheaded? That they're struggling with a decision?

Here's a perfect example of this from the opening scene of Howl's Moving Castle.

Devoid of context, we have a girl trying on a hat in a mirror, and also trying on a fake smile. Then her expression sours and she pulls the hat down over her face until we can only see her frown. She's wearing a plain dress and the hat is simple, despite the elaborate hats and ornaments on display around her.

You don't have to know anything about this character to understand what's being conveyed in this moment: This girl is deeply uncomfortable with trying to be pretty and flirty, but in the safety of privacy she wants that, even though she feels inept and self-conscious about it. She's in this world, but she's not part of it. Even brushing up against it for a moment makes her shut down and reject it with hostility.

More importantly, it's all communicated with a simple gesture and design choices. Not by Sophie thinking to herself, I wish someone would take me dancing—no I don't! I work too hard to have time for dancing!

That's showing. And it's more resonant, because we've all felt silly trying something on in a mirror! Or, say, if you want to show a character has a crush, having them get flustered and laughing too loud. Or showing that they're a hothead by having them snap at a simple disagreement, etc. etc.

This also extends to worldbuilding, dialogue, and stakes.

Worldbuilding: If your story is set in a town run by a crooked sheriff, you could have the narrator say "everyone knows Sheriff Smith is squeezing the shops for bribes." Or the sheriff can stop the narrator for "smelling like weed" while the sheriff's drunken son speeds by, about to total his third BMW.

Dialogue: If your character is angry, they can say "I'm furious." Or they can slam dishes in the sink and insist "I'm not angry" while openly crying. They can snap "I'm not discussing this again." They can demand "What is he doing here?"

Stakes: You can have an all-seeing oracle say "If you do not return the Mystic Orb to the Sunlight Altar by the solstice, the world will plunge forever into darkness." (And as we'll get into it below, sometimes you actually need that.) You can also have intermittent but increasing periods of total darkness occurring as the party travels to the Sunlight Altar. You can have the Mystic Orb start cracking the longer it takes, and the sun getting a little dimmer with every fracture. You can have people's shadows growing bigger and bigger and acting autonomously.

But showing isn't the end-all-be-all; telling absolutely has a place. Sometimes it's better to quickly and plainly state information and move on, such as a little earlier in the scene, when the other hat shop girls have spotted Howl's castle:

"Look, it's Howl's castle!"

"I've never seen it so close!"

“Do you think Howl will go into town?”

“He’s gone!”

“No, he’s just hiding in the fog from those planes.”

“Did you hear what happened to that girl, Martha, in South Haven? They say Howl has torn her heart out.”

“Now I’m too scared to go out!”

“Don’t worry. He only preys on pretty girls.”

This tells us some stuff directly: Who owns the castle we see in the first few seconds, that he's hiding from soldiers, that he has a reputation for preying on beautiful girls. We can infer also that he's a bit of a coward, he stays away from civilization, and that his reputation for cruelty has spread over multiple regions.

This happens so quickly, and it's couched in enough character between the teasing and the gossip, that it doesn't stand out as capital-t-Telling. That's exactly what expository dialogue should do. "Showing" us all that information would take a lot of screen time that can be saved in ten seconds of dialogue.

It's also not just about saving time; it's setting up an image that Howl initially fulfills when he helps Sophie escape the soldiers... only to be punctured when she actually goes to his castle and sees the real Howl. Telling is good for setting expectations that you know will be subverted later.

So yeah, tl;dr: If you're tied up in knots about "am I showing?? am I telling??" just ask yourself how you'd convey the same information in a movie or graphic novel, without access to interior monologue, and evaluate if that'd be better. Most of the time the answer is yes, but not always!

[vendetta-if]

Please don’t take this the wrong way, because I still think you’re writing is incredible and I look forward to every update, but am I the only one who finds Takeshi incredibly weird? Like he’s got a wife and 3 kids and yet he’s still pining over my dad who’s been dead for years now. It’s time to move on dude, come on.

If he was younger and single then I’d understand, but the way it comes off, to me at least, is pretty emotionally unfaithful. It reads like Takeshi views Viktor as “the one who got away” which is kind of a shitty attitude to have when you’re married with kids. We haven’t even met Rins mom yet and I already feel bad for her lol, this whole situation is uncomfortable.

Anyways, sorry for my rambling and if you got offended I really do apologize, I wasn’t trying to be mean. Good luck on your future writing!

I appreciate you being polite when writing this and don’t worry, I’m not offended 😁 I have talked a little bit more about him and his feelings for Viktor and about his marriage with Azami in other asks, but I realize that some of them, I answered like in the early days of this blog being up (boy, time sure does fly because it feels like yesterday to me 😭) and not everyone will have read all of the related asks.

So, everything is a lil bit more complicated for Takashi than what it might seem like on the surface, and of course, I can’t really put all of this history and backstory in the main story because it’s not focused on Takashi, or Rin, or the Aikawa, and thus, I understand why some people end up seeing Takashi in a worse light. This is, of course, not to say that he is perfect. I feel like no one in my story is perfect, even Viktor himself, and I like to keep it that way. But I hope my long-winded explanation in this post will help you get a clearer picture on Takashi and his complicated love life 😭.

And right now in the story, I’ll say that he has actually moved on from Viktor. Sure he still remembers and mourns him around the anniversary of his death, and talking about Viktor (and Yvette) is still a sore spot for him, but as they say, you don’t really forget your first love. Also, he has fixed his relationship with Azami (thus their decision to have the twins) by the time of the main story and they’re at their best right now and I’ll explain more in details below the cut.

I’ll put it under the cut because it’s going to be a long one as I try to summarize Takashi’s and Azami’s history together and some additional lore stuff for those who are interested.

For starter, his marriage to Azami was an arranged one that both of them didn’t really have any say in it and it doesn’t help that both of them didn’t even have time to properly get to know each other by the time they got married. They were also pretty young (around early to mid 20s perhaps? I don’t have my notes open right now).

It was a… politically strategic wedding that Takashi’s father and Azami’s maternal grandfather arranged.

And additional info since I don’t think I have mentioned this anywhere actually, but Azami’s maternal side of family is a Yakuza clan/family back in Japan and by establishing some kind of family relationship with the Aikawas—who focuses their businesses in the US—they hope to keep the door open for possibilities of expanding their own business abroad in the US through the Aikawas. They haven’t really done that, but it’s nice to already have and secure the connection. And vice versa for the Aikawas if they wanna do some business in Japan.

It doesn’t help that Viktor was literally Takashi’s first love and that they’ve known each other since they were kids. So, by the time of his marriage, Takashi didn’t really have enough time to kind of, let go or grow out of his feelings for his first love and he was basically getting married to a stranger.

But to think that this means that he automatically becomes an emotionally distant husband and father is wrong. He spent time talking and hanging out with Azami (mostly initiating them first because Azami is the more introverted and reserved one in their relationship), trying to build a relationship—that should’ve been built naturally in normal marriages—with his wife. It did end up being more like a platonic relationship at first than a romantic one, but still, Azami appreciated that.

He’s also a good, caring, and warm dad for Rin and he did take care of Rin as much as Azami did. I’ve said this before in another ask, but when she got married to what is basically a stranger, Azami expected the worse and Takashi was a very pleasant surprise for her.

I think along the way, Azami fell in love with him for real first, but the fact that Takashi still saw her more of a platonic partner and still had romantic feelings for Viktor at the time… It did put a strain on their marriage.

But both of them didn’t really give up on their marriage and even though it took years, they slowly work on their relationship. It was not an instant progress but over time, Takashi ends up falling in love with Azami as well and that’s also the reason why they had the twins like more than a decade after they had Rin (The twins are still very young in the story right now).

Rin was born because of both of their families’ pressure and expectation, but having the twins is the decision that Takashi and Azami made themselves out of love.

While his feelings for Viktor is still there somewhere in the background, it’s waay weaker and fainter than when he was younger. Right now in the story, I would say he has moved on, although he still remembers his first love occasionally, especially around the time of his death. After all, they say that you can’t really forget your first love.

But yeah, in the story currently, his relationship with his wife is at its best and he’s living happily with his family.

And while a part of his motivation to get Rin to marry MC is in part to kind of fulfilling an impossible dream of his, it is also just for… practical reasons. The fact is that the Aikawas have a little bit more to gain by tying the Morozovs in an alliance based on blood ties than the Morozovs do. The Morozovs have the stronger manpower and raw force/strength and nowadays, they have decent connections too.

I mentioned this before in the past ask about the two families’ history, but their alliance started out because the Aikawas were having a pretty rough time protecting their turf from the other criminal groups and families back in New York. They mostly have power by accumulating and brokering information and connections, but they’re a bit lacking in like raw force and power, and that’s where Grandpa Morozov saw the opportunity for alliance and went to talk with Takashi’s father. And the rest we know how it plays out.

So, yeah… I think that’s all I have to say in this post and I’ll definitely be referring to this post again if I ever get similar asks. I don’t know whether it helps you understand Takashi a little bit more or not, but I do hope it’s not as black and white as it once was 😅

[rpmemes-galore]

Lana Del Rey : Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd album ... sentence starters

"Don't forget me."

"God, I love you, baby."

"You wanted me sadder."

"It's a shame that we die."

"But without them, I'd die."

"Does that sound like love?"

"Love me until I love myself."

"I threw caution to the wind."

"When's it gonna be my turn?"

"Come on, baby, you can thrive."

"Open me up, tell me you like me."

"Do you really think I give a damn."

"I can never stop, wanna have fun."

"Run away like your head is on fire."

"You've been acting pretty restless."

"So you say there's a chance for us."

"It's a shame and I'm crying right now."

"I wrote you a note, but I didn't send it."

"You give me this and I got you, honey."

"So many mountains too high to climb."

"I've got things to do, like nothing at all."

"But, sometimes, it's just not your time."

"I know, I know, I know that you hate me."

"Not that smart, but I've got things to say."

"If you want someone, then just call me up."

"Do you contemplate where we came from?"

"I haven't done a cartwheel since I was nine."

"I won't testify, I already fucked up my story."

"I've got magic in my hand, stars in my eyes."

"I don't know if it was God, but it felt like God."

"I haven't seen my mother in a long, long time."

"It's just that I don't trust myself with my heart."

"Baby, I'll bring the coffee if you bring the wine."

"I had to leave. Knew they wouldn't understand."

"Wouldn't that be somethin' to talk about for us?"

"I've discovered my preaching is mostly about me."

"I'm probably running away from the feelings I get."

"What I do after years of just hearing them talking?"

"It's not about having someone to love me anymorе."

"I couldn't be there for the one who was closest to me."

"Lately, I've been thinking about how things used to be."

"There's a certain point the body can't come back from."

"I like how you talk, how you speak, how you look at me."

"Although it seems I've gotten better, I can be violent, too."

"I can't help but feel somewhat like my body marred my soul."

"What kind of mother was she to say I'd end up in institutions?"

"My pastor told me when you leave, all you take is your memory."

"If you wanna go where nobody goes, that's where you'll find me."

"When everyone's star is bright, brighter than you are, it's time to go."

"I know that we've got problems. I plan to address them another day."

"If you want some basic bitch, go to the Beverly Center and find her."

"For me, you are the one… and if I'm not the one for you, don't just say it."

"What the fuck's wrong in your head to send me away, never to come back?"

"This is gonna sound crazy to you, but I'm gonna tell you the absolute truth."

"So if you don't know, don't give up, 'cause you never know what the new day might bring."

"I know they think that it took thousands of people to put me together again like an experiment."

[lullabyes22-blog]

Snippet - Rotten to the Core - Forward, but Never Forget/XOXO

Young Silco meets Margot in Stillwater.

Forward but Never Forget/XOXO

TW: exploitative dynamics, power imbalances, threats of violence, physical assault, oral sex.

Snippet:

 Notes:

- Inmate to be assigned to solitary for duration of his sentence.

- Inmate's cell door has been reinforced with additional layers of steel.

- Inmate must remain muzzled at all times outside of his cell.

- All personnel are advised not to engage in direct contact with Inmate 238453 for any reason, excepting the administration of food and water, and the necessary maintenance of his physical needs.

- All guards are instructed to use maximum force against the inmate.

- Guards are not permitted to engage in conversation with the inmate.

Transcript from audio recording made at 1201, 11-13-1949, in the Stillwater Correctional Facility

Location: Solitary confinement cell

Inmate: (singing)

Guard: You've got a lovely voice.

Inmate: (scoffs)

Guard: It's not just flattery. You have a really beautiful voice.

Inmate: ...

Guard: Are you sure I can't give you anything to make the time go faster?

Inmate: ...

Guard: Anything I can bring you? Something to eat? A drink?

Inmate: (chuckles)

Guard: You know, there's nothing I can't get.

Inmate: I know.

Guard: What's that supposed to mean?

Inmate: You know.

Guard: No, I don't know.

Inmate: You're new here, aren't you?

Guard: How can you tell?

Inmate: A few reasons. First, because I haven't seen you before.

Guard: ...

Inmate: And second, because you're talking to me.

Guard: Why wouldn't I talk to you?

Inmate: Because the Warden ordered the guards not to.

Guard: Yeah, well. Fuck the Warden.

Inmate: Sssh. Don't let him hear you say that.

Guard: I can't stand the bastard. He treats everyone like dirt.

Inmate: I've noticed.

Guard: Is it true what they say? You beat up Dr. Madden, on the day of his visit, just to get moved here.

Inmate: ...

Guard: Because I can see why. You've got privacy. Space. A nice soft mattress and a clean toilet.

Inmate: And the best view in the house.

Guard: (laughs) What view?

Inmate: Oh, I don't know. Yours, for starters.

Guard: Yeah, you can't go wrong with a girl in uniform.

Inmate: Definitely not.

Guard: You got a real smart mouth, you know that?

Inmate: Do I?

Guard: I've had plenty of prisoners try to charm me. But you're the first one who acts like he already has.

Inmate: I hope it's a good thing.

Guard: It depends.

Inmate: On what?

Guard: What else you can do with your smart mouth.

Inmate: Oh?

Guard: Oh, yeah.

Inmate: Well. Maybe there's a thing or two I could show you.

Guard: Maybe you could.

Inmate: You'd have to open the door, first.

Guard: ...

Inmate: You won't regret it.

Guard: What makes you think I'd do such a thing?

Inmate: You want to.

Guard: Oh, do I?

Inmate: You're interested already, aren't you?

Guard: (breathing).

Inmate: Come a little closer.

Guard: I'm not supposed to.

Inmate: Just for a second.

Guard: Okay.

(Footsteps).

Inmate: Hmm. You've got the most gorgeous lips.

Guard: Thanks.

Inmate: And such a sweet smile.

Guard: Yeah?

Inmate: What kind of girl wears red lipstick under a guard's visor?

Guard: (laughs) A bad one.

Inmate: Very bad.

Guard: What about you?

Inmate: Oh, I'm already bad.

Guard: That's not what I meant.

Inmate: What then? You want to find out how bad?

Guard: ...

Inmate: Open the door.

Guard: (whispers) I can't.

Inmate: Oh, yes, you can.

Guard: The cameras.

Inmate: Nobody watches them.

Guard: You don't know that.

Inmate: I do. Solitary is a dead zone. Everyone's attention is on the cameras in the general population wing.

Guard: I can't risk it.

Inmate: What have you got to lose?

Guard: My job.

Inmate: They won't fire you.

Guard: Why wouldn't they?

Inmate: The place is short-staffed. They need every name on the roster, and then some.

Guard: But they might dock my pay.

Inmate: Or transfer you to a cushier spot.

Guard: Cushier?

Inmate: They're starting a parole program for tracking inmates. Check in on their progress after they've left the facility. It pays well.

Guard: How do you know?

Inmate: The new psychicker told me.

Guard: The psychicker?

Inmate: The jolly fellow from Bandle. The one with the paunchy jowl and buck teeth.

Guard: O'Neil?

Inmate: That's the one.

Guard: But they've been offering that job for weeks, and nobody's taken it.

Inmate: Why's that?

Guard: It's dangerous. Most of the parolees are from the Undercity. They'd sooner slit your throat than take orders.

Inmate: Only a small fraction. Most are low-level criminals. They're harmless.

Guard: Still. I don't like it.

Inmate: You're bored here, aren't you?

Guard: ...

Inmate: Admit it. You are.

Guard: Maybe.

Inmate: I'd hate to think that a sweet girl like you had to go all day and night, bored and lonely.

Guard: I'm not lonely.

Inmate: You're not?

Guard: Of course not. I'm surrounded by men. Trapped, and feisty, ready to explode.

Inmate: That gets you hot, huh?

Guard: Yeah.

Inmate: You can waltz up to any man's cage. Get up close and whisper in his ear. Let him get a whiff of your perfume. Tell him what's going to happen, watch him squirm, then walk away. Does it turn you on?

Guard: Yeah.

Inmate: So what's stopping you?

Guard: Nothing.

Inmate: Unlock the door.

Guard:  ...

Inmate: You won't regret it.

Guard: You've said that.

Inmate: And still, you're afraid.

Guard: I'm not afraid.

Inmate: No?

Guard: Of course not. You're locked up. You can't touch me.

Inmate: I could, if you let me.

Guard: If you think I'll fall for that—

Inmate: I won't lay a finger on you, unless you ask me to.

Guard: That's easy to say.

Inmate: I never make promises I can't keep.

Guard: And if you can't keep that one?

Inmate: You'll have my balls in a vice.

Guard: Yeah, I will.

Inmate: (sings)

Guard: You have a pretty voice.

Inmate: And a dirty mouth.

Guard: ...

Inmate: You could have my mouth, if you wanted.

Guard: ...

Inmate: (sings)

Guard: Fine. I'll let open the door. But we're going to do this on my terms.

Inmate: Anything you want.

Guard: Anything?

Inmate: Yes.

Guard: So, you'll do exactly what I say.

Inmate: Yes.

Guard: Get down on your knees.

Inmate: Alright.

Guard: Put your hands behind your back.

Inmate: Okay.

Guard: Now, I'm going to unlock the door. I'll put the key in my pocket. If you make a single move, or touch me without my permission, I'll pull out my baton, and break every bone in your body.

Inmate: I promise. I won't lay a finger on you.

Guard: ...

Inmate: ...

(sound of a key turning in a lock, and a door opening.)

Guard: Crawl over here.

Guard: On my knees?

Guard: That's right. Keep those hands behind your back.

Inmate: Like a good little doggie, hm?

Guard: Yeah, you've really got a smart mouth.

Inmate: And you've done this before.

Guard: Have I?

Inmate: Oh, I can tell. You like the Fissure-boys, don't you?

Guard: The girls, too.

Inmate: Of course you do. It's all about the filth. Rolling in it, then grinding it under your heel. Knowing it can never be more than a spot of fun. After, you can lock it right back in its cage.

Guard: You're pretty dirty yourself, aren't you?

Inmate: You've no idea.

Guard: I've had a few of your kind. They're all the same. All teeth, and empty stomachs.

Inmate: And a tongue that knows its way around a cunt.

Guard: Fuck, yeah.

Inmate: You like that, don't you? Putting the dirty ones to use.

Guard: That's what they're good for. Licking our boots, and crawling around on the floor, like dogs. 

Inmate:  You've done that before too, eh?

Guard: Maybe.

Inmate: Yeah, you have. And more than once. Gulled a desperate prisoner, and made him into a toy. Whored him out to the other guards for kicks. And a little extra clink of coin in your purse.

Guard: Yeah, it's a real rush.

Inmate: Is it?

Guard: Having total control.

Inmate: You can have that again.

Guard: Oh, yeah?

Inmate: I'm here, aren't I? At your feet. Hands behind my back. Ready to do anything you ask.

Guard:  I'm going to ask you to do a lot of things.

Inmate: (chuckles) I'll enjoy every one.

Guard: Take my skirt off.

Inmate: Alright.

(Sound of a belt being undone, and fabric rustling.)

Guard: Nice and slow.

Inmate: Like this?

Guard: Yeah, like that.

Inmate: Oh my. Not a stitch under that little uniform.

Guard: No.

Inmate: And such a soft, smooth cunt.

Guard: (breathing heavily)

Inmate: So wet already. Is that for me?

Guard: Don't flatter yourself.

Inmate: Do I need to? Your thighs are trembling.

Guard: Lick me.

Inmate: Like that?

Guard: Oh, fuck, yes.

Inmate: Mm.

Guard:  Gods, that mouth...

Inmate: Mmmmmm.

Guard: ...oh, fuck, I love that...

Inmate: What's your name?

Guard: I'm not—not supposed to tell you.

Inmate: It's only fair, since I'm lapping up every inch of your juicy little box.

Guard: Fuck, you are dirty.

Inmate: What's your name, peach?

Guard: Mar-Margot.

Inmate: Mmm. That's a sweet name. Sweet as you are.  

Guard: Keep licking. Fuck. Don't stop.

Inmate: Like that?

Guard: Yes! Oh, yeah, lick me, just like that. Fuck, oh fuck.

(sound of heavy breathing. sound of moaning.)

(sound of a blow, and a cry.)

Guard: Fucking hell!

Inmate: Poor peach. Did that hurt?

Guard: Let go of me, you fucking bastard!

Inmate: No, I don't think so.

Guard: You son of a bitch. You said—

Inmate: Yes, and I'm a lying sump-rat. Anyway, I don't make promises to your kind.

Guard: What's that supposed to mean?

Inmate: (sings)

Guard: Stop it. If I scream—

Inmate: Who will hear? I told you already. The wing's a dead zone. Nobody watches the cameras.

Guard: I'll report you—

Inmate: You'll report yourself. After all, it was your key that got you inside, wasn't it?

(silence and heavy breathing.)

Guard: What the fuck do you want?

Inmate: I have an itch, sweet peach. An itch I've had for a very, very, very long time. And you're going to scratch it.

Guard:  Oh gods. Please. No—

Inmate: Sssh. Nothing so indelicate. We're going to stay right here. With my hand wrapped around your pretty throat, and your back pressed up against the wall. And we'll have ourselves a little talk.

Guard: I—

Inmate: Ssssh. What did you think was going to happen, when you opened that door?

Guard: I thought—

Inmate: What? You'd let the sump-raker out of his cell, and he'd fall all over himself to please you. 

Guard: No, I—

Inmate: Yes, you did. You thought I'd eat your cunt like a starved man, and thank you for the chance. After all, that's where Fissure-trash belong, don't we? Kneeling, with your boot on our necks.

Guard: ...no, please, I'm sorry...!

Inmate:  Hush. I'm not angry. I'd grateful.

Guard: G-Grateful?

Inmate: The Kindred could've sent me a hundred guards. Each one old, and dumb, and ugly as boiled arse. And none of them would've been able to help me. Not the way a clever girl like you can.

Guard: H-how can I help you?

Inmate: You can start by listening.

Guard: O-Okay.

Inmate: Good. Tonight, you'll complete your rounds. Same as usual. You'll say nothing of our encounter. Tomorrow, and every day after, you'll visit my cell. Bring me what I ask.

Guard: What do you want?

Inmate: Books. Ink. Paper. I've a few messages to pass on.

Guard: What's to stop me from ratting you out?

Inmate: My hand at your throat.

Guard: ...

Inmate: That, and I'm right. You are bored. So bored you took a chance on a caged animal locked behind bars. Now, I'm giving you a purpose. Something exciting. Something fun.

Guard: ...

Inmate: There's a place for you, peach. A place where a clever, greedy, restless girl like you can be more than a cog. You like Fissure-boys on their knees, and Fissure-girls on a string, do you? You like to yank, and watch them dance. Well, there's a whole city of puppets down below. And I'm offering you the key. All you need to do is to leave my lock ajar.

Guard: I can't—

Inmate: Not often. Just now and then.

Guard: ...

Inmate: I've told you. I'm not angry. But the Kindred might be. If you refuse me.

Guard: (breathing heavily).

Inmate: Well?

Guard: I'll... I'll do it.

Inmate: (sings)

Guard: Stop singing. Gods, just stop!

Inmate: I always sing when I'm out of smokes.

Guard: I—I can get you cigarettes.

Inmate: Good. I'll expect a carton every night.

Guard: Okay.

Inmate: And books. And whiskey. And canned sardines.

Guard: Alright.

Inmate: And a knife, too.

Guard: Shit! No—I can't get a weapon in here.

Inmate: A letter opener, then.

Guard: Fuck, I don't like this.

Inmate: No. I imagine you don't. But you like a lot of other things, don't you?

Guard: ...

Inmate: I do think, when the time's right, you should transfer to that parole program.

Guard: Why?

Inmate: Because I'll be eligible in a year's time. And I've a feeling we'll get along better, when we're both outside Stillwater’s walls.

Guard: Fuck. You're crazy.

Inmate: So why are you nodding?

Guard: Because...

Inmate: You like that I'm crazy. And you know we can help each other.

Guard: ...

Inmate: Now, how about I let go of your neck? And you slip your skirt back on.

Guard: And then what?

Inmate: Oh, we'll see about it tomorrow.

Guard: (breathing heavily).

Inmate: You'll be back, peach. And, I suspect, you'll have a little something extra for me.

Guard: Maybe.

Inmate: That's a good girl. Now, go on. Get dressed.

(sound of rustling clothes.)

Guard: Bastard.

Inmate: Have a nice shift, peach.

(sound of door closing, and footsteps, and the key turning in a lock.)

(inmate resumes singing)

End recording.

Notes:

- Inmate is showing marked improvement in his behavior.

- Inmate shows receptiveness to toward rehabilitation.

- Inmate has requested to work with Doctor O'Neil.

- Inmate should remain muzzled at all times.

- All guards are advised not to engage in direct contact with Inmate 238453 for any reason.

Petition to Piltover Parole Board

Subject: Parole application for Inmate #238453.

Requestor: Stillwater Correctional Facility - Psych Ward - Dr. O'Neil

Summary:

After extensive study, we can conclude that Inmate 238453 exhibits excellent progress, both cognitively and socially. He has demonstrated a strong desire for rehabilitation, and has successfully engaged with our psychotherapy programs. He has not had any altercations or incidents for the past twelve months, has engaged constructively with other inmates, and shown a high interest in group-therapy. In his private sessions with me, he has expressed remorse for his actions, and a wish to contribute to society.  

Recommendation:

In light of Inmate 238453's good behavior and outstanding progress, we recommend his application for parole be accepted.

Attachment:

Stillwater Correctional Facility Case History

- Psychological Evaluation:

- Behavioral Evaluation:

- Medical Evaluation:

- Letters of Recommendation:

1. From Doctor O'Neil, Stillwater Correctional Facility:

2. From Margot Baffier, Stillwater Correctional Facility:

Reply from Piltover Parole Board to requestor

Summary:

We have reviewed your recommendation for parole. Based on our own analysis, we have approved your recommendation.

Inmate 238453 will be released from custody on the following conditions:

1. He is not permitted to be in contact with any of his former associates in the Undercity.

2. He is not permitted to leave the Fissures, nor may he travel without an official permit.

3. He must reside at a registered parole address.

4. He must refrain from using, distributing, or being in the company of narcotics or alcohol.

5. He is prohibited from possessing weapons or sharp objects, and must not enter establishments where weapons are allowed.

6. He is required to obtain employment within two weeks of his release.

7. He must remain in good standing, and cannot have any violations of parole, or else he will be returned to Stillwater.

8. He is required to check in with his parole officer on a weekly basis, and must present proof of his residence, employment, and personal effects.

Assigned Parole Officer:

Margot Baffier

Assigned Parole Address:

7803 Old Cannery

Entresol

Zone 3

Release Date:

23/10/1950

End report.

[demigod-jack-hearth]

This is to address a situation where I had carelessly modified my Circe blog @the-goddess-circe to fit my alternate universe. This caused many people to get hurt and I am addressing it.

When I created the Circe Blog on August 8, it was with the intention for Jack to get possessed by Circe, a character I was interested in because as a character Circe is really complex and fascinating, I am not excusing her actions OR morals. She had not much canon lore to work with and I was excited at the opportunity to be able to experiment and work with Circe.

During one of Jack’s possession scenes ( https://www.tumblr.com/demigod-jack-hearth/758229800393523200/open-starter )

I thought it was a good idea to make a complete alternate universe for Circe, which is how I modified her intro to the alternate universe that Odysseus has raped Circe and sexually assaulted her. I did not think of the consequences of my actions and how I was not handling this situation OR topic with the care or respect it deserved.

This is the role play thread that started this alternate universe- https://www.tumblr.com/camp-sky-heaven-on-earth/758618332716056576/i-know-it-hasnt-been-long-since-i-asked-you-to?source=share

I did not consider how this was dehumanising and triggering the trauma other others and this was not my intention in the slightest.

For this overlook and negligence on my part,

I’m am wholeheartedly sorry to everyone, those affected by my actions and my audience who have seen it.

I realise now that I have people that watch me, people that reads the things I put out and they are very real. Their feelings are real. Their experiences are real and their stories and trauma are real. This is a grave mistake on my part, and I now understand that what I say and do have an effect on others.

I did not take the correct amount of time to think this through and do my proper research on the canon lore.

This section is to address my first anon message back on August 13 about my Circe au:

Link to the post-https://www.tumblr.com/demigod-jack-hearth/758706460356149249/its-kind-of-disheartening-to-see-you-re-writing?source=share and https://www.tumblr.com/demigod-jack-hearth/758707116707119104/if-you-realise-it-was-a-mistake-it-might-be-a?source=share

When I first received this anon message, I dismissed it as something I didn’t need to worry too much about and because of my WRONG mindset that I do not share as of now, I made a very throw away and poorly worded response.

I spoke to some people I am now not in contact with and they had encouraged me to not think too much about it and reinforced my belief that I had free reign to make alternate universes without discretion. I was also unhappy with a separate issue that caused me to have a lot of pent up anger and frustration, this does not excuse the way I replied the anon.

These conversations with people who enabled my wrong view on the situation sparked me to make my response hurtful, bitter and unnecessary.

I regret making that comment and I am sorry to the anonymous message who got hurt by my remarks.

I understand that Odysseus and Circe are very important characters whose stories should not be modified so carelessly.

Now onto the important part: What I will do to amend this situation.

I am not asking for anyone to forget or forgive this situation, but I hope to at least make some amends.

First off I will be deleting Circe’s Blog and will not be reworking it until I can get an acceptable version in the works.

Second of all this is a repetition but I apologise to everyone affected and reached by this situation. I am willing to make personal apologies at your request.

Finally, this will not happen again. I have grown and understood the situation to the best of my ability and will do everything in my power (running it past people before I post things and checking the facts) to make sure this does NOT happen again.

I'm going to tag everyone because I don't know who has been affected by my actions

@ja50nt0ddwa5h3r3 @unhinged-waterlilly @zariahthewitch @thegroovydaughterofhestia @beauty-queen-official @that-girl-cupid @ariathemortal @emdabitchass @if-chaos-was-a-boy @the-gods-strange-children @silena-daughterofaphrodite @love-lightning-forethought @fabulousdaughterofhecate @weakest-son-of-sun @chaos-pers0nified @neoptolemus-achilles-son @kaiaalwayswins @bast-the-best26 @goddess-of-bubblegum @hispanic-daughter-of-hermes @gaygirldoodles @luck-is-crucial @pink-koi-lovejoy @smileyalater @the-bosses-of-you @the-goddess-aphrod1te @cloak-of-ares @heraaaaaaaa @unproblematic-hestia @theycallmejeezycreezy @queenofthedeep @giant-prophetic-snake @reyna4ever @vicious-daughter-of-zeus @itsyourboyezra @the-smart-and-the-dumb-one @feral-hermes-child @oopsies-i-did-a-thing @creature-under-ur-bed @unfortunate-daughter-of-hestia

Thanks to my friend who helped me so much with editing this and helping me make it sense

[valleydean]

Chapter 14 [Read Here]

CHAMPION Part III of Heavyweight a deancas boxing au by valleydean (emmbrancsxx0) read from the beginning | playlist

SUMMARY: Brooklyn, 1933. Dean Winchester, the number one contender, trains to become the next Heavyweight Champion of the World, and this time he won't let anything get in his way. Title holder Castiel Novak has second thoughts about retiring, especially when someone from his past arrives in New York and asks for his help. Meanwhile, a new contender rises to fame and threatens to complicate both of Dean and Cas' ambitions - and their relationship.

CHAPTER PREVIEW:

“I’m going to get a drink,” he said. To everyone but Dean: “Would anyone like anything?”

Everyone shook their heads, and Charlie said, “No, thank you.”

Cas shot Dean another heated look before walking away. And no way was Dean letting him slip away that easily. He grabbed his whiskey and knocked back the rest of it in one go just to have an excuse to go to the bar. The burn of the liquor made his throat close up. It got stuck in his chest, right over his heart. His head swam.

“I’m gettin’ another one,” he announced.

“No, Dean, come on,” Sam tried.

Dean ignored him. “Anyone want?”

“Still no,” Jo said, but Dean was already walking away.

Sam tried calling Dean’s name again, only to throw up his hands in defeat.

Dean sidled up to the bar and pressed his shoulder against Cas’. Cas didn’t look at him, but his body locked up and his profile shifted, all pinched lips and jutting jaw. Dean waved one of the bartenders over and said, “Bourbon. Neat. Thanks.”

“What do you want, Dean?” Cas asked, his posture curled in and his elbows on top of the bar. He still wasn’t looking at Dean, but at least he was acknowledging him. Dean could work with that.

He turned toward Cas and leaned one arm against the bar. His chest brushed up against Cas’ elbow. “Another drink, for starters,” he answered smartly. “After that? You admitting you were wrong might hit the spot.”

Finally, Cas turned his glower toward him.

He looked good tonight. His hair was tamed of its loose curls with gel, and his blazer stretched across his broad shoulders. His stubble was darker than he usually wore it—and he knew that Dean loved it like that because the scratch felt delicious against his skin. Not to mention, it accentuated Cas’ jawline.

Dean licked his lips and dragged his teeth across the bottom one, mesmerized, forgetting himself. The sound of the music and chatter around them was a hollow, constant warbling that sounded alien to his inebriated mind. He could only focus on Cas.

“What would be the point?” Cas asked, knocking Dean back into reality.

Dean cleared his throat into his fist to right himself. He reminded himself he was mad at Cas. “Point would be to end this stupid fight.”

The point would be moving past all of this crap. It would be Dean coming back home.

Cas shook his head in a rueful, minuscule movement before looking forward again. “If the past has taught me anything, it’s that apologizing will have no effect on you whatsoever. No matter how much I mean it.”

Dean barked out a bitter laugh, because that was just bullshit. Dean didn’t even know what Cas was talking about, but it didn’t matter. It was probably just another excuse Cas had cooked up. “You could try.”

“No, Dean.” Cas turned bodily toward him, putting his face too close to Dean’s. And not close enough. “I could get on my knees and beg, and it wouldn’t make a difference.”

Now, that was an idea. Dean was very interested in seeing Cas in that particular position. It made some of his blood rush down to his dick.

“You saying you wanna get on your knees for me?” he taunted.

Cas opened his mouth—then slammed it shut, like he’d expected an argument and belatedly realized what Dean had insinuated. It was fun, watching him flounder like that. The anxiety Dean had been feeling a second ago turned into anticipation because, for the briefest flash, Cas looked like he was considering it.

But then he breathed out and dropped his shoulders dejectedly. “You’re trying to get a rise out of me.”

If Dean got him alone, he was pretty sure he could get something else to rise. Maybe Cas’ dick; maybe a welt on his handsome face.

“I’m not taking the bait like I did when we were younger. It’s asinine,” Cas told him. “We’re at our friend’s birthday, Dean. We can be civil, or you can stop talking to me.”

All the humor drained out of Dean, leaving hostility behind. And something else, too. Something circling the drain but refusing to go down.

Just be with me again, he wanted to say. Don’t you miss me half as much as I miss you?

He could practically feel the words pressing down on his tongue, but he didn’t want to say them. Because, as always, Cas was reticent in the face of Dean’s abject misery.

Dean resisted the urge to thumb at his ring.

“I bet you’d like it if I never talked to you again, huh?” Dean challenged, if only for Cas to tell him he was wrong. “That what you want?”

Before Cas could answer, the bartender returned with Dean’s whiskey and Cas’ Rob Roy.

Cas snatched up his drink and turned to Dean again. “It doesn’t matter what I want,” he growled through his teeth, and it looked like Dean had finally managed to get that rise out of him after all. “You made it abundantly clear that your wants are what’s important in this relationship.” He shoved past Dean, checking him with his shoulder. With finality, he added, “Excuse me.”

Dean sneered, drink clutched in his fist, as he watched Cas walk purposefully toward where Eileen and Jo were chatting at the table. Everyone else had dispersed. The whole way there, Cas didn’t look back once. Even now, he kept his sturdy back to Dean.

[bookished]

( a collection of starters. adjust phrasing as necessary.) feel free to make edits to better suit your muse, but please don’t edit or add on to the original post 💛 if you like, please consider supporting me through tips

"Every time she sings, it starts to rain. It's like her voice is connected to the weather."

"He says he can paint portals to other worlds. Do you think it's true, or just a clever illusion?"

"The bookstore at the corner seems to change its layout every time you visit. Yesterday, I found a room full of floating books."

"There's a garden in the heart of the city that never wilts, no matter the season. It's like a piece of eternal spring."

"I saw a cat with eyes that glowed like stars last night. It seemed to be watching over the neighborhood."

"They say a white deer appears in the forest during the winter solstice, granting wishes to those who are pure of heart."

"Every year on the same day, the town is covered in a mist that makes everyone forget their worries. Have you felt its magic?"

"At dusk, the lake glows with an ethereal light, and sometimes, you can see figures dancing on the water."

"The clock tower chimes thirteen times every full moon. No one knows why, but it feels like a call to something."

"Sometimes, the wind carries the scent of flowers that don't grow anywhere nearby. It's like a breath from another world."

"The old man at the pier claims he can talk to fish. Yesterday, he told me about a conversation he had with a whale."

"She has a way of making flowers bloom with just a touch. I wonder what other secrets she holds."

"I found an old pocket watch that, when wound backward, shows moments from the past. What should we look for?"

"There's a room in the old mansion where time stands still. People say those who enter never age."

"Legend has it that the mountain holds a sleeping giant. During thunderstorms, you can hear its heart beating."

"There's a story about a hidden city beneath the waves, visible only during the lunar eclipse. Shall we go searching?"

"I bought this music box at a flea market, and every time it plays, I see glimpses of a different life."

"This old key doesn’t seem to fit any lock I've tried. I wonder if it’s meant to open something magical."

"Whenever she draws something, it comes to life for a brief moment. I've seen it with my own eyes."

"He claims to dream of future events. Last night, he dreamed of you."

"I found a trail in the woods that wasn't there before. It led me to a place that felt like a dream."

"There's a bridge in the village that, when crossed at twilight, takes you to another realm."

"She whispered to me that the stars are actually spirits watching over us. I believe her."

"The old lighthouse keeper says the light guides lost souls home. What if he's right?"

[slowandsteddie]

"It doesn't matter, it was never going to matter."

Thank you for this starter! The words really flew off my fingers for this one.

CW: mentions of previous abuse, Steve being worried it’s going to happen again, Steve not realizing what he’s worth or how his friends feel about him because they never actually tell him, PTSD, lots of hurt before the comfort, let me know if I missed anything

Other notes: Eddie finds out about the Upside Down a lot sooner in this one, though it is kind of open ended as to when.

619 words.

Sorry it’s on the shorter side, it made me cry.

(I feel like) I don’t matter

“It doesn’t matter, it was never going to matter.”

Steve’s chest was heaving, he felt like he was going to throw up. He hated fights and everything that went with them.

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” Eddie snapped.

The younger male flinched and took a step back without fully realizing. His hands clenched by his sides, his thumbs cradled by the rest of his fingers. He wasn’t going to throw a punch, it was just a soothing thing to him. Something he had done ever since the first time he was yelled at and his instinct to plop his thumb in his mouth got him beaten up pretty severely; five was too old to be thumb sucking.

“Stevie?” Eddie’s voice was so much softer.

“You’re going on tour and I’m staying here, Eddie. So why does it matter how I feel about you? You’re going to make it big and forget about me. I’m just going to be stuck here, terrified that the monsters are going to come back and I’m going to be the only one who knows how to help the shitheads who always seem to be right in the middle of it.”

And, that’s what it boiled down to. Everyone always left him. He stayed behind to keep people safe, and when they no longer needed him…

“Oh, Steve.” Eddie’s voice broke. “I’d never forget about you.”

“Why? Because I saved your life? I’d do that for anyone.”

“Steve, stop. Just stop being so defensive. Please.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m just supposed to be all muscle and no emotion. Ever. Sorry I forgot.”

When Eddie reached out, Steve flinched again before turning and walking away. He knew he was being followed and that only made him feel sicker. Suddenly, he spun around.

“If you’re going to hit me, just do it so whatever this is can stop. So you can go back to your band and laugh about how you made me cry.”

“I-is… is that what you really think of me?”

“What I think doesn’t matter. It never matters. Just get it over with and leave me alone.”

Steve made no effort to hide the fact that he was crying. Eddie closed the distance between them and he closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see the ringed fist that would connect with his face. Suddenly, there were warm hands cupping his face and he gasped softly in surprise.

Oh.

Callused thumbs gently wiped his tears away, and his eyes slowly opened again. Eddie’s face was so much closer than he expected. Those doe brown eyes were utterly captivating and Steve was so confused.

“Why?” He asked stupidly.

He should be grateful that he wasn’t on the ground, holding his face. He shouldn’t bring attention to the fact that he hasn’t been hit yet because the older male could always change his mind.

“You are so utterly kind and brave and helplessly dense, big boy.”

Eddie’s breath smelled like cigarettes and mint and it was a struggle to not breathe deeper or lean in closer.

“W-what?”

“You can’t see your worth. You have no idea how important that you are. And it’s not even because you can swing a bat when someone’s in trouble. You give so much, expecting nothing in return.”

“I mean, apparently I expect to be punched in an argument.”

“Did you want to be?” Eddie asked so softly.

“No?”

Eddie looked over Steve’s face and apparently he saw what he was looking for because he leaned in and pressed their lips together. It was effortless for Steve to melt into him and return the kiss.

Which, that did answer Eddie’s original question: do you like me, too, Harrington?

[memekais]

epic the musical sentence starters. the ocean saga. feel free to change pronouns as needed!

storm

these waves and tides have grown in strength and size.

is it nature or divine or a blessing in disguise?

our home's in sight.

this storm's our final fight.

brace for a storm!

with home so close, we must keep pushing forward.

head towards the island but avoid the crashing waves.

tread where the tide is flat and then you will be saved.

have them follow my ship, i'll ensure that we prevail!

we're taking too much damage to survive.

at this rate, we won't make it out alive.

grab the harpoons, as many as you can find!

we're gonna shoot for the sky!

everyone grab a harpoon and aim it high!

we're shooting for the island in the sky!

luck runs out

please don't tell me you're about to do what i think you'll do.

you've heard the legends of the island in the sky, this proves they're true.

i'm gonna climb to the top and ask 'em for a hand.

you could be caught off guard and lose your life or piss off this god and infuse us with strife.

don't forget how dangerous the gods are.

have faith, friend, we've come this far.

how much longer till your luck runs out?

how much longer till the show goes south?

how much longer till we all fall down?

you rely on wit, and people die on it...

i still believe in goodness, i still believe that we could be kind.

lead from the heart and see what starts.

what will we do when it tears us apart?

i just don't wanna see another life end.

you're like the brother i could never do without.

suddenly you doubt that i could figure this out?

how much longer till your great days cease?

how much longer till your strength takes leave?

thank you for the concern but brother I can assure you our journey is almost done.

i understand that we're tired, i understand that we're fazed but don't forget how much we've already faced.

if you'd like to speak more, let me pull you aside then i need to talk to you in private.

i can't have you planting seeds of doubt, i can't have you disagreeing each route...

i need you to always be devout and comply with this or we'll all die in this, okay?

keep your friends close

our path to home is blocked by an impenetrable storm.

i ask for your assistance so we at last can go the distance.

i am the wind, twisting and turning, i give the fire enough to stay burning!

if you win, you will get what you're yearning.

take a look right here at this bag, it has the winds of the storm all trapped.

sounds too easy, what's the catch?

keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

never really know who you can trust.

sometimes killing is a must.

the end always justifies the means; friends turn into foes in rivalries.

we cannot let the treasure rumour fly.

now they wanna get the bag open so they can have closure.

sometimes sneaking is a must

for nine days, i've stayed wide awake.

i can't wait to make some new memories.

time for me to be the father i never was.

why are my eyes and my heart and my soul so heavy?

i keep on tried to embraced you both. why won't you let me?

we can save whatever wind we have to use another day, come on!

[NAME].... do you know who i am?

ruthlessness

in all my years of living, it isn't very often that i get pissed off.

i try to chill with the waves but damn, you crossed the line.

i've been so gracious and yet, you hurt the son of mine.

i'm left without a choice and without a doubt!

guess the pack of wolves is swimming with the shark now!

i've gotta make you bleed, i need to see you drown but before you go, I need to make you learn...

ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves!

you are the worst kind of good 'cause you're not even great!

a greek who reeks of false righteousness, that's what I hate!

you fight to save lives but won't kill and don't get the job done...

you are far too nice - mercy has a price!

it's the final crack we're about to break the ice now!

unlike you i've got no mercy left to give.

now it is finally time to say goodbye. today, you die unless, of course, you apologize...

we meant no harm, we only hurt him to disarm him!

we took no pleasure in his pain, we only wanted to escape!

the line between naïveté and hopefulness is almost invisible.

so, close your heart the world is dark, and ruthlessness is mercy.

i am your darkest moment... the monster that always draws near.

any last words?

[the12thnightproject]

I thought of a HC request, if that's fine by you: the Warlords each receive a letter signed by an anonymous person saying that "The most important person in their lives is being held hostage."

However, it turns that no one was held hostage, and it was all just an experiment done by MC and Sasuke. I saw this in a comic book story years ago.

I apologize if this is confusing.

Hi Anon!  Thank you for stopping into the ol’ ask box. “The most important person in their lives is being held hostage”…? Yikes, even as an experiment that’s cruel (especially as an experiment). So… ok, I’m going to actually acquit Sasuke of this…. Even though he’s not the most emotionally adept, he’s smart enough to know that this kind of note is not the sort of thing you do in Sengoku.

HOWEVER...

We’ve seen in several event routes, that MC, especially if she is feeling inadequate, or jealous or whatever, WOULD indeed do something like this. In event routes, we’ve seen her try to make her suitor jealous, followed them, tried to give Masamune alcohol, considered giving Mitsuhide an aphrodisiac…

Yeah, if this is an event version of MC, she would do this. The question is… does she send the message and hide, HOPING that her suitor will think she is the hostage, OR does she send the message and then stand next to the warlord as he opens it, to see the reaction?

Let’s just assume she’s hiding.

"The most important person in your life is being held hostage."

Nobunaga – Opens the letter, is momentarily worried, but then he notices the top of MC’s head over the edge of the tenshu balcony. He pitches his voice loudly and announces, “Oh no! My WIFE is being held hostage.” There is a shocked whisper of “wife?” from outside, and then a scared squeak because MC loses her grip and almost falls. Nobunaga rushes out to the balcony and pulls her back to safety. Then he assures her that she is the love of his life, and makes her promise to never do anything that stupid again.

Hideyoshi – Panics. But panics in such complete brain melting gibberish, that MC is unable to tell whether or not he is worried about her…. or Nobunaga.

Mitsuhide – Realizes instantly that MC wrote the letter, and – while creeping carefully toward where MC is hiding – says, “Well… that’s way too much to pay for MC. Guess I’m going to just die a sad, lonely, man.” Then he pulls her out of her hiding place and says, “Dear me, I’ve found a tricky little mouse who apparently wants to play games tonight.” Follows that up with some suggestions about what kind of games they could play.

Masamune – Immediately takes off intending to rescue MC. MC has to chase after him to assure him that she is ok after all.  After his initial relief passes, he promises her she is the most important person in his life, and makes her promise never to do anything that stupid again.

Ieyasu –  “My sourdough starter!” Runs back to his manor to check on it.

Mitsunari – The ransom note gets mixed in with all the loose papers in his room and he never sees it.

Keiji – Plots a daring rescue. Writes a poem about the daring rescue. Puts the poem about the daring rescue to music. Hires a group of travelling players to act out daring rescue. Forgets to actually pull off daring rescue.

Ranmaru – Is doing his secret squirrel spy ninja stuff around the castle when he runs across MC hiding before he even gets the note.

Kennyo – Because everyone is important to Kennyo, he spends the rest of the week checking up on every person he knows to make sure they are ok.

Motonari – Catches MC writing the ransom note and eagerly volunteers to help her carrying the abduction.

Kicho – “And…?”

Kenshin –  If you’ve ever wondered why today, Kasugayama Castle is in ruins… well, wonder no more.

Kanetsugu – “Kenshin!” Then realizes that no force in the world could take Kenshin hostage, and hunts down MC’s hiding place. Takes fifteen minutes to icily explain to her why this was a cruel joke, but as soon as she starts crying and apologizing and vowing never to do such a stupid thing again, he gathers her in his arms and assures her that he loves her very much.

Shingen – Reads note, and recognizes MC’s handwriting. It takes him no time whatsoever to locate her. He then spends the rest of the night assuring her how much he loves her, how much she means to him (granted, he probably didn’t need the entire night, but Shingen is thorough).

Yoshimoto – MC realizes that she cannot do this to Yoshimoto – he’s suffered enough in his route and she doesn’t want to push him over the edge. So instead she sends him on a scavenger hunt, and when he follows all the clues, he finds MC at the end, lying in his bed, wearing only rose petals. She spends the rest of the night convincing him how much she loves him.

Yukimura – Enlists Sasuke’s help. Sasuke reads the note. “Wait, I believe I read this in a comic book somewhere.” He helps Yuki find MC where she is hiding. When the inevitable argument follows Yuki’s, “Dummy! How could you do such a thing. You know I love you, right?”  Sasuke slinks away.

Sasuke – Is pretty sure he read about this in a comic book, but goes to Azuchi to check on Ieyasu just in case.

@lorei-writes

[vxctorx]

The Talented Mr. Ripley Sentence Starters

feel free to change the pronouns

"If I could just go back. If I could rub everything out… starting with myself."

"To my ear, jazz is just noise. Just an insolent noise."

"I can tell you, the _______ name opens a lot of doors."

"I have so much luggage, and you’re so, um, streamlined. It’s, you know, humiliating."

"We’re partners in disguise."

"Hello. Uh, well, I knew you…so I suppose you must have known me."

"I’ve been looking all over for you. Where’ve you been hiding?"

"Did you suddenly forget where I lived?"

"I’m despicable, but I love you."

"Everybody should have one talent. What’s yours?"

"Nobody should have more than one talent."

"It’s too much! You’re making all the hairs on my neck stand up."

"I’m never going back."

"To actually hire somebody to come all the way here to drag me back home– Got to be a little insane, hasn’t he?"

"Call him, if you can find a telephone that works, and tell him wild horses wouldn’t drag me back to him."

"Boats are female. Everyone knows you can’t call a boat after a man."

"I can’t write and I can’t spell. It’s the privilege of a first-class education."

"Now that you’re a double agent and we’re gonna string my dad along, what if we were to buy a car with your expense money?"

"You’re breaking my ribs!"

"I love the fact that you brought Shakespeare with you but no clothes."

"Anyway, just wear some of my stuff. Wear anything you want. Most of it’s ancient."

"Without the glasses, you’re not even ugly. I don’t need them because I never read."

"It means we’ve never shared a bath, and I’m cold. Can I get in?"

"Stop telling me what an incredible time you’re having."

"He wants me to reassure him that you’re going to be home by Thanksgiving."

"You’ve got to get a new jacket. Really. You must be sick of wearing the same clothes."

"I love how responsible you are. My dad should make you chief accountant or something. Or when I take over, which is never, I will."

"Oh, God, don’t you want to fuck every woman you see just once?"

"Would you get undressed in your own room?"

"I was just fooling around. Don’t say anything. I was just fooling around."

"You, uh, stay at _______’s house, you eat _______’s food, you wear his clothes, and his father picks up the tab."

"The thing with _______ ... It’s like the sun shines on you, and it’s glorious. And then he forgets you and it’s very, very cold."

"When you have his attention, you feel like you’re the only person in the world. That’s why everybody loves him."

"How can it take an hour to find an ambulance?!"

"I don’t know why people say this country is civilized. It isn’t. It’s fucking primitive!"

"You don’t have to clean up! Really!"

"You’ve been so good to me. You’re the brother I never had. I’m the brother you never had. I would do anything for you."

"She came to me for help. She needed money. I didn’t help her."

"I’m not going to say anything, to the police or anybody. It’s a secret between us, and I’ll keep it."

"You could hardly expect this to go on forever."

"You said it yourself. It’s my dad’s money you’re spending."

"I’m suddenly quite happy to be going back."

"Do you even like jazz, or was that for my benefit?"

"I’ve gotten to like everything about the way you live. It’s one big love affair."

"I figured-Now, just for argument’s sake, say I got a place. Or say we split the rent on a house."

"Yesterday, you’re ogling girls on the terrace. Today you’re getting married?! That’s absurd!"

"You love me. You’re not marrying me."

"I don’t love you."

"To be honest, I’m a little relieved you’re going. I think we’ve seen enough of each other for a while."

"You can be a leech! You know that! And it’s boring. You can be quite boring!"

"The funny thing is, I’m not pretending to be somebody else, and you are. I’ve been absolutely honest with you about my feelings, But you-"

"First of all, I know there’s something. That evening, when we played chess, for instance, it was obvious."

"Oh, sure. No, no! It’s too dangerous for you to take on. Oh, no, no. We’re brothers! "

"You follow your cock around like a-And now you’re getting married! No, I’m bewildered. Forgive me."

"Who are you? Some third-class mooch? Who are you? Who are you to say anything to me! Who are you to tell me anything!"

"Actually, I really, really do not want to be on this boat with you. I can’t move without you moving."

"I’m gonna kill you! Kill you! You’re dead!"

"There’s a side to him when our heads are on the pillow, I know no one else sees, that’s so tender."

"The truth is that if you’ve had money your entire life, either you despise it, or you’re only truly comfortable around other people who have it and despise it."

"I look at you and I see her face. And I can’t- No matter what I’m feeling towards you–"

"But will you meet me tomorrow? Just to say goodbye properly, you know, in the daylight, so it’s not just this. You should always save pain for daylight."

"Last time you didn’t know your ass from your elbow. Now you’re giving me directions. That’s not fair. You probably do know your ass from your elbow."

"I won’t count on you anymore. Whatever it is you’ve done or haven’t done, you’ve broken my heart. That’s one thing I know you’re guilty of."

"You’re much more like the son my father wanted."

"I realize you can change the people, change the scenery, but you can’t change your own rotten self."

"I’m haunted by everything I’ve done and can’t undo."

"I’m delighted, contrary to rumor, that you’re still in one piece."

"By the way, officially there are no Italian homosexuals. Makes Michelangelo and Leonardo very inconvenient."

"Well, whatever you do, however terrible, however hurtful, it all makes sense, doesn’t it, in your head. You never meet anybody who thinks they’re a bad person."

"Don’t you just take the past and put it in a room in the basement, and lock the door and never go in there? And then you meet someone special, and all you want to do is toss them the key. Say “Open up. Step inside.” But you can’t. Because it’s dark, and there are demons."

"I keep wanting to do that. Fling the door open. Just let the light in, clean everything out."

What a waste of lives and opportunities. I’d pay that fellow $ 100 right now to shut up!"

"You know, people always say that you can’t choose your parents, but you can’t choose your children."

"I loved you. You may as well know. I loved you. Maybe it’s grotesque of me to say this now, so just write it on a piece of paper or something, and put it in your wallet for a rainy day."

"When you see where you live from a distance, it’s like a dream, isn’t it?"

"You know, seeing you again, I–I’ve thought about you, so much."

"I’m gonna be stuck in the basement, aren’t I? That’s my... Terrible…and alone…and dark. And I’ve lied…about who I am…and where I am. Now no one will ever find me."

"I always thought it would be better to be a fake somebody, than a real nobody."

"You’re not a nobody. That’s the last thing you are."

[wvsteria]

just as a psa i will be dropping all pre-event threads unless there's a plot there that needs to be continued. i've been given permission to steal kasey/sunny's excellent organization skills. so here's my valentine's extravaganza blind date gala plotting/starter call. i'm going to cap all my muses at 4 and mun's at 4 requests as well. if we have a blind date pairing, i'll message to split the starters, so please don't request them here! people in ships going together and blind dates will be listed. my pinterest here has all the outfits. please message me if you'd like to change something. request for starters and like for a dm to plot event things. starter tracker is here

(0/4) aedion ashryver - blind date w dawn granger since mans is still unaware, he's living his best life by being a himbo and dating around. not really into this for something serious so might be flirting with other people while here and just generally wandering around the museum. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) alyla vane - blind date w ki yuri aly is also not looking for anything serious. she's got no capacity to be trying to form real connections with anyone but she likes adventure and trying new things. she may be trying to cause chaos here. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) america chavez - going w kate bishop they're probably going together as friends, even though they both clearly want it to be more and are just to dumb to realize. but america is looking to party and have a good time with kate and the rest of her friends. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) amren - going w varian of course amren is going with varian. they only have eyes for him. but they are open to exploring the museum. i wouldn't say chatting for everyone she's a lil scary and doesn't like new people. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) andarna - going w rhiannon matthias are they going as besties? are they going as dates? your guess is as good as theirs. they're just trying to party and have a funky good time with everyone. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) brinna javik - blind date w bella swan brin wants to date and find someone worthwhile and fall into another person. she's all about the romance of this event. as baby as she is though, don't forget they're feral and a lil crazy. they are def up for some choas. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) bucky barnes - going w emmeline vance bucky may very well spend this gala getting yelled at by emme and his sister. he may try to escape. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) cady heron - going solo cady is still getting used to everything here and went to see what's going on. she's a bit of a wallflower but is friendly and open to meeting new people! she's also going to be super super interested in everything the museum has to offer. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) carlos de vil - blind date w b.e.n. carlos is just looking for a fun night and is really trying to have a good night with his date and anyone else he runs into! drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) cassandra dimitrescu - going w morrigan cass is literally head over heels for mor and is trying to hide it from her sisters. they will be enamored by her most of the night. but they're a cadou so of course they'll be in for some chaos. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) clarisse la rue - going w silena beauregard clarisse was absolutely dragged here by silena. they don't want to be around all this mushy mushy love stuff, especially with all the confusing feelings they're having for their roommate/best friend. so !! please don't bother her or she will start a fight. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) dorcas meadowes - going w bela dimitrescu doe is determined to break this depression streak and is going to actually try and enjoy herself for a single night. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) dorian havilliard - going solo dorian is here for appearances since he is a prince. though he is also a flirt and thinks that he's single. but he's got a very aware partner keen on murking anyone that looks at him funny. so...do with that what you will drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) emily davis - blind date w regina george emily was definitely looking for something new and interesting to do. this date will be interesting with two fiery personalities let's see if it goes good or goes insanely poorly. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) emily fields - going w alison dilaurentis em is so excited to be doing something romantic with ali and not having to worry about their daughters for one night. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) enzo st john - going w bonnie bennett enzo is looking for a nice romantic evening with his wife and nothing more really. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) ethan mckinnon - blind date w kenzi malikov ethan is trying to forget all his family drama by doing random city event things. even though he's not super interested in dating right now. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) evan afton - going w cassidy mendes evan's never been to a dance or event like this before. they're really excited to see everything that's here being offered. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) garrick tavis - going w imogen cardulo garrick is not in the mood to party, but he was dragged here by im. he's probably going to just be a grump the whole time. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) ghislaine blackbeak - blind date w ling wen ghislaine was talked into doing the blind date thing by some co-workers. she's a little nervous about the idea but is extremely excited to explore the museum and see what's there. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) gwyneth berdara - going w allison argent gwyn finally had the courage to ask allison out on a date. she saw this event as the perfect opportunity to do so. she will be trying to woo her date and explore the museum and have a good time. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(5/4) harry potter - going w hermione granger harry has been so awkward around hermione since they kissed and this is basically their make or break moment. he's got to step up and make a move! drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) helion - going w elena vanserra helion and eleni are in a good place with each other and have finally talked about their bond. helion just wants to have a good night with his mate and give her the romantic day she deserves. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) jacen solo - going w tenel ka djo jacen is a bit stressed but is going to try and have a nice time with his wife like she deserves. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) jesinia neilwart - going solo since her friend that she would like to ask doesn't remember her, she's just here to get information on this place through the museum and get to know people. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) josie saltzman - blind date w abby anderson was josie trying to get over her ex by going on a blind date? yes. is it going to work? no. especially since finding out that her ex was set up with her twin sister!! she's going to be a terrible date and in a terrible mood. and might light something on fire. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) judith grimes - going w mencia blanco commerford judith and mencia are going to have a fun night at this event! judith is super curious about the history here too and generally would love to get to know new people. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) kasil monsula - going w sabina palpatine idk if i would say they're going together. but he is her bodyguard and was going to have to be there anyway. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) kiara carrera - going w jj maybank kie is definitely dragging jj along to this thing. she can't survive these super dressy events on her own. she just wants to drink and have fun with her friends again. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) klaus mikaelson - blind date w veronica fisher klaus is certainly not looking for anything serious at the moment. just a new way to go crazy, break all the rules, and drink. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) lettie hatter - blind date w liu mingyan lettie loves love and romance so of course she was going to sign up for a blind date! will this make a certain vampire jealous? who knows. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) meredith grey - blind date w fred flintstone meredith wants to get out there and see what this place has to offer...unfortunately she's landed in the middle of a soap opera. but she'll be happy for them regardless. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) mia winters - going w ethan winters mia wants to have a lovely romantic time with her husband. not thinking about cadous or people chasing after her daughters. or her family not getting along. please let's just all get along!!! drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) mouse honrada - blind date w lyra ayala since mouse doesn't remember she's in love with her best friend... here we are! she's pretty excited to try this new thing out! drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) myri tiure - blind date w alex danvers myri doesn't realize that she's kind of in love with her best friend so they did this before realizing it would make them super jealous to see dani with someone else. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) natalie berzatto - going solo (?) natalie is signed up for the blind date thing, however if it doesn't work out, all is well. she would just like to have a good night and maybe explore the museum a bit. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) needy lesnicki - blind date w shin hati needy is definitely using this as a way to get over her best friend. she would like to forget about her. unsure if this will help but she might go a little wild tonight. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) nehemia ytger - going w daenerys targaryen nehemia asked dany on a date as soon as she saw the event. she loves things like this and really wants to take dany maybe a little out of her comfort zone to have some fun together. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) noela - blind date w ginny miller noela is absolutely here for a good time. she's genuinely down to just see what happens and if they have fun together. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) padme amidala - going w anakin skywalker padme wants to have a lovely night with her husband and is obviously in attendance because she is the senator. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) peter parker - going w michelle jones peter is so excited to spend some time with mj. he wants nothing more than to just hang out with her and look around the museum and hopes that nothing is popping up around the corner. ps if he catches anyone doing illegal things, he's gonna stop them. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(3/4) rosalie hale - blind date w sidney prescott rosalie is a simple girl, just looking for her perfect match. she wants to have a nice time during the event drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) rosita espinosa - going solo honestly, she's only here because she's a secret service agent and feels she should keep an eye on things. though she's not opposed to a little flirting. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) roxanne weasley - going w parker halliwell roxy is begging for a normal event. she just wants to take parker out for a fun evening. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) rue green - going w eveline not much to say here rue just wants to have fun and shake ass with her gf. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) samara palpatine - going w shi wudu we don't know if this is a date or not but if he was with anyone else, samara would be raising hell so.. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) sloane mairi - blind date w evie o'neill sloane is a young girl looking for some fun to be had and was super excited to sign up for this blind date thing. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) song lan - going w xiao xingchen song lan came with his friend at their behest. he is optimistic for a good time but is also cautious about what's happening. though he is possibly so much more interested in exploring the museum drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(3/4) soren palpatine - going solo soren wasn't exactly in the partying mood, but he still decided to show up. will be happy to run into some friends here. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(3/4) stu macher - going w jinx they're here to do some fuck shit. i mean man literally came in a ghostface mask. rip drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) syrena cordella - going solo syrena my lovely is coming to have a good time out, celebrate the fact that there's no impending war! drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) taissa turner - going w van palmer tai definitely invited van along as friends since van doesn't remember her. otherwise she would totally be shooting her shot. but alas. she may be drinking and just wandering around drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) tamlin - going w georgia miller tamlin is only going with georgia as friends!! he's still getting himself together. and definitely not ready to be fully committed, but does his heart know that yet? no. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(2/4) tara carpenter - going w amber freeman it's not a wise idea for tara to be attending this with amber, much less still be seeing amber right now with what she's learned. but tara trusts her and doesn't want to stop seeing her. she just wants a cute date with her best friend. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) thalia grace - blind date w luo qingyang thalia kinda signed up as a joke but also wasn't totally opposed to the idea of a blind date. she'll maybe wander around the museum a bit, dance a little, blow off some steam and have fun. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) thea hughes - going w lou vance this is another totally besties thing. it's completely platonic to ask your best fiend out to a romantic valentine's gala at a museum. totally. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(1/4) willa lykensen - blind date w primrose everdeen so willa likes a good party as much as the next wolf. she's def made sure to look her best tonight. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(4/4) xuan ji - going w qi rong xuan ji has definitely dragged qi rong to this thing. she's thinking this is her moment to make something real and permanent. no she is not delusional. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos

(0/4) zoya nazyalensky - blind date w james sirius potter zoya signed up for this before getting some of her memories back. she may still be a bit bitchy towards her date, but that's fine it wasn't going to last for either of them honestly. drinking || dancing || general chatting || exploring the museum || people watching || snacking in the corner || flirting || looking for an out || chaos